JP2005132667A - Vessel for housing fuel reformer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vessel for housing a fuel reformer, which can supply a high temperature fuel to the fuel reformer, discharge a gas generated in the fuel reformer in such a state that the temperature of the gas is lowered, and supply the gas to a power generating cell. <P>SOLUTION: The vessel 11 for housing the fuel reformer is equipped with a base body 1 which has a recessed section on its upper surface, in which the fuel reformer 9 for generating a reformed gas containing hydrogen from the fuel is accommodated, a cap 4 which is attached to the upper surface of the base body 1 for covering the recessed part, pedestals 10 for mounting the fuel reformer 9 arranged at the bottom face of the recessed section, a supply tube 5a for supplying the fuel to the fuel reformer 9, a discharge tube 5b for discharging the formed gas and wiring for supplying an electric power to the fuel reformer 9. The supply tube 5a and the discharge tube 5b are bundled in such a manner that they are brought into mutual contact through a side face. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel reformer housing container for housing a fuel reformer that generates hydrogen gas, which is a reformed gas, from a fuel in a fuel cell system to constitute a fuel reformer.

  In recent years, fuel cell systems have been in the limelight as next-generation power systems that produce electric energy efficiently and cleanly. In the cogeneration power generation system market, which is already represented by the automobile market and household fuel cell power generation systems. In the field, field tests for practical application aiming at low cost are actively conducted.

  More recently, the fuel cell system has been reduced in size and is being studied for use as a power source for portable devices such as mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), notebook computers, digital video cameras, and digital still cameras.

  In general, a fuel cell is reformed into hydrogen gas, which is a reformed gas, or other gas in a fuel reformer using a fuel reformer using a hydrocarbon gas such as methane or an alcohol such as methanol as a fuel. After that, power is generated by supplying this hydrogen gas to a power generation device called a power generation cell.

  The reforming of the fuel by the fuel reformer here refers to a process in which reformable fuel is combined with water vapor to generate hydrogen gas by a catalytic reaction.

For example, when methanol is used as a fuel, a steam reforming reaction as shown in the following chemical reaction formula (1) (in formula (1), steam is combined with methanol to form hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This refers to a process of generating hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) by a reforming reaction). Note that a very small amount of product gas (mainly CO ₂ ) other than hydrogen produced by this reforming reaction is usually discharged into the atmosphere.

CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 3H ₂ + CO ₂ (1)
When reforming the fuel in such a fuel reformer, for example, when the fuel is methanol, a high temperature of about 200 to 300 ° C. is required.

  Hydrogen gas generated in the fuel reformer is supplied to a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in the power generation cell.

  The membrane electrode assembly includes a polymer film made of a fluorine-based material and electrodes (anode electrode and cathode electrode) in which a catalyst layer is formed on both sides of the polymer film. This polymer film provides a path for hydrogen ions containing water and generated at the anode electrode to move to the cathode electrode.

  The hydrogen gas generated in the fuel reformer is in a high temperature state of about 300 ° C. When supplied to the power generation cell at the same temperature state, the water in the polymer film evaporates and dries, so that the hydrogen ions are anode. There is a tendency that the power generation system cannot be driven as a result of being unable to move from the pole to the cathode. As countermeasures, a method of lowering the temperature of hydrogen gas by taking a long path from the fuel reformer to the power generation cell or providing a cooling system between the fuel reformer and the power generation cell is taken.

  However, lengthening the path from the fuel reformer to the power generation cell increases the size of the entire fuel cell system, and as a result, increases the size of the portable device itself.

  In addition, when using a cooling system, it is necessary to drive a water cooling pump or a cooling fan for air cooling, but the electric capacity used for the cooling system in the total electric capacity generated by the power generation cell increases, and as a result, the fuel cell system There was a problem that the total power generation loss increased.

