Heat source system

The heat source machine system efficiently utilizes mixed gases by generating electricity in fuel cells and using anode off-gas for combustion, addressing inefficiencies in existing systems and simplifying the setup.

JP7778630B2Active Publication Date: 2025-12-02TOKYO GAS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022057357
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-03-30
Publication Date
2025-12-02
Estimated Expiration
2042-03-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems face inefficiencies in utilizing mixed gases containing hydrogen and hydrocarbons, as they require separation and result in variations in gas concentrations, and do not allow for efficient use of hydrogen in both fuel cell and combustion appliances.

Method used

A heat source machine system that integrates a fuel cell to generate electricity from hydrogen in mixed gases, uses anode off-gas for combustion in a burner, and adjusts gas flow rates to match heat requirements, eliminating the need for separation equipment.

Benefits of technology

The system efficiently utilizes hydrogen in fuel cells and hydrocarbons in burners, optimizing energy use and simplifying the configuration by eliminating the need for separation devices.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To easily and efficiently utilize the mixed gas mainly composed of hydrocarbon and hydrogen.SOLUTION: A heat-source machine system 10A includes: a fuel-cell cell stack 20 in which the mixed gas mainly composed of hydrocarbon and hydrogen supplied from a gas conduit G is supplied to a fuel electrode 20A and the hydrogen in the mixed gas is used in the power generation reaction to generate power; a heat source machine 30 having a burner 32 which burns the fuel electrode off-gas discharged from the fuel electrode 20A of the fuel-cell cell stack 20, and a heat exchanger 34 which exchanges heat between the combustion heat by the burner 32 and the fluid to be heated; and a controller 40 which adjusts the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by a fuel supply blower 24 so that the heat amount of the fuel electrode off-gas matches the amount of heat required by the heat source machine 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat source machine system. [Background technology]

[0002] Toward the realization of a low-carbon society, the use of mixed gases, which are hydrocarbon gases whose main component is methane, such as conventional city gas, mixed with hydrogen, is being considered. However, when such mixed gases are supplied through gas pipelines, how users should deal with the situation becomes an issue.

[0003] In Patent Documents 1 and 2, when hydrogen fuel equipment and existing gas combustion equipment coexist, in order to use both equipment without any problems, the hydrogen and hydrocarbon gas in the mixed gas are separated, and the separated, unused gas that cannot be used by the equipment is returned to the pipeline and supplied to other consumers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4530193 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4721525 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the separated gas is returned to the gas pipeline as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, variations in the hydrogen and hydrocarbon concentrations of the returned gas occur, and the gas pipeline system becomes large. On the other hand, it is also possible to burn the mixed gas in an existing gas combustion appliance, but this does not allow for efficient use of hydrogen. When users of hydrogen fuel equipment and existing gas combustion appliances coexist on the consumer side, a method for easily and efficiently using the mixed gas is required.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to easily and efficiently utilize a mixed gas containing hydrocarbons and hydrogen as its main components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The heat source machine system of claim 1 comprises a fuel cell in which a mixed gas composed mainly of hydrocarbons and hydrogen supplied from a gas conduit is supplied to an anode by a fuel supply unit, and electricity is generated by using the hydrogen in the mixed gas in a power generation reaction; a heat source machine having a burner that combusts anode off-gas discharged from the anode of the fuel cell, and a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the combustion heat from the burner and a fluid to be heated; and a control unit that adjusts the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply unit so that the heat quantity of the anode off-gas matches the heat quantity required by the heat source machine.

[0008] In the heat source equipment system according to claim 1, a mixed gas mainly composed of hydrocarbons and hydrogen is supplied from a gas conduit to an anode of a fuel cell, and the hydrogen in the mixed gas is used to generate electricity in the fuel cell. Anode off-gas that is not used to generate electricity and is discharged from the anode is used for combustion in a burner of the heat source equipment, and heat exchange occurs in a heat exchanger between the combustion heat from the burner and a fluid to be heated, thereby heating the fluid to be heated.

