JP2009115400A - Combustion apparatus, fuel treating apparatus, and fuel cell power generating system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combustion apparatus capable of maintaining safety even at the occurrence of a gas leakage from a gas shut-off valve or the like to the outside of a gas supply passage. <P>SOLUTION: The combustion apparatus includes the gas supply passage 1 for supplying inflammable gas; a combustor 4 for burning the inflammable gas supplied from the gas supply passage 1; a housing 8 provided to cover the combustor 4; and the gas shut-off valve 2 provided on the gas supply passage 1 upstream of the combustor 4 and arranged outside the housing 8. The combustor 4 is spatially isolated from the gas shut-off valve 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a combustion apparatus, a fuel processing apparatus, and a fuel cell power generation system.

  Conventional combustion equipment mainly connects its gas supply path and primary side (gas infrastructure side) gas supply section via a gas pipe, supplies gas to the combustion equipment, and uses heat from combustion for hot water supply etc. To do.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional combustion apparatus. As shown in FIG. 9, the conventional combustion apparatus generally includes a combustor 101, a heat exchanger 102 that transfers heat to water and the like, and a gas and a combustor for each of the combustor 101 and the heat exchanger 102. It has a control component that controls supply of air, heat recovery water, and the like, and a control unit 103 that controls these control components.

  Further, a gas shut-off valve 105 is provided on the downstream side of a portion connecting the gas pipe and the gas supply path 104 of the combustion apparatus. The combustion apparatus includes the gas shut-off valve 105, the combustor 101, the heat exchanger 102, and the like. Generally, the entire structure is covered with a casing 100 made of metal or the like. That is, the gas shut-off valve 105 is disposed inside the casing 100 together with the combustor 101, the heat exchanger 102, and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

A countermeasure against such a gas leak of the combustion apparatus is that a gas leak detection unit 107 is installed in the combustion apparatus, and the control unit 103 of the combustion apparatus shuts off the gas shut-off valve by a detection signal that detects the gas leak. A configuration is employed to prevent leakage.
JP-A-4-292744

  When the gas leakage is detected as described above and the gas supply to the secondary side (combustion device side) located downstream of the gas cutoff valve 105 is shut off, a problem occurs when the gas cutoff valve 105 is normal. However, when the gas cutoff valve 105 is out of order, gas may leak from the gas cutoff valve 105 itself to the outside of the gas supply path 104 (external leakage). Note that the internal leakage in contrast to this external leakage means that even when the gas cutoff valve 105 is closed, the gas supply passage 104 is not closed because the gas cutoff valve 105 is broken. This shows a state in which combustible gas is supplied to the combustor 101 side through the inside.

  When such an external leakage occurs, the gas shut-off valve 105 is disposed inside the housing 100 together with the combustor 101, the heat exchanger 102, etc., so that the externally leaked gas fills the housing 100 and the housing 100 The body volume is filled with a gas mixture in the combustible range, and the gas in the deflagration range is ignited by the high temperature of the burner of the combustor 101 and the spark generated in the relay circuit and high-pressure section in the control unit 103. There is a possibility that safety may be reduced.

  In consideration of the problems of the conventional combustion apparatus, the present invention avoids dangerous events such as ignition even when a gas leakage from a gas shut-off part such as a gas shut-off valve to the outside of the gas supply path occurs. An object of the present invention is to provide a combustion apparatus, a fuel processing apparatus, and a fuel cell power generation system capable of maintaining safety.

In order to achieve the above object, the first present invention provides:
A gas supply path for supplying a combustible gas;
A combustor for combusting combustible gas supplied from the gas supply path;
A controller for controlling the combustion of the combustor;
One or more gas shut-off valves provided on the gas supply path upstream of the combustor and controlled by the controller;
When there is one gas shutoff valve,
The gas shut-off valve, the combustor and the controller are spatially partitioned,
When there are a plurality of gas shut-off valves,
Of the plurality of gas shut-off valves, at least the gas shut-off valve at the uppermost stream of the gas supply path, the combustor, and the controller are spatially partitioned.

The second aspect of the present invention is
A housing provided to cover the combustor and the controller;
The gas shutoff valve spatially partitioned from the combustor and the controller is the combustion apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, which is disposed outside the casing.

The third aspect of the present invention
The combustion apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is provided with a communication port in which the space in the casing communicates with the atmosphere.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is
A ventilator for discharging gas in the space in the housing to the atmosphere from the communication port,
The combustion apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the gas in the space in the housing is forcibly exhausted by the ventilator.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is
A housing provided to cover the combustor, the controller, and the one or more gas shut-off valves;
A partition formed between the combustor and the controller in the housing, and the gas shut-off valve spatially partitioned from the combustor and the controller;
The housing and the partition form a first space including the gas shut-off valve spatially partitioned from the combustor and the controller, and a second space including the combustor and the controller. 1 is a combustion apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The sixth aspect of the present invention
The combustion apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the first space includes a first communication port communicating with the atmosphere.

The seventh aspect of the present invention
The combustion apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the second space includes a second communication port that communicates with the atmosphere.

Further, the eighth aspect of the present invention is
A ventilator for discharging the gas in the second space to the atmosphere from the second communication port;
The combustion apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the gas in the second space is forcibly exhausted by the ventilator.

