IP Library Granted Patent US 9,768,454
Granted Patent B2
US 9,768,454 · App. 14/472,776 · Granted Sep 19, 2017

Control apparatus and control method, and combined power generation system provided therewith

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,768,454
App. No.
14/472,776
Granted
Sep 19, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A combined power generation system is promptly activated, and stable operation thereof is provided. A control apparatus of the combined power generation system that generates power by performing cooperative operation combining an SOFC and an MGT, in which the combined power generation system includes: an exhaust fuel gas supply line that supplies exhaust fuel gas to a combustor of the MGT from the SOFC; a recirculation line that branches from the exhaust fuel gas supply line to flow the exhaust fuel gas to the SOFC; and a flow rate adjustment valve provided on a path of the exhaust fuel gas supply line, and in which a gain to an opening of the flow rate adjustment valve is adjusted according to an cooperative operation state of the SOFC and the MGT.

Claims (15)

1. A control apparatus of a combined power generation system that generates power by performing cooperative operation combining a fuel cell and an internal combustion engine, wherein

the combined power generation system comprises:

an exhaust fuel gas supply line that supplies exhaust fuel gas to a combustor of the internal combustion engine from the fuel cell;

a recirculation line that branches from the exhaust fuel gas supply line to flow the exhaust fuel gas to the fuel cell; and

a flow rate adjustment valve provided on a path of the exhaust fuel gas supply line, wherein

a flow rate of the branched exhaust fuel gas that flows through the recirculation line is controlled by an opening of the flow rate adjustment valve,

the control apparatus comprising:

a storing unit that stores gain information for adjusting a gain to the opening of the flow rate adjustment; and

an adjustment unit that adjusts the gain to the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve according to a cooperative operation state of the fuel cell and the internal combustion engine.

2. The control apparatus of the combined power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the gain of the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve is adjusted according to gas density of the exhaust fuel gas that flows through the recirculation line and the flow rate of the exhaust fuel gas that flows through the recirculation line.

3. The control apparatus of the combined power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the cooperative operation state of the fuel cell and the internal combustion engine has a plurality of stages of: an activation stage from operation start until power generation; a power generation stage from power generation start to rated power generation start; and a stop stage in which a load is paralleled off, and the gain of the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve is adjusted according to each stage.

4. The control apparatus of the combined power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the cooperative operation state of the fuel cell and the internal combustion engine has an activation stage from operation start until power generation and a power generation stage from power generation start to rated power generation start, and a gain to an opening of the flow rate adjustment valve in the activation stage is set larger than a gain to an opening of the flow rate adjustment valve in the power generation stage.

5. The control apparatus of the combined power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the gain of the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve is adjusted according to a power load.

6. The control apparatus of the combined power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein gas density is estimated based on a supply amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell, or a power generation amount.

7. The control apparatus of the combined power generation system according to claim 6 , wherein the gas density is estimated based on at least one of a temperature of the exhaust fuel gas detected in the exhaust fuel gas supply line, and a pressure value detected in the recirculation line.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVING PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 11921683 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054975 FRAME: 0438. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 26, 2023
From: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
Reel/Frame 063787/0867 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 13, 2021
From: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
Reel/Frame 054975/0438 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2014
From: NAGAI, TAKUMA; TERAMOTO, YUICHI; NISHIURA, MASANORI; KOGA, SHIGENORI
To: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 033965/0256 →