JP2003132927A - Carbon monoxide removing device for fuel cell generator and its operating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carbon monoxide removing device for a fuel cell generator which suppresses by-product methanation reaction amount on a partial load operation and prevent the efficiency decrease of the fuel cell generator owing to that. SOLUTION: The carbon monoxide removing device for the fuel cell generator containing therein a catalyst to reduce carbon monoxide amount included in a fuel gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide by methanation-catalyzed reaction, has a means to change contacting amount of the fuel gas and the methanation catalyst.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to removal of carbon monoxide from a hydrogen-containing fuel gas by utilizing a methanation catalytic reaction to reduce carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas. The present invention relates to a reactor, and particularly to suppression of by-product methanation reaction when the supply gas flow rate decreases.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 shows, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-251104.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a fuel cell power generation system using a conventional carbon monoxide remover that reduces carbon monoxide contained in a fuel gas by utilizing a methanation catalytic reaction, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-242242. In FIG. 9, 1 is a fuel electrode, 2 is a reformer, 3 is a carbon monoxide shift converter, 3F is a reformed gas obtained by the carbon monoxide shift converter 3, and 4 is a methanation reactor.

[0003]

In the carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator using the conventional methanation catalytic reaction as described above, the fuel cell power generator sets the power generation amount and the supplied fuel gas amount to the full load. There was a problem that the amount of by-product methanation reaction generated by consuming fuel hydrogen was increased and the efficiency of the fuel cell power generation device was reduced when the partial load operation was temporarily reduced. .

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and suppresses the amount of by-product methanation reaction during partial load operation, which reduces the efficiency of the fuel cell power generator. It is an object of the present invention to provide a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generation device and an operating method capable of preventing the above.

[0005]

A carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized by having means for changing the contact amount of a methanation catalyst with respect to a fuel gas. Therefore, when this means is used, it is possible to change the methanation catalytic reaction amount of the fuel gas. The carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 2 of the present invention is a bypass means for extracting the fuel gas at an intermediate portion with respect to the fuel gas passage direction in the methanation catalyst layer and sending it to the outlet of the carbon monoxide remover. When this means is used, the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas can be changed.
A carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 3 of the present invention comprises a plurality of methanation reaction parts connected in parallel, and a means for changing the amount of fuel gas supplied to at least one or more methanation reaction parts. When this means is used, the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas can be changed. The operating method according to claim 4 of the present invention limits the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas when the fuel cell power generator performs the partial load operation in which the fuel gas amount is smaller than the full load operation. Is. A driving method according to claim 5 of the present invention is
When the fuel cell power generator performs partial load operation to reduce the amount of fuel gas compared to full load operation, it is a bypass of the fuel gas taken out at the middle part of the methanation catalyst layer and sent to the outlet of the carbon monoxide remover. It uses a means. When this means is used, it is possible to limit the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the fuel cell power generation device performs a partial load operation in which the fuel gas amount is smaller than the full load operation, at least a plurality of methanation reaction parts connected in parallel is used. A means for limiting the amount of fuel gas supplied to one or more methanation reaction sections is used. When this means is used, it is possible to limit the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas. The carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 7 of the present invention is characterized by having a plurality of temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the catalyst layer independently of each other. When used, it is possible to change the temperature of the methanation catalyst layer of the fuel gas. A carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 8 of the present invention has a plurality of temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the catalyst layer independently of each other, at least one of which is provided in the methanation catalyst layer. It is characterized by having a catalyst layer temperature adjusting function in a partially limited range with respect to the fuel gas passage direction,
When this means is used, it becomes possible to change the catalyst layer temperature within a limited range with respect to the passage direction of the fuel gas.
In the operating method according to claim 9 of the present invention, the temperature of the methanation catalyst is lowered by using the temperature adjusting means when the fuel cell power generator performs the partial load operation in which the fuel gas amount is smaller than the full load operation. Is. In the operating method according to claim 10 of the present invention, when the fuel cell power generation device performs the partial load operation in which the fuel gas amount is smaller than the full load operation, the fuel gas in the methanation catalyst layer is used by using the temperature adjusting means. It lowers the methanation catalyst temperature in a limited range with respect to the passage direction. The operating method according to claim 11 of the present invention is the steam flow rate ratio to the raw fuel flow rate to be supplied to the reformer when the fuel cell power generator performs the partial load operation in which the fuel gas amount is smaller than the full load operation. Is to increase. When this means is used, it is possible to lower the methanation catalyst temperature. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the operating method, the oxygen-containing gas supply means is provided between the methanation reaction section, the carbon monoxide combustion section, and the methanation catalytic reaction section and the carbon monoxide combustion section. A fuel cell power generation device comprising: an oxidizer and a carbon monoxide combustor when the fuel gas supplied to the carbon monoxide remover exceeds a certain value. Air or a gas containing oxygen is introduced into. A fuel cell power generator according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention comprises the carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to any one of the first to third aspects.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1. 1 is a configuration diagram of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 4 are the same as the conventional device. Reference numeral 5 is a bypass valve used to take out the fuel gas at an intermediate portion of the methanation catalyst layer included in the methanation reactor 4 and send it to the outlet, 6 is a pipe for flowing the bypassed fuel gas, and 7 is a shutoff valve. As the methanation catalyst, a Ru catalyst supported on alumina is used, which is filled in a carbon monoxide remover for use. A suitable catalyst operating temperature for the methanation reaction is 150 ° C to 300 ° C. Here, carbon monoxide in the fuel gas can be removed by the methanation reaction shown in the equation (1).