The ninth aspect of the present invention provides
The combustible gas is the combustion apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, which contains an odorous component.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is
In order to remove the odorous component, provided with an odorous component remover provided in the gas supply path,
The odorant remover is
When the gas shut-off valve is one, it is provided on the downstream side of the gas shut-off valve,
When there are a plurality of the gas shut-off valves, the combustion apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is provided on the downstream side of the gas shut-off valve in the uppermost stream of the gas supply path.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is
A combustible gas sensor that is provided in a space on the combustor and the controller side and that detects the combustible gas leaked into the space;
The controller is
The combustion apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention controls the one or more gas cutoff valves to be shut off based on a detection value of the combustible gas sensor.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is
When there is one gas shutoff valve,
In the state where the gas shut-off valve is normally closed, the pressure in the gas supply path upstream of the gas shut-off valve is a positive pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure,
When there are a plurality of gas shut-off valves,
In a state where the most upstream gas shut-off valve is normally closed, the pressure in the gas supply path upstream of the most upstream gas shut-off valve is a positive pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure. It is a combustion apparatus of this invention.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is
The combustor has a burner for burning the combustible gas, and a combustion cylinder provided around the burner,
In order to guide the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustor to the outside of the space on the combustor and the controller side, a combustion exhaust gas channel connected to the combustion cylinder is provided, 1 is a combustion apparatus according to the present invention.

The fourteenth aspect of the present invention is
Any one of the first to thirteenth combustion devices of the present invention;
And a reformer that generates a hydrogen-containing gas by reforming the raw material by heating the combustion device.

The fifteenth aspect of the present invention is
A fuel processor of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention;
And a fuel cell power generation system including a fuel cell that generates power using the hydrogen-containing gas delivered from the fuel processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, even if a gas leakage from a gas shut-off part such as a gas shut-off valve to the outside of the gas supply path occurs, it is possible to avoid dangerous events such as ignition and maintain safety. A combustion apparatus, a fuel processing apparatus, and a fuel cell power generation system can be provided.

  The contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a combustion apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The combustion apparatus of the present embodiment includes a gas supply path 1 for supplying a combustible gas from the gas infrastructure side, and a combustor 4 for combusting the supplied combustible gas. A gas flow rate adjusting unit 3 that adjusts the flow rate of the combustible gas supplied to the combustor 4 is disposed in the gas supply path 1 on the upstream side of the combustor 4. Further, a gas shutoff valve 2 for shutting off the combustible gas is disposed in the gas supply path 1 on the upstream side of the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3. The gas shut-off valve 2 is a normally closed type valve, and is closed when a power failure occurs, so that the combustible gas can be prevented from being supplied to the combustor 4.

  In addition, a combustion air supply unit 5 for supplying combustion air corresponding to the flow rate of the combustible gas to the combustor 4, and combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustor 4 are introduced through the gas flow path 30. A heat exchanger 6 is provided. In order to utilize the heat absorbed by the heat exchanger 6 from the combustion exhaust gas by introducing such combustion exhaust gas, a heat medium supply unit 7 for supplying the heat medium to the heat exchanger 6 is provided. A heat medium flow path 71 is provided to send the heat medium from the heat medium supply unit 7 to a place where heat is utilized via the heat exchanger 6.

  Further, a control unit 10 for controlling the combustion operation of the combustor 4 by controlling the operations of the gas shut-off valve 2, the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3, the combustor 4, the fuel air supply unit 5, and the like is provided. .

  The gas flow rate adjustment unit 3, the combustor 4, the combustion air supply unit 5, the heat exchanger 6, the heat medium supply unit 7, and the control unit 10 described above are covered with a casing 8 formed of metal. The casing 8 is provided with an intake port 14 which is an example of a communication port of the present invention, and outside air is taken in from the intake port 32 in order to introduce air into the combustor 4 by the combustion air supply unit 5. Further, an exhaust gas passage 31 for exhausting the exhaust gas that has passed through the heat exchanger 6 to the outside of the housing 8 is provided. The exhaust gas flow channel 31, the combustion exhaust gas flow channel in the heat exchanger 6, and the gas flow channel 30 correspond to an example of the combustion exhaust gas flow channel of the present invention.

  Further, a gas leak detection unit 9 for monitoring gas leak is disposed in the housing 8. The gas leak detection unit 9 has a combustible gas sensor. The gas leak detection unit 9 determines whether or not the gas leaks based on the detection value of the combustible gas sensor, and the gas leaks. If it is determined, the control unit 10 operates the gas cutoff valve 2 to cut off the gas supply from the infrastructure side. The gas cutoff valve 2 is disposed outside the housing 8.

  Next, the structure of the combustor 4 and the heat exchanger 6 of this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the combustor 4 and the heat exchanger 6 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the combustor 4 includes a burner 41 connected to the gas supply path 1 and a combustion cylinder 42 formed so as to surround the burner 41. The gas flow path 30 is connected to the combustion cylinder 42, and when the air from the combustion air supply unit 5 is supplied and the combustible gas is combusted, a high-temperature gas is supplied to the heat exchanger 6. Thus, normally, the combustor 4 does not diffuse the combustion exhaust gas generated by the burner 41 into the housing 8, isolates it from the internal atmosphere of the housing 8, and sends the combustion exhaust gas to the heat exchanger 6. A combustion cylinder 42 is provided.

  Further, the heat exchanger 6 has a heat exchanging portion 61 in which a heat medium passage 71 is formed in a serpentine shape so as to cross a high-temperature gas flow flowing through the heat exchanger 6 a plurality of times. The heat exchange unit 61 is provided with fins 62, and heat exchange with a high-temperature gas is promoted. In addition, the flame 43 by the burner 41 is shown in the figure.