[0009] According to the heat source equipment system of claim 1, the hydrogen in the mixed gas is used in the fuel cell, and the unused hydrocarbons are used in the heat source equipment. Therefore, the mixed gas can be used more efficiently than when hydrogen and hydrocarbons are combusted and used only in the heat source equipment. In addition, a separation device is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0010] Furthermore, the control unit adjusts the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply unit so that the calorific value of the anode off-gas matches the calorific value required by the heat source unit. Therefore, by adjusting the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply unit in consideration of the calorific value consumed by power generation in the fuel cell, the calorific value required by the heat source unit can be supplied to the burner.

[0011] In the heat source machine system of claim 2, the control unit adjusts the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply unit based on the required heat quantity and the power generation output of the fuel cell so that the heat quantity of the anode off-gas becomes the required heat quantity of the heat source machine.

[0012] According to the heat source machine system of claim 2, by calculating the amount of hydrogen consumed, which changes depending on the power generation output of the fuel cell, the calorific value of the anode off-gas can be easily set as the required calorific value of the heat source machine.

[0013] In the heat source machine system according to claim 3, the control unit controls the output of the fuel cell and the fuel supply unit so that the fuel cell generates power according to the power load of the power supply destination.

[0014] According to the heat source machine system of claim 3, the power generation output by the fuel cell can be made to follow the load, reducing surplus power, while supplying the required amount of heat to the heat source machine.

[0015] The heat source equipment system according to claim 4 has a combustion air supply unit that sends combustion air to the burner, and the control unit controls the combustion air supply unit so that the flow rate of the air supplied to the burner is adjusted based on the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply unit and the composition of the anode off-gas supplied to the burner.

[0016] According to the heat source system of claim 4, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of air to the burner, which improves combustion efficiency.

[0017] Claim 1 In the heat source machine system, the control unit controls the mixed gas to be supplied to the fuel electrode only when there is a request to operate the heat source machine. When a stop command is given to the heat source machine, the fuel supply unit is controlled to stop the power generation operation. Control the fuel supply unit.

[0018] Claim 1According to the heat source machine system of the present invention, the control unit controls the fuel supply unit so that the mixed gas is supplied to the fuel cell only when there is a request to operate the heat source machine. Here, "when there is a request to operate the heat source machine" means when there is a request to operate the heat source machine and the heat source machine is operating in response to the request. Therefore, a situation where only the fuel cell is operating and the heat source machine is not operating does not occur, and the anode off-gas, which is discharged from the fuel cell and contains hydrocarbons and unused hydrogen, can be appropriately processed in the heat source machine. Furthermore, there is no need to provide separate equipment for processing the anode off-gas, and no separation device is required, resulting in a simple configuration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the heat source machine system of the present invention, a mixed gas containing hydrocarbons and hydrogen as main components can be easily and efficiently utilized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a heat source machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a control-related configuration diagram of the heat source machine system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is an example of an air-fuel ratio table. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart of a power generation control process. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a flow rate adjustment process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] The heat source machine system 10A is a system installed in a user's home, an apartment building, etc. for heating a fluid to be heated, such as water, and is a heat source device for hot water supply equipment, hot water floor heating equipment, etc. Fig. 1 shows an outline of the main configuration of the heat source machine system 10A according to an embodiment of the present invention. The heat source machine system 10A according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, as its main components, a power generation unit 12 and a heat source machine 30.

[0023] The heat source equipment system 10A is supplied with a mixed gas from a gas conduit G that supplies gas to a predetermined area. The mixed gas is a gas whose main components are hydrogen and hydrocarbons, and one example is a gas obtained by mixing city gas with hydrogen. Also, as one example, the hydrogen concentration in the mixed gas can be set to approximately 0.1% to 10%, and the methane concentration can be set to approximately 90% to 99.9%. A fuel supply pipe P1 is provided branching from the gas conduit G, and the mixed gas is supplied to the heat source equipment system 10A via the fuel supply pipe P1.

[0024] The power generation unit 12 is a device that generates power using hydrogen from a mixed gas, and includes a desulfurizer 14, a fuel cell stack 20, an air supply blower 22, a fuel supply blower 24, and a power conditioner 26.

[0025] The fuel cell stack 20 is a cell stack having a plurality of stacked fuel cell units. The fuel cell stack 20 is an example of a fuel cell in the present invention, and each fuel cell unit has an electrolyte layer (not shown), and a fuel electrode 20A and an air electrode 20B stacked on the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte layer, respectively. Note that various fuel cells can be used as the fuel cell stack 20, such as a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). In this embodiment, a PEFC will be described as an example.

