JP2018020926A - Hydrogen generator and operational method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrogen generator excellent in general purpose property with capable of increasing an allowable range of inclination angles of a surface on which a hydrogen generator is installed, reducing dimension in a vertical direction of an evaporator or increasing amount of water evaporated in an evaporator compared to conventional ones.SOLUTION: A first spiral flow passage 33a and a second spiral flow passage 33b in which water is evaporated between an inner pipe 31 and an outer pipe 32 with flowing spirally is arranged with a layout such as a screw thread of a two-strip screw, a first water supply machine 8a and a second water supply machine 8b so that water is supplied to the first spiral flow passage 33a and the second spiral flow passage 33b respectively, and a first spiral flow passage 33a and a second spiral flow passage 33a are constituted by an inner pipe 31, an outer pipe 32, a first spiral body 35a and a second spiral body 35b with spiral shapes, in contact with an outer periphery surface of the inner pipe 31 and an inner periphery surface of the outer pipe 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator having an evaporator having a spiral flow path that evaporates while spirally flowing between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, and an operation method thereof.

  In recent years, fuel cell power generation systems that enable highly efficient power generation even with small devices have been developed as power generation systems for distributed energy sources. However, hydrogen gas or hydrogen-containing gas that serves as fuel during power generation is not maintained as a general infrastructure.

  Therefore, a general fuel cell system is provided with a hydrogen generator that generates a hydrogen-containing gas from raw materials supplied from an existing fossil raw material infrastructure such as city gas and propane gas and water (steam).

  Generally, a hydrogen generator includes a reformer that generates a hydrogen-containing gas by performing a steam reforming reaction between a raw material and water. Further, the hydrogen generator is provided with a CO reducer that reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-containing gas produced by the reformer, and a CO remover that oxidizes and removes carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-containing gas. There are many.

  In these reactors, a catalyst suitable for each reaction, for example, the reformer includes a reforming catalyst containing Ru and Ni, the CO reducer includes a shift catalyst containing Cu-Zn, and the CO remover includes A selective oxidation catalyst containing Ru is used.

  Each catalyst has a design temperature suitable for the reaction. The reforming catalyst is often used at about 650 ° C., the shift catalyst is used at about 250 ° C., and the selective oxidation catalyst is often used at about 150 ° C. In particular, if the selective oxidation catalyst is too high above the design temperature, the deterioration is accelerated and a predetermined durability cannot be ensured. If it is below the design temperature, carbon monoxide cannot be sufficiently reduced.

  It is necessary to control the ratio of water molecules to carbon atoms (hereinafter referred to as S / C) in the mixed gas of water vapor (water) and the raw material to be within a certain range. This is because if the S / C is too small, carbon is liable to precipitate at the reforming catalyst portion and the life of the reforming catalyst is shortened. If the S / C is too large, a large amount of energy is required to evaporate water and efficiency is increased. Because it will go down.

  Moreover, it is desirable to be able to operate so that the amount of power generation can be changed from rated operation to partial load operation in accordance with the amount of power consumed at home. Therefore, it is necessary to change the amount of water vapor (water) supplied together with the raw material according to the amount of power generation.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a hydrogen generator having a double cylindrical evaporator that includes a combustion exhaust gas channel on the inner side, a reformed gas channel or a catalyst unit on the outer side, and performs heat exchange on both the inner and outer sides. doing.

  In the double-cylinder evaporator, a rod-shaped spiral body is in close contact with both the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and a spiral flow path is formed in a space partitioned by the inner cylinder, the outer cylinder, and the upper and lower spiral bodies. Yes. Water is configured to flow from above to below in the direction of gravity along its rod-like spiral body located at the bottom of the spiral flow path.

In the evaporator, water is evaporated by the heat of the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder, and control is performed so that the temperature of the CO reduction catalyst of the CO reducer outside the outer cylinder and the selective oxidation catalyst of the CO remover do not rise too much. . It is intended to ensure that water flows smoothly from top to bottom along a rod-like helix located at the bottom of the spiral channel.

  When water flows along the spiral body, heat exchange is performed between the exhaust gas and water via the inner cylinder of the evaporator and the catalyst and water via the outer cylinder of the evaporator.

  In order to obtain the required amount of hydrogen, the amount of water required is determined by the raw materials and the appropriate S / C. In order to evaporate the required amount of water in the evaporator, a sufficient heat exchange area is required in the inner and outer cylinders of the evaporator, and the heat exchange area is in contact with the inner and outer cylinders and the spiral body through which water flows. Therefore, it is necessary to secure the necessary length of the spiral body.

  On the other hand, in terms of structural design, in order to increase the length of the spiral without changing the height and diameter of the evaporator, it is necessary to wind the spiral closely and to reduce the winding pitch of the spiral.

  In addition, when the amount of hydrogen is variable, the amount of water also changes according to the amount of hydrogen, but when the amount of water is small, evaporation is completed on the upstream side of the evaporator, and when the amount of water is large, the evaporator is smaller than when the amount is small. Evaporation is completed on the downstream side.

  If the evaporation position is too close to the upstream side of the evaporator when the amount of water is small, the temperature of the shift catalyst close to the downstream part of the evaporator becomes too high, and the life of the shift catalyst is shortened due to thermal deterioration. Sometimes.

  Patent Document 2 discloses that a double cylindrical evaporator is provided with a spiral projection that is integral with the inner cylinder by processing the inner cylinder, and the spiral is formed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. In which a water-like flow path is formed so that water flows smoothly from the top to the bottom in the direction of gravity along the spiral protrusion at the bottom of the spiral flow path.

Japanese Patent No. 5257186 Japanese Patent No. 5044048

  In the conventional hydrogen generator, in the evaporator, the water flows along the spiral body and the protrusions in the spiral flow path, so that the water cools the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder of the evaporator. Heat exchange occurs between the gas flowing inside and the inner cylinder of the evaporator, and the shift catalyst and selective oxidation catalyst arranged on the outer side of the evaporator and the outer cylinder of the evaporator.

  However, in order to evaporate the required amount of water in the evaporator, a sufficient heat exchange area is required in the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder of the evaporator, and the heat exchange area is in contact with the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, Since it depends on the length of the flowing spiral body, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient length of the spiral body.

  In order to increase the amount of water evaporated as an evaporator and improve the heat exchange performance, it is necessary to further increase the length of the spiral channel. In order to increase the length of the spiral channel without changing the overall length of the evaporator, it is necessary to reduce the spiral pitch.

  However, when compared with a hydrogen generator that does not reduce the helical pitch, a hydrogen generator that has a reduced helical pitch, when installed on an inclined surface, has a lower spiral flow path through which water flows because the helical pitch is smaller. It is easy to secure a slope, and water tends not to flow smoothly.

