JP2018053870A - Fuel reforming engine system and operation method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel reforming engine system and an operation method for the same which enable a reactor with a simple structure to cause a fuel reforming reaction.SOLUTION: A fuel reforming engine system S comprises: an engine 1; a reactor 2 which generates reformed gas by reforming water-containing fuel; a first heat exchanger 3 which performs heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the reformed gas to increase a temperature of the water-containing fuel and to reduce the temperature of the reformed gas; a second heat exchanger 4 which performs the heat exchange between the water-containing fuel subjected to the heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 3 and exhaust gas; a separator 7 which separates water from the reformed gas; and a reformed gas supply device 101 which supplies the reformed gas to a combustion chamber of the engine 1. In an operation method for the fuel reforming engine system, the water-containing fuel is reformed using autothermal stored therein through the heat exchange and the engine 1 is operated with the reformed gas generated through reforming as fuel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel reforming engine system that reforms a hydrous fuel using exhaust heat of an engine and uses a reformed gas generated by reforming as a fuel for the engine, and an operation method thereof.

In recent years, biofuels are becoming popular as alternative fuels that replace petroleum-based fuels. Biofuels are treated as carbon-neutral fuels and can be used in various applications including engine fuels because CO ₂ can be reduced instead of petroleum-based fuels. Biofuels are generally produced from sugarcane, corn, rice / rice, organic waste, etc. as raw materials, and through a saccharification process, fermentation process, distillation process, dehydration process, and the like.

  When biomass ethanol is used as an engine fuel, it is generally used after being concentrated to a concentration of about 99.5% by mass or more. For example, by saccharifying and fermenting the raw material, hydrous ethanol having a concentration of about 7% by mass is produced, and by distilling and dehydrating the hydrous ethanol, a high concentration of biomass ethanol having a concentration of about 99.5% by mass is obtained. It has been.

  Currently, when producing a high-concentration biofuel with a low water content, a great deal of energy is required in the distillation process and dehydration process, and about 25% of the total energy required for the production process is spent. On the other hand, if the distillation process and the dehydration process can be simplified, the production cost of the fuel can be reduced, and further spread as an alternative fuel can be expected, but it is disadvantageous in terms of thermal efficiency.

  Therefore, to improve the thermal efficiency of hydrous fuel that can be manufactured by simplifying the distillation and dehydration processes, fuel reforming technology that reforms hydrous fuel to produce hydrogen and uses the reformed gas containing hydrogen as fuel. Has been developed. The reforming reaction that reforms the fuel to produce hydrogen is an endothermic reaction. Therefore, in many cases, the reaction section that performs the reforming reaction is configured to be supplied with exhaust heat from an engine or the like.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, an exhaust catalyst 64 is provided in an exhaust passage 60 provided in the engine 42, and a reformed gas generated from a reforming raw material by the reforming catalyst 64 is injected into a cylinder of the engine. A reformed gas engine system is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses an ethanol engine system configured to supply and react two fluids of an exhaust gas and a raw ethanol aqueous solution to a reformer 2 warmed up by the exhaust gas of the engine 1. Yes.

JP 2009-228610 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-218676

  In the engine system described in Patent Document 1, a reaction portion that performs a fuel reforming reaction is integrated with a heat exchanger that is installed in an exhaust passage of the engine. The engine system described in Patent Document 2 is configured to flow two fluids, fuel and exhaust gas, in a reaction portion that performs a reforming reaction of fuel. That is, the engine systems described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are configured to advance the reforming reaction along with the progress of heat exchange while exchanging heat between two fluids of fuel and exhaust gas.

  However, the configuration of the engine system described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 has a problem that the structure of the reaction section that performs the fuel reforming reaction is complicated. For example, the reaction section configured to heat the reforming catalyst with a heat exchanger and the reaction section configured to flow two fluids of fuel and exhaust gas have a large number of welding locations in order to adopt a double pipe structure, Since the structure is easily increased in size, the manufacturing cost of the engine system is likely to increase.

  In addition, in the configuration of the engine system described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, there is a problem that the design of a reaction unit that performs a fuel reforming reaction is easily restricted. For example, the reaction section configured to heat the reforming catalyst with a heat exchanger and the reaction section configured to flow two fluids, fuel and exhaust gas, are installed at positions where exhaust heat from the engine can be stably supplied. There must be. In addition, a large space must be secured for installation.

  In addition, in the configuration in which the reaction part that performs the reforming reaction of the fuel is integrated with the heat exchanger installed in the exhaust passage of the engine, the reaction part is enlarged when a request for improving the heat exchange capability occurs. However, it is difficult to keep the structure simple. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is likely to increase, and the thermal efficiency of the entire engine system is likely to be low. With regard to thermal efficiency, it can be said that a structure in which a hydrous fuel can be reformed by self-heating given in advance to the fuel without supplying heat from the outside with a reactor having a simple structure is advantageous.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel reforming engine system capable of performing a fuel reforming reaction with a reactor having a simple structure and an operating method thereof.

  In order to solve the above problems, a fuel reforming engine system according to the present invention includes an engine that can operate using reformed gas as fuel, a reactor that reforms hydrous fuel to generate the reformed gas, and the reaction A first heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the hydrous fuel supplied to a reactor and the generated reformed gas to raise the temperature of the hydrous fuel and lower the reformed gas; A second heat exchanger that heat-exchanges between the water-containing fuel heat-exchanged in the first heat exchanger and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine to raise the temperature of the water-containing fuel; A separation device that separates water; and a reformed gas supply device that supplies the reformed gas from which the water has been separated to a combustion chamber of the engine.

  Further, the fuel reforming engine system operating method according to the present invention includes a heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the reformed gas in the fuel reforming engine system, and exhaust from the water-containing fuel and the engine. The temperature of the water-containing fuel is increased by heat exchange with exhaust gas, the water-containing fuel is reformed using self-heat stored by the heat exchange, and the engine uses the reformed gas generated by the reforming as fuel. Is activated.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the fuel reforming engine system which can perform the fuel reforming reaction with the reactor of a simple structure, and its operating method can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The structure explanatory drawing of the fuel reforming engine system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a premixed spark ignition engine provided in a fuel reforming engine system. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a direct injection spark ignition engine provided in a fuel reforming engine system. Sectional drawing which shows typically the diesel engine with which a fuel reforming engine system is equipped. The figure which shows the relationship between the density | concentration of a water-containing ethanol, and temperature required for reforming reaction. Sectional drawing which shows a 1 fluid type | mold reactor typically. Sectional drawing which shows a two-fluid type reactor typically. The flowchart which shows one process example which the control part of a fuel reforming engine system performs. The structure explanatory view of the fuel reforming engine system concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows one process example which the control part of a fuel reforming engine system performs. The structure explanatory view of the fuel reforming engine system concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. The structure explanatory view of the fuel reforming engine system concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. The structure explanatory view of the fuel reforming engine system concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
First, the fuel reforming engine system and the operation method thereof according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the structure which is common in each following figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. In each of the following drawings, solid arrows indicate a conduit through which water-containing fuel, reformed gas, or engine fuel can flow and the flow direction thereof. A broken line arrow represents a signal line for measurement and control transmission.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the fuel reforming engine system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel reforming engine system S according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an engine 1, a reactor 2, a first heat exchanger 3, a second heat exchanger 4, and a water content. A fuel supply device (first fuel supply device) 5, a hydrous fuel tank 6, a separation device 7, a control unit 8, an engine fuel tank 9, a reformed gas supply device 101, an engine fuel supply device 102, A pressure release device 201 and temperature sensors T1, T2, T3 are provided.

  The fuel reforming engine system S is a device for using the power of the engine 1 that is an internal combustion engine. For example, a generator for a distributed power source, a stationary power source, a vehicle, a railway, a ship, a construction machine, etc. It is used as a power source for

  The fuel reforming engine system S is configured to supply the hydrous fuel that has undergone heat exchange in each of the first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchanger 4 to the reactor 2 that performs the reforming reaction of the hydrous fuel. It is said that. The water-containing fuel is heated by heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 3 and heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 4 and stores heat necessary for the reforming reaction. Then, in the reactor 2 provided separately from the exhaust system (exhaust pipe 14) of the engine 1, the water-containing fuel is reformed, and a reformed gas in a state in which hydrogen, water vapor or the like is mixed is generated. . The generated high-temperature reformed gas is cooled by heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 3, and then water and unreacted components are separated and removed by the separation device 7, and then supplied to the combustion chamber of the engine 1.

<Engine>
The engine 1 can be operated using at least one of a reformed gas obtained by reforming a hydrous fuel and a previously refined anhydrous fuel (engine fuel) typified by petroleum-based fuel such as gasoline. . The engine 1 is supplied with the reformed gas by the reformed gas supply device 101, and the engine fuel is supplied from the engine fuel tank 9 by the engine fuel supply device 102. The energy of the supplied fuel is used as power. Convert.

