JP2002053303A - Fuel reforming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel reforming device having a simple structure where a wire gauze member can be rigidly and reliably welded. SOLUTION: A reformer 26 is provided with a 1st to a 5th reforming catalytic layers 114a-114e set so that their plane direction are orthogonal to the flow direction of fuel for reforming, a 1st to a 5th flow passage member 118a-118e holding respectively the 1st to the 5th reforming catalytic layers 114a-114e, and a wire gauze member 120 arranged at the gas introducing face side of the 1st to 5th reforming catalytic layers. The wire gauze member 120 has an outside flange part 121 and an inside flange part 123, and compressed parts 121a and 123a having a higher density than another part are formed at a part welded to a frame 125 and a pipe line member 116.

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]

Incidentally, in the above-described fuel reforming apparatus, pellets are generally used as a reforming catalyst, and the pellets are formed to be long 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.

The present invention has been made to solve this kind of problem, and it is possible to supply the reforming fuel uniformly and reliably in the surface direction of the catalyst portion and to securely weld the wire mesh member with a simple structure. It is an object to provide a possible fuel reformer.

[0008]

In the fuel reforming apparatus according to the present invention, the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the reforming catalyst layer whose surface direction is set to be orthogonal to the flow direction of the reforming fuel are formed by a flow path. A rectifying wire mesh member is arranged on the gas introduction surface side of the reforming catalyst layer while being held by the member. For this reason, the reforming fuel supplied to the reformer is supplied to the reforming catalyst layer side under the guiding action of the flow path member, and then the reforming fuel is supplied under the action of the rectifying wire mesh member. The gas is uniformly supplied over the entire gas introduction surface of the reforming catalyst layer. Thereby, the reforming catalyst layer
For example, the shape of the reformer can be easily set to a donut shape, and the size of the entire reformer can be reduced.

Furthermore, the wire mesh member for rectification has a portion welded to the flow path member having a higher density than other portions. Normally, when welding a wire mesh member for rectification having pores, the internal pores expand due to rapid heat at the time of welding, and defects such as through pores and blowholes occur in the welded portion.
As a result, there is a possibility that a reduction in strength at the welded portion, a loss in pressure loss distribution when used as a reformer, and the like may be caused.

Therefore, by forming the welded portion of the rectifying wire mesh member at a higher density than the other portions, the pores become extremely small, and the occurrence of defects in the welded portion can be effectively prevented. In addition, it is only necessary to form the welded portion of the rectifying wire netting member at a high density, so that it is possible to suppress a rise in manufacturing cost and an increase in weight, and it is economical and handleability is improved.

Further, the wire mesh member for rectification is provided with a flange protruding upstream of the reforming catalyst layer, and a high-density portion is provided in a part of the flange. Therefore, the work of welding the rectifying wire mesh member and the flow path member is easily and reliably performed.

At this time, the rectifying wire mesh member is set so as to have a higher density toward the end of the flange portion. For this reason, it is possible to effectively avoid such a problem that the welding conditions gradually change from the end portion of the flange portion toward the inside and the thermal stress is concentrated.

[0013]

FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell system 12 incorporating a fuel reformer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

The fuel cell system 12 includes a fuel reformer 10 according to the present embodiment for generating hydrogen gas by reforming a reforming fuel containing hydrocarbons, and a reformed gas from the fuel reformer 10. Is supplied, for example, air (or oxygen gas) is supplied as an oxidizing gas, and the fuel cell stack 14 that generates power by a reaction between the hydrogen gas in the reformed gas and the oxygen gas in the air is provided. Is provided.
As the hydrocarbon, methanol, natural gas, methane, or the like can be used.

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 reforming apparatus 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 includes a support plate 4 for arranging and supporting the components of the evaporator 22, the reformer 26, the intermediate combustor 32, and the CO selective oxidizer 28.
6, a first plate-shaped inner case 48a, 50a and a second plate-like case accommodating the evaporator 22, the reformer 26, the intermediate combustor 32 and the CO selective oxidizer 28, which are arranged and supported by the support plate 46. Plate-shaped inner case 48b, 5
0b.

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. First and second openings 56, 5
Similarly, a semi-cylindrical portion 68 is provided at the boundary portion of the second opening 58, while methanol vapor pipes 70a and 70b, an air pipe 72, and cooling water are provided on both long sides of the second opening 58. The plurality of semi-cylindrical portions 7 corresponding to the pipe lines 76a and 76b
8a and 78b are provided.

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 84 is provided at three places corresponding to the above, and a single semi-cylindrical portion 84 is formed on the opposite side of the semi-cylindrical portion 84. The second plate-shaped inner case 48b has holes 88 corresponding to the connection portions 86a and 86b provided in the evaporator 22.
a, 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. First and second plate-shaped inner cases 50a, 5a
On the inner wall of the bulging portion 98 protruding toward the reforming chamber 40 side.
a, 98b are formed.

The outer casing means 45 includes 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-like outer cases 54a, 54a
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 and 50a via the support plate 46, the second plate-like inner case 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 is fixed to the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e and the inner peripheral surfaces of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e. The first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e are fixed to the outer peripheral surfaces of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e.
To the fifth flow path members 118a to 118e, and the rectifying wire mesh member 120 disposed on the gas introduction surface side of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e.

