JP2004281340A - Fuel container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lead a fuel to the vicinity of an outlet regardless of its kept attitude. <P>SOLUTION: This fuel container 7 has a container body 15 with a liquid fuel stored. A high-viscosity liquid is stratified in the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 in a form without containing bubbles. The container body 15 is equipped with: the outlet 9 for letting out the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15; and a fluid introduction port 14 for introducing air into a space surrounded by the inside wall of the container body 15 and the liquid surface of the high-viscosity liquid 11. An area in the vicinity of the outlet 9 in the container body 15 is filled with an absorber 12 for absorbing the fuel 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel container for storing a liquid fuel, and more particularly to a fuel container for a fuel cell for storing a liquid fuel to be supplied to a fuel cell.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, small electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, digital cameras, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance), and electronic notebooks have made remarkable advances and developments. Batteries and secondary batteries such as nickel-cadmium storage batteries, nickel-hydrogen storage batteries, and lithium ion batteries are used.
[0003]
The electronic devices described above are small and have a constant power supply even if the position and orientation of the battery itself is changed. Phones and digital cameras can be carried and used in a state of being stowed casually in the breast pocket or back, and the electronic device should be used in various postures according to the user's usage scene. Can be.
[0004]
However, from the viewpoint of energy use efficiency, the primary battery or the secondary battery mounted on the electronic device cannot always be said to be effective in energy utilization. As a substitute for batteries, research and development on fuel cells that can achieve high energy use efficiency are also being actively conducted.
[0005]
A fuel cell is a device that directly extracts electrical energy from chemical energy by electrochemically reacting fuel and oxygen in the atmosphere, and is positioned as a promising battery with great potential. However, in a fuel cell using a liquid fuel or the like as a fuel, care must be taken in handling a fuel container for storing the fuel. That is, in this type of fuel cell, since the fuel itself is held in a liquid state, the fuel moves in the direction in which gravity acts inside the fuel container by appropriately changing the attitude of the fuel container that stores the fuel. However, air bubbles may be included in the fuel. In this case, the fuel flows out of the fuel container in a state in which bubbles are contained, so the outflow (amount of outflow) of the fuel from the fuel container becomes unstable. As a result, the power generation module (the fuel stored in the fuel container is discharged). The amount of fuel supplied to the portion that generates and uses power is also unstable, leading to a decrease in power generation capacity. Therefore, it is difficult to mount a fuel cell using a liquid fuel as a fuel in a small portable electronic device.
[0006]
Therefore, a fuel container has been devised which can stabilize the supply of fuel to the power generation module regardless of the held posture (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0007]
Specifically, in the fuel container (1) described in Patent Document 1, a liquid fuel permeable member (8) is provided in the fuel container, and a fine hole ( 6) is formed, and while adjusting the negative pressure in the fuel container by introducing air from the pores, the fuel permeating the liquid fuel permeable member is transferred from the fuel container to the power generation module (stack body 2) by capillary force. Supplying.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-93551 A (paragraph numbers 0011 to 0019, FIG. 1)
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the fuel container described in Patent Document 1, the fuel itself surely comes into contact with and penetrates the liquid fuel permeable member irrespective of the holding position, so that the fuel flows out of the fuel container without containing bubbles in the fuel, and the power is generated. Although it is possible to stabilize the supply of fuel to the module, if the amount of fuel stored in a state where the fuel container is laid down or held diagonally decreases, the fuel remaining in the fuel container becomes liquid fuel. Instead of contacting and infiltrating the infiltration member, the supply of fuel to the power generation module is not interrupted, and even the remaining fuel cannot be led out to the vicinity of the outlet (connection portion 4) of the fuel container.
[0010]
An object of the present invention is a fuel container for a fuel cell that stores liquid fuel to be supplied to a fuel cell, and stably derives all stored fuel in the vicinity of an outlet irrespective of a held posture. It is to provide a fuel container which can be made to be able to be made.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a fuel container according to the first aspect of the present invention is
A container body having an outlet,
A fuel provided in the container body,
A high-viscosity liquid provided in the container body so as to be in contact with the fuel on the side opposite to the outflow port;
It is characterized by having.
[0012]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fuel provided in the container main body is covered with the high-viscosity liquid on the opposite side of the outflow port, so that the fuel is kept sealed by the inner wall of the container main body and the high-viscosity liquid. Is done. When the pressure is applied to the inside of the container body and the fuel is under a higher pressure than the outside of the outlet, or when the pressure outside the outlet is lower than the inside of the container body, the gas in the fuel accompanies the change in pressure. Since the fluid in the phase state hardly mixes, no matter what the attitude of the fuel container is, that is, if the fuel once goes out from the outlet of the container main body regardless of the direction of the outlet, Fuel can be supplied stably unless the pressure inside and outside the container body is in an equilibrium state or the intake means taking in fuel from the outlet of the container body does not stop taking in fuel. Further, since the fuel provided in the container body is kept sealed by the inner wall (excluding the outlet) of the container body and the high-viscosity liquid, the fuel hardly comes into contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, the fuel provided in the container body can be prevented from being volatilized and reduced.
[0013]
The fuel container of the invention according to claim 2 is:
A container body having an outlet,
A fuel provided in the container body,
Volume changing means for changing the volume in the container body,
It is characterized by having.
[0014]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the volume changing means contracts so as to reduce the fuel volume of the container main body and increases the pressure in the container main body, so that the fuel can be quickly supplied from the outlet.
[0015]
The fuel container according to the third aspect of the present invention
A container body having an outlet,
A fuel provided in the container body,
An absorber capable of absorbing the fuel, filled in the container body,
It is characterized by having.
