Supercritical water gasification apparatus, method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus

Abstract

By efficiently utilizing the electricity generated by renewable energy power generation devices, we can produce carbon-neutral fuel gas derived from biomass while suppressing greenhouse gas emissions. [Solution] A supercritical water gasification apparatus for producing carbon-neutral fuel gas from hydrous biomass, comprising: a monitoring unit that monitors the power generated by a renewable energy power generation device and the market price of the fuel gas; and a control unit that controls the power generated to be used in the process of producing the fuel gas according to the results of monitoring the market price.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a supercritical water gasification device and a fuel gas production control method for a supercritical water gasification device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, by raising the temperature and pressure of hydrous biomass such as distillation residues from shochu, whiskey and the like, laying hen manure, sewage sludge and the like to the temperature and pressure range of supercritical water (374°C or higher, 22.1MPa or higher), supercritical water gasification devices are known that convert hydrous biomass into carbon-neutral fuel gas derived from biomass such as hydrogen, methane, ethane, carbon monoxide and the like through decomposition reactions such as hydrolysis and thermal decomposition (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The fuel gas generated in this way is effectively utilized in various external devices as fuel for heating facilities, fuel for power generation turbines, and the like, and is also used as fuel in the supercritical water gasification device to raise the hydrous biomass to a temperature and pressure equal to or higher than the critical point of water.

[0005] As described above, since the supercritical water gasification device partially uses the fuel gas it generates for its own purposes, there is a possibility that a sufficient amount of fuel gas cannot be supplied to external devices that require the fuel gas generated by the supercritical water gasification device.

[0006] On the other hand, in recent years, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power have become widespread, but the amount of electricity generated fluctuates greatly depending on natural conditions such as weather, and in cases where surplus electricity is generated, power generation may be stopped to avoid destabilizing the power grid.

[0007] Thus, in both supercritical water gasification systems and renewable energy-based power generation, there are cases where the energy (fuel gas, electricity) that has been generated cannot be effectively utilized.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a supercritical water gasifier that efficiently uses electricity generated by a renewable energy power generation device in the process of producing fuel gas from water-containing biomass, and a method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasifier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One of the present inventions for achieving the above objectives is a supercritical water gasification apparatus for producing fuel gas from hydrous biomass, comprising: a monitoring unit for monitoring the market price of electricity and the fuel gas; and a control unit that, in accordance with the results of monitoring the market price, controls the use of electricity generated by a renewable energy power generation device in the process of producing the fuel gas.

[0010] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to efficiently use the electricity generated by a renewable energy power generation device in the process of producing fuel gas from hydrous biomass. This makes it possible to produce fuel gas while suppressing greenhouse gas emissions.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objectives is a supercritical water gasification apparatus in which the step of producing the fuel gas includes raising the temperature and pressure of the water-containing biomass to a temperature and pressure at which the fuel gas can be produced.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objectives is a supercritical water gasifier, wherein the step of producing the fuel gas includes raising the temperature and pressure of the water-containing biomass to the same temperature and pressure range as the supercritical water.

[0013] According to the present invention, by using electricity generated by a renewable energy power generation device for a process that consumes a relatively large amount of electricity in the entire production process of a supercritical water gasification device, it becomes possible to produce fuel gas while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objective is a supercritical water gasification apparatus in which the control unit controls the generated electricity to be sold according to the results of monitoring the market price.

[0015] According to the present invention, the electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device can be used in a supercritical water gasification device, or it can be sold to general power transmission and distribution companies, etc., making it possible to obtain revenue in proportion to the electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objective is a supercritical water gasifier in which the control unit controls, in accordance with the results of monitoring the market price, to ensure that the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier is used in an external device that uses the fuel gas.

[0017] According to the present invention, the external device can use fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier while suppressing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, if the production residue from the external device is water-containing biomass, it becomes possible to form a production process that suppresses greenhouse gas emissions between the supercritical water gasifier and the external device.

[0018] Another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objective is a supercritical water gasification apparatus in which the market price monitoring result includes a comparison result between the market price of the electricity and a predetermined price, and a comparison result between the market price of the fuel gas and a predetermined price.

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently handle the generated power of the renewable energy-based power generation apparatus in accordance with the monitoring results of whether the market price of electric power is higher than a predetermined price and whether the market price of fuel gas is higher than a predetermined price.

[0020] Another one of the present inventions for achieving the above object is a supercritical water gasification apparatus, wherein the monitoring result of the market price includes a comparison result between the market price of the electric power and the market price of the fuel gas per the same amount of energy.