CO + 3H ₂ → CH ₄ + H ₂ O --- (1)

However, at the same time, a by-product methanation reaction represented by the formula (2) occurs, and the hydrogen produced in the reformer is consumed to reduce the efficiency of the fuel cell power generator.

CO ₂ + 4H ₂ → CH ₄ + 2H ₂ O --- (2)

Table 1 shows the carbon monoxide removal performance in this reactor when a fuel simulation gas (80% hydrogen, 20% carbon dioxide, 0.5% carbon monoxide) was humidified and flowed at 10%. The catalyst layer temperature of the methanation reaction was set to 225 ° C.
Here, the gas concentration is based on dry gas. The supply flow rate of the fuel simulation gas is 6000 / h in the space velocity simulating the full load operation (gas flow rate being supplied divided by the catalyst volume [1 / h]) and the partial load operation (supply fuel The respective reaction characteristics are shown when the space velocity simulating a gas flow rate of 50%) is 3000 / h.

[0011]

[Table 1]

From Table 1, in the conventional carbon monoxide scavenger utilizing the methanation catalytic reaction, there is 1.2% by-product methanation reaction amount at full load operation, whereas the fuel gas supply flow rate is It can be seen that there is 2.3% by-product methanation reaction amount in the half-load operation. Here, the by-product methane is generated by the reaction shown in the equation (2), but the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas increases relatively at the time of partial load when the supply flow rate of the fuel gas decreases. The raw methane production concentration increases. As a result, the hydrogen generated in the reformer is excessively consumed, and the efficiency of the fuel cell power generator is reduced. In the case of the carbon monoxide remover according to the first embodiment, the bypass valve 5 is opened and the shutoff valve 7 is closed during the partial load operation to reduce the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas. This allows the space velocity during partial load operation to approach 6000 during rated operation, and has a function of suppressing the amount of by-product methanation reaction.

Embodiment 2. 2 is a configuration diagram of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 4 are the same as the conventional device. 5a to 5c are bypass valves used to take out fuel gas in the middle part of the methanation catalyst layer and send it to the outlet,
6a to 6c are pipes for flowing the bypassed fuel gas, and 7 is a shutoff valve. In the case of the carbon monoxide remover according to the second embodiment, by opening the bypass valves 5a to 5c and closing the shutoff valve 7 according to the fuel gas supply amount during the partial load operation, the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas is increased. And the space velocity can be maintained at, for example, 6000 / h during the rated operation. Table 2 shows the relationship between the fuel gas supply amount and the bypass valve switching position. As a result, even if the fuel gas supply amount changes during partial load, it has the function of suppressing the by-product methanation reaction amount to a constant value.

