Operation method for electrolysis device, control device for electrolysis device, and electrolysis system

Abstract

The present invention provides: an operation method for an electrolysis device that is able to quickly reach a rated load; a control device for an electrolysis device; and an electrolysis system. Provided is an operation method for an electrolysis device (100) that is provided with a temperature adjuster (30), which adjusts the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell (40), the electrolytic cell (40), which electrolyzes the electrolytic solution supplied thereto via the temperature adjuster (30), and a gas-liquid separator (20), which separates a gas and a liquid produced by the electrolytic cell (40), wherein in a state in which the electrolysis device (100) is stopped, warm water is supplied to the temperature adjuster (30).

Description

Electrolysis device operation method, electrolysis device control device, and electrolysis system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for operating an electrolysis device, a control device for an electrolysis device, and an electrolysis system.

[0002] Improvement of energy efficiency in electrolysis devices, particularly water electrolysis devices, has been studied. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses that, in order to improve energy efficiency during startup of a water electrolysis device, hot water heated using heat recovered from a power generation device is stored and the heat of the hot water is supplied to make-up water for the water electrolysis device.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-299322

[0004] However, the invention of Patent Document 1 only considers increasing the temperature of makeup water at startup, and does not consider what happens when the water electrolysis device is shut down. At startup, the electrolyte (water) of the water electrolysis device needs to be heated to the operating temperature (rated temperature) for operation at rated load, but the temperature drops when the device is shut down, which causes a problem of taking time for the temperature to rise.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an operation method for an electrolysis device, a control device for an electrolysis device, and an electrolysis system that can quickly reach a rated load.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the method for operating an electrolytic device, the control device for an electrolytic device, and the electrolysis system disclosed herein employ the following means: The method for operating an electrolytic device disclosed herein is a method for operating an electrolytic device comprising a temperature regulator that adjusts the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid produced in the electrolytic cell, and when the electrolytic device is in a stopped state, hot water is supplied to the temperature regulator.

[0007] The control device for an electrolytic device of the present disclosure includes a temperature regulator that adjusts the temperature of the electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, an electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic cell, and when the electrolytic device is in a stopped state where it is stopped, the control device controls so that hot water is supplied to the temperature regulator.

[0008] The electrolysis system disclosed herein comprises an electrolysis device including a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates gas and liquid produced in the electrolytic cell, a hydrogen storage facility that stores hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device, and a power generation facility that generates electricity using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility, and hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is supplied to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator of the electrolysis device.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, supplying hot water to the temperature regulator can prevent a temperature drop in the electrolyte when the electrolysis device is stopped. Suppressing the temperature drop allows for a rapid temperature rise the next time the device is started up, shortening the startup time. Furthermore, maintaining the temperature of the entire electrolysis device improves startup efficiency, enables the electrolysis device to quickly reach its rated load, and allows more hydrogen to be produced.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an electrolysis system as a conventional example; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of an electrolysis system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of an electrolysis system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] An embodiment of an electrolysis device operating method, an electrolysis device control device, and an electrolysis system according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an electrolysis system as a conventional example. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the electrolysis system 1000 mainly includes an electrolysis device 100, a dehumidification device 71, a hydrogen storage facility 72, a power generation facility 73, a deionization device 81, and a cooling tower (radiator) 83. The electrolysis device 100 mainly includes gas-liquid separators (separators) 20a and 20b, temperature regulators 30a and 30b, and an electrolytic cell 40. In FIG. 1 , the thick line indicates the electrolyte, the solid line indicates pure water or cooling water, the dashed line indicates hydrogen, the two-dot chain line indicates oxygen, and the thick one-dot chain line indicates exhaust gas.

[0012] The electrolysis device 100 performs, for example, alkaline water electrolysis in an electrolytic cell 40, and is a device that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water contained in an electrolyte (LYE) when a direct current voltage is applied.

[0013] An electrolytic solution whose temperature is adjusted by a temperature regulator (LYE cooler) 30 (a temperature regulator (oxygen-side temperature regulator) 30a and a temperature regulator (hydrogen-side temperature regulator) 30b) is supplied to the electrolytic cell 40 via a circulation pump 31 (a circulation pump (oxygen-side circulation pump) 31a and a circulation pump (hydrogen-side circulation pump) 31b). Electrolysis is carried out in the electrolytic cell 40, and hydrogen and the electrolytic solution are supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20b, and oxygen and the electrolytic solution are supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20a.

