CN100352096C

CN100352096C - Reformer and fuel cell system having the same

Info

Publication number: CN100352096C
Application number: CNB2005101132668A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朴真; 金周龙; 韩知成; 林炫廷; 赵殷淑; 权镐真
Original assignee: Samsung SDI Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung SDI Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-09-08
Filing date: 2005-09-08
Publication date: 2007-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-08
Also published as: CN1747213A; KR20060022881A; KR100590039B1

Abstract

A fuel cell system is provided comprising: a reformer for generating hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel; and at least one electricity generator for generating electric energy through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The reformer includes a main body in which a plurality of reaction sections for generating hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel is integrally formed. A heating section is disposed in contact with the main body in order to supply different amounts of thermal energy to the plurality of reaction sections.

Description

Reformer and fuel cell system with this reformer

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of fuel cell system, particularly relate to a kind of fuel cell system that improves reformer that has.

Background technology

As everyone knows, fuel cell by oxygen and hydrocarbon material for example is, the electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen that is comprised in methyl alcohol, ethanol and the natural gas produces the system of electric energy.

The polymer dielectric film fuel cell of latest developments (being called PEMFC later on) has shown good output characteristics, low-running-temperature and has started fast and response characteristic.Therefore, PEMFC has broad range of application, comprises the portable power source that is used for vehicle, is used for the distribution power supply and the Miniature Power Unit that is used for electronic device of dwelling house or building.

Use the fuel cell system of PEMFC configuration to consist essentially of: pile (stack), reformer, tanks and petrolift.The fuel that petrolift will be stored in the tanks offers reformer, and this reformer fuel reforming produces hydrogen.With hydrogen and oxygen for example air be transfused to electricity and push away, this pile is made up of the Blast Furnace Top Gas Recovery Turbine Unit (TRT) with a plurality of dry cells.

In this conventional fuel cell system, reformer utilizes heat energy to produce hydrogen by catalyzed chemical reaction from hydrogen-containing fuel.Therefore, reformer generally includes the carbon monoxide minimizing reactor that thermal source, absorption heat energy that produces heat energy and the reforming reactor that produces hydrogen from fuel and one or more reduce carbonomonoxide concentration in the hydrogen.

In this traditional reformer, because reforming reactor and carbon monoxide minimizing reactor are separated from one another, thermal source should provide respectively individually, reduces reactor with the heat energy of supplying different range to reforming reactor and carbon monoxide.

Therefore, because the complex structure of reformer is difficult to the compactness that whole fuel cell system is become.In addition, because the heat exchange between the reactive moieties is finished by pipeline, its heat transmitting energy efficiency is low.

Summary of the invention

The present invention points to a kind of reformer with improvement performance and simple structure, and the fuel cell system with this reformer.

According to one embodiment of present invention, the reformer of fuel cell system comprises: main body wherein provides a plurality of reactive moieties to produce hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel; Hot part, its be provided with main body contact and heat energy that different amounts are provided to different reactive moieties.

A plurality of reactive moieties can comprise the reforming reaction part that produces hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel, and at least one reduces the carbon monoxide minimizing part of the concentration of the carbon monoxide that comprises in the hydrogen.

In an embodiment of invention, main body has its inner space and is divided into the tubular of a plurality of spaces.Reformer inlet is formed on end of main body and the outlet of reformer is formed on another end.Reactive moieties is formed in the divided space.

In an embodiment of invention, the heat part comprises the resistance wire of the coil shape of the outer surface that twines main body.Resistance wire can be wrapped in the outer surface of main body at the winding that each different reactive moieties is provided with varying number to change pitch, so that provide desired Temperature Distribution line chart to reactive moieties.

In an embodiment of invention, bigger than the number that reduces in the subregion corresponding to carbon monoxide corresponding to the number of the winding of the resistance wire in the reforming reaction subregion.

The inner space of main body can comprise that one or more separates the barrier layer of differential responses part.Suitable barrier layer is made up of the twine material.

Reformer may further include the thermal insulation cover around main body.The thermal insulation cover can comprise inwall and center on the outer wall of whole inwall, in an embodiment of invention, keeps in a vacuum by the separated inner and outer wall of predetermined gap.

The suitable material that is used to constitute inner and outer wall comprises pottery, stainless steel and aluminium.

In another embodiment of invention, main body can be plate shape, wherein is formed for the passage that fuel passes through.Passage generally includes reformer inlet and reformer outlet, and can be provided as the continuous U-shaped bending that forms serpentine shape together.

According to this embodiment, the heat part can comprise that the pipeline resistance wire pattern, that be connected to main body of being with a surface that is formed on hot plate forms the hot plate on surface.

Be to produce the Temperature Distribution line chart of expection, set up with carbon monoxide and reduce resistance wire pattern in the corresponding zone of part, with provide than with the corresponding regional less heat of reforming reaction part.This can finish by different gap, width or thickness is provided in resistance wire.

The gap of reducing the resistance wire pattern in the corresponding zone of part with carbon monoxide, can than with the corresponding zone of reforming reaction part in the gap big.Can be selectively, reduce the thickness or the width of the resistance wire pattern in the corresponding zone of part with carbon monoxide, can than with the corresponding zone of reforming reaction part in big.

Before fuel was transported to the reforming reaction part, a plurality of reactive moieties may further include the vaporization part of evaporated fuel.

