Power generation performance evaluation device, power generation performance evaluation method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

The power generation performance evaluation device 36 includes an aging processing unit 38 that supplies anode gas and cathode gas to the fuel cell stack 10 and performs aging of the fuel cell stack by applying a voltage to the fuel cell stack; a voltage acquisition unit 97 that acquires the voltage applied to each of the cells 14 of the fuel cell stack; and an evaluation unit 98 that evaluates the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated based on the applied voltages acquired by the voltage acquisition unit and previously acquired fuel cell characteristic information when aging is performed on the fuel cell stack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power generation performance evaluation device, a power generation performance evaluation method, a program, and a storage medium.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in order to enable more people to access affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy, research and development on fuel cells that contribute to energy efficiency has been carried out. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-243562 discloses performing stability determination of the power generation performance of a fuel cell based on the fluctuation range of the voltage value output from the fuel cell and the elapsed time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the evaluation of the power generation performance of fuel cells.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-described problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of this disclosure is a power generation performance evaluation device for evaluating the power generation performance of a fuel cell stack having a plurality of cells, comprising: an aging processing unit that supplies anode gas and cathode gas to the fuel cell stack and applies a voltage to the fuel cell stack to perform aging of the fuel cell stack; a voltage acquisition unit that acquires the applied voltage to each of the cells of the fuel cell stack; and an evaluation unit that evaluates the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated based on the applied voltages acquired by the voltage acquisition unit and previously acquired fuel cell characteristic information when the aging is performed on the fuel cell stack to be evaluated by the aging processing unit, wherein the fuel cell characteristic information is information showing the relationship between the applied voltage to each of the cells of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when aging is performed on the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack, which is a fuel cell stack prepared separately from the fuel cell stack to be evaluated for characteristic acquisition, and the output voltage of each of the cells of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when power is generated after aging.

[0007] A second aspect of this disclosure is a power generation performance evaluation method for evaluating the power generation performance of a fuel cell stack having a plurality of cells, comprising: an aging process step of supplying anode gas and cathode gas to a fuel cell stack to be evaluated and applying a voltage to the fuel cell stack to perform aging of the fuel cell stack; a voltage acquisition step of acquiring the voltage applied to each of the cells of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated when aging is performed on the fuel cell stack to be evaluated in the aging process step; and an evaluation step of evaluating the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated based on the voltage applied to each of the cells acquired by the voltage acquisition step and previously acquired fuel cell characteristic information, wherein the fuel cell characteristic information is information showing the relationship between the voltage applied to each of the cells of a characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when aging is performed on a characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack which is a fuel cell stack prepared separately from the fuel cell stack to be evaluated for characteristic acquisition, and the output voltage of each of the cells of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when power is generated after aging.

[0008] A third aspect of this disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the power generation performance evaluation method according to the second aspect.

[0009] A fourth aspect of this disclosure is a computer-readable, non-transient storage medium storing a program according to the third aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This disclosure provides a better power generation performance evaluation device, a better power generation performance evaluation method, a program for causing a computer to execute the better power generation performance evaluation method, and a storage medium storing the program for causing a computer to execute the better power generation performance evaluation method. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell stack in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a cell in one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a power generation performance evaluation device in one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a control block diagram of a power generation performance evaluation device in one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows fuel cell characteristic information in one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the aging control performed in the control unit of a power generation performance evaluation device in one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] After assembling a fuel cell stack by stacking multiple cells, the fuel cell stack undergoes aging in order to obtain the desired power generation performance. Aging of the fuel cell stack activates the catalyst (platinum) in the electrode catalyst layer of each cell, thereby improving the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack.

[0013] Conventionally, to determine whether a fuel cell stack has reached a predetermined power generation performance through aging, the power generation performance was evaluated while the fuel cell stack was generating power. However, this had the problem of requiring a relatively long time to evaluate power generation performance. Furthermore, it consumed a relatively large amount of fuel gas during the power generation performance evaluation.

[0014] This disclosure makes it possible to shorten the time required for evaluating the power generation performance of a fuel cell stack. Furthermore, this disclosure makes it possible to reduce the amount of fuel gas consumed during evaluation.

