Power control device, fuel cell system, and method for calculating fuel gas use amount
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to accurately allocate the cost burden of fuel gas used by a fuel cell system between power generation and water heating, particularly in small or medium-sized apartments, as they cannot directly measure the amount of fuel gas used for each purpose.
Innovation Solution
A power control apparatus and method that calculates the amount of fuel gas used by a fuel cell system by measuring power and hot water consumption, using controllers to separate the fuel gas usage into amounts used for power generation and water heating, and allocate costs fairly to individual consumer units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a fuel cell system is used to generate both power and heat water, then energy efficiency is improved, but it becomes difficult to accurately allocate fuel gas costs between power generation and water heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total fuel gas consumption into distinct components: power generation consumption and water heating consumption. By separating these functions and measuring each independently through respective meters (power meter for electrical energy, calorimeter for thermal energy), the system achieves accurate cost allocation while maintaining the efficiency benefits of combined heat and power generation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel cell supplies power and hot water to multiple consumer facilities, then system versatility is improved, but cost allocation to individual units becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by installing separate measurement devices for each consumer facility or function, enabling independent tracking of power and heat consumption. This granular measurement approach simplifies cost allocation to individual units despite the system's versatility in serving multiple consumers with different consumption patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through a controller that collects data from power meters and calorimeters, calculates fuel gas consumption for each function and consumer, and generates billing information. This automated feedback loop manages the complexity of cost allocation across multiple facilities by continuously monitoring and distributing costs based on actual measured consumption.
3Measurement precision
If separate measurement devices are installed for power and heat consumption, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a controller that serves multiple functions: it collects data from various measurement devices, calculates fuel gas consumption for both power generation and water heating, manages billing allocations, and generates reports. This multi-functional controller consolidates the complexity of managing multiple measurement devices into a single integrated system, maintaining measurement precision while managing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables fair allocation of fuel gas costs to each consumer unit by accurately calculating and separating fuel gas usage for power generation and water heating, facilitating flexible pricing and efficient cost distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell that generates electrical energy and heat energy by using a fuel gas
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell that generates electrical energy and heat energy by using a fuel gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A power control apparatus includes a controller configured to control a fuel cell. The fuel cell generates power and heats water using fuel gas.The fuel gas supplies the power and hot water to a plurality of consumer facilities. The controller obtains an amount of the fuel gas used by the fuel cell. The controller obtains an amount of the hot water supplied to the plurality of consumer facilities. The controller calculates, based on the amount of the fuel gas and the amount of the hot water, an amount of the fuel gas used by each one of the plurality of consumer facilities.