JP2014105137A - Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system in each of which when a sulfur concentration in a raw material gas is high compared to a conventional one, an increase in a capacity of a desulfurizer can be suppressed.SOLUTION: A hydrogen generator 100 includes: a separator 1 in which a sulfur compound in a raw material gas is subjected to membrane separation; a desulfurizer 2 in which the sulfur compound in the raw material gas that has passed through the separator 1 is removed; a reformer 3 that generates a hydrogen-containing gas using the raw material gas; a burner 4 that burns using the hydrogen inclusion gas; a first gas flow passage 11 in which the raw material gas that has passed through the separator 1 and inflows in the reformer 3 flows; and a second gas flow passage 12 which supplies the sulfur compound separated by the separator 1 to the burner 4, the burner 4 burns the sulfur compound that is supplied through the second gas flow passage 12.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system.

  A fuel cell system usually includes a hydrogen generator because hydrogen gas used as fuel during power generation is not maintained as a general infrastructure. In a hydrogen generator, a reforming reaction is generally used. The hydrogen generator is, for example, a hydrogen containing hydrogen as a main component by reacting a raw city gas and water vapor at a high temperature of about 600 ° C. to 700 ° C. using a Ni-based or Ru-based reforming catalyst. A gas containing is generated. As a method for obtaining thermal energy necessary for the reforming reaction, a method of burning fuel off-gas from the fuel cell in a combustor is common.

  By the way, the sulfur compound is contained in the raw material supplied to the hydrogen generator. Specifically, in city gas and LP gas mainly composed of methane, sulfur compounds such as sulfides and mercaptans are added as odorants in addition to sulfur compounds derived from raw materials for the purpose of leakage detection. ing. And it is known that even if the sulfur contained in these sulfur compounds is extremely low in concentration, the activity of Ni-based and Ru-based reforming catalysts frequently used in the reforming reaction is reduced.

  For this reason, raw materials such as city gas and LP gas are appropriately desulfurized before being supplied to the hydrogen generator.

  Known methods for desulfurization include room temperature adsorption desulfurization and hydrodesulfurization (for example, Patent Document 1). In room temperature adsorptive desulfurization, an adsorbent such as zeolite is used, and sulfur compounds are removed by adsorption at room temperature. In hydrodesulfurization, a sulfur compound is reacted with hydrogen at about 300 ° C. to 400 ° C. using a hydrogenation catalyst and converted to hydrogen sulfide, and then hydrogen sulfide is converted at about 200 ° C. to 350 ° C. using an adsorption catalyst. Adsorbed.

JP 2009-249203 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high, the capacity of the desulfurizer increases, leading to an increase in the size of the apparatus or an increase in cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system capable of suppressing an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is higher than in the conventional case. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above problems, a hydrogen generator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a separator for membrane separation of a sulfur compound in a raw material gas, and a desulfurizer for removing the sulfur compound in the raw material gas that has passed through the separator A reformer that generates a hydrogen-containing gas using a source gas, a combustor that burns using the hydrogen-containing gas, and a first gas that passes through the separator and flows into the reformer flows. 1 gas flow path and a second gas flow path for supplying the sulfur compound separated by the separator to the combustor, and the combustor is supplied via the second gas flow path. Burn sulfur compounds.

  The hydrogen generator and fuel cell system of one embodiment of the present invention can suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is higher than in the conventional case.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hydrogen generator of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hydrogen generator of the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hydrogen generator of the third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hydrogen generator of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hydrogen generator of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the fuel cell system according to the seventh embodiment.

  The inventors of the present invention have made extensive studies to suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer even when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high, and have obtained the following knowledge.

In the room temperature desulfurization method, the amount of sulfur that can be adsorbed and removed by the desulfurization agent is small. Therefore, in this system, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material is high.
Also in the hydrodesulfurization method, when the sulfur concentration in the raw material is high, an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer is inevitable. When the capacity of the desulfurizer is increased, the size of the apparatus is increased or the cost is increased. In addition, it becomes difficult to design the temperature control of the desulfurizer in order to keep the desulfurizing agent at an appropriate temperature necessary for the hydrogenation reaction.

  Therefore, a desulfurization process is already known in which a sulfur compound in a raw material is previously brought into contact with a separation membrane that selectively separates and removes the sulfur compound, and then the sulfur compound is separated from alcohols so that the raw material flows into a desulfurizer.

