KR20060000429A - Fuel cell system and reformer used thereto - Google Patents

Abstract

A fuel cell system according to the present invention includes: a reformer for generating hydrogen gas from a fuel containing hydrogen through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy; At least one electricity generating unit generating electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen; A fuel supply source for supplying fuel to the reformer; And an oxygen source for supplying oxygen to the reformer and the electricity generating unit, wherein the reformer includes: a heat source unit generating the thermal energy through an oxidation catalytic reaction of the fuel; A reforming reaction unit for generating hydrogen gas is provided, and the heat source unit and the reforming reaction unit are integrally formed.

Fuel Cell, Stack, Electric Generation, Reformer, Reactor Plate, Plate, Both Sides, Channel, Passage, Catalyst Layer, Cover

Description

FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND REFORMER USED THERETO}

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the reformer shown in FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling cross-sectional view of FIG.

4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the stack shown in FIG.

The present invention relates to a fuel cell system, and more particularly to a plate type reformer used in a fuel cell system.

As is known, a fuel cell is a power generation system that converts chemical reaction energy of hydrogen and oxygen contained in hydrocarbon-based materials such as methanol, ethanol, and natural gas directly into electrical energy.

This fuel cell is classified into a phosphoric acid fuel cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell, a solid oxide fuel cell, a polymer electrolyte type or an alkaline fuel cell according to the type of electrolyte used. Each of these fuel cells operates on essentially the same principle, but differs in the type of fuel used, operating temperature, catalyst, and electrolyte.

Among these, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC, hereinafter referred to as PEMFC for convenience), which has been developed recently, has excellent output characteristics, low operating temperature, and fast start-up and response characteristics compared to other fuel cells. In addition to mobile power supplies such as automobiles, as well as distributed power supplies such as homes and public buildings and small power supplies such as for electronic devices has a wide range of applications.

Such a PEMFC basically includes a stack, a reformer, a fuel tank, a fuel pump, and the like to constitute a system. The stack forms the body of the fuel cell, and the fuel pump supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to the reformer. The reformer reforms the fuel to generate hydrogen gas and supplies the hydrogen gas to the stack. Thus, the PEMFC supplies fuel in the fuel tank to the reformer by operation of the fuel pump, reforming the fuel in the reformer to generate hydrogen gas, and electrochemically reacting the hydrogen gas and oxygen in the stack to generate electrical energy. Let's do it.

In such a fuel cell system, a stack that substantially generates electricity is formed by stacking several to tens of unit cells including an electrode-electrolyte assembly (MEA) and a separator that adheres to both surfaces thereof. Has a structure. The electrode-electrolyte composite has a structure in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are attached with an electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. The separator is commonly referred to in the art as a bipolar plate, and separates each of the electrode-electrolyte composites and supplies hydrogen gas and oxygen necessary for the reaction of the fuel cell to the anode and cathode electrodes of the electrode-electrolyte composite. It simultaneously serves as a passage for supplying and a conductor connecting the anode electrode and the cathode electrode of each electrode-electrolyte composite in series. Accordingly, hydrogen gas is supplied to the anode electrode through the separator, while oxygen is supplied to the cathode electrode. In this process, an oxidation reaction of hydrogen gas occurs at an anode electrode, and a reduction reaction of oxygen occurs at a cathode electrode, thereby generating electricity due to the movement of electrons generated, and additionally generating heat and moisture.

The reformer as described above is a device for generating hydrogen gas from a fuel containing hydrogen through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy. Typically, the reformer includes a heat source unit for generating the heat energy, a reforming reaction unit for generating hydrogen gas from the fuel using the heat energy, and a carbon monoxide removing unit for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas. Include.

However, the reformer of the fuel cell system according to the related art is composed of a reaction vessel having a predetermined internal space of the heat source portion, the reforming reaction portion, and the carbon monoxide removal portion, and each of them is connected to and distributed by a pipe-type pipe. Due to the compact implementation of the entire system, it is not possible to quickly transfer the heat energy generated from the heat source to the reformer has a problem that the overall reaction efficiency and thermal efficiency is lowered.