[0021] According to the present invention, when the supercritical water gasification apparatus is capable of producing fuel gas using either electric power or fuel gas, it is possible to efficiently use the generated power or the fuel gas of the renewable energy-based power generation apparatus in the step of producing fuel gas in accordance with the monitoring result of whether the market price of electric power is higher than the market price of fuel gas.

[0022] In addition, the problems disclosed in the present application and the solutions thereof will be made clear by the descriptions in the section of Detailed Description of the Embodiments, the descriptions of the drawings, and the like.

Effects of the Invention

[0023] It is possible to efficiently use the generated power of the renewable energy-based power generation apparatus in the step of producing fuel gas from water-containing biomass.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an outline of an example of the supercritical water gasification apparatus 100. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the information processing apparatus 113. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of hardware of the information processing apparatus 113.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] The following matters will become clear from this specification and the accompanying drawings. The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in accordance with one embodiment thereof. In this embodiment, identical or similar components may be denoted by the same reference numeral and their description may be omitted. In this embodiment, the letter "S" preceding the reference numeral signifies a processing step.

[0026] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic example of a supercritical water gasifier 100. The supercritical water gasifier 100 is connected to a renewable energy power generation device, such as a solar power generation device 200, and also to an external device 300 (in this embodiment, a shochu manufacturing device) that uses the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100. Instead of the solar power generation device 200, the supercritical water gasifier 100 may be connected to a power generation device (not shown) that generates electricity using renewable energy such as wind, geothermal, solar thermal, or biomass. The supercritical water gasifier 100, the solar power generation device 200, and the external device 300 are connected to the power grid 400 of a general power transmission and distribution company.

[0027] Furthermore, the above-mentioned renewable energy power generation device and supercritical water gasification device 100 may be connected via the power grid 400 of a general power transmission and distribution company. For example, if the market price of electricity becomes cheaper than a predetermined price due to the power generated by the solar power generation device 200, the power from the power grid 400 can be supplied to the heater 106 and gasification reactor 107 to convert water-containing biomass into fuel gas, thereby converting the power generated by the solar power generation device 200 into chemical energy in the form of fuel gas for storage. In addition, even if the above-mentioned renewable energy power generation device and supercritical water gasification device 100 are installed separately on different sites, the power from the renewable energy power generation device can be supplied to the heater 106 and gasification reactor 107 via the power grid 400.

[0028] The supercritical water gasifier 100 is a device that produces fuel gases such as hydrogen, methane, ethane, and carbon monoxide by gasifying water-containing biomass such as shochu residue, egg-laying chicken manure, and sewage sludge with supercritical water. Supercritical water is water at a temperature of 374°C or higher and a pressure of 22.1 MPa or higher. In this embodiment, the water-containing biomass is, for example, shochu residue (shochu lees) generated in the process of distilling shochu in an external device 300.

[0029] The supercritical water gasification apparatus 100 includes a regulating tank 101, a crusher 102, a supply pump 103, a high-pressure pump 104, a heat exchanger 105, a heater 106, a gasification reactor 107, a cooler 108, a pressure reducing mechanism 109, a gas-liquid separator 110, an on-off valve 111, and a gas tank 112, and further includes an information processing device 113.

[0030] The adjustment tank 101 contains a mixture of shochu residue, water, and activated carbon, each in predetermined proportions. The activated carbon acts as a gasification catalyst. The adjustment tank 101 is designed to hold, for example, a mixture with a water content of 1 ton per day.

[0031] The crusher 102 crushes the shochu residue to increase its fluidity and to facilitate the fuel gasification reaction of the shochu residue in the supercritical water gasifier 100.

[0032] The supply pump 103 pumps a slurry-like mixture containing the shochu residue crushed in the crusher 102 and activated carbon to the high-pressure pump 104, which then pumps the mixture supplied from the supply pump 103 to the heat exchanger 105.

[0033] The heat exchanger 105 has a structure in which one pipe 105A through which the mixture output from the high-pressure pump 104 passes, and the other pipe 105B through which the mixture such as treated water output from the gasification reactor 107 passes, are arranged side by side in a meandering manner. To make it easy to distinguish between the two pipes 105A and 105B, one pipe 105A is shown with a solid line and the other pipe 105B is shown with a dashed line. The mixture output from the gasification reactor 107 is the mixture after fuel gas has been produced from shochu residue.

[0034] The heat exchanger 105 exchanges heat between the temperature of the mixture output from the high-pressure pump 104 and the temperature of the mixture output from the gasification reactor 107. As a result, the mixture output from the high-pressure pump 104 is heated, and its temperature increases as it moves from the inlet to the outlet of one pipe 105A. Conversely, the mixture output from the gasification reactor 107 is cooled, and its temperature decreases as it moves from the inlet to the outlet of the other pipe 105B.