[0026] A fuel supply pipe P1 is connected to the inlet side of the anode 20A, and an air supply pipe P2 is connected to the inlet side of the cathode 20B. A fuel supply blower 24 and a desulfurizer 14 are provided in the fuel supply pipe P1, in that order from upstream. The fuel supply blower 24 sends the mixed gas toward the anode 20A at a specified flow rate. The desulfurizer 14 removes sulfur components that act as odorants in the mixed gas. The mixed gas from which the sulfur components have been removed contains hydrogen and methane, and is supplied to the anode 20A of the fuel cell stack 20 without being reformed. An air supply blower 22 is provided in the air supply pipe P2, and air is supplied to the cathode 20B by the air supply blower 22.

[0027] An anode off-gas pipe P3 is connected to the outlet side of the anode 20A, and an anode off-gas pipe P4 is connected to the outlet side of the cathode 20B. The downstream end of the anode off-gas pipe P3 is connected to a burner 32 (described later) of the heat source unit 30. The anode off-gas discharged from the cathode 20B is released into the atmosphere from the anode off-gas pipe P4. The anode off-gas discharged from the anode 20A is supplied to the burner 32 via the anode off-gas pipe P3.

[0028] A power conditioner 26 is electrically connected to the fuel cell stack 20. The power conditioner 26 controls the power generation output by the fuel cell stack 20 and supplies the power to the user. The power conditioner 26 controls the power generation output according to the power load of the power supply destination (user). However, in this embodiment, load following that requires a mixed gas that exceeds the requested heat quantity (necessary heat quantity) of the heat source device 30 is not performed, and the output is set to be such that power can be generated using hydrogen contained in the mixed gas at a flow rate within the range of the requested heat quantity.

[0029] The heat source device 30 is a device that heats a fluid to be heated using, as fuel, anode off-gas discharged from the anode 20A of the fuel cell stack 20 of the power generation unit 12, and has a burner 32 and a heat exchanger 34. Clean water is supplied to the heat exchanger 34 from a water supply pipe P5.

[0030] An anode off-gas pipe P3 and a combustion air supply pipe P8 are connected to the burner 32. Anode off-gas discharged from the anode 20A of the fuel cell stack 20 is supplied from the anode off-gas pipe P3. A combustion air supply blower 28 is provided at the upstream end of the combustion air supply pipe P8, and combustion air is supplied to the burner 32 by driving the combustion air supply blower 28. The burner 32 is disposed adjacent to the heat exchanger 34. The burner 32 combusts combustible components in the anode off-gas, and uses the combustion heat to heat the clean water supplied to the heat exchanger 34.

[0031] The clean water heated by the heat exchanger 34 is sent out through a pipe P7 and supplied for hot water supply and floor heating. The combustion exhaust gas from the burner 32 is discharged through an exhaust gas pipe P6.

[0032] 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a control system of the heat source equipment system 10A. The heat source equipment system 10A is provided with a controller 40, which controls the power generation unit 12 and the heat source equipment 30.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 40 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, an input / output interface (I / F) 44, and a storage unit 45.

[0034] The CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, and I / F 44 are connected to each other via a bus 46. The I / F 44 is connected to each of the functional units including the storage unit 45. These functional units are capable of communicating with the CPU 41 via the I / F 44.

[0035] For example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, or the like is used as the storage unit 45. Control programs for controlling each part of the heat source machine system 10A and various types of data are stored in the storage unit 45. Note that these control programs and various types of data may be stored in the ROM 42.

[0036] In this embodiment, a power generation control processing program is stored as part of the control program. In addition, data used in this processing is stored, such as power generation condition information J, a required mixed gas amount correspondence table T1, and an air-fuel ratio table T2.

[0037] The power generation condition information J is a condition for the power generation unit 12 to perform power generation operation. In this embodiment, the condition for power generation operation is the operation of the heat source device 30, and also when an input to start floor heating is received from the operation panel 50, an input to start filling the bathtub is received, or the hot water supply time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time T. The predetermined time T can be set to, for example, 10 to 20 seconds, which is shorter than the time required for floor heating or filling the bathtub, or a time that is shorter than the time required for floor heating or filling the bathtub but that is somewhat longer than the time required for user hot water use. The time required for floor heating, the time required to fill the bathtub, and the predetermined time T or longer are examples of the power generation possible time in the present invention.

