Hydrogen supply and demand management system and hydrogen supply and demand control system

Abstract

To obtain a high concentration of hydrogen available to a hydrogen user on the side of the hydrogen user even if the concentration of hydrogen contained in hydrogen-containing gas supplied from a gas pipeline is low or unstable.SOLUTION: A hydrogen demand / supply management device is connected to a gas pipeline for supplying hydrogen-containing gas, supplies prepared hydrogen-containing gas having composition required by a hydrogen user, and comprises: a pipe for receiving the supply of the hydrogen-containing gas from the gas pipeline; a first separation part for generating high-concentration hydrogen gas from the hydrogen-containing gas; a pipe for sending low-concentration hydrogen gas generated in association with the generation of the high-concentration hydrogen gas in the first separation part, to the gas pipeline; a pipe for supplying the low-concentration hydrogen gas generated in association with the generation of the high-concentration hydrogen gas in the first separation part, to a hydrogen utilization facility of the hydrogen user; a pipe for sending the high-concentration hydrogen gas to the gas pipeline; a pipe for supplying the high-concentration hydrogen gas to the hydrogen utilization facility; and a pipe for supplying the high-concentration hydrogen gas to the first separation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen supply and demand management device and a hydrogen supply and demand integrated device.

Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen is a clean energy that does not emit carbon dioxide during combustion compared to fossil fuels. Therefore, it is attracting attention as one of the clean energies for countermeasures against global warming, and technological development related to the production, transportation, and utilization of hydrogen is being promoted.

[0003] Under such circumstances, various means of supplying hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy or reforming of natural gas to hydrogen users are being considered.

[0004] For example, the Ministry of the Environment started the "Demonstration Project for the Production of Renewable Energy-Electrolyzed Hydrogen and the Supply and Utilization of Hydrogen-Mixed Gas" in 2019. This demonstration project is a demonstration project for producing a hydrogen-mixed gas adjusted to a calorific value approximated to city gas by mixing hydrogen produced by wind power generation into a gas containing a relatively large amount of high-calorific components, and supplying and utilizing it to households, business establishments, etc. It is planned to produce a hydrogen-mixed gas conforming to the City Gas 13A standard defined in the Gas Business Act, supply the produced hydrogen-mixed gas to a utilization location installed adjacent thereto through a gas pipeline, and use it in commercially available gas equipment such as gas stoves and water heaters.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, in a conventional hydrogen supply system using natural gas as fuel, when producing hydrogen by steam reforming reaction of methane, which is the main component of natural gas, there are problems such as the need for an expensive and large-scale carbon dioxide separation and recovery device for separating and recovering carbon dioxide generated in the combustion burner for supplying heat to the reformer. Therefore, it is disclosed to use a hydrogen supply system in which an aqueous solution of a water-soluble organic compound (for example, methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol) is electrolyzed to separate and generate hydrogen and carbon dioxide, the separated and generated carbon dioxide and hydrogen are separately recovered, and the hydrogen is supplied to a hydrogen-consuming device. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-223860 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] When hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources with unstable power generation, the amount of hydrogen produced fluctuates in accordance with the amount of electricity generated by those sources. While the calorific value of natural gas fluctuates to some extent, the amount of hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources fluctuates even more significantly. This fluctuation in hydrogen production leads to fluctuations in the supply and calorific value of city gas mixed with hydrogen, which poses a challenge.

[0008] Furthermore, when separating hydrogen from a hydrogen-mixed gas for use in fuel cells, or when supplying hydrogen to hydrogen users who are not connected to a gas pipeline via hydrogen transport means such as trucks, it is necessary to raise the hydrogen concentration above a predetermined value. Under conditions where the output of renewable energy sources is low, the concentration of hydrogen in the hydrogen-mixed gas may also be low.

