JP2009205882A - Imitation reformed gas manufacturing method, its device, and fuel cell testing device using this - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manufacture simply and safely an imitation reformed gas corresponding to a material composition of a reformed gas without reforming a wide range of kinds of fuel by a steam reforming, a partial oxidation reforming, and an auto-thermal reforming or the like, when characteristics of a fuel cell are tested according to a using fuel. <P>SOLUTION: The manufacturing method of imitation reformed gas is equipped with: a step to establish a mixing ratio of at least two or more kinds of materials out of hydrogen, oxygen, or water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane corresponding to the element composition of the material of the reformed gas to be supplied to a fuel cell; and a step to obtain an imitation reformed gas corresponding to the reformed gas by heating at least two or more kinds of materials of which the mixing ratio is established. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell test apparatus, and more particularly, by simulating a reformed gas obtained by reforming a hydrocarbon fuel so that its characteristics can be easily tested. It is what.

  Fuel cells that generate electricity by chemically reacting hydrogen, which is a fuel, and an oxidant such as air, generally have higher power generation efficiency and are cleaner than existing combustion heat engine cycle devices. Has characteristics. When the fuel cell is classified according to the electrolyte used, it can be divided into alkaline type, phosphoric acid type, molten carbonate type, solid polymer type, and solid oxide type. Among these fuel cells, there are a variety of fuels that can be used, the operating temperature is relatively high at 700 ° C. or higher, and various exhaust heat utilization is possible. A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with particularly high power generation efficiency has attracted attention.

  However, this solid oxide fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as SOFC) is a technology that is still in the development stage for practical use. Therefore, when commercializing this, overcoming technical issues such as the safe supply of fuel and oxidizer, establishing maintenance and thermal independence using exhaust heat, and developing cell bodies that can withstand high temperatures There are many challenges that must be overcome. Furthermore, in addition to further improving battery performance, it is necessary to achieve optimization and cost reduction of cogeneration systems with existing heat engine cycle devices such as gas turbines that use high-temperature exhaust gas.

  In order to overcome such technical problems and demonstrate commercialization of SOFC, a test SOFC has been developed. When performing such a technical test of SOFC, it is desired to test the compatibility between SOFC and various fuels. Normally, it is assumed that a fuel cell system uses natural gas, city gas, or hydrocarbons such as kerosene as fuel. When these fuels are used, they are reformed by a method such as steam reforming or partial oxidation reforming and supplied to the fuel cell as a mixed gas composed of hydrogen, steam, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, etc. There is a need to. Therefore, in a fuel cell test apparatus, it is common to actually reform these fuels or to simulate the composition of the reformed gas and supply it to the fuel cell.

JP 2005-174704 A

When reforming the fuel in the fuel cell test apparatus, it is necessary to stably supply a small amount of water vapor necessary for the reaction. For example, SOFC in the experiments of the single cell must have several 10 cm ³ / min to the number of 100 cm ³ / min about water vapor, which stably by 10 [mu] m ³ / min to the number of 100 [mu] m ³ / min water is evaporated in order that Must be supplied. When the reforming temperature of the fuel is a low temperature of about 600 ° C., the reforming reaction does not reach an equilibrium state, and the reformed gas composition may change due to variations in the raw material gas flow rate and composition. Furthermore, depending on gas supply mixing conditions, temperature conditions, etc., fuel hydrocarbons may be decomposed and carbon may be deposited.

  On the other hand, when supplying a simulated reformed gas corresponding to the reformed gas composition obtained by reforming the fuel to the fuel cell, it is necessary to prepare highly toxic carbon monoxide gas. It must be made. In addition, each time the experimental conditions such as the experimental temperature are changed, it is necessary to recalculate the composition of the simulated reformed gas, which is very troublesome.

  In view of such problems, the object of the present invention is to reform these fuels by steam reforming, partial oxidation reforming, autothermal reforming, etc. without using a wide variety of fuels that can be used for SOFC. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus capable of easily and safely producing a simulated reformed gas corresponding to a wide range of reformed gas compositions. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell test apparatus using such a simulated reformed gas.

  The first aspect of the present invention is a mixture ratio of at least two kinds of materials of hydrogen, oxygen or water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane according to the elemental composition of the raw material of the reformed gas supplied to the fuel cell. And a step of heating at least two or more kinds of materials having a set mixing ratio to obtain a simulated reformed gas in accordance with the reformed gas. Is in the way.

  In the simulated reformed gas manufacturing method according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the temperature at which at least two kinds of materials having a set mixing ratio are heated is the reforming temperature when the reformed gas is obtained.

  When at least two or more kinds of materials contain hydrogen, oxygen and methane, the method includes the steps of heating hydrogen and oxygen to obtain water vapor, and introducing the obtained gas containing water vapor together with methane to a heating reactor. It is preferable that

  The method may further comprise adding a component that is present in the reformed gas but not in the simulated reformed gas to the simulated reformed gas.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of material supply passages to which hydrogen, oxygen or water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane are supplied and the element composition of the raw material of the reformed gas supplied to the fuel cell are described above. Control means for controlling the flow rate of the material flowing through the plurality of material supply passages, an inlet through which the material from the plurality of material supply passages is guided, a simulated reformed gas outlet according to the reformed gas, and a heater A simulated reformed gas production apparatus comprising a heating reactor for obtaining a simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas.

