Dehumidifying device, hydrogen production equipment, and operating method of dehumidifying device

Abstract

To provide a dehumidifier, a hydrogen production facility, and an operation method of a dehumidifier which can increase the efficiency of pressure introduction work to a dehumidifier, at the time of start of a hydrogen production facility.SOLUTION: A dehumidifier for dehumidifying hydrogen gas produced by a hydrogen production device includes: a dehumidification device including an adsorption tower having an adsorption material capable of adsorbing moisture contained in the hydrogen gas therein; an inlet line for introducing the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen production device into the dehumidification device; an inlet valve provided on the inlet line; an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidification device from the dehumidification device; an outlet valve provided on the outlet line; and a control device which is configured to adjust the opening of the inlet valve and the opening of the outlet valve on the basis of the pressure in the adsorption tower, at the time of start of the dehumidification device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dehumidifying device, a hydrogen production facility, and an operation method of the dehumidifying device.

Background Art

[0002] In some cases, a water electrolysis device is used to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen generated in the electrolytic cell of the water electrolysis device is discharged from the electrolytic cell together with moisture. Therefore, the hydrogen discharged from the electrolytic cell is usually dehumidified by a dehumidifier and then stored and used.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a dehumidifying device configured to dehumidify hydrogen generated by a water electrolysis device using a dehumidifier including an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when starting up a hydrogen production facility, hydrogen gas is introduced into a dehumidifier to increase the pressure to a predetermined pressure (for example, the pressure during hydrogen production operation of the hydrogen production facility), so that the moisture in the gas in the dehumidifier is in a dehumidified state. Then, the hydrogen gas from the dehumidifier is supplied to a storage section or a hydrogen-consuming facility. Conventionally, when introducing pressure into the dehumidifier in this way, the operation has been performed by manually operating the opening degree of the valve using manual valves provided at the inlet and outlet of the dehumidifier.

[0006] When using renewable energy as the power supply to the hydrogen production device, etc., when producing hydrogen following power fluctuations, or when producing hydrogen according to demand fluctuations on the demand side, it is considered that the frequency of pressure introduction into the dehumidifier increases due to the increased switching frequency of the operation and stop of the hydrogen production device. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the efficiency of the pressure introduction operation into the dehumidifier when starting up the hydrogen production facility.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a dehumidifying device, a hydrogen production facility, and an operation method of the dehumidifying device capable of improving the efficiency of the pressure introduction operation into the dehumidifier when starting up the hydrogen production facility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The dehumidifying device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a dehumidifying device for dehumidifying the hydrogen gas produced by a hydrogen production device, including a dehumidifier including an adsorption tower provided therein with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture contained in the hydrogen gas, an inlet line for introducing the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen production device into the dehumidifier, an inlet valve provided in the inlet line, an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier from the dehumidifier, an outlet valve provided in the outlet line, a control device configured to adjust the opening degree of the inlet valve and the opening degree of the outlet valve based on the pressure in the adsorption tower when starting up the dehumidifying device, and is provided with.

[0009] Further, the hydrogen production facility according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a hydrogen production device, the above-described dehumidifying device configured to dehumidify the hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production device, and is provided with.

[0010] Further, the operation method of the dehumidifying device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is An operating method of a dehumidifying device for dehumidifying hydrogen gas produced by a hydrogen production device, wherein the dehumidifying device includes a dehumidifier including an adsorption tower provided therein with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture contained in hydrogen gas, an inlet line for introducing hydrogen gas from the hydrogen production device into the dehumidifier, an inlet valve provided in the inlet line, an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier from the dehumidifier, an outlet valve provided in the outlet line, and includes a step of measuring the pressure inside the adsorption tower, a step of starting up the dehumidifying device while adjusting the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on the pressure inside the adsorption tower, and is provided with.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there are provided a dehumidifying device, a hydrogen production facility, and an operating method of the dehumidifying device capable of improving the efficiency of the pressure introduction operation to the dehumidifier at the time of starting up the hydrogen production facility.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0014] (Configuration of Hydrogen Production Equipment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen production facility to which a dehumidifying device according to some embodiments is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen production facility 1 includes a hydrogen production device 10 for producing hydrogen and a dehumidifying device 100 for dehumidifying the hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production device 10.

