JP2014205599A - Reforming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reforming apparatus which can generate hydrogen in a short time after starting thereof.SOLUTION: A reforming apparatus 1 includes a plasma generator 12 which generates plasma in a catalyst part by decomposing a hydrogen-containing compound by catalytic reaction of a catalyst, and a control device 16 which controls starting of the plasma generator 12. When temperature of the catalyst is lower than a catalytic reaction temperature for decomposing the hydrogen-containing compound at the time of starting the reforming apparatus 1, the control device 16 starts the plasma generator 12.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology of a reformer that generates hydrogen by decomposing a hydrogen-containing compound by catalytic reaction.

  In recent years, automobiles driven by a fuel cell using hydrogen as a fuel have been actively developed. Since the exhaust gas from the fuel cell using hydrogen as fuel does not contain harmful substances and carbon dioxide like the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, the fuel cell is optimal as clean energy that can suppress environmental pollution and global warming. However, in fuel cells and the like for automobiles, a means for supplying hydrogen as a fuel has been a problem.

  For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a method of supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell using a reformer that decomposes a hydrogen-containing compound and generates hydrogen by a catalytic reaction.

JP-T-2004-525058 JP 2003-40602 A

  By the way, the decomposition reaction of the hydrogen-containing compound using the catalytic reaction is generally an equilibrium reaction, and the lower the catalyst temperature, the less the hydrogen-containing compound is decomposed and the lower the amount of hydrogen generated. Therefore, when the temperature of the catalyst is lower than the temperature at which the hydrogen-containing compound is decomposed by the catalytic reaction when the reformer is started, even if the catalyst is heated by the heating device, the temperature is such that the hydrogen-containing compound is decomposed by the catalytic reaction. In the meantime, no decomposition of the hydrogen-containing compounds takes place. As a result, the conventional reformer requires a long time from the start of the reformer to the hydrogen generation.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a reformer that can generate hydrogen in a short time after the reformer is started.

  In the present embodiment, a plasma generating unit that decomposes a hydrogen-containing compound by a catalytic reaction of a catalyst to generate plasma in a catalyst unit that generates hydrogen, and a plasma activation control unit that controls activation of the plasma generating unit, The plasma starting control means includes the plasma generating means when the temperature of the catalyst is lower than the catalytic reaction temperature for decomposing the hydrogen-containing compound when the reforming apparatus is started. Start up.

  The reforming apparatus includes a heating unit that heats the catalyst unit, and a heating control unit that controls activation of the heating unit, and the heating control unit includes the heating unit when starting the reforming unit. Is preferably activated.

  Further, in the reforming apparatus, the heating means supplies oxygen to the catalyst unit, and oxidizes the catalyst unit with heat of reaction caused by an oxidation reaction between the hydrogen-containing compound and the oxygen on the catalyst. It is preferable to include a reaction heating means.

  The reforming apparatus may further include a plasma stop control unit that controls stop of the plasma generation unit, and the plasma generation unit may be stopped when the temperature of the catalyst becomes equal to or higher than the catalyst reaction temperature. preferable.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the reformer which can produce | generate hydrogen in a short time after starting of a reformer can be provided.

1 is a schematic overview showing an example of a configuration of a reformer according to an embodiment. It is a schematic cross section which shows an example of a structure of the reforming chamber of FIG. It is a figure which shows the starting characteristic of the reformer of this embodiment, and the conventional reformer. It is a schematic overview which shows an example of a structure of the reformer which concerns on other embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. This embodiment is an example for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic overview showing an example of the configuration of the reformer according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the reformer 1 includes a reforming chamber 10, a plasma generator 12, a heater 14, a controller 16, a temperature sensor 18, a hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 20, and a hydrogen-containing compound discharge line 22. I have. A temperature sensor 18 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the reforming chamber 10. As shown in FIG. 1, a hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 20 is connected to a hydrogen-containing compound inlet (not shown) of the reforming chamber 10, and a hydrogen-containing compound outlet (not shown) of the reforming chamber 10 is hydrogen-containing. A compound discharge line 22 is connected.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the reforming chamber of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the reforming chamber 10 has a structure in which the catalyst unit 28 and the heating unit 30 are partitioned by the dielectric 32, and the catalyst unit 28 and the heating unit 30 are alternately stacked via the dielectric 32. It has become. The catalyst unit 28 communicates with the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 20 through the hydrogen-containing compound inlet of the reforming chamber 10 and communicates with the hydrogen-containing compound discharge line 22 through the hydrogen-containing compound outlet. That is, the hydrogen-containing compound is introduced into the catalyst unit 28 from the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 20, passes through the catalyst unit 28, and is discharged from the hydrogen-containing compound discharge line 22.