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 fuel cell system having a reformer that can reduce the size and improve the heat transfer rate by employing a reaction substrate having channels formed on both sides of the channel to enable fuel flow. To provide.

A fuel cell system according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the reformer for generating hydrogen gas from a fuel containing hydrogen through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy; At least one electricity generating unit generating electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen; A fuel supply source for supplying fuel to the reformer; And an oxygen source for supplying oxygen to the reformer and the electricity generating unit, wherein the reformer includes: a heat source unit generating the thermal energy through an oxidation catalytic reaction of the fuel; A reforming reaction unit for generating hydrogen gas is provided, and the heat source unit and the reforming reaction unit are integrally formed.

In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the reformer may include a first reaction substrate for forming channels on both sides of the fuel flow and a cover part covering both sides of the first reaction substrate.

In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the reformer may include a first channel formed on one surface of the first reaction substrate, a first passage formed by the cover part, and another surface of the first reaction substrate. A second channel formed by the cover part and a second channel formed by the cover part, and an oxidation catalyst layer is formed in one of the first channel and the second channel, and a reforming catalyst layer is formed in the other channel. have.

In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the reformer may further include a pair of carbon monoxide reduction parts for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas, and the carbon monoxide reduction parts may be integrally formed.

In addition, in the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the reformer may include a second reaction substrate for forming channels on both sides of the fuel flow, and a cover portion covering both sides of the second reaction substrate. .

In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the reformer may include a third channel formed on one surface of the second reaction substrate, a third passage formed by the cover part, and another surface of the second reaction substrate. A fourth channel formed by the cover part and a fourth channel formed by the cover part, wherein the water gas conversion catalyst layer is formed in one of the third channel and the fourth channel, and the selective oxidation catalyst layer is formed in the other channel. To form.

In a fuel cell system according to the invention, the fuel source comprises: a first tank for storing fuel containing hydrogen; A second tank for storing water; And a fuel pump connected to the first and second tanks. In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the oxygen supply source may include an air pump for sucking air.

The fuel cell system according to the present invention having such a structure is made of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) method.

In addition, the reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is for generating hydrogen gas from a fuel containing hydrogen through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy, the oxidation catalyst of the fuel A heat source unit generating the heat energy through a reaction; And a reforming reaction unit generating hydrogen gas from the fuel through reforming catalytic reaction of the fuel, and integrally forming the heat source unit and the reforming reaction unit.

The reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention may include a first reaction substrate for forming channels on both sides of the fuel flow, and a cover portion covering both sides of the first reaction substrate.

In addition, the reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention preferably has one side of the heat source portion and the other side of the reforming reaction portion based on the thickness center direction of the first reaction substrate.

The reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention may include a first channel formed on one surface of the first reaction substrate and a first passage formed by the cover part, and another surface of the first reaction substrate. And a second channel formed by the cover part, wherein an oxidation catalyst layer is formed in one of the first channel and the second channel, and a reforming catalyst layer is formed in the other channel. .

In addition, the reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention may further include a pair of carbon monoxide reduction parts for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas, and each of the carbon monoxide reduction parts may be integrally formed.

In addition, the reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention may include a second reaction substrate which forms a channel enabling the flow of the fuel on both sides, and a cover part covering both sides of the second reaction substrate.

In addition, the reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention preferably has one side of the first carbon monoxide reduction unit and the other side of the second carbon monoxide reduction unit based on the thickness center direction of the second reaction substrate.

The reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention may include a third channel formed on one surface of the second reaction substrate and a third passage formed by the cover part, and the other surface of the second reaction substrate. And a fourth channel formed by the cover part, wherein a water gas conversion catalyst layer is formed in one of the third channel and the fourth channel, and a selective oxidation catalyst layer is formed in the other channel. Forming.

