JP3918915B2 - Fuel heating device and fuel processing device using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel heating device that heats fuel, a fuel processing device that uses this to reform a fuel into a hydrogen-containing gas, and a startup method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, research and development of fuel cell vehicles have been actively conducted, and in particular, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) having a relatively low operating temperature (around 100 ° C.) is prominent as a fuel cell. As fuel, methanol is considered promising as it is easy to replenish and requires little infrastructure. In this case, a reformer that reforms methanol into hydrogen is essential.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As a reformer for reforming methanol, for example, a “methanol reformer” (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-50302) is disclosed. In this reformer, the inside of a hollow cylindrical reaction tube is filled with a reforming catalyst, heated by combustion exhaust gas from the outside, and reforms the raw material gas flowing inside.
[0004]
However, the “methanol reformer” disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-50302 is (1) large and heavy, (2) takes time to start, and (3) response to load changes when mounted on an automobile. (4) The CO concentration in the generated hydrogen-containing gas is high, and the electrodes of the fuel cell are deteriorated.
[0005]
Further, as means for reducing the production of CO gas while maintaining a high methanol conversion rate, for example, “a method for producing a hydrogen-containing gas” (JP-A-6-256001, JP-A-6-279001) is disclosed. . In this method, methanol, oxygen, and water are brought into contact with a heated catalyst to be reacted, and partial oxidation in which a part of fuel is burned is used.
[0006]
However, the “method for producing a hydrogen-containing gas” disclosed in JP-A-6-256001 and JP-A-6-279001 requires (5) preheating of the catalyst and (6) a conventional phosphoric acid fuel cell with a CO concentration of However, there is still a problem in that the CO concentration is still high when applied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) suitable for in-vehicle use.
[0007]
Furthermore, a “fuel reformer” (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-157201) capable of generating a hydrogen-containing gas having a very low CO concentration is disclosed. This apparatus includes a reformer, a selective oxidation unit, a partial oxidation unit, and a control unit. The selective oxidation unit oxidizes only carbon monoxide, and the partial oxidation unit oxidizes the remaining carbon monoxide, thereby producing CO. It produces a hydrogen-containing gas with a very low concentration (several ppm), making it applicable to PEFC.
[0008]
However, the "fuel reformer" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-157201 requires an indirect heating similar to that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-50302. There was a low problem.
[0009]
That is, the conventional reformer is difficult to downsize, has low load response, takes time to preheat and start up the reactor, and is insufficient for a fuel cell for vehicle mounting.
[0010]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the applicants of the present invention have previously created and filed an application for “reformer for fuel cell and its starting method” (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-226106). As shown in FIG. 6, the present invention includes a partial oxidation reformer 2 filled with a combustion / reforming catalyst 1 that partially oxidizes a raw material gas containing water vapor and reforms the raw material gas into a hydrogen-containing gas by its heat generation. The upstream air line 4 and the downstream air line 6 for supplying air to the upstream and downstream sides of the partial oxidation reformer, and the temperature in the partial oxidation reformer to detect the upstream air line 4 and downstream And a flow rate controller 8 for controlling the air flow rate of the side air line 6, and controls the air flow rate of the upstream side air line so that the upstream side temperature in the reformer does not exceed the heat resistance temperature of the catalyst, and reforming. The air flow rate in the downstream air line is controlled so that the downstream temperature in the chamber falls within a predetermined temperature range.
[0011]
According to the present invention, since air is supplied from the air lines 4 and 6 to the partial oxidation reformer 2 filled with the combustion / reforming catalyst 1, a part of the raw material gas containing water vapor is immediately partially oxidized by the action of the catalyst. Because the heat generation directly heats the combustion / reforming catalyst, there is no need for a large heat exchanger like the indirect heating type, so it can be heated in a short time and can easily follow the rapid load change of the fuel cell. became.
