KR20210083152A - Fuel reformer with plate structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a plate-shaped fuel reformer, which comprises: a burner unit providing reforming reaction heat; a plate-shaped burner member coupled to one side of the burner unit and including a preheating unit for preheating reformed fuel containing water due to the heat of the burner unit; and a reforming member coupled to the other side of the burner unit of the burner member, having the plate shape corresponding to the shape of the burner member, and forming a reforming flow path by combining a plurality of channels for the preheated reforming fuel to move through the reforming flow path and perform a reforming reaction. The plate-shaped fuel reformer is easy to install as the reformer can be installed in a moving means or in a narrow space.

Description

Fuel reformer with plate structure

The present invention relates to a fuel reformer for a fuel cell, and relates to a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure that can be installed in a moving means or a narrow space, and is easy to manufacture and install.

A fuel cell is one of the energy technology fields that directly produce electricity by oxidizing hydrogen with air as fuel and discharging water. A fuel reformer that converts hydrogen fuel with a high concentration that can be used or a mixed gas of hydrogen and CO (reformer) is required. In this case, the reforming reactant of the fuel reformer may use not only natural gas, but also a substance containing hydrocarbons such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, light oil, gasoline, methanol, ethanol, and dimethyl ether.

In fuel reforming, hydrocarbon steam reforming is the most inexpensive method among hydrogen production methods, and hydrocarbon steam reforming is a method of obtaining hydrogen by reacting hydrocarbons with steam using the above-described reforming reactants under a catalyst. For example, in the case of using methane gas, the reaction proceeding at this time is a reforming reaction, which is a main reaction, and a water gas transfer reaction, which is a side reaction, as follows.

[Equation 1]

CH ₄ + H ₂ O → CO +3H ₂ ΔH = +497 kcal/mol

CO + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + H ₂ ΔH = -10 kcal/mol

Since hydrogen is produced separately from both methane and water as shown in Equation 1, a high hydrogen production yield is possible. However, the reforming reaction is a strong endothermic reaction, and since high temperature and low pressure conditions are favorable for the forward reaction, most of the hydrogen is obtained by reacting water vapor and methane in a catalytic reaction at 700 to 1100°C.

Since the reforming reaction of all reactants including hydrocarbons is an endothermic reaction, a burner that supplies high heat to the inside of the fuel reformer is required. In order to increase the reaction activity per unit catalyst, the reaction heat must be efficiently supplied to the catalyst, so the heat distribution of the burner is should be done evenly Therefore, most fuel reformers mainly use a granular reactor with a cylindrical structure so that heat from a burner is uniformly supplied to the reformer. However, the cylindrical structure as described above has a limitation in miniaturization in the size of the device to be manufactured, and the space for installing the reformer may also be limited.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1015506 (Registration Date: 2011.02.10.)

An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure that can be easily installed in a moving means or a narrow space.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure that can be easily manufactured in various sizes according to a desired capacity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure capable of further improving energy efficiency by preheating reformed fuel or burner fuel air.

Furthermore, another technical object of the present invention is to provide a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure capable of maintaining a constant temperature required for reforming, which is an endothermic reaction.

The object of the present invention is not limited to the object mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the following description.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a plate-shaped burner member comprising: a burner unit providing reforming reaction heat; and a preheating unit coupled to one side of the burner unit and preheating reformed fuel containing water due to the heat of the burner unit; and a plate shape coupled to the other side of the burner part of the burner member and configured in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the burner member, forming a reforming flow path by combining a plurality of channels so that the preheated reforming fuel moves through the reforming flow path and performing a reforming reaction It is possible to provide a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure, comprising: a reforming member.

The preheating unit of the burner member may include an air preheating passage through which burner fuel air moves and preheating, and a preheating coil enclosing the air preheating passage, and the reformed fuel moves in the preheating coil to be preheated. .

The preheating coil includes a preheating coil injection unit into which the reformed fuel containing water is injected and a preheating coil discharge unit through which the preheated reformed fuel is discharged, and the reforming member is positioned side by side with the preheating coil discharging unit to dissipate the preheated reforming fuel. It may be provided with a reformed fuel injection unit into which fuel is injected.

In the burner member, a barrier rib is positioned between the preheating unit and the burner unit, and the barrier rib has a slit so that the exhaust gas generated from the burner unit moves to the preheating unit through the slit, and at one end of the preheating unit It may be discharged to an exhaust gas outlet located.

The burner unit may include a plurality of tubular burners positioned at equal intervals.

The burner unit may include a cross union module for injecting burner fuel containing air into the respective burners.

The reforming member may include a channel module positioned in a direction orthogonal to the burner member and coupled to a channel having a U-shaped cross section to surround the burner unit, and the reforming flow path may be formed.

