JP5609766B2 - Fuel supply system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel supply system that vaporizes liquid fuel and supplies the vaporized fuel to an energy output means.

  Conventionally, in Patent Document 1, liquid methanol as a fuel is heated and vaporized by a fuel vaporization means, the gaseous methanol vaporized by the fuel vaporization means is reformed into hydrogen by a reformer, and further, A fuel supply system is disclosed that supplies the reformed hydrogen to a fuel cell that is an energy output means for outputting electric energy.

  More specifically, in the fuel supply system of Patent Document 1, heat with catalyst that heats and vaporizes methanol supplied to the reformer by using heat generated by the catalytic combustion heating device as a heat source as fuel vaporization means. An exchanger is used. During normal operation of the fuel cell, off-gas (surplus hydrogen) discharged from the fuel cell is supplied to the catalytic combustion heating device and burned.

  Further, when the system is started at a low temperature, the methanol supplied to the reformer is heated and vaporized by supplying methanol heated and vaporized by an auxiliary heat source such as an electric heater to the catalytic combustion heating device. Thereby, even when the system is started at a low temperature, hydrogen can be quickly supplied to the fuel cell.

JP 2000-220805 A

  However, in the fuel supply system of Patent Document 1, in order to quickly supply hydrogen to the fuel cell at the time of low temperature startup or the like, the fuel methanol is burned in the heat exchanger with catalyst, and the exhaust gas after combustion Is exhausted to the outside. For this reason, the fuel (methanol) supplied to the heat exchanger with catalyst is not effectively used except for the purpose of promptly supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell at the time of low temperature startup or the like.

  For example, since the fuel supplied to the heat exchanger with catalyst cannot be used to output electric energy as fuel for the fuel cell, the total amount of energy that can be output by the energy output means with respect to the total consumption of fuel is reduced. Resulting in. That is, the fuel supplied to the heat exchanger with catalyst is not effectively used so that the fuel efficiency of the entire system can be improved.

  In particular, in a configuration in which a fuel having a relatively high latent heat of vaporization (for example, methanol, ammonia, etc.) is used as the fuel, the amount of fuel to be combusted by the heat exchanger with catalyst must be increased, so the fuel efficiency is remarkably high. It will get worse.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply system that can effectively use fuel.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid fuel storage means (11) for storing the liquefied fuel and the fuel for vaporizing the liquefied fuel flowing out from the liquid fuel storage means (11). A vaporization means (13), an energy output means (EG) for consuming the vaporized fuel vaporized by the fuel vaporization means (13) and outputting energy, and a liquefied fuel flowing out from the liquid fuel storage means (11) Reactor (14) containing a heat generating agent that reversibly reacts with fuel while carrying out a chemical reaction accompanied by heat generation, and regeneration heat for regenerating the fuel and the heat generating agent with respect to the chemical reaction product of the fuel and the heat generating agent. Heat supply means (23) for supplying,
A fuel supply system in which reaction heat generated when the liquefied fuel and the chemical reactant react in the reactor (14) is supplied to at least one of the fuel vaporization means (13) and the energy output means (EG). Features.

  According to this, since the heat supply means (23) supplies regeneration heat to the chemical reactant, the fuel is regenerated, so that the regenerated fuel is converted into the fuel vaporization means (13) and the energy output means (EG). ) And can be used effectively. That is, a fuel supply system that can effectively use fuel can be provided.

  Furthermore, by supplying the reaction heat generated in the reactor (14) to the fuel vaporization means (13), the fuel vaporization means (13) quickly vaporizes the fuel and supplies it to the energy output means (EG). can do. Further, in the reactor (14), heat is generated by a chemical reaction between the fuel and the heat generating agent, so that an auxiliary heat source that generates heat by energy supplied from the outside as in the prior art is not required, and the system as a whole is simple. Can be achieved.

  In this claim, “the reaction heat is supplied to at least one of the fuel vaporization means (13) and the energy output means (EG)” means the fuel vaporization means (13) or the energy output means (EG). It does not only mean that the reaction heat is supplied so as to heat itself, but the reaction heat is supplied so as to heat the fuel supplied to the fuel vaporization means (12) or the energy output means (EG). It means to include.

