JPH08183603A - Reformer for fuel cell power generator and fuel cell power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a reformer which is inexpensive and has a small size and excellent durability. CONSTITUTION: This reformer is used for reforming a raw fuel gas to be supplied to a fuel cell power generator G which is constructed so as to generate electric power by using an electrochemical reaction of the fuel gas with an oxygen containing gas, into a reformed fuel gas. The reformer is provided with a mixing section 40 for forming a gaseous mixture to be reformed (referred to hereafter as gaseous mixture) by mixing the raw fuel gas to be supplied to the power generator G with steam and also provided with a waste gas flow passage section 50H for allowing the waste gas discharged from the power generator G to flow through it and a gaseous mixture flow passage section 50L for allowing the gaseous mixture formed in the mixing section 40 to flow through it so that heat is exchangeable between both the flow passage sections 50H and 50L. Further, a heat exchange section 50 for supplying the gaseous mixture after the heat exchange to the power generator G is provided in the reformer and the gaseous mixture flow passage section 50L is packed with fibrous nickel 51 in such a state that the gaseous mixture can be allowed to flow through the section 50L at an adequate flow rate.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel for reforming raw fuel gas supplied to a fuel cell power generator configured to generate electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas into a fuel gas. The present invention relates to a reformer for a battery power generator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Such a reformer for a fuel cell power generator is
Steam is mixed with a raw fuel gas containing a hydrocarbon-based gas to generate a reformed mixed gas, and the reformed mixed gas is heated to a high temperature (800 ° C or higher) in the presence of a reforming catalyst. hand,
A hydrocarbon-based gas and steam are subjected to a reforming reaction to produce a fuel gas containing hydrogen gas. conventionally,
As shown in FIG. 11, the reformed mixed gas flow portion 71 through which the reformed mixed gas obtained by mixing the raw fuel gas and the steam flows.
And a combustion device 72 that heats the reformed mixed gas passage portion 71, and a ball-shaped or pellet-shaped ceramic granular material 73 having nickel supported on the surface thereof is used as a reforming catalyst to pass the reformed mixed gas. The reformed mixed gas flow portion 71 was filled with the flow allowed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional device, since the combustion device is provided, there is a problem that the cost becomes high and the size becomes large. In addition, as the temperature rises and falls due to the operation and shutdown of the equipment, the ceramic granules loaded with nickel on the surface as the reforming catalyst and having nickel supported on the surface expand and contract, but In this case, since there is no flexibility between the adjacent ceramic granules, the ceramic granules are cracked and the reforming catalyst deteriorates, resulting in a problem in terms of durability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a reformer for a fuel cell power generator, which is low in price, small in size, and excellent in durability.

[0005]

A first characteristic structure of the present invention is to show a structure of a reformer for a fuel cell power generator, wherein a raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell power generator is:
A mixing unit that mixes steam to generate a gas mixture to be reformed,
Both flow through an exhaust gas flow section through which the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator flows and a reformed mixed gas flow section through which the reformed mixed gas generated in the mixing section flows Provided in a state in which heat exchange between the parts is possible, and a heat exchange part for supplying the reformed mixed gas after heat exchange to the fuel cell power generator is provided, and in the reformed mixed gas flow part, The point is that the fibrous nickel is filled in a state where the amount of the mixed gas to be reformed is allowed.

A second characteristic structure of the present invention is a structure of a reformer for a fuel cell power generator, wherein the mixing section discharges the raw fuel gas from the fuel cell power generator. In addition, the exhaust gas containing steam is mixed to generate the mixed gas to be reformed.

A third characteristic configuration of the present invention is the configuration of a reforming apparatus for a fuel cell power generator, wherein the exhaust gas containing portion exhausted oxygen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator. It is configured to flow through.

A fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention is the configuration of a reforming apparatus for a fuel cell power generator, wherein exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator is introduced into the exhaust gas flow section. The point is that it is configured to flow.

A fifth characteristic configuration of the present invention is a configuration of a reformer for a fuel cell power generator, wherein the oxygen-containing gas exhausted from the fuel cell power generator and the fuel cell power generator are provided. A combustion unit for combusting the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the combustion unit is provided, and the exhaust gas flow unit is configured to flow the combustion gas generated in the combustion unit.