  In the present invention, at least two types of materials selected from hydrogen, oxygen or water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane are selected according to the elemental composition of the raw material of the reformed gas supplied to the fuel cell. Set the mixing ratio. The control means controls the flow rate of the material flowing through the necessary material supply passage by opening the necessary material supply passage based on the set mixing ratio of the used materials. The used material led from the inlet of the heating reactor by the control means is heated by the heater here, and is obtained as a simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas supplied to the fuel cell from the outlet.

  In the simulated reformed gas production apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, an inlet through which hydrogen and oxygen are led from the hydrogen and oxygen material supply passage, an outlet communicating with the inlet of the heating reactor via the communication passage, and a heater And a water vapor generator for obtaining water vapor by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, and a material supply passage for methane gas communicating with the communication passage. In this case, the steam generator further includes a main body, an oxidation catalyst accommodated in the main body, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the oxidation catalyst or the main body, and the heater is arranged so as to surround the main body. It is provided for heating the oxidation catalyst, and the control means may control the operation of the heater based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor. In addition, when the temperature of the main body or the oxidation catalyst is lower than the first preset temperature or higher than the second preset temperature, the control means controls the material supply passage for oxygen to be closed. It is preferable to do. Furthermore, a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure on the inlet side of the water vapor generator is provided, and the control means is configured to close all the material supply passages when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined pressure. It may be controlled.

  There may be further provided an additive component supply passage that communicates with the outlet side of the heating reactor and for adding a component that exists in the reformed gas but does not exist in the simulated reformed gas to the simulated reformed gas.

  A third aspect of the present invention is a fuel using the simulated reformed gas obtained by the simulated reformed gas manufacturing method according to the first aspect of the present invention or the simulated reformed gas manufacturing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention. In battery testing equipment.

  In the present invention, a simulated reformed gas in accordance with the reformed gas supplied to the fuel cell is led to the fuel cell without reforming the fuel, and the characteristics of the fuel cell are determined using the simulated reformed gas. To be tested.

  The fuel cell test apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention further includes a carbon monoxide gas concentration sensor for detecting a carbon monoxide gas concentration in the working atmosphere, and the control device is detected by the carbon monoxide gas concentration sensor. When the carbon monoxide gas concentration exceeds a predetermined value, the material supply passage for carbon dioxide and methane may be controlled to be closed.

  A hydrogen gas concentration sensor for detecting the hydrogen gas concentration in the working atmosphere is further provided, and the control device is configured to supply a material supply passage for carbon dioxide and methane when the hydrogen gas concentration detected by the hydrogen gas concentration sensor exceeds a predetermined value. The flow rate of hydrogen and nitrogen flowing in the material supply passage for hydrogen and nitrogen is controlled so that nitrogen containing 4 mol% or less of hydrogen is led to the heating reactor. It may be.

  According to the present invention, the mixing ratio of at least two kinds of materials of hydrogen, oxygen or water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane is set according to the elemental composition of the reformed gas supplied to the fuel cell, Since at least two kinds of materials having a set mixing ratio are heated to obtain a simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas, it is no longer necessary to prepare a wide variety of fuels. As a result, a simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas obtained using fuel can be obtained easily and safely without preparing highly toxic carbon monoxide.

  When the temperature for heating at least two kinds of materials having a mixture ratio is set as the reforming temperature for obtaining the reformed gas, the simulated reformed gas has the same atmosphere as the reformed gas obtained by reforming the fuel. Therefore, the reliability of the test results relating to the fuel cell can be improved.

  When at least two or more kinds of materials contain hydrogen, oxygen and methane, hydrogen and oxygen are heated to obtain water vapor, and when the obtained gas containing water vapor is led to the heating reactor together with methane, hydrogen The problem that methane is thermally decomposed when heated with oxygen can be avoided, and a simulated reformed gas having a desired component can be obtained.

  When components that are present in the reformed gas but are not present in the simulated reformed gas are added to the simulated reformed gas, the components of the simulated reformed gas can be made substantially the same as the components of the reformed gas. The reliability of the test results relating to the battery can be further increased.

  It has an inlet through which hydrogen and oxygen are introduced from the hydrogen and oxygen recording material supply passage, an outlet communicating with the inlet of the heating reactor via the communication passage, and a heater, and reacts hydrogen with oxygen to produce water vapor. The water vapor generator for obtaining further has a main body, an oxidation catalyst accommodated in the main body, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the oxidation catalyst or the main body, and the heater is arranged so as to surround the main body. When the control means controls the operation of the heater based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor, in particular, the temperature of the main body or the oxidation catalyst is higher than a preset first temperature. If the control means controls the material supply passage for oxygen to be closed when the temperature is lower or higher than the preset second temperature, the deterioration of safety due to abnormal combustion of hydrogen or the like is prevented in advance. It can be.