[0012]
However, even in the case of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-226106, when a liquid fuel (for example, methanol) is used as a fuel, a heat exchanger / evaporator is used for heating the fuel to heat / evaporate. It took time. In addition, since the partial oxidation reformer is heated by partial oxidation, the supply temperature of the raw material gas needs to be lower than the reaction temperature, and the reforming reaction does not proceed sufficiently near the inlet, so that the catalyst can be fully utilized. It wasn't.
[0013]
In order to solve these problems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 7-215702 and 2001-153313 have been proposed.
[0014]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-215702 “Fuel reformer” includes a step of completely burning fuel from a fuel injection nozzle and a step of partial oxidation reaction of fuel from a fuel vaporizing coil. The burner burns completely at the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and this heat heats the catalyst bed and the reaction gas. In the catalyst bed, CO is generated by partial oxidation, and this CO and water vapor generated by the complete combustion generate hydrogen. A shift reaction is performed.
[0015]
However, in this apparatus, since the front stage part is completely burned, the air-fuel ratio is set very large (14.5 or more), so a large amount of oxygen remains in the downstream part and is completely consumed by partial oxidation. There is a need. As a result, a large amount of CO is generated, and it is difficult to reduce the CO concentration to a level applicable to a conventional phosphoric acid fuel cell (about 1%). Moreover, since only this CO and the water vapor | steam produced | generated by combustion are made to react, there existed problems, such as control of a reforming reaction being difficult.
[0016]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-153313 discloses a “partial oxidation burner” in which a ceramic member is provided on the inner wall of a combustion space wall, and a heat exchanger provided with a mechanism for vaporizing liquid fuel is disposed on the downstream side of the combustion space. The fuel gas vaporized by the exchanger is burned in the combustion space.
[0017]
Although this apparatus can stabilize the flame even at a low air ratio, stable combustion is difficult until the ceramic member and the heat exchanger are sufficiently heated, and as a result, startup time is required. Further, since a heat exchanger is used to reduce the exhaust gas temperature, there is a problem that the device structure becomes complicated and large, and the temperature control is difficult.
[0018]
The present invention has been made to solve the various problems described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel heating device that can be started in a short time and can be easily downsized even when liquid fuel is used as the fuel, a fuel processing device using the same, and a starting method thereof. is there.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a rich combustion burner that has a combustion chamber that burns fuel at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more and generates a high-temperature gas in a reduced state that does not contain oxygen after combustion in the combustion chamber, and the rich combustion An evaporative heating device that evaporates the mixed raw material of fuel and water by direct heating with the heat of the high-temperature gas and heats it to a desired temperature in a space into which the high-temperature gas generated by the burner flows, and the combustion chamber is a combustion chamber Having a jacket surrounding the liner constituting the chamber, and the mixed raw material is sprayed in the jacket and oozes into the combustion chamber from the pores provided in the liner, thereby oozing and cooling the combustion chamber. A fuel heating device is provided.
[0020]
According to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the fuel is burned at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more by the rich combustion burner to generate a high-temperature gas that does not contain oxygen after combustion, so even when liquid fuel is used as the fuel It can be ignited in a short time, and a high temperature gas of, for example, 1000 ° C. or more can be generated in a short time (about several seconds). In addition, the evaporative heating device evaporates the fuel and water mixed material directly by the heat of the high-temperature gas and heats it to the desired temperature in the space where the high-temperature gas generated by the rich combustion burner flows. Can be easily done. Furthermore, since the reforming catalyst located on the downstream side can be directly heated by the heat, a large heat exchanger is not required as in the indirect heating type, and the size can be easily reduced. Further, since ignition, combustion, and heating can be performed in a short time, the fuel cell can be started up in a short time. Also, it oozes into the combustion chamber from the pores provided in the liner, thereby leaching and cooling the combustion chamber, so that the heat capacity of the combustion chamber can be reduced, the start-up time can be shortened, and the jacket Can be prevented from overheating.
[0021]
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the overburning burner comprises a combustion chamber for burning fuel at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more, a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, and an igniter for igniting fuel. The evaporative heating apparatus includes an evaporative heating chamber connected to the downstream side of the combustion chamber, and a raw material sprayer that sprays the mixed raw material into the combustion chamber or the evaporative heating chamber.