  Next, the operation of the combustion apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

  According to the combustion apparatus, in a normal combustion operation, the control unit 10 opens the gas cutoff valve 2 as shown in FIG. 1 so that the combustible gas passes through the gas cutoff valve 2 from the gas supply path 1. A predetermined amount is measured by the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3 and supplied to the downstream combustor 4. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, combustion air corresponding to the metered gas is supplied from the combustion air supply unit 5 to the combustor 4 under the control of the control unit 10, and combustion is performed in the combustion cylinder 42 by the burner 41. Done. The combusted high-temperature gas is introduced into the heat exchanger 6 through the gas flow path 30, and is heat-exchanged with a heat medium such as water in the heat exchanger 6, and then is discharged out of the housing 8 through the exhaust gas flow path 31. And exhausted. The heat-exchanged water is used as hot water.

  When the combustion operation of the combustion apparatus is stopped, the control unit 10 closes the gas shut-off valve 2 to stop the supply of combustible gas to the combustor 4 and from the combustion air supply unit 5 to the combustor. The supply of combustion air to 4 is also stopped.

  As described above, except for the gas shutoff valve 2, the combustion apparatus of the present embodiment is covered with a casing 8 made of metal, and a gas leak detection unit 9 is provided in the interior thereof, and an external gas leak Is being monitored. Should a gas leak occur during the combustion operation of the combustion apparatus, the gas leak detection unit 9 detects a combustible gas leak and supplies a detection signal to the control unit 10. Upon receiving the detection signal, the control unit 10 stops the supply of combustion air from the combustion air supply unit 5, shuts off the gas shut-off valve 2, and stops the supply of combustible gas. Prevent leakage and damage from expansion.

  Here, even if the gas shut-off valve is closed due to the stop of the combustion operation of a normal combustion device or the leakage of combustible gas, the gas shut-off valve 2 itself fails, and the gas shut-off valve 2 is connected to the outside of the gas supply path 1 In the case where gas leakage cannot be blocked, in the conventional casing (the casing 100 indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1), the gas cutoff valve 2 is inside the casing 8, so that the casing 100 is filled with gas. There is a risk.

  For example, the supply pressure of the city gas 13A, which is a combustible gas supplied from the gas infrastructure, is normally maintained to be a positive pressure (for example, about +2 KPa) with respect to the atmospheric pressure. Even if the gas leakage from 2 to the outside of the gas supply path 1 is slight, the gas leakage continues for a long time, and the casing 100 is filled with gas.

  On the other hand, in the combustion apparatus of the present embodiment, since the gas shut-off valve 2 is arranged outside the housing 8, the gas shut-off valve 2 breaks down and the gas shut-off valve 2 Even if a leak occurs outside, the casing 8 is not filled with leaked gas. Furthermore, since the ignition source of the combustible gas such as the relay circuit and the high pressure portion in the combustor 4 and the control unit 10 which are heated is covered with the housing 8 and is spatially partitioned from the gas cutoff valve 2, The combustible leakage gas does not come into contact with this ignition source and diffuses out of the combustion system, so that safety can be maintained.

  In addition, since the gas has an odorant, it is possible for the user to detect the gas leak at an early stage when the gas leaks, improving safety and improving the merchantability. It will be.

  In the case where a microcomputer gas meter is provided in the gas supply path 1 upstream of the gas cutoff valve 2, even if a gas leak occurs from the gas cutoff valve 2 to the outside of the gas supply path 1, the leakage amount is If it is above a certain level, the gas supply path is quickly shut off by the gas shut-off valve provided in the microcomputer gas meter by the protective operation function of the microcomputer gas meter.

  However, when the amount of external leakage from the gas shut-off valve is very small, the protective operation function does not operate quickly, and the gas supply path is not shut off unless, for example, about 30 days have elapsed. In such a case, when the combustor and the control unit exist in the same space as the gas shut-off valve as in the conventional combustion device, similarly, depending on the amount of leakage into the casing, There is a risk of ignition due to sparks generated in the relay circuit or high voltage section in the unit.

  Thus, in the combustion apparatus of the present embodiment, even if a microcomputer gas meter having a normal protection operation function is provided, it may be difficult to cope with the problem of external leakage of gas from the gas cutoff valve. On the other hand, the effect of maintaining safety can be exhibited.

  In this embodiment, only one gas shut-off valve is provided, but a configuration in which a plurality of gas shut-off valves are provided in order to prevent leakage more reliably. The plurality of gas shut-off valves are controlled to be opened and closed simultaneously.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a combustion apparatus in which two gas cutoff valves are provided as an example when a plurality of gas cutoff valves are provided.

  In the combustion apparatus shown in FIG. 3, a gas cutoff valve 2 ′ is further provided between the gas cutoff valve 2 and the gas flow rate adjustment unit 3. This gas shut-off valve 2 ′ is arranged in the housing 8.

  By arranging a plurality of gas shut-off valves in this way, even if the gas shut-off valve 2 ′ in the housing 8 fails, the gas shut-off valve can be used if the upstream gas shut-off valve 2 is not faulty. By closing 2, the gas supply path 1 is closed, and the gas flow in the gas supply path 1 can be stopped, so that external leakage from the gas shutoff valve 2 ′ can be prevented.

  On the other hand, if the gas shut-off valve 2 breaks down and leaks from the gas shut-off valve 2, external leakage cannot be stopped, but the gas shut-off valve 2 is disposed outside the housing 8, Leakage gas does not fill the housing 8. Therefore, ignition is suppressed by the combustor 4 (for example, the surface of the combustion cylinder 42) heated inside the housing 8 and the relay circuit or high-pressure portion in the control unit 10, and safety can be ensured.