[0014]

[Table 2]

Embodiment 3. 3 is a configuration diagram of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 3 are the same as the conventional device. 4a-4b are methanation reaction parts, and 7 is a shutoff valve. In the present embodiment, two independent reaction parts are connected in parallel and the shutoff valve 7 is provided, so that the fuel supply to the methanation reaction part 4a is limited and the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas is reduced. It becomes possible. As a result, for example, during partial load operation where the fuel supply amount is 50% of the rated operation, the space velocity is the value at the rated operation (6000 /
It is possible to approach h) and has a function of suppressing the amount of by-product methanation reaction.

Fourth Embodiment 4 is a configuration diagram of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 4 are the same as the conventional device. The methanation reactor 4 has, for example, temperature adjusting means by heat exchange with the carbon monoxide converter 3, 8 is an auxiliary cooling section which is an additional temperature adjusting means, and 9 is auxiliary cooling in which a cooling medium such as water flows. It is piping. Fig. 5 shows the temperature dependence of the carbon monoxide removal performance when the fuel simulation gas (80% hydrogen, 20% carbon dioxide, 0.5% carbon monoxide) in this catalyst was humidified and flowed at 10%. The space velocity simulating the load operation is 6000 / h, and the space velocity simulating the partial load operation (supply fuel simulation gas flow rate 50%) is 3000 / h.
The case of h is shown. From FIG. 5, in the carbon monoxide remover using the conventional methanation catalytic reaction in which the catalyst layer temperature of the methanation reaction was set to 225 ° C., 2.3 was used during the partial load operation in which the supply flow rate of the fuel simulation gas was halved. % By-product methanation reaction amount, by cooling the catalyst layer temperature to 200 ° C. by the auxiliary cooling unit during partial load operation,
It can be seen that the amount of by-product methanation reaction can be suppressed to 0.7% while removing carbon monoxide to an allowable concentration.

Embodiment 5. 6 is a configuration diagram of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 4 are the same as the conventional device. Reference numeral 8 is an auxiliary cooling section which is an additional temperature adjusting means, and 9 is an auxiliary cooling pipe through which a cooling medium such as water flows. From FIG. 6, it can be seen that when the catalyst layer temperature of the methanation reaction is set to 150 ° C. or lower, the reaction of by-product methane hardly occurs. Therefore, a part of the methanation catalyst layer can be made nonfunctional by cooling it to a temperature of 150 ° C. or lower by the auxiliary cooling unit, and the space velocity of the substantial methanation catalyst reaction can be increased. Table 3 shows the carbon monoxide removal performance in this reactor when a fuel simulation gas (80% hydrogen, 20% carbon dioxide, 0.5% carbon monoxide) was humidified and flowed at 10%. The catalyst layer temperature of the methanation reaction is 22.
The temperature of the catalyst layer was set to 5 ° C., and the temperature of the catalyst layer of the auxiliary cooling section during partial load was set to 100 ° C. The supply flow rate of the fuel simulation gas is 6000 / h in the space velocity simulating the full load operation, and is 3000 / h in the space velocity simulating the partial load operation (supply fuel simulation gas flow rate 50%). The reaction characteristics of

[0018]

[Table 3]

From Table 3, in the carbon monoxide remover using the conventional methanation catalytic reaction, there is 1.2% by-product methanation reaction amount at full load operation, whereas the supply flow rate of the fuel simulation gas is It can be seen that there is a 2.3% by-product methanation reaction amount in the partial load operation that halves the above. In this case, the efficiency of the fuel cell power generator is reduced. On the other hand, in the case of the carbon monoxide remover according to the fifth embodiment, during the partial load operation, water serving as a cooling medium is caused to flow through the auxiliary cooling unit 8 to partially lower the temperature of the methanation catalyst layer, so that the methanation is performed. By partially making the reaction catalyst non-functional, it is possible to make the actual space velocity close to 6000 / h at the time of rated operation, which has the function of suppressing the amount of by-product methanation reaction.