[0015] The hydrogen production device 10 may include a water electrolysis device configured to electrolyze water to generate hydrogen and oxygen. The water electrolysis device may be, for example, an alkaline water electrolysis device, a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) type water electrolysis device, or an anion exchange membrane (AEM) type water electrolysis device.

[0016] The water electrolysis device includes an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing water. Water is supplied to the electrolytic cell. A current is supplied to the electrolytic cell via a rectifier. Thereby, by applying a voltage between a pair of electrodes provided in the electrolytic cell to cause a current to flow, the water in the electrolytic cell is electrolyzed, hydrogen is generated on the cathode side, and oxygen is generated on the anode side. An aqueous solution (electrolyte solution) in which an electrolyte is dissolved is supplied into the electrolytic cell, and the water (the water constituting the electrolyte solution) may be electrolyzed. The electrolyte may be an alkaline substance such as potassium hydroxide (KOH).

[0017] The hydrogen gas generated in the electrolytic cell of the water electrolysis device is discharged from the electrolytic cell together with moisture. The hydrogen gas discharged from the electrolytic cell is guided to the dehumidifying device 100 to remove moisture. Note that the hydrogen gas generated in the electrolytic cell may be guided to a gas-liquid separator, and after the moisture is separated, it may be guided to the dehumidifying device 100. In this case, the hydrogen gas guided from the gas-liquid separator to the dehumidifying device 100 contains moisture in the form of saturated vapor.

[0018] Note that the oxygen generated by the water electrolysis device may be used by a device that uses oxygen or released to the outside after being discharged from the electrolytic cell.

[0019] The dehumidifying device 100 includes a dehumidifier 12, an inlet line 14 for introducing hydrogen gas into the dehumidifier 12, an inlet valve 16 provided in the inlet line 14, an outlet line 18 for discharging the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier 12 from the dehumidifier 12, and an outlet valve 20 provided in the outlet line 18. Further, the dehumidifying device 100 includes a control device 32 for controlling the inlet valve 16 and the outlet valve 20.

[0020] The dehumidifier 12 includes an adsorption tower 13 and an adsorbent provided inside the adsorption tower 13 that can adsorb moisture. The inlet line 14 is provided between the hydrogen production device 10 and the adsorption tower 13 and is configured to guide hydrogen gas (hydrogen gas containing moisture) from the hydrogen production device 10 to the dehumidifier 12. The outlet line 18 is configured to discharge the hydrogen gas dehumidified in the adsorption tower 13 from the adsorption tower 13. That is, the hydrogen gas introduced into the dehumidifier 12 through the inlet line 14 is dehumidified by the adsorbent and then discharged from the dehumidifier 12.

[0021] Note that the hydrogen gas (i.e., the dehumidified hydrogen gas) discharged from the dehumidifier 12 through the outlet line 18 may be stored in a storage section (tank) or the like, or may be supplied to a hydrogen-consuming facility (user). The hydrogen-consuming facility may include, for example, a hydrogen combustion facility configured to burn hydrogen (such as a gas turbine facility or an iron-making facility), a hydrogen liquefaction facility configured to liquefy hydrogen, a facility configured to generate electricity by a chemical reaction using hydrogen as a fuel (such as a power generation facility including a fuel cell such as a SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell)), a facility configured to produce fuel using hydrogen as a raw material (such as a fuel synthesis facility), or a hydrogen gas station configured to supply hydrogen to equipment.

[0022] The dehumidifying device 100 includes a pressure measurement unit 34 (a pressure sensor such as a pressure transmitter) configured to measure the pressure inside the adsorption tower 13. An electrical signal indicating the pressure measured by the pressure measurement unit 34 is sent to the control device 32.

[0023] The dehumidifying device 100 includes a dew point measurement unit 36 configured to measure the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the adsorption tower 13. An electrical signal indicating the dew point measured by the dew point measurement unit 36 is sent to the control device 32.