  The engine 1 may be composed of a single engine or a plurality of engines. Further, any number of cylinders may be provided per engine. As shown in FIG. 1, a single or a plurality of second heat exchangers 4 are disposed downstream of a part or all of an exhaust pipe 14 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) of an engine provided with a single unit or a plurality of units. An installed exhaust pipe 14 is provided so that exhaust gas generated by combustion in the engine 1 is exhausted.

  The engine 1 is not limited in the combustion mechanism. As the engine 1, for example, various internal combustion engines such as a spark ignition engine, a diesel engine, and a gas turbine engine can be applied. The fuel supply method in the engine 1 may be a direct injection method or a premixing method.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a premixed spark ignition engine provided in the fuel reforming engine system. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a direct injection spark ignition engine provided in the fuel reforming engine system. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a diesel engine provided in the fuel reforming engine system.
2, 3, and 4 schematically show the structure in the vicinity of the cylinder of the engine that can be provided in the fuel reforming engine system.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, each of the premixed spark ignition engine 1 </ b> A, the direct injection spark ignition engine 1 </ b> B, and the diesel engine 1 </ b> C includes a cylinder 10, a piston 11, an intake pipe 13, An intake valve 13a, an exhaust pipe 14, an exhaust valve 14a, a reformed gas supply device 101, and an engine fuel supply device 102 are provided. The premixed spark ignition engine 1A and the direct injection spark ignition engine 1B further include a spark plug 15.

  In each of the premixed spark ignition engine 1A, the direct injection spark ignition engine 1B, and the diesel engine 1C, the cylinder 10 accommodates the piston 11 in a reciprocable state, and the cylinder 10 and the piston 11 are not shown. A combustion chamber 12 is formed surrounded by the cylinder head.

  The intake pipe 13 is connected to an intake port that opens to the combustion chamber 12, and forms a conduit for intake of air or air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber 12. The intake port is provided with an intake valve 13a that can open and close the intake pipe 13, and opens and closes according to the combustion stroke. On the other hand, the exhaust pipe 14 is connected to an exhaust port opened to the combustion chamber 12 and forms a pipe line for exhausting exhaust gas generated by the combustion of fuel. The exhaust port is provided with an exhaust valve 14a that can freely open and close the exhaust pipe 14, and opens and closes according to the combustion stroke.

  The cylinder 10 is made of, for example, cast iron or aluminum alloy. As the cylinder liner of the cylinder 10, ceramics having excellent heat insulation properties may be used in addition to cast iron, carbon steel, and the like. The piston 11 is preferably formed of a material having low thermal conductivity, and Mg alloy, ductile cast iron, SUS304, or the like is suitably used. The piston head of the piston 10 may be formed with a ceramic coating such as zirconia.

  If the cylinder 10 and the piston 11 have a heat insulation structure with low thermal conductivity and high heat insulation, the cooling loss of the engine 1 is reduced, so the work amount of the engine 1 and the exhaust heat increase. Therefore, the amount of heat recovered by heat exchange with the exhaust gas is also increased, and the maximum amount of reformed gas obtained by reforming the water-containing fuel only by self-heat by heat exchange can be increased.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the premixed spark ignition engine 1 </ b> A, a reformed gas supply device 101 and an engine fuel supply device 102 are attached in the vicinity of the intake port of the intake pipe 13, and the inner wall of the combustion chamber 12 In addition, a spark plug 15 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the direct injection spark ignition engine 1 </ b> B, a reformed gas supply device 101 is attached in the vicinity of the intake port of the intake pipe 13, and the engine fuel supply device 102 is attached to the inner wall of the combustion chamber 12. A spark plug 15 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the diesel engine 1 </ b> C, the reformed gas supply device 101 is attached in the vicinity of the intake port of the intake pipe 13, and the engine fuel supply device 102 is attached to the inner wall of the combustion chamber 12. ing.

  As will be described later, the reformed gas supply device 101 injects reformed gas obtained by reforming the water-containing fuel at a controlled predetermined amount and injection interval, and supplies it to the combustion chamber 12 of the engine 1. The injected reformed gas is mixed with the air sucked into the intake pipe 13 to become an air-fuel mixture, and is sucked into the combustion chamber 12 and combusted in the intake stroke. As shown in FIG. 1, the reformed gas supply device 101 is supplied with the reformed gas from the separation device 7 connected to the outlet of the reactor 2.

  The engine fuel supply device 102 injects engine fuel at a controlled predetermined amount and injection interval, and supplies the fuel to the combustion chamber 12 of the engine 1. The engine fuel is injected into the intake pipe 13 in the premixed spark ignition engine 1A, and directly injected into the combustion chamber 12 and combusted in the direct injection spark ignition engine 1B and the diesel engine 1C. As shown in FIG. 1, the engine fuel supply device 102 is supplied with engine fuel from the engine fuel tank 9.

  As the reformed gas supply apparatus 101 and the engine fuel supply apparatus 102, for example, an injector, a carburetor, an injection pump, or the like is used. About reformed gas and engine fuel, you may make it supply in the state pressurized with the compressor etc.

  The spark plug 15 penetrates the combustion chamber 12 from the cylinder head and ignites the fuel in the combustion chamber 12 according to the combustion cycle. The reformed gas and engine fuel injected by the reformed gas supply device 101 and the engine fuel supply device 102 are mixed with the intake air and compressed by the piston 11 in the combustion chamber 12, and are ignited by the spark plug 15. It burns and works to push down the piston 11. Thereafter, the exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the fuel is discharged from the combustion chamber 12 by the operation of the piston 11 and introduced into the second heat exchanger 4 (see FIG. 1) through the exhaust pipe 14.

<Engine fuel tank>
The engine fuel tank 9 stores anhydrous fuel (engine fuel) purified in advance. As the engine fuel, for example, gasoline, ethanol mixed gasoline, natural gas, light oil, biomass ethanol, biodiesel, methane, hydrogen and the like are used.

<Water-containing fuel tank>
The water-containing fuel tank 6 stores the water-containing fuel that contains moisture. As the water-containing fuel, for example, water-containing ethanol such as biomass ethanol, water-containing gasoline, ethanol mixed gasoline, natural gas, biodiesel, methane, or the like is used.

<Water-containing fuel supply device>
The hydrous fuel supply device 5 is provided in a flow path that connects the hydrous fuel tank 6 and the heat receiving side flow path of the first heat exchanger 3. The hydrous fuel supply device 5 supplies the hydrous fuel stored in the hydrous fuel tank 6 to the reactor 2 in a controlled predetermined amount. As the hydrous fuel supply device 5, for example, an injector, a pump, or the like is used.

<Heat exchanger>
As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger 3 provided separately from the exhaust pipe 14 and a second heat exchanger 4 provided integrally with the exhaust pipe 14. Is provided. The first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchanger 4 are heat exchangers of an appropriate type such as a shell and tube type, a plate type, and a fin tube type.

  The first heat exchanger 3 has a heat receiving side flow path through which the hydrous fuel flows, and one end side of the heat receiving side flow path is the hydrous fuel supply device 5 and the other end side is the heat receiving side flow of the second heat exchanger 4. Connected to the road. The first heat exchanger 3 has a heat radiation side passage through which the reformed gas flows. One end of the heat radiation side passage is connected to the outlet of the reactor 2 and the other end is connected to the inlet of the separation device 7. Has been.

  The first heat exchanger 3 raises the temperature of the hydrous fuel by exchanging heat between the hydrous fuel supplied to the reactor 2 by the hydrous fuel supply device 5 and the reformed gas generated in the reactor 2. And the temperature of the reformed gas is lowered. By the first heat exchanger 3, heat of the reformed gas is given to the water-containing fuel, and self-heat is stored in the water-containing fuel, while the steam contained in the reformed gas is easily condensed.

  The second heat exchanger 4 has a heat receiving side flow path through which water-containing fuel flows, and one end side of the heat receiving side flow path is connected to the first heat exchanger 3 and the other end side is connected to the inlet of the reactor 2. Yes. The second heat exchanger 4 has a heat radiation side flow path connected to an exhaust pipe 14 through which exhaust gas from the engine 1 flows, and one end side of the heat radiation side flow path is on the combustion chamber side of the engine 1. The other end side is connected to the end side of the exhaust pipe 14.

  The second heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat between the hydrated fuel heat-exchanged in the first heat exchanger 3 and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1 to further raise the temperature of the hydrated fuel. By the second heat exchanger 4, the exhaust heat of the exhaust gas is given to the water-containing fuel, and the self-heat necessary for the reforming reaction is stored in the water-containing fuel. With such a configuration, the temperature of the hydrated fuel can be increased to a temperature that is difficult only with the second heat exchanger 4 mounted on the exhaust pipe, so that the amount of reformed gas supplied to the engine 1 can be increased. Further, by using the heat of the high-temperature reformed gas to raise the temperature of the hydrous fuel, the exhaust heat can be effectively used for fuel reforming. Thereby, improvement in engine thermal efficiency can be expected by increasing the amount of exhaust heat recovered from engine exhaust gas and increasing the amount of reformed gas.

