JP2006272120A - Vaporization apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vaporization apparatus and method capable of stably or quantitatively vaporizing a liquid. <P>SOLUTION: In the vaporization apparatus, a liquid sucking portion 2 is fitted into a heat-shrinkable inner tube 3 with which a peripheral surface of the liquid sucking portion 2 is closely contacted; the liquid sucking portion 2 and the inner tube 3 are inserted into an outer tube 4; a part of a tubular inlet nipple 5 is fitted into one end of the outer tube 4, and a part of an outlet nipple 6 is inserted into other end of the outer tube 4; a heating coil 11 is wound on a part of the outlet nipple 6; the outer tube 4, the inner tube 3, the liquid sucking portion 2 and the heating coil 11 are inserted into an inlet case 7 and an outlet case 8. In the vaporization method, a liquid sucked to the liquid sucking portion 2 is vaporized in the liquid sucking portion 2 and discharged from the other end surface of the liquid sucking portion 2, wherein a pressure of a liquid fed to one end surface of the liquid sucking portion 2 is made to equal a pressure of a gas discharged from the other end surface of the liquid sucking portion 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vaporizer and a vaporization method for vaporizing a liquid.

  In recent years, research and development have been actively conducted on fuel cells that can achieve high energy use efficiency. A fuel cell is one that takes out electric energy directly from chemical energy by electrochemically reacting fuel and oxygen in the atmosphere, and is regarded as a promising power source with a great potential. The fuel used in the fuel cell includes hydrogen, but there is a problem in handling and storage due to being a gas at room temperature. Therefore, if liquid fuels such as alcohols and gasoline are used, the system for storing the liquid fuel becomes relatively small, but it is necessary to generate hydrogen necessary for power generation by heating and reacting the fuel and water vapor to a high temperature. There is.

In order to generate hydrogen from liquid fuel and water, after vaporizing liquid fuel and water by an evaporator, a mixture of fuel and water supplied from the evaporator is reformed to hydrogen by a reformer (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-18357 A

  As the carburetor becomes smaller, it is difficult to vaporize the fuel stably or quantitatively.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vaporizer and a vaporization method that can vaporize fuel stably or quantitatively.

In order to solve the above problems, a vaporizer according to the present invention includes a liquid absorption part that moves liquid from one end part to the other end part by capillary action, a case that stores the liquid absorption part, and a liquid absorption part. Pressure control means for making the difference between the pressure on one end side and the pressure on the other end side constant.
The liquid may contain fuel or fuel and water.

  The pressure control means may equalize the pressure on the one end side of the liquid absorption part and the pressure on the other end side of the liquid absorption part.

  A supply means for supplying a liquid to one end of the liquid absorption section; and a measurement means for measuring a pressure on one end of the liquid absorption section and a pressure on the other end of the liquid absorption section. preferable.

  The measuring unit may measure a pressure applied to the liquid on one end side of the liquid absorption part and a gas pressure on the other end side of the liquid absorption part.

  The vaporization method of the present invention makes constant the difference between the pressure on one end of the liquid absorbing part that moves the liquid from one end to the other end by capillary action and the pressure on the other end of the liquid absorbing part. It is characterized by.

  Measure the pressure applied to the liquid supplied to one end side of the liquid absorption part and the pressure of the gas on the other end side of the liquid absorption part, and control the pressure applied to the liquid on the one end side of the liquid absorption part And you may make it make the difference of the pressure of the one end part side of the said liquid absorption part, and the pressure of the other end part side of the said liquid absorption part constant.

  You may make it make the pressure of the one end part side of the said liquid absorption part equal to the pressure of the other end part side of the said liquid absorption part.

  According to the present invention, a liquid can be vaporized stably or quantitatively.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, although various technically preferable limitations for implementing the present invention are given to the embodiments described below, the scope of the invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vaporizer 1, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a surface along the center line of the vaporizer 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vaporizer 1 includes a liquid absorbing part 2 having a property of sucking a liquid therein, an inner tube 3 that covers a part of the side surface of the liquid absorbing part 2, and an inner tube 3. The outer tube 4 covering the side surface, the inlet nipple 5 into which the liquid enters the liquid absorption part 2, the outlet nipple 6 from which the liquid taken into the liquid absorption part 2 is vaporized, and a substantially tubular shape The inlet case 7, the substantially tubular outlet case 8, the O-ring 9 that seals the gap between the outlet nipple 6 and the outlet case 8, the moisture-permeable gas permeable membrane 10 and the liquid sucked by the liquid absorbing portion 2 And a heating coil 11 for heating to the extent of vaporizing.

