JP6924596B2 - Hydrogen production equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hydrogen production apparatus.

Conventionally, as a hydrogen production device for obtaining hydrogen, a hydrocarbon as a raw material is reacted with steam (water) in a reformer to reform it into a reformed gas, and then supplied to a PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) device. Things are known.

In such a hydrogen production apparatus, hydrogen is produced by supplying water generated in the apparatus to the reaction side of the reformer. In addition, when the water in the device is insufficient, water is replenished in the device from external tap water to maintain the production performance of the reformed gas (hydrogen).

At this time, it is described that a water treatment device (cation exchange resin) is provided in the tap water supply line in order to remove impurities such as cation components containing sodium ions in tap water (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this way, by removing particles and ionized substances in tap water at the tap water supply line, the load on the water treatment device (cation exchange resin) provided on the water supply line supplied to the reformer can be reduced. Is said to be possible.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-201084

However, in the hydrogen production apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a new water treatment device must be provided on the tap water supply line.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen production apparatus capable of maintaining hydrogen production performance without replenishing tap water when the water in the apparatus is insufficient. ..

In a first aspect, the hydrocarbon is supplied as a raw material, a reformer for generating a reformed gas to hydrocarbon as a raw material is reformed as a main component hydrogen, than the reformer A first dehumidifier that is connected to the reformer via the flow path of the reforming gas on the downstream side and dehumidifies the reforming gas, and the first dehumidifier via the flow path of the reforming gas. And a compressor that compresses the reformed gas dehumidified by the first dehumidifier, and the modified gas that is connected to the compressor via the flow path of the reformed gas and compressed by the compressor. A second dehumidifier that dehumidifies the quality gas and the reformed gas that is connected to the second dehumidifier via the flow path of the reformed gas and dehumidified by the second dehumidifier are converted into impurities and hydrogen. A hydrogen purifier that separates and purifies hydrogen, a recovered water tank that stores recovered water recovered from the flow path of combustion exhaust gas of the first dehumidifier, the second dehumidifier, and the reformer, and the above. The recovered water supply flow path communicating from the recovered water tank to the reaction side of the reformer, the reaction oxygen supply flow path for supplying oxygen to the reaction side of the reformer, the reaction oxygen supply flow path, and the above. A switching means for communicating with or shutting off the reaction side of the reformer is provided.

According to the first aspect, the recovered water recovered from the flow path of the combustion exhaust gas of the first dehumidifier, the second dehumidifier, and the reformer on the downstream side of the reformer is stored in the recovered water tank. The water supplied from the recovered water tank to the recovered water supply channel is supplied to the reformer together with the hydrocarbon as a raw material, and a reforming gas is generated by a steam reforming reaction. The reformed gas produced may itself be a final product, or may be purified to further increase the hydrogen concentration.

By the way, if the ability to generate reformed gas in the steam reforming reaction (hydrogen production performance) is limited by the amount of water in the device (water shortage), or if there is a high possibility that it will be limited, oxygen for reaction is used by the switching means. The supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer are communicated with each other. As a result, oxygen for fuel is supplied to the reaction side of the reformer, and the hydrocarbon and oxygen cause a partial oxidation reforming reaction. That is, when water becomes insufficient in the entire device, hydrogen production performance is maintained without supplying tap water to the device by producing a reformed gas by both the steam reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reforming reaction. can do.

On the other hand, when there is sufficient water, the oxygen supply channel for reaction and the reaction side of the reformer are blocked by the switching means, and the steam reforming reaction is mainly operated to impure the reformed gas. It is possible to reduce the components and operate at a high hydrogen concentration.

In the second aspect, when the water level of the recovered water tank becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the switching means is driven to communicate the reaction oxygen supply flow path with the reaction side of the reformer. When the water level exceeds the second threshold value, a control means for driving the switching means to shut off the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer is provided.

According to the second aspect, when the water level of the recovered water tank becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the control means drives the switching means to communicate the reaction oxygen supply flow path with the reaction side of the reformer. .. As a result, oxygen for fuel is supplied to the reaction side of the reformer, and the hydrocarbon and oxygen cause a partial oxidation reforming reaction. That is, when water becomes insufficient in the entire device, hydrogen production performance is maintained without supplying tap water to the device by producing a reformed gas by both the steam reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reforming reaction. can do.