  Further, the gas cutoff valve 2 ′ may be provided not between the gas cutoff valve 2 and the gas flow rate adjustment unit 3 but between the gas flow rate adjustment unit 3 and the combustor 4. Similarly to the above, the gas cutoff valve 2 ′ may also be disposed outside the housing 8.

  A gas shutoff valve 2 ′ may be disposed between the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3 and the combustor 4, and a total of three gas shutoff valves may be disposed. The number of gas cutoff valves provided on the path 1 is not limited. In short, when a plurality of gas shut-off valves are provided in the gas supply path 1, it is only necessary that at least the gas shut-off valve of the most upstream gas supply path 1 is disposed outside the housing 8. If the most upstream gas shut-off valve has not failed, the most upstream gas shut-off valve will shut off even if the gas shut-off valve downstream of the most upstream gas shut-off valve fails. The gas flow in the gas supply path downstream from the gas shut-off valve is stopped, and flammable gas leakage from the downstream gas shut-off valve is suppressed. However, if the most upstream gas shut-off valve fails, the gas shut-off valve This is because flammable gas leakage cannot be suppressed. The uppermost gas cutoff valve of the gas supply path 1 is controlled by the control unit 10 together with the downstream gas cutoff valve, and does not correspond to the gas cutoff valve in the microcomputer gas meter. .

  In the present embodiment, the combustor 4 and the heat exchanger 6 are separately provided as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the heat exchange unit 61 is disposed in the combustion cylinder 42. May be integrated. Further, the combustor 4 and the heat exchanger 6 may be integrated by disposing the heat medium flow channel 71 around the outer periphery of the combustion cylinder 42.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the combustion apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The basic configuration of the combustion apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the housing is different. Therefore, this difference will be mainly described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component same as Embodiment 1. FIG.

  In the combustion apparatus of the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the casing 11 is divided into two blocks 11a and 11b, and the gas cutoff valve 2 and other components (the gas flow rate adjustment unit 3, The combustor 4, the combustion air supply unit 5, the heat exchanger 6, the heat medium supply unit 7, the gas leakage detection unit 9, and the control unit 10) are arranged in separate blocks 11a and 11b, respectively. An example of the first space of the present invention corresponds to the block 11a of the present embodiment, and an example of the second space of the present invention corresponds to the block 11b of the present embodiment.

  In the combustion apparatus having such a configuration, when a flammable gas leaks from the gas shut-off valve 2 to the outside of the gas supply path 1, the combustible gas is only in the block 11a in which the gas shut-off valve 2 is stored. It will leak. On the other hand, the combustor 4 and the control unit 10 do not exist in the block 11a where the combustible gas leaks, but are disposed in the block 11b. It is possible to suppress ignition by contact with a spark generated in the relay circuit or the high-voltage unit in the control unit 10.

  Therefore, even when combustible gas leaks from the gas cutoff valve 2 to the outside of the gas supply path 1, safety can be maintained.

  Further, since the block 11a in which the gas shut-off valve 2 is arranged is an airtight body, the leakage of combustible gas proceeds, and the leakage of the combustible gas stops when the pressure in the block 11a is balanced with the gas supply pressure. It is possible to ensure safety.

  In addition, since the gas shut-off valve 2 is protected by the casing 11, the gas shut-off valve 2 can be protected from external impacts, corrosion due to wind and rain, and the like.

  In addition, by providing a communication port for communicating the space in the block 11a with the atmosphere on the casing of the casing of the block 11a, the combustible gas leaked outside the system of the combustion apparatus as in the first embodiment can be obtained. It may be diffused.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, a plurality of gas cutoff valves may be provided on the gas supply path 1 leading to the combustor 4, and in that case, at least the gas cutoff valve of the most upstream gas supply path 1 is blocked. The downstream gas cutoff valve may be disposed in the block 11b as long as it is disposed in 11a.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the combustion apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The basic configuration of the combustion apparatus of the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, except that the block 11a includes a communication port communicating with the atmosphere. Therefore, this difference will be mainly described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component same as Embodiment 2. FIG.

  In the combustion apparatus of the third embodiment, the two blocks 11a and 11b in the second embodiment are each provided with a ventilation fan 13 and an intake port 14 associated with ventilation. Note that the first communication port of the present invention is provided in the casing 121 where the space in the block 11a communicates with the atmosphere, and the combustible gas leaking into the block 11a can be diffused and exhausted to the atmosphere. As an example, there is a ventilation port (not shown) of the ventilation fan 13 provided in the block 11a of the present embodiment. In addition, when the ventilation fan 13 provided in the block 11a is stopped, the gas in the block 11a is diffused and exhausted from the intake port 14 provided in the block 11a to the atmosphere. It functions as a communication port of the present invention.

  On the other hand, an example of the second communication port of the present invention is the case 121 in which the space in the block 11b communicates with the atmosphere, and the combustible gas leaking into the block 11b can be diffused and exhausted to the atmosphere. A ventilation port (not shown) of the ventilation fan 13 provided in the block 11b of the present embodiment is an example of the communication port.

  In addition, when the ventilation fan 13 provided in the block 11b is stopped, the gas in the block 11a is diffused and exhausted from the intake port 14 provided in the block 11b to the atmosphere. It functions as a communication port of the present invention. Moreover, an example of the ventilator of this invention is corresponded to the ventilation fan 13 of this Embodiment. In the combustion apparatus of the present embodiment, the case where both the ventilation port provided with the ventilation fan and the intake port are provided as the communication port of the present invention is illustrated. However, each of the block 11a and the block 11b includes at least It does not matter as long as one opening is provided.