  That is, “reaction heat is supplied to at least one of the fuel vaporization means (13) and the energy output means (EG)” in this claim means that the fuel vaporization means (13) or the energy output means (EG). This includes the supply of all reaction heat that can effectively use the fuel, such as heating itself or heating the fuel supplied to the fuel vaporization means (13) or the energy output means (EG). Further, “energy” output by the energy output means (EG) in the present claims includes mechanical energy, electrical energy, thermal energy, and the like.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the fuel supply system according to the first aspect, the fuel vaporization means (13) includes a casing (13a) that forms a vaporization space (VS) for vaporizing the liquefied fuel. The reactor (14) is arranged in a vaporization space (VS). According to this, since the reactor (14) is arranged in the vaporization space (VS), the reaction heat can be transferred to the fuel vaporized in the vaporization space (VS) very efficiently. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fuel supply system of the first or second aspect, the energy output means (EG) outputs energy while generating heat, and the heat supply means (23) is the energy output means. (EG) supplies heat generated by heat to the chemical reactant. According to this, since the heat generated by the energy output means (EG) can be used as regeneration heat for the chemical reactant, autonomous operation is possible without the need for a heat source device for regenerating the chemical reactant. It becomes.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel supply system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the regenerated fuel generated when the fuel and the heat generating agent are regenerated is energy output means (EG). It is characterized by being supplied to.

  According to this, specifically, by supplying the regenerated fuel to the energy output means (EG), the energy output means (EG) can be used effectively to output energy.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel supply system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the fuel is ammonia, and the energy output means (EG) is mechanically operated by burning ammonia. When the fuel and the heat generating agent are regenerated, the fuel is provided with a nitrogen oxide treatment means (17) for outputting energy and further reducing nitrogen oxides generated when ammonia is burned by the energy output means (EG). The regenerated fuel produced in the step is supplied to the nitrogen oxide treatment means (17).

  According to this, specifically, by supplying the regenerated fuel to the nitrogen oxide treatment means (17), it can be effectively used to reduce the nitrogen oxides in the nitrogen oxide treatment means (17). it can.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fuel supply system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the fuel is a compound containing hydrogen, and further reforming means for reforming the fuel to hydrogen. (16), and the regenerated fuel generated when the heat generating agent is regenerated is supplied to the reforming means (16).

  According to this, specifically, by supplying the regenerated fuel to the reforming means (16), the reforming means (16) can be effectively used to generate hydrogen.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 7, in the fuel supply system described in any one of claims 1 to 6, a metal halide may be employed as a heat generating agent.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each means described in this column and the claim is an example which shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a fuel supply system according to a first embodiment. It is a typical sectional view of the vaporizer of a 1st embodiment. It is a whole block diagram of the fuel supply system of 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a fuel supply system 1 of the present embodiment. The fuel supply system 1 is applied to a vehicle and supplies fuel to an engine (internal combustion engine) EG that outputs driving force for traveling the vehicle. First, the fuel supply system 1 includes a high-pressure tank 11 as liquid fuel storage means for storing high-pressure liquid fuel that has been pressurized and liquefied.

  The fuel stored in the high-pressure tank 11 is flammable for combustion as a fuel in the engine EG, and further, at a normal temperature (about 15 ° C. to 25 ° C.) under high pressure in order to reduce its manufacturing cost. However, it is desirable that the fuel be easily liquefied.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, ammonia (NH ₃ ) is employed as a fuel that is flammable and liquefies at 1.5 MPa or less even at room temperature. Furthermore, since ammonia is a fuel (compound) containing hydrogen, flammable hydrogen gas can be generated by reforming.

  In addition, dimethyl ether, alcohol-containing fuel, and the like can be employed as fuel having equivalent properties. And a hydrogen-containing fuel, wherein the molecule of the fuel contains at least one atom of sulfur (S), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N) and halogen, and You may employ | adopt the thing which a hydrogen bond expresses between molecules.

  The fuel outlet of the high-pressure tank 11 accommodates an inflow port 13b of the vaporizer 13 that is a fuel vaporization means for vaporizing the fuel and a heat generating agent that reversibly reacts with the fuel via the flow rate adjustment valve 12a. The fuel inlet / outlet port 14d of the reactor 14 is connected. The flow rate adjusting valve 12 a is for adjusting the vaporizer side fuel flow rate flowing into the vaporizer 13 and the reactor side fuel flow rate flowing into the reactor 14 while decompressing the liquid fuel flowing out from the high pressure tank 11.

  Specifically, as the flow rate adjusting valve 12a, both the carburetor-side fuel flow rate and the reactor-side fuel flow rate are adjusted, a fuel passage extending from the high-pressure tank 11 to the carburetor 13, and the high-pressure tank 11 to the reactor. A three-type flow rate adjusting valve with a fully-closed function that can close the fuel passage leading to 14 can be employed. The operation of the flow rate adjusting valve 12a is controlled by a control signal output from a system control device described later.

