JP2000063102A - Fuel reforming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel reforming apparatus capable of smoothly carrying out desired reforming reaction and readily carrying out miniaturization of the whole apparatus by simple constitution. SOLUTION: This reformer 26 has a flow path chamber 66 for introducing a fuel gas for reforming from plural introducing holes 70 and the fuel gas for reforming is fed to first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40 arranged in a reforming chamber 36 having large opening cross sectional area from the flow path chamber 66. First and second current plates 80 and 82 are arranged on upstream side of first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40 and the fuel gas for reforming can uniformly be made to flow on whole surfaces of the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel reformer for producing a reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming a reforming fuel gas containing hydrocarbon with a reforming catalyst section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fuel cell stack constructed by stacking a plurality of fuel battery cells, each having an anode, an electrode and a cathode electrode, opposed to each other with an electrolyte, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between them, is stacked. It has been developed and is being put to practical use for various purposes.

A fuel cell stack of this type is composed of hydrocarbons,
For example, by supplying a reformed gas (fuel gas) containing hydrogen generated by steam reforming of an aqueous solution of methanol to the anode electrode and supplying an oxidant gas (air) to the cathode electrode, The gas is ionized and flows in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, whereby electric energy is obtained outside the fuel cell.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 10, in a reformer 1 for reforming an aqueous methanol solution, a flow path 2 for methanol mixed with steam (hereinafter referred to as reforming fuel gas) is provided.
In some cases, the cross-sectional area of 1 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the reforming catalyst unit 4. At this time, in order to uniformly supply the reforming fuel gas to the entire surface of the reforming catalyst portion 4, a region where the flow passage cross-sectional area is widened to the upstream side of the reforming catalyst portion 4, that is, a cone is usually used. A section 6 is provided.

[0005]

However, if the cone portion 6 is not set sufficiently long with respect to the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas, this reforming fuel gas will be used as the reforming catalyst gas.
The cross-sectional area of is not evenly distributed over the entire surface. For this reason, the reforming fuel gas may flow only to a part of the reforming catalyst section 4, and the reforming catalyst section 4 may not be effectively utilized over the entire surface. Due to this, in practice, it is necessary to use a sufficiently long cone portion 6, and it has been pointed out that the reformer 1 becomes considerably large.

On the other hand, the reforming fuel gas is passed through the flow path 2 of the reformer 1.
Introducing holes for supplying the liquid are usually provided at one place. However, considering the in-vehicle mountability of the fuel cell stack, as shown in FIG. 10, although it is desirable that the reformer 1 is placed horizontally and the reforming fuel gas is allowed to flow from the lateral direction, if the introduction hole is one place, There is a problem that the reforming fuel gas is affected by its own weight and it becomes extremely difficult to uniformly supply the reforming fuel gas to the entire reforming catalyst section 4.

The present invention solves this type of problem, and has a simple structure that allows a desired reforming reaction to be carried out smoothly and that the overall size of the device can be easily reduced. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

In the fuel reforming apparatus according to the present invention, the cross-sectional area of the reforming catalyst portion is set larger than the cross-sectional area of the introduction hole for introducing the reforming fuel gas into the reforming chamber. The reforming catalyst section is provided with a current plate on the upstream side in the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas. Therefore, when the reforming fuel gas is supplied from the narrow introduction hole to the reforming catalyst part having a large cross-sectional area, the reforming catalyst gas is supplied to the reforming catalyst part with respect to the entire cross-sectional area of the reforming catalyst part under the action of the straightening plate. The flow velocity of the fuel gas becomes uniform. This eliminates the need for the conventional long cone portion and makes the entire device more compact, and it is possible to apply a uniform load to all areas of the reforming catalyst portion, thus maximizing the reforming catalyst portion. It can be used effectively.

Further, a plurality of reforming catalyst portions are arranged in parallel in the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas, and each of the rectifiers provided upstream of the reforming catalyst portion in the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas. The plate is set to have a different rectifying function depending on the flow state of the reforming fuel gas. Therefore, it is possible to arrange a plurality of reforming catalyst parts and apply a uniform load to all the reforming catalyst parts.

