Hydrogen generation system, hydrogen generation method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides a hydrogen generation system that appropriately generates and stores hydrogen by controlling the amount of hydrogen produced. One aspect of the hydrogen generation system includes a hydrogen generation unit, a hydrogen storage unit, a residual quantity acquisition unit, and a control unit. The hydrogen generation unit uses biogas produced from biomass to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen storage unit stores the generated hydrogen. The residual quantity acquisition unit acquires information about the residual amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage unit. The control unit controls the amount of biogas produced by the hydrogen generation unit based on the residual quantity information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hydrogen generation system, a hydrogen generation method, and a procedure. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen can provide energy through combustion or chemical reactions without producing carbon dioxide, making it an energy source with low environmental impact. Hydrogen can be generated by modifying biogas produced from biomass without consuming fossil fuels. Therefore, if biogas can be efficiently obtained from biomass, hydrogen can be appropriately obtained. Patent Document 1 describes a methane fermentation control system capable of controlling methane fermentation appropriately.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-253870 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The methane fermentation control system described in Patent Document 1 adjusts the amount of biomass introduced into the methane fermentation layer based on the measured ammonia content and volatile fatty acids in the fermentation residue. However, the methane fermentation control system described in Patent Document 1 does not include information on confirming the storage status of the generated gas. Therefore, it is impossible to suppress the gas generation to an appropriate level, and methane fermentation may proceed excessively.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a hydrogen generation system that controls the amount of hydrogen generated to an appropriate level and generates and stores hydrogen accordingly.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a hydrogen generation system comprising a hydrogen generation unit, a hydrogen storage unit, a residual quantity acquisition unit, and a control unit. The hydrogen generation unit generates hydrogen using biogas produced from biomass. The hydrogen storage unit stores the generated hydrogen. The residual quantity acquisition unit acquires information on the residual amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage unit. The control unit controls the amount of biogas generated by the hydrogen generation unit based on the residual quantity information.

[0007] The aforementioned hydrogen generation system may also include a hydrogen consumption unit that uses hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen storage unit. In the hydrogen generation system, a residual quantity acquisition unit can acquire information on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen consumption unit, and a control unit can control at least one of the temperature and pressure of the biogas generation environment based on the residual quantity information and the usage information.

[0008] In the above-mentioned hydrogen generation system, the biomass can be livestock manure, the hydrogen generation unit can produce biogas through fermentation, and the hydrogen consumption unit can include at least one of a hydrogen burner and a hydrogen generator installed in a household.

[0009] In one aspect of the hydrogen generation method of the present invention, during the step of generating and storing hydrogen using biogas produced from biomass, a computer performs the following processing: The computer acquires information on the remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank. The computer controls the amount of biogas produced based on the remaining amount information.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, during the process of generating and storing hydrogen using biogas produced from biomass, a computer performs the following processing: The computer obtains information on the remaining amount of hydrogen in the storage tank. The computer controls the amount of biogas produced based on the remaining amount information.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to the present invention, a hydrogen generation system, hydrogen generation method and procedure can be provided that controls the amount of hydrogen generated to an appropriate level and generates and stores hydrogen appropriately. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the hydrogen generation system involved in Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen generation method according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the hydrogen generation system involved in Embodiment 2.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen generation method involved in Embodiment 2.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a block diagram illustrating the hardware structure of a computer. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will now be described through embodiments thereof, but the invention as described in the claims is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, not all structures described in the embodiments are necessarily necessary as means of solving the problem. For clarity, appropriate omissions and simplifications have been made in the following descriptions and drawings. Additionally, in the drawings, the same symbols are used to denote the same elements, and repeated descriptions have been omitted as necessary.

[0019] <Implementation Method 1>

[0020] refer to Figure 1 The hydrogen generation system 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 1This is a structural diagram of the hydrogen generation system 10 according to Embodiment 1. The hydrogen generation system 10 controls the amount of biogas produced in hydrogen generation based on the remaining amount of stored hydrogen. The hydrogen generation system 10 includes a hydrogen generation unit 101, a hydrogen storage unit 102, a remaining amount acquisition unit 103, and a control unit 104.

[0021] Biomass is an organic resource derived from living organisms. Examples of biomass include livestock manure, sewage sludge, wood, and food waste. Biogas is gas produced from biomass.