  Furthermore, the outflow port 13c of the vaporizer 13 is connected to the fuel inflow / outlet port 14d of the reactor 14 through the on-off valve 12b. The on-off valve 12b is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes a fuel passage that guides the fuel regenerated from the chemical reactant in the reaction space 14a to the downstream side of the vaporizer 13, and operates according to a control voltage output from the system controller. Is controlled.

  Next, the detailed structure of the vaporizer 13 and the reactor 14 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the vaporizer 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the vaporizer 13 and the reactor 14 of this embodiment are integrally configured. In addition, the solid line arrow in FIG. 2 has shown the flow of the fuel, and the broken line arrow has shown the flow of the cooling water.

  Specifically, the vaporizer 13 includes a casing 13a that forms a vaporization space VS for vaporizing the liquid fuel that has flowed into the interior. The casing 13a supplies liquid fuel from the high-pressure tank 11 side into the vaporization space VS. An inflow port 13b for inflow and an outflow port 13c for outflowing gaseous fuel vaporized in the vaporization space VS to the combustion chamber side of the engine EG are connected.

  The reactor 14 is disposed in the vaporization space VS, and is formed by sequentially laminating a plurality of types and a plurality of plate members formed by pressing a substantially rectangular metal plate material in a predetermined order. A plurality of spaces into which fuel or a heat medium flows between the plate members are defined. That is, the reactor 14 has a structure equivalent to a so-called plate stack type heat exchanger.

More specifically, in the reactor 14 of the present embodiment, the reaction space 14a that reacts the liquid fuel flowing in from the fuel inflow / outlet port 14d and the heat generating agent between each plate member, and cooling of the engine EG that is a heat medium. heating medium passage space 14b for circulating water, and a fuel passage space 14c for circulating fuel vaporization space VS that inflows from the inlet port 13b is defined and formed so as to be sequentially stacked.

  Therefore, in the reactor 14, heat exchange can be performed between the fluids in the adjacent spaces 14a to 14c or between the fluid and the heat generating agent. For example, when the cooling water temperature is rising as in the operation of the engine EG, the heat of the cooling water flowing through the heat medium passage space 14b is converted into a chemical reaction between the fuel in the reaction space 14a and the heating agent. It is possible to dissipate heat to the fuel flowing in the fuel passage space 14c, or to heat them.

A plurality of reaction spaces 14a are formed, and these reaction spaces 14a are formed so as to extend in the stacking direction of the plate members when the plate members of the reactor 14 are stacked and arranged to distribute and collect fuel. It communicates with the fuel side tank 14h that performs the operation. Further, the fuel inflow / outlet port 14d is connected to the fuel side tank 14h .

Furthermore, in this embodiment, strontium chloride (SrCl ₂ ), which is a metal halide, is employed as a heat generating agent accommodated in the reaction space 14a.

As shown in the following chemical formula, strontium chloride reversibly chemically reacts with ammonia while generating heat. Accordingly, ammonia / strontium chloride (SrCl ₂ .8NH ₃ ), which is a chemical reaction product generated by this chemical reaction, is regenerated into ammonia and strontium chloride by absorbing heat.

ここで、塩化ストロンチウムは、白色粉末状の化学物質であるので、本実施形態では、この塩化ストロンチウムを網状金属板あるいは表裏を貫通する貫通穴が形成された金属薄板にて形成された筐体に収納した状態で、反応空間１４ａ内に配置している。これにより、燃料（アンモニア）を燃料流入出ポート１４ｄから流入出させる際に、塩化ストロンチウムが燃料とともに反応空間１４ａから流出してしまうことが抑制されている。

Here, since strontium chloride is a white powdery chemical substance, in this embodiment, this strontium chloride is applied to a casing formed of a net-like metal plate or a metal thin plate in which a through hole penetrating the front and back is formed. In the housed state, it is arranged in the reaction space 14a. Thereby, when fuel (ammonia) is caused to flow in and out from the fuel inflow / outlet port 14d, strontium chloride is prevented from flowing out of the reaction space 14a together with the fuel.