[0016]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the fuel decreases, the fuel always moves in the direction of the absorber because the absorber in the container attempts to absorb the fuel, so that the fuel is easily attracted to the outlet efficiently, and It is possible to stably supply fuel regardless of the attitude of the container.
[0017]
The invention described in claim 4 is
The fuel container according to claim 1,
It is characterized by having an absorber filled in the container body and capable of absorbing the fuel.
[0018]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the absorber is filled inside the container body, the fuel receives the restoring force (absorbing force) of the absorber inside the container body, but the fuel is absorbed by the absorber. Then, the high-viscosity liquid follows the displacement of the fuel, and a negative pressure (suction force) is generated in a space surrounded by the inner wall of the container body and the liquid surface of the high-viscosity liquid. For this reason, it becomes easy to efficiently draw the fuel to the outlet, and it is possible to supply the fuel stably regardless of the attitude of the fuel container.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 5 is
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein
It is characterized by having a volume changing means for changing the volume in the container body.
[0020]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the volume changing means contracts so as to reduce the fuel volume of the container main body and raises the pressure inside the container main body, so that the fuel can be quickly supplied from the outlet.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 6 is
The fuel container according to claim 5,
Filled in the container body, having an absorber capable of absorbing the fuel,
The absorber is capable of contracting by reducing the volume of the container body by the volume changing means.
[0022]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the absorber that has absorbed the fuel and swelled contracts as the volume of the container body is reduced by the volume changing means, thereby releasing the fuel absorbed by the absorber. Can be supplied from the outlet.
[0023]
The invention according to claim 7 is
The fuel container according to claim 2, 5 or 6,
The volume changing means is a bellows which can be contracted by stress.
[0024]
In the invention according to claim 7, since the volume changing means is an elastic bellows formed on the container body, the volume of the container body is reduced by contracting the bellows, so that the fuel can be surely discharged from the outlet. Can be drained.
[0025]
The invention according to claim 8 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 7,
In the container body, having a highly viscous liquid provided to be in contact with the fuel on the side opposite to the outflow port side,
It is characterized by having a fluid introducing means capable of introducing a fluid into a space surrounded by an inner wall of the container main body and a liquid surface of the highly viscous liquid.
[0026]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the fluid introduction means is provided in the container body, the fluid is introduced into the space generated in the container body by an amount corresponding to the amount of fuel released from the outlet (displacement of the liquid level of the fuel). Therefore, the negative pressure in this space can be easily adjusted. Therefore, regardless of the posture of the fuel container, the pressure provided to the fuel provided in the container body can be appropriately applied, and the fuel can be easily supplied from the outlet.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 9 is
The fuel container according to claim 8,
The fluid introducing means may be a hole communicating between the inside and the outside of the container body.
[0028]
The invention according to claim 10 is
The fuel container according to claim 9,
The hole as the fluid introduction means is provided with a selective permeable membrane that blocks transmission of volatile components of the fuel and selectively allows air to pass therethrough.
[0029]
The invention according to claim 11 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A check valve is provided inside the outlet to allow the fuel to flow out of the container body to the outside of the outlet, and to prevent the flow of fluid from outside the outlet to the container body. It is characterized by having been done.
[0030]
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the fuel flows only in the forward direction and can be prevented from flowing in the reverse direction. Since the gaseous phase fluid does not flow into the container body, the fuel can always be supplied stably. .
[0031]
The invention according to claim 12 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 11,
The highly viscous liquid is a mineral oil or a silicone oil.
[0032]
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the high-viscosity liquid is a mineral oil or a silicone oil, the viscous force of the high-viscosity liquid acts strongly between the high-viscosity liquid and the inner wall of the container body, thereby completely removing the fuel. It can be stored in a sealed state.
[0033]
The invention according to claim 13 is:
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 12,
Filled in the container body, having an absorber capable of absorbing the fuel,
The absorber is made of an oil-repellent material, and is a porous body having a plurality of fine pores through which the highly viscous liquid cannot penetrate.
[0034]
In the invention according to claim 13, since the absorber is a porous body having a plurality of micropores made of an oil-repellent material, when the high-viscosity liquid comes into contact with the absorber, the high-viscosity liquid is applied to the absorber. Does not penetrate (is not absorbed). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the highly viscous liquid from flowing out from the outlet of the container body.
[0035]
The invention according to claim 14 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 13,
The container body is made of a transparent or translucent material,
The highly viscous liquid is colored.
[0036]
In the invention according to claim 14, since the container body is made of a transparent or translucent material and the high-viscosity liquid is colored, the displacement of the liquid surface of the high-viscosity liquid can be visually recognized through the container body. In addition, the presence or absence or the remaining amount of the fuel provided in the container body can be easily confirmed.
[0037]
The invention according to claim 15 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 14,
The interior of the container body is partitioned by a partition plate along the direction of displacement of the fuel or the highly viscous liquid.
[0038]
In the invention according to claim 15, since the inside of the container body is partitioned by the partition plate, the fuel and the high-viscosity liquid provided inside the container body are provided in each chamber formed by the partition plate. I have. In this case, since the high-viscosity liquid not only contacts the inner wall of the container body but also the partition plate, the viscous force of the high-viscosity liquid itself acts on the inner wall of the container body and the partition plate, and inside the container body. Displacement becomes difficult. Therefore, even if the fuel container is dropped and an impact is applied to the fuel container, it is possible to maintain a state in which the fuel is completely sealed by the inner wall of the container body and the high-viscosity liquid. It is also possible to prevent air bubbles from being included in the interface between the fuel and the highly viscous liquid or in the fuel by changing the inside.