  In the combustion apparatus having such a configuration, when a flammable gas leaks from the gas cutoff valve 2 to the outside of the gas supply path 1, the flammable gas leaks only to the block 11a in which the gas cutoff valve 2 is stored. Since the block 11a is always ventilated, the leaked combustible gas is diffused and exhausted out of the combustion system through the ventilation fan 13 in a diluted state. Further, since the combustor 16 and the control unit 10 are not present in the block 11a where the gas has leaked but are disposed in the block 11b, the leaked combustible gas may be transferred to the high temperature part of the combustor 16 or the control unit. It is possible to suppress contact with an ignition source such as a relay circuit or a high-voltage portion in 10.

  As described above, safety can be maintained even when flammable gas leaks from the gas cutoff valve 2 to the outside of the gas supply path 1.

  Further, when the other block 11b is ventilated, even when a flammable gas leaks from the system in the block 11b to the space in the block 11b, the flammable gas leaked out of the block 11b is diffused and exhausted. This makes it possible to maintain safety.

  Even if there is no ventilation fan 13 in the block 11a, if there is a portion communicating with the outside air at the intake port 14 or the like, the leaked gas is diffused and exhausted to the atmosphere, so that the block 11a is not filled and burned. Since it diffuses out of the system, it is possible to maintain safety. In addition, since the gas has an odorant, if a gas leak occurs, the user can detect the gas leak at an early stage due to an odor, improving safety and improving the merchantability. Become.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which does not provide the ventilation fan 13 also in the block 11b with the block 11a.

  Alternatively, the block 11a may be a sealed space without providing the ventilation fan 13 and the intake port 14, and only the intake port 14 or the ventilation fan 13 and the intake port 14 may be provided on the block 11b side.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, a plurality of gas cutoff valves may be provided on the gas supply path 1 leading to the combustor 4, and in that case, at least the gas cutoff valve of the most upstream gas supply path 1 is blocked. The downstream gas cutoff valve may be disposed in the block 11b as long as it is disposed in 11a.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a fuel processor according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The fuel processing apparatus of the fourth embodiment uses the combustion apparatus of the third embodiment, and the same components as those of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The combustion apparatus of the present embodiment includes a gas supply path 1 for supplying a combustible source gas containing an organic compound composed of at least a carbon element and a hydrogen element such as methane from the gas infrastructure side, and the supplied source gas A fuel processor 15 for generating a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction is provided. In the fuel processor 15, hydrogen can be generated by a steam reforming method using steam, a partial oxidation reforming method using air, an autothermal method using both, or the like.

  In this embodiment, since the steam reforming method using steam is used, a water supply unit 18 for supplying moisture to the fuel processor 15 is provided.

  In the gas supply path 1 on the upstream side of the fuel processor 15, a desulfurizer 27 is provided as an example of the odorous component remover of the present invention for removing sulfur which is an odorous component in the supplied raw material gas. Is provided. A gas flow rate adjusting unit 3 that adjusts the flow rate of the gas supplied to the fuel processor 15 is disposed in the gas supply path 1 upstream of the desulfurizer 27. Further, a gas shutoff valve 2 for shutting off the gas supply is disposed in the gas supply path 1 upstream of the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3. The gas flow rate adjustment unit 3 may be provided on the downstream side of the desulfurizer 27.

  A combustor 16 for heating the fuel processor 15 is provided, and on the downstream side of the fuel processor 15, the hydrogen-containing gas generated by the fuel processor 15 is supplied outside the fuel processor (fuel gas). Distributor 17 for distributing to flow path 142 side and combustor 16 side is arranged.

  Also, a combustion air supply unit that distributes in the distributor 17 and supplies combustion air corresponding to the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas supplied to the combustor 16 through the distribution gas passage 141 from the intake port 32 and supplies the combustion air to the combustor 16. 5 is provided. The combustion exhaust gas combusted in the combustor 16 is guided to the fuel processor 15 to supply necessary heat to the fuel processor 15 and then exhausted through the exhaust gas passage 140 corresponding to an example of the combustion exhaust passage of the present invention. Exhausted as gas.

  Not only the operation of the combustor, such as the operation of the gas shutoff valve 2, the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3, the fuel processor 15, the distributor 17, the combustor 16, the combustion air supply unit 5 and the water supply unit 18, but the whole fuel processing apparatus A control unit 26 is provided for controlling the operation of the above.

  As in the third embodiment, the fuel processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is provided with a housing 11 so as to cover the component parts. The housing 11 is separated by a partition wall 12 formed inside. It is divided into two blocks 11a and 11b. In one block 11a, only the gas shut-off valve 2 whose operation is controlled by the control unit 26 among the components is arranged, and in the other block 11b, the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3, the fuel processor 15, the distribution A combustor 17, a combustor 16, a combustion air supply unit 5, a water supply unit 18, and a control unit 26 are provided. Each of these blocks 11a and 11b is equipped with a ventilation fan 13 and an intake port 14 associated with ventilation.

  Further, a gas leak detection unit 9 for monitoring the gas leak inside the block 11b is arranged, and the control unit 26 operates the gas shut-off valve 2 based on a gas detection signal from the gas leak detection unit 9. The gas supply from the infrastructure side is cut off.

  Next, the fuel processor 15 and the combustor 16 of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the fuel processor 15 and the combustor 16 that heats the fuel processor 15. The fuel processor 15 of the present embodiment is configured by arranging an inner cylinder 151, an intermediate cylinder 152, and an outer cylinder 153 concentrically. With this configuration, the desulfurizer 27 passes through the annular space between the inner cylinder 151 and the middle cylinder 152 from above to below, and passes through the annular space between the middle cylinder 152 and the outer cylinder 153 from below to above. A flow path leading to 17 is formed.