[0035] Furthermore, the heat exchanger 105 may be configured to include an electrical circuit (not shown) such as a heater that operates using electricity at any point between the inlet and outlet of pipe 105A in order to raise the temperature of the mixture output from the high-pressure pump 104. This makes it possible to heat the mixture more efficiently by utilizing surplus electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200, and also makes it possible to reduce the amount of fuel gas used in the heater 106 and gasification reactor 107 described below.

[0036] The heater 106 includes a combustor (not shown) for burning fuel gas and an electrical circuit (not shown) such as a heater that operates using electricity. By using the combustor and heater, the temperature of the mixture output from the outlet of one pipe 105A of the heat exchanger 105 is raised to the gasification reaction temperature of 600°C.

[0037] The gasification reactor 107 is a device that gasifies this mixture by supercritical hydrothermal treatment, turning it into a supercritical high-temperature fluid. The gasification reactor 107 is composed of a combustor (not shown) for burning fuel gas and an electrical circuit (not shown) such as a heater that operates on electricity. By using the combustor and heater, the temperature and pressure of the slurry-like mixture output from the heater 106 are raised to a temperature and pressure that enables the production of fuel gas from the shochu residue. The temperature and pressure are preferably in the same range as the temperature and pressure of supercritical water, i.e., the range in which the mixture becomes supercritical (374°C or higher, 22.1 MPa or higher), but a range that can suppress the formation of tar and other substances while increasing the carbon gasification rate (600°C or higher, 23.7~35 MPa) is more preferable. In this way, the gasification reactor 107 can produce fuel gas from the shochu residue contained in the mixture. Furthermore, in order to produce fuel gas from the shochu residue, the gasification reactor 107 operates such that, for example, the temperature of the mixture supplied from the heater 106 rises to approximately 600°C and the pressure of the mixture rises to approximately 23 MPa within a few minutes.

[0038] The fuel gas supplied to the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107 is fuel gas generated by the supercritical water gasifier 100 itself and stored in the gas tank 112. However, if the gas tank 112 does not contain the amount of fuel gas necessary to operate the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107, or for a certain period of time immediately after the start of operation of the supercritical water gasifier 100, a fuel gas other than the fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112, such as LPG, may be used. The exhaust gas generated when the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107 consume fuel gas is discharged from the supercritical water gasifier 100.

[0039] As described above, the heater 106 and gasification reactor 107 in this embodiment are equipped with electrical circuits such as heaters and consume power during operation. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the information processing device 113 selects either the solar power generation device 200 or the power grid 400 according to the market price of electricity and the market price of fuel gas at any given time and controls the power supply to the heater 106 and gasification reactor 107.

[0040] In this configuration, for example, if there is a surplus of electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200, it can be effectively utilized in the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107. Alternatively, if electricity prices are high, this surplus electricity can be sold on the market to generate revenue.

[0041] The cooler 108 cools the mixture that is output from the outlet of the other pipe 105B of the heat exchanger 105, thereby lowering the temperature of the mixture.

[0042] The pressure reduction mechanism 109 reduces the pressure of the mixture output from the cooler 108. The gas-liquid separator 110 separates the mixture output from the cooler 108 into fuel gas, wastewater, activated carbon, and ash. The gas-liquid separator 110 outputs fuel gas from one outlet and wastewater, activated carbon, and ash from the other outlet via the on-off valve 111. The wastewater, activated carbon, and ash are output from the supercritical water gasifier 100.

[0043] The gas tank 112 stores the fuel gas separated in the gas-liquid separator 110. If there are multiple types of fuel gas produced in the gasification reactor 107, a separate gas tank 112 should be prepared for each type of fuel gas. In addition to being used in the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107, the fuel gas in the gas tank 112 is also output from the supercritical water gasifier 100 and used in the external equipment 300 depending on the market price of electricity and fuel gas.

[0044] Furthermore, the gas tank 112 is equipped with a flow meter (not shown) that measures the amount of fuel gas flowing into the gas tank 112 (volume flow rate) and the amount of fuel gas flowing out of the gas tank 112 (volume flow rate). The gas tank 112 is also equipped with a pressure gauge and a thermometer (both not shown), and the measured values ​​of pressure and temperature are converted into weight, heat quantity, volume under standard conditions, etc., by the information processing device 113 based on the internal volume data and fuel gas component data of the gas tank 112, and stored in the storage unit 113C.

[0045] Thus, the supercritical water gasifier 100 is a device that takes shochu residue, water, and activated carbon as inputs and outputs exhaust gas, wastewater, activated carbon, and ash in addition to the fuel gas produced. Furthermore, the supercritical water gasifier 100 can also be described as a device that converts the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200 into a form of fuel gas that can be stored in the gas tank 112 while maintaining carbon neutrality.