[0014] The gas-liquid separator 20b separates hydrogen from the electrolyte and supplies the hydrogen to the cooler 12b and the electrolyte to the hydrogen-side temperature regulator 30b. The gas-liquid separator 20a separates oxygen from the electrolyte and supplies the oxygen to the cooler 12a and the electrolyte to the oxygen-side temperature regulator 30a.

[0015] Cooler 12b cools the hydrogen and supplies it to drum 11b. Cooler 12a cools the oxygen and supplies it to drum 11a. Drum 11b removes liquid droplets (moisture) contained in the supplied hydrogen and supplies the hydrogen to dehumidifier 71. During start-up, the discharge from drum 11b may contain water or impurities, so the discharge from drum 11b is discharged to the outside via hydrogen vent pipe 60. When the condition of the discharge from drum 11b improves and it becomes mostly hydrogen, the discharge destination is switched from hydrogen vent pipe 60 to dehumidifier 71. Drum 11a removes liquid droplets (moisture) contained in the supplied oxygen. The oxygen is discharged to the outside.

[0016] The dehumidifier 71 dehumidifies and deoxidizes the hydrogen, and supplies only the hydrogen to the hydrogen storage facility 72 .

[0017] The hydrogen storage facility 72 stores hydrogen produced by electrolysis. When the power generation facility 73 generates power, the hydrogen storage facility 72 supplies hydrogen to the power generation facility 73.

[0018] The power generation facility 73 generates electricity using hydrogen. During power generation, exhaust gas at about 100° C. is discharged to the outside.

[0019] When cooling is performed in the temperature regulator 30 described above, cooling water is supplied from a cooling tower (radiator) 83 via a cooling water pump 84 and an on-off valve 85. The cooling water supplied from the cooling tower 83 is not used as the electrolyte, but is used to adjust (cool) the temperature of the electrolyte passing through the temperature regulator 30.

[0020] When cooling is performed in the cooler 12 described above, cooling water is supplied from a cooling tower 83 via a cooling water pump 84, an on-off valve 85, and an on-off valve 86. In this case as well, the cooling water supplied from the cooling tower 83 is not used as the electrolytic solution, but is used to adjust (cool) the temperature of the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas passing through the cooler 12.

[0021] Pure water used as an electrolyte is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20b from a pure water device 81 via a pure water pump 82.

[0022] The electrolysis device 100 is provided with a gas analyzer 13. The gas analyzer 13 measures the inside of the piping in the electrolysis device 100, and measures the oxygen concentration and the concentration of impurities.

[0023] In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between the drums 11, coolers 12, gas-liquid separators 20, temperature regulators 30, and circulation pumps 31, either "a" or "b" is added to the end of the name, and when it is not necessary to distinguish between the drums 11, coolers 12, gas-liquid separators 20, temperature regulators 30, and circulation pumps 31, "a" or "b" is omitted.

[0024] The electrolysis device 100 of the present disclosure can use renewable energy such as solar power generation or wind power generation to generate electricity for electrolysis of water, but is not limited to this. In water electrolysis using renewable energy, if there is a surplus of electricity from the renewable energy, hydrogen is produced by the electrolysis device 100 and stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72. If there is no electricity from the renewable energy, hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72 is used to generate electricity in the power generation facility 73.

[0025] In the case of the conventional electrolysis system 1000, the operating temperature (rated temperature) of the electrolytic solution during rated operation is, for example, approximately 90°C. The temperature of the electrolytic solution drops when the electrolysis device 100 is stopped. Therefore, when the electrolysis system 1000 is started, it takes approximately 1.5 hours to raise the temperature of the electrolytic solution from room temperature to the rated temperature (for example, 90°C).

[0026] In the conventional electrolysis system 1000, the electrolysis reaction proceeds both at startup and during load increase, generating hydrogen. Because electrolysis is performed in the electrolytic cell 40, water is decomposed and becomes insufficient, so pure water must be supplied as make-up water from the pure water system 81. Because the make-up water from the pure water system 81 is at room temperature, it may take a long time for the temperature to rise.

[0027] As described above, in the conventional electrolysis system 1000, when the load increases, or particularly when starting up, it takes time to reach rated operation.