[0024] The dew point measurement unit 36 may be configured to measure the dew point of the hydrogen gas in the outlet line 18. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the dew point measurement unit 36 may be configured to measure the dew point of the hydrogen gas led to a dew point measurement line 26 that branches from the outlet line 18 upstream of the outlet valve 20. The hydrogen gas whose dew point is to be measured by the dew point measurement unit 36 may be discharged to the outside of the system via the dew point measurement line 26.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the dehumidifying device 100 may include a first vent line 22 that branches from the inlet line 14 and a first vent valve 24 provided in the first vent line 22. The first vent line 22 is configured to be able to release the hydrogen gas that has flowed into the first vent line 22 from the inlet line 14 to the outside.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the dehumidifying device 100 may include a second vent line 28 connected to the adsorption tower 13 and a second vent valve 30 provided in the second vent line 28. Note that the second vent line 28 functions as a line for discharging the regeneration gas supplied for regenerating the adsorbent from the adsorption tower 13 when performing the regeneration process of the adsorbent provided inside the adsorption tower 13. During the startup of the hydrogen production facility 1 and the dehumidifying device 100, the second vent valve 30 is basically closed.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the dew point measurement line 26 where the dew point measurement unit 36 is provided may be connected to the second vent line 28 downstream of the second vent valve 30.

[0028] The control device 32 is configured to adjust the opening degrees of the inlet valve 16 and the outlet valve 20 based on the measured value of the pressure inside the adsorption tower 13 received from the pressure measurement unit 34 and / or the measured value of the dew point received from the dew point measurement unit 36. The control device 32 may be configured to control the opening and closing of the first vent valve 24 and / or the second vent valve 30.

[0029] The control device 32 includes a computer having a processor (such as a CPU), a main storage device (a memory device; such as a RAM), an auxiliary storage device, and an interface. The control device 32 is adapted to receive signals from the pressure measurement unit 34 and / or the dew point measurement unit 36 via the interface. The processor is configured to process the signals received in this way. Also, the processor is configured to process a program developed in the main storage device.

[0030] The processing content in the control device 32 is implemented as a program executed by the processor. The program may be stored, for example, in the auxiliary storage device. When the program is executed, these programs are developed in the main storage device. The processor is adapted to read the program from the main storage device and execute the instructions included in the program.

[0031] When the hydrogen production facility 1 is started up, hydrogen gas is introduced into the dehumidifier 12 to increase the pressure to a predetermined pressure (for example, the pressure during the rated operation of the hydrogen production facility 1), so that the moisture in the gas inside the dehumidifier 12 is dehumidified, and then the hydrogen gas from the dehumidifier 12 is supplied to the storage unit and the hydrogen-consuming facility.

[0032] In this regard, in the dehumidifying device 100 according to the above-described embodiment, since the opening degrees of the inlet valve 16 and the outlet valve 20 provided in the inlet line 14 and the outlet line 18 connected to the dehumidifier 12 are adjusted by the control device 32, compared with the case where the valve opening degree is manually adjusted, the pressure can be introduced into the dehumidifier 12 efficiently and reliably. Therefore, the dehumidifying device 100 can be started efficiently and reliably. That is, the pressure introduction operation to the dehumidifier 12 at the time of starting the hydrogen production facility 1 can be made efficient.

[0033] (Start-up flow of dehumidifying device) Next, a method of operating the dehumidifying device 100 according to an embodiment will be described. The operation method described below is an example of the operation method at the time of starting the dehumidifying device 100. FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of the time change of the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 in the operation method of the dehumidifying device according to an embodiment. In the following description, the opening degree control of the inlet valve 16 and the outlet valve 20 and the opening / closing control of the first vent valve 24 and the second vent valve 30 are performed using the control device 32. However, in some embodiments, the inlet valve 16 、 Outlet valve 2 0、 One or more of the first vent valve 24 and the second vent valve 30 may be manually opened and closed.

[0034] At the start of starting the dehumidifying device 100 (time t0 in the graph of FIG. 2), the inlet valve 16, the outlet valve 20, and the second vent valve 30 are closed, and the first vent valve 24 is open. That is, the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen production device 10 is discharged to the outside through the first vent line 22.

[0035] In one embodiment, when the dehumidifying device 100 is started, with the outlet valve 20 closed, the opening degree of the inlet valve 16 is adjusted so that the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 (i.e., the measured value of the pressure by the pressure measuring unit 34) increases to a specified first pressure P1 (for example, the pressure during the rated operation of the hydrogen production facility) at a specified pressure increase rate (times t0 to t2 in FIG. 2). In this way, hydrogen gas (pressure) from the hydrogen production device 10 is introduced into the adsorption tower 13. During this period, the portion of the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen production device 10 that is not introduced into the adsorption tower 13 is discharged to the outside through the first vent line 22.