First to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114
e is made of a copper or zinc-based catalyst, and each is set to have 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
Are parallel in the direction.

The wire mesh member 120 is made of a metal material, for example,
It is configured by laminating mesh members made of stainless steel,
The porosity is set to a predetermined value. As shown in FIG. 4, the gas flow direction (arrow A)
Direction), an inner flange portion 123 bent in the opposite direction is formed on the inner peripheral side.

Outer flange portion 121 of wire mesh member 120
For example, TIG welding or seam welding is performed on the frame 125 constituting the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e, and the outer peripheral portion of the pipe member 116 is similarly formed on the inner flange portion 123. Is subjected to TIG welding or seam welding. The outer flange portion 121 and the inner flange portion 123 of the wire mesh member 120 are provided with the frame 1
Compressed parts 121a and 123a having a higher density than other parts are provided in the welding part with the pipe member 25 and the conduit member 116. The compression portions 121a and 123a are formed so as to be inclined toward the end portions of the outer flange portion 121 and the inner flange portion 123 so as to have a higher density.

The wire mesh member 120 has an appropriate pressure loss, and has first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e.
It has a function of equalizing the flow of the reforming fuel to the catalyst 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 corresponding to the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e. As shown in FIG. 3, 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.

FIG. 5 shows that the outer flange 121 and the inner flange 123 of the wire mesh member 120
It is a schematic explanatory view of molding machine 140 for molding a, 123a. A motor 144 is mounted on a base 142 that forms the molding machine 140, and a gantry 146 that accommodates the motor 144 is fixed on the base 142.

A rotary shaft 150 is rotatably supported by the mount 146 via a bearing 148, and a motor 144 and the rotary shaft 150 are connected via a drive belt 152. A rotating plate 154 is provided at an end of the rotating shaft 150, and an outer peripheral restraining jig 156 is fixed to an end surface of the rotating plate 154. A pressing portion 158 is provided upright on the base 142, and a pressing jig 160 is mounted on the pressing portion 158 so as to be pressurizable in the direction of an arrow via an actuator (not shown). .

Next, the operation of forming the wire netting 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 170 having a predetermined donut shape, while a metal plate having substantially the same dimensions as the filter material 170 is made of a SUS material. 172 is formed (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). The filter material 170 and the metal plate 172 are set on the outer shape forming machine 176 as shown in FIG. 6D in a state of being overlapped with each other via the lubricating oil 174 (see FIG. 6C). You.

In the outer shape forming machine 176, the filter material 17
Roll drawing is performed on the outer periphery of the metal plate 172 and the metal plate 172. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6E, outer flange portions 121 and 172a are formed on the outer circumferences of the filter material 170 and the metal plate 172, respectively. Then
The inner circumferences of the filter material 170 and the metal plate 172 are formed by an inner circumference forming machine 178 and the inner flange 12 is formed.
3, 172b are molded.

The wire net-like member 12 thus formed
0 is removed from the metal plate 172 and set on the molding machine 140. In this molding machine 140, as shown in FIG. 5, the wire mesh member 120 is centered and held on the mounting surface of the rotating plate 154 via the sleeve member 162, and under the action of the motor 144 via the drive belt 152. The rotation shaft 150 rotates. The rotating shaft 150 is a bearing 1
48, and is supported in the horizontal direction.
The rotating plate 154 rotates integrally with the rotating plate 50.

At this time, the pressing jig 160 provided on the pressing portion 158 presses the inner surface of the outer flange portion 121 of the wire mesh member 120 in the direction of the arrow under the action of an actuator (not shown). The pressing process is performed on the outer flange portion 121 via the pressing jig 160 and the outer peripheral restraining jig 156. As a result, a compressed portion 121a, which is a high-density portion inclined toward the distal end side, is formed on the outer flange portion 121 of the wire mesh member 120 (see FIG. 6F).

Further, the inner flange portion 123 of the wire mesh member 120 is similarly subjected to a pressure treatment. For this reason, a compression part 123a having a higher density than other parts is formed in the inner flange part 123. After the forming process is performed on the outer flange portion 121 and the inner flange portion 123 of the wire mesh member 120, the wire mesh member 120 is removed from the forming machine 140 and set on the seam welding machine 180. In the seam welding machine 180, the wire mesh member 120
The outer flange portion 121 and the frame 125 and the inner flange portion 123 and the conduit member 116 are seam-welded (see FIG. 6 (g)).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the outer flange portion 121 and the inner flange portion 1 of the wire mesh member 120 are provided.
23, a compressed portion 121a having a higher density than other portions;
123a are formed, and the compressed portions 121a, 123a
And the frame 125 and the conduit member 116 are seam-welded. For this reason, the compression part 121 serving as a welding part
The porosity of the a and 123a becomes considerably small, and it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of defects such as through holes and blow holes due to expansion of the internal pores during seam welding.