On the other hand, when the water level of the recovered water tank exceeds the second threshold value, the control means drives the switching means to shut off the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer. As a result, by mainly operating the reformer for the steam reforming reaction, it is possible to reduce the impure component in the reformed gas and operate the hydrogen concentration at a high level.

Further, by switching the reaction according to the water level of the recovered water tank, the hydrogen production apparatus can automatically continue the operation without running out of water.

In the third aspect, the recovered water tank is provided with a water level detecting means for detecting the water level, and the controlling means switches the switching means based on the water level detected by the water level detecting means.

According to the third aspect, when the water level of the recovered water tank detected by the water level detecting means is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the control means switches the switching means to switch the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer. To communicate with. As a result, the reformed gas can be produced by both the steam reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reforming reaction in the reformer, and the hydrogen production performance can be maintained without supplying tap water to the apparatus.

In the fourth aspect, the reaction oxygen supply flow path communicates the combustion oxygen supply path for supplying oxygen to the combustion side of the reformer with the reaction side of the reformer.

According to the fourth aspect, the reaction oxygen supply flow path communicates the combustion oxygen supply flow path with the reaction side of the reformer. Therefore, the oxygen supplied to the reaction side of the reformer and the oxygen supplied to the combustion side of the reformer can be supplied from the same source.

In the fifth aspect, the degree of hydrogen purification is maintained according to the ratio of the reformed gas generated by the partial oxidation reaction between the hydrocarbon and the oxygen to the reformed gas generated by the reformer. Control the hydrogen purifier.

According to the fifth aspect, when the partial oxidation reaction is carried out, the impurity component in the reformed gas increases. Therefore, the hydrogen purifier is controlled (change of operation pattern) according to the ratio of the reformed gas generated by the partial oxidation reaction to the reformed gas generated by the reformer. As a result, the purified hydrogen concentration can be maintained in the reformer as in the case where there is no partial oxidation reforming reaction.

In this embodiment, when the water in the apparatus is insufficient, the hydrogen production performance can be maintained without replenishing tap water.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the hydrogen production apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the multi-cylindrical reformer shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen production apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a multi-cylindrical reformer 12 (hereinafter, may be referred to as “reclaimer 12”), a first dehumidifier 14, and a compressor. 16, a second dehumidifier 18, a hydrogen purifier 20, and a recovered water tank 22 are provided. The hydrogen production apparatus 10 produces hydrogen from a hydrocarbon raw material. In this embodiment, a case where a city gas containing methane as a main component is used as an example of a hydrocarbon raw material will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-cylindrical reformer 12 has a plurality of tubular walls 30, 32, 34, 36 (hereinafter, referred to as “plurality of tubular walls 30 to 36”) arranged in a plurality of manners. It is composed of. The plurality of tubular walls 30 to 36 are formed in, for example, a cylindrical shape or an elliptical tubular shape. A combustion chamber 38 is formed inside the first tubular wall 30 from the inside among the plurality of tubular walls 30 to 36, and a burner 40 is arranged downward in the upper part of the combustion chamber 38. There is. Fuel gas is supplied to the burner 40 from the off-gas supply flow path 70, which will be described later, and air is supplied from the combustion air supply pipe 72. The combustion chamber 38 and the burner 40 may be referred to as the combustion side of the reformer 12.

A combustion exhaust gas flow path 42 is formed between the first tubular wall 30 and the second tubular wall 32. The lower end of the combustion exhaust gas flow path 42 communicates with the combustion chamber 38, and the gas discharge pipe 44 is connected to the upper end of the combustion exhaust gas flow path 42. The combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber 38 flows from the lower side to the upper side in the combustion exhaust gas flow path 42, and is discharged to the outside through the gas discharge pipe 44.

A first flow path 46 is formed between the second tubular wall 32 and the third tubular wall 34. The upper portion of the first flow path 46 is formed as a preheating flow path 48, and a raw material supply pipe 50 and a reforming water supply pipe 52 are connected to the upper end portion of the preheating flow path 48. A spiral member 54 is provided between the second tubular wall 32 and the third tubular wall 34, and the spiral member 54 forms the preheating flow path 48 in a spiral shape. The first flow path 46 may be referred to as the reaction side of the reformer 12.

