JP2005146926A - Fuel reforming device - Google Patents

Fuel reforming device Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2005146926A
JP2005146926A JP2003382992A JP2003382992A JP2005146926A JP 2005146926 A JP2005146926 A JP 2005146926A JP 2003382992 A JP2003382992 A JP 2003382992A JP 2003382992 A JP2003382992 A JP 2003382992A JP 2005146926 A JP2005146926 A JP 2005146926A
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Prior art keywords
fuel
air
chamber
reforming
mixing chamber
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JP2003382992A
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Japanese (ja)
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Kazuhiro Wakao
和弘 若尾
Kazuhiro Sakurai
計宏 桜井
Keiso Takeda
啓壮 武田
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Toyota Motor Corp
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Toyota Motor Corp
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Priority to JP2003382992A priority Critical patent/JP2005146926A/en
Priority to US10/954,209 priority patent/US20050160671A1/en
Priority to FR0411838A priority patent/FR2862716A1/en
Priority to DE102004054523A priority patent/DE102004054523A1/en
Publication of JP2005146926A publication Critical patent/JP2005146926A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M27/00—Apparatus for treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture, by catalysts, electric means, magnetism, rays, sound waves, or the like
    • F02M27/02—Apparatus for treating combustion-air, fuel, or fuel-air mixture, by catalysts, electric means, magnetism, rays, sound waves, or the like by catalysts
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
    • F02M26/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
    • F02M26/13—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories
    • F02M26/36—Arrangement or layout of EGR passages, e.g. in relation to specific engine parts or for incorporation of accessories with means for adding fluids other than exhaust gas to the recirculation passage; with reformers

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel reforming device with high reforming efficiency capable of constantly mixing fuel and air. <P>SOLUTION: This fuel reforming device 1 reforming mixture of fuel and air comprises an air-fuel mixing chamber 50, into which the fuel and the air are supplied so as to be mixed with each other; a reforming reaction chamber 7 installed downstream of the air-fuel mixing chamber 50, and including reforming catalysts for reforming the mixture; and a mixture communication chamber 6 installed between the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 and the reforming reaction chamber 7. An outlet sectional area of the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 is smaller than an inlet sectional area of the reforming action chamber 7, and an inner wall 6a of the mixture communication chamber 6 is formed so as to smoothly communicate the outlet of the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 with the inlet of the reforming reaction chamber 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、燃料と空気との混合気を改質するための燃料改質装置に関する。   The present invention relates to a fuel reformer for reforming an air-fuel mixture of fuel and air.

従来から、改質触媒を含む燃料改質装置を備え、この燃料改質装置で各種燃料を改質して得た燃料成分を燃焼室内で燃焼させることにより、安定した燃焼を得ると共に、排気中のＨＣやＮＯｘの低減化を図る内燃機関が知られている（例えば、特許文献１参照。）。この種の内燃機関に適用可能な燃料改質装置は、一般に、燃料および空気の混合気を改質する改質触媒と、改質触媒の上流側に配置された混合室とを有しており（例えば、特許文献２参照。）、混合室には、その内部に燃料を供給する燃料噴射弁や、その内部に空気を供給するための空気供給管が接続される。なお、燃料の微粒化と空気との混合を促進させることができる燃料噴射装置としては、燃料を噴射するノズルの噴口から噴射される燃料の周りに空気の旋回流を形成可能なものが知られている（例えば、特許文献３参照）。   Conventionally, a fuel reformer including a reforming catalyst has been provided, and fuel components obtained by reforming various fuels with this fuel reformer are combusted in a combustion chamber to obtain stable combustion and in the exhaust. An internal combustion engine that reduces HC and NOx is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A fuel reforming apparatus applicable to this type of internal combustion engine generally has a reforming catalyst for reforming a mixture of fuel and air, and a mixing chamber disposed upstream of the reforming catalyst. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2.) A fuel injection valve that supplies fuel to the inside of the mixing chamber and an air supply pipe for supplying air to the inside of the mixing chamber are connected. As a fuel injection device capable of promoting the atomization of fuel and mixing with air, a device capable of forming a swirling flow of air around the fuel injected from the nozzle nozzle for injecting the fuel is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).