  The liquid absorption part 2 is a rod-shaped, specifically, a cylindrical core material. The liquid absorbing part 2 is inserted into the inner tube 3, and the outer peripheral surface of the liquid absorbing part 2 is in close contact with the inner tube 3. The length of the liquid absorption part 2 is longer than the length of the inner tube 3, and one end surface of the liquid absorption part 2 is aligned with one end of the inner tube 3 or outside the one end. This end face is located outside the inner tube 3 than the other end of the inner tube 3. A gas permeable film 10 is formed on the other end face of the liquid absorbing part 2. The tube 3 is for holding the liquid absorbing part 2 so that it does not fall apart when handling the liquid absorbing part 2, and for protecting the liquid absorbing part 2 from being contaminated.

  The liquid absorption part 2 is inserted into the outer tube 4 with the inner tube 3 interposed, and the outer tube 4 is in close contact with the inner tube 3. One end face of the liquid absorbing part 2 is located inside the outer tube 4 rather than one end of the outer tube 4, and the other end face of the liquid absorbing part 2 is located outside the outer tube 4 rather than the other end of the outer tube 4.

  A part of the tubular inlet nipple 5 is fitted to one end of the outer tube 4, but the inlet nipple 5 is separated from the liquid absorbing part 2, and the inner part is interposed between the inlet nipple 5 and the liquid absorbing part 2. A space 12 is formed. The outer diameter of the portion of the inlet nipple 5 fitted to the outer tube 4 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the liquid absorbing part 2 and the inner tube 3, and is substantially equal to the diameter of the inner space 12 (the inner diameter of the outer tube 4). equal. If one or both of the liquid absorbing part 2 and the inner tube 3 have elasticity, it is easily inserted into the outer tube 4. Further, the diameter of the internal space 12 is slightly larger than the diameter of the liquid absorbing part 2 by the amount of the inner tube 3, and the area of the cross section of the internal space 12 parallel to one end face of the liquid absorbing part 2 is the one end face of the liquid absorbing part 2. Smaller than. When the liquid absorbing part 2 sucks in the liquid, the side surface swells to the outside and the gap between the inner tube 3 and the outer tube 4 can be eliminated. It will not disappear due to misalignment.

  An inlet hole 15 is formed along the center line of the inlet nipple 5, and the inlet hole 15 penetrates from the tip of the inlet nipple 5 to the opposite surface. The diameter of the introduction hole 15 is smaller than the diameter of the internal space 12 and smaller than the diameter of the liquid absorption part 2, and the area of the cross section of the internal space 12 parallel to one end surface of the liquid absorption part 2 is larger than the cross sectional area of the introduction hole 15. Is also small.

  An end portion of the liquid absorbing portion 2 on the side where the gas permeable membrane 10 is formed is fitted into a tubular outlet nipple 6. A part of the inner tube 3 is also inserted into the outlet nipple 6, and that part is sandwiched between the outlet nipple 6 and the liquid absorbing part 2. A part of the inlet nipple 6 on the introduction side is inserted into the other end of the outer tube 4. Therefore, the outer tube 4 connects the outlet nipple 6 and the inlet nipple 5 via the liquid absorption part 2.

  A discharge hole 16 is formed along the center line of the outlet nipple 6, and the discharge hole 16 extends from the tip of the outlet nipple 6 to the hollow where the liquid absorbing portion 2 is inserted.

  A heating coil 11 is wound around the portion of the outlet nipple 6 where the liquid absorbing portion 2 is fitted. Moreover, the part in which the liquid absorption part 2 of the outlet nipple 6 is fitted is formed in a flange shape.

  The outer tube 4, the inner tube 3, the liquid absorbing part 2 and the inlet nipple 5 are fitted into the hollow of the cylindrical inlet case 7, and a part of the outer tube 4 is sandwiched between the inlet case 7 and the inlet nipple 5, A part of the outer tube 4 and the inner tube 3 is sandwiched between the inlet case 7 and the liquid absorbing part 2. A small hole communicating with the hollow is formed in the end surface of the inlet case 7, and the tip portion of the inlet nipple 5 penetrates the small hole and protrudes outward from the end surface of the inlet case 7.