In addition, the reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is for generating hydrogen gas from a fuel containing hydrogen through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy, the oxidation catalyst of the fuel A first reaction substrate integrally forming a heat source unit for generating the thermal energy through a reaction and a reforming reaction unit for generating hydrogen gas from the fuel through a reforming catalytic reaction of the fuel; And a second reaction substrate integrally forming a pair of carbon monoxide reduction portions for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas, wherein each of the first and second reaction substrates is a channel for allowing fuel flow. It is formed on both sides.

The reformer used in the fuel cell system according to the present invention has a laminated structure by the first and second reaction substrates, and a cover portion may be positioned between both surfaces thereof and each substrate.

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 schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the fuel cell system 100 according to the present invention, a fuel for generating electricity is a broad fuel, in addition to a narrow fuel containing hydrogen such as methanol, ethanol or natural gas. And oxygen further. However, the fuel to be described below is defined as a fuel composed of a liquid phase as the fuel of the above discussion, and the liquid fuel and water are defined as a mixed fuel.

In addition, the system 100 may use pure oxygen gas stored in a separate storage means as oxygen fuel reacting with hydrogen contained in the fuel, and may use air containing oxygen as it is. However, the latter example of using air as the oxygen fuel described above will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 100 according to the present invention basically includes a reformer 30 that generates hydrogen gas from the fuel in the liquid phase, and an electrochemical process of the oxygen gas and oxygen contained in the air. A stack 10 for generating electrical energy through the reaction, a fuel source 50 for supplying the fuel to the reformer 30, and an oxygen source 70 for supplying oxygen to the reformer 30 and the stack 10, respectively. It is configured to include).

The fuel cell system 100 generates the hydrogen gas through a reformer 30 and supplies the hydrogen gas to the stack 10 to generate electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. A fuel cell (Polymer Electrode Membrane Fuel Cell; PEMFC) method is adopted.

The fuel supply source 50 is connected to the first tank 51 for storing liquid fuel, the second tank 53 for storing water, and the first and second tanks 51 and 53, respectively. The fuel pump 55 is included. In addition, the oxygen source 70 includes an air pump 71 capable of sucking air with a predetermined pumping force.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the reformer illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of FIG. 2.

1 to 3, the reformer 30 applied to the present invention typically reforms a mixed fuel as described above through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy to generate hydrogen gas, and is contained in the hydrogen gas. It has a structure for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide. The reformer 30 has a function of generating hydrogen gas from a liquid fuel through, for example, a catalytic reaction such as steam reforming, partial oxidation or autothermal reaction. The reformer 30 also has a function of reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas by, for example, a catalytic reaction such as a water gas conversion method, a selective oxidation method, or purification of hydrogen using a separator.

The reformer 30 absorbs heat from the heat source part 31 and heat energy generated from the heat source part 31 to generate heat energy required for the chemical catalytic reaction, and vaporizes the mixed fuel from the vaporized mixed fuel. A reforming reaction unit 32 for generating hydrogen gas is included. The reformer 30 may include at least one carbon monoxide reduction unit 33 or 34 for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas. As an example, the carbon monoxide reduction units 33 and 34 generate additional hydrogen gas through a water-gas shift (WGS) catalytic reaction and primarily reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas. The second carbon monoxide reduction unit 33 to secondly reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas through the catalytic reaction of the first carbon monoxide reduction unit 33 and the selective CO Oxidation (PROX) of the hydrogen gas ( 34).

According to the present embodiment, the reformer 30 includes a first reaction substrate 41a that integrally forms the heat source part 31 and the reforming reaction part 32, and the first and second carbon monoxide reduction parts 33 and 34. ) And a second reaction substrate 42a which is formed integrally with each other, and has a laminated structure of the first and second reaction substrates 41a and 42b.

