JP2009195839A - Fluid reforming apparatus and fluid reforming method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid reforming apparatus capable of avoiding or suppressing various problems such as erosion, fluid constituent precipitation, and catalyst sintering by controlling a pressure and/or a temperature in a flow path to suppress fluid boiling and/or a phenomena analogous to boiling, and a fluid reforming method using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The fluid reforming apparatus 1 has a catalyst 9 on the inner wall of a flow path 2a, a fluid heating means (a heater 10), a temperature measuring means (a thermocouple 5), a fluid pressure measuring means (a pressure sensor 3), a pressure control means (a pressure keeping valve 4), and an optionally flow adjusting means (a pump 7a, a pump 7b) wherein a temperature in a flow path 2a is controlled at that not higher than a saturation temperature or a pseudo-critical temperature of a fluid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid reforming apparatus and a fluid reforming method using the same, and more particularly, a fluid reforming apparatus capable of suppressing boiling of fluid and / or a boiling-like phenomenon and fluid reforming using the same. Regarding the method.

Conventionally, a fuel of normal temperature to about 500 ° C. is fed into a reaction vessel, and the fuel is locally reformed in the reaction vessel for reforming (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP-A 61-135974

When a fluid such as fuel existing in the reaction vessel is heated from the outside, the fluid in the vicinity of the inner wall corresponding to the heated portion of the reaction vessel boils due to intense molecular motion due to heat.
When the fluid pressure is below the critical pressure, boiling of the fluid is accompanied by a phase change from liquid to gas phase.
The density of the fluid changes greatly due to boiling and rapidly expands as bubbles. The expanded bubbles cause a temperature decrease due to expansion and a temperature decrease due to heat escape to the surrounding fluid. Due to these temperature drops, the bubbles can no longer hold the suddenly increased pressure in the bubbles and are crushed.
Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the surrounding fluid is subjected to a rapid pressure fluctuation. Due to this pressure fluctuation, the inner wall in contact with the fluid may be damaged and the inner wall may be subject to erosion.

  Moreover, since a part of the fluid becomes bubbles and decreases in density due to boiling, the thermal conductivity of the fluid rapidly decreases, and there is a very high temperature region called a hot spot near the inner wall of the flow path. For example, when the fluid is a hydrocarbon or an alcohol, carbon may be precipitated by the hot spot. That is, some of the components of the fluid may precipitate due to boiling, and if the component precipitation becomes large, problems such as clogging the flow path may occur.

In addition, when a hot spot is generated by boiling of the fluid, sintering of the catalyst disposed in the vicinity of the flow path may be promoted.
Thus, the boiling phenomenon can cause undesirable problems for the fluid reformer.

On the other hand, when the fluid pressure is higher than the critical pressure, even if the fluid is heated to a high temperature, the fluid is in a supercritical state, and therefore a boiling phenomenon that involves a phase change from the liquid phase to the gas phase does not occur. .
However, a fluid in a supercritical state has a temperature called a pseudocritical temperature at which the density of the fluid suddenly decreases at a certain temperature, and is considered to cause a pressure fluctuation similar to a boiling phenomenon.
The pseudocritical temperature is a temperature corresponding to the saturation temperature (boiling point) of the fluid below the critical pressure. Strictly speaking, the pseudocritical temperature refers to a temperature at which the constant pressure specific heat of the fluid reaches a maximum value at a certain pressure.
When the fluid is pressurized and / or heated above the critical pressure, the density rapidly decreases at this pseudo-critical temperature, causing a rapid pressure fluctuation similar to boiling. This boiling-like phenomenon above the critical pressure may cause undesirable problems in the fluid reforming apparatus such as erosion and catalyst sintering, as is the case with boiling occurring below the critical pressure.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to control the pressure and temperature and the like to suppress the boiling of fluid and / or the boiling-like phenomenon, An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid reforming apparatus capable of avoiding or suppressing various problems such as erosion, precipitation of fluid components, and sintering of a catalyst, and a fluid reforming method using the fluid reforming apparatus.

  As a result of intensive investigations to achieve the above object, the present inventors have made boiling by controlling the temperature in the flow path below the saturation temperature of the fluid or below the pseudocritical pressure temperature under the target pressure. Alternatively, the present inventors have found that the boiling-like phenomenon can be suppressed and have completed the present invention.