Here, the reforming catalyst portion has a donut shape whose surface direction is orthogonal to the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas, and a plurality of reforming catalyst portions are arranged in parallel in the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas. Gas flow path forming means that passes through one reforming catalyst section and bypasses the other reforming catalyst sections is arranged between the reforming catalyst sections. Therefore, it is possible to easily reduce the size of the entire apparatus and to uniformly supply the reforming fuel gas to each reforming catalyst section.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of introduction holes for introducing at least the reforming fuel gas into the flow passage chamber are circumferentially formed in the wall portion forming the flow passage chamber communicating with the reforming chamber. It is arranged. Accordingly, when the reforming fuel gas is supplied from the introduction hole to the reforming catalyst portion having a larger area than the introduction hole, the reforming fuel gas can be made to flow uniformly throughout the reforming catalyst portion.

Here, the wall portion forming the flow path chamber has a double wall structure having an opening inside, and reforming fuel gas is applied to the outer wall from the outside of the flow path chamber to the opening. A supply port for supply is provided, and a plurality of introduction holes communicating with the opening are provided on an inner wall of the supply port. Further, by setting the blowing angle and the hole diameter of each introduction hole, the distribution property of the reforming fuel gas is improved, and the reforming fuel gas can be uniformly and surely supplied to the reforming catalyst portion. become.

Thus, even when the reforming chamber is installed horizontally and the reforming fuel gas is supplied laterally toward the reforming catalyst portion, the distribution property of the reforming fuel gas is improved. The entire surface of the reforming catalyst portion can be ensured and effectively utilized.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a fuel cell system 1 incorporating a fuel reforming apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic block diagram of 2. The fuel cell system 12 is provided with a fuel reforming apparatus 10 that reforms reforming fuel containing hydrocarbons to produce reformed gas containing hydrogen gas, and the reformed gas is supplied from the fuel reforming apparatus 10. In addition, air is supplied as an oxidant gas, and the fuel cell stack 14 is configured to generate electricity by hydrogen gas in the reformed gas and oxygen in the air. As hydrocarbons, methanol,
Natural gas or methane can be used.

The fuel reformer 10 includes a hydrocarbon, for example,
A methanol tank 16 for storing methanol and a water tank 18 for storing generated water discharged from the fuel cell 12
And the methanol tank 16 and the water tank 18
A mixer 20 for supplying a predetermined amount of methanol and water respectively to mix the aqueous methanol solution, an evaporator 22 for evaporating the aqueous methanol solution supplied from the mixer 20, and a heat of evaporation to the evaporator 22. A catalyst combustor 24 to be supplied and a reformer for reforming methanol (hereinafter referred to as reforming fuel gas) mixed with water vapor introduced from the evaporator 22 to generate reformed gas containing hydrogen gas. 26 and a CO remover 28 that removes carbon monoxide in the reformed gas discharged from the reformer 26.

