fuel cell system

Abstract

A fuel cell system is provided that can prevent the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device from reaching the first period and that has good operating efficiency of the fuel cell device. [Solution] The operation control unit 6 is capable of executing a judgment avoidance process to temporarily stop the operation of the fuel cell device 5 in order to reset the judgment cumulative time and the first period when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches a second period that is shorter than the first period, and is equipped with a schedule acquisition unit 22 that acquires schedule information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3, and the operation control unit 6 is configured not to execute the judgment avoidance process if, before the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches the second period, the schedule acquisition unit 22 acquires schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped between the lapse of the second period and the lapse of the first period.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel cell system including a fuel cell device capable of outputting electric power. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, fuel cell systems with high power generation efficiency, including a fuel cell device such as a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), have been known. In this fuel cell system, a reformer reforms raw fuel to generate hydrogen, which reacts with oxygen-containing air to generate electricity. The generated electricity is supplied to a power load, and heat generated by the reaction is supplied to a heat load for hot water supply or space heating. Gas appliances such as the reformer of the fuel cell device are supplied with commercial gas (e.g., city gas 13A). This commercial gas is generally supplied via a leak detection device equipped with a protective function that detects gas leaks and issues an alarm or shuts off the gas. Conventionally, a gas meter with a microcomputer function (hereinafter referred to as a "microcomputer meter") installed in a gas supply pipe has been used as the leak detection device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Microcomputer meters are equipped with various safety features, one of which is the "function to sound an alarm when gas continues to flow for a specified period of time." This function is intended to detect gas leaks, for example, when a rubber tube or gas pipe is damaged and a small amount of gas continues to leak. If it detects a small amount of gas leaking continuously for a certain period of time or more (for example, 29 days), it determines that a leak has occurred and sounds an alarm. Hereinafter, this certain period of time will be referred to as the "first period."

[0004] In the fuel cell system described in Patent Document 1, control is performed to temporarily stop the operation of the fuel cell device at a preset timing so that the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device is shorter than the first period. This prevents the microcomputer meter from determining that a leak has occurred when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the first period. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-42411 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the fuel cell system described in Patent Document 1, for example, if the first period is 29 days and the preset timing is the 27th day of the continuous operation period, the operation of the fuel cell device is temporarily stopped when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the 27th day. In this case, if the supply of gas to the gas supply pipe is stopped due to construction or the like immediately after the day when the operation of the fuel cell device is temporarily stopped and then resumed (for example, one or two days later), the operation of the fuel cell device will be stopped again. This results in the operation of the fuel cell device being repeatedly stopped and resumed over a relatively short period of time. As a result, the operating efficiency of the fuel cell device will deteriorate.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system that can prevent the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device from reaching the first period and that has good operating efficiency of the fuel cell device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is characterized by comprising a fuel cell device capable of outputting electric power, an operation control unit that controls operation of the fuel cell device, and a leak detection device that detects a leak in a fuel supply path that supplies fuel to the fuel cell device, wherein the leak detection device has an accumulation calculation unit that calculates a judgment cumulative time that is a cumulative value of a time during which a flow rate of fuel in the fuel supply path is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate, and the leak detection device is configured to determine that a leak has occurred when a state in which the judgment cumulative time is less than the predetermined time continues over a predetermined first period, and the leak detection device is configured to reset the judgment cumulative time and the first period if the judgment cumulative time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined time before the first period has elapsed. The operation control unit is capable of executing a judgment avoidance process to temporarily stop the operation of the fuel cell device in order to reset the judgment cumulative time and the first period when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches a second period that is shorter than the first period, and is provided with a schedule acquisition unit that acquires schedule information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path, and the operation control unit is configured not to execute the judgment avoidance process if the schedule acquisition unit acquires the schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path is scheduled to be stopped between the elapse of the second period and the elapse of the first period before the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the second period.

[0009] According to this configuration, the operation control unit can execute the determination avoidance process when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the second period, thereby preventing the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device from reaching the first period.