Specifically, the first reaction substrate 41a has a body 41b made of a substantially rectangular plate type having a predetermined thickness, and channels 31c and 32c for allowing fuel to flow on both sides of the body 41b. ). At this time, the first reaction substrate 41a forms a heat source portion 31 in the lower portion thereof, and a reforming reaction portion 32 in the upper portion thereof, based on the center direction of the thickness indicated by the virtual line in the drawing. have. Of course, the arrangement structure of the heat source portion 31 and the reforming reaction portion 32 with respect to the first reaction substrate 41a is not limited thereto.

In the first reaction substrate 41a, the heat source part 31 is a heat generating portion that generates heat energy required to generate hydrogen gas, and functions to burn liquid fuel and air through an oxidation catalytic reaction. The heat source part 31 forms a first flow path channel 31c that enables the flow of the fuel and air on the lower surface of the first reaction substrate 41a in the drawing. The first flow channel 31c has a start end and an end with respect to the lower side, for example, forms an inlet 31f through which the liquid fuel and air flow into the start end, and at the end of the first flow channel 31c. An outlet port 31g through which combustion gas flows out is formed. At this time, the inlet 31f and the first tank 51 may be connected by a first supply line 81 in the form of a pipe. The inlet 31f and the air pump 71 may be connected by a second supply line 82 in the form of a pipe.

In addition, the heat source part 31 combines the first cover part 35a to the lower surface of the first reaction substrate 41a, and thus the liquid phase is separated by the cover surface of the first flow channel channel 31c and the first cover part 35a. The first passage 31d through which fuel and air can be passed is formed. At this time, a conventional oxidation catalyst layer 31e is formed inside the first passage 31d to promote an oxidation reaction between fuel and air. The oxidation catalyst layer 31e may be formed on the inner surface of the first flow channel 31c with respect to the first passage 31d.

In the first reaction substrate 41a, the reforming reaction unit 32 absorbs heat energy generated from the heat source unit 31 to vaporize a mixed fuel of liquid fuel and water, and steam reformer (SR) catalyst. The reaction serves to generate hydrogen gas from the vaporized mixed fuel. The reforming reaction part 32 forms a second flow channel 32c that enables the flow of the mixed fuel on the upper surface of the first reaction substrate 41a in the drawing. The second flow path channel 32c has a start end and an end with respect to the upper side, for example, forms an inlet 32f through which the mixed fuel flows, and at the end hydrogen gas generated from the mixed fuel The outlet port 32g which flows out is formed. At this time, the inlet 32f and the first and second tanks 51 and 53 may be connected by a third supply line 83 in the form of a pipe. The inlet 32f may be connected to an outlet 31g of the first flow channel 31c of the heat source part 31 through a separate pipe (not shown).

In addition, the reforming reaction part 32 is coupled to the second cover part 35b on the upper surface of the first reaction substrate 41a by the cover surface of the second flow channel channel 32c and the second cover part 35b. A second passage 32d through which the mixed fuel can pass is formed. At this time, a conventional reforming catalyst layer 32e is formed inside the second passage 32d to promote the steam reforming reaction of the mixed fuel. The reforming catalyst layer 32e may be formed on the inner surface of the second flow channel 32c with respect to the second passage 32d.

On the other hand, the second reaction substrate 42a has a body 42b made of a substantially rectangular plate type having a predetermined thickness, and channels 33c and 34c for allowing fuel to flow on both sides of the body 42b. To form. At this time, the second reaction substrate 42b forms a first carbon monoxide reducing portion 33 in a lower portion thereof based on the center direction of the thickness indicated by an imaginary line in the drawing, and a second carbon monoxide reducing portion (2) in an upper portion thereof. 34). According to the present invention, the arrangement structure of the first carbon monoxide reduction unit 33 and the second carbon monoxide reduction unit 34 with respect to the second reaction substrate 42a is not limited thereto, and the first carbon monoxide reduction unit 33 is not limited thereto. ) May be located above and the second carbon monoxide reducing unit 34 may be located below.