A sixth characterizing feature of the present invention is to show a structure of a fuel cell power generating device for a fuel cell power generating device according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth characterizing feature. The point is that the supplied raw fuel gas is reformed into fuel gas using the reformer.

[0011]

The operation of the first characteristic configuration is as follows. In the heat exchange section, heat is exchanged between the high-temperature exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas flow section and the reformed mixed gas flowing through the reformed mixed gas flow section, and the mixture to be reformed is mixed. The gas is heated, the hydrocarbon-based gas and steam in the mixed gas to be reformed undergo a reforming reaction using the fibrous nickel filled in the flow path of the mixed gas to be reformed as a reforming catalyst, and the fuel gas becomes Is generated. The fibrous nickel thermally expands and contracts as the temperature rises and falls due to the operation and shutdown of the device, but since the fibrous nickel has flexibility, the stress caused by the thermal expansion and contraction is absorbed by the flexibility. , Fibrous nickel is not damaged.

The operation of the second characteristic structure is as follows. Since the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator contains water vapor generated by the electrochemical reaction with the oxygen-containing gas, the exhaust fuel gas is mixed with the raw fuel gas to be reformed. A mixed gas can be produced.

The operation of the third characteristic structure is as follows. There are exhaust fuel gas and exhaust oxygen-containing gas as high-temperature exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator, but the mixing part includes exhaust fuel gas and exhaust oxygen-containing gas among exhaust oxygen-containing gas in the exhaust gas flow part. Since the structure is such that only the current flows, the structure of the mixing section can be simplified.

The operation of the fourth characteristic structure is as follows. High-temperature exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator includes exhaust fuel gas and exhaust oxygen-containing gas, but the mixing part has only exhaust fuel gas and exhaust oxygen-containing gas in the exhaust gas flow part. Since it is configured to flow through, the configuration of the mixing section can be simplified.

The operation of the fifth characteristic configuration is as follows. The combustion gas generated by the combustion of the exhausted fuel gas and the exhausted oxygen-containing gas has a higher temperature than the exhausted fuel gas and the exhausted oxygen-containing gas due to combustion heat. By flowing the exhaust gas and the oxygen-containing gas, rather than flowing through the exhaust gas flow section,
The reformed mixed gas flowing through the reformed mixed gas passage can be heated more efficiently.

The operation of the sixth characteristic structure is as follows. Since the raw fuel gas is reformed into the fuel gas in the fuel cell power generator reforming device having excellent durability, the fuel gas can be stably supplied to the fuel cell power generator.

[0017]

According to the first characteristic structure, the structure for heating the reformed mixed gas flow section simply exchanges heat between the exhaust gas flow section and the reformed mixed gas flow section. Since it is a simple structure that can be prepared in a state where it is possible to do so, and it is not necessary to provide a combustion device as in the past, it is possible to reduce the price of the reformer for a fuel cell power generator and to reduce the size. I was able to do it. Further, the fibrous nickel filled as the reforming catalyst in the portion to be mixed gas to be reformed is not damaged by thermal expansion and contraction, so that the durability can be improved. In addition, the case where the fibrous nickel is filled in the reformed mixed gas flowing portion and the case where the ceramic granular material having nickel supported on the surface is filled in the reformed mixed gas flowing portion, the reformed mixed gas is temporarily assumed. If the volumes of the mixed gas flow sections are the same, the surface area of the fibrous nickel in contact with the mixed gas to be reformed is larger. Therefore, even if the same amount of raw fuel gas is reformed, when filling with fibrous nickel, the volume for filling can be reduced because the surface area in contact with the gas to be reformed is larger. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the volume of the mixed gas to be reformed flow section, which also makes it possible to further reduce the size of the apparatus.

According to the second characteristic configuration, as the steam mixed with the raw fuel gas to generate the mixed gas to be reformed,
Since the steam originally contained in the exhausted fuel gas is used, it is not necessary to separately provide a structure for generating steam, so that the cost can be further reduced and the shape of the device can be reduced as compared with the first characteristic structure. Can be miniaturized.

According to the third or fourth characteristic configuration, since the configuration of the mixing section can be simplified, the cost can be further reduced.

