Fuel cell system

Abstract

To provide a fuel cell system that can efficiently use hydrogen gas in a high-pressure gas container while stably supplying hydrogen necessary for a fuel cell device.SOLUTION: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of high-pressure gas containers 1 for supplying hydrogen gas to a fuel cell device 50, a plurality of pressure reducing valve units 10, a low-pressure pipe 17, and a control device 40 for controlling the supply of gas, the low-pressure pipe 17 further includes a branch pipe 18 and a supply solenoid valve 15, each of the pressure reducing valve units 10 includes a pressure reducing valve for reducing the hydrogen gas to be sent to the branch pipe 18 to a low pressure state, and a pressure gauge 20 for detecting the internal pressure of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers 1, and the control device 40 controls the opening and closing of the supply solenoid valve 15 on the basis of the detected internal pressure, and supplies hydrogen gas to the fuel cell device 50 from at least two of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell system in which hydrogen gas is supplied to a fuel cell by a plurality of high-pressure containers. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a fuel cell system that includes "a hydrogen gas storage container that includes a hydrogen gas filling section for filling with hydrogen gas, a container body that contains the filled hydrogen gas, and a connecting supply section for supplying the stored hydrogen gas to a fuel cell device, wherein the connecting supply section is configured to be detachable from the fuel cell device, and the entire hydrogen gas storage container is also configured to be detachable from the fuel cell device" (see, for example, Cited Document 1).

[0003] The hydrogen gas storage container of the fuel cell system disclosed in Cited Document 1 is a cassette-type hydrogen container that includes a hydrogen gas filling section for filling hydrogen gas, such as a hydrogen gas filling port on the cylinder side, a container body for storing the filled hydrogen gas, such as a small cylinder, and a connecting supply section for supplying the stored hydrogen gas to a fuel cell device, such as a gas filling port, and the gas filling port is configured to be attachable and detachable to, for example, a filling nozzle of the fuel cell device, and the entire cassette-type hydrogen container is also configured to be attachable and detachable to the fuel cell device.

[0004] When the fuel cell system determines that the hydrogen gas pressure in the cassette hydrogen container has fallen below the minimum allowable pressure, the switching means control unit closes the solenoid valve of the cassette hydrogen container via the switching means. At the same time, it opens the solenoid valve of one of the two cassette hydrogen containers. This allows hydrogen gas at or above a certain pressure to be continuously supplied to the fuel cell device drive unit, preventing the fuel cell vehicle from shutting down due to a lack of hydrogen gas. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-192863 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The hydrogen gas storage container management system disclosed in Patent Document 1 supplies hydrogen from a single hydrogen gas storage container to a fuel cell device. Each hydrogen gas storage container is equipped with a pressure reducing valve and a pressure gauge. The pressure reducing valve reduces high-pressure hydrogen gas to a low pressure using a mechanical structure, and the pressure gauge measures the gas inside the container from high to low pressure, so there is some variability in the amount of pressure reduction and the measured value. Meanwhile, it is necessary to ensure a certain level of hydrogen gas supply from the hydrogen gas storage container to the fuel cell. Therefore, the hydrogen gas storage container currently supplying hydrogen needs to be switched to supply hydrogen gas from another hydrogen gas storage container when a certain amount of hydrogen gas remains inside, so that a constant level of hydrogen gas can be supplied, taking into account variability in the amount of pressure reduction and measured pressure of each hydrogen gas storage container.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a fuel cell system that can efficiently use the hydrogen gas in a high-pressure gas container while stably supplying the hydrogen necessary for a fuel cell device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The fuel cell system of the present invention is a fuel cell system having a fuel cell device and a plurality of high-pressure gas containers for supplying hydrogen gas to the fuel cell device, and is equipped with a plurality of pressure reducing valve units attached to each of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers, a low-pressure pipe connecting each of the plurality of pressure reducing valve units to the fuel cell device, and a control device that controls the supply of gas from the plurality of high-pressure gas containers to the fuel cell device, wherein the low-pressure pipe has a plurality of branch pipes connected to each of the plurality of pressure reducing valve units, each of the plurality of branch pipes has a supply solenoid valve that controls the supply of hydrogen gas, and each of the plurality of pressure reducing valve units has a pressure reducing valve that reduces the hydrogen gas to be sent to the plurality of branch pipes to a low pressure state, and a pressure gauge that detects the internal pressure of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers, and the control device controls the opening and closing of the supply solenoid valve based on the internal pressure detected by the pressure gauge, and supplies hydrogen gas to the fuel cell device from at least two of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above invention, by measuring the internal pressure and controlling the supply solenoid valve to supply hydrogen from two or more high-pressure gas containers, the fuel cell system can stably supply the hydrogen gas necessary for the fuel cell device while using as much hydrogen gas as possible inside the high-pressure gas containers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of the main configuration of a fuel cell system 100 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a high-pressure gas container 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 shows an example of the structure of a pressure reducing valve unit 10 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a verification device 500 for verifying the characteristics of the pressure reducing valve unit 10. FIG. [Figure 5]5 is a diagram showing changes in the internal pressure of an input tank to which three pressure reducing valve units 10A, 10B, and 10C are connected in verification using the verification device 500 of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is an example of a hydrogen gas supply control flow of the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is an explanatory diagram of pressure changes in each of the high-pressure gas containers 1A to 1F of the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 shows an example of a management system 1000 for a fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the pressure reducing valve unit 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing fuel cell systems 200 and 300 of an FCV as comparative examples. [Figure 11] 4 is a diagram showing the correlation between the output from the pressure gauge 20 and the states of the notification device 41 and the supply electromagnetic valve 15 in the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 shows an example of the configuration of a pressure gauge 20 of the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the fuel cell system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferable limitations are applied, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is limited.