Carbon monoxide reduces part can comprise the water-gas transformationreation part that reduces the carbonomonoxide concentration that is included in the hydrogen by hydrogen catalyzed water-gas transformationreation.

Carbon monoxide reduces part and comprises that selectively or additionally at least one reduces the CO oxidized portion that is included in carbonomonoxide concentration in the hydrogen by preferred catalytic CO oxidation reaction.

The catalyst that provides in known the setting can be provided reactive moieties separately, for example, and spheric catalyst or honeycombed catalyst.

Main body can be selected from the material that constitutes group by stainless steel, aluminium, copper and iron and make.

According to embodiments of the invention, the fuel cell system that provides comprises: reformer as described above is used for producing hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel; With at least one generator, be used for producing electric energy by the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and the oxygen.

Fuel cell system may further include, and fuel supply unit is used to provide fuel to reformer, and the oxygen supply unit, is used to provide oxygen to reformer and generator.The oxygen supply unit can comprise at least one air pump, is used to provide air to reformer and generator.

Description of drawings

With reference to the accompanying drawings by describing exemplary embodiments in detail, above-mentioned and other characteristics of the present invention and advantage will become more apparent.

Fig. 1 is the block diagram that the total of fuel cell system schematically is shown according to embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 2 is the decomposition diagram that is illustrated in the pile shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the decomposition diagram that illustrates according to the reformer of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is the related viewgraph of cross-section that the reformer of Fig. 3 is shown;

Fig. 5 illustrates the viewgraph of cross-section that is out of shape the reformer of example according to first of first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates the viewgraph of cross-section that is out of shape the reformer of example according to second of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 illustrates the viewgraph of cross-section that is out of shape the reformer of example according to the 3rd of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 illustrates the viewgraph of cross-section that is out of shape the reformer of example according to the 4th of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is the reformer decomposition diagram that illustrates according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is the related viewgraph of cross-section of the reformer of Fig. 9;

Figure 11 is the viewgraph of cross-section that the reformer of the first distortion example according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown;

Figure 12 is the viewgraph of cross-section that the reformer of the second distortion example according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown;

Figure 13 is the viewgraph of cross-section that the reformer of the 3rd distortion example according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown;

Figure 14 is the viewgraph of cross-section that the reformer of the 4th distortion example according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown;

Figure 15 is the viewgraph of cross-section that the reformer of the 5th distortion example according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

Embodiment

Hereinafter, will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings embodiments of the invention, making the present invention pass through those skilled in the art can implement at an easy rate.Yet the present invention is not limited to embodiment, but can implement with various forms.

According to embodiments of the invention, Fig. 1 is the block diagram of schematically illustrated whole fuel cell system structure.

With reference to figure 1, fuel cell system 100 has polymer dielectric film fuel cell (PEMFC) configuration according to the present invention, and wherein hydrogen-containing fuel is reformed to produce hydrogen, and this hydrogen and oxygen carry out electrochemical reaction and produces electric energy.

In fuel cell system 100, produce the employed fuel of electric energy and can comprise any liquid fuel or the gaseous fuel that comprises hydrogen, for example, methyl alcohol, ethanol or natural gas.Yet, in the following description as an example with liquid fuel.

Fuel cell system 100 can utilize the pure oxygen that is stored in the other storage device as with the oxygen of hydrogen reaction, perhaps utilize air as oxygen source.Yet, use the back as an example a kind of in the following description.

Fuel cell system 100 consists essentially of at least one pile 10 that produces electric energy by the electrochemical reaction between oxygen and the hydrogen, from fuel, produce the reformer 30 of hydrogen, provide fuel to the fuel supply unit 50 of reformer 30 and the oxygen supply unit 70 of oxygen to pile 10 and reformer 30 is provided.

Fig. 2 is the decomposition diagram that is illustrated in the pile shown in Fig. 1.Pile 10 has rotor machine, and wherein a plurality of generators 11 are with the stack architecture setting.

Generator is for producing the monoreactant battery of electricity, and wherein division board 16 (also being known as " bipolar plates " in the art) is arranged on the both sides of membrane electrode assembly 12 (MEA).

MEA 12 has the predetermined active region of the electrochemical reaction that oxygen and hydrogen take place.MEA 12 comprises and is formed on a lip-deep anode electrode and be formed on another lip-deep cathode electrode, and is formed on the dielectric film between the electrode.

By the oxidation reaction of hydrogen, anode electrode is converted into hydrogen ion (proton) and electronics with hydrogen.By the reduction reaction of hydrogen ion and oxygen, cathode electrode produces the water vapour of heat and predetermined temperature.Dielectric film is finished the ion exchanging function of moving to cathode electrode from the hydrogen ion of anode electrode generation.

Division board 16 plays the be connected in series conductor of anode electrode and the cathode electrode that adjoins of conduct, and also the passage 17 on the surface by being formed on division board 16 provides hydrogen and the oxygen both sides to MEA 12.

The outermost of pile 10 can be provided with additional being used for the tight each other pressing plate 13 and 13 ' that contacts of a plurality of generators 11.Can be selectively, pile 10 according to the present invention can be constructed like this, promptly makes the outermost division board 16 that is positioned at a plurality of generators 11 play pressing plate.