  The catalyst portion of the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a structure capable of generating hydrogen by decomposing a hydrogen-containing compound by a catalytic reaction of the catalyst, but the catalyst portion 28 shown in FIG. In this structure, a catalyst-carrying substrate carrying a catalyst on the substrate 34a is installed in a space formed between a pair of dielectrics 32 and the like. Other examples include a structure in which a catalyst-carrying pellet in which a catalyst is carried on a pellet-shaped porous substrate is filled in a space formed between a pair of dielectrics 32 and the like. The material of the base material 34a is not particularly limited, but is preferably a conductive base material.

  The catalyst is not particularly limited as long as it is a catalyst capable of generating hydrogen by decomposing a hydrogen-containing compound by a catalytic reaction. For example, a transition metal such as ruthenium, platinum, rhodium, nickel, iron, cobalt or the like These oxides are mentioned. Examples of the hydrogen-containing compound include hydrocarbon compounds such as methanol and cyclohexane, and non-hydrocarbon compounds such as ammonia.

  The heating device of the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure for heating the catalyst unit with heat from a heating medium or a heat source, but the heating device 14 in FIG. The heating medium discharge line 26 and the heating unit 30 are provided, and a heating medium such as engine exhaust gas is introduced into the heating medium inflow line 24. A heating medium inlet line 24 is connected to a heating medium inlet (not shown) of the reforming chamber 10 shown in FIG. 1 and communicates with the heating unit 30 via the heating medium inlet. A heating medium discharge line 26 is connected to a heating medium outlet (not shown) of the reforming chamber 10 shown in FIG. 1, and communicates with the heating unit 30 via the heating medium outlet. That is, when the heating medium is supplied from the heating medium inflow line 24 to the heating unit 30 and passes through the heating unit 30, heat exchange with the catalyst unit 28 is performed to heat the catalyst unit 28, and the heat exchanged heat medium is It is discharged from the heating medium discharge line 26. In addition, although the corrugated base material 34b is installed in the heating part 30 shown in FIG. 2, if it is a structure through which a heating medium passes, it will not restrict | limit to this. The material of the base material 34b is not particularly limited, but is preferably a conductive base material.

  As another example of the heating device, a structure in which a combustor is installed and a heating medium supplied from the combustor is supplied to the heating unit 30 to heat the catalyst unit 28 may be used. Moreover, a heater etc. are mentioned as a heating apparatus which heats the catalyst part 28 with the heat from a heat source, this heater is installed in the outer wall etc. of the reforming chamber 10, and the catalyst in the reforming chamber 10 with the heat from a heater is mentioned. The part 28 may be heated.

  The plasma generator of the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure capable of generating plasma in the catalyst unit 28. For example, a barrier discharge plasma generator for generating plasma by barrier discharge Examples thereof include a high-frequency discharge plasma generator that generates plasma by high-frequency discharge, and a microwave plasma generator that generates plasma by microwave. The plasma generator 12 shown in FIG. 1 is a barrier discharge plasma generator and includes a high voltage power source 36 for applying a high voltage to the base material 34a of the catalyst unit 28 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the base material 34a of the catalyst unit 28 acts as a high voltage electrode, the base material 34b of the heating unit 30 acts as a ground electrode, and when a high voltage is applied to the high voltage electrode, the dielectric 32 is provided. A potential difference is generated between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode via the electrode, and plasma is generated in the catalyst portion 28. In the present embodiment, the base materials 34a and 34b of the catalyst unit 28 and the heating unit 30 are respectively used as electrodes. However, a high voltage electrode may be separately installed on the catalyst unit 28 and an installation electrode may be installed on the heating unit 30. Good.

