JP6363389B2 - Flat plate reformer for fuel cells - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a flat type reformer for a fuel cell, and in particular, an improved modification that can be generalized by improving the heat exchange efficiency and the convenience of assembly and disassembly by combining a modular reformer and a fuel cell. It relates to the genitalia.

Conventional fuel cells are classified into high-temperature and low-temperature types depending on the operating temperature. Among these, the high-temperature type fuel cell has higher efficiency and directly transmits raw material gas such as methane from the air electrode (positive electrode). It has advantages over low temperature types, such as electrode catalysts that do not use precious metals.

Furthermore, since methane is a main component of natural gas and is an abundant resource in nature, it is now proposed as an alternative fuel for conventional types of energy resources. In the commercial development of fuel cells, methane was quickly adopted as a kind of ideal fuel, but it is mainly used to produce hydrogen and supply it to the fuel cell by an external reforming method. .
The external reforming has various drawbacks, for example, it cannot be designed to be integrally molded with the system unit due to the excessive volume of the external reformer, and the heat conduction time tends to be long and uneven distribution. However, most industrial reforming conversion processes use large equipment, and the process obtained as a by-product in petroleum cracking is one example.

Thereby, the basic configuration of the fuel cell system is constructed by the fuel processing part, the fuel cell, the inverter, and the temperature management part. The fuel processing portion is important because it accounts for a large proportion of the overall system cost, and it is also necessary to consider the entire process for improving the efficiency of the system and optimizing the thermal energy.

Here, the reformed product of the hydrocarbon fuel is first adopted by the fuel cell, and the following is a description of the fuel reaction process inside the cell, taking a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) as an example.
First, fuel passes through a reformer installed outside the fuel cell, and is converted into a hydrogen-enriched gas by a hydrocarbon reforming catalyst alone inside the fuel cell and enters the air electrode (positive electrode) of the fuel cell. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which are components, meet oxide ions at the positive electrode, and electrons released by the electrochemical reaction move to the fuel electrode (negative electrode) along the external circuit. Oxygen is adsorbed near the surface of the negative electrode, obtains electrons, becomes oxide ions, moves into the electrolyte membrane, penetrates, enters the surface where the electrolyte membrane contacts the positive electrode, and performs an electrochemical reaction in the reaction zone. Arise.

The prior art described in Patent Document 1 provides a flat plate type reformer that can increase the reaction efficiency and thermal efficiency for generating hydrogen gas, and a fuel cell system employing the plate type reformer. While occupying space as a separate body from the fuel cell, the welded joint structure lacks convenience in maintenance.

The prior art described in Patent Document 2 posts means for heating a reformer by radiant heat of a solid oxide fuel cell. An indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell having a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell stacks and reaction tubes, and a plurality of reaction tubes filled with a reforming catalyst capable of steam reforming kerosene, The reaction tubes are spaced apart from each other at a position sandwiched between the stacks and arranged in two rows to form a staggered shape. Thereby, the heating function of the cited document 2 is only radiant heat by the cell stack, and since various heating functions are lacking, it is not good for heat exchange efficiency.

Due to the above-mentioned points, there is a problem that the conventional technology lacks compatibility with various heating functions and maintenance.

Japanese Patent No. 4989913 Patent No. 5224651

Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is that it can be integrated with the same size as the fuel cell, and can be regarded as one part of the fuel cell (cell stack) module. Provided is a planar reformer for a fuel cell that has the convenience of being replaced at any time even when a problem occurs and a variety of responses.

Another object of the present invention is that it can be easily removed with a sealing structure of a type that can be disassembled and assembled in the shape of each plate part, unlike conventional welding joints that need to be removed with a dedicated tool or the like. A flat type reformer for a fuel cell that is advantageous in terms of performance is provided.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compact close contact structure between the fuel cell and the flat plate reformer, so that the heat energy generated by the fuel cell is supplied directly to the reformer by heat conduction without radiating outside. Thus, a flat plate reformer for a fuel cell that can improve the efficiency of heat exchange is provided.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a stationary fuel as a structure that achieves high power generation efficiency with a small volume, having a preheater and a steam reforming reaction function by joining a fuel cell and a flat plate reformer. Provided is a plate type reformer for a battery cell that can be applied from a battery to a hydrogen supply facility for a fuel cell vehicle.

