JP4871007B2 - Catalyst filling method and catalyst filling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a catalyst filling method for filling a reaction vessel with a catalyst, and a catalyst filling apparatus used for carrying out the method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a catalyst filling method for filling a catalyst in a reaction vessel used in a reformer for reforming a raw material gas in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation system, and the The present invention relates to a catalyst filling apparatus used for carrying out the method.

A polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation system includes a reformer that obtains hydrogen from a raw material gas, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, an exhaust heat recovery device that recovers exhaust heat, and the like. Yes. Among these apparatuses, the reformer is a reformer that reforms the raw material gas into hydrogen using steam, a CO converter that converts carbon monoxide in the outlet gas (hydrogen) of the reformer into carbon dioxide, A CO remover that highly removes carbon monoxide remaining in the outlet gas (carbon dioxide) of the CO converter is provided. Each of the reformer, the CO converter, and the CO remover performs each reaction. In order to proceed, the reaction vessel is filled with a catalyst.
In manufacturing such a reformer or the like, as a technique for filling the catalyst in the middle of assembling the reaction vessel, for example, there is one shown in Patent Document 1.
In the catalyst filling method and apparatus of Patent Document 1, the catalyst filling pipe connected to the catalyst introduction pipe is communicated with the catalyst filling space of the reactor, and the catalyst sucked from the catalyst introduction pipe using the suction device is The catalyst is supplied to the catalyst filling space via the catalyst filling pipe line.

JP 2004-231396 A

When mass production of the reformer of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation system is desired, it is preferable to automatically fill the reaction vessel with the catalyst. However, in the conventional catalyst filling method and apparatus represented by the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is necessary to connect a suction device or a catalyst container to the catalyst filling space (reaction vessel) and keep it in a sealed state. It is considered that filling is not assumed. Therefore, even if automatic filling is applied as it is to the technique of Patent Document 1 and mass production is performed, it is difficult to grasp the amount of catalyst input, and therefore the state of catalyst filling in the reaction vessel (for example, filling amount and packing density). ) May be uneven.
For example, when the catalyst filling amount in the reaction vessel is insufficient, the internal catalyst may be biased when the reaction vessel is inclined during transportation or installation work. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 4, it is considered that the reaction gas drifts to the side where the amount of deposited catalyst is small, and the catalyst and the reaction gas cannot be evenly contacted. Further, even when the catalyst filling amount is excessive, since the airflow cannot pass smoothly between the catalysts, the reaction gas cannot spread over the entire catalyst as shown in FIG. It is considered a thing.
Therefore, the reformer manufactured by the conventional technology such as Patent Document 1 has a problem that the predetermined performance cannot be exhibited because the drift of the reaction gas is likely to occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst filling method that can cope with automatic filling of a catalyst and a catalyst filling device used therefor.

The characteristic configuration of the catalyst filling method according to the present invention is a supply step of supplying a catalyst to a reaction vessel provided with a receiving member and a holding member and partitioned inside a first buffer space, a catalyst filling space, and a second buffer space; ,
The catalyst deposited in said reaction vessel, said reaction vessel by applying a force using at least one of the venting device for introducing the air flow to the vibration device and the catalyst filling space vibrate the deposition surface of the catalyst An equalization process to equalize the height;
And a detection step of detecting by a sensor whether or not the equalized deposition surface has reached a predetermined height position set in advance.

The catalyst filling method of the present configuration is performed on a reaction vessel in which a receiving member and a pressing member are provided and the inside is partitioned into a first buffer space, a catalyst filling space, and a second buffer space. A detection step is performed for detecting whether or not the catalyst deposition surface whose height has been equalized by the equalization step has reached a predetermined height position set in advance. For this reason, it becomes possible to fill the catalyst filling space defined by the receiving member and the pressing member without substantial excess and deficiency, and to realize an appropriate catalyst filling density. The catalyst filling method of this configuration can also cope with automatic filling.
Further, since the catalyst filling space is sandwiched between the first buffer space and the second buffer space, when the reaction gas is put into the reaction vessel, the gas pressure is averaged in the first buffer space or the second buffer space. Is done. For this reason, the drift of the reaction gas does not occur, and the reaction gas spreads over the entire catalyst filling space to achieve uniform contact.