The catalytic combustor 24 and the CO remover 28 include
Air is supplied from the air supplier 30, and a heat exchanger 32 for lowering the temperature of the reformed gas is arranged between the reformer 26 and the CO remover 28. Evaporator 22, reformer 26, heat exchanger 32, CO
The remover 28 and the catalytic combustor 24 are connected via a pipe 34 to form a circulation flow path (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 3, the reformer 26 has a horizontal structure, and has first and second reforming catalyst layers (reforming catalyst portion) 38 arranged in the reforming chamber 36. 40, and a reforming fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas in the reforming chamber 36, for example,
Air is supplied to the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38, 4
Supply mechanism 42 for simultaneously performing the oxidation reaction and the reforming reaction at 0, and the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38, 40.
And a starting combustion mechanism 44 for directly supplying the combustion gas for heating to the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38, 40 at the time of starting the fuel reforming apparatus 10.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the combustion mechanism 4
Reference numeral 4 corresponds to the upstream side of the reformer 26 in the gas flow direction (direction of arrow A) and is provided concentrically with the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40. Room 4
6 is provided with an injector 48 for supplying fuel, for example, methanol, and a glow plug 49 which is an ignition plug. The injector 48 is connected to the methanol tank 16 via a fuel path 50 (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, an air nozzle 52 is mounted, and the air nozzle 52 is provided with a plurality of air outlets 54 that open toward the combustion chamber 46. The air outlet 54 is provided in the combustion chamber 4
The respective jetting directions and angles are set so as to generate a vortex in the nozzle 6. The air nozzle 52 is connected to the air supplier 58 or the air supplier 30 via the first air path 56.
(See FIG. 1).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the supply mechanism 42 is arranged on the downstream side of the combustion mechanism 44 and is located on the downstream side of the injector 48 and on the upstream side of the first reforming catalyst layer 38. A supply port 60 is provided to supply the reforming fuel gas and the oxidizing and diluting air together or independently. The supply port 60 is connected to the evaporator 22 via the path 34a, and the joint portion 62 provided on the way of the path 34a communicates with the air supplier 30 via the second air path 64, for example. (See FIG. 1).

The reformer 26 has a flow passage chamber 66 communicating with the reforming chamber 36 and having a smaller cross-sectional area than the reforming chamber 36.
A plurality of introduction holes 70 for introducing reforming fuel gas and air (at least reforming fuel gas) into the passage chamber 66 are arranged in a circumferential direction in a wall portion 68 that constitutes the passage chamber 66. Has been done. The wall portion 68 has a double wall structure having a chamber 72 inside, the supply port 60 is provided on the outer wall thereof, and a plurality of introduction holes 70 communicating with the chamber 72 are provided on the inner wall thereof.

Each of the introduction holes 70 is provided in order to uniformly supply the reforming fuel gas and air (hereinafter, simply referred to as reforming fuel gas) to the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40. The blowing angle and / or the hole diameter are set. The opening cross-sectional area of the entire introduction hole 70 is the first reforming catalyst layer 3
It is set to a value considerably smaller than the cross-sectional area of 8.

The reformer 26 has a diffuser portion (flow path) which forms a conical gas supply flow path 74 whose diameter rapidly increases from the flow path chamber 66 communicating with the combustion chamber 46 toward the first reforming catalyst layer 38. Road member) 76. A substantially cylindrical case 78 is screwed to the enlarged end of the diffuser portion 76, and the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40 are mounted in the case 78.

The first and second reforming catalyst layers 38, 40 are
It is composed of a copper or zinc-based catalyst and has a donut-shaped honeycomb structure. The respective plane directions of the respective honeycomb catalysts are arranged in parallel at right angles to the gas flow direction (arrow A direction) in the reforming chamber 36. First and second straightening vanes 80, 82 are fixed to the upstream sides of the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38, 40 in the gas flow direction.

The first and second straightening vanes 80 and 82 have a function of causing the reforming fuel gas sent from the flow passage chamber 66 to flow over the entire surfaces of the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40 at a uniform flow velocity. And has a breathable structure such as foam metal, honeycomb material, sintered metal, punching metal, or porous metal. First and second straightening vanes 80,
The rectifying function (pressure loss) 82 is set differently depending on the flow state of the reforming fuel gas, that is, whether the reforming fuel gas is easy to flow or difficult to flow. In order to facilitate the flow of the reforming fuel gas when it is difficult to flow, for example, the thickness is set thin or a rough texture structure is adopted. On the other hand, in order to make it difficult for the reforming fuel gas to flow when it easily flows, for example, the wall thickness is set or a structure with a fine texture is adopted. As a result, the gas flow rates to the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40 can be made uniform.