A pressing plate 13 is provided with the first inlet 13a that the hydrogen that will produce from reformer 30 offers generator 11, and will offer the second inlet 13b of generator 11 from oxygen supply unit 70 air supplied.Another pressing plate 13 ' is provided with the first outlet 13c that is used to discharge from the unreacted hydrogen of generator 11, and the second outlet 13d that is used to discharge the unreacted air that comprises steam that produces by hydrogen and the coupling reaction between the oxygen from generator 11.

In the present invention, reformer 30 utilizes heat energy to produce hydrogen by the catalyst chemical reaction from hydrogen-containing fuel.To the structure of reformer 30 be described in detail with reference to figure 3 and Fig. 4.

Fuel supply unit 50 is used to provide fuel to reformer 30, and it comprises the tanks 51 that is used for storage of liquids fuel, and that be connected with tanks 51 and discharge the petrolifts 53 of liquid fuel from tanks 51.Can also be provided with within the scope of the invention provides the other jar (not shown) of water to reformer 30.Here, reformer 30 and tanks 51 are connected to each other by first supply pipe 91.The first inlet 13a of reformer 30 and generator 11 is connected to each other by second supply pipe 92.

Oxygen supply unit 70 comprises that at least one is used to provide the air pump 71 of predetermined pumping power to reformer 30 and generator.The second inlet 13b of air pump 71 and pile 10 is connected to each other by the 3rd supply pipe 93.Air pump 71 and reformer 30 are connected to each other by the 4th supply pipe 94.

First embodiment of reformer 30 will be described hereinbelow in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a decomposition diagram, and the reformer according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown, and Fig. 4 is the viewgraph of cross-section of reformer shown in Figure 3.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, reformer 30 according to the embodiment of the invention comprises the tubular body 31 with inner space, a plurality of reactive moieties 35 in the cut zone of a plurality of inner spaces that are formed on main body 31 and its produce hydrogen from fuel, and contact with the outer surface of main body 31 and it is provided at the hot part 37 of the required heat energy that reacts in the reactive moieties 35 separately.That is to say that a plurality of reactive moieties 35 integrally form with main body 31.

In the present embodiment, main body 31 has the reformer inlet 32 that is formed on an end and is formed on another terminal reformer outlet 33.The tanks 51 of reformer 32 and fuel supply unit 50 is connected by first supply pipe 91.Reformer outlet 33 is connected by second supply pipe 92 with the first inlet 13a.

Main body 31 can be formed by for example stainless steel, aluminium, copper, iron or similar material.

Separate with barrier layer 36 inner space of main body 31, and reactive moieties 35 is separately positioned in the compartment.Barrier layer 36 forms as the apertured disk with a plurality of hole 36a, and above-mentioned a plurality of hole 36a allow reacting gas continuously by reactive moieties 35 arrival reformer outlets 33 separately, the inner space 31 of separating main body fully simultaneously.It should be noted that and when barrier layer 36 is described to as apertured disk, also can use for example net form of other setting.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the inner space of main body 31 is separated into 3 spaces by barrier layer 36.First reactive moieties 41, second reactive moieties 42 and the 3rd reactive moieties 43 form to reformer outlet 33 successively from reformer inlet 32.Yet this embodiment intention is not in limitation the present invention.Therefore, the inner space 31 of main body can be divided into more or less space.

Embodiment hereto, first reactive moieties 41 produces the reforming reaction part of hydrogen from fuel for (SR) reaction of reforming by the Catalyst Steam of fuel.Second reactive moieties 42 and the 3rd reactive moieties 43 reduce part for carbon monoxide, and this carbon monoxide reduces the concentration that part reduces contained carbon monoxide in the hydrogen fully.

Near first reactive moieties 41 that is arranged on reformer inlet 32 provides fuel by first supply pipe 91 from tanks 51.First reactive moieties 41 is evaporated these fuel and is made the steam reformation catalytic reaction produce hydrogen from the fuel of evaporation.First reactive moieties 41 comprises the reforming catalyst 41a of the steam reforming reaction that is used to promote fuel.Catalyst 41a is spherical and does not have inner spaces full and first reactive moieties, 41 corresponding main bodys 31.The catalytic steam reforming reaction that takes place in first reactive moieties 41 is the endothermic reaction, and range of reaction temperature is from about 300 ℃ to 600 ℃.

Second reactive moieties 42 is arranged at first reactive moieties 41 continuously, and mainly reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen that produces from first 41 by catalysis water-gas (WGS) conversion reaction.Second reactive moieties 42 comprises the second catalyst 42a of the water-gas shift reaction that promotes hydrogen.The second catalyst 42a is for spherical and be full of inner space with second reactive moieties, 42 corresponding main bodys 31.Water-syngas conversion reactor with catalyst 42a in second reactive moieties 42 is the endothermic reaction, and range of reaction temperature is from about 200 ℃ to 300 ℃.

The 3rd reactive moieties 43 and second reactive moieties 42 are arranged at continuously near reformer outlet 33, and are used for reducing the concentration by carbon monoxide contained in preferred catalyst CO oxidation (PROX) the reaction hydrogen auxiliaryly.The 3rd reactive moieties 43 comprises the 3rd catalyst 43a of the preferred CO oxidation reaction that is used to promote hydrogen and air.The 3rd catalyst 43a is for spherical and be full of inner space with the 3rd reactive moieties 43 corresponding main bodys 31.The preferred CO oxidation reaction that takes place in the 3rd reactive moieties 43 is the endothermic reaction, and range of reaction temperature is from about 150 ℃ to 200 ℃.