  The outer tube 4, the inner tube 3, the liquid absorption part 2, the heating coil 11 and the inlet case 7 are fitted in the hollow of the cylindrical outlet case 8. A small hole communicating with the hollow is formed in the end surface of the outlet case 8, and the tip portion of the outlet nipple 6 penetrates the small hole and protrudes outward from the end surface of the outlet case 8. A portion protruding from the outlet nipple 6 is inserted into the O-ring 9, and the O-ring 9 is sealed at the end face of the outlet case 8.

  A mounting portion 18 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the outlet case 8, and a screw fixing hole 19 is formed in the mounting portion 18.

  Next, materials, materials, etc. of the liquid absorption part 2, the inner tube 3, the outer tube 4, the inlet nipple 5, the outlet nipple 6, the inlet case 7, the outlet case 8, the O-ring 9, the gas permeable membrane 10 and the heating coil 11 explain.

  The liquid absorption part 2 is a part in which minute holes are formed, and can absorb liquid. The liquid absorbing part 2 has heat resistance at least up to the boiling point of the liquid taken in by the liquid absorbing part 2, and includes a felt core, a ceramic porous core, a fiber core, and the like. As the felt core, chemical fiber felt, heat-resistant fiber felt, needle felt, resin-processed felt, molded felt, wool felt and the like can be applied. A fiber core contains inorganic fiber (for example, glass fiber, asbestos) or organic fiber (for example, what made organic resin fibrous). Ceramic porous cores include those obtained by sintering porous inorganic powders (for example, aluminum compounds and silicon compounds) and those obtained by solidifying inorganic powders with a binder. The liquid absorption part 2 preferably has affinity for a liquid as a fuel, for example, water and ethanol.

  The heating coil 11 is made of an electrothermal material and generates heat by electricity. For example, a nickel-cobalt wire that has been subjected to an oxide film treatment can be used as the heating coil 11.

  Although the end part on the discharge side of the liquid absorption part 2 is heated by the heating coil 11, it is preferable that the whole liquid absorption part 2 is not warmed and the heated part is locally warmed. For this reason, it is preferable that the structure does not easily dissipate heat. Specifically, the thermal conductivity of the material itself (bulk material) of the liquid absorbing part 2 is preferably 0.5 W / m · K or less.

  The inner tube 3 preferably has rubber elasticity and may have heat shrinkability. Further, in a natural state where the liquid absorbing part 2 is not inserted into the inner tube 3, the inner diameter of the inner tube 3 is smaller than the diameter of the liquid absorbing part 2, and the inner tube 3 is expanded by inserting the liquid absorbing part 2. It is preferable to do. The inner tube 3 includes those of electron beam cross-linked soft polyolefin resin (Sumitube A Sumitomo Electric), polyolefin (HSTT Pandwit), fluororesin (Colbeck TFE-2X, Colbeck TFE-2XSPSW19, Colbeck TFE-2XSPSW13, manufactured by Hagitech) .

  The outer tube 4 has rubber elasticity. In addition, although the liquid absorption part 2 is inserted in the outer tube 4 via the inner tube 3, it may be directly inserted in the outer tube 4 without using the inner tube 3, but in this case, the outer tube 4 preferably has heat shrinkability.

  The inlet nipple 5 may be made of resin, metal, or ceramic.

  The outlet nipple 6 is preferably made of a metal having a thermal conductivity of 100 W / m · K or more so that the heat of the heating coil 11 can be easily conducted to the liquid absorption part 2. Examples of the material of the outlet nipple 6 include copper (thermal conductivity 380 W / m · K in the case of pure copper), copper alloy (146 W / m · K in the case of brass), and aluminum alloy (in the case of aluminum, the thermal conductivity). 230 W / m · K). The surface of the outlet nipple 6 may be subjected to nickel plating.