  And if water stops flowing smoothly, even if a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the evaporator per unit time, the water flow temporarily stops in the middle of the spiral body or protrusion in the spiral flow path, and downstream of it. There is a problem that water does not flow to the part, the amount of evaporation decreases, and the reforming reaction becomes unstable.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and can increase the allowable range of the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator is installed, can reduce the vertical dimension of the evaporator, An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen generator capable of increasing the amount of water to be evaporated.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the hydrogen generator of the present invention is a hydrogen generator having an evaporator having a spiral flow path that evaporates while spirally flowing water between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. Thus, a plurality of spiral flow paths are provided in an arrangement like a thread of a multi-thread screw, and a plurality of water feeders are provided so as to supply water to each of the multiple-path spiral flow paths.

  This makes it possible to secure a sufficient spiral channel length by adding up the plurality of spiral channel lengths without reducing the pitch of the spiral channels. Therefore, when the pitch of the spiral flow path is made larger than before, the allowable range of the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator is installed can be made larger than before.

  Further, since there are a plurality of spiral channels, the vertical dimension of the evaporator can be reduced depending on the condition of the pitch of the spiral channels and the number of spiral channels. Further, since there are a plurality of spiral flow paths, the amount of water evaporated in the evaporator can be increased as compared with a conventional hydrogen generator having a single spiral flow path.

  In the present invention, the spiral flow path is provided with a plurality of paths in an arrangement like a thread of a multi-thread screw, and a plurality of water feeders are provided so as to supply water to each of the spiral paths of the plurality of paths. Without reducing the pitch of each spiral channel, a plurality of spiral channel lengths can be summed to ensure a sufficient spiral channel length. Therefore, when the pitch of the spiral flow path is made larger than before, the allowable range of the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator is installed can be made larger than before.

  Further, since there are a plurality of spiral channels, the vertical dimension of the evaporator can be reduced depending on the condition of the pitch of the spiral channels and the number of spiral channels. Further, since there are a plurality of spiral flow paths, the amount of water evaporated in the evaporator can be increased as compared with a conventional hydrogen generator having a single spiral flow path.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generator in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. A longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generator in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generator in Embodiment 4 of the present invention Longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generator in Embodiment 5 of the present invention Longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generator according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the water supply device of the hydrogen generator in Embodiment 6 of this invention. A longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen generator in Embodiment 7 of the present invention

A first aspect of the present invention is a hydrogen generator having an evaporator having a spiral flow path that evaporates while water spirally flows between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. A plurality of water supply devices are provided so that water is supplied to each of the spiral flow paths of the plurality of paths.

  Thereby, even if it does not make the pitch of each helical flow path small, a several helical flow path length can be totaled and the required helical flow path length can be ensured. Therefore, when the pitch of the spiral flow path is made larger than before, the allowable range of the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator is installed can be made larger than before.

  Further, since there are a plurality of spiral channels, the vertical dimension of the evaporator can be reduced depending on the condition of the pitch of the spiral channels and the number of spiral channels. Further, since there are a plurality of spiral flow paths, the amount of water evaporated in the evaporator can be increased as compared with a conventional hydrogen generator having a single spiral flow path.

  In the second invention, in particular, the spiral flow path in the first invention is provided in two paths with an arrangement like a thread of a double thread so that water is supplied to each of the two spiral paths. Two water feeders are provided.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase in cost without complicating the configuration and to reduce the pitch of each spiral channel, and to add the two spiral channel lengths to obtain the required spiral channel length. Can be secured. Therefore, when the pitch of the spiral flow path is made larger than before, the allowable range of the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator is installed can be made larger than before.

  In addition, since there are two spiral flow paths, the vertical dimension of the evaporator can be reduced unless the pitch of the spiral flow paths is equal to or greater than a predetermined pitch. Moreover, since there are two spiral flow paths, the amount of water evaporated in the evaporator can be increased as compared with a conventional hydrogen generator having one spiral flow path.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in particular, the spiral flow path according to the first or second aspect of the present invention includes an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, and an outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder and a helical helix that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder. It is composed.

  As a result, the evaporator can be easily manufactured by the inner tube expansion method and the outer tube contraction method, and a plurality of spiral channel lengths can be obtained without reducing the pitch of each spiral channel. The required spiral channel length can be ensured by summing up the two.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the spiral channel in the first or second aspect is provided with a spiral convex portion on either the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder, and on either the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder. It is made into the structure which contacts.

  As a result, an evaporator can be manufactured with a minimum number of parts without providing a spiral spiral body, and a plurality of spiral channel lengths can be obtained without reducing the pitch of each spiral channel. In total, the required spiral channel length can be ensured.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the number of spiral flow paths on the downstream side of the evaporator in any one of the first to fourth aspects is less than the number of spiral flow paths on the upstream side of the evaporator. It is.

  Thereby, since the length of the spiral flow path in the upstream part of the evaporator can be made longer than the length of the spiral flow path on the downstream side, the upstream part of the evaporator can be cooled more than the downstream part. When it is desired to cool a large amount of the upstream portion of the evaporator, the length of the spiral flow path in the upstream portion of the evaporator can be increased without reducing the pitch of the spiral flow passage in the upstream portion of the evaporator.

  The sixth aspect of the invention includes a controller that controls the plurality of water supply units in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, and the controller is configured such that the amount of water supplied to the evaporator is equal to or less than a predetermined first amount of water. If water is supplied only from some of the plurality of water supply units and the amount of water supplied to the evaporator exceeds the first water amount, all the water supply units of the plurality of water supply units It is made to supply water from.

  As a result, the length of the spiral flow path upstream of the evaporator can be shortened when the amount of water is small, so that it is possible to suppress the completion of evaporation in the upstream part of the evaporator, and the downstream part of the evaporator The situation where temperature rises can be prevented.

  Therefore, when the catalyst is close to the downstream portion of the evaporator, the catalyst deteriorates due to high temperature, and it is not necessary to add and fill the catalyst in advance for the purpose of ensuring durability. The generation device can be reduced in size.

  The seventh invention has an evaporator having a spiral flow path in which water evaporates while flowing spirally between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, and the spiral flow path is like a thread of a multi-thread screw. A method for operating a hydrogen generator, in which a plurality of water supply devices are provided so that water is supplied to each of the plurality of spiral flow paths, and the water supplied to the evaporator When the amount of water is not more than the predetermined first water amount, water is supplied only from some of the plurality of water supply devices, and the amount of water supplied to the evaporator exceeds the first water amount This is a method for operating a hydrogen generator, in which water is supplied from all of the water supply units of the plurality of water supply units.

  This operation method can shorten the length of the spiral channel when the amount of water is small, thus preventing evaporation at the upstream part of the evaporator and the temperature at the downstream part of the evaporator from becoming high. I can do it. Therefore, when the catalyst is close to the downstream portion of the evaporator, the catalyst deteriorates due to high temperature, and it is not necessary to add and fill the catalyst in advance for the purpose of ensuring durability. The generation device can be reduced in size.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the hydrogen generator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 1 is installed on the ground with an inclination angle of 5 °. The evaporator 91 includes an inner cylinder 31, an outer cylinder 32, and a spiral body 35 obtained by bending a metal rod having a circular cross section into a spiral shape. The spiral body 35 is in contact with both the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 32, and forms a spiral flow path 33 together with the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32.