The 3rd reactive moieties 43 is connected to the air pump 71 of oxygen supply unit 70 by the 4th supply pipe 94.

Hot part 37 provides heat energy to reactive moieties 35, and is arranged to contact the outer surface of main body 31, and comprises having the resistance wire 38 that predetermined power is used to produce heat energy.

In the present embodiment, resistance wire 38 twines the outer surface of main body 31, and on the outer surface of main body the winding with varying number is set, and makes a plurality of reactive moieties 35 can be kept for the required suitable reactions temperature of respective reaction of reactive moieties 35 separately.This can realize for example by adjusting winding pitch by the whole bag of tricks.

In the present embodiment, around corresponding to the number of resistance wire 38 windings of the outer surface of first reactive moieties 41 than big around winding number corresponding to the resistance wire 38 of the outer surface of second reactive moieties 42.Around corresponding to the number of resistance wire 38 windings of the outer surface of second reactive moieties 42 than big around winding number corresponding to the resistance wire 38 of the outer surface of the 3rd reactive moieties 43.

That is to say that because first reactive moieties 41 should remain on maximum temperature, winding is closeer corresponding to resistance wire 38 settings of the outer surface of first reactive moieties 41, therefore, has improved the pyroconductivity of resistance wire 38.Because second reactive moieties 42 has the reaction temperature lower than first reactive moieties 41, resistance wire 38 twines the outer surface pine that the outer surface corresponding to second reactive moieties 42 twines corresponding to first reactive moieties 41 than resistance wire 38.Because the 3rd reactive moieties 43 has the reaction temperature lower than second reactive moieties 42, resistance wire 38 twines the outer surface pine that the outer surface corresponding to the 3rd reactive moieties 43 twines corresponding to second reactive moieties 42 than resistance wire 38.

According to present embodiment, because twining the outer surface of main bodys 31, resistance wire 38 has winding corresponding to the different numbers of differential responses part 35, offering the heat energy of different temperatures scope separately, reactive moieties 35 becomes possibility.

In order more effectively to transmit the heat energy that produces from resistance wire 38 inside to main body 31, reformer 30 may further include the thermal insulation cover 39 that heat energy that minimizing produces from resistance wire 38 leaks.Owing to formed thermal insulation cover 39, might further improve the reaction efficiency and the heat efficiency of reformer 30.

Thermal insulation cover 39 according to present embodiment is to form around the cylindrical shape that comprises resistance wire 38 entire body 31.Thermal insulation cover 39 comprises around the inwall 39a of main body 31 and centers on whole inwall 39a simultaneously by the outer wall 39b of predetermined gap at place, the space except that inwall 39a supporting inwall 39a.。Space between inwall 39a and outer wall 39b preferably remains on vacuum state.

Inwall 39a and outer wall 39b are made by the heat insulator with relative little pyroconductivity, for example, and heat insulator as stainless steel, zirconium or aluminium or thermal insulation nonmetallic materials resemble the ceramic material.

In this process, overlap the heat of 39 blocked resistance silks, 38 generations to external leaks by thermal insulation.That is to say that the heat that produces of the inner wall space 39a blocked resistance silk 38 by thermal insulation cover 39 at first is then secondly by outer wall 39b block heat.Help to make thermal insulation to overlap 39 heat-energy losses like this and minimize, therefore strengthened the reaction efficiency and the heat efficiency of whole reformer 30.

Will be discussed in more detail below the operation of first embodiment according to the invention fuel cell system.

At first, the resistance wire 38 that twines the outer surface of main body 31 provides and is used for keeping separately reactive moieties 35 in the reactive moieties separately 35 with heat energy of preferred temperature scope.Because resistance wire 38 centers on reactive moieties 35 separately with the winding of different numbers, first reactive moieties 41 can remain on its reaction temperature of 300 ℃ to 600 ℃, second reactive moieties 42 can remain on its reaction temperature of 200 ℃ to 300 ℃, and the 3rd reactive moieties 43 can remain on its reaction temperature of 150 ℃ to 200 ℃.

In this state, by first supply pipe 91, petrolift 53 provides the fuel that is stored in the tanks 51 to arrive the inner space of main body 31.Then, the heat energy that first reactive moieties 41 absorbs from resistance wire 38, and utilize this heat energy from fuel, to produce carbonated hydrogen by steam reforming reaction.At this moment, be difficult to fully carry out steam reforming reaction for first reactive moieties 41, and produced a certain amount of hydrogen that contains carbon monoxide thus as byproduct.

Subsequently, the hole 36a by barrier layer 36 offers second reactive moieties 42 with hydrogen.Then, second reactive moieties 42 produces additional hydrogen by water-gas transformationreation, has mainly reduced the concentration of contained carbon monoxide in the hydrogen thus.

Secondly, the hole 36a by barrier layer 36 offers the 3rd reactive moieties 43 with hydrogen.Air pump 71 offers the 3rd reactive moieties 43 air by the 4th supply pipe 94.Then, by the oxidation reaction of hydrogen and air, the 3rd reactive moieties 43 has reduced the concentration of contained carbon monoxide in the hydrogen once more.

The hydrogen that fuel produces discharges from the outlet 33 of the 3rd reactive moieties 43 by the reformer 30 of main body 31, and offers the generator 11 of pile 10 by second supply pipe 92.At this moment, air pump 71 provides air to generator 11 by the 3rd supply pipe 93.