Each channel of the channel module has a U-shaped outer circumferential surface, a U-shaped inner circumferential surface spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface to surround the burner unit, and a partition wall surface through which each channel is partitioned, and the partition wall surface positioned between the channels An open hole may be located on one side or the other side, so that the reforming flow path may be formed.

The reforming member includes a channel unit in which a plurality of channels arranged in a direction parallel to the tubular burner are communicated with each other to provide a reforming flow path around the burner unit, and a channel unit case for accommodating the channel unit. it could be

The reforming member may be provided with a reforming flow path in a zigzag or d-shape along the inside of the combined channel.

The reforming member may be repeatedly provided with a reforming reaction channel in which a catalyst is located and a reforming reaction is performed, and a heat exchange channel through which reforming reaction heat is recovered.

The fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being easy to install because it can be mounted on a moving means or in a narrow space. In addition, various sizes can be easily manufactured by adjusting the number of channels according to a desired capacity, and energy efficiency can be further improved by preheating the reformed fuel or burner fuel air before the reforming reaction through the preheater. Furthermore, by repeatedly providing the reforming reaction channel and the heat exchange channel, there is an advantage in that the temperature required for the reforming, which is an endothermic reaction, can be constantly maintained.

1 is a perspective view showing a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a perspective view illustrating a burner member of a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a perspective view showing a reforming member of a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a perspective view showing a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;
8 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;
9 is an exploded perspective view showing a reforming member of a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments introduced below are provided as examples so that the spirit of the present invention can be sufficiently conveyed to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and may be embodied in other forms. In addition, in the drawings, the length, thickness, etc. of layers and regions may be exaggerated for convenience. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

1 is a perspective view showing a plate-shaped fuel reformer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views showing a plate-shaped fuel reformer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is this view A perspective view showing a burner member of a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a reforming member of a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. A cross-sectional view showing a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a plate-shaped structure according to another embodiment of the present invention is an exploded perspective view showing the fuel reformer of , and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the reforming member of the fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 6 , the fuel reformer 10 having a plate-shaped structure according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plate-shaped burner member 100 and a reforming member 200, and the burner member 100 ) may further include an ignition member (not shown) inserted into the interior to ignite the burner member 100 .

The plate-shaped burner member 100 includes a burner unit 120 providing reforming reaction heat, and a preheating unit coupled to one side of the burner unit 120 to preheat the reformed fuel containing water due to the heat generated from the burner unit. (110) may be included. The reforming member 200 is coupled to the other side of the burner unit 120 of the burner member 100, and has a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the burner member, and forms a reforming flow path by combining a plurality of channels 210m. The reformed fuel preheated by the preheating unit 110 may move through the reforming flow path to cause a reforming reaction. For example, as the reformed fuel, gaseous or liquid reactants including hydrocarbons such as liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene, diesel, gasoline, methanol, ethanol, and dimethyl ether as well as natural gas may be used.

The reforming member 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a channel module 210 forming a reforming flow path (arrow in FIG. 5 ) by combining a plurality of channels 210m, and the preheating unit 110 . As a result, the preheated reformed fuel moves through the reforming flow path and may cause a reforming reaction.

In detail, the burner unit 120 of the burner member 100 is fed with burner fuel including air through the burner fuel injection unit 122 , and the burner fuel may be ignited by the ignition member. For example, the igniter coupling part 310 may be provided in the burner part 120 on the other side from the burner fuel injection part 122 , and the ignition member may be coupled to the igniter coupling part 310 to be positioned. The burner fuel may be provided in liquid or gaseous form.

The burner unit 120 may include a plurality of tubular burners 124 positioned at equal intervals. Therefore, according to the capacity of the fuel reformer 10, the burner unit 120 can adjust the heat capacity required for the reforming reaction by adjusting the length (size) of the burners 124 as well as the number of burners 124 . Heat distribution inside the member 100 may also be uniformly controlled. A burner temperature measuring device may be coupled to the burner temperature measuring device input unit 320 in order to check whether the heat of the burner unit 120 generated by combustion of the burner fuel is at an appropriate level for the reforming reaction.

Furthermore, the burner unit 120 may include a cross union module for injecting burner fuel including air into each of the burners. That is, the cross union module is coupled between one end of the burner fuel injection unit 122 and each burner 124 , and the burner fuel injected into the burner fuel injection unit 122 is transferred to each burner due to the cross union module ( 124) can be equally distributed. Therefore, since each burner 124 can burn the same burner fuel, the temperature distribution inside the burner unit 120 can be more uniform.