  In this embodiment, two spiral bodies 35 (first spiral body 35a and second spiral body 35b) are provided in an arrangement like a thread of a double thread, thereby providing two spiral flow paths 33 (first spirals). And a second spiral channel 33b). The two spiral flow paths 33 are arranged like a thread of a double thread.

  The spiral flow path 33 has a downward gradient of 10 degrees, which is larger than the inclination angle of the installation place of 5 degrees. Two water supply devices 8 (the first water supply device 8a and the first water supply device 8a) can be supplied to each of the two spiral flow channels 33 (the first spiral flow channel 33a and the second spiral flow channel 33b). Two water supply devices 8b) are provided, and both water and raw materials are supplied from the respective water supply devices 8.

  Since the evaporator 91 can expand the inner cylinder 31 so that the spiral body 35 can be brought into close contact with both the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32, the evaporator 91 can be easily manufactured even if there are a plurality of spiral bodies 35. .

  The gas in which the water vapor evaporated by the evaporator 91 and the raw material are mixed passes through the supply flow path 30, the reformer 10 in which the reforming catalyst 11 is disposed, the reformed gas discharge flow path 38, and the reformed gas. The gas passes through the carbon monoxide reducer 13 in which the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 for reducing carbon monoxide are disposed, and exits from the hydrogen generator 1 through the outlet pipe 17.

  Combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustor 20 disposed on the inner side of the evaporator 91 passes through the combustion exhaust gas passage 22 formed between the combustion cylinder 21 and the inner cylinder 31 of the evaporator 91 from bottom to top. By flowing, the reforming catalyst 11 is heated to a design temperature of about 650 to 550 ° C. during operation, and then the evaporator 91 is heated and exhausted from the combustion exhaust gas outlet 23.

  The shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 are heat-exchanged with the evaporator 91, and at the time of operation, the respective design temperatures (change temperature: 250 to 300 ° C., selective oxidation temperature: 140 to 160 ° C.) It is controlled to become.

  About the hydrogen generator 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  The hydrogen generator 1 supplies a necessary amount of raw material and water at an appropriate ratio in order to obtain a necessary amount of hydrogen. In this embodiment, in order to obtain 16 L / min of hydrogen during rated operation, the raw material was 4.3 L / min, S / C was 3, and water was supplied at 12 cc / min.

  6 cc / min of water and raw material are supplied from the first water supply device 8a, water flows downward along the first spiral body 35a of the first spiral flow path 33a, and the raw material flows down the first spiral flow path 33a. Flowing into. Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the first water supplier 8a is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 1 is rated at a predetermined S / C.

  Since the first spiral body 35a is in close contact with the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32, water flows along the first spiral body 35a. The water and raw material flowing through the evaporator 91 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32.

  The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor. The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas. Water and raw material of 6 cc / min are also supplied from the second water supply device 8b, water flows downward along the second spiral body 35b of the second spiral flow path 33b, and the raw material flows through the second spiral flow path 33b. Flows downward.

  Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the second water supplier 8b is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 1 is rated. Since the second spiral body 35b is in close contact with the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32, water flows along the second spiral body 35b. The total amount of water supplied from the first water supplier 8a and the second water supplier 8b is 12 cc / min, which corresponds to the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 1 is rated at a predetermined S / C.

  The water and raw material flowing through the evaporator 91 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32. The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor. The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas.

  As described above, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment has the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, evaporating while water flows spirally between the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32. A hydrogen generator 1 having an evaporator 91 having a second spiral channel 33b), wherein the spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b) is a multi-thread screw. A water supply device is provided so that water is supplied to each of the two spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a and second spiral channel 33b). 8 (first water supply device 8a, second water supply device 8b) are provided.

  As a result, it is necessary to add up the two spiral channel lengths without reducing the pitch of each spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). A spiral channel length can be secured. Therefore, when the pitch of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) is larger than the conventional one, the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator 1 is installed is larger than the conventional one. The tolerance can be increased.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). The vertical dimension of the evaporator 91 can be reduced depending on the condition of the pitch size of 33b) and the number of paths of the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, second spiral flow path 33b), and The temperature of the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 adjacent to the outside of the evaporator 91 can be easily made uniform.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of paths of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b), the spiral flow path 33 has a single path in the evaporator 91 as compared with the conventional hydrogen generator. It is also possible to increase the amount of water that evaporates.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment is provided with two paths for the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) so that water is supplied to each. Since two water supply devices 8 (first water supply device 8a and second water supply device 8b) are provided, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost without making the configuration too complicated.

  Further, since there are two spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). If the pitch of 33b) is not set to a predetermined pitch or more, the vertical dimension of the evaporator 91 can be reduced.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment includes a spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), an inner cylinder 31, an outer cylinder 32, and an inner cylinder 31. And the spiral body 35 (the first spiral body 35a and the second spiral body 35b) in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 32.

  Thus, the evaporator 91 can be easily manufactured by the tube expansion method of the inner cylinder 31 and the tube contraction method of the outer cylinder 32, and the respective spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel). Even if the pitch of the channel 33b) is not reduced, the required spiral channel length can be ensured by adding up the plurality of spiral channel lengths.

  Further, the lengths of the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b can be summed up to ensure the length of the spiral channel 33 having a double length.

The hydrogen generator 1 is installed at a place where the inclination angle is 5 °, but the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, second spiral flow path 33b) is inclined at the installation place. Since a downward gradient of 10 degrees with an angle of 5 ° or more is ensured, the water supplied from the water supply device 8 always flows smoothly downward, and the spiral body 35 in the spiral flow path 33 in the evaporator 91. In the middle of the process, it does not stop temporarily and evaporates stably and does not destabilize the reforming reaction.

  As a result, the evaporator 91 can be made sufficiently longer in the spiral flow path 33 than the conventional evaporator in which the spiral flow path 33 is not formed in two lines, so that the amount of water evaporated than in the conventional evaporator can be reduced. As a result, the heat exchange performance with the exhaust gas and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be improved.

  The evaporator 91 can also bring the spiral body 35 into close contact with both the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32 by contracting the outer cylinder 32.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the hydrogen generator in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In addition, in the hydrogen generator 2 of Embodiment 2 shown in FIG. 2, the same code | symbol is provided to the same component as the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted. To do.

  In the hydrogen generator 2 of Embodiment 2 shown in FIG. 2, the portions different from the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 are that the evaporator 92 includes the inner cylinder 31, the outer cylinder 32, and the inner cylinder 32. The spiral flow path 33 is formed as a structure in which the spiral protrusion 34 is in contact with the outer cylinder 32, which is constituted by two spiral protrusions 34 provided on the cylinder 31. Moreover, the hydrogen generator 2 of Embodiment 2 shown in FIG. 2 is installed on a flat surface without inclination.