According to the fifth characteristic construction, the mixed gas to be reformed can be heated more efficiently, and the mixing portion can be further miniaturized, so that the shape of the apparatus can be further miniaturized. I can do it now.

According to the sixth characteristic configuration, the fuel gas is stably supplied, so that the durability of the fuel cell power generator can be improved and the operating rate of the fuel cell power generator is improved. It has become possible to improve.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, based on FIG. 1, a reformer for a fuel cell power generator (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as a reformer), and a raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas by using the reformer. The overall configuration of the fuel cell power generator that performs the reforming process will be described. A solid electrolyte fuel cell power generator G configured to generate electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas containing hydrogen gas and an oxygen-containing gas, and a raw fuel gas such as natural gas supplied to the fuel cell power generator G Is provided with a reformer R for reforming a fuel gas containing hydrogen gas and a preheater 30 for preheating the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell power generator G.

The fuel cell power generator G contained a fuel gas supply port 13 for supplying a fuel gas, an oxygen-containing gas supply port 14 for supplying an oxygen-containing gas, and water vapor generated by an electrochemical reaction with the oxygen-containing gas. An exhaust fuel gas exhaust port 15 for exhausting exhaust fuel gas and an exhaust oxygen containing gas exhaust port 16 for exhausting exhaust oxygen containing gas are provided. Since the operating temperature of the fuel cell power generator G is about 1000 ° C., the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the exhaust fuel gas outlet 15 and
The temperature of each exhaust oxygen-containing gas discharged from the exhaust oxygen-containing gas outlet 16 is about 1000 ° C. A fuel gas supply passage 17 is provided at the fuel gas supply port 13 of the fuel cell power generator G.
To the oxygen-containing gas supply port 14 with the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 1
8, the exhaust fuel gas exhaust port 15 has an exhaust fuel gas exhaust passage 19
The exhaust oxygen-containing gas exhaust port 16 is connected to the exhaust oxygen-containing gas exhaust passage 20, respectively.

The preheater 30 has an exhaust oxygen-containing gas flow portion 30H through which the exhaust oxygen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator G flows, and an oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell power generator G. The oxygen-containing gas flow section 30L is provided so as to be capable of heat exchange between both flow sections.

In the reformer R, the raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell power generator G is mixed with water vapor to generate a reformed mixed gas, and the reformer R is discharged from the fuel cell power generator G. The exhaust gas passage portion 50H through which the exhaust gas flows and the reformed mixed gas passage portion 50L through which the reformed mixed gas generated in the mixing portion 40 flows are heated between the both passage portions 50H and 50L. A heat exchange section 50 is provided that is exchangeable and that supplies the reformed mixed gas after heat exchange to the fuel cell power generator G. As will be described later in detail, the reformed mixed gas flow portion 50L is filled with nickel felt 51 as fibrous nickel in a state in which the amount of the mixed gas to be reformed is allowed.

The mixing section 40 and the reformed mixed gas flow section 50L of the heat exchange section 50 are connected to the fuel gas supply passage 17 in a state in which they are positioned in the order from the upstream side to the downstream side. is there. In addition, the exhaust gas containing portion 50H of the heat exchange unit 50 and the exhaust oxygen containing gas flowing portion 30H of the preheater 30 are positioned in the order described from the upstream side toward the downstream side, and the exhaust oxygen containing gas is discharged. It is connected to the road 20. Further, the exhaust fuel gas recirculation passage 21 branched from the exhaust fuel gas exhaust passage 19 is connected to the suction portion of the mixing portion 40, and the oxygen-containing gas flow passage portion 30L of the preheater 30 is supplied with the oxygen-containing gas. It is connected to the path 18. That is, the exhaust gas flow unit 50H is configured to flow the exhausted oxygen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator G.

The mixing unit 40 is composed of an ejector, and the raw fuel gas is jetted and supplied to the jet supply unit, and the exhaust fuel gas is sucked from the exhaust fuel gas recirculation passage 21 by the ejector action accompanying the jet. In addition, the raw fuel gas and the exhaust fuel gas are mixed to generate a reformed mixed gas.