  That is, the fluid reforming apparatus of the present invention has a catalyst on the inner wall of the flow path, a fluid heating means for heating the fluid and / or catalyst temperature in the flow path to a target value, A temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature, a fluid pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow path, and a pressure control means for controlling the pressure in the flow path to be a target value. Under the pressure of the value, the temperature in the flow path is controlled below the saturation temperature of the fluid or below the pseudocritical temperature.

  Further, the fluid reforming method of the present invention includes a flow path having a catalyst on the inner wall, fluid heating means, temperature measuring means, fluid pressure measuring means, pressure control means, and flow rate adjusting means as required. When the fluid is reformed using the fluid reforming apparatus, the step of controlling the pressure in the flow path to be a target value, and the temperature in the flow path are controlled to the saturation temperature or the pseudocritical temperature or less. Perform the process.

  According to the fluid reforming apparatus or the fluid reforming method of the present invention, the temperature of the flow path is controlled to be equal to or lower than the saturation temperature or the pseudocritical temperature of the fluid flowing through the flow path, thereby boiling or boiling the fluid. Similar phenomena can be suppressed, and problems such as erosion (erosion) of the walls that make up the flow path, clogging of the flow path due to deposition of fluid components, catalyst sintering, etc., caused by these phenomena. It can be avoided or suppressed.

  In addition, when the pressure fluctuation in the flow path exceeds a predetermined value, even if the fluid saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature fluctuates by using a fluid that is a mixture of a plurality of types that are not pure substances, By resetting the target value of pressure or the target value of temperature, and controlling the pressure or temperature in the flow path so that these target values are obtained, boiling or boiling-like phenomena can be suppressed, and erosion (erosion) ), Various problems such as clogging of the flow path due to deposition of fluid components and sintering of the catalyst can be avoided or suppressed.

  Hereinafter, a fluid reforming apparatus of the present invention and a fluid reforming method using the same will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a preferred embodiment of a fluid reforming apparatus of the present invention, and is a schematic configuration diagram including a partially broken view of a reaction vessel.
As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid reforming apparatus 1 of this example includes a reaction vessel 2 having a flow path, a pressure sensor 3 that is a fluid pressure measuring means, and a reaction vessel 2 on the upstream side of the reaction vessel 2. On the downstream side, a pressure holding valve 4 that is a pressure control means and a thermocouple 5 that is a temperature measurement means are provided at the most downstream position of the reaction vessel 2.

Furthermore, the fluid reforming apparatus 1 of this example is a tank 6a, 6b for storing fluid, and a flow rate adjusting means for feeding the fluid into the reaction vessel 2 between the tank 6a, 6b and the pressure sensor 3. Some pumps 7a and 7b are provided.
In this example, an example in which the two tanks 6a and 6b and the two pumps 7a and 7b are provided has been shown, but the fluid reformer 1 has the following depending on the type of fluid to be fed into the reaction vessel 2, A single tank or a plurality of tanks and pumps may be provided.
For example, one of the two tanks 6a can store fuel such as gasoline to be reformed, and the other tank 6b can store water as a reactant.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the reaction vessel 2 of the fluid reforming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the reaction vessel 2 has a catalyst 9 on the inner peripheral side (inner wall) of the reaction vessel structural material 8 constituting the reaction vessel 2, and fluid heating means on the outer peripheral side of the reaction vessel structural material 8. And a heat insulating material 11 is provided on the outermost peripheral side of the reaction vessel 2.

As the reaction vessel component 8, a material capable of withstanding a pressure higher than the critical pressure of the fluid and the reactant can be used. Specifically, a material capable of withstanding 2 to 100 MPa, such as Inconel, Hastelloy, titanium alloy, or the like can be used. .

The catalyst 9 is not particularly limited as long as it is suitable for fluid reforming.
As the catalyst, when the fluid is a hydrocarbon fuel such as gasoline or light oil, for example, a noble metal such as platinum, rhodium, iridium, palladium, gold, silver or the like, a metal oxide such as alumina, titania, zirconia, or ceria, or a composite A material supported on an oxide or a metal oxide such as vanadium oxide, molybdenum oxide, or tungsten oxide can be used.

