JP4810721B2 - Manufacturing method of fuel cell reformer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to a reformer for a fuel cell mounted on, for example, an automobile, and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a method of assembling a holding seal material between a catalyst holder and a metal shell.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A fuel cell using hydrogen as an energy source may be provided with a fuel cell reformer for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell.
The fuel cell reformer includes a catalyst holder that holds a catalyst that reforms a hydrocarbon compound such as methanol, methane, and butane into hydrogen, a metal shell that covers the outside of the catalyst holder, and a catalyst holder. And a holding seal material disposed between the metal shell and the metal shell (see FIG. 3 to be described later).
[0003]
The holding sealing material is mainly composed of an inorganic fiber mat such as ceramic fiber.
The holding sealing material is used to prevent the catalyst holding body from being damaged when the catalyst holding body abuts on the catalyst holding body due to vibration or the like, and between the catalyst holding body and the metal shell. Is arranged to prevent leakage.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved]
However, since the holding sealing material performs the above function, it has cushioning properties and is bulky. Therefore, when the holding sealing material is mounted in the metal shell together with the catalyst holding body, the holding sealing material is difficult to be positioned at an appropriate position between them, and there is a possibility that the mounting performance is lowered.
Therefore, it is conceivable to impregnate the holding sealing material with a binder to suppress the bulkiness of the holding sealing material and press-fit into the metal shell in that state. In this case, however, the binder burns when the fuel cell reformer is used, and a binder combustion gas is generated, which may be mixed into the hydrogen gas.
[0005]
In view of such problems, the present invention is to provide a reformer for a fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same, in which a catalyst holder and a holding sealing material are easily mounted in a metal shell, and no binder combustion gas is generated. It is what.
[0006]
[Means for solving problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a catalyst holder that holds a reforming catalyst for reforming a hydrocarbon compound into hydrogen, a metal shell that covers the outside of the catalyst holder, and a gap between the catalyst holder and the metal shell. In a method of manufacturing a fuel cell reformer having a holding sealing material made of an inorganic fiber mat disposed in
Coating the catalyst holding body with the holding sealing material;
Inserting the catalyst holding body coated with the holding sealing material into a pipe-shaped metal shell having an initial inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the metal shell in the fuel cell reformer;
Applying a spinning process to the outer periphery of the metal shell in which the catalyst holder and the holding seal material are inserted and arranged , and reducing the initial inner diameter of the metal shell in the insertion arrangement portion to the inner diameter of the product ;
Thereafter, both ends of the metal shell where the catalyst holding body is not positioned are gradually narrowed toward the opening by spinning, and flanges are provided at both ends. It is a manufacturing method of the reformer for fuel cells.
[0007]
In the present invention, the catalyst holding body is covered with the holding sealing material and inserted into a pipe-shaped metal shell having an initial inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the product, and then the catalyst holding body and the holding sealing material are positioned. Spinning is applied to the arrangement part.
Therefore, by this spinning process, the outer diameter of the original pipe-shaped metal shell into which the catalyst holder is inserted is reduced, and accordingly, the initial inner diameter of the metal shell is also reduced.
That is, the initial inner diameter of the metal shell when the catalyst holder is inserted is reduced by the spinning process, and the product inner diameter of the metal shell in the fuel cell reformer is smaller than the initial inner diameter.
[0008]
In addition, the holding sealing material filled between the catalyst holder and the metal shell is also compressed by the inner wall of the metal shell. Therefore, the catalyst holder is held by the holding sealing material having an appropriate surface pressure.
The spinning process is a kind of squeezing process, for example, a process of plastically deforming the metal shell by pressing the molding roller against the metal shell while rotating one of the metal shell or the molding roller.
[0009]
As described above, in the present invention, when the catalyst holder covered with the holding sealing material is disposed in the metal shell, the catalyst holder and the metal shell having an initial inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the product are disposed. A holding sealing material is inserted, and then the above spinning process is performed. Therefore, the catalyst holder can be easily inserted into the metal shell, and the metal shell is held at an appropriate surface pressure of the holding sealing material by spinning.