  The first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchanger 4 may be provided with a pressure adjusting valve that pressurizes the internal pressure of the heat receiving side channel at the outlet of the heat receiving side channel through which the water-containing fuel flows. Providing a pressure regulating valve in the heat exchanger makes it possible to increase the operating pressure of the heat receiving side flow path through which the hydrated fuel flows, so that the film heat transfer coefficient in the heat receiving side flow path can be increased. As a result, the amount of heat exchanged in the heat exchanger increases, and even with a small heat exchanger having a small heat transfer area, the self-heat necessary for the reforming reaction can be efficiently stored in the hydrous fuel.

  The first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchanger 4 are preferably covered with a heat insulator. Examples of the heat insulator include a heat insulating cover formed by a heat insulating material such as foamed resin, glass wool, rock wool, and a heat insulating jacket. By covering the heat exchanger with a heat insulator, heat loss due to heat radiation is reduced, and the self-heat necessary for the reforming reaction can be reliably stored in the hydrous fuel. Further, the overall thermal efficiency of the fuel reforming engine system S can be improved.

  The first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchanger 4 may be constituted by a single heat exchanger or may be constituted by a plurality of heat exchangers. The arrangement of the plurality of heat exchangers may be in series or in parallel.

<Reactor>
The reactor 2 reforms the supplied hydrous fuel by a reforming reaction to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen. When the water-containing fuel is water-containing ethanol, that is, an aqueous ethanol solution, the reforming reaction by the vapor of the aqueous ethanol solution is expressed by the following equations (1) and (2).
C ₂ H ₅ OH + 3H ₂ O → 2CO ₂ + 6H ₂ −217 kJ (1)
C ₂ H ₅ OH + H ₂ O → 2CO + 4H ₂ −298 kJ (2)

  The reforming reactions represented by the above formulas (1) and (2) are both endothermic reactions. Therefore, when reforming hydrous ethanol, it is necessary to heat the reaction system. However, water-containing fuels such as water-containing ethanol have a high heat capacity and contain a high proportion of water that is not involved in the reforming reaction, so that heat necessary for the reforming reaction can be stored in advance as self-heat. That is, by introducing the hydrous fuel storing the self-heat necessary for the reforming reaction into the reactor 2, the hydrous fuel can be reformed without supplying heat from the outside.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the concentration of hydrous ethanol and the temperature required for the reforming reaction.
In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the concentration of the hydrous fuel, that is, the ethanol concentration of the hydrous ethanol, and the vertical axis represents the necessary temperature required for reforming the hydrous ethanol only by self-heating. In addition, FIG. 5 shows the required temperature when it is assumed that the reforming reaction of hydrous ethanol is only the formula (1).

  As shown in FIG. 5, when reforming hydrous ethanol, the lower the ethanol concentration, the higher the proportion of water with a higher heat capacity, and the lower the required temperature for the reforming reaction. Assuming that the reforming reaction of hydrous ethanol is only the formula (1), assuming that the outlet temperature of the reactor 2 is 300 ° C., when the ethanol concentration of the hydrous ethanol is 10% by mass, the reactor 2 An inlet temperature of 481 ° C. is required. Normally, the temperature of the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1 is about 600 ° C., and the second heat exchanger 4 can reliably raise the temperature of the water-containing fuel to about 500 ° C. Therefore, the ethanol concentration of hydrous ethanol can be modified to about 17% by mass or less, and hydrous ethanol having a concentration of about 10% by mass or less can be more reliably reformed.

  Therefore, the concentration of the hydrous fuel is preferably less than 60% by mass, more preferably 46% by mass or less, and further preferably 17% by mass or less. The lower the concentration of the hydrous fuel, the lower the cost, and the lower the conversion rate due to the carbon deposition on the reforming catalyst can be prevented. In addition, if the concentration is less than 60% by mass, water-containing ethanol and the like do not fall under the dangerous materials of the Fire Service Law, and therefore, it is possible to avoid the limitation of storage amount and the restriction of handling. Further, when the concentration is 46% by mass or less, when it is assumed that the reforming reaction of hydrous ethanol is only the formula (1), unreacted components remain because ethanol and water react at a stoichiometric ratio. Can be suppressed. Further, if the concentration is 17% by mass or less, it is possible to reliably store the self-heat necessary for the reforming reaction when it is assumed that the temperature of the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1 is 600 ° C. or less. .

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a one-fluid reactor. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a two-fluid reactor.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the reactor 2 is a one-fluid type reactor into which only a fluid (gas) containing water-containing fuel flows. The one-fluid reactor 2 is a reactor that does not have a heating mechanism for heating the water-containing fuel, and is provided separately from the heat exchangers 3 and 4, and has a cylindrical reaction cell 21, reaction cell 21, and the like. And a catalyst layer 27 held on the surface. In the one-fluid reactor 2, the hydrated fuel flows into the reaction cell 21, is catalyzed by the reforming catalyst supported on the catalyst layer 27, and undergoes a reforming reaction using self-heat. Then, the reformed gas generated by the reforming reaction flows out from the reaction cell 21.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, a two-fluid reactor 2a conventionally used for reforming reaction includes a cylindrical casing 21a provided integrally with an exhaust pipe connected to an engine, and a casing 21a. It has a accommodated multi-tube reaction cell 21b and a catalyst layer 27 held in the multi-tube reaction cell 21b. In the two-fluid reactor 2a, the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine flows into the casing 21a. The hydrous fuel flows into the multi-tube reaction cell 21b, undergoes heat exchange with the exhaust gas flowing through the casing 21a and receives heat, and is catalyzed by the reforming catalyst supported on the catalyst layer 27 to undergo a reforming reaction.

  In the two-fluid reactor 2a shown in FIG. 6B, the number of constituent members including the casing 21a, the multi-tube reaction cell 21b, and the like increases, and the number of welding points for joining the constituent members also increases. On the other hand, the one-fluid type reactor 2 shown in FIG. 6A has a simple structure in which the number of constituent members and the number of welding points are small. Further, since the one-fluid reactor 2 can perform the reforming reaction by utilizing the self-heat stored in advance in the hydrous fuel, it is not necessary to have a heating mechanism for heating the hydrous fuel. That is, the reactor 2 is provided separately from the first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchanger 4, and other heat exchangers may not be connected or a heating source may not be attached. Moreover, since heat exchange is not performed, it is not necessary to ensure a heat transfer area. Therefore, the one-fluid type reactor 2 is a reactor that is low in manufacturing cost, suitable for miniaturization, and hardly restricted in design.

  As long as the reactor 2 is a one-fluid type reactor, it can be provided in an appropriate shape and size according to the output of the engine 1 and the spatial arrangement of the engine 1 and auxiliary equipment. The reactor 2 may be disposed in contact with the engine 1 or may be disposed in an air temperature space separated from the engine 1, the exhaust pipe 14, and the like.

  Examples of the reforming catalyst held in the reactor 2 include nickel, platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum, rhenium, tungsten, vanadium, osmium, chromium, cobalt, iron, niobium, copper, zinc, and the like. The composite catalyst which combined these is mentioned. Further, as the carrier for supporting the reforming catalyst, for example, α-alumina, titania, zirconia, niobium oxide, silica, magnesia, ceria, or a composite carrier in which these are combined can be used. The shape of the carrier may be an appropriate shape such as a pellet shape, a honeycomb shape, a sheet shape, a monolith shape, or a granular shape.

  The reactor 2 preferably has a heat insulating structure. Examples of the heat insulation structure include a double pipe structure and a structure covered with a heat insulator. Examples of the heat insulator include a heat insulating cover formed by a heat insulating material such as foamed resin, glass wool, rock wool, and a heat insulating jacket. When the reactor 2 has a heat insulating structure, heat loss due to heat dissipation is reduced, so that the high temperature necessary for the reforming reaction is also increased near the outlet of the reactor 2 where the reforming reaction, which is an endothermic reaction, has progressed. Can be easily kept.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reactor 2 is connected to the heat receiving side flow path of the second heat exchanger 4 on the inlet side and to the heat radiating side flow path of the first heat exchanger 3 on the outlet side. The heat necessary for the reforming reaction is stored in the hydrous fuel by heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchanger 4 without being supplied from the outside. Then, by the reforming reaction using self-heat, the reformed gas containing hydrogen and by-produced organic compound contains unreacted organic compound, water vapor and the like in the first heat exchanger 3. It is discharged toward the heat radiation side flow path. The reformed gas discharged from the reactor 2 is preferably set to 250 ° C. or higher from the viewpoint of conversion rate, reaction yield, and the like. Therefore, after the temperature of the reformed gas is lowered by heat exchange with the hydrous fuel in the first heat exchanger 3, the reformed gas is introduced into the separation device 7.