The inlet case 7 and the outlet case 8 preferably have low thermal conductivity and heat resistance in order to suppress the heat generated by the heating coil 11 from radiating to the outside, and the thermal conductivity is 0.5 W / m · K. More preferably, it is as follows. For example, the material of the inlet case 7 and the outlet case 8 includes PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PEEK (polyether ketone), PES (polyether sulfone), PBI (polybenzimidazole), and the like. Table 1 shows the heat-resistant temperatures (load deflection temperature of 1.82 MPa) and thermal conductivity of PPS, PEEK, PES, and PBI.

  The gas permeable membrane 10 is hydrophobic on the surface and has micropores inside, and thereby has a property of transmitting gas without transmitting liquid. For example, the material of the gas permeable membrane 10 includes PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). In addition, when the gas permeable membrane 10 was PTFE, it was found by experiments that gas (vapor) permeates when the thickness is 200 μm and the pore diameter is 5 μm. On the other hand, a PTFE thin film having a thickness of 135 μm and a pore diameter of 1.2 μm does not transmit gas, and a PTFE thin film having a thickness of 172 μm and a pore diameter of 3 μm does not transmit gas. For this reason, the gas permeable membrane 10 preferably has a pore diameter of 5 μm or more.

Next, the operation of the vaporizer 1 will be described.
When a voltage is applied to the heat generating coil 11, the heat generating coil 11 generates heat. When a liquid is poured into the introduction hole 15 in this state, the liquid is stored in the internal space 12, and the liquid is absorbed by the liquid absorbing part 2 at the end face of the liquid absorbing part 2. The absorbed liquid is sucked up to the end face on the opposite side by capillary action, but is vaporized by the heat of the heating coil 11. The gas vaporized at the discharge side end of the liquid absorption part 2 passes through the gas permeable membrane 10 and is discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 16. Here, if the pressure of the liquid to be supplied is equal to the pressure of the gas to be discharged, the amount of vaporization of the liquid per unit time increases, and even if the pressure of the liquid or the pressure of the gas to be discharged changes, the vaporization per unit time The amount hardly changes. Therefore, while measuring the pressure of the gas to be discharged and the pressure of the liquid to be supplied, the gas to be discharged is adjusted by adjusting the pressure of the gas to be discharged and the pressure of the liquid to be supplied by a flow control unit such as a pump or a valve based on the measured value. And the pressure of the supplied liquid should be equal.

  Bubbles may be mixed in the liquid supplied from the introduction hole 15, but the cross-sectional area of the internal space 12 formed between the introduction hole 15 and the end face of the liquid absorption part 2 is one of the liquid absorption parts 2. Since it is larger than the area of the end face, the bubbles spread in the internal space 12. Therefore, the whole end surface of the liquid absorption part 2 is not covered with bubbles. Therefore, absorption of the liquid to the liquid absorption part 2 is not prevented.

  Bubbles stored in the internal space 12 are not absorbed by the liquid absorption part 2 as quickly as the liquid, and therefore are repelled in the internal space 12 or are gradually sucked up by the liquid absorption part 2 and discharged to the discharge hole 16 on the opposite side. The internal space 12 serves as a buffer for temporarily storing bubbles, but since the cross-sectional area of the introduction hole 15 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the internal space 12, the speed at which the air bubbles are stored in the internal space 12 is one of the liquid absorption parts 12. Slower than the speed at which bubbles are absorbed by the end face. Therefore, the entire one end surface of the liquid absorption part 2 is not covered with bubbles, and even if the bubbles are sucked up by the one end surface, the liquid absorption into the liquid absorption part 2 is not hindered. Therefore, the liquid absorption part 2 can prevent that the vaporization of fuel stops.

  In addition, since the liquid is vaporized inside the liquid absorbing part 2 in which the minute holes are formed, the bumping of the liquid can be suppressed. In particular, the end portion on the discharge side of the liquid absorption part 2 is heated by the heating coil 11 and the thermal conductivity of the liquid absorption part 2 is low, so that the liquid is vaporized at the center part of the liquid absorption part 2 and the end part on the introduction side. Instead, it vaporizes at the end of the liquid absorption part 2 on the discharge side. When gas is generated at the central part of the liquid absorption part 2 or the end part on the introduction side, the absorbability of the liquid absorption part 2 due to capillary action is reduced by the pressure, but this can be prevented.

