JP2001189161A - Safety apparatus for fuel cell vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a safety apparatus for a fuel cell vehicle that is capable of preventing a secondary accident in case a vehicle loaded with a fuel reformer is met an accident, and is capable of holding the fuel reformer at safe stopper condiction. SOLUTION: This apparatus comprises a fuel reformer 5, a sensor 31 for detecting impact generated in an accident of a car, abnormal signal generating means 32 for generating abnormal signals based on the output value of the sensor, valves 34, 35 for stopping the supply of the fuel gas and oxidant gas based on the abnormal signal as a reformer-induction gas-stop means, an inert gas cylinder 40, cutoff valves 36, 37 being installed at front and rear of the reformer to fill the inert gas, and a value 39 for introducing the inert gas based on the abnormal signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydrogen-rich reforming method in which a raw fuel gas obtained by evaporating a mixture of water and a liquid hydrocarbon such as methanol, ethanol, gasoline, etc., together with an oxidizing gas flows through a reforming catalyst layer. The present invention relates to a safety device for a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel reformer that generates gas (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a reformer) and a fuel cell body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, fuel cell vehicles have been increasingly expected to replace vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine due to worsening environmental problems. However, in fuel cell vehicles,
A means for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell body is required, and as the means, mounting of a high-pressure hydrogen cylinder, mounting of a hydrogen storage alloy, or a fuel reforming method of liquid fuel is considered.

[0003] The high-pressure hydrogen cylinder system has a problem of great danger, and the hydrogen-absorbing alloy system has a drawback that the device becomes too large when the operation distance of an automobile is to be increased. On the other hand, a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a liquid fuel tank like gasoline and employing a fuel reforming system that runs while reforming the fuel is considered to be the most practical method.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a conventional structure of a fuel cell power generation device for a vehicle equipped with a reformer using both the partial oxidation reaction and the steam reforming reaction as described above. An example using a liquid mixture of methanol and water will be described.

The main components of the fuel cell power generator shown in FIG. 4 include a fuel cell main body 10, a reformer 5, a raw fuel gas supply system 51, an oxidizing gas supply system 60, and a reformed gas supply system. 70, and there are other off-hydrogen systems and off-air systems. The raw fuel gas supply system 51 includes a supply source of methanol 1, a supply source of water 2,
, A heater 3, an evaporator 4, and connection pipes. The oxidizing gas supply system 60 includes a supply source of the air 6 and the compressor 21. For other components,
This will be described together with the operation description of the present apparatus below.

A reforming raw material in which methanol 1 as a liquid fuel and water 2 for steam reforming are mixed at a predetermined ratio in advance,
The heat is passed through the heater 3 by the reforming raw material pump 20 to be preheated. The preheated reforming raw material is guided to the evaporator 4 and further heated and vaporized to become a raw fuel gas, which is introduced into the reformer 5 having the reforming catalyst layer filled with the reforming catalyst. As the reforming catalyst, a copper-zinc (Cu-Zn) -based catalyst, a noble metal-based catalyst, a Ni-based catalyst, or the like is used.

Simultaneously with the introduction of the raw fuel gas, the compressor 21 is driven to supply the air 6 to the reformer 5, and a hydrogen-rich reforming reaction is performed inside the reformer 5 by a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction. Generates quality gas.

[0008] The steam reforming reaction is an endothermic reaction in which heat must be applied from the outside, whereas the partial oxidation reaction is
Exothermic reaction. Therefore, by using the partial oxidation reaction together in the same reactor, the heat required for the steam reforming reaction can be supplied and the reaction can be performed, and an external heating device is not required. And the start-up time of the reformer can be shortened.

By the above reaction, hydrogen required in the fuel cell body 10 is generated in the reformer 5. This generated gas contains carbon monoxide C, which is a poisoning substance of the fuel cell body 10.
Since O is contained, in the CO converter 7 as a selective oxidation reactor filled with a selective oxidation catalyst, CO is converted and removed to CO ₂ to reduce the CO concentration to the PPM level, and the gas temperature is reduced by the water-cooled cooler 9. After lowering the fuel cell body 10
Power is generated by supplying reformed gas to The CO converter 7 is often used as a CO remover for automobiles.

The off-hydrogen not consumed in the fuel cell body 10 (fuel cell exhaust gas hydrogen) removes water contained as steam in the condenser 12, while the off-hydrogen discharged from the air electrode of the fuel cell body is removed. The air removes moisture in the condenser 14. Thereafter, the off-hydrogen is burned together with the off-air in the exhaust hydrogen combustor 13, and the heat is used as a heat source of the evaporator 4. The heat obtained by the water in the cooler 9 is
Used in the heater 3.