  The operation and action of the hydrogen generator 2 configured as described above will be described below.

  The hydrogen generator 2 supplies a necessary amount of raw material and water at an appropriate ratio in order to obtain a necessary amount of hydrogen. In this embodiment, in order to obtain 16 L / min of hydrogen during rated operation, the raw material was 4.3 L / min, S / C was 3, and water was supplied at 12 cc / min. Water and raw material of 6 cc / min are supplied from the first water supply device 8a, water flows downward along the first spiral convex portion 34a of the first spiral flow path 33a, and the raw material is the first spiral flow path. It flows down 33a.

  Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the first water supplier 8a is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 2 is rated at a predetermined S / C. Since the first spiral convex portion 34a is in close contact with the outer cylinder 32, water flows along the first spiral convex portion 34a.

  The water and raw material flowing through the evaporator 92 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32. The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor. The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas.

  Water and raw material of 6 cc / min are also supplied from the second water supplier 8b, the water flows downward along the second spiral convex portion 34b of the second spiral flow path 33b, and the raw material flows in the second spiral flow. It flows down the path 33b. Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the second water supplier 8b is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 2 is rated.

  Since the second spiral convex portion 34b is in close contact with the outer cylinder 32, water flows along the second spiral convex portion 34b. The total amount of water supplied from the first water supply device 8a and the second water supply device 8b is 12 cc / min, and corresponds to the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 2 is rated at a predetermined S / C.

The water and raw material flowing through the evaporator 92 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32. The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor. The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas.

  As described above, the hydrogen generator 2 of the present embodiment has the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, evaporating while water flows spirally between the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32. A hydrogen generator 2 having an evaporator 92 having a second spiral channel 33b), wherein the spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b) is a multi-thread screw. A water supply device is provided so that water is supplied to each of the two spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a and second spiral channel 33b). 8 (first water supply device 8a, second water supply device 8b) are provided.

  As a result, it is necessary to add up the two spiral channel lengths without reducing the pitch of each spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). A spiral channel length can be secured. Therefore, when the pitch of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) is made larger than the conventional one, the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator 2 is installed is larger than the conventional one. The tolerance can be increased.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). 33b), the vertical dimension of the evaporator 92 can be reduced, depending on the conditions of the pitch size and the number of paths of the spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). The temperature of the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 adjacent to the outside of the evaporator 92 can be easily made uniform.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of paths of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b), the spiral flow path 33 has a single path in the evaporator 92 than the conventional hydrogen generator. It is also possible to increase the amount of water that evaporates.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 2 of the present embodiment is provided with two paths for the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) so that water is supplied to each. Since two water supply devices 8 (first water supply device 8a and second water supply device 8b) are provided, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost without making the configuration too complicated.

  Further, since there are two spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). If the pitch of 33b) is not set to a predetermined pitch or more, the vertical dimension of the evaporator 92 can be reduced.

  Further, the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) of the hydrogen generator 2 according to the present embodiment protrudes spirally from the inner cylinder 31 in the outer peripheral direction. Since the top portion of the provided spiral convex portion 34 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 32, a spiral spiral body is not required, and a minimum number of parts (2 of the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32) is eliminated. The evaporator 92 can be manufactured with a component), and a plurality of spiral channels can be formed without reducing the pitch of the spiral channels 33 (the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b). The required spiral channel length can be ensured by adding the channel lengths.

  Further, the lengths of the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b can be summed up to ensure the length of the spiral channel 33 having a double length.

Even when the installation location of the hydrogen generator 2 has a slight inclination, the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) ensures a downward gradient that is equal to or greater than the inclination angle of the installation place. Therefore, the water supplied from the water supply device 8 (the first water supply device 8a and the second water supply device 8b) smoothly flows downward, and in the evaporator 92, the spiral flow path 33 (the first helical flow device). Evaporation without stopping temporarily in the middle of the spiral projections 34 (first spiral projection 34a, second spiral projection 34b) in the cylindrical channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b) However, the reforming reaction does not become unstable.

  As a result, the evaporator 92 can be made sufficiently longer in the spiral flow path 33 than the conventional evaporator in which the spiral flow path is not doubled, so that the amount of water to be evaporated is increased as compared with the conventional evaporator. Thus, the heat exchange performance with the exhaust gas and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be improved.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the hydrogen generator in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In addition, in the hydrogen generator 3 of Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. 3, the same code | symbol is provided to the same component as the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted. To do.

  In the hydrogen generator 3 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the evaporator 93 is different from the hydrogen generator 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the evaporator 93 has an inner cylinder 31, an outer cylinder 32, and an outer cylinder 32. The spiral flow path 33 is formed as a structure in which the spiral inner convex portion 36 is in contact with the inner cylinder 31 and is constituted by two spiral inner convex portions 36 provided in the cylinder 32. is there. Moreover, the hydrogen generator 3 of Embodiment 3 shown in FIG. 3 is installed on a flat surface without inclination.

  The operation and action of the hydrogen generator 3 configured as described above will be described below.

  The hydrogen generator 3 supplies a necessary amount of raw material and water at an appropriate ratio in order to obtain a necessary amount of hydrogen. In this embodiment, in order to obtain 16 L / min of hydrogen during rated operation, the raw material was 4.3 L / min, S / C was 3, and water was supplied at 12 cc / min.

  Water and raw material of 6 cc / min are supplied from the first water supplier 8a, water flows downward along the first spiral inner convex portion 36a of the first spiral flow path 33a, and the raw material flows in the first spiral flow. It flows down the path 33a. Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the first water supplier 8a is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 3 is rated at a predetermined S / C.

  Since the first spiral inner convex part 36a is in close contact with the inner cylinder 31, water flows along the first spiral inner convex part 36a. The water and the raw material flowing through the evaporator 93 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32.

  The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor. The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas. Water and raw material of 6 cc / min are also supplied from the second water supplier 8b, the water flows downward along the second spiral inner convex portion 36b of the second spiral flow path 33b, and the raw material is in the second spiral shape. It flows downward through the flow path 33b.

  Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the second water supplier 8b is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 3 is rated. Since the second spiral inner convex portion 36b is in close contact with the inner cylinder 31, water flows along the second spiral inner convex portion 36b. The total amount of water supplied from the first water supplier 8a and the second water supplier 8b is 12 cc / min, which corresponds to the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 3 is rated at a predetermined S / C.

  The water and the raw material flowing through the evaporator 93 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32. The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor. The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas.

  As described above, the hydrogen generator 3 of the present embodiment has the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, evaporating while water flows spirally between the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32. A hydrogen generator 3 having an evaporator 93 having a second spiral channel 33b), wherein the spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b) is a multi-thread screw. A water supply device is provided so that water is supplied to each of the two spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a and second spiral channel 33b). 8 (first water supply device 8a, second water supply device 8b) are provided.