[0022] Biogases are produced, for example, by fermenting biomass with methane-producing bacteria. Alternatively, biogases are generated through the thermal decomposition of biomass. Biogases include methane and carbon dioxide, among others. Furthermore, methane fermentation is also known as anaerobic digestion.

[0023] Hydrogen can be generated by steam reforming biogas. Steam reforming is a method of producing hydrogen through a chemical reaction between water vapor and hydrocarbons, such as methane. Steam reforming requires high-temperature steam, resulting in high operating costs. Therefore, it is preferable that the processes involved in hydrogen generation be efficiently controlled.

[0024] The hydrogen generation unit 101 uses biogas produced from biomass to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen generation unit 101 includes a process for generating biogas from biomass and a process for generating hydrogen by modifying the biogas with water vapor.

[0025] The hydrogen storage unit 102 stores the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation unit 101. The hydrogen storage unit 102 is, for example, a hydrogen storage tank. The tank is also called a gas storage cabinet. The hydrogen storage unit 102 stores hydrogen in a gaseous state, but is not limited to this; it can also store it in a liquid state. Furthermore, the hydrogen storage unit 102 can store hydrogen in the form of a hydrogen compound, or it can use a hydrogen storage alloy for storage. Moreover, the hydrogen storage unit 102 can be supplied with the stored hydrogen through a delivery pipe or the like.

[0026] The residual quantity acquisition unit 103 acquires information about the residual amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage unit 102. The residual quantity acquisition unit 103 may be equipped with a hydrogen residual quantity measuring mechanism in the hydrogen storage unit 102. The residual quantity acquisition unit 103 can acquire the residual quantity information of hydrogen from the hydrogen residual quantity measuring mechanism provided in the hydrogen storage unit 102. Here, residual quantity information refers to information related to the amount of stored hydrogen. The residual quantity information can be a numerical value or information indicating that the hydrogen storage amount is below a threshold. Furthermore, the residual quantity information can be storage capacity identification information determined in stages based on the hydrogen storage amount.

[0027] The control unit 104 controls the amount of biogas produced by the hydrogen generation unit 101 based on the residual information acquired by the residual information acquisition unit 103. The control unit 104 can control the amount of biogas produced based on the time-dependent changes in the residual information. When the hydrogen generation unit 101 uses methane fermentation, the control unit 104, for example, promotes methane fermentation of the biomass when the residual hydrogen amount decreases. The control unit 104 can control the pretreatment method for the biomass and also control the fermentation environment of the biomass. Furthermore, when the hydrogen generation unit 101 uses thermal decomposition, the control unit 104, for example, controls the thermal decomposition temperature.

[0028] Therefore, the hydrogen generation system 10 can control the amount of hydrogen generated to an appropriate level based on the residual hydrogen in the hydrogen storage unit 102, thereby appropriately generating and storing hydrogen. Thus, by improving hydrogen storage efficiency, the hydrogen generation system 10 reduces the size of the equipment involved in the hydrogen storage unit 102, thereby reducing equipment setup and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the hydrogen generation system 10 can appropriately utilize energy in processes such as steam reforming involved in hydrogen generation, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen generation method according to Embodiment 1. The hydrogen generation method according to the hydrogen generation system 10 includes steps S11 to S14.

[0030] In step S11, the hydrogen generation system 10 generates hydrogen from biomass. The hydrogen generation system 10 produces biogas from biomass and then generates hydrogen from the biogas. In step S12, the hydrogen generation system 10 stores the hydrogen generated in step S11 in a hydrogen storage unit 102. The hydrogen storage unit 102 is, for example, a tank.

[0031] In step S13, the hydrogen generation system 10 acquires information on the remaining hydrogen quantity in the hydrogen storage unit 102. This remaining quantity information can be obtained by measuring the remaining hydrogen quantity or by calculating the difference between the hydrogen generation and consumption. It is not limited to these methods and can be obtained through other means. In step S14, the hydrogen generation system 10 controls the amount of biogas produced based on the remaining hydrogen quantity. The hydrogen generation system 10 can control the amount of biogas produced based on the time-varying changes in the remaining quantity information.