  A pressure sensor for detecting the pressure on the inlet side of the steam generator is further provided, and the control means controls so that all the material supply passages are closed when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined pressure. In this case, it is possible to prevent a decrease in safety due to some abnormality on the downstream side of the steam generator.

  According to the fuel cell test apparatus of the present invention, various types of fuel cell tests can be easily performed using simulated reformed gas in accordance with the reformed gas obtained using such fuel without preparing a wide variety of fuels. It can be done safely.

  A carbon monoxide gas concentration sensor for detecting the carbon monoxide gas concentration in the working atmosphere is further provided, and when the carbon monoxide gas concentration detected by the carbon monoxide gas concentration sensor exceeds a predetermined value, the control device When the material supply passages for carbon and methane are controlled to be closed, the working atmosphere can be kept safe.

  A hydrogen gas concentration sensor for detecting the hydrogen gas concentration in the working atmosphere is further provided, and when the hydrogen gas concentration detected by the hydrogen gas concentration sensor exceeds a predetermined value, the control device is configured to supply a material supply passage for carbon dioxide and methane. When the flow rate of hydrogen and nitrogen flowing in the hydrogen and nitrogen material supply passage is controlled so that nitrogen containing 4 mol% or less of hydrogen is led to the heating reactor, The working atmosphere can be kept safe while minimizing damage and deterioration of the fuel cell.

  An embodiment in which the fuel cell test apparatus according to the present invention is applied to SOFC will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and is The techniques can be further combined or applied to any other technique belonging to the spirit of the present invention.

  A fuel cell test apparatus according to this embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. 1, and its control block is shown in FIG. A fuel cell test apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is housed in a building work space, that is, a test chamber 11 serving as a work atmosphere in the present invention, and includes a power generation unit 12, a heating reaction unit 13, a water vapor generation unit 14, and a material. The supply unit 15, the gas analysis unit 16, the load generation unit 17, and the control device 18 constitute main parts. In addition, an exhaust duct 19 that communicates with the outside air is opened in the ceiling of the test chamber 11. The exhaust duct 19 detects the flow rate of the exhaust gas in the exhaust duct 19 and the control device 18. The air flow meter 21 that outputs to the air is incorporated. Also, a carbon monoxide gas concentration sensor 22 and a hydrogen gas concentration sensor 23 that detect the carbon monoxide concentration and the hydrogen concentration in the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust duct 19 and output them to the control device 18 are provided in the exhaust duct 19. It is attached to face.

  The power generation unit 12 includes a fuel cell main body 24 and a heater (hereinafter referred to as a first heater) 25 for adjusting the temperature of the fuel cell main body 24. The fuel cell main body 24 in the present embodiment is an SOFC having a cylindrical cell 26 formed of an electrolyte such as stabilized zirconia and having a hemispherical upper end. The simulated reformed gas from the heating reaction portion 13 side is introduced into the fuel electrode (anode) on the inner peripheral side of the cell 26, and air is guided to the air electrode (cathode) on the outer peripheral side of the cell 26. A first temperature sensor 27 that detects the temperature of the fuel cell main body 24 and outputs it to the control device 18 is attached to the first heater 25, and the first temperature sensor 27 is attached to the fuel cell main body 24. It may be. In addition, regarding the configuration of the fuel cell main body, a conventionally well-known single cell type or multi-cell type can be selected as appropriate.

  The heating reaction unit 13 generates a simulated reformed gas to be supplied to the power generation unit 12 described above, and includes a cylindrical reactor main body 28 and the reactor main body 28 surrounding the reactor main body 28. A heater (hereinafter referred to as a second heater) 29 for keeping the temperature at a predetermined temperature. The reactor main body 28 in this embodiment contains a nickel-based or ruthenium-based catalyst, and the density of the catalyst is set so that the composition of the obtained simulated reformed gas matches the target reformed gas composition as much as possible. You can change the type. The second heater 29 set to the same temperature (for example, 500 to 800 ° C.) as the temperature for producing the target reformed gas detects the temperature in the reactor main body 28 and sends it to the control device 18. The 2nd temperature sensor 30 to output is attached. The second temperature sensor 30 may be attached to the reactor main body 28.

  The water vapor generating unit 14 is for burning hydrogen to obtain water vapor, and is for enclosing the cylindrical container body 31 and the temperature inside the container body 31 at 150 to 300 ° C. surrounding the container body 31. Heater (hereinafter referred to as a third heater) 32. The container main body 31 in this embodiment contains a platinum catalyst based on a metal having a honeycomb structure, and functions to promote hydrogen oxidation. The container body 31 is provided with a third temperature sensor 33 that detects the temperature in the container body 31 and outputs the detected temperature to the control device 18. The third temperature sensor 33 is attached to the third heater 32. You may make it attach to.