[0039]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a power generation system 1 provided with a fuel container 7 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the fuel storage module 2 and the power generation module 3 provided in the power generation system 1. However, in FIG. 2, only the configuration of one end of the fuel storage module 2 is shown, and the other end is omitted.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation system 1 includes a fuel storage module 2 that stores a fuel 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and a power generation module 3 that generates power using the fuel 10 stored in the fuel storage module 2. are doing. The fuel storage module 2 and the power generation module 3 are detachable from each other, and the fuel storage module 2 has a substantially cylindrical casing 4 as shown in FIG. A circular through hole 5 is formed at the top of the housing 4, and a tube 6 connected to the power generation module 3 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the housing 4. A fuel container 7 is housed inside the housing 4.
[0041]
3A and 3B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of the fuel container 7, in which FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an appearance of the fuel container 7, and FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the fuel container 7 has a cylindrical container body 15 having a predetermined length. The container body 15 is a transparent or translucent member, and is made of a material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and acrylic. A fluid introduction hole 14 as a fluid introduction means for introducing a gas such as air into the fuel container 7 is formed at the bottom of the container body 15 so as to penetrate the container body 15. The fluid introduction hole 14 is a simple ventilation hole that connects the inside and the outside of the container body 15. An outlet 9 is provided at the tip of the container body 15 so as to protrude from the container body 15, and near the outlet 9 of the container body 15, the outlet 9 is extendable and contractible along the longitudinal direction of the fuel container 7. A bellows 8 as a volume changing means is formed. The container body 15 is configured such that the volume inside the container body 15 increases when the bellows 8 expands, and the volume inside the container body 15 decreases when the bellows 8 contracts.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 3B, the fuel 10 is stored inside the container body 15. Specifically, the fuel 10 is a mixture of a chemical fuel and water. As the chemical fuel, alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, and compounds containing a hydrogen element such as gasoline can be applied. In the present embodiment, a mixture in which methanol and water are uniformly mixed in an equimolar amount is used as the fuel 10. Further, inside the container body 15, a highly viscous liquid 11 is layered so as to completely cover the liquid surface of the fuel 10. Thus, the fuel 10 is sealed inside the container body 15 by the inner wall of the container body 15 (excluding the outlet 9) and the high-viscosity liquid 11. The high-viscosity liquid 11 is a liquid having a higher viscosity than the fuel 10, and is specifically a mineral oil such as polybutene, liquid paraffin, or spindle oil, or a silicon oil such as dimethyl silicone oil or methylphenyl silicone oil. Further, the high-viscosity fluid 11 is colored with a coloring material such as a pigment or a dye. Further, the high-viscosity fluid 11 is preferably insoluble or hardly soluble in the fuel 10.
[0043]
The fuel 10 and the high-viscosity liquid 11 are separated without being mixed with each other because of the characteristics of water and oil, and the fuel 10 is completely sealed with the inner wall of the container body 15 and the high-viscosity liquid 11. And stored in the container body 15. Gas such as air at the interface between the fuel 10 and the high-viscosity liquid 11 or air or the like mixed in the fuel 10 is previously suctioned and removed by a vacuum defoaming device or the like. The fuel 10 is in a state containing almost no air bubbles (no air bubbles).
[0044]
The vicinity of the outlet 9 inside the container body 15 is filled with an absorber 12 that absorbs the fuel 10 in a compressed state. Specifically, the absorber 12 is a porous body made of an oil-repellent material and having a plurality of fine pores through which the high-viscosity liquid 11 cannot penetrate, and particularly has high absorbency for the fuel 10. . Therefore, the high-viscosity liquid 11 does not permeate (is not absorbed) into the absorber 12, and the high-viscosity liquid 11 does not flow out of the outlet 9 of the container body 15. The absorber 12 is in close contact with the inner wall of the bellows 8 formed on the container body 15, and when the bellows 8 is contracted to reduce the volume of the container body 15, the absorber 12 contracts, and conversely, absorbs. When the body 12 absorbs the fuel 10 and swells, the bellows 8 expands and the volume of the container body 15 increases.
[0045]
Further, inside the outlet 9 of the container body 15, a check valve 13 having a duck bill shape (a shape like a duck / duck beak) is provided. When a pressure (positive pressure) for pushing out the fuel 10 to the fuel 10 absorbed by the absorber 12 is applied to the check valve 13, stress acts in a direction to push and expand the opening 13 a. Then, when the fuel 10 is allowed to flow out of the outlet 13a to the outlet 9 and the inside of the container body 15 becomes negative pressure, and pressure is applied from the outlet 9 toward the check valve 13, the port 13a is closed. A stress acts in a direction to be closed, and has a function of preventing backflow from the outlet 9 to the container body 15. In the present embodiment, as described later, when a positive pressure is applied to the inside of the container body 15, the fuel 10 can flow out of the inside of the container body 15 to the outside of the outlet 9 through the check valve 13. ing. As described above, when a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the container body 15, the check valve 13 closes the opening 13 a and prevents the fluid such as the fuel 10 from flowing out of the check valve 13.
[0046]
The fuel container 7 having the above configuration is detachably housed in the housing 4 of the fuel storage module 2 so that the supply port 9 is inserted into the through hole 5 as shown in FIG. I have. When the fuel container 7 is installed at a predetermined position of the fuel storage module 2, the fuel container 7 has a part of the outer peripheral surface of the container body 15 exposed to the outside of the housing 4. In this state, as described above, since the container body 15 is transparent or translucent and the high-viscosity liquid 11 is colored, the displacement of the liquid surface of the high-viscosity liquid 11 can be visually recognized through the container body 15. Thus, the presence or absence or the remaining amount of the fuel 10 can be easily confirmed.