[0012] Embodiment 1 <Fuel cell system 100> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the main configuration of a fuel cell system 100 according to a first embodiment. The fuel cell system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used, for example, in homes, factories, etc., and generates power using hydrogen filled in a high-pressure gas container 1. The fuel cell system 100 is configured such that multiple high-pressure gas containers 1A-1F and a fuel cell device 50 are connected via low-pressure piping 17, and is configured such that hydrogen gas at a constant pressure can be supplied to the fuel cell device 50 by replacing the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1. Note that, as an example, six high-pressure gas containers 1A-1F are connected in FIG. 1, but these may each be referred to as a high-pressure gas container 1. Furthermore, the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1A-1F may also be collectively referred to as multiple high-pressure gas containers 1. Furthermore, the number of high-pressure gas containers 1 connected to the fuel cell system 100 in FIG. 1 is not limited to six, and is not limited to at least three.

[0013] The low-pressure pipe 17 connecting the fuel cell device 50 and the high-pressure gas container 1 includes a plurality of branch pipes 18. Each of the plurality of branch pipes 18 is connected to the high-pressure gas container 1. The high-pressure gas container 1 includes a pressure reducing valve unit 10, and a connection portion 6 of the pressure reducing valve unit 10 is connected to the branch pipe 18. Each of the plurality of branch pipes 18 is provided with a supply solenoid valve 15, and is configured to be able to control the supply of hydrogen gas from each of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers 1 to the fuel cell device 50. The fuel cell system 100 uses hydrogen filled in the plurality of high-pressure gas containers 1 in turn, and replaces the high-pressure gas container 1 when it becomes empty.

[0014] The pressure reducing valve unit 10 attached to the high-pressure gas container 1 includes a pressure reducing valve 5 (see FIG. 2 ) therein and is configured to deliver low-pressure hydrogen gas to the branch pipe 18. The high-pressure gas container 1 is configured integrally with the pressure reducing valve unit 10, and the pressure reducing valve unit 10 is attached to and detached from the branch pipe 18. For example, a socket is provided on the branch pipe 18 side, and the branch pipe 18 and the pressure reducing valve unit 10 are connected by inserting a plug provided on the pressure reducing valve unit 10 into the socket. In other words, the connection part 6 between the branch pipe 18 and the pressure reducing valve unit 10 is composed of a socket and a plug. The pressure reducing valve 5 of the pressure reducing valve unit 10 keeps the hydrogen gas in a low-pressure state at the connection part 6, ensuring safety when attaching and detaching the high-pressure gas container 1. Specifically, the hydrogen gas at the connection part 6 is depressurized to less than 1 MPa at normal operating temperatures, and is still less than 1 MPa even at 35°C. In other words, in the first embodiment, a low-pressure state means that the hydrogen gas is depressurized to less than 1 MPa at normal operating temperatures, and is still less than 1 MPa even at 35°C. Furthermore, a high-pressure state means a pressure of 1 MPa or more at normal operating temperatures or 1 MPa or more at 35°C. A high-pressure state refers to a state that falls under the category of "high-pressure gas" under the High-Pressure Gas Safety Act, while a low-pressure state refers to a state that does not fall under the category of "high-pressure gas."

[0015] The fuel cell system 100 includes multiple high-pressure gas containers 1, each of which is attached with a pressure reducing valve unit 10, which integrates a pressure reducing valve and a valve. The high-pressure gas container 1 is attached to the pressure reducing valve unit 10, and the pressure reducing valve unit 10 can be attached and detached to and from the fuel cell system 100. Because hydrogen gas is in a low-pressure state at the detachable portion of the high-pressure gas container 1 (connection portion 6 of the pressure reducing valve unit 10; see FIG. 2 ), the high-pressure gas container 1 can be attached and detached without the need for a licensed or skilled person to handle high-pressure gas. In other words, if hydrogen gas were in a high-pressure state at the connection portion 6 between the pressure reducing valve unit 10 and the fuel cell system 100, connecting the high-pressure gas container 1 to the fuel cell system 100 to generate electricity would be considered a high-pressure gas production operation, and notification or approval may be required. However, the fuel cell system 100 has the advantage that the pressure reducing valve unit 10 is attached to the high-pressure gas container 1, and because hydrogen gas is in a low-pressure state at the connection portion 6 of the pressure reducing valve unit 10, the connection portion 6 can be attached and detached by an ordinary user. Therefore, for example, a user of the fuel cell system 100 can purchase a high-pressure gas container 1 with a pressure reducing valve unit 10 filled with hydrogen gas, and attach or detach it to or from the fuel cell system 100 when needed. In addition, the high-pressure gas container 1 with the pressure reducing valve unit 10 can also be distributed by general delivery companies, which has the advantage of promoting the widespread use of the fuel cell system 100.

[0016] The hydrogen gas that flows from the high-pressure gas container 1 into the low-pressure pipe 17 via the branch pipe 18 is further pressure-adjusted by the fuel cell-side pressure-adjusting valve 16 before flowing into the fuel cell device 50. The fuel cell-side pressure-adjusting valve 16 reduces the pressure of the hydrogen gas, for example, to 0.05 MPa. However, the amount of pressure reduction by the fuel cell-side pressure-adjusting valve 16 can be appropriately changed so that the pressure of the supplied gas is any pressure less than 1 MPa depending on the specifications of the fuel cell device 50. In other words, the fuel cell-side pressure-adjusting valve 16 is configured to adjust the pressure to a lower level than the pressure of the hydrogen gas flowing out of the pressure-adjusting valve unit 10. In the fuel cell system 100, the hydrogen is reduced to a low pressure state by the pressure-adjusting valve unit 10. However, as will be described later, the amount of pressure reduction by the pressure-adjusting valve unit 10 varies from one unit to another. Therefore, if hydrogen reduced in the pressure-adjusting valve unit 10 is directly supplied to the fuel cell device 50, the pressure may not be suitable for the fuel cell device 50. By providing the fuel cell-side pressure-adjusting valve 16 before the hydrogen flows into the fuel cell device 50, the fuel cell system 100 is configured to supply hydrogen gas with little pressure variation that meets the specifications of the fuel cell device 50. Furthermore, because the fuel cell system 100 is depressurized in the fuel cell-side pressure reducing valve 16, it can be used even if there is variation in the amount of pressure reduction in the pressure reducing valve units 10. For example, even if the pressure adjustment capacity of the multiple pressure reducing valve units 10 is 0.5 MPa ± 0.1 MPa, the fuel cell-side pressure reducing valve 16 reduces the pressure to 0.05 MPa ± 0.01 MPa, so the fuel cell system 100 can supply hydrogen gas to the fuel cell device 50 with highly accurate pressure adjustment.