Sixth Embodiment FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 4 are the same as the conventional device. 4a is a methanation reaction part, 10 is a carbon monoxide combustion part, and 11 is an oxygen-containing gas introduction pipe. The methanation reaction part 4a is composed of a packed layer of Ru catalyst supported on alumina, and the carbon monoxide combustion part 10 subsequent thereto is also packed with Ru catalyst. Fig. 8 shows a fuel simulation gas (80% hydrogen, 20% carbon dioxide, 0.5% carbon monoxide) in this reactor.
Shows the carbon monoxide removal performance when flowing 10% humidified. The catalyst layer temperature of the methanation reaction section is set to 225 ° C,
The reaction characteristics when the flow rate (space velocity) of the simulated fuel gas is changed are shown. Up to a space velocity of 8000 / h, it is possible to remove to a low carbon monoxide concentration without introducing air, which is an oxygen-containing gas. Furthermore, it was found that the CO concentration can be sufficiently reduced by introducing air (air-fuel ratio = 3) from the oxygen-containing gas introduction pipe even when the supply gas flow rate is high. That is, in the present embodiment, since the carbon monoxide oxidation reaction is not accompanied until the space velocity reaches the flow rate of 8000 / h, compared with the conventional carbon monoxide remover that involves the combustion of carbon monoxide from a low flow rate. However, it has been found that it is possible to prevent a decrease in thermal efficiency. On the other hand, even when the space velocity exceeds 8000 / h, it is understood that the gas capable of operating the battery can be supplied by setting the air-fuel ratio to an appropriate value. In this embodiment,
The heat generated by methanation and carbon monoxide was radiated to the air, but it goes without saying that a reformer with a structure that exchanges heat with the reforming reaction part, which is an endothermic reaction, will improve the thermal efficiency. Absent. With the catalyst and the catalyst amount used in the present embodiment, air started to be introduced at a space velocity of 8000, but it goes without saying that this value fluctuates with different catalysts and catalyst loading amounts. Furthermore, it goes without saying that it is also effective to detect the concentration and flow rate of carbon monoxide at the outlet and control the amount of air introduced according to these increases. In this embodiment mode, an example of introducing air as an oxygen-containing gas is shown; however, water vapor is a molecule that promotes a shift reaction, and when introduced together with oxygen, it has the effect of further reducing the carbon monoxide concentration. Needless to say.

According to the present invention, by the side reaction of carbon monoxide removal by the methanation reaction, it is possible to consume the fuel hydrogen at the time of partial load and suppress the amount of methane produced in excess, and to reduce the hydrogen utilization rate in the fuel cell. There is an advantage that the decrease in efficiency due to the increase can be suppressed. Further, according to the sixth embodiment, since the carbon monoxide is removed by methanation only when the flow rate of the reformed gas is less than a certain value, the amount of methanation catalyst used can be reduced. Therefore, the carbon monoxide removing device can be downsized.

[0022]

According to the invention of claim 1, a fuel cell is provided with a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas by a methanation catalytic reaction from the fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A carbon monoxide remover for a power generator, which has a means for changing the amount of contact of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas. It is possible to change the reaction amount, suppress the by-product methanation reaction amount when performing partial load operation, and prevent the efficiency of the fuel cell power generation device from decreasing due to this.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, as the means, there is provided a bypass means for extracting the fuel gas at an intermediate portion in the fuel gas passage direction in the methanation catalyst layer and sending it to the outlet of the carbon monoxide remover. Since it is the carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 1, it becomes possible to change the methanation catalytic reaction amount of the fuel gas,
Suppresses the amount of by-product methanation reaction during partial load operation,
This can prevent the efficiency of the fuel cell power generator from being lowered.