Then, hydrogen offers the anode electrode of membrane electrode assembly 12 by the division board 16 of generator 11.Air offers the cathode electrode of membrane electrode assembly 12 by division board 16.

Anode electrode resolves into electronics and proton (hydrogen ion) by oxidation reaction with hydrogen.Proton is moved to cathode electrode by dielectric film, and electronics moves to the cathode electrode of contiguous membrane electrode assembly 12 by division board 16, but does not pass through dielectric film.At this moment, electronics mobile makes electric current flow, and heat and water also produce as byproduct.

That is to say that in above-mentioned described reformer 30, form a plurality of reactive moieties 35 on main body 31, according to the number of the winding on reactive moieties, resistance wire 38 provides the heat energy of different amounts to each reactive moieties 35.Utilize this structure, might simplify the reformer structure and make whole fuel cell system compactness.The efficient that this structure also can improve whole fuel cell system becomes possibility.

The example of first embodiment distortion is described below.Do not describe and illustrate the element of identical with first embodiment in fact distortion example in detail, but only describe and show the element of the distortion example that is different from first embodiment in detail.

According to the distortion example of the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is the viewgraph of cross-section that reformer is shown.

With reference to figure 5, reformer 30A according to this distortion example, comprise main body 31A, it has determined reformer inlet 32A and reformer outlet 33A, and reactive moieties 35A, it reduces the second reactive moieties 42A of CO concentration and react the 3rd reactive moieties 43A composition that is used to reduce CO by PROX by the WGS reaction, and each has the catalyst of honeycomb shape by the first reactive moieties 41A that is used to promote reforming reaction.Therefore, each reactive moieties 35A has the catalyst material 41b, the 42b that are arranged among a plurality of

parallel perforation

41c, 42c and the 43c and the structure of 43b, that is to say, on the surface, inside in pottery or metallic

carrier space.Perforation

41c, 42c and 43c form passage, and this passage is used for by fuel and is formed on being exclusively used in required

catalyst material

41b, 42b and the 43b of reaction of reactive moieties 35A separately on the channel interior surface.

Fig. 6 is a viewgraph of cross-section, the reformer of schematically illustrated second distortion example of the present invention.

With reference to figure 6, reformer 30B comprises main body 31B, and it comprises reformer inlet 32B and reformer outlet 33B.Be used to promote the first reactive moieties 41B of reforming reaction, and at least two the 3rd reactive moieties 43B also are provided.The first reactive moieties 41B and at least two the 3rd reactive moieties 43 in turn are provided with to reformer outlet 33B from the reformer inlet 32B of main body 31B.The 3rd reactive moieties 43B is used for reducing the concentration of contained carbon monoxide in the hydrogen that the first reactive moieties 41B produces by the reaction of preferred CO oxidation catalysis.

Although figure 6 illustrates two the 3rd reactive moieties 43B, the present invention is not limited to this, and more a plurality of the 3rd reactive moieties can be set.

Fig. 7 is a viewgraph of cross-section, schematically shows the reformer according to the 3rd distortion example in the first embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to figure 7, reactive moieties according to the reformer 30C of this distortion example comprises vaporization part 45C, be used to promote the first reactive moieties 41C of reforming reaction, react the second reactive moieties 42C that is used to reduce CO content by WGS, and the 3rd reactive moieties 43C that is used to reduce CO content by the PROX reactive moieties.Vaporization part 45C, the first reactive moieties 41C, the second reactive moieties 42C, the 3rd reactive moieties 43C set gradually to reformer outlet 33C from the reformer inlet 32C of main body 31C.

The fuel that vaporization part 45C evaporation provides by reformer inlet 32C, and provide the fuel that has evaporated to the first reactive moieties 41C.The evaporation of fuel takes place under about 700 ℃ temperature.Utilize resistance wire 38C, provide heat energy temperature to be remained on about 700 ℃ to vaporization part 45C.

Corresponding to vaporization part 45C, resistance wire 38C is with the outer surface of maximum windings around main body 31C.Here, the winding number is less than the magnitude of the first reactive moieties 41C, the second reactive moieties 42C and the 3rd reactive moieties 43C.

Fig. 8 is a viewgraph of cross-section, and is schematically illustrated according to the reformer in the 4th distortion example of first embodiment of the invention.

With reference to figure 8, comprise vaporization part 45D according to the reactive moieties of reformer 30D in this distortion example, be used to promote the first reactive moieties 41D of reforming reaction, and at least two the 3rd reactive moieties 43D that are used to reduce CO content by the PROX reaction.Vaporization part 45D, the first reactive moieties 41D and at least two the 3rd reactive moieties 43D set gradually to reformer outlet 33D from the reformer inlet 32D of main body 31D.

Hereinafter, will be described in detail according to the reformer of second embodiment of the invention with according to its reformer that is out of shape example.With first embodiment in fact components identical do not describe and illustrate, only describe and illustrate the element that is different from first embodiment in detail.

Fig. 9 is a decomposition diagram, and the reformer according to second embodiment of the invention is shown, and Figure 10 is the viewgraph of cross-section at the reformer of the association shown in Fig. 9.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, reformer 130 comprises reaction plate 131 according to an embodiment of the invention, and it defines and can make the mobile passage 131c of fuel and at this catalyst reaction take place.Hot part 137 is provided with to such an extent that closely be connected with reaction plate 131.Hot part 137 produces heat energy this heat energy is offered reaction plate 131.