[0017] The fuel cell system 100 includes a control device 40. The control device 40 controls each component to ensure a stable supply of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell device 50. In the first embodiment, the control device 40 is connected to each device, such as a pressure gauge 20 connected to the pressure reducing valve unit 10 and a supply solenoid valve 15 installed in the branch pipe 18. The control device 40 is connected to each device by wire or wirelessly. The control device 40 acquires the pressure value inside each high-pressure gas container 1 from the pressure gauge 20 and controls the opening and closing of each supply solenoid valve 15. The control device 40 may also be connected to the fuel cell device 50 and configured to acquire information such as the amount of power generated by the fuel cell device 50 or the amount of hydrogen consumed.

[0018] <Structure of high-pressure gas cylinder 1> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a high-pressure gas container 1 according to the first embodiment. The high-pressure gas container 1 is configured by integrating a tank body 1a and a pressure reducing valve unit 10. The tank body 1a has, for example, the following structure. The tank body 1a includes a cylindrical portion 1b and dome portions 1c and 1d formed on both ends of the cylindrical portion 1b. The cylindrical portion 1b is a cylinder having an inner diameter Di and is made of steel with a wall thickness t. The dome portions 1c and 1d are hollow, hemispherical portions connected to both ends of the cylindrical portion 11 and are made of steel with the same wall thickness t as the cylindrical portion 11. The dome portion 1d is provided with a nozzle 7 and is configured to be connectable to the pressure reducing valve unit 10. In FIG. 2, the dome portions 1c and 1d are hemispherical in shape, but this is not limited thereto. The outer surface may be a dome shape formed by combining a curved surface, such as a spherical surface, with a flat surface. The wall thickness t of the dome portions 1c and 1d does not have to be uniform. For example, the thickness t may be increased in a portion where stress tends to concentrate, such as the periphery of the mouthpiece 7.

[0019] At least one of the dome sections 1c and 1d at both ends is provided with a nozzle 7, which allows the gas inside to be discharged to the outside of the tank body 1a. In Figures 1 and 2, the nozzle 7 is provided on the dome section 1d. The nozzle 7 may also be provided on the dome section 1c at the other end, in addition to the dome section 1d.

[0020] The nozzle 7 is the part to which the pressure reducing valve unit 10 is attached, and may be provided with a female thread or with a seal structure to prevent leakage of the hydrogen gas inside.

[0021] <Structure of pressure reducing valve unit 10> The pressure reducing valve unit 10 is connected to the nozzle 7 of the tank body 1a and has the function of reducing the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen gas sealed inside the tank body 1a. The pressure reducing valve unit 10 also includes a main valve 2, which is a valve for switching between flowing out and stopping the gas inside the tank body 1a, on the upstream side (tank body 1a side) of the pressure reducing valve 5, and a connector 6 for connecting to a branch pipe 18 on the downstream side of the pressure reducing valve 5. The main valve 2 may include, for example, a knob or lever that can be rotated to switch between flowing out and stopping the gas. The main valve 2 may also be capable of adjusting the flow rate depending on the amount of rotation of the knob or lever.

[0022] Furthermore, the pressure reducing valve unit 10 includes a pressure gauge mounting portion 3 for connecting a pressure gauge 20 for measuring the pressure inside the tank main body 1a. The pressure gauge mounting portion 3 is connected at least upstream of the pressure reducing valve 5. In the first embodiment, the pressure gauge mounting portion 3 is connected between the main valve 2 and the pressure reducing valve 5. The pressure reducing valve unit 10 also includes a safety valve 4. The safety valve 4 operates when the pressure inside the tank main body 1a becomes abnormally high, and releases gas inside the tank main body 1a.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows an example of the structure of the pressure reducing valve unit 10 according to the first embodiment. The pressure reducing valve unit 10 is attached to the nozzle 7 of the tank body 1a and is an integrated unit provided with a main valve 2, a pressure gauge mounting portion 3, a safety valve 4, a pressure reducing valve 5, a connection portion 6, a tank connection portion 8, and a filling port 9. That is, the pressure reducing valve unit 10 has a main valve 2, a pressure gauge mounting portion 3, a safety valve 4, a pressure reducing valve 5, a connection portion 6, a tank connection portion 8, and a filling port 9 mounted in a single housing 10a. The single housing 10a may be configured to have at least the main valve 2 and the pressure reducing valve 5 mounted therein, or may be configured to have other components mounted separately. The pressure reducing valve unit 10 has a single housing and has the main valve 2 and the pressure reducing valve 5 mounted therein, thereby preventing leakage of high-pressure gas due to detachment or damage of parts when the user is attaching or detaching the high-pressure gas container 1.

[0024] The pressure gauge mounting portion 3, the connection portion 6, the tank connection portion 8 and the filling port 9, which are connected to external devices, are, for example, plugs, and are configured so as to be able to be attached to the corresponding sockets.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the pressure reducing valve 5 is composed of a primary pressure reducing valve 5a and a secondary pressure reducing valve 5b. The primary pressure reducing valve 5a and the secondary pressure reducing valve 5b each have a diaphragm, and are configured so that high-pressure hydrogen gas is throttled through a throttle valve and then directed into the space in which the diaphragm is located. The diaphragm is biased downward by a pressure setting spring, and when high-pressure hydrogen gas enters the space in which the diaphragm is located, the pressure causes the diaphragm to lift against the biasing force of the pressure setting spring. When the diaphragm is lifted, the volume of the space increases and the pressure of the hydrogen gas decreases. Because the primary pressure reducing valve 5a and the secondary pressure reducing valve 5b are configured in this way to reduce the pressure of hydrogen gas, the flow rate of the gas flowing out of each of the connection parts 6 in the pressure reducing valve unit 10 varies.