特開２００１−２４１３６５号公報JP 2001-241365 A 特開２００１−２２７４１９号公報JP 2001-227419 A 実開平５−５７３５６号公報Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-57356

しかしながら、従来の燃料改質装置では、混合室内に供給された燃料と空気とが均一に混ざり合わず、混合室から改質反応室に流入する混合気に濃度ムラを生じさせてしまうことがあり、改質反応室における改質反応を良好に進行させて所望の改質効率を得ることは容易ではなかった。   However, in the conventional fuel reforming apparatus, the fuel and air supplied into the mixing chamber are not mixed uniformly, which may cause concentration unevenness in the air-fuel mixture flowing from the mixing chamber into the reforming reaction chamber. It is not easy to obtain a desired reforming efficiency by favorably progressing the reforming reaction in the reforming reaction chamber.

そこで、本発明は、燃料と空気とを均一に混合させることが可能であり、高い改質効率を有する燃料改質装置の提供を目的とする。   Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel reformer that can uniformly mix fuel and air and has high reforming efficiency.

本発明による燃料改質装置は、燃料と空気との混合気を改質するための燃料改質装置において、燃料と空気とが供給される混合室と、混合室の下流側に設けられており、混合気を改質するための改質触媒を含む改質反応室とを備え、混合室の出口断面積が改質反応室の入口断面積よりも小さいことを特徴とする。   A fuel reforming apparatus according to the present invention is provided in a fuel reforming apparatus for reforming an air-fuel mixture of fuel and air, a mixing chamber to which fuel and air are supplied, and a downstream side of the mixing chamber. And a reforming reaction chamber including a reforming catalyst for reforming the air-fuel mixture, wherein the outlet cross-sectional area of the mixing chamber is smaller than the inlet cross-sectional area of the reforming reaction chamber.

この燃料改質装置では、改質反応室の入口断面積よりも小さい出口断面積を有する混合室に、燃料と空気とが互いに混ざり合うように供給される。これにより、燃料は、流速が高まっている混合室の内部で良好に微粒化されると共に、混合室の内部で空気と確実に接触することになる。従って、この燃料改質装置によれば、燃料と空気とを均一に混合させることが可能となり、改質反応室における改質反応を良好に進行させて高い改質効率を得ることができる。   In this fuel reformer, fuel and air are supplied to a mixing chamber having an outlet cross-sectional area smaller than the inlet cross-sectional area of the reforming reaction chamber so as to be mixed with each other. As a result, the fuel is finely atomized inside the mixing chamber where the flow velocity is increasing, and the fuel is reliably brought into contact with the air inside the mixing chamber. Therefore, according to this fuel reformer, fuel and air can be mixed uniformly, and the reforming reaction in the reforming reaction chamber can be favorably advanced to obtain high reforming efficiency.

また、混合室と改質反応室との間に設けられた混合気流通室を更に備え、この混合気流通室の内壁面は、混合室の出口と改質反応室の入口とを滑らかに連続させるように形成されていると好ましい。   In addition, a gas mixture flow chamber provided between the mixing chamber and the reforming reaction chamber is further provided, and the inner wall surface of the gas mixture flowing chamber smoothly connects the outlet of the mixing chamber and the inlet of the reforming reaction chamber. It is preferable to be formed.

これにより、混合室内で均一に混ざり合った燃料および空気の混合気は、混合室から、混合気流通室の内壁面に沿って拡散しながら改質反応室へと流れ込んでいくことになるので、混合気流通室における混合気の濃度ムラの発生を確実に抑制することが可能となる。   As a result, the fuel and air mixture that is uniformly mixed in the mixing chamber flows from the mixing chamber into the reforming reaction chamber while diffusing along the inner wall surface of the mixture circulating chamber. It is possible to reliably suppress the occurrence of uneven concentration of the air-fuel mixture in the air-fuel mixture circulation chamber.

更に、混合室内に旋回流を形成するための旋回流形成手段を更に備えると好ましい。   Furthermore, it is preferable to further include a swirl flow forming means for forming a swirl flow in the mixing chamber.

このような構成を採用すれば、混合室において燃料と空気とをより一層均一に混合させることが可能となる。   By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to more uniformly mix the fuel and air in the mixing chamber.

本発明によれば、燃料と空気とを均一に混合させることが可能であり、高い改質効率を有する燃料改質装置の実現が可能となる。   According to the present invention, fuel and air can be uniformly mixed, and a fuel reforming apparatus having high reforming efficiency can be realized.