In reaction plate 131, passage 131c is used for making fuel to flow, and air is formed on the surface of main body 131a.Passage 131c has the passage that is provided with is arranged in a series of U-shaped bending with crooked shape structure.Passage 131c also defines reformer inlet 131f, at this inlet fuel admission passage 131c, and reformer outlet 131g, the hydrogen that fuel produces discharges from this outlet.

Reaction plate 131 can be formed by the material with good thermal conductivity rate, for example metal.Representational metal comprises aluminium, copper, nickel and iron.

In inventive embodiment, a plurality of reactive moieties 135 are whole formation on as the reaction plate 131 of main body.

Hot part 137 provides the reactive moieties that is formed on the reaction plate 131 135 required heat energy.Hot part 137 can comprise a contiguous lip-deep hot plate 138 that is arranged on the main body 131a of reaction plate 131, and resistance wire pattern 139 is arranged on the one surface.Resistance wire pattern 139 provides predetermined power so that to each reactive moieties 135 supply heat energy.

Hot plate 138 closely contacts with the surface of the reaction plate 131 that forms passage 131c thereon, therefore forms the passage that fuel passes through.Hot plate 138, the same with reaction plate 131, can form by material with good thermal conductivity rate.Example comprises metal such as aluminium, copper, nickel and iron.

Hot plate 138 can be connected (not shown) with traditional connected mode with the main body 131a of reaction plate 131.Two plates can fuse together mutually, for example weld or sintering, perhaps can be fastening with for example nut and screw.Yet connected mode is not limited to such method and two plates can connect in every way.

Resistance wire pattern 139 can be formed by the material with good electrical conductivity, and the energy the electric power produces the heat of predetermined temperature.Example materials comprises copper and mickel.Resistance wire pattern 139 can form on a surface of hot plate 138, for example, forms by the traditional lithographic method that utilizes traditional deposition process or have a mask.

The resistance wire pattern 139 of this embodiment comprises that the flow channel 131C with reaction plate 131 similarly forms the U-shaped bending of wriggling and being provided with.The 139a of first is parallel to the another one setting and extends on the surface of hot plate 138.Second portion 139b alternately connects the end of the 139a of first, forms serpentine shape thus.Yet resistance wire pattern 139 is not limited to such serpentine shape, can comprise various other shapes.

In addition, because hot plate 138 and resistance wire pattern 139 are formed by electric conducting material, can between resistance wire pattern 139 and hot plate 138, form the dielectric film (not shown).

In the present embodiment, a plurality of reactive moieties 135 are integrally formed on the reaction plate 131.Therefore, a plurality of conversion zone a, b and the c corresponding to a plurality of reactive moieties 135 is formed on the reaction plate 131.

A plurality of conversion zone a, b and c can be divided into the lip-deep first area a that is arranged on the contiguous reaction plate 131 of the reformer of passage 131c inlet 131f, be provided with the continuous second area b of first area a, and be provided with adjacently with reformer outlet 131g and with the 3rd continuous regional c of second area b.

Be similar to first embodiment, first reactive moieties 141, second reactive moieties 142 and the 3rd reactive moieties 143 of reactive moieties 135 are separately positioned on first area a, second area b and the 3rd regional c.

Promote reactive moieties 141,142 and 143 catalyst for reaction to be formed on the inner surface of passage 131c respectively with the form of

catalyst layer

141a, 142a and 143a.

Reforming catalyst layer 141a is arranged on the inner surface corresponding to the passage 131c of the first area a that forms first reactive moieties 141.Promote the water-gas transformation catalyst layer 142a of water-gas transformationreation to be formed on the inner surface corresponding to the passage 131c of the second area b that forms second reactive moieties 142.Promote the preferred CO layer of oxidation catalyst 143a of preferred CO oxidation reaction to be formed on the inner surface corresponding to the passage 131c of the 3rd regional c that forms the 3rd reactive moieties 143.

Similar with first embodiment, the range of reaction temperature of first reactive moieties 141 is from 300 ℃ to 600 ℃, and the range of reaction temperature of second reactive moieties 142 is from 200 ℃ to 300 ℃, and the range of reaction temperature of the 3rd reactive moieties 143 is from 150 ℃ to 200 ℃.

In the present embodiment, the 139a of first of resistance wire pattern 139 is provided with different gaps, so that it provides different heat energy to reactive moieties 141,142 and 143.The minimizing in the gap between the 139a of first of resistance wire pattern 139 has increased the number that passes through of resistance wire pattern 139, has produced more heat energy thus.

In the present embodiment, the gap d 1 that has of the 139a of first of the resistance wire pattern 139 that forms in the zone corresponding to first reactive moieties 141 is less than corresponding to the gap d 2 of second reactive moieties 142 in the zone.Corresponding to the gap d 2 in second reactive moieties, 142 zones less than corresponding to the gap d 3 of the 3rd reactive moieties 143 in the zone.

That is to say that hot part 137 provides maximum heat energy to first reactive moieties 141, offer the less heat energy of second reactive moieties, 142 to the first reactive moieties 141, and provide heat energy less than second portion 142 to the 3rd reactive moieties 143.