A flat plate reformer for a fuel cell according to the present invention that meets the above object is provided with a reformer module having a laminated structure of a plurality of plate-like parts made of a heat conductive material, and provided on the surface of the reformer module. A joint surface that can be disassembled and assembled with the surface of the fuel cell module combined therewith, a space for accommodating a single catalyst provided between the plate-like components, and an external space provided on each of the plate-like components. A fuel flow path through which the fuel is introduced and allowed to react with each catalyst alone and an independent air flow path for introducing air from the outside into the fuel cell module. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are generated via the gas, introduced into the fuel cell module, and electrochemically reacted with the separately introduced air.

Accordingly, the flat plate reformer module is composed of a base plate, a separator plate, and a cover plate, and a recessed storage space provided on the top surface of the base plate, and a bottom surface of the base plate on one side of the storage space. A fuel inlet penetrating, an air outlet penetrating the bottom surface of the base plate and being separated from the housing space of the base plate on the fuel inlet side, provided on the opposite side of the housing space of the base plate and isolated from the housing space of the base plate A heat conduction base plate comprising a fuel outlet and an air inlet penetrating the bottom surface of the base plate;
The bottom surface of the separator having the same outer peripheral shape as the base plate is laminated on the opening side of the base plate receiving space, the concave receiving space provided on the top surface of the separator plate, and the base of the receiving space of the separator plate A fuel inlet / inlet passing through the bottom surface of the separator provided on the opposite side of the fuel inlet of the plate;
On the opposite side of the fuel inlet, an air inlet outlet that is isolated from the separator receiving space and penetrates the bottom surface of the separator, and is isolated from the separator receiving space on the same side as the fuel inlet. A heat conducting separator comprising a fuel inlet and an air inlet provided separately through the bottom of the plate;
The bottom surface of the lid plate having the same outer peripheral shape as the base plate is laminated on the opening side of the space for accommodating the separator plate, and a joining surface attached to the surface of the fuel cell module on the top surface of the lid plate, and one of the joining surfaces A fuel connection outlet corresponding to the fuel inlet / outlet of the separator plate through the lid plate on the side, an air connection inlet corresponding to the air inlet / outlet of the separator plate, and a lid plate penetrating the other side of the joint surface. A heat conduction lid plate having an air connection outlet corresponding to the air guide outlet of the separator and a fuel connection inlet, and the fuel inlet, the fuel outlet, the fuel inlet, the fuel outlet, and the fuel connection A fuel flow path including an inlet and a fuel connection outlet, and an air flow path including the air inlet, the air outlet, the air inlet, the air outlet, and the air connection inlet are provided.

Then, the base plate, the separator plate, and the lid plate are sealed with a heat-resistant silicone sealant to form a sealed and fixed state that is isolated from the outside. Further, since the heat-resistant silicon sealant is easy to remove, the base plate, the separator plate, and the lid plate are in a joined state that is easy to assemble and disassemble.

  The base plate, the separator plate, and the cover plate are provided with a plurality of mounting holes corresponding to the respective peripheral edges, and the base plate, the separator plate, and the cover plate are passed through the mounting holes through a plurality of fixing parts. Are fastened and joined.

  Accordingly, a plurality of mounting holes are provided on the periphery of the fuel cell module so as to correspond to the mounting holes of the flat plate reformer module.

A collecting portion having a shape converged toward the fuel inlet / outlet at a portion corresponding to the fuel inlet / outlet of the separator in the accommodation space of the base plate; There is a collecting portion having a shape converged toward the fuel connection inlet at a portion corresponding to the fuel connection inlet.

Here, the assumed material of the catalyst simple substance is Pt / CeO ₂ αAl ₂ O ₃ .

With the above configuration, the reformer module is connected to the fuel cell module directly at the joint surface, and in addition to improving the heat conduction effect, the reformer module uses air and fuel gas having a large amount of heat energy generated from the fuel cell module. Since the reformer can be heated by the radiation heating effect, it has better heat conduction efficiency.
Also, in one effective example, under a condition where the reaction temperature exceeds 800 ° C. and the S / C ratio (stoichiometric ratio of water vapor and carbon monoxide) is 2.0, the catalyst amount is 40 g and the fuel flow rate is 0.1. It was found that the product with 35 lpm of methane contained a hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide mixed gas (H ₂ + CO) with a flow rate of 1.5 lpm. Furthermore, a 550 hour performance test was conducted on this, and it was found that the methane conversion rate could be maintained at 98% or more.