以下、図面を参照しながら、本発明を実施するための最良の形態について詳細に説明する。   Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

図１は、本発明による燃料改質装置を示す概略構成図である。同図に示される燃料改質装置１は、例えばガソリン等の炭化水素系燃料と空気との混合気を改質可能なものであり、例えば自動車の駆動源である内燃機関の燃料（改質ガス）を生成するのに用いられる。図１に示されるように、燃料改質装置１は、概ね筒状に形成された本体２と、本体２の一端部（図１における右側の端部）に接続されたインジェクタ（燃料供給手段）３とを有している。   FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fuel reformer according to the present invention. A fuel reformer 1 shown in the figure is capable of reforming a mixture of a hydrocarbon-based fuel such as gasoline and air, for example, a fuel (reformed gas) of an internal combustion engine that is a driving source of an automobile, for example. ) Is used. As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel reformer 1 includes a main body 2 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an injector (fuel supply means) connected to one end of the main body 2 (the right end in FIG. 1). 3.

インジェクタ３は、燃料供給管Ｌ１と図示されない燃料ポンプとを介して燃料タンク（図示省略）に接続されており、燃料改質装置１の使用時にガソリン等の炭化水素系燃料を噴射するものである。図２に示されるように、インジェクタ３は、燃料改質装置１の本体２に接続されたインジェクタ収容部４の内部に収容されている。インジェクタ収容部４の内部には、インジェクタ３の燃料噴射孔３ａの周囲を囲む環状の空気室４０が画成されている。そして、インジェクタ収容部４には、空気室４０と連通するように、エアポンプＡＰおよび流量調整弁ＦＣＶを含む給気管Ｌ２の先端が接続されている。なお、燃料改質装置１が内燃機関に適用される場合には、図１に示されるように、燃料改質装置１に当該内燃機関の排気ガスを導入するために、給気管Ｌ２（流量調整弁ＦＣＶの下流）に排気還流管が接続されてもよい。   The injector 3 is connected to a fuel tank (not shown) via a fuel supply pipe L1 and a fuel pump (not shown), and injects hydrocarbon fuel such as gasoline when the fuel reformer 1 is used. . As shown in FIG. 2, the injector 3 is accommodated in an injector accommodating portion 4 connected to the main body 2 of the fuel reformer 1. An annular air chamber 40 surrounding the periphery of the fuel injection hole 3 a of the injector 3 is defined inside the injector housing portion 4. The tip of an air supply pipe L2 including an air pump AP and a flow rate adjustment valve FCV is connected to the injector accommodating portion 4 so as to communicate with the air chamber 40. When the fuel reformer 1 is applied to an internal combustion engine, as shown in FIG. 1, in order to introduce the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine into the fuel reformer 1, an air supply pipe L2 (flow rate adjustment) An exhaust gas recirculation pipe may be connected downstream of the valve FCV.

また、インジェクタ３の先端には、ノズル部材５が接続されており、ノズル部材５は、その中心に形成されて軸方向に延びる空燃混合室５０を有する。この空燃混合室５０は、本体２の内径よりも小さな内径（例えば、本体２の内径の５〜１５％程度）を有する断面円形の小容積の空間であり、インジェクタ３の燃料噴射孔３ａと連通すると共に燃料改質装置１の本体２の内部と連通している。更に、ノズル部材５には、空燃混合室５０と上述の空気室４０とを連通させる複数の空気噴孔５１が形成されている。なお、インジェクタ収容部４とインジェクタ３およびノズル部材５との間には、燃料や空気の外部への漏洩を防止するためのＯリングが介設されている。   A nozzle member 5 is connected to the tip of the injector 3, and the nozzle member 5 has an air / fuel mixing chamber 50 formed at the center thereof and extending in the axial direction. The air / fuel mixing chamber 50 is a small volume space with a circular cross section having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the main body 2 (for example, about 5 to 15% of the inner diameter of the main body 2), and the fuel injection hole 3a of the injector 3 It communicates with the inside of the main body 2 of the fuel reformer 1. Further, the nozzle member 5 is formed with a plurality of air injection holes 51 for communicating the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 and the air chamber 40 described above. Note that an O-ring for preventing leakage of fuel and air to the outside is interposed between the injector housing 4 and the injector 3 and the nozzle member 5.