Therefore, first reactive moieties 141 can remain in 300 ℃ to 600 ℃ the range of reaction temperature, second reactive moieties 142 can remain in 200 ℃ to 300 ℃ the range of reaction temperature, and the 3rd reactive moieties 143 can remain in 150 ℃ to 200 ℃ the range of reaction temperature.

For reformer 130 described above, a plurality of reactive moieties 135 are formed on the reaction plate 131 as main body, and heating part 137 integrally forms with reaction plate 131, and resistance wire pattern 139 has produced the heat energy of different amounts thus with the different gap setting.Therefore, for each reaction, each reactive moieties 135 can remain on the temperature of expection.

According to such embodiment, can simplify the reformer structure and make whole fuel cell system compactness.Also can improve the efficient of whole fuel system.

Figure 11 is a viewgraph of cross-section, and the reformer of this embodiment of the hot part 237 with distortion is shown.

With reference to Figure 11, in the reformer 230 according to this distortion example, form with different-thickness corresponding to the first of each reactive moieties 135 resistance wire pattern 239a, the heat energy that different amounts are provided thus are to different reactive moieties 135.Cause higher resistance for the littler thickness of the resistance wire of given width, and therefore export more heats.

Especially, corresponding to the thickness t 1 of the resistance wire pattern 239a of first reactive moieties 141 in the zone, less than corresponding to the thickness t 2 of second reactive moieties 142 in the zone.Corresponding to the thickness t 2 of second reactive moieties 142 resistance wire pattern 139a in the zone less than corresponding to the thickness t 3 of the 3rd reactive moieties 143 in the zone.

Figure 12 is a viewgraph of cross-section, illustrates to have the reformer that another is out of shape this embodiment of hot part 337.

With reference to Figure 12, in the reformer 330 according to this distortion example, form with different in width corresponding to the first of the resistance wire pattern 339a of each reactive moieties 135, the heat energy that different amounts are provided thus are to each reactive moieties 135.Width smaller for the resistance wire of given thickness causes higher resistance, and therefore exports more heat.

Especially, corresponding to the width w1 of the resistance wire pattern 339a of first reactive moieties 141 in the zone less than corresponding to the width w2 of second reactive moieties 142 in the zone.Corresponding to the width w2 of second reactive moieties 142 resistance wire pattern 339a in the zone less than corresponding to the width w3 of the 3rd reactive moieties 143 in the zone.

Figure 13 is a viewgraph of cross-section, and the reformer of the hot part 430 of the 3rd distortion is shown.

With reference to Figure 13, similar another embodiment with Fig. 9-12 is disclosed.According to this distortion example reformer 430, comprise reaction plate 431 and at least two the 3rd reactive moieties 443 with first reactive moieties 441 as described above.At least two the 3rd reactive moieties 443 all play the effect of minimizing concentration of contained carbon monoxide from the hydrogen that first reactive moieties 441 produces by preferred hydrogen catalyzed and CO oxidation oxygen.

Have by making the resistance wire pattern heat energy of difference amount be offered the structure of each reactive moieties according to distortion example hot part 437, be similar to second embodiment and its distortion example with different gap, thickness or width.Described among the embodiment that the structure of resistance wire pattern has been mentioned in the above, therefore the descriptions thereof are omitted.

Although two the 3rd reactive moieties 443 shown in Figure 13, the present invention is not limited to this, can comprise a plurality of third parts.

Figure 14 is a viewgraph of cross-section, illustrates according to another aforesaid reformer distortion example with reaction plate 531.

With reference to Figure 14, the reformer 530 of example comprises vaporization part 545, first reactive moieties 541, second reactive moieties 542 and the 3rd reactive moieties 543 according to a modification of this invention.Vaporization part 545, first reactive moieties 541, second reactive moieties 542 and the 3rd reactive moieties 543 enter the mouth to the reformer outlet from the reformer of reaction plate 531 and are provided with in proper order.

The fuel that the fuel that 545 evaporations of vaporization part are injected by the reformer inlet also will evaporate is provided to first reactive moieties 541.The evaporation of fuel takes place in about 700 ℃ temperature.

Vaporization part 545 provides heat energy to be used to keep resistance wire in about 700 ℃ temperature, evaporated fuel and provide the fuel that has evaporated to first reactive moieties 541.

Be out of shape the hot part 537 of example according to the present invention and have the structure that offers each reactive moieties different temperatures heat energy by gap, thickness or the width of changes in resistance silk pattern, be similar to the above-mentioned embodiment of invention.About 700 ℃ heat energy offers vaporization part 545.Be described among the embodiment that the structure of resistance wire pattern has been mentioned in the above, therefore just omitted description here.

Figure 15 is a viewgraph of cross-section, shows the reformer of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

With reference to Figure 15, comprise plate reactor 631, the first reactive moieties 641 and at least two reactive moieties 643 according to the reformer 630 of this distortion example with vaporization part 645.The reformer that vaporization part 645, first reactive moieties 641 and at least two the 3rd reactive moieties parts 643 are set in sequence in reaction plate 631 enters the mouth to reformer and exports.

Although the present invention has described exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these embodiment, can carry out various distortion in the scope that does not break away from accessory claim of the present invention, detail specifications and accompanying drawing.Therefore, various distortion all belong to scope of the present invention.