[0036] Thereafter, with the outlet valve 20 closed, the opening degree of the inlet valve 16 is adjusted so that the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is maintained at the first pressure P1 until the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the adsorption tower 13 (i.e., the measured value of the dew point by the dew point measuring unit 36) drops to a specified value (i.e., until the hydrogen gas is sufficiently dehumidified in the adsorption tower 13) (times t2 to t3 in FIG. 2). During this period, a part of the hydrogen gas in the adsorption tower 13 is discharged to the outside through the dew point measurement line 26 and the second vent line 28. Therefore, the dew point measured by the dew point measuring unit 36 can change. Note that the opening degree of the inlet valve 16 may be maintained constant during the period when the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is maintained at the first pressure P1 until the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the adsorption tower 13 drops to the specified value (times t2 to t3 in FIG. 2).

[0037] Next, when the above-described dew point reaches the specified value (time t3 in FIG. 2), the first vent valve 24 is closed and the opening degree of the outlet valve 20 is adjusted so that the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is maintained at the first pressure P1 (times t3 to t4 in FIG. 2). At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the first vent valve 24 may be closed over a specified length of time ΔT3, and the opening degree of the outlet valve 20 may be gradually increased so that the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is maintained at the first pressure P1. When the first vent valve 24 is thus closed, the startup of the dehumidifier 12 is completed, and the supply of hydrogen gas at a predetermined pressure through the outlet line 18 is started.

[0038] Thus, in the operation method according to the above-described embodiment, since the opening degrees of the inlet valve 16 and the outlet valve 20 provided in the inlet line 14 and the outlet line 18 connected to the dehumidifier 12 are adjusted by the control device 32, the pressure can be introduced into the dehumidifier 12 more efficiently and reliably than when manually adjusting the valve opening degree. Therefore, the dehumidifying device 100 can be started efficiently and reliably. That is, the pressure introduction operation to the dehumidifier 12 at the time of starting the hydrogen production facility 1 can be made more efficient.

[0039] Further, in the above-described embodiment, since the opening degree of the inlet valve 16 is adjusted so that the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is increased to the first pressure P1 at a specified pressure increase rate while the outlet valve 20 is closed between the times t0 and t2, the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 can be increased rapidly. Also, since the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is maintained at the first pressure P1 until the dew point reaches the specified value between the times t2 and t3, the supply of hydrogen gas from the dehumidifier 12 can be started promptly when the dew point of the hydrogen gas in the adsorption tower 13 reaches the specified value.

[0040] Further, in the above-described embodiment, when starting the dehumidifier 12, between the times t3 and t4 after maintaining the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 at the first pressure P1 until the dew point reaches the specified value, the first vent valve 24 provided in the first vent line 22 branched from the inlet line 14 is closed, and the opening degree of the outlet valve 20 is adjusted so that the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is maintained at the first pressure P1. Therefore, the supply of the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier 12 can be started promptly.

[0041] In some embodiments, when increasing the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 to the first pressure P1 as described above (times t0 to t2 in FIG. 2), first, the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is increased to a second pressure P2 smaller than the first pressure P1 over a specified length of time ΔT1 (times t0 to t1 in FIG. 2), and then, the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is increased to the first pressure P1 over a specified length of time ΔT2 (times t1 to t2 in FIG. 2). The opening degree of the inlet valve 16 may be adjusted.

[0042] Alternatively, in some embodiments, when increasing the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 to the first pressure P1 as described above (times t0 to t2 in FIG. 2), the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 first increases to a second pressure P2 smaller than the first pressure P1 at a second pressure increase rate (times t0 to t1 in FIG. 2), and then increases to the first pressure P1 at a first pressure increase rate greater than the second pressure increase rate (times t1 to t2 in FIG. 2), and the opening degree of the inlet valve 16 may be adjusted. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned second pressure increase rate is ([ P2 P2 - (Pressure at time t0) ) / ΔT1, and the above-mentioned first pressure increase rate is ([ P1 P1 - P2 ) / ΔT2.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, when the dehumidifier 12 is started, the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is first increased to the second pressure P2 at a relatively small second pressure increase rate, so that it is possible to suppress the floating of the adsorbent that is likely to occur when the adsorbent has not adsorbed much moisture. Further, after the moisture is adsorbed to the adsorbent to a certain extent, the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 is increased to the first pressure P1 at a relatively large first pressure increase rate, so that the pressure in the adsorption tower 13 can be quickly increased. Therefore, it is possible to quickly start the hydrogen production facility 1 while suppressing malfunctions of the equipment (such as clogging of the piping and abnormality of the pressure sensor) due to the floating of the adsorbent.