本実施形態において、各空気噴孔５１は、図３に示されるように、空燃混合室５０の断面の略接線方向に延在するように形成されている。これにより、空気室４０から空燃混合室５０へと流れ込んだ空気（および混合気）は、空燃混合室５０内でノズル部材５の軸周りに旋回することになる。すなわち、ノズル部材５の各空気噴孔５１は、インジェクタ３の燃料噴射孔３ａの周りに空気を導くと共に、空燃混合室５０内に旋回流を形成するための旋回流形成手段としても機能する。なお、空気噴孔５１は、空燃混合室５０内に旋回流を形成するための旋回流形成手段として機能しないものであってもよく、ノズル部材５の径方向に放射状に延在するように形成されてもよい。   In the present embodiment, each air nozzle hole 51 is formed so as to extend in a substantially tangential direction of the cross section of the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the air (and the mixture) that has flowed from the air chamber 40 into the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 swirls around the axis of the nozzle member 5 within the air / fuel mixing chamber 50. That is, each air injection hole 51 of the nozzle member 5 guides air around the fuel injection hole 3 a of the injector 3 and also functions as a swirl flow forming means for forming a swirl flow in the air-fuel mixing chamber 50. . The air injection holes 51 may not function as a swirl flow forming means for forming a swirl flow in the air / fuel mixing chamber 50, and extend radially in the radial direction of the nozzle member 5. It may be formed.

一方、本体２の内部には、インジェクタ収容部４から所定の間隔を隔てて、所定の改質触媒を含む改質反応室７が設けられており、インジェクタ収容部４と改質反応室７との間には、空燃混合室５０と連通する混合気流通室６が画成されている。混合気流通室６の容積は、ノズル部材５の空燃混合室５０の容積よりも大きく、その全長（本体２の軸方向における長さ）は、空燃混合室５０の容積や出口断面積、更には、インジェクタ３による燃料噴霧範囲等を踏まえて設定される。そして、本実施形態において、混合気流通室６の内壁面６ａは、図２に示されるように、空燃混合室５０から改質反応室７に向かうにつれて内径が漸増すると共に空燃混合室５０の出口と改質反応室７の入口とを滑らかに連続させる曲面として形成されている。   On the other hand, a reforming reaction chamber 7 including a predetermined reforming catalyst is provided in the main body 2 at a predetermined interval from the injector accommodating portion 4. The injector accommodating portion 4, the reforming reaction chamber 7, An air-fuel mixture distribution chamber 6 communicating with the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 is defined between the air-fuel mixture chamber 50 and the air-fuel mixture chamber 50. The volume of the air-fuel mixture flow chamber 6 is larger than the volume of the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 of the nozzle member 5, and its total length (length in the axial direction of the main body 2) is the volume of the air / fuel mixing chamber 50, the outlet cross-sectional area, Furthermore, it is set based on the fuel spray range by the injector 3 and the like. In the present embodiment, the inner wall surface 6a of the air-fuel mixture circulation chamber 6 has an inner diameter that gradually increases from the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 toward the reforming reaction chamber 7 as shown in FIG. Is formed as a curved surface that smoothly connects the outlet of the reforming chamber and the inlet of the reforming reaction chamber 7.

また、本実施形態において、改質反応室７は、所定の改質触媒を担持させたハニカム材を本体２の内部に配置することにより構成される。本実施形態では、当該ハニカム材は、本体２の内径とほぼ同寸の外径を有しており、これにより、改質反応室７の入口断面積は、上述のノズル部材５の空燃混合室５０の出口断面積よりも大きくなる。このような改質反応室７に含まれる改質触媒としては、例えばジルコニアにロジウムを担持させたものを採用することができる。更に、本体２の改質反応室７の下流側には、改質ガス供給室８が画成されており、この改質ガス供給室８には、例えば内燃機関等の供給対象に改質ガスを供給するための改質ガス供給管Ｌ３（図１参照）が接続されている。   In this embodiment, the reforming reaction chamber 7 is configured by disposing a honeycomb material carrying a predetermined reforming catalyst inside the main body 2. In the present embodiment, the honeycomb material has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the main body 2, whereby the inlet cross-sectional area of the reforming reaction chamber 7 is the air-fuel mixing of the nozzle member 5 described above. It becomes larger than the outlet cross-sectional area of the chamber 50. As a reforming catalyst contained in such a reforming reaction chamber 7, for example, a catalyst in which rhodium is supported on zirconia can be employed. Further, a reformed gas supply chamber 8 is defined on the downstream side of the reforming reaction chamber 7 of the main body 2. The reformed gas supply chamber 8 has a reformed gas as a supply target such as an internal combustion engine. Is connected to a reformed gas supply pipe L3 (see FIG. 1).