  On the other hand, in order to reform the fuel, the fuel reformer needs to have a high internal temperature of about 200 to 300 ° C. when the fuel is methanol. When supplied into the reactor, the temperature of the fuel reformer decreases, and as a result, the efficiency of the reforming reaction decreases.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to supply fuel at a high temperature to the fuel reformer and to generate a gas generated in the fuel reformer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel reformer storage container that can be discharged and supplied to a power generation cell while the temperature is lowered.
JP 2003-2602

  The container for housing a fuel reformer of the present invention includes a base body having a recess on the upper surface that houses a fuel reformer that generates a reformed gas containing hydrogen gas from fuel, and the upper surface of the base body covers the recess. And a lid for mounting the fuel reformer installed on the bottom surface of the recess, and at least two through holes that are columnar and extend in the axial direction are formed. And the one through hole is a supply passage for supplying the fuel to the fuel reformer, and the other through hole is a discharge passage for discharging the reformed gas. It is characterized by.

  The container for housing a fuel reformer of the present invention includes a base body having a recess on the upper surface that houses a fuel reformer that generates a reformed gas containing hydrogen gas from fuel, and the upper surface of the base body covers the recess. A lid to be attached in this way, a pedestal for placing the fuel reformer installed on the bottom surface of the recess, a supply pipe for supplying the fuel to the fuel reformer, and the reformed gas And a wiring for supplying electric power to the fuel reformer, and the supply pipe and the discharge pipe are bundled so that side surfaces thereof are in contact with each other. Is.

  The container for housing a fuel reformer of the present invention is a columnar body and includes a columnar member having at least two through-holes extending in the axial direction therein, one of the through-holes serving as a fuel reformer. The supply passage for supplying fuel and the other through-hole are discharge passages for discharging the reformed gas, so that heat from the high-temperature reformed gas flowing in the discharge passage can be transferred to the supply passage very efficiently. The temperature of the fuel can be increased by the movement of heat, and the fuel can be supplied without reducing the temperature of the fuel reformer. As a result, it is possible to provide a fuel reformer storage container that maintains the temperature inside the fuel reformer at a high temperature and does not increase the power generation loss of the entire fuel cell system.

  In addition, the highly efficient transfer of heat from the discharge path to the supply path allows the gas generated in the fuel reformer to be more efficient without lengthening the path from the fuel reformer to the power generation cell or using a cooling system. It can be cooled well and the entire fuel cell system can be downsized. As a result, it is possible to provide a fuel reformer storage container that is very suitable for portable devices.

  Furthermore, the wall between the supply path and the discharge path can be made very thin, and heat can be transferred from the discharge path to the supply path with very high efficiency.

  In the fuel reformer storage container of the present invention, the supply pipe and the discharge pipe are bundled so that the side surfaces are in contact with each other, so that heat from the high-temperature reformed gas flowing in the discharge pipe is extremely supplied to the supply pipe. The fuel can be efficiently moved, and the temperature of the fuel can be increased by the movement of heat, so that the fuel can be supplied without reducing the temperature of the fuel reformer. As a result, it is possible to provide a fuel reformer storage container that maintains the temperature inside the fuel reformer at a high temperature and does not increase the power generation loss of the entire fuel cell system.

  In addition, the efficient transfer of heat from the discharge pipe to the supply pipe allows the gas generated in the fuel reformer to be efficiently used without lengthening the path from the fuel reformer to the power generation cell or using a cooling system. It can be cooled well and the entire fuel cell system can be downsized. As a result, it is possible to provide a fuel reformer storage container that is very suitable for portable devices.

  Next, the fuel reformer storage container of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of an embodiment of a fuel cell storage container according to the present invention, wherein 1 is a base, 2 is a lead terminal as a wiring, 3 is a wire, 4 is a lid, 5 is a columnar member, 5a is a supply path, 5b is a discharge path, 7 is an electrode, 8 is an insulating sealing material for insulating and fixing the lead terminal 2 in the through hole of the base 1, 9 is a fuel reformer, and 10 is a base. It is.

