Operation support device, operation support method and operation support program

Abstract

Provided is an operation support device comprising: a calculation unit that calculates the production amount of products per hour, which satisfies the target production amount of products to be produced over a predetermined period of time by a plurality of electrolyzers, on the basis of predetermined hourly electricity costs or power consumption in the course of the operation of the plurality electrolyzers operating in parallel; and an identification section that identifies an operating electrolyzer among the plurality of electrolyzers on the basis of the production amount calculated by the calculation unit. The calculation unit may calculate a production amount that satisfies a target production amount of products over a period of time and minimizes electricity cost or power consumption over a period of time.

Description

Driving assistance device, driving assistance method, and driving assistance program

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving assistance device, a driving assistance method, and a driving assistance program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 states that "the cost of producing the product is reduced without reducing the amount of the product produced in the electrolysis device over a certain period of time" (Abstract). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents] [Patent document 1] WO 2019 / 059321 Problem to be solved

[0003] The production volume of a product produced by an electrolytic cell may depend on the performance of the electrolytic cell. The performance of the electrolytic cell may deteriorate over the operation time of the electrolytic cell. When multiple electrolytic cells operating in parallel produce a product, the production volume of the product produced by each of the multiple electrolytic cells may differ from one another. The power consumed by an electrolytic cell with deteriorated performance is likely to be greater than the power consumed by an electrolytic cell with a performance that is not deteriorated compared to the electrolytic cell. For this reason, in an electrolytic device equipped with multiple electrolytic cells, it is desirable to suppress the power consumed by the multiple electrolytic cells while ensuring that the total amount of product produced by the multiple electrolytic cells meets the target production volume. General disclosure

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention provides a driving assistance device comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a production amount of a product per predetermined time period that satisfies a target production amount of the product to be produced by the plurality of electrolytic cells over a predetermined period of time, based on the electricity cost or power consumption per predetermined time period associated with the operation of the plurality of electrolytic cells operating in parallel, and an identification unit that identifies an electrolytic cell to operate from the plurality of electrolytic cells, based on the production amount calculated by the calculation unit.

[0005] The calculation unit may calculate a production amount that meets a target production amount of the product over a predetermined period of time and minimizes electricity costs or electricity consumption over the predetermined period of time.

[0006] Any of the driving assistance devices described above may further include a determination unit. The calculation unit may calculate a first current value to be passed through the multiple electrolytic cells for each predetermined time based on a production volume of the product. The calculation unit may calculate a second current value to be passed through the multiple electrolytic cells based on an impurity concentration of the product or a temperature of the electrolyte at which the electrolytic cell decomposes the product. The determination unit may determine whether the first current value and the second current value calculated by the calculation unit are larger for each predetermined time, and determine whether the first current value for each predetermined time is larger than a predetermined fourth current value to be passed through the multiple electrolytic cells. When the determination unit determines that the first current value is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value and that the first current value is smaller than the second current value at at least one predetermined time, which is a first time, or when the determination unit determines that the first current value is equal to or larger than the second current value and that the first current value is larger than the fourth current value at at least one predetermined time, which is a second time, the identification unit may identify an electrolytic cell to be stopped from among the multiple electrolytic cells.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving assistance device, the driving assistance device comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a production amount of a product per predetermined time period that satisfies a target production amount of the product to be produced by the plurality of electrolytic cells over a predetermined period based on power consumption per predetermined time period associated with the operation of the plurality of electrolytic cells operating in parallel, calculates a first current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells per predetermined time period based on the calculated production amount, and calculates a second current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells based on an impurity concentration of the product or a temperature of an electrolyte solution at which the electrolytic cell decomposes the product; and a determination unit that determines whether a first current value at each predetermined time is greater than or equal to the fourth current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells, and a determination unit that determines whether a first current value at each predetermined time is greater than or equal to the fourth current value and whether the first current value is less than the second current value at a first time that is at least one predetermined time, or that determines whether the first current value is greater than or equal to the second current value and whether the first current value is greater than the fourth current value at a second time that is at least one predetermined time.

[0008] Any of the driving assistance devices described above may further include a control unit that controls currents flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells. When the determination unit determines that the first current value is equal to or greater than the second current value and equal to or less than the fourth current value, the control unit may control the currents flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells to the first current value.

[0009] In any of the driving assistance devices described above, the determination unit may acquire an elapsed time since determining that the first current value is equal to or greater than the second current value and equal to or less than a fourth current value. The determination unit may determine whether the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined time. When the determination unit determines that the elapsed time is greater than the predetermined time, the control unit may output information regarding whether to change the operating conditions of the plurality of electrolytic cells.

[0010] In any of the above driving assistance devices, if the judgment unit determines that the first current value is less than the second current value at the first time and determines that the first current value is greater than the fourth current value at the second time, the calculation unit may further calculate the current values ​​to be flowed through the multiple electrolytic cells at every predetermined time, by setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells at the first time as the second current value, or by setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells at the second time as the fourth current value.

[0011] In any of the driving assistance devices described above, the determination unit may determine whether a first difference between the second current value and the first current value at the first time period and a second difference between the first current value and a fourth current value at the second time period are larger or smaller. If the determination unit determines that the first difference is larger than the second difference, the calculation unit may further calculate current values ​​for each predetermined time period, with the currents flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells at the first time period being the second current value, and if the determination unit determines that the second difference is larger than the first difference, the calculation unit may further calculate current values ​​for each predetermined time period, with the currents flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells at the second time period being the fourth current value.

[0012] Any of the above driving assistance devices may further include a control unit that controls currents flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells. The calculation unit may further calculate a third current value when one of the electrolytic cells is stopped at predetermined time intervals. The determination unit may determine whether the third current value is larger than the fourth current value. When the determination unit determines that the third current value is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value, the control unit may control the currents flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells to the third current value.

[0013] In any of the driving assistance devices described above, the determination unit may further determine which of the third current value and the second current value is larger. When the determination unit determines that the third current value is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value and equal to or larger than the second current value, the control unit may control the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells to the third current value.

[0014] In any of the above driving assistance devices, if the judgment unit determines that the third current value is less than the second current value at at least one predetermined time, the identification unit may further identify another electrolytic cell among the multiple electrolytic cells to be stopped.

[0015] In any of the driving assistance devices described above, the calculation unit may further calculate, at predetermined time intervals, a current value when the one electrolytic bath and the other electrolytic bath are stopped as a third current value.

[0016] In any of the above driving assistance devices, when the identification unit identifies all of the multiple electrolytic cells as electrolytic cells to be stopped, the calculation unit may further calculate the current value to be flowed through the multiple electrolytic cells at predetermined time intervals, with the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells as a second current value or a fourth current value.

[0017] In any of the above driving assistance devices, if the determination unit determines that the third current value is greater than the fourth current value at at least one predetermined time, the calculation unit may further calculate, for each predetermined time, the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells at the at least one predetermined time as the fourth current value.

[0018] In any of the driving assistance devices described above, the determination unit may determine whether the concentration of the product in the aqueous solution of the product is greater than a predetermined first concentration, and may determine whether the concentration of impurities in the product is less than a predetermined second concentration. When the determination unit determines that the concentration of the product is greater than the first concentration and less than the second concentration, the control unit may control the current flowing through one electrolytic cell to be smaller than the current flowing through the other electrolytic cell.

[0019] In any of the driving assistance devices described above, the determination unit may determine whether the amount of power consumption per predetermined time period is greater than the amount of power that can be supplied to the electrolytic cell per predetermined time period. During one time period in which the amount of power consumption is determined to be less than the amount of power that can be supplied, the calculation unit may calculate the amount of surplus power, which is the difference between the amount of power that can be supplied and the amount of power consumption. During another time period in which the amount of power consumption is determined to be equal to or greater than the amount of power that can be supplied, the control unit may control the power supplied to the electrolytic cell to include the amount of surplus power.

[0020] Any of the driving assistance devices described above may further include a display unit that displays the amount of power consumption.

[0021] A third aspect of the present invention provides an operation assistance method, comprising: a first calculation step in which a calculation unit calculates a production amount of a product per predetermined time period that satisfies a target production amount of the product to be produced by the multiple electrolytic cells over a predetermined period of time, based on the electricity cost or power consumption per predetermined time period associated with the operation of the multiple electrolytic cells operating in parallel; and an electrolytic cell identification step in which an identification unit identifies an electrolytic cell to operate from the multiple electrolytic cells, based on the production amount calculated in the first calculation step.

[0022] The first calculation step may be a step in which the calculation unit calculates a production amount that meets a target production amount of the product over a predetermined period of time and minimizes electricity costs or electricity consumption over the predetermined period of time.

[0023] Any of the above operation assistance methods may further include a second calculation step in which the calculation unit calculates a first current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells for each predetermined time based on a production amount of the product, a third calculation step in which the calculation unit calculates a second current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells based on an impurity concentration of the product or a temperature of an electrolyte at which the electrolytic cell decomposes, a first determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the first current value for each predetermined time calculated in the second calculation step is smaller than the second current value calculated in the third calculation step, and a second determination step in which, if the first current value for a first time, which is at least one predetermined time, is determined to be smaller than the second current value, the determination unit determines whether the first current value for each predetermined time calculated in the second calculation step is smaller than a predetermined fourth current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells. The electrolytic cell identification step may be a step in which the identification unit identifies an electrolytic cell from the plurality of electrolytic cells to be stopped if the second determination step determines that the first current value is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value.

[0024] Any of the above driving assistance methods may further include a third determination step in which, if it is determined in the first determination step that the first current value for each predetermined time period is equal to or greater than the second current value, the determination unit determines whether the first current value for each predetermined time period calculated in the second calculation step is larger than a predetermined fourth current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells. The electrolytic cell identification step may be a step in which, if it is determined in the third determination step that the first current value for a second time period that is at least one predetermined time period is larger than the fourth current value, the identification unit identifies one of the plurality of electrolytic cells to be stopped.

[0025] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an operation assistance method, the operation assistance method including a first calculation step in which a calculation unit calculates a production amount of a product per predetermined time period that satisfies a target production amount of the product to be produced by the plurality of electrolytic cells over a predetermined period based on power consumption per predetermined time period associated with the operation of the plurality of electrolytic cells operating in parallel, a second calculation step in which the calculation unit calculates a first current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells per predetermined time period based on the production amount calculated in the first calculation step, a third calculation step in which the calculation unit calculates a second current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells based on an impurity concentration of the product or a temperature of an electrolyte decomposed by the electrolytic cell, and a determination unit determining the second current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells in the second calculation step. a first determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the first current value for each predetermined time calculated in the second calculation step is smaller than the second current value at the first time, which is at least one predetermined time; a second determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the first current value for each predetermined time calculated in the second calculation step is smaller than the second current value at the first time, which is at least one predetermined time; and an electrolytic cell identification step in which the identification unit identifies one of the multiple electrolytic cells to be stopped if the second determination step determines that the first current value is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value.

[0026] Any of the above driving assistance methods may further include a third determination step in which, if it is determined in the first determination step that the first current value for each predetermined time period is equal to or greater than the second current value, the determination unit determines whether the first current value for each predetermined time period calculated in the second calculation step is larger than a predetermined fourth current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells; and an electrolytic cell identification step in which, if it is determined in the third determination step that the first current value for the second time period, which is at least one predetermined time period, is larger than the fourth current value.

[0027] Any of the above driving assistance methods may further include a control step in which, if the first current value is determined to be equal to or greater than the second current value in the first determination step and the first current value is determined to be equal to or less than the fourth current value in the third determination step, the control unit controls the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells to the first current value.