  A reforming catalyst 154 mainly composed of ruthenium is disposed in an annular space between the inner cylinder 151 and the middle cylinder 152, a shift catalyst 155 mainly composed of copper and zinc, and a ruthenium based element. An oxidation catalyst 156 is disposed in an annular space between the middle cylinder 152 and the outer cylinder 153. An air supply port 157 is also provided for sending an oxidizing gas into the gas after passing through the shift catalyst.

  On the other hand, the combustor 16 includes a burner 161 provided at the center of the above-described inner cylinder 151, middle cylinder 152, and outer cylinder 153, and a combustion cylinder 162 provided so as to cover the burner 161. Further, a part of the wall of the combustion cylinder 162 is formed by the inner cylinder 151, and heat due to the combustion of the gas is transferred through a housing such as the inner cylinder 151, the middle cylinder 152, the outer cylinder 153, etc. The catalyst 154, the shift catalyst 155, and the oxidation catalyst 156 are heated.

  The distribution gas channel 141 described above is connected to the burner 161, and the fuel gas distributed by the distributor 17 is supplied to the burner 161.

  In addition, the combustion cylinder 162 is connected to the exhaust gas flow path 140, and the exhaust gas thus combusted is exhausted to the outside of the housing 11. In the figure, a flame 163 by the burner 161 is shown.

  When the fuel processor according to the present embodiment is started, all the gas generated by the fuel processor 15 is supplied to the burner 161 side by the distributor 17, and the reforming catalyst 154, the shift catalyst 155, and the oxidation catalyst are supplied. When the catalyst 156 is sufficiently heated and a high-quality hydrogen-containing gas having a low carbon monoxide concentration is generated, it is also supplied to the fuel gas channel 142 side.

  In the fuel processing apparatus having such a configuration, when a gas leak occurs from the gas cutoff valve 2 to the outside of the gas supply path 1, the raw material gas leaks only to the block 11a in which the gas cutoff valve 2 is stored. Since the block 11a is constantly ventilated, the leaked raw material gas is diffused and exhausted out of the fuel processing system in a diluted state. Further, the high temperature part such as the combustor 16 does not exist in the block 11a where the raw material gas has leaked, but is disposed in the block 11b.

  For this reason, even if combustible gas leaks from the gas shut-off valve 2 to the outside of the gas supply path 1, the combustible gas leaked to the combustor 16 that heats the fuel processor 15 that reforms the raw material at a high temperature. Can be prevented, or the leaked combustible gas can be prevented from coming into contact with the control unit 26 that generates a spark in the relay circuit or the high-pressure section, so that it is possible to provide a fuel processing device that ensures safety. .

  The other block 11b is provided with a fuel processor 15 that reforms the fuel at a high temperature of less than 700 ° C., a relay circuit, and a control unit 26 that generates sparks in the high-pressure section. In addition, even when the leakage of the raw material gas or the hydrogen-containing gas occurs from the system in the block 11b other than the gas shut-off valve 2, the leakage gas can be exhausted to the outside, so that safety is maintained. It becomes possible.

  Even when the ventilation fan 13 is not provided in the block 11a, if there is a portion communicating with the outside air such as the air inlet 14, etc., the leaked gas is diffused and exhausted to the atmosphere. It can be kept safe because it spreads outside the system. Moreover, because the gas has an odorant, if a gas leak occurs, the user can detect the gas leak at an early stage due to the odor, improving safety and improving the product quality. .

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which does not provide the ventilation fan 13 also in the block 11b with the block 11a.

  In the present embodiment, the gas shut-off valve 2 and other components (combustor 16, fuel processor 15, etc.) are arranged in separate blocks 11a and 11b formed by the casing 11 and the partition wall 12, The configuration in which the ventilation fan 13 and the intake port 14 are provided for each of the blocks 11a and 11b has been described. However, as described in the second embodiment, the ventilation fan 13 and the intake port 14 are not provided in the block 11a. Only the air inlet 14 (see FIG. 4) or the ventilation fan 13 and the air inlet 14 may be provided on the block 11b side. Furthermore, as described in the first embodiment, the gas cutoff valve 2 may be configured to be exposed to the outside air without being covered by the casing (see FIG. 1), or the gas supply path 1 may be controlled. A plurality of gas cutoff valves controlled by the unit 26 may be provided, and at least the most upstream gas cutoff valve may be provided in the block 11a, and a downstream gas cutoff valve may be provided in the block 11b. Note that at least the gas cutoff valve of the most upstream gas supply path 1 may be disposed outside the housing 8 as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the fuel processor 15 of the present embodiment is configured integrally with a reformer having a reforming catalyst 154, a shifter having a shift catalyst 155, and a CO remover having an oxidation catalyst 156. The reformer, the transformer, and the CO remover may be provided separately.

  The fuel processor 15 of the present embodiment includes the reforming catalyst 154, the shift catalyst 155, and the oxidation catalyst 156, but it is not necessary to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide (molten carbonate type). In the case of a fuel cell), it is not necessary to have the oxidation catalyst 156. As long as the reformer has at least the reforming catalyst 154, hydrogen can be generated by the reforming reaction.

  In the present embodiment, the fuel processor 15 has a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a fuel cell cogeneration system according to Embodiment 5 as an example of the fuel cell power generation system of the present invention.

  The fuel cell cogeneration system of the present embodiment is a system using the fuel processing apparatus of the fourth embodiment, and the same components as those of the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Since the reforming method used in the fuel processor 15 of the fuel cell cogeneration system of the fifth embodiment is a steam reforming method, a water supply unit 18 for supplying steam to the fuel processor 15 is provided. Is provided.