The second reaction substrate 42a is preferably located above the first reaction substrate 41a as shown in the drawing. However, this arrangement structure is only one example for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

Specifically, in the second reaction substrate 42a, the first carbon monoxide reduction unit 33 is subjected to a water-gas shift reaction (WGS) catalytic reaction of hydrogen gas generated in the reforming reaction unit 32. It is for generating additional hydrogen gas and primarily reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas. The first carbon monoxide reduction unit 33 forms a third flow channel 33c on the lower side of the second reaction substrate 42a to enable the flow of hydrogen gas generated from the reforming reaction unit 32 in the drawing. have. The third flow path channel 33c has a start end and an end with respect to the lower side, for example, forms an inlet 33f through which the hydrogen gas flows at the start end, and at the end, the concentration of the carbon monoxide is primarily reduced. The outlet port 33g through which the hydrogen gas discharged out is formed. In this case, the inlet 33f may be connected to the outlet 32g of the second flow channel 32c of the first reaction substrate 41a through a separate connection means (not shown), for example, a pipe or a through hole. have.

Furthermore, the first carbon monoxide reducing portion 33 is in close contact with the second cover portion 35b where the lower side of the second reaction substrate 42a is in contact with the above-mentioned third channel channel 33c and the second cover portion 35b. ), A third passage 33d is formed through which the hydrogen gas discharged from the second passage 32d of the reforming reaction part 32 can pass. At this time, a conventional water gas shift catalyst layer 33e is formed in the third passage 33d to promote the water gas shift reaction of the hydrogen gas. The water gas shift catalyst layer 33e may be formed on the inner surface of the third flow channel 33c with respect to the third passage 33d.

Alternatively, according to the first carbon monoxide reduction unit 33, the third passage 33d is not limited to the third channel 33c and the second cover portion 35b by being in close contact with each other. A separate cover portion may be coupled to the lower surface of the second reaction substrate 42a to form a third flow path channel 33c and a third passage 33d formed by the cover surface of the cover portion.

In addition, the second carbon monoxide reduction unit 34 in the second reaction substrate 42a is subjected to selective oxidation of hydrogen gas and air discharged through the first carbon monoxide reduction unit 33 (Preferential CO Oxidation (PROX)). It is for secondaryly reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas. The second carbon monoxide reducing unit 34 forms a fourth flow channel 34c on the upper side of the second reaction substrate 42a to enable the flow of the hydrogen gas. The fourth flow channel 34c has a start end and an end with respect to the upper side, for example, forms an inlet 34f through which the hydrogen gas flows at the start end, and at the end, the concentration of the carbon monoxide is secondarily reduced. An outlet port 34g for allowing the hydrogen gas to flow out is formed. At this time, the inlet 34f and the air pump 71 may be connected by a fourth supply line 84 in the form of a pipe. The outlet 34g and the stack 10 described below may be connected by a fifth supply line 85. In addition, the inlet 34f and the outlet 33g of the third flow channel 33c may be connected by separate connection means (not shown), for example, a pipe or a through hole.

In addition, the second carbon monoxide reduction unit 34 couples the third cover part 35c to the upper surface of the second reaction substrate 42 to cover the cover surface of the fourth flow channel channel 34c and the third cover part 35c. As a result, the fourth passage 34d through which the hydrogen gas discharged from the third passage 33d of the first carbon monoxide reducing portion 33 passes is formed. At this time, a conventional selective oxidation catalyst layer 34e is formed in the fourth passage 34d to promote the selective oxidation reaction of hydrogen gas. The selective oxidation catalyst layer 34e may be formed on the inner surface of the fourth flow channel 34c with respect to the fourth passage 34d.

The bodies 41b and 42b of each of the reaction substrates 41a and 42a described above may be formed of silicon, aluminum, glass, or stainless steel while taking a rectangular plate shape as an example. At this time, the body (41b, 42b) may be modified in various forms without being limited to the above-mentioned rectangular plate type.