  The control device 16 is composed of a digital circuit mainly including a microcomputer, for example, and controls the start and stop of the heating device 14 and the start and stop of the plasma generator 12. In the present embodiment, the control device 16 controls the start and stop of the heating device 14 and the start and stop of the plasma generator 12. However, the heating start control device that controls the start of the heating device 14 and the stop of the heating device 14 are controlled. There may be an independent heating stop control device that controls the plasma generation control device, a plasma generation control device that controls the startup of the plasma generation device 12, and a plasma stop control device that controls the stop of the plasma generation device 12.

  The valve 38 provided in the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 20 and the valve 40 provided in the heating medium inflow line 24 are electrically connected to the control device 16, and the control device 16 controls the opening and closing of the valves 38 and 40. It is like that.

  The temperature sensor 18 is installed in the catalyst unit 28 and detects the temperature of the catalyst, and is electrically connected to the control device 16.

  Below, an example of operation | movement of the reforming apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, when the reformer 1 is started, the valve 16 provided in the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 20 is opened by the control device 16, and the hydrogen-containing compound is transferred from the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 20 to the catalyst in the reforming chamber 10. It is supplied into the unit 28. Here, when the reforming apparatus 1 is started, for example, when the power of the control apparatus 16 is turned on by turning on the ignition switch.

  When the hydrogen-containing compound passes through the catalyst portion 28, the hydrogen-containing compound is decomposed and hydrogen is generated by the catalytic reaction of the catalyst. Usually, the temperature of the catalyst reaches the catalyst reaction temperature at which the hydrogen-containing compound decomposes. Otherwise, the hydrogen-containing compound is difficult to decompose and little hydrogen is produced. Further, even when the heating device 14 is started at the time of starting the reforming device 1, it takes time until the temperature of the catalyst reaches the catalytic reaction temperature at which the hydrogen-containing compound is decomposed. Not. Therefore, in the conventional reformer, a long time is required from the start of the reformer to the hydrogen generation. On the other hand, in the reformer 1 of the present embodiment, the following control is performed by the controller 16 in order to generate hydrogen in a short time after the reformer 1 is started.

  In the present embodiment, when the reformer 1 is started, the temperature of the catalyst is detected by the temperature sensor 18, and the detected temperature data is output to the controller 16. Then, the control device 16 compares the detected temperature data with a preset first specified temperature, and when the temperature data is lower than the preset first specified temperature, the plasma generator 12 is turned on. Start. Specifically, an output command is transmitted from the control device 16 to the high voltage power source 36 of the plasma generator 12, and a high voltage is applied from the high voltage power source 36 to the catalyst unit 28, thereby generating plasma in the catalyst unit 28. generate. Here, the first specified temperature is a catalytic reaction temperature at which a hydrogen-containing compound is decomposed by a catalytic reaction. For example, when the catalyst is platinum and the hydrogen-containing compound is methylcyclohexane, the temperature is within a range of 300 ° C to 400 ° C. For example, when the catalyst is zeolite and the hydrogen-containing compound is heptane, the temperature is set within a range of 500 ° C to 600 ° C.