In the present embodiment, a Pt metal honeycomb catalyst having a volume of 1.5 cc is accommodated as the water vapor generating part 14 and 200 cm ³ of hydrogen is supplied to the container body 31 heated to 200 ° C. in a standard state. 10 cm ³ , 30 cm ³ , 50 cm ³ , 70 cm ³ , 90 cm ³ of hydrogen were respectively supplied to generate water vapor, and the water vapor concentration was measured with an infrared spectrometer. It was confirmed that it increased in proportion to the amount of oxygen supplied up to ³ , and generated stably. As a result of measuring the oxygen in the generated gas coming out of the container main body 31 with a gas chromatograph after removing the water vapor, it was confirmed that it was 10 ppm or less of the device detection limit.

  In addition, when the water vapor | steam generation | occurrence | production by the oxidation of hydrogen cannot be performed by the request | requirement of the safety standard etc. in the test chamber 11, water may be heated and vaporized, and you may make it obtain water vapor | steam by this. In this case, it is not necessary to supply oxygen. However, when it is difficult to stably evaporate water due to the mixing conditions of the materials used, it is effective to generate water vapor by catalytic combustion by adding oxygen to excess hydrogen as in this embodiment.

  The material supply unit 15 supplies air, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane, nitrogen containing 4% hydrogen, and hydrocarbon compounds to the power generation unit 12, the heating reaction unit 13, and the steam generation unit 14 as necessary. belongs to. The material supply unit 15 in the present embodiment includes a plurality of tanks 34 to 41 that store air, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane, nitrogen containing 4% hydrogen, and hydrocarbon compounds in a pressurized state, and these tanks. 34 to 41 and a plurality of pipes 42 to 52 connecting the power generation unit 12, the heating reaction unit 13, and the water vapor generation unit 14, and mass flow meters 53 to 60 and an on-off valve 61 incorporated in the middle of the pipes 42 to 49, respectively. ~ 68. Each of the tanks 34 to 41 is provided with pressure sensors 69 to 76 that detect the pressure inside the tanks 34 and output the detected pressure to the control device 18, thereby grasping the remaining amount in each of the tanks 34 to 41. Can be done.

  The piping 42 of the air tank 34 communicates with the fuel cell main body 24 of the power generation unit 12.

  The pipes 43, 46, and 48 of the hydrogen tank 35, the nitrogen tank 38, and the nitrogen tank 40 containing 4% hydrogen are gathered from the middle into one merging pipe 49, and communicate with the inlet side of the container body 31 of the water vapor generating unit 14. is doing. In this embodiment, nitrogen is used as a working gas as a drive source of the valve body when each on-off valve 61-68 is closed. For this reason, each on-off valve 61-68 also includes piping (not shown) from the nitrogen tank 38. Each is connected. The nitrogen tank 40 containing 4% hydrogen is literally a mixed gas of 4 mol% hydrogen and 96 mol% nitrogen, and is used as an emergency material in this embodiment, but may be omitted. . In this case, a mixture of hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 35 and nitrogen from the nitrogen tank 38 can be used as an emergency material.

  The piping 44 of the oxygen tank 36 communicates with the inlet side of the container main body 31 of the water vapor generating unit 14, separately from the merging piping 49 of the hydrogen tank 35, the nitrogen tank 38, and the nitrogen tank 40 containing 4% hydrogen. As described above, in the present embodiment, hydrogen and oxygen are used in the water vapor generating unit 14 to oxidize hydrogen to obtain water vapor, so that it is not necessary to use water as the material of the present invention. However, when water is used, oxygen can be removed from the material.

  Pressure sensors 77 and 78 for detecting the pressure in the pipes 44 and 49 and outputting them to the control device 18 are incorporated on the inlet side of the above-described two types of pipes 44 and 49 with respect to the container body 31. . However, these pressure sensors 77 and 78 do not have to be provided in the two pipes 44 and 49, and may be incorporated in only one of the pipes.

  The pipes 45 and 47 of the carbon dioxide tank 37 and the methane tank 39 are also integrated in the middle, and are connected to the middle of the pipe 50 that connects the heating reaction unit 13 and the water vapor generation unit 14. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent thermal decomposition of methane.

  It should be noted that the piping 46 of the nitrogen tank 38 is not the inlet side of the vessel body 31 of the steam generation unit 14 but the pipings 45 and 47 of the carbon dioxide tank 37 and the methane tank 39 together. You may make it connect in the middle of the piping 50 which connects the generating part 14.

  While the hydrocarbon compound tank 41 is present in the target reformed gas, it does not exist in the simulated reformed gas, that is, a component of a compound such as hydrocarbon that cannot be generated in the heating reaction unit 13. It is stored as a material. The piping 49 of the hydrocarbon compound tank 41 communicates with the piping 52 connecting the fuel cell main body 24 of the power generation unit 12 and the heating reaction unit 13.

  The gas analysis unit 16 communicates in the middle of the piping 52 downstream from the connection portion between the piping 52 extending from the heating reaction unit 13 to the fuel cell main body 24 of the power generation unit 12 and the piping 49 of the hydrocarbon compound tank 41 described above. The gas supplied to the power generation unit 12 is analyzed.

