JP2018162198A - Hydrogen production apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrogen production apparatus that can maintain hydrogen production ability without adding tap water when there are water shortages in the apparatus.SOLUTION: The recovery water recovered from a first humidifier 14, a second humidifier 18, and a third humidifier 78 is stored in a recovery water tank 22, is supplied a water supply pipe for reforming 52 to a reformer 12, and is subjected to a water vapor reforming reaction with hydrocarbon as the raw material to produce a reformed gas. The produced reformed gas is separated with a hydrogen purifier 20 into impurities and hydrogen, to purify hydrogen. When the water level of the recovery water tank 22 becomes lower than or equal to a threshold, a control unit 84 causes an electronic selector valve 76 to open, to communicate between an air supply pipe 72 for combustion and the reaction side of the reformer 12. Namely, in the reformer 12, if water is running short in the entire apparatus, by both of the water vapor reforming reaction and a partial oxidation reforming reaction, the hydrogen production ability can be maintained without adding tap water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen production apparatus.

  Conventionally, as a hydrogen production apparatus for obtaining hydrogen, a reforming apparatus reacts hydrocarbons and water vapor (water) as raw materials to reform to reformed gas, and then supplies the reformed gas to a PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) apparatus. Things are known.

  In such a hydrogen production apparatus, hydrogen is produced by supplying water generated in the apparatus to the reaction side of the reformer. Further, when water in the apparatus is insufficient, water is replenished into the apparatus from external tap water to maintain the production performance of reformed gas (hydrogen).

  At this time, it is described that a water treatment device (cation exchange resin) is provided in a tap water supply line in order to remove impurities such as cation components including sodium ions in tap water (for example, see Patent Document 1). Thus, by removing particles and ionized substances in tap water in the tap water supply line, the load of the water treatment device (cation exchange resin) provided on the water supply line supplied to the reformer is reduced. It is supposed to be possible.

JP 2013-201084 A

  However, the hydrogen production apparatus described in Patent Document 1 must newly provide a water treatment device on the tap water supply line.

  This invention is made in view of the said situation, and when the water in an apparatus runs short, it aims at providing the hydrogen production apparatus which can maintain hydrogen production performance, without replenishing tap water. .

  In the first aspect, a reformer that is supplied as a raw material for hydrocarbons, reforms the hydrocarbons that are the raw materials to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen as a main component, and a downstream side of the reformer. A recovered water tank for storing recovered water recovered from at least one of the reformed gas flow path and the reformer combustion exhaust gas flow path, and a reaction side of the reformer from the recovered water tank The recovered water supply flow path communicating with the reaction water, the reaction oxygen supply flow path for supplying oxygen to the reaction side of the reformer, and the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer communicated or blocked. Switching means.

  According to the first aspect, the recovered water recovered from at least one of the reformed gas flow path downstream of the reformer and the combustion exhaust gas flow path of the reformer is stored in the recovered water tank. The water supplied from the recovered water tank to the recovered water supply channel is supplied to the reformer together with the hydrocarbon as a raw material, and a reformed gas is generated by a steam reforming reaction. The generated reformed gas itself may be used as a final product, or may be purified to further increase the hydrogen concentration.

  By the way, when the ability to generate reformed gas by the steam reforming reaction (hydrogen production performance) is limited by the amount of water (water shortage) in the apparatus or when there is a high possibility that it will be limited, the oxygen for reaction is changed by the switching means. The supply flow path is communicated with the reaction side of the reformer. Thus, fuel oxygen is supplied to the reaction side of the reformer, and a partial oxidation reforming reaction is caused by the hydrocarbon and oxygen. In other words, when the entire system is running out of water, hydrogen production performance is maintained without replenishing the system with tap water by producing reformed gas by both steam reforming reaction and partial oxidation reforming reaction. can do.

  On the other hand, when there is sufficient water, the switching means shuts off the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer, and mainly operates the steam reforming reaction, thereby impure in the reformed gas. The component can be reduced and the hydrogen concentration can be increased.

  In the second aspect, when the water level of the recovered water tank is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the switching means is driven to connect the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer, When the water level exceeds the second threshold value, there is provided control means for driving the switching means to shut off the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer.