Thus, the welding quality of the nugget by seam welding is improved, and the joint strength and pressure loss distribution between the wire mesh member 120 as the welded body and the first to fifth flow path members 118a to 118e are uniformly maintained. You. In addition, there is no need to add filler metal such as filler wire, and it is possible to suppress an increase in weight. In particular, it is possible to meet the weight reduction and temperature rise characteristics required when used for vehicles. Become.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wire mesh member 120 and the first to fifth flow path members 1 are formed by simple steps and configurations.
18a to 118e can be welded firmly and without impairing the pressure loss characteristics.

The compression parts 121a and 123a are formed so as to be inclined toward the end side so as to have a high density (see FIG. 4). Therefore, when the outer flange portion 121 and the inner flange portion 123 are seam-welded to the frame 125 and the conduit member 116, the respective compressed portions 1
Even if the welding conditions gradually change along the shapes of 21a and 123a, breakage or the like due to a sudden change in welding conditions can be effectively avoided.

In this embodiment, the outer flange portion 1
Although the case where the seam 21 and the inner flange portion 123 are subjected to seam welding to the frame 125 and the conduit member 116 has been described, for example, TIG welding or the like can be performed using a welding torch.

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

First, when the fuel reformer 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
At ~ 114e, an oxidative reaction, which is an exothermic reaction, and a fuel reforming reaction, which is an endothermic reaction, are performed by the methanol water vapor and oxygen in the reforming fuel. The reformed gas generated through the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114 a to 114 e flows in the reforming chamber 40 in the direction of arrow A, and
The gas is sent to the intermediate combustor 32 through the hole 129 formed in the substantially conical portion 128 of FIG. 4 and the gas passage 42, and further sent to the CO selective oxidizer 28 via the gas passage 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 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 this embodiment, the pipe member 11
6 to the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114a.
The reforming fuel introduced to the 114e side is the wire mesh member 12
Since the resistance is given through zero, the reforming fuel can be supplied uniformly over the entire surface of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e. Accordingly, the entire surfaces of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e can be effectively used, and an effect that the reforming reaction is efficiently performed can be obtained. In particular, the reforming fuel can be uniformly supplied over the entire surface of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e which are set in a donut shape, and the entire reformer 26 can be easily made compact. The effect of being performed is obtained.

The outer flange portion 1 projects from the peripheral surface of the wire mesh member 120 in the direction opposite to the flow direction of the reforming fuel.
The outer flange portion 121 is formed by seam welding (or TIG welding) to the frame 125 (see FIG. 4). For this reason, there is no portion on the outer peripheral side of the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e where the reforming fuel does not easily pass, and the first to fifth reforming catalyst layers 114a to 114e are The entire surface can be effectively used, and there is an effect that the reforming reaction is efficiently performed. Moreover, since the outer flange portion 121 is firmly and reliably welded to the frame 125, pressure loss due to poor welding can be prevented.

[0054]

In the fuel reforming apparatus according to the present invention, a rectifying wire mesh member is disposed on the gas introduction surface side of the reforming catalyst layer constituting the reformer. The portion to be welded to the flow path member is configured at a higher density than the other portions, and the porosity of the welded portion can be reduced.
For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent welding defects due to internal pores of the rectifying wire mesh member, and to perform welding firmly and without impairing pressure loss characteristics. Moreover, it is not necessary to add a filler material or the like, so that it is possible to avoid an increase in manufacturing cost and an increase in weight, and it is possible to suitably cope particularly with an on-vehicle structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural explanatory view of a fuel cell system in which a fuel reforming apparatus according to an 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 view of a wire mesh member mounted on a reformer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of a molding machine for molding the wire mesh member.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 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 40 ... Reforming chamber 42 gas flow path 44 inner casing means 45 outer casing means 52 closed space 114a-114e reforming catalyst layer 118a-118e
... flow path member 120 ... wire mesh member 121 ... outer flange part 121a, 123a ... compression part 122 ... hole part 123 ... inner flange part 124 ... cover member 125 ... frame 140 ... molding machine 144 ... motor 150 ... rotating shaft 154 ... rotation Plate 156: outer peripheral restraining jig 158: pressing unit 160: pressing jig 170: filter material 176: external forming machine 180: seam welding machine

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yuichi Nagao 1-10-1 Shinsayama, Sayama-shi, Saitama Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4G040 EA03 EA06 EB23 EB46 5H027 BA01 BA09 BA10 BA16

Claims (3)

[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 reforming catalyst layer whose surface direction is set to be orthogonal to the flow direction of the reforming fuel; holding the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the reforming catalyst layer; A flow path member for supplying fuel, and disposed on a gas introduction surface side of the reforming catalyst layer,
A wire mesh member for rectification welded to the flow channel member, wherein the wire mesh member for rectification is configured such that a portion welded to the flow channel member has a higher density than other portions. Fuel reformer. 2. The fuel reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rectifying wire mesh member has a flange protruding upstream of the reforming catalyst layer, and a high-density part of the flange is provided. A fuel reformer characterized by having a part. 3. The fuel reformer according to claim 2, wherein the rectifying wire mesh member is set so as to have a high density toward an end of the flange portion. Quality equipment.