[0046] The solar power generation system 200 comprises solar power generation panels 210 and a power conditioner (PCS: Power Conditioning Subsystem) 220.

[0047] The solar power generation panel 210 is constructed using, for example, polycrystalline silicon power generation elements, monocrystalline silicon power generation elements, thin-film power generation elements, etc., and is installed facing the direction in which sunlight effectively irradiates it. The power conditioner 220 converts the electricity generated by the solar power generation panel 210 from direct current to alternating current.

[0048] The electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200 is supplied to the electrical circuits within the supercritical water gasification device 100, such as the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107, or to the power grid 400 via the power conditioner 220 (sold to the general transmission and distribution company).

[0049] Furthermore, the power generated by the solar power generation device 200 may be supplied not only to the heater 106, the gasification reactor 107, and the heat exchanger 105, but also to the crusher 102, the supply pump 103, and the high-pressure pump 104 as a power source for operating them.

[0050] The external device 300 is a device that can operate using the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100. The external device 300 is, for example, a shochu manufacturing apparatus that uses the fuel gas in the process of manufacturing shochu (hereinafter referred to as the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300). The shochu residue generated in the process of manufacturing shochu in the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300 is supplied to the supercritical water gasifier 100. At least a portion of the shochu residue used in the supercritical water gasifier 100 is the shochu residue supplied from the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300.

[0051] The information processing device 113 controls the heater and combustor in the heater 106 to ensure the mixture reaches the target temperature. The information processing device 113 also controls the heater and combustor in the gasification reactor 107 to ensure the mixture reaches the target temperature. Furthermore, the information processing device 113 controls the supply of fuel gas from the gas tank 112 to the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300.

[0052] For example, the information processing device 113 determines, based on the market prices of electricity and fuel gas, whether to (a) supply at least a portion of the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200 to the electrical circuits of the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107, (b) sell at least a portion of the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200 to an electricity exchange such as the Japan Electric Power Exchange, or (c) supply at least a portion of the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasification device 100 to the shochu manufacturing device 300, and then performs control according to the determination result. Here, the market price of electricity is, for example, the price for each 30-minute interval published on the Japan Electric Power Exchange. The market price of fuel gas is, for example, the price per unit volume of fuel gas that is revised monthly. Therefore, the information processing device 113 is connected via a communication network 117 to receive instructions from external sources, such as the solar power generation device 200, to sell electricity and proceed with the electricity sales process. These connections include, for example, a server 114 managed by the Japan Electric Power Exchange, a storage device 115 under the management of the Japan Electric Power Exchange where information on the market price of electricity is stored and updated, and a storage device 116 under the management of an external third party handling fuel gas where information on the market price of fuel gas is stored and updated. The communication network 117 can be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a dedicated line, a power line communication network, or various public communication networks.

[0053] The information processing device 113 is configured to include a monitoring unit 113A, a control unit 113B, and a storage unit 113C as means for performing the above-mentioned control.

[0054] The monitoring unit 113A monitors the market price information for electricity stored in the storage device 115 and reads and acquires the information for the latest time slot from the market price information for electricity. Furthermore, the monitoring unit 113A monitors the market price information for fuel gas stored in the storage device 116 and reads and acquires the information for the latest month from the market price information for fuel gas. In this embodiment, the market price of electricity for the latest time slot is represented as PE, and the market price of fuel gas for the latest month is represented as PG.

[0055] The control unit 113B obtains the latest market price information for electricity and fuel gas, PE and PG, from the monitoring unit 113A. (A) If the latest market price PE for electricity is higher than the specified price A, and the latest market price PG for fuel gas is higher than the specified price B, (B) If the latest market price PE for electricity is higher than the specified price A, and the latest market price PG for fuel gas is lower than the specified price B, (C) If the latest market price PE for electricity is lower than the specified price A, and the latest market price PG for fuel gas is higher than the specified price B, (D) If the latest market price PE for electricity is lower than the specified price A, and the latest market price PG for fuel gas is lower than the specified price B, The above control is performed according to each of these conditions.

[0056] The memory unit 113C stores programs and data necessary for the control unit 113B to perform the above-mentioned control. Specifically, the memory unit 113C stores control programs for performing the above-mentioned control, data indicating predetermined values ​​(predetermined prices A and B) necessary for the control unit 113B to determine whether the market prices PE and PG of electricity and fuel gas are high or low, and data indicating the results of calculations performed using these programs and data. The predetermined prices A and B are determined based on past experience, taking into account factors such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the process by which the supercritical water gasifier 100 produces fuel gas, the revenue from selling the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200, the frequency of demand response requests, and the proportion of the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100 used by the shochu manufacturing device 300.