[0047]
Further, as described above, the fluid introduction hole 14 as the fluid introduction means formed in the container main body 15 is merely a ventilation hole, but instead of the high-viscosity liquid 11, the fluid introduction hole 14 A selectively permeable membrane having a function of blocking the permeation of components and a function of selectively transmitting only air may be provided. In this case, it is possible to prevent the volatile components of the fuel 10 from being released to the outside of the container body 15, and to prevent the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 from being volatilized and reduced.
[0048]
Next, the power generation module 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation module 3 has a reformer 20 that reforms the fuel 10 supplied from the fuel container 7. The reformer 20 includes a vaporizer 21, a steam reforming reactor 22, an aqueous shift reactor 23, and a selective oxidation reactor 24. The power generation module 3 includes a fuel cell 25 that generates electric power using the fuel 10 reformed by the reformer 20 and a power storage unit 26 that stores the electric energy generated by the fuel cell 25 and supplies the electric energy as necessary. A distribution unit 27 that distributes the electric energy supplied from the power storage unit 26 to the entire power generation module 3, a control unit 28 that electronically controls the reformer 20, the fuel cell 25, the power storage unit 26, and the distribution unit 27; have.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 2, the power generation module 3 has a substantially cylindrical housing 30. Inside the housing 30, a vaporizer 21, a steam reforming reactor 22, an aqueous shift reactor 23, and a selective oxidation reactor 24 are arranged in a stacked state in this order. A fuel cell 25 is provided so as to surround the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24. Further, a plurality of slits 31, 31,... For taking in oxygen in the air are formed in parallel with each other on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 30 outside the fuel cell 25.
[0050]
A terminal 32 for supplying electric energy from the power storage unit 26 (see FIG. 1) to an external device is provided at the top of the housing 30. A plurality of ventilation holes 33, 33,... Are formed at the top.
[0051]
Pipes 34 and 35 projecting downward for fitting with the fuel storage module 2 are provided at the bottom of the housing 30. The pipe 34 is for discharging water, and the pipe 35 is for sucking the fuel 10 from the fuel container 7. The pipe 34 is provided with a valve 36, and a water introduction pipe 37 provided in the housing 30 communicates with the pipe 34 via the valve 36.
[0052]
Next, each process of a chemical reaction occurring in each reactor of the reformer 20 and the fuel cell 25 will be described.
The vaporizer 21 vaporizes (evaporates) the fuel 10 by heating the fuel 10 supplied from the fuel container 7 of the fuel storage module 2 through the pipe 35. The mixture vaporized by the vaporizer 21 is supplied to the steam reforming reactor 22.
[0053]
The steam reforming reactor 22 reforms the mixture supplied from the vaporizer 21 into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas using a reforming catalyst, as shown in chemical reaction formula (1).
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 3H ₂ + CO ₂ … (1)
In some cases, the air-fuel mixture supplied from the vaporizer 21 may not be completely reformed into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas. In this case, as shown in the chemical reaction formula (2), a very small amount Is generated.
2CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 5H ₂ O + CO + CO ₂ … (2)
Unreacted steam in addition to the hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas and carbon monoxide generated in the steam reforming reactor 22 is supplied to the aqueous shift reactor 23.
[0054]
The aqueous shift reactor 23 is, as shown in chemical reaction formula (3), a gaseous mixture (hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, steam and carbon monoxide gas) supplied from the steam reforming reactor 22. Is subjected to an aqueous shift reaction with a catalyst.
CO + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + H ₂ … (3)
[0055]
Unreacted steam in the steam reforming reactor 22 is used for the aqueous shift reaction, and the concentration of steam and carbon monoxide gas in the air-fuel mixture becomes very low. A gas mixture (including hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, and carbon monoxide gas) is supplied from the aqueous shift reactor 23 to the selective oxidation reactor 24.
[0056]
The selective oxidation reactor 24 selects a carbon monoxide gas from a gas mixture supplied from the aqueous shift reactor 23 with a catalyst, and oxidizes the carbon monoxide gas as shown in a chemical reaction formula (4). .
2CO + O ₂ → 2CO ₂ … (4)
The oxygen on the left side of the chemical reaction formula (4) is taken into the selective oxidation reactor 24 from the atmosphere through the plurality of ventilation holes 33 of the power generation module 3. Further, in the selective oxidation reactor 24, since a catalyst for selectively promoting the chemical reaction of the chemical reaction formula (4) is formed, hydrogen contained in the gas mixture is hardly oxidized. The gas mixture is supplied from the selective oxidation reactor 24 to the fuel cell 25, but the gas mixture hardly contains carbon monoxide gas, and the purity of hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas is very high. If the selective oxidation reactor 24 is provided with a mechanism capable of separating hydrogen and other harmless by-products, the by-products may be discharged from each vent 33.
[0057]
The fuel cell 25 includes a fuel electrode (cathode) to which catalyst particles are attached, an air electrode (anode) to which catalyst particles are attached, and a film-like ion conductive membrane interposed between the fuel electrode and the air electrode. It is provided. An air-fuel mixture from the selective oxidation reactor 24 is supplied to the fuel electrode, and oxygen gas in the atmosphere is supplied to the air electrode through a plurality of slits 31 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the power generation module 3. Is done.
[0058]
As shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (5), when hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel electrode, a catalyst attached to the fuel electrode generates hydrogen ions having separated electrons, and the hydrogen ions are transferred to the air electrode through the ion conductive membrane. It conducts and electrons are extracted from the fuel electrode. Further, the carbon dioxide gas in the gas mixture supplied from the selective oxidation reactor 24 is discharged to the outside without reacting.
3H ₂ → 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ … (5)
On the other hand, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (6), when oxygen gas is supplied to the air electrode, hydrogen ions passing through the ionic conductive film, oxygen gas, and electrons react to generate water. You.