  Therefore, when the above separation membrane is used, when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high, an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer can be suppressed as compared with the conventional case.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. In all the drawings, only components necessary for explaining the present embodiment are extracted and shown, and the other components are not shown.

(First embodiment)
The hydrogen generator of the first embodiment includes a separator that separates a sulfur compound in a raw material gas, a desulfurizer that removes a sulfur compound in the raw material gas that has passed through the separator, and a hydrogen-containing gas using the raw material gas. Separated by the separator, the combustor that burns using the hydrogen-containing gas, the first gas passage that passes through the separator and flows through the raw material gas that flows into the reformer, and the separator. A second gas flow path for supplying the sulfur compound to the combustor, and the combustor burns the sulfur compound supplied through the second gas flow path.

  With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high as compared with the conventional case.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hydrogen generator according to the first embodiment.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 100 of this embodiment includes a separator 1, a desulfurizer 2, a reformer 3, a combustor 4, a first gas flow path 11, and a second A gas flow path 12.

  The separator 1 performs membrane separation of sulfur compounds in the raw material gas. Specifically, the separator 1 includes a raw material flow path 1a through which a raw material gas flows, a separation membrane 1c that selectively permeates a sulfur compound in the raw material gas, and a separation flow through which a sulfur compound that has permeated the separation membrane 1c flows. And a path 1b.

  As the separation membrane 1c, a silicone membrane, a polyimide membrane, a polyamide membrane, a polystyrene membrane, a polyester membrane, a polyvinyl alcohol membrane, or the like can be used. In addition, as long as the source gas containing the sulfur compound can come into contact with the separation membrane, the type of the separation membrane 1c is not particularly limited. For example, a separation membrane such as a hollow fiber type, a tube type, a flat membrane type, or a tubular type is used. it can.

  In the present embodiment, a silicone membrane is used as the separation membrane 1c from the viewpoint of easy availability of the separation membrane 1c and excellent selective permeability of sulfur compounds. Further, a hollow fiber type is used as the type of the separation membrane 1c.

In the present specification, the silicone membrane is a general term for separation membranes made of silicone. Similarly, a polyimide membrane is a generic name for separation membranes made of polyimide, a polyamide membrane is a generic name for separation membranes made of polyamide, and a polystyrene membrane is a generic name for separation membranes made of polystyrene, and is a polyester membrane. Is a generic name for separation membranes made of polyester, and a polyvinyl alcohol membrane is a generic name for separation membranes made of polyvinyl alcohol.
The source gas is a gas containing an organic compound composed of at least carbon and hydrogen, such as city gas mainly composed of methane, natural gas, and LPG. City gas refers to gas supplied from gas companies to households through piping. In addition to the sulfur compound derived from the source gas, sulfur compounds such as sulfides and mercaptans are added to the source gas as an odorant in order to detect leakage.

  The desulfurizer 2 removes sulfur compounds in the raw material gas that has passed through the separator 1. For example, the desulfurizer 2 is a room temperature adsorption desulfurizer that adsorbs and removes sulfur compounds at room temperature, and a sulfur compound that is hydrogenated at a temperature higher than room temperature (for example, 200 ° C. to 400 ° C.). It includes at least one of the hydrodesulfurizers to be removed.

  As the room temperature adsorptive desulfurizer, for example, activated carbon, metal compound, zeolite, or metal-supported zeolite (zeolite on which a metal such as Ag, Cu, Zn, Fe, Co, or Ni is supported) is used. it can.

  The hydrodesulfurization agent of the hydrodesulfurizer includes a hydrogen sulfide generator that generates hydrogen sulfide from a sulfur compound by a hydrogenation reaction and a hydrogen sulfide adsorbent that adsorbs hydrogen sulfide. Examples of the hydrogen sulfide generator include a Co—Mo based catalyst. Examples of the hydrogen sulfide adsorbent include zinc oxide. In addition, the same catalyst having the functions of a hydrogen sulfide generator and a hydrogen sulfide adsorbent may be used. Examples of such a catalyst include a Cu—Zn—Ni catalyst and a Cu—Zn—Fe catalyst. It is done.

  In addition, the above-mentioned room temperature adsorption desulfurization agent of the room temperature adsorption desulfurizer and the hydrogenation desulfurization agent of the hydrogenation desulfurizer are examples and are not limited to this example.

