JP2001297789A - Fuel reforming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel reforming device enabled to use whole surface of the catalyst with a simple construction. SOLUTION: The reforming device 26 comprises the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a-114e of which the direction of surface is arranged at right angle to the direction of flow of a reformed fuel, a piping member 116 with holes 122 formed at the outer surface, inserted to the center of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a-114e, and a regulating filter member 120 arranged at the gas introducing surface side of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layer 114a-114e, supplying the reforming fuel introduced from the holes 122 uniformly and surely to the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a-114e.

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 reforming a reforming fuel containing a hydrocarbon to produce a reformed gas containing hydrogen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells, each having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode facing each other with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween, sandwiched by a separator, has been developed. It is being put to practical use for various applications.

[0003] This type of fuel cell stack is composed of hydrocarbons,
For example, a reformed gas (fuel gas) containing hydrogen gas generated by steam reforming of an aqueous methanol solution is supplied to the anode side electrode, and an oxidizing gas (oxygen gas or air) is supplied to the cathode side electrode. The hydrogen gas is converted into hydrogen ions, and the hydrogen gas flows through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, so that electric energy can be obtained outside the fuel cell.

[0004] In this case, a fuel reformer is used to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen gas from an aqueous methanol solution and supply the reformed gas to a fuel cell stack. The fuel reforming apparatus includes, for example, an evaporator for vaporizing a reforming fuel such as an aqueous methanol solution, and a reforming reaction performed on the reforming fuel gas vaporized through the evaporator to generate hydrogen. A reformer for generating a reformed gas containing gas, a combustor for warming up for warming up the entire system, and removing carbon monoxide in the reformed gas generated by the reformer And a variety of components such as a heat exchanger for adjusting the reformed gas to the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack.

[0005]

In the above-described fuel reforming apparatus, pellets are generally used as a reforming catalyst, and the pellets are elongated in the gas flow direction. For this reason, it has been pointed out that the temperature difference in the gas flow direction of the reforming catalyst becomes large, so that it is difficult to realize a desired reforming reaction in the whole area of the catalyst portion, and that the compactness is poor.

Therefore, it is conceivable to make the reforming catalyst section thinner by setting the reforming catalyst section in a donut shape perpendicular to the gas flow direction. However, since the reforming fuel is introduced from the center side of the donut-shaped reforming catalyst section, it may be difficult to uniformly supply the reforming fuel over the entire surface of the reforming catalyst section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves this kind of problem and provides a fuel reformer capable of uniformly and surely supplying a reforming fuel in the surface direction of a catalyst portion and simplifying the structure. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

In the fuel reforming apparatus according to the present invention, the reforming fuel supplied into the tubular pipe member constituting the reformer is supplied to the outer peripheral portion of the tubular pipe member. The gas is introduced into the catalyst section through the gas inlet formed in the above. In the catalyst section, a rectifying filter member is disposed on the gas introduction surface side, and the reforming fuel introduced from the gas introduction port receives gas from the catalyst section under the action of the rectifying filter member. It is supplied uniformly over the entire surface. For this reason, the catalyst part is
For example, the shape of the reformer can be easily set to a donut shape, the size of the entire reformer can be reduced, and the reforming reaction of the reforming fuel can be smoothly and reliably performed over the entire catalyst section.

Further, in the present invention, a rectifying filter member is disposed on the gas introduction surface side of the catalyst portion constituting the carbon monoxide remover. Therefore, the reforming fuel can be uniformly introduced over the entire gas introduction surface of the catalyst section, and the process of removing carbon monoxide in the reformed gas generated by the reformer is efficiently performed.

[0010] Here, the rectifying filter member is formed by laminating a mesh member. For this reason, the strength of the entire rectifying filter member is improved, and molding can be easily performed. In addition, by alternately laminating the net-like members having different coarsenesses, it is possible to easily set a predetermined porosity, and it is possible to reliably obtain a uniform rectifying effect.

Further, since the rectifying filter member is made of stainless steel, corrosion resistance and heat resistance are effectively improved. Furthermore, the rectifying filter member is provided with a flange portion protruding on the opposite side to the catalyst portion side, and the flange portion is fixed to the catalyst portion by, for example, seam welding. Accordingly, the entire catalyst portion can be used, and in particular, the catalyst portion having a honeycomb structure can be effectively used.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system 12 in which a fuel reforming apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.