[0028] The electrolysis system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to quickly reach rated operation. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an electrolysis system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. This embodiment differs from the conventional example described above in that it includes a heat exchanger 90 and a hot water tank 93, but is otherwise similar to the conventional example. Here, differences from the conventional example will be mainly described, and redundant description of parts that are the same as those in the conventional example will be omitted. The same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the conventional example. In FIG. 2 , the thick line indicates the electrolyte, the solid line indicates pure water or cooling water, the dashed line indicates hydrogen, the two-dot chain line indicates oxygen, and the thick dashed dot line indicates exhaust gas.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2 , the electrolysis system 1 includes a heat exchanger 90, a hot water pump 91, an on-off valve 92, a hot water tank 93, a hot water pump 94, an on-off valve 95, and a control device 50.

[0030] The heat exchanger 90 is supplied with exhaust gas discharged from the power generation facility 73. Pure water is also supplied from the water purifier 81, and heat is exchanged between the pure water and the exhaust gas discharged from the power generation facility 73, thereby raising the temperature of the pure water and turning it into hot water. The hot water is supplied from the heat exchanger 90 to a hot water pump 91 and a hot water tank 93.

[0031] The hot water supplied from the heat exchanger 90 via the hot water pump 91 and the on-off valve 92 is added to the cooling water supplied from the cooling tower 83 to the temperature regulator 30, thereby heating the cooling water.

[0032] The hot water supplied from the heat exchanger 90 to the hot water tank 93 is temporarily stored in the hot water tank 93 and then supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20 b via a hot water pump 94 and an on-off valve 95 .

[0033] The control device 50 controls the electrolysis system 1 in accordance with the operating state of the electrolysis system 1 .

[0034] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3 , the control device (Controller) 50 is a computer system including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit: Processor) 1100, a secondary storage device (ROM, Secondary storage: Memory) 1200, a main storage device (RAM, Main Memory) 1300, a hard disk drive (HDD) 1400 as a large-capacity storage device, and a communication unit 1500 for connecting to a network or the like. A solid-state drive (SSD) may also be used as the large-capacity storage device. These units are connected via a bus 1800.

[0035] The CPU 1100 controls the entire control device 50 using, for example, an operating system (OS) stored in a secondary storage device 1200 connected via a bus 1800, and executes various processes by executing various programs stored in the secondary storage device 1200. One or more CPUs 1100 may be provided, and they may cooperate with each other to realize processes.

[0036] The main memory device 1300 is composed of writable memory such as cache memory or RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a working area for reading programs executed by the CPU 1100 and writing data processed by the programs.

[0037] The secondary storage device 1200 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The secondary storage device 1200 is, for example, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory. Examples of the secondary storage device 1200 include a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and a flash memory. The secondary storage device 1200 stores, for example, an OS for controlling the entire information processing device, such as Windows (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark), a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), various device drivers for operating peripheral devices, various application software, and various data and files. The secondary storage device 1200 stores programs for implementing various processes and various data required for implementing various processes. A plurality of secondary storage devices 1200 may be provided, and the above-mentioned programs and data may be stored separately in each secondary storage device 1200.

[0038] The control device 50 may include an input unit such as a keyboard or a mouse, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying data, etc. The control device 50 may also include a notification unit such as a speaker that includes the display unit and outputs a lamp, sound, especially an alarm sound.

[0039] A series of processes for realizing the functions of the control device 50 is stored in the secondary storage device 1200 or the like in the form of a program, and the CPU (processor) 1100 reads this program into the main storage device 1300 and executes information processing and arithmetic processing to realize various functions. The program may be pre-installed in the secondary storage device 1200, provided in a state stored in another non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an electrolysis system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 described above illustrates a case in which there is no electricity generated from renewable energy in the electrolysis system 1, while Fig. 4 illustrates a case in which there is a surplus of electricity generated from renewable energy. In Figs. 2 and 4 , the thick lines indicate the electrolyte, the solid lines indicate pure water or cooling water, the dashed lines indicate hydrogen, the two-dot chain lines indicate oxygen, and the thick dashed dot line indicates exhaust gas.

[0041] [When there is no power from renewable energy] As shown in Fig. 2 , when there is no power from renewable energy, power is generated in the power generation facility 73 using hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72. Furthermore, since power supply to the electrolysis device 100 using renewable energy is no longer provided, the electrolysis device 100 is also stopped and enters a stopped state. In the stopped electrolysis device 100, only the circulation pump 31 operates. In this case, the on-off valve 95, the on-off valve 85, and the on-off valve 86 are closed and the on-off valve 92 is opened under the control of the control device 50.