  According to the second aspect, when the water level in the recovered water tank becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the control means drives the switching means to communicate the reaction oxygen supply flow path with the reaction side of the reformer. . Thus, fuel oxygen is supplied to the reaction side of the reformer, and a partial oxidation reforming reaction is caused by the hydrocarbon and oxygen. In other words, when the entire system is running out of water, hydrogen production performance is maintained without replenishing the system with tap water by producing reformed gas by both steam reforming reaction and partial oxidation reforming reaction. can do.

  On the other hand, when the water level in the recovered water tank exceeds the second threshold value, the control means drives the switching means to shut off the reaction oxygen supply channel and the reaction side of the reformer. As a result, by operating the reformer mainly for the steam reforming reaction, it is possible to reduce the impurity components in the reformed gas and operate with a high hydrogen concentration.

  In addition, by switching the reaction depending on the water level in the recovered water tank, the hydrogen production apparatus can be automatically operated without running out of water.

  In the third aspect, the recovered water tank is provided with a water level detecting means for detecting a water level, and the control means switches the switching means based on the water level detected by the water level detecting means.

  According to the third aspect, when the water level of the recovered water tank detected by the water level detection means is not more than the first threshold value, the control means switches the switching means to change the reaction oxygen supply channel and the reaction side of the reformer. To communicate with. Thus, the reformed gas can be produced by both the steam reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reforming reaction in the reformer, and the hydrogen production performance can be maintained without supplying tap water to the apparatus.

  In the fourth aspect, the reaction oxygen supply channel communicates the combustion oxygen supply channel for supplying oxygen to the combustion side of the reformer and the reaction side of the reformer.

  According to the fourth aspect, the reaction oxygen supply channel makes the combustion oxygen supply channel communicate with the reaction side of the reformer. Therefore, oxygen supplied to the reaction side of the reformer and oxygen supplied to the combustion side of the reformer can be supplied from the same supply source.

  In a fifth aspect, the apparatus includes a hydrogen purifier that is connected to the reformer through a flow path of the reformed gas, and purifies hydrogen by separating the reformed gas into impurities and hydrogen.

  According to the fifth aspect, in the hydrogen purifier, hydrogen having a high degree of purification can be produced by separating the reformed gas generated in the reformer into impurities and hydrogen and purifying the hydrogen.

  In the sixth aspect, the hydrogen purification degree is maintained in accordance with the ratio of the reformed gas generated by the partial oxidation reaction of the hydrocarbon and the oxygen to the reformed gas generated in the reformer. Control the hydrogen purifier.

  According to the sixth aspect, when the partial oxidation reaction is performed, the impurity component in the reformed gas increases. Therefore, the hydrogen purifier is controlled (operation pattern is changed) according to the ratio of the reformed gas generated by the partial oxidation reaction to the reformed gas generated by the reformer. Thereby, the refined hydrogen concentration similar to the case where there is no partial oxidation reforming reaction in the reformer can be maintained.

  In this aspect, when the water in the apparatus is insufficient, the hydrogen production performance can be maintained without replenishing tap water.

It is a figure showing the whole hydrogen production device composition concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the multiple cylinder type | mold reformer shown by FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a hydrogen production apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a multi-cylinder reformer 12 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “reformer 12”), a first dehumidifier 14, and a compressor. 16, a second dehumidifier 18, a hydrogen purifier 20, and a recovered water tank 22. This hydrogen production apparatus 10 produces hydrogen from a hydrocarbon raw material. This embodiment demonstrates the case where the city gas which has methane as a main component is used as an example of a hydrocarbon raw material.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multiple cylindrical reformer 12 has multiple cylindrical walls 30, 32, 34, 36 (hereinafter referred to as “multiple cylindrical walls 30 to 36”) arranged in multiple. Configured. The plurality of cylindrical walls 30 to 36 are formed in, for example, a cylindrical shape or an elliptical cylindrical shape. A combustion chamber 38 is formed inside the first cylindrical wall 30 from the inner side among the plurality of cylindrical walls 30 to 36, and a burner 40 is disposed downward on the upper portion of the combustion chamber 38. Yes. The burner 40 is supplied with fuel gas from an off-gas supply passage 70 described later, and is supplied with air from a combustion air supply pipe 72. Note that the combustion chamber 38 and the burner 40 may be referred to as the combustion side of the reformer 12.

  A combustion exhaust gas passage 42 is formed between the first cylindrical wall 30 and the second cylindrical wall 32. A lower end portion of the combustion exhaust gas passage 42 is in communication with the combustion chamber 38, and a gas exhaust pipe 44 is connected to the upper end portion of the combustion exhaust gas passage 42. The combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber 38 flows from the lower side to the upper side through the combustion exhaust gas passage 42 and is discharged to the outside through the gas discharge pipe 44.