[0028] Any of the above operation assistance methods may further include an elapsed time acquisition step in which the judgment unit acquires the elapsed time since it was determined in the third judgment step that the first current value is equal to or less than the fourth current value; a time judgment step in which the judgment unit determines whether the elapsed time acquired in the elapsed time acquisition step is larger than a predetermined time; and an information output step in which, if it is determined in the time judgment step that the elapsed time is larger than the predetermined time, the control unit outputs information regarding whether or not to change the operating conditions of the multiple electrolytic cells.

[0029] In any of the above driving assistance methods, the second calculation step may be a step in which, if the first determination step determines that the first current value at the first time is less than the second current value and the second determination step determines that the first current value at the second time is greater than the fourth current value, the calculation unit further calculates, at every predetermined time, the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells, either as the second current value or as the fourth current value, which is the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells at the first time.

[0030] Any of the above driving assistance methods may further include a fourth determination step in which the determination unit determines whether a first difference between the second current value and the first current value at the first time and a second difference between the first current value and a fourth current value at the second time are larger or smaller. The second calculation step may be a step in which, if it is determined in the fourth determination step that the first difference is larger than the second difference, the calculation unit further calculates, at predetermined time intervals, a current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells at the first time as a second current value. The second calculation step may be a step in which, if it is determined in the fourth determination step that the second difference is larger than the first difference, the calculation unit further calculates, at predetermined time intervals, a current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells at the second time as a fourth current value.

[0031] Any of the above operation assistance methods may further include a fourth calculation step in which the calculation unit further calculates a third current value at predetermined time intervals when one electrolytic cell identified in the electrolytic cell identification step is stopped, a second determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the third current value is larger than the fourth current value, and a control step in which, if the second determination step determines that the third current value is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value, the control unit controls the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells to the third current value.

[0032] Any of the above driving assistance methods may further include a sixth determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the third current value is larger than the second current value. The control step may be a step in which the control unit controls the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells to the third current value when the fifth determination step determines that the third current value is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value and the sixth determination step determines that the third current value is equal to or larger than the second current value.

[0033] In any of the above driving assistance methods, the electrolytic cell identification step may be a step in which, when it is determined in the sixth determination step that the third current value at at least one predetermined time is less than the second current value, the identification unit further identifies another electrolytic cell among the multiple electrolytic cells to be stopped.

[0034] In any of the above driving assistance methods, the fourth calculation step may be a step in which the calculation unit further calculates the current value when one electrolytic cell and the other electrolytic cell are stopped as a third current value at predetermined time intervals.

[0035] In any of the above driving assistance methods, the second calculation step may be a step in which, when all of the multiple electrolytic cells are identified as electrolytic cells to be stopped in the electrolytic cell identification step, the calculation unit further calculates, at predetermined time intervals, the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells as a second current value.

[0036] In any of the above driving assistance methods, the second calculation step may be a step in which, if it is determined in the fifth determination step that the third current value at at least one predetermined time is greater than the fourth current value, the calculation unit further calculates, for each predetermined time, a current value to be flowed through the plurality of electrolytic cells, using the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells at at least one predetermined time as the fourth current value.

[0037] Any of the above operation assistance methods may further include a seventh determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the concentration of the product in the aqueous solution of the product is greater than a predetermined first concentration and whether the concentration of impurities in the product is less than a predetermined second concentration. The control step may be a step in which, if the seventh determination step determines that the concentration of the product is greater than the first concentration and less than the second concentration, the control unit controls the current flowing through the electrolytic cell to be stopped, identified in the electrolytic cell identification step, to be smaller than the currents flowing through the other electrolytic cells.

[0038] Any of the above driving assistance methods may further include a magnitude determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the amount of power consumed for each predetermined time period is greater than the amount of power that can be supplied to the electrolytic cell for each predetermined time period; a surplus power calculation step in which the calculation unit calculates the amount of surplus power, which is the difference between the amount of power that can be supplied and the amount of power consumed, during one time period in which it is determined that the amount of power consumed is less than the amount of power that can be supplied; and a power control step in which the control unit controls the power supplied to the electrolytic cell to power that includes the amount of surplus power during another time period in which it is determined that the amount of power consumed is equal to or greater than the amount of power that can be supplied.

[0039] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving assistance program that causes a computer to function as a driving assistance device.

[0040] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these features may also be inventions.

[0041] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electrolysis device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the electrolysis device 200 shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the X-axis direction. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of details of one electrolysis cell 91 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ion exchange membrane 84 in the electrolysis cell 91 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a block diagram of a driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of driving assistance for an electrolytic bath 90 by the driving assistance device 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display form by the display unit 52. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a display form by the display unit 52. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the electricity cost associated with the operation of multiple electrolytic baths 90 operating in parallel and the time T over which the multiple electrolytic baths 90 operate. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of power consumption Ec and supplyable power Es per time T. FIG. 10 is a diagram explaining the currents and the like of multiple electrolytic baths 90 in the calculation of the production amount of product P by the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5). FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining the currents and the like of multiple electrolytic baths 90 when multiple electrolytic baths 90 are integrated into one electrolytic bath 90 in the calculation of the production amount of product P by the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5). 19 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the production amount Ac of the product P and the operation time T of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 operating in parallel. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the relationship between the concentration of alkali metal chloride in the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3) and the second current value passed through the electrolytic bath 90, for a plurality of current efficiencies CE. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the first current value Iv1 for each time T calculated by the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5). FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another example of the first current value Iv1 for each time T calculated by the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5). FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the production amount Ac of the product P produced by each of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at time T2 (see FIG. 13). FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the production amount Ac when the operation of the electrolytic bath 90-1 is stopped in the example of FIG. 17. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the details of the stopping step S200 in FIG. 19. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer 2200 in which the driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part.

[0042] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0043] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electrolysis device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrolysis device 200 is a device that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution. The electrolysis device 200 includes a plurality of electrolysis cells 90. In this example, the electrolysis device 200 includes electrolysis cells 90-1 to 90-M (M is an integer of 2 or more).

[0044] The multiple electrolytic baths 90 operate in parallel. Operating the multiple electrolytic baths 90 in parallel means that the multiple electrolytic baths 90 electrolyze the electrolyte in parallel. The electrolytic baths 90 are baths that electrolyze the electrolyte. The electrolysis device 200 of this example includes an inlet pipe 92, an inlet pipe 93, an outlet pipe 94, and an outlet pipe 95. The inlet pipe 92 and the inlet pipe 93 are connected to each of the multiple electrolytic baths 90. The outlet pipe 94 and the outlet pipe 95 are connected to each of the multiple electrolytic baths 90.

[0045] Liquid 70 and liquid 72 are introduced into each of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90. Liquid 76 and gas 78 (described later) are discharged from each of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90. Liquid 74 and gas 77 (described later) are discharged from each of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90.

[0046] In this example, the multiple electrolytic baths 90 are arranged in a predetermined direction. In this specification, the predetermined arrangement direction of the multiple electrolytic baths 90 is defined as the X-axis direction. In this specification, the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and extending from the inlet pipe 92 to the outlet pipe 94 is defined as the Z-axis. In this specification, the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and perpendicular to the Z-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis. The Z-axis direction may be parallel to the vertical direction, and the XY plane may be a horizontal plane.

[0047] The electrolyte electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 90 is, for example, an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl). In this specification, when the electrolyte is an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl), it is referred to as saline electrolysis. In the case of saline electrolysis, the electrolytic cell 90 electrolyzes an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCl) in the anode chamber 79 (described later) to produce sodium chloride. ２ (chlorine) is generated and H ２ Electrolysis of water (water) produces an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) and H ２ (hydrogen) and

[0048] The electrolyte electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 90 may be an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) or KOH (potassium hydroxide). In this specification, when the electrolyte is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) or KOH (potassium hydroxide), it is referred to as alkaline water electrolysis. In the case of alkaline water electrolysis, the electrolytic cell 90 electrolyzes an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) or KOH (potassium hydroxide) to produce O ２ (oxygen) and H ２ (hydrogen) and

[0049] Figure 2 is a view of the electrolysis device 200 shown in Figure 1 as seen from the X-axis direction. An example of one electrolytic cell 90-M in Figure 1 will be described. One electrolytic cell 90 may include multiple electrolytic cells 91. In this example, one electrolytic cell 90 includes electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N (N is an integer of 2 or more). N is, for example, 50. In this example, each of the electrolytic cells 90-1 to 90-M includes multiple electrolytic cells 91.

[0050] In this example, the inlet pipes 92 and 93 are connected to each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. A liquid 70 is introduced into each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 70 may pass through the inlet pipe 92 and then be introduced into each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride. An alkali metal is an element belonging to Group 1 of the periodic table. In the case of sodium chloride electrolysis, the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride) or KCl (potassium chloride). In the case of alkaline water electrolysis, the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) or KOH (potassium hydroxide).

[0051] A liquid 72 is introduced into each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 72 may pass through an inlet pipe 93 and then be introduced into each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide. In the case of sodium chloride electrolysis, the liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide). In the case of alkaline water electrolysis, the liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) or KOH (potassium hydroxide).

[0052] In this example, the discharge pipes 94 and 95 are connected to the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N, respectively. A liquid 76 and a gas 78 (described later) are discharged from each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 76 and the gas 78 (described later) may be discharged to the outside of the electrolysis device 200 after passing through the discharge pipe 95. The liquid 76 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide. When the liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide), the liquid 76 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide). When the liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of KOH (potassium hydroxide), the liquid 76 is an aqueous solution of KOH (potassium hydroxide). The gas 78 (described later) is H ２ (hydrogen).

[0053] A liquid 74 and a gas 77 (described later) are discharged from each of the electrolytic cells 91-1 to 91-N. The liquid 74 and the gas 77 (described later) may be discharged to the outside of the electrolysis device 200 after passing through the discharge pipe 94. In the case of sodium chloride electrolysis, the liquid 74 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride. When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride) or KCl (potassium chloride), the liquid 74 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride) or KCl (potassium chloride). The gas 77 (described later) is an aqueous solution of Cl ２ (chlorine).

[0054] In the case of alkaline water electrolysis, when the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide), the liquid 74 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide). In the case of water electrolysis, when the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of KOH (potassium hydroxide), the liquid 74 is an aqueous solution of KOH (potassium hydroxide). In the case of water electrolysis, the gas 77 (described later) is O ２ (oxygen).

[0055] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the details of one electrolytic cell 91 in Figure 2. The electrolytic cell 90 has an anode chamber 79, an anode 80, a cathode chamber 98, a cathode 82, and an ion exchange membrane 84. In this example, one electrolytic cell 91 has the anode chamber 79, the anode 80, the cathode chamber 98, the cathode 82, and the ion exchange membrane 84. The anode chamber 79 and the cathode chamber 98 are provided inside the electrolytic cell 91. The anode chamber 79 and the cathode chamber 98 are separated by the ion exchange membrane 84. The anode 80 is disposed in the anode chamber 79. The cathode 82 is disposed in the cathode chamber 98.

[0056] An inlet pipe 92 and an outlet pipe 94 are connected to the anode chamber 79. An inlet pipe 93 and an outlet pipe 95 are connected to the cathode chamber 98. A liquid 70 is introduced into the anode chamber 79. A liquid 72 is introduced into the cathode chamber 98.