[0010]
In the present invention, since the above method is adopted, the holding sealing material is densely compressed and arranged between the catalyst holding body and the metal shell. Therefore, there is no need for a process of impregnating the holding sealing material with a binder to suppress bulkiness and reducing the thickness. Moreover, it is not necessary to impregnate the binder, the reformed gas reformed by the catalyst retainer, particularly hydrogen gas, the combustion gas produced by combustion of the binder is never called mixed.
[0011]
Then, as in the invention of claim 2, in the holding sealing material, a binder for generating combustion gases during use of the reformer for a fuel cell is preferably not impregnated.
Thus, the combustion gas from within the holding sealing material with no that is discharged, heat resistance is improved.
[0012]
The inorganic fiber mat is preferably made of inorganic fibers containing alumina or silica. Thereby, the heat resistance of the inorganic fiber mat is further improved.
In particular, the inorganic fiber mat preferably contains 70 to 100% by weight of alumina fibers. In addition, as this alumina fiber, it is preferable that an alumina ratio is 60 weight% or more. Thereby, the elastic force at a high temperature is increased, the difference in thermal expansion between the metal shell and the catalyst holding body can be absorbed, and the force for holding the catalyst holding body is increased.
[0013]
The inorganic fiber mat is preferably subjected to needle punching. As a result, the fibers are intertwined and the interlayer strength of the mat is improved, so that it can be easily inserted into the metal shell.
[0014]
Next, as in the invention of claim 3, the inorganic fiber mat preferably contains less than 1% by weight of substances other than Al ₂ O ₃ and SiO ₂ , that is, impurities.
In this case, the hydrogen produced in the fuel cell reformer can be maintained at a high purity, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell can be increased. When the above impurities are 1% by weight or more, impurities are gradually mixed into the reformed gas from the holding sealing material during use of the fuel cell reformer, contaminating the hydrogen gas used in the fuel cell, There is a risk of reducing the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell.
Examples of the impurities include chlorine, sulfur, and phosphorus.
[0015]
Next, as in the invention of claim 4, the inorganic fiber mat preferably has a total of less than 300 ppm of one or more of chlorine, sulfur or phosphorus therein.
In this case, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell can be increased.
When the total of one or more of the above chlorine, sulfur, and phosphorus is 300 ppm or more, as described above, the cell action harmful substances such as chlorine are contained in hydrogen during use of the fuel cell reformer. The mixture may interfere with the electrochemical action of the fuel cell and reduce the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell.
[0016]
Next, as in the invention of claim 5, the thickness of the holding sealing material before spinning is preferably 4 to 12 mm. If it is less than 4 mm, the metal shell has a small thickness that can reduce the inner diameter, and the catalyst holder may be damaged during the spinning process. On the other hand, if it exceeds 12 mm, the metal shell may be damaged before the inner diameter of the metal shell is reduced until the holding sealing material has a desired filling density.
[0017]
As in the sixth aspect of the invention, the filling density of the holding sealing material after the spinning process is preferably 0.20 to 0.60 g / cm ³ . If it is less than 0.20 g / cm ³ , the holding power of the catalyst holding body by the holding sealing material decreases. On the other hand, if it exceeds 0.60 g / cm ³ , the fibers in the holding sealing material are broken, and the repulsive force is lowered, which may reduce the performance of holding the catalyst holding body.
[0023]
In the above, methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, methane, ethane, propane, butane and the like are used as the hydrocarbon compound.
The catalyst holder is a monolithic porous body such as a honeycomb made of a ceramic such as cordierite, alumina, carbon silicon, or silicon nitride. The metal shell is a circular or elliptical pipe using a metal such as stainless steel.