In the catalyst filling method of this configuration, by using a vibration device that vibrates the reaction vessel, the height of the deposited surface of the catalyst deposited inside the reaction vessel is surely equalized, and the catalyst has a height of the holding member. Even when the position is reached, a substantially flat deposition surface can be formed. For this reason, the catalyst can be filled in the catalyst filling space without excess or deficiency, the packing density of the entire catalyst becomes substantially constant, and the drift of the reaction gas is reliably eliminated when the catalyst and the reaction gas are brought into contact with each other. Can do.

Further characteristic feature of the catalyst filling method of the present invention, the venting device is that the introduction of the air flow from at least one of said first buffer space and the second buffer space.

  In the catalyst filling method of this configuration, the catalyst is fluidized and stirred in the catalyst filling space inside the reaction vessel by using a venting device that introduces an air flow from at least one of the first buffer space and the second buffer space. be able to. When the stirred catalyst is deposited again, the deposited surface is flattened to ensure equalization, and the packing density of the entire catalyst becomes substantially constant. For this reason, the drift of the reaction gas when the catalyst and the reaction gas are brought into contact with each other can be reliably eliminated.

The characteristic configuration of the catalyst filling device according to the present invention is that the receiving member and the holding member are provided, and the catalyst is supplied to a reaction vessel partitioned into a first buffer space, a catalyst filling space, and a second buffer space. A nozzle capable of changing the insertion depth with respect to the reaction vessel; an external force applying means for applying an external force to the catalyst deposited in the reaction vessel to change a deposition state of the catalyst; and the catalyst in the nozzle comprising a sensor for detecting a flow state, and
The external force applying means is at least one of a vibration device for vibrating the reaction vessel and a venting device for introducing an air flow into the catalyst filling space .

In the catalyst filling apparatus of this configuration, the same effects as those of the catalyst filling method can be obtained. That is, the catalyst filling device of this configuration is provided with a receiving member and a holding member, and the reaction vessel is supplied to the reaction vessel that is partitioned into a first buffer space, a catalyst filling space, and a second buffer space. A nozzle capable of changing the insertion depth, external force applying means for applying an external force to the catalyst accumulated in the reaction vessel to change the catalyst accumulation state, and a sensor for detecting the flow state of the catalyst in the nozzle And. For this reason, it becomes possible to fill the catalyst filling space defined by the receiving member and the pressing member without substantial excess and deficiency, and to realize an appropriate catalyst filling density. The catalyst filling device of this configuration can also cope with automatic filling.
Further, since the catalyst filling space is sandwiched between the first buffer space and the second buffer space, when the reaction gas is put into the reaction vessel, the gas pressure is averaged in the first buffer space or the second buffer space. Is done. For this reason, the drift of the reaction gas does not occur, and the reaction gas spreads over the entire catalyst filling space to achieve uniform contact.

A further characteristic configuration of the catalyst filling device according to the present invention is that the height position of the tip of the nozzle can be adjusted to a predetermined height position by changing the insertion depth of the nozzle with respect to the reaction vessel. In that point.

  In the catalyst filling apparatus of this configuration, the height position of the tip of the nozzle can be adjusted, so that an optimum catalyst filling state according to the shape of the reaction vessel and the like can be easily realized.

Further characteristic feature of the catalyst loading apparatus according to the present invention, the vibration device is said reaction in contact with the container abutment, in that and a driving motor for transmitting the vibration to the abutting portion.

  Also in the catalyst filling apparatus of this configuration, the same effect as the catalyst filling method can be obtained. That is, in the catalyst filling apparatus of this configuration, the vibration device is used as the external force applying means, so that the height of the deposited surface of the catalyst deposited inside the reaction vessel is reliably equalized, and the catalyst is positioned at the height position of the presser member. Even when it reaches, a substantially flat deposition surface can be formed. For this reason, the catalyst can be filled in the catalyst filling space without excess or deficiency, the packing density of the entire catalyst becomes substantially constant, and the drift of the reaction gas is reliably eliminated when the catalyst and the reaction gas are brought into contact with each other. Can do.

Further characteristic feature of the catalyst loading apparatus according to the present invention, the venting device is that the introduction of the air flow from at least one of said first buffer space and the second buffer space.