  In addition, the heat generating coil 11 is not in direct contact with the liquid absorbing part 2, and the outlet nipple 6 is interposed between the heat generating coil 11 and the liquid absorbing part 2. Therefore, the liquid absorption part 2 is not locally heated, and the liquid absorption part 2 is not locally damaged by heat.

  Since the liquid absorbing part 2 is fitted into the inner tube 3 and the inner tube 3 is in close contact with the liquid absorbing part 2, the gas generated inside the liquid absorbing part 2 does not blow out from the outer peripheral surface of the liquid absorbing part 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gas from being blown out to the one end surface of the liquid absorbing part 2 through the gap between the outer peripheral surfaces of the liquid absorbing part 2.

  In addition, since the liquid absorption part 2 is fitted into the inner tube 3, the liquid can directly contact the liquid absorption part 2 only on the rear end surface of the liquid absorption part 2. The liquid absorbency at the end face is increased. Furthermore, it is also possible to prevent the gas generated at the end of the liquid absorption part 2 on the discharge (discharge hole 16) side from flowing into the introduction (introduction hole 15) side. This is because the inner tube 3 exposes both end portions of the liquid absorbing portion 2 and covers the side surface of the liquid absorbing portion 2 in close contact, so that the gas has a capillary force between the side surface of the liquid absorbing portion 2 and the inner tube 3. Therefore, the gas in the liquid absorption part 2 can be prevented from moving to the side surface of the liquid absorption part 2 and flowing back from the gap to the introduction side or stagnating in the gap. The gas in the part 2 is pushed out from the introduction side to the discharge side because of the liquid moving by the capillary force. In particular, since the inner tube 3 has heat shrinkability, the heat of the heat generating coil 11 increases the adhesion between the inner tube 3 and the liquid absorbing portion 2, and the effect is remarkable.

  Further, since the outer tube 4 is sandwiched between the inlet case 7 and the liquid absorbing part 2, the air tightness and water tightness of the inlet case 7 are maintained by the outer tube 4. Since the inlet nipple 5 and the outlet nipple 6 are respectively inserted into both ends of the outer tube 4, the liquid supplied to the introduction hole 15 is vaporized without the inlet case 7 and the outlet case 8, and the gas is discharged into the discharge hole 16. However, the presence of the inlet case 7 and the outlet case 8 has higher airtightness and watertightness, and further reduces heat loss. In particular, the heat loss can be suppressed because the inlet case 7 and the outlet case 8 are heat-resistant with low thermal conductivity.

  In addition, since the gas permeable film 10 is formed on the discharge side end face of the liquid absorption part 2, the liquid does not ooze out from the liquid absorption part 2 to the discharge hole 16, and in particular, it is possible to prevent liquid scattering due to bumping. it can.

The usage example of the vaporizer 1 is demonstrated using FIG. 3, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a power generation device 50 using the vaporizer 1, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the vaporizer 1, the microreactor 52, and the fuel cell 53.

  In addition to the vaporizer 1, the power generation device 50 includes a fuel storage device 51, a microreactor 52, a fuel cell 53, and a fluid device 60.

  The microreactor 52 includes a reformer 54, a carbon monoxide remover 55, and a combustor 56. When the vaporizer 1 is attached to the microreactor 52, the outlet nipple 6 reaches the reformer 54.

  In the fuel storage device 51, water, liquid fuel (for example, alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, gasoline), and water are stored separately. The fuel storage device 51 is provided with an air filter 81. In the following description, it is assumed that the fuel is methanol.

  The fluid device 60 includes pumps 61, 64, 68, ON-OFF valves 62, 65, control valves 69, 71, and flow rate sensors 63, 66, 70, 72, 73.

  The pump 61 sucks water from the fuel storage device 51 and sends it to the vaporizer 1, and the water flow is stopped and started by the ON-OFF valve 62, and the flow rate of the water is measured by the flow sensor 63. The pump 64 sucks the liquid fuel from the fuel storage device 51 and sends it to the vaporizer 1, the liquid fuel flow is stopped and started by the ON-OFF valve 65, and the flow rate of water is measured by the flow sensor 66. The vaporizer 1 is supplied with a mixture of water and liquid fuel.