[0010] However, if the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path is scheduled to be stopped between the time when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the second period and the time when the first period has elapsed, the judgment avoidance process is not executed. In this case, the operation of the fuel cell device will be stopped due to the stop of the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path before the first period has elapsed. That is, in this case too, it is possible to prevent the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device from reaching the first period. Furthermore, because the judgment avoidance process is not executed, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the operation of the fuel cell device is repeatedly stopped and restarted within a relatively short period of time.

[0011] Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to prevent the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device from reaching the first period, and to realize a fuel cell system with good operating efficiency of the fuel cell device.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the device further comprises a location acquisition unit that acquires location information of the fuel cell device, and a stoppage information collection unit that automatically collects supply stoppage information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel, and that the schedule acquisition unit is configured to acquire the schedule information by extracting the schedule information from the supply stoppage information based on the location information.

[0013] According to this configuration, for example, the outage information collection unit can automatically collect power supply outage information from all over the country via the Internet, and the schedule acquisition unit can extract, from the power supply outage information, only information related to the area where the fuel cell device is installed as schedule information. This makes it easier to reliably acquire schedule information.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that a schedule input unit capable of manually inputting the schedule information is provided, and the schedule acquisition unit is configured to acquire the schedule information input to the schedule input unit.

[0015] According to this configuration, if the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path is scheduled to be stopped between the time when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the second period and the time when the first period has elapsed, and if the scheduled supply stop is information that is difficult to collect automatically via the Internet or the like (for example, if the fuel supply is scheduled to be stopped for house renovations), for example, the user can input schedule information indicating that schedule. This makes it easier to obtain schedule information reliably than a configuration in which schedule information cannot be input manually.

[0016] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the operation control unit is configured not to execute the judgment avoidance process if the schedule acquisition unit acquires the schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path is scheduled to be stopped between the elapse of the second period and the elapse of the first period before the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the second period, and if the period of supply stop indicated by the schedule information is equal to or longer than the predetermined time.

[0017] According to this configuration, if the period of fuel supply stop scheduled between the time when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the second period and the time when the first period has elapsed is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the judgment avoidance process is not executed, but the scheduled fuel supply stop ensures that the judgment cumulative time and the first period are reset, thereby avoiding a situation where a leak is determined to have occurred. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fuel cell system. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart of a leakage determination flow. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example in which the driving control unit executes a judgment avoidance process. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of an execution decision flow. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example in which the driving control unit does not execute the determination avoidance process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] [Overall configuration of fuel cell system] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of a fuel cell system A according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, black arrows indicate the flow of fuel (for example, city gas 13A), white arrows indicate the flow of power, and dashed arrows indicate the flow of information and control.

[0021] 1, a fuel cell system A in this embodiment includes a leak detection device 1 and a power generation device 2. The leak detection device 1 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer meter. The leak detection device 1 is provided midway along a fuel supply path 3.

[0022] The power generation device 2 is installed in a facility 4. The facility 4 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a house or a building. The power generation device 2 may be installed indoors or outdoors. The facility 4 may be included in the fuel cell system A.

[0023] The power generation device 2 has a fuel cell device 5 and an operation control unit 6. The upstream end of the fuel supply path 3 is connected to a fuel supplier (e.g., a gas company) (not shown). The downstream end of the fuel supply path 3 is connected to the fuel cell device 5. Fuel is supplied to the fuel cell device 5 via the fuel supply path 3. The fuel cell device 5 is capable of outputting electric power by utilizing (consuming) the supplied fuel. That is, the fuel cell system A is equipped with the fuel cell device 5 that is capable of outputting electric power.

[0024] The fuel cell device 5 may include a reformer (not shown) and may be configured to generate electricity by reacting hydrogen produced by reforming fuel in the reformer with air containing oxygen, thereby outputting electric power. The fuel cell device 5 may be, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).

[0025] Furthermore, in addition to the fuel cell device 5 (power generation device 2), other gas consuming equipment (for example, a gas stove, etc.) (not shown) may be provided in the facility 4. Furthermore, the portion of the fuel supply path 3 downstream of the leak detection device 1 may branch off and be connected to the other gas consuming equipment.