[0009] The purpose of this disclosure is to enable hydrogen users to obtain high-concentration hydrogen that can be used by them, even when the hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the gas pipeline is low or unstable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The hydrogen supply and demand management device of this disclosure is connected to a gas pipeline that supplies hydrogen-containing gas and supplies prepared hydrogen-containing gas of a composition required by hydrogen users, and comprises: piping for receiving hydrogen-containing gas from the gas pipeline; a first separation unit that generates high-concentration hydrogen gas from the hydrogen-containing gas; piping for sending low-concentration hydrogen gas generated in conjunction with the generation of high-concentration hydrogen gas in the first separation unit to the gas pipeline; piping for supplying low-concentration hydrogen gas generated in conjunction with the generation of high-concentration hydrogen gas in the first separation unit to the hydrogen utilization equipment of the hydrogen user; piping for sending high-concentration hydrogen gas to the gas pipeline; piping for supplying high-concentration hydrogen gas to the hydrogen utilization equipment; and piping for supplying high-concentration hydrogen gas to the first separation unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, even if the hydrogen concentration in the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the gas pipeline is low or unstable, hydrogen users can obtain high-concentration hydrogen that is usable by them. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall hydrogen supply and demand system related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the broad system of hydrogen supply and demand related to this disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen supply and demand management system in Example 1. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen supply and demand management system in Example 2. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen supply and demand management system in Example 3. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen supply and demand management system in Example 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] This disclosure relates to a hydrogen supply and demand management device that enables the supply and consumption of hydrogen by hydrogen suppliers and hydrogen users in a system where hydrogen suppliers and hydrogen users are connected by a gas pipeline capable of supplying a blended gas containing hydrogen. In this specification, the network of facilities such as gas pipelines that support the supply and consumption of gases such as methane for fuel is also referred to as a "gas grid".

[0014] The contents of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions may be omitted if they are redundant. The contents of this disclosure are not limited to the following embodiments and examples.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall hydrogen supply and demand system related to this disclosure.

[0016] The gas pipeline 1 shown in this figure is a blended gas pipeline containing hydrogen mixed with natural gas or city gas. Gas pipelines leading to hydrogen suppliers 102 and hydrogen users 201 are connected to gas pipeline 1. Both hydrogen suppliers 102 and hydrogen users 201 have hydrogen supply and demand management devices 302. The hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 is configured to communicate bidirectionally with the hydrogen supply and demand control device 301. Here, the blended gas, which is a mixture of natural gas or city gas and hydrogen, is also called "hydrogen-containing gas".

[0017] Hydrogen user 201 has equipment that uses hydrogen, such as a fuel cell, combustion device, or engine, and can extract hydrogen-containing gas having a predetermined composition from the gas pipeline 1 via the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302. Here, the amount of hydrogen extracted from the gas pipeline 1 (hydrogen usage) and the composition of the hydrogen-containing gas may be adjusted by hydrogen user 201, or they may be automatically adjusted in conjunction with capacity control, level control, etc. on the hydrogen-using equipment side.

[0018] In addition, the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 on the side of the hydrogen user 201 has data such as the usage amount of the hydrogen-containing gas, the composition of the hydrogen-containing gas, the equipment information of the device, and image information, and transmits the data to the hydrogen supply and demand comprehensive management device 301. The transmission method may be wireless like a smart meter. Also, the interval for transmitting from the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 to the hydrogen supply and demand comprehensive management device 301 may be set to about 1 minute to 5 minutes, for example, if it is an interval necessary for managing the supply and demand of hydrogen. When a data interval is set, it is preferable that the interval for measuring the above hydrogen usage amount is below the transmission interval. Also, the data to be transmitted may be processed into an average value, an integrated value, etc.

[0019] The hydrogen supplier 102 produces hydrogen based on the hydrogen supply amount received by the hydrogen supply and demand comprehensive management device 301 from the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 or in accordance with the power supply situation. The hydrogen produced by the hydrogen supplier 102 is supplied to the gas pipeline 1.

[0020] Hydrogen can be produced by any method, for example, a method of producing by electrolysis of water using electricity generated from renewable energy, a method of producing by subjecting carbon monoxide generated when coal is gasified to a shift reaction and then separating carbon dioxide, a method of producing by steam reforming natural gas, etc., and there is no limitation. From the perspective of carbon-free, when carbon dioxide is generated in the production process, it is preferable to collect and store carbon dioxide, convert it into organic substances, etc., so as not to release carbon dioxide to the outside.