The fuel cell system 12 includes a fuel reforming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment for generating hydrogen gas by reforming a reforming fuel containing hydrocarbons, and a modification of the fuel reforming apparatus 10. Fuel cell stack in which a reforming gas is supplied and, for example, air (or oxygen gas) is supplied as an oxidizing gas, and power is generated by a reaction between the hydrogen gas in the reformed gas and the oxygen gas in the air. 14. As the hydrocarbon, methanol, natural gas, methane, or the like can be used.

[0014] The fuel reformer 10 includes a hydrocarbon, for example,
A methanol tank 16 for storing methanol, a water tank 18 for storing generated water and the like discharged from the fuel cell system 12, and predetermined amounts of methanol and water are supplied from the methanol tank 16 and the water tank 18, respectively. A mixer 20 for mixing the aqueous solution; an evaporator 22 for evaporating the methanol aqueous solution supplied from the mixer 20; a catalytic combustor 24 for supplying heat of evaporation to the evaporator 22; A reformer 26 that reforms an introduced aqueous methanol solution (hereinafter, referred to as a reforming fuel) to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen gas, and a reformed gas derived from the reformer 26 A CO selective oxidizer (carbon monoxide remover) 28 for removing carbon monoxide therein.

The reformer 26 and the CO selective oxidizer 28 include:
Air is supplied from the air supply unit 30, and an intermediate combustor (warm-up unit) for reducing the warm-up time of the entire fuel cell system 12 is provided between the reformer 26 and the CO selective oxidizer 28. An engine combustor 32 is disposed, and a starting combustor 34 is disposed upstream of the reformer 26. Downstream of the CO selective oxidizer 28, a heat exchanger 36 for lowering the temperature of the reformed gas is disposed. The heat exchanger 36 has a path 37a for supplying the reformed gas to the fuel cell stack 14. Return path 37 that supplies unstable exhaust gas before completion of warm-up to catalytic combustor 24.
b is provided with a three-way switching valve 38.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the fuel reformer 10 includes an evaporator 22, a reformer 26, an intermediate combustor 32 and a CO The selective oxidizers 28 are arranged in this order, and these components are integrally accommodated, and an inner casing means 44 forming a gas passage 42 between the reforming chamber 40 and each component; An outer casing means 45 which is disposed so as to surround and forms a heat insulation closed space 52 having a predetermined degree of vacuum between itself and the outer wall of the inner casing means 44.

The inner casing means 44 is arranged by a support plate 46 for arranging and supporting the components of the evaporator 22, the reformer 26, the intermediate combustor 32, and the CO selective oxidizer 28, and the support plate 46. A first accommodating the supported evaporator 22, the reformer 26, the intermediate combustor 32, and the CO selective oxidizer 28
It has plate-shaped inner cases 48a and 50a and second plate-shaped inner cases 48b and 50b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 46
It is made of a single elastic thin plate, for example, a metal plate, and accommodates the first opening 56 for accommodating the evaporator 22 and the reformer 26, the intermediate combustor 32, and the CO selective oxidizer 28. A long second opening 58 is provided in the direction of arrow A. In the support plate 46, three semi-cylindrical portions 62 corresponding to the three tubes 60 of the evaporator 22 are formed at the end of the first opening 56 side, and the end of the second opening 58. On the side, a semi-cylindrical portion 66 is provided corresponding to the tube 64 of the CO selective oxidizer 28. Similarly, a semi-cylindrical portion 68 is provided at the boundary between the first and second openings 56 and 58,
A plurality of semi-cylindrical portions 78 corresponding to the methanol vapor pipes 70a, 70b, the air pipe 72, and the cooling water pipes 76a, 76b are provided on both sides of the long side of the second opening 58.
a, 78b are provided.

The first and second plate-like inner cases 48a, 4a
8b is formed in a substantially elliptical shape (flat shape) when viewed from the front, and a circumferential flange portion 80 is formed at each opening end. Each pipe 60 of the evaporator 22 is provided on the flange 80.
The semi-cylindrical portion 174 is provided at three places corresponding to the above-described configuration. The second plate-shaped inner case 48b has holes 8 corresponding to the connection portions 86a and 86b provided in the evaporator 22.
8a and 88b are formed.