  The load generation unit 17 is connected to the fuel cell main body 24 of the power generation unit 12 to apply a power generation load to the fuel cell main body 24, and the connected state and the cut-off state are controlled by the control device 18.

  The control device 18 is based on outputs from the switches 79 to 82 operated by the operator and the various sensors 22, 23, 27, 30, 33, 69 to 78, and the air flow meter 21 described above, according to a preset program. 12, the operation of the heating reaction unit 13, the water vapor generation unit 14, the material supply unit 15 and the load generation unit 17 is controlled. Further, when there is an abnormal state or the like in the fuel cell test apparatus 10, this is displayed on the abnormality alarm indicator 83 to notify the operator of the abnormal state or the like by hearing or vision.

  Note that the above-described on / off of energization to the exhaust fan 20 is manually operated by an operator in a separate system without using the control device 18.

  The switches 79 to 82 in this embodiment include a start switch 79, an operation switch 80, an operation stop switch 81, and an emergency stop switch 82, but the operation switch 80 can also be used as the operation stop switch 81. is there. In addition, the number of switches 79 to 82 may be one as long as the startup operation mode, the steady operation mode, the operation stop mode, and the emergency stop mode described below can be selected.

  The start switch 79 is for starting the fuel cell test apparatus 10. In this mode, air, nitrogen, and hydrogen at a desired flow rate are supplied, the first to third heaters 25, 29, and 32 are energized, and the power generation unit 12, the heating reaction unit 13, and the water vapor generation unit 14 each have a predetermined speed. The temperature is raised.

  The operation switch 80 is for testing the power generation unit 12 by manufacturing the simulated reformed gas according to the target reformed gas in the steady operation state of the fuel cell test apparatus 10. The steady operation state is a state in which air, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane, and hydrocarbon compounds at a desired flow rate can be supplied, and the first to third heaters 25, 29, and 32 are energized, and the power generation unit 12, the heating reaction unit 13 and the water vapor generation unit 14 are each maintained at a predetermined temperature, and the load generation unit 17 is connected to the power generation unit 12.

  The operation stop switch 81 is a mode for stopping the fuel cell test apparatus 10 from a steady operation state. When this operation stop switch 81 is selected, the fuel cell test apparatus 10 is supplied with air, nitrogen, hydrogen at a desired flow rate. Is supplied, and the power generation unit 12, the heating reaction unit 13, and the water vapor generation unit 14 are each cooled at a predetermined rate. After confirming that the temperature of the power generation unit 12 has decreased to a predetermined temperature, all the on-off valves 61-68 are closed and energization of the first to third heaters 25, 29, 32 is stopped.

  The emergency stop switch 82 closes all the on-off valves 61 to 68 and shuts off the load generation unit 17 from the power generation unit 12 to immediately stop energization of the first to third heaters 25, 29, and 32. Even in this case, the control device 18 displays the fact on the abnormality alarm indicator 83.

  When there is any abnormality in the fuel cell test apparatus 10 during the start-up operation mode, the steady operation mode, the operation stop mode, the emergency stop mode, the start-up operation or during the steady operation described above, it is automatically selected from the viewpoint of safety. Table 1 shows the open / close states of the on-off valves 61 to 68 in the first to fifth emergency operation modes, the connection / cutoff state of the load generating unit 17, and the on / off states of energization to the first to third heaters 25, 29, and 32. Show.

  In Table 1, the opening / closing of the on / off valve is basically controlled to be in the open state, but it is in the closed state when the supply of material is unnecessary. The first heater 25 is lowered because the energized state of the first heater 25 is controlled over time so that the temperature of the fuel cell body 24 is lowered to a predetermined temperature at a predetermined temperature drop rate. Show.

  In the steady operation state, a mixing ratio of at least two kinds of materials of hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and methane is set according to the elemental composition of the reformed gas material supplied to the fuel cell main body 24. The In this case, it is necessary to correspond to the elemental composition of the raw material used in the target reforming method of the reformed gas, and it is necessary to set the temperature of the heating reaction unit 13 to the same temperature as the reforming temperature at this time. is there.

  For example, when producing a simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas obtained by steam reforming of methane, an example of the molar ratio of the materials used is shown in Table 2 below.

When obtaining a simulated reformed gas in accordance with the reformed gas obtained by steam reforming of kerosene, the average composition of kerosene is C ₁₂ H _24, and the equilibrium composition obtained by steam reforming, carbon dioxide, hydrogen The difference in the components when the simulated reformed gas was actually created using oxygen was confirmed. Specifically, a reformed gas was obtained by supplying a mixed gas having a molar ratio of C ₁₂ H ₂₄ : water vapor = 1: _{12 to} 60 as a raw material gas and performing steam reforming at 450 to 800 ° C. On the other hand, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and, if necessary, methane are used so as to coincide with the C: H: O molar ratio of the raw material consisting of kerosene and water. The catalyst was combusted at 200 ° C., and the resulting hydrogen and water vapor were mixed with carbon dioxide and reacted at 450 to 800 ° C. under a Ru / Al ₂ O ₃ catalyst to obtain a simulated reformed gas.