Both the base body 1 and the lid body 4 have a role as a container for housing the fuel reformer 9. For example, metallic materials such as Fe—Ni—Co, Fe—Ni, and SUS, and aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) sintered body, mullite (3Al ₂ O ₃ .2SiO ₂ ) sintered body, silicon carbide (SiC) sintered body, aluminum nitride (AlN) sintered body, silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄₎ ) It is made of a sintered material, a ceramic material such as glass ceramics, or a high heat resistant resin material such as polyimide.

Glass ceramics are composed of a glass component and a filler component. Examples of the glass component include SiO ₂ —B ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ —B ₂ O ₃ —Al ₂ O ₃ , and SiO ₂ —B ₂ O. _3- Al ₂ O ₃ -MO system (where M represents Ca, Sr, Mg, Ba or Zn), SiO ₂ -Al ₂ O ₃ -M ¹ O-M ² O system (where M ¹ and M ² is the same or different and represents Ca, Sr, Mg, Ba or Zn), SiO ₂ —B ₂ O ₃ —Al ₂ O ₃ —M ¹ O—M ² O system (where M ¹ and M ² are And SiO ₂ —B ₂ O ₃ —M ³ ₂ O system (where M ³ represents Li, Na or K), SiO ₂ —B ₂ O ₃ —Al ₂ O ₃ —M ³ ₂ O-based (however, M ³ is the same as above), Pb-based glass, B i-type glass etc. are mentioned.

Examples of the filler component include a composite oxide of Al ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ and an alkaline earth metal oxide, a composite oxide of TiO ₂ and an alkaline earth metal oxide, Al ₂ O _3. And composite oxides containing at least one selected from SiO ₂ (for example, spinel, mullite, cordierite) and the like.

  In order to reduce the thickness of the base body 1 and the lid body 4 and to reduce the height of the fuel reformer storage container 11, the bending strength, which is mechanical strength, is preferably 200 MPa or more.

  If the base 1 and the lid 4 are formed of a dense aluminum oxide sintered body having a relative density of 95% or more, for example, first, rare earth oxide powder or aluminum oxide powder is added to the aluminum oxide powder. A raw material powder of an aluminum oxide sintered body is prepared by adding and mixing a sintering aid such as the above. Next, an organic binder and a dispersion medium are added to this raw material powder, mixed to form a paste, and this paste is green by a doctor blade method, or an organic binder is added to the raw material powder, and press forming, rolling forming, etc. A sheet is produced. Then, after aligning and laminating and pressing a predetermined number of sheet-like molded bodies, the laminated body is fired at a temperature of 1200 to 1500 ° C., for example, in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to obtain a target ceramic. A base body 1 and a lid 4 made of the product are obtained.

  Similarly, the base 1 and the lid 4 may be molded by a powder molding press method.

  When the base 1 and the lid 4 are made of a metal material, they are formed into a predetermined shape by a cutting method, a press method, a MIM (Metal Injection Mold) method, or the like.

  When the substrate 1 and the lid 4 are made of a metal material, the surfaces thereof may be subjected to a coating treatment such as Au or Ni plating or resin coating such as polyimide to prevent corrosion. desirable. For example, in the case of Au plating treatment, the thickness is preferably about 0.1 to 5 μm.

  The fuel reformer 9 applies a semiconductor manufacturing technology as a micro chemical device, for example, a cutting method, an etching method, a blasting method, etc. on a base material of an inorganic material such as a semiconductor such as silicon, quartz, glass, or ceramics. A liquid channel is produced by forming a narrower groove, and a cover such as a glass plate is adhered to the surface by anodic bonding or the like for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the liquid during operation.

  Also, a thin film heater composed of a temperature control mechanism, for example, a resistance layer, is formed in the fuel reformer 9, and an electrode 7 is formed on the surface as a terminal for supplying power to the thin film heater. In particular, by adjusting to a temperature condition of about 200 to 800 ° C. (corresponding to the fuel reforming condition), the fuel supplied from the fuel supply port connected to the supply path 5a is combined with the water vapor, and the fuel discharge port It is possible to favorably promote the reforming reaction for generating hydrogen from the discharge path 5b connected to the.