That is, in the heat exchange section 50, between the high temperature exhaust oxygen-containing gas flowing through the exhaust gas flowing section 50H and the reformed mixed gas flowing through the reformed mixed gas flowing section 50L. By performing heat exchange, the reformed mixed gas is heated, and the hydrocarbon gas and steam in the reformed mixed gas are filled in the reformed mixed gas flow section 50L as a reforming catalyst. The reforming reaction is performed to generate the fuel gas, and the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas supply port 1 through the fuel gas supply passage 17.
3 to the fuel cell power generator G.

As will be described later in detail, since the raw fuel gas can be reformed into the fuel gas inside the fuel cell power generator G, the reformer R supplies the fuel gas to the fuel cell power generator G. Since it is not necessary to reform all of the raw fuel gas, the reforming device R has the reforming ability to reform only a part of the raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell power generation device G. In addition, although the main gas in natural gas as raw fuel gas is methane gas, a small amount of high-order hydrocarbon-based gas such as propane gas and butane gas is included. Higher-order hydrocarbon-based gases such as propane gas and butane gas are pyrolyzed at high temperatures in the absence of water vapor to deposit carbon, which adversely affects the fuel cell power generator G. It is configured to reform a higher hydrocarbon gas such as propane or butane. Therefore,
The gas supplied to the fuel cell power generator G through the fuel gas supply path 17 is a mixture of raw fuel gas, fuel gas, exhausted fuel gas, etc. The gas supplied to the fuel cell power generator G through the above is referred to as fuel gas for convenience.

In the preheater 30, heat exchange is performed between the high temperature exhaust oxygen-containing gas flowing through the exhaust oxygen-containing gas flow section 30H and the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the oxygen-containing gas flow section 30L. The oxygen-containing gas is preheated, and the preheated oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel cell power generator G from the oxygen-containing gas supply port 14 through the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18.

The preheater 30 will be further described. The preheater 30 includes a preheater casing 31, a box-shaped supply chamber 32 and a discharge chamber 3 that are provided so as to face each other.
3 and the both end portions of the preheater casing 31 in a state where they are connected to the supply chamber 32 and the discharge chamber 33, respectively.
It is composed of a plurality of heat transfer tubes 34 provided inside. The supply chamber 32 and the discharge chamber 33 are connected to the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18, and the preheater casing 31 is connected to the exhaust oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 20. That is, the internal space of the preheater casing 31 is connected to the exhaust oxygen-containing gas flow section 30.
The heat transfer tube 34 is made to function as H and the oxygen-containing gas flow section 3
It is configured to function as 0L.

Next, the heat exchange section 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The heat exchange section 50 has the fuel gas supply path 1
A cylindrical body 53 is arranged outside the circular pipe portion 52 forming 7 in a concentric manner with the circular pipe portion 52, and both end portions of the cylindrical body 53 are closed by an annular plate-like body 54 to form a cylinder. The body 53 is connected to the exhausted oxygen-containing gas exhaust passage 20. That is, the inside of the circular pipe portion 52 is made to function as the reformed mixed gas flow portion 50L, and the annular space formed between the circular pipe portion 52 and the cylindrical body 53 is made to function as the exhaust gas flow portion 50H. The circular pipe portion 52 is filled with nickel felt 51. Incidentally, reference numeral 55 in the drawing denotes a nickel net-like body which supports the nickel felt 51.

The fuel cell power generator G will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. As shown in FIG. 3, a fuel cell power generator G has a cell assembly N in which a plurality of fuel cell cells C are juxtaposed in a stacked state inside a power generator casing 22.
It is configured by providing a plurality of Cs. As shown in FIG. 5, the cell C has a rectangular plate shape, and has a solid electrolyte layer 1 having an oxygen electrode 2 on one surface and a fuel electrode 3 on the other surface,
On the side facing the oxygen electrode 2, a conductive separator 4 is arranged to form an in-cell flow path x, and a plurality of cells C are spaced from each other to form an inter-cell flow path y. The cell integrated bodies NC are formed side by side in a stacked state with being separated from each other.