A gas flow path forming means 86 is arranged between the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40 so that the reforming fuel gas passes through only one of them. The gas flow path forming means 86 is made of, for example, a plate material made of SUS, and has a tubular portion 88 that is inserted into the central hollow portion 38a of the first reforming catalyst layer 38, and an end portion of the tubular portion 88. A cone portion 90 whose diameter increases along the gas flow direction, and a ring portion 92 integrally provided at the end of the cone portion 90 and covering the outer periphery of the second reforming catalyst layer 40. The tip of the tubular portion 88 has a narrowed portion 9 whose diameter decreases in a direction opposite to the gas flow direction.
4 is integrally molded. A conical cover member 96 is attached to the central hollow portion 40a of the second reforming catalyst layer 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the three-way valve 10 is provided at the joint portion 98 of the passages 34b and 34c which constitute the pipe 34 and are connected to the catalytic combustor 24 and the CO remover 28, respectively.
0 is provided, and the three-way valve 100 is
4b and the fuel cell stack 14 can be communicated with each other, and the path 34b and the path 34c can be communicated with each other. The fuel cell stack 14 is provided in the path 34c.
An inlet 102 is provided for introducing a gas such as unreacted hydrogen gas contained in the exhaust components discharged from the.

The operation of the fuel reforming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as above will be described below.

First, when the fuel reforming apparatus 10 is started, the paths 34b and 34c of the pipe 34 are in a cutoff state from the fuel cell stack 14 in the starting warm-up mode. Therefore, from the first air path 56 that constitutes the combustion mechanism 44 to the air nozzle 52
Air is supplied to the combustion chamber 46 via the
A vortex is formed inside. In this state, the glow plug 49
Is driven and the temperature of the glow plug 49 reaches a predetermined temperature, the methanol tank 16 is moved to the injector 4
Methanol is supplied to 8.

Methanol is sprayed into the combustion chamber 46 through the injector 48, and the vortex flow of air acts on the methanol to atomize and diffuse the methanol. Therefore, in the combustion chamber 46,
Methanol burns under the heating action of the glow plug 49,
Flame holding is performed only in the combustion chamber 46.

Next, from the second air path 64 to each inlet 7
Diluting air is introduced into the flow path chamber 66 through 0. Therefore, the high temperature combustion gas generated in the combustion chamber 46 is mixed with air, and the combustion gas is arranged in the reforming chamber 36 with the temperature of the combustion gas adjusted.
It is directly supplied to the reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40. Furthermore, the first
After the second reforming catalyst layers 38, 40 are heated to a predetermined temperature, the methanol aqueous solution in which methanol and water are mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio is supplied to the evaporator 22 via the mixer 20.

In the evaporator 22, the high temperature combustion gas generated in the catalytic combustor 24 and the evaporative gas exchange heat with each other to vaporize the aqueous methanol solution, which is mixed with the air sent from the second air passage 64 and introduced. From the mouth 70 to the reformer 26
While being supplied to the inside of the combustion chamber 46 from the injector 48.
The supply of methanol to the inside is stopped. Here, air is continuously supplied from the first air path 56 to the combustion chamber 46 side via the air nozzle 52, and the temperature of the injector 48 itself is effectively reduced.

In this case, in the first embodiment, the reformer 2
6, the reforming fuel gas mixed with air is supplied from the passage chamber 66 to the large-capacity reforming chamber 36 in the horizontal direction (arrow A direction). that time,
The supply port 60 provided on the outer wall of the wall portion 68 forming the flow path chamber 66 communicates with the plurality of introduction ports 70 via the chamber 72 in the wall portion 68 and is supplied to the supply port 60. The reforming fuel gas (including air) is supplied from the plurality of inlets 70 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 68 to the flow path chamber 6.
It is introduced to the reforming chamber 36 side via 6.

Therefore, by injecting the reforming fuel gas from each of the introduction holes 70 whose blow-off angle and hole diameter are set, the distribution of this reforming fuel gas is improved, and the first reforming catalyst is formed. The reforming fuel gas can be uniformly and surely supplied to the entire surface of the layer 38.