  The fuel reformer 9 is attached to the base body 1 by covering the concave portion with the lid body 4 by joining with a metal brazing material or glass material such as Au, Ag or Al, or by a seam weld method. Then, it is stored in the fuel reformer storage container 11.

  For example, in the case of joining with an AuSn brazing material, an AuSn brazing material formed by punching or the like using a die or the like by previously welding an AuSn brazing material to the lid 4 and the lid 4. Then, the fuel reformer 9 is sealed inside the fuel reformer storage container 11 by attaching the lid 4 to the base 1 with a sealing furnace or a seam welder.

  In order to further improve the heat insulation in the fuel reformer storage container 11, it is effective to evacuate the fuel reformer storage container 11, and for this purpose, the fuel reformer 9 is sealed. In doing so, it may be carried out by sealing with a brazing material in a vacuum furnace or by a seam weld method or welding method in a vacuum chamber.

  As a method of connecting the fuel supply port and the fuel discharge port of the fuel reformer 9 to the columnar body 5, inorganic materials such as silicon, quartz glass, borosilicate glass and ceramics, plastic such as polycarbonate and polyacrylamide, silicone rubber, Examples include a connection method using an organic material such as silicon resin or a gold alloy such as Au—Sn or Au—Si.

  In the fuel reformer 9, the electrode 7 on the fuel reformer 9 is electrically connected to the lead terminal 2 through the bonding wire 3. Thereby, the heater formed on the fuel reformer 9 can be heated through the electrode 7, and as a result, the fuel reforming reaction can be stabilized in the fuel reformer 9.

The columnar member 5 has a supply path 5a and a discharge path 5b made of a through hole extending in the axial direction inside thereof, and a role of supplying fuel to the fuel reformer 9 through the supply path 5a and the discharge path 5b, For example, hydrogen (H ₂ ) gas that is the reformed gas generated by the fuel reformer 9 is discharged and supplied to an external power generation cell or the like.

  The columnar member 5 also has a role of supporting the fuel reformer 9 in the fuel reformer storage container 11.

  The fuel reformer storage container 11 of the present invention includes a columnar member 5 which is a columnar body and has at least two through-holes extending in the axial direction therein, one of the through-holes being a fuel reformer. Since the other through-hole is a discharge path 5b for discharging the reformed gas, the heat from the high-temperature reformed gas flowing in the discharge path 5b is supplied to the supply path 5a. It can be moved very efficiently, the temperature of the fuel can be increased by the movement of heat, and the fuel can be supplied without reducing the temperature of the fuel reformer 9. As a result, it is possible to provide the fuel reformer storage container 11 that maintains the temperature inside the fuel reformer 9 at a high temperature and does not increase the power generation loss of the entire fuel cell system.

  In addition, the highly efficient heat transfer from the discharge path 5b to the supply path 5a causes the fuel reformer 9 to generate a longer path from the fuel reformer 9 to the power generation cell or without using a cooling system. The cooled gas can be efficiently cooled, and the entire fuel cell system can be reduced in size. As a result, it is possible to provide the fuel reformer storage container 11 that is very suitable for portable devices.

  Furthermore, the wall between the supply path 5a and the discharge path 5b can be made very thin, and heat can be transferred from the discharge path 5b to the supply path 5a with very high efficiency.

The columnar member 5 is made of, for example, a metal material such as Fe—Ni—Co, Fe—Ni, SUS, an aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) sintered body, a mullite (3Al ₂ O ₃ .2SiO ₂ ) sintered Ceramic materials such as sintered body, silicon carbide (SiC) sintered body, aluminum nitride (AlN) sintered body, silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ) sintered body, glass ceramic sintered body, polyimide, etc. It is made of a high heat resistant resin material, Pyrex (R) glass or quartz glass.