  The pump 68 sucks air from the outside through the air filter 81 and sends it to the combustor 56, the carbon monoxide remover 55, and the air electrode 58 of the fuel cell 53. The flow rate of air sent to the combustor 56 is controlled by the control valve 69 while being measured by the flow sensor 70. The flow rate of air sent to the carbon monoxide remover 55 is controlled by the control valve 71 while being measured by the flow sensor 72. The flow rate of air sent to the fuel cell 53 is measured by a flow sensor 73.

  The ON-OFF valve 67 is for stopping and starting the flow of the exhaust gas from the combustor 56.

  The vaporizer 1 is supplied with a liquid mixture of liquid fuel and water, and the liquid mixture is vaporized in the liquid absorption part 2 of the vaporizer 1. The vaporized fuel / water mixture is supplied to the reformer 54. Since the outlet nipple 6 having a high thermal conductivity is heated by the heating coil 11 and the outlet nipple 6 reaches the reformer 54, the liquid mixture before the vaporized liquid and water is sent to the reformer 54 is liquid. It is possible to prevent returning to Since the inlet nipple 5 reaches the reformer 54 and the heat of the reformer 54 is conducted to the inlet nipple 5, the end portion on the discharge side of the liquid absorption part 2 is heated. It is not necessary.

In the reformer 54, the fuel / water mixture supplied from the vaporizer 1 is reformed to hydrogen by the catalyst as shown in the chemical reaction formulas (1) and (2). A mixture of products generated by the reformer 54 is supplied to the carbon monoxide remover 55, and air is further supplied from the pump 68 to the carbon monoxide remover 55. In the carbon monoxide remover 55, carbon monoxide in the gas mixture is selectively oxidized by the catalyst as shown in the chemical reaction formula (3). The microreactor 52 is provided with a thin film heater 82 made of an electrothermal material, and the reformer 54 and the carbon monoxide remover 55 are heated by the thin film heater 82.
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 3H ₂ + CO ₂ (1)
2CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 5H ₂ + CO + CO ₂ (2)
2CO + O ₂ → 2CO ₂ (3)

The fuel cell 53 includes a fuel electrode 57 carrying catalyst fine particles, an air electrode 58 carrying catalyst fine particles, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 59 interposed between the fuel electrode 57 and the air electrode 58. The fuel electrode 57 is supplied with the air-fuel mixture from the carbon monoxide remover 55, and the air electrode 58 is supplied with air from the pump 68. In the fuel electrode 57, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (4), hydrogen in the gas mixture is separated into hydrogen ions and electrons by the action of the catalyst fine particles of the fuel electrode 57. Hydrogen ions are conducted to the oxygen electrode 58 through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 59, and electrons are taken out by the fuel electrode 57. In the oxygen electrode 58, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (5), electrons, oxygen, and hydrogen ions react to generate water. Thereby, electric energy is generated in the fuel cell 53. Note that water may be supplied from the pump 61 to the fuel electrode 57 and the oxygen electrode 58.
H ₂ → 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ (4)
2H ⁺ + 1 / 2O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → H ₂ O (5)

  Off-gas containing hydrogen that has not reacted in the fuel electrode 57 is supplied to the combustor 56. In the combustor 56, oxygen in the air supplied by the pump 68 and unreacted hydrogen react with each other by a catalyst to generate combustion heat. The combustion heat is used for the reaction of the reformer 54 and the carbon monoxide remover 55. Further, the exhaust gas from the combustor 56 is discharged to the outside through an ON-OFF valve 67.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the power generation device 50A. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals between the power generation device 50 shown in FIG. 3 and the power generation device 50A shown in FIG.

  In this power generator 50A, a pressure sensor 91 that measures the pressure of the mixed liquid supplied to the inlet nipple 5 of the vaporizer 1 is connected to the inlet nipple 5 and measures the pressure of the exhaust gas discharged from the combustor 56. A pressure sensor 92 is provided between the combustor 56 and the ON-OFF valve 67. Here, the outlet nipple 6 of the vaporizer 1 and the flow path sensor 92 are connected to the outlet nipple 6 of the vaporizer 1 via the combustor 56, the fuel electrode 57 of the fuel cell 53, the carbon monoxide remover 55, and the reformer 54. Therefore, the flow path sensor 92 substantially measures the pressure of the air-fuel mixture discharged from the outlet nipple 6 of the vaporizer 1.