[0026] The operation control unit 6 is composed of hardware and software having information processing functions, information storage functions, information communication functions, etc. The operation control unit 6 controls the operation of the fuel cell device 5. That is, the fuel cell system A is equipped with the operation control unit 6 that controls the operation of the fuel cell device 5.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1 , a facility 4 is provided with a distribution board 7 and a power load unit 8. The power load unit 8 is various devices such as lighting equipment and air conditioning equipment. Power output from the fuel cell device 5 is supplied to the power load unit 8 via the distribution board 7. In addition, power from a commercial power system 9 is also supplied to the power load unit 8 via the distribution board 7.

[0028] 1, the leak detection device 1 has a flow rate detection unit 10 and a consumption amount display unit 11. The flow rate detection unit 10 detects the flow rate (volume per unit time) of fuel supplied to the fuel cell device 5 through the fuel supply path 3. The consumption amount display unit 11 detects and displays the amount (e.g., volume) of fuel supplied to the fuel cell device 5 through the fuel supply path 3.

[0029] Although not particularly limited, the consumption display unit 11 may be configured as a membrane gas meter that measures the amount of fuel used (total volume) from the number of times a movable membrane separating two measuring chambers operates, or an ultrasonic gas meter that measures the amount of fuel used (total volume) by measuring the gas flow rate with an ultrasonic sensor. Also, the flow rate detection unit 10 may be configured to detect the flow rate of fuel by calculating the flow rate of fuel based on the amount of fuel detected by the consumption display unit 11.

[0030] 1, the fuel cell device 5 has a supply detection unit 26. The supply detection unit 26 has a gas pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the pressure of the fuel (gas). The supply detection unit 26 detects whether or not fuel is being supplied to the fuel cell device 5 via the fuel supply path 3 based on the detection result of the gas pressure sensor.

[0031] The fuel cell device 5 sends the detection result of the supply detection unit 26 to the operation control unit 6. The operation control unit 6 is configured to stop and restart the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5 based on the detection result of the supply detection unit 26.

[0032] For example, if the supply of fuel to the fuel cell device 5 is stopped (gas shutoff), a drop in fuel (gas) pressure is detected by the gas pressure sensor. As a result, the supply detection unit 26 detects that the supply of fuel to the fuel cell device 5 has been stopped (gas shutoff). In response to this, the operation control unit 6 stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5. At this time, the operation control unit 6 performs emergency shutdown procedures rather than normal shutdown procedures. If a fault error (emergency shutdown procedure) occurs due to gas shutoff, the operation control unit 6 automatically resets the error after completing the shutdown procedure, and if there is no gas supply (in other words, if the supply detection unit 26 detects that there is no fuel supply), it shuts down the system again due to a fault error, and if there is gas supply (in other words, if the supply detection unit 26 detects that there is a fuel supply), it resumes power generation operation.

[0033] [Leak detection] The leak detection device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is configured to detect fuel leakage in a fuel supply path 3. That is, a fuel cell system A is provided with the leak detection device 1 that detects leakage in the fuel supply path 3 that supplies fuel to a fuel cell device 5. The detection of leakage by the leak detection device 1 will be described below.

[0034] 1, the leak detection device 1 has an accumulation calculation unit 12. The accumulation calculation unit 12 calculates a judgment cumulative time based on the flow rate of fuel detected by the flow rate detection unit 10. The judgment cumulative time is a cumulative value of the time during which the flow rate of fuel in the fuel supply path 3 is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate. In other words, the leak detection device 1 has the accumulation calculation unit 12 that calculates a judgment cumulative time, which is a cumulative value of the time during which the flow rate of fuel in the fuel supply path 3 is equal to or less than the predetermined flow rate.