The cell C will be described with reference to FIG. The solid electrolyte layer 1 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer 1, a pair of facing side edges of the solid electrolyte layer 1 are provided with exposed portions of the electrolyte layer over the entire length of the side edges. The film-shaped or plate-shaped oxygen electrode 2 is integrally attached, and the film-shaped or plate-shaped fuel electrode 3 is integrally attached to the other surface over the entire surface or almost the entire surface. A rectangular plate-shaped three-layer plate body for obtaining electromotive force from the fuel electrode 3 is formed. The solid electrolyte layer 1 is
It is composed of tetragonal ZrO ₂ in which about 3 mol% of Yt is dissolved, and other suitable materials, the oxygen electrode 2 is composed of LaMnO ₃ , and other suitable materials, and the fuel electrode 3 is composed of Ni and Zr.
It consists of O ₂ cermet or other suitable material.

The conductive separator 4 is formed of a conductive material in the shape of a rectangular plate, and a plurality of strip-shaped projections are arranged in parallel on one surface thereof. A cell C is formed by sticking the electroconductive separator 4 to the electrolyte layer exposed portion, with the strip-shaped protrusions at both ends in contact with the oxygen electrode 2, respectively. Then, while connecting the oxygen electrode 2 and the conductive separator 4 in a conductive state,
Between the oxygen electrode 2 and the conductive separator 4, a plurality of groove-shaped in-cell flow passages x which are opened at a pair of opposite end faces of the cell C are formed. Therefore, the in-cell flow path x is closed at the other pair of opposite end faces of the cell C. The in-cell flow path x faces the oxygen electrode 2 and functions as an oxygen-containing gas flow path s that allows the oxygen-containing gas to flow therethrough. In the following description, in the cell C, the open edge of the oxygen-containing gas flow channel s is the open edge, the open end face of the oxygen-containing gas flow channel s is the open end surface, and the oxygen-containing gas flow channel s. The closed end faces are abbreviated as closed end faces, respectively.

The four corners of each of the conductive separator 4, the solid electrolyte layer 1 and the fuel electrode 3 are sloped in a cut-off shape, which will be described in detail later.
Inclined portions Cs are formed at both ends of the closed end surface of the cell C.

The conductive separator 4 is made of LaCrO ₃ , which has excellent resistance to oxidation and reduction, and other suitable materials.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a laminated structure for arranging a plurality of cells C side by side in a laminated state and forming a cell integrated body NC having an inter-cell flow path y between adjacent cells is described. , Add explanation. Reference numeral 5 in the drawing denotes a rectangular plate-shaped cell holding member. The cell holding member 5 has a cut portion 5a on which the opening edge of the cell C is placed, and the cut portion 5a which faces the cut portion 5a. A hole 5b penetrating in the stacking direction is formed. The cut portion 5a is formed with a pair of abutting surfaces 5c which are brought into close contact with the closed end surfaces adjacent to both ends of the opening edge of the cell C to be placed, and the cut portion 5a.
Are formed to a depth almost equal to the thickness of the cell C. Further, the pair of abutting surfaces 5c are formed in a slanted shape which is closer to each other as it goes inward from the end of the cut portion 5a when viewed in the stacking direction of the cells C. As described above, the slanted contact surface 5c is provided on each of both ends of the closed end surface of the cell C.
The inclined portion Cs that can be brought into close contact with is formed.

The open ends of the cells C are placed on the notches 5a of the cell holding members 5 on both sides, respectively. In other words, the thin portions 5d of the cell holding member 5 left by forming the cut portions 5a hold the cells C adjacent to each other in the stacking direction of the cells C at intervals, and the thin portions 5d are held. By partitioning both side surfaces between the adjacent cells, the inter-cell flow path y is formed between the adjacent cells. The inter-cell flow path y is
The cells C are closed on both open end faces and open on both closed end faces of the cell C. Also, the flow path between cells y
Faces the fuel electrode 3 and functions as a fuel gas flow path f for passing the fuel gas containing hydrogen gas.
In addition, the opening edge of the cell C is provided with the cut portion 5 of the cell holding member 5.
When mounting on a, the cell holding member 5 is pressed against the opening edge of the cell C, so that the contact surfaces 5c are brought into close contact with the inclined portions Cs of the closed end surfaces on both sides of the cell C, respectively.

