KR101003191B1 - Tubes for a reformer for hydrogen production or a heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a first metal tube; And a metal corrugated pipe continuously formed with valleys and floors surrounding the outer side of the first metal pipe, wherein the first metal pipe and the metal corrugated pipe are in close contact with each other to form a flow path toward the lower end of the tube. The present invention relates to a tube for a heat exchanger and a method of manufacturing the same.

The tube of the present invention is not only very economical but also excellent in quality because it is manufactured in a short time at low cost. Therefore, according to the present invention, a high quality hydrogen reformer and a heat exchanger including such a tube can be provided at a very economical price.

Tube, hydrogen reformer, corrugated plate, corrugated pipe, brazing

Description

Tubes for a reformer or heat exchanger {Tubes for a reformer for hydrogen production or a heat exchanger}

The present invention relates to a tube used for a hydrogen reformer or a heat exchanger used in a fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the same.

A fuel cell is a power generation system that directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction generated by using hydrogen, oxygen, or oxygen-containing air as a fuel contained in a hydrocarbon-based material such as methanol, ethanol, or natural gas. .

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), which are being developed in recent years, have excellent output characteristics, low operating temperatures, fast start-up and response characteristics compared to other fuel cells, methanol, ethanol or natural gas. Using hydrogen produced by reforming lamps as fuel, it has a wide range of applications such as mobile power sources such as automobiles, as well as distributed power sources such as homes and public buildings, and small power sources such as electronic devices.

In order to provide a fuel cell for a polymer electrolyte as described above, a fuel cell body called a stack, a fuel tank, and a fuel pump for supplying fuel from the fuel tank to the stack are required. In addition, a reformer for reforming the fuel to generate hydrogen gas and supplying the hydrogen gas to the stack in the process of supplying the fuel stored in the fuel tank to the stack is also required.

Hydrogen reformers come in many forms, but in recent years they are divided into two sections using tubular or plate metals, one of which is a fuel / steam reforming zone and the other that generates heat for reforming reactions (oxidation zones). ) Is used to transfer the generated heat to the reforming zone.

For example, a form of forming a fuel / steam reforming zone and an oxidation zone surrounding the spiral tube is formed generally in a metal tube in which a spiral flow path is formed (FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C). The hydrogen reformer having the above configuration simultaneously transfers the heat generated in the oxidation zone (FIGS. 1A and 10) to the inner fuel / steam reforming zone (FIGS. 1A and 20) and the outer spiral flow passage (FIGS. 1C and 40). There is an advantage that can be used efficiently by passing.

However, the tube employed in the above is generally manufactured by cutting to form a spiral protrusion (Fig. 1b, 30) on the outside of the metal tube by a general machining (shelf / milling / NC) using a thick metal tube and another pipe It is manufactured by the method of inserting and joining (FIG. 1C, 60) (FIG. 2), but a thick metal tube must be used, and a lot of time is required for cutting, so that a large amount of cost and time are required for the manufacture of the tube. It has the disadvantage of increasing the price of fuel cells.

In addition, the tube can be usefully used for a heat exchanger, but has the same disadvantages as mentioned above.

The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger and a manufacturing method thereof that can be produced in a short time at a low cost.

The present invention, the first metal tube; And a metal corrugated pipe continuously formed with valleys and floors surrounding the outer side of the first metal pipe, wherein the first metal pipe and the metal corrugated pipe are in close contact with each other to form a flow path toward the lower end of the tube. Provided are tubes for heat exchangers.

The metal corrugated pipe may have a form surrounding the entire outer side of the first metal pipe.

In addition, the metal corrugated pipe may have a form in which the metal corrugated plate is spirally wound at an outer side of the first metal tube at intervals.

In addition, the metal corrugated pipe may be formed of a plurality, and may be in the form of surrounding the first metal pipe at intervals with the metal corrugated pipe adjacent to each other up and down.

In addition,

Enclosing the entire outer side of the first metal tube with spot welding and fixing it using spot welding to form a corrugation toward the lower end of the tube with a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed; And it provides a method for producing a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger comprising the step of applying a brazing filler metal to the junction of the first metal tube and the metal corrugated plate and brazing to join.

In addition,

Inserting the entire outer side of the first metal tube into a corrugated metal corrugation tube having a corrugation toward the lower end, which is preliminarily formed into a tubular shape using a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed; And it provides a method for producing a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger comprising the step of applying a brazing filler metal to the junction of the first metal pipe and the metal corrugated pipe and brazing and bonding.