  Also in the catalyst filling apparatus of this configuration, the same effect as the catalyst filling method can be obtained. That is, in the catalyst filling apparatus of the present configuration, the aeration apparatus that introduces an air flow from at least one of the first buffer space and the second buffer space is used as the external force applying means, so that the catalyst is contained in the catalyst filling space inside the reaction vessel. It can be fluidized and stirred. When the stirred catalyst is deposited again, the deposited surface is flattened to ensure equalization, and the packing density of the entire catalyst becomes substantially constant. For this reason, the drift of the reaction gas when the catalyst and the reaction gas are brought into contact with each other can be reliably prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure described in the following embodiment and drawing, The structure equivalent to these can also be included.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a catalyst filling apparatus 100 of the present invention. The catalyst filling device 100 is used, for example, for filling a reaction vessel 50 used in a reforming device of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation system with a catalyst C such as a platinum catalyst, a palladium catalyst, or a ruthenium catalyst. is there. The catalyst filling device 100 includes a nozzle 10 and a sensor 20, and further includes an external force applying unit described later.

A reaction vessel 50 that is to be filled with the catalyst C by the catalyst filling device 100 includes a housing 51, a receiving member 52, and a pressing member 53. The receiving member 52 is provided below the inside of the housing 51, and the pressing member 53 is provided above the inside of the housing 51, and the internal space of the reaction vessel 50 is divided into the first buffer space S1, the catalyst filling space S2, and the second buffer. It is partitioned into a space S3.
The receiving member 52 is a plate-like member whose periphery is connected to the lower inner peripheral surface of the housing 51 by welding or the like. The plate-shaped receiving member 52 has a large number of holes so that gas can be passed through the second buffer space S3 and the catalyst filling space S2. As the receiving member 52, for example, a punching metal or a mesh member can be employed. The pore size or mesh size is made smaller than the average particle size of the catalyst C in order to prevent the catalyst C from falling off.
On the other hand, the pressing member 53 is a plate-like member whose periphery is connected to the upper inner peripheral surface of the casing 51 by welding or the like. By changing the height position h at which the presser member 53 is welded, the filling amount of the catalyst C filled in the reaction vessel 50 can be determined. The pressing member 53 has a large number of holes so that gas can be passed through the first buffer space S1 and the catalyst filling space S2. Similarly to the receiving member 52, for example, a punching metal or a mesh member whose hole diameter or mesh size is smaller than the average particle diameter of the catalyst C can be used for the pressing member 53. Further, the holding member 53 is provided with a filling hole 54 for filling the catalyst C.
The housing 51 can be configured by, for example, forming two dish-shaped metal container forming members by press working or the like, and welding the peripheral portions of the two together. In addition, an external filling port 55 for filling the catalyst C is also provided at an upper portion of the casing 51 at a position corresponding to the filling port 54 of the pressing member 53. Further, a conduit 56 for circulating the airflow in the second buffer space S3 is attached to the side surface of the casing 51 below the position where the receiving member 52 is welded.

The nozzle 10 of the catalyst filling device 100 is used to supply the catalyst C to the reaction vessel 50 and is configured such that the insertion depth can be changed with respect to the reaction vessel 50. The nozzle 10 is directed to the inside of the reaction vessel 50 through the external filling port 55 of the housing 51 and the filling port 54 of the pressing member 53. When such a nozzle 10 is used, the catalyst C does not scatter outside the reaction vessel 50 and can be reliably filled into the reaction vessel 50.
Further, the height position of the tip portion 10 a of the nozzle 10 can be adjusted by changing the insertion depth of the nozzle 10. For this reason, the height position of the front-end | tip part 10a of the nozzle 10 can be selected according to the shape etc. of the reaction container 50, and a favorable catalyst filling state can be obtained easily.
If the tip 10a of the nozzle 10 is adjusted to a position substantially the same as the height position h of the pressing member 53, the maximum amount of the catalyst C can be supplied in one filling operation.

The sensor 20 of the catalyst filling device 100 can detect the flow state of the catalyst C flowing through the nozzle 10. Details will be described in the “catalyst filling method” described later. For example, when the tip portion 10 a of the nozzle 10 is set at a position substantially the same as the height position h of the pressing member 53, the catalyst C discharged from the nozzle 10 is used. Reaches the height position of the pressing member 53, the supply of the catalyst C from the nozzle 10 is stopped. By detecting this as a change in the flow state, the sensor 20 can determine whether or not a predetermined catalyst filling amount has been reached.
As the sensor 20, for example, an infrared detecting device including an infrared light emitting element 20 a and an infrared detecting element 20 b installed so as to sandwich a portion through which the catalyst C of the nozzle 10 passes can be employed.