[0057] The ion exchange membrane 84 is a membrane-like substance that blocks the passage of ions of the same sign as the ions arranged in the ion exchange membrane 84, and allows the passage of ions of the opposite sign. ＋ (sodium ion) or K ＋(potassium ions) and Cl － In the case of alkaline water electrolysis, the ion exchange membrane 84 is a membrane that blocks the passage of Na (chloride ions). ＋ (sodium ion) or K ＋ (potassium ions) and OH － It is a membrane that prevents the passage of hydroxide ions.

[0058] The anode 80 and the cathode 82 may be maintained at a predetermined positive potential and a predetermined negative potential, respectively. The liquid 70 introduced into the anode chamber 79 and the liquid 72 introduced into the cathode chamber 98 are electrolyzed by the potential difference between the anode 80 and the cathode 82. In each of the cases of sodium chloride electrolysis and alkaline water electrolysis, the following chemical reaction occurs at the anode 80: [Chemical Formula 1-1] (sodium chloride electrolysis) 2Cl － →Cl ２ +2e － [Chemical Formula 1-2] (Alkaline water electrolysis) 　 4OH － →O ２ +2H ２ O+4e －

[0059] When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride), NaCl (sodium chloride) is ＋ (sodium ion) and Cl － At the anode 80, Cl is ionized by the chemical reaction shown in Chemical Formula 1. ２ (Chlorine) gas is produced. ２ The (chlorine) gas and liquid 74 may be led out of the anode chamber 79. ＋ The (sodium ions) are attracted by the cathode 82 and move from the anode chamber 79 through the ion exchange membrane 84 to the cathode chamber 98 .

[0060] When the liquid 70 is a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution, KCl (potassium chloride) is ＋ (potassium ion) and Cl － At the anode 80, Cl is ionized by the chemical reaction shown in Chemical Formula 1. ２(Chlorine) gas is produced. ２ The (chlorine) gas and liquid 74 may be led out of the anode chamber 79. ＋ The (potassium ions) are attracted by the cathode 82 and move from the anode chamber 79 through the ion exchange membrane 84 to the cathode chamber 98 .

[0061] When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide), NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is ＋ (sodium ion) and OH － At the anode 80, the hydrogen ions are ionized into H (hydroxide ions) by the chemical reaction shown in Chemical Formula 1-2. ２ O (water) and O ２ (Oxygen) gas is generated. ２ The (oxygen) gas and liquid 74 may be led out of the anode chamber 79. ＋ The (sodium ions) are attracted by the cathode 82 and move from the anode chamber 79 through the ion exchange membrane 84 to the cathode chamber 98 .

[0062] A liquid 73 may be retained in the anode chamber 79. In the case of sodium chloride electrolysis, the liquid 73 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride. In this example, the liquid 73 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride). ＋ (sodium ion) concentration and Cl － (chloride ion) concentration is Na 70 ＋ (sodium ion) concentration and Cl － The liquid 73 may be a potassium chloride (KCl) aqueous solution. ＋ (Potassium ion) concentration and Cl － (chloride ion) concentration is K of liquid 70 ＋ (Potassium ion) concentration and Cl － In the case of alkaline water electrolysis, the liquid 73 is an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH).

[0063] The cathode chamber 98 may be provided with a concentration sensor 99. The concentration sensor 99 measures the concentration of the alkali metal chloride in the liquid 75.

[0064] The electrolytic cell 90 may be provided with a temperature sensor 97 that measures the temperature of the electrolyte decomposed by the electrolytic cell 90. In this example, the temperature sensor 97 is provided in the cathode chamber 98.

[0065] At the cathode 82, the following chemical reaction occurs: [Chemical Formula 2] 2H ２ O + 2e － →H ２ +2OH －

[0066] When the liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide), NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is Na ＋ (sodium ion) and OH － (hydroxide ions). When the liquid 72 is KOH (potassium hydroxide), KOH (potassium hydroxide) is K ＋ (potassium ion) and OH － At the cathode 82, the hydrogen ions are ionized into H (hydroxide ions) by the chemical reaction shown in Chemical Formula 2. ２ (Hydrogen) gas and OH － (hydroxide ions) are generated. ２ The (hydrogen) gas and liquid 76 may be led out of the cathode chamber 98 .

[0067] A liquid 75 may be retained in the cathode chamber 98. The liquid 75 is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide. In this example, the liquid 75 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) or KOH (potassium hydroxide). In this example, the cathode chamber 98 contains OH produced by the chemical reaction shown in Chemical Formula 2. － (hydroxide ions) and Na ions that have migrated from the anode chamber 79 ＋ (sodium ion) or K ＋ A liquid 75 in which (potassium ions) are dissolved remains.

[0068] The product produced by the multiple electrolytic cells 90 is referred to as product P. When the liquid 70 is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride) and the liquid 72 is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) (in the case of salt electrolysis), the product P is either NaOH (sodium hydroxide) or Cl ２ If the liquid 70 is a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution and the liquid 72 is a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution, the product P will be either KOH (potassium hydroxide) or Cl. ２ When the liquids 70 and 72 are aqueous solutions of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) (in the case of alkaline water electrolysis), the product P is H ２ (hydrogen).

[0069] 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ion exchange membrane 84 in the electrolysis cell 91 shown in FIG. 3. In this example, anionic groups 86 are fixed to the ion exchange membrane 84. Anions are repelled by the anionic groups 86 and therefore do not easily pass through the ion exchange membrane 84. In this example, the anions are Cl － (chloride ions). The cations 71 are not repelled by the anion groups 86 and can pass through the ion exchange membrane 84. When the liquid 70 (see FIG. 3) is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride), the cations 71 are Na ＋ (sodium ions). When the liquid 70 is a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution, the cations 71 are K ＋ (potassium ion).

[0070] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a block diagram of a driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving assistance device 100 assists in the operation of the electrolysis device 200 (see FIG. 2 ). The driving assistance device 100 includes a calculation unit 10, an identification unit 20, a determination unit 30, and a control unit 40. The driving assistance device 100 may include an input unit 50, a display unit 52, and a storage unit 60.

[0071] The driving assistance device 100 is, for example, a computer including a CPU, a memory, an interface, etc. The control unit 40 may be the CPU. The calculation unit 10, the identification unit 20, the determination unit 30, and the control unit 40 may be one CPU. When the driving assistance device 100 is a computer, a driving assistance program for causing the computer to execute a driving assistance method described below may be installed in the computer, and a driving assistance program for causing the computer to function as the driving assistance device 100 may be installed in the computer.

[0072] The input unit 50 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The display unit 52 is, for example, a display, a monitor, etc.

[0073] FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing an example of operation assistance for the electrolytic bath 90 by the driving assistance device 100. In this example, the electrolysis device 200 (see FIG. 1 ) has a terminal 210. The terminal 210 is, for example, a distributed control system (DCS (Distributed Control System)). The terminal 210 and the driving assistance device 100 may communicate wirelessly or via a cable. The terminal 210 transmits operation data related to the operation of the electrolysis device 200 to the driving assistance device 100. The driving assistance device 100 transmits instruction data such as the value of the current to be passed through the electrolytic bath 90 to the terminal 210. The display unit 52 displays the status of parameters related to the control of the electrolysis device 200. The parameters include, for example, current efficiency CE (described later) and voltage CV (described later).

[0074] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display format of the display unit 52. In Fig. 7, the amount of electricity at rated power and the amount of electricity at optimal operation are displayed on the display unit 52. The display unit 52 may further display the amount of power consumption Ec (described later) for each time period T.

[0075] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the display form of display unit 52. In Fig. 8, display unit 52 displays the operating status of each electrolytic bath 90. Display unit 52 also displays guidance regarding bath stoppage for the user of driving assistance device 100. The guidance regarding bath stoppage is guidance regarding the stopping of the operation of electrolytic bath 90.

[0076] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the electricity cost associated with the operation of multiple electrolytic baths 90 operating in parallel and the time t at which the multiple electrolytic baths 90 operate. The electricity cost is defined as electricity cost Ep. The period between a time t and another time t' after the time t at which the multiple electrolytic baths 90 operate is defined as time T. The period of time T may be determined in advance. In the example of FIG. 9, the time t （１） ~Time t （２） The period is defined as time T1, and the time t （２） ~Time t （３） The period is defined as time T2, and the time t （ｎ－１） ~Time t （ｎ） The period is defined as time T(n-1).

[0077] The electricity cost Ep may be expressed as a monetary amount, as the amount of power consumed in association with the operation of multiple electrolytic baths 90 operating in parallel, or as another unit of amount. This amount of power consumption is referred to as power consumption Ec. The electricity cost Ep may also be a value obtained by converting the sum of multiple types of costs into a monetary amount. When the electricity cost Ep is expressed as power consumption Ec, FIG. 9 shows an example of the relationship between power consumption Ec and the time t at which multiple electrolytic baths 90 operate.

[0078] The electricity cost Ep may vary for each time T. In the example of FIG. 9 , the electricity cost Ep at time T1 is electricity cost Ep2, the electricity cost Ep at time T2 is electricity cost Ep3, and the electricity cost Ep at time T3 is electricity cost Ep1. In this example, electricity cost Ep1 is smaller than electricity cost Ep2, and electricity cost Ep2 is smaller than electricity cost Ep3. Time T1 is, for example, early morning. Time T2 is, for example, daytime. Time T3 is, for example, midnight. The electricity cost Ep for each time T may be input using the input unit 50.

[0079] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the power consumption Ec and the suppliable power amount Es for each time T. The suppliable power amount Es may refer to the maximum amount of power that can be supplied to multiple electrolytic cells 90 in one time T. In a case where the electrolysis device 200 is installed in a factory, the suppliable power amount Es may be the maximum amount of power that can be allocated to the electrolysis device 200 when the factory supplies power to multiple devices including the electrolysis device 200.

[0080] The determination unit 30 may determine, for each time T, whether the power consumption Ec is greater than the supplyable power amount Es. In the example of FIG. 10 , the determination unit 30 determines that the power consumption Ec is less than the supplyable power amount Es at time T1, and determines that the power consumption Ec exceeds the supplyable power amount Es at time T1 and time T(n-1). The identification unit 20 may identify one time T at which the power consumption Ec is less than the supplyable power amount Es and another time T at which the power consumption Ec is equal to or greater than the supplyable power amount Es. In the example of FIG. 10 , the identification unit 20 identifies time T1 as one time T, and at least one of time T2 and time T(n-1) as another time T.

[0081] The calculation unit 10 may calculate the amount of surplus energy, which is the difference between the amount of available energy Es and the amount of energy consumption Ec, at one time T. This amount of surplus energy is referred to as the amount of surplus energy Em. In the example of FIG. 10 , the calculation unit 10 calculates the amount of surplus energy Em at time T1. At another time T when it is determined that the amount of energy consumption Ec is equal to or greater than the amount of available energy Es, the control unit 40 may control the power supplied to the electrolytic cell 90 to include the amount of surplus energy Em. The amount of power including the amount of surplus energy Em may be the amount of power obtained by adding the amount of surplus energy Em to the amount of available energy Es.

[0082] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the currents of multiple electrolytic cells 90 when the calculation unit 10 (see Figure 5) calculates the production amount of product P. The numbers of pairs of electrolytic cells 91 (see Figure 2) in each of electrolytic cells 90-1 to 90-M are designated N1 to Nm, respectively. The number of pairs is the number of pairs of anode chambers 79 and cathode chambers 98 in one electrolytic cell 91. The number of pairs in one electrolytic cell 91 is equal to the number of ion exchange membranes 84 (see Figure 3) in that one electrolytic cell 91.