When both were compared, under the same temperature conditions, C ₁₂ H ₂₄ : water vapor> 1:18 or more and the respective compositions agreed well with a difference of 1 mol% or less. On the other hand, it was found that the gas composition obtained under the same experimental conditions as that of the Ru / Al ₂ O ₃ catalyst greatly deviated from the equilibrium with the Pt / SiO ₂ catalyst.

In the case of producing a simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas obtained by partial oxidation reforming of butane, it is assumed that C ₄ H ₁₀ : O ₂ : N ₂ is used at a ratio of 1: 2: 8 as a reformed gas raw material. For example, H ₂ , CO ₂ , CH ₄ , and N ₂ may be used at a ratio of 1: 2: 2: 8 as a material for producing the simulated reformed gas. Further, when producing a simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas obtained by partial oxidation reforming of propane, the ratio of C ₃ H ₈ : O ₂ : N ₂ is 1: 1.5: 6 as the reformed gas raw material _. When used, the simulated reformed gas as a material for the production example _{H 2, CO 2, CH 4} , N 2 1:. 1 5:. 1 5: may be used in 6 ratio. When producing the simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas obtained by the partial oxidation reforming of kerosene described above, the ratio of C ₁₁ H ₂₂ : O ₂ : N ₂ is 1: 5.5: ₂₂ as the reformed gas raw material _. When used as a simulated reformed gas production ingredients such as CO _2, CH _4, N ₂ 5 _5:.. 5 may be used in a ratio of 5:22.

  FIG. 3 shows a control procedure related to the operation of the fuel cell test apparatus 10 in the present embodiment. That is, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the emergency stop mode is set. If it is determined that the emergency stop mode is set, the process proceeds to step S12 to perform the emergency stop of the fuel cell test apparatus 10 and perform all operations. Exit. The emergency stop in step S12 includes closing all the on-off valves 61 to 68, stopping energization of all the heaters 25, 29, and 32, and further cutting off the connection of the load generating unit 17.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the mode is not the emergency stop mode, the process proceeds to step S13 to determine whether or not the mode is the operation stop mode. If it is determined that the mode is the operation stop mode, step S14 is performed. The operation is stopped and the operation is stopped.

FIG. 4 shows the procedure of the operation stop process in step S14. Here, it is first determined in step S141 whether or not the vehicle is in a steady operation state. If it is determined that the vehicle is in a steady operation state, the process proceeds to step S142 to switch to the start-up operation mode. Then, it is determined whether or not lower than the temperature T _F is the threshold T _FL detected by the first temperature sensor 27 goes to S143 steps. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S141 that the vehicle is not in the steady operation state, the process proceeds to step S144 and it is determined whether or not it is in the startup operation state. Here, when it is determined that the startup operation state determines whether or not the temperature T _F which is detected by the first temperature sensor 27 goes to the previous S143 step is lower than the threshold T _FL. Here, if it is determined that the temperature T _F of the fuel cell body 24 is equal to or higher than the threshold value T _FL , that is, if the operation is stopped in this state, the fuel cell body 24 may be damaged, the process again is S141. Returning to this step, the previous processing is repeated. If this temperature T _F at S143 step in the is determined to be lower than the threshold value T _FL, performs shutdown processing proceeds to S145 step, the subroutine is ended in this shutdown process. Also, when it is determined in step S144 that it is not in the start-up operation state, the process proceeds to step S145 and the operation stop process is performed.

If it is determined that it is not the operation stop mode in S13 step, whether the pressure P _S in the piping 44, 50 by the pressure sensors 77 and 78 goes to step S15 is larger than the threshold value P _H judge. Here, when it is determined that the detected pressure P _S is larger than the threshold value P _H , that is, there is an abnormality in the pressure in the water vapor generating unit 14, the process proceeds to step S16, and the first emergency operation is performed. In step S17, an abnormality warning is given by the abnormality alarm indicator 83, and the process returns to step S11.

If it is determined in step S15 that the pressure P _S in the pipes 44 and 50 is equal to or lower than the threshold value P _H , the process proceeds to step S18 and this time the pressure P _N in the nitrogen tank 38 is greater than the threshold value P _L1 . It is determined whether it is low. If it is determined that the pressure P _N is lower than the threshold value P _L1 , that is, it is difficult to reliably perform the closing operation of each of the on-off valves 61 to 68, the process proceeds to step S19 and the second The emergency operation is executed, and the process proceeds to step S17.

If it is determined in step S18 that the pressure P _N is equal to or higher than the threshold value P _L1 , that is, the on-off valves 61 to 68 can be reliably opened and closed, the process proceeds to step S20 and the tanks 34 to 34 are transferred. It is determined whether or not the pressure P _{X in} 41 is lower than the threshold value P _L2 . If it is determined that the pressure P _X is lower than the threshold value P _L2 , that is, the tanks 34 to 41 are empty, the process proceeds to step S21 to execute the third emergency operation, and the previous S17. Move on to the step.