6H ⁺ + 3 / 2O ₂ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O ... (6)
When the above-described electrochemical reaction occurs in the fuel cell 25, electric energy is generated. The generated electric energy is stored in the power storage unit 26.
[0059]
The vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 flow a fluid through a microchannel formed on a small substrate made of silicon, aluminum alloy, or glass. It functions as a microreactor for vaporizing the fluid or causing a chemical reaction in at least a part of the fluid. Hereinafter, the structures of the vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 will be described.
[0060]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the vaporizer 21, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a heat treatment furnace 40 provided in the vaporizer 21.
As shown in FIG. 4, the vaporizer 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped glass container 53 made of low-melting glass, and the inner and outer walls of the glass container 53 have a radiation shield film 51 made of aluminum or the like. , 52 are formed. Each of the radiation shield films 51 and 52 has high reflectivity with respect to electromagnetic waves including infrared rays, and reflects electromagnetic waves emitted from a heat treatment furnace 40 described later into the glass container 53. Thereby, the electromagnetic wave emitted from the heat treatment furnace 40 is shielded from propagating to the outside of the glass container 53, and the radiation heat by the electromagnetic wave emitted from the heat treatment furnace 40 can be prevented from radiating to the outside of the glass container 53. Has become.
[0061]
Supports 54, 54,... Are provided at each corner inside the radiation shield film 51 formed on the inner wall of the glass container 53 and inside the glass container 53, respectively. The heat treatment furnace 40 is disposed inside the glass container 53 while being supported by the supports 54. However, the heat treatment furnace 40 is separated from the inner wall of the glass container 53.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 4, the heat treatment furnace 40 has a structure in which two substrates 41 and 42 are overlapped and joined to each other. Each of the substrates 41 and 42 is made of a material such as silicon crystal, aluminum, and glass. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a minute microchannel 43 is formed at the joint between the substrates 41 and 42.
[0063]
The micro flow channel 43 is formed by joining the substrate 41 and the substrate 42 with the groove formed in one surface of the substrate 41 facing the substrate 42 and facing the substrate 42. It is sealed between. The groove as the micro channel 43 is formed by appropriately performing photolithography, etching, or the like on one surface of the substrate 41.
[0064]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of the micro flow channel 43 is connected to an end of an outflow pipe 45. The outflow pipe 45 penetrates through the substrate 41, the radiation shield films 51 and 52, and the glass container 53, and is drawn out of the heat treatment furnace 40 to the outside of the glass container 53. The other end of the micro channel 43 is connected to an end of an inflow pipe 44. The inflow pipe 44, like the outflow pipe 45, passes through the substrate 42, the radiation shield films 51 and 52, and the glass container 53, and is drawn out of the heat treatment furnace 40 to the outside of the glass container 53. Further, the inflow pipe 44 communicates with the pipe 35 so that the fuel 10 stored in the fuel container 7 can flow into the micro flow channel 43 at any time through the pipe 35 and the inflow pipe 44 due to the pressure applied in the container body 15. It has become.
[0065]
A micropump (not shown) is interposed between the pipe 35 and the inflow pipe 44. This micropump is connected to the control unit 28, and the control unit 28 controls the micropump to control the flow rate of the fuel 10 flowing from the pipe 35 to the inflow pipe 44. When the outlet 9 of the container body 15 in which the fuel 10 is stored and the pipe 35 are fitted, the check valve 13 is provided at the outlet 9, so that the fuel 10 is discharged from the container body 15. The tube 35 is always filled with the fuel 10 unless it runs out.
[0066]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, on the bonding surface of the substrate 42 with the substrate 41, a ridge-shaped heating resistance film 47 corresponding to the microchannel 43 is formed. When the substrate 41 and the substrate 42 are bonded to each other, the heat generating resistive film 47 overlaps the groove forming the micro flow channel 43, and the heat generating resistive film 47 forms the floor of the micro flow channel 43. The heating resistance film 47 is formed along the micro flow channel 43 from one end to the other end of the micro flow channel 43.
[0067]
A lead wire 48 is connected to the heating resistance film 47 at one end of the micro flow channel 43, and a lead wire 49 is connected to the heating resistance film 47 at the other end of the micro flow channel 43. Each of the lead wires 48 and 49 is formed of a chemically stable metal material such as gold, platinum, and nickel having a very low resistivity. It is much smaller than the electrical resistance.
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 4, each lead wire 48, 49 penetrates the radiation shield films 51, 52 and the glass container 53 while being sandwiched between the two substrates 41, 42, from the heat treatment furnace 40 to the outside of the glass container 53. Has been drawn to. The lead wire 48 is connected to one electrode of the distribution unit 27 outside the glass container 53, and the lead wire 49 is connected to the other electrode of the distribution unit 27 outside the glass container 53.
[0069]
The distribution unit 27 controls the temperature of the heating resistance film 47 while displacing the power supplied to the heating resistance film 47 according to a control signal from the control unit 28, and vaporizes the fuel 10 in the vaporizer 21 per unit time. It has a function of optimizing the amount and the progress of the reaction in the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 described below. For example, if the voltage applied by the distribution unit 27 is constant, the distribution unit 27 can change the current flowing through the lead wires 48 and 49. The section 27 can change the voltage applied to the lead wires 48-49. Of course, the distribution unit 27 may be able to change both the voltage and the current, and may be either DC drive or AC drive.
[0070]
Further, the control unit 28 has an arithmetic processing unit including a general-purpose CPU (central processing unit) or a dedicated logic circuit. The control unit 28 feeds back a signal indicating the voltage and current of the distribution unit 27 and feeds a signal from the distribution unit 27 to the heating resistance film. It has a function of adjusting the electric power applied to 47. With such a configuration, the temperature of heat generated by the heat generating resistive film 47 is adjusted.