[0015] [One Embodiment] [Fuel cell stack configuration] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell stack 10 in one embodiment. The fuel cell stack 10 is mounted on a vehicle such as a fuel cell vehicle. Note that the fuel cell stack 10 may be mounted on equipment other than vehicles.

[0016] The fuel cell stack 10 is a solid polymer fuel cell. A fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 as an anode gas, and an oxidant gas is supplied as a cathode gas. The fuel cell stack 10 generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas. The fuel gas is, for example, hydrogen gas. The fuel gas is not particularly limited as long as it is a gas containing hydrogen. The oxidant gas is, for example, air. The oxidant gas is not particularly limited as long as it is a gas containing oxygen. The fuel cell stack 10 is formed by stacking a plurality of cells 14.

[0017] [Configuration of Cell] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cell 14 in one embodiment. The cell 14 has a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 16, and a pair of separators 18 and 20 that sandwich the membrane electrode assembly 16.

[0018] The membrane electrode assembly 16 includes an electrolyte membrane 22, an anode electrode 24, and a cathode electrode 26. The electrolyte membrane 22 is sandwiched between the anode electrode 24 and the cathode electrode 26. The electrolyte membrane 22 is, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is, for example, a thin film formed from a material having a proton-conducting component containing moisture. Examples of the proton-conducting component include perfluorosulfonic acid.

[0019] The anode electrode 24 has an electrode catalyst layer 28 joined to the electrolyte membrane 22, and a gas diffusion layer 30 laminated on the electrode catalyst layer 28. The electrode catalyst layer 28 is formed by coating a catalyst, which is obtained by kneading carbon supporting platinum and a material having a proton-conducting component into a paste, on the electrolyte membrane 22 or the gas diffusion layer 30. The gas diffusion layer 30 is formed from a material containing carbon fibers.

[0020] The cathode electrode 26 has an electrode catalyst layer 32 joined to the electrolyte membrane 22 and a gas diffusion layer 34 laminated on the electrode catalyst layer 32. The electrode catalyst layer 32 is formed by applying, onto the electrolyte membrane 22 or the gas diffusion layer 34, a catalyst obtained by kneading carbon supporting platinum and a material having a proton conduction component into a paste form. The gas diffusion layer 34 is formed from a material containing carbon fibers.

[0021] On the surface of the separator 18 on the anode side facing the membrane electrode assembly 16, a flow path through which the anode gas flows is formed. On the surface of the separator 20 on the cathode side facing the membrane electrode assembly 16, a flow path through which the cathode gas flows is formed.

[0022] [Configuration of Power Generation Performance Evaluation Device] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a power generation performance evaluation device 36 in one embodiment. The power generation performance evaluation device 36 includes an aging treatment unit 38 and a voltage measurement unit 40.

[0023] The aging treatment unit 38 has an anode gas supply / discharge unit 42, a cathode gas supply / discharge unit 44, a power supply connection circuit 46, and a load connection circuit 48.

[0024] The anode gas supply / discharge unit 42 has an anode gas flow path 50, a fuel gas tank 54, a humidifier 58, and an anode off-gas flow path 60.

[0025] The anode gas flow path 50 is connected to the fuel cell stack 10 at an anode gas inlet 62. The anode gas flow path 50 is also connected to the fuel gas tank 54. The fuel gas tank 54 stores compressed hydrogen.

[0026] The anode gas flowing into the anode gas flow path 50 is humidified in the humidifier 58. The humid anode gas is supplied into the fuel cell stack 10 from the anode gas inlet 62.

[0027] The anode off-gas channel 60 is connected to the fuel cell stack 10 at the anode off-gas outlet 64. Anode gas that is not consumed in the fuel cell stack 10 is discharged as anode off-gas into the anode off-gas channel 60.

[0028] The cathode gas supply and discharge section 44 includes a cathode gas passage 66, a valve 68, a compressor 70, an inert gas tank 72, a humidifier 74, and a cathode off gas passage 76.