  The reformer 3 produces | generates hydrogen containing gas using raw material gas. Specifically, the reformer 3 generates a hydrogen-containing gas by reforming the raw material gas using a reforming catalyst. The reforming reaction may take any form, and examples thereof include a steam reforming reaction, an autothermal reaction, and a partial oxidation reaction.

  A CO reducer for reducing carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-containing gas produced by the reformer 3 may be provided downstream of the reformer 3. The CO reducer includes at least one of a transformer that reduces carbon monoxide by a shift reaction and a CO remover that reduces carbon monoxide by at least one of an oxidation reaction and a methanation reaction.

  The combustor 4 burns using a hydrogen-containing gas. Thereby, the combustor 4 can heat the reformer 3. Although the fuel of the combustor 4 may be any fuel, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas generated in the reformer 3 is used. This hydrogen-containing gas may be directly supplied from the reformer 3 to the combustor 4, or via one or both of a CO reducer and a hydrogen utilization device (for example, a fuel cell or a hydrogen storage tank). It may be supplied to the combustor 4.

  In the first gas flow path 11, the raw material gas that has passed through the separator 1 and flows into the reformer 3 flows. Therefore, the sulfur compound is membrane-separated from the source gas in the first gas flow path 11 by the separator 1.

  The second gas flow path 12 supplies the sulfur compound separated by the separator 1 to the combustor 4. That is, in the second gas flow path 12, a gas for sending the sulfur compound separated in the separator 1 from the separator 1 to the combustor 4 flows. At this time, the combustor 4 burns the sulfur compound supplied via the second gas flow path 12. Thereby, the sulfur compound separated by the separator 1 is burned.

  In the separator 1, as described above, the sulfur compound in the source gas is selectively permeated from the source channel 1a to the separation channel 1b through the separation membrane 1c. At this time, the hydrocarbon component in the source gas is also transmitted from the source channel 1a to the separation channel 1b via the separation membrane 1c. Therefore, the hydrocarbon component in the raw material gas is supplied to the combustor 4. Here, a flame rod may be used as the combustion detector of the combustor 4. In this case, since the hydrocarbon component flows into the combustor 4, the combustion detectability of the combustor 4 is improved.

[Operation]
Hereinafter, an example of operation | movement of the hydrogen generator 100 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIG.

  First, the source gas is supplied to the separator 1. In the separator 1, when the source gas passes through the source channel 1a, the sulfur compound in the source gas is selectively permeated through the separation channel 1b through the separation membrane 1c. The sulfur compound permeated through the separation channel 1b is supplied to the combustor 4 through the second gas channel 12, and the sulfur compound is combusted in the combustor 4.

  The raw material gas that has passed through the separator 1 is supplied to the desulfurizer 2, and in the desulfurizer 2, the sulfur compound in the raw material gas remaining without being separated by the separator 1 is removed to a predetermined concentration.

  The raw material gas that has passed through the desulfurizer 2 is supplied to the reformer 3, and a hydrogen-containing gas is generated by the reforming reaction. The hydrogen-containing gas may be directly supplied from the reformer 3 to the combustor 4 and combusted, or supplied to the combustor 4 via one or both of a CO reducer and a hydrogen utilization device, and the combustor. 4 may be burned.

[Performance evaluation of separator]
Table 1 shows an example of the separation performance of the sulfur compound in the raw material gas related to the separator 1. That is, in Table 1, the result of comparing the raw material gas flow rate and the sulfur compound concentration in the raw material gas with respect to the raw material gas before passing through the separator 1 and the raw material gas after passing through the separator 1 is shown. Has been.

  In the example shown in Table 1, the sulfur compound concentration in the raw material gas before passing through the separator 1 was 3.7 ppm, whereas the sulfur compound concentration in the raw material gas after passing through the separator 1 was , 2.2 ppm.

On the other hand, the raw material gas flow rate before passing through the separator 1 and the raw material gas flow rate after passing through the separator 1 were both 3.0 NLM, and hardly changed.
From the above, it was found that the sulfur compound in the raw material gas can be selectively separated using the separator 1.

  In addition, the value of the raw material gas flow rate and the value of the sulfur compound concentration described in Table 1 are examples and are not limited to this example.

(Second Embodiment)
The hydrogen generator of the second embodiment is the same as that of the hydrogen generator of the first embodiment, except that the gas supplied to the separator flows to send the sulfur compound in the separator to the second gas flow path. A gas flow path is provided, and this gas is a hydrogen-containing gas.