First and second plate-like inner cases 50a, 50a
Reference numeral 0b denotes a substantially elliptical shape as viewed from the front, and the reforming chamber 40 is formed inside by overlapping the flange portions 90 provided at the respective opening-side ends. A semi-cylindrical portion 84 is provided at both longitudinal ends of the flange portion 90.
And a semi-cylindrical portion 94 corresponding to the tubular body 64 of the CO selective oxidizer 28, and on both sides of the flange portion 90, semi-cylindrical portions 78a and 78b of the support plate 46. Are provided at three locations, respectively. On the inner walls of the first and second plate-like inner cases 50a, 50b, bulging portions 98a, 98b projecting toward the reforming chamber 40 are formed.

The outer casing means 45 comprises a first plate-like inner case 48a, 50a and a second plate-like inner case 48.
The first plate-shaped outer case 54a surrounding the first plate-shaped inner cases 48a, 50a and the second plate-shaped inner cases 48b, 50b by forming a heat-insulating closed space 52 between the first plate-shaped inner cases 48a, 50b. And a second plate-shaped outer case 54b.

First and second plate-shaped outer cases 54a, 5a
4b is formed in a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the front, and a circumferential flange portion 100 is formed at each opening end. At both ends in the longitudinal direction of each flange portion 100, a semi-cylindrical portion 102 corresponding to the tube body 60 of the evaporator 22,
A semi-cylindrical portion 104 corresponding to the tubular body 64 of the selective oxidizer 28 is formed, and semi-cylindrical portions 96 of the first and second plate-like inner cases 50a and 50b are provided on both sides of the flange portion 100.
The semi-cylindrical parts 106a and 106b corresponding to the a and 96b are provided. A semi-cylindrical part 107 corresponding to the pipe 74 for leak check is provided on one side of the flange part 100.

Inside the first plate-shaped outer case 54a, disk-shaped bulges 108a and 108b for supporting the first plate-shaped inner case 48a are formed, while inside the second plate-shaped outer case 54b. Are formed with disk-shaped bulging portions 110a and 110b that support the second plate-shaped inner case 48b.
The bulging portion 110b has connection portions 86a, 86 of the evaporator 22.
Holes 112a and 112b for inserting b are formed.

In a state where the evaporator 22, the reformer 26, the intermediate combustor 32, and the CO selective oxidizer 28 are disposed on the first plate-like inner cases 48a, 50a via the support plate 46, the second plate-like inner case 48a, 50a is provided. Cases 48b and 50b are arranged with their respective flange portions 80 and 90 overlapped, and the flange portions 80 and 90 are fixed to each other by spot welding or the like. The first and second plate-shaped outer cases 54a and 54b are arranged so as to cover the first plate-shaped inner cases 48a and 50a and the second plate-shaped inner cases 48b and 50b, and the respective flange portions 100 are overlapped, for example, It is fixed by spot welding.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reformer 26 integrally includes first to fifth reforming catalyst layers (catalyst portions) 114a to 114e and the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e. And a first to fifth fixed ends fixed to the pipe member 116 and the other ends fixed to the outer peripheral portions of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e. And fifth flow path members 118a to 118e.

First to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114
e is made of a copper or zinc-based catalyst, and is set to a donut-shaped honeycomb structure (hereinafter, referred to as a honeycomb catalyst). The surface direction of each honeycomb catalyst is orthogonal to the flow direction of the reforming fuel in the reforming chamber 40 (the direction of arrow A), and the honeycomb catalysts are arranged in parallel in the direction of arrow A. First to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114a
Rectifying filter members 120 are fixed to the upstream side of the flow direction of the reforming fuel 114e.

The rectifying filter member 120 is made of a metal material,
For example, it is configured by laminating mesh members made of stainless steel, and has a predetermined porosity. As shown in FIG. 4, an outer flange portion 121 bent in a direction opposite to the gas flow direction (the direction of the arrow A) is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the rectifying filter member 120, and is formed on the inner peripheral side. Is provided with an inner flange portion 123 similarly bent in the opposite direction.

The outer flange portion 121 of the rectifying filter member 120 has first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114a.
e, for example, by seam welding, and the inner flange portion 123 is connected to the pipe member 11.
6 is seam-welded in the same manner. The rectifying filter member 120 has an appropriate pressure loss,
It has a function of equalizing the flow of the reforming fuel to the fifth to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e and equalizing the flow in the surface of each catalyst layer.