According to the invention of claim 3, as the means, there are provided a plurality of methanation reaction sections connected in parallel and a means for changing the fuel gas supply amount to at least one or more methanation reaction sections. The carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 1, wherein the methanation catalytic reaction amount of the fuel gas can be changed, and the by-product methanation reaction amount at the time of partial load operation can be changed. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the efficiency of the fuel cell power generation device.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a fuel cell power generator is provided with a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by a methanation catalytic reaction. In the method of operating a carbon monoxide remover for use in a fuel cell power generation device, when performing a partial load operation in which a fuel gas power generation amount is smaller than a full load operation, the operation for limiting the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas is performed. Since it is a method, it is possible to change the reaction amount of the methanation catalyst of the fuel gas, suppress the amount of the by-product methanation reaction during partial load operation, and prevent the efficiency of the fuel cell power generator from decreasing due to this. You can

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, as the means for performing the restriction, a fuel gas bypass means for extracting the fuel gas in the middle portion of the methanation catalyst layer and sending the fuel gas to the outlet of the carbon monoxide remover is used. Since this is an operating method, it is possible to limit the amount of contact of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas, suppress the amount of by-product methanation reaction during partial load operation, and thereby reduce the efficiency of the fuel cell power generator. Can be prevented.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, as the means for limiting, a means having a plurality of methanation reaction sections connected in parallel and limiting the amount of fuel gas supplied to at least one or more methanation reaction sections is used. According to the operating method of claim 4, it is possible to limit the contact amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas, suppress the amount of by-product methanation reaction during partial load operation, and thereby generate fuel cell power. It is possible to prevent the efficiency of the device from decreasing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell power generator is provided with a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by a methanation catalytic reaction. Carbon monoxide remover for
Since the carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator is characterized by having a plurality of temperature adjusting means for adjusting the catalyst layer temperature independently of each other, it is possible to change the methanation catalyst layer temperature of the fuel gas. This makes it possible to suppress the amount of by-product methanation reaction during the partial load operation, and prevent the efficiency of the fuel cell power generation device from decreasing due to this.

The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that at least one of the temperature adjusting means has a catalyst layer temperature adjusting function within a limited range with respect to a fuel gas passage direction in the methanation catalyst layer. Since it is the carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to 7, it becomes possible to change the temperature of the catalyst layer within a limited range with respect to the passage direction of the fuel gas, and by-product methanation during partial load operation It is possible to suppress the reaction amount and prevent a decrease in efficiency of the fuel cell power generation device due to this.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell power generator is provided with a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by a methanation catalytic reaction. In the method for operating a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell, the fuel cell power generator is configured to lower the methanation catalyst temperature by using a temperature adjusting means when performing a partial load operation in which the fuel gas amount is smaller than a full load operation. Since it is a method, it is possible to suppress the amount of by-product methanation reaction during partial load operation, and to prevent the efficiency of the fuel cell power generation device from decreasing due to this.

The invention according to claim 10 is the operating method according to claim 9, wherein the methanation catalyst temperature is lowered within a limited range with respect to the fuel gas passage direction in the methanation catalyst layer.
It becomes possible to change the temperature of the catalyst layer within a limited range with respect to the direction of passage of the fuel gas, suppress the amount of by-product methanation reaction during partial load operation, and prevent the efficiency of the fuel cell power generator from decreasing due to this. be able to.

The invention according to claim 11 is the operating method according to claim 9, wherein the temperature adjusting means increases the steam flow rate ratio to the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer, so that the partial load operation is performed. By suppressing the amount of by-product methanation reaction, it is possible to prevent a decrease in efficiency of the fuel cell power generation device due to this.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methanation reaction section having therein a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas by a methanation catalytic reaction from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A method of operating a fuel cell power generation device, comprising: a carbon monoxide combustion section; and a carbon monoxide remover comprising an oxygen-containing gas supply means between the methanation reaction section and the carbon monoxide combustion section. The operation of introducing air or a gas containing oxygen between the methanation reaction section and the carbon monoxide combustion section when the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the carbon monoxide remover exceeds a certain value. Since it is a method, it is possible to suppress the amount of by-product methanation reaction during partial load operation, and to prevent the efficiency of the fuel cell power generation device from decreasing due to this. Further, the device can be downsized.