  A first flow path 46 is formed between the second cylindrical wall 32 and the third cylindrical wall 34. An upper portion of the first flow path 46 is formed as a preheating flow path 48, and a raw material supply pipe 50 and a reforming water supply pipe 52 are connected to an upper end portion of the preheating flow path 48. A spiral member 54 is provided between the second cylindrical wall 32 and the third cylindrical wall 34, and the preheating channel 48 is formed in a spiral shape by the spiral member 54. Note that the first flow path 46 may be referred to as a reaction side of the reformer 12.

  The preheating channel 48 is supplied with city gas from the raw material supply pipe 50 and is supplied with reforming water from the reforming water supply pipe 52. The city gas and the reforming water flow from the upper side to the lower side through the preheating channel 48, and heat is exchanged with the combustion exhaust gas through the second cylindrical wall 32 to vaporize the water. In the preheating channel 48, the mixed gas is generated by mixing the city gas and the gas-phase reforming water (steam).

  A reforming catalyst layer 56 is provided below the preheating channel 48 in the first channel 46, and the mixed gas generated in the preheating channel 48 is supplied to the reforming catalyst layer 56. In the reforming catalyst layer 56, the mixed gas is steam-reformed by receiving heat from the combustion exhaust gas flowing through the combustion exhaust gas passage 42, and a reformed gas mainly containing hydrogen is generated.

  A second flow path 58 is formed between the third cylindrical wall 34 and the fourth cylindrical wall 36. The lower end portion of the second flow path 58 is in communication with the lower end portion of the first flow path 46. A lower portion of the second flow path 58 is formed as a reformed gas flow path 60, and a reformed gas discharge pipe 62 is connected to an upper end portion of the second flow path 58.

  A CO shift catalyst layer 64 is provided above the reformed gas channel 60 in the second channel 58, and the reformed gas generated in the reformed catalyst layer 56 is passed through the reformed gas channel 60. After passing, the CO conversion catalyst layer 64 is supplied. In the CO shift catalyst layer 64, carbon monoxide and water vapor contained in the reformed gas react to be converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide is reduced.

  An oxidant gas supply pipe 66 is provided above the CO conversion catalyst layer 64, and a CO removal catalyst layer 68 is provided above the CO conversion catalyst layer 64 in the second flow path 58. The oxidant gas introduced through the oxidant gas supply pipe 66 and the reformed gas that has passed through the CO shift catalyst layer 64 are supplied to the CO removal catalyst layer 68. In the CO removal catalyst layer 68, for example, carbon monoxide reacts with oxygen on a noble metal catalyst such as platinum or ruthenium to be converted into carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide is removed. The reformed gas from which carbon monoxide has been removed by the CO shift catalyst layer 64 and the CO removal catalyst layer 68 is discharged through the reformed gas discharge pipe 62.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a combustion air supply pipe 72 that supplies air to the burner 40 is communicated with the reformer 12. The reaction air supply pipe 74 allows the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50 to communicate with each other. The reaction air supply pipe 74 is provided with an electromagnetic switching valve 76 for communicating or blocking the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50.

  A third dehumidifier 78 is provided in the gas discharge pipe 44 of the reformer 12. Therefore, the combustion exhaust gas is dehumidified in the gas exhaust pipe 44 and then discharged to the outside. The third dehumidifier 78 has a function of cooling the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the multi-cylinder reformer 12, condenses the water vapor contained in the combustion exhaust gas at the time of cooling, and condenses the condensed water. By discharging from the drain, water vapor is separated (dehumidified) from the combustion exhaust gas.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first dehumidifier 14 is a unit to which the reformed gas generated by the multi-cylinder reformer 12 is sent. The first dehumidifier 14 has a function of cooling the reformed gas sent from the multi-cylinder reformer 12, condenses and condenses the water vapor contained in the reformed gas at the time of cooling, By discharging from the drain, water vapor is separated (dehumidified) from the reformed gas.