A plurality of holes 122 are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the pipe member 116 so as to correspond to the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e. A cover member 124 is provided downstream of the pipe member 116 in the direction of arrow A in order to prevent the reforming fuel from passing through the pipe member 116.

The cover member 124 has substantially the same shape as the first to fifth flow path members 118a to 118e, and has a bottomed cylindrical portion 126 inserted into the conduit member 116.
A plurality of holes 129 for allowing gas to pass therethrough are formed in a substantially conical portion 128 whose diameter increases in the direction of arrow A from the bottomed cylindrical portion 126. A ring portion 131 gripped by the bulging portions 98a, 98b of the first and second plate-like inner cases 50a, 50b is provided integrally.

As shown in FIG. 5, the CO selective oxidizer 28
Includes a honeycomb catalyst (catalyst unit) 130 and a rectifying filter member 132 disposed on the gas introduction surface side of the honeycomb catalyst 130 to supply reformed gas to the honeycomb catalyst 130 uniformly. Rectifying filter member 132
As in the case of the rectifying filter member 120, the rectifying filter member is formed by laminating a mesh member made of stainless steel, and a flange portion 134 is formed on an outer peripheral portion thereof. This flange portion 134
Is fixed by seam welding to a frame 136 arranged on the outer periphery of the honeycomb catalyst 130.

Next, the operation of forming the rectifying filter member 120 will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, a porous metal plate formed by laminating mesh members is processed to obtain a filter material 140 having a predetermined donut shape, while a metal plate having substantially the same dimensions as the filter material 140 is made of a SUS material. 142 is formed (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). The filter material 140 and the metal plate 142 are set on the outer shape forming machine 146 as shown in FIG. 6D in a state where they are overlapped with each other via the lubricating oil 144 (see FIG. 6C). You.

In the outer shape forming machine 146, the filter material 14
Roll drawing is performed on the outer periphery of the metal plate 142 and the metal plate 142. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6E, flange portions 140a and 142a are formed on the outer periphery of the filter material 140 and the metal plate 142, respectively. Next, the inner circumferences of the filter material 140 and the metal plate 142 are formed by the inner circumference forming machine 148, and the inner flange portion 140 is formed.
b, 142b are formed.

The rectifying filter member 120 thus formed is removed from the metal plate 142 and set in the seam welding machine 150, and the rectifying filter member 12 is removed.
0 is seam-welded to the frame 125 and the conduit member 116 (see FIG. 6F). The rectifying filter member 132 is formed in the same manner, and then seam-welded to the frame 136 surrounding the honeycomb catalyst 130.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when forming the rectifying filter member 120 (132), the SUS
The use of a metal plate 142 made of a metal material or another steel material prevents the filter material 140 from being crushed like a mesh when pressed and formed by itself, and the flange portion 140a
Has the function of preventing the opening of the corner portion due to the reduction of the R shape of the corner portion when molding the metal. Thus, a uniform mesh structure is reliably maintained, and the flat portion of the rectifying filter member 120 has substantially the same area with respect to the cross-sectional area of the honeycomb catalyst, so that the entire honeycomb catalyst can be effectively used.

Further, the filter material 140 and the metal plate 14
2 are laminated via a lubricating oil 144. For this reason, the frictional resistance can be reduced during the forming process of the filter material 140, while the rectifying filter member 1 is formed after the forming.
20 can be easily removed from the metal plate 142.

Next, the operation of the fuel reformer 10 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail.

First, when the fuel reforming apparatus 10 is started, as shown in FIG.
Methanol is supplied from 6, and the methanol is burned to generate high-temperature combustion gas. The first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 11 disposed in the reforming chamber 40 in a state in which air is mixed with the combustion gas and the temperature of the combustion gas is adjusted.
4a to 114e are heated.

On the other hand, the intermediate combustor 32 includes the starting combustor 3
Methanol vapor is introduced from the pipelines 70a and 70b using the heat release amount of No. 4, and the entire fuel reforming apparatus 10 is warmed up. At that time, under the action of the three-way switching valve 38,
The path of the reformed gas is separated from the path 37a and communicates with the return path 37b, and prevents the unstable reformed gas from being sent to the fuel cell stack 14.

Next, an aqueous methanol solution in which methanol and water are mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio via a mixer 20 is supplied to an evaporator 22. In this evaporator 22, the methanol aqueous solution is vaporized by heat exchange between the high-temperature combustion gas generated in the catalyst combustor 24 and the evaporative gas,
The reformer 2 is mixed with air sent from the air supplier 30 and
6, while the drive of the starting combustor 34 is stopped.