Similarly, if it is determined in step S20 that the pressure P _X in each of the tanks 34 to 41 is equal to or higher than the threshold value P _L2 , that is, the tanks 34 to 41 are not empty, the process proceeds to step S22. Then, it is determined whether or not the exhaust flow rate A _E detected by the air flow meter 21 is smaller than the threshold value A _L. Here, when it is determined that the exhaust flow rate A _E is smaller than the threshold value A _L , that is, the exhaust fan 20 is abnormal, the process proceeds to the previous step S21 and the third emergency operation is performed.

If it is determined in step S22 that the exhaust gas flow rate A _E is equal to or greater than the threshold value A _L , that is, the exhaust fan 20 is operating normally, the process proceeds to step S23 and the hydrogen gas concentration F _H is set to the threshold value F _HL. It is determined whether it is higher. Here, when it is determined that the hydrogen gas concentration F _H is higher than the threshold value F _HL , that is, the hydrogen gas concentration in the test chamber 11 that is the working atmosphere is too high, the process proceeds to step S24 and the fourth emergency operation is performed. To move to the previous step of S17.

If it is determined in step S23 that the hydrogen gas concentration F _H is equal to or lower than the threshold value F _HL , that is, the inside of the test chamber 11 is safe, the process proceeds to step S25 to determine whether or not the steady operation mode is set. judge. Here, when it is determined that the steady operation mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S26 and the steady operation process is performed. When it is determined that the steady operation mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S27. Perform startup operation processing.

FIG. 5 shows the procedure for steady operation in step S27. Here, first, it is determined whether the fuel cell body 24 if the temperature T _F is below the threshold T _FL at step S261, is lower than the temperature T _F is the threshold T _FL, that is, abnormality in the fuel cell main body 24 If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step S262, the fourth emergency operation is performed, and an abnormality warning is given by the abnormality alarm indicator 83 in step S263, and the routine of this steady operation process is completed.

If it is determined in step S261 that the temperature T _F is equal to or higher than the threshold value T _FL , that is, the fuel cell body 24 is normal, the temperature T _R of the heating reaction unit 13 is set to the threshold value T in step S264. Determine whether it is lower than _RL . Here, the temperature T _R is below the threshold T _RL, i.e. when the thermal reaction unit 13 determines that not working properly, performing a fourth emergency operation proceeds to the previous S262 step.

Further, when it is determined in step S264 that the temperature T _R of the heating reaction unit 13 is equal to or higher than the threshold T _RL , that is, the heating reaction unit 13 is operating normally, the process proceeds to step S265 and monoxide is oxidized. It is determined whether or not the carbon concentration F _C is higher than the threshold value F _CL . Here, when it is determined that the carbon monoxide concentration F _C is higher than the threshold value F _CL , the process proceeds to the previous step S262 in consideration of the safety in the test chamber 11 which is the working atmosphere, and the fourth emergency Run the operation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S265 that the carbon monoxide concentration F _C is equal to or less than the threshold value F _CL , that is, the inside of the test chamber 11 is safe, the process proceeds to step S267 and the temperature of the water vapor generating unit 14 is increased. It is determined whether T _S is lower than the threshold T _SL . Here, when the temperature T _S is lower than the threshold value T _SL , that is, when it is determined that the water vapor generation unit 14 is not operating normally, the process proceeds to step S268 to execute the fifth emergency operation, and the previous S263. In step, an abnormality warning is given by the abnormality alarm indicator 83.

When it is determined in step S267 that the temperature T _S of the water vapor generation unit 14 is equal to or higher than the threshold value T _SL , that is, the water vapor generation unit 14 is operating normally, the process proceeds to step S269 and the steady operation is performed. To do.

For example, when a simulated reformed gas corresponding to the steam reforming of the previous kerosene is manufactured in the steady operation mode and actually tested, the container body 31 of the steam generating unit 14 in which hydrogen and oxygen are first heated to 200 ° C. The water vapor containing hydrogen gas in excess is mixed with carbon dioxide, and the Ru / Al ₂ O ₃ catalyst is accommodated and supplied to the reactor main body 28 of the heating reaction section 13 heated to 450 to 650 ° C. A simulated reformed gas is obtained. The composition of the resulting simulated reformed gas can be analyzed with a gas analyzer.

  As a result of comparing the target reformed gas with the simulated reformed gas obtained by the present embodiment, when the molar ratio of water vapor to kerosene is 12 or more under the same temperature condition, the composition of the reformed gas and the simulated reformed gas The gas composition agreed well within the range of 1 mol% or less. Table 3 shows the composition of the pseudo reformed gas when the molar ratio of water vapor to kerosene is 36. All units are mol%.

When a Pt / SiO ₂ catalyst is used in the heating reaction section 13 instead of the Ru / Al ₂ O ₃ catalyst described above, the target reformed gas composition of the simulated reformed gas obtained under the same experimental conditions as described above. There was a large deviation from the composition of the gas. For this reason, the selection of the catalyst used in the heating reaction section 13 is also important, and it is necessary to select an appropriate catalyst so that a simulated reformed gas having the same composition as the target reformed gas composition can be obtained. Become.