[0029] The cathode gas passage 66 is connected to the fuel cell stack 10 at the cathode gas inlet 78. The cathode gas passage 66 is also connected to a compressor 70 and an inert gas tank 72. The compressor 70 takes in air from the outside and compresses it. The inert gas tank 72 stores the compressed inert gas. The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen gas, but is not limited to nitrogen gas.

[0030] When an oxidizing gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 as the cathode gas, the compressor 70 is connected to the cathode gas flow path 66 by valve 68. When an inert gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 as the cathode gas, the inert gas tank 72 is connected to the cathode gas flow path 66 by valve 68. When an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 as the cathode gas, the compressor 70 and the inert gas tank 72 are connected by valve 68. Air and the inert gas are mixed to produce an oxygen-containing gas.

[0031] The cathode gas flowing into the cathode gas channel 66 is humidified in the humidifier 74. The moist cathode gas is then supplied into the fuel cell stack 10 from the cathode gas inlet 78.

[0032] The cathode-off gas channel 76 is connected to the fuel cell stack 10 at the cathode-off gas outlet 80. Cathode gas that is not consumed in the fuel cell stack 10 is discharged into the cathode-off gas channel 76 as cathode-off gas.

[0033] When the fuel cell stack 10 is subjected to the aging process described later, the power connection circuit 46 connects the power supply 82 to the fuel cell stack 10. A switch 84 switches between a state where the power supply 82 is connected to the fuel cell stack 10 and a state where the power supply 82 is disconnected from the fuel cell stack 10.

[0034] When the fuel cell stack 10 is put into a power generation state, the load connection circuit 48 connects the load 86 to the fuel cell stack 10. A switch 88 switches between a state where the load 86 is connected to the fuel cell stack 10 and a state where the load 86 is disconnected from the fuel cell stack 10.

[0035] The voltage measurement unit 40 measures the voltage applied to each cell 14 of the fuel cell stack 10.

[0036] Figure 4 is a control block diagram of a power generation performance evaluation device 36 in one embodiment. The power generation performance evaluation device 36 includes a control unit 90.

[0037] The control unit 90 includes an arithmetic unit 92 and a storage unit 94. The arithmetic unit 92 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The arithmetic unit 92 functions as an aging control unit 96, a voltage acquisition unit 97, and an evaluation unit 98. The aging control unit 96, the voltage acquisition unit 97, and the evaluation unit 98 are realized by the execution of a program stored in the storage unit 94 in the arithmetic unit 92. At least a portion of the aging control unit 96, the voltage acquisition unit 97, and the evaluation unit 98 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). At least a portion of the aging control unit 96, the voltage acquisition unit 97, and the evaluation unit 98 may be realized by an electronic circuit including discrete devices.

[0038] The storage unit 94 is a computer-readable, non-transient, tangible storage medium. The storage unit 94 is composed of volatile memory (not shown) and non-volatile memory (not shown). The volatile memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The non-volatile memory is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, etc. Data is stored in the volatile memory, for example. Programs, tables, maps, etc. are stored in the non-volatile memory, for example. At least a part of the storage unit 94 may be provided in the processor, integrated circuit, etc. mentioned above. At least a part of the storage unit 94 may be mounted on equipment connected to the power generation performance evaluation device 36 by a network.

[0039] The aging control unit 96 controls the aging processing unit 38 to perform aging on the fuel cell stack 10. The voltage acquisition unit 97 acquires the applied voltage of each cell 14 measured by the voltage measurement unit 40. The evaluation unit 98 evaluates the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10.

[0040] [About aging] After assembling a fuel cell stack 10 by stacking multiple cells 14, the fuel cell stack 10 is subjected to aging in order to obtain a predetermined power generation performance. Aging of the fuel cell stack 10 activates the catalyst (platinum) in the electrode catalyst layer 28 and electrode catalyst layer 32 of each cell 14. In addition, aging of the fuel cell stack 10 increases the water content of the electrolyte membrane 22 of each cell 14.

[0041] In one embodiment, aging is performed, for example, by CV (Cyclic Voltammetry) aging and HP (Hydrogen Pump) aging.