[0038] Required mixed gas amount correspondence table T1 is a table for determining the flow rate of the mixed gas to be supplied to the anode 20A based on the amount of hydrogen consumed by power generation in the fuel cell stack 20. If the heat amount per unit time required by the heat source device 30 is E0 (hereinafter referred to as "required heat amount E0"), the flow rate of the mixed gas that achieves the required heat amount E0 before hydrogen consumption is F0 (hereinafter referred to as "flow rate during non-power generation F0"), and the heat amount of the anode off-gas after hydrogen consumption at the flow rate during non-power generation F0 is E1 (hereinafter referred to as "heat amount after hydrogen consumption E1"), the flow rate F1 of the mixed gas that achieves the heat amount of the anode off-gas after hydrogen consumption at the flow rate during non-power generation F0 is E1 (hereinafter referred to as "flow rate during power generation F1") can be expressed by the following equation (1):

[0039] (1) F1 = F0 × (E0 / E1)

[0040] The post-hydrogen consumption heat quantity E1 can be calculated by subtracting the heat quantity of hydrogen consumed in power generation in the fuel cell stack 20 (at the non-power generation flow rate F0) from the required heat quantity E0. The hydrogen consumption amount X at the non-power generation flow rate F0 increases in proportion to the power generation current in the fuel cell stack 20. When the Faraday constant is 96485, the molar volume of the mixed gas is 22.4, the power generation current is I, and the number of cells in the fuel cell stack 20 is N, the hydrogen consumption amount X can be expressed by the following equation (2).

[0041] (2) X = 22.4×N×I / (2×96845)

[0042] The heat of combustion (calorie) of hydrogen per unit mole is E H2 and the composition (molar ratio or volume ratio) of hydrogen in the mixed gas is a, the calorific value E2 of hydrogen consumed in power generation in the fuel cell stack 20 (at a flow rate F0 during non-power generation) can be expressed by the following equation (3), and E1 can be expressed by the following equation (4).

[0043] (3) E2 = E H2 ×X / 22.4 (4) E1 = E0 - E2

[0044] From the above (1), (2), (3), and (4), the power generating flow rate F1 can be calculated based on the variable parameters of the required calorific value E0 and the power generation current I, and this power generating flow rate F1 is the flow rate at which the mixed gas is supplied by the fuel supply blower 24. In the required mixed gas amount correspondence table T1, the power generating flow rate F1 corresponding to the required calorific value E0 and the power generation current I is set, and by referring to the required mixed gas amount correspondence table T1, the flow rate at which the mixed gas is supplied (power generating flow rate F1) can be easily determined.

[0045] The air-fuel ratio table T2 is a table for determining the air-fuel ratio λ of the mixed gas based on the power generation flow rate F1 of the mixed gas and the composition (molar ratio) of hydrogen in the anode off-gas supplied to the burner 32. As an example, the air-fuel ratio table T2 shown in FIG. 3 can be used. Based on the air-fuel ratio λ obtained from the air-fuel ratio table T2, the amount of combustion air required for each component in the anode off-gas (hereinafter referred to as the "required combustion air amount FA") can be calculated using the following equation (5), and the required amount of combustion air FA can be calculated by adding them up. Z is the composition ratio of each component, and Y is the O2 stoichiometric mixture ratio of each component, which differs for each component.

[0046] (5) FA = Y × F1 × (Z × carbon (C) amount + Z × hydrogen (H) amount) / 0.21 × λ

[0047] As described above, hydrogen is consumed in the power generation reaction in the fuel cell stack 20, and therefore the composition ratio of the hydrogen component in the anode off-gas changes with changes in the power generation current I. The amount of combustion air required FA can be calculated based on the air-fuel ratio λ that changes as a result.

[0048] The controller 40 is connected to the air supply blower 22, the fuel supply blower 24, the power conditioner 26, the combustion air supply blower 28, the burner 32, an operation panel 50, etc. The operation panel 50 has a display, lamps, switches, etc., and allows the user to input various instructions, and also displays the status of the heat source machine system 10A, etc.