[0011]

As described above, a fuel reformer is required to reform fuel. Conventional vehicles did not have a reactor such as a fuel reformer, so there was no need to take safety measures for such devices. A new safety measure is required when a car equipped with a porcelain encounters an accident or the like. This problem will be described in detail below.

In the event of an accident during the operation of a fuel cell vehicle, if a damaged part occurs in the fuel reformer, hydrogen gas is discharged out of the reformer immediately. In this case, it is necessary to immediately shut off the liquid fuel and the raw fuel gas used as fuel, and if the supply of the raw fuel gas is continued, the hydrogen generation reaction is continued and the hydrogen gas is exposed to danger.

Further, even when the release of hydrogen gas to the outside of the reformer is stopped by shutting off the raw fuel gas, air in the atmosphere enters the inside of the fuel reformer depending on the damage condition of the reformer. In this case, there is a risk that oxygen in the air reacts with the catalyst filled in the reformer to generate heat of oxidation. Depending on the type of catalyst used inside the fuel reformer, there is a danger that the heat of oxidation will generate heat much higher than the operating catalyst temperature, and if such heat is generated, a fire may occur depending on the surrounding environment. Not only that, there may be problems that may hinder the rescue operation of injured people, which is the highest priority in a car accident disaster.

[0014] Even in the event of an unexpected accident or disaster as described above, a fuel cell vehicle is required to ensure safety. In the past, in the automobile industry, fuels such as gasoline and light oil have been used, so that consideration has been given to the safety of the fuel tank. However, there is no such a reactor as a fuel reformer, and no fuel cell vehicle satisfies the technology for emergency response in the event of a catalyst reactor accident. Particularly, in the case of a catalyst used in a reduced state, for example, a copper / zinc-based catalyst, if oxidized by atmospheric oxygen, a secondary disaster may be caused after an accident occurs.

[0015] Therefore, a method for safely stopping and storing the fuel reformer in the event of an accident, and a fuel reformer that has suffered severe damage such as a cracked reaction vessel can be maintained safely, and rapid catalytic oxidation can be achieved. In addition, it is necessary to provide a fuel cell vehicle with measures to prevent the occurrence of such a problem and an emergency response means when a catalytic oxidation occurs and an exothermic reaction occurs rapidly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned demands, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent a secondary disaster when an automobile equipped with a fuel reformer encounters an accident or the like, and to improve fuel efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety device for a fuel cell vehicle capable of safely stopping and storing a plaster.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is to improve a raw fuel gas obtained by vaporizing a mixture of water and a liquid hydrocarbon such as methanol, ethanol, gasoline or the like together with an oxidizing gas. A fuel cell vehicle safety device including a fuel reformer that generates a hydrogen-rich reformed gas by flowing through a porous catalyst layer and a fuel cell body, and detects an impact such as a vehicle collision accident An impact detection sensor; an abnormality signal generating means for generating an abnormality signal based on an output value of the impact detection sensor; and a reformer introduction gas for stopping supply of the raw fuel gas and the oxidizing gas based on the abnormality signal. It is provided with a stopping means and a purging means in the reformer for purging the inside of the fuel reformer with an inert gas based on the abnormal signal and filling the inside of the reformer with the inert gas. .

Further, in the safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, the abnormal signal generating means generates a low abnormal signal and a high abnormal signal in accordance with an output value level of the shock detection sensor. Reformer introduction gas stopping means,
It operates based on either the low abnormal signal or the high abnormal signal, and the purging means in the reformer operates based on the high abnormal signal.

As described above, when a collision of an automobile is detected by the impact detection sensor, and when the degree of trouble is low, an alarm is issued for the time being, and the gas introduced into the reformer is stopped to stop the safety of the automobile. Checks are made, and if there is no problem with driving, restarting is possible. In this case, the fuel cell main body and other devices perform an appropriate shutdown procedure. When the degree of trouble is high, an inert gas is sent to the inside of the fuel reformer in response to the high-level abnormality signal, and measures are taken to prevent secondary disasters caused by heat generation in the fuel reformer. It becomes possible.

Further, as in the third aspect of the present invention, in the fuel cell vehicle safety device according to the first or second aspect, the purging means in the reformer includes an inert gas cylinder,
An inert gas sealing shutoff valve provided before and after the reformer, wherein a filling pressure of the inert gas cylinder is higher than an operation pressure of the fuel reformer.