[0071]
In the vaporizer 21 having the above configuration, the inside of the glass container 53 is sealed when the inflow pipe 44, the outflow pipe 45, and the lead wires 48, 49 penetrate the radiation shielding films 51, 52 and the glass container 53. The interior space of the glass container 53 is in a vacuum state with a very low atmospheric pressure. Therefore, there is almost no medium for transmitting heat inside the glass container 53, so that heat radiation from the heat treatment furnace 40 to the outside of the glass container 53 can be suppressed.
[0072]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing each of the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24. However, in each of the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 shown in FIG. 6, the same components as those of the vaporizer 21 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those described above. Detailed description of the components is omitted.
[0073]
As shown in FIG. 6, each of the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 has substantially the same configuration as the vaporizer 21. An inlet pipe 44 of the reactor 22 communicates with an outlet pipe 45 of the vaporizer 21, and an outlet pipe 45 of the steam reforming reactor 22 communicates with an inlet pipe 44 of the aqueous shift reactor 23. The outlet pipe 45 communicates with the inlet pipe 44 of the selective oxidation reactor 24, and the outlet pipe 45 of the selective oxidation reactor 24 communicates with the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the respective reactors of the vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 are stacked in this order, but on the outer wall of each reactor. Each reactor is stacked with the coated radiation shield film 52 in contact with adjacent reactors.
[0074]
Further, in any of the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24, the reforming catalyst is provided on the inner wall and the ceiling of the micro channel 43 (that is, the wall surface of the groove of the substrate 41). A film 46 is formed along the micro flow channel 43 from one end to the other end of the micro flow channel 43. The reforming catalyst film 46 is for reforming the chemical fuel contained in the fuel 10 to generate hydrogen. The components and types of the reforming catalyst film 46 are the same as those of the steam reforming reactor 22 and the aqueous shift reactor. 23, the selective oxidation reactor 24 may be different. Here, in the case of the steam reforming reactor 22, the chemical reaction represented by the chemical reaction formula (1) is promoted by the reforming catalyst film 46, and in the case of the aqueous shift reactor 23, the chemical reaction is performed. The chemical reaction represented by the formula (3) is promoted by the reforming catalyst film 46, and in the case of the selective oxidation reactor 24, the chemical reaction represented by the chemical reaction formula (4) is performed by the reforming catalyst film 46. Is being promoted.
[0075]
Next, the method of use and operation of the power generation system 1 will be described.
First, in order to supply the fuel 10 to the power generation module 3, the fuel container 7 in which the fuel 10 is stored must be installed at a predetermined position of the housing 4 of the fuel storage module 2, as shown in FIG. As described above, in the fuel container 7 before the installation, the check valve 13 is closed, the absorber 12 absorbs the fuel 10 and swells, and the bellows 8 is extended. Further, inside the fuel container 7, the restoring force (absorbing force) F1 of the absorber 12 and the surface tension F2 of the highly viscous liquid 11 act, and the restoring force F1 and the surface tension F2 are in a state of being balanced. .
[0076]
Then, the fuel container 7 in the state shown in FIG. 7A is installed at a predetermined position of the housing 4 of the fuel storage module 2, and then the fuel container 7 is inserted so that the outlet 9 is inserted into the through hole 5. 2 is pressed toward the power generation module 3. Then, the outlet 9 is inserted into the through hole 5, and the pipe 35 of the power generation module 3 is inserted into the outlet 9 of the fuel container 7, as shown in FIG. At the same time, since the fuel container 7 is pressed against the power generation module 3, the tip of the outlet 9 abuts against the bottom surface of the housing 30 of the power generation module 3, and a pressing force F 3 is applied to the container body 15, and The absorber 12 and the bellows 8 contract. As a result, the fuel 10 absorbed by the absorber 12 is released from the absorber 12 by the contraction of the absorber 12, but at this time, the volume of the container body 15 is reduced by the contraction of the bellows 8, so that the container body 15 The pressure inside rises and fuel 10 loses its place and tries to collect at outlet 9. For this reason, the pressure of the fuel 10 is applied to the check valve 13 at the outlet 9, and the check valve 13 temporarily flows the fuel 10 from the fuel container 7 through the pipe 35 to the power generation module 3 side. Pressure balance is maintained.
[0077]
Note that the fuel 10 that has flowed out here fills the inside of the pipe 35 to the extent that it reaches the micropump (the above-described micropump interposed between the pipe 35 and the inflow pipe 44 of the carburetor 21), thereby increasing the head of the micropump. Functions as priming water. That is, since there is no gas whose volume is displaced by pressure in the pipe 35, the fuel 10 in the container body 15 can be easily taken in by the micropump. Further, since the check valve 13 does not cause the fuel 10 to flow backward, once the fuel container 7 is inserted into the tube 35 of the power generation module 3, gas does not enter the tube 35. Therefore, stable supply of the fuel 10 can be performed by the micropump.
[0078]
Thereafter, the micropump of the power generation module 3 operates under the control of the control unit 28, and the fuel 10 in the fuel container 7 is sucked through the pipe 35 while being absorbed by the absorber 12, as shown in FIG. , From the absorber 12 to the power generation module 3 through the pipe 35 in an amount corresponding to the required power generation amount. In this state, since the pressure inside the container body 15 decreases as the fuel 10 decreases, the force F4 acts on the fuel 10 and the highly viscous liquid 11 in an attempt to maintain the pressure balance between the inside and outside of the container body 15 and the high viscosity. The liquid 11 follows the displacement of the liquid level of the fuel 10. At this time, a negative pressure (suction force) is generated in a space surrounded by the inner wall of the container body 15 and the liquid surface of the high-viscosity liquid 11, but the fluid introduction hole 14 is formed at the bottom of the container body 15 of the fuel container 7. Therefore, outside air is introduced into the space through the fluid introduction hole 14 by an amount corresponding to the movement of the fuel 10 (a displacement of the liquid level of the fuel 10), and the negative pressure inside the fuel container 7 is adjusted.