The heater 10 serving as a fluid heating means controls the amount of heat generated from the heater 10 by controlling the amount of power input to the heater 10, etc., so that the fluid and / or the catalyst 9 in the flow path 2 a of the reaction vessel 2 can be controlled. Heat to target temperature.
The fluid heating means is not limited to a heater as long as it can heat the fluid and / or the catalyst to the target temperature, and specifically, means capable of heating up to 200 to 600 ° C., for example, a heat exchanger or the like is used. May be.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another example of the reaction vessel 2 of the fluid reforming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the fluid heating means (heater 10) may be disposed on the inner peripheral side of the reaction vessel structural material 8. In this case, the catalyst 9 is disposed further on the inner peripheral side of the heater 10.
By disposing the heater 10 in the vicinity of the catalyst 9, the heat generated from the heater 10 can be more efficiently transmitted to the catalyst 9 and the fluid, and the reforming reaction can be promoted.

The thermocouple 5 as temperature measuring means is preferably arranged so that the temperature on the most downstream side of the flow path 2a can be measured.
The fluid is heated in the flow path 2a, and the temperature rises as it goes downstream. Since boiling or boiling-like phenomenon is likely to occur in the hottest part of the fluid, in order to suppress boiling or boiling-like phenomenon, it is necessary to detect the temperature of the part where the fluid is hottest, that is, the most downstream temperature. desirable.

The thermocouple 5 is preferably arranged so that at least the temperature of the heater 10 can be measured.
By measuring the temperature of the heater 10, the amount of heat generated from the heater 10 can be measured, and thereby the temperature in the flow path 2a can be measured.
In order to enable precise temperature control by more accurate temperature detection, it is desirable to install temperature measuring means so that the temperature of the fluid in the flow path 2a and / or the catalyst 8 can be detected. Examples of temperature measuring means capable of measuring the temperature in the flow path 2a include a sheath thermoelectric that can withstand high temperatures and high pressures.

Since the pressure sensor 3 which is a fluid pressure measuring means is a precision component, there is a risk of destruction when exposed to high temperatures, and there may be a case where pressure cannot be measured accurately due to temperature drift or the like. Therefore, it is preferable to arrange the pressure sensor 3 on the upstream side of the flow path 2 so that the pressure of the fluid can be measured without touching the high-temperature fluid heated in the flow path.
In addition, when there is a flow path resistance more than necessary between the pressure sensor 3 and the reaction vessel 2, it is difficult to accurately measure the pressure of the fluid in the flow path 2a. Therefore, the pressure sensor 3 and the flow path 2a of the reaction vessel 2 are preferably connected by a flow path having a diameter as large as possible, and a filter or the like that causes an increase in flow path resistance can be installed as much as possible. It is desirable to avoid it.
The fluid pressure measuring means is not limited to a pressure sensor as long as it can measure the fluid pressure in the flow path 2a of the reaction vessel 2.

It is preferable to install the pressure holding valve 4 as pressure control means on the downstream side of the reaction vessel 2.
The pressure holding valve 4 increases the pressure in the flow path 2a of the reaction vessel 2 by restricting the valve, and decreases the pressure in the flow path 2a by opening the valve.
The pressure control means is not limited to a pressure holding valve or the like as long as the pressure in the flow path can be a target value. Specifically, the pressure control means may be any means that can pressurize up to 2 to 100 MPa.

Since the pressure retaining valve 4 is a precision component, it may be difficult to use when the temperature or pressure in the flow path 2a is high. In this case, instead of the pressure-holding valve 4, a nozzle or an orifice having a smaller diameter than the flow path 2 a in the reaction container 2 may be provided in the flow path on the downstream side of the reaction container 2.
When a nozzle or an orifice is provided in the flow path, it is possible to control the pressure in the flow path 2a by adjusting the flow rate sent to the reaction vessel 2 by the pumps 7a and 7b. For example, if the flow rate is increased, the pressure in the flow path 2a can be increased. Conversely, if the fluid flow rate is decreased, the pressure in the flow path 2a can be decreased.