  Further, on the downstream side of the fuel processor 15, a fuel cell stack 19 in which cells composed of a polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, a cathode, a separator, and the like are stacked is provided. The hydrogen-containing gas generated by the fuel processor 15 is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell stack 19. On the other hand, an air supply unit 20 for supplying air to the cathode of the fuel cell stack 19 is provided. Further, an electric power extraction unit 21 for extracting electric power generated in the fuel cell stack 19 and a heat recovery unit 22 for recovering heat generated in the fuel cell stack 19 are provided.

  Further, a power supply 23 for controlling and driving the above components, a control actuator 24, and a control unit 25 for controlling the operation of the entire system including the combustion operation of the combustor 16 are provided.

  In the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the fifth embodiment, as in the fuel processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, a housing 11 is provided so as to cover the components, and the housing 11 is formed on the inner side. The partition wall 12 is divided into two blocks 11a and 11b. In one block 11a, only the gas shut-off valve 2 controlled by the control unit 25 among the components is arranged, and in the other block 11b, the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3, the combustion air supply unit 5, the fuel processing A combustor 15, a combustor 16, a fuel cell stack 19, an air supply unit 20, a power extraction unit 21, a heat recovery unit 22, a power source 23, a control actuator 24, and a control unit 25 are disposed. Each of these blocks 11a and 11b is equipped with a ventilation fan 13 and an intake port 14 associated with ventilation.

  The block 11b is provided with a gas leakage detection unit 9 for monitoring gas leakage inside the block 11b. The control unit 25 controls the gas cutoff valve 2 based on a gas leakage detection signal from the gas leakage detection unit 9. It is operated and the supply of raw material gas from the infrastructure side is cut off. The control unit 25 also controls other components (such as the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3).

  In the fuel cell cogeneration system having the above configuration, even when a raw material gas leaks from the gas shut-off valve 2, the gas shut-off valve 2, the power source, the electrical device that is a control actuator, and the relay that is present in the control unit 25 Since the high-temperature parts such as the circuit and the fuel processor are arranged in the separate blocks 11a and 11b, the leakage gas may come into contact with the high-temperature parts or the spark generated in the relay circuit or the high-pressure unit in the control unit 25 It is possible to suppress the occurrence of an ignition or an explosion by contact.

  Therefore, even when the raw material gas leaks from the gas cutoff valve 2, safety can be maintained.

  As in the fourth embodiment, even if the ventilation fan 13 is not provided in the block 11a, if there is a portion communicating with the outside air such as the air inlet 14, the leaked source gas is diffused and exhausted to the atmosphere. The housing 18a is not filled, but is diffused out of the system system, so that safety can be maintained. In addition, since the gas has an odorant, when a gas leak occurs, it is possible to detect the leak of the raw material gas at an early stage due to the odor, improving the safety and improving the merchantability.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which does not provide the ventilation fan 13 also in the block 11b with the block 11a.

  In the present embodiment, the gas shut-off valve 2 and other components (combustor 16, fuel processor 15, etc.) are arranged in separate blocks 11a and 11b formed by the casing 11 and the partition wall 12, The configuration in which the ventilation fan 13 and the intake port 14 are provided for each of the blocks 11a and 11b has been described. However, as described in the second embodiment, the ventilation fan 13 and the intake port 14 are not provided in the block 11a. Only the air inlet 14 (see FIG. 4) or the ventilation fan 13 and the air inlet 14 may be provided on the block 11b side. Furthermore, as described in the first embodiment, the gas cutoff valve 2 may be configured to be exposed to the outside air without being covered by the casing (see FIG. 1), or the gas supply path 1 may be controlled. A plurality of gas cutoff valves controlled by the unit 26 may be provided, and at least the most upstream gas cutoff valve may be provided in the block 11a, and the downstream gas cutoff valve may be provided in the block 11b. Note that at least the gas cutoff valve of the most upstream gas supply path 1 may be disposed outside the housing 8 as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the desulfurizer 27 described in the fourth and fifth embodiments is provided between the gas flow rate adjusting unit 3 and the fuel processor 15, but it is only necessary to prevent poisoning of the catalyst of the fuel processor 15. As long as it is on the upstream side of the fuel processor 15, it may be provided at any position regardless of the inside or outside of the block 11b. However, it is preferable to provide the desulfurizer 27 on the downstream side of the gas shut-off valve 2 in order to detect the gas leak due to odor early when gas leaks from the gas shut-off valve 2.

  In the fourth and fifth embodiments, since sulfur is included as an odorous component in the combustible gas supplied from the gas infrastructure, a desulfurizer 27 is provided. For example, nitrogen is used as the odorous component. When the containing isonitrile compound is used, a remover for removing such an odorant containing a nitrogen component may be provided, and an appropriate remover may be provided depending on the type of the odorant. If the odorant does not affect the catalyst provided in the fuel processor 15 or the fuel cell stack 19, it is not necessary to provide a remover.

  Moreover, in the said Embodiment 3-5, each ventilation fan 13 of the block 11a and the block 11b is provided in the same surface of the housing | casing 11, and each inlet port 14 is provided in the surface facing the surface. However, it is not limited to this position. However, in order to prevent external leakage from the gas shutoff valve 2 and the gas discharged from the ventilation fan 13 is not sucked into the block 11b as much as possible, the same surface as the ventilation fan 13 of the block 11a or the block 11a. It is preferable not to provide the air inlet 14 of the block 11b in the vicinity of the ventilation fan 13.

  Also in the second to fifth embodiments, a plurality of gas shut-off valves may be provided at any position in the gas supply path 1 leading to the combustors 4 and 16 as described in FIG.