  With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high as compared with the conventional case.

  The hydrogen generator of this embodiment may be configured in the same manner as the hydrogen generator of the first embodiment except for the above features.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hydrogen generator according to the second embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the hydrogen generator 100 of the second embodiment includes a separator 1, a desulfurizer 2, a reformer 3, a combustor 4, a first gas flow path 11, a second The gas flow path 12 and the third gas flow path 13 are provided.

  Since the separator 1, the desulfurizer 2, the reformer 3, the combustor 4, the first gas passage 11 and the second gas passage 12 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the third gas flow path 13, a gas supplied to the separator 1 flows to send the sulfur compound in the separator 1 to the second gas flow path 12. This gas is a hydrogen-containing gas. The hydrogen-containing gas may be directly supplied from the reformer 3 to the separator 1 or may be supplied to the separator 1 via one or both of a CO reducer and a hydrogen utilization device.

  Thereby, hydrogen-containing gas permeate | transmits through the separation membrane 1c, and is added to source gas. Here, if air is allowed to flow through the third gas flow path 13, oxygen in the air may cause a combustion reaction in the reformer 3, and the reformer 3 may be overheated. In the present embodiment where the contained gas is added, this can be suppressed.

(Third embodiment)
The hydrogen generator of the third embodiment is the same as the hydrogen generator of the second embodiment, wherein the desulfurizer includes a hydrodesulfurizer, and the raw material gas that has passed through the separator is hydrogen that has penetrated into a separation membrane that allows hydrogen to permeate. At the same time, it is supplied to the hydrodesulfurizer.

With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high as compared with the conventional case. When the increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer is suppressed, for example, it becomes easy to keep the entire desulfurizer at an appropriate temperature. Further, since hydrogen necessary for the hydrogenation reaction flows into the raw material gas in the separator, it is not necessary to separately provide a means for supplying hydrogen used for hydrodesulfurization, and the complexity of the system is suppressed.
The hydrogen generator of this embodiment may be configured in the same manner as the hydrogen generator of the second embodiment except for the above features.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hydrogen generator of the third embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, the hydrogen generator 100 of the third embodiment includes a separator 1, a hydrodesulfurizer 2 </ b> A, a reformer 3, a combustor 4, a first gas flow path 11, A second gas flow path 12 and a third gas flow path 13 are provided.

  Since the separator 1, the reformer 3, the combustor 4, the first gas flow path 11, the second gas flow path 12, and the third gas flow path 13 are the same as those in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted. To do.

  The desulfurizer of this embodiment includes a hydrodesulfurizer 2A. Therefore, the hydrodesulfurizer 2 </ b> A removes sulfur compounds in the raw material gas that has passed through the separator 1.

  When the hydrodesulfurizer 2A is used as in this embodiment, for example, if the increase in the capacity of the hydrodesulfurizer 2A is suppressed, for example, the entire hydrodesulfurizer 2A can be easily maintained at an appropriate temperature.

  At this time, the raw material gas that has passed through the separator 1 is supplied to the hydrodesulfurizer 2A together with hydrogen that has entered the separation membrane 1c that allows hydrogen to pass therethrough. In addition, since the specific example of the hydrodesulfurization agent of 2 A of hydrodesulfurizers was demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, it abbreviate | omits.

  In the hydrogenation desulfurizer 2A, when a hydrogenation reaction of a sulfur compound in a raw material gas is performed, it is necessary to supply hydrogen necessary for the hydrogenation reaction together with the raw material gas. In general, the hydrogen is supplied by recycling a part of the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the reformer 3 or the hydrogen utilization device. However, in this case, the complexity of the system is inevitable.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in the separator 1, the sulfur compound in the raw material gas is selectively permeated from the raw material channel 1a to the separation channel 1b via the separation membrane 1c, and in the hydrogen-containing gas. Of hydrogen is permeated from the separation channel 1b to the raw material channel 1a. Therefore, since hydrogen necessary for the hydrogenation reaction flows into the raw material gas in the separator 1, it is not necessary to provide a separate means for supplying hydrogen used for hydrodesulfurization, and the complexity of the system is suppressed. Is done.

  The heating of the hydrodesulfurizer 2A may be performed by the combustor 4 or a heater such as a heater. Further, a room temperature adsorption desulfurizer that adsorbs sulfur compounds at room temperature may be disposed on the first gas flow path 11 between the separator 1 and the hydrodesulfurizer 2A. If a catalyst that adsorbs a sulfur compound even at room temperature is filled, such a room temperature adsorption desulfurizer need not be arranged.