  In addition, the fuel cell module (cell stack) and the flat plate reformer module have a structure that can be assembled and disassembled, so if they are sealed with silicon sealant, they can be removed only by a dedicated process. Contrary to this, it has a structure that is convenient for assembly and disassembly, and by changing the number of base plates and separators with fuel cell modules of different wattages, the amount of space in the housing space can be changed for different catalyst units. The effect of changing the throughput can be achieved.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a reformer according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the flow state of fuel and air inside the reformer of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an overall external view after assembly by an embodiment of the reformer of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a disassembled state of the reformer and the fuel cell of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a reformer according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
According to FIG. 1, the reformer according to the present embodiment is a flat plate type reformer composed of a base plate 1 made of a heat conductive material, a separator plate 2 and a lid plate 3 in the order of arrangement from the bottom to the top.
The base plate 1 is a flat plate type heat conductor, and has a recessed housing space 11 provided on the top surface thereof, and a shape converged toward one side of the housing space 11 toward the fuel inlet / outlet of the separator plate 2. A collecting portion 111, a fuel inlet 13 penetrating the bottom surface of the base plate 1 on the other side of the housing space 11, a projecting edge 12 provided on an outer frame surrounding the housing space 11, and the projecting edge 12 An air outlet 16 that is on the same side as the fuel inlet 13 on the inner side and is isolated from the housing space 11 and penetrates the bottom surface of the base plate, and the protruding edge 12 on the collecting portion 111 side of the base plate 1. A fuel outlet 14 and an air inlet 15 that are separately provided on the outside and penetrate the bottom surface of the base plate 1 separated from the housing space 11, and a plurality of mounting holes 17 that vertically penetrate the outer edge of the base plate 1. And comprising.

  The separator 2 is a flat plate heat conductor having the same outer peripheral shape as the base plate 1, and is completely laminated with the base plate 1 and joined so that the peripheral edges coincide with each other, and is provided on the top surface of the separator 2. A recessed receiving space 21, a fuel inlet / outlet 23 penetrating the separator 2 corresponding to the collecting portion 111 of the base plate 1 provided on one side of the receiving space 21, and the other of the receiving space 21 A collecting portion 211 that forms a recess converging toward the fuel connection inlet 33 of the cover plate 3 on the side, a protruding edge 22 provided on an outer frame surrounding the housing space 21, and the protruding edge 22 On the same side as the fuel inlet 23 of the separator 2 and the air inlet 26 that is inside and is separated from the accommodation space 21 on the same side of the collecting part 211 and penetrates the bottom surface of the separator 2 In addition, it is separately provided on the outside of the protruding edge 12 and is isolated from the accommodating space 11 A fuel inlet / outlet 24 (corresponding to the fuel outlet 14) and an air inlet / outlet 25 (corresponding to the air inlet 15) penetrating through the bottom surface of the separator 2 and vertically passing through the separator 2 A plurality of mounting holes 27 (each corresponding to the mounting holes 17 of the base plate).

  The cover plate 3 is a flat plate-shaped heat conductor having the same outer peripheral shape as the base plate 1 and is completely laminated with the base plate 1 and the separator plate 2 and joined so that the peripheral edges thereof coincide with each other. A joint surface 31 provided on the top surface, a fuel connection outlet 34 (corresponding to the fuel guide outlet 24 of the separator 2) penetrating the lid plate 3 on one side of the joint surface 31, and an air connection inlet 35. (Corresponding to the air inlet / outlet 25 of the separator 2) and the fuel connection inlet 33 penetrating the lid 3 on the other side of the joint surface 31 (corresponding to the collecting part 211 of the separator 2) And an air connection outlet 36 (corresponding to the air guide outlet 26 of the separator 2) and a plurality of vertically penetrating mounting holes 37 provided on the periphery of the lid plate 3 (each of the separator 2). Corresponding to the mounting hole 27).

In one embodiment, a single catalyst is disposed in each of the housing spaces 11 and 21 (not shown in the drawing, but the shape, material and operating principle of the catalyst are described in Taiwan Utility Model Registration No. 281305. The following is described in the embodiment using Pt / CeO ₂ -αAl ₂ O ₃ as a catalyst), and the periphery of the base plate 1, the separator plate 2 and the cover plate 3 is sealed with a silicon sealant. And the housing space 11 of the base plate 1 communicates with the outside through the fuel inlet 13, the housing space 21 of the separator 2 communicates with the outside through the fuel connection inlet 33 of the lid song 3, and the housing The spaces 11 and 21 are communicated by the fuel inlet / outlet 23 to form a flow path through which fuel flows as a whole.