[0042] In CV aging, fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 as the anode gas and inert gas as the cathode gas. In HP aging, fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 as the anode gas and oxygen-containing gas as the cathode gas. The oxygen concentration of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 during HP aging is lower than the oxygen concentration of the oxidizer gas supplied when the fuel cell stack 10 generates electricity. The following describes CV aging and HP aging.

[0043] [About CV aging] During CV aging, a power supply 82 is connected to the fuel cell stack 10 (Figure 3). The negative terminal of the power supply 82 is connected to the anode terminal 100 of the fuel cell stack 10, and the positive terminal of the power supply 82 is connected to the cathode terminal 102, thereby applying a voltage to the fuel cell stack 10. During CV aging, the applied voltage to each cell 14 is swept within a range of, for example, 0.05 to 0.9 [V]. If the fuel cell stack 10 has 100 cells 14, the applied voltage to the fuel cell stack 10 is swept within a range of 5 to 90 [V]. During CV aging, the sweep of the applied voltage to the fuel cell stack 10 is repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0044] Oxides are attached to the surface of the platinum contained in the electrode catalyst layer 28 of the anode electrode 24 and the electrode catalyst layer 32 of the cathode electrode 26 of each cell 14 (Figure 2). By sweeping the voltage applied to the fuel cell stack 10, the oxides covering the surface of the platinum contained in the electrode catalyst layer 28 and electrode catalyst layer 32 are removed. This increases the active surface area of ​​the platinum, and the electrode catalyst layer 28 and electrode catalyst layer 32 can be reactivated.

[0045] The frequency used to sweep the applied voltage to the fuel cell stack 10 is set to 50 Hz to 2 kHz.

[0046] [About HP aging] During HP aging, a power supply 82 is connected to the fuel cell stack 10 (Figure 3). During HP aging, the negative terminal of the power supply 82 is connected to the anode terminal 100, and the positive terminal of the power supply 82 is connected to the cathode terminal 102, and a voltage is applied to the fuel cell stack 10. During HP aging, the applied voltage to each cell 14 is maintained at, for example, 0.03[V]. If the fuel cell stack 10 has 100 cells 14, the applied voltage to the fuel cell stack 10 is maintained at 3[V]. During HP aging, the voltage is applied for a predetermined time.

[0047] As a result, protons move from the anode electrode 24 towards the cathode electrode 26 (Figure 2). The protons move accompanied by water. Therefore, water penetrates into the electrolyte membrane 22, increasing the water content of the electrolyte membrane 22. In HP aging, since the cathode gas contains oxygen, water is generated in the cathode electrode catalyst layer 32 when protons, oxygen, and electrons combine.

[0048] [Regarding power generation performance evaluation] In one embodiment, when HP aging is performed on the fuel cell stack 10, the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10 is evaluated based on the applied voltage of each cell 14 acquired by the voltage acquisition unit 97 and fuel cell characteristic information described later. The fuel cell stack 10 to be evaluated may be referred to as the fuel cell stack 10a.

[0049] Figure 5 shows fuel cell characteristic information in one embodiment. The horizontal axis of Figure 5 represents the average voltage applied to the cells 14 of the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation throughout the HP aging period. The vertical axis of Figure 5 represents the voltage that the cells 14 are estimated to output when the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation is powered at its rated output point after the aging process. The fuel cell characteristic information is pre-stored in the storage unit 94.

[0050] As mentioned above, the applied voltage to the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation is kept constant during HP aging. However, due to manufacturing variations in each cell 14 of the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation, variations occur in the applied voltage for each cell 14.

[0051] Using the fuel cell characteristic information in Figure 5, the output voltage of cell 14 when the fuel cell stack 10a is powered at its rated output point after the aging process can be estimated from the voltage applied to cell 14 when HP aging is performed on the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation.

[0052] The fuel cell characteristic information shown in Figure 5 represents the relationship between the voltage applied to each cell 14 of the fuel cell stack 10b when HP aging is performed on the fuel cell stack 10b to be characterized, and the output voltage of each cell 14 when the fuel cell stack 10b is powered at its rated output point during the power generation performance evaluation after aging.