[0083] The currents flowing through electrolytic cells 90-1 to 90-M are designated as current I1 to current Im. The voltages of electrolytic cells 90-1 to 90-M are designated as voltage CV1 to voltage CVm, respectively. As shown in Figure 11, the voltages of electrolytic cells 90-1 to 90-M are designated as N1CV1 to NmCVm, respectively.

[0084] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the currents of multiple electrolytic baths 90 when multiple electrolytic baths 90 are combined into one electrolytic bath 90 in the calculation of the production volume of product P by calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5). Combining multiple electrolytic baths 90 into one electrolytic bath means regarding the multiple electrolytic baths 90 as one electrolytic bath 90. In this example, calculation unit 10 combines electrolytic baths 90-1 to 90-M into one electrolytic bath 90 in the calculation of the production volume of product P. The number of pairs N in one electrolytic bath 90 is expressed by the following formula (1): That is, the number of pairs N is the sum of the number of pairs N1 to Nm.

[0085] The current flowing through the electrolytic cells 90 combined into one electrolytic cell 90 is defined as I. If an equal current I flows through the electrolytic cells 90-1 to 90-M, the average voltage CV of the electrolytic cells 90 combined into one electrolytic cell 90 is expressed by the following formula (2). That is, the average voltage CV is expressed as a weighted average of the number N of pairs.

[0086] The target production amount of the product P is defined as a target production amount At. The target production amount At is the target production amount of the product P to be produced by the multiple electrolytic baths 90 over a predetermined period. The predetermined period is defined as a period Tw. In the example of FIG. 9, the period Tw is the sum of time T1 to time T(n-1). （ｎ） are the same time, the period Tw is 24 hours. The target production amount At may be input by the input unit 50.

[0087] The calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) calculates the production amount of product P for each time T that satisfies the target production amount At, based on the electricity cost Ep or power consumption amount Ec for each predetermined time T. The production amount calculated by the calculation unit 10 is referred to as the production amount Ac. In this example, the calculation unit 10 calculates the production amount Ac for the electrolytic baths 90 that are combined into one electrolytic bath 90 in FIG. 11 . In this example, the calculation unit 10 also calculates a first current value Iv1 to a fourth current value Iv4, which will be described later, for the electrolytic baths 90 that are combined into one electrolytic bath 90 in FIG. 11 .

[0088] The identifying unit 20 (see FIG. 5 ) identifies an operating electrolytic bath 90 from among the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 based on the production volume Ac calculated by the calculating unit 10. The control unit 40 controls the current flowing through the operating electrolytic bath 90 identified by the identifying unit 20.

[0089] The identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5 ) may identify an electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped from among the plurality of electrolytic baths 90. The control unit 40 may control the current flowing through the electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped to be smaller than the current flowing through the electrolytic bath 90 that is not stopped. The control unit 40 may set the current flowing through the electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped to zero.

[0090] Calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) may calculate a first current value to be passed through a plurality of electrolytic baths 90 for each time T based on production volume Ac. This first current value is designated as first current value Iv1. Calculation unit 10 may calculate first current value Iv1 to be passed through electrolytic baths 90 that are not stopped when the current passed through electrolytic baths 90 that are stopped is set to zero.

[0091] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the production amount Ac of product P and the time T during which the multiple electrolytic baths 90 operate in parallel, when the multiple electrolytic baths 90 operate. The production amount Ac may vary for each time T. In the example of FIG. 13, the production amount Ac at time T1 is defined as production amount Ac2, the production amount Ac at time T2 is defined as production amount Ac1, and the production amount Ac at time T(n-1) is defined as production amount Ac3. In this example, production amount Ac1 is smaller than production amount Ac2, and production amount Ac2 is smaller than production amount Ac3. In the example of FIG. 13, the electricity cost Ep at time T1 is defined as the electricity cost Ep （１）The electricity cost Ep at time T2 is the electricity cost Ep （２） The electricity cost Ep at time T(n-1) is the electricity cost Ep （ｎ－１） Let's say.

[0092] The current efficiency of the electrolytic cell 90 is defined as the current efficiency CE. The current efficiency CE refers to the ratio of the actual production amount of the product P to the theoretical production amount. The sum of the production amounts Ac of the product P over the period Tw is defined as the total production amount Acs. The total production amount Acs is expressed by the following formula (3).

[0093] The sum of the electricity costs Ep over the period Tw is defined as the total electricity cost Eps. The total electricity cost Eps is expressed by the following formula (4).

[0094] Voltage CV in equation (4) （ｊ） is expressed by the following formula (5).

[0095] From equations (3) to (5), the current value I （ｊ） is expressed by the following formula (6). The calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5) may calculate the first current value Iv1 based on the above formula (6).

[0096] The calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5) may calculate a production amount Ac that satisfies a target production amount At of the product P over a period Tw and minimizes the electricity cost Ep or the electricity consumption amount Ec over the period Tw. The calculation unit 10 may set the total production amount Ac in equation (3) as the target production amount At and calculate the production amount Ac that minimizes the total electricity cost Eps in equation (4) based on equations (3) to (6). The identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5) may identify an electrolytic bath 90 to operate from among the multiple electrolytic baths 90 based on the production amount Ac that minimizes the electricity cost Ep.

[0097] 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the concentration of alkali metal chloride in the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3) and the second current value passed through the electrolytic cell 90 for a plurality of current efficiencies CE. The second current value is designated as the second current value Iv2. The impurity concentration, which is an index of the quality of the product P, is designated as the concentration Cs. When the product P is NaOH (sodium hydroxide), the concentration Cs is calculated by dividing the concentration of NaCl (sodium chloride), NaClO (sodium hydroxide), and the like in the product P. ３ (sodium chlorate) concentration or HClO (hypochlorous acid) concentration. ２ (chlorine), the concentration Cs is the O ２ If the product P is KOH (potassium hydroxide), the concentration Cs may refer to the KCl (potassium chloride) concentration in the product P, KClO ３ The concentration Cs may refer to the potassium chlorate (KClO) concentration or the potassium hypochlorite (KClO) concentration. In this example, the concentration Cs is the concentration of an alkali metal chloride in the aqueous solution (liquid 75) of the product P. The concentration Cs may be measured by a concentration sensor 99 (see FIG. 4). The identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5) may acquire the concentration Cs measured by the concentration sensor 99.

[0098] In the case of alkaline water electrolysis, the product P(H ２ The flow rate of gas 77 (O (hydrogen)) is defined as FL. FL is the flow rate of gas 78. The flow rate FL may be measured by a flow rate sensor. The theoretical generation amount of gas 78 based on the current I is defined as Am. ２ (oxygen) ２ The theoretical product P(H ２ The amount of loss of (hydrogen) is denoted by Ls. The current efficiency CE in the case of alkaline water electrolysis is expressed by the following formula (7-1) or formula (7-2):

[0099] The relationship between concentration Cs and current value shown in Figure 14 may be obtained by measuring the change in concentration Cs when the current value is changed. The concentration Cs tends to decrease as the current value increases. In Figure 14, the maximum current efficiency CE among current efficiencies CE1 to CE5 is current efficiency CE1, and the minimum current efficiency CE is current efficiency CE5. The concentration Cs tends to decrease as the current efficiency CE decreases.

[0100] 14 , the second current value Iv2 is a current value for satisfying a predetermined quality of the product P. The second current value Iv2 may be a minimum current value for satisfying the quality. The relationship between the concentration Cs and the second current value Iv2 shown in FIG. 14 may be obtained in advance. The previously obtained relationship between the concentration Cs and the second current value Iv2 may be stored in the storage unit 60.

[0101] The calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) may calculate, based on the concentration Cs, a second current value Iv2 to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells 90. The calculation unit 10 may calculate the second current value Iv2 by fitting the relationship between the concentration Cs and the second current value Iv2 shown in FIG. 14 to the following equation (8). In Equation 8, F is a constant. For example, F is 10.8.

[0102] At least one of the first current value Iv1 and the second current value Iv2 may be determined based on the temperature of the electrolytic solution. The temperature of the electrolytic solution may be measured by a temperature sensor 97 (see FIG. 3 ). The performance of the electrolytic cell 90 may vary depending on the temperature of the electrolytic solution and at least one of the first current value Iv1 and the second current value Iv2. Therefore, at least one of the first current value Iv1 and the second current value Iv2 may be determined based on the temperature of the electrolytic solution.

[0103] The determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) may determine the magnitude between the first current value Iv1 and the second current value Iv2 for each time T calculated by the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ). The determination unit 30 may determine the magnitude between the first current value Iv1 for each time T and a predetermined fourth current value to be passed through the multiple electrolytic baths 90. The fourth current value is defined as a fourth current value Iv4. The fourth current value Iv4 may be the maximum current value that can be passed through the multiple electrolytic baths 90. The maximum current value is, for example, 16.2 kA.

[0104] At least one time T among times T1 to T(n-1) (see FIGS. 9 and 13 ) is defined as a first time Ta1, and the at least one time T different from the first time Ta1 is defined as a second time Ta2. If the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) determines that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4 and that the first current value Iv1 is less than the second current value Iv2 at the first time Ta1, the identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5 ) may identify one of the multiple electrolytic baths 90 to be stopped. The one electrolytic bath 90 may be any one of the multiple electrolytic baths 90, or any two or more electrolytic baths 90. In this example, when the judgment unit 30 judges that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4, this may refer to when the judgment unit 30 judges that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4 at all times from time T1 to time T(n-1).

[0105] If the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2 and also determines that the first current value Iv1 is greater than the fourth current value Iv4 at the second time Ta2, the identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5) may identify one of the multiple electrolytic baths 90 to be stopped. In this example, the case where the determination unit 30 determines that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2 may refer to the case where the determination unit 30 determines that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2 at all of the times T1 to T(n-1).

[0106] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the first current value Iv1 for each time T calculated by the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5). In this example, the first current value Iv1 at time T1 is the first current value Iv1-1, the first current value Iv1 at time T2 is the first current value Iv1-2, and the first current value Iv1 at time T(n-1) is the first current value Iv1-3. FIG. 15 also shows the second current value Iv2 and the fourth current value Iv4 described above. In FIG. 15, the range from the second current value Iv2 to the fourth current value Iv4 is indicated by hatching.

[0107] In this example, the first current value Iv1-2 and the first current value Iv1-3 are equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2 and equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4, and the first current value Iv1-1 is less than the second current value Iv2. The identifying unit 20 (see FIG. 5) may identify the time T at which the production volume Ac is smallest. In the example of FIG. 13, the identifying unit 20 identifies time T2 as the time T at which the production volume Ac is smallest. In this example, the first time Ta1 is time T2. In this example, the identifying unit 20 (see FIG. 5) identifies one electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped among the multiple electrolytic baths 90 at time T2.

[0108] If the judgment unit 30 (see Figure 5) determines that the first current value Iv1 is greater than or equal to the second current value Iv2 and less than or equal to the fourth current value Iv4, the control unit 40 (see Figure 5) may control the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells 90 to the first current value Iv1.

[0109] The determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) may acquire the elapsed time since it determined that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2 and equal to or less than the fourth current value. The elapsed time is defined as elapsed time Ts. The determination unit 30 may determine whether the elapsed time Ts is larger or smaller than a predetermined time. The predetermined time is defined as time Tp. Time Tp may be the period from a determination as to whether or not to change the operating conditions of the electrolytic bath 90 to a next determination as to whether or not to change the operating conditions of the electrolytic bath 90. Time Tp may be time Tw shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 .