[0035] Although not particularly limited, the "predetermined flow rate" is a volume per unit time, and is preferably set to a very small amount. The "predetermined flow rate" may be 0 (zero). The flow rate detection unit 10 continuously detects the flow rate of fuel. The cumulative calculation unit 12 continuously updates the determined cumulative time.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the leak detection device 1 has a first counting unit 13. The first counting unit 13 continues to count a first count value based on the above-mentioned judgment cumulative time. The first count value is the elapsed time when the judgment cumulative time calculated by the cumulative calculation unit 12 is less than a predetermined time. The first counting unit 13 stores the latest first count value. Note that, although not particularly limited, the "predetermined time" may be, for example, one hour.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the leak detection device 1 has a leak determination unit 14. The leak determination unit 14 determines that a leak has occurred when the first count value described above reaches a predetermined first period. The leak determination unit 14 does not determine that a leak has occurred when the first count value described above does not reach the predetermined first period. Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the "first period" may be, for example, 29 days.

[0038] With the configuration described above, when the first count value reaches the first period, the leak determination unit 14 in the leak detection device 1 determines that a leak has occurred. That is, the leak detection device 1 is configured to determine that a leak has occurred when a state in which the determination cumulative time is less than a predetermined time continues over a predetermined first period.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 1, the leak detection device 1 has an alarm unit 20. The alarm unit 20 issues an alarm when the leak determination unit 14 determines that a leak has occurred. Although not particularly limited, the alarm issued by the alarm unit 20 may be, for example, a light or sound alarm. The alarm unit 20 may be, for example, a lamp or a buzzer.

[0040] Furthermore, if the leakage determination unit 14 determines that a leak has occurred, the leakage detection device 1 closes a shutoff valve (not shown) to block the flow of fuel in the fuel supply path 3. This blocks (stops) the supply of fuel to the fuel cell device 5. As a result, the supply detection unit 26 detects that the supply of fuel to the fuel cell device 5 has been stopped (gas shutoff). In response to this, the operation control unit 6 stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the leak detection device 1 has a reset unit 15. If the judgment cumulative time described above becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined time before the first count value described above reaches the first period, the reset unit 15 resets the judgment cumulative time and the first period. In this embodiment, "resetting the judgment cumulative time" specifically means returning (resetting) the judgment cumulative time described above to 0 (zero). Furthermore, "resetting the first period" specifically means returning (resetting) the first count value described above to 0 (zero).

[0042] In this way, the leak detection device 1 is configured to reset the judgment cumulative time and the first period if the judgment cumulative time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined time before the first period has elapsed.

[0043] After the judgment cumulative time and the first period (first count value) are reset, the cumulative calculation unit 12 recalculates the judgment cumulative time from 0 (zero), and the first counting unit 13 recounts the first count value from 0 (zero).

[0044] [Leak detection flow] The leak detection device 1 is configured to issue the above-mentioned alarm or reset in accordance with the leak determination flow shown in Fig. 2. The leak detection device 1 repeatedly executes the leak determination flow at predetermined regular time intervals (for example, every hour).

[0045] When the leakage determination flow starts, first, the process of step S01 is executed. In step S01, the leakage determination unit 14 acquires the latest determination cumulative time from the cumulative calculation unit 12. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S02.

[0046] In step S02, the leakage determination unit 14 determines whether the determination cumulative time acquired in step S01 is equal to or greater than a predetermined time. If the determination cumulative time is equal to or greater than the predetermined time ("Yes" in step S02), the process proceeds to step S03. If the determination cumulative time is less than the predetermined time ("No" in step S02), the process proceeds to step S04.

[0047] In step S03, the reset unit 15 resets the cumulative determination time and the first period (first count value), after which the leakage determination flow ends for the time being.

[0048] In step S04, the leakage determination unit 14 acquires the latest first count value from the first count unit 13. After that, the process proceeds to step S05.

[0049] In step S05, the leakage determination unit 14 determines whether the first count value acquired in step S04 has reached the first period. If the first count value has reached the first period ("Yes" in step S05), the leakage determination unit 14 determines that a leak has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S06. If the first count value has not reached the first period ("No" in step S05), this leakage determination flow is temporarily terminated.

[0050] In step S06, the alarm unit 20 issues an alarm. After that, this leakage determination flow ends. Note that, once the processing of step S06 is executed, this leakage determination flow may be configured not to be executed until the alarm is canceled by the user or the like.

[0051] With the configuration described above, when the judgment cumulative time is less than the predetermined time ("No" in step S02) and the first count value has not reached the first period ("No" in step S05), no alarm is issued, and the judgment cumulative time and the first period (first count value) are not reset.