In addition, each of the channels 31c, 32c, 33c, and 34c formed in each of the bodies 41b and 42b has ribs 31h, 32h, protruding from the upper and lower sides of the bodies 41b and 42b at an arbitrary interval. 33h, 34h). The channels 31c, 32c, 33c, and 34c are disposed in a straight line at random intervals with respect to the upper and lower surfaces of the bodies 31b, 32b, 33b, and 34b, and are formed by alternately connecting both ends thereof. It is becoming. Of course, the arrangement structure of the channels 31c, 32c, 33c, 34c is not limited to this.

Therefore, according to the reformer 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a plate-type first reaction substrate 41a which integrally forms the heat source portion 31 and the reforming reaction portion 32, unlike the conventional art, and a pair of By providing the plate-type second reaction substrate 42a which integrally forms the carbon monoxide reducing units 33 and 34, the reformer as well as the overall system size can be compactly realized, and heat energy required for various reactions of the fuel can be achieved. It can be delivered quickly has the advantage of further improving the overall reaction efficiency and thermal efficiency of the reformer.

4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the stack shown in FIG.

1 and 4, the stack 10 applied to the present system 100 generates electric energy through oxidation / reduction reaction of hydrogen gas generated by the reformer 30 and oxygen contained in air. At least one electricity generating unit 11 is included.

The electricity generating unit 11 forms a cell of a minimum unit for generating electricity by arranging the separator 16 on both sides thereof with the electrode-electrolyte composite 12 at the center thereof, and a plurality of unit cells are provided. Thus, the stack 10 of the laminated structure as in the present embodiment is formed. And the outermost of the stack 10 may be provided with a separate pressing plate 13 for close contact with the plurality of electricity generating unit 11 described above. However, the stack 10 according to the present invention may be configured such that the separator 16 positioned at the outermost portion of the electricity generating unit 11 may be substituted for the pressure plate 13 without the pressure plate 13 described above. . In addition to the function of bringing the pressure plates 13 into close contact with the plurality of electricity generating units 11, the pressure plate 13 may be configured to have a unique function of the separator 16 described later.

The electrode-electrolyte composite 12 has an anode and cathode electrodes on both sides, and has an electrolyte membrane between the two electrodes. The anode electrode oxidizes hydrogen gas, draws out the converted electrons to the outside to generate a current through the flow of electrons, and moves the hydrogen ions to the cathode electrode through the electrolyte membrane. The cathode electrode converts the above-described hydrogen ions, electrons and oxygen into water. The electrolyte membrane also enables ion exchange to move hydrogen ions generated at the anode electrode to the cathode electrode.

The separator 16 has a function of supplying hydrogen gas and air for the oxidation / reduction reaction of the electrode-electrolyte composite 12 to the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and connecting the anode electrode and the cathode electrode in series. It also has the function of a conductor. More specifically, the separator 16 forms a hydrogen passage for supplying hydrogen gas to the anode electrode on the surface in close contact with the anode electrode of the electrode-electrolyte composite 12, and the cathode of the electrode-electrolyte composite 12 is formed. A flow channel 17 is formed on a surface in close contact with the electrode to form an air passage for supplying air to the cathode.

The pressurizing plate 13 has a first injection portion 13a for supplying hydrogen gas to the hydrogen passage of the separator 16 and a second injection portion 13b for supplying air to the air passage of the separator 16. ), A first discharge portion 13c for discharging the remaining hydrogen gas after reacting at the anode electrode of the electrode-electrolyte composite 12, and a combination of hydrogen and oxygen at the cathode electrode of the electrode-electrolyte composite 12 A second discharge portion 13d for discharging the air remaining after reacting with the water generated by the reaction and hydrogen is formed. At this time, the second injection portion 13b and the air pump 71 may be connected by a sixth supply line 86 in the form of a pipe. The first discharge part 13c may be connected to an inlet 31f of the first flow channel channel 31c of the first reaction substrate 41a through a separate pipe (not shown).

Referring to the operation of the fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above in detail as follows.