[0110] The operating conditions of the electrolytic cell 90 are referred to as operating conditions Cd. The operating conditions Cd may include at least one of the current efficiency CE, the voltage CV, the electricity cost Ep, the target production amount At, and the length of each of the times T1 to T(n-1).

[0111] When the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines that the elapsed time Ts is greater than the time Tp, the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5) may output information regarding whether or not to change the operating condition Cd. The control unit 40 outputting the information may refer to the control unit 40 causing the display unit 52 (see FIG. 5) to display the information.

[0112] 16 is a diagram showing another example of the first current value Iv1 for each time T calculated by the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5). In this example, the first current value Iv1-3 is greater than the fourth current value Iv4. This is the difference between this example and the example in FIG. 15. In this example, the second time Ta2 is time T(n-1).

[0113] If the judgment unit 30 (see Figure 5) determines that the first current value Iv1 is less than the second current value Iv2 at the first time Ta1 and determines that the first current value Iv1 is greater than the fourth current value Iv4 at the second time Ta2, the calculation unit 10 (see Figure 5) may further calculate the current values ​​to be flowed through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 for each time T, by setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 at the first time Ta1 to the second current value Iv2, or setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 at the second time Ta2 to the fourth current value Iv4.

[0114] The difference between the second current value Iv2 and the first current value Iv1 at the first time Ta1 is defined as a first difference df1. The first difference df1 is Iv2-Iv1. The difference between the first current value Iv1 and the fourth current value Iv4 at the second time Ta is defined as a second difference df2. The second difference df2 is Iv1-Iv4.

[0115] The determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) may determine whether the first difference df1 at the first time Ta1 is larger than the second difference df2 at the second time Ta2. If the determination unit 30 determines that the first difference df1 is larger than the second difference df2, the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) may further calculate a current value for each time T, with the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at the first time Ta1 as a second current value Iv2. If the determination unit 30 determines that the second difference df2 is larger than the first difference df1, the calculation unit 10 may further calculate a current value for each time T, with the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at the second time Ta2 as a fourth current value Iv4. In this example, the second difference df2 is larger than the first difference df1. Therefore, the calculation unit 10 further calculates the current value for each time T, assuming that the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at the second time Ta2 is a fourth current value Iv4.

[0116] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the production amount Ac of each product P produced at time T2 (see Fig. 13) by each of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90. An example will be described in which the number of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 shown in Fig. 1 is three (when M = 3).

[0117] In this example, the current efficiencies CE of electrolytic baths 90-1 to 90-3 are assumed to be current efficiencies CE1 to CE3, respectively. Current efficiency CE3 is assumed to be greater than current efficiency CE2, which is assumed to be greater than current efficiency CE1. In this example, the production volumes Ac of electrolytic baths 90-1 to 90-3 are assumed to be production volumes Ac1-1 to Ac1-3, respectively. Production volume Ac1-3 is assumed to be greater than production volume Ac1-2, which is assumed to be greater than production volume Ac1-1.

[0118] The identifying unit 20 may identify the electrolytic bath 90 with the smallest production volume Ac as the electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped. In this example, the identifying unit 20 identifies electrolytic bath 90-1 as the electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped. The identifying unit 20 may identify one or more electrolytic baths 90 out of the multiple electrolytic baths 90 as the electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped. The identifying unit 20 may identify the electrolytic baths 90 to be stopped in ascending order of the acquired production volumes.

[0119] Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of production volume Ac when the operation of electrolytic cell 90-1 is stopped in the example of Figure 17. In this example, the current efficiencies CE of electrolytic cells 90-2 and 90-3 are current efficiencies CE2' and CE3', respectively. In this example, the production volumes Ac of electrolytic cells 90-1 and 90-2 are production volumes Ac1-2' and Ac1-3', respectively.

[0120] Calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5) may further calculate, for each time T, the current value when one electrolytic bath 90 identified by identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5) is stopped. This current value is designated as third current value Iv3. In this example, calculation unit 10 further calculates, for each time T, the current value when the operation of electrolytic bath 90-1 is stopped.

[0121] The third current value Iv3 may be greater than the first current value Iv1. The current efficiency CE2' may be greater than the current efficiency CE2 (see FIG. 17). The current efficiency CE3' may be greater than the current efficiency CE3 (see FIG. 17). The production volume Ac1-2' may be greater than the production volume Ac1-2 (see FIG. 17). The production volume Ac1-3' may be greater than the production volume Ac1-3 (see FIG. 17). In this way, the driving assistance device 100 can assist the operation of the electrolytic cell 90 so as to achieve the target production volume At of the product P produced over the period Tw (see FIG. 9) while stopping the operation of the electrolytic cell 90-1.

[0122] The determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) may determine which of the third current value Iv3 and the fourth current value Iv4 is larger for each time T. If the determination unit 30 determines that the third current value Iv3 is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value Iv, the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5) may control the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 to the third current value Iv3. In this example, the control unit 40 controls the current flowing through the electrolytic baths 90-2 and 90-3 to the third current Iv3.

[0123] The determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) may further determine the magnitude relationship between the third current value Iv3 and the second current value Iv2. When the determination unit 30 determines that the third current value Iv3 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv and equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2, the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5) may control the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells 90 to the third current value Iv3. The determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) may determine, for each time T, the magnitude relationship between the third current value Iv3 and the fourth current value Iv4, and the magnitude relationship between the third current value Iv3 and the second current value Iv2.

[0124] Concentration C of product P ｈｏ is expressed by the following formula (9): When the liquid 70 (see FIG. 3) is an aqueous solution of NaCl (sodium chloride) and the liquid 72 (see FIG. 3) is an aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide), the concentration C ｈｏ is the concentration of NaOH (sodium hydroxide, commonly known as caustic soda). When the liquid 70 (see FIG. 3) is a KCl (potassium chloride) aqueous solution and the liquid 72 (see FIG. 3) is a KOH (potassium hydroxide) aqueous solution, the concentration C ｈｏ is the concentration of KOH (potassium hydroxide).

[0125] In formula (9), V ｃｅｌｌ is the volume of each pair. In this example, the volume of all pairs is V ｃｅｌｌ It is said that. ｏｔｈｅｒ is the total volume of each layer of the subheader, gas-liquid separation tank, etc. Liquid 76 and gas 78 (see FIG. 3) are led out from electrolytic cell 90 to the subheader. Liquid 76 and gas 78 led out to the subheader are separated into liquid 76 and gas 78 in the gas-liquid separation tank.

[0126] In formula (9), V ｔａｎｋ is the volume of the circulation tank. The circulation tank is a tank in which the liquid 76 separated in the gas-liquid separation tank is temporarily stored. NC is the number of pairs per electrolytic cell 90. NE is the number of electrolytic cells 90 in the electrolysis device 200. NE １ is the number of electrolytic cells 90 that have been shut down; D is the density of the product P (kg / m ３ ) t （ｋ）is the waiting time. （ｋ） may be any time T from time T1 to time T(n-1).

[0127] The concentration Cs (see FIG. 14) is expressed by the following formula (10).

[0128] A predetermined concentration of the product P in the liquid 75 (see FIG. 3 ) is defined as a first concentration C1. The first concentration C1 may be a minimum concentration that ensures a predetermined quality of the product P. A predetermined impurity concentration of the product P is defined as a second concentration C2. The second concentration C2 may be a maximum impurity concentration that ensures a predetermined quality of the product P.

[0129] The determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines the concentration C ｈｏ The determining unit 30 may determine whether the concentration Cs is greater than the first concentration C1. The determining unit 30 may determine whether the concentration Cs is less than the second concentration C2. ｈｏ is greater than the first concentration C1 and the concentration Cs is less than the second concentration C2, the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5) may control the current flowing through the electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped, which is identified by the identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5), to be smaller than the current flowing through the other electrolytic baths 90. ｈｏ is greater than the first concentration C1 and the concentration Cs is less than the second concentration C2, the liquid 70 and the liquid 72 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) may circulate through the one electrolytic cell 90 that has been stopped.

[0130] The determination unit 30 determines the concentration C ｈｏ is determined to be equal to or less than the first concentration C1, or the concentration Cs is determined to be equal to or greater than the second concentration C2, the liquids 73 and 75 (see FIG. 3) may be discharged from the stopped electrolytic cell 90.

[0131] When the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) determines that the third current value Iv3 is less than the second current value Iv2 at at least one time T, the identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5 ) may further identify another electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped from among the multiple electrolytic baths 90. The other electrolytic bath 90 is an electrolytic bath 90 different from the one electrolytic bath 90 described above. The other electrolytic bath 90 may be any one electrolytic bath 90 among the multiple electrolytic baths 90 other than the one electrolytic bath 90 described above, or may be any two or more electrolytic baths 90. The identification unit 20 may identify the electrolytic bath 90 with the smallest production rate Ac from among the operating electrolytic baths 90 as the other electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped.

[0132] The calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) may further calculate, for each time T, the current value when the first electrolytic bath 90 and the other electrolytic baths 90 are stopped as a third current value Iv3. The determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) may determine whether the third current value Iv3 when the first electrolytic bath 90 and the other electrolytic baths 90 are stopped is larger than the fourth current value Iv4. If the determination unit 30 determines that the third current value Iv3 is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value Iv4, the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5 ) may control the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 to the third current value Iv3.

[0133] The determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) may further determine which of the third current value Iv3 and the second current value Iv2 is greater when one electrolytic bath 90 and another electrolytic bath 90 are stopped. If the determination unit 30 determines that the third current value Iv3 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4 and equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2, the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5) may control the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 to the third current value Iv3.

[0134] If the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines that the third current value Iv3 when one electrolytic bath 90 and the other electrolytic baths 90 are stopped is less than the second current value Iv2, the identification unit 20 may further identify the electrolytic baths 90 to be stopped. The calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5) may calculate the current values ​​when the identified multiple electrolytic baths 90 are stopped. The identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5) may further identify the electrolytic baths 90 to be stopped until the current value is determined to be equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2.

[0135] When the identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5 ) has identified all of the multiple electrolytic baths 90 as electrolytic baths 90 to be stopped, the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) may further calculate, for each time T, the current values ​​to be passed through the multiple electrolytic baths 90, by setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 to the second current value Iv2 or the fourth current value Iv4. The calculation unit 10 may further calculate, for each time T, the current values ​​to be passed through the multiple electrolytic baths 90, by setting the current flowing through all of the electrolytic baths 90 to the second current value Iv2 or the fourth current value Iv4.

[0136] If the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines that the third current value Iv3 is greater than the fourth current value Iv4 at at least one time T, the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5) may further calculate, for each time T, the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at that at least one time T as the fourth current value Iv4. The at least one time T refers to at least one of the times T1 to T(n-1) in FIG. 15.

[0137] 19 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for assisting the operation of the electrolytic cell 90 (see FIG. 1 ).

[0138] The driving assistance method may include a first calculation step S104 (see FIG. 19 ). The driving assistance method may include a zeroth determination step S100, an electrolytic cell integration step S102, and an input step S88. The driving assistance method may include a second calculation step S106, a third calculation step S108, a first determination step S110, a second determination step S112, a third determination step S114, a control step S116, a fourth determination step S118, and a judgment step S94. The driving assistance method may include a first current setting step S130, a second current setting step S132, and a third current setting step S136. The driving assistance method may include an elapsed time acquisition step S120, an information output step S124, and a stop step S200.