Methane, which is the fuel, flows into the accommodation space 11 (in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 shown in FIG. 2) via the manifold connected to the fuel inlet 13 on the bottom surface of the base plate 1, and the catalyst alone (Pt / It reacts with CeO ₂ -αAl ₂ O ₃ ) to generate hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and excess fuel (methane) is collected in the collecting part 111 (in the direction of arrow A3 shown in FIG. 2) and upwards It flows into the accommodation space 21 through the fuel inlet / outlet 23 (in the directions of arrows A4 and A5 shown in FIG. 2), and reacts with another single catalyst (Pt / CeO ₂ -αAl ₂ O ₃ ) in the accommodation space 21. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and finally, the hydrogen and carbon monoxide flow out through the fuel connection inlet 33 of the lid 3 (in the directions of arrows A6 and A7 shown in FIG. 2), Next, the fuel cell module 5 flows into the interior (as shown in FIG. 4). Then, hydrogen and carbon monoxide flowing out from the fuel cell module 5 are introduced into the fuel connection outlet 34 of the lid 3 and pass through the fuel guide outlet 24 of the separator 2 and the fuel outlet 14 of the base plate 1. By discharging (in the directions of arrows A8, A9, and A10 shown in FIG. 2), a complete fuel flow path is formed.

  Air is introduced from the air inlet 15 of the base plate 1 and sequentially through the air inlet / outlet 25 of the separator 2 and the air connection inlet 35 of the lid 3 (directions of arrows B1, B2, B3 shown in FIG. 2). In the following, the fuel cell module 5 is introduced (as shown in FIG. 4). The air flowing out from the fuel cell module 5 is introduced into the air connection outlet 36 of the lid 3, and the air guide outlet 26 of the separator 2 and the air outlet 16 of the base plate 1 (shown in FIG. 2) in order. By going out through (in the direction of arrows B4, B5, B6), a complete air flow path is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, the reformer module including the base plate 1, the separator plate 2, and the cover plate 3 can be joined to the surface of the target fuel cell module 5 at the joint surface 31. The fuel cell module 5 has a fuel outlet 54 (corresponding to the fuel connection outlet 34 on the reformer module side) and a fuel inlet 53 (reformer module side) on the surface to be joined to the joint surface 31 of the cover plate 3. Corresponding to the fuel connection inlet 33), an air inlet 55 (corresponding to the air connection inlet 35 on the reformer module side), and an air outlet 56 (corresponding to the air connection outlet 36 on the reformer module side). And a plurality of mounting holes 57 corresponding to the side mounting holes 37 of the reformer module, respectively, are provided on the periphery of the fuel cell module 5 using a plurality of fixing parts (drawing). Not shown in A mounting hole 57 and mounting holes 17, 27, 37 to form a bond between the reformer module and the fuel cell module 5 by adjusting connecting communicated.

In actual application, hydrogen and carbon monoxide generated by the fuel (methane) through each catalyst alone are introduced into the fuel cell module 5 from the fuel connection inlet 33 of the cover plate 3 through the fuel inlet 53 and externally. Is introduced into the fuel cell module 5 from the air inlet 55 through the air inlet 15, the air inlet / outlet 25, and the air connection inlet 35 from a predetermined manifold, and the hydrogen and carbon monoxide are removed. Electrochemical reaction.
Further, excess air flows out from the air outlet 56 through the air connection outlet 36, the air inlet 26, and the air outlet 16, and excess hydrogen and carbon monoxide are discharged from the fuel outlet 54 to the fuel connection outlet. 34, the circulation necessary for reforming can be completed by flowing out through the fuel outlet 24 and the fuel outlet 14.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the descriptions are merely for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and the claims of the present invention described in the meaning limitation and claims are described. It is not intended to limit the scope of Therefore, it goes without saying that various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the above description without departing from the technical idea of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base plate 11, 21 Accommodating space 111, 211 Collection part 12, 22 Protruding edge 13 Fuel inlet 14 Fuel outlet 15 Air inlet 16 Air outlet 17, 27, 37, 57 Mounting hole 2 Separation plate 23 Fuel inlet / outlet 24 Fuel guide Air outlet 25 Air inlet 26 Air inlet 3 Cover plate 31 Joint surface 34 Fuel connection outlet 35 Air connection inlet 33 Fuel connection inlet 36 Air connection outlet 5 Fuel cell module 53 Fuel inlet 54 Fuel outlet 55 Air inlet 56 Air outlets A1 to A0 Arrows B1 to B6 indicating the flow of fuel Arrows indicating the flow of air

