KR100669395B1 - Reformer for fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

The reformer for a fuel cell system according to the present invention includes at least one reactor body made of a plate type having a plurality of passages that enable the flow of reactants containing fuel, and a catalyst layer coated on the surfaces of the passages. ,

The reactor body is formed as an open end of the passage and includes a catalyst inlet for introducing a catalyst material into the passage, and a closing unit for closing the catalyst inlet.

Fuel Cell, Stack, Reformer, Reaction Base, Brazing, Bonding, Passage, Moving Channel, Catalyst Layer, Catalyst Inlet, Finishing Unit, Finishing Block, Welding

Description

Reformer for Fuel Cell System {REFORMER FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM}

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a fuel cell system employing a reforming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a reformer for a fuel cell system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view illustrating a reformer for a fuel cell system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a reformer for a fuel cell system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the reactor body shown in FIG. 4.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a reformer for a fuel cell system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a fuel cell system, and more particularly to a plate type reformer for generating hydrogen from fuel.

As is known, a fuel cell is a power generation system that generates electrical energy using fuel and oxygen such as methanol, ethanol and natural gas.

The polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC, hereinafter called PEMFC for convenience), which has been recently developed in such a fuel cell, has excellent output characteristics, low operating temperature, and fast start-up and response characteristics. As well as mobile power sources such as automobiles, as well as distributed power sources such as homes, public buildings and small power sources such as for electronic devices has a wide range of applications.

PEMFC basically includes a stack, a reformer, a fuel tank, etc. to construct a system. The stack forms the body of a fuel cell that generates electrical energy through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and the fuel pump supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to the reformer. The reformer then reforms the fuel to generate hydrogen and supplies this hydrogen to the stack.

In such a fuel cell system, the reformer generates hydrogen from the fuel through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy. The reformer generates thermal energy using the fuel, and generates hydrogen through the reforming reaction of the fuel by the thermal energy. And a plurality of fuel processing units that generate and reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in hydrogen.

However, according to the conventional reformer for a fuel cell system, since a plurality of fuel processing units are distributed and disposed in a container type, heat exchange between them is not directly performed, which is disadvantageous in terms of heat transfer, and the size of the entire system is compactly realized. There was a problem that can not.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a reforming apparatus for a fuel cell system that can maximize heat transfer efficiency and reduce the volume of an entire system as a plate type structure.

In order to achieve the above object, the reforming apparatus for a fuel cell system according to the present invention has a plurality of passages for enabling the flow of a reactant including fuel, and a catalyst layer coated on a surface of the passage in a plate type. Comprising at least one reactor body,

The reactor body is formed as an open end of the passage and includes a catalyst inlet for introducing a catalyst material into the passage, and a closing unit for closing the catalyst inlet.

The reformer for a fuel cell system may include a plurality of reactor bodies, and the reactor bodies may be sequentially stacked to form an aggregate structure of the reactor bodies.

In the reforming apparatus for a fuel cell system, the reactor body is arranged in close contact with the first metal plate and the first metal plate forming the plurality of moving channels on one surface to form the passage by the moving channel. A second metal plate and the first metal plate and the contact portion of the second metal plate may be molten to form a bonding portion for integrally bonding the first and second metal plate.

In the reforming apparatus for the fuel cell system, the first metal plate may be formed as the close contact portion except for the moving channel.

In the reforming apparatus for the fuel cell system, the contact portion may be formed to protrude in a straight line at a predetermined interval on one surface of the first metal plate, and the moving channel may be formed as a space between the contact portions.

In the reforming apparatus for a fuel cell system, the catalyst inlet is formed at one edge of the first metal plate by joining the first metal plate and the second metal plate, and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving channel. It can be formed as one cross-sectional shape.

In the reforming apparatus for the fuel cell system, the joining portion is formed as a metal thin plate interposed between the first metal plate and the second metal plate while having a shape corresponding to the tight portion of the first metal plate. The thin metal sheet may be melted by heat.

In the reformer for a fuel cell system, the first and second metal plates are preferably made of stainless steel or aluminum.

In the reforming apparatus for the fuel cell system, the metal thin plate may be formed as a metal material having a lower melting point than the first and second metal plates.

In the reforming apparatus for the fuel cell system, the finishing unit is installed on one side edge of the first metal plate to close the open end of the bar-shaped block, the first metal plate and the finishing block joining It may include a weld.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a fuel cell system employing a reforming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the fuel cell system 100 applied to the present invention with reference to the drawings, the fuel cell system 100 generates hydrogen from the reactant through the chemical catalytic reaction of the reactant containing the fuel, and the hydrogen It is configured as a Polymer Electrode Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) system that generates electrical energy by electrochemically reacting with oxygen.