In addition,

Fixing by spot welding so that wrinkles are formed toward the lower end of the tube while spirally winding a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed on the outside of the first metal tube at intervals; Inserting a first metal tube having the metal corrugated plate fixed therein into a second metal tube; And applying a brazing filler metal to the joints of the first metal tube, the metal corrugated plate, and the second metal tube, and brazing and joining the same.

In addition,

Surrounding the outer side of the first metal tube with a plurality of metal corrugated plate formed in a valley and floor continuously and spaced apart from the neighboring metal corrugated plate and fixed by spot welding to form a corrugation toward the lower end of the tube. fair; Inserting a first metal tube having the plurality of metal corrugated plates fixed therein into a second metal tube; And applying a brazing filler metal to the junction of the first metal pipe, the plurality of corrugated plates, and the second metal pipe and brazing the brazing filler metal to provide a method of manufacturing a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger.

In addition,

Interposing a plurality of metal corrugated pipes having a corrugation toward the lower end spaced in advance in a tubular shape by using a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed on the first metal pipe; Inserting the first metal pipe into which the plurality of corrugated pipes are inserted into a second metal pipe; And a step of applying and brazing a brazing filler metal to the joints of the first metal pipe, the plurality of corrugated pipes, and the second metal pipe, to provide a method for manufacturing a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger.

The tube for hydrogen reformer and heat exchanger of the present invention is not only very economical but also excellent in quality because it is produced in a short time at low cost. Therefore, according to the present invention, a high quality hydrogen reformer and a heat exchanger including such a tube can be provided at a very economical price.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

The present invention, the first metal tube; And a metal corrugated pipe continuously formed with valleys and floors surrounding the outer side of the first metal pipe, wherein the first metal pipe and the metal corrugated pipe are in close contact with each other to form a flow path toward the lower end of the tube. Provided are tubes for heat exchangers.

The metal corrugated pipe may have a form surrounding the entire outer side of the first metal pipe.

In addition, the metal corrugated pipe may be a form in which the metal corrugated plate is spirally wound at intervals on the outside of the first metal tube, in this case, the hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger tube of the present invention is the metal corrugated tube and the first metal tube It may be configured to further include a second metal tube to be inserted and fixed.

In addition, the metal corrugated pipe is composed of a plurality of, each may be in the form of surrounding the first metal pipe at intervals with the metal corrugated pipe neighboring up and down, in this case, the hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger tube of the present invention is It may further comprise a second metal tube for inserting and fixing the first metal tube surrounded by a plurality of metal corrugated tube.

In the present invention, since the metal corrugated plate is formed with corrugations and is very easy to be fixed by spot welding while surrounding the first metal tube, the manufacturing process of the tube for the hydrogen reformer or the heat exchanger is extremely simplified. In addition, during hydrogen reforming or heat exchange, water reaches the lower end of the tube while flowing through the flow path formed by the corrugation toward the lower end of the tube; The lower end of the tube is reached while flowing through the helical flow path or the flow path toward the lower end of the tube formed between the helical flow paths; It flows through the flow path formed toward the lower end of the tube to reach the annular flow path, and again flows through the flow path formed toward the lower end of the tube and reaches the lower end of the tube while repeatedly reaching the annular flow path. At this time, the flow rate is controlled by the friction with the flow paths, the surface tension of the water, or the annular flow path, etc., and changes to a vapor state before reaching the bottom of the tube has a sufficient performance as a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger.

In addition,

Enclosing the entire outer side of the first metal tube using a spot welding so as to form a corrugation toward the lower end of the tube with a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed; And a step of applying a brazing filler metal to the junction of the first metal tube and the metal corrugated plate, and brazing and joining the metal tube to the hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger.

In addition,

Inserting the entire outer side of the first metal tube into a corrugated metal corrugation tube having a corrugation toward the lower end, which is preliminarily formed into a tubular shape using a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed; And a step of applying a brazing filler metal to the junction of the first metal pipe and the metal corrugated pipe, and brazing and bonding the metal pipe to the junction of the first metal pipe and the metal corrugated pipe.

In the above production method, the drawing (tube) process may be further performed before the brazing revolution.

In addition,

Fixing by spot welding so that wrinkles are formed toward the lower end of the tube while spirally winding a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed on the outside of the first metal tube at intervals; Inserting a first metal tube having the metal corrugated plate fixed therein into a second metal tube; And a step of applying a brazing filler metal to the junction of the first metal tube, the metal corrugated plate, and the second metal tube, and brazing and joining the tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger.

In the above production method, the drawing (tube) process may be further performed before the brazing revolution.