[0053] The fuel cell stack 10b for characterization is a fuel cell stack 10 that has been prepared separately from the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation for the purpose of characterization. When producing fuel cell stacks 10 in large quantities, the fuel cell stacks 10 produced in the initial stages may be used as the fuel cell stack 10b for characterization.

[0054] When evaluating the power generation performance of the characteristic fuel cell stack 10b, the characteristic fuel cell stack 10b is put into a power generation state. In this case, a load 86 is connected to the characteristic fuel cell stack 10b (Figure 3). In the power generation performance evaluation, the voltage of the characteristic fuel cell stack 10b is obtained when the current output from the characteristic fuel cell stack 10b is a predetermined current.

[0055] In addition to the fuel cell characteristic information shown in Figure 5, the system may also have information showing the relationship between the voltage applied to each cell 14 of the fuel cell stack 10b when HP aging is performed on the fuel cell stack 10b to be characterized, and the output voltage of each cell 14 when the fuel cell stack 10b is powered at its efficient output point during the power generation performance evaluation after aging. Using this fuel cell characteristic information, the output voltage of the cell 14 when the fuel cell stack 10a is powered at its efficient output point after aging can be estimated from the voltage applied to the cell 14 when HP aging is performed on the fuel cell stack 10a to be evaluated.

[0056] Based on the estimated output voltage of each cell 14, the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation can be evaluated. Power generation performance refers to, for example, the output voltage of the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation when it is powered at its rated output point or efficiency output point after aging. Power generation performance also refers to, for example, the degree of variation in the output voltage of each cell 14 when it is powered at its rated output point or efficiency output point after aging. The power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation may be evaluated each time HP aging is completed to determine the completion of the aging process.

[0057] Fuel cell characteristic information may be shown as a regression line approximated by the least squares method between the voltage applied to each cell 14 and the output voltage of each cell 14, as shown in Figure 5. Fuel cell characteristic information may also be shown as a regression curve approximated by the least squares method between the voltage applied to each cell 14 and the output voltage of each cell 14.

[0058] [Aging control] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the aging control performed in the control unit 90 of the power generation performance evaluation device 36 in one embodiment.

[0059] In step S1, the aging control unit 96 controls the aging processing unit 38 to perform CV aging on the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation. After the voltage sweep applied to the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation is repeated a predetermined number of times, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0060] In step S2, the aging control unit 96 controls the aging processing unit 38 to perform HP aging on the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation. After the voltage is applied to the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0061] In step S3, the evaluation unit 98 evaluates the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation. After that, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0062] In step S4, the aging control unit 96 determines whether the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation meets a predetermined performance. If it is determined that the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation meets the predetermined performance (step S4: YES), the aging control ends. If it is determined that the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10a under evaluation does not meet the predetermined performance (step S4: NO), the process returns to step S1.

[0063] For example, if the output voltage of the fuel cell stack 10a to be evaluated, estimated using fuel cell characteristic information, is equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage, then in step S4, the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10a to be evaluated satisfies the predetermined performance.

[0064] [Effects and Effects] In one embodiment of the power generation performance evaluation device 36, the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10 after aging is evaluated based on the applied voltage of each cell 14 acquired by the voltage acquisition unit 97 when HP aging is performed on the fuel cell stack 10, and fuel cell characteristic information. Therefore, it is not necessary to generate power in the fuel cell stack 10 in order to evaluate its power generation performance. This reduces the time required for evaluation when evaluating the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10. It also reduces the amount of fuel gas consumed during evaluation.

[0065] Furthermore, during HP aging, fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 as the anode gas, and oxygen-containing gas is supplied as the cathode gas. The oxygen concentration of the oxygen-containing gas is lower than that of the oxidizer gas supplied when the fuel cell stack 10 is generating electricity. However, since water is generated in each cell 14 of the fuel cell stack 10 during HP aging, the state of each cell 14 during HP aging can be brought closer to the state of each cell 14 during power generation. Therefore, the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 10 after aging can be estimated with high accuracy from the applied voltage of each cell 14 acquired by the voltage acquisition unit 97 when HP aging is performed on the fuel cell stack 10, thereby improving the accuracy of power generation performance evaluation.