[0042] The hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device 100 during operation is stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72. When there is no electricity generated from renewable energy, the power generation facility 73 generates electricity using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72.

[0043] During power generation in the power generation facility 73, exhaust gas at about 100° C. is discharged. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the exhaust gas from the power generation facility 73 is supplied to a heat exchanger 90 as indicated by a thick dashed line.

[0044] The heat exchanger 90 exchanges heat between the exhaust gas and the pure water supplied from the pure water device 81 via the pure water pump 82, to generate hot water.

[0045] A portion of the hot water discharged from the heat exchanger 90 is supplied to the hot water tank 93. Because the on-off valve 95 is closed, the hot water is stored in the hot water tank 93. In this way, the temperature of the makeup water to be supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20 can be increased in advance.

[0046] The hot water discharged from the heat exchanger 90 is also supplied to the temperature regulators 30a and 30b via the hot water pump 91 and the open on-off valve 92. By supplying hot water to the temperature regulator 30 while the electrolysis device 100 is stopped, the temperatures of the temperature regulator 30 and the electrolytic solution can be maintained higher than room temperature.

[0047] At this time, the cooling water supplied from the cooling tower 83 is not supplied to the temperature regulator 30 and the cooler 12 because the on-off valves 85 and 86 are closed. Therefore, the cooling water from the cooling tower 83 does not lower the temperature of the temperature regulator 30 or the electrolyte.

[0048] The gas-liquid separator 20b has the on-off valve 95 closed and no make-up water is supplied. Since the electrolysis device 100 is in a stopped state, water electrolysis is not performed and there is no shortage of water.

[0049] [When there is a surplus of electricity from renewable energy] As shown in Fig. 4 , when there is a surplus of electricity from renewable energy, hydrogen is produced in the electrolysis device 100 using the renewable energy and stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72. In this manner, the electrolysis device 100 is operated and in an operating state. Because hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72, it is not supplied to the power generation facility 73, and the power generation facility 73 does not generate electricity. Therefore, no exhaust gas is generated in the power generation facility 73, and the exhaust gas is not supplied to the heat exchanger 90. In this case, the on-off valve 95, on-off valve 85, and on-off valve 86 are opened and the on-off valve 92 is closed under the control of the control device 50.

[0050] When power is supplied from renewable energy, the electrolytic cell 40 of the electrolysis device 100 electrolyzes the electrolyte. From the electrolytic cell 40, hydrogen and the electrolyte are supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20b, and oxygen and the electrolyte are supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20a.

[0051] The gas-liquid separator 20b separates the hydrogen from the electrolyte, and the hydrogen is supplied to the cooler 12b. The gas-liquid separator 20a separates the oxygen from the electrolyte, and the oxygen is supplied to the cooler 12a. The electrolyte separated by the gas-liquid separator 20b is circulated again and supplied to the temperature regulator 30.

[0052] The temperature regulator 30 regulates the temperature of the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution is adjusted to the rated temperature of the electrolytic device 100 (for example, 90° C.), and is supplied to the electrolytic cell 40 by the circulation pump 31 and circulated within the electrolytic device 100.

[0053] When the electrolysis device 100 is in operation, cooling water is supplied to the temperature regulator 30 from the cooling tower 83. Cooling water is also supplied to each cooler 12 from the cooling tower 83. When the electrolysis device 100 switches from a stopped state to an operating state, the on-off valve 92 is switched from open to closed to stop the supply of hot water, and the on-off valves 85 and 86 are switched from closed to open to start the supply of cooling water. When the supply of cooling water starts, the supply of makeup water (hot water) to the gas-liquid separator 20b starts.

[0054] As described above, the electrolyte circulates and electrolysis is performed in the electrolytic cell 40, and as water decomposes and becomes insufficient, make-up water is supplied from the pure water device 81. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, hot water stored in the hot water tank 93 is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20b via the hot water pump 94 and the on-off valve 95. Because the temperature of the make-up water (pure water) used as the electrolyte is elevated, the electrolyte quickly reaches the rated temperature of the electrolysis device 100. The time required for start-up of the electrolysis system 1 can also be shortened.

[0055] <Additional Notes> The electrolysis device operating method, electrolysis device control device, and electrolysis system described in the above-described embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0056] A method for operating an electrolysis device (100) according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a method for operating an electrolysis device comprising: a temperature regulator (30) for adjusting the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell (40); an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator; and a gas-liquid separator (20) for separating gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic cell, wherein when the electrolysis device is in a stopped state, hot water is supplied to the temperature regulator.