Further, the catalyst supported on the catalyst carrier is used in accordance with the reforming of the hydrocarbon compound to be used. For example, when methanol is used as the hydrocarbon compound, a copper compound or the like is used as the catalyst.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
A method for manufacturing a reformer for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell reformer 4 of this example includes a catalyst holder 3 that holds a reforming catalyst that reforms a hydrocarbon compound into hydrogen, and a metal that covers the outside of the catalyst holder 3. It comprises a shell 2 and a holding sealing material 1 disposed between the catalyst holder 3 and the metal shell 2.
[0025]
In manufacturing the reformer, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, first, the step of covering the catalyst holder 3 with the holding sealing material 1 (FIGS. 2a and 2b), and the holding seal The catalyst holder 3 (FIG. 2b) coated with the material 1 is inserted into a pipe-shaped metal shell 2 having an initial inner diameter D larger than the product inner diameter d of the metal shell 2 in the fuel cell reformer. Steps (FIGS. 2c and 2d, FIG. 3a) are performed.
Next, a spinning process is applied to at least the arrangement portion L (FIG. 3b) where the catalyst holder 3 is located in the metal shell 2, so that the initial inner diameter D of the arrangement portion L is reduced to the product inner diameter d. The process to perform is performed.
[0026]
In this example, the catalyst holding body 3 is made of cordierite, which is a kind of ceramic. As shown in FIG. 1, the catalyst holding body 3 is a monolith honeycomb structure including an aggregate of a large number of cells 31. The cell 31 is a passage having a hexagonal cross section and is formed between the honeycomb walls 33.
Then, a hydrocarbon compound in a gas state is passed between the cells 31.
During this time, the hydrocarbon compound is reformed into a reformed gas containing hydrogen as a main component by catalytic action.
[0027]
A raw material tank 9 storing methanol as a hydrocarbon compound is connected to the fuel cell reformer 4 via an inlet pipe 91 on the inlet side. On the other hand, an outlet pipe 92 for leading the reformed gas containing hydrogen to the fuel cell 5 is connected to the outlet side of the fuel cell reformer 4. The fuel cell 5 has a device for purifying hydrogen in the reformed gas (not shown).
[0028]
The fuel cell 5 is supplied with oxygen gas for reacting with the hydrogen and causing cell action. The electric energy obtained in the fuel cell 5 is supplied to a motor 51 used, for example, for driving a car or driving a vehicle electrical component. In the fuel cell 5, the generated water is recycled and drained.
In the fuel cell reformer 4, the metal shell 2 has a flange portion 28 connected to the inlet pipe 91 and a flange portion 29 connected to the outlet pipe 92.
Further, platinum as a catalyst is supported on the catalyst holder.
[0029]
Next, the manufacturing method of the fuel cell reformer of this example will be specifically described.
First, 70% by weight of alumina fibers and 30% by weight of silica fibers are mixed to form a web. A needle punching process is applied to the web. As a result, the fibers in the web are entangled with each other, and the holding sealing material 1 made of the inorganic fiber mat is formed. At this time, the holding sealing material 1 has a thickness of 12 mm and a bulk density of 0.1 g / cm ³ .
[0030]
Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the holding sealing material 1 is cut into a long body and engaged with each other when the outer periphery of the catalyst holding body 3 is wound around both ends thereof. The concave portion 11 and the convex portion 12 are formed.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, a catalyst holding body 3 having an outer diameter of 130 mm and a length of 100 mm, and a pipe-shaped metal shell 2 having an initial inner diameter D of 155 mm, a thickness of 1.5 mm, and a length of 300 mm. Prepare.
[0031]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the outer periphery of the catalyst holding body 3 is wound and covered with the holding sealing material 1 to engage the concave portion 11 and the convex portion 12. In this state, it is inserted into the metal shell 2 as shown in FIG.
That is, in a state where the holding seal material 1 is coated on the outer periphery in the axial direction of the catalyst holder 3 (FIG. 2b), these are inserted into the metal shell 2 and the holding seal is placed between the catalyst holder 3 and the metal shell 2. The material 1 is positioned (FIGS. 2d and 3a).