Here, from the plurality of introduction holes 70 to the flow path chamber 66.
Experiments were performed to generate the reformed gas in the case of supplying the reforming fuel gas to the fuel cell and in the case of supplying the reforming fuel gas to the flow path chamber 66 from the conventional single introduction hole. The result is shown in FIG. As a result, in the first embodiment, the result is that the dispersibility of the reforming fuel gas is made uniform and the entire surface of the first reforming catalyst layer 38 can be effectively utilized.

By the way, the reforming fuel gas supplied from the evaporator 22 to the passage 34a is mixed with the air injected from the second air passage 64 and introduced into the flow passage chamber 66, and then the diffuser portion 76. Sent to the side. This diffuser part 7
In 6, the reforming fuel gas containing the aqueous methanol solution, water vapor and oxygen is sent to the first reforming catalyst layer 38 along a part of the gas supply flow path 74, while the other part is fed to the first reforming catalyst layer 38. The fine reforming catalyst layer 38 is sent to the second reforming catalyst layer 40 through the inside of the cylindrical portion 88 fitted in the central hollow portion 38a.

The reformed gas generated through the first reforming catalyst layer 38 and the reformed gas generated through the second reforming catalyst layer 40 are introduced into the heat exchanger 32 to reach a predetermined temperature. To be cooled. Next, the reformed gas is introduced into the CO remover 28 to selectively react and remove the CO in the reformed gas, and then sent to the catalytic combustor 24 as required. Then, when stable reformed gas is generated from the reformer 26, the three-way valve 100 is switched and the fuel cell stack 1
This reformed gas is supplied to 4.

In this case, in the first embodiment, since the first and second straightening vanes 80 and 82 are provided on the upstream sides of the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40, respectively, the angle of the diffuser portion 76 is increased. The flow path chamber 66
The reforming fuel gas supplied from the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38, 40 can be flowed at a uniform flow rate.

As a result, the size of the entire reformer 26 is reduced and the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40 are formed.
It is possible to obtain an effect that a uniform load is applied to the entire surface of the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40 to maximize the performance of the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40.

Further, the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38,
40 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction that is the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas, and the first and second straightening plates 80 and 82 are set to different straightening functions depending on the flow state of the reforming fuel gas. . Therefore, the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38, 4
Even if 0s are arranged close to each other, a uniform load can be applied to the entire surfaces of the first and second reforming catalyst layers 38 and 40.
The reformer 26 can be made more compact.

Therefore, in the case of only the first reforming catalyst layer 38 without using the current plate 80 (see FIG. 5), the first current plate is provided upstream of the reforming catalyst layer 38 as in the first embodiment. When 80 is provided (see FIG. 6), each measurement point A
Experiments were performed to detect temperature changes from ~ D. The result is shown in FIG.

Therefore, the diffuser portion 76 having a sharp angle
In the first reforming catalyst layer 38 in which the first rectifying plate 80 is not used, the temperature is low at the measurement points C and D, which are the outer peripheral portions, and the reforming reaction is scarcely performed in this portion. I understood. Therefore, it has been proved that by using the first flow straightening plate 80, a uniform flow of the reforming fuel gas is generated over the entire surface of the first reforming catalyst layer 38, and an efficient reforming reaction is performed. .

FIG. 8 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a reformer 112 which constitutes a fuel reforming apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The reformer 112 has a horizontal structure, and the reforming fuel gas is supplied in the horizontal direction as shown by the arrow. First to third reforming catalyst layers 116, 118 and 120 are arranged in the reforming chamber 114 in the reformer 112 in the gas flow direction (horizontal direction), and the first to third reforming catalyst layers 116, 118 and 120 are arranged on the upstream side of the first to third reforming catalyst layers 116, 118 and 120, respectively. Through the third rectifying plates 122, 124 and 126 are provided.

The reformer 112 is provided with a gas inlet 128 and a gas outlet 130, and the cross sectional area of the gas inlet 128 is considerably smaller than the cross sectional area of the first reforming catalyst layer 116. It is set to a value.