[0026] In the fuel cell system 100, the high-pressure gas container 1 used to supply hydrogen is a general composite container certified in accordance with the High-Pressure Gas Safety Act (KHKS0121). This general composite container is used as a single container for hydrogen filling, transportation, and storage at hydrogen filling stations. In other words, the high-pressure gas container 1 is distributed with a pressure-reducing valve unit 10 attached to the tank body 1a. As shown in FIG. 1 , the fuel cell system 100 is connected to, for example, six high-pressure gas containers 1, each of which is replaceable. Each high-pressure gas container 1 is equipped with a pressure-reducing valve 5 in the pressure-reducing valve unit 10, and hydrogen gas is in a low-pressure state at the connection 6 with the fuel cell system 100. Therefore, the High-Pressure Gas Safety Act does not apply when the container is attached or detached. In other words, the fuel cell system 100 allows anyone to safely attach, detach, and replace the high-pressure gas container 1. The fuel cell system 100 is unrestricted in its replacement of the high-pressure gas container 1, enabling more stable operation.

[0027] The tank body 1a is designed to be compact, and an aluminum alloy liner composite container conforming to KHKS0121 can be used, for example. The tank body 1a is preferably configured to withstand an angle drop test from 3m, assuming a fall during use. For this reason, the tank body 1a is lightweight, easy to handle, and highly safe. The tank body 1a is preferably configured to weigh 3kg or less, and more preferably 2kg or less.

[0028] <Hydrogen gas supply to fuel cell system 100> The fuel cell system 100 uses multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 connected in parallel, and is configured to supply hydrogen gas from multiple of these high-pressure gas containers 1 to the fuel cell device 50, thereby achieving a stable supply of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell device 50 while maximizing the use of hydrogen in the high-pressure gas containers 1. The high-pressure gas containers 1 reduce the high-pressure hydrogen gas filled in the tank body 1a to a low pressure that is safe to handle and supply it to the low-pressure piping 17. However, since the characteristics of the pressure reducing valves 5 of the pressure reducing valve unit 10 vary from one to another, when hydrogen is supplied simultaneously from two or more of the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1, the amount of hydrogen gas lost over time varies from one high-pressure gas container 1 to another. Therefore, switching between hydrogen supply from multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 must be done appropriately.

[0029] <Characteristics of pressure reducing valve unit 10> FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a verification device 500 for verifying the characteristics of the pressure reducing valve unit 10. As an example, the verification device 500 has three pressure reducing valve units 10A, 10B, and 10C connected in parallel to a gas supply pipe. Gas is supplied from an input tank connected to the input side through a main valve 90, and the internal pressure of the tank connected to the main valve 90 is measured by a pressure gauge 91. The gas supplied from the input side is reduced in pressure as it passes through each of the three pressure reducing valve units 10A, 10B, and 10C, and then the gases merge. The pressure of the merged gas is measured by a pressure gauge 92, and the pressure is finally reduced by a pressure reducing valve 93 to the same pressure as the hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell device 50, and the gas flows out to the output side. The flow rate of the outflowing gas is measured by a flow meter 94. Nitrogen gas was used for the verification.

[0030] The verification was performed using the verification device 500, measuring the change in the internal pressure of the input tank when the three pressure reducing valve units 10A, 10B, and 10C were used simultaneously, and the characteristics of each of the three pressure reducing valve units 10A, 10B, and 10C were confirmed. The initial internal pressure of the input tank was set to 19.6 MPa, and the verification was performed under three conditions of output flow rates of 2 L / min, 5 L / min, and 7 L / min.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows the change in internal pressure of an input tank connected to three pressure reducing valve units 10A, 10B, and 10C during verification using the verification device 500 of FIG. 4. FIG. 5(a) shows measurements taken with the output flow rate set to 2 L / min, FIG. 5(b) shows measurements taken with the output flow rate set to 5 L / min, and FIG. 5(c) shows measurements taken with the output flow rate set to 7 L / min. The horizontal axis of each figure represents the elapsed time from the start of verification, and the vertical axis represents the internal pressure of the input tank. In each figure, the dashed line represents the change in internal pressure of the input tank connected to pressure reducing valve unit 10A, the dashed line represents the change in internal pressure of pressure reducing valve unit 10B, and the solid line represents the change in internal pressure of the input tank connected to pressure reducing valve unit 10C.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the internal pressure of the input tanks connected to each of the pressure reducing valve units 10A, 10B, and 10C was different, and the internal pressure of the input tank connected to pressure reducing valve unit 10A decreased the fastest. In other words, the gas in the input tank connected to pressure reducing valve unit 10A was consumed the fastest. On the other hand, the gas in the input tank connected to pressure reducing valve unit 10C was consumed the slowest. This tendency was common to the three conditions of 2 L / min, 5 L / min, and 7 L / min.

[0033] In this way, when gas is supplied simultaneously from a plurality of high-pressure gas containers 1 each having a pressure reducing valve unit 10, it has been found that the amount of gas consumed in the high-pressure gas container 1 differs for each pressure reducing valve unit 10.

[0034] <Hydrogen Gas Supply Control in Fuel Cell System 100> Fig. 6 shows an example of a hydrogen gas supply control flow in the fuel cell system 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of pressure changes in each of the high-pressure gas containers 1A to 1F in the fuel cell system 100 according to embodiment 1. In Fig. 7, the vertical axis represents the internal pressure of each of the high-pressure gas containers 1A to 1F, and the horizontal axis represents elapsed time.

[0035] The fuel cell system 100 first opens the supply solenoid valves 15A and 15B connected to the high-pressure gas containers 1A and 1B to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell device 50 (step S1). In FIG. 7, the supply of hydrogen from the high-pressure gas containers 1A and 1B begins at time t0, and the internal pressure of the high-pressure gas containers 1A and 1B gradually decreases. Because the pressure reducing valve units 10 provided in the two high-pressure gas containers 1A and 1B each have different characteristics, even if the supply solenoid valves 15A and 15B are opened simultaneously, the amount of decrease in internal pressure differs. In FIG. 7, the high-pressure gas container 1A consumes more hydrogen than the high-pressure gas container 1B, and therefore its internal pressure decreases more quickly. The high-pressure gas container 1 connected to the branch pipe 18 whose supply solenoid valve 15 is open is referred to as the first high-pressure gas container 1. Furthermore, each of the supply solenoid valves 15A to 15F shown in FIG. 1 may also be referred to as the supply solenoid valve 15.