<Separator>
The separation device 7 separates water and unreacted components from the reformed gas generated in the reactor 2. For example, when the hydrous fuel is hydrous ethanol, if the hydrous ethanol concentration is less than 46% by mass, the reforming reaction is assumed to proceed only in the above formula (1) with the maximum yield. It is inevitable that water remains after the reaction. If the separation device 7 is provided, water and the like contained in the reformed gas can be surely separated and removed regardless of the concentration of the hydrated fuel, so that a reduction in combustion efficiency and output of the engine 1 can be prevented. Can do. The temperature of the reformed gas sent from the separation device 1 to the engine 1 is desirably less than 100 ° C. For example, when the hydrous fuel is hydrous ethanol, the recovery of unreacted ethanol can be suppressed by setting the reformed gas temperature to 78 ° C. or higher when there is a large amount of unreacted ethanol. On the other hand, by reducing the temperature to the atmospheric temperature, the amount of water vapor in the reformed gas can be reduced, and the deterioration of the combustion efficiency and the reduction of the combustion speed are reduced. The temperature of the reformed gas is desirably managed within a predetermined range according to the specifications of the engine 1, the specifications of the reactor 2, the environmental temperature using this system, and the like.

  The separation device 7 is configured by, for example, a drain tank that can store a liquid and can condense and separate water vapor and unreacted component vapor from the lowered reformed gas. Steam or unreacted component steam may be condensed by applying heat to the water-containing fuel by heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 3, or may be condensed at the ambient temperature in the separation device 7, or the separation device 7. You may condense with the condenser mounted in. Condensers include engine cooling water that cools the engine, water-cooled heat exchangers that use water supplied from outside, intermediate water, etc., and air-cooled heat exchangers such as fin tube type and shell tube type And an apparatus using an air-cooled cooler using forced ventilation or natural ventilation.

  The separation device 7 is connected to a saccharification tank for saccharifying biomass or a fermentor for fermenting biomass via a conduit capable of feeding water separated from the reformed gas, and the hydrous fuel is separated from the reformed gas. You may comprise so that it may be produced in a saccharification tank or a fermenter using fresh water. Water that has been separated from the reformed gas is sent to a saccharification tank or fermenter and reused in saccharification or fermentation for producing a water-containing fuel, thereby reducing the amount of water used. In addition, since the low-concentrated hydrous fuel has a low energy density, if the fuel reforming engine system S is equipped with an ethanol production facility, the fuel transportation distance will be greatly shortened. The overall energy efficiency of the system S is greatly improved.

<Pressure release device>
The pressure release device 201 is provided so that the flow path of the reformed gas supplied toward the engine 1 can be opened to the atmosphere. When the engine 1 stops abnormally, or when the reactor 2, the first heat exchanger 3, the second heat exchanger 4 or the like breaks down, the supplied hydrous fuel or reformed gas is supplied from the reactor 2, the first heat exchanger, or the like. The reforming reaction continues to remain in the heat exchanger 3, the second heat exchanger 4, the separation device 7, etc., and flammable hydrogen continues to be generated, or the temperature of the hydrous fuel and reformed gas continues to rise. It will be. If the pressure release device 201 is provided, the flow path of the reformed gas can be released to the atmosphere in a timely manner, so that the reactor 2, the first heat exchanger 3, the second heat exchanger 4, the separation device 7, etc. It is possible to prevent the pressure and temperature from rising excessively. As the pressure release device 201, for example, a three-way valve connected to an atmospheric pressure system, a safety valve, or the like can be used.

<Temperature sensor>
As temperature sensors, a reactor inlet temperature sensor T1 that measures the inlet temperature of the reactor 2, an exhaust pipe outlet temperature sensor T2 that measures the outlet temperature of the exhaust pipe 14 in the engine 1, and the heat dissipation of the second heat exchanger 4 are used. And a second heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor T3 for measuring the outlet temperature of the side flow path. For example, a thermocouple or the like is used as the temperature sensor. The measured value of the temperature by the temperature sensor is input to the control unit 8. In addition, although not shown in the figure, the first heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor T5 that measures the outlet temperature of the heat receiving side passage of the first heat exchanger 3, the reaction that measures the reformed gas temperature at the reactor outlet A separator outlet temperature sensor T6, a separator inlet temperature sensor T7 for measuring the reformed gas inlet temperature of the separator 7, and a separator outlet temperature sensor T8 for measuring the reformed gas outlet temperature of the separator 7 may be provided. Thereby, the minimum temperature in the reactor can be managed by measuring the reactor outlet temperature, and the reaction conversion rate in the reactor can be confirmed. Further, by measuring the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the separation device 7, the gas-liquid separation temperature in the separation device 7 can be monitored. It is preferable to control the condenser mounted on the separation device 7 based on this temperature.

<Control unit>
The control unit 8 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, various interfaces, an electronic circuit, and the like. The control unit 8 includes a supply amount of hydrated fuel by the hydrated fuel supply device 5, a supply amount of reformed gas by the reformed gas supply device 101, a supply amount of engine fuel by the engine fuel supply device 102, and a pressure release device 201. The fuel reforming engine system S is comprehensively controlled in accordance with a program stored therein.

<Operation of fuel reforming engine system>
In the fuel reforming engine system S, the temperature of the water-containing fuel is raised by heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the reformed gas, and heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1, and the water-containing fuel is heat-exchanged. The engine 1 is operated using the reformed gas generated by the reforming as a fuel.

Specifically, in the fuel reforming engine system S, the supply amount of the hydrated fuel by the hydrated fuel supply device 5 is controlled based on the inlet temperature of the reactor 2, and the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 is preset. When the lower limit temperature (T _L ) or lower is reached, the supply amount of the hydrous fuel is reduced, and when the temperature of the reactor 2 becomes equal to or higher than the preset upper limit temperature (T _U ), the supply amount of the hydrous fuel By increasing the amount, the operation is performed while adjusting the amount of self-heat supplied to the reactor 2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control unit of the fuel reforming engine system.
As shown in FIG. 7, first, the control unit 8 starts the engine 1 in accordance with a command from the operator of the fuel reforming engine system S and starts a warm-up operation (step S10). The warm-up operation is performed using the engine fuel supplied from the engine fuel tank 9 by the engine fuel supply device 102, and is performed while suppressing the rotation speed of the engine 1.

  And the control part 8 measures the exit temperature (T3) of the thermal radiation side flow path of the 2nd heat exchanger 4 while the engine 1 is operate | moving (step S11). That is, the temperature of the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1 is measured by the second heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor T3, and the measurement signal is input to the control unit 8.

  Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the outlet temperature (T3) of the heat radiation side flow path of the second heat exchanger 4 is equal to or higher than a preset warm-up end temperature (step S12). Immediately after the engine 1 is started, the internal temperature of the second heat exchanger 4 is equal to the atmospheric temperature, and the self-heat necessary for the reforming reaction cannot be stored in the hydrous fuel. Therefore, the control unit 8 determines the start timing of the supply of the hydrous fuel with reference to the preset warm-up end temperature. The warm-up end temperature is set in advance based on, for example, the displacement of the engine 1, the concentration of the hydrated fuel, the specifications of the first heat exchanger 3 and the second heat exchanger 4, and the like. The warm-up end temperature is, for example, a temperature of 500 ° C. or higher and about 600 ° C. or lower.

  If the outlet temperature (T3) of the heat radiation side flow path of the second heat exchanger 4 is not equal to or higher than the warm-up end temperature (step S12; NO), the controller 8 warms up the engine 1 in step S12. Assuming that the process has not ended, the process returns to step S11.

  On the other hand, when the outlet temperature (T3) of the heat radiation side flow path of the second heat exchanger 4 is equal to or higher than the warm-up end temperature (step S12; YES), the control unit 8 warms up the engine 1 in step S12. Assuming that the machine is finished, the process proceeds to step S13.

  Thereafter, when the warm-up of the engine 1 is completed, the control unit 8 activates the hydrous fuel supply device 5 (step S13). When the hydrous fuel supply device 5 is activated, the hydrous fuel stored in the hydrous fuel tank 6 is supplied to the reactor 2 in a controlled predetermined amount, and the heat receiving side stream of the first heat exchanger 3 is supplied. The temperature is raised through the passage and the heat receiving side flow path of the second heat exchanger 4 and then flows into the reactor 2 to undergo a reforming reaction. The initial supply amount of the hydrous fuel is set in advance in consideration of, for example, the torque and rotational speed of the engine 1 and the minimum supply amount that can be supplied by the hydrous fuel supply device 5.

  Then, the control unit 8 measures the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 while the hydrous fuel supply device 5 is operating (step S14). That is, the temperature of the hydrous fuel that has been heated through the heat receiving side flow path of the first heat exchanger 3 and the heat receiving side flow path of the second heat exchanger 4 is measured by the reactor inlet temperature sensor T1, and the measurement signal Is input to the control unit 8.

Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 is equal to or lower than the lower limit (T _L ) of the temperature required for the reforming reaction (step S15). The required temperature required for reforming the hydrous fuel only by self-heating can be calculated to an approximate value based on the concentration of the hydrous fuel, assuming a specific value of the endothermic amount in the reforming reaction. Therefore, the lower limit value (T _L ) of the required temperature of the reforming reaction is set in advance by taking into account the fluctuation due to the actual conversion rate, the reaction yield, and the like to the calculated required temperature. The lower limit value (T _L ) of the required temperature for the reforming reaction can be set to a temperature of about 480 ° C., for example, when hydrous ethanol having a concentration of 10% by mass is used as the hydrous fuel.

When the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 is equal to or lower than the lower limit value (T _L ) of the temperature required for the reforming reaction in step S15 (step S15; YES), the control unit 8 is necessary for the reforming reaction. Since no self-heat is stored in the hydrous fuel, the process proceeds to step S16.

  And the control part 8 controls the water-containing fuel supply apparatus 5 to a low supply amount (step S16). In this control, the supply amount of the hydrous fuel may be reduced by a preset change amount, or may be reduced by a change amount corrected based on the change profile of the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2. Good. Further, when the target torque or the rotational speed of the engine 1 is insufficient, the engine fuel supply amount by the engine fuel supply device 102 may be controlled to a high supply amount. Then, the control part 8 advances a process to step S19.

On the other hand, if the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 is not less than or equal to the lower limit value (T _L ) of the temperature required for the reforming reaction in Step S15 (Step S15; NO), the control unit 8 performs the reforming reaction. Since the self-heat necessary for this is stored in the hydrous fuel, the process proceeds to step S17.

Then, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 is equal to or higher than the upper limit value (T _U ) of the temperature required for the reforming reaction (step S17). In a state where the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 is extremely higher than the temperature required for the reforming reaction, the exhaust heat from the heat radiation side passage of the second heat exchanger 4 increases, and the outlet temperature of the reactor 2 As a result, it becomes difficult to separate water vapor and unreacted components from the reformed gas, or coking of the reforming catalyst proceeds, leading to deterioration in thermal efficiency as a whole. Therefore, the upper limit value (T _U ) of the required temperature for the reforming reaction is set in advance by taking into account the fluctuation due to the actual conversion rate, thermal efficiency, and the like to the calculated required temperature. The upper limit value (T _U ) of the required temperature for the reforming reaction can be set to a temperature of about 500 ° C. or higher and 600 ° C. or lower when using water-containing ethanol having a concentration of 10% by mass as the water-containing fuel.

When the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 is equal to or higher than the upper limit value (T _U ) of the required temperature for the reforming reaction (step S17; YES), the control unit 8 is necessary for the reforming reaction. Since excessive self-heat is excessively stored in the water-containing fuel, the process proceeds to step S18.

  And the control part 8 controls the water-containing fuel supply apparatus 5 to high supply amount (step S18). In this control, the supply amount of the hydrous fuel may be increased by a preset change amount, or may be increased by a change amount corrected based on the change profile of the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2. Good. Then, the control part 8 advances a process to step S19.

On the other hand, if the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 is not equal to or higher than the upper limit value (T _U ) of the required temperature for the reforming reaction in Step S17 (Step S17; NO), the control unit 8 performs the reforming reaction. Since the necessary amount of self-heat is stored in the water-containing fuel in an appropriate amount without excess or deficiency, the process proceeds to step S19.

  Then, the control unit 8 determines whether or not there is a stop command for the water-containing fuel supply device 5 that is input when the operation of the fuel reforming engine system S is stopped while the water-containing fuel supply device 5 is operating. Determination is made (step S19).

  If there is no stop command for the hydrous fuel supply device 5 (step S19; NO), the control unit 8 returns the process to step S14, assuming that the operation of the engine 1 is continued.

  On the other hand, when there is a stop command for the hydrous fuel supply device 5 (step S19; YES), the control unit 8 stops the hydrous fuel supply device 5 (step S20) and ends the operation of the reformed fuel system S. In addition, the control period of the process by the control part 8 is not specifically limited, For example, it can set suitably based on the capacity | capacitance of the reactor 2, the 1st heat exchanger 3, the 2nd heat exchanger 4, etc. it can.

  According to the fuel reforming engine system S and its operation method, the fuel reforming reaction can be performed with a reactor having a simple structure, and exhaust heat from the engine can be generated without supplying heat from the outside. It becomes possible to reform the fuel by the self-heating used. Therefore, an efficient engine system with good thermal efficiency and reduced engine fuel consumption is provided at a low manufacturing cost. Since hydrogen contained in the reformed gas has a larger combustion speed and combustion range than hydrocarbon fuels generally used as engine fuel, rapid combustion and lean combustion are possible. In addition, since hydrogen is more combustible than hydrocarbon fuel, combustion efficiency is improved and the amount of soot, NOx, and the like in the exhaust gas can be reduced.

Further, according to the fuel reforming engine system S and the operation method thereof, the control unit 8 operates the water-containing fuel supply device 5 with reference to the warm-up end temperature, so that the water content until the reforming reaction reaches a steady state. There is little waste of fuel and the overall thermal efficiency is high. Further, since the control unit 8 controls the water-containing fuel supply device 5 with reference to the lower limit value (T _L ) and the upper limit value (T _U ) of the temperature required for the reforming reaction, the progress of the reforming reaction due to self-heating is suppressed. While being reliably maintained, the overall thermal efficiency is high.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a fuel reforming engine system and an operation method thereof according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a fuel reforming engine system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 8, the fuel reforming engine system S1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the fuel reforming engine system S described above, in that the engine 1, the reactor 2, and the first heat exchanger. 3, the second heat exchanger 4, the hydrated fuel supply device 5, the hydrated fuel tank 6, the separation device 7, the control unit 8, the engine fuel tank 9, the reformed gas supply device 101, and the engine fuel. A supply device 102, a pressure release device 201, and temperature sensors T1, T2, and T3 are provided.

  The fuel reforming engine system S1 according to the second embodiment is different from the fuel reforming engine system S in that a third heat exchanger 301, an engine-side flow rate adjustment device (second fuel supply device) 401, Is further provided. The engine 1 is connected to an engine cooling water pipe C through which a cooling liquid (engine cooling water) for cooling the engine 1 circulates. The engine cooling water pipe C is an engine that measures the outlet temperature of the engine cooling water in the engine 1. A cooling water outlet temperature sensor T4 is provided.

  The third heat exchanger 301 has a heat receiving side flow path through which the hydrous fuel flows. One end side of the heat receiving side flow path is the hydrous fuel supply device 5 and the other end side is the heat receiving side flow of the second heat exchanger 4. Connected to the road. The third heat exchanger 301 has a heat radiation side flow path connected to the engine cooling water pipe C through which the engine cooling water flows, and the third heat exchanger 301 is a circulation path through which the engine cooling water is circulated to the engine 1. Forming part. The engine cooling water is circulated between the engine 1 and the third heat exchanger 301 by the engine cooling water pump 202.

  The third heat exchanger 301 exchanges heat between a part of the hydrated fuel supplied to the reactor 2 by the hydrated fuel supply device 5 and a coolant (engine coolant) that cools the engine 1. A part of the water-containing fuel is heated, and the engine cooling water is lowered. The water-containing fuel flow path of the third heat exchanger 301 is connected to the reactor 2 via the second heat exchanger 4, and part of the water-containing fuel that has been distributed to the third heat exchanger 301 and exchanged heat. Is reformed after the temperature is further raised in the second heat exchanger 4. With the third heat exchanger 301, heat of the engine cooling water is given to the hydrated fuel, self-heat necessary for the reforming reaction is stored in the hydrated fuel, and the utilization rate of waste heat due to cooling of the engine 1 is increased.

<Engine side flow control device>
The engine-side flow rate adjustment device 401 branches from the flow path connecting the hydrous fuel supply device 5 and the first heat exchanger 3, and flows from the hydrous fuel supply device 5 to the heat receiving side flow channel of the third heat exchanger 301. It is provided on the road. The engine-side flow rate adjusting device 401 is stored in the hydrous fuel tank 6 and distributes a part of the hydrous fuel supplied by the hydrous fuel supply device 5 at a predetermined flow rate controlled by the third heat exchanger 301. . As the engine-side flow rate adjusting device 401, for example, an injector, a flow rate control valve, a pump, or the like is used.

<Operation of engine side flow control device>
In the fuel reforming engine system S1, heat exchange between the hydrous fuel and the reformed gas, heat exchange between the hydrous fuel and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1, and the engine cooling water received from the burned engine 1 are performed. The temperature of the hydrated fuel is raised by heat exchange, the hydrated fuel is reformed using self-heat stored by the heat exchange, and the engine 1 is operated using the reformed gas generated by the reforming as fuel.