City gas is supplied to the preheating flow path 48 from the raw material supply pipe 50, and reforming water is supplied from the reforming water supply pipe 52. The city gas and the reforming water flow from the upper side to the lower side in the preheating flow path 48, and are heat-exchanged with the combustion exhaust gas through the second tubular wall 32 to vaporize the water. In the preheating flow path 48, a mixed gas is generated by mixing the city gas and the water for reforming the gas phase (steam).

A reforming catalyst layer 56 is provided below the preheating flow path 48 in the first flow path 46, and the mixed gas generated in the preheating flow path 48 is supplied to the reforming catalyst layer 56. In the reforming catalyst layer 56, the mixed gas is steam reformed by receiving heat from the combustion exhaust gas flowing through the combustion exhaust gas flow path 42, and a reformed gas containing hydrogen as a main component is generated.

A second flow path 58 is formed between the third tubular wall 34 and the fourth tubular wall 36. The lower end of the second flow path 58 communicates with the lower end of the first flow path 46. The lower part of the second flow path 58 is formed as a reforming gas flow path 60, and the reforming gas discharge pipe 62 is connected to the upper end portion of the second flow path 58.

A CO modification catalyst layer 64 is provided above the reformed gas flow path 60 in the second flow path 58, and the reformed gas generated in the reformed catalyst layer 56 is the reformed gas flow path 60. After passing through, it is supplied to the CO reforming catalyst layer 64. In the CO transformation catalyst layer 64, carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas reacts with water vapor to be converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide is reduced.

An oxidant gas supply pipe 66 is provided above the CO transformation catalyst layer 64, and a CO removal catalyst layer 68 is provided above the CO transformation catalyst layer 64 in the second flow path 58. The oxidant gas taken in through the oxidant gas supply pipe 66 and the reformed gas that has passed through the CO transformation catalyst layer 64 are supplied to the CO removal catalyst layer 68. In the CO removal catalyst layer 68, carbon monoxide reacts with oxygen on a noble metal catalyst such as platinum or ruthenium and is converted into carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide is removed. The reformed gas from which carbon monoxide has been removed from the CO-modified catalyst layer 64 and the CO-removed catalyst layer 68 is discharged through the reformed gas discharge pipe 62.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reformer 12 communicates with a combustion air supply pipe 72 that supplies air to the burner 40. Further, the reaction air supply pipe 74 communicates the combustion air supply pipe 72 with the raw material supply pipe 50. The reaction air supply pipe 74 is provided with an electromagnetic switching valve 76 that communicates or shuts off the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50.

A third dehumidifier 78 is provided in the gas discharge pipe 44 of the reformer 12. Therefore, the combustion exhaust gas is dehumidified in the gas discharge pipe 44 and then discharged to the outside. The third dehumidifier 78 has a function of cooling the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the multi-cylindrical reformer 12, and condenses the water vapor contained in the combustion exhaust gas at the time of cooling to condense the dew condensation water. By discharging from the drain, water vapor is separated (dehumidified) from the combustion exhaust gas.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first dehumidifier 14 sends the reformed gas generated by the multi-cylindrical reformer 12. The first dehumidifier 14 has a function of cooling the reforming gas sent from the multi-cylindrical reformer 12, and condenses the water vapor contained in the reforming gas at the time of cooling to cause dew condensation, and the condensed water is condensed. By discharging from the drain, water vapor is separated (dehumidified) from the reforming gas.

The compressor 16 compresses the reformed gas sent from the first dehumidifier 14 with a pump, increases the pressure of the reformed gas, and sends it out.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second dehumidifier 18 sends the reformed gas compressed by the compressor 16. The second dehumidifier 18 has a function of cooling the reforming gas sent from the compressor 16, and condenses the water vapor contained in the reforming gas during cooling to cause dew condensation, and discharges the condensed water from the drain. This separates (dehumidifies) water vapor from the reforming gas.

As an example, a PSA device is used in the hydrogen purifier 20. The hydrogen purifier 20 is to which the reformed gas dehumidified by the second dehumidifier 18 is sent. In this hydrogen purifier 20, impurities in the reforming gas are adsorbed on the adsorption part, so that the reforming gas is separated into impurities and hydrogen, and hydrogen is purified to produce pure hydrogen as a product. The impurities adsorbed on the adsorbed portion are desorbed from the adsorbed portion by depressurizing the adsorbed portion. Further, the off-gas from the hydrogen purifier 20 contains residual hydrogen and the like that were not used as product hydrogen, and the reformer passes through the off-gas supply flow path 70 as a reflux flow path that communicates with the reformer 12. It is supplied to No. 12 and used as fuel for the burner 40 (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 1, the condensed water generated in the first dehumidifier 14, the second dehumidifier 18, and the third dehumidifier 78 is collected in the recovery water tank 22.