[0036] When the internal pressure of the first high-pressure gas containers 1A, 1B drops and either one drops below the first pressure (Yes in step S2), the fuel cell system 100 opens the supply solenoid valve 15C connected to the high-pressure gas container 1C (step S3). As long as the internal pressure of the first high-pressure gas containers 1A, 1B does not drop to the first pressure, hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell device 50 in this state (No in step S2).

[0037] Step S3 corresponds to time t1 in Figure 7. At this time, the internal pressure of the high-pressure gas container 1C is equal to or greater than the second pressure. In Figure 7, the supply solenoid valve 15C connected to the high-pressure gas container 1C is open, but in reality, the supply solenoid valve 15 connected to any of the high-pressure gas containers 1C to 1F whose internal pressure is equal to or greater than the second pressure may be opened. The high-pressure gas container 1 whose internal pressure is equal to or greater than the second pressure is referred to as the second high-pressure gas container 1. Furthermore, the second high-pressure gas container 1 becomes the first high-pressure gas container 1 when the supply solenoid valve 15 is opened.

[0038] When the supply of hydrogen from the second high-pressure gas container 1C begins, the supply solenoid valve 15A of the first high-pressure gas container 1A, whose internal pressure has dropped below the first pressure, is closed (step S4). This state corresponds to times t1 to t2 in Figure 7, and the fuel cell system 100 supplies hydrogen from the first high-pressure gas containers 1B and 1C to the fuel cell device 50. Note that either step S3 or step S4 in Figure 6 may be performed first.

[0039] When the supply solenoid valve 15A connected to the first high-pressure gas container 1A is closed, it is checked whether a second high-pressure gas container 1 with an internal pressure equal to or higher than the second pressure is connected to the fuel cell system 100 (step S5). If the second high-pressure gas container 1 is connected to the fuel cell system 100 (Yes in step S5), a notification is issued to replace the high-pressure gas container 1 whose pressure has dropped below the first pressure (step S6). In Figure 7, a notification to replace the high-pressure gas container 1A is issued after time t1.

[0040] If the second high-pressure gas container 1 is not connected to the fuel cell system 100 (No in step S5), the fuel cell system 100 notifies the replacement of a high-pressure gas container other than the first high-pressure gas container 1 that is supplying hydrogen (step S7). At this time, the fuel cell system 100 may stop operation of the fuel cell device 50 and end the control flow before the hydrogen in the first high-pressure gas container 1 that is supplying hydrogen runs out, or when it detects that the second high-pressure gas container 1 is not present. In Figure 7, since the second high-pressure gas containers 1D to 1F are present at time t1, the fuel cell system 100 continues to operate.

[0041] When a notification is issued to replace the high-pressure gas container 1 whose pressure has dropped below the first pressure (step S6), the control flow returns to step S2. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 7, when the internal pressure of the first high-pressure gas container 1B drops below the first pressure, the supply solenoid valve 15D connected to the second high-pressure gas container 1D is opened. Then, the supply of hydrogen from the high-pressure gas container 1 whose pressure has dropped below the first pressure is stopped and the supply of hydrogen from the second high-pressure gas container 1 whose pressure is equal to or higher than the second pressure is started, and this process is repeated (steps S2 to S6 are repeated).

[0042] In FIG. 7, the high-pressure gas container 1 whose internal pressure has dropped below the first pressure has been replaced in response to the notification, so even if the high-pressure gas container 1E has been used, the high-pressure gas container 1A is opened again.

[0043] While FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which the internal pressure of the high-pressure gas container 1 decreases below the first pressure, starting with the high-pressure gas container 1A, depending on the characteristics of the pressure reducing valve unit 10, the internal pressure of the high-pressure gas container 1 that starts supplying hydrogen later may decrease below the first pressure first. For example, between the high-pressure gas containers 1A and 1B that start supplying hydrogen at time t0, the internal pressure of the high-pressure gas container 1B may decrease first. Furthermore, depending on the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell device 50 and the characteristics of the pressure reducing valve unit 10, the internal pressure of the high-pressure gas container 1C that starts supplying hydrogen at time t1 may decrease first, compared to the high-pressure gas container 1B that starts supplying hydrogen at time t0. However, according to the control flow shown in FIG. 6, each of the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 can be used in equal order. In this case, the control device 40 may manage the timing at which the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 were connected to the fuel cell system 100 and control the supply of hydrogen in order from the container that was connected to the fuel cell system 100 oldest.

[0044] 7, when the high-pressure gas containers 1A and 1B are simultaneously opened at the start of operation of the fuel cell system 100, there is a possibility that the two high-pressure gas containers 1A and 1B will reach the first pressure almost simultaneously, depending on the characteristics of the pressure reducing valve unit 10. To avoid such an event, for example, only the high-pressure gas container 1A may be opened at the start of operation, and high-pressure gas container 1B may be opened after a predetermined time has passed.

[0045] 6 and 7 is a state in which the pressure of the hydrogen gas filled in the high-pressure gas container 1 has dropped, and is set to, for example, 2 MPa. However, this setting can be changed appropriately depending on the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell device 50. The first pressure is the pressure at which the control device 40 determines that the high-pressure gas container 1 is empty.

[0046] The second pressure is the pressure when the high-pressure gas container 1 is fully filled with hydrogen gas, and is set to, for example, 29.4 MPa. The second pressure can be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the tank body 1a. Furthermore, the second pressure does not necessarily have to be the pressure when the high-pressure gas container 1 is fully filled with hydrogen gas, as long as it is a pressure that can realize a sufficient supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell device 50.

[0047] The control device 40 detects the internal pressure of the tank body 1a using a pressure gauge connected to the high-pressure gas container 1, and controls the opening and closing of the supply solenoid valve 15. This allows the fuel cell system 100 to achieve a stable supply of hydrogen gas to the fuel cell device 50, and allows the hydrogen gas filled in each of the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 to be used until it is substantially empty.

[0048] For example, when the fuel cell system 100 is used as a home power supply, replacement is performed when the hydrogen filled in the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 is used up, which is convenient from an economical point of view.