[0032] As explained above, the hydrogen generation system 10 controls the amount of biogas produced and the amount of hydrogen produced based on the residual hydrogen information. Therefore, the hydrogen generation system 10 can control the amount of hydrogen produced to an appropriate level, thereby appropriately generating and storing hydrogen. Consequently, the hydrogen generation system 10 can suppress excessive hydrogen production and improve storage efficiency, thereby reducing the space and cost of facilities involved in hydrogen storage. Furthermore, the hydrogen generation system 10 can appropriately adjust the biogas production process, thereby improving energy utilization efficiency.

[0033] Alternatively, the hydrogen generation system 10 may include a processor and a storage device (not shown). The storage device in the hydrogen generation system 10 may include, for example, a storage device containing non-volatile memory such as flash memory or a solid-state drive (SSD). In this case, the storage device stores a computer program (hereinafter also simply referred to as the program) for performing the above-described method. The processor then reads the computer program from the storage device into a buffer memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and executes the program.

[0034] Each structure of the hydrogen generation system 10 can be implemented by dedicated hardware. Furthermore, some or all of each component can be implemented by general-purpose or dedicated circuitry, processors, or combinations thereof. These can be composed of a single chip or multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device can be implemented by a combination of the aforementioned circuitry and programs. The processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. Moreover, at least a portion of the processing performed by the hydrogen generation system 10 can be provided as Software as a Service (SaaS). Additionally, the descriptions related to the structures described herein can also be applied to other devices or systems described below in this invention.

[0035] <Implementation Method 2>

[0036] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the hydrogen generation system 11 according to Embodiment 2. The hydrogen generation system 11 controls the temperature and pressure of the biogas generation process based on residual hydrogen information and usage information, thereby controlling the amount of biogas produced and adjusting the amount of hydrogen produced. The hydrogen generation system 11 according to Embodiment 2 and... Figure 1The hydrogen generation system 11 in the text has a partially identical structure. Therefore, the description of the structure of the hydrogen generation system 11, which performs the same processes as the hydrogen generation system 11, is omitted. The hydrogen generation system 11 includes a biogas generation unit 111, a reforming unit 112, a hydrogen storage unit 113, a hydrogen utilization unit 114, a residual quantity acquisition unit 115, and a control unit 116. Furthermore, the biogas generation unit 111 and the reforming unit 112 are equivalent to the reference... Figure 1 The hydrogen generation unit 101 of the hydrogen generation system 10 described herein.

[0037] The biogas generating unit 111 generates biogas from biomass. Here, the biomass is livestock manure. The biogas generating unit 111 uses fermentation to generate biogas. Fermentation, for example, uses methanogenic bacteria. In this case, the biogas is methane gas. The biogas generating unit 111 can pre-treat the biomass before the fermentation process. Pre-treatment includes, for example, crushing, screening, compression, metering, and solubilization. Solubilization is a process that decomposes biodegradable high-molecular-weight organic matter into low-molecular-weight organic matter and promotes methane fermentation. Solubilization, for example, uses subcritical water treatment, ultrasound, thermal decomposition, chemical treatment, biological treatment, or pressure crushing. The biogas generating unit 111 may include multiple pre-treatment processes.

[0038] The reforming unit 112 reforms the biogas with water vapor to generate hydrogen. The reforming unit 112 can control its operating rate based on the amount of biogas produced or the state of the biogas generating unit 111.

[0039] The hydrogen storage unit 113 includes a tank for storing hydrogen and stores the hydrogen generated by the reforming unit 112. The hydrogen storage unit 113 supplies the stored hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption unit 114 via a delivery pipe. Furthermore, the hydrogen storage unit 113 includes a residual measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of hydrogen stored and outputs residual hydrogen information. Additionally, the hydrogen storage unit 113 can also supply oxygen to the hydrogen consumption unit 114 for use with hydrogen. In this case, the hydrogen storage unit 113 may include an oxygen storage tank.

[0040] The hydrogen consumption unit 114 uses hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage unit 113. The hydrogen consumption unit 114 includes at least one of a hydrogen burner 1141 and a hydrogen generator 1142. The hydrogen consumption unit 114 can be installed in a home. Thus, the hydrogen generation system 11 can supply hydrogen to a water heater (equivalent to the hydrogen burner 1141) or a household generator (equivalent to the hydrogen generator 1142) in the home. Alternatively, the hydrogen consumption unit 114 can be a facility for filling hydrogen into a delivery container, a facility for processing hydrogen for delivery, or a hydrogen refueling station, etc.