[0052] Furthermore, if the first count value reaches the first period ("Yes" in step S05) while the determined cumulative time remains less than the predetermined period ("No" in step S02), an alarm is issued (step S06). For example, while the fuel cell device 5 is continuously operating, the fuel cell device 5 continues to consume fuel, so the flow rate of fuel in the fuel supply path 3 is always greater than the predetermined flow rate. Therefore, if the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches the first period, the determination in step S05 is "Yes," and an alarm is issued.

[0053] Furthermore, if the judgment cumulative time becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined time before the first count value reaches the first period ("Yes" in step S02), the judgment cumulative time and the first period (first count value) are reset (step S03).

[0054] [Judgment avoidance processing] The operation control unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 can execute a judgment avoidance process when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches the second period. The judgment avoidance process is a process of temporarily stopping the operation of the fuel cell device 5 (for example, for 24 hours) in order to reset the judgment cumulative time and the first period (first count value). The second period is shorter than the first period. Although not particularly limited, the "second period" may be, for example, 26 days.

[0055] That is, when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches a second period that is shorter than the first period, the operation control unit 6 can execute a judgment avoidance process that temporarily stops the operation of the fuel cell device 5 in order to reset the judgment cumulative time and the first period. This judgment avoidance process will be described below.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation control unit 6 has a second counting unit 21. The second counting unit 21 continues to count a second count value while the fuel cell device 5 is in power generation operation. The second count value is the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5. When the operation of the fuel cell device 5 stops, the second counting unit 21 resets the second count value. In this embodiment, "resetting the second count value" specifically means returning (resetting) the second count value to 0 (zero).

[0057] The operation control unit 6 is configured to be able to execute the judgment avoidance process when the second count value reaches the second period.

[0058] 3 shows an example of the number of days of continuous operation of the fuel cell device 5 on each date and the operating state of the fuel cell device 5. In this example, the first period is set to 29 days, and the second period is set to 26 days. In this example, the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5 begins on July 1st. Thereafter, the fuel cell device 5 operates continuously, and on July 27th, the continuous operation reaches its 27th day. In other words, on July 27th, the second count value reaches the second period (26 days).

[0059] In this example, the operation control unit 6 executes the judgment avoidance process when the second count value reaches the second period. As a result, the judgment avoidance process is executed on July 27th, and the operation of the fuel cell device 5 is temporarily stopped (for 24 hours in this example).

[0060] As a result, the flow rate of fuel in the fuel supply path 3 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate (for example, 0). When a predetermined time has elapsed in this state, the judgment cumulative time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined time, so that step S02 of the leakage judgment flow shown in Fig. 2 returns "Yes," and the judgment cumulative time and the first period (first count value) are reset (step S03). This prevents the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 from reaching the first period (29 days in this example).

[0061] 3, the determination avoidance process ends when the temporary operation suspension period of the fuel cell device 5 ends on July 28. Accordingly, the operation control unit 6 causes the fuel cell device 5 to resume power generation operation.

[0062] [Configuration of the schedule acquisition unit] As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system A includes a management server 17. The management server 17 includes a schedule acquisition unit 22. The schedule acquisition unit 22 is configured to acquire schedule information. The schedule information is information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 (for example, a planned gas cutoff such as a schedule for gas construction work or a schedule for replacing the leak detection device 1). That is, the fuel cell system A includes the schedule acquisition unit 22 that acquires schedule information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3. The configuration of the schedule acquisition unit 22 will be described in detail below.

[0063] 1, the fuel cell device 5 has a position acquisition unit 23. The position acquisition unit 23 is configured to acquire position information of the fuel cell device 5. In other words, the fuel cell system A includes the position acquisition unit 23 that acquires position information of the fuel cell device 5.

[0064] Although not particularly limited, the position acquisition unit 23 may be configured to acquire the position information of the fuel cell device 5 by using, for example, the well-known GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System).