[0057] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the information processing device 113. The following describes an example of the control operation of the control unit 113B. The control unit 113B operates according to the program data and data stored in the storage unit 113C and determines whether the latest market price PE of electricity is higher than a predetermined price A stored in the storage unit 113C, and whether the latest market price PG of fuel gas is higher than a predetermined price B stored in the storage unit 113C (step S1). Note that the determination operation in step S1 is performed, for example, every time the market price of electricity is updated.

[0058] If the control unit 113B determines that the latest market price PE for electricity is higher than a predetermined price A stored in the storage unit 113C, and the latest market price PG for fuel gas is higher than a predetermined price B stored in the storage unit 113C (as described above (A): step S2A), it controls the sale of at least a portion of the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 on the daily market of the Japan Electric Power Exchange via the server 114 (step S3A). This allows the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 to be efficiently monetized. The proportion of the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 that is sold, or the amount of electricity sold, may be set in advance according to the market price PE for electricity, the target revenue amount, etc.

[0059] For example, the larger the difference between the market price PE and the predetermined price A, the greater the amount of electricity sold or the proportion of electricity sold. This makes it possible to generate revenue more efficiently. Alternatively, the larger the difference between the monthly target revenue and the revenue from the beginning of the month to the present, the greater the amount of electricity sold or the proportion of electricity sold. This makes it possible to achieve the monthly target revenue more reliably.

[0060] Furthermore, if the amount of power supplied to the heater decreases due to the sale of electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200, the control unit 113B increases the amount of fuel gas supplied from the gas tank 112 to the combustor, and controls it so that the increase in heating by the combustor compensates for the decrease in heating by the heater (step S4A). In this configuration, even if the amount of power supplied from the solar power generation device 200 to the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107 decreases due to the sale of electricity, it is possible to prevent the heating control of the mixture from being affected.

[0061] The control unit 113B then controls the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300 to preferentially supply fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112 (step S5A). As a result, the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300 can produce shochu using fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112, which is relatively inexpensive compared to the market price, thus reducing the cost of shochu production.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 113B updates the amount of fuel gas X' stored in the gas tank 112 to a new amount X, as shown in (Equation 1) below, based on the amount of fuel gas that entered and left the gas tank 112 during one time frame (30 minutes). The control unit 113B also updates the assumed price T' of the fuel gas in the gas tank 112 to a new assumed price T, as shown in (Equation 2). The assumed prices T and T' are the current prices of the fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112, calculated by summing the amount of fuel gas that entered and left the gas tank 112 at any given time and the market price.

[0063] First, the control unit 113B updates the amount of fuel gas in the gas tank 112 as shown in (Equation 1). The amount of fuel gas is the volume of fuel gas measured by flow meters (not shown) installed in the inlet and outlet passages to the gas tank 112, respectively, and converted to weight.

[0064] New gas amount X = gas amount X' from the previous frame - gas amount Xout that flowed out of gas tank 112 + gas amount Xin that flowed into gas tank 112 ... (Equation 1) The amount of fuel gas Xout that leaked out of gas tank 112 is the amount of fuel gas supplied to the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300 and the combustor. The amount of fuel gas Xin that flowed into gas tank 112 is the amount of fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100. T = (weight ratio of Xin) × PG + (weight ratio of (X'-Xout)) × T' …(Equation 2)

[0065] The control unit 113B then updates the predetermined price B from the assumed price T' of the previous frame to the new assumed price T, as shown in (Equation 3). Predetermined price B = New assumed price T …(Equation 3)

[0066] In this configuration, the assumed price T of the fuel gas in the gas tank 112, i.e., the predetermined price B, can be a price that reflects all the market prices and the amount of gas that has entered and left the gas tank 112 up to that point, so that if the market price PG is higher than the predetermined price B, it is immediately possible to determine that it is more economical to use the fuel gas in the gas tank 112 than to procure fuel gas from the market, and if the market price PG is lower than the predetermined price B, it is immediately possible to determine that it is more economical to procure fuel gas from the market than to use the fuel gas in the gas tank 112.

[0067] Next, if the control unit 113B determines that the latest market price PE for electricity is higher than a predetermined price A stored in the storage unit 113C, and the latest market price PG for fuel gas is lower than a predetermined price B stored in the storage unit 113C (as described above (B): step S2B), it controls the sale of at least a portion of the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 on the daily market of the Japan Electric Power Exchange via the server 114 (step S3B). This makes it possible to monetize the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200. The proportion of the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 that is sold, or the amount of electricity sold, may be set in advance according to the market price of electricity, target revenue amount, etc.