The recovered water tank 22 is communicated with the reformer 12 by the reforming water supply pipe 52. The reforming water supply pipe 52 is provided with a water treatment device (ion exchange resin) 80 for removing dissolved ion components. That is, the water recovered from the first dehumidifier 14, the second dehumidifier 18, and the third dehumidifier 78 is the water for reforming from the recovered water tank 22 to the reaction side of the reformer 12 via the water treatment device 80. It is supposed to be supplied as.

Further, the recovered water tank 22 is provided with a water level detection sensor 82 that detects the water level inside the tank.

Further, the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is provided with a control unit 84, and when the water level detected by the water level detection sensor 82 becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold value, an operation signal is output to the electromagnetic switching valve 76 to open the hydrogen production device 10. The valve is made to communicate the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50.

On the other hand, when the water level detected by the water level detection sensor 82 exceeds the second threshold value, an operation signal is output to the electromagnetic switching valve 76 to close the valve and shut off the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50. It is a thing. The first threshold value and the second threshold value may be different values or the same value.

The above hydrogen production apparatus 10 is applied to, for example, a fuel cell system, and the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is supplied to the fuel cell in the fuel cell system and used for power generation by the fuel cell. Alternatively, the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is stored in the hydrogen tank.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

In the hydrogen production apparatus 10, city gas is supplied from the raw material supply pipe 50 to the first flow path 46 (reaction side) of the multi-cylindrical reformer 12, and reforming water is supplied from the reforming water supply pipe 52. Be supplied. In this state, the multi-cylindrical reformer 12 is heated by the burner 40 to cause a steam reforming reaction, and a reforming gas containing hydrogen as a main component is generated.

The reformed gas generated by the multi-cylindrical reformer 12 of the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is dehumidified by the first dehumidifier 14, and then boosted by the compressor 16. The reforming gas pressurized by the compressor 16 is dehumidified by the second dehumidifier 18, and then separated into impurities and hydrogen by the hydrogen purifier 20 to purify hydrogen. As a result, pure hydrogen having a hydrogen concentration of 99% or more can be obtained as a product.

Further, the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the gas discharge pipe 44 of the reformer 12 is dehumidified by the third dehumidifier 78 and then discharged to the outside.

The water condensed in the first dehumidifier 14, the second dehumidifier 18, and the third dehumidifier 78 is collected in the recovered water tank 22, and after the dissolved ions such as cations are removed by the water treatment device 80, the water is modified. Since it is supplied from the quality water supply pipe 52 to the first flow path 46 (reaction side) of the reformer 12, it is used as the reforming water of the reformer 12.

At this time, the water level of the recovered water tank 22 is detected by the water level detection sensor 82. When the detected water level exceeds the threshold value, the control unit 84 keeps the electromagnetic switching valve 76 closed.

On the other hand, when the detected water level becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the control unit 84 determines that the entire device is short of water or may be short of water, and outputs an operation signal to the electromagnetic switching valve 76. The electromagnetic switching valve 76 is opened. As a result, the combustion air supply pipe 72 communicates with the raw material supply pipe 50 and communicates with the reformer 12 via the raw material supply pipe 50. Therefore, a part of the combustion air is supplied as fuel from the combustion air supply pipe 72 to the first flow path 46 (reaction side) of the reformer 12 via the reaction air supply pipe 74 and the raw material supply pipe 50. .. As a result, the partial oxidation reforming reaction is caused by the hydrocarbons in the city gas supplied from the raw material supply pipe 50 to the first flow path 46 of the reformer 12 and the oxygen in the air.

That is, when the entire hydrogen production apparatus 10 is insufficient in water and the hydrogen production capacity may be reduced, the reformer 12 is supplied with a part of the combustion air to the reaction side of the reformer 12. Causes a partial oxidation reaction. As a result, the reformer 12 can maintain the hydrogen production performance by the steam reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reforming reaction using the reforming water and the city gas.