[0065] As shown in FIG. 1, the management server 17 has an outage information collection unit 24. The outage information collection unit 24 is configured to automatically collect supply outage information via the Internet or the like. The supply outage information is information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel. The supply outage information includes information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 (in other words, schedule information) and information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel to areas other than the fuel supply path 3 (for example, scheduled construction work outside the area where the fuel cell device 5 is installed). For example, the outage information collection unit 24 may be configured to collect supply outage information from all over the country.

[0066] That is, the fuel cell system A is provided with a stoppage information collection unit 24 that automatically collects supply stoppage information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel.

[0067] The schedule acquisition unit 22 acquires location information from the location acquisition unit 23 and acquires supply outage information from the outage information collection unit 24. The schedule acquisition unit 22 is configured to acquire the schedule information by extracting the schedule information from the supply outage information based on the location information. For example, the schedule acquisition unit 22 may be configured to extract the schedule information by extracting information related to the area where the fuel cell device 5 is installed from the supply outage information.

[0068] 1, the fuel cell system A includes a schedule input unit 25. The schedule input unit 25 is configured to allow schedule information to be input manually. That is, the fuel cell system A includes the schedule input unit 25 to allow schedule information to be input manually.

[0069] Although not particularly limited, the schedule input unit 25 may be, for example, an information terminal (such as a smartphone) or an input device such as a keyboard or a touch panel.

[0070] The schedule acquisition unit 22 is configured to acquire schedule information input to the schedule input unit 25 .

[0071] 1, the schedule acquisition unit 22 sends schedule information extracted from the supply outage information or schedule information input to the schedule input unit 25 to the operation control unit 6. The operation control unit 6 is configured to determine whether or not to execute judgment avoidance processing based on the schedule information received from the schedule acquisition unit 22 (or based on whether or not schedule information has been sent from the schedule acquisition unit 22 to the operation control unit 6). The determination of whether or not to execute judgment avoidance processing will be described in detail below.

[0072] [Execution decision flow] The operation control unit 6 is configured to determine whether or not to execute the judgment avoidance process in accordance with the execution decision flow shown in Fig. 4. The operation control unit 6 executes this execution decision flow when the second count value described above reaches the second period (in other words, when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches the second period).

[0073] When the execution decision flow starts, first, the process of step S11 is executed. In step S11, the operation control unit 6 determines whether or not the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped between the present time and the lapse of the first period. Here, the second count value described above has reached the second period. Therefore, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped between the lapse of the second period and the lapse of the first period.

[0074] If the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped within the first period ("Yes" in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12. If the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is not scheduled to be stopped within the first period ("No" in step S11), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0075] For example, if the schedule acquisition unit 22 has acquired schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped before the first period has elapsed, the operation control unit 6 will receive such schedule information from the schedule acquisition unit 22. In this case, the operation control unit 6 determines, based on the schedule information, that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped before the first period has elapsed ("Yes" in step S11).

[0076] Furthermore, for example, if the schedule acquisition unit 22 has not acquired schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped within the first period, the operation control unit 6 does not receive such schedule information. In this case, the operation control unit 6 determines that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is not scheduled to be stopped within the first period, based on the fact that such schedule information has not been received ("No" in step S11).

[0077] In step S12, the driving control unit 6 decides not to execute the determination avoidance process, and then this execution decision flow ends.

[0078] In step S13, the driving control unit 6 decides to execute the judgment avoidance process. After that, this execution decision flow ends, and the driving control unit 6 executes the judgment avoidance process.

[0079] However, the present invention is not limited to this. The operation control unit 6 may be configured to determine whether or not to execute the determination avoidance process before the second count value reaches the second period. For example, the operation control unit 6 may be configured to repeatedly execute the execution decision flow until the second count value reaches the second period. In this case, in step S11, the operation control unit 6 may determine whether or not the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped between the time after the second period has elapsed and the time when the first period has elapsed.

[0080] In this way, the operation control unit 6 is configured not to execute the judgment avoidance process if, before the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches the second period, the schedule acquisition unit 22 acquires schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped between the end of the second period and the end of the first period.