[0021] In addition, the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 on the side of the hydrogen supplier 102 has data such as hydrogen production resources and the hydrogen supply amount supplied to the gas pipeline 1, and transmits the data to the hydrogen supply and demand comprehensive management device 301. The interval for transmitting the data of the hydrogen supply amount to the hydrogen supply and demand comprehensive management device 301 may be set to about 1 minute to 5 minutes, for example, if it is an interval necessary for managing the supply and demand of hydrogen. When a data interval is set, it is preferable that the interval for measuring the above hydrogen supply amount is below the transmission interval.

[0022] The hydrogen supply and demand control unit 301 manages data on hydrogen usage received from the hydrogen supply and demand management unit 302 on the hydrogen user 201 side and data on hydrogen supply received from the hydrogen supply and demand management unit 302 on the hydrogen supplier 102 side. The hydrogen supply and demand control unit 301 may use this accumulated data to predict the amount of hydrogen supplied and to calculate the usage fee for the hydrogen user 201. For example, the hydrogen supply and demand control unit 301 includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information on the hydrogen concentration and flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas supplied to the hydrogen user 201 from sensors provided by the hydrogen supply and demand management unit 302; a component flow rate calculation unit that calculates the concentration and flow rate of each component constituting the hydrogen-containing gas supplied to the hydrogen user 201 based on the acquired sensor information; an integrated flow rate calculation unit that calculates the integrated flow rate of each component based on the calculation results of the component flow rate calculation unit; and a fee calculation unit that calculates the gas usage fee for a certain period from the market value of each component and the integrated flow rate.

[0023] This configuration enables the management and operation of supply and demand for hydrogen users 201 and hydrogen suppliers 102 connected by gas pipeline 1.

[0024] Next, we will explain the role of the hydrogen supply and demand management system 302.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a wide-ranging system of hydrogen supply and demand related to this disclosure.

[0026] In this diagram, gas pipeline 1 is connected to a gas supply source 101, a hydrogen supplier 102, a hydrogen user 201, a hydrogen central supply facility 202, etc. Hydrogen supplier 102, hydrogen user 201, and hydrogen central supply facility 202 are connected to gas pipeline 1 via a hydrogen supply and demand management device 302.

[0027] The gas supply origin 101 is connected to gas pipeline 1 via a blend gas pipeline 901 through which the blend gas flows. The hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 is configured to communicate bidirectionally with the hydrogen supply and demand control device 301. Gas pipeline 1 may also be connected to other regional gas pipelines 2.

[0028] Hydrogen user 201 can draw in blended gas 901 from gas pipeline 1 and separate and extract high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 (fixed-composition hydrogen-containing gas) using a hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 for use in hydrogen-using equipment such as fuel cells, combustion devices, and engines. The high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 may be 100% hydrogen gas or hydrogen-containing gas, but its composition is within a predetermined range according to demand. Here, the flow rate of the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 to be used can be adjusted by hydrogen user 201, or it can be automatically adjusted in conjunction with capacity control, level control, etc. on the hydrogen-using equipment side. Furthermore, regarding the use of high-concentration hydrogen gas 902, for example, a centralized hydrogen supply facility 202 may extract high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 from gas pipeline 1 and supply it to fuel cell vehicles 203, or it may be supplied to hydrogen users not connected to the gas pipeline via hydrogen transport means 204 such as trucks. The return gas 903 (low-concentration hydrogen gas), from which high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 has been separated using the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302, is adjusted to a temperature and pressure suitable for return to the gas pipeline 1 before being returned to the gas pipeline 1. The hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 also measures and records the amount of high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 used and transmits this information to the hydrogen supply and demand control device 301.

[0029] The hydrogen supplier 102 manufactures hydrogen based on the amount of hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 from the hydrogen supply and demand control device 301, manufactures hydrogen in an amount that matches the power supply and demand, and supplies the manufactured hydrogen to the gas pipeline 1. Here, the gas supply source 101 also supplies hydrogen and may have a hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 (not shown). The gas supply source 101 also manufactures hydrogen based on the amount of hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen supply and demand control device 301, manufactures hydrogen in an amount that matches the power supply and demand, and supplies the manufactured hydrogen to the gas pipeline 1.