First, the fuel pump 55 is operated to supply liquid fuel stored in the first tank 51 to the first passage 31d of the reformer 30 through the first supply line 81. At the same time, the air pump 71 is operated to supply air to the first passage 31d through the second supply line 82. Then, the liquid fuel and air flow along the first passage 31d to cause an oxidation catalytic reaction by the oxidation catalyst layer 31c. Therefore, the heat source unit 31 generates heat of reaction at a predetermined temperature through the oxidation catalyst reaction of the fuel and air. As a result, the heat energy generated from the heat source unit 31 is conducted to the reforming reaction unit 32 and the carbon monoxide reducing units 33 and 34, thereby preheating the entire reformer 30.

When the preheating of the reformer 30 is completed as described above, the first pump 55 is operated to supply the liquid fuel stored in the first tank 51 and the water stored in the second tank 53 to the third supply line 83. It feeds into the 2nd channel | path 32d of the reformer 30 through the said. Then, the mixed fuel of the liquid fuel and water flows along the second passage 32d to be vaporized by the heat energy provided from the heat source part 31. Therefore, the reforming reaction unit 32 generates hydrogen gas from the vaporized mixed fuel through the steam reforming catalytic reaction by the reforming catalyst layer 32e. In other words, in the reforming reaction unit 32, the steam reforming catalytic reaction by the reforming catalyst layer 32e, for example, the decomposition reaction of the mixed fuel, proceeds to generate hydrogen gas containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen. At this time, the reforming reaction unit 32 generates hydrogen gas containing carbon monoxide as a by-product of the steam reforming catalytic reaction.

Next, the hydrogen gas containing carbon monoxide flows along the third passage 33d of the reformer 30. Then, the first carbon monoxide reduction unit 33 generates additional hydrogen gas through the water gas shift catalyst reaction by the water gas shift catalyst layer 33e, and primarily reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas.

Subsequently, the hydrogen gas having passed through the third passage 33d flows along the fourth passage 34d of the reformer 30. At the same time, the air pump 71 is operated to supply air to the fourth passage 34d through the fourth supply line 84. Then, the second carbon monoxide reduction unit 34 secondaryly reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas through the selective oxidation catalyst reaction by the selective oxidation catalyst layer 34e and discharges the hydrogen gas.

Subsequently, the hydrogen gas is supplied to the first injection part 13a of the stack 10 through the fifth supply line 85. At the same time, the air pump 71 is operated to supply air to the second injection portion 13b of the stack 10 through the sixth supply line 86.

The hydrogen gas is then supplied to the anode electrode of the electrode-electrolyte composite 12 through the hydrogen passage of the separator 16. Air is then supplied to the cathode electrode of the electrode-electrolyte composite 12 through the air passage of the separator 16.

Therefore, the anode decomposes hydrogen gas into electrons and protons (hydrogen ions) through an oxidation reaction. The proton moves to the cathode electrode through the electrolyte membrane, and the electrons do not move through the electrolyte membrane, but move to the cathode electrode of the neighboring electrode-electrolyte composite 12 through the separator 16. And concomitantly generates heat and water.

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 fuel cell system according to the present invention, since the reformer having channels are provided on both sides of the reaction substrate, the entire system can be compactly implemented, and the productivity can be further improved through the simplification of the manufacturing process. .

In addition, according to the fuel cell system according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly transfer the heat energy required for various reactions of the fuel, there is an effect that can further improve the reaction efficiency and thermal efficiency of the overall reformer.

Claims (19)