[0022]
With this configuration, it is possible to generate high-temperature gas of, for example, 1000 ° C. or more in a short time by simply injecting fuel into the combustion chamber with the fuel injector and igniting the fuel with the igniter. In addition, by simply spraying the mixed raw material into the combustion chamber or the evaporation heating chamber with the raw material sprayer, the mixed raw material of fuel and water can be evaporated and heated, and the temperature can be easily controlled by the flow rate.
[0024]
The evaporative heating chamber has a venturi mixer section that promotes mixing of the mixed raw material and the combustion gas on the downstream side of the combustion chamber. With this configuration, it is possible to effectively mix the mixed raw material of fuel and water and the high temperature gas with a simple structure.
[0025]
In addition, according to the present invention, a rich combustion burner that burns fuel at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more and generates a high-temperature gas that is in a reduced state that does not contain oxygen after combustion, and a high-temperature gas generated by the rich combustion burner. A fuel heating device having an evaporation heating device that evaporates the mixed raw material of fuel and water by direct heating with the heat of the high-temperature gas and heats it to a desired temperature in the space into which the gas flows, and on the downstream side of the fuel heating device A reformer that is provided and filled with a reforming catalyst and reforms the mixed raw material into a hydrogen-containing gas; a heat exchanger that indirectly heats the reforming catalyst downstream in the reformer; and the overrich combustion A high-temperature gas line for supplying a part of the high-temperature gas generated in the burner to the heat exchanger , indirectly heating the reforming catalyst on the downstream side with the high-temperature gas, and the inlet gas temperature of the reformer is In order to avoid exceeding the heat-resistant temperature, Controlling the degree, the fuel processing apparatus is provided, characterized in that.
[0026]
With this configuration, the mixed raw material is evaporated and heated in a short time with the fuel heating device, and supplied to the reformer at a temperature that does not exceed the heat resistance temperature of the catalyst (for example, 350 ° C. or less), so that the reforming reaction is sufficient even near the inlet. The catalyst can be fully utilized. In addition, since the downstream reforming catalyst is indirectly heated with a high-temperature gas, temperature reduction due to the reforming reaction (endothermic reaction) of the downstream reforming catalyst can be suppressed, and the reforming rate in the reformer can be increased. .
[0027]
In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a return line that returns the high-temperature gas that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger to the fuel heating device.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and used for the common part in each figure.
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel heating apparatus according to the present invention and a fuel processing apparatus using the same. As shown in this figure, this fuel processing device comprises a fuel heating device 10, a reformer 16, and a CO remover 18, and supplies hydrogen-containing gas to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 20 (PEFC) for power generation. It is supposed to be.
[0034]
The fuel heating device 10 generates a high-temperature gas that does not contain oxygen, evaporates the mixed raw material of fuel and water with the generated high-temperature gas, and heats it to a desired temperature. The reformer 16 reforms the generated raw material gas into a reformed gas containing hydrogen (hydrogen-containing gas), supplies this gas to the CO selective removal device, reduces the CO concentration, and supplies it to the fuel cell. A fuel cell (PEFC) generates electricity electrochemically with supplied reformed gas and air. The anode exhaust gas of the fuel cell containing the combustible gas is preferably returned to the fuel heating device 10 at the time of start-up and combusted combustible components are combusted in a separate combustor in order to suppress the generation of N2 and CO2 at the steady state. This combustion heat can be used for indirect heating of the fuel and the reformer. Electricity can be supplied to an electric motor or the like by the above-described system.
[0035]
In FIG. 1, the fuel heating device 10 of the present invention includes a rich combustion burner 12 and an evaporation heating device 14. Rich combustion burner 12 is a combustor for generating hot gas fuel is burned at fuel-air ratio of 1 or more the reduced state without oxygen after combustion (Puribana). The evaporative heating device 14 is a device for evaporating the mixed raw material of fuel and water by direct heating with the heat of the high-temperature gas in a space into which the high-temperature gas 12 generated by the rich combustion burner flows and heating it to a desired temperature. is there. The overburning burner 12 is preferably provided with a large combustion load for startup, but two units may be installed for startup and steady operation.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the fuel heating apparatus of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the rich combustion burner 12 includes a combustion chamber 12a, a fuel injector 12b that injects fuel into the combustion chamber 12a, and an igniter 12c that ignites the fuel. In the combustion chamber 12a, fuel is burned at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more, and high-temperature (for example, 1000 ° C. or more) combustion gas is generated.