[0049] Next, the operation of the heat source machine system 10A will be described.

[0050] When the user turns on the power of the heat source machine system 10A from the operation panel 50, the controller 40 executes the power generation control process shown in FIG.

[0051] In step S10, it is determined whether or not an instruction to drive the heat source machine 30 has been received, and if the determination is affirmative, in step S12, the operation of the heat source machine 30 is started. If the determination is negative, the system waits until an instruction to drive the heat source machine is received. An instruction to drive the heat source machine 30 is given by a user input from the operation panel 50 (to start floor heating, to fill the bathtub with water, etc.) or by the release of clean water exceeding the minimum ignition flow rate.

[0052] When the heat source device 30 starts operating, the fuel supply blower 24 is driven, and the mixed gas is supplied from the gas conduit G, without being reformed, through the desulfurizer 14 and the anode 20A of the fuel cell stack 20 to the burner 32 of the heat source device 30. The mixed gas (anode off-gas) is then combusted in the burner 32, and water, the fluid to be heated and supplied to the heat exchanger 34, is heated by the combustion heat. In this embodiment, water is used as an example of the fluid to be heated, but other fluids such as antifreeze (in the case of floor heating) may also be used. The mixed gas is supplied by the fuel supply blower 24 at a non-power generation flow rate F0 of the mixed gas, which corresponds to the required heat quantity E0. The required heat quantity E0 is set based on the user's required hot water outlet flow rate, required hot water outlet temperature, etc.

[0053] In step S14, it is determined whether the power generation conditions are met. Whether the power generation conditions are met is determined by whether the power generation condition information J stored in the memory unit 45 is met. In this embodiment, the determination is made positive when an input to start floor heating is received from the operation panel 50, an input to start filling the bathtub is received, or the hot water supply time after the tap water has been supplied is equal to or longer than a predetermined time T.

[0054] If it is determined in step S14 that the power generation conditions are met, then in step S16 an instruction to start power generation operation is output in the power generation unit 12. When power generation starts, the air supply blower 22 is driven to supply air to the air electrode 20B, and the power conditioner 26 starts generating power from the fuel cell stack 20. The power conditioner 26 controls the power generation output in accordance with the power load. If the non-power generation flow rate F0 of the mixed gas is less than the amount of hydrogen required for power generation corresponding to the power load, the maximum output within the non-power generation flow rate F0 is set.

[0055] As a result, the hydrogen in the mixed gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 20 is consumed in the power generation reaction, and the anode off-gas after the hydrogen consumption is supplied to the burner 32. In the burner 32, the anode off-gas after the hydrogen consumption in the fuel cell stack 20 is combusted.

[0056] Next, in step S30, a flow rate adjustment process is executed. As shown in Fig. 5, in the flow rate adjustment process, in step S32, it is determined whether or not there has been a change in the amount of power generation. If there has been no change in the amount of power generation, the flow rate adjustment process is terminated and the process proceeds to step S18. If there has been a change in the amount of power generation, the generated current I is obtained in step S33, and the power generation flow rate F1 is determined in step S34. The power generation flow rate F1 is determined based on the required calorific value E0 and the generated current I, with reference to the required mixed gas amount correspondence table T1.

[0057] Next, in step S35, the amount of combustion air required FA is determined. The amount of combustion air required FA can be determined by calculating using the air-fuel ratio λ obtained from the air-fuel ratio table T2 and the above-mentioned formula (5) based on the power generation flow rate F1 and the composition (molar ratio) of hydrogen in the anode off-gas supplied to the burner 32.

[0058] Then, in step S36, the fuel supply blower 24 is controlled to adjust the mixed gas flow rate to the power generation flow rate F1, and in step S37, the combustion air supply blower 28 is controlled to adjust the combustion air supplied to the burner 32 to the required combustion air amount FA.

[0059] Next, in step S18, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to stop the heat source machine 30, and if there is no instruction to stop the heat source machine 30, the flow rate adjustment process in step S30 is repeated. If there is an instruction to stop the heat source machine 30, an instruction to stop the heat source machine 30 is output in step S20, and the power generation operation of the power generation unit 12 is stopped in step S22.