[0044] The content described in each of the above embodiments is understood as follows, for example.

[0045] (1) The dehumidifying device (100) according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a dehumidifying device for dehumidifying the hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production device (10), including a dehumidifier (12) having an adsorption tower (13) provided therein with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture contained in the hydrogen gas, an inlet line (14) for introducing hydrogen gas from the hydrogen production device into the dehumidifier, an inlet valve (16) provided in the inlet line, An outlet line (18) for discharging the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier from the dehumidifier, an outlet valve (20) provided in the outlet line, a control device (32) configured to adjust the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on the pressure in the adsorption tower when the dehumidifying device is started, and are provided.

[0046] According to the configuration of (1) above, since the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve provided in the inlet line and the outlet line connected to the dehumidifier are adjusted by the control device, compared with the case of manually adjusting the valve opening degree, the pressure can be introduced into the dehumidifier efficiently and reliably. Therefore, the dehumidifying device can be started efficiently and reliably. That is, the work of introducing pressure into the dehumidifier at the time of starting the hydrogen production facility can be made efficient.

[0047] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the control device is configured to adjust the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on the pressure in the adsorption tower and the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the adsorption tower when the dehumidifying device is started.

[0048] According to the configuration of (2) above, since the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve are adjusted based on the pressure in the adsorption tower and the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the adsorption tower, the supply of hydrogen gas from the dehumidifier to the storage section or the hydrogen-consuming facility can be started in a timely manner according to the dew point of the hydrogen gas in the adsorption tower. Therefore, the operation of the hydrogen production facility can be made efficient.

[0049] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (2) above, the control device, when the dehumidifier is started, while the outlet valve is closed, adjusts the opening degree of the inlet valve so that the pressure in the adsorption tower rises to a specified first pressure (P1) at a specified pressure increase rate, Thereafter, with the outlet valve closed, the opening degree of the inlet valve is adjusted so that the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure until the dew point drops to a specified value. It is configured as follows.

[0050] According to the configuration of (3) above, with the outlet valve closed, the opening degree of the inlet valve is adjusted so that the pressure in the adsorption tower rises to the first pressure at a specified pressure increase rate. Therefore, the pressure in the adsorption tower can be increased rapidly. Further, since the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure (for example, the pressure during normal operation of a hydrogen production facility) until the dew point reaches the specified value, when the dew point of the hydrogen gas in the adsorption tower reaches the specified value, the supply of hydrogen gas from the dehumidifier can be started promptly.

[0051] (4) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (3) above, when starting the dehumidifier, the control device is configured to adjust the opening degree of the inlet valve so that, with the outlet valve closed, the pressure in the adsorption tower rises to a second pressure (P2) lower than the first pressure at a second pressure increase rate, and then rises to the first pressure at a first pressure increase rate greater than the second pressure increase rate.

[0052] According to the configuration of (4) above, when starting the dehumidifier, the pressure in the adsorption tower is first increased to the second pressure at a relatively small second pressure increase rate, so that the floating of the adsorbent can be suppressed. Further, thereafter, the pressure in the adsorption tower is increased to the first pressure at a relatively large first pressure increase rate, so that the pressure in the adsorption tower can be increased rapidly. Therefore, it is possible to quickly start the hydrogen production facility while suppressing equipment problems (such as clogging of pipes and abnormalities of pressure sensors) due to the floating of the adsorbent.

[0053] (5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (3) or (4) above, the dehumidification device includes a first vent line (22) that branches off from the inlet line and discharges hydrogen gas from the inlet line to the outside, The first vent valve (24) provided in the first vent line is provided with When the dehumidifier is started, the control device closes the first vent valve when the dew point reaches the specified value, and adjusts the opening degree of the outlet valve so that the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure.

[0054] According to the configuration of (5) above, when the dehumidifier is started, after maintaining the pressure in the adsorption tower at the first pressure until the dew point reaches the specified value, the first vent valve provided in the first vent line branched from the inlet line is closed, and the opening degree of the outlet valve is adjusted so that the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure. Therefore, the supply of the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier can be started promptly.

[0055] (6) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (5) above When the dehumidifier is started, the control device closes the first vent valve over a specified length of time when the dew point reaches the specified value, and adjusts the opening degree of the outlet valve so that the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure.