[0081] Similar to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 shows an example of the number of days of continuous operation of the fuel cell device 5 on each date and the operating state of the fuel cell device 5. In this example, similar to the example shown in FIG. 3, the first period is set to 29 days, and the second period is set to 26 days. In this example, the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5 begins on July 1st. Thereafter, the fuel cell device 5 operates continuously, and on July 27th, the continuous operation reaches its 27th day. In other words, on July 27th, the second count value reaches the second period (26 days).

[0082] In this example, when the second count value reaches the second period, schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped until the first period has elapsed (in other words, until July 30th) is acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 22. More specifically, the schedule information is information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped on July 29th.

[0083] In this case, the determination in step S11 of the execution decision flow shown in Fig. 4 is "Yes," and the operation control unit 6 determines not to execute the determination avoidance process (step S12). Therefore, unlike the example shown in Fig. 3, the determination avoidance process is not executed on July 27th. That is, continuous operation of the fuel cell device 5 continues.

[0084] Thereafter, on July 29th, the 29th day of continuous operation will come, and as scheduled, the supply of fuel to the fuel supply line 3 will be stopped. In response to this, the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5 will be stopped.

[0085] As a result, the flow rate of fuel in the fuel supply path 3 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate (for example, 0). When a predetermined time has elapsed in this state, the judgment cumulative time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined time, so that step S02 of the leakage judgment flow shown in Fig. 2 is judged as "Yes," and the judgment cumulative time and the first period (first count value) are reset (step S03). This prevents the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 from reaching the first period (29 days in this example) without performing judgment avoidance processing.

[0086] In this example, it is assumed that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is resumed on July 30. In response to this, the operation control unit 6 causes the fuel cell device 5 to resume power generation operation.

[0087] In this example, the stopping of the power generation operation on July 29th is not performed when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches the second period, nor is it performed to reset the cumulative judgment time and the first period (first count value). In other words, the stopping of the power generation operation is not a "judgment avoidance process."

[0088] As described above, the operation control unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to stop and restart the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5 based on the detection result by the supply detection unit .

[0089] More specifically, when the supply detection unit 26 detects that the supply of fuel to the fuel cell device 5 has been stopped (for example, the supply has been stopped on July 29th in the example shown in FIG. 5), the operation control unit 6 stops the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5. Furthermore, when the supply detection unit 26 detects that the supply of fuel to the fuel cell device 5 has been resumed (for example, the supply has been resumed on July 30th in the example shown in FIG. 5), the operation control unit 6 resumes the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5.

[0090] However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the second count value reaches the second period, if the schedule acquisition unit 22 has acquired schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped before the first period has elapsed, the operation control unit 6 may be configured to stop the power generation operation of the fuel cell device 5 in advance before the supply is stopped (for example, at a timing immediately before the supply is stopped).

[0091] The timing at which the operation control unit 6 resumes the power generating operation of the fuel cell device 5 may be predetermined. For example, the power generating operation of the fuel cell device 5 may be resumed at a predetermined timing after the point in time when the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is actually resumed. In this case, the timing at which the operation control unit 6 resumes the power generating operation of the fuel cell device 5 may be set to a timing at which the determined cumulative time is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, or may be set to a timing at which the operation suspension period is equal to or greater than a predetermined time (for example, the operation suspension period coincides with the predetermined time).

[0092] According to the configuration described above, the operation control unit 6 can execute the judgment avoidance process when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches the second period. This can prevent the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 from reaching the first period.

[0093] However, if the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped between the time when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches the second period and the time when the first period has elapsed, the judgment avoidance process is not executed. In this case, the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is stopped before the first period has elapsed, causing the operation of the fuel cell device 5 to be stopped. That is, in this case too, it is possible to prevent the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 from reaching the first period. Furthermore, because the judgment avoidance process is not executed, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the operation of the fuel cell device 5 is repeatedly stopped and restarted within a relatively short period of time.

[0094] Therefore, with the configuration described above, it is possible to prevent the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 from reaching the first period, and to realize a fuel cell system A in which the fuel cell device 5 operates with good efficiency.

[0095] Other Embodiments (1) The position acquisition unit 23 does not have to be provided.