[Performance evaluation of separator]
Table 2 shows an example of the separation performance of the sulfur compound in the raw material gas related to the separator 1 and the hydrogen permeation performance in the hydrogen-containing gas related to the separator 1. That is, in Table 2, the raw material gas flow rate, the sulfur compound concentration in the raw material gas, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen-containing gas, and the hydrogen flow rate in the raw material gas are compared with the gas before passing through the separator 1 and the separator 1. The result compared with the gas after passing through is shown. In addition, since the separation performance of the sulfur compound in the raw material gas regarding the separator 1 was demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, it abbreviate | omits.

  In the example shown in Table 2, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen-containing gas before passing through the separator 1 was 2.0 NLM, whereas the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen-containing gas after passing through the separator 1 was 1 Reduced to .8NLM.

  On the other hand, hydrogen did not exist in the raw material gas before passing through the separator 1, but after passing through the separator 1, the hydrogen flow rate in the raw material gas was 0.2NLM.

From the above, it has been found that when the hydrogen-containing gas passes through the separator 1, hydrogen in the hydrogen-containing gas permeates the separation membrane 1 c of the separator 1 and is mixed into the raw material gas in the separator 1.
The hydrogen concentration in the raw material gas after passing through the separator 1 is about 6.7% by volume, which is a sufficient amount for the hydrogenation reaction in the hydrodesulfurizer 2A. Moreover, the value of the raw material gas flow rate, the value of the sulfur compound concentration, and the value of the hydrogen flow rate shown in Table 2 are examples and are not limited to this example.

(Fourth embodiment)
The hydrogen generator of 4th Embodiment is provided with the condenser provided in the 3rd gas flow path in the hydrogen generator of 2nd Embodiment.

  With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high as compared with the conventional case. Further, since the water vapor in the hydrogen-containing gas flowing through the third gas flow path is removed, the sulfur compound in the raw material gas can be more stably permeated by the separator as compared with the case where no condenser is provided.

  The hydrogen generator of this embodiment may be configured in the same manner as the hydrogen generator of the second embodiment except for the above features.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hydrogen generator of the fourth embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the hydrogen generator 100 of the fourth embodiment includes a separator 1, a desulfurizer 2, a reformer 3, a combustor 4, a first gas flow path 11, and a second Gas flow path 12, third gas flow path 13, and condenser 7.

  The separator 1, the desulfurizer 2, the reformer 3, the combustor 4, the first gas channel 11, the second gas channel 12, and the third gas channel 13 are the same as in the second embodiment. Therefore, explanation is omitted.

  The condenser 7 is provided in the third gas flow path 13. The condenser 7 may be anything as long as it can condense water vapor in the hydrogen-containing gas. As the condenser 7, for example, a plate heat exchanger or the like can be used.

  The hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the reformer 3 and flowing through the third gas flow path 13 includes water vapor. Therefore, in this case, water vapor may be condensed in the separator 1. If moisture is present in the separator 1, there is a possibility that water clogging may occur in the raw material channel 1 a and the separation channel 1 b. In addition, when the separation membrane 1c is covered with moisture, the contact area between the source gas and the separation membrane 1c is reduced, thereby reducing the permeation performance of the sulfur compound in the source gas.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the condenser 7 is provided in the third gas flow path 13 as described above. As a result, the water vapor in the hydrogen-containing gas flowing through the third gas flow path 13 is condensed and removed, so that the sulfur compound in the raw material gas is more stable in the separator 1 than when no condenser is provided. Can penetrate.

(Fifth embodiment)
The hydrogen generator of the fifth embodiment is the same as the hydrogen generator of the first embodiment except that the gas supplied to the separator flows to send the sulfur compound in the separator to the second gas flow path. A gas flow path is provided, and the gas is an oxidizing gas.

  With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high as compared with the conventional case.

  The hydrogen generator of this embodiment may be configured in the same manner as the hydrogen generator of the first embodiment except for the above features.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hydrogen generator of the fifth embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the hydrogen generator 100 of the fifth embodiment includes a separator 1, a desulfurizer 2, a reformer 3, a combustor 4, a first gas flow path 11, and a second. The gas flow path 12 and the third gas flow path 13 are provided.