Specifically, in the fuel reforming engine system S1, the supply amount of the hydrous fuel by the hydrous fuel supply device 5 is controlled based on the inlet temperature of the reactor 2, and the hydrous fuel supply by the engine-side flow rate adjustment device 401 is controlled. When a part of the supply amount is controlled based on the outlet temperature of the engine cooling water and the outlet temperature (T4) of the coolant in the engine 1 becomes equal to or lower than a preset lower limit temperature (t _L ), When the supply amount is reduced and the outlet temperature of the coolant in the engine 1 becomes equal to or higher than a preset upper limit temperature (t _U ), the supply amount of the water-containing fuel is increased to keep the engine coolant temperature within a predetermined temperature. And adjusting the amount of autoheat supplied to the reactor 2.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control unit of the fuel reforming engine system.
As shown in FIG. 9, first, the control unit 8 starts an operation mode of the fuel reforming engine system S1 (step S20). The operation mode of the fuel reforming engine system S1 is controlled based on the inlet temperature of the reactor 2 after the warm-up operation, as in the processing example shown in FIG. To start.

  And the control part 8 measures the exit temperature (T4) of the engine cooling water in the engine 1 while the operation mode of the fuel reforming engine system S1 is operating (step S21). That is, the temperature of the engine cooling water discharged from the engine 1 is measured by the engine cooling water outlet temperature sensor T4 and a measurement signal is input to the control unit 8.

  Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the outlet temperature (T4) of the engine cooling water is equal to or higher than a preset minimum temperature (step S22). Immediately after the start of the operation mode, the temperature of the engine cooling water is low, and the self-heat necessary for the reforming reaction cannot be stored and used in a part of the hydrous fuel distributed to the engine side. Therefore, the control unit 8 determines a start time for distributing a part of the hydrous fuel to the third heat exchanger 301 with reference to a preset minimum temperature. The minimum temperature for the engine coolant is set in advance based on, for example, the displacement of the engine 1, the concentration of the water-containing fuel, the specifications of the third heat exchanger 301, and the like. The minimum temperature for the engine cooling water is usually set in a range of 60 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower. However, when the cooling of the engine 1 is not hindered at 100 ° C. or higher, it is preferably set to 100 ° C. or higher. This is because as the minimum temperature of the engine cooling water is set to a higher temperature, the temperature difference from the supplied hydrous fuel becomes larger and the heat exchange capability becomes higher.

  When the engine cooling water outlet temperature (T4) is not equal to or higher than the minimum temperature in step S22 (step S22; NO), the controller 8 determines that distribution to the third heat exchanger 301 is inappropriate. To step S21.

  On the other hand, when the engine cooling water outlet temperature (T4) is equal to or higher than the minimum temperature (step S22; YES), the control unit 8 determines that the distribution to the third heat exchanger 301 is appropriate. Then, the process proceeds to step S23.

  Then, the control part 8 starts the engine side flow volume adjustment apparatus 401 (step S23). When the engine-side flow control device 401 is activated, a part of the water-containing fuel stored in the water-containing fuel tank 6 and supplied to the reactor 2 by the water-containing fuel supply device 5 is controlled by a predetermined amount. After being distributed to the heat exchanger 301 and flowing through the heat receiving side flow path of the third heat exchanger 301 and the heat receiving side flow path of the second heat exchanger 4, the temperature is raised and merged with the remainder of the hydrous fuel, then the reactor 2 to undergo reforming reaction. The initial distribution amount of the hydrous fuel takes into account, for example, the torque and rotation speed of the engine 1, the minimum supply amount that can be supplied by the hydrous fuel supply device 5, the specifications of the first heat exchanger 3 and the third heat exchanger 301, and the like. To be preset.

  And the control part 8 measures the exit temperature (T4) of engine cooling water, while the engine side flow volume adjustment apparatus 401 is act | operating (step S24). That is, the temperature of the engine cooling water discharged from the engine 1 is measured by the engine cooling water outlet temperature sensor T4 and a measurement signal is input to the control unit 8.

Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the outlet temperature (T4) of the engine coolant is equal to or lower than the lower limit (t _L ) of the temperature required for the reforming reaction (step S25). The required temperature required for reforming the hydrous fuel only by self-heating can be calculated to an approximate value based on the concentration of the hydrous fuel, assuming a specific value of the endothermic amount in the reforming reaction. For this reason, the lower limit value (t _L ) of the required temperature for the reforming reaction is equal to the required temperature that must be reached when a part of the distributed hydrous fuel joins and undergoes the reforming reaction. And the reaction yield and the like are set in advance.

When the engine cooling water outlet temperature (T4) is equal to or lower than the lower limit value (t _L ) of the required temperature for the reforming reaction in step S25 (step S25; YES), the control unit 8 is necessary for the reforming reaction. Since the self-heat is not stored in a part of the distributed hydrous fuel, the process proceeds to step S26.

  Then, the control unit 8 controls the engine-side flow rate adjustment device 401 to a low supply amount (step S26). In this control, the supply amount of the hydrated fuel may be reduced by a preset change amount, or may be reduced by a change amount corrected based on the change profile of the engine coolant outlet temperature (T4). Good. Then, the control part 8 advances a process to step S29.

On the other hand, in step S25, the control unit 8 determines that the engine cooling water outlet temperature (T4) is not less than or equal to the lower limit value (t _L ) of the temperature required for the reforming reaction (step S25; NO). Since the self-heat necessary for this is stored in a part of the water-containing fuel distributed, the process proceeds to step S27.

Then, the control unit 8 determines whether the outlet temperature of the engine cooling water (T4) is the upper limit of the temperature required for the reforming reaction (t _U) or more (step S27). In a state where the engine cooling water outlet temperature (T4) is extremely higher than the temperature required for the reforming reaction, the exhaust heat from the heat radiation side flow path of the third heat exchanger 301 increases, and the outlet temperature of the reactor 2 increases. However, it becomes difficult to separate water vapor and unreacted components from the reformed gas, and coking of the reforming catalyst proceeds, leading to deterioration of the overall thermal efficiency. For this reason, the upper limit value (t _U ) of the required temperature for the reforming reaction is changed to the necessary temperature that should be reached when a part of the distributed hydrous fuel joins and undergoes the reforming reaction. And is set in advance in consideration of heat efficiency and the like.

When the engine cooling water outlet temperature (T4) is equal to or higher than the upper limit value (t _U ) of the required temperature for the reforming reaction in step S27 (step S27; YES), the control unit 8 is necessary for the reforming reaction. Since excessive self-heat is excessively stored in a part of the distributed hydrous fuel, the process proceeds to step S28.

  And the control part 8 controls the engine side flow volume adjustment apparatus 401 to high supply amount (step S28). In this control, the supply amount of the hydrous fuel may be increased by a preset change amount, or may be increased by a change amount corrected based on the change profile of the outlet temperature (T4) of the engine cooling water. Good. Then, the control part 8 advances a process to step S29.

On the other hand, if the inlet temperature (T1) of the reactor 2 is not equal to or higher than the upper limit value (t _U ) of the temperature required for the reforming reaction in Step S27 (Step S27; NO), the control unit 8 performs the reforming reaction. Since the self-heat necessary for this is stored in an appropriate amount in a part of the distributed water-containing fuel without excess or deficiency, the process proceeds to step S29.

  Then, the control unit 8 determines whether or not there is an operation mode stop command that is input along with the operation stop of the fuel reforming engine system S1 while the engine-side flow rate adjustment device 401 is operating. (Step S29).

  If there is no operation mode stop command (step S29; NO), the control unit 8 returns the process to step S24, assuming that the operation of the engine 1 is continued.

On the other hand, when there is an operation mode stop command (step S29; YES), the control unit 8 stops the hydrous fuel supply device 5 and the engine-side flow rate adjustment device 401 (step S30), and operates the reformed fuel system S1. finish. In addition, the control period of the process by the control part 8 is not specifically limited, For example, it can set suitably based on the capacity | capacitance of the reactor 2, the 3rd heat exchanger 301, etc. Further, the outlet temperature of the engine cooling water needs to be kept within a predetermined temperature in order to prevent engine failure. Therefore, the lower limit value (t _L ) of the required temperature of the reforming reaction is set to the lower limit value of the cooling water temperature set from the engine specification, and the upper limit value (t _U ) of the required temperature of the reforming reaction is set to the cooling value set from the engine specification. You may change and control to the upper limit of water temperature.