  And by generating plasma in the catalyst part 28, a part of discharge energy of plasma is utilized for decomposition | disassembly of a hydrogen containing compound. The mechanism of decomposition of the hydrogen-containing compound by the plasma discharge energy is such that the plasma discharge energy acts on the hydrogen-containing compound or the catalyst to directly decompose the hydrogen-containing compound or reduce the activation energy of the catalytic reaction. It is considered that hydrogen is generated by facilitating decomposition of the hydrogen-containing compound by catalytic reaction. As described above, when the reformer 1 is started, plasma is generated in the catalyst unit 28 so that the temperature of the catalyst is lower than the catalyst reaction temperature (first specified temperature) for decomposing the hydrogen-containing compound. Even if it exists, since a hydrogen containing compound can decompose | disassemble and can produce | generate hydrogen, it can produce | generate hydrogen in a short time after the start-up of the reformer 1. FIG. The hydrogen generated in the catalyst unit 28 is discharged from the hydrogen-containing compound discharge line 22 and supplied to, for example, a fuel cell and used as fuel for the fuel cell.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the starting characteristics of the reformer of this embodiment and the conventional reformer. The reformer of this embodiment is the reformer 1 including the plasma generator 12 and the heating device 14 shown in FIG. 1, and the conventional reformer is a reformer including only the heater 14. In the conventional reforming apparatus, even if the heating apparatus 14 is started simultaneously with the start of the reforming apparatus and the catalyst unit 28 is heated, the catalytic reaction in which the temperature of the catalyst decomposes the hydrogen-containing compound as shown in FIG. Hydrogen evolution does not occur until the temperature (first specified temperature) is reached. As a result, it takes time from the start of the reformer to the generation of hydrogen. On the other hand, in the reformer 1 of this embodiment, as described above, even when the temperature of the catalyst is lower than the first specified temperature, the hydrogen-containing compound is decomposed by the plasma discharge energy from the plasma generator 12, and hydrogen is generated. The time from the start of the reformer 1 to the generation of hydrogen can be shortened.

  Part of the plasma discharge energy generated in the catalyst section 28 is also used for heating the catalyst. Therefore, by starting the plasma generator 12 and generating plasma in the catalyst unit 28, the temperature of the catalyst can be raised to a temperature higher than the catalytic reaction temperature (first specified temperature) for decomposing the hydrogen-containing compound. However, it may take time for the temperature of the catalyst to reach the first specified temperature only by heating the catalyst portion 28 with plasma. In addition, since the decomposition of the hydrogen-containing compound by the catalytic reaction of the catalyst portion 28 is an endothermic reaction, it may be difficult to maintain the temperature of the catalyst at the first specified temperature or higher only by heating the catalyst portion 28 with plasma. is there.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is preferable to start the heating device 14 and heat the catalyst unit 28 when the reforming device 1 is started. Specifically, when the reforming apparatus 1 is started, the control apparatus 16 releases the valve 40 provided in the heating medium inflow line 24 (activation of the heating apparatus 14). Thereby, the exhaust gas as the heating medium is supplied to the heating unit 30 in the reforming chamber 10, and is exchanged with the catalyst unit 28 when passing through the heating unit 30 in the reforming chamber 10. Heated. The exhaust gas subjected to heat exchange passes through the heating medium discharge line 26 and is discharged outside the system. In the case of a heating device provided with a combustor, the combustor is activated by the control device 16 when the reformer 1 is started. Thereby, the heating medium supplied from the combustor is supplied to the heating unit 30 in the reforming chamber 10 and the catalyst unit 28 is heated.

  The heating device 14 is preferably started when the reforming device 1 is started, regardless of the catalyst temperature. If the temperature of the catalyst is lower than the catalyst reaction temperature (first specified temperature) for decomposing the hydrogen-containing compound, the temperature of the catalyst is raised to the first specified temperature faster by the plasma generator 12 and the heating device 14. It is because it becomes possible to make it. Moreover, even if the temperature of the catalyst is equal to or higher than the catalyst reaction temperature (first specified temperature) for decomposing the hydrogen-containing compound, the heating device 14 can easily maintain the temperature of the catalyst at the first specified temperature or higher. In addition, when starting the heating apparatus 14, you may start simultaneously with the plasma generator 12, and you may start before or after the start of the plasma generator 12. FIG.

  When the catalyst unit 28 is heated by the heating device 14 and the plasma generator 12 and the temperature of the catalyst becomes equal to or higher than the catalytic reaction temperature (first specified value) for decomposing the hydrogen-containing compound, for example, FIG. As shown, since the hydrogen-containing compound can be decomposed and hydrogen can be generated sufficiently only by the catalytic reaction, it is preferable to stop the plasma generator 12 by the control device 16 from the viewpoint of energy saving. As described above, since the catalytic reaction is an endothermic reaction, it is preferable to keep the heating device 14 activated.