[0068] The control unit 113B controls the amount of fuel gas supplied from the gas tank 112 to the combustor to compensate for the decrease in heating power due to the sale of electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200 (step S4B). In this configuration, even if the amount of electricity supplied from the solar power generation device 200 to the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107 decreases due to the sale of electricity, it is possible to prevent the heating of the mixture from being affected.

[0069] If the latest market price PG of fuel gas is lower than the predetermined price B, it is cheaper to produce shochu using fuel gas purchased from the market than to produce shochu using fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112. Therefore, the control unit 113B stores the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100 in the gas tank 112 and controls the supply of fuel gas from the gas tank 112 to the shochu production apparatus 300 (step S5B). At this time, the control unit 113B updates the amount of fuel gas in the gas tank 112 as shown in (Equation 1) and updates the assumed price T' of the fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112 to the new assumed price T as shown in (Equation 2).

[0070] The control unit 113B then updates the predetermined price B from the old assumed price T' to the new assumed price T as shown in (Equation 3).

[0071] Next, if the control unit 113B determines that the latest market price PE of electricity is lower than a predetermined price A stored in the memory unit 113C, and the latest market price PG of fuel gas is higher than a predetermined price B stored in the memory unit 113C (C above: step S2C), it controls the system to supply electricity corresponding to the amount of electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 to electrical circuits such as the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107, without selling the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 (step S3C). This reduces the amount of fuel gas consumed by the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107, and makes it possible to store that amount of fuel gas in the gas tank 112.

[0072] The control unit 113B then controls the supercritical water gasifier 100 to store the fuel gas produced using the power generated by the solar power generation device 200 in the gas tank 112 (step S4C).

[0073] Furthermore, the control unit 113B controls the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300 to preferentially supply fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112 (step S5C). As a result, the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300 can produce shochu using the relatively inexpensive fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112, thereby reducing the cost of shochu production.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 113B updates the amount X' of fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112 to a new amount X, as shown in (Equation 1) and (Equation 2), and updates the assumed price T' of the fuel gas in the gas tank 112 to a new assumed price T. Then, the control unit 113B updates the predetermined price B from the old assumed price T' to the new assumed price T, as shown in (Equation 3).

[0075] Next, the control unit 113B determines that the latest market price PE of electricity is lower than a predetermined price A stored in the memory unit 113C, and the latest market price PG of fuel gas is lower than a predetermined price B stored in the memory unit 113C (as described above (D): step S2D), and controls the system to increase the amount of power supplied to the electrical circuits of the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107 without selling the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200 (step S3D). This reduces the amount of fuel gas consumed by the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107, and allows that amount of fuel gas to be stored in the gas tank 112.

[0076] On the other hand, since the latest market price PG for fuel gas is lower than the predetermined price B, it is more economical to use fuel gas purchased from the market rather than the fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112 for use in the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300. Therefore, the control unit 113B stores the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100 in the gas tank 112 and controls the supply of fuel gas from the gas tank 112 to the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300 to stop (step S4D). At this time, the control unit 113B updates the amount X' of fuel gas stored in the gas tank 112 to a new amount X, as shown in (Equation 1) and (Equation 2), and updates the assumed price T' of the fuel gas in the gas tank 112 to a new assumed price T. Then, the control unit 113B updates the predetermined price B from the old assumed price T' to the new assumed price T, as shown in (Equation 3).

[0077] Furthermore, the control performed by the control unit 113B may be adjusted according to the amount of shochu produced, the amount of shochu residue in stock, the amount of fuel gas in stock in the gas tank 112, etc.

[0078] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the control unit 113B performs control according to the monitoring result of whether the market prices of electricity and fuel gas are higher than predetermined prices, but the control operation of the control unit 113B is not limited to this. For example, if the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107 can operate using either electricity or fuel gas, the monitoring unit 113A may monitor whether the market price of electricity per unit of energy is higher than the market price of fuel gas, and the control unit 113B may supply either the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100 or the electricity generated by the photovoltaic power generation device 200 to the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107 according to the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 113A. Specifically, if the market price of electricity per unit of energy is cheaper than the market price of fuel gas (for example, market price of electricity per kWh < market price of fuel gas per 3600 kJ), the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200 may be supplied to the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107. On the other hand, if the market price of fuel gas per unit of energy is cheaper than the market price of electricity (for example, market price of fuel gas per 3600 kJ < market price of electricity per kWh), the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100 may be supplied to the heater 106 and the gasification reactor 107.