  According to the fuel reforming engine system S1 and the operation method thereof, the fuel reforming reaction can be performed with a reactor having a simple structure, and the fuel is modified by self-heating without supplying heat from the outside. It becomes possible to quality. In the third heat exchanger 301, even if the torque or rotational speed of the engine 1 changes, the self-heat can be stored in the water-containing fuel while maintaining the outlet temperature of the engine cooling water within a predetermined temperature. While cooling 1, the cooling loss can be recovered and the overall thermal efficiency of the fuel reforming engine system can be increased.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a fuel reforming engine system and an operation method thereof according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a fuel reforming engine system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 10, the fuel reforming engine system S2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is similar to the fuel reforming engine system S, in that the engine 1, the reactor 2, and the first heat exchanger. 3, the second heat exchanger 4, the hydrated fuel supply device 5, the hydrated fuel tank 6, the separation device 7, the control unit 8, the engine fuel tank 9, the reformed gas supply device 101, and the engine fuel. A supply device 102, a pressure release device 201, and temperature sensors T1, T2, and T3 are provided.

  The fuel reforming engine system S2 according to the third embodiment is different from the fuel reforming engine system S in that a fourth heat exchanger 302, an exhaust pipe side flow control device (third fuel supply device) 402, , Is further provided.

  The fourth heat exchanger 302 has a heat receiving side flow path through which the hydrous fuel flows, and one end side of the heat receiving side flow path is the hydrous fuel supply device 5 and the other end side is the heat receiving side flow of the second heat exchanger 4. Connected to the road. The fourth heat exchanger 302 has a heat radiation side flow path connected to the exhaust pipe 14 through which the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1 flows, and one end side of the heat radiation side flow path is the second heat exchange. The heat radiation side flow path and the other end side of the vessel 4 are connected to the end side of the exhaust pipe 14.

  The fourth heat exchanger 302 exchanges heat between a part of the hydrated fuel supplied to the reactor 2 by the hydrated fuel supply device 5 and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1, thereby The temperature is raised. The water-containing fuel flow path of the fourth heat exchanger 302 is connected to the reactor 2 via the second heat exchanger 4, and a part of the water-containing fuel that is distributed to the fourth heat exchanger 302 and exchanges heat. Is reformed after the temperature is further raised in the second heat exchanger 4. Exhaust heat of the exhaust gas is given to the hydrated fuel by the fourth heat exchanger 302, self-heat necessary for the reforming reaction is stored in a part of the hydrated fuel, and use of waste heat exhausted from the engine 1 The rate is increased.

<Exhaust pipe side flow control device>
The exhaust pipe side flow rate adjusting device 402 branches from the flow path connecting the hydrous fuel supply device 5 and the first heat exchanger 3, and reaches from the hydrous fuel supply device 5 to the heat receiving side flow channel of the fourth heat exchanger 302. It is provided in the flow path. The exhaust pipe side flow rate adjusting device 402 is stored in the hydrous fuel tank 6, and distributes a part of the hydrous fuel supplied by the hydrous fuel supply device 5 at a predetermined flow rate controlled by the fourth heat exchanger 302. To do. As the exhaust pipe side flow rate adjusting device 402, for example, an injector, a flow rate control valve, a pump, or the like is used.

<Operation of exhaust pipe side flow control device>
In the fuel reforming engine system S2, the temperature of the water-containing fuel is raised by heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the reformed gas, and heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1, and the water-containing fuel is heat-exchanged. The engine 1 is operated using the reformed gas generated by the reforming as a fuel. In the fuel reforming engine system S <b> 2, the supply amount of the hydrated fuel by the hydrated fuel supply device 5 is controlled based on the inlet temperature of the reactor 2, and a part of the hydrated fuel is supplied by the exhaust pipe side flow control device 402. The amount is controlled based on the outlet temperature of the heat radiation side passage of the second heat exchanger 4, and the operation is performed while the amount of self-heat supplied to the reactor 2 is adjusted. The specific processing flow by the control unit 8 is the same as the flow of FIG. 9 except that the exhaust pipe side flow rate adjustment device 402 and the second heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor T3 are used.

  According to the above fuel reforming engine system S2 and its operation method, the fuel reforming reaction can be performed with a reactor having a simple structure, and the fuel is modified by self-heating without supplying heat from the outside. It becomes possible to quality. In the fourth heat exchanger 302, exhaust heat from the engine 1 that could not be recovered by the second heat exchanger 4 can be further recovered, so that the overall thermal efficiency of the fuel reforming engine system is increased. Can do.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fuel reforming engine system and an operation method thereof according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the fuel reforming engine system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 11, the fuel reforming engine system S3 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the fuel reforming engine system S2 described above, in that the engine 1, the reactor 2, and the first heat exchanger. 3, the second heat exchanger 4, the hydrated fuel supply device 5, the hydrated fuel tank 6, the separation device 7, the control unit 8, the engine fuel tank 9, the reformed gas supply device 101, and the engine fuel. A supply device 102, a pressure release device 201, temperature sensors T 1, T 2, T 3, a fourth heat exchanger 302, and an exhaust pipe side flow rate adjustment device (third fuel supply device) 402 are provided.

  The fuel reforming engine system S3 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the fuel reforming engine system S2 in that a water supply device (first water supply device) 501 is further provided.

<Water supply device>
The water supply device 501 is provided in a flow path that connects the separation device 7 and the heat receiving side flow path of the first heat exchanger 3. The water supply device 501 supplies water separated from the reformed gas generated in the reactor 2 in a controlled amount to the hydrated fuel supplied toward the reactor 2. As the water supply device 501, for example, an injector, a pump, or the like is used.

<Operation of water supply device>
In the fuel reforming engine system S3, the temperature of the water-containing fuel is raised by heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the reformed gas, and heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1, and the water-containing fuel is heat-exchanged. The engine 1 is operated using the reformed gas generated by the reforming as a fuel. In the fuel reforming engine system S3, the amount of water supplied by the water supply device 501 is controlled based on the inlet temperature of the reactor 2, and the amount of self-heat supplied to the reactor 2 is adjusted by the concentration of the hydrous fuel. While driving. In addition, the flow of a specific process by the control part 8 is performed similarly to the flow of FIG. 7 except the point which uses the water supply apparatus 501 and the reactor inlet temperature sensor T1.

  According to the fuel reforming engine system S3 and the operation method thereof, the fuel reforming reaction can be performed with a reactor having a simple structure, and the fuel is modified by self-heating without supplying heat from the outside. It becomes possible to quality. Since the water supply device 501 can reduce the concentration of the hydrous fuel supplied to the reactor 2, the required temperature for the reforming reaction can be lowered, and the hydrous fuel stored in the hydrous fuel tank 6. On the other hand, since it is possible to increase the concentration, the energy density is improved and the tank capacity of the hydrous fuel tank 6 can be reduced. When the amount of water recovered by the separation device 7 is less than the supply amount by the water supply device 501, water is supplied to the separation device 7 from the outside. There are no restrictions on the water to be supplied, such as tap water and distilled water.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fuel reforming engine system and an operation method thereof according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the fuel reforming engine system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 12, the fuel reforming engine system S4 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the fuel reforming engine system S, in that the engine 1, the reactor 2, and the first heat exchanger. 3, second heat exchanger 4, hydrous fuel supply device 5, separation device 7, control unit 8, engine fuel tank 9, reformed gas supply device 101, engine fuel supply device 102, pressure An opening device 201 and temperature sensors T1, T2, T3 are provided.

  The fuel reforming engine system S4 according to the fifth embodiment is different from the fuel reforming engine system S in that it does not include the water-containing fuel tank 6 but includes the water supply device (second water supply device) 502. Is a point. In the fuel reforming engine system S4, the hydrous fuel supply device 5 is provided in a flow path that connects the engine fuel tank 9 and the heat receiving side flow path of the first heat exchanger 3.

<Water supply device>
The water supply device 502 is provided in a flow path that connects the separation device 7 and the heat receiving side flow path of the first heat exchanger 3. The water supply device 502 supplies water separated from the reformed gas generated in the reactor 2 in a controlled amount to the hydrated fuel supplied toward the reactor 2. As the water supply device 502, for example, an injector, a pump, or the like is used. In the fuel reforming engine system S4, the hydrous fuel supply device 5 is generated by mixing the water separated from the reformed gas and supplied by the water supply device 502 and the anhydrous fuel stored in the engine fuel tank 9. A hydrous fuel is supplied to the reactor 2.

<Operation of water supply device>
In the fuel reforming engine system S4, the temperature of the water-containing fuel is raised by heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the reformed gas, and heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine 1, and the water-containing fuel is heat-exchanged. The engine 1 is operated using the reformed gas generated by the reforming as a fuel. In the fuel reforming engine system S4, the amount of water supplied by the water supply device 502 is controlled based on the inlet temperature of the reactor 2, and the amount of self-heat supplied to the reactor 2 is adjusted by the concentration of the hydrous fuel. While driving. A specific processing flow by the control unit 8 is performed in the same manner as the flow of FIG. 7 except that the water supply device 502 and the reactor inlet temperature sensor T1 are used. Further, water is supplied to the separation device 7 from the outside. The supply amount is appropriately determined according to the specifications of the engine 1 and the reactor 2. Or the structure which measures the residual amount of water in the separation apparatus 7 and adds water when it becomes below a predetermined amount may be sufficient. The measurement of the residual water amount may be performed, for example, by attaching a liquid level sensor to the tank.