A plurality of the heat medium passage spaces 14b are formed, and these heat medium passage spaces 14b are formed so as to extend in the stacking direction when the plate members of the reactor 14 are stacked and arranged, or a collection of cooling water or It communicates with a pair of heat medium side tanks 14i, 14j that perform distribution. Furthermore, one of the heat medium side tanks 14i is connected with a heat medium inflow port 14e through which cooling water flows in, and the other heat medium side tank 14j is connected with a heat medium outflow port 14f through which cooling water flows out. .

  The heat medium inflow port 14e and the heat medium outflow port 14f are connected to a cooling water circulation circuit 20 that circulates the cooling water of the engine EG. The cooling water circulation circuit 20 will be described later.

  A plurality of fuel passage spaces 14c are formed. In the fuel passage space 14c, heat exchange between the fuel in the vaporization space VS, the fuel in the reaction space 14a and the heat generating agent, and the fuel and heat in the vaporization space VS are performed. Heat exchange fins 14g that promote heat exchange with the cooling water flowing through the medium passage space 14b are arranged.

  Next, the flow of the gaseous fuel flowing out from the outflow port 13c of the vaporizer 13 is branched into three flows at the branching portion 13d as shown in FIG. At this time, when the on-off valve 12b is open, the fuel regenerated in the reaction space 14a of the reactor 14 merges with the fuel that has flowed out from the outflow port 13c of the vaporizer 13, and is branched at the branching section 13. The

The first gaseous fuel branched by the branching portion 13d is guided to a fuel injection valve (injector) 15 for supplying gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine EG, and the second gaseous fuel reforms the gaseous fuel. Then, the third gaseous fuel is guided to a reformer (reformer) 16 for generating hydrogen gas, and the third gaseous fuel is nitrogen oxide (NO) contained in the exhaust gas generated when the gaseous fuel is burned in the engine EG. led to the NO _X processor 17 is a nitrogen oxide processing means for reducing the _X).

  The engine EG of the present embodiment is a so-called reciprocating engine, which burns and consumes the vaporized fuel supplied from the carburetor 13, and generates mechanical energy that serves as driving force for vehicle travel while generating heat. The energy output means to output is comprised.

  The injector 15 is fixed to the cylinder head of the engine EG and injects gaseous fuel toward the intake port of the engine EG. Thus, an air-fuel mixture in which gaseous fuel and combustion air (intake air) are mixed is supplied into the combustion chamber. More specifically, the injector 15 is configured by an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes a fuel supply passage that supplies fuel into the intake passage.

  Further, the operation of the electromagnetic valve of the injector 15 is controlled by a control voltage output from the system control device, and the supply of fuel supplied into the combustion chamber is adjusted by adjusting the time for the system control device to open the electromagnetic valve. The flow rate is adjusted. In FIG. 1, for clarity of illustration, only one cylinder of the engine EG is schematically shown. However, this engine EG is a multi-cylinder type (for example, four cylinders) engine, and is an injector. 15 is provided for each cylinder.

  The reformer 16 is reforming means for generating hydrogen gas by heating a gaseous fuel to a reformable temperature under a catalyst to cause a reforming reaction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, ammonia, which is a hydrogen-containing fuel, is used as the fuel. Therefore, the fuel is heated to 350 ° C. or higher to perform a reforming reaction under the catalyst to generate hydrogen gas. Is generated. Hydrogen gas generated in the reformer 16 is mixed with intake air as auxiliary fuel and supplied to the combustion chamber from the intake port of the engine EG.

Further, gaseous fuel and hydrogen gas exhaust gas combusted in the engine EG are discharged from the exhaust port of the engine EG and flow into the NOx processor 17 . The NOx processor 17 selectively reacts gaseous fuel (ammonia gas) with nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust port of the engine EG under the catalyst to decompose the nitrogen oxides into water and nitrogen. To purify it. The exhaust gas from which nitrogen oxides have been purified by the NOx processor 17 is exhausted to the atmosphere.

  Next, the cooling water circulation circuit 20 will be described. The cooling water circulation circuit 20 is a heat medium circulation circuit that circulates cooling water (for example, ethylene glycol aqueous solution) for cooling the engine EG. Specifically, the engine cooling passage 22 formed in the engine EG, the cooling water pump 23, the heat medium inflow port 14e and the heat medium outflow port 14f provided in the above-described reactor 14 and the like are provided by cooling water piping. It is a connected circuit.