[0032]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, a spinning process is performed on the outer periphery of the metal shell 2 in which the catalyst holder 3 and the holding sealing material 1 are inserted and arranged. The spinning process is performed by moving the forming roller 6 in the axial direction of the rotating metal shell 2 and gradually pressurizing it in the radial direction of the metal shell 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the initial initial inner diameter D (155 mm) of the portion L where the catalyst holder 3 is located in the metal shell 2 is reduced to the product inner diameter d (138 mm).
[0033]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, both end portions where the catalyst holding body 3 is not located are gradually narrowed toward the opening, and flange portions 28 and 29 are provided at both ends.
The thickness of the holding sealing material 1 after the spinning process is about 4 mm, and the filling density is 0.3 g / cm ³ .
Thus, the fuel cell reformer of this example is obtained.
[0034]
In this example, since the catalyst holder 3 wound by the holding sealing material 1 is inserted into the metal shell 2 having an initial inner diameter D larger than the product inner diameter d, the holding sealing material 1 is arranged. It can be done without difficulty.
After the insertion, the initial inner diameter D of the metal shell 2 is reduced to a predetermined product inner diameter d by spinning. Therefore, the holding sealing material 1 inserted into the metal shell 2 is compressed by the inner wall surface of the catalyst holding body 3. As a result, the holding sealing material 1 can apply a certain surface pressure to the catalyst holding body 3 and stably hold the catalyst holding body 3 in the metal shell 2.
Further, in the fuel cell reformer of this example, since the holding seal material 1 is not impregnated with the binder, the binder does not burn during use, and the combustion gas is not discharged.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a reformer for a fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same, in which a catalyst holder and a holding seal material are easily mounted in a metal shell, and no binder combustion gas is generated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a fuel cell reformer and peripheral devices thereof in Embodiment 1;
2 is an explanatory view (a) to (d) showing a method of manufacturing a fuel cell reformer in Embodiment 1. FIG.
3 is an explanatory diagram (a) to (b) showing a method for manufacturing a reformer for a fuel cell, following FIG. 2. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. . . Holding sealing material,
2. . . Metal shell,
3. . . Catalyst support,
4). . . Fuel cell reformer,
5. . . . Fuel cell,
6). . . Molding roller,

Claims (6)

A catalyst holding body for holding a reforming catalyst for reforming a hydrocarbon compound into hydrogen, a metal shell for covering the outside of the catalyst holding body, and an inorganic fiber mat disposed between the catalyst holding body and the metal shell A method of manufacturing a reformer for a fuel cell having a holding sealing material comprising:
Coating the catalyst holding body with the holding sealing material;
Inserting the catalyst holding body coated with the holding sealing material into a pipe-shaped metal shell having an initial inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the metal shell in the fuel cell reformer;
Applying a spinning process to the outer periphery of the metal shell in which the catalyst holder and the holding seal material are inserted and arranged, and reducing the initial inner diameter of the metal shell in the insertion arrangement portion to the inner diameter of the product;
Thereafter, both ends of the metal shell where the catalyst holding body is not positioned are gradually narrowed toward the opening by spinning, and flanges are provided at both ends. A method for producing a reformer for a fuel cell.   2. The method of manufacturing a fuel cell reformer according to claim 1, wherein the holding sealing material is not impregnated with a binder that generates combustion gas when the fuel cell reformer is used. _{3. The} method of manufacturing a fuel cell reformer according to claim 2, wherein the inorganic fiber mat contains less than 1% by weight of substances other than Al ₂ O ₃ and SiO ₂ . 4. The method for producing a reformer for a fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein at least one of chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus in the inorganic fiber mat is less than 300 ppm in total.   The method for manufacturing a fuel cell reformer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the holding sealing material before spinning is 4 to 12 mm. 6. The fuel cell reformer according to claim 1, wherein a filling density of the holding sealing material after the spinning process is 0.20 to 0.60 g / cm ^3. Method.

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