[0066] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0067] (Note 1) The power generation performance evaluation device (36) of the present disclosure is a power generation performance evaluation device for evaluating the power generation performance of a fuel cell stack (10) having a plurality of cells (14), and comprises an aging processing unit (38) that supplies anode gas and cathode gas to the fuel cell stack and performs aging of the fuel cell stack by applying a voltage to the fuel cell stack, a voltage acquisition unit (97) that acquires the voltage applied to each of the cells of the fuel cell stack, and when the aging is performed by the aging processing unit on the fuel cell stack to be evaluated, which is the fuel cell stack to be evaluated, the voltage acquisition unit The system includes an evaluation unit (98) that evaluates the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated based on the respective applied voltages obtained and previously acquired fuel cell characteristic information, wherein the fuel cell characteristic information is information showing the relationship between the applied voltage to each of the cells of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack (10b), which is a fuel cell stack prepared separately from the fuel cell stack to be evaluated for the purpose of acquiring characteristics, when aging is performed on the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack, and the output voltage of each of the cells of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when power is generated after aging. This makes it possible to shorten the time required for evaluation when evaluating the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack. In addition, it is possible to suppress the amount of fuel gas consumed during evaluation.

[0068] (Note 2) In the power generation performance evaluation apparatus described in Appendix 1, the aging processing unit may supply hydrogen gas as the anode gas to the fuel cell stack under evaluation and an inert gas as the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack under evaluation. This prevents fuel gas reactions from occurring during evaluation, thereby reducing fuel gas consumption.

[0069] (Note 3) In the power generation performance evaluation apparatus described in Appendix 1, the aging processing unit may supply hydrogen gas as the anode gas to the fuel cell stack under evaluation and oxygen-containing gas as the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack under evaluation. This improves the accuracy of the power generation performance evaluation.

[0070] (Note 4) In the power generation performance evaluation device described in Appendix 1, the fuel cell characteristic information may be represented by a regression line that approximates the relationship between the applied voltage and the output voltage using the least squares method.

[0071] (Note 5) In the power generation performance evaluation device described in Appendix 1, the fuel cell characteristic information may be shown as a regression curve that approximates the relationship between the applied voltage and the output voltage using the least squares method.

[0072] (Note 6) The power generation performance evaluation method of the present disclosure is a power generation performance evaluation method for evaluating the power generation performance of a fuel cell stack having a plurality of cells, comprising: an aging process step of supplying anode gas and cathode gas to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated and applying a voltage to the fuel cell stack to perform aging of the fuel cell stack; a voltage acquisition step of acquiring the voltage applied to each of the cells of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated when aging is performed on the fuel cell stack to be evaluated in the aging process step; and an evaluation step of evaluating the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated based on the voltage applied to each of the cells acquired by the voltage acquisition step and fuel cell characteristic information acquired in advance, wherein the fuel cell characteristic information is information showing the relationship between the voltage applied to each of the cells of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when aging is performed on the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack, which is a fuel cell stack prepared separately from the fuel cell stack to be evaluated for characteristic acquisition, and the output voltage of each of the cells of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when power is generated after aging.

[0073] (Note 7) In the power generation performance evaluation method described in Appendix 6, in the aging process step, hydrogen gas may be supplied to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated as the anode gas, and an inert gas may be supplied to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated as the cathode gas.

[0074] (Note 8) In the power generation performance evaluation method described in Appendix 6, in the aging process step, hydrogen gas may be supplied to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated as the anode gas, and oxygen-containing gas may be supplied to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated as the cathode gas.

[0075] (Note 9) In the power generation performance evaluation method described in Appendix 6, the fuel cell characteristic information may be represented by a regression line that approximates the relationship between the applied voltage and the output voltage using the least squares method.

[0076] (Note 10) In the power generation performance evaluation method described in Appendix 6, the fuel cell characteristic information may be represented by a regression curve that approximates the relationship between the applied voltage and the output voltage using the least squares method.

[0077] (Note 11) The program in this disclosure causes a computer to execute one of the power generation performance evaluation methods described in any one of appendices 6 to 10.