  The cooling water pump 23 is an electric water pump that pumps cooling water to an engine cooling passage 22 formed in the engine EG, and the rotation speed (flow rate) is controlled by a control signal output from the system control device. The

  Then, when the system controller operates the cooling water pump 23, the cooling water is supplied to the cooling water pump 23 → the engine cooling passage 22 → the reactor 14 (specifically, the reaction 14) as shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. The heat medium inflow port 14e of the reactor 14 → the heat medium passage space 14b of the reactor 14 → the heat medium outflow port 14f of the reactor 14) → the cooling water pump 23 is circulated in this order.

  Thus, during normal operation of the engine EG, when the cooling water flows through the engine cooling passage 22, the temperature of the engine EG is increased by absorbing the waste heat of the engine EG, and the increased temperature of the cooling water passes through the heat medium passage of the reactor 14. When flowing through the space 14b, heat is dissipated to the chemical reaction product of the fuel and the heating agent in the reaction space 14a or the fuel in the vaporization space VS flowing through the fuel passage space 14c.

  Therefore, when the system controller operates the cooling water pump 23 during the operation of the engine EG, the chemical reactant in the reaction space 14a or the fuel in the vaporization space VS flowing through the fuel passage space 14c can be heated. That is, the cooling water pump 23 of the present embodiment constitutes a heat supply means for supplying regeneration heat for regenerating the fuel and the heat generating agent to the chemical reactant in the reaction space 14a.

  Next, the electric control unit of this embodiment will be described. The system control device outputs a control signal or control voltage to a well-known microcomputer including a CPU that performs control processing and arithmetic processing, and a storage circuit such as a ROM and RAM that store programs, data, and the like. The circuit includes an input circuit to which detection signals from various sensors are input, a power supply circuit, and the like.

  The various control target devices 12a, 12b, 15, 23 and the like described above are connected to the output side of the system control device, and the system control device controls the operation of these control target devices. Connected to the input side of the system control device is a sensor group for engine control that detects physical quantities used to control the operation of the engine EG.

  Specifically, the sensor group for engine control includes an accelerator opening sensor that detects the accelerator opening, a rotation speed sensor that detects the rotation speed of the engine EG, a fuel pressure sensor that detects the fuel pressure flowing into the injector 15, A throttle position sensor that detects the valve opening of a throttle valve that is arranged in the intake path of the engine EG and adjusts the intake air flow rate, and detects the temperature of cooling water flowing out from the engine EG (specifically, the engine cooling passage 22). A cooling water temperature sensor (none of which is shown) is provided.

  Further, an operation signal of a switch group such as a start switch for starting or stopping the vehicle and an ignition switch for starting the engine EG is input to the input side of the system control device.

  Further, the system control device is configured such that the above-described control means for controlling the various devices to be controlled is integrally configured, but the configuration (hardware and software) for controlling the operation of each device to be controlled among the system control devices. Constitutes the control means of each control target device. For example, the configuration for controlling the operation of the cooling water pump 23 constitutes a heat supply control means.

  Next, the operation of the fuel supply system 1 of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. First, when the ignition switch is turned on and the engine EG is started, the system control device executes the engine control program stored in the storage circuit. In this engine control program, the operation of various devices to be controlled is controlled according to the operating state of the engine.

  When the engine control program is executed, the system control device operates the cooling water pump 23 so that the reference rotational speed (reference cooling water pumping capacity) stored in advance in the storage circuit is reached. Further, the system control device reads various detection values of the engine control sensor group at every predetermined control cycle, and based on the read detection values, the flow rate adjusting valve 12a, the on-off valve 12b, the injector 15, the cooling water pump. The operating state of the control target device such as 23 is determined.

  First, when the engine EG is started, the flow rate adjustment valve 12a is brought into an operation state in which fuel flows from the high-pressure tank 11 to both the inflow port 13b of the carburetor 13 and the fuel inflow / outlet port 14d of the reactor 14, and is further opened and closed. The valve 12b is closed. Thereby, when the engine EG is started, the liquid fuel flowing from the high-pressure tank 11 into the reaction space 14a of the reactor 14 reacts exothermically with the exothermic agent as shown in the above chemical formula.

  The reaction heat heats the fuel in the vaporization space VS flowing through the fuel passage space 14c and the cooling water flowing through the heat medium passage space 14b. As a result, the vaporization of the fuel flowing through the fuel passage space 14c is promoted, the gaseous fuel can be quickly discharged from the outflow port 13c of the vaporizer 13, and the cooling water temperature circulating through the cooling water circulation circuit 20 can be quickly increased. The engine EG can be warmed up by raising it.