In the cell C, the thin portion 5d of the cell holding member 5 on which the cell C is placed and the pair of abutting surfaces 5c, and the peripheral portion of the opening end where the oxygen-containing gas passage s is opened, By closely adhering the back surfaces of the adjacent cell holding members 5, the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s and the fuel gas flow passage f are partitioned in an airtight state. In that case, the periphery of the open end of the cell C and the thin portion 5 of the cell holding member 5 on which the cell C is placed
As shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, a sealing material 6 having heat resistance and electrical insulation is provided between the d and the pair of contact surfaces 5c, and the back surface of the adjacent cell holding member 5.
To ensure airtightness.

As described above, by stacking the cells C with the open end edges on both sides placed on the notches 5a of the cell holding members 5 on both sides, the holes 5b of the cell holding members 5 are formed. Two passages connected in series in the stacking direction of the cells C are formed, one passage is used as an oxygen-containing gas passage X1 for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to each oxygen-containing gas passage s, and the other passage is used. It is used as the exhaust oxygen-containing gas passage X2 for discharging the exhaust oxygen-containing gas from each of the gas flow paths s. It should be noted that the space between the cell holding members 5 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction is also filled with the sealing material 6 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, so that the airtightness between both the passages X1 and X2 and the outside is maintained. Have secured.

Between adjacent cells, that is, in the fuel gas flow path f,
A nickel felt 7 which allows gas flow and has flexibility is filled, and the adjacent cells C are connected in a conductive state. The cell holding member 5 is made of a ceramic material having excellent heat resistance and electrical insulation.

A pair of collecting members are formed at both ends in the stacking direction of a laminated structure formed by stacking cells C having the open end edges on both sides placed on the cut portions 5a of the cell holding members 5 on both sides. An electric plate holding member 8 is arranged. The current collector plate holding member 8 is formed with only holes 8a having the same shape as the hole 5b of the cell holding member 5 when viewed in the stacking direction, and a portion corresponding to the cut portion 5a of the cell holding member 5 is formed. I haven't. Then, a current collector plate 10 to which a terminal rod 9 is fixed is provided between the pair of current collector plate holding members 8 in a state of being in contact with the nickel felt 7, and by both terminal rods 9,
It is configured to extract output power.

As shown in FIG. 4, a wall surface 5S is formed by each of the end surfaces of the cell holding member 5 in the stacked state. And
The partition body 11 is provided in a state of being connected to each of the wall surfaces 5S on both sides, and each of the fuel gas flow paths f is provided between the partition body 11 and the side surface of the laminated structure (the side surface where the fuel gas flow path f is open). A fuel gas passage Y1 for supplying fuel gas is formed. Further, the lid body 12 is provided at each of both ends of the laminated structure in the laminating direction.
Are provided in a state in which the openings of the oxygen-containing gas passage X1, the exhaust oxygen-containing gas passage X2, and the fuel gas passage Y1 are closed. The cell integrated body NC is constructed as described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the three cell integrated bodies NC configured as described above are placed in a state in which the stacking direction of the cells C is set to be horizontal and the side surfaces where the fuel gas flow paths f are opened. They are provided in the power generator casing 22 by stacking them in the vertical direction in the state of facing the lateral direction. Therefore, each of the fuel gas flow paths f is open to the inside of the power generator casing 22, and the inside of the power generator casing 22 is
It is adapted to be used as the exhaust fuel gas passage Y2 for exhausting the exhaust fuel gas from each of the fuel gas flow paths f.

An oxygen-containing gas supply header 23 for supplying an oxygen-containing gas is communicatively connected to the oxygen-containing gas passage X1 of each cell assembly NC, and to the exhaust oxygen-containing gas passage X2 of each cell assembly NC. Is communicatively connected to an exhaust oxygen-containing gas exhaust header 24 for exhausting the exhaust oxygen-containing gas, and a fuel gas supply header 25 for supplying a fuel gas is communicatively connected to the fuel gas passage Y1 of each cell assembly NC. There is. That is, the oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply header 23 to the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s of each cell C through the oxygen-containing gas passage X1, and the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s is caused to flow through each oxygen-containing gas flow passage s. The oxygen-containing gas is passed through the exhaust-oxygen-containing gas passage X2, and the exhaust-oxygen-containing gas exhaust header 2
It is designed to be discharged to No. 4. Further, the fuel gas is supplied from the fuel gas supply header 25 to the fuel gas flow passage f of each cell C through the fuel gas passage Y1.
After passing through each of them, they are discharged into the inside of the power generator casing 22.