[0096] (2) The stop information collecting unit 24 does not have to be provided.

[0097] (3) The schedule input unit 25 does not have to be provided.

[0098] (4) Some or all of the schedule acquisition unit 22, the position acquisition unit 23, the stop information collection unit 24, and the schedule input unit 25 may be provided in the operation control unit 6.

[0099] (5) The second counting unit 21 may be provided in the management server 17 .

[0100] (6) The reset unit 15 may be configured to reset or postpone the end of the first period (the date on which the first period has elapsed or the scheduled date on which it is determined that a leak has occurred) as the above-mentioned “resetting of the first period.”

[0101] (7) The operation control unit 6 may be configured not to execute the judgment avoidance process if, before the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device 5 reaches the second period, the schedule acquisition unit 22 acquires schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled to be stopped between the end of the second period and the end of the first period, and if the period of supply stop indicated by the schedule information is longer than a predetermined time.

[0102] For example, in step S11 of FIG. 4, the schedule acquisition unit 22 may acquire schedule information indicating that a stoppage of fuel supply to the fuel supply path 3 is scheduled between the present time (or after the second period has elapsed) and the first period has elapsed, and it may be determined whether the duration of the supply stoppage indicated by the schedule information is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (e.g., one hour). In this case, if the duration of the supply stoppage indicated by the schedule information (in other words, the scheduled supply stoppage) is shorter than the predetermined time, the determination in step S11 is "No," and the operation control unit 6 determines to execute the determination avoidance process (step S13). That is, the determination avoidance process is executed. On the other hand, if the duration of the supply stoppage indicated by the schedule information (in other words, the scheduled supply stoppage) is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the determination in step S11 is "Yes," and the operation control unit 6 determines not to execute the determination avoidance process (step S12). That is, the determination avoidance process is not executed.

[0103] The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments, unless a contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0104] The present invention can be used in a fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell device that can output electric power. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1: Leak detection device 3:Fuel supply path 5:Fuel cell device 6: Operation control unit 12: Accumulation calculation section 22: Schedule Acquisition Department 23: Position acquisition section 24: Outage Information Collection Department 25: Schedule input section A: Fuel cell system

Claims

1. a fuel cell device capable of outputting electric power; an operation control unit that controls the operation of the fuel cell device; a leakage detection device that detects leakage in a fuel supply path that supplies fuel to the fuel cell device, the leakage detection device has an accumulation calculation unit that calculates a judgment accumulation time, which is an accumulation value of a time during which a flow rate of fuel in the fuel supply path is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate, the leak detection device is configured to determine that a leak has occurred when a state in which the determination cumulative time is less than a predetermined time continues for a predetermined first period, the leakage detection device is configured to reset the determined cumulative time and the first period when the determined cumulative time becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined time before the first period has elapsed, the operation control unit is capable of executing a determination avoidance process to temporarily stop operation of the fuel cell device in order to reset the determination cumulative time and the first period when the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches a second period that is shorter than the first period, a schedule acquisition unit that acquires schedule information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path; The fuel cell system is configured such that the operation control unit does not execute the judgment avoidance process if, before the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the second period, the schedule acquisition unit acquires the schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path is scheduled to be stopped between the elapse of the second period and the elapse of the first period.

2. a location acquisition unit that acquires location information of the fuel cell device; an outage information collection unit that automatically collects supply outage information indicating a schedule for stopping the supply of fuel; 2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the schedule acquisition unit is configured to acquire the schedule information by extracting the schedule information from the supply stop information based on the position information.

3. a schedule input unit that can input the schedule information by manual operation; 3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the schedule acquisition unit is configured to acquire the schedule information inputted to the schedule input unit.

4. 3. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the operation control unit is configured not to execute the judgment avoidance process if, before the continuous operation period of the fuel cell device reaches the second period, the schedule acquisition unit acquires the schedule information indicating that the supply of fuel to the fuel supply path is scheduled to be stopped between the elapse of the second period and the elapse of the first period, and if the period of the supply stop indicated by the schedule information is equal to or longer than the predetermined time.

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