  According to the fuel reforming engine system S4 and the operation method thereof, the fuel reforming reaction can be performed with a reactor having a simple structure, and the fuel is modified by self-heating without supplying heat from the outside. It becomes possible to quality. Since the water supply device 502 can contain anhydrous fuel supplied to the reactor 2, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to provide the water-containing fuel tank 6 and the fuel storage density is increased.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the one having all the configurations included in the embodiment. A part of a configuration of an embodiment is replaced with a configuration of another embodiment, a part of a configuration of an embodiment is added to another embodiment, or a part of a configuration of an embodiment is omitted. It is also possible to do.

  For example, the fuel reforming engine system S, S1, S2, S3, S4 may include both the third heat exchanger 301 and the fourth heat exchanger 302, or the water supply device 501, 502 may be provided. Also, the supply of hydrous fuel by the control unit (first control unit) that controls the supply amount of hydrous fuel by the hydrous fuel supply device (first fuel supply device) 5 and the engine-side flow rate adjustment device (second fuel supply device) 401. A control unit (second control unit) that controls the amount and a control unit (third control unit) that controls the amount of water-containing fuel supplied by the exhaust pipe side flow rate adjustment device (third fuel supply device) 402 are respectively It may be provided independently or in an integrated manner.

  The second heat exchanger 4 and the fourth heat exchanger 302 are installed in the exhaust pipe 14. However, the second heat exchanger 4 and the fourth heat exchanger 302 may be installed so as to constitute a part of an EGR cooler or a turbocharger instead of the exhaust pipe 14. Further, the third heat exchanger 301 may be provided alongside a radiator attached to the engine 1 or may be provided with only the third heat exchanger 301 without including a radiator. In addition, when the third heat exchanger 301 and the radiator are installed in parallel, a three-way valve or the like may be attached so that the engine coolant flow path can be selected. As a result, even when water-containing fuel is not supplied to the third heat exchanger 301, the temperature of the engine cooling water can be kept within a predetermined temperature. Each heat exchanger may be used for heating or the like in addition to heat exchange of hydrous fuel, reformed gas, etc., or may be used for conversion to electric power by thermoelectric conversion. Further, the engine exhaust gas may be supplied to the distillation column of the ethanol production facility after passing through each heat exchanger. This makes it possible to reduce the distillation energy required during ethanol production.

  Further, in FIG. 7 described above, the end of warm-up of the engine 1 is determined based on the outlet temperature of the heat radiation side flow path of the second heat exchanger 4. However, the end of warm-up of the engine 1 may be determined based on the elapsed time from the start of the operation of the engine 1. In FIG. 7, the supply amount of the hydrated fuel by the hydrated fuel supply device 5 is controlled based on the inlet temperature of the reactor 2. However, when the temperature relationship between the inlet and outlet of the reactor 2 can be grasped, the temperature may be controlled based on the outlet temperature of the reactor 2 so that the temperature condition of the inlet temperature of the reactor 2 is satisfied.

  2, 3, and 4, the reformed gas supply device 101 and the engine fuel supply device 102 are disposed in the intake pipe 13 and the combustion chamber 12, respectively. However, the installation positions of the reformed gas supply apparatus 101 and the engine fuel supply apparatus 102 can be interchanged with each other or can be set to equivalent installation positions.

S Fuel reforming engine system 1 Engine 2 Reactor 3 First heat exchanger 4 Second heat exchanger 5 Hydrous fuel supply device (first fuel supply device)
6 Hydrous fuel tank 7 Separation device 8 Control unit (first control unit, second control unit, third control unit)
9 Engine fuel tank 10 Cylinder 11 Piston 12 Combustion chamber 13 Intake pipe 13a Intake valve 14 Exhaust pipe 14a Exhaust valve 15 Spark plug 101 Reformed gas supply apparatus 102 Engine fuel supply apparatus 201 Pressure release apparatus 202 Engine cooling water pump 301 Third heat Exchanger 302 Fourth heat exchanger 401 Engine side flow rate adjustment device (second fuel supply device)
402 Exhaust pipe side flow rate adjustment device (third fuel supply device)
501 Water supply device (first water supply device)
502 water supply device (second water supply device)

Claims (13)

An engine capable of operating with the reformed gas as fuel;
A reactor for reforming hydrous fuel to produce the reformed gas;
A first heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the hydrous fuel supplied to the reactor and the generated reformed gas to raise the temperature of the hydrous fuel and lower the temperature of the reformed gas; ,
A second heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the water-containing fuel heat-exchanged in the first heat exchanger and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine to raise the temperature of the water-containing fuel;
A separation device for separating water from the reformed gas having a lowered temperature;
A reformed gas supply device for supplying the reformed gas from which the water has been separated to a combustion chamber of the engine;
Fuel reforming engine system equipped with. In claim 1,
A first fuel supply device for supplying the hydrous fuel to the first heat exchanger;
A first control unit for controlling a supply amount of the hydrous fuel by the first fuel supply device;
Further comprising
When the temperature of the reactor becomes equal to or lower than a preset lower limit temperature, the first control unit reduces the supply amount of the hydrous fuel, and the temperature of the reactor becomes equal to or higher than a preset upper limit temperature. A fuel reforming engine system for increasing the supply amount of the hydrous fuel. In claim 1,
A third heat exchanger that heat-exchanges a part of the water-containing fuel supplied to the reactor and a coolant that cools the engine to raise the temperature of the part of the water-containing fuel; ,
The fuel reforming engine system, wherein the flow path of the hydrated fuel included in the third heat exchanger is connected to the reactor via the second heat exchanger. In claim 3,
A second fuel supply device for supplying a part of the hydrous fuel supplied to the reactor to the third heat exchanger;
A second control unit for controlling a supply amount of the hydrous fuel by the second fuel supply device;
Further comprising
The second control unit reduces the supply amount of the hydrous fuel when the outlet temperature of the coolant in the engine is equal to or lower than a preset lower limit temperature, and the outlet temperature of the coolant in the engine is set in advance. A fuel reforming engine system that increases the supply amount of the water-containing fuel when the temperature exceeds a set upper limit temperature. In any one of Claims 1-4,
A fourth temperature is raised by performing heat exchange between a part of the hydrous fuel supplied to the reactor and the exhaust gas heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger. A heat exchanger,
The fuel reforming engine system, wherein the flow path of the water-containing fuel included in the fourth heat exchanger is connected to the reactor via the second heat exchanger. In claim 5,
A third fuel supply device for supplying a part of the hydrous fuel supplied to the reactor to the fourth heat exchanger;
A third control unit for controlling a supply amount of the hydrous fuel by the third fuel supply device;
Further comprising
The third control unit reduces the supply amount of the hydrated fuel when the temperature of the exhaust gas heat-exchanged in the second heat exchanger becomes equal to or lower than a preset lower limit temperature, and the second heat exchange A fuel reforming engine system that increases the supply amount of the hydrated fuel when the temperature of the exhaust gas that has undergone heat exchange in the vessel reaches or exceeds a preset upper limit temperature. In claim 1,
A fuel reforming engine system further comprising a pressure release device capable of freely opening the flow path to the atmosphere in a flow path of the reformed gas supplied from the separation device toward the reformed gas supply device. In claim 1,
A first water supply device for supplying the water separated from the reformed gas in the separation device to the hydrous fuel supplied to the reactor;
A fuel reforming engine system in which the water-containing fuel is mixed with the water separated from the reformed gas to adjust the concentration. In claim 1,
A second water supply device for supplying the water separated from the reformed gas in the separation device to anhydrous fuel supplied toward the reactor;
The water-containing fuel is a fuel reforming engine system produced by mixing the water separated from the reformed gas and the anhydrous fuel. In claim 1,
The separation device is connected to a saccharification tank for saccharifying biomass or a fermentor for fermenting biomass via a pipeline capable of feeding water separated from the reformed gas,
The water-containing fuel is a fuel reforming engine system that is produced in the saccharification tank or the fermentation tank using the water. In claim 1,
The fuel reforming engine system, wherein the reactor is a one-fluid type reactor into which only a fluid containing the water-containing fuel flows, and does not include a heating mechanism for heating the water-containing fuel. In claim 1,
The fuel reforming engine system, wherein the hydrous fuel is hydrous ethanol having a concentration of 10% by mass or less. An engine capable of operating with the reformed gas as fuel;
A reactor for reforming hydrous fuel to produce the reformed gas;
In a fuel reforming engine system equipped with
Heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the reformed gas, and heat-up of the water-containing fuel by heat exchange between the water-containing fuel and the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine,
Reforming the hydrous fuel using self heat stored by the heat exchange,
A method for operating a fuel reforming engine system, wherein the engine is operated using the reformed gas generated by reforming as fuel.

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