[0030] The following describes the details of the hydrogen supply and demand management system. [Examples]

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen supply and demand management system in this embodiment.

[0032] In this figure, the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 includes a device control unit 310, a hydrogen separation unit 311 (first separation unit), a high-concentration hydrogen gas composition measurement unit 312 (gas sensor), a high-concentration hydrogen gas quantity measurement unit 313 (flow sensor), a data communication unit 314, a return gas composition measurement unit 315 (gas sensor), a return gas quantity measurement unit 316 (flow sensor), a return gas introduction unit 317, a high-concentration hydrogen gas introduction unit 318, a high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319 (high-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit), and a return gas storage facility 320 (low-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit). Between the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 and the gas pipeline 1, there is a pipe for receiving the blended gas 901, a pipe for sending the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 to the gas pipeline 1, and a pipe for sending the return gas 903 to the gas pipeline 1. Between the hydrogen user's equipment 1000 and the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302, there is a pipe for supplying high-concentration hydrogen gas and a pipe for supplying a mixture of low-concentration hydrogen gas and high-concentration hydrogen gas.

[0033] The hydrogen supply and demand management device 302, when supplying blended gas 901 (a mixture of methane gas, etc., and hydrogen) using existing city gas pipelines (gas grids), separates hydrogen from the blended gas 901 and sends it to a facility that consumes it, while also returning the remaining gas, whose hydrogen concentration has decreased, to the gas grid as return gas 903. Furthermore, the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 supplies hydrogen generated from renewable energy sources, etc., to the gas grid as high-concentration hydrogen gas 902.

[0034] In this embodiment, the case where there is one hydrogen separation unit 311 is shown.

[0035] The device control unit 310 performs information aggregation and control of the entire hydrogen supply and demand management device 302. Through this control, hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment 1000 owned by the hydrogen user.

[0036] Furthermore, hydrogen utilization equipment 1000 is not limited to machinery and equipment alone, but also refers to destinations to which blended gas is supplied, such as blended gas pipelines containing hydrogen, factories, shopping centers, and private homes. In other words, hydrogen utilization equipment 1000 includes equipment such as hydrogen users 201 and hydrogen central supply facilities 202 in Figure 2.

[0037] The control performed by the device control unit 310 is as follows, as an example:

[0038] 1) Blended gas 901 is introduced from gas pipeline 1 to hydrogen supply and demand management device 302.

[0039] 2) The blended gas 901 is separated in the hydrogen separation unit 311 into a high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 and a return gas 903 with a low hydrogen concentration.

[0040] 3) The high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 has its gas composition measured by the high-concentration hydrogen gas composition measuring unit 312, and its gas volume measured by the high-concentration hydrogen gas volume measuring unit 313. The high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 is then temporarily stored in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319. Then, according to demand, the gas volume of the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 is measured by the high-concentration hydrogen gas volume measuring unit 313 and supplied to the hydrogen utilization facility 1000. For example, if the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization facility 1000 is lower than a predetermined value, the high-concentration hydrogen gas stored in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319 is mixed with the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization facility 1000 and supplied.

[0041] Furthermore, after the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 is measured by the high-concentration hydrogen gas composition measuring unit 312, it may not be sent to the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319, but instead may be measured by the high-concentration hydrogen gas quantity measuring unit 313 and then supplied to the inlet of the hydrogen separation unit 311. Here, the high-concentration hydrogen gas quantity measuring unit 313 calculates the amount of gas necessary to adjust the concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902.

[0042] Furthermore, the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 stored in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319 may be supplied to the inlet of the hydrogen separation unit 311 after being measured by the high-concentration hydrogen gas composition measuring unit 312 and the high-concentration hydrogen gas quantity measuring unit 313. For example, if the hydrogen concentration of the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the gas pipeline 1 is lower than the standard, the hydrogen concentration can be increased by supplying the high-concentration hydrogen gas stored in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319 back to the hydrogen separation unit 311.