[0139] The zeroth determination step S100 is a step of determining whether there has been a change in the operating conditions Cd of the electrolytic bath 90. The operating conditions Cd may include at least one of the current efficiency CE, the voltage CV, the target production amount At, the electricity cost Ep, the power consumption Ec, and the length of each of the times T1 to T(n-1). The zeroth determination step S100 may be a step in which the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines whether there has been a change in the operating conditions Cd, or may be a step in which the user of the driving assistance device 100 determines whether there has been a change in the operating conditions Cd.

[0140] If it is determined in the 0th determination step S100 that the operating conditions Cd have changed, the operation assistance method proceeds to the input step S88. If it is not determined in the 0th determination step S100 that the operating conditions Cd have changed, the operation assistance method proceeds to the electrolytic cell integration step S102.

[0141] The input step S88 is a step of inputting input parameters to the driving assistance device 100 (see FIG. 5 ). The input step S88 may be a step in which the user of the driving assistance device 100 inputs the driving conditions Cd through the input unit 50 (see FIG. 5 ).

[0142] The electrolytic cell integration step S102 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) integrates multiple electrolytic cells 90 into one electrolytic cell 90 (see FIGS. 11 and 12 ) in calculating the production volume of the product P. In this example, the calculation unit 10 integrates electrolytic cells 90-1 to 90-M into one electrolytic cell 90.

[0143] The first calculation step S104 may include a zeroth calculation step S90 and a determination step S92. The zeroth calculation step S90 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5) calculates the production amount Ac of the product P for each predetermined time T when a fourth current value Iv4 is passed through multiple electrolytic baths 90 operating in parallel. The zeroth calculation step S90 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the production amount Ac for each time T when the fourth current value Iv4 is passed through all of the electrolytic baths 90 operating in parallel. The determination step S92 is a step in which the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines whether the production amount Ac satisfies the target production amount At.

[0144] If it is determined in the determination step S92 that the production amount Ac satisfies the target production amount At, the driving assistance method proceeds to the second calculation step S106. If it is determined in the determination step S92 that the production amount Ac does not satisfy the target production amount At, the driving assistance method returns to the input step S88. The first calculation step S104 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5) calculates a production amount P that satisfies the target production amount At over a period Tw (see FIGS. 9 and 13) and minimizes the electricity cost Ep or the power consumption amount Ec over the period Tw.

[0145] The second calculation step S106 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5) calculates a first current value Iv1 to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 for each time T based on the production amount Ac of the product P. The third calculation step S108 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates a second current value Iv2 to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 based on the impurity concentration Cs (see FIG. 14) of the product P or the temperature of the electrolyte at which the electrolytic bath 90 decomposes. The second current value Iv2 may be the minimum current value required to satisfy a predetermined quality of the product P.

[0146] In the first determination step S110, the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines whether the first current value Iv1 for each time T calculated in the second calculation step S106 is larger than the second current value Iv2 calculated in the third calculation step S108. If in the first determination step S110 it is determined that the first current value Iv1 at the first time Ta1 is less than the second current value Iv2, the driving assistance method proceeds to the second determination step S112. As described above, the first time Ta1 is at least one of the times T1 to T(n-1) (see FIGS. 9 and 13). If in the first determination step S110 it is determined that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2, the driving assistance method proceeds to the third determination step S114.

[0147] In the second determination step S112, the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines whether the first current value Iv1 for each time T calculated in the second calculation step S106 is larger than the fourth current value Iv4. If the second determination step S112 determines that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value Iv4, the driving assistance method proceeds to the stop step S200. If the second determination step S112 determines that the first current value Iv1 is larger than the fourth current value Iv4, the driving assistance method proceeds to the fourth determination step S118.

[0148] In the third determination step S114, the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines whether the first current value Iv1 for each time T calculated in the second calculation step S106 is larger than the fourth current value Iv4. If the determination in the third determination step S114 determines that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or smaller than the fourth current value Iv4, the driving assistance method proceeds to the control step S116. If the determination in the third determination step S114 determines that the first current value Iv1 is larger than the fourth current value Iv4, the driving assistance method proceeds to the third current setting step S136.

[0149] The control step S116 may be a step in which the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5 ) controls the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells 90 to the first current value Iv1 when the first determination step S110 determines that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2 and the third determination step S114 determines that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4. The determination step S94 is a step in which the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) determines whether to stop operation of the electrolysis device 200. The determination step S94 may be a step in which the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) determines whether to stop operation of the electrolysis device 200, or may be a step in which the user of the driving assistance device 100 determines whether to stop operation of the electrolysis device 200.

[0150] If it is determined in determination step S94 that the operation of the electrolysis device 200 should be stopped, the operation assistance method ends the operation assistance for the electrolytic cell 90. If it is not determined in determination step S94 that the operation of the electrolysis device 200 should be stopped, the operation assistance method proceeds to elapsed time acquisition step S120.

[0151] The second calculation step S106 may be a step in which, when the first judgment step S110 judges that the first current value Iv1 at the first time Ta1 is less than the second current value Iv2 and the second judgment step S112 judges that the first current value Iv1 at the second time Ta2 is greater than the fourth current value Iv4, the calculation unit 10 (see Figure 5) further calculates the current values ​​to be flowed through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 for each time T, by setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 at the first time Ta1 to the second current value Iv2 or setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 at the second time Ta2 to the fourth current value Iv4.

[0152] In the fourth determination step S118, the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines whether a first difference df1 (see FIG. 16) between the second current value Iv2 and the first current value Iv1 at the first time Ta1 is larger than a second difference df2 (see FIG. 16) between the first current value Iv1 and the fourth current value Iv4 at the second time Ta2. If it is determined in the fourth determination step S118 that the first difference df1 is larger than the second difference df2, the driving assistance method proceeds to a first current setting step S130. If it is determined in the fourth determination step S118 that the second difference df2 is larger than the first difference df1, the driving assistance method proceeds to a second current setting step S132.

[0153] The first current setting step S130 is a step of setting the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at a first time Ta1 (see FIG. 16) to a second current value Iv2. The second current setting step S132 is a step of setting the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at a second time Ta2 (see FIG. 16) to a fourth current value Iv4. In this example, the second calculation step S106 is a step of using the current value set in the first current setting step S130 or the current value set in the second current setting step S132 to further calculate the current value to be flowed through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 for each time T by the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5).

[0154] The third current setting step S136 is a step of setting the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at a fourth current value Iv4 during a second time Ta2 (see FIG. 16 ). In this example, the second calculation step S106 is a step of using the current value set in the third current setting step S136 to further calculate the current value to be flowed through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 for each time T by the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ).

[0155] 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a driving assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving assistance method may include an elapsed time acquisition step S120, a time determination step S122, and an information output step S124.

[0156] In the elapsed time acquisition step S120, the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) acquires the elapsed time Ts since the determination in the third determination step S114 (see FIG. 19 ) that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4. In the time determination step S122, the determination unit 30 determines whether the elapsed time Ts acquired in the elapsed time acquisition step S120 is greater than a predetermined time Tp. As described above, the time Tp may be the period from the determination of whether or not to change the operating conditions of the electrolytic bath 90 until the next determination of whether or not to change the operating conditions of the electrolytic bath 90. The time Tp may be the time Tw shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 . If the determination in the time determination step S122 determines that the elapsed time Ts is greater than the time Tp, the driving assistance method proceeds to the information output step S124. If it is determined in the time determination step S122 that the elapsed time Ts is smaller than the time Tp, the determination unit 30 continues to determine whether the elapsed time Ts is larger than the time Tp until it is determined that the elapsed time Ts is larger than the time Tp.

[0157] The information output step S124 is a step in which the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5) outputs information regarding whether or not to change the operating conditions Cd of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90. The control unit 40 outputting the information may mean that the control unit 40 causes the display unit 52 (see FIG. 5) to display the information. After the information output step S124, the driving assistance method returns to the zeroth determination step S100.

[0158] Figure 21 is a flowchart showing an example of details of the stopping step S200 in Figure 19. The driving assistance method includes an electrolytic cell identifying step S212. The driving assistance method may include a fourth calculation step S214, a fifth determination step S216, a sixth determination step S218, and a seventh determination step S220. The driving assistance method may include a time identification step S210, a determination step S226, a standby circulation step S222, and a discharge step S224.

[0159] The time specifying step S210 is a step in which the specifying unit 20 (see FIG. 5 ) specifies the time T at which the production rate Ac is smallest (see FIG. 15 ). The electrolytic bath specifying step S212 is a step in which the specifying unit 20 (see FIG. 5 ) specifies an operating electrolytic bath 90 from among the multiple electrolytic baths 90 based on the production rate Ac calculated in the first calculation step S104 (see FIG. 19 ). The electrolytic bath specifying step S212 may be a step in which the specifying unit 20 specifies one electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped from among the multiple electrolytic baths 90 when the second determination step S112 determines that the first current value Iv1 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4. The electrolytic bath specifying step S212 may be a step in which the specifying unit 20 specifies one electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped from among the multiple electrolytic baths 90 when the third determination step S114 determines that the first current value Iv1 at the second time Ta2 (see FIG. 16 ) is greater than the fourth current value Iv4. The electrolytic bath identification step S212 may be a step of identifying an electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped from among the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at the time T identified in the time identification step S210.

[0160] The fourth calculation step S214 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5) further calculates, for each time T, the third current value Iv3 when the electrolytic bath 90 identified in the electrolytic bath identification step 212 is stopped. The fifth determination step S216 is a step in which the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines which of the third current value Iv3 and the fourth current value Iv4 is larger.

[0161] If it is determined in the fifth determination step S216 that the third current value Iv3 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4, the driving assistance method proceeds to a sixth determination step S218. If it is determined in the fifth determination step S216 that the third current value Iv3 is greater than the fourth current value Iv4, the driving assistance method proceeds to a fourth current setting step S137 (see FIG. 19 ).

[0162] A fourth current setting step S137 (see FIG. 19 ) is a step of setting the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 to the fourth current value Iv4 at at least one time T when it is determined in the fifth determination step S216 that the third current value Iv3 is greater than the fourth current value Iv4. After the fourth current setting step S137, the driving assistance method returns to the second calculation step S106 (see FIG. 19 ). In the second calculation step S106, the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) sets the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 at at least one time T when it is determined that the third current value Iv3 is greater than the fourth current value Iv4 as the fourth current value Iv4, and further calculates the current value to be flowed through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 for each time T.

[0163] In the sixth determination step S218, the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines whether the third current value Iv3 is greater than or equal to the second current value Iv2. If the sixth determination step S218 determines that the third current value Iv3 is greater than or equal to the second current value Iv2, the driving assistance method proceeds to the seventh determination step S220. If the sixth determination step S218 determines that the third current value Iv3 is less than the second current value Iv2, the driving assistance method proceeds to the determination step S226.

[0164] In determination step S226, the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines whether all of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 have been identified as electrolytic baths 90 to be shut down. If it is determined in determination step S226 that all of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 have not been identified as electrolytic baths 90 to be shut down, the driving assistance method returns to electrolytic bath identification step S212. If it is determined in determination step S226 that all of the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 have been identified as electrolytic baths 90 to be shut down, the driving assistance method proceeds to fifth current setting step S138.

[0165] The electrolytic bath identification step S212 may be a step in which the identification unit 20 (see FIG. 5 ) further identifies another electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped among the multiple electrolytic baths 90 when the sixth determination step 218 determines that the third current value Iv3 at at least one time T is less than the second current value Iv2. In this example, the electrolytic bath identification step S212 is a step in which the identification unit 20 further identifies another electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped among the multiple electrolytic baths 90 when the sixth determination step 218 determines that the third current value Iv3 at at least one time T is less than the second current value Iv2 and when the determination step S226 does not determine that all of the multiple electrolytic baths 90 have been identified as electrolytic baths 90 to be stopped. The other electrolytic bath 90 is an electrolytic bath 90 different from the one electrolytic bath 90 described above. The other electrolytic bath 90 may be any one electrolytic bath 90 among the multiple electrolytic baths 90 other than the one electrolytic bath 90 described above, or may be any two or more electrolytic baths 90. The identifying unit 20 may identify the electrolytic bath 90 with the smallest production volume Ac among the electrolytic baths 90 in operation as the other electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped.