  The pressure sensor 91 and the pressure sensor 92 detect pressure by converting the displacement of the diaphragm formed inside thereof into an electric signal by a piezoelectric element or capacitance.

  The power generation device 50A is provided with a control circuit that controls the pumps 61 and 64. The pumps 61 and 64 are controlled by the control circuit to adjust the amount of water or liquid fuel to be fed, and thereby adjust the pressure of the mixed solution sent to the vaporizer 1. The control circuit also serves as a control circuit for the vaporizer, and the pumps 61 and 64 serve as supply means for the vaporizer 1, and the pressure sensor 92 serves as measurement means for the vaporizer 1.

  Further, the pressure signal measured by the pressure sensor 91 and the pressure sensor 92 is fed back to the control circuit. The control circuit adjusts the pressure of the mixed liquid by the pumps 61 and 64 based on the fed back pressure signal, and the pressure of the mixed liquid supplied to the vaporizer 1 is supplied to the reformer 54 from the vaporizer 1. Control is performed so as to be equal to the pressure. Specifically, the control circuit controls to reduce the liquid feeding amount of the pumps 61 and 64 when the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 91 is too large or larger than the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 92. When the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 91 becomes smaller than the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 92, control is performed to increase the amount of liquid fed by the pumps 61 and 64.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the power generation device 50B. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals between the power generation device 50A shown in FIG. 5 and the power generation device 50B shown in FIG.

  In the power generation device 50B, control valves 62B and 65B are provided instead of the ON-OF valves 62 and 65.

  Further, air is sent from the pump 68 to the water storage unit and the fuel storage unit of the fuel storage device 51 instead of the pumps 61 and 64, so that the water is supplied from the fuel storage device 51 via the control valve 62B. While being supplied to the vaporizer 1, the liquid fuel is supplied from the fuel storage device 51 to the vaporizer 1 via the control valve 65B. The control valve 62B is for adjusting the total amount of water sent to the vaporizer 1, and the control valve 65B is for adjusting the total amount of liquid fuel sent to the vaporizer 1.

  The control circuit of the power generation device 50B controls the control valves 62B and 65B based on the pressure signal fed back from the pressure sensor 91 and the pressure sensor 92. Here, the control circuit performs control so that the pressure of the mixture supplied to the vaporizer 1 becomes equal to the pressure of the mixture supplied from the vaporizer 1 to the reformer 54. The pressure sensor 92 is provided between the vaporizer 1 and the reformer 54, between the reformer 54 and the carbon monoxide remover 55, or between the carbon monoxide remover 55 and the combustor 56. It may be provided.

  If control is not performed so that such a pressure difference does not occur, when at least one of the pressure at the pressure sensor 91 and the pressure at the pressure sensor 92 changes, the pressure difference due to this change causes the inside of the liquid absorbing unit 2 to change. The pushing force of the liquid changed and the amount of vaporization in the liquid absorption part 2 became unstable. Further, the load force in the direction opposite to the direction of the tensile force of the liquid due to the capillary phenomenon in the liquid absorbing portion 2 works in the fuel storage device 51 to suppress the tensile force of the liquid due to the capillary phenomenon, The amount of vaporization has become unstable.

  In the present embodiment, whether one of the pressure at the pressure sensor 91 and the pressure at the pressure sensor 92 increases, decreases, or the load force on the fuel storage device 51 works is canceled out. Since the pressure on the introduction side and the pressure on the discharge side of the liquid absorption part 2 are made constant, the amount of vaporization becomes constant due to the pulling force of the liquid due to capillary action. Note that the amount of vaporization can be made constant if the pressure on the introduction side and the pressure on the discharge side of the vaporizer 1 are not made equal.

  The relationship between the pressure on the discharge side of the vaporizer 1 and the amount of vaporization was determined by experiments. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an experimental apparatus so that a pressure difference is generated as a comparative example. As shown in FIG. 7, the fuel container 101 and the mass flow meter 102 are connected by a tube, the mass flow meter 102 and the inlet nipple 5 of the vaporizer 1 are connected by a tube, and the outlet nipple 6 of the vaporizer 1 is connected to a flask 103. did. In addition, an injector 105 was connected to the flask 103 via a valve 104, and a pressure gauge 106 was further connected to the flask 103. A 60 wt% aqueous methanol solution was poured into the container 101 so that the aqueous methanol solution was absorbed by the capillary force of the liquid absorption part 2 of the vaporizer 1. By opening the container 101, the container 101 was kept at atmospheric pressure, and the difference between the pressure on the discharge side and the pressure on the introduction side of the vaporizer 1 was changed as the vaporization progressed.