[0049] For example, the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 may be managed by their respective serial numbers, etc. The control device 40 can ascertain the characteristics of the pressure reducing valve units 10 from the serial numbers and use the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 in the optimal combination.

[0050] The fuel cell system 100 may also predict the amount of hydrogen consumed in the fuel cell device 50 and control the number of high-pressure gas containers 1 to be used. For example, the control device 40 may monitor changes in the amount of power generated by the fuel cell device 50 over time, and perform control to increase the number of high-pressure gas containers 1 to supply hydrogen during time periods when the amount of power generated is high. The control device 40 may also perform control to decrease the number of high-pressure gas containers 1 during time periods when the amount of power generated is low. The control device 40 may also predict hydrogen gas consumption based on the history of the amount of power generated by the fuel cell device 50, and perform control to increase or decrease the number of high-pressure gas containers 1 to supply hydrogen in advance of time periods when the amount of power generated is high or low.

[0051] For example, if the fuel cell system 100 is installed in a home, the supply solenoid valve 15 is controlled to increase the number of high-pressure gas containers 1 to supply hydrogen in advance before the morning and evening hours when electricity usage is high. This allows the number of high-pressure gas containers 1 to be used to be increased in advance during hours when there is a high probability that the pressure in the high-pressure gas containers 1 will drop below the first pressure, thereby achieving a stable supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell device 50 and making it possible to respond to sudden increases in power generation.

[0052] For example, during late-night hours when electricity usage is low, the number of high-pressure gas containers 1 that supply hydrogen prior to that time period is reduced. During late-night hours, the probability that the high-pressure gas container 1 will drop below the first pressure is low, so fewer high-pressure gas containers 1 may be used, and for example, one high-pressure gas container 1 may be sufficient. Furthermore, the fuel cell system 100 may be controlled so that during hours when power generation is low, high-pressure gas containers 1 that consume hydrogen slowly due to the characteristics of the pressure reducing valve units 10 of the high-pressure gas containers 1 are used preferentially.

[0053] <Management System 1000> 8 shows an example of a management system 1000 for a fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment. The fuel cell system 100 is used while replacing a plurality of high-pressure gas containers 1. Therefore, the management system 1000 obtains the status of the high-pressure gas containers 1 from each fuel cell system 100 via a network 81 and manages it in a server 80 so as to grasp the status of the high-pressure gas containers 1 installed in, for example, each home or each facility and appropriately replace the high-pressure gas containers 1 as necessary.

[0054] For example, in the fuel cell system 100, the control device 40 acquires the internal pressures of multiple high-pressure gas containers 1, and transmits pressure information for the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 to the server 80 via a communication unit provided in the control device 40. The server 80 acquires the pressure information for the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 acquired from the control device 40 and determines whether or not the high-pressure gas containers 1 of the fuel cell system 100 need to be replaced. The server 80 is owned, for example, by a delivery company of the high-pressure gas containers 1, and is used to manage customers who use the fuel cell system 100. If the delivery company that owns the server 80 or that has received information from the server 80 determines that the high-pressure gas containers 1 of the fuel cell system 100 of a home or the like need to be replaced, it can arrange for the delivery of the required number of high-pressure gas containers 1.

[0055] <Modifications of the Pressure Reducing Valve Unit 10> Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the pressure reducing valve unit 10 according to the first embodiment. The high-pressure gas container 1 according to the first embodiment has been described as an example in which an on-tank valve is used, but an in-tank valve may be used, or the main valve 2 and the pressure reducing valve 5 may be connected to the outside of the valve. As shown in Fig. 9(a), the in-tank valve has the pressure reducing valve 5 provided on a rod-shaped member that is inserted into the inside of the nozzle 7 of the tank body 1a, and the pressure reducing valve 5 is arranged upstream of the main valve 2.

[0056] As shown in Figure 9(b), the pressure reducing valve unit 10 may have the main valve 2 and pressure reducing valve 5 connected to the outside. Note that multiple pressure reducing valves 5 may be provided to reduce pressure in multiple stages. Also, pressure may be reduced by combining an in-tank valve or an on-tank valve with an external pressure reducing valve 5. However, the high-pressure gas container 1 according to the first embodiment is configured so that the gas is in a low-pressure state at the part that is attached to and detached from the system, so that anyone can use it safely.

[0057] <Comparative Example> 10 is a schematic diagram showing fuel cell systems 200 and 300 for FCVs as comparative examples. For example, in the early stages of FCV development, there was concern about large-flow leakage due to damage to high-pressure piping in the event of an FCV collision, so a fuel cell system 200 was adopted in which a pressure reducing valve was provided for each high-pressure gas container 101. However, because the pressure after pressure reduction by the pressure reducing valve differs for each high-pressure gas container 101, a phenomenon occurred in which high-pressure gas containers 101 with higher pressure after pressure reduction were consumed preferentially.

[0058] Furthermore, the current fuel cell system 300 for FCVs employs a system in which high-pressure pipes 119 are connected to multiple high-pressure gas containers 101, and one pressure reducing valve 116 is provided on the high-pressure pipe 119 that supplies gas to the fuel cell device 150, as this is believed to prevent damage to the high-pressure pipes when the FCV's frame collides. In this case, the multiple high-pressure gas containers 101 are consumed simultaneously.

[0059] In the fuel cell systems 200, 300 used in FCVs, the high-pressure gas container 101 can move along with the FCV and receive a supply of hydrogen. Therefore, the fuel cell systems 200 and 300 can be refilled with hydrogen without replacing the high-pressure gas container 101. Therefore, even when multiple high-pressure gas containers 101 are used, there is no need to accurately grasp the remaining amount of hydrogen in each high-pressure gas container 101; as long as the remaining amount of hydrogen in the fuel cell system 200 or 300 as a whole can be grasped, hydrogen can be filled when necessary using a hydrogen supply facility or the like.