In the reforming chamber 114, the first to third reforming catalyst layers 116, 118 and 120 respectively
The width dimensions a, b and c are set, and the flow states of the reforming fuel gas to the first to third catalyst layers 116, 118 and 120 are different. First to third rectifying plate 1
22, 124, and 126 are set to the rectification function according to the flow state of the respective reforming fuel gas, and specifically, are set by changing the dimension in the thickness direction and the roughness of the texture. There is.

In the reforming chamber 114, gas passage forming means 132 is provided so that the reforming fuel gas passes through only one of the first to third reforming catalyst layers 116, 118 and 120.
Are placed. In the reforming chamber 114, three gas flow paths 134 indicated by arrows are formed by the gas flow path forming means 132.
a, 134b and 134c are formed.

In the reformer 112 thus constructed,
The reforming fuel gas introduced from the gas inlet port 128 having a small opening cross-sectional area into the reforming chamber 114 having a considerably large opening cross-sectional area is distributed to the gas flow paths 134a, 134b and 134c, and the first flow straightening plate 122 is respectively provided. , And is supplied to the second rectifying plate 124 and the third rectifying plate 126. Therefore, the reforming fuel gas can be made to flow uniformly over the entire surface of the first to third reforming catalyst layers 116, 118 and 120, and the entire surface of the first to third reforming catalyst layers 116, 118 and 120 can be covered. It is possible to apply a uniform load.

Moreover, the first to third straightening plates 122, 12
By setting the rectifying functions of 4 and 126, respectively, the first to third reforming catalyst layers 116, 118 and 12 are formed.
The flow of the reforming fuel gas as a whole can be made uniform. This makes it possible to evenly flow the reforming fuel gas through the first to third reforming catalyst layers 116, 118 and 120 arranged in large numbers, and further reduce the size of the reformer 112 as a whole.

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural explanatory view of a reformer 142 which constitutes a fuel reformer 140 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the reforming chamber 144 of the reformer 142, the first reforming catalyst layer 146 and the second reforming catalyst layer 148 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas. Specifically, the second reforming catalyst layer 148 has a donut shape, and the first reforming catalyst layer 136 is arranged in the central hollow portion. Further, a plurality of cylindrical second reforming catalyst layers 148 may be arranged along the outer periphery of the first reforming catalyst layer 146.

The first straightening vane 150 is provided on the upstream side of the first reforming catalyst layer 146, and the second reforming catalyst layer 148 is provided.
The second straightening vane 152 is provided on the upstream side of. A gas inlet 154 and a gas outlet 156 are formed at the left and right ends of the reformer 142, and the reforming fuel gas is horizontally introduced from the gas inlet 154 into the reforming chamber 144 having a large opening cross-sectional area. To be done.

Here, since a large amount of the reforming fuel gas flows in the central portion of the reforming chamber 144, the first flow straightening plate 1 provided in the first reforming catalyst layer 146 arranged in this central portion.
50 for the second straightening plate 1 provided on the second reforming catalyst layer 148
The structure is set so that it does not flow more easily than 52 Specifically, the first
The thickness of the current plate 150 is set to be larger than the thickness of the second current plate 152.

As a result, in the third embodiment, the reforming fuel gas can be made to flow uniformly over the entire first and second reforming catalyst layers 146, 148, and the first and second reforming catalyst layers can be made to flow. The same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained such that the performances of 146 and 148 can be utilized to the maximum extent.

[0053]

In the fuel reforming apparatus according to the present invention, the straightening plate is provided on the upstream side of the reforming catalyst portion in the gas flow direction, and the entire surface of the reforming catalyst portion is operated under the action of the straightening plate. On the other hand, the reforming fuel gas can be flowed uniformly. As a result, the conventional long cone portion is not required, the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced, and a uniform load can be applied to all regions of the reforming catalyst portion.