[0043] The hydrogen separation unit 311 is equipped with at least one separation mechanism from various methods, such as the hydrogen separation membrane method, pressure fluctuation adsorption separation (PSA), and temperature fluctuation adsorption separation (TSA), in order to separate hydrogen from the blended gas 901. The hydrogen separation unit 311 may also be configured to have multiple hydrogen separation membranes with different hydrogen separation coefficients.

[0044] Furthermore, it is desirable that the hydrogen separation unit 311 be equipped with a mechanism for pressurizing, depressurizing, heating, and cooling to adjust to conditions (temperature, pressure, etc.) suitable for the separation method.

[0045] 4) The return gas 903 has its gas composition measured by the return gas composition measuring unit 315 and its gas volume measured by the return gas volume measuring unit 316. After that, the temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc. are adjusted in the return gas introduction unit 317 and then it is returned to the gas pipeline 1.

[0046] In addition, the return gas 903 may be supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment 1000 after the amount of gas is measured by the return gas amount measuring unit 316. In this case, the return gas 903 may be mixed with high-concentration hydrogen gas 902, adjusted to the hydrogen concentration required by the hydrogen utilization equipment 1000, and then supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment 1000.

[0047] Furthermore, the return gas 903 may be temporarily stored in the return gas storage facility 320 after the amount of gas is measured by the return gas amount measuring unit 316. In this case, the return gas 903 may then be measured by the return gas amount measuring unit 316 according to demand and supplied to the hydrogen utilization facility 1000. For example, if the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization facility 1000 is higher than a predetermined value, control is performed to mix the low-concentration hydrogen gas from the return gas storage facility 320 with the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization facility 1000. Alternatively, if the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization facility 1000 is higher than a predetermined value, hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the gas pipeline 1 may be mixed with the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization facility 1000 and supplied.

[0048] In this manner, the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302 supplies the hydrogen utilization equipment 1000 with a prepared hydrogen-containing gas of the composition required by the hydrogen user. In other words, the prepared hydrogen-containing gas is a gas obtained by mixing high-concentration hydrogen gas and low-concentration hydrogen gas to achieve the hydrogen concentration desired by the hydrogen user.

[0049] 5) Data such as high-concentration hydrogen gas composition, flow rate, return gas composition, flow rate, equipment information, and images are collected in the device control unit 310. This data is sent from the device control unit 310 to the hydrogen supply and demand control device 301 via the data communication unit 314.

[0050] In this way, by temporarily storing the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 separated in the hydrogen separation unit 311 in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319 and then supplying it back to the hydrogen separation unit 311, it becomes possible to obtain high-concentration hydrogen even when the hydrogen concentration in the gas pipeline 1 is low, thereby expanding the hydrogen concentration control range of the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302. [Examples]

[0051] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a hydrogen supply and demand management system having a configuration in which hydrogen separation units are connected in multiple stages.

[0052] Below, we will explain only the differences from Figure 3.

[0053] In this embodiment, two cases of hydrogen separation units 311 are shown. The two hydrogen separation units 311 may have the same separation method or different methods. Alternatively, one hydrogen separation unit 311 may be configured to recirculate high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 to further increase the hydrogen concentration. In this specification, the second hydrogen separation unit 311 will be referred to as the "second separation unit".

[0054] In Figure 4, the gas temporarily stored in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319 is supplied to the hydrogen separation unit 311 to further increase the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902. Then, it is stored again in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319. This makes it possible to obtain a high concentration of hydrogen even when the hydrogen concentration in the gas pipeline 1 is low, and expands the hydrogen concentration control range of the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302.

[0055] Furthermore, by applying hydrogen adsorption separation methods such as pressure fluctuation adsorption separation (PSA) and temperature fluctuation adsorption separation (TSA) in the subsequent hydrogen separation section 311, it is possible to extract ultra-high-purity hydrogen at a level of 99.9998%, which can be directly supplied to fuel cell vehicles. [Examples]

[0056] Figure 5 is a diagram showing another example of a hydrogen supply and demand management system having a configuration in which hydrogen separation units are connected in multiple stages.