[0060] On the other hand, a fuel cell system 100 installed in a home or facility requires replacement of the high-pressure gas container 1 when refilling with hydrogen. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately grasp the remaining amount of hydrogen in the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 and to be able to replace the high-pressure gas containers 1 in order starting with the high-pressure gas container 1 that has run out of hydrogen. Therefore, the fuel cell system 100 needs to control the hydrogen in each high-pressure gas container 1 so that it consumes as much hydrogen as possible, and to accurately notify the timing when replacement is necessary. The fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment controls the supply solenoid valve 15 to simultaneously supply hydrogen from the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 to the fuel cell device 50, thereby enabling efficient use of the hydrogen in each high-pressure gas container 1 and ensuring a stable supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell device 50. However, the fuel cell system 100 may also be used, for example, in an automobile that is mounted on a motor and runs on the motor.

[0061] <High-pressure gas cylinder 1 replacement notification> FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the correlation between the output from the pressure gauge 20 of the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment and the states of the notification device 41 and the supply solenoid valve 15. FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of the pressure gauge 20 of the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment. The pressure gauge 20 is composed of a space 23 into which the pressure P1 of the gas on the pressure reducing valve unit 10 side is introduced, a space 24 at a predetermined pressure P0, a diaphragm separating the space 23 from the space 24, a strain gauge 21 attached to the diaphragm, and a bridge circuit 22 to which the strain gauge 21 is electrically connected. The pressure gauge 20 measures pressure by measuring the change in output voltage V due to the change in electrical resistance caused by the deformation of the strain gauge 21 as the pressure P1 fluctuates. Note that the voltage V S is the applied voltage of the bridge circuit 22.

[0062] FIG. 11 shows the correlation between the pressure P1 inside the tank body 1a and the output voltage V. The control device 40 acquires the output voltage V from the pressure gauge 20 and estimates the pressure P1 inside the tank body 1a. Since the pressure P1 inside the tank body 1a can be determined based on the value of the output voltage V, the control device 40 changes the display of the lamp, which is the notification device 41, based on the output voltage V. In the example of FIG. 11, the lamp changes its display to indicate the following: green if the pressure P1 inside the high-pressure gas container 1 is sufficiently high; blue if the pressure has decreased but there is still a sufficient amount remaining; yellow if the pressure is close to the first pressure; and red if the pressure has dropped below the first pressure. When the pressure P1 drops below the first pressure, the control device 40 closes the supply solenoid valve 15 and changes the lamp display to red. At this time, the control device 40 opens the supply solenoid valve 15 of the second high-pressure gas container 1 whose pressure P1 is sufficiently high. The control device 40 also sets the lamp display for the second high-pressure gas container 1 to green.

[0063] <Regarding abnormality detection of pressure gauge 20> In the fuel cell system 100, a pressure gauge 20 is provided for each high-pressure gas container 1, and therefore, if a pressure gauge 20 malfunctions, it may cause problems in switching between the multiple high-pressure gas containers 1 of the fuel cell system 100. Therefore, the fuel cell system 100 is configured to detect a malfunction of the pressure gauge 20 based on the state of the output voltage V of the pressure gauge.

[0064] The fuel cell system 100 stores the output voltage V of the pressure gauge 20 connected to the high-pressure gas container 1 from which hydrogen is being supplied for each time ΔT. For example, the time ΔT is set to 3 minutes. If the current pressure P1 indicates an abnormal value compared to the pressure P1 from the time ΔT before, the fuel cell system 100 notifies the abnormality using the alarm device 41, closes the supply solenoid valve 15 of the high-pressure gas container 1 indicating the abnormal value, and opens the supply solenoid valves 15 of the other high-pressure gas containers 1.

[0065] Abnormalities in the output voltage V from the pressure gauge 20 may occur, for example, in the following cases. (1) The output voltage V is equal to the applied voltage V S Same as or nearly the same as (2) Output voltage V is 0 (3) The output voltage V increases (4) The output voltage V repeatedly increases and decreases in a short period of time.

[0066] In the case of (1) above, damage to the strain gauge 21 is suspected. In the cases of (2), (3), and (4) above, an abnormality is suspected in the applied voltage of the bridge circuit 22. Since the output voltage V generally decreases over time, in the cases of (3) and (4) above, it is highly likely that an abnormality has occurred in the pressure gauge 20. Even if the pressure gauge 20 were normal, an abnormal increase in the internal pressure of the high-pressure gas container 1 would occur. In this case, the use of the high-pressure gas container 1 is also stopped and an alert is issued. As described above, the fuel cell system 100 is configured not to use an abnormal high-pressure gas container 1. In particular, since the fuel cell system 100 is a system that operates by replacing multiple high-pressure gas containers 1, there is a possibility that the high-pressure gas container 1 may be damaged during transportation and replacement, and the high-pressure gas container 1 may also be damaged over time. Detecting an abnormality in the high-pressure gas container 1 on the fuel cell system 100 side enables stable operation of the fuel cell system 100.

[0067] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and it is possible to omit or change part of the configurations without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0068] The fuel cell system 100 described above may also include combinations of the features shown in the following Supplementary Notes 1 to 8. These combinations are described below.