[0037]
The fuel of the rich burner 12 is preferably the same methanol, methane, gasoline (naphtha), or other hydrocarbon compounds as the reforming raw material. Further, the mixed raw material obtained by mixing the fuel and water may be burned as it is. Combustion with a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more means that the equivalent ratio of fuel and air is 1 or more, and the high-temperature gas after combustion is in a reduced state containing no oxygen.
[0038]
The evaporative heating device 14 includes an evaporative heating chamber 14a connected to the downstream side of the combustion chamber 12a, and a raw material sprayer 14b for spraying the mixed raw material to the combustion chamber 12a or the evaporative heating chamber 14a.
[0039]
The mixed raw material is a mixture of methanol, methane, gasoline (naphtha), other hydrocarbon compounds, and water. The mixing ratio of water is such that the ratio (S / C) of water vapor to hydrocarbon compound in the mixed gas supplied to the reformer 16 is suitable for reforming (for example, around S / C = 1.5). Set. As shown in FIG. 1, this mixed raw material is preferably supplied with preheating by heat exchangers 19a and 19b provided on the downstream side.
[0040]
The fuel heating device 10 of the present invention further includes an anode exhaust gas supply port 10a for recirculating anode exhaust gas of a fuel cell containing a combustible gas to the combustion chamber 12a, and a high temperature (for example, 800 to 900) generated in the combustion chamber 12a. An air inlet 10b and a return port 10c for injecting combustion gas at around (° C.) are provided.
[0041]
In the example of FIG. 2, the combustion chamber 12 a has a liner 15 that constitutes the combustion chamber and a jacket that surrounds the liner 15, and the mixed raw material is sprayed into the jacket and is immersed in the combustion chamber from the pores provided in the liner 15. It exudes and cools the combustion chamber.
[0042]
In FIG. 2, the evaporative heating chamber 14a has a venturi mixer section 14c having a narrow channel on the downstream side of the combustion chamber, and promotes mixing of the mixed raw material and the combustion gas.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is another configuration diagram of the fuel heating apparatus of the present invention. In this example, the jacket and the venturi mixer portion of FIG. 2 are omitted, and air oozes out from the pores provided in the liner 15 to ooze the liner 15 and cool it.
[0044]
FIG. 4 is still another configuration diagram of the fuel heating apparatus of the present invention. In this example, a separate chamber is provided around the liner 15 instead of the jacket of FIG. 2, and the mixed raw material is sprayed into a separate chamber surrounding the liner 15 as in FIG. Soaks in the combustion chamber and cools it. Similarly, it has a Venturi mixer section 14c with a narrowed flow path downstream of the combustion chamber to promote mixing of the mixed raw material and the combustion gas.
[0045]
FIG. 5 is still another configuration diagram of the fuel heating apparatus of the present invention. In this example, the combustion chamber and the evaporation heating chamber are made of ceramics having excellent heat resistance and are used as they are without cooling.
[0046]
In FIG. 1, a reformer 16 is filled with a reforming catalyst 11 that reforms a raw material gas containing water vapor into a hydrogen-containing gas. For the reforming catalyst 11, for example, copper-zinc-based, noble metal-based, nickel, nickel alloy, and other reforming catalysts can be used.
[0047]
In the fuel processor of the present invention, the heat exchanger 13a that indirectly heats the reforming catalyst 11 on the downstream side in the reformer 16 and a part of the high-temperature gas generated in the overburning burner 12 are heat-exchanged. A high-temperature gas line 13b supplied to the reactor 13a, and a return line for returning the high-temperature gas heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 13a to the fuel heating device 10, and the downstream reforming catalyst 11 is set to around 800 to 900 ° C. Indirect heating with high-temperature gas. In this indirect heating, it is preferable to adjust the flow rate of the high temperature gas with an orifice or the like so that the downstream temperature in the reformer does not exceed the heat resistance temperature of the catalyst (for example, 350 ° C.).