[0041] The hydrogen consumption unit 114 is equipped with a consumption measurement mechanism that measures the amount of hydrogen used and outputs hydrogen consumption information. Here, consumption information refers to information related to the amount of hydrogen used. Consumption information can be a numerical value or information indicating that hydrogen consumption exceeds a threshold. Furthermore, consumption information can be consumption identification information determined in stages based on hydrogen consumption.

[0042] The residual amount acquisition unit 115 acquires information on the residual amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage unit 113 and information on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen consumption unit 114. This allows the hydrogen generation system 11 to more accurately predict the necessary amount of hydrogen to be generated. The residual amount acquisition unit 115 acquires residual and usage information continuously, for example, in real time. The residual amount acquisition unit 115 can acquire residual and usage information at predetermined time intervals. The residual amount acquisition unit 115 can acquire the signal output when the residual amount or usage exceeds a threshold as residual or usage information.

[0043] The control unit 116 controls at least one of the temperature and pressure of the biogas generation environment in the biogas generation unit 111 based on the hydrogen residual quantity information and usage information acquired by the residual quantity acquisition unit 115. For example, the control unit 116 uses the hydrogen residual quantity information and usage information to calculate the necessary amount of hydrogen to be generated, and controls the biogas generation unit 111 according to the necessary amount to promote biogas generation. Therefore, the hydrogen generation system 11 can adjust the amount of biogas generated according to the necessary amount of hydrogen to generate, thereby efficiently generating hydrogen. Furthermore, the control unit 116 can use the hydrogen residual quantity information and usage information to predict when hydrogen will be insufficient, and controls the biogas generation unit 111 according to the predicted time.

[0044] Furthermore, the control unit 116 controls at least one of the pretreatment and fermentation processes in the biogas generation unit 111. Therefore, the control unit 116 can more precisely control the rate of biogas generation. Specifically, to promote biogas generation, the control unit 116 promotes solubility by increasing temperature and pressure in the pretreatment process, and further establishes a high-temperature fermentation environment in the fermentation process. The control unit 116 can add a pretreatment process to the biogas generation unit 111 that can be performed by increasing temperature and pressure. The control unit 116 can increase pressure in the fermentation process to increase the amount of biogas generated.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the hydrogen generation method according to Embodiment 2. The hydrogen generation method according to the hydrogen generation system 11 includes steps S21 to S26.

[0046] In step S21, the hydrogen generation system 11 generates biogas from biomass. Then, the hydrogen generation system 11 generates hydrogen from the biogas. In step S22, the hydrogen generation system 11 stores the hydrogen generated in step S21 in a hydrogen storage unit 113. The hydrogen generation system 11 supplies the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage unit 113 to the hydrogen consumption unit 114.

[0047] In step S23, the hydrogen generation system 11 acquires information on the remaining hydrogen quantity in the hydrogen storage unit 113. This remaining quantity information can be obtained by measuring the remaining hydrogen quantity or by calculating the difference between the hydrogen generation rate and the hydrogen supply rate. However, the remaining quantity information is not limited to these methods and can be obtained through other means. In step S24, the hydrogen generation system 11 acquires information on the amount of hydrogen used by the hydrogen consumption unit 114. This usage information can be obtained based on the operating time or output power of the hydrogen consumption unit 114 or by calculating the hydrogen supply rate.

[0048] In step S25, the hydrogen generation system 11 determines the amount of biogas produced based on residual information and usage information. The hydrogen generation system 11 can determine the amount of biogas produced based on the time-dependent changes in residual and usage information. In step S26, the hydrogen generation system 11 controls at least one of the temperature and pressure of the biogas generation unit 111 based on the determined amount of biogas produced. The hydrogen generation system 11 may add pretreatment based on heating or pressurization to the biogas generation unit 111.

[0049] As explained above, the hydrogen generation system 11 controls the temperature and pressure of the biogas generation unit 111 based on the residual amount of hydrogen and the amount used, thereby controlling the amount of hydrogen generated. Thus, the hydrogen generation system 11 can appropriately control the amount of hydrogen generated. Therefore, the hydrogen generation system 11 can optimize the biogas generation process, thereby further improving the efficiency of energy utilization involved in hydrogen generation.

[0050] Furthermore, the hydrogen generation system 11 uses livestock manure, an industrial waste product, to generate hydrogen that does not emit carbon dioxide when utilized. Therefore, the hydrogen generation system 11 can continuously produce clean energy, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals.

[0051] <Examples of hardware architecture>

[0052] The following describes examples of how the functional structures of the information processing device in this invention are implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

[0053] Figure 5This is a block diagram illustrating the hardware structure of a computer. The information processing device of this invention can implement the above-mentioned functions through a computer 500 including the hardware structure shown in the figure. The computer 500 can be a portable computer such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, or a stationary computer such as a PC. The computer 500 can be a dedicated computer designed to implement various devices, or a general-purpose computer. By installing prescribed application programs, the computer 500 can achieve the desired functions.

[0054] Computer 500 includes a bus 502, a processor 504, a memory 506, a storage device 508, an input / output interface (I / F) 510, and a network interface (I / F) 512. The internal bus 502 serves as a data transmission path for the processor 504, memory 506, storage device 508, I / O interface 510, and network interface 512 to send and receive data. The method of connecting the processor 504, etc., is not limited to a bus connection.

[0055] Processor 504 is a processor such as a CPU, GPU, or FPGA. Memory 506 is a main storage device implemented using random access memory (RAM) or similar methods.

[0056] Storage device 508 is an auxiliary storage device implemented using a hard disk, SSD, memory card, or read-only memory (ROM). Storage device 508 stores programs for implementing desired functions. Processor 504 implements the various functional units of each device by reading these programs into memory 506 and executing them.

[0057] Input / output interface 510 is an interface for connecting computer 500 and input / output devices. For example, input devices such as keyboards or output devices such as displays can be connected to input / output interface 510. Network interface 512 is an interface for connecting computer 500 to a network.

[0058] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be suitably modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the control unit of the hydrogen generation system can acquire external information such as weather, temperature, or day of the week, and use machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the amount of hydrogen generated, thereby determining the amount of biogas produced.

[0059] Symbol Explanation

[0060] 10, 11 - Hydrogen generation system; 101 - Hydrogen generation unit; 102 - Hydrogen storage unit; 103 - Residual gas acquisition unit; 104 - Control unit; 111 - Biogas generation unit; 112 - Modification unit; 113 - Hydrogen storage unit; 114 - Hydrogen usage unit; 1141 - Hydrogen burner; 1142 - Hydrogen generator; 115 - Residual gas acquisition unit; 116 - Control unit; 500 - Computer; 502 - Bus; 504 - Processor; 506 - Memory; 508 - Storage device; 510 - Input / output interface; 512 - Network interface.

Claims

1. A hydrogen generation system, characterized in that, have: The hydrogen generation unit uses biogas produced from biomass to generate hydrogen. A hydrogen storage unit that stores the generated hydrogen; The residual quantity acquisition unit acquires information about the residual quantity of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage unit; and The control unit controls the amount of biogas produced by the hydrogen generation unit based on the residual information.

2. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has: The hydrogen usage unit uses the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage unit. The residual quantity acquisition unit acquires information on the amount of hydrogen used in the hydrogen usage unit. The control unit controls at least one of the temperature and pressure of the biogas generation environment based on the residual amount information and the usage amount information.

3. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The biomass in question is livestock manure. The hydrogen generation unit produces the biogas through fermentation. The hydrogen-using unit includes at least one of a hydrogen burner and a hydrogen generator installed in a home.

4. A method for generating hydrogen, characterized in that, In the process of generating and storing hydrogen using biogas produced from biomass, The computer performs the following processing: Obtain information on the remaining amount of hydrogen in the tank storing the hydrogen; and The amount of biogas produced is controlled based on the residual information.

5. A program, characterized in that, In the process of generating and storing hydrogen using biogas produced from biomass, The computer will perform the following processing: Obtain information on the remaining amount of hydrogen in the tank storing the hydrogen; and The amount of biogas produced is controlled based on the residual information.

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