  The compressor 16 compresses the reformed gas sent from the first dehumidifier 14 with a pump, and sends out the reformed gas with an increased pressure.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second dehumidifier 18 is for sending the reformed gas compressed by the compressor 16. The second dehumidifier 18 has a function of cooling the reformed gas sent from the compressor 16, condenses and condenses the water vapor contained in the reformed gas at the time of cooling, and discharges the condensed water from the drain. Thus, water vapor is separated (dehumidified) from the reformed gas.

  As an example, a PSA device is used for the hydrogen purifier 20. The hydrogen purifier 20 is fed with the reformed gas dehumidified by the second dehumidifier 18. In the hydrogen purifier 20, impurities in the reformed gas are adsorbed by the adsorption unit, whereby the reformed gas is separated into impurities and hydrogen, and the hydrogen is purified to produce pure hydrogen as a product. The impurities adsorbed on the adsorption part are desorbed from the adsorption part by depressurizing the adsorption part. Further, the off gas from the hydrogen purifier 20 includes residual hydrogen that has not been used as product hydrogen, and the reformer is connected to the reformer via an off gas supply channel 70 serving as a reflux channel communicating with the reformer 12. 12 is used as fuel for the burner 40 (see FIG. 2).

  In addition, the dew condensation water which generate | occur | produces in the 1st dehumidifier 14, the 2nd dehumidifier 18, and the 3rd dehumidifier 78 is a structure collect | recovered by the recovery water tank 22, as shown in FIG.

  The recovered water tank 22 communicates with the reformer 12 and the reforming water supply pipe 52. The reforming water supply pipe 52 is provided with a water treatment device (ion exchange resin) 80 for removing dissolved ion components. That is, the water recovered from the first dehumidifier 14, the second dehumidifier 18, and the third dehumidifier 78 passes through the recovered water tank 22, the water treatment device 80, and water for reforming to the reaction side of the reformer 12. It is set as the structure supplied as.

  The recovered water tank 22 is provided with a water level detection sensor 82 for detecting the water level inside the tank.

  Further, the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is provided with a control unit 84, which outputs an operation signal to the electromagnetic switching valve 76 when the water level detected by the water level detection sensor 82 falls below the first threshold value. The combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50 are communicated with each other.

  On the other hand, when the water level detected by the water level detection sensor 82 exceeds the second threshold value, an operation signal is output to the electromagnetic switching valve 76 to close it, and the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50 are shut off. Is. The first threshold value and the second threshold value may be different values or the same value.

  The above hydrogen production apparatus 10 is applied to, for example, a fuel cell system, and the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is supplied to a fuel cell in the fuel cell system and used for power generation by the fuel cell. Alternatively, hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is stored in a hydrogen tank.

  Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

  In the hydrogen production apparatus 10, city gas is supplied from the raw material supply pipe 50 to the first flow path 46 (reaction side) of the multi-cylinder reformer 12, and reforming water is supplied from the reforming water supply pipe 52. Supplied. In this state, the multi-cylinder reformer 12 is heated by the burner 40 to cause a steam reforming reaction, and a reformed gas mainly containing hydrogen is generated.

  The reformed gas generated by the multiple cylinder reformer 12 of the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is dehumidified by the first dehumidifier 14 and then pressurized by the compressor 16. The reformed gas boosted by the compressor 16 is dehumidified by the second dehumidifier 18 and then separated into impurities and hydrogen by the hydrogen purifier 20 to purify the hydrogen. Thereby, pure hydrogen having a hydrogen concentration of 99% or more is obtained as a product.

  The combustion exhaust gas discharged from the gas discharge pipe 44 of the reformer 12 is dehumidified by the third dehumidifier 78 and then discharged to the outside.

  The water condensed in the first dehumidifier 14, the second dehumidifier 18, and the third dehumidifier 78 is recovered in the recovered water tank 22, and dissolved ions such as cations are removed in the water treatment device 80, and then the water is modified. By being supplied to the first flow path 46 (reaction side) of the reformer 12 from the quality water supply pipe 52, it is used as the reforming water of the reformer 12.

  At this time, the water level of the recovered water tank 22 is detected by the water level detection sensor 82. When the detected water level exceeds the threshold value, the control unit 84 maintains the electromagnetic switching valve 76 in the closed state.

  On the other hand, when the detected water level is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the control unit 84 determines that the entire apparatus is short of water or there is a risk of water shortage, and outputs an operation signal to the electromagnetic switching valve 76. The electromagnetic switching valve 76 is opened. Thus, the combustion air supply pipe 72 communicates with the raw material supply pipe 50 and communicates with the reformer 12 through the raw material supply pipe 50. Therefore, a part of the combustion air is supplied as fuel from the combustion air supply pipe 72 to the first flow path 46 (reaction side) of the reformer 12 via the reaction air supply pipe 74 and the raw material supply pipe 50. . As a result, a partial oxidation reforming reaction is caused by the hydrocarbons in the city gas supplied from the raw material supply pipe 50 to the first flow path 46 of the reformer 12 and the oxygen in the air.

  That is, when there is a possibility that the hydrogen production capacity of the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is insufficient and the hydrogen production capacity is reduced, a part of the combustion air is supplied to the reaction side of the reformer 12 to thereby reform the reformer 12. Causes partial oxidation reaction. As a result, the reformer 12 can maintain the hydrogen production performance by the steam reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reforming reaction using the reforming water and the city gas.

  At this time, since the water consumption in the reformer 12 decreases, the supply amount of reforming water can be reduced. Further, moisture (steam) in the air that has not been used in the partial oxidation reforming reaction in the reformer 12 is supplied to the reformed gas discharge pipe 62. Furthermore, the amount of recovered water increases when the amount of produced hydrogen is small or immediately after startup.

  As a result, when the water level detected by the water level detection sensor 82 exceeds the second threshold, the control unit 84 determines that there is sufficient water in the entire apparatus, and outputs an operation signal to the electromagnetic switching valve 76. The electromagnetic switching valve 76 is closed. Thereby, the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50 are shut off, and air is not supplied to the reaction side of the reformer 12. That is, the reformer 12 generates reformed gas by the steam reforming reaction.

  As described above, in the hydrogen production apparatus 10, the controller 84 detects that the entire apparatus is short of water (may be present) based on the detection value of the water level detection sensor 82 (the water level of the recovered water tank 22). The switching valve 76 is opened. As a result, air is supplied to the reaction side of the reformer 12, and the shortage of reformed gas production (hydrogen production performance) is reduced by partial oxidation reforming reaction with city gas (hydrocarbon) and air (oxygen). Can be supplemented.

  That is, when the amount of reformed gas produced by the steam reforming of the reformer 12 is insufficient due to the lack of water collected from the first dehumidifier 14, the second dehumidifier 18, and the third dehumidifier 78, There is no need to supply tap water. This eliminates the need for a water treatment device for tap water, which is necessary in the case of replenishing tap water, and simplifies the apparatus.

  Further, since the electromagnetic switching valve 76 is provided in the reaction air supply pipe 74 connecting the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50, the electromagnetic switching valve 76 is opened only when necessary (when the recovered water is insufficient). By controlling, partial oxidation reforming reaction (air consumption) can be minimized, and an efficient steam reforming reaction can be mainly operated.

  Further, the control unit 84 compares the water level of the recovered water tank 22 detected by the water level detection sensor 82 with a threshold value, and determines that the water in the entire apparatus is insufficient when the water level is equal to or lower than the threshold value. The switching valve 76 is opened to supply air to the reaction side of the reformer 12. Therefore, water shortage in the entire apparatus can be detected with high accuracy, and water is supplied to the reaction side of the reformer 12 based on the detected water shortage, so that the partial oxidation reaction can be used efficiently.

  When the partial oxidation reaction is performed, nitrogen in the air is also included in the reformed gas, so that the impurity component of the reformed gas increases. Therefore, the purified hydrogen concentration can be maintained at 99% or more by changing the operation pattern of the hydrogen purifier 20 according to the ratio of the partial oxidation reaction and the steam reforming reaction. For example, when the ratio of partial oxidation reaction (impurities) increases, the ratio of time for depressurization at the adsorption part of the hydrogen purifier 20 is increased so that impurities can be reliably adsorbed at the adsorption part. It is possible. Since the adsorption state with respect to the adsorbing portion varies depending on the type of impurities, etc., it is conceivable to cope with different controls depending on the type of impurities.

  Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the fuel air is supplied from the reaction air supply pipe 74 to the reaction side of the reformer 12 via the raw material supply pipe 50. It is good also as a structure supplied directly to the reaction side.

  In the present embodiment, the reaction air supply pipe 74 that connects the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50 is provided, so that a part of the combustion air is used as fuel air to react the reformer 12. It was set as the structure supplied to the side. However, a configuration in which fuel air is supplied to the raw material supply pipe 50 or the reaction side of the reformer 12 by a reaction air supply pipe 74 that is separate from the combustion air supply pipe 72 (not in communication with the combustion air supply pipe 72). It is also good.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the water level detection sensor 82 is used as the water level detection means of the recovered water tank 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a switch is provided at the threshold value (water level) position of the recovered water tank 22, and an ON signal is output to the control unit 84 when the float comes into contact with lowering of the water level, and the control unit 84 controls the electromagnetic switching valve based on this ON signal. It is good also as a structure which opens 76. Alternatively, the water level inside the tank may be detected from the weight of the recovered water tank 22.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which outputs the signal from the said switch directly to the electromagnetic switching valve 76, and switches opening and closing of the electromagnetic switching valve 76. FIG. In this case, the control unit 84 can be omitted.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hydrogen purifier 20 is provided in the hydrogen production apparatus 10, but the hydrogen production apparatus 10 may be configured without the hydrogen purifier 20. In this case, the reformed gas may be used as a final product, or it may be considered that the reformed gas is purified by a hydrogen purifier or the like in another place.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although city gas is used as an example of a hydrocarbon raw material, hydrocarbon raw materials other than the city gas which has methane as a main component, for example, gas which has hydrocarbons, such as propane as a main component, A hydrocarbon-based liquid may be used.

  Furthermore, when hydrocarbon raw materials other than city gas are used, the multi-cylinder reformer 12 may be changed to a structure other than the above (structure suitable for the hydrocarbon raw material used).

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the PSA apparatus is used as the hydrogen refiner 20, the hydrogen refiner | purifier etc. which have a hydrogen separation membrane etc. may be used, for example.

  Furthermore, although the hydrogen production apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is suitably used for a fuel cell system, it may be used for devices and systems other than the fuel cell system.

  In the present embodiment, the first dehumidifier 14 and the second dehumidifier 18 are provided on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the compressor 16, but only on either the upstream side or the downstream side of the compressor 16. A dehumidifier may be provided. Further, the first dehumidifier 14 and the second dehumidifier 18 may be omitted, and only the third dehumidifier 78 may be configured. Further, a water vapor separation membrane or a hygroscopic agent may be used to reduce the water vapor of the reformed gas.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and other various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Hydrogen production apparatus, 12 ... Multiple cylinder type reformer (reformer), 20 ... Hydrogen refiner, 22 ... Recovery water tank, 44 ... Gas exhaust pipe (combustion exhaust gas flow path) 50 ... Raw material supply pipe (Raw material supply flow path), 72 ... Combustion air supply pipe (combustion oxygen supply flow path), 74 ... Reaction air supply pipe (reaction oxygen supply flow path), 76, Electromagnetic switching valve (switching means), 82 ... Water level detection sensor (water level detection means), 84 ... Control section (control means)

Claims (6)

A reformer for supplying a hydrocarbon as a raw material and reforming the raw material hydrocarbon to produce a reformed gas mainly composed of hydrogen;
A recovered water tank for storing recovered water recovered from at least one of the flow path of the reformed gas downstream of the reformer and the flow path of the combustion exhaust gas of the reformer;
A recovered water supply passage communicating from the recovered water tank to the reaction side of the reformer;
A reaction oxygen supply channel for supplying oxygen to the reaction side of the reformer;
Switching means for communicating or blocking between the reaction oxygen supply channel and the reaction side of the reformer;
A hydrogen production apparatus comprising:   When the water level in the recovered water tank is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the switching means is driven to connect the reaction oxygen supply flow path to the reaction side of the reformer, and the water level is equal to the second threshold value. 2. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that drives the switching unit to shut off the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer when the temperature exceeds the limit. The recovered water tank is provided with water level detection means for detecting the water level,
The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means switches the switching means based on the water level detected by the water level detection means.   4. The reaction oxygen supply flow path communicates a combustion oxygen supply path for supplying oxygen to a combustion side of the reformer and a reaction side of the reformer. The hydrogen production apparatus as described.   5. The hydrogen purifier is connected to the reformer via the reformed gas flow path, and has a hydrogen purifier that purifies hydrogen by separating the reformed gas into impurities and hydrogen. The hydrogen production apparatus as described.   The hydrogen purifier is controlled so as to maintain the degree of hydrogen purification in accordance with the ratio of the reformed gas generated by the partial oxidation reaction of the hydrocarbon and oxygen to the reformed gas generated in the reformer. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 5.