  As a result, it is necessary to add up the two spiral channel lengths without reducing the pitch of each spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). A spiral channel length can be secured. Therefore, when the pitch of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) is made larger than the conventional one, the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator 2 is installed is larger than the conventional one. The tolerance can be increased.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). The vertical dimension of the evaporator 93 can be reduced depending on the condition of the pitch size of 33b) and the number of paths of the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, second spiral flow path 33b), and The temperature of the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 adjacent to the outside of the evaporator 93 can be easily made uniform.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of paths of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b), the spiral flow path 33 has a single path in the evaporator 92 than the conventional hydrogen generator. It is also possible to increase the amount of water that evaporates.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 3 of the present embodiment is provided with two paths for the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) so that water is supplied to each. Since two water supply devices 8 (first water supply device 8a and second water supply device 8b) are provided, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost without making the configuration too complicated.

  Further, since there are two spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). If the pitch of 33b) is not set to a predetermined pitch or more, the vertical dimension of the evaporator 93 can be reduced.

  In addition, the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, second spiral flow path 33b) of the hydrogen generator 3 of the present embodiment is projected in a spiral manner on the outer cylinder 32 in the inner circumferential direction. Since the top part of the spiral inner convex portion 36 provided on the outer surface of the inner cylinder 31 is in contact with the inner cylinder 31, the spiral spiral body is not required, and the minimum number of parts (the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32 are reduced). The evaporator 93 can be manufactured with two parts, and a plurality of spirals can be formed without reducing the pitch of the spiral channels 33 (the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b). The necessary spiral channel length can be ensured by adding the total channel length.

  Further, the lengths of the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b can be summed up to ensure the length of the spiral channel 33 having a double length.

  Even when the installation location of the hydrogen generator 3 is slightly inclined, the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) secures a downward gradient equal to or greater than the inclination angle of the installation location. Therefore, the water supplied from the water supply device 8 smoothly flows downward, and does not stop temporarily in the evaporator 93 in the middle of the second spiral inner protrusion 36b in the spiral flow path 33. It evaporates stably and does not destabilize the reforming reaction.

  As a result, the evaporator 93 can be made sufficiently longer in the spiral flow path 33 than the conventional evaporator in which the spiral flow path is not doubled, so that the amount of water to be evaporated is increased as compared with the conventional evaporator. Thus, the heat exchange performance with the exhaust gas and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be improved.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the hydrogen generator in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In addition, in the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 4 shown in FIG. 4, the same code | symbol is provided to the same component as the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted. To do.

  In the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 4 shown in FIG. 4, the second spiral flow path 33b is different from the first spiral flow path 33a in the portion different from the hydrogen generation apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. It is short. That is, the number of the spiral flow paths 33 on the downstream side of the evaporator 91 is one, and the number is less than the number of the two spiral flow paths 33 on the upstream side of the evaporator 91. Moreover, the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 4 shown in FIG. 4 is installed on a flat surface without inclination.

  With this configuration, since the spiral flow path 33 is provided relatively longer in the upstream portion than the downstream portion of the evaporator 91, the upstream portion of the evaporator 91 rather than the shift catalyst 14 adjacent to the downstream portion of the evaporator 91. The amount of heat exchangeable through the spiral body 35 is relatively greater in the selective oxidation catalyst 15 that is close to. Thereby, the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be cooled more than the shift catalyst 14.

  The first spiral body 35a is continuously arranged from the upstream portion to the downstream portion of the evaporator 91, and the first spiral flow path 33a is continuously formed from the upstream portion to the downstream portion of the evaporator 91. On the other hand, the second spiral body 35b is disposed between the upstream portion and the midstream portion of the evaporator 91, and constitutes the second spiral flow path 33b from the upstream portion to the midstream portion of the evaporator 91. Thus, the second spiral channel 33b joins the first spiral channel 33a.

  Among the carbon monoxide reducers 13 that are close to the outer cylinder 32 of the evaporator 91, both the first spiral flow path 33 a and the second spiral flow path 33 b are close to the selective oxidation catalyst 15. However, the shift catalyst 14 has a portion where both the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b are close to each other and a portion where only the first spiral channel 33a is close.

  About the hydrogen generator 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  The hydrogen generator 1 supplies a necessary amount of raw material and water at an appropriate ratio in order to obtain a necessary amount of hydrogen. In this embodiment, in order to obtain 16 L / min of hydrogen during rated operation, the raw material was 4.3 L / min, S / C was 3, and water was supplied at 12 cc / min.

  6 cc / min of water and raw material are supplied from the first water supply device 8a, water flows downward along the first spiral body 35a of the first spiral flow path 33a, and the raw material flows down the first spiral flow path 33a. Flowing into. Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the first water supplier 8a is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 1 is rated at a predetermined S / C.

  Since the first spiral body 35a is in close contact with the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32, water flows along the first spiral body 35a. The water and raw material flowing through the evaporator 91 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32.

  The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor. The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas. Water and raw material of 6 cc / min are also supplied from the second water supply device 8b, water flows downward along the second spiral body 35b of the second spiral flow path 33b, and the raw material flows through the second spiral flow path 33b. Flows downward. Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the second water supplier 8b is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 1 is rated.

  Since the second spiral body 35b is in close contact with the inner cylinder 31, water flows along the second spiral body 35b. The total amount of water supplied from the first water supplier 8a and the second water supplier 8b is 12 cc / min, which corresponds to the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 1 is rated at a predetermined S / C.

  The first helical body 35a is continuously arranged from the upstream portion to the downstream portion of the evaporator 91, but the second helical body 35b is arranged between the upstream portion and the midstream portion of the evaporator 91. In the midstream portion of the evaporator 91, the second spiral channel 33b joins the first spiral channel 33a.

  The water and raw material flowing through the evaporator 91 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32. The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor. The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas.

  The shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 arranged in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 adjacent to the outer cylinder 32 of the evaporator 91 have a temperature balance due to a cooling effect caused by water flowing along the spiral flow path 33. Is taking. The temperature for optimally reacting the shift catalyst 14 is 250 to 300 ° C, while the temperature for optimally reacting the selective oxidation catalyst 15 is 120 to 160 ° C.

  Since the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can suppress thermal degradation by setting the temperature as low as possible within this temperature range, durability can be further ensured with a small amount of catalyst. Therefore, it is desirable that the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be cooled more than the shift catalyst 14 and can be set to 120 to 140 ° C.

  Both the first spiral 35a constituting the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral 35b constituting the second spiral flow path 33b are close to the selective oxidation catalyst 15, and the shift catalyst 14 is A portion where both the first spiral body 35a constituting the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral body 35b constituting the second spiral channel 33b are close to each other and the first spiral channel 33a constituting the first spiral channel 33a. There is a portion where only one spiral body 35a is adjacent.