[0048]
The start-up method of the present invention using the above-described fuel processing apparatus includes a rich combustion step (A), an evaporation heating step (B), and a reforming step (C). In the rich combustion step (A), the fuel is burned at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more to generate a high-temperature gas that is in a reduced state containing no oxygen after combustion containing no oxygen . In the evaporation heating step (B), a mixed raw material of fuel and water is evaporated by direct heating with a high-temperature gas in a space into which the high-temperature gas generated in the rich combustion step flows and heated to a desired temperature. This temperature is controlled so that the inlet gas temperature of the reformer does not exceed the heat resistance temperature of the catalyst. Further, in the reforming step (C), the heated mixed raw material is reformed into a hydrogen-containing gas.
[0049]
According to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the fuel is burned with the rich burner 12 at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more to generate a high-temperature gas that is in a reduced state that does not contain oxygen after combustion that does not contain oxygen. Even when liquid fuel (for example, methanol) is used, it can be ignited in a short time and a high-temperature gas can be generated in a short time (about several seconds). This high-temperature gas uses a mixed fuel of methanol and water, and when S / C = 1.5 suitable for reforming, the fuel-air ratio 1 is about 1670K, and the fuel-air ratio 1.1 is about 1470K. It was confirmed by trial calculation that a high temperature of about 1200 ° C. or higher can be obtained even when the mixed fuel is directly burned.
[0050]
Further, the evaporative heating device 14 evaporates the mixed raw material of fuel and water by direct heating with the heat of the high-temperature gas and heats it to a desired temperature in the space into which the high-temperature gas generated by the rich combustion burner flows. Easy to control. Further, for example, the reforming catalyst located on the downstream side can be directly heated by the heat, so that a large heat exchanger is not required as in the indirect heating type, and the size can be easily reduced. Further, since ignition, combustion, and heating can be performed in a short time, the fuel cell can be started up in a short time.
[0051]
Also, a high-temperature gas of, for example, 1000 ° C. or more can be generated in a short time by simply injecting fuel into the combustion chamber 12a with the fuel injector 12b and igniting the fuel with the igniter 12c. In addition, by simply spraying the mixed raw material into the combustion chamber 12a or the evaporative heating chamber 14a by the raw material sprayer 14b, the mixed raw material of fuel and water can be evaporated and heated, and temperature control can be facilitated by the flow rate.
[0052]
Further, the mixed raw material is evaporated and heated in a short time by the fuel heating device, and is supplied to the reformer 16 at a temperature not exceeding the heat resistance temperature of the catalyst (for example, 350 ° C. or less), so that the reforming reaction is sufficiently performed even near the inlet. It is possible to proceed and fully utilize the catalyst.
[0053]
Further, a heat exchanger for indirectly heating the reforming catalyst on the downstream side in the reformer 16 and a high-temperature gas line for supplying a part of the high-temperature gas generated in the rich combustion burner 12 to the heat exchanger. The downstream reforming catalyst is indirectly heated with a high-temperature gas to suppress a temperature drop due to the reforming reaction (endothermic reaction) of the downstream reforming catalyst and increase the reforming rate in the reformer. it can.
[0054]
Further, the start-up method of the present invention generates a high-temperature gas that is burned at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more in the rich combustion step (A) and enters a reduced state that does not contain oxygen after combustion. For example, even when methanol is used, ignition can be performed in a short time, and a high-temperature gas of, for example, 1000 ° C. or more can be generated in a short time (about several seconds).
