Abnormality diagnostic device

Abstract

To provide an abnormality diagnostic device that can properly diagnose an abnormality occurring in a fuel cell device.SOLUTION: An abnormality diagnostic device determines that there is an abnormality in a control device when a first determination condition is met, that is, the number of misfires occurring in a combustion portion is a predetermined number of times, and a second determination condition is met, that is, the temperature of the inner space measured by an inner temperature measuring device, the temperature of the reformer measured by a reformer temperature measuring device, or the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by an exhaust gas temperature measuring device deviates from the respective upper and lower measurement limit ranges.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an abnormality diagnosis device that diagnoses the details of an abnormality occurring in a fuel cell device installed in a facility based on information received from the fuel cell device via an information communication line. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (JP 2016-184319 A) describes a system that can diagnose and identify a faulty part in a power generation system and can reduce erroneous diagnosis in the event of a fault. Specifically, in the system described in Patent Document 1, when a power generation system fails, failure data is generated, including a detection signal history from each of multiple detection means provided at each part of the power generation device. Then, from the past failure data recorded in the database, correlated failure data that has a strong correlation with the failure data of the current failure is selected. Furthermore, a failure diagnosis result and a failure response record associated with the selected correlated failure data are output. In this way, the system described in Patent Document 1 identifies past failure data that has a strong correlation with the failure data including the detection signal history detected when the current failure occurs, and considers the current failure to have been caused by the same failure cause as the past failure data with which the strong correlation exists. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-184319 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is also a need for a method for diagnosing the operating state of a fuel cell device without relying on a statistical method such as the strength of correlation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an abnormality diagnosis device that can appropriately diagnose the content of an abnormality that occurs in a fuel cell device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A characteristic configuration of an abnormality diagnosis device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an abnormality diagnosis device that diagnoses the details of an abnormality occurring in a fuel cell device installed in a facility based on information received from the fuel cell device via an information communication line, and includes: The fuel cell device includes a hot module having an outer container and an inner container provided in a space inside the outer container, The hot module has, in an inner space inside the inner container, a vaporizer that vaporizes supplied reforming water, a reformer that generates fuel gas by steam reforming raw fuel using steam supplied from the vaporizer, a cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell units that generate power using the fuel gas generated by the reformer, a combustion unit that combusts off-gas discharged from the cell stack, and an igniter that ignites the off-gas, and the inner container is provided with an air inlet used to supply air from the outside to the inner space and an exhaust port used to exhaust air from the inner space to the outside, the fuel cell device comprises: a raw fuel supply path through which the raw fuel flows that is supplied to the reformer from outside the inner space; a raw fuel blower that supplies the raw fuel to the reformer via the raw fuel supply path; an air supply path through which air flows that is supplied to the air inlet from outside the inner container; an air blower that supplies air to the inner space via the air supply path and the air inlet; an inner temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the inner space; a reformer temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the reformer; an exhaust gas temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of exhaust gas that is discharged to the outside of the inner container and includes gas generated by combustion in the combustion section; and a control device that controls the operation of the fuel cell device; The point is that when the first judgment condition is met, that is, the number of misfires occurring in the combustion section is a predetermined number of times, and the second judgment condition is met, that the temperature of the inner space measured by the inner temperature measuring device, the temperature of the reformer measured by the reformer temperature measuring device, or the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device deviates from the respective upper and lower measurement limit ranges, the control device is judged to have an abnormality.

[0007] According to the above characteristic configuration, the abnormality diagnosis device determines that an abnormality exists in the control device when a first determination condition is satisfied that the number of misfires occurring in the combustion section is a predetermined large number, and a second determination condition is satisfied that the temperature of the inner space measured by the inner temperature measuring device, the temperature of the reformer measured by the reformer temperature measuring device, or the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device deviates from the respective upper and lower measurement limit ranges. In other words, the abnormality diagnosis device can automatically determine the diagnosis result for an abnormality that appears in the combustion section.

[0008] For example, if a maintenance person is called out based solely on the fact that an abnormality has been detected in the operation or measurement results of the equipment in the fuel cell system, the maintenance person must diagnose the abnormality on the spot. However, with this characteristic configuration, the abnormality diagnosis device automatically identifies the diagnosis results for the abnormality, so the maintenance person can be called out after making preparations in advance based on the diagnosis results. Therefore, it is possible to provide an abnormality diagnostic device that can properly diagnose the nature of abnormalities occurring in a fuel cell device.

[0009] Another characteristic configuration of the abnormality diagnosis device of the present invention is that when the first judgment condition is satisfied, the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is satisfied, that is, the rate of change of the temperature of the internal space measured by the internal temperature measuring device is at a predetermined high speed, it is judged that an abnormality has occurred in the internal temperature measuring device.

[0010] According to the above characteristic configuration, the abnormality diagnosis device can automatically diagnose that an abnormality has occurred in the internal temperature measuring device when the first judgment condition is satisfied, the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is satisfied, that is, the rate of change of the temperature of the internal space measured by the internal temperature measuring device is at a predetermined high speed.

[0011] Another characteristic configuration of the abnormality diagnosis device of the present invention is that if the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and a fourth judgment condition is satisfied, which is that the rate of change of the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device is at a predetermined high speed, it is judged that an abnormality has occurred in the exhaust gas temperature measuring device.

[0012] According to the above characteristic configuration, the abnormality diagnosis device can automatically diagnose that an abnormality has occurred in the exhaust gas temperature measuring device when the first judgment condition is satisfied, the second judgment condition is not satisfied, the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is satisfied, which is that the rate of change of the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device is at a predetermined high speed.

[0013] Another characteristic configuration of the abnormality diagnosis device according to the present invention is that the fuel cell device includes a raw fuel flow rate measuring device that measures a flow rate per unit time of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer through the raw fuel supply path; If the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and a fifth judgment condition is satisfied, that is, there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device, it is judged that an abnormality has occurred in the supply system of the raw fuel via the raw fuel supply path.

[0014] According to the above characteristic configuration, the abnormality diagnosis device can automatically diagnose that an abnormality has occurred in the raw fuel supply system (i.e., the raw fuel supply path and the equipment installed along the path, etc.) via the raw fuel supply path when the first judgment condition is satisfied, the second judgment condition is not satisfied, the third judgment condition is not satisfied, the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fifth judgment condition is satisfied, namely, that there is a deviation of more than a reference value in the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device.

[0015] Another characteristic configuration of the abnormality diagnosis device according to the present invention is that the fuel cell device includes an air flow rate measuring device that measures a flow rate per unit time of air supplied to the inner space by the air blower, If the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and a sixth judgment condition is satisfied in which there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the air blower and the air flow rate measured by the air flow meter, it is judged that an abnormality has occurred in the air supply system via the air supply path.

[0016] According to the above characteristic configuration, the abnormality diagnosis device can automatically diagnose that an abnormality has occurred in the air supply system via the air supply path (i.e., the air supply path and the equipment installed along the path, etc.) when the first judgment condition is satisfied, the second judgment condition is not satisfied, the third judgment condition is not satisfied, the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and the sixth judgment condition is satisfied, which is that there is a deviation of more than a reference value in the correlation between the output of the air blower and the air flow rate measured by the air flow meter.

[0017] Another characteristic configuration of the abnormality diagnosis device according to the present invention is that the fuel cell device includes a raw fuel flow rate measuring device that measures a flow rate per unit time of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer through the raw fuel supply path, an air flow rate measuring device that measures a flow rate per unit time of air supplied to the inner space by the air blower, and a combustion section temperature measuring device that measures a temperature of the combustion section; The hot module is determined to have an abnormality when the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fifth judgment condition, that there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device, is not satisfied, and the sixth judgment condition, that there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the air blower and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device, is not satisfied, and the seventh judgment condition, that the temperature of the combustion section measured by the combustion section temperature measuring device is on an upward trend during a predetermined judgment period, is satisfied.