  In the present embodiment, specifically, when the temperature of the cooling water detected by the cooling water temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference temperature KT1 (40 ° C. in the present embodiment), the engine EG It is time to start up. After that, when the temperature of the cooling water detected by the cooling water temperature sensor becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined second reference temperature KT2 (90 ° C. in the present embodiment), it is no longer when the engine EG is started. As a transition to normal operation.

  In normal operation, the flow rate adjustment valve 12a is in an operating state in which fuel is allowed to flow into the inflow port 13b of the carburetor 13 without flowing fuel from the high pressure tank 11 into the fuel inflow / outlet port 14d of the reactor 14. The on-off valve 12b is opened. Accordingly, during normal operation, fuel does not flow into the reaction space 14a, and the fuel and the heat generating agent do not react.

  Furthermore, since the temperature of the cooling water has risen to the second reference temperature KT2 or higher, the heat of the cooling water flowing through the heat medium passage space 14b of the reactor 14 and the fuel and reaction space flowing through the fuel passage space 14c Heat is dissipated to the chemical reactant in 14a, and the fuel flowing through the fuel passage space 14c and the chemical reactant in the reaction space 14a are heated.

  As a result, vaporization of the fuel flowing through the fuel passage space 14c is promoted, and the chemical reaction product in the reaction space 14a can be regenerated into fuel and a heat generating agent. At this time, the regenerated fuel that has been regenerated is vaporized by the heat of the cooling water. Furthermore, since the on-off valve 12b is open during normal operation, the regenerated fuel can be merged with the fuel flowing out from the outflow port 13c of the carburetor 13 of the carburetor 13.

  Next, for the injector 15, the system control device stores in advance in the storage circuit based on the engine speed, the accelerator opening signal, the valve opening of the throttle valve, and the like read at every predetermined control cycle. With reference to the control map, a target supply flow rate required to output the required output requested by the engine EG is determined.

  Further, based on the determined target supply flow rate, engine speed, fuel pressure at the inlet side of the injector 15, etc., a supply flow rate supplied from the injector 15 to the combustion chamber with reference to a control map stored in advance in the storage circuit Determines the valve opening time of the injector 15 which becomes the target supply flow rate.

  Then, the system control device outputs a control voltage to the injector 15 through the output circuit or the drive circuit (EDU) so as to supply the fuel only during the determined valve opening time.

  Thereafter, until the stop of the vehicle is requested by the start switch, the above detection signal and operation signal are read at every predetermined control cycle → the valve opening time of the injector 15 is determined → the control that becomes the determined valve opening time Repeat control routines such as voltage output. Thereby, the engine EG can be operated while generating the required drive torque.

  Furthermore, the system control apparatus of the present embodiment generates electric power driven by the engine EG with respect to an electric heater (not shown) as reforming heating means provided in the reformer 16 when the engine EG is started. Electric power is supplied from a machine (not shown), and the fuel is heated until the temperature becomes higher than the reformable temperature. Thereby, hydrogen gas can be supplied to the combustion chamber of the engine EG as auxiliary fuel.

  Since the fuel supply system 1 of this embodiment operates as described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

In the fuel supply system 1 of the present embodiment, since the liquid fuel flows into the reaction space 14a of the reactor 14 when the engine EG is started, the vaporizer is generated by the reaction heat between the fuel (ammonia) and the heat generating agent (strontium chloride). 13 is promoted, and gaseous fuel can be promptly supplied to the engine EG, the reformer 16 and the NO _x processor 17.

Further, during normal operation, the cooling water pump 23 pumps the cooling water heated by the waste heat of the engine EG to the reactor 14, so that the chemical reaction product (ammonia / strontium chloride) of the fuel and the heat generating agent is prevented. The regenerative heat for regenerating the chemical reactant into the fuel and the heat generating agent can be supplied. Then, the regenerated fuel can be supplied to the engine EG, the reformer 16 and the NO _x processor 17.

  Therefore, when the engine EG is started, the fuel used to quickly vaporize the liquid fuel and supply it to the engine EG can be regenerated and used effectively during normal operation of the engine EG.

  Further, in the fuel supply system 1 of the present embodiment, the chemical reaction product is regenerated using the waste heat of the engine EG during normal operation. Therefore, by the energy supplied from the outside to regenerate the chemical reaction product. Autonomous operation can be performed without requiring an auxiliary heat source that generates heat. Therefore, simplification of the entire system can be achieved.