[0078] (Note 12) The computer-readable, non-transient storage medium of this disclosure stored the program described in Appendix 11.

[0079] While this disclosure has been described in detail, it is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, partially deleted, etc., in any way that does not depart from the gist of this disclosure or from the intent of this disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are given as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 10…Fuel cell stack 10a…Fuel cell stack to be evaluated 10b…Characterized fuel cell stack 14…Cell 36...Power generation performance evaluation device 38...Aging processing unit 97...Voltage acquisition unit 98...Evaluation unit

Claims

1. A power generation performance evaluation device for evaluating the power generation performance of a fuel cell stack having multiple cells, An aging processing unit supplies anode gas and cathode gas to the fuel cell stack and applies a voltage to the fuel cell stack to perform aging of the fuel cell stack, A voltage acquisition unit that acquires the voltage applied to each of the cells of the fuel cell stack, When the aging process is performed on the fuel cell stack to be evaluated by the aging processing unit, an evaluation unit evaluates the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated based on the applied voltages acquired by the voltage acquisition unit and the fuel cell characteristic information acquired in advance. Equipped with, A power generation performance evaluation device, wherein the fuel cell characteristic information is information showing the relationship between the applied voltage to each cell of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when aging is performed on the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack, which is the fuel cell stack prepared separately in advance from the fuel cell stack to be evaluated for the purpose of acquiring characteristics, and the output voltage of each cell of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when power is generated after aging.

2. In the power generation performance evaluation device according to claim 1, The aging processing unit is a power generation performance evaluation device that supplies hydrogen gas as the anode gas to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated and an inert gas as the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated.

3. In the power generation performance evaluation device according to claim 1, The aging processing unit is a power generation performance evaluation device that supplies hydrogen gas as the anode gas to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated and oxygen-containing gas as the cathode gas to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated.

4. In the power generation performance evaluation device according to claim 1, The fuel cell characteristic information is shown by a regression line that approximates the relationship between the applied voltage and the output voltage using the least squares method, and is used to evaluate the power generation performance of the device.

5. In the power generation performance evaluation device according to claim 1, The fuel cell characteristic information is shown as a regression curve obtained by approximating the relationship between the applied voltage and the output voltage using the least squares method, in a power generation performance evaluation device.

6. A method for evaluating the power generation performance of a fuel cell stack having multiple cells, An aging process step in which anode gas and cathode gas are supplied to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated, and a voltage is applied to the fuel cell stack to perform aging of the fuel cell stack, In the aging process step, when the aging is performed on the fuel cell stack to be evaluated, a voltage acquisition step is performed to acquire the voltage applied to each of the cells of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated. An evaluation step in which the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack to be evaluated is evaluated based on the applied voltage of each of the cells obtained in the voltage acquisition step and the fuel cell characteristic information obtained in advance, It has, A method for evaluating power generation performance, wherein the fuel cell characteristic information is information showing the relationship between the applied voltage to each of the cells of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when aging is performed on the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack, which is the fuel cell stack prepared in advance separately from the fuel cell stack to be evaluated for the purpose of acquiring characteristics, and the output voltage of each of the cells of the characteristic acquisition fuel cell stack when power is generated after aging.

7. In the power generation performance evaluation method described in claim 6, A method for evaluating power generation performance, wherein in the aging process step, hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated as the anode gas, and an inert gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated as the cathode gas.

8. In the power generation performance evaluation method described in claim 6, A method for evaluating power generation performance, wherein in the aging process step, hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated as the anode gas, and oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack to be evaluated as the cathode gas.

9. In the power generation performance evaluation method described in claim 6, A method for evaluating power generation performance, wherein the fuel cell characteristic information is shown by a regression line that approximates the relationship between the applied voltage and the output voltage using the least squares method.

10. In the power generation performance evaluation method described in claim 6, A method for evaluating power generation performance, wherein the fuel cell characteristic information is shown by a regression curve that approximates the relationship between the applied voltage and the output voltage using the least squares method.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute the power generation performance evaluation method described in any one of claims 6 to 10.

12. A computer-readable, non-transient storage medium storing the program described in claim 11.

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