The invention of claim 13 is a fuel cell power generation device characterized by comprising the carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; It is possible to provide a fuel cell power generation device in which the decrease is prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining reaction characteristics of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining reaction characteristics of a carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the configuration of a conventional carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator using a methanation reaction.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 fuel electrode, 2 reformer, 3 carbon monoxide shift converter, 3F
Reformed gas, 4 methanation reactor, 5 bypass valve, 6
By-pass pipe, 7 shut-off valve, 8 auxiliary cooling part, 9 auxiliary cooling pipe, 10 carbon monoxide combustion part, 11 oxygen-containing gas introduction pipe.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoji Fujita             2-3 2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Ryo Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4G040 EA02 EA03 EA06 EB31                 4H060 AA01 AA02 BB15 BB33 CC14                       DD01 EE03 GG02                 5H027 AA02 BA16 BA17 KK41 MM01

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A method for removing carbon monoxide for a fuel cell power generator, comprising a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas by a methanation catalytic reaction, from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A carbon monoxide eliminator for a fuel cell power generator, comprising a means for changing the amount of contact of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas. 2. A bypass means for extracting the fuel gas at an intermediate portion of the fuel gas passage direction in the methanation catalyst layer and sending the fuel gas to the outlet of the carbon monoxide remover, as the means. Carbon monoxide eliminator for fuel cell power generators. 3. The means as claimed in claim 1, which has a plurality of methanation reaction sections connected in parallel, and means for changing the amount of fuel gas supplied to at least one or more methanation reaction sections. Carbon monoxide eliminator for fuel cell power generators. 4. A carbon monoxide removing device for a fuel cell power generator, which comprises a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas by a methanation catalytic reaction, from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. In the operating method of the reactor, when the fuel cell power generator performs a partial load operation in which the fuel gas amount is smaller than the full load operation, the operating amount of the methanation catalyst with respect to the fuel gas is limited. 5. The fuel gas bypass means for extracting the fuel gas in the middle portion of the methanation catalyst layer and sending the fuel gas to the outlet of the carbon monoxide remover is used as the means for performing the restriction.
Driving method described. 6. The means for limiting the fuel gas supply amount to at least one or more methanation reaction portions, the plurality of methanation reaction portions connected in parallel, as the means for limiting the fuel gas. how to drive. 7. A carbon monoxide removing device for a fuel cell power generator, which comprises a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas by a methanation catalytic reaction from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A carbon monoxide eliminator for a fuel cell power generator, which has a plurality of temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the catalyst layer independently of each other. 8. At least one of the temperature control means comprises:
The carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 7, which has a function of controlling the temperature of the catalyst layer in a limited range with respect to the fuel gas passage direction in the methanation catalyst layer. 9. A carbon monoxide removing device for a fuel cell power generator, which comprises a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas by a methanation catalytic reaction, from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. In the operating method of the reactor, when the fuel cell power generation device performs a partial load operation in which the fuel gas amount is smaller than the full load operation, the temperature adjusting means is used to lower the methanation catalyst temperature. 10. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein the temperature of the methanation catalyst in a limited range is lowered with respect to the fuel gas passage direction in the methanation catalyst layer. 11. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein the temperature adjusting means increases the steam flow rate ratio to the raw fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer. 12. A methanation reaction section internally provided with a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas by a methanation catalytic reaction from a fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and carbon monoxide combustion. A method for operating a fuel cell power generation device, comprising: a carbon monoxide removal unit configured to include an oxygen-containing gas supply unit between the methanation reaction unit and the carbon monoxide combustion unit. The above operating method, wherein air or a gas containing oxygen is introduced between the methanation reaction section and the carbon monoxide combustion section when the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the remover exceeds a certain value. 13. A fuel cell power generation device comprising the carbon monoxide remover for a fuel cell power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.