Since the separator 1, the desulfurizer 2, the reformer 3, the combustor 4, the first gas passage 11 and the second gas passage 12 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
In the third gas flow path 13, a gas supplied to the separator 1 flows to send the sulfur compound in the separator 1 to the second gas flow path 12. This gas is an oxidizing gas.

  As the oxidizing gas, for example, air for combustion in the combustor 4 can be used.

(Sixth embodiment)
The hydrogen generator of the sixth embodiment is configured such that the separator can be replaced in the hydrogen generator of any one of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment. Has been.

  With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high as compared with the conventional case. Moreover, it can replace | exchange for a new separator, before the separation performance of the sulfur compound in the raw material gas in a separator falls remarkably.

  The hydrogen generator of this embodiment is configured in the same manner as the hydrogen generator of any one of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment except for the above features. May be.

[Device configuration]
Since the hydrogen generator of this embodiment is the same as the hydrogen generator 100 of any one of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment, a detailed description will be given. Is omitted.

  When the separator 1 is used over time, the separation performance of the sulfur compound in the raw material gas may be significantly reduced. In this case, if the sulfur compound is not sufficiently separated and supplied to the desulfurizer 2, the desulfurizer 2 may break through quickly.

  On the other hand, the hydrogen generator of this embodiment is configured so that the separator 1 can be replaced. Therefore, the separator 1 can be replaced with a new separator before the separation performance of the sulfur compound in the raw material gas is significantly lowered.

(Seventh embodiment)
A fuel cell system according to a seventh embodiment includes a hydrogen generator according to any one of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, and the sixth embodiment, and hydrogen generation. And a fuel cell that generates electricity using the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the apparatus.

  With this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is high as compared with the conventional case.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the fuel cell system according to the seventh embodiment.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the fuel cell system 200 of the present embodiment is one of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, and the sixth embodiment. A hydrogen generator 100 and a fuel cell 9 are provided.

  In the fuel cell system 200 of the present embodiment, the configuration other than the fuel cell 9 is any one of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, and the sixth embodiment. Since it can be configured in the same manner as the hydrogen generation apparatus of FIG.

The fuel cell 9 generates power using the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the hydrogen generator 100.
The fuel cell 9 may be any type of fuel cell. For example, as the fuel cell 9, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a phosphoric acid fuel cell, or the like can be used. All of these configurations are known. Therefore, detailed description of the fuel cell 9 is omitted.

  From the above description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention are obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and / or function may be substantially changed without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be configured by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment.

  The hydrogen generator and fuel cell system of one embodiment of the present invention can suppress an increase in the capacity of the desulfurizer when the sulfur concentration in the raw material gas is higher than in the conventional case. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention can be used for a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Separator 2 Desulfurizer 3 Reformer 4 Combustor 7 Condenser 9 Fuel cell 11 First gas passage 12 Second gas passage 13 Third gas passage 100 Hydrogen generator 200 Fuel cell system

Claims (7)

  A separator for separating a sulfur compound in a raw material gas, a desulfurizer for removing a sulfur compound in the raw material gas that has passed through the separator, a reformer that generates a hydrogen-containing gas using the raw material gas, and A combustor that burns using a hydrogen-containing gas; a first gas passage through which the raw material gas that flows through the separator flows into the reformer; and the sulfur compound separated by the separator is burned And a second gas flow path for supplying to the gas generator, wherein the combustor burns the sulfur compound supplied via the second gas flow path.   A third gas flow path through which a gas supplied to the separator flows in order to send the sulfur compound in the separator to the second gas flow path, and the gas is the hydrogen-containing gas; The hydrogen generator according to claim 1.   3. The hydrogen according to claim 2, wherein the desulfurizer includes a hydrodesulfurizer, and the raw material gas that has passed through the separator is supplied to the hydrodesulfurizer together with hydrogen that has entered the separation membrane that allows hydrogen to permeate. Generator.   The hydrogen generator according to claim 2, further comprising a condenser provided in the third gas flow path.   The third gas flow path in which a gas supplied to the separator flows to send the sulfur compound in the separator to the gas flow path, and the gas is an oxidizing gas. Hydrogen generator.   The hydrogen generator according to claim 1, wherein the separator is configured to be exchangeable. A fuel cell system comprising the hydrogen generator according to claim 1 and a fuel cell that generates electric power using a hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the hydrogen generator.

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