In the fluid reforming apparatus 1 of this example, the fluid stored in the tanks 6a and 6b is transferred into the flow path 2a of the reaction vessel 2 having the catalyst 9 by the pumps 7a and 7b.
The inside of the reaction vessel 2 is controlled by the pressure control means (pressure keeping valve 4) and the flow rate adjusting means (pumps 7a and 7b) so that the fluid pressure becomes a target value.
Under the pressure of the target value, the temperature in the flow path 2a is controlled by the fluid heating means (heater 10) so as to be equal to or lower than the saturation temperature of the fluid or equal to or lower than the pseudocritical temperature. It is suppressed and the fluid is reformed. The reformed fluid is supplied to an internal combustion engine or the like connected to the downstream side of the reaction vessel.

  Since the fluid reforming apparatus 1 of the present example can suppress or avoid the boiling or boiling-like phenomenon of fluid, erosion (erosion) caused by these phenomena, precipitation of fluid components, sintering of the catalyst, etc. Various problems can be avoided or suppressed. Since these various problems can be avoided or suppressed, it is possible to reduce the area where the fluid is reformed while maintaining the required performance, and it is possible to reduce the size of the fluid reforming apparatus. .

4 and 5 are schematic configuration diagrams showing another example of the preferred embodiment of the fluid reforming apparatus of the present invention. 4 and 5, the same members as those of the fluid reforming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the fluid heating unit may install an external heat source 12 outside the reaction vessel 2 (for example, below the reaction vessel 2) in which the outer periphery of the flow path 2 a is covered with a heat insulating material 11.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the reaction vessel of the fluid reforming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
When the external heat source (fluid heating means) 12 is installed outside the reaction vessel 2, it is preferable to install the thermocouple 5 so that at least the temperature of the external heat source 12 can be measured.

Next, the fluid reforming method of the present invention will be described.
In the fluid reforming method of the present invention, for example, when reforming a fluid using the fluid reformer shown in FIG. The step of controlling the temperature of the fluid to a temperature below the saturation temperature of the fluid or below the pseudocritical temperature is performed.

  In the step of controlling the pressure in the flow path 2a, the pressure in the flow path 2a is set to the target value by using either one or both of the pressure control means (holding valve 4) and the flow rate adjusting means (pumps 7a and 7b). Control to be

  The step of controlling the temperature in the flow path 2a is a combination of fluid heating means (heater 10), pressure control means (holding valve 4) or flow rate adjustment means (pumps 7a, 7b), and any of these means. Therefore, it is preferable to control the temperature in the flow path 2a below the saturation temperature of the fluid or below the pseudocritical temperature.

Specifically, the fluid heating means (heater 10) can control the temperature in the flow path 2a below the saturation temperature of the fluid or below the pseudocritical temperature.
As a method of controlling the temperature in the flow path below the saturation temperature of the fluid or below the pseudocritical temperature by the pressure control means (holding valve 4) or the flow rate adjustment means (pumps 7a and 7b), the following method is exemplified.

First, the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature of an arbitrary fluid will be described. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the saturation temperature curve or pseudocritical temperature curve of any fluid.
As shown in FIG. 6, the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature of the fluid varies depending on each pressure.
When the pressure that is the target value is changed, the saturation temperature or the pseudocritical temperature also fluctuates with the pressure.
For example, if the target value of pressure is set to increase, the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature of the fluid increases with this, so even if the temperature does not fluctuate, the temperature in the flow path is set below the saturation temperature or It can be made below the pseudocritical temperature.
Specifically, the pressure in the flow path 2a is controlled so that the pressure in the flow path 2a becomes a target value by one or both of the pressure control means (holding valve 4) and the flow rate adjustment means (pumps 7a and 7b). To do.
By changing the target value of the pressure, the temperature in the flow path can be indirectly set to the saturation temperature or the pseudocritical temperature or less without controlling the temperature.

  According to the fluid reforming method of the present invention, when the pressure in the flow path is equal to or lower than the critical pressure, the temperature in the flow path is controlled to be equal to or lower than the saturation temperature of the fluid, and the pressure in the flow path exceeds the critical pressure. Can control the boiling or similar phenomenon of boiling of the fluid by controlling the temperature in the channel below the pseudo-critical temperature of the fluid, erosion, clogging of the channel due to deposition of fluid components, catalyst Various problems such as sintering can be avoided or suppressed.