[0057] When the electrolysis device is stopped, hydrogen is not produced, the temperature of the thermoregulator drops, and it takes time for the temperature to rise the next time the device is started up. However, by supplying hot water, this temperature drop can be prevented. By suppressing the temperature drop, the temperature can be raised quickly the next time the device is started up, shortening the start-up time. Furthermore, by maintaining the operating temperature of the entire electrolysis device, the efficiency at start-up can be improved, and the electrolysis device can quickly reach its rated load, allowing more hydrogen to be produced.

[0058] The method for operating an electrolysis device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in the first aspect, when the electrolysis device is in an operating state, the hot water is supplied to the gas-liquid separator.

[0059] When the electrolysis device is in operation, supplying hot water to the gas-liquid separator can suppress a decrease in the temperature of the electrolyte, thereby improving the efficiency of hydrogen production.

[0060] The method for operating the electrolytic device of the third aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in the second aspect, when the electrolytic device is in the operating state, cooling water is controlled to be supplied to the temperature regulator, and when the electrolytic device switches from the stopped state to the operating state, control is switched so that an on-off valve (92) for supplying the hot water to the temperature regulator is closed to stop the supply of the hot water, an on-off valve (85) for supplying the cooling water to the temperature regulator is opened to start the supply of the cooling water, and an on-off valve (95) for supplying the hot water to the gas-liquid separator is opened to start the supply of the hot water.

[0061] When the electrolysis device is in operation, cooling water is supplied to the temperature regulator to cool the electrolytic solution. When the device switches from a stopped state to an operating state, that is, when the electrolysis device is started, the supply of hot water to the temperature regulator is stopped and the supply of hot water to the gas-liquid separator is started. Therefore, the efficiency of the entire electrolysis device can be improved simply by switching the supply destination.

[0062] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure may be a method of operating an electrolysis apparatus in the second or third aspect, wherein the electrolysis apparatus is a water electrolysis apparatus (100), the electrolytic cell of the water electrolysis apparatus generates hydrogen, and when the water electrolysis apparatus is in the operating state, stores the hydrogen in a hydrogen storage facility (72), and when the water electrolysis apparatus is in the stopped state, generates electricity using a power generation facility (73) using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility, and controls the hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility to be supplied to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator.

[0063] Hot water is generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility and supplied to the temperature regulator or gas-liquid separator, making it possible to effectively utilize exhaust gas that would otherwise be discarded.Since hot water is generated using the waste heat of the exhaust gas, the cost required for hot water generation can be reduced.

[0064] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for operating an electrolysis device according to the fourth aspect, wherein when the water electrolysis device is in the stopped state, hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is stored in a hot water tank (93), and when the water electrolysis device is in the operating state, the hot water stored in the hot water tank may be supplied to the gas-liquid separator.

[0065] When the water electrolysis device is stopped, hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is stored in the hot water tank, allowing the exhaust gas from the power generation facility to be used effectively without waste.When the water electrolysis device is operating, hot water from the hot water tank is supplied to the gas-liquid separator, reducing the cost of hot water generation and allowing hot water to be supplied to the gas-liquid separator quickly.

[0066] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure relates to the method of operating an electrolysis device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, and may be configured such that the power generation facility generates electricity using renewable energy, and when there is a shortage of the renewable energy, generates electricity using hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility.

[0067] The hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility can be used to supplement any surplus or shortfall in renewable energy, ensuring stable operation of the entire system. It is also anticipated that surplus renewable energy will be used to produce hydrogen, allowing fluctuations in renewable energy to be absorbed and utilized effectively.

[0068] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure provides a control device (50) for an electrolytic device that includes a temperature regulator that adjusts the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic cell, and controls the supply of hot water to the temperature regulator when the electrolytic device is in a stopped state.

[0069] The control device for the electrolysis device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured to control the hot water to be supplied to the gas-liquid separator when the electrolysis device is in an operating state in the seventh aspect.

[0070] The control device of the electrolytic device of the ninth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured to, in the eighth aspect, control the electrolytic device to supply cooling water to the temperature regulator when the electrolytic device is in the operating state, and when the electrolytic device switches from the stopped state to the operating state, switch control so as to close an on-off valve that supplies hot water to the temperature regulator to stop the supply of hot water, open an on-off valve that supplies the cooling water to the temperature regulator to start the supply of the cooling water, and open an on-off valve that supplies hot water to the gas-liquid separator to start the supply of hot water.