At this time, since the water consumption in the reformer 12 is reduced, the supply amount of reforming water can be reduced. Further, the moisture (steam) in the air that was not used in the partial oxidation reforming reaction in the reformer 12 is supplied to the reforming gas discharge pipe 62. Furthermore, when the amount of hydrogen produced is small or immediately after startup, the amount of recovered water increases.

As a result, when the water level detected by the water level detection sensor 82 exceeds the second threshold value, the control unit 84 determines that the entire device has sufficient water, and outputs an operation signal to the electromagnetic switching valve 76. The electromagnetic switching valve 76 is closed. As a result, the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50 are cut off, and air is not supplied to the reaction side of the reformer 12. That is, in the reformer 12, a reforming gas is generated by the steam reforming reaction.

In this way, in the hydrogen production apparatus 10, the control unit 84 detects that there is a shortage (may) of water in the entire apparatus based on the detection value of the water level detection sensor 82 (water level of the recovered water tank 22), and electromagnetic waves are generated. The switching valve 76 is opened. As a result, air is supplied to the reaction side of the reformer 12, and the shortage of the reformed gas production amount (hydrogen production performance) is reduced by the partial oxidation reforming reaction with city gas (hydrocarbon) and air (oxygen). Can be supplemented.

That is, when the amount of reformed gas produced by steam reforming of the reformer 12 is insufficient due to the shortage of water recovered from the first dehumidifier 14, the second dehumidifier 18, and the third dehumidifier 78, No need to replenish tap water. This eliminates the need for a water treatment device for tap water, which is required for tap water replenishment, and simplifies the device.

Further, since the reaction air supply pipe 74 connecting the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50 is provided with the electromagnetic switching valve 76, the electromagnetic switching valve 76 is opened only when necessary (when the recovered water is insufficient). By valve, the partial oxidation reforming reaction (air consumption) can be suppressed to the minimum, and an efficient steam reforming reaction can be mainly operated.

Further, the control unit 84 compares the water level of the recovered water tank 22 detected by the water level detection sensor 82 with the threshold value, and if the water level is equal to or lower than the threshold value, determines that the water in the entire device is insufficient, and electromagnetically. The switching valve 76 is opened to supply air to the reaction side of the reformer 12. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the water shortage of the entire apparatus, and since water is supplied to the reaction side of the reformer 12 based on the detected water shortage, the partial oxidation reaction can be used efficiently.

When the partial oxidation reaction is carried out, nitrogen in the air is also contained in the reformed gas, so that the impurity component of the reformed gas increases. Therefore, the purified hydrogen concentration can be maintained at 99% or more by changing the operation pattern of the hydrogen purifier 20 according to the ratio of the partial oxidation reaction and the steam reforming reaction. For example, when the proportion of partial oxidation reaction (impurities) increases, the proportion of time for depressurization at the adsorption part of the hydrogen purifier 20 is increased so that impurities can be reliably adsorbed at the adsorption part. Is possible. Since the adsorption state with respect to the adsorbed portion differs depending on the type of impurities and the like, it is conceivable to take different controls depending on the type of impurities.

Next, a modified example of this embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the fuel air is supplied from the reaction air supply pipe 74 to the reaction side of the reformer 12 via the raw material supply pipe 50, but the reaction air supply pipe 74 to the reformer 12 It may be configured to be directly supplied to the reaction side.

Further, in the present embodiment, by providing the reaction air supply pipe 74 that communicates the combustion air supply pipe 72 and the raw material supply pipe 50, a part of the combustion air is used as fuel air for the reaction of the reformer 12. It was configured to supply to the side. However, the fuel air is supplied to the raw material supply pipe 50 or the reaction side of the reformer 12 by a reaction air supply pipe 74 separate from the combustion air supply pipe 72 (not communicating with the combustion air supply pipe 72). May be.

Further, in the present embodiment, the water level detection sensor 82 is used as the water level detection means of the recovered water tank 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a switch is provided at the position of the threshold value (water level) of the reclaimed water tank 22, and an ON signal is output to the control unit 84 when the float comes into contact with the water level, and the control unit 84 outputs an ON signal to the control unit 84 based on the ON signal. It may be configured to open the valve 76. Alternatively, the water level inside the tank may be detected from the weight of the recovered water tank 22.