[0057] Below, we will explain only the differences from Figure 4.

[0058] In Figure 5, the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902 separated in the hydrogen separation unit 311 is sent to the next hydrogen separation unit 311 to further increase the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas 902. Afterward, it is stored in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage facility 319. This makes it possible to obtain high-concentration hydrogen even when the hydrogen concentration in the gas pipeline 1 is low, thereby expanding the hydrogen concentration control range of the hydrogen supply and demand management device 302. [Examples]

[0059] Figure 6 is a diagram showing another example of a hydrogen supply and demand management system having a configuration in which hydrogen separation units are connected in multiple stages.

[0060] Below, we will explain only the differences from Figure 5.

[0061] In Figure 6, by installing hydrogen adsorption separation methods such as pressure fluctuation adsorption separation (PSA) and temperature fluctuation adsorption separation (TSA) in the subsequent hydrogen separation section 311, it is possible to extract ultra-high-purity hydrogen at a level of 99.9998%, which can be directly supplied to fuel cell vehicles.

[0062] As shown in this figure, the low-concentration hydrogen gas obtained in the subsequent hydrogen separation unit 311 has its gas volume measured by the low-concentration hydrogen gas volume measuring unit 321 and is sent to the return gas storage facility 320.

[0063] The following describes a preferred embodiment of the hydrogen supply and demand management device related to this disclosure.

[0064] The system further includes a high-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit for storing high-concentration hydrogen gas generated in the first separation unit, or a low-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit for storing low-concentration hydrogen gas generated in conjunction with the generation of high-concentration hydrogen gas in the first separation unit.

[0065] It is configured to enable two-way communication with an externally installed hydrogen supply and demand control system.

[0066] The system further comprises at least one of the following: a gas sensor for measuring the hydrogen concentration of at least one of high-concentration hydrogen gas and low-concentration hydrogen gas; and a flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of at least one of high-concentration hydrogen gas and low-concentration hydrogen gas.

[0067] Low-concentration hydrogen gas and high-concentration hydrogen gas are mixed and supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment.

[0068] The system further includes a second separation section that increases the hydrogen concentration of the incoming gas, and has piping for supplying high-concentration hydrogen gas stored in a high-concentration hydrogen gas storage section or high-concentration hydrogen gas generated in the first separation section to the second separation section.

[0069] The second separation section includes a pressure fluctuation adsorption separation section or a temperature fluctuation adsorption separation section.

[0070] The system further includes a control unit, which uses data from gas sensors and flow sensors to control the hydrogen concentration of high-concentration and low-concentration hydrogen gases.

[0071] If the hydrogen concentration of the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the gas pipeline is lower than the standard, the control unit supplies high-concentration hydrogen gas from the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit to the first separation unit.

[0072] If the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment is lower than a predetermined value, the control unit mixes the high-concentration hydrogen gas stored in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit with the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment.

[0073] If the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment is higher than a predetermined value, the control unit mixes the low-concentration hydrogen gas from the low-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit with the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment.

[0074] If the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment is higher than a predetermined value, the control unit of the device mixes the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the gas pipeline with the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment.

[0075] A hydrogen separation membrane is provided in the first separation section.

[0076] The first separation section has multiple hydrogen separation membranes with different hydrogen separation coefficients. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1: Gas pipeline, 2: Gas pipeline from another region, 3: Gas pipeline junction, 4: Gas pipeline confluence, 101: Gas supply starting point, 102: Hydrogen supplier, 201: Hydrogen user, 202: Centralized hydrogen supply facility, 203: Fuel cell vehicle, 204: Hydrogen transport means, 301: Hydrogen supply and demand control device, 302: Hydrogen supply and demand management device, 310: Device control unit, 311: Hydrogen separation unit, 312: High-concentration hydrogen gas 313: Composition measurement unit, 314: High-concentration hydrogen gas quantity measurement unit, 315: Return gas composition measurement unit, 316: Return gas quantity measurement unit, 317: Return gas introduction unit, 318: High-concentration hydrogen gas introduction unit, 319: High-concentration hydrogen gas storage equipment, 320: Return gas storage equipment, 321: Low-concentration hydrogen gas quantity measurement unit, 901: Blended gas, 902: High-concentration hydrogen gas, 903: Return gas, 1000: Hydrogen utilization equipment.