  In the fluid reforming method of the present invention, for example, when the fluid is reformed using the fluid reforming apparatus shown in FIG. If the pressure fluctuation in the flow path exceeds the predetermined value, reset the target pressure value and control the pressure to this target value, or reset the fluid saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature. The step of setting and controlling the temperature in the flow path below the saturation temperature or the pseudocritical temperature of the reset fluid is performed.

The value of the pressure fluctuation in the flow path 2a is a value obtained by dividing the difference between the pressure (P1) at the previous operation of the apparatus and the pressure (P0) at the current operation of the apparatus by the current apparatus operation time (Δt). ((P1-P0) / Δt).
When the pressure fluctuation exceeds a predetermined value, it is considered that the saturation temperature or the pseudocritical temperature fluctuates because the fluid is not a pure substance but a mixture of a plurality of types.

When the pressure fluctuation exceeds a predetermined value, reset the target value of the pressure and control the pressure to this target value, or reset the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature of the fluid, A step of controlling the temperature below the saturation temperature or the pseudocritical temperature of the reset fluid is performed.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the fluid is a mixture, the saturation temperature curve or pseudocritical temperature curve of the mixed fluid has a sharper slope than the saturation temperature curve or pseudocritical temperature curve of the pure substance fluid. (Mixture 1) or the gradient becomes mild (Mixture 2).
In order to bring the temperature in the flow path below the saturation temperature of the fluid or below the pseudocritical temperature when the saturation temperature curve or the pseudocritical temperature curve fluctuates because the fluid is a mixture, specifically, the pressure It is conceivable to increase the target value or decrease the target temperature (saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature).

FIG. 8 shows that since the fluid is a mixture, the saturation temperature curve or pseudocriticality of the arbitrary fluid (mixture 1) of the mixed material that has become steep compared to the saturation temperature curve or pseudocritical temperature curve of the pure material fluid. A temperature curve is shown.
If the target value of pressure is reset in the increasing direction when the temperature in the flow path is constant, the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature under the pressure of the reset target value also increases. The temperature is equal to or lower than the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature of the mixture fluid (see point A in FIG. 8).
Specifically, by closing the valve by the pressure control means (holding pressure valve 4) or increasing the flow rate by the flow rate adjusting means (pumps 7a and 7b), one or both of the processes are performed. It is possible to control the pressure so that the target value is reset.

If the pressure in the flow path is constant, reset the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature in the downward direction, and control the temperature in the flow path below the reset saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature. Therefore, even when the saturation temperature curve or the pseudocritical temperature curve fluctuates, the boiling or boiling-like phenomenon of the mixture fluid can be suppressed (see point A in FIG. 8).

According to the present invention, a fluid used as a fuel for an internal combustion engine or the like can be particularly suitably reformed. Examples of the fluid used as the fuel include gasoline, light oil, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biofuel, and any combination thereof.
For example, in addition to reforming the above fuels alone, fluids such as gasoline containing methanol, a hybrid fuel of gas and gasoline, and the like can be reformed.

In the fluid reforming method of the present invention, it is preferable to further reform the fluid by adding a reactant to the flow path. Thereby, the reforming reaction can be further promoted.
Examples of the reactant include hydrocarbons, alcohols, water, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and any combination thereof.

Next, an example of the control flow of the fluid reforming apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow.
First, the process proceeds from START to STEP 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as “S1”). In S1, the presence or absence of a stop signal of the fluid reforming apparatus 1 is confirmed. If the stop signal can be confirmed in S1 (Yes; Y), the process proceeds to S2. If the stop signal cannot be confirmed in S1 (No; N), the process proceeds to S3.

  In S2, a process for stopping the apparatus is performed (END). The process for stopping the apparatus is, for example, an apparatus for stopping the operation of the pumps 7a and 7b (flow rate adjusting means), stopping the heating of the heater 10 (fluid heating means), or tightening the pressure holding valve 4 (pressure control means). Is a process for safely stopping.

In S3, the temperature (T0) and pressure (P0) in the flow path measured during the previous operation of the apparatus are stored as T1 and P1, respectively, and the temperature and pressure in the flow path of the currently operating apparatus are measured. The results are updated and stored as T0 and P0, respectively, and the process proceeds to S4.