  When a plurality of gas shut-off valves are provided in this way, in order to detect gas leakage early due to odor, the desulfurizer 27 in Embodiments 4 and 5 includes at least one of the plurality of gas shield valves. It is preferable to provide it on the downstream side of the most upstream gas shielding valve. The uppermost gas cutoff valve of the gas supply path 1 is controlled by the control units 10, 25, and 26 together with the downstream gas cutoff valve, and corresponds to a gas cutoff valve in the microcomputer gas meter. It is not a thing.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the control units 10, 25, and 26 and the combustor 4 are arranged in the same casing 8, 11b. May be spatially partitioned.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the gas leakage detection unit 9 determines the presence or absence of leakage based on the detection signal from the gas leakage detection unit 9, but the gas leakage detection unit 9 controls the control units 10, 25, 26. A detection value may be transmitted to the control unit 10, and the control units 10, 25, and 26 may determine whether or not there is leakage from the detection value.

  According to the combustion apparatus of the present invention, even when gas leakage from the gas shutoff valve or the like to the outside of the gas supply path occurs, it is possible to avoid a dangerous event such as ignition and maintain safety. And is useful as a fuel processing apparatus that generates hydrogen, a fuel cell cogeneration system, and the like.

The block diagram which showed schematic structure of the combustion apparatus in Embodiment 1 concerning this invention, and a prior art example The block diagram of the combustor and heat exchanger in Embodiment 1 concerning this invention The block diagram which showed schematic structure of the combustion apparatus in the modification of Embodiment 1 concerning this invention. The block diagram which showed schematic structure of the combustion apparatus in Embodiment 2 concerning this invention. The block diagram which showed schematic structure of the combustion apparatus in Embodiment 3 concerning this invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel processor according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Sectional block diagram of the fuel processor in Embodiment 4 concerning this invention A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell cogeneration system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a conventional combustion apparatus

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas supply path 2 Gas shut-off valve 3 Gas flow rate adjustment unit 4 Combustor 5 Combustion air supply unit 6 Heat exchanger 7 Heat medium supply unit 8 Case 9 Gas leak detection unit 10 Control unit 11 Case 11a, 11b Block 12 Partition 13 Ventilation fan 14 Inlet 15 Fuel processor 16 Combustor 17 Distributor 18 Water supply unit 19 Fuel cell stack 20 Air supply unit

Claims (15)

A gas supply path for supplying a combustible gas;
A combustor for combusting combustible gas supplied from the gas supply path;
A controller for controlling the combustion of the combustor;
One or more gas shut-off valves provided on the gas supply path upstream of the combustor and controlled by the controller;
When there is one gas shutoff valve,
The gas shut-off valve, the combustor and the controller are spatially partitioned,
When there are a plurality of gas shut-off valves,
A combustion apparatus in which at least the most upstream gas cutoff valve in the gas supply path among the plurality of gas cutoff valves is spatially partitioned from the combustor and the controller. A housing provided to cover the combustor and the controller;
The combustion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas shut-off valve spatially partitioned from the combustor and the controller is disposed outside the casing.   The combustion apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a space in the housing includes a communication port that communicates with the atmosphere. A ventilator for discharging gas in the space in the housing to the atmosphere from the communication port,
The combustion apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the gas in the space in the housing is forcibly exhausted by the ventilator. A housing provided to cover the combustor, the controller, and the one or more gas shut-off valves;
A partition formed between the combustor and the controller in the housing, and the gas shut-off valve spatially partitioned from the combustor and the controller;
The housing and the partition form a first space including the gas shut-off valve spatially partitioned from the combustor and the controller, and a second space including the combustor and the controller. The combustion apparatus according to claim 1.   The combustion apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first space includes a first communication port that communicates with the atmosphere.   The combustion apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second space includes a second communication port that communicates with the atmosphere. A ventilator for discharging the gas in the second space to the atmosphere from the second communication port;
The combustion apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the gas in the second space is forcibly exhausted by the ventilator.   The combustion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combustible gas includes an odorous component. In order to remove the odorous component, provided with an odorous component remover provided in the gas supply path,
The odorant remover is
When the gas shut-off valve is one, it is provided on the downstream side of the gas shut-off valve,
The combustion apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when there are a plurality of gas cutoff valves, the combustion apparatus is provided downstream of the gas cutoff valve in the uppermost stream of the gas supply path. A combustible gas sensor that is provided in a space on the combustor and the controller side and that detects the combustible gas leaked into the space;
The controller is
The combustion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more gas cutoff valves are controlled to be shut off based on a detection value of the combustible gas sensor. When there is one gas shutoff valve,
In the state where the gas shut-off valve is normally closed, the pressure in the gas supply path upstream of the gas shut-off valve is a positive pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure,
When there are a plurality of gas shut-off valves,
The pressure in the gas supply path on the upstream side of the most upstream gas shut-off valve in a state where the most upstream gas shut-off valve is normally closed is a positive pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure. The combustion apparatus according to 1. The combustor has a burner for burning the combustible gas, and a combustion cylinder provided around the burner,
A combustion exhaust gas flow path connected to the combustion cylinder is provided in order to guide the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustor to outside the space on the combustor and the controller side, Item 4. The combustion apparatus according to Item 1. A combustion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
A fuel processing apparatus comprising: a reformer that reforms a raw material by heating the combustion apparatus to generate a hydrogen-containing gas. A fuel processor according to claim 14,
A fuel cell power generation system comprising: a fuel cell that generates power using a hydrogen-containing gas delivered from the fuel processing device.

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