The reforming fuel supplied to the reformer 26 is introduced into the pipe member 116 as shown in FIG.
22 is drawn out toward the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e. First to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a
In Nos. To 114e, the oxidation reaction which is an exothermic reaction and the fuel reforming reaction which is an endothermic reaction are simultaneously performed by the methanol steam and oxygen in the reforming fuel. The first to fifth
The reformed gas generated through the reforming catalyst layers 114 a to 114 e flows in the direction of the arrow A in the reforming chamber 40, and has a hole 129 formed in the substantially conical portion 128 of the cover member 124 and the gas flow path 42. To the intermediate combustor 32 side, and further sent to the CO selective oxidizer 28 via the gas flow path 42.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the CO selective oxidizer 28, after the CO in the reformed gas is selectively oxidized and removed, the CO is introduced into the heat exchanger 36 and is operated at a predetermined fuel cell operating temperature (for example, After the temperature is adjusted to 80 ° C.), the fuel is supplied to the fuel cell stack 14 through the path 37 a under the action of the three-way switching valve 38. An oxidant gas, for example, air is supplied to the fuel cell stack 14, and the hydrogen gas in the reformed gas reacts with the oxygen gas in the air to start power generation.

In this case, in the first embodiment, the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114 are inserted through the holes 122 of the pipe member 116.
Since the reforming fuel introduced to the sides a to 114e is provided with resistance through the rectifying filter member 120, the reforming fuel extends over the entire surface of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e. Can be supplied uniformly. Thereby, the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114a-1
The entire surface of 14e can be effectively used, and the effect that the reforming reaction is efficiently performed can be obtained. In particular, the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a set in a donut shape
To 114e, it is possible to uniformly supply the reforming fuel, and an effect is obtained that the entire reformer 26 can be easily made compact.

The rectifying filter member 120 is formed by laminating a net-like member, so that the strength as a whole is improved and the forming process is easily performed. Moreover,
By alternately laminating the mesh members having different coarsenesses, a predetermined porosity can be arbitrarily set as a whole, and a variation in density can be avoided, and a uniform rectifying effect as a whole can be ensured. It is possible to obtain.

Furthermore, since the rectifying filter member 120 has a laminated structure, clogging is caused only on the surface, so that the cleaning operation is easily and reliably performed. In addition, since the rectifying filter member 120 is made of stainless steel, corrosion by the reforming fuel can be prevented, and desired heat resistance can be maintained.

Further, an outer flange portion 121 is formed on the peripheral surface of the rectifying filter member 120 so as to project in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the reforming fuel.
21 is seam-welded to the frame 125 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the first through fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a-1114a-1
There is no portion on the outer peripheral side of 14e where the reforming fuel does not easily pass, and the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a
To 114e can be effectively used, and there is an effect that the reforming reaction is efficiently performed. Moreover,
Since the flange portion 121 is seam-welded to the frame 125, pressure loss due to poor welding can be prevented.

Incidentally, similarly, on the CO selective oxidizer 28 side,
Honeycomb catalyst 130 via rectifying filter member 132
Thus, the reformed gas can be uniformly and reliably supplied to the entire surface of the substrate, and the advantage is obtained that the operation of removing carbon monoxide in the reformed gas is efficiently and reliably performed.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a fuel reformer 160 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fuel reformer 160. The same components as those of the fuel reformer 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The fuel reformer 160 according to the second embodiment
Comprises an inner casing means 162 in which a reforming chamber 40 for accommodating the reformer 26 is formed;
And a heat insulating closed space 16 having a predetermined degree of vacuum between itself and the outer wall of the inner casing means 162.
4 forming an outer casing means 166. The inner casing means 162 includes first and second plate-like inner cases 168a and 168b, while the outer casing means 166 includes the first and second plate-like inner cases 16a and 168b.
8a and 168b are provided with first and second plate-like outer cases 170a and 170b.

The first and second plate-like inner cases 168a,
The reforming chamber 168b is formed in a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the front, and the reforming chamber 40, which is a columnar space, is formed inside by overlapping the flange portions 172 provided at the respective ends on the opening side. . The flange portion 172 is formed so as to surround the opening-side end portion, and extends in the longitudinal direction (arrow A).
Direction) At both ends, semi-cylindrical portions 174 are provided, respectively.