In S4, it is determined whether or not the pressure (P0) stored in S3 matches the target value. When P0 is different from the target value (No), the process proceeds to S5. If P0 matches the target value (Yes), the process proceeds to S9.

  In S5, it is determined whether or not the fluid reforming apparatus 1 has failed. If it is determined that the apparatus has failed (Yes), the process returns to S2 to stop the apparatus. If it is determined in S5 that the device has not failed (No), the process proceeds to S6.

  In S6, the measured pressure (P0) in the flow path is compared with the target value. When the pressure (P0) is lower than the target value (Yes), the process proceeds to S7, and when the pressure (P0) is higher than the target value (No), the process proceeds to S8.

  In S7, a process for increasing the pressure in the flow path is performed. The process of increasing the pressure in the flow path is, for example, a process of closing the pressure-holding valve 4 (pressure control means) or increasing the flow rate using the pumps 7a and 7b (flow rate adjusting means).

In S8, a process for lowering the pressure in the flow path is performed. The process of lowering the pressure in the flow path is, for example, a process of opening the pressure-holding valve 4 (pressure control means) or reducing the flow rate of the pumps 7a and 7b (flow rate adjusting means).
After the processes of S7 and S8, the process returns to S1, and further proceeds to S3 and S4. This flow is repeated until the pressure in the flow path matches the target value in S4.

In S9, the temperature (T0) in the flow path is compared with the limit temperature (Tlimit).
The limit temperature (Tlimit) is a target value of the temperature, specifically, the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature of the fluid.
As shown in FIG. 6, there is a different saturation or pseudocritical temperature for each pressure. Since the pressure in the flow path 2a is set to be a target value, the saturation temperature or the pseudocritical temperature at the target value (pressure value) may be set as the limit temperature (Tlimit). In FIG. 6, Tc is a critical temperature and Pc is a critical pressure.
If the temperature (T0) in the flow path is lower than the limit temperature (Tlimit) in S9, the process proceeds to S10. When the temperature (T0) in the flow path is higher than the limit temperature (Tlimit), the process proceeds to S14.

In S10, the temperature (Tlimit−ΔT) in the range of the limit temperature (Tlimit) is compared with the temperature (T0) in the flow path. When T0 is lower than Tlimit-ΔT (T0 <Tlimit-ΔT), the process proceeds to S11, where the temperature (T0) in the flow path reaches the temperature of (Tlimit-ΔT) in S11, and then the process proceeds to S12. move on.
In S10, if T0 is equal to or higher than Tlimit-ΔT (T0 ≧ Tlimit-ΔT), the process proceeds to S12 without proceeding to S11.

In S12, the pressure fluctuation in the flow path is measured.
The value of the pressure fluctuation is the difference (P1-P0) between the pressure (P1) in the flow path measured at the previous operation of the apparatus and the pressure (P0) in the flow path measured at the time of the current apparatus operation. A value ((P1−P0) / Δt) obtained by dividing the time from the moment when P1 is stored during operation by the time (Δt) until the moment when P0 is measured and stored during operation of the current device.
When the pressure fluctuation value ((P1−P0) / Δt) is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the process returns to S1, and the fluid is reformed under this condition.
On the other hand, when the pressure fluctuation value ((P1−P0) / Δt) exceeds a predetermined value, the fluid is a mixture of a plurality of types that are not pure substances, and the limit temperature is different from the case of pure substances. Conceivable. Therefore, it progresses to S13, changes the value of the limit temperature (Tlimit) which is saturation temperature or a pseudocritical temperature into the range suitable for a multiple types of mixture, and progresses to S14.

In S14, the temperature in the flow path 2a is adjusted by the heater 10 (fluid heating means) and adjusted to a temperature equal to or lower than the newly changed limit temperature (Tlimit). Moreover, the pressure used as a target value is changed, and it becomes the target value which changed the pressure in the flow path 2a newly by one or both of a pressure control means (pressure-holding valve 4) and a flow volume adjustment means (pumps 7a and 7b). In this way, the temperature in the flow path 2a is adjusted so as to be equal to or lower than the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature of the mixture fluid under this pressure.
In S14, the temperature in the flow path is made equal to or lower than the limit temperature (Tlimit), and then the process returns to S1 to reform the fluid under these conditions.