[0018] According to the above characteristic configuration, the abnormality diagnosis device can automatically diagnose that an abnormality has occurred in the hot module if the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fifth judgment condition, that is, there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device, is not satisfied, and the sixth judgment condition, that is, there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the air blower and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device, is not satisfied, and the seventh judgment condition, that is, the temperature of the combustion section measured by the combustion section temperature measuring device is on an upward trend during a predetermined judgment period, is satisfied.

[0019] Another characteristic configuration of the abnormality diagnosis device according to the present invention is that the fuel cell device includes a raw fuel flow rate measuring device that measures a flow rate per unit time of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer through the raw fuel supply path, an air flow rate measuring device that measures a flow rate per unit time of air supplied to the inner space by the air blower, and a combustion section temperature measuring device that measures a temperature of the combustion section; The point is that if the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and a fifth judgment condition that there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device is not satisfied, and a sixth judgment condition that there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the air blower and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device is not satisfied, and a seventh judgment condition that the temperature of the combustion section measured by the combustion section temperature measuring device is on an upward trend during a predetermined judgment period is not satisfied, it is judged that an abnormality has occurred in the igniter.

[0020] According to the above characteristic configuration, the abnormality diagnosis device can automatically diagnose that an abnormality has occurred in the igniter if the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fifth judgment condition, that is, there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device, is not satisfied, and the sixth judgment condition, that is, there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the air blower and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device, is not satisfied, and the seventh judgment condition, that is, the temperature of the combustion section measured by the combustion section temperature measuring device is on an upward trend during a predetermined judgment period, is not satisfied. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a diagnostic system including an abnormality diagnostic device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fuel cell device. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an abnormality diagnosis process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An abnormality diagnosis device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a diagnostic system including an abnormality diagnostic device 4. As shown in the figure, a fuel cell device 10 is installed in a facility 1, such as a residence or a business. The facility 1 also includes an electricity consumption device 5, a gas consumption device 6, and a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) 7. The HEMS 7 is a device that controls the operation of control target devices such as the electricity consumption device 5, the fuel cell device 10, and the gas consumption device 6, and can communicate information with the control target devices via communication lines to receive information from each device and transmit information to each device. The HEMS 7 can also transmit information received from each device to the abnormality diagnostic device 4 and the like via an information communication line 2. The operation of the fuel cell device 10 is controlled by a fuel cell control unit 49, as will be described later.

[0023] The power consumption device 5 and the fuel cell device 10 are connected to a power line 8 that is connected to the power grid, and can receive power from the power grid. Power generated by the fuel cell device 10 can also be supplied to the power grid via the power line 8. The gas consumption device 6 and the fuel cell device 10 can receive gas, such as city gas, supplied from a gas supply pipe 9. Although two facilities 1 are depicted in FIG. 1, the number can be changed as appropriate. The gas, such as city gas, supplied from the gas supply pipe 9 corresponds to the "raw fuel" of the present invention, and may also be referred to as the raw fuel in the following description.

[0024] The fuel cell device 10 can access the information and communication line 2 either via the HEMS 7 or without the HEMS 7. The fuel cell device 10 can communicate information with the abnormality diagnosis device 4, the information providing server device 3, the maintenance staff terminal device 60, the manufacturing staff terminal device 61, the manager terminal device 62, and the like, which are connected to the information and communication line 2.

[0025] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fuel cell device 10. The fuel cell device 10 includes a hot module 13 having an outer container 11 and an inner container 12 provided in an inner space 48 inside the outer container 11. The fuel cell device 10 includes various components inside the outer container 11. Below, the configuration of the fuel cell device 10 will be explained by dividing it into the hot module 13, a raw fuel supply system, an air supply system, a reflux gas supply system, a water recovery system, a reforming water supply system, and an exhaust heat recovery system.

[0026] [Hot Module 13] A hot module 13 is provided inside the outer vessel 11, accommodating devices such as a cell stack 18 that operate in a high-temperature environment. Specifically, the hot module 13 includes a vaporizer 14, a reformer 15, a manifold 16, and a cell stack 18 in the inner space 7 inside the inner vessel 12. The vaporizer 14 vaporizes the reforming water that is supplied to it. The reformer 15 steam-reforms the raw fuel using steam supplied from the vaporizer 14 to generate fuel gas containing hydrogen. The hot module 13 also includes a temperature measuring device T1 that serves as a reformer temperature measuring device and measures the temperature of the reformer 15, for example, the temperature of a reforming catalyst (not shown) accommodated in the reformer 15. The hot module 13 also includes a temperature measuring device T8 that serves as an inner temperature measuring device and measures the temperature inside the inner space 7.

[0027] The cell stack 18 has a plurality of fuel cell units 17 that generate electricity using fuel gas supplied from the reformer 15 via a fuel gas supply path L2. For example, the fuel gas generated in the reformer 15 passes through the fuel gas supply path L2 and reaches the manifold 16, where the fuel gas is distributed to each of the fuel cell units 17.

[0028] The space above the cell stack 18 is a combustion section 19 that combusts the off-gas discharged from the cell stack 18. The heat of this combustion is transferred to the vaporizer 14 and reformer 15 above it. The temperature of the combustion section 19 is measured by a temperature measuring device T2 that serves as a combustion section temperature measuring device. An igniter 20 ignites the off-gas.

[0029] The inner container 12 included in the hot module 13 is provided with an air inlet 21 used to supply air from the outside to the internal space 7 inside, and an exhaust port 22 used to exhaust air from the internal space 7 to the outside. Specifically, an air supply path L10 is connected to the air inlet 21 of the hot module 13, and air is supplied to the inside of the hot module 13. Gas present inside the hot module 13 is exhausted to the outside of the hot module 13 from the exhaust port 22 of the hot module 13. The exhaust port 22 is provided with a combustion catalyst unit 23 that catalytically combusts hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and the like contained in the exhaust gas (exhaust gas) using oxygen. The fuel cell device 10 is provided with a temperature measuring device T10 serving as an exhaust gas temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the exhaust gas exhausted to the outside of the inner container 12.

[0030] The exhaust gas that has passed through the combustion catalyst section 23 is supplied to the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34. In the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34, the exhaust gas, which is discharged outside the inner container 12 and contains gas generated by combustion in the combustion section 19, is subjected to heat exchange with hot water as a heat medium, which will be described later, i.e., the exhaust gas is cooled, and the moisture contained in the exhaust gas is condensed. The exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34 is provided with a temperature measuring device T9 as a heat exchange temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the portion in the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34 where the exhaust gas and the hot water are exchanging heat. For example, the heat exchange temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T9) measures the temperature of the exhaust gas or the hot water at the portion where the exhaust gas and the hot water are exchanging heat.

[0031] The fuel cell device 10 includes an exhaust gas flow path L4 through which exhaust gas flows after heat exchange with hot water in the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34, a gas-liquid separation unit 35 that separates condensed water contained in the exhaust gas after heat exchange with hot water in the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34, a water recovery path L5 through which the condensed water separated by the gas-liquid separation unit 35 flows, and a water purifier 37 that removes impurities contained in the condensed water recovered by the water recovery path L5. Specifically, the gas-liquid separation unit 35 is provided downstream of the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34. Gas-phase components in the exhaust gas are discharged to the outside of the outer container 11 through the exhaust gas flow path L4, and liquid-phase components in the exhaust gas are supplied to the water purifier 37 through the water recovery path L5.