そして、燃料改質装置１は、図１に示されるように、その制御手段として機能する電子制御ユニット（以下「ＥＣＵ」という）１０を備える。ＥＣＵ１０は、何れも図示されないＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭ、入出力ポートおよび記憶装置等を含むものである。このＥＣＵ１０の入出力ポートには、上述のインジェクタ３、エアポンプＡＰ、流量調整弁ＦＣＶ、各種センサ等が接続される。ＥＣＵ１０は、各種センサの検出値等に基づくと共に、各種制御プログラム、マップ等に従って、インジェクタ３、エアポンプＡＰ、流量調整弁ＦＣＶ等を制御する。   As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel reformer 1 includes an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as “ECU”) 10 that functions as its control means. The ECU 10 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output port, a storage device, etc., all not shown. The input / output port of the ECU 10 is connected to the injector 3, the air pump AP, the flow rate adjustment valve FCV, various sensors, and the like. The ECU 10 controls the injector 3, the air pump AP, the flow rate adjustment valve FCV, and the like according to various control programs, maps, and the like, based on detection values of various sensors.

上述のように構成された燃料改質装置１を用いて燃料と空気との混合気を改質する際、燃料改質装置１のＥＣＵ１０は、各種センサからの信号に基づくと共に予め定められたマップ等を用いて、改質反応室７に供給される混合気の空燃比が所望の値（本実施形態では、概ね一定の値であり、例えば、空燃混合室５０に供給される燃料中の炭素原子に対する空気中の酸素原子の比Ｏ／Ｃがおよそ０．８〜１．０５範囲に設定される。）になるようにインジェクタ３、エアポンプＡＰおよび流量調整弁ＦＣＶの少なくとも何れかを制御する。これにより、空燃混合室５０内には、インジェクタ３から燃料が噴射される。また、給気管Ｌ２からインジェクタ収容部４内の空気室４０に空気が供給され、空気室４０内に流入した空気は、インジェクタ３から噴射されている燃料と衝突するように、ノズル部材５の各空気噴孔５１から空燃混合室５０内に噴出し、更に空燃混合室５０内で旋回流を形成する。   When the fuel / air mixture is reformed using the fuel reforming apparatus 1 configured as described above, the ECU 10 of the fuel reforming apparatus 1 uses a predetermined map based on signals from various sensors. Etc., the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to the reforming reaction chamber 7 is a desired value (in this embodiment, it is a substantially constant value. For example, the air-fuel ratio in the fuel supplied to the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 is The ratio O / C of oxygen atoms in the air to carbon atoms is set in the range of about 0.8 to 1.05.) At least one of the injector 3, the air pump AP, and the flow rate adjustment valve FCV is controlled. . As a result, fuel is injected from the injector 3 into the air-fuel mixing chamber 50. In addition, air is supplied from the air supply pipe L2 to the air chamber 40 in the injector housing portion 4, and the air flowing into the air chamber 40 collides with the fuel injected from the injector 3 so that each of the nozzle members 5 The air is ejected from the air nozzle 51 into the air / fuel mixing chamber 50, and a swirling flow is formed in the air / fuel mixing chamber 50.

このように、燃料改質装置１では、改質反応室７の入口断面積よりも小さい出口断面積を有すると共に混合気流通室６よりも容積が小さい空燃混合室５０に、燃料と空気とが互いに混ざり合うように供給される。これにより、燃料は、流速が高まっている空燃混合室５０の内部で良好に微粒化されると共に、狭隘な空間である空燃混合室５０にて空気と確実に接触することになる。従って、燃料改質装置１によれば、燃料と空気とを均一に混合させることが可能となり、改質反応室７における改質反応を良好に進行させて高い改質効率（燃料転化率）を得ることができる。また、燃料改質装置１では、各空気噴孔５１から空燃混合室５０内に流入した空気（および混合気）が、上述のように空燃混合室５０内で旋回流を形成することから、空燃混合室５０において燃料と空気とをより一層均一に混合させることが可能となる。   As described above, in the fuel reforming apparatus 1, the fuel, air, and the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 having an outlet cross-sectional area smaller than the inlet cross-sectional area of the reforming reaction chamber 7 and having a smaller volume than the gas mixture flow chamber 6. Are supplied so as to be mixed with each other. As a result, the fuel is finely atomized inside the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 where the flow rate is increasing, and the fuel is surely brought into contact with air in the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 which is a narrow space. Therefore, according to the fuel reformer 1, the fuel and air can be mixed uniformly, and the reforming reaction in the reforming reaction chamber 7 is favorably progressed so that high reforming efficiency (fuel conversion rate) is achieved. Can be obtained. Further, in the fuel reformer 1, the air (and the air-fuel mixture) flowing into the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 from each air nozzle hole 51 forms a swirling flow in the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 as described above. In the air / fuel mixing chamber 50, the fuel and air can be mixed more uniformly.