In addition,

Surrounding the outer side of the first metal tube with a plurality of metal corrugated plate formed in a valley and floor continuously and spaced apart from the neighboring metal corrugated plate and fixed by spot welding to form a corrugation toward the lower end of the tube. fair; Inserting a first metal tube having the plurality of metal corrugated plates fixed therein into a second metal tube; And a step of applying and brazing a brazing filler metal to a joint portion of the first metal tube, the plurality of corrugated plates, and the second metal tube, and a brazing filler metal.

In the above production method, the drawing (tube) process may be further performed before the brazing revolution.

In addition,

Interposing a plurality of metal corrugated pipes having a corrugation toward the lower end spaced in advance in a tubular shape by using a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed on the first metal pipe; Inserting the first metal pipe into which the plurality of corrugated pipes are inserted into a second metal pipe; And a step of applying and brazing a brazing filler metal to the joints of the first metal pipe, the plurality of corrugated pipes, and the second metal pipe, and a method of manufacturing a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger.

In the above production method, the drawing (tube) process may be further performed before the brazing revolution.

In the present invention, the shape of the tube for the hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger may be manufactured in any form, such as round, square, oval. In addition, the shape of the wrinkles formed on the metal corrugated plate may be adopted any shape as long as the flow path can be formed thereby.

In the present invention, the brazing can be carried out in a high temperature, vacuum state in order to strengthen the bonding. In addition, the joining between the components of the tube and the honeycomb structure included in the oxidation zone and the fuel / steam reforming zone inside the tube may be simultaneously carried out in a batch, which is very efficient in this case.

The material of the metal tube used in the present invention can be used without limitation as long as it is commonly used in this field, for example, stainless steel and the like.

The material of the metal corrugated plate used in the present invention is also not particularly limited and can be used without limitation as long as it can withstand high heat by oxidation and there is no problem in maintaining the flow path.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger of the present invention. However, the following examples are provided to illustrate the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto and may be variously modified and changed.

3 is a first embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in the drawing, the hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger tube of the present invention surrounds the first metal tube 100 and its entirety to form a corrugation toward the lower end of the tube. It is configured to include a metal corrugated pipe (200).

In the above metal corrugated pipe 200 is formed using a metal corrugated plate, since the metal corrugated plate is formed with corrugations, it is very easy to fix by spot welding surrounding the first metal tube, so that the hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger The manufacturing process of the instrument tube has the advantage of being extremely simplified. In addition, during hydrogen reforming or heat exchange, the water reaches the lower end of the tube while flowing through the corrugation formed toward the lower end of the tube, that is, the lower end of the tube, wherein the surface of the water and the friction with the flow path formed toward the lower end of the tube Because of the tension, the flow rate is controlled and changes to steam before reaching the bottom of the tube, so it has sufficient performance as a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the drawing, the hydrogen reformer or the heat exchanger tube of the present invention is a spiral spiral at intervals between the first metal tube 100 and the metal corrugated plate therebetween. It has a configuration including a metal corrugated pipe 200 in a wound form and a second metal pipe 300 (shown in FIG. 5) for inserting and fixing the metal corrugated pipe and the first metal pipe 100.

Since the metal corrugated plate forming the metal corrugated pipe 200 is formed with corrugations and is very easy to be fixed by spot welding while being wound on the first metal tube 100, a process for producing the tube for the hydrogen reformer or the heat exchanger Is very simplified. In addition, during hydrogen reforming or heat exchange, the water flows through the helical flow path or the flow path toward the lower end of the tube formed between the helical flow paths and changes to a vapor state before reaching the lower end of the tube, thus providing sufficient performance as a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger. Have

6A is a third embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in the drawing, the hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger tube of the present invention includes a first metal tube 100 and a plurality of metal corrugated tubes 200 spaced apart from each other outside thereof. And a second metal tube 300 (shown in FIG. 5) into which the first metal tube to which the plurality of metal corrugated tubes 200 is fixed is inserted and fixed.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger tube of the present invention includes a plurality of tubes surrounding each of the plurality of metal corrugated pipes surrounding the first metal pipe in order to fix the plurality of metal corrugated pipes surrounding the first metal pipe in the above configuration. It may be configured to further include four metal flat tube (400).