In this fuel cell system 100, the fuel includes a fuel made of a liquid or gaseous state containing hydrogen such as methanol, ethanol or natural gas. However, the fuel described below means the liquid fuel described above.

In addition, the system 100 may use pure oxygen stored in a separate storage means as oxygen to react with hydrogen, and may use air containing oxygen as it is. However, hereinafter, the latter will be described as an example.

The fuel cell system 100 includes a stack 10 for generating electrical energy by a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and a reformer 30 for reforming a fuel to generate hydrogen and supplying the hydrogen to the stack 10. And a fuel supply source 50 for supplying fuel to the reformer 30, and an oxygen supply source 70 for supplying oxygen to the stack 10.

The stack 10 includes the electricity generating unit 11 of the minimum unit for generating the above-described electrical energy, which is centered on a conventional membrane-electrode assembly (MEA). And a separator (also referred to in the art as a 'bipolar plate') on both sides thereof. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the stack 10 having the aggregate structure of the electricity generators 11 can be formed by providing a plurality of the electricity generators 11 having the minimum unit and arranging them continuously. Since the stack 10 may be configured as a stack of a conventional polymer electrolyte fuel cell, detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

In this embodiment, the reformer 30 is configured as a fuel treatment unit that chemically changes the reactants mentioned and ultimately reforms the fuel provided by the fuel source 50 to generate hydrogen. The fuel processing unit includes a reforming reactor for generating hydrogen through a reforming reaction of fuel by thermal energy, an oxidation reactor for generating the thermal energy through oxidation of fuel, and a carbon monoxide purifier for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in hydrogen. It may include. The configuration of such a reforming device 30 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The fuel supply source 50 for supplying fuel to the reformer 30 includes a fuel tank 51 for storing fuel, a fuel stored in the fuel tank 51, and the fuel supplied to the reformer 30. It may include a fuel pump 53 for supplying.

In addition, the oxygen source 70 may include an air pump 71 that sucks air at a predetermined pumping pressure and supplies the air to the stack 10. In this embodiment, the oxygen source 70 is not limited to having an air pump 71 but may have a fan of a conventional structure.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the reforming apparatus 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a reformer for a fuel cell system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the reforming apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment is provided as a reforming reactor of a fuel processing unit that generates hydrogen from the fuel through a reforming reaction of the fuel by thermal energy.

This reformer 30 has a plate type reactor body 41 having a plurality of passages 39 which enable the flow of fuel and a catalyst layer 38 coated on the surfaces of the passages 39. Here, the catalyst layer 38 serves to promote the reforming reaction of the fuel passing through the passage 39 to generate hydrogen from the fuel.

The reactor body 41 is formed of a metal plate of a substantially rectangular shape (a rectangle in which the length in the x-axis direction is longer than the length in the y-axis direction in FIG. 2). The first metal plate 31 and the first metal plate 31 are formed. It is comprised as the junction part 35 which joins together the 2nd metal plate 32 and the 1st metal plate 31 and the 2nd metal plate 32 integrally arrange | positioned on the upper surface of the (). In this case, the plurality of passages 39 mentioned above are positioned on the upper surface of the first metal plate 31, so that the first metal plate 31 and the second metal plate 32 are joined by the junction part 35. It is formed as a flow path through which the fuel can pass by being bonded together. The first and second metal plates 31 and 32 may be formed as a conventional metal material having thermal conductivity, for example, stainless steel or aluminum material.

3 is a perspective view showing a reformer for a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a reformer for a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the reactor body 41 according to the present embodiment will be described. The reactor body 41 includes a catalyst inlet 45 through which a catalyst material is introduced into the passage 39, and the catalyst inlet 45. It includes a closing unit 47 for closing the.

The catalyst inlet 45 is formed as a plurality of open ends 46 communicating with the passage 39 (FIG. 2), and is formed at one edge end (y-axis direction in the drawing) of the first metal plate 31. .

The finishing unit 47 is installed at one edge of the first metal plate 31 and closes the closing block 48 for closing the catalyst inlet 45. The closing block 48 is connected to the first metal plate 31. And a weld 49 that is integrally fixed to the second metal plate 32.

In the above, the finishing block 48 is provided as a bar shape having a predetermined width, a thickness corresponding to the first metal plate 31, and a length corresponding to one edge end of the first metal plate 31. The weld 49 seals the gap between the edge of the finishing block 48 and the first and second metal plates 31 and 32 and integrates the finishing block 48 to the first and second metal plates 31 and 32. It will function to join.