  The wall thickness of the columnar member 5 needs to be a thickness that does not deform due to the pressure of raw material supply or reformed gas discharge, and when it is made of the above materials, it is usually 0.1 mm or more when used for portable devices. It ’s fine. Further, the length in the flow direction is preferably as long as possible to make it difficult for heat generated in the fuel reformer 9 to be transmitted to the power generation cell, but it should be taken into consideration in consideration of the size of the entire fuel cell system.

  The columnar member 5 is bonded to the substrate 1 by ultrasonic waves, heat, pressure, chemical treatment, or the like. Further, it may be joined with a brazing material such as Au-Si, Ag-Cu, or borosilicate glass.

  The inner diameters of the supply path 5a and the discharge path 5b are preferably set to φ0.1 mm or more to suppress the pressure loss of the fluid and to be φ5 mm or less for miniaturization.

  The cross-sectional shapes of the supply path 5a and the discharge path 5b may be generally circular, but are not limited thereto. In addition to the circular shape, there are an elliptical shape and a rectangular shape whose side can be matched to the fluid flow direction, for example, a square shape and a rectangular shape.

  The distance between the supply path 5a and the discharge path 5b is preferably close in order to facilitate heat exchange. However, the strength is not required to be deformed by the pressure of the raw material supply or the reformed gas discharge, and is preferably about 0.1 mm.

  The pedestal 10 is installed on the bottom surface of the recess of the fuel reformer storage container 11 and has a role of mounting and fixing the fuel reformer 9 in the recess of the fuel reformer storage container 11. In order to reduce the conduction of heat to the fuel reformer storage container 11, the pedestal 10 is fixed to the bottom surface of the recess of the fuel reformer storage container 11 with a low heat conductive material. As a material used for this installation, for example, a glassy bonding material or a high heat-resistant adhesive is desirable.

  The insulating sealing material 8 is made of, for example, insulating glass containing lead as a main component, and the base 1 and the lead terminals 2 are electrically insulated by the insulating sealing material 8 so that the lead terminals 2 are sealed and fixed. . Further, the through-hole through which the lead terminal 2 formed in the base body 1 is inserted needs to have a size that prevents the base body 1 and the lead terminal 2 from coming into electrical contact with each other. The distance from the terminal 2 to the base 1 is preferably 0.1 mm or more.

  After the fuel reformer 9 is placed on the pedestal 10, the above-mentioned inorganic materials such as silicon, quartz glass, borosilicate glass and ceramics, or plastics such as polycarbonate and polyacrylamide, and organic materials such as silicone rubber and silicon resin, Or it joins using the material which consists of gold alloys, such as Au-Sn and Au-Si.

  Thereafter, the electrode 7 on the fuel reformer 9 and the lead terminal 2 are electrically connected via the bonding wire 3. Further, by sealing the recess of the base body 1 using the lid 4, the fuel reformer 9 is accommodated in the recess of the fuel reformer storage container 11 and hermetically sealed, and the fuel reformer is It is formed.

  Next, the fuel reformer storage container 11 according to the second aspect of the present invention will be described. The fuel reformer storage container 11 according to the second invention is replaced with a supply pipe for supplying fuel to the fuel reformer 9, which is bundled so that the side surfaces are in contact with each other, instead of the columnar member 5. A discharge pipe for discharging quality gas is used. Since the configuration other than the supply pipe and the discharge pipe is the same as that of the fuel reformer storage container 11 using the columnar member 5 of the present invention, a description thereof will be omitted.

  As a result, heat from the high-temperature reformed gas flowing in the exhaust pipe can be transferred to the supply pipe very efficiently, and the temperature of the fuel can be increased by the transfer of heat. The fuel can be supplied without reducing the above. As a result, it is possible to provide the fuel reformer storage container 11 that maintains the temperature inside the fuel reformer 9 at a high temperature and does not increase the power generation loss of the entire fuel cell system.