The catalyst filling device 100 further includes an external force applying unit that applies an external force to the catalyst C deposited in the reaction vessel 50 to change the deposition state of the catalyst C. As shown in FIG. 1, the external force applying means is a ventilation device that introduces an airflow from a vibration device (for example, a vibrator) 30 that vibrates the reaction vessel 50 or at least one of the first buffer space S1 and the second buffer space S3. It can be constituted by mechanical means such as an apparatus (for example, blower) 40 or the like.
As the vibration device 30, for example, a configuration including a contact portion 31 that contacts the reaction vessel 50 and a drive motor 32 that transmits vibration to the contact portion 31 can be used.
For example, the venting device 40 may be configured to be connected to the conduit 56 below the casing 51 and capable of pumping an airflow into the catalyst filling space S <b> 2 through the hole of the receiving member 52. Note that another conduit (not shown) may be provided above the casing 51, and the ventilation device 40 may be connected to the conduit 51 so that the airflow can be pumped into the catalyst filling space S2 through the hole of the pressing member 53. .
In addition to the above, it is also possible to use the external force applying means by equalizing the height of the catalyst C deposition surface by tilting or shaking the reaction vessel 50.
The external force applying means will be specifically described in “Catalyst filling method” described later.

  Next, an embodiment relating to the catalyst filling method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

<First Embodiment>
(A)-(e) of Drawing 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the catalyst filling method by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. In each figure, the arrow drawn on the nozzle 10 indicates that the catalyst C is in the supply state, and the longer the arrow, the greater the amount of catalyst supply per unit time.

  First, the supply of the catalyst C into the reaction vessel 50 is started (FIG. 2 (a)). After a while, the catalyst C is deposited around the vicinity of the nozzle 10 and the height of the deposited surface becomes uneven (FIG. 2B). Therefore, the height of the deposited surface of the catalyst C is equalized. This equalization can be performed using a vibration device (for example, a vibrator) 30. When the vibration device 30 is activated in the case where the height of the deposition surface of the catalyst C is uneven as shown in FIG. 2B, the vibration is applied to the catalyst C, the catalyst C flows, and the deposition surface is eventually equalized. The The dotted line in FIG. 2B is the deposition surface after equalization. Further, when the amount of catalyst C deposited in the reaction vessel 50 increases, the catalyst C deposited near the tip 10a of the nozzle 10 tends to accumulate, and the amount of catalyst supply decreases slightly (FIG. 2 (c)). Also in this case, equalization is appropriately performed by the same method as described above. The dotted line in FIG. 2C is the deposition surface after equalization. Eventually, when the catalyst C accumulates to the height position of the pressing member 53 inside the reaction vessel 50, the supply of the catalyst C from the nozzle 10 is stopped (FIG. 2 (d)). This is detected by the sensor 20 and it is determined that the catalyst C in the reaction vessel 50 has reached the height position of the pressing member 53 and has been filled.

As described above, in the catalyst filling method according to the first embodiment, the sensor 20 detects the flow state of the catalyst C in the nozzle 10 so that the equalized deposition surface has a predetermined height position ( In the first embodiment, it is possible to detect whether or not the height position h) of the pressing member 53 has been reached. For this reason, even if the reaction vessel 50 in which the catalyst C is charged is already assembled, the catalyst can be appropriately charged. That is, the catalyst filling space S2 defined by the receiving member 52 and the pressing member 53 is filled with the catalyst C without substantial excess and deficiency, and an appropriate filling density is obtained. Therefore, the catalyst filling method of this embodiment is also a method suitable for automatic filling.
Further, since the catalyst filling space S2 appropriately filled with the catalyst C is sandwiched between the first buffer space S1 and the second buffer space S3, when the reaction gas is put into the reaction vessel 50, the first buffer space S2 is filled. The gas pressure is averaged in S1 or the second buffer space S3. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2 (e), the reaction gas does not cause a drift or the like, and reaches the entire catalyst filling space S2 to be able to contact the catalyst C evenly.

<Second Embodiment>
FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic views for explaining a catalyst filling method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that air current is introduced from at least one of the first buffer space S1 and the second buffer space S2 as means for applying an external force to the catalyst C in the equalization step. The ventilation device 40 is used. For example, a blower can be used as the ventilation device 40.