[0060] In step S24, it is determined whether or not a stop command for the heat source machine system 10A has been issued, and if the determination is affirmative, this process is terminated. If a stop command for the heat source machine system 10A has not been issued, the process returns to step S10, and the above process is repeated.

[0061] In the heat source equipment system 10A of this embodiment, hydrogen in the mixed gas is used to generate electricity in the fuel cell stack 20, and combustible components such as methane that are not used in the fuel cell stack 20 are used in the heat source equipment 30. Therefore, compared to when a mixed gas containing hydrogen and methane is combusted and used only by the burner 32 of the heat source equipment 30, the mixed gas can be used more efficiently.

[0062] Furthermore, since the mixed gas supplied to the fuel cell stack 20 contains hydrogen, no reformer is required, and a simple configuration can be achieved.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mixed gas is supplied to the fuel cell only when the heat source unit 30 is operating, so the anode off-gas containing combustible components discharged from the fuel cell stack 20 can be properly processed in the heat source unit 30 without being discharged to the outside.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the continuous operation time of the heat source device 30 is equal to or greater than the floor heating time, the bathtub filling time, and the predetermined time T, the power generating operation of the fuel cell stack 20 is started, thereby making it possible to suppress inefficient power generating operation of the fuel cell stack 20. Note that it is not necessary to start the power generating operation of the fuel cell stack 20 when it is determined that the continuous operation time of the heat source device 30 is equal to or greater than the floor heating time, the bathtub filling time, and the predetermined time T, and the power generating operation of the fuel cell stack 20 may be started simultaneously with the operation of the heat source device 30.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply blower 24 is adjusted in consideration of the amount of heat consumed by the power generation of the fuel cell stack 20 so that the amount of heat of the anode off-gas supplied to the burner 32 matches the amount of heat required by the heat source device 30. Therefore, anode off-gas with an appropriate amount of heat can be supplied to the burner.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flow rate of combustion air supplied to the burner 32 is adjusted based on the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply blower 24 and the composition of the anode off-gas supplied to the burner 32. Therefore, an appropriate amount of air that improves combustion efficiency can be supplied to the burner 32.

[0067] In this embodiment, the mixed gas flow rate (flow rate during power generation F1) is adjusted based on changes in the power generation output (power generation current I) of the fuel cell stack 20 so that the anode off-gas reaches the required calorific value E0, but adjustment may be made by other means. For example, a meter for measuring the gas calorific value may be installed in the anode off-gas pipe P3, and the mixed gas flow rate (flow rate during power generation F1) may be adjusted by feedback control so that the calorific value measured by the meter reaches the required calorific value E0.

[0068] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10A Heat Source System 20 Fuel cell stack (fuel cell) 20A fuel electrode 24 Fuel supply blower (fuel supply section) 28 Combustion air supply blower (combustion air supply section) 30 Heat source machine 32 Burner 34 Heat exchanger 40 Controller (control unit) E0 required heat amount G Gas pipeline I Generated current (generated output)

Claims

1. a fuel cell in which a mixed gas containing hydrocarbons and hydrogen as main components supplied from a gas conduit is supplied to an anode by a fuel supply unit, and the hydrogen in the mixed gas is used in a power generation reaction to generate power; a heat source machine having a burner that combusts anode off-gas discharged from the anode of the fuel cell, and a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between combustion heat from the burner and a fluid to be heated; a control unit that adjusts the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply unit so that the calorific value of the anode off-gas matches the calorific value required by the heat source device; Equipped with the control unit controls the fuel supply unit so that the mixed gas is supplied to the fuel electrode only when there is an operation request to the heat source machine, and so that the power generation operation is stopped when there is a stop instruction to the heat source machine. Heat source machine system.

2. the control unit adjusts the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply unit based on the required heat quantity and the power generation output of the fuel cell so that the heat quantity of the anode off-gas becomes the required heat quantity of the heat source device. The heat source system according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit controls the output of the fuel cell and the fuel supply unit so that the fuel cell generates a power output that corresponds to the power load of a power supply destination. The heat source machine system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a combustion air supply unit that delivers combustion air to the burner; the control unit controls the combustion air supply unit so that the flow rate of air supplied to the burner is adjusted based on the flow rate of the mixed gas supplied by the fuel supply unit and the composition of the anode off-gas supplied to the burner. The heat source machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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