このようして空燃混合室５０にて均一に混ざり合った燃料および空気の混合気は、空燃混合室５０から混合気流通室６内へと流れ込む。ここで、混合気流通室６の内壁面６ａは空燃混合室５０の出口と改質反応室７の入口とを滑らかに連続させるように形成されているので、空燃混合室５０内で均一に混ざり合った混合気は、空燃混合室５０から混合気流通室６の内壁面６ａに沿って拡散しながら改質反応室７へと流れ込んでいくことになる。この結果、燃料改質装置１では、混合気流通室６における混合気の濃度ムラの発生を確実に抑制することが可能となる。   Thus, the fuel and air mixture uniformly mixed in the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 flows from the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 into the air / fuel mixture circulation chamber 6. Here, since the inner wall surface 6 a of the air-fuel mixture flow chamber 6 is formed so that the outlet of the air-fuel mixing chamber 50 and the inlet of the reforming reaction chamber 7 are smoothly continuous, it is uniform in the air-fuel mixing chamber 50. The air-fuel mixture mixed with the fuel flows into the reforming reaction chamber 7 while diffusing along the inner wall surface 6a of the air-fuel mixture flow chamber 6 from the air / fuel mixing chamber 50. As a result, in the fuel reformer 1, it is possible to reliably suppress the occurrence of uneven concentration of the air-fuel mixture in the air-fuel mixture circulation chamber 6.

そして、改質反応室７では、改質触媒により炭化水素系燃料と空気とが反応させられ、例えば次の（１）式にて表わされる部分酸化反応が進行することにより、ＣＯおよびＨ２を含む改質ガスが生成される。得られた改質ガスは、改質反応室７から改質ガス供給室８に流入し、改質ガス供給室８から例えば内燃機関等の供給対象に供給されることになる。
ＣｍＨｎ＋（ｍ／２）Ｏ２→ｍＣＯ＋（ｎ／２）Ｈ２ …（１） In the reforming reaction chamber 7, the hydrocarbon-based fuel and air are reacted by the reforming catalyst. For example, the partial oxidation reaction represented by the following equation (1) proceeds, so that CO and H 2 are reduced. A reformed gas containing is generated. The obtained reformed gas flows from the reforming reaction chamber 7 into the reformed gas supply chamber 8 and is supplied from the reformed gas supply chamber 8 to a supply target such as an internal combustion engine.
C m H n + (m / 2) O 2 → mCO + (n / 2) H 2 (1)

なお、本実施形態では、給気管Ｌ２を介した空燃混合室５０に対する空気供給と、インジェクタ３による空燃混合室５０への燃料噴射とがＥＣＵ１０によって独立に実行される。これにより、燃料改質装置１の適用対象である内燃機関の運転条件や、改質反応室７における改質触媒の状態等に応じて、改質反応室７に供給される混合気の空燃比を自在に設定可能となる。また、燃料改質装置１が内燃機関に適用された場合、当該内燃機関の燃焼室内の負圧により、燃料改質装置１の空燃混合室５０内に空気を吸引することが可能となるので、この場合は、エアポンプＡＰが省略されてもよい。   In the present embodiment, air supply to the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 via the air supply pipe L2 and fuel injection to the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 by the injector 3 are independently performed by the ECU 10. Thereby, the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to the reforming reaction chamber 7 according to the operating conditions of the internal combustion engine to which the fuel reforming apparatus 1 is applied, the state of the reforming catalyst in the reforming reaction chamber 7 and the like. Can be set freely. Further, when the fuel reformer 1 is applied to an internal combustion engine, air can be sucked into the air / fuel mixing chamber 50 of the fuel reformer 1 by the negative pressure in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. In this case, the air pump AP may be omitted.