Claims (6)

A flat type reformer for a fuel cell, in which a base plate, a separator plate, and a cover plate, which are plate-shaped parts made of a heat conductive material, are sequentially introduced from the outside and fuel and air are introduced from the fuel cell. A base plate, a separator plate, and a lid plate to be joined to the fuel cell .
These outer peripheral shapes are matched with the outer peripheral shape of the fuel cell, and the outer frame peripheral edge on each opposite side is provided with a protruding edge so as to be in close contact with each other via the protruding edge, and the opposite of the fuel cell. The top surface of the lid of the reformer can be joined and separated from the fuel cell as a joint surface that is attached to the surface of the fuel cell.
The base plate is isolated from a recessed storage space provided on the top surface, a fuel inlet penetrating the bottom surface of the base plate on one side of the storage space, and a storage space of the base plate on the fuel inlet side. An air outlet that penetrates the bottom surface of the base plate, and a fuel outlet and an air inlet that are isolated from the housing space of the base plate and penetrate the bottom surface of the base plate on the other side of the housing space of the base plate. The separator plate has a bottom surface stacked on the opening side of the base plate storage space, a recessed storage space provided on the top surface of the separator plate, and a fuel inlet of the base plate in the storage space of the separator plate A fuel inlet / inlet provided on the opposite side of the separator and penetrating the bottom surface of the separator, and an air guide penetrating the bottom surface of the separator and isolated from the accommodation space of the separator on the opposite side of the fuel inlet / inlet. The isolation port is isolated from the receiving space of the separator on the same side as the fuel inlet and The lid plate includes a fuel inlet and an air inlet that are provided separately through the bottom surface of the lid plate, and the bottom plate is laminated on the opening side of the accommodation space of the separator plate, and is formed on the top surface of the lid plate. A joint surface attached to the surface of the fuel cell; a fuel connection outlet corresponding to the fuel guide outlet of the separator plate through the lid plate on one side of the joint surface; and an air inlet port of the separator plate An air connection inlet corresponding to the air interface, an air connection outlet corresponding to the air guide outlet of the separator plate through the cover plate on the other side of the joint surface, and a fuel connection inlet that also opens into the accommodation space of the separator plate The fuel flow path from which the fuel reaches the fuel cell through the fuel inlet, the fuel introduction inlet and the fuel connection inlet from the outside, and the fuel connection outlet, the fuel introduction outlet and the fuel from the fuel cell Fuel flow path to the outside through the outlet,
And an air flow path from the outside to the fuel cell via the air inlet, the air inlet / inlet and the air connection inlet, and the air connection outlet, the air inlet / outlet from the fuel cell,
Forming an air flow path to the outside through the air outlet ,
The base plate and the separator, and the base plate and the separator made of a heat conductive material are arranged in the housing space between the base plate and the separator, and the separator and the lid, and heat from the joint surface of the lid that is in contact with the fuel cell, and A flat plate type reformer for a fuel cell, characterized in that the heat is transmitted through a separator and a cover plate to cause residual heat . The base plate, the separator plate, and the lid plate are coated with a heat-resistant silicone sealant so as to be sealed and isolated from the outside, and the base plate is removed by removing the heat-resistant silicon sealant. , said separator, the fuel plate type reformer for a battery according to claim 1, characterized in that made it possible to or assembled or disassembled joint between the cover plate. The base plate, the separator plate, and the lid plate have a plurality of mounting holes at corresponding positions on their peripheral edges, and through the mounting holes using a plurality of fixing parts, the base plate, the separator plate, The flat plate reformer for a fuel cell according to claim 2 , wherein the lid plate is joined to the flat plate reformer. 4. The flat plate type reformer for a fuel cell according to claim 3 , wherein the mounting hole is disposed at a position corresponding to a plurality of mounting holes provided at a peripheral edge of the fuel cell. The base plate accommodating space has a collecting portion shaped to converge toward the fuel inlet / outlet at a portion corresponding to the fuel inlet / outlet of the separator, and a cover plate for the separator accommodating space. 2. The flat plate type reformer for a fuel cell according to claim 1 , further comprising a collecting portion having a shape converged toward the fuel connection inlet at a portion corresponding to the fuel connection inlet. _{2. The} planar reformer for a fuel cell according to claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is Pt / CeO ₂ αAl ₂ O ₃ .

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