[0166] The fourth calculation step S214 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) further calculates, for each time T, the current value when the first electrolytic bath 90 and the other electrolytic baths 90 are stopped as a third current value Iv3. The fifth determination step S216 may be a step in which the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5 ) determines whether the third current value Iv3 when the first electrolytic bath 90 and the other electrolytic baths 90 are stopped is larger than the fourth current value Iv4. The sixth determination step S218 may be a step in which the determination unit 30 further determines whether the third current value Iv3 when the first electrolytic bath 90 and the other electrolytic baths 90 are stopped is larger than the second current value Iv2.

[0167] The electrolytic bath identification step S212 may be a step in which the identification unit 20 further identifies an electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped if the third current value Iv3 when one electrolytic bath 90 and the other electrolytic bath 90 are stopped is determined to be less than the second current value Iv2 in the sixth determination step S218 and if it is not determined in the determination step S226 that all of the multiple electrolytic baths 90 have been identified as electrolytic baths 90 to be stopped. The electrolytic bath identification step S212 may be a step in which the electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped is identified until the third current value Iv3 is determined to be equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2 in the sixth determination step S218.

[0168] The fifth current setting step S138 is a step of setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 to the second current value Iv2. The fifth current setting step S138 (see FIG. 19 ) may be a step of setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 to the second current value Iv2 at another time T at which it is determined in the sixth determination step S218 that the third current value Iv3 is less than the second current value Iv. After the fifth current setting step S138, the driving assistance method returns to the second calculation step S106 (see FIG. 19 ). The second calculation step S106 may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) sets the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 to the second current value Iv2 and further calculates the current value to be flowed through the multiple electrolytic baths 90 for each time T. The second calculation step S106 (see FIG. 19 ) may be a step in which the calculation unit 10 (see FIG. 5 ) further calculates, for each time T, the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90, as the second current value Iv2. After the fifth current setting step S138, the driving assistance method returns to the second calculation step S106 (see FIG. 19 ).

[0169] In the seventh determination step S220, the determination unit 30 (see FIG. 5) determines whether the concentration C ｈｏ is greater than a first predetermined concentration C1 of the product P and whether the concentration Cs is less than a second predetermined concentration C2 of the product P. The first concentration C1 may be a minimum concentration that ensures a predetermined quality of the product P. The second concentration C2 may be a maximum impurity concentration that ensures a predetermined quality of the product P.

[0170] In the seventh determination step S220, the concentration C ｈｏ If it is determined that the concentration Cs is greater than the first concentration C1 and less than the second concentration C2, the driving assistance method proceeds to a standby circulation step S222. ｈｏ If it is not determined that the concentration Cs is greater than the first concentration C1 and the concentration Cs is less than the second concentration C2, the driving assistance method proceeds to a discharge step S224.

[0171] The standby circulation step S222 is a step in which, while the electrolytic bath 90 identified as the electrolytic bath 90 to be stopped in the electrolytic bath identification step S212 is stopped, the liquids 70 and 72 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) are circulated through the stopped electrolytic bath 90. The discharge step S224 is a step in which the liquids 73 and 75 (see FIG. 3) are discharged from the stopped electrolytic bath 90.

[0172] In the control step 112, the concentration C ｈｏ is greater than the first concentration C1 and the concentration Cs is less than the second concentration C2, the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5 ) controls the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 90 to be stopped, identified in the electrolytic cell identification step S212, to be smaller than the current flowing through the other electrolytic cells 90. Control step 112 may be a step in which the control unit 40 controls the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 90 to be stopped to zero.

[0173] Control step S112 may be a step in which, if it is determined in fifth determination step S216 that the third current value Iv3 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4, the control unit 40 (see FIG. 5 ) controls the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 to the third current value Iv3. Control step S112 may be a step in which, if it is determined in fifth determination step S216 that the third current value Iv3 is equal to or less than the fourth current value Iv4 and if it is determined in sixth determination step S218 that the third current value Iv3 is equal to or greater than the second current value Iv2, the control unit 40 controls the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths 90 to the third current value Iv3.

[0174] 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a driving assistance method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving assistance method may include a magnitude determination step S302, a first time period specification step S304, a second time period specification step S306, a surplus power amount calculation step S308, and a power control step S310.

[0175] In the magnitude determination step S302, the determination unit 30 determines whether the power consumption amount Ec and the available power supply amount Es are larger or smaller. The determination unit 30 may determine whether the power consumption amount Ec and the available power supply amount Es are larger or smaller for each time T.

[0176] The first time specifying step S304 is a step in which, if the power consumption Ec is determined to be less than the supplyable power amount Es in the magnitude determination step S302, the specifying unit 20 specifies one time T during which the power consumption Ec for each time T is less than the supplyable power amount Es to the electrolytic bath 90 for each time T. The second time specifying step S306 is a step in which, if the power consumption Ec is determined to be equal to or greater than the supplyable power amount Es in the magnitude determination step S302, the specifying unit 20 specifies another time T during which the power consumption Ec for each time T is equal to or greater than the supplyable power amount Es to the electrolytic bath 90 for each time T.

[0177] The surplus energy calculation step S308 is a step in which the calculation unit 10 calculates the surplus energy Em, which is the difference between the supplyable energy Es and the energy consumption Ec, at one time T. The power control step S310 is a step in which the control unit 40 controls the power supplied to the electrolytic cell 90 to include the surplus energy Em at another time T when it is determined that the energy consumption Ec is equal to or greater than the supplyable energy Es.

[0178] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams. In various embodiments of the present invention, the blocks may represent (1) stages in a process where operations are performed or (2) sections of apparatus responsible for performing the operations.

[0179] Certain steps may be performed by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry, or a processor. Certain sections may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry, or a processor. The programmable circuitry and the processor may be supplied with computer-readable instructions. The computer-readable instructions may be stored on a computer-readable medium.

[0180] The dedicated circuitry may include digital hardware circuitry and / or analog hardware circuitry. The dedicated circuitry may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuitry may include hardware circuits for logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, or other logical operations. The programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuitry including flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), and the like.

[0181] The computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by a suitable device. By including the computer-readable medium as a tangible device, the computer-readable medium having instructions stored on the device comprises an article of manufacture containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams.

[0182] The computer-readable medium may be, for example, an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, an electromagnetic storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, etc. More specifically, the computer-readable medium may be, for example, a floppy disk, a diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray (RTM) disk, a memory stick, an integrated circuit card, etc.

[0183] The computer-readable instructions may include any of assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, source code, and object code. The source code and object code may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​and conventional procedural programming languages. Object-oriented programming languages ​​may be, for example, Smalltalk, JAVA, C++, etc. Procedural programming languages ​​may be, for example, the "C" programming language.

[0184] The computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus locally or over a wide-area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. The processor or programmable circuitry of the general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus may execute the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts shown in Figures 19-22 or the block diagram shown in Figure 5. The processor may be, for example, a computer processor, processing unit, microprocessor, digital signal processor, controller, microcontroller, etc.

[0185] 23 is a diagram showing an example of a computer 2200 in which the driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 2200 can cause the computer 2200 to perform operations associated with the driving assistance device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention or to function as one or more sections of the driving assistance device 100, or to execute the operations or one or more sections, or to execute each step of the driving assistance method of the present invention (see FIGS. 19 to 22). The program can be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts ( FIGS. 19 to 22 ) and block diagram ( FIG. 5 ) described herein.

[0186] The computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, a RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218. The CPU 2212, the RAM 2214, the graphics controller 2216, and the display device 2218 are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 further includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive. The communication interface 2222, the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM drive 2226, and the IC card drive are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer further includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242. The ROM 2230, the keyboard 2242, and the like are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0187] The CPU 2212 controls each unit by operating in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 2230 and the RAM 2214. The graphics controller 2216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 2212 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 2214, or into the RAM 2214, so that the image data can be displayed on the display device 2218.

[0188] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the read programs or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0189] The ROM 2230 stores a boot program or the like that is executed by the computer 2200 upon activation, or a program that depends on the hardware of the computer 2200. The input / output chip 2240 may connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, or the like.

[0190] The programs are provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable medium, installed in the hard disk drive 2224, RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable media, and executed by the CPU 2212. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2200, and brings about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by implementing information manipulation or processing in accordance with the use of the computer 2200.

[0191] For example, when communication is performed between computer 2200 and an external device, CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded in RAM 2214 and instruct communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of CPU 2212, communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in RAM 2214, hard disk drive 2224, DVD-ROM 2201, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0192] The CPU 2212 may read all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored on an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), an IC card, etc. into the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may then write the processed data back to the external recording medium.

[0193] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and processed. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional decisions, conditional branches, unconditional branches, information search or replacement, etc., specified by the instruction sequences of the programs described in this disclosure. The CPU 2212 may write the results back to the RAM 2214.

[0194] CPU 2212 may search for information in a file, database, etc. in the recording medium. For example, if a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, CPU 2212 may search the plurality of entries for an entry that matches a condition specified by the attribute value of the first attribute, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and by reading the second attribute value, obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0195] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored on the computer 2200 or in a computer-readable medium of the computer 2200. A recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as the computer-readable medium. The programs may be provided to the computer 2200 by the recording medium.

[0196] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0197] It should be noted that the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that the processes can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the processes must be performed in this order.

[0198] 10... Calculation unit, 20... Identification unit, 30... Determination unit, 40... Control unit, 50... Input unit, 52... Display unit, 60... Memory unit, 70... Liquid, 71... Cations, 72... Liquid, 73... Liquid, 74... Liquid, 75... Liquid, 76... Liquid, 77... Gas, 78... Gas, 79... Anode chamber, 80... Anode, 82... Cathode, 84... Ion exchange membrane, 86... Anion group, 90... Electrolytic cell, 91... Electrolytic cell, 92... Inlet tube, 93... Inlet tube, 94... Outlet tube, 95... Outlet tube, 97... Temperature sensor, 98... Cathode chamber, 99: Concentration sensor, 100: Driving assistance device, 200: Electrolysis device, 210: Terminal, 2200: Computer, 2201: DVD-ROM, 2210: Host controller, 2212: CPU, 2214: RAM, 2216: Graphics controller, 2218: Display device, 2220: Input / output controller, 2222: Communication interface, 2224: Hard disk drive, 2226: DVD-ROM drive, 2230: ROM, 2240: Input / output chip, 2242: Keyboard

Claims

1. a calculation unit that calculates, based on a predetermined hourly electricity cost or power consumption associated with operation of a plurality of electrolytic cells operating in parallel, an hourly production amount that is an hourly production amount of the product that satisfies a target production amount of the product produced by the plurality of electrolytic cells over a predetermined period of time; an identification unit that identifies an operating electrolytic cell among the plurality of electrolytic cells based on the hourly production amount calculated by the calculation unit; A driving assistance device comprising:

2. The driving assistance device according to claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit calculates the hourly production amount that satisfies the target production amount of the product for the period and minimizes an electricity cost or an electricity consumption amount for the period.