  In this experimental apparatus, the pressure on the discharge side of the vaporizer 1 was adjusted by the injector 105, the pressure was measured by the pressure gauge 106, and the flow rate of the aqueous methanol solution was measured by the mass flow meter 102. The result is shown in FIG. As is apparent from FIG. 8, as the pressure on the discharge side of the vaporizer 1 increases, that is, as the pressure on the discharge side of the vaporizer 1 becomes larger than the pressure on the introduction side as the vaporization progresses, It can be seen that the flow rate of water decreases, and the amount of vaporization of methanol aqueous solution per unit time decreases.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the container 101 was sealed, and the container 101 and the flask 103 were connected by a tube so that the pressure on the discharge side and the pressure on the introduction side of the vaporizer 1 were equal. In this experimental apparatus, the pressure on the discharge side of the vaporizer 1 was adjusted by the injector 105, the pressure was measured by the pressure gauge 106, and the flow rate of the aqueous methanol solution was measured by the mass flow meter 102. The result is shown in FIG. As apparent from FIG. 10, even if the pressure on the discharge side of the vaporizer 1 changes, the pressure on the introduction side is equal to the pressure on the discharge side, so the flow rate of the methanol aqueous solution does not change, and the methanol aqueous solution per unit time It can be seen that the amount of vaporization is kept constant in a high state.

  In any of the above experiments, the heat quantity of the heating coil 11 is the same.

1 is a perspective view of a vaporizer 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vaporizer 1. FIG. It is a block diagram of the electric power generating apparatus 50 using the vaporization apparatus. 2 is a schematic view of a vaporizer 1, a microreactor 52, and a fuel cell 53. FIG. It is a block diagram of power generator 50A using vaporizer 1. FIG. It is a block diagram of power generator 50B using vaporizer 1. FIG. It is the schematic of the experimental apparatus for investigating the relationship between the pressure of the discharge | emission side of the vaporizer 1, and the amount of vaporization. It is the graph which showed the experimental result using the experimental apparatus of FIG. It is the schematic of the experiment system for investigating the relationship between the pressure of the discharge | emission side of the vaporizer 1, and the amount of vaporization. It is the graph which showed the experimental result using the experimental apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vaporizer 2 Liquid absorption part 3 Inner tube 4 Outer tube 5 Inlet nipple 6 Outlet nipple 7 Inlet case 8 Outlet case 10 Gas permeable film 11 Heating coil 15 Inlet hole 16 Exhaust hole

Claims (7)

A liquid absorbing part that moves liquid from one end part to the other end part by capillary action;
A case for storing the liquid absorption part;
Pressure control means for making the difference between the pressure on one end side of the liquid absorption part and the pressure on the other end side constant;
A vaporizing device comprising:   2. The vaporizer according to claim 1, wherein the pressure control unit equalizes the pressure on one end side of the liquid absorption part and the pressure on the other end side of the liquid absorption part. Supply means for supplying a liquid to one end side of the liquid absorption part;
Measuring means for measuring the pressure on one end side of the liquid absorption part and the pressure on the other end side of the liquid absorption part;
The vaporizer according to claim 1, comprising:   The vaporization apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the measurement unit measures a pressure applied to the liquid on one end side of the liquid absorption part and a gas pressure on the other end side of the liquid absorption part.   A vaporization method characterized in that a difference between a pressure on one end of a liquid absorption part that moves liquid from one end to the other end by capillary action and a pressure on the other end of the liquid absorption part are made constant.   Measure the pressure applied to the liquid supplied to one end side of the liquid absorption part and the pressure of the gas on the other end side of the liquid absorption part, and control the pressure applied to the liquid on the one end side of the liquid absorption part The vaporization method according to claim 5, wherein a difference between a pressure on one end side of the liquid absorption part and a pressure on the other end side of the liquid absorption part is made constant.   The vaporization method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a pressure on one end portion side of the liquid absorption portion is made equal to a pressure on the other end portion side of the liquid absorption portion.

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