[0069] [Appendix 1] A fuel cell system having a fuel cell device and a plurality of high-pressure gas containers for supplying hydrogen gas to the fuel cell device, a plurality of pressure reducing valve units attached to the plurality of high-pressure gas containers, respectively; a low-pressure pipe connecting each of the plurality of pressure reducing valve units to the fuel cell device; a control device that controls the supply of gas from the plurality of high-pressure gas containers to the fuel cell device, The low-pressure piping is a plurality of branch pipes connected to the plurality of pressure reducing valve units, Each of the plurality of branch pipes is a supply solenoid valve for controlling the supply of hydrogen gas; Each of the plurality of pressure reducing valve units is a pressure reducing valve that reduces the pressure of the hydrogen gas to be sent to the plurality of branch pipes to a low level; a pressure gauge for detecting the internal pressure of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers; The control device a fuel cell system that controls the opening and closing of the supply solenoid valve based on the internal pressure detected by the pressure gauge, and supplies hydrogen gas from at least two or more high-pressure gas containers among the plurality of high-pressure gas containers to the fuel cell device; [Appendix 2] 2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, The control device A fuel cell system in which, when the internal pressure detected by the pressure gauge of a first high-pressure gas container among the plurality of high-pressure gas containers, for which the supply solenoid valve is open, drops below a predetermined first pressure value, the supply solenoid valve provided on at least one second high-pressure gas container among the plurality of high-pressure gas containers, whose internal pressure is equal to or greater than a second pressure value higher than the first pressure value, is opened. [Appendix 3] 3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, The control device a fuel cell system that closes the supply electromagnetic valve connected to the first gas container when the internal pressure of the first high-pressure gas container detected by the pressure gauge drops below the first pressure value. [Appendix 4] 4. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 or 3, The control device An alert is issued when the internal pressure detected by the pressure gauge of the first high-pressure gas container drops below the first pressure value. Fuel cell system. [Appendix 5] 4. The fuel cell system according to claim 3, The control device An alarm is issued when the solenoid valve of the first high-pressure gas container is closed. Fuel cell system. [Appendix 6] A fuel cell system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, The pressure gauge is The pressure sensor is provided with a strain gauge connected to a bridge circuit to which a voltage is applied, and detects the resistance value of the strain gauge from the output voltage from the bridge circuit, The control device When the output voltage from the pressure gauge of a first high-pressure gas container, of which the supply solenoid valve is open, increases within a certain time ΔT, the supply solenoid valve is closed. fuel cell system [Appendix 7] A fuel cell system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, Each of the plurality of branch pipes and each of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers are Connected by a plug and socket equipped with a check valve, Fuel cell system. [Appendix 8] A fuel cell system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, The control device a hydrogen consumption amount is predicted from the amount of power generated in the fuel cell device, and the opening and closing of the solenoid valves connected to each of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers is controlled; Fuel cell system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1: High-pressure gas cylinder 1A~1F: High-pressure gas cylinders 1a: Tank body 1b: Cylindrical part 1c: Dome section 1d: Dome section 2: Former lawyer 3: Pressure gauge mounting part 4: Safety valve 5: Pressure reducing valve 5a: Primary pressure reducing valve 5b: Secondary pressure reducing valve 6: Connection part 7: nozzle 8: Tank connection part 9: Filling port 10: Pressure reducing valve unit 10A: Pressure reducing valve unit 10B: Pressure reducing valve unit 10C: Pressure reducing valve unit 11: Cylindrical part 15: Supply solenoid valve 15A~15F: Supply solenoid valve 16: Pressure regulating valve 17: Low pressure piping 18: Branch piping 20: Pressure gauge 21: Gauge 22: Bridge circuit 23: Space 24: Space 40: Control device 41: Alarm device 50:Fuel cell device 80: Server 81: Network 90: Former lawyer 91: Pressure gauge 92: Pressure gauge 93: Pressure reducing valve 94:Flow meter 100: Fuel cell system 101: High-pressure gas cylinders 116: Pressure reducing valve 119: High-pressure piping 150:Fuel cell device 200: Fuel cell system 300: Fuel cell system 500: Verification device 1000: Management System

Claims

1. A fuel cell system having a fuel cell device and a plurality of high-pressure gas containers for supplying hydrogen gas to the fuel cell device, a plurality of pressure reducing valve units attached to the plurality of high-pressure gas containers, respectively; a low-pressure pipe connecting each of the plurality of pressure reducing valve units to the fuel cell device; a control device that controls the supply of hydrogen gas from the plurality of high-pressure gas containers to the fuel cell device, The low-pressure piping is a plurality of branch pipes connected to the plurality of pressure reducing valve units, Each of the plurality of branch pipes is a supply solenoid valve for controlling the supply of hydrogen gas; Each of the plurality of pressure reducing valve units is a pressure reducing valve that reduces the pressure of the hydrogen gas to be sent to the plurality of branch pipes to a low level; a pressure gauge for detecting the internal pressure of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers; The control device a fuel cell system that controls the opening and closing of the supply solenoid valve based on the internal pressure detected by the pressure gauge, and supplies hydrogen gas from at least two or more high-pressure gas containers among the plurality of high-pressure gas containers to the fuel cell device;

2. 2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, The control device A fuel cell system in which, when the internal pressure detected by the pressure gauge of a first high-pressure gas container among the plurality of high-pressure gas containers, for which the supply solenoid valve is open, drops below a predetermined first pressure value, the supply solenoid valve provided on at least one second high-pressure gas container among the plurality of high-pressure gas containers, whose internal pressure is equal to or greater than a second pressure value higher than the first pressure value, is opened.

3. 3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, The control device a fuel cell system that closes the supply electromagnetic valve connected to the first high-pressure gas container when the internal pressure of the first high-pressure gas container detected by the pressure gauge drops below the first pressure value.

4. 4. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 or 3, The control device a warning is given when the internal pressure detected by the pressure gauge of the first high-pressure gas container drops below the first pressure value; Fuel cell system.

5. 4. The fuel cell system according to claim 3, The control device a notification when the supply electromagnetic valve of the first high-pressure gas container is closed; Fuel cell system.

6. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The pressure gauge is The pressure sensor is provided with a strain gauge connected to a bridge circuit to which a voltage is applied, and detects the resistance value of the strain gauge from the output voltage from the bridge circuit, The control device When the output voltage from the pressure gauge of a first high-pressure gas container, of which the supply solenoid valve is open, increases within a certain time ΔT, the supply solenoid valve is closed. Fuel cell system.

7. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Each of the plurality of branch pipes and each of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers are Connected by a plug and socket equipped with a check valve, Fuel cell system.

8. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The control device a hydrogen consumption amount is predicted from the amount of power generated in the fuel cell device, and the opening and closing of the supply electromagnetic valves connected to each of the plurality of high-pressure gas containers is controlled; Fuel cell system.

9. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The pressure reducing valve unit is A main valve for switching on and off the flow of hydrogen gas from the high-pressure gas container and the pressure reducing valve are provided inside the integrated housing. Fuel cell system.

10. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a fuel cell side pressure reducing valve is further provided in the low pressure pipe connected to the fuel cell device; The fuel cell side pressure reducing valve is Further reducing the pressure of the hydrogen gas flowing through the low-pressure pipe. Fuel cell system.

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