  Thereby, the selective oxidation catalyst 15 has a larger amount of heat exchange than the shift catalyst 14, and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 is more than the configuration of the hydrogen generator 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the temperature of the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be set to 120 to 140 ° C.

As described above, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment has the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, evaporating while water flows spirally between the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32. A hydrogen generator 1 having an evaporator 91 having a second spiral channel 33b), wherein the spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b) is a multi-thread screw. Two paths are provided with an arrangement like
The water supply unit 8 (first water supply unit 8a, second water supply unit) is configured so that water is supplied to each of the two paths of the spiral flow channel 33 (first spiral flow channel 33a, second spiral flow channel 33b). Two feeders 8b) are provided.

  As a result, it is necessary to add up the two spiral channel lengths without reducing the pitch of each spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). A spiral channel length can be secured. Therefore, when the pitch of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) is larger than the conventional one, the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator 1 is installed is larger than the conventional one. The tolerance can be increased.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). The vertical dimension of the evaporator 91 can be reduced depending on the condition of the pitch size of 33b) and the number of paths of the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, second spiral flow path 33b), and The temperature of the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 adjacent to the outside of the evaporator 91 can be easily made uniform.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of paths of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b), the spiral flow path 33 has a single path in the evaporator 91 as compared with the conventional hydrogen generator. It is also possible to increase the amount of water that evaporates.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment is provided with two paths for the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) so that water is supplied to each. Since two water supply devices 8 (first water supply device 8a and second water supply device 8b) are provided, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost without making the configuration too complicated.

  Further, since there are two spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). If the pitch of 33b) is not set to a predetermined pitch or more, the vertical dimension of the evaporator 91 can be reduced.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment includes a spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), an inner cylinder 31, an outer cylinder 32, and an inner cylinder 31. And the spiral body 35 (the first spiral body 35a and the second spiral body 35b) in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 32.

  Thus, the evaporator 91 can be easily manufactured by the tube expansion method of the inner cylinder 31 and the tube contraction method of the outer cylinder 32, and the respective spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel). Even if the pitch of the channel 33b) is not reduced, the required spiral channel length can be ensured by adding up the plurality of spiral channel lengths.

  Further, in the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment, the number of the spiral channels 33 (first spiral channels 33 a) on the downstream side of the evaporator 91 is set to the number of the spiral channels 33 on the upstream side of the evaporator 91. The number is less than the number of (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b).

  Thus, the length of the spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b) in the upstream portion of the evaporator 91 is set to the length of the downstream spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel). Since it can be made longer than the length of the flow path 33a), the upstream part of the evaporator 91 can be cooled rather than the downstream part. Further, when it is desired to cool the upstream portion of the evaporator 91 much, the pitch of the spiral flow paths 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) in the upstream section of the evaporator 91 is reduced. Even if not, the length of the spiral flow path in the upstream portion of the evaporator 91 can be increased.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment has a spiral body that is close to the shift catalyst 14 even if the installation location of the hydrogen generator 1 is slightly inclined even if the pitch of the spiral flow path 33 is not reduced. The length of the spiral 35 close to the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be made relatively longer than the length of 35, and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be further cooled and can be set to be 120 to 140 ° C. .

  Needless to say, the same result can be obtained even when the first catalyst 35a of the first spiral channel 33a is close to the shift catalyst 14.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the hydrogen generator in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In addition, in the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 5 shown in FIG. 5, the same code | symbol is provided to the same component as the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted. To do.

  In the hydrogen generator 1 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the portion different from the hydrogen generator 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The pitch of the channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b is larger than that of the upstream spiral channel 33 (the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b). . Moreover, the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 5 shown in FIG. 5 is installed on a flat surface without inclination.

  With this configuration, since the spiral flow path 33 is provided relatively longer in the upstream portion than the downstream portion of the evaporator 91, the upstream portion of the evaporator 91 rather than the shift catalyst 14 adjacent to the downstream portion of the evaporator 91. Since the amount of heat exchanged with the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the vicinity of the gas via the helical body 35 is relatively large, the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be cooled more than the shift catalyst 14.

  About the hydrogen generator 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  The hydrogen generator 1 supplies a necessary amount of raw material and water at an appropriate ratio in order to obtain a necessary amount of hydrogen. In this embodiment, in order to obtain 16 L / min of hydrogen during rated operation, the raw material was 4.3 L / min, S / C was 3, and water was supplied at 12 cc / min.

  6 cc / min of water and raw material are supplied from the first water supply device 8a, water flows downward along the first spiral body 35a of the first spiral flow path 33a, and the raw material flows down the first spiral flow path 33a. Flowing into. Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the first water supplier 8a is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 1 is rated at a predetermined S / C.

  Since the first spiral body 35a is in close contact with the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32, water flows along the first spiral body 35a. The water and raw material flowing through the evaporator 91 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32. The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor.

  The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas. Water and raw material of 6 cc / min are also supplied from the second water supply device 8b, water flows downward along the second spiral body 35b of the second spiral flow path 33b, and the raw material flows through the second spiral flow path 33b. Flows downward. Here, the amount of water of 6 cc / min supplied from the second water supplier 8b is half of the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 1 is rated.

Since the second spiral body 35b is in close contact with the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32, the water is the second spiral body 35b.
Flowing along. The total amount of water supplied from the first water supplier 8a and the second water supplier 8b is 12 cc / min, which corresponds to the amount of water when the hydrogen generator 1 is rated at a predetermined S / C.

  The water and raw material flowing through the evaporator 91 exchange heat with the combustion exhaust gas flowing inside the inner cylinder 31 and the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 located outside the outer cylinder 32. The water is heated while flowing downward, evaporates and becomes water vapor. The raw material gas and water vapor are mixed and supplied to the reforming catalyst 11 to become a reformed gas.

  The shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 arranged in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 adjacent to the outer cylinder 32 of the evaporator 91 have a temperature balance due to a cooling effect caused by water flowing along the spiral flow path 33. Is taking. The temperature for optimally reacting the shift catalyst 14 is 250 to 300 ° C, while the temperature for optimally reacting the selective oxidation catalyst 15 is 120 to 160 ° C.

  Since the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can suppress thermal degradation by setting the temperature as low as possible within this temperature range, durability can be further ensured with a small amount of catalyst. Therefore, it is desirable that the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be cooled more than the shift catalyst 14 and can be set to 120 to 140 ° C.

  Both the first spiral body 35a of the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral body 35b of the second spiral channel 33b are close to the proximity portion of the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15; Each pitch of the flow path 33 a and the second spiral flow path 33 b is larger in the downstream portion of the evaporator 91 than in the upstream portion of the evaporator 91.

  As a result, the amount of the selective oxidation catalyst 15 that can exchange heat relatively is larger than that of the shift catalyst 14, and the temperature of the selective oxidation catalyst 15 is higher than that of the configuration of the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, the temperature of the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be set to 120 to 140 ° C.