The fuel gas supply port 13, the oxygen-containing gas supply port 14, the exhausted fuel gas exhaust port 15, and the exhausted oxygen-containing gas exhaust port 16 are provided in the power generator casing 22. A fuel gas supply header 25 is provided at the fuel gas supply port 13.
, An oxygen-containing gas supply header 14 is connected to the oxygen-containing gas supply port 14, and an exhaust oxygen-containing gas discharge header 24 is connected to the exhaust oxygen-containing gas discharge port 16.
Further, the exhausted fuel gas exhaust port 15 is connected to the generator casing 22.
It is provided in an open state in the interior space of the.

Fuel gas supply path 17, fuel gas supply port 13
In the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas flow path f via the fuel gas supply header 25 and the fuel gas supply header 25 in sequence, the raw fuel gas that has not been reformed by the reformer R (mainly methane gas (CH
₄ )) is contained, but the methane gas is reformed using Ni and nickel felt 7 in the material forming the fuel electrode 3 as a reforming catalyst. The reforming reaction is performed by the following chemical formula. CH ₄ + H ₂ O → 3H ₂ + CO CH ₄ + 2H ₂ O → 4H ₂ + CO ₂

[Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments will be listed. The heat exchange section 50 may have various configurations other than the configurations illustrated in the above-described embodiments. One example thereof will be described based on FIGS. 6 to 8. Inside the rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped body 56, four flat rectangular tubular bodies 57 are arranged side by side at intervals, and the opening end portions of the respective rectangular tubular bodies 57 are respectively separated by the partition wall body 58. Supported by. A window having a shape substantially similar to the outer peripheral shape of the opening end portion of the rectangular tubular body 57 is formed in the partition wall body 58, and by fitting the opening end portion of the rectangular tubular body 57 into the window, Inside the box-shaped body 56, a space (hereinafter abbreviated as an inner space) formed between the two partition bodies 58, the partition body 58 and the box-shaped body 56.
And a space (hereinafter, abbreviated as an outer space) formed between the side wall and the side wall. The open end of the rectangular tubular body 57 opens to the outer space, and the inside of the rectangular tubular body 57 and the inner space are partitioned in an airtight state. The outer space of the box-shaped body 56 is connected to the fuel gas supply passage 17, and the inner space is connected to the exhausted oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 20. That is, the rectangular tubular body 57 is made to function as the reformed mixed gas flow portion 50L, and the internal space is made to function as the exhaust gas flow portion 50H. The inside of the rectangular tubular body 57 is filled with nickel felt 51.

In addition to the circular pipe portion 52 as in the above-described embodiment and the rectangular tubular body 57 as in another embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the reformed mixed gas flow portion 50L is a cell. It can be configured in various shapes such as an AND tube type and a plate fin type.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the exhaust gas flow section 50H of the heat exchange section 50 is configured to flow the exhausted oxygen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator G is described as an example. In the exhaust gas flow section 50H,
The exhaust fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator G may be configured to flow therethrough. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the exhaust gas flow section 50H of the heat exchange section 50 is connected to the exhaust fuel gas discharge path 19. The exhaust-oxygen-containing gas flow section 30H of the preheater 30 is connected to the exhaust-oxygen-containing gas exhaust passage 20. Others are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the exhaust gas passage portion 50H of the heat exchange portion 50 is configured to allow the exhausted oxygen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator G to flow is illustrated. However, instead of this, Then, a combustion unit 60 for combusting the exhaust oxygen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell power generation device G and the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell power generation device B is provided, and the combustion unit 60 is provided in the exhaust gas flow unit 50H. It may be configured so that the combustion gas generated in step 4 is allowed to flow therethrough. in this case,
As shown in FIG. 10, the combustion section 60 is connected to the exhaust oxygen-containing gas discharge path 20 and the exhaust fuel gas discharge path 19, respectively, and the exhaust gas flow section 50H of the heat exchange section 50 is generated in the combustion section 60. It is connected to a combustion gas discharge passage 26 for discharging gas.
The exhaust oxygen-containing gas exhaust passage 20 is connected to the exhaust oxygen-containing gas flow passage 30H of the preheater 30 at the upstream side of the connecting portion of the combustor 60 to burn the exhaust oxygen-containing gas. It is configured to be used as a heat source for preheating the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell power generation device G before being burned in the section 60. Others are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, the heat exchange section 50 may be further provided with another exhaust gas passage portion 50H, and the exhaust fuel gas may be passed through the exhaust gas passage portion 50H. In this case, the reformed mixed gas flowing through the reformed mixed gas flowing portion can be heated more efficiently.