The first and second plate-shaped outer cases 170a,
170b is a first and second plate-shaped inner case 168a,
As in the case of 168b, it is formed in a substantially elliptical shape in a front view, and each opening side end has a circling flange 17
6 are formed. The longitudinal direction of the flange portion 176 (arrow A)
Direction) At each end, a semi-cylindrical portion 178 is formed to bulge, and a semi-cylindrical portion 180 corresponding to the conduit 74 is provided on one side of the flange portion 176.

The reformer 26 includes the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 1.
A rectifying filter member 190 is provided on the gas introduction surface side of 14a to 114e. This rectifying filter member 1
90, a flange portion 192 is formed on the outer periphery of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 11.
4a to 114e are integrally seam-welded.

Accordingly, in the fuel reformer 160 according to the second embodiment, the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114a
4, the same effect as the fuel reforming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment can be obtained, for example, the reforming fuel can be uniformly supplied to the fuel reforming apparatus 4, and the reforming reaction can be efficiently performed.

[0055]

In the fuel reforming apparatus according to the present invention, a rectifying filter member is disposed on the gas introduction surface side of the catalyst section constituting the reformer, and is introduced from the gas introduction port of the tubular pipe member. The reforming fuel to be supplied is uniformly supplied over the entire surface of the catalyst unit, and the reforming reaction by the catalyst unit is efficiently and reliably performed. As a result, the entire surface of the catalyst portion is effectively used, the efficiency of the reforming reaction is easily improved, and the entire reformer can be reduced in size and simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a fuel cell system in which a fuel reforming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an inner casing means, an outer casing means and respective components constituting the fuel reforming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partially sectional explanatory view of an inner casing means and an outer casing means shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a rectifying filter member mounted on a reformer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of a rectifying filter member mounted on the CO selective oxidizer.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a step of forming the rectifying filter member.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a fuel reforming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fuel reforming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 160: Fuel reformer 12: Fuel cell system 14: Fuel cell stack 20: Mixer 22: Evaporator 24: Catalytic combustor 26: Reformer 28: CO selective oxidizer 32: Intermediate combustor 34: Start Combustor 36 Heat exchanger 40 Reforming chamber 42 Gas flow path 44, 45, 162, 166 Casing means 46 Support plate 48a, 48b, 50a, 50b, 168a, 168b
... plate-shaped inner case 54a, 54b, 170a, 170b ... plate-shaped outer case 56, 58 ... opening 74 ... conduit 80, 90, 100, 121, 123, 134, 140
a, 140b, 172, 176, 192 flange part 114a-114e reforming catalyst layer 116 pipe member 118a-118e channel member 120, 132, 190 rectifying filter member 112a, 112b, 122 hole 124 ... Cover member 125, 136 ... Frame 130 ... Honeycomb catalyst

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takehisa Kimura 1-10-1 Shinsayama, Sayama-shi, Saitama Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4G040 EA02 EA03 EA06 EA07 EB03 EB31 EB46 5H026 AA06 5H027 AA02 BA01 BA09 BA10

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A fuel reforming apparatus including a reformer for producing a reformed gas containing hydrogen by causing a reforming reaction of a reforming fuel containing hydrocarbons, wherein the reformer comprises: A catalyst section whose plane direction is set to be orthogonal to the flow direction of the reforming fuel; and a plurality of gas inlets formed in an outer peripheral portion corresponding to the catalyst section, which are inserted into a central portion of the catalyst section. A tubular conduit member, and a rectifying filter member disposed on the gas introduction surface side of the catalyst section and supplying the reforming fuel introduced from the gas introduction port to the catalyst section. Characteristic fuel reformer. 2. The fuel reformer according to claim 1, further comprising a carbon monoxide remover, wherein the carbon monoxide remover removes carbon monoxide in the reformed gas generated by the reformer. A fuel reformer, comprising: a catalyst section to be removed; and a rectifying filter member that is disposed on a gas introduction surface side of the catalyst section and supplies the reforming fuel to the catalyst section. 3. The fuel reformer according to claim 1, wherein the rectifying filter member is formed by laminating a mesh member. 4. The fuel reformer according to claim 1, wherein the rectifying filter member is made of stainless steel. 5. The fuel reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rectifying filter member has a flange portion protruding on a side opposite to the catalyst portion side, Is fixed to the catalyst section.