In the control flow of this example, since the pressure in the flow path is controlled so as to become the target value (S4), there is a saturation temperature or a pseudocritical temperature at this target value (pressure in the flow path) ( (See FIG. 6).
In S9, by controlling the temperature in the flow path to a temperature below the limit temperature (Tlimit; saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature), more preferably at a temperature lower than the limit temperature (Tlimit) by ΔT, Can be suppressed.

  Further, in the control flow of this example, the pressure fluctuation in the flow path is measured in S12. If the pressure fluctuation exceeds a predetermined value, the target value of the pressure is changed, and the flow path is adjusted so that this target value is reached. By performing the process of controlling the pressure or the process of changing the limit temperature, it is possible to suppress the boiling of the fluid or the boiling-like phenomenon even when the fluid is a mixture of a plurality of types.

It is a schematic block diagram including a partially broken view showing an example of a preferred embodiment of a fluid reforming apparatus of the present invention. It is a partial cross section figure of the reaction container of the fluid reforming apparatus shown in FIG. It is a partial cross section figure of the reaction container which shows the other example of preferable embodiment of the fluid reforming apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the other example of preferable embodiment of the fluid reforming apparatus of this invention. It is a partial cross section figure of the reaction container of the fluid reforming apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the saturation temperature curve and pseudocritical temperature curve of arbitrary fluid. It is a figure which shows the saturation temperature curve and pseudocritical temperature curve of the arbitrary fluid of a pure substance, and the arbitrary fluid of a mixture. It is a figure which shows the saturation temperature curve and pseudocritical temperature curve of the arbitrary fluid of a pure substance, and the arbitrary fluid of a mixed substance. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control flow of the fluid reforming apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fluid reformer 2 Reaction container 2a Flow path 3 Pressure sensor 4 Holding pressure valve 5 Thermocouple 6a, 6b Tank 7a, 7b Pump 8 Reaction container component 9 Catalyst 10 Heater 11 Heat insulating material 12 External heat source

Claims (11)

A fluid reforming apparatus having a catalyst on the inner wall of a flow path,
Fluid heating means for heating the fluid and / or catalyst temperature in the flow path to a target value;
Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature in the flow path;
Fluid pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow path;
Pressure control means for controlling the pressure in the flow path to be a target value,
A fluid reforming apparatus characterized by controlling the temperature in the flow path below the saturation temperature of the fluid or below the pseudocritical temperature under a target pressure.   The fluid reforming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flow rate adjusting unit that adjusts the flow rate. In reforming a fluid using the fluid reforming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A fluid reforming method comprising: controlling a pressure in a flow path to a target value; and controlling a temperature in the flow path to a saturation temperature or a pseudo-critical temperature or less. 4. The fluid reforming method according to claim 3, wherein in the step of controlling the temperature, at least one means selected from the group consisting of the fluid heating means, the pressure control means, and the flow rate adjusting means is used.   After the step of controlling the temperature, a step of measuring the pressure fluctuation in the flow path is performed. If the pressure fluctuation exceeds a predetermined value, the target value of the pressure is reset and the pressure is controlled to the target value. The fluid reforming method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of performing is performed.   After the step of controlling the temperature, a step of measuring the pressure fluctuation in the flow path is performed. If the pressure fluctuation exceeds a predetermined value, the saturation temperature or pseudocritical temperature of the fluid is reset, 5. The fluid reforming method according to claim 3, wherein a step of controlling the temperature of the fluid to a saturation temperature or a pseudo-critical temperature or less of the reset fluid is performed.   6. The fluid reforming method according to claim 5, wherein the pressure control means and / or the flow rate adjusting means is used in the step of controlling the pressure in the flow path to the reset target value.   In the step of controlling the temperature in the flow path below the saturation temperature or the pseudocritical temperature of the reset fluid, at least one means selected from the group consisting of the fluid heating means, the pressure control means, and the flow rate adjustment means is provided. The fluid reforming method according to claim 6, wherein the fluid reforming method is used.   The fluid reforming method according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein a reactant is further added to the flow path to reform the fluid.   9. The fluid according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the fluid is at least one selected from the group consisting of gasoline, light oil, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and biofuel. Fluid reforming method.   11. The reaction product according to claim 9, wherein the reactant is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, alcohols, water, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. The fluid reforming method according to 1.

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