Further, in the present invention, since the reforming fuel gas is introduced from the plurality of introducing holes into the flow passage chamber communicating with the reforming chamber, the reforming fuel gas is evenly distributed over the entire reforming catalyst section. Can be flushed. Therefore, even if the reforming chamber is installed horizontally, the distributability of the reforming fuel gas can be ensured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of a fuel cell system incorporating a fuel reforming device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view of the fuel reformer.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional explanatory view of a reformer that constitutes the fuel reformer.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a methanol reaction rate by a single introduction hole and a plurality of introduction holes.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a reforming catalyst layer that does not use a current plate.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a reforming catalyst layer using the rectifying plate.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a result of temperature measurement of each part using FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory longitudinal cross-sectional view of a main part of a reformer that constitutes a fuel reformer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of a reformer that constitutes a fuel reformer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a reformer according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 110, 140 ... Fuel reformer 12 ... Fuel cell system 16 ... Methanol tank 18 ... Water tank 20 ... Mixer 22 ... Evaporator 24 ... Catalytic combustor 26, 11
2, 142 ... Reformer 28 ... CO remover 32 ... Heat exchanger 34a ... Path 36, 11
4, 144 ... Reforming chambers 38, 40, 116, 118, 120, 146, 148
Reforming catalyst layer 42 ... Supply mechanism 44 ... Combustion mechanism 56 for start-up ... Air path 60 ... Supply port 66 ... Flow path chamber 68 ... Wall portion 70 ... Introduction hole 72 ... Chamber 76 ... Diffuser portions 80, 82 ...
Straightening plate 86 ... Gas flow path forming means 128 ... Gas inlet 130 ... Gas outlets 122, 124, 126, 150, 152 ... Straightening plate

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shoji Isobe             1-4-1 Chuo, Wako City, Saitama Book             T-Tech Research Institute (72) Inventor Hideaki Sumi             1-4-1 Chuo, Wako City, Saitama Book             T-Tech Research Institute F-term (reference) 4G040 EA03 EA06 EB04 EB23                 5H027 AA06 BA01 BA09 BA10 BA16

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A fuel reforming apparatus having a horizontal structure for producing a reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming a reforming fuel gas containing hydrocarbon in a reforming catalyst section, The cross-sectional area of the reforming catalyst part is set to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the introduction hole for introducing the reforming fuel gas into the reforming chamber, and the reforming catalyst part is provided on the upstream side in the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas. A fuel reforming device comprising a flow straightening plate. 2. The fuel reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the reforming catalyst parts are arranged in a flow direction of the reforming fuel gas, and the reforming fuel of the reforming catalyst part. The fuel reforming device, wherein each of the straightening plates provided on the upstream side in the gas flow direction is set to a different straightening function depending on the flow state of the reforming fuel gas. 3. The fuel reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reforming catalyst section is set in a donut shape whose surface direction is orthogonal to the flow direction of the reforming fuel gas. A plurality of gas flow passage forming means is arranged in parallel in the flow direction of the fuel gas, and between the reforming catalyst portions, the gas flow passage forming means passes through one reforming catalyst portion and bypasses the other reforming catalyst portions. A fuel reformer characterized by the above. 4. A reforming fuel gas containing hydrocarbon is supplied to a reforming catalyst portion arranged in a reforming chamber and reformed in the reforming catalyst portion to generate reformed gas containing hydrogen. In the fuel reformer, a plurality of introduction holes for introducing at least the reforming fuel gas into the flow passage chamber are circumferentially formed in a wall portion forming a flow passage chamber communicating with the reforming chamber. A fuel reformer characterized by being arranged in a line. 5. The fuel reforming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the wall portion forming the flow passage chamber has a double wall structure having an opening inside, and the reforming is provided on an outer wall of the wall portion. A supply port for supplying the fuel gas for use from the outside of the flow path chamber to the opening is provided, and
The fuel reformer, wherein the plurality of introduction holes communicating with the opening are provided on an inner wall thereof. 6. The fuel reforming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the reforming chamber has a horizontal structure for laterally supplying the reforming fuel gas toward the reforming catalyst section. A fuel reformer characterized by: