JP3663983B2 - Catalytic combustor - Google Patents

Catalytic combustor Download PDF

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JP3663983B2
JP3663983B2 JP20352999A JP20352999A JP3663983B2 JP 3663983 B2 JP3663983 B2 JP 3663983B2 JP 20352999 A JP20352999 A JP 20352999A JP 20352999 A JP20352999 A JP 20352999A JP 3663983 B2 JP3663983 B2 JP 3663983B2
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inlet
outlet
flow path
combustion catalyst
control valve
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JP2001033011A (en
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雅司 的場
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Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
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Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、燃料改質装置などに用いられる触媒燃焼器に関し、特に短時間で活性温度まで昇温できる触媒燃焼器に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、電解質層を挟んで配置された一対の電極の陰極側に水素含有ガスを供給するとともに、陽極側に酸素含有ガスを供給することにより、両電極で起きる電気化学反応を利用して起電力を得る燃料電池が知られている。こうした燃料電池には、通常、酸素含有ガスとして空気が用いられ、水素含有ガスとして炭化水素（たとえば、メタノール）を水蒸気改質することにより生成される二酸化炭素と水素との混合ガスが用いられる。
【０００３】
ところで、水素含有ガスを生成するメタノールの水蒸気改質反応では、液体であるメタノールと水とをそのまま燃料改質器内へ供給するのではなく、これらを予め気化させた状態で供給する必要があるため、既述の燃料電池を有する燃料電池システム内にはメタノールおよび水を気化させるための蒸発器（熱交換器）が設けられている。
【０００４】
この種の蒸発器は、燃料電池システムを起動した際に即座に昇温できるものではなく、気化温度に達するまでにはある程度の暖機運転を必要とする。すなわち、改質器内に供給すべきメタノールガスおよび水蒸気は、システムを起動してから少しの時間をおいて生成される。したがって、燃料電池システムの起動時間の短縮化を図るために、蒸発器を急速に昇温させることが望まれている。
【０００５】
一方、燃料改質器内で進行するメタノールの水蒸気改質反応は、メタノールガスおよび水蒸気の供給を受けて、メタノールガスの分解反応（ＣＨ３ ＯＨ→ＣＯ＋２Ｈ２ −９０．０kJ/mol）と、一酸化炭素の変成反応（ＣＯ＋Ｈ２ Ｏ→ＣＯ２ ＋Ｈ２ ＋４０．５kJ/mol）とを同時進行させて、全体反応（ＣＨ３ ＯＨ＋Ｈ２ Ｏ→３Ｈ２ ＋ＣＯ２ −４９．５kJ/mol）としては二酸化炭素と水素との混合ガスである水素含有ガスが生成されるものであるが、この反応は全体として吸熱反応であるため、システム起動時には可能な限り急速に燃料改質器を昇温させる必要があり、またこの吸熱反応を連続して進行させるためには、燃料改質器を連続して加熱しておく必要がある。したがって、燃料電池システムを起動した時に燃料改質器を急速に昇温でき、しかも連続して燃料改質器を加熱できる装置を別途用意しておくことも望まれている。
【０００６】
上述した蒸発器や燃料改質器を急昇温できるものとして、たとえば特開平７−７８６２３号公報に開示された起動時の昇温方法が知られている。
これは、不活性ガスを燃料電池の陰極側で循環させながら起動用加熱器により間接的に加熱し、この加熱された不活性ガスの一部を燃料改質器の燃焼触媒に導いて触媒燃焼が可能な温度まで加熱し、次いで燃料改質器および燃料電池を介して燃料ガスを燃料改質器の燃焼室に供給し、かつ燃料電池を介して空気を燃料改質器の燃焼室に供給し、改質室にて改質反応が可能な温度まで燃焼室を昇温させるものである。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記公報記載の技術では、不活性ガスを間接的に加熱して燃料改質器を昇温させるので、急速に改質器を昇温させることが困難であり、燃料電池システムの起動時間を短縮化するにも限界があった。
【０００８】
本発明は、このような従来技術の問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり、燃料電池システムに用いられる蒸発器や燃料改質器などの種々の機器を急速に昇温させることが可能で、全体としての燃料電池システムの起動時間を短縮することができる触媒燃焼器を提供することを目的とする。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１記載の触媒燃焼器は、入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、前記入口隔壁の内径よりも前記出口隔壁の内径が大きい円筒状に形成され、前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は前記入口隔壁の外側を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁は前記出口隔壁の内側を閉塞することを特徴とする（第 1 実施形態、図２および図３参照）。
【００１０】
また、上記目的を達成するために、請求項２記載の触媒燃焼器は、入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、前記入口隔壁の内径よりも前記出口隔壁の内径が小さい円筒状に形成され、前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は前記入口隔壁の内側を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁は前記出口隔壁の外側を閉塞することを特徴とする（第２実施形態、図５および図６参照）。
【００１１】
また、上記目的を達成するために、請求項３記載の触媒燃焼器は、入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、前記入口隔壁の設置間隔よりも前記出口隔壁の設置間隔が広い２枚の板状に形成され、前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は前記入口隔壁の外側を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁は前記出口隔壁の内側を閉塞することを特徴とする（第３実施形態、図７及び図８参照）。
【００１２】
また、上記目的を達成するために、請求項４記載の触媒燃焼器は、入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、前記入口隔壁の設置間隔よりも前記出口隔壁の設置間隔が狭い２枚の板状に形成され、前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は前記入口隔壁の内側を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁は前記出口隔壁の外側を閉塞することを特徴とする（第４実施形態、図９および図１０参照）。
【００１４】
また、上記目的を達成するために、請求項５記載の触媒燃焼器は、入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、互いに異なる方向に延在する１枚の板状に形成され、前記入口隔壁と前記出口隔壁とは交差しており、前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は、前記入口隔壁により画された前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路のうちの片側の流路を閉塞し、前記出口制御弁は、前記出口隔壁により画された前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路のうちの片側の流路を閉塞することを特徴とする（第６実施形態、図１３乃至図１５参照）。
【００１５】
さらに、請求項６記載の触媒燃焼器のように、前記入口制御弁および出口制御弁が、第１の流路、第２の流路および第３の流路を開放する定常運転モードを有することが好ましい。
【００１６】
これら請求項１乃至６記載の発明では、始動モードにおいては、ハニカム状の燃焼触媒部の入口のうちの第２および第３の流路を入口制御弁により閉塞し、第１の流路のみを局所的に開放する。そして、加熱器により加熱した酸素含有ガス（空気）をこの開口された第１の流路から燃焼触媒部内に導入して、燃焼触媒部の一部（第１の流路）を加熱して活性可能な温度にまで昇温させる。
【００１７】
このとき、燃焼触媒部内の第１の流路を入口側から出口側に向けて流下した加熱ガスは、燃焼触媒部の出口側において出口隔壁及び出口制御弁により流路が制限されるため、燃焼触媒部内の第２の流路を出口側から入口側に向けて逆流する。さらに、燃焼触媒部の入口側では、入口隔壁および入口制御弁により流路が制限されるため、この加熱ガスは、燃焼触媒部内の第３の流路を入口側から出口側に向かって流下したのち排出される。
【００１８】
これにより、燃焼触媒部は短時間で全体的かつ均一に昇温することになる。加熱ガスにメタノールガスなどの燃焼用ガスを混合させたメタノール混合気を供給する際にも同様なルートで流通するので、同様に燃焼触媒部を短時間で全体的かつ均一に昇温し、さらにメタノール混合気の流路（通過長）が、燃焼触媒部の長さよりも実質的に長くなって通過触媒量を多くできるため、未燃メタノールの低減を図ることができる。
【００１９】
また、請求項１記載の発明では、入口隔壁の内径を小さくすることで第１の流路を小径の円形状としているため、燃焼触媒部を短時間で全体的かつ均一に昇温できることに加え、加熱器を小型化及び小消費電力化することができる。
【００２０】
請求項２記載の発明では、第１の流路が燃焼触媒部の外周部となり、第３の流路が燃焼触媒部の中心部となるため、従来放熱領域あった外周部を保温することができる。その結果、燃焼触媒部の中心領域からの放熱が低減されるので、燃焼触媒部をより短時間で昇温でき、全体的かつ均一に昇温することができる。
【００２１】
請求項３記載の発明では、入口隔壁および出口隔壁のそれぞれが２枚の板材で構成され、第１の流路が燃焼触媒部の中心部に開口するため、加熱器を小型化および小消費電力化できるとともに、比較的簡素な構成で燃焼触媒部を短時間で全体的かつ均一的に昇温することができる。
【００２２】
請求項４記載の発明では、入口隔壁および出口隔壁のそれぞれが２枚の板材で構成され、第１の流路が燃焼触媒部の外周部に開口するため、従来放熱部であった外周部を保温できることにより、燃焼触媒部の中心部からの放熱が低減され、その結果、より短時間で昇温させることができ、しかも比較的簡素な構成で燃焼触媒部を全体的かつ均一的に昇温することができる。
【００２４】
請求項５記載の発明では、入口隔壁および出口隔壁をそれぞれ１枚の板材で構成し、かつ取付方向を互いに異ならせることにより、第１の流路を第２の流路に通じる部位と出口に開口する部位とに分けて形成することができる。
【００２５】
したがって、加熱ガスの一部を第２の流路に循環させる一方で、加熱ガスの残部をそのまま出口に排出することで、燃焼触媒部の後流側に設置される、たとえば蒸発器等の機器を昇温させて、燃料改質システムの始動を短時間で行うことができる。
【００２６】
上記発明においては特に限定されないが、請求項７記載の触媒燃焼器では、前記第１の流路、前記第２の流路および前記第３の流路は、その断面積が等しいか又はこの順に徐々に大きくなるように形成されていることを特徴とする（図４参照）。
【００２７】
この請求項７記載の発明では、第１の流路、第２の流路および第３の流路の断面積を同等あるいは徐々に大きくしているので、この順序でガスが流下する際に各流路の流通抵抗を同等またはそれ以下にでき、加熱空気およびメタノール混合気の流通を速やかに行うことができる。
【００２９】
【発明の効果】
請求項１乃至６記載の発明によれば、加熱ガスやメタノールガスなどの燃焼用ガスを混合させたメタノール混合気を供給する際に、燃焼触媒部を短時間で全体的かつ均一に昇温することができる。また、メタノール混合気の流路（通過長）が、燃焼触媒部の長さよりも実質的に長くなって通過触媒量を多くできるため、未燃メタノールの低減を図ることができる。
【００３０】
これに加えて、請求項７記載の発明によれば、各流路の流通抵抗を同等またはそれ以下にでき、加熱空気およびメタノール混合気の流通を速やかに行うことができる。
【００３１】
また、請求項１記載の発明によれば、燃焼触媒部を短時間で全体的かつ均一に昇温できることに加え、加熱器を小型化及び小消費電力化することができる。
【００３２】
請求項２記載の発明によれば、燃焼触媒部の中心領域からの放熱が低減されるので、燃焼触媒部をより短時間で昇温でき、全体的かつ均一に昇温することができる。
【００３３】
請求項３記載の発明によれば、加熱器を小型化および小消費電力化できるとともに、比較的簡素な構成で燃焼触媒部を短時間で全体的かつ均一的に昇温することができる。
【００３４】
請求項４記載の発明によれば、燃焼触媒部の中心部からの放熱が低減されるので、より短時間で昇温させることができ、しかも比較的簡素な構成で燃焼触媒部を全体的かつ均一的に昇温することができる。
【００３６】
請求項５記載の発明によれば、加熱ガスの一部を第２の流路に循環させる一方で、加熱ガスの残部をそのまま出口に排出することができるので、燃焼触媒部の後流側に設置される、たとえば蒸発器等の機器を昇温させて、燃料改質システムの始動を短時間で行うことができる。
【００３７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
第１実施形態
まず、本発明の触媒燃焼器が適用される燃料電池システムの概要を説明する。図１は本発明の触媒燃焼器が適用される燃料電池システムの一例を示すブロック図である。
【００３８】
本実施形態の燃料電池システム２は、図１に示すように、電気化学反応により起電力を得る燃料電池４と、圧縮空気（酸素含有ガス）を供給するコンプレッサ６と、改質反応により水素含有ガスを生成する改質器８と、メタノールを貯留するメタノールタンク１４と、水を貯留する水タンク１５と、触媒燃焼器２０とを有する。
【００３９】
燃料電池４は、電解質４２を挟んで対電極４４，４６が設けられており、その陽極４６側には配管１０を介してコンプレッサ６からの圧縮空気が供給され、陰極４４側には配管１２を介して改質器８からの水素含有ガスが供給される。
【００４０】
コンプレッサ６は、外気等を取り入れてこれを２ｋｇ／ｃｍ２ 程度まで圧縮して燃料電池４に供給するが、その型式は特に限定されない。なお、燃料電池４に供給される空気は８０〜８５°Ｃの温度が好ましいが、コンプレッサ６で圧縮された空気は約１７０°Ｃとなっているので、これを上記温度範囲まで冷却するためにコンプレッサ６と燃料電池４との間の配管１０中に図示省略するインタークーラを設けることが好ましい。インタークーラとしては、水冷式や空冷式などが例示される。
【００４１】
改質器８は、たとえばメタノール（改質原料）と水蒸気と空気（酸素含有ガス）とを混合して、メタノールの水蒸気改質反応と酸化反応とによって水素リッチガスとするものであるが、本実施形態では水蒸気反応（吸熱反応）で必要とされる熱量を、酸化反応（発熱反応）により生じた熱量で賄うことで、別途の加熱器を省略あるいは小能力化できる、いわゆるオートサーマル型改質器が採用されている。ただし、水蒸気改質反応のみによって水素リッチガスを生成する水蒸気改質型改質器であっても良い。
【００４２】
改質原料としてのメタノールは、メタノールタンク１４に収容され、メタノールポンプ１６によって、後述する触媒燃焼器２０の下流側に接続された熱交換部２６へ送られ、ここで気化される。また、水蒸気は、水タンク１５に収納された水が、水ポンプ１７によって熱交換部２６に送られ、ここで気化されて水蒸気とされる。これらメタノールガスと水蒸気との混合燃料ガスは、改質器８の入口８２に送られ、空気はコンプレッサ６から配管１１を介して供給される。なお、図中の符号「８４」は改質器８の出口である。
【００４３】
改質器８におけるメタノールの水蒸気改質反応においては、メタノールおよび水蒸気の供給を受けて、下記式に示すメタノールの分解反応と一酸化炭素の変成反応とを同時進行させて水素と二酸化炭素とを含有する改質ガスを生成する。
【００４４】
【化１】
分解反応：ＣＨ３ ＯＨ →ＣＯ ＋２Ｈ２ −９０．０（kJ/mol）
変成反応：ＣＯ ＋Ｈ２ Ｏ→ＣＯ２ ＋ Ｈ２ ＋４０．５（kJ/mol）
全体反応：ＣＨ３ ＯＨ＋Ｈ２ Ｏ→ＣＯ２ ＋３Ｈ２ −４９．５（kJ/mol）
一方、メタノールの酸化反応では、メタノールおよび空気の供給を受けて下記式に示す酸化反応により水素と二酸化炭素を含有する改質ガスを生成する。
【００４５】
【化２】
酸化反応：ＣＨ３ ＯＨ＋１／２Ｏ２ →２Ｈ２ ＋ＣＯ２ ＋１８９．５（kJ/mol）
なお、改質器８から燃料電池４の陰極４４側へ供給される水素含有ガス中に一酸化炭素が含まれていると燃料電池４が被毒するため、改質器８と燃料電池４との間の配管１２中に、図示省略してある一酸化炭素の含有量を低減させる一酸化炭素低減装置を設けておくことが好ましい。この一酸化炭素低減装置は、改質器８で得られた改質ガス中の未反応の一酸化炭素と水とを、同じ変成反応（ＣＯ＋Ｈ２ Ｏ→ＣＯ２ ＋Ｈ２ ）により水素と二酸化炭素とに変成して水素含有量の多い水素含有ガスを生成するシフト器や、さらにこのシフト器を通過した改質ガスに含まれた一酸化炭素を選択酸化して（ＣＯ＋１／２Ｏ２ →ＣＯ２ ）、二酸化炭素とする選択酸化器などが含まれる。
【００４６】
次に、本発明の触媒燃焼器の構成を説明する。
第１実施形態
図２および図３は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第１実施形態を示す断面図、同図（Ｂ）は同図（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、同図（Ｃ）は同図（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。なお、図２は始動モードの状態を示し、図３は定常運転モードを示す。また、図４は燃焼触媒部の第１乃至第３の流路の断面積の関係の一例を示す斜視図である。
【００４７】
触媒燃焼器２０は、図１に示すコンプレッサ６および配管１３を通じて導入される空気を加熱するための、たとえば電気ヒータなどにより構成される加熱部２２と、この加熱部２２の下流側に接続されたミキサー２８と、このミキサー２８の下流側に接続された燃焼触媒部２４とを有している。
【００４８】
加熱器２２には、上述したコンプレッサ６からの空気の他に、図１に示すメタノールタンク１４からのメタノールが、配管３５およびメタノール気化器３２を介して燃焼用燃料として供給される。
【００４９】
また、ミキサー２８には、図１に示すように燃料電池４から排出される酸化排ガスおよび水素含有排ガスが、配管３１，３３を介して導入されて混合されたのち、燃焼触媒部２４にて燃焼される。
【００５０】
本実施形態の燃焼触媒部２４は、いわゆるハニカム型燃焼触媒器であって、全体が円筒状に形成され、入口２４１および出口２４２との間のセルが多数のハニカム状流路とされている。このハニカム状流路の内面に触媒が塗布されている。
【００５１】
図２に示すように、特に本実施形態の燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１側には、燃焼触媒部２４本体と同心円状の入口隔壁２４３が取り付けられ、出口２４２側には、同じく燃焼触媒部２４本体と同心円状であって入口隔壁２４３の内径よりも大きい内径の出口隔壁２４４が取り付けられている。これら、入口隔壁２４３および出口隔壁２４４は、触媒燃焼器２０を通過するガスの流通抵抗とならない程度の薄板で構成することが望ましい。
【００５２】
さらに本実施形態では、入口隔壁２４３により画された外側の流路を開閉するための入口制御弁２４５と、出口隔壁２４４により画された内側の流路を開閉するための出口制御弁２４６とが設けられている。これら入口制御弁２４５および出口制御弁２４６は、それぞれアクチュエータ２４７により開閉動作されるようになっている。なお、図２は入口制御弁２４５および出口制御弁２４６が閉じた状態を示し、図３は両制御弁２４５，２４６が開いた状態を示す。
【００５３】
ちなみに、上述した第１乃至第３の流路Ｓ１〜Ｓ３は、図４に示すように、それぞれの断面積が等しいか、あるいはこの順序で大きくなるように形成されている。
【００５４】
次に作用を説明する。
図１に示す改質器８の始動時においては、図２に示すように入口制御弁２４および出口制御弁２４６の何れも閉とし、入口隔壁２４５の外側を閉塞するとともに、出口隔壁２４４の内側を閉塞する。
【００５５】
この状態で加熱器２２により加熱された空気を導入すると、この空気は、入口隔壁２４５の内側から燃焼触媒部２４内のハニカム状セルに導入され、下流へと流れる。この流路を第１の流路Ｓ１と称する。
【００５６】
燃焼触媒部２４の出口２４２では、出口隔壁２４４の内側が出口制御弁２４６で閉塞されているので、第１の流路Ｓ１を流れてきた空気は、出口隔壁２４４の内側と第１の流路Ｓ１の外側のセルとで画されるハニカム状セルを通って、燃焼触媒部２４の下流から上流側へ逆流する。この流路を第２の流路Ｓ２と称する。
【００５７】
さらに燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１では、入口制御弁２４５により入口隔壁２４３の外側が閉塞されているため、第２の流路Ｓ２を逆流してきた空気は、入口隔壁２４３の外側と第２の流路Ｓ２の外側のセルとで構成されるハニカム状セルを上流から下流へ通過したのち排出される。この流路を第３の流路Ｓ３と称する。
【００５８】
なお、こうした加熱空気により、少なくとも燃焼触媒部２４の第１の流路Ｓ１が活性可能な温度まで昇温した時点で、メタノール混合気を同様の順路で流通させ、これにより、メタノール混合気を燃焼させて燃焼触媒部２４全体を昇温する。
【００５９】
このように、本実施形態では、始動時において、加熱器２２により加熱された空気を第１の流路Ｓ１にのみ導入し、この第１の流路Ｓ１のセルを加熱して活性可能な温度まで昇温させるので、流通させる空気量を低減することができ、加熱器２２の小型化および小消費電力化を図ることができる。さらに、加熱空気は、第１の流路Ｓ１→第２の流路Ｓ２→第３の流路Ｓ３というように、燃焼触媒部２４の内部を循環するので、燃焼触媒部２４の昇温に際し加熱空気の熱量を有効に活用することができる。
【００６０】
また、その後にメタノール混合気を流通させる際には、少なくとも第１の流路Ｓ１のセルは活性可能な温度にまで昇温しているので、メタノールは燃焼し、これにより発生する熱によって下流のセルや周囲のセルを急速に昇温することができる。しかも、メタノール混合気も燃焼触媒部２４を第１の流路Ｓ１→第２の流路Ｓ２→第３の流路Ｓ３というように循環するので、たとえば第１の流路Ｓ１で燃焼しなかった未燃メタノールも、第２の流路Ｓ２または第３の流路Ｓ３で燃焼させることができ、未燃メタノールの排出量を低減することができる。
【００６１】
また、第１の流路Ｓ１から第３の流路Ｓ３までガスが流下する際に、本実施形態ではこれらの流路Ｓ１〜Ｓ３の流路断面積が図４に示す関係とされているので、流路に沿った流通抵抗が増加することがなく、円滑に流通することになる。
【００６２】
こうして始動状態が終了すると、図３に示すように入口制御弁２４および出口制御弁２４６の何れも開とし、入口隔壁２４５の外側を開放するとともに、出口隔壁２４４の内側も開放する。これにより、加熱器２２により加熱されたメタノール混合ガスは、第１乃至第３の流路Ｓ１〜Ｓ３の全てのハニカム状セルに導入され、そのまま出口へと流れる。
【００６３】
このように、入口隔壁２４３および出口隔壁２４４はガスの流れと平行になり、しかも、入口制御弁２４５および出口制御弁２４６は板状であるため、改質器８の始動が終了して定常運転に移行した後においても、入口制御弁２４５および出口制御弁２４６を開にしてガスの流れと平行にすることにより、燃焼触媒部２４は入口２４１の全面が開口され、燃料電池４からのアノード排ガスやカソード排ガスを有効に燃焼させることができる。
【００６４】
第２実施形態
図５および図６は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第２実施形態を示す断面図、同図（Ｂ）は同図（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、同図（Ｃ）は同図（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。なお、図５は始動モードの状態を示し、図６は定常運転モードを示す。
【００６５】
本実施形態では、上述した第１実施形態と同様に、燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１側には、燃焼触媒部２４本体と同心円状の入口隔壁２４３が取り付けられ、出口２４２側には、同じく燃焼触媒部２４本体と同心円状の出口隔壁２４４が取り付けられているが、出口隔壁２４４の内径が入口隔壁２４３の内径よりも小さくされている。また、入口隔壁２４３により画された内側の流路を開閉するための入口制御弁２４５と、出口隔壁２４４により画された外側の流路を開閉するための出口制御弁２４６とが設けられている。
【００６６】
本実施形態でも、改質器８の始動時においては、図５に示すように入口制御弁２４および出口制御弁２４６の何れも閉とし、入口隔壁２４５の内側を閉塞するとともに、出口隔壁２４４の外側を閉塞する。
【００６７】
この状態で加熱器２２により加熱された空気を導入すると、この空気は、入口隔壁２４５の外側から燃焼触媒部２４内のハニカム状セルに導入され、下流へと流れる。この流路が第１の流路Ｓ１となる。
【００６８】
燃焼触媒部２４の出口２４２では、出口隔壁２４４の外側が出口制御弁２４６で閉塞されているので、第１の流路Ｓ１を流れてきた空気は、出口隔壁２４４の外側と第１の流路Ｓ１の内側のセルとで画されるハニカム状セルを通って、燃焼触媒部２４の下流から上流側へ逆流する。この流路が第２の流路Ｓ２となる。
【００６９】
さらに燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１では、入口制御弁２４５により入口隔壁２４３の内側が閉塞されているため、第２の流路Ｓ２を逆流してきた空気は、入口隔壁２４３の内側と第２の流路Ｓ２の内側のセルとで構成されるハニカム状セルを上流から下流へ通過したのち排出される。この流路が第３の流路Ｓ３となる。
【００７０】
なお、本実施形態でも、こうした加熱空気により、少なくとも燃焼触媒部２４の第１の流路Ｓ１が活性可能な温度まで昇温した時点で、メタノール混合気を同様の順路で流通させ、これにより、メタノール混合気を燃焼させて燃焼触媒部２４全体を昇温する。
【００７１】
特に本実施形態では、上述した第１実施形態の作用効果に加えて、入口隔壁２４３の内側を閉塞し、かつ出口隔壁２４４の外側を閉塞することにより、第１の流路Ｓ１が燃焼触媒部２４の外周部に形成されるので、燃焼触媒部２４は外周部から昇温され、その結果、中心部の放熱が低減することとなって、より短時間で全体的かつ均一的に昇温させることができる。
【００７２】
第３実施形態
図７および図８は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第３実施形態を示す断面図、同図（Ｂ）は同図（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、同図（Ｃ）は同図（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。なお、図７は始動モードの状態を示し、図８は定常運転モードを示す。
【００７３】
本実施形態では、上述した第１実施形態と同様に、燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１側には入口隔壁２４３が取り付けられ、出口２４２側には出口隔壁２４４が取り付けられているが、両隔壁２４３，２４４ともにそれぞれ２枚の板材で構成され、出口隔壁２４４の設置幅が入口隔壁２４３の設置幅よりも大きくされている。なお、入口隔壁２４３の板材の延在方向と出口隔壁２４４の板材の延在方向とは同一方向とされている。
【００７４】
また、入口隔壁２４３により画された外側の流路を開閉するための入口制御弁２４５と、出口隔壁２４４により画された内側の流路を開閉するための出口制御弁２４６とが設けられている。
【００７５】
本実施形態でも、改質器８の始動時においては、図７に示すように入口制御弁２４および出口制御弁２４６の何れも閉とし、入口隔壁２４５の外側を閉塞するとともに、出口隔壁２４４の内側を閉塞する。
【００７６】
この状態で加熱器２２により加熱された空気を導入すると、この空気は、入口隔壁２４５の内側から燃焼触媒部２４内のハニカム状セルに導入され、下流へと流れる。この流路が第１の流路Ｓ１となる。
【００７７】
燃焼触媒部２４の出口２４２では、出口隔壁２４４の内側が出口制御弁２４６で閉塞されているので、第１の流路Ｓ１を流れてきた空気は、出口隔壁２４４の内側と第１の流路Ｓ１の外側のセルとで画されるハニカム状セルを通って、燃焼触媒部２４の下流から上流側へ逆流する。この流路が第２の流路Ｓ２となる。
【００７８】
さらに燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１では、入口制御弁２４５により入口隔壁２４３の外側が閉塞されているため、第２の流路Ｓ２を逆流してきた空気は、入口隔壁２４３の外側と第２の流路Ｓ２の外側のセルとで構成されるハニカム状セルを上流から下流へ通過したのち排出される。この流路が第３の流路Ｓ３となる。
【００７９】
なお、こうした加熱空気により、少なくとも燃焼触媒部２４の第１の流路Ｓ１が活性可能な温度まで昇温した時点で、メタノール混合気を同様の順路で流通させ、これにより、メタノール混合気を燃焼させて燃焼触媒部２４全体を昇温する。
【００８０】
特に本実施形態では、上述した第１実施形態の作用効果に加えて、同じ方向に設けられ、かつ設置幅が入口隔壁２４３よりも出口隔壁２４４を広く設定して第１乃至第３の流路Ｓ１〜Ｓ３を形成しているので、簡易な構成で燃焼触媒部２４の中心部を昇温することができ、燃焼触媒部２４を短時間で全体的かつ均一的に昇温することができる。
【００８１】
第４実施形態
図９および図１０は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第４実施形態を示す断面図、同図（Ｂ）は同図（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、同図（Ｃ）は同図（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。なお、図９は始動モードの状態を示し、図１０は定常運転モードを示す。
【００８２】
本実施形態では、上述した第３実施形態と同様に、燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１側には、２枚の板材からなる入口隔壁２４３が取り付けられ、出口２４２側には、同じく２枚の板材からなる出口隔壁２４４が取り付けられているが、出口隔壁２４４の設置幅が入口隔壁２４３の設置幅よりも小さくされている。また、入口隔壁２４３により画された内側の流路を開閉するための入口制御弁２４５と、出口隔壁２４４により画された外側の流路を開閉するための出口制御弁２４６とが設けられている。
【００８３】
本実施形態でも、改質器８の始動時においては、図９に示すように入口制御弁２４および出口制御弁２４６の何れも閉とし、入口隔壁２４５の内側を閉塞するとともに、出口隔壁２４４の外側を閉塞する。
【００８４】
この状態で加熱器２２により加熱された空気を導入すると、この空気は、入口隔壁２４５の外側から燃焼触媒部２４内のハニカム状セルに導入され、下流へと流れる。この流路が第１の流路Ｓ１となる。
【００８５】
燃焼触媒部２４の出口２４２では、出口隔壁２４４の外側が出口制御弁２４６で閉塞されているので、第１の流路Ｓ１を流れてきた空気は、出口隔壁２４４の外側と第１の流路Ｓ１の内側のセルとで画されるハニカム状セルを通って、燃焼触媒部２４の下流から上流側へ逆流する。この流路が第２の流路Ｓ２となる。
【００８６】
さらに燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１では、入口制御弁２４５により入口隔壁２４３の内側が閉塞されているため、第２の流路Ｓ２を逆流してきた空気は、入口隔壁２４３の内側と第２の流路Ｓ２の内側のセルとで構成されるハニカム状セルを上流から下流へ通過したのち排出される。この流路が第３の流路Ｓ３となる。
【００８７】
なお、本実施形態でも、こうした加熱空気により、少なくとも燃焼触媒部２４の第１の流路Ｓ１が活性可能な温度まで昇温した時点で、メタノール混合気を同様の順路で流通させ、これにより、メタノール混合気を燃焼させて燃焼触媒部２４全体を昇温する。
【００８８】
特に本実施形態では、上述した第３実施形態の作用効果に加えて、入口隔壁２４３の内側を閉塞し、かつ出口隔壁２４４の外側を閉塞することにより、第１の流路Ｓ１が燃焼触媒部２４の外周部に形成されるので、燃焼触媒部２４は外周部から昇温され、その結果、中心部の放熱が低減することとなって、より短時間で全体的かつ均一的に昇温させることができる。
【００８９】
第５実施形態
図１１および図１２は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第５実施形態を示す断面図、同図（Ｂ）は同図（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、同図（Ｃ）は同図（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。なお、図１１は始動モードの状態を示し、図１２は定常運転モードを示す。
【００９０】
本実施形態では、上述した第１乃至第４実施形態と同様に、燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１側には入口隔壁２４３が取り付けられ、出口２４２側には出口隔壁２４４が取り付けられているが、両隔壁２４３，２４４ともにそれぞれ１枚の板材で構成され、かつ燃焼触媒部２４の中心から互いに対称なオフセット位置に取り付けられている。なお、入口隔壁２４３の板材の延在方向と出口隔壁２４４の板材の延在方向とは同一方向とされている。
【００９１】
また、入口隔壁２４３により画された流路のうちの断面積が大きい方の流路を開閉するための入口制御弁２４５と、出口隔壁２４４により画された流路のうちの断面積が大きい方の流路を開閉するための出口制御弁２４６とが設けられている。
【００９２】
本実施形態でも、改質器８の始動時においては、図１１に示すように入口制御弁２４および出口制御弁２４６の何れも閉とし、入口隔壁２４５の大断面積の流路（図１１（Ａ）において下側）を閉塞するとともに、出口隔壁２４４の大断面積の流路（図１１（Ａ）において上側）を閉塞する。
【００９３】
この状態で加熱器２２により加熱された空気を導入すると、この空気は、図１１（Ａ）において入口隔壁２４５の下側から燃焼触媒部２４内のハニカム状セルに導入され、下流へと流れる。この流路が第１の流路Ｓ１となる。
【００９４】
燃焼触媒部２４の出口２４２では、出口隔壁２４４の下側が出口制御弁２４６で閉塞されているので、第１の流路Ｓ１を流れてきた空気は、出口隔壁２４４の下側と第１の流路Ｓ１の上側のセルとで画されるハニカム状セルを通って、燃焼触媒部２４の下流から上流側へ逆流する。この流路が第２の流路Ｓ２となる。
【００９５】
さらに燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１では、入口制御弁２４５により入口隔壁２４３の上側が閉塞されているため、第２の流路Ｓ２を逆流してきた空気は、入口隔壁２４３の上側と第２の流路Ｓ２の上側のセルとで構成されるハニカム状セルを上流から下流へ通過したのち排出される。この流路が第３の流路Ｓ３となる。なお、ここでいう「上下」は、あくまで図１１（Ａ）における方向を意味する。
【００９６】
本実施形態でも、こうした加熱空気により、少なくとも燃焼触媒部２４の第１の流路Ｓ１が活性可能な温度まで昇温した時点で、メタノール混合気を同様の順路で流通させ、これにより、メタノール混合気を燃焼させて燃焼触媒部２４全体を昇温する。
【００９７】
特に本実施形態では、上述した第１乃至第４実施形態の作用効果に加えて、同じ方向に設けられ、互いに対称にオフセットされた位置に入口隔壁２４３および出口隔壁２４４が設置されているので、入口制御弁２４５および出口制御弁２４６を同一形状で形成することができ部品点数を減少させることができる。
【００９８】
第６実施形態
図１３および図１４は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第６実施形態を示す断面図、同図（Ｂ）は同図（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、同図（Ｃ）は同図（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。なお、図１３は始動モードの状態を示し、図１４は定常運転モードを示す。また、図１５はガスの流れを説明するための燃焼触媒部の透視図である。
【００９９】
本実施形態では、上述した第５実施形態と同様に、燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１側には１枚の板材からなる入口隔壁２４３が取り付けられ、出口２４２側には１枚の板材からなる出口隔壁２４４が取り付けられているが、両隔壁２４３，２４４ともに燃焼触媒部２４の中心位置に取り付けられ、かつ入口隔壁２４３の板材の延在方向と出口隔壁２４４の板材の延在方向とが略直交方向とされている。
【０１００】
また、入口隔壁２４３により画された流路のうちの一方の流路を開閉するための入口制御弁２４５と、出口隔壁２４４により画された流路のうちの一方の流路を開閉するための出口制御弁２４６とが設けられている。
【０１０１】
本実施形態でも、改質器８の始動時においては、図１３に示すように入口制御弁２４および出口制御弁２４６の何れも閉とし、入口隔壁２４５の一方の流路（図１５において奥側）を閉塞するとともに、出口隔壁２４４の一方の流路（図１５において上側）を閉塞する。
【０１０２】
この状態で加熱器２２により加熱された空気を導入すると、この空気は、図１５において入口隔壁２４５の手前側の上下から燃焼触媒部２４内のハニカム状セルに導入され、下流へと流れる。この流路が第１の流路Ｓ１となる。
【０１０３】
燃焼触媒部２４の出口２４２では、出口隔壁２４４の上側が出口制御弁２４６で閉塞されているので、第１の流路Ｓ１を流れてきた空気のうちの上側の第１の流路Ｓ１１を流れてきた空気は、出口隔壁２４４の上側と第１の流路Ｓ１の奥側のセルとで画されるハニカム状セルを通って、燃焼触媒部２４の下流から上流側へ逆流する。この流路が第２の流路Ｓ２となる。一方、第１の流路Ｓ１を流れてきた空気のうちの下側の第１の流路Ｓ１２を流れてきた空気は、そのまま排気される。
【０１０４】
さらに燃焼触媒部２４の入口２４１では、入口制御弁２４５により入口隔壁２４３の奥側が閉塞されているため、第２の流路Ｓ２を逆流してきた空気は、入口隔壁２４３の奥側と第２の流路Ｓ２の下側セルとで構成されるハニカム状セルを上流から下流へ通過したのち排出される。この流路が第３の流路Ｓ３となる。なお、ここでいう「上下」および「奥、手前」は、あくまで図１５における方向を意味する。
【０１０５】
本実施形態でも、こうした加熱空気により、少なくとも燃焼触媒部２４の第１の流路Ｓ１が活性可能な温度まで昇温した時点で、メタノール混合気を同様の順路で流通させ、これにより、メタノール混合気を燃焼させて燃焼触媒部２４全体を昇温する。
【０１０６】
特に本実施形態では、上述した第１乃至第４実施形態の作用効果に加えて、 第１の流路Ｓ１のうちの流路Ｓ１２を流下した高温ガスが、そのまま排出されるので、触媒燃焼器２０の下流側に接続された蒸発部２６（図１参照）も短時間に昇温させることができ、改質器の始動時間をより短縮化できる。
【０１０７】
なお、以上説明した実施形態は、本発明の理解を容易にするために記載されたものであって、本発明を限定するために記載されたものではない。したがって、上記の実施形態に開示された各要素は、本発明の技術的範囲に属する全ての設計変更や均等物をも含む趣旨である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の触媒燃焼器が適用される燃料電池システムの一例を示すブロック図である。
【図２】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第１実施形態（始動モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図２（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図２（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図３】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第１実施形態（定常運転モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図３（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図３（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図４】本発明の燃焼触媒部の第１乃至第３の流路の断面積の関係の一例を示す斜視図である。
【図５】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第２実施形態（始動モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図５（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図５（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図６】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第２実施形態（定常運転モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図６（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図６（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図７】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第３実施形態（始動モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図７（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図７（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図８】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第３実施形態（定常運転モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図８（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図８（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図９】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第４実施形態（始動モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図９（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図９（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図１０】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第４実施形態（定常運転モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図１０（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図１０（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図１１】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第５実施形態（始動モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図１１（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図１１（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図１２】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第５実施形態（定常運転モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図１２（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図１２（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図１３】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第６実施形態（始動モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図１３（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図１３（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図１４】（Ａ）は本発明の触媒燃焼器の第６実施形態（定常運転モード）を示す断面図、（Ｂ）は図１４（Ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿う断面図、（Ｃ）は図１４（Ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図１５】本発明の第６実施形態のガスの流れを説明するための燃焼触媒部の透視図である。
【符号の説明】
２０…触媒燃焼器
２２…加熱部
２４…燃焼触媒部
２４１…入口
２４２…出口
２４３…入口隔壁
２４４…出口隔壁
２４５…入口制御弁
２４６…出口制御弁
Ｓ１…第１の流路
Ｓ２…第２の流路
Ｓ３…第３の流路[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a catalytic combustor used in a fuel reformer and the like, and more particularly to a catalytic combustor capable of raising the temperature to an activation temperature in a short time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the cathode side of a pair of electrodes arranged with an electrolyte layer interposed therebetween, and an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the anode side, thereby using an electrochemical reaction that occurs at both electrodes. Fuel cells that obtain power are known. In such fuel cells, air is usually used as the oxygen-containing gas, and a mixed gas of carbon dioxide and hydrogen generated by steam reforming a hydrocarbon (for example, methanol) is used as the hydrogen-containing gas.
[0003]
By the way, in the steam reforming reaction of methanol that generates a hydrogen-containing gas, it is necessary not to supply methanol and water that are liquids directly into the fuel reformer but to supply them in a vaporized state in advance. Therefore, an evaporator (heat exchanger) for vaporizing methanol and water is provided in the fuel cell system having the fuel cell described above.
[0004]
This type of evaporator cannot be immediately heated when the fuel cell system is started, and requires some warm-up operation before reaching the vaporization temperature. That is, methanol gas and water vapor to be supplied into the reformer are generated after a short time since the system is started. Therefore, in order to shorten the start-up time of the fuel cell system, it is desired to raise the temperature of the evaporator rapidly.
[0005]
On the other hand, the steam reforming reaction of methanol proceeding in the fuel reformer receives the supply of methanol gas and steam and decomposes the methanol gas (CH3OH → CO + 2H2-90.0 kJ / mol) and carbon monoxide transformation (CO + H)2O → CO2+ H2+40.5 kJ / mol) and the overall reaction (CH3OH + H2O → 3H2+ CO2-49.5 kJ / mol) is a hydrogen-containing gas that is a mixed gas of carbon dioxide and hydrogen, but since this reaction is an endothermic reaction as a whole, it is as fast as possible at system startup. It is necessary to raise the temperature of the fuel reformer, and in order to continuously advance the endothermic reaction, it is necessary to heat the fuel reformer continuously. Therefore, it is also desired to separately prepare an apparatus that can rapidly raise the temperature of the fuel reformer when the fuel cell system is started and that can continuously heat the fuel reformer.
[0006]
As a method capable of rapidly raising the temperature of the evaporator and the fuel reformer described above, for example, a temperature raising method at startup disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-78623 is known.
This is because the inert gas is indirectly heated by the starter heater while circulating on the cathode side of the fuel cell, and a part of the heated inert gas is led to the combustion catalyst of the fuel reformer to perform catalytic combustion. The fuel gas is supplied to the combustion chamber of the fuel reformer through the fuel reformer and the fuel cell, and the air is supplied to the combustion chamber of the fuel reformer through the fuel cell. Then, the temperature of the combustion chamber is raised to a temperature at which the reforming reaction is possible in the reforming chamber.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the technique described in the above publication, since the temperature of the fuel reformer is raised by indirectly heating the inert gas, it is difficult to quickly raise the temperature of the reformer, and the startup time of the fuel cell system There was a limit to shortening.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and it is possible to rapidly raise various devices such as an evaporator and a fuel reformer used in a fuel cell system, It is an object of the present invention to provide a catalytic combustor that can shorten the startup time of the fuel cell system as a whole.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a catalytic combustor according to claim 1 is provided with a combustion catalyst portion having an inlet and an outlet, and an internal flow path having a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths, and an inlet side of the combustion catalyst section In the catalytic combustor provided with a heating section, an inlet partition that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section, an outlet partition that defines a flow path on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst section, and At least three flow paths formed inside the combustion catalyst section by an inlet partition wall and an outlet partition wall, an inlet control valve provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section and opening and closing a part of the inlet side flow path; An outlet control valve that is provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst section and opens and closes a part of the outlet-side flow path.The inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path, and the outlet control valve has a start mode in which the first flow path and the second flow path are closed, and the inlet partition wall Each of the outlet partition walls is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter of the outlet partition wall larger than an inner diameter of the inlet partition wall. In the start mode, the inlet control valve closes the outside of the inlet partition wall, and The control valve closes the inside of the outlet partitionIt is characterized by(No. 1 Embodiment, see FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0010]
  In order to achieve the above object, a catalytic combustor according to claim 2 includes a combustion catalyst portion having an inlet and an outlet and an internal flow path formed of a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths, In a catalytic combustor provided with a heating section provided on the inlet side, an inlet partition that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section, and an outlet partition that defines a flow path on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst section; , At least three flow paths formed inside the combustion catalyst part by the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall, and an inlet control valve that is provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst part and opens and closes a part of the inlet side flow path. An outlet control valve that is provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst unit and opens and closes a part of the outlet side flow path, and the inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path. The start mode in which the outlet control valve closes the first flow path and the second flow path. Each of the inlet bulkhead and the outlet bulkhead is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter of the outlet bulkhead smaller than an inner diameter of the inlet bulkhead, and in the start-up mode, the inlet control valve is disposed inside the inlet bulkhead. In addition to closing, the outlet control valve closes the outside of the outlet partition wall (see the second embodiment, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6).
[0011]
  In order to achieve the above object, a catalytic combustor according to claim 3 is provided with a combustion catalyst section having an inlet and an outlet, and an internal flow path having a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths, In a catalytic combustor provided with a heating section provided on the inlet side, an inlet partition that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section, and an outlet partition that defines a flow path on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst section; , At least three flow paths formed inside the combustion catalyst part by the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall, and an inlet control valve that is provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst part and opens and closes a part of the inlet side flow path. An outlet control valve that is provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst unit and opens and closes a part of the outlet side flow path, and the inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path. The start mode in which the outlet control valve closes the first flow path and the second flow path. Each of the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall is formed in two plates having a larger installation interval of the outlet partition wall than the installation interval of the inlet partition wall. In the start mode, the inlet control valve The outside of the inlet partition is closed, and the outlet control valve closes the inside of the outlet partition (see the third embodiment, FIGS. 7 and 8).
[0012]
  In order to achieve the above object, a catalytic combustor according to claim 4 includes a combustion catalyst portion having an inlet and an outlet, and an internal flow path formed of a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths; In a catalytic combustor provided with a heating section provided on the inlet side, an inlet partition that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section, and an outlet partition that defines a flow path on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst section; , At least three flow paths formed inside the combustion catalyst part by the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall, and an inlet control valve that is provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst part and opens and closes a part of the inlet side flow path. An outlet control valve that is provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst unit and opens and closes a part of the outlet side flow path, and the inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path. The start mode in which the outlet control valve closes the first flow path and the second flow path. Each of the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall is formed in two plates having an installation interval of the exit partition wall that is narrower than the installation interval of the entrance partition wall. While closing the inside of an entrance partition, the said outlet control valve closes the outside of the said exit partition (refer 4th Embodiment, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10).
[0014]
  In order to achieve the above object, the claims5The catalyst combustor described above includes a combustion catalyst portion having an inlet and an outlet, and an internal flow path formed into a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths, and a heating section provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section In the combustor, an inlet partition wall that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst unit, an outlet partition wall that defines a flow path on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst unit, and the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall, At least three flow passages formed therein, an inlet control valve provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst portion to open and close a part of the inlet side flow passage, and the outlet provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst portion An outlet control valve that opens and closes a part of the side flow path, wherein the inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path, and the outlet control valve has the first flow path and the first flow path. A starting mode for closing the two flow paths, and the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall Each is formed in a plate shape extending in different directions, the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall intersect, and in the start mode, the inlet control valve is driven by the inlet partition wall. One of the defined flow paths on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section is closed, and the outlet control valve is formed of the flow path on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst section defined by the outlet partition wall. The flow path on one side is closed (see the sixth embodiment, FIGS. 13 to 15).
[0015]
  And claims6As in the described catalytic combustor, it is preferable that the inlet control valve and the outlet control valve have a steady operation mode in which the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are opened.
[0016]
  These claims 1 to6In the described invention, in the start-up mode, the second and third flow paths in the inlet of the honeycomb-shaped combustion catalyst section are closed by the inlet control valve, and only the first flow path is locally opened. Then, the oxygen-containing gas (air) heated by the heater is introduced into the combustion catalyst part from the opened first flow path, and a part of the combustion catalyst part (first flow path) is heated to be activated. Raise the temperature to a possible temperature.
[0017]
At this time, the heated gas that has flowed down from the inlet side toward the outlet side in the first flow path in the combustion catalyst section is restricted by the outlet partition wall and the outlet control valve on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst section. The second flow path in the catalyst portion is reversely flowed from the outlet side toward the inlet side. Further, since the flow path is restricted by the inlet partition wall and the inlet control valve on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst portion, the heated gas flows down from the inlet side toward the outlet side in the third flow passage in the combustion catalyst portion. It is discharged afterwards.
[0018]
As a result, the temperature of the combustion catalyst portion is raised overall and uniformly in a short time. When supplying a methanol mixture in which a combustion gas such as methanol gas is mixed with the heated gas, it flows through the same route. Since the flow path (passage length) of the methanol mixture becomes substantially longer than the length of the combustion catalyst portion and the amount of passing catalyst can be increased, unburned methanol can be reduced.
[0019]
  Further, in the first aspect of the invention, since the first flow path has a small circular shape by reducing the inner diameter of the inlet partition wall, the temperature of the combustion catalyst portion can be increased uniformly and uniformly in a short time. The heater can be reduced in size and power consumption.
[0020]
  In the invention according to claim 2, since the first flow path is the outer peripheral portion of the combustion catalyst portion and the third flow path is the central portion of the combustion catalyst portion, it is possible to keep the outer peripheral portion that has conventionally been a heat dissipation region warm. it can. As a result, since heat radiation from the central region of the combustion catalyst portion is reduced, the temperature of the combustion catalyst portion can be increased in a shorter time, and the temperature can be increased overall and uniformly.
[0021]
  Claim3In the described invention, each of the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall is composed of two plates, and the first flow path opens at the center of the combustion catalyst section, so that the heater can be reduced in size and power consumption. Thus, the temperature of the combustion catalyst portion can be increased uniformly and uniformly in a short time with a relatively simple configuration.
[0022]
  In the invention of claim 4, each of the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall is composed of two plates, and the first flow path opens to the outer periphery of the combustion catalyst unit. By being able to keep the heat, the heat radiation from the central part of the combustion catalyst part is reduced, and as a result, the temperature can be raised in a shorter time, and the temperature of the combustion catalyst part can be raised overall and uniformly with a relatively simple configuration. can do.
[0024]
  Claim5In the described invention, each of the inlet partition wall and the outlet partition wall is formed of a single plate material, and the mounting direction is different from each other, thereby the first channel is connected to the second channel and the port is opened to the outlet. And can be formed separately.
[0025]
Accordingly, a part of the heating gas is circulated through the second flow path, while the remaining portion of the heating gas is discharged to the outlet as it is, and installed on the downstream side of the combustion catalyst unit, such as an evaporator. Thus, the fuel reforming system can be started in a short time.
[0026]
  Although not particularly limited in the above invention, the claims7In the described catalytic combustor, the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are formed so that their cross-sectional areas are equal or gradually increase in this order. Features (see FIG. 4).
[0027]
  This claim7In the described invention, since the cross-sectional areas of the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are equal or gradually increased, the flow of each flow path when the gas flows in this order The resistance can be made equal or lower, and the circulation of heated air and methanol mixture can be performed quickly.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
  Claims 1 to6According to the described invention, the temperature of the combustion catalyst portion can be increased uniformly and uniformly in a short time when supplying a methanol mixture in which a combustion gas such as a heating gas or methanol gas is mixed. Moreover, since the flow path (passage length) of the methanol mixture becomes substantially longer than the length of the combustion catalyst portion and the amount of passing catalyst can be increased, unburned methanol can be reduced.
[0030]
  In addition to this, the claims7According to the described invention, the flow resistance of each flow path can be made equal or less, and the flow of heated air and methanol mixture can be performed quickly.
[0031]
  Claims1According to the described invention, in addition to being able to raise the temperature of the combustion catalyst part in a short time as a whole and uniformly, the heater can be reduced in size and power consumption.
[0032]
  Claim2According to the described invention, since heat radiation from the central region of the combustion catalyst portion is reduced, the temperature of the combustion catalyst portion can be increased in a shorter time, and the temperature can be increased overall and uniformly.
[0033]
  Claim3According to the described invention, the heater can be reduced in size and power consumption, and the temperature of the combustion catalyst portion can be raised overall and uniformly in a short time with a relatively simple configuration.
[0034]
  Claim4According to the described invention, since heat radiation from the central portion of the combustion catalyst portion is reduced, the temperature can be raised in a shorter time, and the combustion catalyst portion can be uniformly and uniformly formed with a relatively simple configuration. The temperature can be raised.
[0036]
  Claim5According to the described invention, since a part of the heating gas is circulated to the second flow path, the remaining part of the heating gas can be discharged as it is to the outlet, so that it is installed on the downstream side of the combustion catalyst part. For example, the fuel reforming system can be started in a short time by raising the temperature of an apparatus such as an evaporator.
[0037]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First embodiment
First, an outline of a fuel cell system to which the catalytic combustor of the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a fuel cell system to which the catalytic combustor of the present invention is applied.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 2 of this embodiment includes a fuel cell 4 that obtains an electromotive force by an electrochemical reaction, a compressor 6 that supplies compressed air (oxygen-containing gas), and a hydrogen-containing material that undergoes a reforming reaction. It has a reformer 8 that generates gas, a methanol tank 14 that stores methanol, a water tank 15 that stores water, and a catalytic combustor 20.
[0039]
The fuel cell 4 is provided with counter electrodes 44 and 46 sandwiching an electrolyte 42, compressed air from the compressor 6 is supplied to the anode 46 side via the pipe 10, and the pipe 12 is connected to the cathode 44 side. Then, the hydrogen-containing gas from the reformer 8 is supplied.
[0040]
The compressor 6 takes in outside air etc., and this is 2 kg / cm.2Although it compresses to a grade and supplies it to the fuel cell 4, the model is not specifically limited. The air supplied to the fuel cell 4 preferably has a temperature of 80 to 85 ° C. However, the air compressed by the compressor 6 has a temperature of about 170 ° C. In order to cool this to the above temperature range. It is preferable to provide an intercooler (not shown) in the pipe 10 between the compressor 6 and the fuel cell 4. Examples of the intercooler include a water cooling type and an air cooling type.
[0041]
The reformer 8 is, for example, a mixture of methanol (reforming raw material), water vapor, and air (oxygen-containing gas) to form a hydrogen-rich gas by a methanol steam reforming reaction and an oxidation reaction. So-called autothermal reformer that can eliminate or reduce the capacity of a separate heater by covering the amount of heat required for the steam reaction (endothermic reaction) with the amount of heat generated by the oxidation reaction (exothermic reaction). Is adopted. However, a steam reforming reformer that generates hydrogen-rich gas only by a steam reforming reaction may be used.
[0042]
Methanol as the reforming raw material is accommodated in the methanol tank 14 and is sent by the methanol pump 16 to the heat exchange unit 26 connected to the downstream side of the catalytic combustor 20 described later, where it is vaporized. Further, the water stored in the water tank 15 is sent to the heat exchanging unit 26 by the water pump 17, and is vaporized into the water vapor. The mixed fuel gas of methanol gas and water vapor is sent to the inlet 82 of the reformer 8, and air is supplied from the compressor 6 through the pipe 11. In addition, the symbol “84” in the figure is the outlet of the reformer 8.
[0043]
In the steam reforming reaction of methanol in the reformer 8, by receiving supply of methanol and steam, the decomposition reaction of methanol and the conversion reaction of carbon monoxide shown in the following formula proceed simultaneously to generate hydrogen and carbon dioxide. A reformed gas is produced.
[0044]
[Chemical 1]
Decomposition reaction: CH3OH → CO + 2H2-90.0 (kJ / mol)
Metamorphic reaction: CO + H2O → CO2+ H2+40.5 (kJ / mol)
Overall reaction: CH3OH + H2O → CO2+ 3H2-49.5 (kJ / mol)
On the other hand, in the oxidation reaction of methanol, the reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide is generated by the oxidation reaction shown in the following formula by receiving supply of methanol and air.
[0045]
[Chemical 2]
Oxidation reaction: CH3OH + 1 / 2O2→ 2H2+ CO2+189.5 (kJ / mol)
Note that if the hydrogen-containing gas supplied from the reformer 8 to the cathode 44 side of the fuel cell 4 contains carbon monoxide, the fuel cell 4 is poisoned, so the reformer 8 and the fuel cell 4 It is preferable to provide a carbon monoxide reduction device for reducing the content of carbon monoxide, not shown, in the pipe 12 between the two. This carbon monoxide reduction device converts unreacted carbon monoxide and water in the reformed gas obtained by the reformer 8 into the same shift reaction (CO + H2O → CO2+ H2) To selectively convert the carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas passing through this shifter (CO + 1). / 2O2→ CO2), Carbon dioxide selective oxidizer, and the like.
[0046]
Next, the configuration of the catalytic combustor of the present invention will be described.
First embodiment
2 and 3 are cross-sectional views showing the first embodiment of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of a figure (A). 2 shows the state of the start mode, and FIG. 3 shows the steady operation mode. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the relationship between the cross-sectional areas of the first to third flow paths of the combustion catalyst section.
[0047]
The catalytic combustor 20 is connected to a heating unit 22 configured by, for example, an electric heater for heating air introduced through the compressor 6 and the pipe 13 illustrated in FIG. 1, and a downstream side of the heating unit 22. A mixer 28 and a combustion catalyst unit 24 connected to the downstream side of the mixer 28 are included.
[0048]
In addition to the air from the compressor 6 described above, methanol from the methanol tank 14 shown in FIG. 1 is supplied to the heater 22 as combustion fuel through the pipe 35 and the methanol vaporizer 32.
[0049]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the oxidation exhaust gas and the hydrogen-containing exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 4 are introduced into the mixer 28 through the pipes 31 and 33 and then mixed in the mixer 28 and then combusted in the combustion catalyst unit 24. Is done.
[0050]
The combustion catalyst section 24 of the present embodiment is a so-called honeycomb type combustion catalyst device, and is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and cells between the inlet 241 and the outlet 242 are a large number of honeycomb-shaped flow paths. A catalyst is applied to the inner surface of the honeycomb-shaped flow path.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 2, an inlet partition wall 243 concentric with the main body of the combustion catalyst portion 24 is attached to the combustion catalyst portion 24 side of the combustion catalyst portion 24 of the present embodiment, and the combustion catalyst portion 24 is also provided on the outlet 242 side. An outlet partition wall 244 that is concentric with the main body and has an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the inlet partition wall 243 is attached. The inlet partition wall 243 and the outlet partition wall 244 are preferably made of thin plates that do not cause the flow resistance of the gas passing through the catalytic combustor 20.
[0052]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, an inlet control valve 245 for opening and closing the outer flow path defined by the inlet partition wall 243 and an outlet control valve 246 for opening and closing the inner flow path defined by the outlet partition wall 244 are provided. Is provided. These inlet control valve 245 and outlet control valve 246 are opened and closed by an actuator 247, respectively. 2 shows a state where the inlet control valve 245 and the outlet control valve 246 are closed, and FIG. 3 shows a state where both the control valves 245 and 246 are opened.
[0053]
Incidentally, the first to third flow paths S1 to S3 described above are formed such that their cross-sectional areas are equal or increase in this order, as shown in FIG.
[0054]
Next, the operation will be described.
When the reformer 8 shown in FIG. 1 is started, as shown in FIG. 2, both the inlet control valve 24 and the outlet control valve 246 are closed, the outside of the inlet partition 245 is closed, and the inside of the outlet partition 244 is closed. Occlude.
[0055]
When air heated by the heater 22 is introduced in this state, the air is introduced from the inside of the inlet partition wall 245 into the honeycomb-shaped cells in the combustion catalyst section 24 and flows downstream. This channel is referred to as a first channel S1.
[0056]
At the outlet 242 of the combustion catalyst unit 24, the inside of the outlet partition 244 is closed by the outlet control valve 246, so that the air that has flowed through the first flow path S <b> 1 flows between the inside of the outlet partition 244 and the first flow path. It flows backward from the downstream side to the upstream side of the combustion catalyst section 24 through the honeycomb-shaped cell defined by the cells outside S1. This channel is referred to as a second channel S2.
[0057]
Further, since the outside of the inlet partition wall 243 is closed at the inlet 241 of the combustion catalyst section 24 by the inlet control valve 245, the air that has flowed backward through the second flow path S2 is separated from the outside of the inlet partition wall 243 and the second flow. After passing from the upstream side to the downstream side through the honeycomb-like cell composed of the cells outside the path S2, the cell is discharged. This flow path is referred to as a third flow path S3.
[0058]
It should be noted that at least when the temperature of the first flow path S1 of the combustion catalyst section 24 is increased to a temperature at which the combustion catalyst unit 24 can be activated by such heated air, the methanol mixture is circulated through the same route, thereby burning the methanol mixture. The temperature of the entire combustion catalyst unit 24 is raised.
[0059]
Thus, in this embodiment, at the time of start-up, the air heated by the heater 22 is introduced only into the first flow path S1, and the temperature at which the cells of the first flow path S1 can be heated and activated Therefore, the amount of air to be circulated can be reduced, and the heater 22 can be reduced in size and power consumption. Further, since the heated air circulates in the combustion catalyst section 24 in the order of the first flow path S 1 → the second flow path S 2 → the third flow path S 3, it is heated when the temperature of the combustion catalyst section 24 is raised. The amount of heat of air can be used effectively.
[0060]
Further, when the methanol mixture is subsequently circulated, at least the cell of the first flow path S1 has been heated to a temperature at which it can be activated, so that methanol burns, and the heat generated thereby causes the downstream. The cell and surrounding cells can be rapidly heated. Moreover, the methanol mixture also circulates in the combustion catalyst section 24 in the order of the first flow path S1 → the second flow path S2 → the third flow path S3. Unburned methanol can also be burned in the second flow path S2 or the third flow path S3, and the discharge amount of unburned methanol can be reduced.
[0061]
Further, when the gas flows down from the first flow path S1 to the third flow path S3, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional areas of the flow paths S1 to S3 are in the relationship shown in FIG. The flow resistance along the flow path does not increase, and the flow is smooth.
[0062]
When the start state is thus completed, both the inlet control valve 24 and the outlet control valve 246 are opened as shown in FIG. 3, and the outside of the inlet partition 245 is opened and the inside of the outlet partition 244 is also opened. Thereby, the methanol mixed gas heated by the heater 22 is introduced into all the honeycomb cells of the first to third flow paths S1 to S3 and flows to the outlet as it is.
[0063]
Thus, since the inlet partition 243 and the outlet partition 244 are parallel to the gas flow, and the inlet control valve 245 and the outlet control valve 246 are plate-shaped, the start of the reformer 8 is completed and the steady operation is performed. Even after shifting to the above, by opening the inlet control valve 245 and the outlet control valve 246 so as to be parallel to the gas flow, the entire surface of the inlet 241 is opened in the combustion catalyst section 24, and the anode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 4 is opened. And cathode exhaust gas can be burned effectively.
[0064]
Second embodiment
5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing a second embodiment of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of a figure (A). 5 shows the state of the start mode, and FIG. 6 shows the steady operation mode.
[0065]
In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, an inlet partition wall 243 concentric with the combustion catalyst portion 24 body is attached to the combustion catalyst portion 24 on the inlet 241 side, and combustion is similarly performed on the outlet 242 side. An outlet partition wall 244 that is concentric with the catalyst portion 24 body is attached, but the inner diameter of the outlet partition wall 244 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet partition wall 243. Further, an inlet control valve 245 for opening and closing the inner flow path defined by the inlet partition wall 243 and an outlet control valve 246 for opening and closing the outer flow path defined by the outlet partition wall 244 are provided. .
[0066]
Also in this embodiment, when the reformer 8 is started, both the inlet control valve 24 and the outlet control valve 246 are closed as shown in FIG. 5 to close the inside of the inlet partition 245 and the outlet partition 244. Block the outside.
[0067]
When air heated by the heater 22 is introduced in this state, the air is introduced from the outside of the inlet partition wall 245 into the honeycomb cell in the combustion catalyst unit 24 and flows downstream. This flow path becomes the first flow path S1.
[0068]
At the outlet 242 of the combustion catalyst section 24, the outside of the outlet partition wall 244 is closed by the outlet control valve 246, so that the air flowing through the first flow path S1 is outside the outlet partition wall 244 and the first flow path. It flows backward from the downstream side to the upstream side of the combustion catalyst portion 24 through the honeycomb-like cell defined by the cell inside S1. This flow path becomes the second flow path S2.
[0069]
Furthermore, since the inside of the inlet partition wall 243 is closed at the inlet 241 of the combustion catalyst unit 24 by the inlet control valve 245, the air that has flowed backward through the second flow path S2 is separated from the inside of the inlet partition wall 243 and the second flow. After passing from the upstream to the downstream through the honeycomb-shaped cell composed of the cells inside the path S2, it is discharged. This flow path becomes the third flow path S3.
[0070]
In the present embodiment as well, when such heated air raises the temperature to at least the temperature at which the first flow path S1 of the combustion catalyst unit 24 can be activated, the methanol mixture is circulated through the same route, The methanol mixture is combusted to raise the temperature of the entire combustion catalyst unit 24.
[0071]
In particular, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, the inside of the inlet partition wall 243 is closed and the outside of the outlet partition wall 244 is closed so that the first flow path S1 becomes the combustion catalyst portion. 24, the temperature of the combustion catalyst 24 is increased from the outer peripheral portion. As a result, the heat release from the central portion is reduced, and the temperature is increased uniformly and uniformly in a shorter time. be able to.
[0072]
Third embodiment
7 and 8 are cross-sectional views showing a third embodiment of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 7A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of a figure (A). FIG. 7 shows the state of the start mode, and FIG. 8 shows the steady operation mode.
[0073]
In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, the inlet partition wall 243 is attached to the combustion catalyst section 24 on the inlet 241 side, and the outlet partition wall 244 is attached to the outlet 242 side. , 244 are each composed of two plates, and the installation width of the outlet partition wall 244 is made larger than the installation width of the entrance partition wall 243. In addition, the extending direction of the plate material of the inlet partition wall 243 and the extending direction of the plate material of the outlet partition wall 244 are the same direction.
[0074]
In addition, an inlet control valve 245 for opening and closing the outer flow path defined by the inlet partition wall 243 and an outlet control valve 246 for opening and closing the inner flow path defined by the outlet partition wall 244 are provided. .
[0075]
Also in this embodiment, when the reformer 8 is started, both the inlet control valve 24 and the outlet control valve 246 are closed to close the outside of the inlet partition 245 as shown in FIG. Block the inside.
[0076]
When air heated by the heater 22 is introduced in this state, the air is introduced from the inside of the inlet partition wall 245 into the honeycomb-shaped cells in the combustion catalyst section 24 and flows downstream. This flow path becomes the first flow path S1.
[0077]
At the outlet 242 of the combustion catalyst unit 24, the inside of the outlet partition 244 is closed by the outlet control valve 246, so that the air that has flowed through the first flow path S <b> 1 flows between the inside of the outlet partition 244 and the first flow path. It flows backward from the downstream side to the upstream side of the combustion catalyst section 24 through the honeycomb-shaped cell defined by the cells outside S1. This flow path becomes the second flow path S2.
[0078]
Further, since the outside of the inlet partition wall 243 is closed at the inlet 241 of the combustion catalyst section 24 by the inlet control valve 245, the air that has flowed backward through the second flow path S2 is separated from the outside of the inlet partition wall 243 and the second flow. After passing from the upstream side to the downstream side through the honeycomb-like cell composed of the cells outside the path S2, the cell is discharged. This flow path becomes the third flow path S3.
[0079]
It should be noted that at least when the temperature of the first flow path S1 of the combustion catalyst section 24 is increased to a temperature at which the combustion catalyst unit 24 can be activated by such heated air, the methanol mixture is circulated through the same route, thereby burning the methanol mixture. The temperature of the entire combustion catalyst unit 24 is raised.
[0080]
In particular, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment described above, the first to third flow paths are provided in the same direction and the installation width is set wider than the inlet partition 243 so that the outlet partition 244 is wider. Since S1 to S3 are formed, the temperature of the central portion of the combustion catalyst portion 24 can be raised with a simple configuration, and the temperature of the combustion catalyst portion 24 can be raised overall and uniformly in a short time.
[0081]
Fourth embodiment
9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing a fourth embodiment of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 9A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of a figure (A). FIG. 9 shows the state of the start mode, and FIG. 10 shows the steady operation mode.
[0082]
In the present embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment described above, the inlet partition wall 243 made of two plates is attached to the inlet 241 side of the combustion catalyst section 24, and the two plates are similarly mounted on the outlet 242 side. The outlet partition wall 244 is attached, but the installation width of the exit partition wall 244 is made smaller than the installation width of the entrance partition wall 243. Further, an inlet control valve 245 for opening and closing the inner flow path defined by the inlet partition wall 243 and an outlet control valve 246 for opening and closing the outer flow path defined by the outlet partition wall 244 are provided. .
[0083]
Also in this embodiment, when the reformer 8 is started, both the inlet control valve 24 and the outlet control valve 246 are closed as shown in FIG. 9 to close the inside of the inlet partition 245 and the outlet partition 244. Block the outside.
[0084]
When air heated by the heater 22 is introduced in this state, the air is introduced from the outside of the inlet partition wall 245 into the honeycomb cell in the combustion catalyst unit 24 and flows downstream. This flow path becomes the first flow path S1.
[0085]
At the outlet 242 of the combustion catalyst section 24, the outside of the outlet partition wall 244 is closed by the outlet control valve 246, so that the air flowing through the first flow path S1 is outside the outlet partition wall 244 and the first flow path. It flows backward from the downstream side to the upstream side of the combustion catalyst portion 24 through the honeycomb-like cell defined by the cell inside S1. This flow path becomes the second flow path S2.
[0086]
Further, since the inside of the inlet partition wall 243 is closed at the inlet 241 of the combustion catalyst unit 24 by the inlet control valve 245, the air that has flowed backward through the second flow path S2 is connected to the inside of the inlet partition wall 243 and the second flow. After passing from the upstream to the downstream through the honeycomb-shaped cell composed of the cells inside the path S2, it is discharged. This flow path becomes the third flow path S3.
[0087]
In the present embodiment as well, when such heated air raises the temperature to at least the temperature at which the first flow path S1 of the combustion catalyst unit 24 can be activated, the methanol mixture is circulated through the same route, The methanol mixture is combusted to raise the temperature of the entire combustion catalyst unit 24.
[0088]
In particular, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the third embodiment described above, the inside of the inlet partition wall 243 is closed and the outside of the outlet partition wall 244 is closed so that the first flow path S1 becomes the combustion catalyst portion. 24, the temperature of the combustion catalyst 24 is increased from the outer peripheral portion. As a result, the heat release from the central portion is reduced, and the temperature is increased uniformly and uniformly in a shorter time. be able to.
[0089]
Fifth embodiment
11 and 12 are cross-sectional views showing a fifth embodiment of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 11A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of a figure (A). 11 shows the state of the start mode, and FIG. 12 shows the steady operation mode.
[0090]
In the present embodiment, as in the first to fourth embodiments described above, the inlet partition wall 243 is attached to the combustion catalyst portion 24 on the inlet 241 side, and the outlet partition wall 244 is attached to the outlet 242 side. Both the partition walls 243 and 244 are each composed of a single plate material, and are attached to offset positions symmetrical to each other from the center of the combustion catalyst portion 24. In addition, the extending direction of the plate material of the inlet partition wall 243 and the extending direction of the plate material of the outlet partition wall 244 are the same direction.
[0091]
In addition, an inlet control valve 245 for opening and closing a channel having a larger cross-sectional area among the channels defined by the inlet partition wall 243, and a channel having a larger cross-sectional area among the channels defined by the outlet partition wall 244. And an outlet control valve 246 for opening and closing the flow path.
[0092]
Also in this embodiment, when the reformer 8 is started, both the inlet control valve 24 and the outlet control valve 246 are closed as shown in FIG. In A), the lower side) is closed, and the flow passage having the large cross-sectional area of the outlet partition wall 244 (upper side in FIG. 11A) is closed.
[0093]
When air heated by the heater 22 is introduced in this state, the air is introduced into the honeycomb-shaped cells in the combustion catalyst section 24 from the lower side of the inlet partition wall 245 in FIG. 11A and flows downstream. This flow path becomes the first flow path S1.
[0094]
At the outlet 242 of the combustion catalyst section 24, the lower side of the outlet partition 244 is closed by the outlet control valve 246, so that the air flowing through the first flow path S <b> 1 flows between the lower side of the outlet partition 244 and the first flow. It flows backward from the downstream side to the upstream side of the combustion catalyst section 24 through the honeycomb cell defined by the upper cell of the path S1. This flow path becomes the second flow path S2.
[0095]
Further, since the upper side of the inlet partition wall 243 is closed at the inlet 241 of the combustion catalyst unit 24 by the inlet control valve 245, the air that has flowed backward through the second flow path S2 is connected to the upper side of the inlet partition wall 243 and the second flow. After passing from the upstream to the downstream of the honeycomb-like cell composed of the upper cell of the path S2, the cell is discharged. This flow path becomes the third flow path S3. Here, “up and down” means the direction in FIG.
[0096]
Also in the present embodiment, at least when the temperature of the first flow path S1 of the combustion catalyst unit 24 is raised to a temperature at which the combustion catalyst unit 24 can be activated by such heated air, the methanol mixture is circulated through the same route, thereby mixing the methanol. The air is combusted to raise the temperature of the entire combustion catalyst unit 24.
[0097]
In particular, in the present embodiment, in addition to the operational effects of the first to fourth embodiments described above, the inlet partition wall 243 and the outlet partition wall 244 are provided in positions that are provided in the same direction and are symmetrically offset from each other. The inlet control valve 245 and the outlet control valve 246 can be formed in the same shape, and the number of parts can be reduced.
[0098]
Sixth embodiment
13 and 14 are sectional views showing a sixth embodiment of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 13B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 13A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line of a figure (A). FIG. 13 shows the state of the start mode, and FIG. 14 shows the steady operation mode. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the combustion catalyst portion for explaining the gas flow.
[0099]
In the present embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment described above, an inlet partition wall 243 made of one plate material is attached to the inlet 241 side of the combustion catalyst section 24, and an outlet made of one plate material is attached to the outlet 242 side. Although the partition wall 244 is attached, both the partition walls 243 and 244 are both attached to the center position of the combustion catalyst portion 24, and the extending direction of the plate material of the inlet partition wall 243 and the extending direction of the plate material of the outlet partition wall 244 are substantially orthogonal. It is considered to be a direction.
[0100]
Also, an inlet control valve 245 for opening and closing one of the channels defined by the inlet partition wall 243 and a channel for opening and closing one of the channels defined by the outlet partition wall 244 An outlet control valve 246 is provided.
[0101]
Also in this embodiment, when the reformer 8 is started, both the inlet control valve 24 and the outlet control valve 246 are closed as shown in FIG. 13, and one flow path of the inlet partition wall 245 (the rear side in FIG. 15). ) And one flow path (upper side in FIG. 15) of the outlet partition wall 244 is closed.
[0102]
When air heated by the heater 22 is introduced in this state, the air is introduced into the honeycomb cells in the combustion catalyst section 24 from the upper and lower sides of the inlet partition wall 245 in FIG. 15, and flows downstream. This flow path becomes the first flow path S1.