  As described above, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment has the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, evaporating while water flows spirally between the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32. A hydrogen generator 1 having an evaporator 91 having a second spiral channel 33b), wherein the spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b) is a multi-thread screw. A water supply device is provided so that water is supplied to each of the two spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a and second spiral channel 33b). 8 (first water supply device 8a, second water supply device 8b) are provided.

  As a result, it is necessary to add up the two spiral channel lengths without reducing the pitch of each spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). A spiral channel length can be secured. Therefore, when the pitch of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) is larger than the conventional one, the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator 1 is installed is larger than the conventional one. The tolerance can be increased.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). The vertical dimension of the evaporator 91 can be reduced depending on the condition of the pitch size of 33b) and the number of paths of the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, second spiral flow path 33b), and The temperature of the shift catalyst 14 and the selective oxidation catalyst 15 in the carbon monoxide reducer 13 adjacent to the outside of the evaporator 91 can be easily made uniform.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of paths of the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b), the spiral flow path 33 has a single path in the evaporator 91 as compared with the conventional hydrogen generator. It is also possible to increase the amount of water that evaporates.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment is provided with two paths for the spiral flow path 33 (the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b) so that water is supplied to each. Since two water supply devices 8 (first water supply device 8a and second water supply device 8b) are provided, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost without making the configuration too complicated.

  Further, since there are two spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b). If the pitch of 33b) is not set to a predetermined pitch or more, the vertical dimension of the evaporator 91 can be reduced.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment includes a spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b), an inner cylinder 31, an outer cylinder 32, and an inner cylinder 31. And the spiral body 35 (the first spiral body 35a and the second spiral body 35b) in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 32.

  Thus, the evaporator 91 can be easily manufactured by the tube expansion method of the inner cylinder 31 and the tube contraction method of the outer cylinder 32, and the respective spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel). Even if the pitch of the channel 33b) is not reduced, the required spiral channel length can be ensured by adding up the plurality of spiral channel lengths.

  Further, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment has a spiral channel 33 (first spiral channel) in the downstream portion of the evaporator 91 that exchanges heat with the shift catalyst 14 that reacts optimally at a temperature of 250 to 300 ° C. 33a, the second spiral channel 33b), the spiral channel 33 (first spiral) upstream of the evaporator 91 that exchanges heat with the selective oxidation catalyst 15 that reacts optimally at a temperature of 120 to 160 ° C. The pitch is larger than the pitch of the channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b).

  With the above configuration, the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be sufficiently cooled without excessively cooling the shift catalyst 14 by heat exchange with the evaporator 91, and the spiral in the downstream portion of the evaporator 91 where water has sufficiently evaporated. Since the cross-sectional area of the channel 33 (the first spiral channel 33a and the second spiral channel 33b) is larger than the upstream of the evaporator 91 where water is not sufficiently evaporated, A mixed gas of gas and water vapor can be smoothly guided to the reformer 10.

  Further, the pitch of the spiral flow path 33 (first spiral flow path 33a, second spiral flow path 33b) in the downstream portion of the evaporator 91 is set to the spiral flow path 33 (first flow path in the upstream portion of the evaporator 91). By making it larger than the pitch of the spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow path 33b), the length of the spiral body 35 close to the selective oxidation catalyst 15 is made relative to the length of the spiral body 35 close to the shift catalyst 14. The selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be further cooled, can be set to 120 to 140 ° C., and thermal degradation of the selective oxidation catalyst 15 can be suppressed.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the hydrogen generator in Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In addition, in the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 6 shown in FIG. 6, the same code | symbol is provided to the same component as the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted. To do.

In the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 6 shown in FIG. 6, the different part from the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 controls the first water supplier 8a and the second water supplier 8b. The controller 7 is provided.

  The controller 7 controls the operation of the water supply device 8 (first water supply device 8a and second water supply device 8b) based on the target value set by the controller 7. The controller 7 includes a signal input / output unit (not shown), an arithmetic processing unit (not shown), and a storage unit (not shown) that stores a control program.

  About the hydrogen generator 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  When the amount of water supplied to the evaporator 91 is equal to or less than the predetermined first water amount (6 cc / min), the controller 7 supplies water only from the first water supplier 8a, and the amount of water supplied to the evaporator 91 is When the first water amount (6 cc / min) is exceeded, control is performed so that water is supplied from both the first water supply device 8a and the second water supply device 8b.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the water supplier of the hydrogen generator 1 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

  When the operation of the hydrogen generator 1 is started and the controller 7 determines whether or not the supply of water exceeding 6 cc / min is necessary (step S101), and determines that the supply of water exceeding 6 cc / min is necessary, A command for supplying water is issued from both the first water supplier 8a and the second water supplier 8b (step S102). In step S101, when it is determined that it is not necessary to supply water exceeding 6 cc / min, a command for supplying water only from the first water supplier 8a is issued (step S103).

  As described above, in addition to the configuration of the hydrogen generator 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment has a plurality of water supply devices 8 (the first water supply device 8a and the first water supply device). A controller 7 for controlling the two-water supply device 8b), and when the amount of water supplied to the evaporator 91 is equal to or less than a predetermined first water amount (6 cc / min), the plurality of water supply devices 8 When water is supplied only from the first water supplier 8a of the first water supplier 8a and the second water supplier 8b, and the amount of water supplied to the evaporator 91 exceeds the first water amount (6 cc / min) Supply water from all the water supply devices 8 (first water supply device 8a and second water supply device 8b) of the plurality of water supply devices 8 (first water supply device 8a and second water supply device 8b). It is made to let you.

  Accordingly, when the amount of water is small, the length of the spiral flow path 33 upstream of the evaporator 91 can be shortened, so that it is possible to suppress the completion of evaporation in the upstream portion of the evaporator 91, and the evaporator 91 It is possible to prevent a situation in which the temperature of the downstream portion of the gas increases.

  Therefore, when the catalyst is close to the downstream portion of the evaporator 91, it is not necessary to add and fill the catalyst in advance for the purpose of ensuring durability against the deterioration of the catalyst due to high temperature, The hydrogen generator 1 can be reduced in size.

  In the present embodiment, when the amount of water is equal to or less than the first water amount (6 cc / min), water is supplied only from the first water supplier 8a and flows only through the first spiral channel 33a. The length of the spiral flow path 33 through which water flows can be shortened as compared with the case of flowing water from two pipes. As a result, even when the amount of water is less than the first water amount (6 cc / min), Operation can be performed to complete evaporation from the midstream portion to the downstream portion.

Thereby, it can operate | move, suppressing that the evaporation is completed only in the upstream part of the evaporator 91, and the temperature of the downstream part of the evaporator 91 becomes high temperature. Therefore, the shift catalyst 14 adjacent to the downstream portion of the evaporator 91 is deteriorated due to a high temperature, so that it is not necessary to add and fill the shift catalyst 14 in advance for the purpose of ensuring durability. The miniaturized hydrogen generator 1 can be operated.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the hydrogen generator in Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In addition, in the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 7 shown in FIG. 8, the same code | symbol is provided to the same component as the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 6 shown in FIG. 6, and the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted. To do.