  In the fuel supply system 1 of the present embodiment, since the reactor 14 is disposed in the vaporization space VS of the vaporizer 13, the reaction heat is transferred to the fuel vaporized in the vaporization space VS very efficiently. Can be heated.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the example in which the reactor 14 is configured integrally with the vaporizer 13 by accommodating the reactor 14 in the vaporization space VS of the vaporizer 13 has been described, but in this embodiment, the overall configuration diagram of FIG. An example in which the reactor 14 and the vaporizer 13 are configured separately will be described.

  Specifically, the reactor 14 of the present embodiment has a plate stack type heat exchanger structure having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and has the same reaction space and heat medium passage as those of the first embodiment. A space is formed and the fuel passage space is abolished.

  Further, a cooling water passage 21 disposed in the vaporization space VS of the vaporizer 13 is connected to the cooling water circulation circuit 20 of the present embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the system control device operates the cooling water pump 23, the cooling water is cooled as shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. 3, the cooling water pump 23 → the reactor 14 → the engine cooling passage 22 → the cooling water. It circulates in order of water passage 21-> cooling water pump 23.

The cooling water passage 21 is a cooling water pipe having a function of promoting the vaporization of the fuel by exchanging heat between the cooling water flowing through the inside and the fuel flowing in the vaporization space VS of the vaporizer 13. Further, in this embodiment, it employs a cooling water passage 2 1 extending in a meandering shape in the vaporizing space VS, and to expand the heat exchange surface area between the cooling water and the fuel. Furthermore, it may be arranged plate-like fins for heat exchange promotion in the cooling water passage 2 1.

Further, the fuel inflow port of the NO _x processor 17 is connected to the fuel inflow / outlet port 14d of the reactor 14 of the present embodiment via the on-off valve 12b. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, when the fuel supply system of this embodiment is operated, when the engine EG is started, the liquid fuel that has flowed into the reaction space of the reactor 14 from the high-pressure tank 11 reacts with the exothermic agent as in the first embodiment. Fever. The reaction water heats the cooling water flowing through the heat medium passage space of the reactor 14, and the high-temperature cooling water passes through the engine cooling passage 22 of the engine EG and the cooling water passage 21 in the vaporization space VS. Circulate.

  As a result, the temperature of the cooling water circulating through the cooling water circulation circuit 20 can be quickly raised to promote warm-up of the engine EG, and the vaporization of the fuel flowing through the fuel passage space 14c is promoted. Gaseous fuel can be quickly discharged from 13c.

  Further, in normal operation, the heat of the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage 21 in the vaporization space VS is dissipated to the fuel in the vaporization space VS and the cooling water flowing through the heat medium passage space of the reactor 14. The heat possessed by is dissipated to the chemical reactant in the reaction space, and the chemical reactant in the reaction space is heated.

As a result, the vaporization of the fuel in the vaporization space VS is promoted, and the chemical reactants in the reaction space of the reactor 14 are decomposed and regenerated into fuel and a heat generating agent, and the regenerated fuel is converted into the NO _x processor 17. Can be supplied to. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, when the engine EG is started, the fuel used to quickly vaporize the liquid fuel and supply it to the engine EG is regenerated and used effectively during normal operation of the engine EG. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, since the vaporizer 13 and the reactor 14 are configured separately, it is not necessary to provide a space for accommodating the reactor 14 in the vaporization space VS of the vaporizer 13. Miniaturization can be achieved.

Furthermore, since the degree of freedom in the design layout of the reactor 14 is increased, for example, the supply target device (in this embodiment, the NO _x processor 17) that supplies the regenerated fuel from the reactor 14 can be disposed close to the reactor 14. it can. As a result, it is possible to suppress the heat loss that the regenerated fuel that has flowed out of the reactor 14 dissipates heat to the outside air through the piping that reaches the supply target device.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified as follows without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the vaporizer 13 having the configuration in which the reactor 14 or the cooling water passage 21 is disposed in the vaporization space VS of the vaporizer 13 is employed as the fuel vaporization unit. However, the configuration of the fuel vaporization unit is as follows. It is not limited to this. For example, you may employ | adopt the vaporizer which injects liquid fuel in the vaporization space VS in the shape of a mist. In this case, the flow rate of the liquid fuel vaporized by the carburetor 13 can also be adjusted by adjusting the opening degree or valve opening time of the injection valve that injects the high-pressure liquefied fuel in the form of a mist.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the engine EG is employed as the energy output unit has been described. However, the energy output unit is not limited to this. For example, a fuel cell that outputs an electric energy by causing an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas (hydrogen gas) and an oxidant gas (air) may be employed.