[0103]
At the outlet 242 of the combustion catalyst section 24, the upper side of the outlet partition wall 244 is closed by the outlet control valve 246, so that the air flows through the first first flow path S11 out of the air flowing through the first flow path S1. The air that has flowed back flows from the downstream side to the upstream side of the combustion catalyst section 24 through the honeycomb-like cells defined by the upper side of the outlet partition wall 244 and the inner side of the first flow path S1. This flow path becomes the second flow path S2. On the other hand, of the air that has flowed through the first flow path S1, the air that has flowed through the lower first flow path S12 is exhausted as it is.
[0104]
Further, at the inlet 241 of the combustion catalyst section 24, the back side of the inlet partition wall 243 is closed by the inlet control valve 245, so that the air that has flowed backward through the second flow path S <b> 2 and the back side of the inlet partition wall 243 After passing through the honeycomb cell composed of the lower cell of the flow path S2 from upstream to downstream, it is discharged. This flow path becomes the third flow path S3. Note that “up and down” and “back and front” here mean directions in FIG.
[0105]
Also in the present embodiment, at least when the temperature of the first flow path S1 of the combustion catalyst unit 24 is raised to a temperature at which the combustion catalyst unit 24 can be activated by such heated air, the methanol mixture is circulated through the same route, thereby mixing the methanol. The air is combusted to raise the temperature of the entire combustion catalyst unit 24.
[0106]
In particular, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first to fourth embodiments described above, the high-temperature gas flowing down the flow path S12 of the first flow path S1 is discharged as it is, so that the catalytic combustor The evaporator 26 (see FIG. 1) connected to the downstream side of the temperature can also be raised in a short time, and the start-up time of the reformer can be further shortened.
[0107]
The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a fuel cell system to which a catalytic combustor of the present invention is applied.
2A is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment (starting mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2A, and FIG. These are sectional drawings which follow the CC line of Drawing 2 (A).
3A is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment (steady operation mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the relationship between the cross-sectional areas of the first to third flow paths of the combustion catalyst unit of the present invention.
5A is a sectional view showing a second embodiment (starting mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5A, and FIG. These are sectional drawings which follow the CC line of Drawing 5 (A).
6A is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment (steady operation mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
7A is a sectional view showing a third embodiment (starting mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 7A, and FIG. These are sectional drawings which follow the CC line of Drawing 7 (A).
8A is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment (steady operation mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
9A is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment (starting mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 9A, and FIG. These are sectional drawings which follow the CC line of Drawing 9 (A).
10A is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment (steady operation mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
11A is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment (starting mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 11A, and FIG. These are sectional drawings which follow the CC line of Drawing 11 (A).
12A is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment (steady operation mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
13A is a sectional view showing a sixth embodiment (starting mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 13B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 13A, and FIG. These are sectional drawings which follow the CC line of Drawing 13 (A).
14A is a cross-sectional view showing a sixth embodiment (steady operation mode) of the catalytic combustor of the present invention, FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a combustion catalyst portion for explaining a gas flow according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 ... Catalyst combustor
22 ... heating unit
24 ... Combustion catalyst section
241 ... Entrance
242 ... Exit
243 ... Entrance bulkhead
244 ... Exit bulkhead
245 ... Inlet control valve
246 ... Outlet control valve
S1 ... 1st flow path
S2 ... second flow path
S3 ... Third flow path

Claims (7)

入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、
前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、
前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、
前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、前記入口隔壁の内径よりも前記出口隔壁の内径が大きい円筒状に形成され、
前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は前記入口隔壁の外側を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁は前記出口隔壁の内側を閉塞することを特徴とする触媒燃焼器。In a catalytic combustor comprising a combustion catalyst part having an inlet and an outlet and the internal flow path being a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths, and a heating part provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst part,
An inlet partition that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section;
An outlet partition wall defining an outlet-side flow path of the combustion catalyst section;
At least three flow paths formed inside the combustion catalyst portion by the inlet partition and the outlet partition;
An inlet control valve that is provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section and opens and closes a part of the inlet-side flow path;
An outlet control valve that is provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst unit and opens and closes a part of the outlet side flow path,
The inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path, and the outlet control valve has a start mode for closing the first flow path and the second flow path,
Each of the inlet partition and the outlet partition is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter of the outlet partition larger than an inner diameter of the inlet partition.
In the starting mode, the inlet control valve closes the outside of the inlet partition wall, and the outlet control valve closes the inside of the outlet partition wall. 入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、
前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、
前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、
前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、前記入口隔壁の内径よりも前記出口隔壁の内径が小さい円筒状に形成され、
前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は前記入口隔壁の内側を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁は前記出口隔壁の外側を閉塞することを特徴とする触媒燃焼器。In a catalytic combustor comprising a combustion catalyst part having an inlet and an outlet and the internal flow path being a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths, and a heating part provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst part,
An inlet partition that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section;
An outlet partition wall defining an outlet-side flow path of the combustion catalyst section;
At least three flow paths formed inside the combustion catalyst portion by the inlet partition and the outlet partition;
An inlet control valve that is provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section and opens and closes a part of the inlet-side flow path;
An outlet control valve that is provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst unit and opens and closes a part of the outlet side flow path,
The inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path, and the outlet control valve has a start mode for closing the first flow path and the second flow path,
Each of the inlet partition and the outlet partition is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter of the outlet partition smaller than an inner diameter of the inlet partition,
In the start mode, the inlet control valve closes the inside of the inlet partition, and the outlet control valve closes the outside of the outlet partition. 入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、
前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、
前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、
前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、前記入口隔壁の設置間隔よりも前記出口隔壁の設置間隔が広い２枚の板状に形成され、
前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は前記入口隔壁の外側を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁は前記出口隔壁の内側を閉塞することを特徴とする触媒燃焼器。In a catalytic combustor comprising a combustion catalyst part having an inlet and an outlet and the internal flow path being a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths, and a heating part provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst part,
An inlet partition that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section;
An outlet partition wall defining an outlet-side flow path of the combustion catalyst section;
At least three flow paths formed inside the combustion catalyst portion by the inlet partition and the outlet partition;
An inlet control valve that is provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section and opens and closes a part of the inlet-side flow path;
An outlet control valve that is provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst unit and opens and closes a part of the outlet side flow path,
The inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path, and the outlet control valve has a start mode for closing the first flow path and the second flow path,
Each of the inlet bulkhead and the outlet bulkhead is formed in two plate shapes in which the spacing between the outlet bulkheads is wider than the spacing between the inlet bulkheads,
In the starting mode, the inlet control valve closes the outside of the inlet partition wall, and the outlet control valve closes the inside of the outlet partition wall. 入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、
前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、
前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、
前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、前記入口隔壁の設置間隔よりも前記出口隔壁の設置間隔が狭い２枚の板状に形成され、
前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は前記入口隔壁の内側を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁は前記出口隔壁の外側を閉塞することを特徴とする触媒燃焼器。In a catalytic combustor comprising a combustion catalyst part having an inlet and an outlet and the internal flow path being a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths, and a heating part provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst part,
An inlet partition that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section;
An outlet partition wall defining an outlet-side flow path of the combustion catalyst section;
At least three flow paths formed inside the combustion catalyst portion by the inlet partition and the outlet partition;
An inlet control valve that is provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section and opens and closes a part of the inlet-side flow path;
An outlet control valve that is provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst unit and opens and closes a part of the outlet side flow path,
The inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path, and the outlet control valve has a start mode for closing the first flow path and the second flow path,
Each of the inlet bulkhead and the outlet bulkhead is formed in two plates having a narrower spacing between the outlet bulkheads than the spacing between the inlet bulkheads,
In the start mode, the inlet control valve closes the inside of the inlet partition, and the outlet control valve closes the outside of the outlet partition. 入口と出口とを有し内部流路が複数のハニカム状流路とされた燃焼触媒部と、前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられた加熱部とを備えた触媒燃焼器において、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路を画する入口隔壁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路を画する出口隔壁と、
前記入口隔壁および出口隔壁により前記燃焼触媒部の内部に形成された少なくとも３つの流路と、
前記燃焼触媒部の入口側に設けられ前記入口側流路の一部を開閉する入口制御弁と、
前記燃焼触媒部の出口側に設けられ前記出口側流路の一部を開閉する出口制御弁と、を備え、
前記入口制御弁が第２の流路および第３の流路を閉塞するとともに、前記出口制御弁が第１の流路及び第２の流路を閉塞する始動モードを有し、
前記入口隔壁および前記出口隔壁のそれぞれは、互いに異なる方向に延在する１枚の板状に形成され、前記入口隔壁と前記出口隔壁とは交差しており、
前記始動モードにおいて、前記入口制御弁は、前記入口隔壁により画された前記燃焼触媒部の入口側の流路のうちの片側の流路を閉塞し、前記出口制御弁は、前記出口隔壁により画された前記燃焼触媒部の出口側の流路のうちの片側の流路を閉塞することを特徴とする触媒燃焼器。In a catalytic combustor comprising a combustion catalyst part having an inlet and an outlet and the internal flow path being a plurality of honeycomb-shaped flow paths, and a heating part provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst part,
An inlet partition that defines a flow path on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section;
An outlet partition wall defining an outlet-side flow path of the combustion catalyst section;
At least three flow paths formed inside the combustion catalyst portion by the inlet partition and the outlet partition;
An inlet control valve that is provided on the inlet side of the combustion catalyst section and opens and closes a part of the inlet-side flow path;
An outlet control valve that is provided on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst unit and opens and closes a part of the outlet side flow path,
The inlet control valve closes the second flow path and the third flow path, and the outlet control valve has a start mode for closing the first flow path and the second flow path,
Each of the entrance partition and the exit partition is formed in a single plate extending in different directions, and the entrance partition and the exit partition intersect each other,
In the start-up mode, the inlet control valve closes one of the inlet-side channels of the combustion catalyst section defined by the inlet partition, and the outlet control valve is defined by the outlet partition. A catalytic combustor, wherein one of the flow paths on the outlet side of the combustion catalyst section is closed. 前記入口制御弁および出口制御弁が、第１の流路、第２の流路および第３の流路を開放する定常運転モードを有することを特徴とする請求項１〜５の何れかに記載の触媒燃焼器。The inlet control valve and the outlet control valve, the first flow path, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has a steady operation mode to open the second flow path and the third flow path Catalytic combustor. 前記第１の流路、前記第２の流路および前記第３の流路は、その断面積が等しいか又はこの順に徐々に大きくなるように形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１〜６の何れかに記載の触媒燃焼器。The first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are formed so that their cross-sectional areas are equal or gradually increase in this order. 6. The catalytic combustor according to any one of 6 above.
JP20352999A 1999-07-16 1999-07-16 Catalytic combustor Expired - Fee Related JP3663983B2 (en)

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US7578669B2 (en) * 2006-12-14 2009-08-25 Texaco Inc. Hybrid combustor for fuel processing applications
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