[0079] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware of the information processing device 113 that realizes the functions of the supercritical water gasification apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0080] The information processing device 113 comprises a processor 1131, a main memory 1132, an auxiliary memory 1133, an input device 1134, an output device 1135, and a communication device 1136. The information processing device 113 is, for example, a personal computer, an office computer, various server devices, a general-purpose machine, etc. The information processing device 113 may be implemented in whole or in part using virtual information processing resources provided using virtualization technology, such as a virtual server provided by a cloud system.

[0081] The processor 1131 is composed of components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and AI (Artificial Intelligence) chip.

[0082] The main memory 1132 is a device for storing programs and data, and is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or non-volatile memory (NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM)).

[0083] The auxiliary storage device 1133 is, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk drive, an optical storage device (CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.), a storage system, an IC card, an SD card, a reader / writer for optical recording media, or the storage area of ​​a cloud server. Programs and data can be read into the auxiliary storage device 1133 via a recording media reader or a communication device 1136. Programs and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 1133 are read into the main memory 1132 as needed.

[0084] The input device 1134 is an interface that accepts input from an external source, and can be, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, card reader, pen-input tablet, or voice input device.

[0085] The output device 1135 is an interface that outputs various information such as processing progress and processing results. The output device 1135 may be, for example, a display device that visualizes the above information (LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), graphics card, etc.), a device that converts the above information into sound (speaker, etc.), or a device that converts the above information into text (printer, etc.). The information processing device 113 may also be configured to input and output information to and from other devices via the communication device 1136.

[0086] The input device 1134 and the output device 1135 constitute a user interface for receiving and presenting information with the user.

[0087] The communication device 1136 is a device that enables communication (wired or wireless communication) with other devices via a communication infrastructure such as a communication network 117, and is configured using, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a wireless communication module, a USB module, etc.

[0088] The information processing device 113 may also have an operating system, file system, DBMS (Database Management System) (relational database, NoSQL, etc.), KVS (Key-Value Store), etc. installed on it.

[0089] The functions of the supercritical water gasification apparatus 100 are realized either by the processor 1131 of the information processing apparatus 113 reading and executing a control program stored in the main memory 1132, or by the functions of the hardware (FPGA, ASIC, AI chip, etc.) that constitutes the information processing apparatus 113 itself. In this embodiment, the functions of the storage unit 113C of the information processing apparatus 113 are realized by the main memory 1132 and auxiliary memory 1133 of the information processing apparatus 113, and the respective functions of the monitoring unit 113A and control unit 113B of the information processing apparatus 113 are realized by the processor 1131 of the information processing apparatus 113 operating according to the control program.

[0090] As described above, the supercritical water gasification apparatus 100 produces carbon-neutral fuel gas from shochu residue, which is a type of water-containing biomass, and includes a monitoring unit 113A that monitors the market prices of electricity and fuel gas, and a control unit 113B that controls the process so that the electricity generated by a solar power generation apparatus 200, which is a type of renewable energy power generation apparatus, is used in the process of producing fuel gas, according to the results of monitoring these market prices.

[0091] This makes it possible to efficiently use the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 in the process of producing fuel gas from water-containing biomass. Furthermore, this makes it possible to produce fuel gas while suppressing greenhouse gas emissions.

[0092] Furthermore, in the supercritical water gasification apparatus 100, the process for producing fuel gas includes raising the temperature and pressure of the mixture containing shochu residue to a temperature and pressure at which fuel gas can be produced.

[0093] Furthermore, in the supercritical water gasification apparatus 100, the process for producing fuel gas includes raising the temperature and pressure of the mixture containing shochu residue to the same temperature and pressure range as the supercritical water.

[0094] This makes it possible to produce fuel gas while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 for the processes in the supercritical water gasification system 100 that consume a relatively large amount of electricity.

[0095] Furthermore, in the supercritical water gasification apparatus 100, the control unit 113B of the information processing device 113 controls the electricity generated by the solar power generation apparatus 200 to be sold to the public, according to the market prices of electricity and fuel gas monitored by the monitoring unit 113A.

[0096] As a result, the electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200 can be used in the supercritical water gasification system 100, or it can be sold to general power transmission and distribution companies, etc., making it possible to obtain revenue in proportion to the amount of electricity generated by the solar power generation system 200.

[0097] Furthermore, in the supercritical water gasifier 100, the control unit 113B controls the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100 to be used in the shochu manufacturing apparatus 300 that uses the fuel gas, according to the market prices of electricity and fuel gas monitored by the monitoring unit 113A.

[0098] As a result, the shochu production apparatus 300 can use fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier 100 while suppressing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, since the shochu residue produced by the shochu production apparatus 300 becomes hydrous biomass, it becomes possible to create a production process that suppresses greenhouse gas emissions between the supercritical water gasifier 100 and the shochu production apparatus 300.