Thus, the valve of the inert gas cylinder is opened in response to the high-level abnormality signal, and the inert gas is sent to the inside of the fuel reformer. Can be purged. Furthermore, by properly closing the inert gas and closing the shut-off valve provided at the inlet and outlet of the reformer, it is possible to prevent air from entering from outside the reactor and store the fuel reformer safely. Can be.

The completion of the purge can be predicted from the purge time obtained by a preliminary experiment, and an appropriate method such as providing a gas sensor in the fuel reformer and detecting the completion of the purge can be adopted. In addition, the fuel cell body is stopped until the purge is completed, and then the fuel cell body and other parts are stopped by an appropriate method to ensure the safety of the entire system.

The inert gas is a nonflammable gas, and is preferably nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, helium, or argon. Further, any one of a collision sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a strain sensor can be adopted as the impact detection sensor.

Further, from the viewpoint of optimizing the overall safety system of the vehicle, it is preferable that the airbag system is operated based on the abnormal signal as in the invention of the fourth aspect.

Further, in the case where it is predicted that the occurrence of a remarkable damage such that the airtightness of the reformer main body cannot be maintained due to an automobile accident or a failure of the fuel reformer itself, the invention according to claims 5 to 7 will be described. It is safe to do so.

That is, a raw fuel gas obtained by vaporizing a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons such as methanol, ethanol, gasoline and water and water is passed through a reforming catalyst layer together with an oxidizing gas to generate a hydrogen-rich reformed gas. A safety device for a fuel cell vehicle, comprising: a fuel reformer and a fuel cell body, wherein the reformer generates a reformer abnormality signal when a pressure in the fuel reformer becomes equal to or less than a set value. Reformer abnormal signal generating means for generating a reformer abnormal signal based on a gas leak detection signal from a detector for detecting the leakage of combustible gas to the outside of the reformer, or reformer abnormal signal At least one of reformer abnormal signal generating means for generating a reformer abnormal signal based on a fire detection signal from a detector for detecting a fire of the device,
A reformer-introduced gas stopping means for stopping supply of the raw fuel gas and the oxidizing gas based on the reformer abnormality signal is provided (claim 5).

Further, in the safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 5, a means for spraying water or spraying a fire extinguisher on a reforming catalyst layer in the fuel reformer based on the reformer abnormality signal. It is provided (claim 6).

Further, a raw fuel gas obtained by vaporizing a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons such as methanol, ethanol, gasoline and water and water is passed through a reforming catalyst layer together with an oxidizing gas to produce a hydrogen-rich reformed gas. A fuel reformer, and a safety device for a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel cell body,
An impact detection sensor for detecting an impact such as an automobile collision accident, an abnormal signal generating means for generating an abnormal signal based on an output value of the impact detection sensor, and the raw fuel gas and the oxidizing gas based on the abnormal signal Reformer introduction gas stopping means for stopping supply of fuel, reformer abnormality signal generating means for generating a reformer abnormality signal when the pressure in the fuel reformer falls below a set value, and a reformer A reformer abnormal signal generating means that generates a reformer abnormal signal based on a gas leak detection signal from a detector that detects the leakage of flammable gas to the outside, or a detector that detects a fire in the reformer And at least one of the reformer abnormality signal generating means for generating a reformer abnormality signal based on the fire detection signal, based on the abnormality signal and the reformer abnormality signal, Water spray or fire extinguishing on the reforming catalyst layer And that a means for performing spraying (claim 7).

According to the above invention, in the case where the reformer main body cannot be kept hermetically sealed due to an accident or a reformer failure, it is impossible to stop the hermetic storage by purging the inert gas. Therefore, for the time being, stop the reformer introduction gas, and stop the reformer introduction gas alone, in the case of dangerous abnormal level, spray water or spray fire extinguishing agent to prevent heat generation due to oxidation of the catalyst, In the event of a fire, the fire can be extinguished.

Further, in order to promptly notify the driver of the abnormality, it is desirable to carry out the invention according to claims 8 and 9. That is, the safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 7, further comprising an alarm generating means for lighting an alarm lamp or generating an alarm sound based on the abnormal signal. Item 8). Further, the safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising an alarm generating means for lighting an alarm lamp or generating an alarm sound based on the reformer abnormality signal ( Claim 9).

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of an embodiment around a fuel reformer of a safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to the first to fourth and eighth aspects of the present invention. And the description is omitted.