[0032] The fuel cell device 10 includes an air intake port 66 provided in the outer container 11 for taking in air from the outside into the outer container space 48 inside the outer container 11, and an air outlet port 67 provided in the outer container 11 for discharging air from the outside out of the outer container space 48. In addition, the fuel cell device 10 includes a ventilation fan 59 for ventilating the air in the outer container space 48 via the air intake port 66 and the air outlet port 67, and a ventilation air filter 63 provided in the air intake port 66 for removing foreign matter contained in the air taken into the outer container space 48 from the outside.

[0033] When ventilation fan 59 is operating normally, the deviation of the actual rotation speed from the target rotation speed of ventilation fan 59 is less than the set value. In other words, when the deviation of the actual rotation speed from the predetermined target rotation speed of ventilation fan 59 is equal to or greater than the set value, there is a high possibility that an abnormality has occurred in ventilation fan 59.

[0034] The fuel cell device 10 also includes a temperature measuring device T3 inside the outer container 11 as a space temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of an outer container space 48 inside the outer container 11. A gas measuring device 43 that can measure the concentration of volatile organic compound gases (VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds) is provided in the outer container space 48 inside the outer container 11. Because the air in the outer container space 48 is ventilated with air outside the outer container 11, what the gas measuring device 43 measures corresponds to the concentration of volatile organic compound gases contained in the air supplied to the inner space 7 by the air blower 41.

[0035] [Raw and fuel supply system] The raw fuel supply system is a system that supplies raw fuel to the reformer 15 via a raw fuel supply path L1. Specifically, the raw fuel supply system includes a shutoff valve 26, a pressure measuring device 27, a raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28, a zero governor 29, a raw fuel blower 30, and a desulfurizer 31. The raw fuel that is supplied to the reformer 15 from outside the inner space 7 flows through the raw fuel supply path L1.

[0036] The shutoff valve 26 is switched between a state allowing or blocking the flow of raw fuel into the raw fuel supply line L1. The pressure measuring device 27 measures the pressure of the raw fuel flowing into the raw fuel supply line L1. The raw fuel blower 30 supplies the raw fuel to the reformer 15 via the raw fuel supply line L1. Specifically, the raw fuel blower 30 adjusts the flow rate per unit time of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 15. The raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28 measures the flow rate per unit time of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer 15 via the raw fuel supply line L1. For example, the raw fuel blower 30 increases or decreases its output, such as the duty ratio of the PWM control of the raw fuel blower 30, so that the flow rate of the raw fuel measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28 becomes the target raw fuel flow rate. The fuel cell control unit 49 can also obtain information on the rotation speed of the raw fuel blower 30 at that time. The zero governor 29 adjusts the pressure of the raw fuel flowing through the raw fuel supply line L1 to the same as atmospheric pressure. The desulfurizer 31 removes sulfur compounds and the like contained in the raw fuel.

[0037] When the raw fuel blower 30 is supplying raw fuel normally, the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower 30 and its rotational speed only deviates by less than a reference value. Also, when the raw fuel blower 30 is supplying raw fuel normally, the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower 30 and the measurement value of the raw fuel flow rate measuring instrument 28 only deviates by less than a reference value. For example, if a standard rotational speed (200 rpm) or a standard measurement value of the raw fuel flow rate measuring instrument 28 is determined for each output of the raw fuel blower 30 (e.g., 30%), when the raw fuel blower 30 is supplying raw fuel normally, the actual rotational speed deviates from the standard rotational speed by less than a reference value (e.g., less than ±30%), and the actual measurement value of the raw fuel flow rate measuring instrument 28 only deviates from the standard measurement value by less than a reference value (e.g., less than ±30%). Furthermore, when the supply of raw fuel by the raw fuel blower 30 is performed normally, the deviation of the measurement value (raw fuel flow rate) of the raw fuel flow rate measuring instrument 28 from a predetermined target raw fuel flow rate will not exceed a set value. Furthermore, when the measurement of the raw fuel flow rate by the raw fuel flow rate measuring instrument 28 is performed normally, the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower 30 and the raw fuel flow rate, which is the measurement value measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring instrument 28, will not deviate by more than a reference value.

[0038] [Air supply system] The air supply system supplies air to the hot module 13 via the air supply path L10. Air supplied from outside the inner container 12 to the air inlet 21 flows through the air supply path L10. The air blower 41 supplies air to the inner space 7 of the inner container 12 via the air supply path L10 and the air inlet 21. Specifically, the air blower 41 adjusts the flow rate per unit time of air supplied to the inside of the inner container 12. The air flow meter 42 measures the flow rate per unit time of air supplied by the air blower 41 to the inner space 7 of the inner container 12. For example, the air blower 41 increases or decreases the output of the air blower 41, for example, the duty ratio of the PWM control of the air blower 41, so that the air flow rate measured by the air flow meter 42 becomes a target air flow rate. The fuel cell control unit 49 can also obtain information on the rotation speed of the air blower 41 at that time. The foreign matter removing filter 40 removes (captures) foreign matter contained in the air supplied to the inner container 12 by the air blower 41.

[0039] When the air blower 41 is supplying air normally, the correlation between the output of the air blower 41 and its rotational speed deviates only by less than the reference value. Furthermore, when the air blower 41 is supplying air normally, the correlation between the output of the air blower 41 and the measurement value of the air flow measuring device 42 deviates only by less than the reference value. For example, if a standard rotational speed (200 rpm) or a standard measurement value of the air flow measuring device 42 is determined for each output of the air blower 41 (e.g., 30%), when the air blower 41 is supplying air normally, the actual rotational speed deviates only by less than the reference value (e.g., less than ±30%) from the standard rotational speed, and the actual measurement value of the air flow measuring device 42 deviates only by less than the reference value (e.g., less than ±30%) from the standard measurement value. Furthermore, when the air blower 41 is supplying air normally, the deviation of the measurement value (air flow rate) of the air flow measuring device 42 from a predetermined target air flow rate will not exceed the set value. Furthermore, when the air flow measurement by the air flow measuring instrument 42 is performed normally, the correlation between the output of the air blower 41 and the air flow measured by the air flow measuring instrument 42 will not deviate by more than the reference value.

[0040] [Reflux gas supply system] The reflux gas supply system supplies a portion of the fuel gas generated in the reformer 15 to the raw fuel supply path L1 via the reflux gas supply path L3. The reflux gas supply path L3 branches off from a branch point 24 in the fuel gas supply path L2 and merges with a junction point 25 in the raw fuel supply path L1 upstream of the desulfurizer 31. The reflux gas supply path L3 supplies a portion of the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas supply path L2 to the raw fuel supply path L1. This allows hydrogen to be supplied to the desulfurizer 31. The reflux gas supply path L3 extends from the inside to the outside of the hot module 13. An orifice 33 is provided in the reflux gas supply path L3 and adjusts the flow rate per unit time of the fuel gas flowing through the reflux gas supply path L3. A temperature control member 32 is provided around at least a portion of the reflux gas supply path L3 to maintain the temperature of the reformed gas flowing through the reflux gas supply path L3. The condensed water recovery device 36 recovers condensed water generated in the reflux gas supply path L3. The temperature measuring device T4, which serves as a reflux gas temperature measuring device, measures the temperature of the reflux gas supply path L3 at the location where the temperature adjustment member 32 is provided, i.e., the reflux gas temperature, which is the temperature of the reflux gas flowing through the reflux gas supply path L3. For example, the temperature measuring device T4 is an instrument that measures the temperature of the outer surface of the piping that constitutes the reflux gas supply path L3, or an instrument that measures the temperature inside the piping that constitutes the reflux gas supply path L3.