Therefore, the catalyst material is introduced into the passage 39 (FIG. 2) through the catalyst inlet 45 of the reactor body 41 to form a coating of the catalyst layer 38 (FIG. 2) on the surface of the passage 39, and the finishing block ( The reforming device 30 according to the present embodiment can be configured by welding the finishing block 48 to the first and second metal plates 31 and 32 in the state where the catalyst inlet 45 is finished with the 48.

Although not shown in the drawing, the reformer 30 includes an injection unit for injecting fuel into the passage 39 (FIG. 2) and hydrogen generated through the reforming reaction of the fuel by the catalyst layer 38 (FIG. 2). It is obvious that there is a discharge section for discharge.

Referring to the configuration of the reactor body 41 in more detail, as shown in FIG. 5, the first metal plate 31 includes a plurality of moving channels 33 corresponding to the passage 39 (FIG. 2). It is formed on one side.

The moving channel 33 forms a path allowing the flow of fuel by the space between the ribs protruding at an arbitrary interval on the upper surface of the first metal plate 31, that is, the close contact portion a, which will be described later. can do. Preferably, the moving channel 33 is disposed in a straight line at an arbitrary interval with respect to the upper surface of the first metal plate 31, and may be formed by connecting the paths of these straight portions to each other.

The moving channel 33 forms an open end 46 that opens to one side edge of the first metal plate 31, and the open end 46 has a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving channel 33. It may be formed as a shape. Accordingly, the open end 46 of the moving channel 33 may be formed as the catalyst inlet 45 according to the present embodiment by closely placing the second metal plate 32 on the upper surface of the first metal plate 31 ( See FIG. 4).

In FIG. 5, the remaining portion of the upper surface of the first metal plate 31 except for the moving channel 33, that is, the surface of the ribs, is marked as “a” as an adhesion portion in close contact with the second metal plate 32. .

The second metal plate 32 is formed as a shape corresponding to the first metal plate 31, and is bonded to the contact portion a of the first metal plate 31 by the joining portion 35, which will be described later. .

Therefore, in the reactor body 41 according to the present embodiment, the moving channel 33 is formed by joining the second metal plate 32 to the contact portion a of the first metal plate 31 by the junction 35. The passage 39 (FIG. 2) and the catalyst inlet 45 by this can be formed.

The junction part 35 mentioned above is melt-formed in the close contact portion of the first metal plate 31 and the second metal plate 32, and thus integrally joins the first and second metal plates 31 and 32. It will function.

As shown in FIG. 5, the junction 35 may be formed by melting / fixing the metal thin plate 35a having a shape corresponding to the contact portion a of the first metal plate 31 by a predetermined heat. At this time, the metal thin plate 35a is preferably formed as a conventional metal material having a lower melting point than the first and second metal plates 31 and 32.

As described above, a bonding method in which a predetermined metal thin plate or film is positioned between two or more base materials, and the metal thin plate or film is melted by heat to bond the base materials to each other is also commonly referred to in the art as a brazing bonding method.

Looking at the manufacturing method of the reformer for a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, first, the first metal plate 31 and the first metal plate (31) forming a plurality of moving channels (33) A second metal plate 32 of the type corresponding to 31 is prepared. At this time, the moving channel 33 forms an open end 46 open to one edge end of the first metal plate 31.

Subsequently, the metal thin plate 35a having a shape corresponding to the remaining portion except for the moving channel 33 with respect to the contact portion a of the first metal plate 31, that is, the upper surface of the first metal plate 31, is formed. Interposed between the metal plate 31 and the second metal plate 32.

Next, the first metal plate 31 and the second metal plate 32 are integrally bonded by using a brazing bonding method, and the first metal plate 31 is interposed between the thin metal plates 35a. And the second metal plate 32 are in close contact with each other, the first metal plate 31 and the second metal plate 32 are heated to a predetermined temperature. Then, the thin metal plate 35a is melted by the above-described heat at the close contact portion between the first metal plate 31 and the second metal plate 32 so that the first metal plate 31 and the second metal plate 32 are separated. The junction part 35 is formed in the close part.

Accordingly, as the first and second metal plates 31 and 32 are integrally joined by the above-described joining part 35, the passage 39 and the moving channel by the moving channel 33 of the first metal plate 31 are thus obtained. A reactor body 41 having a catalyst inlet 45 by the open end 46 of 33 can be formed.

After such a process, the catalyst layer 38 is coated on the surface of the passage 39 by introducing the catalyst material through the catalyst inlet 45 into the passage 39.

Finally, while the closing block 48 is in close contact with the edge of the first metal plate 31 to close the catalyst inlet 45, the edge of the closing block 48 and the first and second metal plates 31 are closed. And 32 to laser weld to form a weld 49, the manufacture of the reforming apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment is completed.