[0099] Furthermore, in the supercritical water gasification apparatus 100, the market price monitoring results by the monitoring unit 113A include the comparison results of the market price PE of electricity with a predetermined price A, and the comparison results of the market price PG of fuel gas with a predetermined price B.

[0100] This makes it possible to efficiently handle the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200 according to the monitoring results of whether the market price PE of electricity is higher than a predetermined price A, and whether the market price PG of fuel gas is higher than a predetermined price B.

[0101] Furthermore, in the supercritical water gasification apparatus 100, the market price monitoring results by the monitoring unit 113A include a comparison of the market price PE of electricity and the market price PG of fuel gas per unit of energy.

[0102] As a result, if the supercritical water gasifier 100 can produce fuel gas using either electricity or fuel gas, it becomes possible to efficiently use the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 200 or the fuel gas in the fuel gas production process, depending on the monitoring results of whether the market price PE of electricity is higher than the market price PG of fuel gas.

[0103] This embodiment is provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit its interpretation. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from its spirit, and equivalents thereof are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 100 Supercritical Water Gasification Device 101 Adjustment Tank 102 Crusher 103 Supply pump 104 High-pressure pump 105 Heat exchanger 106 Heater 107 Gasification reactor 108 Cooler 109 Pressure reduction mechanism 110 Gas-liquid separator 111 Shut-off valve 112 gas tanks 113 Information Processing Device 113A Monitoring Department 113B Control Unit 113C Storage section 114 Servers 115,116 Storage device 117 Communication Networks 200 Solar power generation equipment 210 Solar panels 220 Power Conditioner 300 Shochu manufacturing equipment 400 Power system 1131 processor 1132 Main storage 1133 Auxiliary storage device 1134 Input device 1135 Output device 1136 Communication equipment

Claims

1. A supercritical water gasification apparatus that produces fuel gas from hydrous biomass, A monitoring unit that monitors the market prices of electricity and the fuel gas, Includes a control unit that controls the power generated by the renewable energy power generation device to be used in the process of producing the fuel gas, in accordance with the results of monitoring the market price. Supercritical water gasification apparatus.

2. A supercritical water gasification apparatus according to claim 1, The process for producing the fuel gas includes raising the temperature and pressure of the water-containing biomass to a temperature and pressure at which the fuel gas can be produced. Supercritical water gasification apparatus.

3. A supercritical water gasification apparatus according to claim 2, The process for producing the fuel gas includes raising the temperature and pressure of the water-containing biomass to the same temperature and pressure range as supercritical water. Supercritical water gasification apparatus.

4. A supercritical water gasification apparatus according to claim 1, The control unit controls the generated electricity to be sold according to the results of monitoring the market price. Supercritical water gasification apparatus.

5. A supercritical water gasification apparatus according to claim 4, The control unit, in accordance with the results of monitoring the market price, controls the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier so that it is used in an external device that uses the fuel gas. Supercritical water gasification apparatus.

6. A supercritical water gasification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The market price monitoring results include a comparison between the market price of electricity and a predetermined price, and a comparison between the market price of fuel gas and a predetermined price. Supercritical water gasification apparatus.

7. A supercritical water gasification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The results of the market price monitoring include a comparison between the market price of the electricity and the market price of the fuel gas per unit of energy. Supercritical water gasification apparatus.

8. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus that produces fuel gas from hydrous biomass in supercritical water, We monitor the market prices of electricity and the fuel gas, Based on the results of monitoring the market price, control is performed so that the electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device is used in the process of producing the fuel gas. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus.

9. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus according to claim 8, The process for producing the fuel gas includes raising the temperature and pressure of the water-containing biomass to a temperature and pressure at which the fuel gas can be produced. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus.

10. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus according to claim 9, The process for producing the fuel gas includes raising the temperature and pressure of the water-containing biomass to the same temperature and pressure range as supercritical water. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus.

11. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus according to claim 8, Based on the results of monitoring the market price, control is performed so that the generated electricity is sold. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus.

12. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus according to claim 11, Based on the results of monitoring the market price, the system controls the fuel gas produced by the supercritical water gasifier to be used in an external device that uses that fuel gas. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus.

13. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasifier according to any one of claims 8 to 12, The market price monitoring results include a comparison between the market price of electricity and a predetermined price, and a comparison between the market price of fuel gas and a predetermined price. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus.

14. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasifier according to any one of claims 8 to 10, The results of the market price monitoring include a comparison between the market price of the electricity and the market price of the fuel gas per unit of energy. A method for controlling fuel gas production in a supercritical water gasification apparatus.

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