Claims

1, a kind of reformer of fuel cell system comprises:

Integrally form the main body that from hydrogen-containing fuel, produces a plurality of reactive moieties of hydrogen therein; And

The heat energy that is provided with main body contact and different amounts are provided is to each the hot part in a plurality of reactive moieties.

2, according to the reformer of claim 1, wherein main part limitation is divided into the inner space in a plurality of spaces, a plurality of reactive moieties of a plurality of space boundaries, and wherein main body is further at a terminal qualification reformer inlet and in another terminal qualification reformer outlet.

3, according to the reformer of claim 2, wherein heat part comprises with the winding of the predetermined number eiloid resistance wire around the outer surface of main body, wherein is different from winding number corresponding to other reactive moieties corresponding to specific reactive moieties around the winding number of the outer surface of main body.

4, according to the reformer of claim 2, wherein a plurality of reactive moieties comprise the reforming reaction part that produces hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel, and at least one carbon monoxide that reduces contained carbonomonoxide concentration in hydrogen reduces part, corresponding to the number of the winding of the resistance wire in the zone of reforming reaction part greater than the number that reduces the winding of part corresponding to carbon monoxide.

5, according to the reformer of claim 2, wherein the space of having cut apart in the inner space of main body is cut apart by one or more barrier layers.

6,, also comprise thermal insulation cover around main body according to the reformer of claim 2.

7, according to the reformer of claim 6, wherein the thermal insulation cover comprises inner and outer wall, and the inner and outer wall space is separated from one another to form insulating space, and wherein insulating space remains vacuum.

8, according to the reformer of claim 7, wherein the inner and outer wall of thermal insulation cover be selected from by pottery, stainless steel, aluminium with and the compound material that constitutes group make.

9, according to the reformer of claim 1, wherein main body is to have to limit reformer inlet, reformer outlet and connect the reformer inlet and the plate shape main body on the surface of the passage of reformer outlet.

10, according to the reformer of claim 9, the resistance wire pattern that wherein hot part comprises the hot plate that is connected to body surfaces and is limited to the number of active lanes that forms on the hot plate surface.

11, according to the reformer of claim 10, wherein a plurality of reactive moieties comprise the reforming reaction part that produces hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel, and the carbon monoxide of contained carbonomonoxide concentration reduces part at least one minimizing hydrogen, and the heat that offers the reforming reaction part that is arranged so that of resistance wire pattern reduces heat partly greater than offering carbon monoxide.

12, according to the reformer of claim 11, wherein the resistance wire pattern forms serpentine shape.

13, according to the reformer of claim 11, wherein the resistance wire pattern corresponding to specific reactive moieties has gap, width or the thickness different with gap, width or the thickness of other reactive moieties.

14, according to the reformer of claim 13, wherein the gap of reducing the resistance wire pattern in the subregion corresponding to carbon monoxide is greater than corresponding to the gap in the reforming reaction subregion.

15,, wherein reduce the thickness or the width of the resistance wire in the subregion, greater than thickness or width corresponding to the resistance wire pattern in the reforming reaction subregion corresponding to carbon monoxide according to the reformer of claim 13.

16, according to the reformer of claim 1, wherein each reactive moieties comprises and is selected from the group of being made up of spheric catalyst and honeycombed catalyst.

17, according to the reformer of claim 1, wherein main body is selected from the material that constitutes group by stainless steel, aluminium, copper and iron and makes.

18, a kind of fuel cell system comprises:

At least one generator; And

Produce the reformer of hydrogen from hydrogen-containing fuel, wherein reformer comprises: the main body that a plurality of reactive moieties integrally form therein; And be provided with main body contact and heat energy that different amounts are provided to each the hot part in a plurality of reactive moieties.

19, according to the fuel cell system of claim 18, wherein main part limitation is divided into the inner space in a plurality of spaces, and a plurality of reactive moieties of a plurality of space boundaries terminally limit the reformer inlet and terminally limit reformer outlet at another at one of main body.

20, according to the fuel cell system of claim 19, wherein heat part comprises with the eiloid resistance wire of predetermined number winding around the outer surface of main body, wherein is different from winding number around other reactive moieties around the winding number of specific reactive moieties.

21, according to the fuel cell system of claim 18, wherein main body is to have qualification reformer inlet, reformer outlet and connect the reformer inlet and the plate shape main body on the surface of the passage of reformer outlet.

22, according to the fuel cell system of claim 21, wherein the heat part comprises the hot plate that is connected with the surface of the main body that limits passage, and wherein hot plate comprises the resistance wire pattern that forms in its surface.

23, according to the fuel cell system of claim 18, wherein a plurality of reactive moieties comprise the reforming reaction part, and at least one carbon monoxide minimizing part, the heat part is set makes the heat that offers the reforming reaction part greater than the heat that offers carbon monoxide minimizing part.

24,, wherein have and different gap, width or the thickness of gap, width or thickness corresponding to the resistance wire pattern of another reactive moieties corresponding to the resistance wire pattern of specific reactive moieties according to the fuel cell system of claim 22.

25, according to the fuel cell system of claim 22, wherein the resistance wire pattern limits serpentine pattern.

26,, also comprise fuel supply unit that offers reformer fuel and the oxygen supply unit that offers reformer and generator oxygen according to the fuel cell system of claim 18.

27, according to the fuel cell system of claim 26, wherein the oxygen supply unit comprises that at least one offers the air pump of reformer and generator air.