  In this case, when the fuel cell is started, the fuel cell cooling water is heated by the reaction heat between the fuel and the heat generating agent, so that the fuel cell can be warmed up quickly. Further, during normal operation, the heat supplied by the heat supply means may be supplied to the chemical reaction product of the fuel and the heat generating agent as regeneration heat.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the cooling water pump 23 that supplies the waste heat of the engine EG via the cooling water (heat medium) is used as the heat supply means for supplying the regeneration heat has been described. The supply means is not limited to this.

For example, a gas or the like that employs gas as the heat medium and pressure-feeds the gas as the heat supply means may be employed. Specifically, the heat of the exhaust gas from the engine EG may be supplied to the chemical reactant as regeneration heat. Further, the heat supply means may supply not only the waste heat of the energy output means such as the engine EG but also the waste heat of the reformer 16 or the NO _x processor 17 as regenerative heat to the chemical reactant.

(4) In the second embodiment, the example in which the vaporizer 13 and the reactor 14 are separated and the regenerated fuel flowing out from the reactor 14 is supplied to the NO _x processor 17 has been described. Of course, to the engine EG It may be supplied or supplied to the reformer 16. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, and supplied to the fuel flow upstream side of the branch portion 13d, the engine EG, may be supplied to all the reformer 16 and NO _X processor 17.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, the flow rate adjusting valve 12a composed of three types of flow rate adjusting valves is adopted as the flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of the liquid fuel supplied from the high pressure tank 11 to the vaporizer 13 or the reactor 14. However, the flow rate adjusting means is not limited to this. For example, a flow rate adjusting valve may be disposed in both the fuel passage from the high pressure tank 11 to the vaporizer 13 and the fuel passage from the high pressure tank 11 to the reactor 14.

  By arranging on-off valves in both the fuel passage from the high-pressure tank 11 to the vaporizer 13 and the fuel passage from the high-pressure tank 11 to the reactor 14, and adjusting the valve opening time of each on-off valve, The side fuel flow rate and the reactor side fuel flow rate may be adjusted.

  (6) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the fuel supply system of the present invention is applied to a vehicle has been described. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may apply to the boiler apparatus etc. which burn a fuel and output thermal energy.

13 Vaporizer 13a Casing 14 Reactor 16 Reformer 17 NO _X Treatment Machine 23 Cooling Water Pump

Claims (7)

Liquid fuel storage means (11) for storing liquefied fuel;
Fuel vaporization means (13) for vaporizing the liquefied fuel flowing out from the liquid fuel storage means (11) ;
Energy output means (EG) for consuming the vaporized fuel vaporized by the fuel vaporization means (13) and outputting energy;
A reactor (14) containing a heat generating agent that chemically reacts with the liquefied fuel flowing out from the liquid fuel storage means (11) with heat generation and reversibly reacts with the fuel;
Heat supply means (23) for supplying regeneration heat for regenerating the fuel and the heat generating agent to a chemical reaction product of the fuel and the heat generating agent;
Reaction heat generated when the liquefied fuel and the chemical reactant react in the reactor (14) is supplied to at least one of the fuel vaporization means (13) and the energy output means (EG). A fuel supply system characterized by that. The fuel vaporization means (13) has a casing (13a) that forms a vaporization space (VS) for vaporizing the liquefied fuel,
The fuel supply system according to claim 1, wherein the reactor (14) is disposed in the vaporization space (VS). The energy output means (EG) outputs the energy while generating heat,
The fuel supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat supply means (23) supplies heat generated by the energy output means (EG) to the chemical reactant.   The fuel supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein regenerated fuel generated when the fuel and the heat generating agent are regenerated is supplied to an energy output means (EG). . The fuel is ammonia;
The energy output means (EG) outputs mechanical energy by burning the ammonia,
Furthermore, the energy output means (EG) includes a nitrogen oxide treatment means (17) for reducing nitrogen oxides generated when the ammonia burns,
The regenerated fuel produced when the fuel and the heat generating agent are regenerated is supplied to the nitrogen oxide treatment means (17). Fuel supply system. The fuel is a compound containing hydrogen,
Furthermore, it comprises reforming means (16) for reforming the fuel into hydrogen,
The fuel supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the regenerated fuel generated when the heat generating agent is regenerated is supplied to the reforming means (16).   The fuel supply system according to claim 1, wherein the heat generating agent is a metal halide.

Images