  Next, an example of the configuration of the reforming apparatus according to another embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic overview showing an example of the configuration of a reformer according to another embodiment. The reformer 2 shown in FIG. 4 includes a reforming chamber 42, a plasma generator 44, an oxidation reaction heater 46, a controller 48, a temperature sensor 50, a hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52, and a hydrogen-containing compound discharge line 54. ing. In FIG. 4, in order to show the structure of the modification | reformation chamber 42 and the plasma generator 44, these are represented with sectional drawing. In the reforming chamber 42 shown in FIG. 4, a base material 34c arranged in a lattice shape is installed, and a catalyst portion 56 that supports the catalyst on the base material 34c or is filled with a catalyst in the lattice is provided. The plasma generator 44 shown in FIG. 4 is a plasma generator using high-frequency discharge, and includes a plasma generating coil electrode 58 disposed on the outer periphery of the reforming chamber 42 and a high-frequency power source 60. The plasma generating coil electrode 58 is electrically connected to the high frequency power source 60, and the high frequency power source 60 is electrically connected to the control device 48.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52 is connected to an inlet (not shown) of the reforming chamber 42, communicates with the catalyst unit 56 via the inlet, and discharge ports ( (Not shown) is connected to the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52 and communicates with the catalyst unit 56 through the discharge port.

  The oxidation reaction heating device 46 of the present embodiment supplies oxygen to the catalyst unit 56 and heats the catalyst unit 56 with heat of reaction caused by an oxidation reaction between a hydrogen-containing compound and oxygen. The oxidation reaction heating device 46 shown in FIG. 4 includes an air inflow line 62 and a blower (not shown). One end of the air inflow line 62 is connected to the blower, and the other end is connected to the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52 so that the air supplied from the blower is mixed with the hydrogen-containing compound in the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52. It has become. In the present embodiment, a heat insulating material 68 is provided on the outer periphery of the reforming chamber 42 in order to efficiently heat the catalyst unit 56.

  The control device 48 is composed of a digital circuit mainly composed of a microcomputer, and controls the start and stop of the oxidation reaction heating device 46, the start and stop of the plasma generator 44, and the like. In the present embodiment, the flow rate adjustment valve 64 provided in the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52 and the flow rate adjustment valve 66 provided in the air inflow line 62 are electrically connected to the control device 48, It is comprised so that the flow rate of a containing compound and air may be adjusted.

  The temperature sensor 50 is installed in the catalyst unit 56 and detects the temperature of the catalyst, and is electrically connected to the control device 48.

  Below, an example of operation | movement of the reforming apparatus 2 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, when the reformer 2 is started (for example, when the ignition switch is turned on and the power supply of the control device 48 is turned on), the flow rate adjustment valve 64 provided in the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52 is opened. The hydrogen-containing compound is supplied from the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52 to the catalyst unit 56 in the reforming chamber 42.

  Further, when the reformer 1 is started, the temperature of the catalyst is detected by the temperature sensor 50, and the detected temperature data is output to the controller 48. Then, in the control device 48, the detected temperature data is compared with a preset catalyst reaction temperature (first specified temperature) for decomposing the hydrogen-containing compound, and the first specified temperature at which the temperature data is set in advance. If it is less, the plasma generator 44 is activated. Specifically, an output command is issued from the high frequency power supply 60 to the plasma generating coil electrode 58 by the control device 48, and power is supplied from the high frequency power supply 60 to the plasma generating coil electrode 58. Generate plasma. As a result, part of the plasma discharge energy is used for the decomposition of the hydrogen-containing compound, so that hydrogen can be generated in a short time from the start of the reformer 2. Further, as described above, by generating plasma in the catalyst unit 56, a part of the plasma discharge energy is also used for heating the catalyst unit 56.