[0079]
When the fuel 10 in the fuel container 7 continues to flow out through the pipe 35, the supply of the fuel 10 from the fuel storage module 2 to the power generation module 3 ends, and as shown in FIG. The viscous liquid 11 adheres to the absorber 12. At this time, since the absorber 12 is made of the oil-repellent material and has a plurality of micropores as described above, the absorber 12 does not absorb the high-viscosity liquid 11, and The highly viscous liquid 11 does not flow out.
[0080]
As described above, while the fuel 10 is supplied from the fuel storage module 2 to the power generation module 3, in the power generation module 3, a control signal for driving the reformer 20 is input from the control unit 28 to the distribution unit 27. Then, electric power is supplied from the distribution unit 27 to the heat-generating resistance films 47 of the vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 via the leads 48 and 49. Then, each heating resistance film 47 generates heat. Here, the control unit 28 feeds back a signal indicating a voltage and a current applied from the distribution unit 27 to each of the heating resistance films 47 of the vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24. Then, the voltage and current of the distribution unit 27 are controlled so that each heating resistor 47 generates heat to a predetermined temperature.
[0081]
At this time, the fuel 10 is supplied from the fuel container 7 into the heat treatment furnace 40 of the carburetor 21 through the pipe 35 of the power generation module 3 and the inflow pipe 44 of the carburetor 21, and the fuel 10 is evaporated by the heat of the heat generating resistance film 47. In the vaporizer 21, the pressure increases and convection occurs. As a result, the liquid fuel 10 changes phase to a mixture of methanol and water, and flows from the vaporizer 21 to the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, the selective oxidation reactor 24, and the fuel cell 25 in this order. .
[0082]
In the steam reforming reactor 22, the air-fuel mixture flows through the micro flow channel 43 from the inflow pipe 44 to the outflow pipe 45. When the air-fuel mixture is flowing through the micro flow channel 43, the air-fuel mixture is heated by the heating resistance film 47. Then, the air-fuel mixture is promoted by the reforming catalyst film 46, and the air-fuel mixture reacts according to the chemical reaction formulas (1) and (2).
[0083]
In the aqueous shift reactor 23, the mixture is heated by the heat generating resistive film 47 while flowing through the micro flow channel 43, and a reaction such as the chemical reaction formula (3) occurs. Similarly, in the selective oxidation reactor 24, the mixture is heated by the heat generating resistive film 47 while flowing through the micro flow channel 43, and a reaction represented by the chemical reaction formula (4) occurs. Then, the hydrogen generated by the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 is supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 25, and an electrochemical reaction occurs in the fuel cell 25 to generate electric energy. Generated. The generated electric energy is stored in the power storage unit 26 or supplied to the outside through the terminal 32.
[0084]
As described above, in the fuel container 7 of the present embodiment, the fuel 10 stored in the container main body 15 is held in a state where the fuel 10 is completely sealed by the inner wall of the container main body 15 and the high-viscosity liquid 11. Inside, the restoring force (absorbing force) of the absorber 12 is received. When the fuel 10 is absorbed by the absorber 12, the high-viscosity liquid 11 follows the displacement of the fuel 10, and a negative pressure (suction) is applied to the space surrounded by the inner wall of the container body 15 and the liquid surface of the high-viscosity liquid 11. However, since the fluid introduction hole 14 is provided in the container main body 15, the fluid introduction hole 14 is provided in the space of the container main body 15 by an amount corresponding to the movement of the fuel 10 (a displacement of the liquid level of the fuel 10). Air is introduced through the air to adjust the negative pressure in the space. Therefore, no matter what the posture of the fuel container 7 is, that is, no matter what direction the tip of the supply port 9 faces, the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 hardly remains, and the fuel near the supply port 9 is charged. Absorbed body 12 is surely absorbed. Thereby, in the fuel container 7 of the present embodiment, almost no stored fuel 10 can be led out to the vicinity of the outlet 9 regardless of the held posture.
[0085]
Furthermore, in the fuel container 7 of the present embodiment, as described above, the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 is held in a state where the fuel 10 is completely sealed by the inner wall of the container body 15 and the high-viscosity liquid 11. 10 does not come into contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 can be prevented from being volatilized and reduced. Further, in a state where the fuel 10 is stored in the fuel container 7, no air bubbles are contained in the interface between the fuel 10 and the highly viscous liquid 11 or the fuel 10 (no air bubbles). Thus, the supply of the fuel 10 from the fuel container 7 of the fuel storage module 2 to the power generation module 3 can be stabilized, and the power generated by the power generation module 3 can be prevented from lowering.
[0086]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0087]
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the inside of the container body 15 of the fuel container 7 is partitioned by a plurality of partition plates 16, 16,... Along the longitudinal direction of the fuel container 7 (the direction of displacement of the fuel 10 or the highly viscous liquid 11). May be. In this case, the high-viscosity liquid 11 contacts not only the inner wall of the container body 15 but also the partition plate 16, so that the viscous force of the high-viscosity liquid 11 itself acts on the inner wall of the container body 15 and the partition plate 16. In addition, it is difficult to displace inside the container body 15. Therefore, even if the fuel container 7 is dropped or an impact is applied to the fuel container 7, it is possible to maintain a state in which the fuel 10 is completely sealed by the inner wall of the container main body 15 and the high-viscosity liquid 11. It is also possible to prevent the fuel 10 from fluctuating inside the container main body 15 and containing air bubbles in the interface between the fuel 10 and the highly viscous liquid 11 or in the fuel 10. As the distance between the partition plates 16 is further reduced, the capillary phenomenon due to surface tension can be promoted, and the fuel 10 can be supplied more quickly.