The preheating unit 110 of the burner member preheats air for combustion of the burner fuel or water and reformed fuel for the reforming reaction, and includes an air preheating passage 112 through which burner fuel air moves and is preheated, and the air preheating. It may include a preheating coil 114 in the form of surrounding the flow path (112). That is, since the preheating unit 110 is positioned on one side of the burner unit 120 , the heat of the burner unit 120 may be radiated and transmitted to the preheating unit 110 , and due to the radiant heat provided from the burner unit 120 , The temperature inside the preheating unit 110 may be increased. That is, the burner member 100 can supply the amount of heat required for fuel reforming and the amount of heat for vaporizing or preheating the reformed fuel in liquid or gaseous form by providing the preheating unit 110 , and when the burner fuel is liquid, it is a liquid burner. It can vaporize fuel.

The burner fuel air injected into the air preheating passage inlet 112a may be heated while the air preheating passage 112 moves, and the heated burner fuel air is connected to the air preheating oil outlet 112b by the burner fuel injecting unit. (122) can be injected together with the burner fuel. Therefore, by injecting preheated air together with the burner fuel and burning the burner fuel, it is possible to increase the combustion efficiency of the burner fuel rather than injecting air at room temperature.

The preheating coil 114 is located in the preheating unit 110 in the form of enclosing the air preheating flow path 112 to increase the preheating section in a limited space, so that the temperature inside the preheating unit 110 can be efficiently provided, The reformed fuel including water may be preheated while moving inside the preheating coil 114 . That is, by sufficiently preheating the reformed fuel before the reforming reaction through the preheating unit 110 , energy efficiency can be further improved during the reforming reaction, which is an endothermic reaction at a high temperature.

The preheating coil 114 may include a preheating coil injection unit 114a into which the reformed fuel containing water is injected and a preheating coil discharge unit 114b through which the preheated reformed fuel is discharged, and the reforming member 200 . may include a reformed fuel injection unit 220 positioned side by side with the preheating coil discharge unit 114b and into which the preheated reformed fuel is injected. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the heat loss of the preheated reformed fuel by minimizing the path through which the preheated reformed fuel moves to the reforming member 200 .

In the burner member 100 , a partition wall 130 is positioned between the preheating unit 110 and the burner unit 120 , and the partition wall 130 includes a slit 132 , so that the burner unit 120 is provided with a slit 132 . Exhaust gas generated after combustion of fuel may move to the preheating unit 110 through the slit 132 , and may be discharged to an exhaust gas outlet 140 located at one end of the preheating unit 110 . By moving (a) through the preheating unit 110 before the exhaust gas is discharged, the heat of the burner unit 120 can be indirectly transferred to the preheating unit 110 through the exhaust gas. By heating the preheating unit 110 together with radiant heat, thermal efficiency may be further increased.

The reforming member 200 according to an embodiment is positioned in a direction orthogonal to the burner member 100 and surrounds the burner part 120 and a channel module having a U-shaped cross-section 210m coupled thereto ( 210), and the reforming flow path may be formed. In addition, it may include a temperature measuring device provided in each channel of the channel module 210 . The temperature measuring device can check the temperature of each channel 210m by being inserted into the channel thermometer coupling part 240 provided in the central region of each channel.

The channel module 210 may adjust the number of channels 210m coupled according to the reforming capacity required for the fuel reformer 10 . Accordingly, the fuel reformer 10 can be manufactured in various sizes, and can be easily manufactured even in a size required for a narrow space.

The channel module 210 may be coupled to the channel 210m having a U-shaped cross-section in a form that surrounds the burner unit 120 . That is, since the channel module 210 is positioned to surround the burner unit 120 with the burner unit 120 at the center, so that the combustion heat of the burner unit 120 can be evenly transmitted to the channel module 210, the reforming reaction can be performed more effectively. can

For example, each channel 210m of the channel module 210 has a U-shaped outer circumferential surface 212 and a U-shaped inner circumferential surface 216 that is spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface 212 and surrounds the burner unit 120 . and a partition wall surface 218 through which each channel is partitioned, and the partition wall surface 218 positioned between the channels may have an open hole positioned on one side or the other side to form the reforming flow path.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the reforming member 200 may be provided with a reforming flow path in a zigzag or d-shape along the inside of the combined channel. That is, the preheated reformed fuel containing water is injected into the reforming fuel injection unit 220 to move the first channel (1), and pass through the open hole formed in the upper bulkhead of the first channel (2) to enter the second channel. After moving the channel, the third channel is moved through (3) the open hole formed in the upper bulkhead of the second channel, and by repeating the above process, the reformed fuel moves along the reforming passage to perform the reforming reaction. and finally, the product may be obtained out of the reforming member 200 through the product outlet 230 .