  Further, when the reformer 1 is started, the oxidation reaction heating device 46 is started by the control device 48 (specifically, the blower is started and the flow rate adjustment valve 66 provided in the air inflow line 62 is opened). By starting the oxidation reaction heating device 46, air is supplied from the air inflow line 62 to the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52, and a mixture of the hydrogen-containing compound and air is supplied to the catalyst unit 56 of the reforming chamber 42. In the catalyst unit 56, as described above, a part of the hydrogen-containing compound is decomposed on the catalyst by the plasma discharge energy (part), and hydrogen is generated, and part of the plasma discharge energy is oxidized by the hydrogen-containing compound. A part of the hydrogen-containing compound is used for the generation to generate heat by oxidation reaction with oxygen on the catalyst, and the catalyst unit 56 is heated.

  In this way, regardless of the temperature of the catalyst unit 56, when the reforming apparatus 2 is started, the oxidation reaction heating device 46 is activated to heat the catalyst unit 56, thereby making the catalyst unit 56 more efficient. It becomes possible to heat.

  The flow rate of the air supplied to the catalyst unit 56 by starting the oxidation reaction heating device 46 is preferably in the range of 12 to 5 with respect to the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing compound. When the amount of air with respect to the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing compound is equal to or greater than 12, the oxidation reaction does not occur sufficiently, and the catalyst unit 56 may not be heated sufficiently. Further, if the amount of air with respect to the flow rate of the hydrogen-containing compound is less than 5, the hydrogen generated by the decomposition reaction may be consumed by oxidation, which is not efficient. As described above, the flow rate is adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valves (64, 66) provided in the hydrogen-containing compound inflow line 52 and the air inflow line 62 by the control device 48.

  When the catalyst unit 56 is heated by the oxidation reaction heating device 46 and the plasma generator 44 and the temperature of the catalyst becomes equal to or higher than the catalyst reaction temperature (first specified value temperature) at which the hydrogen-containing compound is decomposed, the catalytic reaction Since the hydrogen-containing compound can be decomposed to generate hydrogen alone, it is preferable to stop the plasma generator 44 by the controller 48 from the viewpoint of energy saving. As described above, since the catalytic reaction is an endothermic reaction, it is preferable to leave the oxidation reaction heating device 46 activated.

  In the reformer of this embodiment, the heating device 14 shown in FIG. 1 and the oxidation reaction heating device 46 shown in FIG. 4 may be used in combination.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reforming apparatus, 10,42 Reforming chamber, 12,44 Plasma generation apparatus, 14 Heating apparatus, 16,48 Control apparatus, 18,50 Temperature sensor, 20,52 Hydrogen-containing compound inflow line, 22,54 Hydrogen-containing compound Discharge line, 24 Heating medium inflow line, 26 Heating medium discharge line, 28,56 Catalyst part, 30 Heating layer, 32 Dielectric, 34a, 34b, 34c Base material, 36 High voltage power supply, 38, 40 Valve, 46 Oxidation reaction Heating device, 58 plasma generating coil electrode, 60 high frequency power supply, 62 air inflow line, 64, 66 flow rate adjusting valve, 66 flow rate adjusting valve, 68 heat insulating material.

Claims (4)

Plasma generating means for decomposing a hydrogen-containing compound by a catalytic reaction of the catalyst and generating plasma in a catalyst part for generating hydrogen;
A plasma starting control means for controlling the starting of the plasma generating means, and a reformer comprising:
The plasma activation control means activates the plasma generation means when the temperature of the catalyst is lower than a catalytic reaction temperature for decomposing the hydrogen-containing compound when the reformer is started. Reformer. Heating means for heating the catalyst part;
Heating control means for controlling the activation of the heating means,
The reforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating control means starts the heating means when the reforming apparatus is started.   The heating unit includes an oxidation reaction heating unit that supplies oxygen to the catalyst unit and heats the catalyst unit with reaction heat generated by an oxidation reaction between the hydrogen-containing compound and the oxygen on the catalyst. The reformer according to claim 1 or 2. Plasma stop control means for controlling stop of the plasma generating means,
The reforming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the temperature of the catalyst becomes equal to or higher than the catalytic reaction temperature, the plasma generating unit is stopped.