In the above embodiment, the heat exchange section 50 is further provided with another exhaust gas flow section 50H, and
A combustion unit for burning the exhaust fuel gas flowing through the exhaust fuel gas discharge passage 19 and the exhaust oxygen-containing gas after flowing through the exhaust oxygen-containing gas flow unit 30H of the preheater 30 is provided. Exhaust gas flow section 50H additionally provided with generated combustion gas
It may be configured to flow through. In this case, the exhaust heat can be used more effectively.

The shape of the cell C can be variously changed.
Further, the laminated structure for forming the cell integrated body NC can be variously changed.

In the above embodiment, the conductive separator 4
The case where the cell C is formed by attaching the above to the side of the three-layer plate body facing the oxygen electrode 2 has been illustrated, but instead of this, the side where the conductive separator 4 faces the fuel electrode 3 of the three-layer plate body. May be attached to the cell C to configure the cell C, and the cell integrated body NC may be configured to have the same laminated structure as in each of the above-described embodiments. In this case, since the in-cell flow path x faces the fuel electrode 3, the in-cell flow path x functions as the fuel gas flow path f. on the other hand,
Since the inter-cell flow passage y faces the oxygen electrode 2, the inter-cell flow passage y functions as the oxygen-containing gas flow passage s.

Incidentally, reference numerals are written in the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the attached drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a reformer for a fuel cell power generator and a fuel cell power generator.

FIG. 2 is a vertical perspective view of a heat exchange section in a reformer for a fuel cell power generator.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fuel cell power generator.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cell assembly in a fuel cell power generator.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a cell assembly in a fuel cell power generator.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional front view of a heat exchange section in a reformer for a fuel cell power generator.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a heat exchange section in a reformer for a fuel cell power generator.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view of a heat exchange section in a reformer for a fuel cell power generator.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a reformer for a fuel cell power generator and a fuel cell power generator according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a reformer for a fuel cell power generator and a fuel cell power generator according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a vertical perspective view of a conventional reformer for a fuel cell power generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 40 Mixing Part 50 Heat Exchange Part 50L Reformed Mixed Gas Flowing Part 50H Exhaust Gas Flowing Part 51 Fibrous Nickel 60 Combustion Part G Fuel Cell Power Generation Device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A fuel cell power generator for reforming a raw fuel gas supplied to a fuel cell power generator (G) configured to generate power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas into a fuel gas. A reformer for use in raw fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell power generator (G),
A mixing section (4) that mixes water vapor to generate a gas mixture to be reformed
0), an exhaust gas flow part (50H) through which exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator (G) flows, and the mixing part (4)
0), the reformed mixed gas flow part (50L) through which the reformed mixed gas flows flows through both flow parts (50H), (50).
The heat exchange part (50) for supplying the reformed mixed gas after the heat exchange to the fuel cell power generation device (G). A reforming apparatus for a fuel cell power generator, wherein fibrous nickel (51) is filled in a mixed gas flow section (50L) in a state that allows passage of a mixed gas to be reformed. 2. The mixing section (40) mixes the raw fuel gas with an exhaust fuel gas containing steam, which is exhausted from the fuel cell power generator (G), so that the mixture to be reformed is mixed. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas is configured to generate gas.
A reforming device for a fuel cell power generator as described. 3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas flow section (50H) is configured to flow the exhausted oxygen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator (G). Reformer for power generator. 4. The fuel cell power generation according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas flow section (50H) is configured to flow the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator (G). Reformer for equipment. 5. A combustion unit (60) for combusting the oxygen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator (G) and the exhaust fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell power generator (G).
The reformer for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the exhaust gas flow section (50H) is configured to flow the combustion gas generated in the combustion section (60). . 6. A fuel cell power generator in which the raw fuel gas supplied is reformed into a fuel gas by using the reformer for a fuel cell power generator according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.