Claims

1. A hydrogen supply and demand management device connected to a gas pipeline that supplies hydrogen-containing gas, and which supplies prepared hydrogen-containing gas of the composition required by hydrogen users, A pipe that receives the hydrogen-containing gas from the gas pipeline, A first separation unit that generates high-concentration hydrogen gas from the hydrogen-containing gas, A pipe for sending the low-concentration hydrogen gas generated in conjunction with the generation of the high-concentration hydrogen gas in the first separation unit to the gas pipeline, A pipe for supplying the low-concentration hydrogen gas generated in the first separation unit along with the generation of the high-concentration hydrogen gas to the hydrogen utilization equipment of the hydrogen user, A pipe for supplying the aforementioned high-concentration hydrogen gas to the gas pipeline, A piping system for supplying the aforementioned high-concentration hydrogen gas to the hydrogen utilization equipment, A hydrogen supply and demand management device comprising: piping for supplying the high-concentration hydrogen gas to the first separation unit.

2. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 1, further comprising a high-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit for storing the high-concentration hydrogen gas generated in the first separation unit, or a low-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit for storing the low-concentration hydrogen gas generated in the first separation unit in conjunction with the generation of the high-concentration hydrogen gas.

3. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 2, which is configured to enable bidirectional communication with an externally installed hydrogen supply and demand control device.

4. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 2, further comprising at least one of the following: a gas sensor for measuring the hydrogen concentration of at least one of the high-concentration hydrogen gas and the low-concentration hydrogen gas; and a flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of at least one of the high-concentration hydrogen gas and the low-concentration hydrogen gas.

5. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 2, which mixes the low-concentration hydrogen gas and the high-concentration hydrogen gas and supplies the mixture to the hydrogen utilization equipment.

6. It is further equipped with a second separation section that increases the hydrogen concentration of the incoming gas. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 2, further comprising piping for supplying the high-concentration hydrogen gas stored in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit or the high-concentration hydrogen gas generated in the first separation unit to the second separation unit.

7. The hydrogen supply and demand management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second separation unit includes a pressure fluctuation adsorption separation unit or a temperature fluctuation adsorption separation unit.

8. The device further comprises a control unit, The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 4, wherein the device control unit controls the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas and the low-concentration hydrogen gas using data from the gas sensor and the flow sensor.

9. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 8, wherein the device control unit supplies the high-concentration hydrogen gas from the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit to the first separation unit if the hydrogen concentration of the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the gas pipeline is lower than a standard.

10. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 8, wherein the device control unit mixes the high-concentration hydrogen gas stored in the high-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit with the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment if the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment is lower than a predetermined value.

11. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 8, wherein the device control unit mixes the low-concentration hydrogen gas from the low-concentration hydrogen gas storage unit with the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment if the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment is higher than a predetermined value.

12. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 8, wherein the device control unit mixes the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the gas pipeline with the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment if the hydrogen concentration of the high-concentration hydrogen gas supplied to the hydrogen utilization equipment is higher than a predetermined value.

13. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 2, wherein the first separation section is provided with a hydrogen separation membrane.

14. The hydrogen supply and demand management device according to claim 2, wherein the first separation unit has a plurality of hydrogen separation membranes with different hydrogen separation coefficients.

15. An information acquisition unit that acquires data from the gas sensor and the flow rate sensor, which are included in the hydrogen supply and demand management device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, A component flow rate calculation unit calculates the concentration and flow rate of each component constituting the hydrogen-containing gas to be supplied to the hydrogen user from the data of the gas sensor and the flow rate sensor acquired by the information acquisition unit, The component flow rate calculation unit calculates the cumulative flow rate of each component based on the calculation results, and the cumulative flow rate calculation unit A hydrogen supply and demand control device comprising: a charge calculation unit that calculates gas usage charges for a certain period of time based on the market value of each of the aforementioned components and the cumulative flow rate.

Images