  In addition, due to highly efficient heat transfer from the discharge pipe to the supply pipe, the gas generated in the fuel reformer 9 without lengthening the path from the fuel reformer 9 to the power generation cell or using a cooling system. The entire fuel cell system can be reduced in size. As a result, it is possible to provide the fuel reformer storage container 11 that is very suitable for portable devices.

The supply pipe and the discharge pipe are, for example, metal materials such as Fe—Ni—Co, Fe—Ni, SUS, aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) sintered material, mullite (3Al ₂ O ₃ .2SiO ₂ ). Ceramic materials such as a sintered material, a silicon carbide (SiC) material, an aluminum nitride (AlN) material, a silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ) material, a glass ceramic material, and a polyimide The heat-resistant resin material such as Pyrex (R) glass or quartz glass.

  The wall thickness of the supply pipe and discharge pipe must be such that it does not deform due to the pressure of the raw material supply or reformed gas discharge. If it is good. Further, the length in the flow direction is preferably as long as possible to make it difficult for heat generated in the fuel reformer 9 to be transmitted to the power generation cell, but it should be taken into consideration in consideration of the size of the entire fuel cell system.

  The supply pipe and the discharge pipe are joined to the substrate 1 by ultrasonic waves, heat, pressure, chemical treatment, or the like. Further, it may be joined with a brazing material such as Au-Si, Ag-Cu, or borosilicate glass.

  The inner diameters of the supply pipe and the discharge pipe are preferably set to φ0.1 mm or more to suppress the pressure loss of the fluid and to φ5 mm or less for miniaturization.

  The cross-sectional shapes of the supply pipe and the discharge pipe may be generally circular, but are not limited thereto. In addition to the circular shape, there are an elliptical shape and a rectangular shape whose side can be matched to the fluid flow direction, for example, a square shape and a rectangular shape.

  The supply pipe and the discharge pipe are preferably joined together by a brazing material or the like in order to facilitate heat exchange.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the example of the above embodiment, A various change may be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the columnar member 5 is joined to the upper surface of the fuel reformer 9, but these may be joined to the lower surface according to the specifications of the fuel reformer 9.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, there are a plurality of pedestals 10. However, a single pedestal 10 may be used if sufficient joining strength can be secured for mounting and fixing the fuel reformer 9. Absent.

  Furthermore, although the columnar member 5 showed the example in which the through-hole which is one supply path 5a, and the through-hole which is one discharge path 5b were formed, while several through-holes were formed, several May be used as the supply path 5a, and the rest may be used as the discharge path 5b.

It is sectional drawing which shows an example of embodiment of the container for fuel reformer accommodation of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Base | substrate 2 ... Lead terminal 3 ... Wire 4 ... Lid body 5 ... Columnar member 5a ... Supply path 5b ... Discharge path 7 ... Electrode 8 ... Insulating sealant 9 ... Fuel reformer
10 ... pedestal
11 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Fuel reformer storage container

Claims (2)

A base body having a recess on its upper surface that accommodates a fuel reformer that generates reformed gas containing hydrogen gas from the fuel; a lid that is attached to the upper surface of the base so as to cover the recess; and A pedestal for placing the fuel reformer installed on the bottom surface, and a columnar member that is a columnar body and has at least two through-holes extending in the axial direction inside, The fuel reformer storage container, wherein the through hole is a supply path for supplying the fuel to the fuel reformer and the other through hole is a discharge path for discharging the reformed gas. A base body having a recess on its upper surface that accommodates a fuel reformer that generates reformed gas containing hydrogen gas from the fuel; a lid that is attached to the upper surface of the base so as to cover the recess; and A base for placing the fuel reformer installed on the bottom surface, a supply pipe for supplying the fuel to the fuel reformer, a discharge pipe for discharging the reformed gas, and the fuel reformer The fuel reformer storage container is characterized in that the supply pipe and the discharge pipe are bundled so that the side surfaces are in contact with each other.

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