Therefore, in the case of the reformer according to an example in which a reaction substrate formed by coating a catalyst layer on a channel that enables fuel flow and a plate formed by bonding a separate plate in a brazing manner, the catalyst layer is heated by heat during its manufacturing process. As a problem occurs, such as falling off, the reforming apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment does not cause a problem as mentioned above as it is configured through the manufacturing process as described above.

When the reformer 30 is employed in the fuel cell system 100, the fuel pump 53 is operated to supply fuel to the passage 39 of the reactor body 41 when the fuel cell system 100 is in operation. do. Then, as the fuel flows along the passage 39, the reforming reaction is caused by the catalyst layer 38. In the reforming apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment, hydrogen is generated by the reforming reaction of the fuel. .

Thus, when the hydrogen is supplied to the stack 10 and the air pump 71 is operated to supply air to the stack 10, the electricity generating unit 11 of the stack 10 reacts to the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. As a result, electric energy of a predetermined capacity is output.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a reformer for a fuel cell system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the reforming apparatus 30A for a fuel cell system according to the present embodiment includes a first reactor body 41A having the same structure as in the previous embodiment, and includes at least one of the first reactor body 41A. The second reactor body 41B may be stacked to be configured as an aggregate structure of these reactor bodies 41A and 41B.

In the present embodiment, the second reactor main body 41B has the same structure as the first reactor main body 41A, and is arranged in close contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the first reactor main body 41A as shown in phantom in the drawing. Can be.

Preferably, the second reactor body 41B disposed on the upper surface of the first reactor body 41A generates heat energy in a predetermined temperature range by the oxidation reaction of the fuel, and the heat energy is converted into the first reactor body 41A. It can be provided as an oxidation reactor of the fuel processing unit provided in. In addition, the second reactor body 41B disposed on the lower surface of the first reactor body 41A has a fuel treatment for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide through an oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide contained in hydrogen generated from the first reactor body 41A. It may be provided as a carbon monoxide reducer (commonly referred to as a "PROX reactor") of the unit.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims and the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Naturally, it belongs to the scope of the invention.

According to the present invention as described above, the plate-type reforming device is configured to inject a catalyst material into the passage inside the reactor body formed by joining the first and second metal plates in a brazing manner to coat the catalyst layer on the surface of the passage. As a result, the size of the entire system can be realized compactly, and the laminated structure can be enabled to improve the heat transfer efficiency of the entire reformer.

In addition, according to the present invention, in the reforming apparatus according to an example configured by bonding a reaction substrate having a catalyst layer coated on the channel and a separate plate in a brazing manner, the catalyst layer is separated by heat during the brazing bonding process of the reaction substrate and the plate. Solve problems such as going out.

Claims (10)

At least one reactor body of plate type having a plurality of passages for enabling the flow of reactants including hydrogen containing fuel and a catalyst layer formed on the surface of the passages to promote reaction of the reactants Including; The reactor body, It is formed as an open end of the passage and includes a catalyst inlet for introducing a catalyst material into the passage, and a closing unit for closing the catalyst inlet, A first metal plate having a plurality of channels formed on one surface thereof, a second metal plate arranged in close contact with the first metal plate to form the passage by the channel, the first metal plate and the second metal plate A reformer for a fuel cell system, wherein the reformer is melt-formed in an intimate portion of the fuel cell and is configured as a joining portion for integrally joining the first and second metal plates. According to claim 1, A reformer for a fuel cell system, comprising a plurality of reactor bodies, wherein the reactor bodies are continuously stacked to form an aggregate structure of the reactor bodies. delete According to claim 1, The first metal plate is a reformer for a fuel cell system, wherein the remaining portion except for the moving channel is configured as the close contact portion. The method of claim 4, wherein The close contact portion is formed to protrude in a straight line at a predetermined interval on one surface of the first metal plate, And the moving channel is formed as a space between the tight portions. According to claim 1, The catalyst inlet is formed at one edge of the first metal plate by joining the first metal plate and the second metal plate, and is formed as a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving channel. Reformer. According to claim 1, The joint portion is formed as a metal thin plate interposed between the first metal plate and the second metal plate while having a shape corresponding to the contact portion of the first metal plate, wherein the metal thin plate is melted by heat. Reformer for system. The method of claim 7, wherein And the first and second metal plates are made of stainless steel or aluminum. The method of claim 8, And the metal thin plate is formed as a metal material having a lower melting point than the first and second metal plates. The method of claim 6, The finishing unit, A bar-shaped closing block installed at one edge of the first metal plate to close the open end; And Welder for joining the first metal plate and the finishing block Reformer for a fuel cell system comprising a.

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