3. A determination unit is further provided, the calculation unit calculates a first current value to be applied to the plurality of electrolytic cells for each time period based on an hourly production amount of the product; The calculation unit calculates a second current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells based on an impurity concentration of the product or a temperature of an electrolytic solution decomposed by the electrolytic cell; the determination unit determines which is larger between the first current value and the second current value for each time period calculated by the calculation unit, and determines which is larger between the first current value for each time period and a predetermined fourth current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells; when the determination unit determines that the first current value is equal to or less than the fourth current value and that the first current value is less than the second current value at a first time which is at least one of the times, or when the determination unit determines that the first current value is equal to or greater than the second current value and that the first current value is greater than the fourth current value at a second time which is at least one of the times, the identification unit identifies one of the multiple electrolytic baths to be stopped. A driving assistance device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A control unit for controlling current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells is further provided. When the determination unit determines that the first current value is equal to or greater than the second current value and equal to or less than the fourth current value, the control unit controls the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells to the first current value. The driving assistance device according to claim 3.

5. the determination unit obtains an elapsed time from when the first current value is determined to be equal to or greater than the second current value and equal to or less than the fourth current value; The determination unit determines whether the elapsed time is greater than the predetermined time, When the determination unit determines that the elapsed time is greater than the predetermined time, the control unit outputs information regarding whether or not to change the operating conditions of the plurality of electrolytic cells. The driving assistance device according to claim 4.

6. When the determination unit determines that the first current value is less than the second current value at the first time and that the first current value is greater than the fourth current value at the second time, the calculation unit further calculates, for each time, a current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths, either by setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths at the first time as the second current value or by setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic baths at the second time as the fourth current value. The driving assistance device according to claim 4.

7. the determination unit determines whether a first difference between the second current value and the first current value at the first time and a second difference between the first current value and the fourth current value at the second time are larger or smaller; When the determination unit determines that the first difference is greater than the second difference, the calculation unit further calculates, for each time period, a current to be passed through the multiple electrolytic baths during the first time period as the second current value, and when the determination unit determines that the second difference is greater than the first difference, the calculation unit further calculates, for each time period, a current to be passed through the multiple electrolytic baths during the second time period as the fourth current value. The driving assistance device according to claim 6.

8. A control unit for controlling current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells is further provided. The calculation unit further calculates a third current value for each of the time periods when the one electrolytic cell is stopped, the determination unit determines which of the third current value and the fourth current value is larger; When the determination unit determines that the third current value is equal to or less than the fourth current value, the control unit controls the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells to the third current value. The driving assistance device according to claim 3.

9. The determination unit further determines which of the third current value and the second current value is larger, When the determination unit determines that the third current value is equal to or less than the fourth current value and equal to or greater than the second current value, the control unit controls the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells to the third current value. A driving assistance device according to claim 8.

10. 10. The driving assistance device according to claim 9, wherein when the determination unit determines that the third current value is less than the second current value at at least one of the times, the identification unit further identifies another electrolytic cell to be stopped among the plurality of electrolytic cells.

11. The driving assistance device according to claim 10 , wherein the calculation unit further calculates, for each of the time periods, a current value when the one electrolytic bath and the another electrolytic bath are stopped as the third current value.

12. A driving assistance device as described in claim 11, wherein when the identification unit identifies all of the plurality of electrolytic baths as electrolytic baths to be stopped, the calculation unit further calculates the current to be flowed through the plurality of electrolytic baths for each time period by setting the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths as the second current value or the fourth current value.

13. 9. A driving assistance device as described in claim 8, wherein when the determination unit determines that the third current value is greater than the fourth current value in at least one of the time periods, the calculation unit further calculates, for each of the time periods, a current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells, the fourth current value being the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells in at least one of the time periods.

14. The determination unit determines whether a concentration of the product in the aqueous solution of the product is greater than a predetermined first concentration, and determines whether a concentration of impurities in the product is less than a predetermined second concentration; When the determination unit determines that the concentration of the product is greater than the first concentration and less than the second concentration, the control unit controls the current flowing through the one electrolytic cell to be smaller than the current flowing through the other electrolytic cell. A driving assistance device according to claim 8.

15. The determination unit determines whether the amount of power consumption for each hour is larger than the amount of power that can be supplied to the electrolytic cell for each hour, During the one time period during which it is determined that the amount of power consumption is less than the amount of power supplyable, the calculation unit calculates an amount of surplus power that is a difference between the amount of power supplyable and the amount of power consumption; the control unit controls the power supplied to the electrolytic cell to be power including the amount of surplus power during the other time period during which the amount of power consumption is determined to be equal to or greater than the amount of available power supply. The driving assistance device according to claim 4.

16. The driving assistance device according to claim 1 , further comprising a display unit that displays the amount of power consumption.

17. a first calculation step in which the calculation unit calculates, based on a predetermined hourly electricity cost or electricity consumption associated with operation of a plurality of electrolytic cells operating in parallel, an hourly production amount which is an hourly production amount of the product produced by the plurality of electrolytic cells over a predetermined period of time and which satisfies a target production amount of the product; an electrolytic cell identification step in which an identification unit identifies an operating electrolytic cell among the plurality of electrolytic cells based on the hourly production amount calculated in the first calculation step; A driving assistance method comprising:

18. 18. The driving assistance method according to claim 17, wherein the first calculation step is a step of calculating the hourly production amount that satisfies the target production amount of the product over the period and minimizes an electricity cost or an electricity consumption amount over the period.

19. a second calculation step in which the calculation unit calculates a first current value to be applied to the plurality of electrolytic cells for each hour based on an hourly production amount of the product; a third calculation step in which the calculation unit calculates a second current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells based on an impurity concentration of the product or a temperature of the electrolytic solution decomposed by the electrolytic cells; a first determination step in which a determination unit determines whether the first current value for each time period calculated in the second calculation step is larger than the second current value calculated in the third calculation step; a second determination step in which, when it is determined in the first determination step that the first current value at a first time, which is at least one of the times, is less than the second current value, the determination unit determines whether the first current value for each of the times calculated in the second calculation step is larger than a predetermined fourth current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells; Further equipped with the electrolytic bath identifying step is a step in which, when it is determined in the second determination step that the first current value is equal to or less than the fourth current value, the identifying unit identifies one of the plurality of electrolytic baths to be stopped. A driving assistance method according to claim 17 or 18.

20. a third determination step in which, when it is determined in the first determination step that the first current value for each time period is equal to or greater than the second current value, the determination unit determines whether the first current value for each time period calculated in the second calculation step is larger than a predetermined fourth current value to be passed through the plurality of electrolytic cells; the electrolytic bath identifying step is a step in which, when it is determined in the third determination step that the first current value at the second time, which is at least one of the times, is greater than the fourth current value, the identifying unit identifies one of the plurality of electrolytic baths to be stopped; 20. The driving assistance method according to claim 19.

21. 21. The driving assistance method according to claim 20, further comprising a control step in which, when the first current value is determined to be equal to or greater than the second current value in the first determination step and the first current value is determined to be equal to or less than the fourth current value in the third determination step, a control unit controls a current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells to the first current value.

22. an elapsed time acquisition step in which the determination unit acquires an elapsed time since it was determined in the third determination step that the first current value is equal to or less than the fourth current value; a time determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the elapsed time acquired in the elapsed time acquisition step is larger than the predetermined time; an information output step of the control unit outputting information regarding whether or not to change operating conditions of the plurality of electrolytic cells when it is determined in the time determination step that the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined time; The driving assistance method of claim 21 further comprising:

23. 22. A driving assistance method according to claim 21, wherein, when the first determination step determines that the first current value at the first time is less than the second current value and the second determination step determines that the first current value at the second time is greater than the fourth current value, the calculation unit further calculates, for each time, a current to be flowed through the multiple electrolytic cells, by setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells at the first time to the second current value, or by setting the current flowing through the multiple electrolytic cells at the second time to the fourth current value.

24. a fourth determination step in which the determination unit determines whether a first difference between the second current value and the first current value at the first time and a second difference between the first current value and the fourth current value at the second time are larger or smaller, the second calculation step is a step in which, when it is determined in the fourth determination step that the first difference is greater than the second difference, the calculation unit further calculates, for each time period, a current flowing through the electrolytic baths during the first time period as the second current value, and the second calculation step is a step in which, when it is determined in the fourth determination step that the second difference is greater than the first difference, the calculation unit further calculates, for each time period, a current flowing through the electrolytic baths during the second time period as the fourth current value.

24. A driving assistance method according to claim 23.

25. a fourth calculation step in which the calculation unit further calculates, for each of the time periods, a third current value when the one electrolytic bath identified in the electrolytic bath identification step is stopped; a fifth determination step in which the determination unit determines which of the third current value and the fourth current value is larger; a control step of controlling, by a control unit, a current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells to the third current value when it is determined in the fifth determination step that the third current value is equal to or less than the fourth current value; The driving assistance method of claim 19, further comprising:

26. a sixth determination step in which the determination unit determines which of the third current value and the second current value is larger; the control step is a step in which, when the third current value is determined to be equal to or less than the fourth current value in the fifth determination step and the third current value is determined to be equal to or more than the second current value in the sixth determination step, the control unit controls the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells to the third current value.

26. A driving assistance method according to claim 25.

27. 27. A driving assistance method according to claim 26, wherein the electrolytic bath identifying step is a step in which, when it is determined in the sixth determination step that the third current value at at least one of the times is less than the second current value, the identifying unit further identifies another electrolytic bath among the plurality of electrolytic baths to be stopped.

28. 28. A driving assistance method according to claim 27, wherein the fourth calculation step is a step in which the calculation unit further calculates, for each of the time periods, a current value in a case where the one electrolytic bath and the other electrolytic bath are stopped as the third current value.

29. 29. A driving assistance method according to claim 28, wherein the second calculation step is a step in which, when all of the plurality of electrolytic baths are identified as electrolytic baths to be stopped in the electrolytic bath identification step, the calculation unit further calculates, for each of the time periods, a current to be flowed through the plurality of electrolytic baths, with the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic baths as the second current value.

30. 26. A driving assistance method according to claim 25, wherein the second calculation step is a step in which, when it is determined in the fifth determination step that the third current value in at least one of the periods of time is greater than the fourth current value, the calculation unit further calculates, for each of the periods of time, a current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells, which is determined to be the fourth current value, the current flowing through the plurality of electrolytic cells in the at least one period of time.

31. The method further includes a seventh determination step in which the determination unit determines whether a concentration of the product in the aqueous solution of the product is greater than a predetermined first concentration and whether a concentration of impurities in the product is less than a predetermined second concentration, the control step is a step of, when it is determined in the seventh determination step that the concentration of the product is greater than the first concentration and less than the second concentration, the control unit controls the current flowing through the electrolytic cell to be stopped, identified in the electrolytic cell identification step, to be smaller than the currents flowing through the other electrolytic cells; 26. A driving assistance method according to claim 25.

32. a magnitude determination step in which the determination unit determines which is larger between the amount of power consumption per hour and the amount of power that can be supplied per hour to the electrolytic cell; a surplus power calculation step of calculating a surplus power amount that is a difference between the available power supply amount and the power consumption amount during one of the times when it is determined that the power consumption amount is less than the available power supply amount, by the calculation unit; a power control step in which the control unit controls the power supplied to the electrolytic cell to power including the amount of surplus power during the other time period during which it is determined that the amount of power consumption is equal to or greater than the amount of available power supply; The driving assistance method of claim 21 further comprising:

33. A driving assistance program for causing a computer to function as the driving assistance device according to claim 1 or 2.

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