[0056] According to the configuration of (6) above, when the dehumidifier is started, after the dew point reaches the specified value, the first vent valve is closed over a specified length of time, and the opening degree of the outlet valve is adjusted so that the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure. Therefore, the supply of the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier can be started promptly.

[0057] (7) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations of (1) to (6) above The dehumidifying device includes a pressure measuring unit (34) configured to measure the pressure in the adsorption tower The control device is configured to adjust the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on the measured value of the pressure in the adsorption tower by the pressure measuring unit.

[0058] According to the configuration of (7) above, the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve are adjusted based on the pressure measurement value inside the adsorption tower by the pressure measurement unit. Therefore, when starting the dehumidifying device, the pressure can be efficiently and surely introduced into the dehumidifier. Thus, the dehumidifying device can be efficiently and surely started. That is, the pressure introduction operation to the dehumidifier during the startup of the hydrogen production facility can be made more efficient.

[0059] (8) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations of (1) to (7) above, the dehumidifying device includes a dew point measurement unit (36) configured to measure the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the adsorption tower, and the control device is configured to adjust the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on the measurement value of the dew point by the dew point measurement unit.

[0060] According to the configuration of (8) above, the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve are adjusted based on the measurement value of the dew point by the dew point measurement unit. Therefore, when starting the dehumidifying device, the supply of hydrogen gas from the dehumidifier to the storage unit or the hydrogen-consuming facility can be started in a timely manner according to the dew point of the hydrogen gas in the adsorption tower. Thus, the operation of the hydrogen production facility can be made more efficient.

[0061] (9) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the dew point measurement unit is configured to measure the dew point of the hydrogen gas led to a dew point measurement line (26) branched from the outlet line on the upstream side of the outlet valve, and the dehumidifying device is configured such that the hydrogen gas flowing through the dew point measurement line is discharged to the outside.

[0062] According to the configuration of (9) above, since the dew point measurement unit is configured to measure the dew point of the hydrogen gas led to a dew point measurement line branched from the outlet line, the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the dehumidifier can be appropriately measured.

[0063] (10) The hydrogen production facility (1) according to at least one embodiment of the present invention includes a hydrogen production device (10), and the dehumidifying device (100) according to any one of (1) to (9) above configured to dehumidify the hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production device. It is provided with.

[0064] According to the configuration of (10) above, since the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve provided in the inlet line and the outlet line connected to the dehumidifier are adjusted by the control device, compared with the case of manually adjusting the valve opening degree, the pressure can be introduced into the dehumidifier efficiently and reliably. Therefore, the dehumidifying device can be started efficiently and reliably. That is, the operation of introducing pressure into the dehumidifier at the start of the hydrogen production facility can be made more efficient.

[0065] (11) The operation method of the dehumidifying device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is an operation method of a dehumidifying device (100) for dehumidifying hydrogen gas produced by a hydrogen production device (10), wherein the dehumidifying device includes a dehumidifier (12) including an adsorption tower (13) provided therein with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture contained in hydrogen gas, an inlet line (14) for introducing hydrogen gas from the hydrogen production device into the dehumidifier, an inlet valve (16) provided in the inlet line, an outlet line (18) for discharging the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier from the dehumidifier, an outlet valve (20) provided in the outlet line, and includes, a step of measuring the pressure in the adsorption tower, and a step of starting the dehumidifying device while adjusting the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on the pressure in the adsorption tower. It is provided with.

[0066] According to the method of (11) above, since the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve provided in the inlet line and the outlet line connected to the dehumidifier are adjusted by the control device, compared with the case where the valve opening degree is manually adjusted, pressure can be introduced into the dehumidifier efficiently and reliably. Therefore, the dehumidifying device can be started efficiently and reliably. That is, the pressure introduction operation to the dehumidifier at the start of the hydrogen production facility can be made more efficient.

[0067] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and also includes forms in which modifications are made to the above-described embodiments and forms in which these forms are appropriately combined.