The safety device shown in FIG. 1 includes a fuel reformer 5,
An impact detection sensor 31 for detecting an impact such as an automobile collision accident; an abnormal signal generating means 32 for generating an abnormal signal based on an output value of the impact detection sensor; and the raw fuel gas and the oxidizing agent based on the abnormal signal. Opening / closing valves 34 and 35 as a reformer introduction gas stopping means for stopping gas supply, alarm generating means 33 for turning on an alarm lamp or generating an alarm sound based on an abnormal signal, an inert gas cylinder 40, a reformer, It comprises shut-off valves 36 and 37 provided before and after for inert gas filling, an on-off valve 39 for introducing an inert gas based on an abnormal signal, and an actuator 38 for operating this valve.

As the impact detection sensor 31, any one of a collision sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a strain sensor can be applied. The abnormal signal generation detecting means 32 generates a low abnormal signal and a high abnormal signal in accordance with the output value level of the shock detection sensor 31, and performs the closing operation of the on-off valves 34, 35 and the compressor 21.
The operation of stopping the alarm and the operation of the alarm generating means 33 are carried out by any of the low-level abnormal signal and the high-level abnormal signal. The opening operation of the on-off valve 39 is performed only based on the high-level abnormality signal, whereby the inert gas is introduced from the inert gas cylinder 40 into the fuel reformer 5 via the on-off valve 39 and the shut-off valve 36. Is done.

At this time, the shut-off valve 37 is open, and the gas purged by the inert gas is discharged toward the fuel cell body. After the purge is completed after a predetermined time,
By closing the shut-off valves 36 and 37, the fuel reformer 5
The interior is filled with an inert gas and the storage mode is set. The inert gas used here does not specify the type of gas as long as it is an inert gas, but it is generally preferable to use nitrogen gas.

The gas supply pipe line interposed between the fuel reformer 5 and the valve 39 is equal to the operating pressure of the fuel reformer 5 during normal operation. Therefore, the filling pressure of the inert gas is
It is necessary to be higher than this operating pressure. If the operating pressure of the reformer is about 2 (kg / cm2), the charging pressure is 8 (kg / cm2)
It is sufficient to select a gas cylinder of the order of magnitude, and a commercially available push can type gas cylinder can be applied.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment according to the fifth to seventh and ninth aspects of the present invention, in which components common to the embodiment of FIG. 1 are partially omitted. The safety device shown in FIG. 2 includes a fuel reformer 55, an impact detection sensor 31,
Abnormal signal generating means 32, not-shown reformer introduction gas stopping means and alarm generating means, pressure gauge 56 for detecting the pressure in fuel reformer 55, and the pressure in the reformer has fallen below a set value. A reformer abnormal signal generating means 57 for generating a reformer abnormal signal at the time of the operation, and a reformer in the reformer based on the reformer abnormal signal and the abnormal signal generated by the abnormal signal generating means 32. It comprises water spraying or fire extinguishing agent spraying means 80 for spraying water or fire extinguishing agent on the porous catalyst layer, an on-off valve 59, and an abnormality judging means 58 for judging the necessity of opening the on-off valve.

When the level of the failure of the reformer is slight and it is determined that watering is unnecessary, the opening / closing valve 59 is not opened, and the inspection of the reformer is stopped.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment according to the fifth to seventh and ninth aspects. The same components as those in the embodiment of FIG. The safety device shown in FIG. 3 replaces the pressure gauge 56 and the reformer abnormality signal generating means 57 in FIG. 2 with a flammable gas detector for detecting a flammable gas leak outside the reformer ( 2 is different from FIG. 2 in that a fire detector (or a fire detector) 81 and a reformer abnormal signal generating means 82 for generating a reformer abnormal signal based on the gas leak detection signal (or the fire detection signal) are provided. .

In the above, when a fire detection signal is generated, watering or spraying of a fire extinguisher can be performed regardless of whether or not the abnormal signal generating means 32 generates an abnormal signal.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a collision accident or the like of an automobile body occurs with the impact detection sensor, the raw fuel gas and the air are simultaneously shut off in accordance with the detection signal to produce hydrogen. Generation is stopped, and even if the fuel reformer is in a broken state, hydrogen gas does not leak out, and danger can be avoided. In the case of high-level trouble, purge the inside of the fuel reformer with an inert gas, and then
An inert gas can be sealed and airtight maintained, and the fuel reformer can be safely stored. Furthermore, when the fuel reformer is damaged, it is provided with water spraying or fire extinguisher spraying means in order to suppress oxidation reaction by reacting with oxygen in the atmosphere, so that the fuel reformer main body can be used in the event of an accident. Secondary dangers such as ignition can be prevented. In general, it is possible to provide a safety device for a fuel cell vehicle capable of preventing a secondary disaster when a vehicle equipped with a fuel reformer encounters an accident or the like and capable of safely stopping and storing the fuel reformer. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a fuel cell vehicle safety device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing an example of a conventional configuration of a fuel cell power generator mounted on a vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

4: evaporator, 5, 55: reformer, 21: compressor, 31:
Shock detection sensor, 32: abnormal signal generating means, 33: alarm generating means, 34, 35, 39, 59: open / close valve, 36, 3
7: shut-off valve, 38: actuator, 40: inert gas cylinder, 56: pressure gauge, 57, 82: reformer abnormality signal generation means, 58: abnormality determination means, 80: water spray or fire extinguisher spraying means, 81: combustible Gas detector (or fire detector).