  After a while after the start of the supply of the catalyst C into the reaction vessel 50, the catalyst C is deposited around the vicinity of the nozzle 10 (FIG. 3A). Here, the aeration device 40 is activated, and an air flow is introduced from the conduit 56 below the reaction vessel 50 to cause the catalyst C inside the reaction vessel 50 to flow (FIG. 3B). When the aeration apparatus 40 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, the catalyst C is deposited again, and the height of the deposited surface is substantially equalized (FIG. 3C). This aeration step can be appropriately performed during the supply of the catalyst C from the nozzle 10 or by temporarily stopping the supply. Further, during the filling operation of the catalyst C, an aeration process may be always performed. Then, the catalyst C can be almost completely filled into the space between the receiving member 52 and the pressing member 53 by performing the ventilation process immediately before the catalyst C reaches the height position of the pressing member 53. .

  As described above, in the catalyst filling method according to the second embodiment, the reaction vessel is used by using the venting device 40 that introduces an air flow from at least one of the first buffer space S1 and the second buffer space S3 as the external force applying means. The catalyst C can be flowed and stirred in the catalyst filling space S2 in the interior 50. When the stirred catalyst C is deposited again in the reaction vessel 50, the deposition surface is flattened and uniformized reliably, and the packing density of the entire catalyst becomes substantially constant. For this reason, when the catalyst C and the reaction gas are brought into contact with each other, the drift of the reaction gas can be reliably prevented. Therefore, the catalyst filling method of this embodiment is also a method suitable for automatic filling.

  Of course, it is possible to perform the equalization step by combining the ventilation device according to the second embodiment and the vibration device according to the first embodiment described above. In such a case, since a stronger stirring action can be obtained in the reaction vessel 50, even if the catalyst C has a relatively large specific gravity and is difficult to flow, sufficient stirring is possible, and the height of the deposition surface is ensured. Is equalized.

  The catalyst filling method and the catalyst filling apparatus of the present invention can be applied in various fields other than the catalyst filling into the reformer or the like used in the above-described polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation system. For example, the present invention can be applied to the case where a container is filled with a chemical for powder industry in the manufacture of industrial products, or the case where a container is filled with a powdered material such as a seasoning in the food manufacturing industry. .

Schematic perspective view of the catalyst filling apparatus of the present invention Schematic for demonstrating the catalyst filling method by 1st Embodiment of this invention. Schematic for demonstrating the catalyst filling method by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Schematic diagram of the prior art showing the case where the catalyst is packed unevenly Schematic diagram of the prior art showing when the catalyst charge is excessive

10 Nozzle 20 Sensor 30 Vibrator (vibration device)
40 Blower (Ventilator)
50 reaction vessel 52 receiving member 53 holding member 100 catalyst filling device S1 first buffer space S2 catalyst filling space S3 second buffer space C catalyst

Claims (6)

A supply step of supplying a catalyst to a reaction vessel provided with a receiving member and a pressing member and partitioned inside a first buffer space, a catalyst filling space, and a second buffer space;
The catalyst deposited in said reaction vessel, said reaction vessel by applying a force using at least one of the venting device for introducing the air flow to the vibration device and the catalyst filling space vibrate the deposition surface of the catalyst An equalization process to equalize the height;
And a detection step of detecting by a sensor whether or not the equalized deposited surface has reached a predetermined height position set in advance. 2. The catalyst filling method according to claim 1, wherein the aeration apparatus introduces an air flow from at least one of the first buffer space and the second buffer space. The insertion depth can be changed with respect to the reaction vessel so as to supply the catalyst to the reaction vessel that is provided with a receiving member and a pressing member and is divided into a first buffer space, a catalyst filling space, and a second buffer space. A nozzle,
An external force applying means for applying an external force to the catalyst deposited in the reaction vessel to change a deposition state of the catalyst;
A sensor for detecting a flow state of the catalyst in the nozzle,
The catalyst filling device, wherein the external force applying means is at least one of a vibration device that vibrates the reaction vessel and a venting device that introduces an air flow into the catalyst filling space. The catalyst filling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a height position of a tip portion of the nozzle can be adjusted to a predetermined height position by changing an insertion depth of the nozzle with respect to the reaction container. The catalyst filling device according to claim 3, wherein the vibration device includes a contact portion that contacts the reaction container, and a drive motor that transmits vibration to the contact portion. The catalyst filling device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the ventilation device introduces an air flow from at least one of the first buffer space and the second buffer space.

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