[0068] In this specification, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "concentric", or "coaxial" not only strictly represent such arrangements, but also represent a state in which there are tolerances or relative displacements with an angle or distance that can obtain the same function. For example, expressions indicating that things such as "identical", "equal", and "homogeneous" are in an equal state not only strictly represent an equal state, but also represent a state in which there are tolerances or differences that can obtain the same function. Also, in this specification, expressions indicating shapes such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape not only represent shapes such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape in a geometrically strict sense, but also represent shapes including concave and convex portions, chamfered portions, etc. within a range where the same effect can be obtained. Also, in this specification, the expression that a component "comprises", "includes", or "has" is not an exclusive expression that excludes the existence of other components.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1 Hydrogen production facility 10 Hydrogen production device 12 Dehumidifier 13 Adsorption tower 14 Inlet line 16 Inlet valve 18 Outlet line 20 Outlet valve 22 First vent line 24 First vent valve 26 Dew point measurement line 28 Second vent line 30 Second vent valve 32 Control device 34 Pressure measurement section 36 Dew point measurement section 100 Dehumidifying device

Claims

1. A dehumidifying device for dehumidifying hydrogen gas produced by a hydrogen production device, comprising: a dehumidifier including an adsorption tower provided therein with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture contained in the hydrogen gas; an inlet line for introducing hydrogen gas from the hydrogen production device into the dehumidifier; an inlet valve provided in the inlet line; an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier from the dehumidifier; an outlet valve provided in the outlet line; a control device configured to adjust the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on the pressure in the adsorption tower and the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the adsorption tower when the dehumidifying device is started; and the control device, when the dehumidifying device is started, adjusts the opening degree of the inlet valve so that the pressure in the adsorption tower rises to a specified first pressure at a specified pressure increase rate with the outlet valve closed; then, with the outlet valve closed, adjusts the opening degree of the inlet valve so that the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure until the dew point drops to a specified value is configured as a dehumidifying device.

2. The control device is configured to adjust the opening degree of the inlet valve so that, when the dehumidifier is started, with the outlet valve closed, the pressure in the adsorption tower rises to a second pressure lower than the first pressure at a second pressure increase rate, and then rises to the first pressure at a first pressure increase rate higher than the second pressure increase rate, as described in the dehumidifying device according to Claim 1.

3. a first vent line branched from the inlet line for discharging hydrogen gas from the inlet line to the outside; a first vent valve provided in the first vent line; and the control device is configured to close the first vent valve and adjust the opening degree of the outlet valve so that the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure when the dew point reaches the specified value when the dehumidifier is started, as described in the dehumidifying device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The control device is configured to close the first vent valve over a specified length of time and adjust the opening degree of the outlet valve so that the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure when the dew point reaches the specified value when the dehumidifier is started, as described in the dehumidifying device according to Claim 3.

5. comprising a pressure measurement unit configured to measure the pressure in the adsorption tower The control device is configured to adjust the opening degree of the inlet valve and the opening degree of the outlet valve based on the measured value of the pressure in the adsorption tower by the pressure measurement unit The dehumidifying device according to claim 1 or 2

6. It includes a dew point measurement unit configured to measure the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the adsorption tower The control device is configured to adjust the opening degree of the inlet valve and the opening degree of the outlet valve based on the measured value of the dew point by the dew point measurement unit The dehumidifying device according to claim 1 or 2

7. The dew point measurement unit is configured to measure the dew point of the hydrogen gas led to a dew point measurement line branched from the outlet line on the upstream side of the outlet valve The hydrogen gas flowing through the dew point measurement line is configured to be discharged to the outside The dehumidifying device according to claim 6

8. A hydrogen production device The dehumidifying device according to claim 1 or 2, configured to dehumidify the hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production device A hydrogen production facility comprising

9. An operation method of a dehumidifying device for dehumidifying hydrogen gas produced by a hydrogen production device, wherein The dehumidifying device Includes a dehumidifier including an adsorption tower provided therein with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing moisture contained in hydrogen gas An inlet line for introducing hydrogen gas from a hydrogen production device into the dehumidifier An inlet valve provided in the inlet line An outlet line for discharging the hydrogen gas dehumidified by the dehumidifier from the dehumidifier An outlet valve provided in the outlet line Including Measuring the pressure in the adsorption tower Measuring the dew point of the hydrogen gas discharged from the adsorption tower Starting the dehumidifying device while adjusting the opening degrees of the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on the pressure in the adsorption tower and the dew point Comprising In the step of starting With the outlet valve closed, adjusting the opening degree of the inlet valve so that the pressure in the adsorption tower rises to a specified first pressure at a specified pressure increase rate Then, with the outlet valve closed, adjusting the opening degree of the inlet valve so that the pressure in the adsorption tower is maintained at the first pressure until the dew point drops to a specified value An operation method of a dehumidifying device

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