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission Date] July 17, 2000 (2007.1)
7)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A raw fuel gas obtained by vaporizing a mixture of water and a liquid hydrocarbon such as methanol, ethanol, gasoline, etc., is passed through a reforming catalyst layer together with an oxidizing gas to generate a hydrogen-rich reformed gas. A safety device for a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel reformer and a fuel cell body, wherein the shock detection sensor detects an impact such as an automobile collision, and an abnormality is detected based on an output value of the shock detection sensor. Abnormal signal generating means for generating a signal; reformer introduction gas stopping means for stopping the supply of the raw fuel gas and the oxidizing gas based on the abnormal signal; and the fuel reforming with an inert gas based on the abnormal signal. Purging means inside the reformer for purging the inside of the reactor and filling an inert gas inside the reformer. 2. The safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal signal generating means generates a low abnormal signal and a high abnormal signal in accordance with an output value level of an impact detection sensor, and The reformer introduction gas stopping means operates based on any of the low abnormal signal and the high abnormal signal, and the purging means in the reformer operates based on the high abnormal signal. Battery car safety device. 3. The safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the purging means in the reformer includes an inert gas cylinder and an inert gas sealing valve provided before and after the reformer. Wherein the filling pressure of the inert gas cylinder is higher than the operating pressure of the fuel reformer. 4. The safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an airbag system is activated based on the abnormality signal. 5. A hydrogen-rich reformed gas is produced by flowing a raw fuel gas, which has vaporized a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons such as methanol, ethanol and gasoline, and water together with an oxidizing gas through a reforming catalyst layer. A safety device for a fuel cell vehicle, comprising: a fuel reformer; and a fuel cell body, wherein the reformer generates a reformer abnormality signal when a pressure in the fuel reformer falls below a set value. Reformer abnormal signal generating means for generating a reformer abnormal signal based on a gas leak detection signal from a detector for detecting the leakage of flammable gas to the outside of the reformer; At least one of reformer abnormal signal generating means for generating a reformer abnormal signal based on a fire detection signal from a detector for detecting a fire of the reformer; and Stop supplying fuel gas and oxidizer gas That a reformer introducing gas stop means, the safety device for a fuel cell vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a. 6. The safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising means for spraying water or spraying a fire extinguisher on a reforming catalyst layer in the fuel reformer based on the reformer abnormality signal. A safety device for a fuel cell vehicle, comprising: 7. A hydrogen-rich reformed gas is produced by flowing a raw fuel gas, which has vaporized a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons such as methanol, ethanol and gasoline, and water together with an oxidizing gas through a reforming catalyst layer. A safety device for a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel reformer and a fuel cell main body, wherein the shock detection sensor detects an impact such as an automobile collision accident, and an abnormal signal is generated based on an output value of the shock detection sensor. An abnormal signal generating means for generating, a reformer introduction gas stopping means for stopping supply of the raw fuel gas and the oxidizing gas based on the abnormal signal, and a pressure in the fuel reformer being equal to or less than a set value. A reformer abnormal signal generating means for generating a reformer abnormal signal when the gas becomes abnormal, and a reformer abnormal signal based on a gas leak detection signal from a detector for detecting a flammable gas leak outside the reformer. Reformer failure Signal generating means, or at least one of reformer abnormal signal generating means for generating a reformer abnormal signal based on a fire detection signal from a detector for detecting a fire in the reformer, and the abnormal signal and the abnormal signal Means for spraying or spraying a fire extinguisher on a reforming catalyst layer in the fuel reformer based on a reformer abnormality signal. 8. The fuel cell vehicle safety device according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm generating means for illuminating an alarm lamp or generating an alarm sound based on the abnormal signal. A safety device for fuel cell vehicles. 9. The safety device for a fuel cell vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising an alarm generating means for turning on an alarm light or generating an alarm sound based on the reformer abnormality signal. A safety device for a fuel cell vehicle.