Further, the signal from the switch may be directly output to the electromagnetic switching valve 76 to switch the opening and closing of the electromagnetic switching valve 76. In this case, the control unit 84 can be eliminated.

Further, in the present embodiment, the hydrogen purifier 20 is provided in the hydrogen production apparatus 10, but the hydrogen production apparatus 10 may be configured without the hydrogen purifier 20. In this case, the reformed gas may be used as the final product, or the reformed gas may be purified by a hydrogen purifier or the like at another place.

Further, in the above embodiment, city gas is used as an example of a hydrocarbon raw material, but a hydrocarbon raw material other than city gas containing methane as a main component, for example, a gas containing a hydrocarbon as a main component such as propane, or , Hydrocarbon-based liquids may be used.

Further, when a hydrocarbon raw material other than city gas is used, the multi-cylindrical reformer 12 may be changed to a structure other than the above (a structure suitable for the hydrocarbon raw material used).

Further, in the above embodiment, the PSA device is used as the hydrogen purifier 20, but for example, a hydrogen purifier having a hydrogen separation membrane or the like may be used.

Further, although the hydrogen production apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is preferably used for a fuel cell system, it may be used for a device or system other than the fuel cell system.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first dehumidifier 14 and the second dehumidifier 18 are provided on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the compressor 16, but only on either the upstream side or the downstream side of the compressor 16. A dehumidifier may be provided. Further, the configuration may be such that the first dehumidifier 14 and the second dehumidifier 18 are not provided, and only the third dehumidifier 78 is configured. Further, in order to reduce the water vapor of the reformed gas, a water vapor separation membrane or a hygroscopic agent may be used.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified and implemented within a range not deviating from the gist thereof. Is.

10 ... Hydrogen production equipment, 12 ... Multiple cylinder type reformer (reformer), 20 ... Hydrogen purifier, 22 ... Recovery water tank, 44 ... Gas discharge pipe (combustion exhaust gas flow path) 50 ... Raw material supply pipe (Raw material supply flow path), 72 ... Combustion air supply pipe (combustion oxygen supply flow path), 74 ... Reaction air supply pipe (reaction oxygen supply flow path), 76, Electromagnetic switching valve (switching means), 82 ... Water level detection sensor (water level detection means), 84 ... Control unit (control means)

Claims (5)

The hydrocarbon is supplied as a raw material, a reformer for generating a reformed gas mainly composed of hydrogen hydrocarbons by reforming a raw material,
A first dehumidifier that is connected to the reformer via a flow path of the reformed gas on the downstream side of the reformer and dehumidifies the reformed gas.
A compressor that is connected to the first dehumidifier via the flow path of the reformed gas and compresses the reformed gas that has been dehumidified by the first dehumidifier.
A second dehumidifier that is connected to the compressor via the flow path of the reformed gas and dehumidifies the reformed gas compressed by the compressor.
A hydrogen purifier that is connected to the second dehumidifier via the flow path of the reformed gas and separates the reformed gas dehumidified by the second dehumidifier into impurities and hydrogen to purify hydrogen.
A recovery water tank for storing the recovered water recovered from the flow path of the combustion exhaust gas of the first dehumidifier, the second dehumidifier, and the reformer.
A reclaimed water supply flow path communicating from the reclaimed water tank to the reaction side of the reformer,
A reaction oxygen supply flow path that supplies oxygen to the reaction side of the reformer,
A switching means for communicating or shutting off the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer.
A hydrogen production device equipped with. When the water level of the recovered water tank becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the switching means is driven to communicate the reaction oxygen supply flow path with the reaction side of the reformer, and the water level becomes the second threshold value. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for driving the switching means to shut off the reaction oxygen supply flow path and the reaction side of the reformer. The recovered water tank is provided with a water level detecting means for detecting the water level.
The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means switches the switching means based on the water level detected by the water level detecting means. The reaction oxygen supply flow path is any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the combustion oxygen supply path for supplying oxygen to the combustion side of the reformer and the reaction side of the reformer are communicated with each other. The hydrogen production apparatus described. The hydrogen purifier is controlled so as to maintain the degree of hydrogen purification according to the ratio of the reformed gas generated by the partial oxidation reaction between the hydrocarbon and the oxygen to the reformed gas generated by the reformer. The hydrogen production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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