更に、改質反応室７における改質反応を開始させるためには、混合気の供給が適正に行われることに加えて、改質反応室７（改質触媒）を所定温度（例えばおよそ４００℃）以上に設定する必要がある。このためには、図示されない公知の電気加熱式触媒を利用する手法（改質触媒の担体をメタル薄膜により構成したいわゆるメタルハニカムに給電して当該ハニカム体を加熱する手法）や、バーナー式加熱法（改質触媒の上流側にバーナーを配置し、このバーナーによる熱で改質触媒を加熱する手法）等を採用して、改質反応の開始前に改質触媒を予熱（プレヒート）するとよい。改質反応が一旦開始されれば、改質反応に伴って発生する熱により改質反応が持続されることになるので、ハニカム体への給電や、バーナーによる加熱を停止してよい。   Furthermore, in order to start the reforming reaction in the reforming reaction chamber 7, in addition to the proper supply of the air-fuel mixture, the reforming reaction chamber 7 (reforming catalyst) is kept at a predetermined temperature (for example, approximately 400 ° C.). ) It is necessary to set above. For this purpose, a method using a known electric heating type catalyst (not shown) (a method of heating the honeycomb body by supplying power to a so-called metal honeycomb in which the carrier of the reforming catalyst is formed of a metal thin film) or a burner type heating method (A method of arranging a burner upstream of the reforming catalyst and heating the reforming catalyst with heat from the burner) or the like may be employed to preheat (preheat) the reforming catalyst before the start of the reforming reaction. Once the reforming reaction is started, the reforming reaction is sustained by the heat generated by the reforming reaction, so that power supply to the honeycomb body and heating by the burner may be stopped.

図４は、本発明による燃料改質装置の他の実施形態を示す部分断面図である。同図に示される燃料改質装置１Ａは、改質触媒（例えばジルコニアにロジウムを担持させたもの等）を含む改質反応室７Ａを有し、改質反応室７Ａにてメタノール等の炭化水素燃料、空気および水を用いた水蒸気改質を実行させて所定の燃料ガスを得るものである。この場合、燃料改質装置１Ａは、燃料インジェクタ３Ｆと、水インジェクタ３Ｗとを有し、各インジェクタ３Ｆ，３Ｗは、インジェクタ収容部４Ａに形成されている狭隘な空燃混合室５０Ａに、燃料または水を噴射する。この空燃混合室５０Ａも、改質反応室７Ａの入口断面積よりも小さい出口断面積を有するものである。また、インジェクタ収容部４Ａには、各インジェクタ３Ｆ，３Ｗの流体噴射孔の周囲を囲むように空気室４０Ａが形成されており、この空気室４０Ａは、複数の空気噴孔５１Ａを介して空燃混合室５０Ａと連通されている。   FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing another embodiment of the fuel reformer according to the present invention. The fuel reformer 1A shown in the figure has a reforming reaction chamber 7A containing a reforming catalyst (for example, rhodium supported on zirconia), and a hydrocarbon such as methanol in the reforming reaction chamber 7A. A predetermined fuel gas is obtained by performing steam reforming using fuel, air and water. In this case, the fuel reformer 1A has a fuel injector 3F and a water injector 3W, and each injector 3F, 3W is supplied with fuel or a narrow air-fuel mixing chamber 50A formed in the injector housing 4A. Spray water. The air-fuel mixing chamber 50A also has an outlet cross-sectional area smaller than the inlet cross-sectional area of the reforming reaction chamber 7A. In addition, an air chamber 40A is formed in the injector housing portion 4A so as to surround the fluid injection holes of the injectors 3F and 3W. The air chamber 40A is air-fueled via a plurality of air injection holes 51A. It communicates with the mixing chamber 50A.

このように構成される燃料改質装置１Ａにおいても、燃料および水は、流速が高まっている空燃混合室５０Ａの内部で良好に微粒化されると共に、狭隘な空間である空燃混合室５０Ａにて空気と確実に接触することになる。従って、燃料改質装置１Ａにおいても、燃料、水および空気を均一に混合させることが可能となり、改質反応室７Ａにおける改質反応を良好に進行させて高い改質効率を得ることができる。すなわち、本発明は、少なくとも燃料噴射弁を含む複数の液体噴射手段を備えた燃料改質装置に適用され得る。   Also in the fuel reforming apparatus 1A configured as described above, the fuel and water are finely atomized inside the air / fuel mixing chamber 50A where the flow velocity is increased, and the air / fuel mixing chamber 50A is a narrow space. It will be surely in contact with air. Therefore, in the fuel reformer 1A, it is possible to uniformly mix fuel, water, and air, and the reforming reaction in the reforming reaction chamber 7A can be favorably progressed to obtain high reforming efficiency. That is, the present invention can be applied to a fuel reformer provided with a plurality of liquid injection means including at least a fuel injection valve.