[0055]
Further, in the evaporation heating step (B) , the mixed raw material of fuel and water is evaporated by direct heating with the high-temperature gas and heated to a desired temperature in the space where the high-temperature gas generated in the rich combustion step flows. Easy to control. Furthermore, in the reforming step (C), the reforming catalyst located on the downstream side can be directly heated by the heat possessed by the mixed gas, so that a large heat exchanger as in the indirect heating type is not required and can be easily performed. Miniaturization is possible. Further, since ignition, combustion, and heating can be performed in a short time, the fuel cell can be started up in a short time.
[0056]
Furthermore, the temperature of the mixed raw material is controlled in the evaporative heating chamber so that the reformer inlet gas temperature does not exceed the heat-resistant temperature of the catalyst, thereby preventing the catalyst from being heated and extending the life of the catalyst and generating CO at a high temperature. Can be suppressed.
[0057]
In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can change variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the fuel heating device of the present invention, the fuel processing device using the fuel heating device, and the starting method thereof can be started up in a short time even when liquid fuel (for example, methanol) is used as the fuel, and can be easily downsized. It has excellent effects such as being able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel heating apparatus according to the present invention and a fuel processing apparatus using the same.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a fuel heating device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is another configuration diagram of the fuel heating device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is still another configuration diagram of the fuel heating apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is still another configuration diagram of the fuel heating apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional fuel processing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Combustion / reforming catalyst, 2 partial oxidation reformer, 4 upstream air line, 6 downstream air line, 8 flow controller, 10 fuel heating device, 10a anode exhaust gas supply port, 10b air inlet, 10c return port 11 reforming catalyst, 12 over-burning burner, 12a combustion chamber, 12b fuel injector, 12c igniter, 13a heat exchanger, 13b high-temperature gas line, 14 evaporative heating device, 14a evaporative heating chamber, 14b raw material sprayer, 14c venturi Mixer section, 15 liner, 16 reformer, 18 CO remover, 19a, 19b heat exchanger, 20 fuel cell (PEFC)

Claims (5)

A rich combustion burner that has a combustion chamber that burns fuel at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more and generates a high-temperature gas that is in a reduced state that does not contain oxygen after combustion in the combustion chamber ;
An evaporative heating device that evaporates the mixed raw material of fuel and water by direct heating with the heat of the high-temperature gas and heats it to a desired temperature in a space into which the high-temperature gas generated in the rich combustion burner flows,
The combustion chamber has a jacket surrounding the liner constituting the combustion chamber, and the mixed raw material is sprayed into the jacket and oozes out from the pores provided in the liner into the combustion chamber, thereby immersing the combustion chamber. A fuel heating apparatus characterized by being cooled by cooling .   The rich combustion burner includes a fuel injector that injects fuel into the combustion chamber and an igniter that ignites the fuel, and the evaporation heating device includes an evaporation heating chamber connected to the downstream side of the combustion chamber, a combustion chamber The fuel heating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a raw material sprayer that sprays the mixed raw material into the chamber or the evaporation heating chamber.   The fuel heating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the evaporation heating chamber has a venturi mixer section that promotes mixing of the mixed raw material and the combustion gas on the downstream side of the combustion chamber. A rich combustion burner that burns fuel at a fuel-air ratio of 1 or more to generate a hot gas that is in a reduced state that does not contain oxygen after combustion, and a fuel in a space into which the hot gas generated by the rich combustion burner flows A fuel heating device having an evaporation heating device for evaporating a mixed raw material of water by direct heating with the heat of the high-temperature gas and heating it to a desired temperature;
A reformer that is provided downstream of the fuel heating device, is filled with a reforming catalyst, and reforms the mixed raw material into a hydrogen-containing gas;
A heat exchanger for indirectly heating the reforming catalyst on the downstream side in the reformer;
A hot gas line for supplying a part of the hot gas generated in the rich burner to the heat exchanger ,
Indirect heating of the downstream reforming catalyst with hot gas,
A fuel processing apparatus, wherein the temperature of the mixed raw material is controlled in the evaporative heating chamber so that an inlet gas temperature of the reformer does not exceed a heat resistant temperature of the catalyst. The fuel processing apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a return line that returns the high-temperature gas that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger to the combustion heating apparatus.

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