In each of the above embodiments, the check valve 13 is provided in the fuel container 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the check valve 13 may be provided in the power generation module 3. In this case, it may be anywhere between the micropump and the tip of the tube 35.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fuel provided in the container body is covered with the high-viscosity liquid on the side opposite to the outflow port, so that the fuel is kept sealed by the inner wall of the container body and the high-viscosity liquid. Is done. When the pressure is applied to the inside of the container body and the fuel is under a higher pressure than the outside of the outlet, or when the pressure outside the outlet is lower than the inside of the container body, the gas in the fuel accompanies the change in pressure. Since the fluid in the phase state hardly mixes, no matter what the attitude of the fuel container is, that is, if the fuel once goes out from the outlet of the container main body regardless of the direction of the outlet, Fuel can be supplied stably unless the pressure inside and outside the container body is in an equilibrium state or the intake means taking in fuel from the outlet of the container body does not stop taking in fuel. Further, since the fuel provided in the container body is kept sealed by the inner wall of the container body and the highly viscous liquid except for the outlet, the fuel hardly comes into contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, the fuel provided in the container body can be prevented from being volatilized and reduced.
[0089]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the volume changing means contracts so as to reduce the fuel volume of the container main body and increases the pressure in the container main body, so that the fuel can be quickly supplied from the outlet.
[0090]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the fuel decreases, the fuel always moves in the direction of the absorber because the absorber in the container attempts to absorb the fuel, so that the fuel is easily attracted to the outlet efficiently, and It is possible to stably supply fuel regardless of the attitude of the container.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a power generation system.
FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a fuel storage module and a power generation module.
FIG. 3A is an external perspective view showing a fuel container, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the fuel container.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a vaporizer.
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a heat treatment furnace of a vaporizer.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing respective reactors of a steam reforming reactor, an aqueous shift reactor, and a selective oxidation reactor.
7A to 7D are diagrams showing changes in the fuel container when fuel is supplied from the fuel container to the power generation module.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a modification of the fuel container of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Power generation system
2. Fuel storage module
3. Power generation module
4 ... Case
5 ... Through-hole
6 ... tube
7 ... Fuel container
8 ... bellows (volume changing means)
9 ... outlet
10 ... fuel
11 High viscosity liquid
12 ... absorber
13. Check valve
14 ... fluid introduction hole (fluid introduction means)
15: Container body
16 ... partition board
20: reformer
21 ... vaporizer
22 ... Steam reforming reactor
23 ... Aqueous shift reactor
24 ... Selective oxidation reactor
25 ... Fuel cell
26 ... Power storage unit
27 ... distribution unit
28 ... Control unit
30 ... housing
31 ... Slit
32 ... Terminal
33 ... vent
34, 35 ... tube
36 ... Valve
37 ... water introduction pipe
40 ... heat treatment furnace
41, 42 ... substrate
43 ... Micro channel
44… Inflow pipe
45 ... Outflow pipe
46: Reforming catalyst film
47: Heat generation resistive film
48, 49 ... Lead wire
51, 52 ... radiation shielding film
53 ... Glass container
54 ... Support

Claims (15)

A container body having an outlet,
A fuel provided in the container body,
A high-viscosity liquid provided in the container body so as to be in contact with the fuel on the side opposite to the outflow port;
A fuel container comprising: A container body having an outlet,
A fuel provided in the container body,
Volume changing means for changing the volume in the container body,
A fuel container comprising: A container body having an outlet,
A fuel provided in the container body,
An absorber capable of absorbing the fuel, filled in the container body,
A fuel container comprising: The fuel container according to claim 1,
A fuel container comprising an absorber filled in the container body and capable of absorbing the fuel. The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein
A fuel container having a volume changing means for changing a volume in the container body. The fuel container according to claim 5,
Filled in the container body, having an absorber capable of absorbing the fuel,
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is capable of contracting by reducing the volume of the container body by the volume changing means. The fuel container according to claim 2, 5 or 6,
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein the volume changing means is a bellows which can be contracted by a stress. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 7,
In the container body, having a highly viscous liquid provided to be in contact with the fuel on the side opposite to the outflow port side,
A fuel container, comprising: a fluid introduction unit capable of introducing a fluid into a space surrounded by an inner wall of the container body and a liquid surface of the highly viscous liquid. The fuel container according to claim 8,
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein the fluid introduction unit is a hole that connects the inside and the outside of the container body. The fuel container according to claim 9,
A fuel container, characterized in that a selective permeable membrane for blocking the permeation of volatile components of the fuel and selectively permeating air is provided in the hole as the fluid introduction means. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A check valve is provided inside the outlet so as to allow the fuel to flow out of the container body to the outside of the outlet and prevent the flow of fluid from outside the outlet to the container body. A fuel container characterized by being made. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 11,
The fuel container, wherein the highly viscous liquid is a mineral oil or a silicone oil. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 12,
Filled in the container body, having an absorber capable of absorbing the fuel,
The fuel container, wherein the absorber is made of an oil-repellent material and is a porous body having a plurality of fine holes through which the highly viscous liquid cannot penetrate. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 13,
The container body is made of a transparent or translucent material,
A fuel container characterized in that the high-viscosity liquid is colored. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1, 4 to 14,
A fuel container, wherein the inside of the container body is partitioned by a partition plate along the direction of displacement of the fuel or the highly viscous liquid.

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