[0071] An electrolysis system (1) according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure comprises an electrolysis device including a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates gas and liquid produced in the electrolytic cell, a hydrogen storage facility that stores hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device, and a power generation facility that generates electricity using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility, and hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is supplied to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator of the electrolysis device.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, hot water is generated using the waste heat of the exhaust gas from the power generation facility 73. However, water or hot water at a temperature higher than room temperature pure water may be used if available. The temperature of the water or hot water may be any temperature higher than room temperature pure water.

[0073] 1, 1000 Electrolysis system 11, 11a, 11b Drum 12, 12a, 12b Cooler 13 Gas analyzer 20, 20a Gas-liquid separator 30 Temperature regulator (LYE cooler) 31 Circulation pump 40 Electrolyzer 50 Control device 60 Hydrogen vent pipe 71 Dehumidifier 72 Hydrogen storage equipment 73 Power generation equipment 81 Pure water device 82 Pure water pump 83 Cooling tower (radiator) 84 Cooling water pump 85 On-off valve 86 On-off valve 90 Heat exchanger 91 Hot water pump 92 On-off valve 93 Hot water tank 94 Hot water pump 95 On-off valve 100 Electrolysis device (water electrolysis device) 1100 CPU 1200 Secondary storage device 1300 Main storage device 1500 Communication unit 1800 bus

Claims

1. A method for operating an electrolytic device comprising: a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell; the electrolytic cell that electrolyzes the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator; and a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid produced in the electrolytic cell, wherein when the electrolytic device is in a stopped state, hot water is supplied to the temperature regulator.

2. The method for operating an electrolysis system according to claim 1, wherein the hot water is supplied to the gas-liquid separator when the electrolysis system is in operation.

3. A method for operating an electrolytic device as described in claim 2, wherein, when the electrolytic device is in the operating state, control is performed to supply cooling water to the temperature regulator, and when the electrolytic device switches from the stopped state to the operating state, control is switched so that an on-off valve that supplies hot water to the temperature regulator is closed to stop the supply of hot water, an on-off valve that supplies cooling water to the temperature regulator is opened to start the supply of cooling water, and an on-off valve that supplies hot water to the gas-liquid separator is opened to start the supply of hot water.

4. The method of operating an electrolysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electrolysis apparatus is a water electrolysis apparatus, the electrolytic cell of the water electrolysis apparatus generates hydrogen, and when the water electrolysis apparatus is in the operating state, the hydrogen is stored in a hydrogen storage facility, and when the water electrolysis apparatus is in the stopped state, power is generated by a power generation facility using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility, and the hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is controlled to be supplied to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator.

5. A method for operating an electrolysis device according to claim 4, wherein when the water electrolysis device is in the stopped state, the hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is stored in a hot water tank, and when the water electrolysis device is in the operating state, the hot water stored in the hot water tank is controlled to be supplied to the gas-liquid separator.

6. The method for operating an electrolysis device according to claim 4, wherein the power generation facility generates electricity using renewable energy, and generates electricity using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility when the renewable energy is insufficient.

7. A control device for an electrolytic device comprising: a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell; the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator; and a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid produced in the electrolytic cell, wherein when the electrolytic device is in a stopped state, the control device for an electrolytic device controls so that hot water is supplied to the temperature regulator.

8. The control device for an electrolysis device according to claim 7, wherein when the electrolysis device is in an operating state, the control device controls so that the hot water is supplied to the gas-liquid separator.

9. A control device for an electrolytic device as described in claim 8, which controls the supply of cooling water to the temperature regulator when the electrolytic device is in the operating state, and when the electrolytic device switches from the stopped state to the operating state, switches control so that an on-off valve that supplies hot water to the temperature regulator is closed to stop the supply of hot water, an on-off valve that supplies cooling water to the temperature regulator is opened to start the supply of cooling water, and an on-off valve that supplies hot water to the gas-liquid separator is opened to start the supply of hot water.

10. An electrolysis system comprising: an electrolysis device having a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell; the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator; a gas-liquid separator that separates gas and liquid produced in the electrolytic cell; hydrogen storage equipment that stores hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device; and power generation equipment that generates electricity using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage equipment, wherein hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation equipment is supplied to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator of the electrolysis device.

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