Since the metal corrugated plate forming the metal corrugated pipe 200 is formed with corrugations and is very easy to be fixed by spot welding while surrounding the first metal tube 100, a process for producing the tube for the hydrogen reformer or the heat exchanger This has the advantage of being very simplified. In addition, during hydrogen reforming or heat exchange, water flows through the corrugation formed toward the lower end of the tube, that is, through the flow path formed toward the lower end of the tube, and reaches the annular flow path. It is repeated to reach the flow path. At this time, the flow rate is controlled due to friction with the flow path formed toward the lower end of the tube, the surface tension of the water and the presence of the annular flow path, and changes to a vapor state before reaching the bottom of the tube, so that sufficient performance as a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger Has

Figure 1a is a photograph (top view) of the internal configuration (oxidation zone and fuel / steam reforming zone) of the conventional hydrogen reformer tube.

1B is a photograph (perspective view) photographing a conventional first metal tube constituting the tube and its internal structure.

Figure 1c is a photograph taken a cross section of the conventional hydrogen reformer.

Fig. 2 shows a method for producing a conventional hydrogen reformer tube [1: cross section of a first mantle processed mantle, 2: mantle processing, 3: adhesive coating, 4: drawing (shaft tube), 5: high temperature vacuum brazing] .

FIG. 3 shows, as a first embodiment of the present invention, a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger that surrounds the entire outer side of the first metal tube 100 with a metal corrugated tube 200 toward the lower end of the tube.

4 shows a metal corrugated pipe 200 and a first metal pipe 100 formed by spirally winding a metal corrugated plate as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second metal tube 300 in which the metal corrugated tube 200 is inserted into and fixed to the first metal tube 100 fixed to the outside.

FIG. 6A illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the outer side of the first metal tube 100 is surrounded by a plurality of metal corrugated tubes 200 at intervals adjacent to the metal corrugated tube adjacent to each other up and down.

FIG. 6B further includes, in the configuration of FIG. 6A, a plurality of metal flat tube 400 configurations surrounding each of the plurality of metal corrugated tubes surrounding the first metal tube to secure the plurality of metal corrugated tubes surrounding the first metal tube. It is a form that shows.

[Name of Drawings]

10: oxidation zone 20: fuel / steam reforming zone

30: spiral turning 40: spiral flow

50: first metal tube 60: second metal tube

70: tube

100: 1st metal pipe 200: metal corrugated pipe

300: second metal tube 400: metal flat tube

Claims (13)

A first metal tube; And A plurality of metal corrugated pipes formed with valleys and floors surrounding the outside of the first metal pipe continuously; The plurality of metal corrugated pipes surround the first metal pipe at intervals with other metal corrugated pipes adjacent to each other up and down, and are in close contact with the first metal pipe to form a flow path toward the lower end of the tube. . delete A first metal tube; And A metal corrugated pipe formed by spirally winding a metal corrugated plate having a valley and a floor continuously formed on the outer side of the first metal tube at intervals, The first metal tube and the metal corrugated tube is in close contact with each other to form a flow path toward the lower end of the tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger. The hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger tube of claim 3, further comprising a second metal tube to insert and fix the metal corrugated tube and the first metal tube. delete The hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger tube of claim 1, further comprising a second metal tube to insert and fix the first metal tube surrounded by the plurality of metal corrugated tubes. delete delete Fixing by spot welding so that wrinkles are formed toward the lower end of the tube while spirally winding a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed on the outside of the first metal tube at intervals; Inserting a first metal tube having the metal corrugated plate fixed therein into a second metal tube; And And applying a brazing filler metal to the junction of the first metal tube, the metal corrugated plate, and the second metal tube, and brazing and joining them. Surrounding the outer side of the first metal tube by a plurality of metal corrugated plate formed with a valley and a floor continuously and spaced apart from the neighboring metal corrugated plate and fixing by spot welding to form a corrugation toward the lower end of the tube. fair; Inserting a first metal tube having the plurality of metal corrugated plates fixed therein into a second metal tube; And And applying a brazing filler metal to the junction of the first metal pipe, the plurality of corrugated plates, and the second metal pipe and brazing the brazing filler metal. Interposing a plurality of metal corrugated pipes having a corrugation toward the lower end spaced in advance in a tubular shape by using a metal corrugated plate in which valleys and floors are continuously formed on the first metal pipe; Inserting the first metal pipe into which the plurality of corrugated pipes are inserted into a second metal pipe; And And applying a brazing filler metal to the joints of the first metal pipe, the plurality of corrugated pipes, and the second metal pipe and brazing the brazing filler metal. The method of manufacturing a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a drawing (shaft tube) process before the brazing revolution. The brazing and bulking according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first metal tube includes an oxidation zone and a fuel / steam reforming zone therein, wherein the joining of the honeycomb structure included therein is performed outside the first metal tube. Method for producing a tube for a hydrogen reformer or heat exchanger, characterized in that carried out as a.

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