  It should be noted that the present invention should be construed only from the matters described in the claims, and in the above-described embodiment, all the changes and modifications included in the concept of the present invention are other than those described. Is possible. That is, all matters in the above-described embodiment are not intended to limit the present invention, and include any configuration not directly related to the present invention. To get.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment in which a fuel cell test apparatus according to the present invention is applied to SOFC. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure in embodiment shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation stop process in the flowchart shown in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the steady operation process in the flowchart shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fuel cell test apparatus 11 Test room 12 Electric power generation part 13 Heating reaction part 14 Water vapor generation part 15 Material supply part 16 Gas analysis part 17 Load generation part 18 Control apparatus 19 Exhaust duct 20 Exhaust fan 21 Air flow meter 22 Carbon monoxide gas concentration sensor 23 Hydrogen gas concentration sensor 24 Fuel cell main body 25 First heater 26 Cell 27 First temperature sensor 28 Reactor main body 29 Second heater 30 Second temperature sensor 31 Container main body 32 Third heater 33 Third temperature sensor 34-41 Tank 42 -52 Piping 53-60 Mass flow meter 61-68 On-off valve 69-78 Pressure sensor 79-82 Switch 83 Abnormal alarm indicator

Claims (13)

Setting a mixing ratio of at least two kinds of materials of hydrogen, oxygen or water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane according to the elemental composition of the reformed gas supplied to the fuel cell;
And a step of heating at least two kinds of materials having a set mixing ratio to obtain a simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas.   The method for producing a simulated reformed gas according to claim 1, wherein the temperature at which at least two kinds of materials set with a mixing ratio are heated is a reforming temperature when the reformed gas is obtained. When at least two kinds of materials contain hydrogen, oxygen and methane, heating the hydrogen and oxygen to obtain water vapor;
The method for producing a simulated reformed gas according to claim 1, further comprising the step of introducing the obtained gas containing water vapor to the heating reactor together with methane.   The simulation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a step of adding a component that is present in the reformed gas but is not present in the simulated reformed gas to the simulated reformed gas. Modified gas production method. A plurality of material supply passages supplied with hydrogen, oxygen or water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane;
Control means for controlling the flow rate of the material flowing in the plurality of material supply passages according to the elemental composition of the raw material of reformed gas supplied to the fuel cell;
A heating reactor having an inlet through which the material from the plurality of material supply passages is guided, a simulated reformed gas outlet according to the reformed gas, and a heater, and obtaining the simulated reformed gas according to the reformed gas; An apparatus for producing a simulated reformed gas, comprising: An inlet through which hydrogen and oxygen are introduced from the material supply passage of hydrogen and oxygen, an outlet communicating with the inlet of the heating reactor via a communication passage, and a heater, and reacting the hydrogen and oxygen with water vapor Further comprising a steam generator for obtaining
6. The simulated reformed gas production apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the material supply passage for methane gas communicates with the communication passage.   The steam generator further includes a main body, an oxidation catalyst accommodated in the main body, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the oxidation catalyst or the main body, and the heater surrounds the main body. 7. The simulated reforming according to claim 6, wherein the simulator is arranged to heat the oxidation catalyst, and the control means controls the operation of the heater based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor. Gas production equipment.   When the temperature of the main body or the oxidation catalyst is lower than a preset first temperature or higher than a preset second temperature, the control means causes the material supply passage for oxygen to be closed. 8. The simulated reformed gas production apparatus according to claim 7, wherein   The apparatus further comprises a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure on the inlet side of the water vapor generator, and the control means closes all the material supply passages when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined pressure. The simulated reformed gas production apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the apparatus is controlled as follows.   The apparatus further comprises an additive component supply passage that communicates with the outlet side of the heating reactor and that is added to the simulated reformed gas and that is present in the reformed gas but not in the simulated reformed gas. The simulated reformed gas production apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9.   The simulated reformed gas obtained by the simulated reformed gas production method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the simulated reformed gas production apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10 was used. Fuel cell testing device.   Further comprising a carbon monoxide gas concentration sensor for detecting a carbon monoxide gas concentration in a working atmosphere, the control device, when the carbon monoxide gas concentration detected by the carbon monoxide concentration sensor exceeds a predetermined value, 12. The fuel cell test apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the material supply passage for carbon dioxide and methane is controlled to be closed.   A hydrogen gas concentration sensor for detecting a hydrogen gas concentration in a working atmosphere is further provided, and the control device is configured to detect the carbon gas and methane when the hydrogen gas concentration detected by the hydrogen gas concentration sensor exceeds a predetermined value. The flow rate of hydrogen and nitrogen flowing in the material supply passage for hydrogen and nitrogen is controlled so that the material supply passage is closed while nitrogen containing 4% or less of hydrogen is introduced into the heating reactor. 13. The fuel cell test apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the fuel cell test apparatus is controlled.

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