[0041] [Water recovery system] The water recovery system is a system that recovers water generated in the fuel cell device 10. The condensed water recovered using the water recovery line L5 is supplied to the reforming water tank 38. The reforming water tank 38 is provided with a water volume meter 58 that measures the amount of reforming water stored in the reforming water tank 38. For example, the water volume meter 58 is a float-type water volume meter. In the illustrated example, the water recovery line L5 has a first recovery line L5a that recovers water from the gas-liquid separator 35 and a second recovery line L5b that recovers water from the condensed water recovery unit 36. The condensed water recovered by the first recovery line L5a and the second recovery line L5b is supplied to the reforming water tank 38 via the water purifier 37. In other words, the reforming water tank 38 stores the water from which impurities have been removed by the water purifier 37 as reforming water to be used for steam reforming. The water purifier 37 is a device for removing impurities from the recovered condensed water. For example, the water purifier 37 is filled with ion exchange resin or the like, and functions to relatively lower the concentration of electrolytes contained in the recovered condensed water (i.e., to lower the electrical conductivity) by exchanging the electrolyte ions (e.g., ionized dissolved salts and ammonia) contained in the recovered condensed water with, for example, H+ and OH-.

[0042] [Reformed water supply system] The reforming water supply system is a system that supplies reforming water to the reformer 15 via a reforming water supply passage L6. The fuel cell device 10 includes, as the reforming water supply system, a reforming water tank 38 that stores reforming water, a reforming water supply passage L6 through which reforming water to be supplied to the vaporizer 14 flows, and a reforming water pump 39 that supplies the reforming water stored in the reforming water tank 38 to the vaporizer 14 via the reforming water supply passage L6. Specifically, the reforming water pump 39 is provided midway along the reforming water supply passage L6 and adjusts the flow rate per unit time of the reforming water flowing through the reforming water supply passage L6. The fuel cell device 10 also includes a vibration measuring device 64 that can measure the vibration of the reforming water pump 39. The measurement results of the vibration measuring device 64 are transmitted to the fuel cell control unit 49 via a signal transmission line 68.

[0043] An electrical conductivity meter 57 is provided in the reforming water supply passage L6 to measure the electrical conductivity of the reforming water supplied from the reforming water tank 38 to the vaporizer 14 via the reforming water supply passage L6. The fuel cell device 10 also includes a water information meter 65 that measures the presence of reforming water flowing through the reforming water supply passage L6. For example, the water information meter 65 measures water information indicating whether or not the reforming water flowing through the reforming water supply passage L6 is passing through, whether or not air bubbles are present, the amount of water, the electrical conductivity, etc.

[0044] [Waste heat recovery system] The exhaust heat recovery system is a system that recovers heat generated by the fuel cell device 10. The exhaust heat recovery system includes a hot water storage tank 45 as a heat medium tank, a water supply line L8, a hot water outlet line L9, a hot water circulation line L7, and a circulation pump 44. The hot water storage tank 45 stores hot water as a heat medium. The hot water circulation line L7 circulates hot water between the hot water storage tank 45 and the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34. The hot water storage tank 45 stores hot water such that relatively low temperature hot water is stored in the lower part and relatively high temperature hot water is stored in the upper part, i.e., in a state where temperature stratification is formed. The hot water circulation line L7 has an outward line L7a through which hot water flows from the hot water storage tank 45 to the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34, and a return line L7b through which hot water flows from the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34 to the hot water storage tank 45. A circulation pump 44 for circulating hot and cold water in the hot and cold water circulation path L7 is provided midway along the outgoing path L7a.

[0045] With this configuration, hot water supplied from the bottom of the hot water storage tank 45 to the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34 via the outward path L7a of the hot water circulation path L7 is heated by the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34, and the heated hot water is supplied to the top of the hot water storage tank 45 via the return path L7b of the hot water circulation path L7. A temperature measuring device T5 is provided along the return path L7b to measure the temperature of the hot water transferred from the exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger 34 to the hot water storage tank 45. In this embodiment, the fuel cell control unit 49 increases or decreases the output of the circulation pump 44, for example, the duty ratio of the PWM control of the circulation pump 44, so that the temperature of the hot water flowing through the return path L7b and into the hot water storage tank 45 (the temperature of the hot water measured by the temperature measuring device T5) reaches a predetermined hot water storage target temperature (e.g., 65°C). The fuel cell control unit 49 also obtains information on the rotational speed of the circulation pump 44 at that time. In this way, hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 45 in a state where temperature stratification is formed, i.e., heat is stored.

[0046] When the circulation pump 44 is flowing hot and cold water normally, the correlation between the output of the circulation pump 44 and its rotational speed deviates by less than a reference value. For example, if a standard rotational speed (200 rpm) is determined for each output of the circulation pump 44 (e.g., 30%), then as long as the circulation pump 44 is flowing hot and cold water normally, the actual rotational speed will deviate from the standard rotational speed by less than the reference value (e.g., less than ±30%).

[0047] Additionally, the fuel cell device 10 includes a radiator 56 that cools the hot water flowing through the outgoing path L7a by circulating the air present in the outer container space 48 of the outer container 11. Specifically, the radiator 56 is provided midway along the outgoing path L7a of the hot water circulation path L7, and rotates a radiator fan 56a to circulate the air present inside the outer container 11, thereby cooling the hot water flowing through the outgoing path L7a.

[0048] The fuel cell device 10 also includes a temperature measuring device T6 as a first hot water temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of hot water flowing between the radiator 56 and the heat exchanger 34 for exhaust heat recovery, along the forward path L7a of the hot water circulation path L7, and a temperature measuring device T7 as a second hot water temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of hot water flowing between the hot water storage tank 45 and the radiator 56, along the forward path L7a of the hot water circulation path L7.

[0049] When the hot water temperature measured by the temperature measuring device T7 is equal to or higher than the set heat medium temperature, the fuel cell control device 49 rotates the radiator fan 56a of the radiator 56. For example, when the hot water temperature measured by the temperature measuring device T7 is equal to or higher than the upper limit heat medium temperature, the fuel cell control device 49 increases or decreases the output of the radiator fan 56a of the radiator 56, for example, the duty ratio of the PWM control, so that the hot water temperature measured by the temperature measuring device T6 becomes equal to or lower than a target heat medium temperature that is lower than the upper limit heat medium temperature. The fuel cell control device 49 can also obtain information on the rotation speed of the radiator fan 56a at that time.

[0050] When the radiator fan 56a is operating normally, the correlation between the output of the radiator fan 56a and its rotational speed has a deviation less than a reference value. For example, if a standard rotational speed (200 rpm) is determined for each output of the radiator fan 56a (e.g., 30%), when the radiator fan 56a is operating normally, the actual rotational speed will deviate from the standard rotational speed by less than the reference value (e.g., less than ±30%).

[0051] A water supply line L8 for supplying clean water to the hot water storage tank 45 is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 45, and a hot water outlet line L9 for discharging the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 45 is connected to the top of the hot water storage tank 45. The water supply pressure applied inside the water supply line L8 is applied to the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 45. With this configuration, for example, when a water faucet (not shown) connected to the hot water outlet line L9 is opened, hot water is discharged from the hot water storage tank 45 into the hot water outlet line L9, and clean water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 45 from the water supply line L8.

[0052] The fuel cell device 10 includes a power conversion circuit 46 in an internal space 48 of the outer container 11. The power conversion circuit 46 converts the output power of the cell stack 18 into desired AC power and supplies the AC power to a single-phase three-wire power line 8 connected to a power grid. The power line 8 has a first voltage line, a second voltage line, and a neutral line. The fuel cell device 10 also includes a temperature measuring device T11 in the internal space 48 of the outer container 11 as a circuit temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of the power conversion circuit 46, and a cooling fan 47 for cooling the power conversion circuit 46 by circulating air in the internal space 48. The fuel cell device 10 also includes an output current measuring device 52 for measuring the output current of the cell stack 18, an output voltage measuring device 53 for measuring the output voltage of the cell stack 18, and a potential measuring device 54 for measuring the potential of a U-phase voltage line (e.g., a first voltage line) and a V-phase voltage line (e.g., a second voltage line) that make up the power line 8.

[0053] The fuel cell device 10 includes a fuel cell control unit 49 as a control device that controls the operation of the fuel cell device 10, a memory unit 50 that stores information handled by the fuel cell device 10, and a communication unit 51. Measurement results from various measuring instruments included in the fuel cell device 10, the operating status of the devices, etc. are transmitted to the fuel cell control unit 49 via signal transmission lines (not shown) or the like, and the measurement results are stored in the memory unit 50. The fuel cell control unit 49 then transmits these measurement results and operating status from the communication unit 51 to the abnormality diagnosis device 4 at a predetermined timing. The fuel cell control unit 49 also transmits any abnormalities that appear in these measurement results and operating status from the communication unit 51 as part of the measurement results and operating status to the abnormality diagnosis device 4.

[0054] The fuel cell control unit 49 controls the operation of various devices such as the igniter 20, shut-off valve 26, raw fuel blower 30, reforming water pump 39, air blower 41, circulation pump 44, power conversion circuit unit 46, cooling fan 47, radiator 56, and ventilation fan 59.

[0055] Next, a method will be described in which the abnormality diagnosis device 4 diagnoses the details of an abnormality occurring in the fuel cell device 10 based on information received from the fuel cell device 10 installed in the facility 1 via the information communication line 2. The abnormality diagnosis device 4 includes a memory unit 4a and a diagnosis processing unit 4b.

[0056] The storage unit 4a of the abnormality diagnosis device 4 stores, for each of a plurality of abnormalities, the measurement results of at least one of the plurality of measuring devices possessed by the fuel cell device 10, an abnormality appearing in the operating state of the fuel cell device 10, and an abnormality diagnosis process for identifying one of a plurality of possible diagnosis results for the abnormality, including at least one of the cause of the abnormality and a method for dealing with the abnormality. Specifically, the abnormality diagnosis process is composed of a combination of a plurality of judgment processes for determining whether or not at least one of the measurement results of the measuring devices of the fuel cell device 10, the operating state of the devices, and the operating environment of the fuel cell device 10 meets predetermined judgment conditions. The judgment results of the judgment processes, which are determined depending on whether or not the judgment conditions are met, include at least one of a case where a transition to another judgment process is instructed and a case where a diagnosis result of the abnormality diagnosis process is identified.

[0057] The measurement results of the measuring instruments of the fuel cell device 10 described above include, for example, the measurement results of temperature measuring instruments T1 to T11, pressure measuring instrument 27, raw fuel flow measuring instrument 28, air flow measuring instrument 42, gas measuring instrument 43, output current measuring instrument 52, output voltage measuring instrument 53, potential measuring instrument 54, electrical conductivity measuring instrument 57, water volume measuring instrument 58, vibration measuring instrument 64, water information measuring instrument 65, etc.

[0058] The operating status of the above-mentioned equipment includes, for example, whether the equipment is operating normally, whether an alarm has been issued, what the actual operating status of the equipment is (for example, what the values ​​of the output, target flow rate, target rotation speed, actual rotation speed, etc. of the raw fuel blower 30, reforming water pump 39, air blower 41, circulation pump 44, cooling fan 47, radiator 56, ventilation fan 59, etc. are), what process the fuel cell device 10 is currently performing, such as the start-up process, power generation process, or shutdown process, etc.

[0059] The operating environment of the fuel cell device 10 described above includes, for example, the state of the power system connected to the fuel cell device 10 (e.g., whether there is a power outage, etc.), whether the system is disconnected, the length of the system disconnection, the state of supply of raw fuel to the fuel cell device 10, the calorific value (gas type) of the raw fuel actually supplied, and the calorific value of the raw fuel expected to be used by the fuel cell device 10. Information on the state of the power system connected to the fuel cell device 10 (e.g., whether there is a power outage, etc.) may be provided by the information providing server device 3.

[0060] When an abnormality appears in the measurement results, operating state, or operating environment received from the fuel cell device 10 via the information communication line 2, the diagnostic processing unit 4b of the abnormality diagnostic device 4 identifies a diagnostic result for the abnormality based on the details of the abnormality diagnostic process corresponding to the abnormality stored in the memory unit 4a and at least one of the measurement results of the measuring instruments of the fuel cell device 10, the operating state of the equipment, and the operating environment of the fuel cell device 10. Here, whether or not the abnormality appears may be determined by the fuel cell device 10 or by the abnormality diagnostic device 4.

[0061] [Abnormality diagnosis processing] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the details of the abnormality diagnosis process that the diagnosis processing unit 4b performs when an abnormality such as an output abnormality due to a misfire in the combustion unit 19 occurs. When the fuel cell control unit 49 of the fuel cell device 10 monitors the temperature of the combustion unit 19 and detects that the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device T8 serving as an internal temperature measuring device is below a set temperature, or when the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device T10 serving as an exhaust gas temperature measuring device is above a set temperature, or when both of these conditions are detected, the fuel cell control unit 49 performs misfire control to limit the maximum output power of the cell stack 18 to a predetermined value or less. Information that the misfire control has been performed is transmitted from the fuel cell device 10 to the abnormality diagnosis device 4 as information about the operating state of the fuel cell device 10. Then, when the number of misfire control operations performed within the past 200 hours exceeds 100, for example, the fuel cell control unit 49 determines that a first determination condition has been met, that is, that the number of misfires occurring in the combustion unit 19 is a predetermined number of times, and determines that an abnormality has occurred, that is, an output abnormality due to misfire in the combustion unit 19. The criteria for determining that the number of misfires occurring in the combustion unit 19 is a predetermined number of times can be changed as appropriate. Then, the fuel cell control unit 49 transmits the measurement result that an abnormality has occurred, namely, an output abnormality due to a misfire in the combustion unit 19, to the abnormality diagnosis device 4 via the communication unit 51. Alternatively, the diagnosis processing unit 4b of the abnormality diagnosis device 4 may refer to the number of misfire control times received from the fuel cell device 10 via the information communication line 2 to determine whether the first determination condition is satisfied.

[0062] When the abnormality diagnosis device 4 receives a notification of a measurement result from the fuel cell device 10 indicating that an abnormality in output has occurred due to misfire in the combustion unit 19, or when the diagnosis processing unit 4b determines that an abnormality in output has occurred due to misfire in the combustion unit 19, the abnormality diagnosis device 4 refers to the information stored in the memory unit 4a and reads out the corresponding abnormality diagnosis process. The diagnosis processing unit 4b then executes the abnormality diagnosis process. The abnormality diagnosis process of this embodiment is configured by combining the determination processes of steps #10 to #15 shown in FIG. 3.

[0063] The judgment process of step #10 judges whether the second judgment condition is met, that is, whether the temperature of the inner space 7 measured by the temperature measuring device T8 as an inner temperature measuring device, the temperature of the reformer 15 measured by the temperature measuring device T1 as a reformer temperature measuring device, or the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the temperature measuring device T10 as an exhaust gas temperature measuring device, deviates from the range of the respective upper and lower measurement limits (i.e., the upper and lower limit values ​​that can be taken under normal conditions).

[0064] For example, the measurement result of the temperature measuring device T2, which serves as a combustion section temperature measuring device and measures the temperature of the combustion section 19 as an index for determining whether or not a misfire has occurred in the combustion section 19, is transmitted to the fuel cell control unit 49. Therefore, if an abnormality occurs in the fuel cell control unit 49, the measurement result of the combustion section temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T2) will not be recognized correctly by the fuel cell control unit 49 (for example, an event will occur in which the measurement result of the combustion section temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T2) deviates from its upper and lower measurement limits (i.e., upper and lower limit values ​​that can be taken if normal),), and there is a possibility that an abnormality such as an output abnormality due to a misfire in the combustion section 19 as described above will occur. Furthermore, the measurement results of the internal temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8), the reformer temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T1), and the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10) are also transmitted to the fuel cell control device 49, so if an abnormality occurs in the fuel cell control device 49, it is considered that the second judgment condition, that the temperature of the internal space 7 measured by the internal temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8), the temperature of the reformer 15 measured by the reformer temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T1), or the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10) deviates from the respective upper and lower measurement limit ranges, is also satisfied.

[0065] Therefore, in step #10, the diagnostic processing unit 4b refers to the temperature of the inner space 7 measured by the inner temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8), the temperature of the reformer 15 measured by the reformer temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T1), and the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10), and if a first judgment condition is met that the number of times misfires have occurred in the combustion unit 19 is a predetermined large number, and if a second judgment condition is met that the temperature of the inner space 7 measured by the inner temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8), the temperature of the reformer 15 measured by the reformer temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T1), or the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10) deviates from the respective upper and lower measurement limit ranges, the diagnostic processing unit 4b arrives at a diagnostic result A1 that determines that there is an abnormality in the fuel cell control unit 49 as a control device. In other words, the diagnostic result is made that there is an abnormality in the fuel cell control unit 49 as a control device, which is causing the abnormality in the output due to the above-mentioned misfire in the combustion unit 19. In this way, the determination result of the determination process of step #10 includes cases where the diagnosis result of the abnormality diagnosis process is specified.

[0066] The contents of the diagnostic result A1 are not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, a diagnostic result of "replace the fuel cell control unit 49 as a control device," or a diagnostic result of "repair the fuel cell control unit 49 as a control device." Although several examples of the diagnostic result A1 have been described, they may be used alone or in combination with any of the others.

[0067] If the diagnostic processing unit 4b determines in step #10 that the second determination condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step #11. In this way, the determination result of the determination process in step #10 includes cases where a transition to another determination process is instructed.

[0068] The judgment process of step #11 determines whether the rate of change of the temperature of the inner space 7 measured by the inner temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8) satisfies the third judgment condition, which is that the rate of change of the temperature of the inner space 7 is a predetermined high speed (for example, a predetermined rate such as 5°C / second or more).

[0069] Then, in the judgment processing of step #11, the diagnostic processing unit 4b refers to the temperature of the inner space 7 measured by the inner temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8), the temperature of the reformer 15 measured by the reformer temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T1), and the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10), and if the first judgment condition is satisfied, the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is satisfied that the rate of change of the temperature of the inner space 7 measured by the inner temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8) is in a predetermined high speed state, then it arrives at a diagnostic result A2 that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the inner temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8). In this way, the judgment result of the judgment processing of step #11 includes cases where the judgment result of the abnormality diagnosis processing is identified.

[0070] The contents of the diagnostic result A2 are not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, a diagnostic result of "replace the internal temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8)" or a diagnostic result of "repair the internal temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8)." Although several examples of the diagnostic result A2 have been described, they may be used alone or in combination with any of the others.

[0071] If the diagnostic processing unit 4b determines in step #11 that the third determination condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step #12. In this way, the determination result of the determination process in step #11 may include a case where a transition to another determination process is instructed.

[0072] The judgment process of step #12 determines whether the rate of change of the exhaust gas temperature measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10) is at a predetermined high speed (for example, at or above a predetermined rate such as 10°C / second) satisfies the fourth judgment condition.

[0073] Then, in the judgment processing of step #12, the diagnostic processing unit 4b refers to the temperature of the inner space 7 measured by the inner temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8), the temperature of the reformer 15 measured by the reformer temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T1), and the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10), and if the first judgment condition is satisfied, the second judgment condition is not satisfied, the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and a fourth judgment condition is satisfied in which the rate of change of the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10) is in a predetermined high speed state, then a diagnostic result A3 is reached, which determines that an abnormality has occurred in the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10). In this way, the judgment result of the judgment processing of step #12 includes cases in which the diagnosis result of the abnormality diagnosis processing is identified.

[0074] The contents of the diagnostic result A3 are not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, a diagnostic result of "replace the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10)" or a diagnostic result of "repair the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10)." Although several examples of the diagnostic result A3 have been described, they may be used alone or in combination with any of the others.

[0075] If the diagnostic processing unit 4b determines in step #12 that the fourth determination condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step #13. In this way, the determination result of the determination process in step #12 may include a case where a transition to another determination process is instructed.

[0076] The judgment process of step #13 judges whether or not the fifth judgment condition, that is, the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower 30 and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring instrument 28 has a deviation of more than a reference value, is met.

[0077] When the raw fuel blower 30 is supplying raw fuel normally, there is only a deviation less than a reference value in the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower 30 and the measurement value of the raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28. For example, when a standard measurement value of the raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28 is determined for each output (e.g., 30%) of the raw fuel blower 30, if the raw fuel is being supplied normally by the raw fuel blower 30, there is only a deviation of the actual measurement value of the raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28 from the standard measurement value less than the reference value (e.g., less than ±30%).

[0078] Then, in the judgment processing of step #13, the diagnostic processing unit 4b refers to the temperature of the inner space 7 measured by the inner temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8), the temperature of the reformer 15 measured by the reformer temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T1), the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10), the output of the raw fuel blower 30, and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28, and if the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fifth judgment condition is satisfied, that there is a deviation of more than a reference value in the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower 30 and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28, then it reaches a diagnostic result A4, which judges that an abnormality has occurred in the raw fuel supply system via the raw fuel supply path L1 (i.e., the raw fuel supply path L1 and the equipment installed along it, etc.). That is, the diagnosis result is that an abnormality has occurred in the raw fuel supply system via the raw fuel supply path L1, that is, an inappropriate amount of raw fuel is being supplied to the hot module 13, causing the above-mentioned abnormal output due to misfire in the combustion section 19. In this way, the determination result of the determination process in step #13 includes cases where the diagnosis result of the abnormality diagnosis process is specified.

[0079] The contents of the diagnostic result A4 are not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, a diagnostic result of "replacement of the supply system of the raw fuel via the raw fuel supply path L1" or a diagnostic result of "repair of the supply system of the raw fuel via the raw fuel supply path L1". Although several examples of the diagnostic result A4 have been described, they may be used alone or in combination with any of the others.

[0080] If the diagnostic processing unit 4b determines in step #13 that the fifth determination condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step #14. In this way, the determination result of the determination process in step #13 may include a case where a transition to another determination process is instructed.

[0081] The judgment process of step #14 judges whether or not the sixth judgment condition, that is, the correlation between the output of the air blower 41 and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring instrument 42 has a deviation of more than a reference value, is met.

[0082] When air is being supplied normally by air blower 41, there is a deviation less than the reference value in the correlation between the output of air blower 41 and the measurement value of air flow measuring instrument 42. For example, if a standard measurement value of air flow measuring instrument 42 is determined for each output of air blower 41 (e.g., 30%), then as long as air is being supplied normally by air blower 41, the actual measurement value of air flow measuring instrument 42 will deviate from the standard measurement value by less than the reference value (e.g., less than ±30%).

[0083] Then, in the determination processing of step #14, the diagnostic processing unit 4b refers to the temperature of the inner space 7 measured by the inner temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8), the temperature of the reformer 15 measured by the reformer temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T1), the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10), the output of the air blower 41, and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device 42, and determines whether the first determination condition is met and the second determination condition is not met and the third determination condition is not met and the fourth determination condition is not met and the output of the air blower 41 and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device 42 are in agreement. If the sixth judgment condition is satisfied, that is, the correlation between the output of the air blower 41 and the air flow rate measured by the air flow meter 42 deviates by a reference value or more, or if the first judgment condition is satisfied and the second judgment condition is not satisfied and the third judgment condition is not satisfied and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied and the fifth judgment condition is not satisfied and the sixth judgment condition is satisfied, that is, the correlation between the output of the air blower 41 and the air flow rate measured by the air flow meter 42 deviates by a reference value or more, a diagnosis result A5 is reached, which determines that an abnormality has occurred in the air supply system via the air supply path L10 (i.e., the air supply path L10 and the devices installed thereon). In other words, the diagnosis result is reached that an abnormality has occurred in the air supply system via the air supply path L10, that is, that an inappropriate amount of air is being supplied to the hot module 13, causing an output abnormality due to a misfire in the combustion unit 19. In this way, the judgment result of the judgment process of step #14 includes cases where the diagnosis result of the abnormality diagnosis process is identified.

[0084] The contents of the diagnostic result A5 are not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, a diagnostic result of "replacement of the air supply system via the air supply path L10" or a diagnostic result of "repair of the air supply system via the air supply path L10." Although several examples of the diagnostic result A5 have been described, they may be used alone or in combination with any of the others.

[0085] In this embodiment, the order in which steps #13 and #14 are performed is not limited. That is, step #14 may be performed before step #13.

[0086] If the diagnostic processing unit 4b determines in step #14 that the sixth determination condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step #15. In this way, the determination result of the determination process in step #14 may include a case where a transition to another determination process is instructed.

[0087] The judgment process of step #15 judges whether or not the seventh judgment condition, that is, the temperature of the combustion section 19 measured by the combustion section temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T2) is on an upward trend during a predetermined judgment period, is met.

[0088] Then, in the judgment processing of step #15, if the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fifth judgment condition that the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower 30 and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28 deviates by a reference value or more is not satisfied, and the sixth judgment condition that the correlation between the output of the air blower 41 and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device 42 deviates by a reference value or more is not satisfied, and the seventh judgment condition that the temperature of the combustion section 19 measured by the combustion section temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T2) has an upward trend during a predetermined judgment period is satisfied, the diagnostic processing device 4b reaches a diagnostic result A6 that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the hot module 13. In other words, the diagnostic result is made that the abnormality in the hot module 13 has caused the abnormality in the output of the combustion section 19 due to the misfire described above. In this way, the determination result of the determination process in step #15 includes cases where the diagnosis result of the abnormality diagnosis process is specified.

[0089] The contents of the diagnostic result A6 are not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, a diagnostic result such as "replace hot module 13" or "repair hot module 13." Although several examples of the diagnostic result A6 have been described, they may be used alone or in combination with any of the others.

[0090] On the other hand, in the judgment processing of step #15, if the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fifth judgment condition that the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower 30 and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device 28 has a deviation of a reference value or more is not satisfied, and the sixth judgment condition that the correlation between the output of the air blower 41 and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device 42 has a deviation of a reference value or more is not satisfied, and the seventh judgment condition that the temperature of the combustion section 19 measured by the combustion section temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T2) has an increasing trend during a predetermined judgment period is not satisfied, the diagnostic processing unit 4b reaches a diagnostic result A7 that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the igniter 20. In other words, the diagnostic result is made that the abnormality of the output abnormality due to the misfire in the combustion section 19 described above has occurred due to the occurrence of an abnormality in the igniter 20. In this way, the determination result of the determination process in step #15 includes cases where the diagnosis result of the abnormality diagnosis process is specified.

[0091] The contents of the diagnostic result A7 are not limited to those described above, and may be, for example, a diagnostic result of "replace igniter 20" or a diagnostic result of "repair igniter 20." Although several examples of the diagnostic result A7 have been described, they may be used alone or in combination with any of the others.

[0092] As described above, the abnormality diagnosis device 4 can automatically perform the process from the occurrence of an abnormality to the identification of a diagnosis result for that abnormality according to a pre-created abnormality diagnosis processing procedure. The identified diagnosis result is then stored in the memory unit 4a of the abnormality diagnosis device 4. The memory unit 4a of the abnormality diagnosis device 4 also stores at least one of the contact information for the manager (e.g., the owner) who manages the fuel cell device 10, the contact information for the maintenance staff of the fuel cell device 10, and the contact information for manufacturing personnel (e.g., the assembler or component manufacturer of the fuel cell device 10). The diagnosis processing unit 4b outputs the identified diagnosis result to at least one of the contact information for the manager, the contact information for the maintenance staff, and the contact information for manufacturing personnel. For example, the diagnosis processing unit 4b transmits the diagnosis result to the email addresses of the manager of the fuel cell device 10, the email addresses of the maintenance staff of the fuel cell device 10, and the email addresses of manufacturing personnel of the fuel cell device 10. As a result, the manager of the fuel cell device 10 can check the diagnosis result on his / her manager terminal device 62, the maintenance staff of the fuel cell device 10 can check the diagnosis result on their maintenance staff terminal device 60, and the manufacturing personnel of the fuel cell device 10 can check the diagnosis result on their manufacturing personnel terminal device 61. In this way, the abnormality diagnosis device 4 automatically identifies the diagnosis result for the abnormality, so that maintenance personnel can be dispatched after making preparations in advance according to the diagnosis result.

[0093] For example, before arriving at the site where repairs are to be performed on the fuel cell device 10, the person in charge of maintaining the fuel cell device 10 can prepare for repairs based on the diagnostic results, and the person involved in manufacturing the fuel cell device 10 can prepare the parts necessary for repairs based on the diagnostic results. As a result, it is possible to avoid problems such as a lack of skilled personnel at the site where repairs are to be performed, or problems such as not having the parts necessary for repairs brought with them.

[0094] In the above example, the diagnosis results of the abnormality diagnosis process include details of the malfunction occurring in a specific part of the fuel cell device 10 as the cause of the malfunction, such as "there is an abnormality in the fuel cell control unit 49 as a control device (diagnosis result A1)," "an abnormality in the internal temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T8) (diagnosis result A2)," "an abnormality in the exhaust gas temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device T10) (diagnosis result A3)," "an abnormality in the raw fuel supply system (diagnosis result A4)," "an abnormality in the air supply system (diagnosis result A5)," "an abnormality in the hot module 13 (diagnosis result A6)," and "an abnormality in the igniter 20 (diagnosis result A7)." If the manager, maintenance staff, and manufacturing personnel of the fuel cell device 10 know the details of the malfunction occurring in a specific part of the fuel cell device 10 as the cause of the malfunction, they can determine the necessary work, such as repairing or replacing a part in that part.

[0095] The diagnostic results are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, but can be changed as appropriate. To give a specific example, the diagnosis result may include instructions to replace or repair components of the fuel cell device 10 related to the diagnosis result as a way to deal with the abnormality.

[0096] If instructions for replacing or repairing specific components of the fuel cell device 10 as described above are included as a way to deal with abnormalities, the components to be replaced can be prepared in advance and the personnel required for the replacement or repair work can be determined in advance.

[0097] Additionally, when issuing an instruction to replace or repair a specific component of the fuel cell system 10, it is preferable to know the degree of difficulty. For this reason, the memory unit 4a stores information indicating the degree of difficulty of the repair or replacement work for each of the multiple components of the fuel cell system 10, and the diagnosis result may include information indicating the degree of difficulty as a way to deal with the abnormality. If information indicating the degree of difficulty of the component repair or replacement work is included as a way to deal with the abnormality, preparations can be made in advance to dispatch personnel with the skills appropriate to the degree of difficulty.

[0098] In addition, when issuing an instruction to replace or repair a specific component of the fuel cell system 10, it is preferable for the maintenance personnel who will actually perform the replacement or repair to be able to view video data explaining the repair or replacement work in advance or on-site. Therefore, the storage unit 4a stores video data explaining the repair or replacement work for each of multiple components of the fuel cell system 10, and the diagnosis results may include the video data as a way to deal with the abnormality. If video data explaining the repair or replacement work for the component of the fuel cell system 10 is included as a way to deal with the abnormality, the person performing the repair or replacement work for the component can review the video data and reliably perform the repair or replacement work.

[0099] <Another embodiment> In the above embodiment, the configuration of the fuel cell device 10 has been specifically described, but the configuration can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the contents of the diagnosis results can be changed as appropriate.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the abnormality diagnosis device 4 of the present invention has been described using numerical examples, but these numerical values ​​are given for illustrative purposes only and can be changed as appropriate.

[0101] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0102] The present invention can be used in an abnormality diagnostic device that can appropriately diagnose the details of an abnormality that occurs in a fuel cell device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1: Facility 2: Information and communication lines 4: Abnormality diagnosis device 7: Inner space 10:Fuel cell device 11:Outer container 12:Inner container 13: Hot Module 14: Vaporizer 15: Reformer 17: Fuel cell 18: Cell stack 19: Combustion section 20:Igniter 21: Air supply port 22: Exhaust port 28: Raw fuel flow rate measuring device 30: Raw fuel blower 41: Air blower 42: Air flow measuring instrument 48: Space inside the outer container L1: Raw fuel supply path L10: Air supply line T1: Temperature measuring instrument (reformer temperature measuring instrument) T2: Temperature measuring instrument (combustion section temperature measuring instrument) T3: Temperature measuring device (space temperature measuring device) T4: Temperature measuring instrument (reflux gas temperature measuring instrument) T5: Temperature measuring device T6: Temperature measuring device (1st hot water temperature measuring device) T7: Temperature measuring device (second hot water temperature measuring device) T8: Temperature measuring device (inside temperature measuring device) T9: Temperature measuring device (heat exchange temperature measuring device) T10: Temperature measuring device (exhaust gas temperature measuring device) T11: Temperature measuring device (circuit temperature measuring device)

Claims

1. An abnormality diagnosis device that diagnoses the details of an abnormality occurring in a fuel cell device installed in a facility based on information received from the fuel cell device via an information communication line, The fuel cell device includes a hot module having an outer container and an inner container provided in a space inside the outer container, The hot module has, in an inner space inside the inner container, a vaporizer that vaporizes supplied reforming water, a reformer that generates fuel gas by steam reforming raw fuel using steam supplied from the vaporizer, a cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell units that generate power using the fuel gas generated by the reformer, a combustion unit that combusts off-gas discharged from the cell stack, and an igniter that ignites the off-gas, and the inner container is provided with an air inlet used to supply air from the outside to the inner space and an exhaust port used to exhaust air from the inner space to the outside, the fuel cell device comprises: a raw fuel supply path through which the raw fuel flows that is supplied to the reformer from outside the inner space; a raw fuel blower that supplies the raw fuel to the reformer via the raw fuel supply path; an air supply path through which air flows that is supplied to the air inlet from outside the inner container; an air blower that supplies air to the inner space via the air supply path and the air inlet; an inner temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the inner space; a reformer temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the reformer; an exhaust gas temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of exhaust gas that is discharged to the outside of the inner container and includes gas generated by combustion in the combustion section; and a control device that controls the operation of the fuel cell device; An abnormality diagnosis device that determines that there is an abnormality in the control device when a first judgment condition is met, that is, the number of misfires occurring in the combustion section is a predetermined number of times, and a second judgment condition is met, that is, the temperature of the internal space measured by the internal temperature measuring device, the temperature of the reformer measured by the reformer temperature measuring device, or the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device deviates from the respective upper and lower measurement limit ranges.

2. An abnormality diagnosis device as described in claim 1, which determines that an abnormality has occurred in the internal temperature measuring device when the first judgment condition is satisfied, the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is satisfied, which is that the rate of change of the temperature of the internal space measured by the internal temperature measuring device is at a predetermined high speed.

3. An abnormality diagnosis device as described in claim 2, which determines that an abnormality has occurred in the exhaust gas temperature measuring device when the first judgment condition is satisfied, the second judgment condition is not satisfied, the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and a fourth judgment condition is satisfied, in which the rate of change of the temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the exhaust gas temperature measuring device is at a predetermined high speed.

4. the fuel cell device includes a raw fuel flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate per unit time of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer through the raw fuel supply path; 4. The abnormality diagnosis device according to claim 3, wherein if the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and a fifth judgment condition is satisfied in which there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device, the abnormality diagnosis device determines that an abnormality has occurred in the raw fuel supply system via the raw fuel supply path.

5. the fuel cell device includes an air flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate per unit time of air supplied to the inner space by the air blower; 4. The abnormality diagnosis device according to claim 3, wherein if the first judgment condition is satisfied, and the second judgment condition is not satisfied, and the third judgment condition is not satisfied, and the fourth judgment condition is not satisfied, and a sixth judgment condition is satisfied that there is a deviation of a reference value or more in the correlation between the output of the air blower and the air flow rate measured by the air flow measuring device, the abnormality diagnosis device determines that an abnormality has occurred in the air supply system via the air supply path.

6. the fuel cell device includes a raw fuel flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate per unit time of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer through the raw fuel supply path, an air flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate per unit time of air supplied to the inner space by the air blower, and a combustion section temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the combustion section; 6. The abnormality diagnosis device according to claim 4, wherein it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the hot module when the first determination condition is satisfied, and the second determination condition is not satisfied, and the third determination condition is not satisfied, and the fourth determination condition is not satisfied, and a fifth determination condition that a correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device deviates by a reference value or more is not satisfied, and a sixth determination condition that a correlation between the output of the air blower and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device deviates by a reference value or more is not satisfied, and a seventh determination condition that a temperature of the combustion section measured by the combustion section temperature measuring device is on an upward trend during a predetermined determination period is satisfied.

7. the fuel cell device includes a raw fuel flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate per unit time of the raw fuel supplied to the reformer through the raw fuel supply path, an air flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate per unit time of air supplied to the inner space by the air blower, and a combustion section temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the combustion section; 6. The abnormality diagnosis device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the igniter when the first determination condition is satisfied, and the second determination condition is not satisfied, and the third determination condition is not satisfied, and the fourth determination condition is not satisfied, and a fifth determination condition that a correlation between the output of the raw fuel blower and the raw fuel flow rate measured by the raw fuel flow rate measuring device has a deviation of a reference value or more is not satisfied, and a sixth determination condition that a correlation between the output of the air blower and the air flow rate measured by the air flow rate measuring device has a deviation of a reference value or more is not satisfied, and a seventh determination condition that a temperature of the combustion section measured by the combustion section temperature measuring device has an increasing trend during a predetermined determination period is not satisfied.

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