本発明による燃料改質装置を示す概略構成図である。1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fuel reformer according to the present invention. 図１の燃料改質装置の要部を示す拡大部分断面図である。FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a main part of the fuel reformer of FIG. 1. 図１の燃料改質装置に含まれるノズル部材の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the nozzle member contained in the fuel reforming apparatus of FIG. 本発明による燃料改質装置の他の実施形態を示す部分断面図である。It is a fragmentary sectional view showing other embodiments of the fuel reforming device by the present invention.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１，１Ａ 燃料改質装置
２ 本体
３，３Ｆ，３Ｗ インジェクタ
３ａ 燃料噴射孔
４，４Ａ インジェクタ収容部
５ ノズル部材
６ 混合気流通室
６ａ 内壁面
７，７Ａ 改質反応室
８ 改質ガス供給室
４０，４０Ａ 空気室
５０，５０Ａ 空燃混合室
５１，５１Ａ 空気噴孔
Ｌ１ 燃料供給管
Ｌ２ 給気管 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Fuel reformer 2 Main body 3, 3F, 3W Injector 3a Fuel injection hole 4, 4A Injector accommodating part 5 Nozzle member 6 Mixture flow chamber 6a Inner wall surface 7, 7A Reforming reaction chamber 8 Reformed gas supply chamber 40 , 40A Air chamber 50, 50A Air-fuel mixing chamber 51, 51A Air injection hole L1 Fuel supply pipe L2 Air supply pipe

Claims (3)

燃料と空気との混合気を改質するための燃料改質装置において、
燃料と空気とが供給される混合室と、
前記混合室の下流側に設けられており、前記混合気を改質するための改質触媒を含む改質反応室とを備え、
前記混合室の出口断面積が前記改質反応室の入口断面積よりも小さいことを特徴とする燃料改質装置。 In a fuel reformer for reforming a mixture of fuel and air,
A mixing chamber supplied with fuel and air;
A reforming reaction chamber that is provided on the downstream side of the mixing chamber and includes a reforming catalyst for reforming the air-fuel mixture;
The fuel reforming apparatus, wherein an outlet cross-sectional area of the mixing chamber is smaller than an inlet cross-sectional area of the reforming reaction chamber. 前記混合室と前記改質反応室との間に設けられた混合気流通室を更に備え、この混合気流通室の内壁面は、前記混合室の出口と前記改質反応室の入口とを滑らかに連続させるように形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の燃料改質装置。   A gas mixture flow chamber provided between the mixing chamber and the reforming reaction chamber is further provided, and an inner wall surface of the gas mixture flowing chamber smoothes an outlet of the mixing chamber and an inlet of the reforming reaction chamber. The fuel reformer according to claim 1, wherein the fuel reformer is formed so as to be continuous with the fuel. 前記混合室内に旋回流を形成するための旋回流形成手段を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載の燃料改質装置。
The fuel reformer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a swirl flow forming means for forming a swirl flow in the mixing chamber.
JP2003382992A 2003-11-12 2003-11-12 Fuel reforming device Pending JP2005146926A (en)

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FR0411838A FR2862716A1 (en) 2003-11-12 2004-11-05 Fuel reforming apparatus designed to reform a mixture of fuel and oxygen- containing gas using a mixing chamber and a reaction chamber containing a catalyst
DE102004054523A DE102004054523A1 (en) 2003-11-12 2004-11-11 Kraftstoffreformiergerät

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JP2009133248A (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-06-18 Hitachi Ltd Engine system
JP2010215468A (en) * 2009-03-18 2010-09-30 Ngk Insulators Ltd Reactor
JP2013133253A (en) * 2011-12-26 2013-07-08 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Method for reforming fuel
JP2017538092A (en) * 2014-12-04 2017-12-21 パワーセル スウェーデン アーベー Catalyst burner equipment
JP2020181731A (en) * 2019-04-25 2020-11-05 日産自動車株式会社 Combustor for fuel cell
JP7268468B2 (en) 2019-04-25 2023-05-08 日産自動車株式会社 Combustor for fuel cell
JP2021131169A (en) * 2020-02-18 2021-09-09 株式会社豊田自動織機 Combustor, reforming device and reforming system
JP7380300B2 (en) 2020-02-18 2023-11-15 株式会社豊田自動織機 Combustor, reformer and reforming system

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