A reformer for generating hydrogen gas from a hydrogen containing fuel through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy; At least one electricity generating unit generating electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen; A fuel supply source for supplying fuel to the reformer; And An oxygen supply source for supplying oxygen to the reformer and the electricity generating unit, The reformer, A heat source unit for generating the thermal energy through an oxidation catalytic reaction of the fuel, and a reforming reaction unit for generating hydrogen gas from the fuel through a reforming catalyst reaction of the fuel, and integrally forming the heat source unit and the reforming reaction unit Fuel cell system. The method of claim 1, The reformer, And a cover portion covering both surfaces of the first reaction substrate, the first reaction substrate forming channels on both sides of the channel to enable the flow of the fuel. The method of claim 2, The reformer, A first channel formed on one surface of the first reaction substrate and a first passage formed by the cover part, a second channel formed on the other surface of the first reaction substrate and a second part formed by the cover part Including passages, And forming an oxidation catalyst layer in one of the first channel and the second channel, and forming a reforming catalyst layer in the other channel. The method of claim 1, The reformer, Further comprising a pair of carbon monoxide reduction unit for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas, A fuel cell system for integrally forming each of the carbon monoxide reduction unit. The method of claim 4, wherein The reformer, A fuel cell system comprising a second reaction substrate for forming a channel for enabling the flow of the fuel on both sides, and a cover portion covering both sides of the second reaction substrate. The method of claim 5, The reformer, A third channel formed on one surface of the second reaction substrate and a third passage formed by the cover part, a fourth channel formed on the other surface of the second reaction substrate and a fourth formed by the cover part Including passages, And forming a water gas shift catalyst layer in one of the third and fourth channels, and forming a selective oxidation catalyst layer in the other channel. The method of claim 1, The fuel source is: A first tank for storing fuel containing hydrogen; A second tank for storing water; And A fuel cell system comprising a fuel pump connected to the first and second tanks. The method of claim 1, The oxygen source is: A fuel cell system comprising an air pump that sucks air. The method of claim 1, The fuel cell system is a fuel cell system comprising a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) method. A reformer for generating hydrogen gas from a fuel containing hydrogen through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy, A heat source unit generating the thermal energy through an oxidation catalytic reaction of the fuel; And A reforming reaction unit generating hydrogen gas from the fuel through reforming catalytic reaction of the fuel Including; A reformer for use in a fuel cell system that integrally forms the heat source portion and the reforming reaction portion. The method of claim 10, A reformer for use in a fuel cell system comprising a first reaction substrate for forming channels on both sides of the fuel flow and a cover portion covering both sides of the first reaction substrate. The method of claim 11, A reformer for use in a fuel cell system wherein one side is a heat source portion and the other side is a reforming reaction portion based on the thickness center direction of the first reaction substrate. The method of claim 12, A first channel formed on one surface of the first reaction substrate and a first passage formed by the cover part, a second channel formed on the other surface of the first reaction substrate and a second part formed by the cover part Including passages, A reformer for use in a fuel cell system for forming an oxidation catalyst layer in one of the first channel and the second channel, and forming a reforming catalyst layer in the other channel. The method of claim 10, Further comprising a pair of carbon monoxide reduction unit for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas, A reformer for use in a fuel cell system that integrally forms each carbon monoxide reduction unit. The method of claim 14, A reformer for use in a fuel cell system comprising a second reaction substrate for forming a channel for enabling the flow of the fuel on both sides, and a cover portion covering both sides of the second reaction substrate. The method of claim 15, A reformer for use in a fuel cell system wherein one side is a first carbon monoxide reducing portion and the other side is a second carbon monoxide reducing portion based on the thickness center direction of the second reaction substrate. The method of claim 16, A third channel formed on one surface of the second reaction substrate and a third passage formed by the cover part, a fourth channel formed on the other surface of the second reaction substrate and a fourth formed by the cover part Including passages, And a water gas shift catalyst layer in one of the third and fourth channels and a selective oxidation catalyst layer in the other channel. A reformer for generating hydrogen gas from a fuel containing hydrogen through a chemical catalytic reaction by thermal energy, A first reaction substrate integrally forming a heat source unit for generating the thermal energy through an oxidation catalytic reaction of the fuel and a reforming reaction unit for generating hydrogen gas from the fuel through a reforming catalyst reaction of the fuel; And A second reaction substrate integrally forming a pair of carbon monoxide reduction portions for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas; Including; Wherein each of said first and second reaction substrates is formed in a fuel cell system having channels formed on both sides thereof to enable fuel flow. The method of claim 18, A reformer used in a fuel cell system having a laminated structure by the first and second reaction substrates, and having a cover portion located between both surfaces thereof and each substrate.

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