  In the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 6 shown in FIG. 6, the number of the spiral body 35, the spiral flow path 33, and the water supply device 8 is two, and the controller 7 is the first water supply device 8a and the second water supply device. In contrast to the control of the supply device 8b, in the hydrogen generator 1 of Embodiment 7 shown in FIG. 8, the number of the spiral bodies 35, the spiral flow paths 33, and the water supply devices 8 is three. The first water supplier 8a, the second water supplier 8b, and the third water supplier 8c are controlled.

  Since the three spiral bodies 35 of the first spiral body 35a, the second spiral body 35b, and the third spiral body 35c are arranged like a thread of a triple thread, the first spiral flow path 33a and the second spiral flow The three spiral channels 33 of the path 33b and the third spiral channel 33c are also arranged like a thread of a triple thread.

  By providing three spiral bodies 35 (first spiral body 35a, second spiral body 35b, and third spiral body 35c), three spiral flow paths 33 (first spiral flow path 33a and second spiral flow path 33b) are provided. The third spiral channel 33c) is configured to supply water to each of the three spiral channels 33 (first spiral channel 33a, second spiral channel 33b, and third spiral channel 33c). Three water supply devices 8 (first water supply device 8a, second water supply device 8b, and third water supply device 8c) are provided so that both water and raw materials are supplied from each water supply device 8. Is done.

  Moreover, the controller 7 controls the 1st water supply device 8a, the 2nd water supply device 8b, and the 3rd water supply device 8c. The controller 7 controls the operation of the water supplier 8 based on the target value set by the controller 7. The controller 7 includes a signal input / output unit (not shown), an arithmetic processing unit (not shown), and a storage unit (not shown) that stores a control program.

  About the hydrogen generator 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  When the amount of water supplied to the evaporator 91 is equal to or less than the predetermined first water amount (4 cc / min), water is supplied only from the first water supplier 8a, and the amount of water supplied to the evaporator 91 is the first water amount (4 cc / min). Min), water is supplied from the two water supply devices 8 of the first water supply device 8a and the second water supply device 8b. Furthermore, when the amount of water supplied to the evaporator 91 exceeds the second water amount (8 cc / min), the three water supply devices 8 of the first water supply device 8a and the second water supply device 8b and the third water supply device 8c are used. Supply water.

  As described above, in the hydrogen generator 1 of the present embodiment, when the first water amount (4 cc / min) or less, water is supplied only from the first water supply device 8a to the first spiral channel 33a. Since only water is allowed to flow, the length of the spiral channel 33 through which water actually flows can be made shorter than when water is flowed from a plurality of channels.

  Therefore, even when the amount of water is equal to or less than the first water amount (4 cc / min), the operation can be performed so that the evaporation is completed from the middle portion to the downstream portion of the evaporator 91. Thereby, it can operate | move, suppressing that the evaporation is completed only in the upstream part of the evaporator 91, and the temperature of the downstream part of the evaporator 91 becomes high temperature.

  Therefore, the shift catalyst 14 adjacent to the downstream portion of the evaporator 91 is deteriorated due to a high temperature, so that it is not necessary to add and fill the shift catalyst 14 in advance for the purpose of ensuring durability. The miniaturized hydrogen generator 1 can be operated.

  In the present embodiment, the hydrogen generator configured in a cylindrical shape is described, but it goes without saying that the present invention also applies to reactors other than the cylindrical shape.

  As described above, the hydrogen generator according to the present invention can increase the allowable range of the inclination angle of the surface on which the hydrogen generator is installed, and can reduce the vertical dimension of the evaporator. Since it is a hydrogen generator excellent in versatility that can increase the amount of water to evaporate, it is suitable for a household fuel cell system, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hydrogen generator 2 Hydrogen generator 3 Hydrogen generator 7 Controller 8 Water supply device 8a First water supply device 8b Second water supply device 8c Third water supply device 10 Reformer 11 Reforming catalyst 13 Carbon monoxide reduction 14 Conversion catalyst 15 Selective oxidation catalyst 17 Outlet piping 20 Combustor 21 Combustion cylinder 22 Combustion exhaust gas flow path 23 Combustion exhaust gas outlet 30 Supply flow path 31 Inner cylinder 32 Outer cylinder 33 Spiral flow path 33a First spiral flow path 33b 2nd spiral flow path 33c 3rd spiral flow path 34 Spiral convex part 34a 1st spiral convex part 34b 2nd spiral convex part 35 Helical body 35a 1st spiral body 35b 2nd spiral body 35c 3rd spiral body 36 Inside spiral Convex part 36a First spiral inner convex part 36b Second spiral inner convex part 38 Discharge flow path 91 Evaporator 92 Evaporator 93 Evaporator

Claims (7)

A hydrogen generator having an evaporator having a spiral flow path that evaporates while spirally flowing water between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder,
The spiral channel is provided with a plurality of paths in an arrangement like a thread of a multi-thread screw,
A plurality of water supply devices are provided so that water is supplied to each of the spiral flow paths of a plurality of paths,
Hydrogen generator. Two paths are provided in the spiral flow path in an arrangement like a thread of a double thread,
The hydrogen generator according to claim 1, wherein two water supply units are provided so that water is supplied to each of the two spiral flow paths. The spiral flow path is composed of the inner cylinder, the outer cylinder, and an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and a spiral helix that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder.
The hydrogen generator according to claim 1 or 2. The spiral flow path has a structure in which a spiral convex portion provided on one of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder is in contact with either the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder.
The hydrogen generator according to claim 1 or 2. The number of spiral channels downstream of the evaporator is less than the number of spiral channels upstream of the evaporator;
The hydrogen generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A controller for controlling a plurality of the water supply units;
When the amount of water supplied to the evaporator is equal to or less than a predetermined first water amount, the controller causes water to be supplied only from some of the water supply devices of the plurality of water supply devices,
When the amount of water supplied to the evaporator exceeds the first water amount, water is supplied from all the water supply units of the plurality of water supply units.
The hydrogen generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5. It has an evaporator having a spiral flow path that evaporates while spirally flowing water between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and the spiral flow path has a plurality of paths in an arrangement like a thread of a multi-thread screw Provided,
An operation method of a hydrogen generator, wherein a plurality of water supply devices are provided so that water is supplied to each of the spiral flow paths of a plurality of paths,
When the amount of water supplied to the evaporator is equal to or less than a predetermined first water amount, water is supplied only from some of the water supply devices of the plurality of water supply devices,
When the amount of water supplied to the evaporator exceeds the first water amount, water is supplied from all the water supply units of the plurality of water supply units.
Operation method of hydrogen generator.

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