The channel module 210 may be provided with a reforming reaction channel 210a in which a catalyst is located inside the reforming reaction and a heat exchange channel 210b in which the reforming reaction heat is recovered, which is opposite to the example of FIG. 1 . The reforming reaction channel and the heat exchange channel may be repeated in the order of The reforming reaction is performed while the reforming fuel passes through one channel 210a, and the heat absorbed during the reforming reaction passes through another adjacent heat exchange channel 210b to obtain reaction heat again. By performing the reforming reaction while passing through the neighboring reforming reaction channel, the above process can be repeated and the reforming reaction can be performed. Therefore, even if the reforming reaction is repeatedly performed while the reforming reaction moves through the channel 210m, the reforming reaction is performed. The heat required for the reaction is kept constant, so that the reforming reaction can be performed effectively.

7 to 9 , the fuel reformer 20 having a plate-shaped structure according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plate-shaped burner member 100 and a reforming member 400 according to another embodiment, and the burner An ignition member (not shown) inserted into the member 100 to ignite the burner member 100 may be further included. Since the burner member 100 and the ignition member according to another embodiment are the same as those of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 , the reforming member 400 of another embodiment will be described in detail below.

The reforming member 400 of the fuel reformer 20 having a plate-shaped structure according to another embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of channels arranged in a direction parallel to the tubular burner 124 with the burner unit 120 as a center. It may include a channel part 410 communicating with each other to provide a reforming flow path and a channel part case 440 for accommodating the channel part 410 . The reforming fuel injection unit 420 into which the preheated reformed fuel is injected is located at the end of one selected channel among the channel units, and the product outlet 430 is located at the end of the final channel of the reforming flow path, so that the reforming member 400 is outside. The product can be obtained by The reforming fuel injection unit 420 is formed in a channel adjacent to the preheating coil discharge unit 114b to minimize the heat loss of the preheated reformed fuel by minimizing the path through which the preheated reformed fuel moves to the reforming member 400 . it is preferable

The channel unit 410 may adjust the number of channels coupled according to the reforming capacity required for the fuel reformer 20 . Accordingly, the fuel reformer 20 can be manufactured in various sizes, and even a size required for a narrow space can be easily manufactured. The channel part 410 is arranged in a direction parallel to the tubular burner 124 with the burner part 120 as the center, so that the combustion heat of the burner part 120 can be evenly transmitted to each channel, so that the reforming reaction is further improved. can be done effectively.

The reforming member 400 may be provided with a reforming flow path in a zigzag or d-shape along the inside of the combined channel. That is, one end or the other end of each channel has a flow path connection part 412, and when the preheated reformed fuel containing water is injected (1) into the reformed fuel injection part 420, the first channel is moved, and the first Repeat the process of moving (2) to the second channel along the flow path connection part 412 formed at one end of the channel and then moving to the third channel along the flow path connection part 412 formed at the other end of the second channel (3) and a reforming reaction can occur. Therefore, the product may be finally obtained out of the reforming member 400 through the product outlet 430 .

The channel part 410 may be provided with a reforming reaction channel 410a in which a catalyst is located inside the reforming reaction and a heat exchanging channel 410b in which the reforming reaction heat is recovered repeatedly, as opposed to the example of FIG. 9 . The reforming reaction channel and the heat exchange channel may be repeated in the order of The reforming reaction is performed while the reforming fuel passes through one channel 410a, and the heat absorbed during the reforming reaction passes through the other adjacent heat exchange channel 410b to obtain reaction heat again. By performing the reforming reaction while passing through the neighboring reforming reaction channel, the above process can be repeated and the reforming reaction can be performed. Therefore, even if the reforming reaction is repeatedly performed while the reforming reaction moves through the channel part 410 The heat required for the reforming reaction is kept constant, so that the reforming reaction can be performed effectively.

The fuel reformers 10 and 20 of the plate-shaped structure according to the embodiment of the present invention can be mounted in a moving means or in a narrow space, and thus have the advantage of easy installation. In addition, various sizes can be easily manufactured by adjusting the number of channels according to the desired capacity, and energy efficiency can be further improved by preheating the reformed fuel or burner fuel air before the reforming reaction through the preheating unit 110 . there is Furthermore, by repeatedly providing the reforming reaction channel and the heat exchange channel, there is an advantage in that the temperature required for the reforming, which is an endothermic reaction, can be constantly maintained.

Although the above has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can variously modify and change the present invention within the scope without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. You will understand that it can be done.

10, 20: fuel reformer
100: burner member
110: preheating unit
112: air preheating flow path
114: preheating coil
114b: preheating coil discharge part
120: burner unit
130: bulkhead
132: slit
140: exhaust gas outlet
200, 400: modified member
210: channel module
210m: Channel
210a, 410a: reforming reaction channel
210b, 410b: heat exchange channels
220, 420: reformed fuel injection unit
230, 430: product outlet
240; Channel thermometer connection part
310; igniter joint
320; Burner temperature meter input part
410; channel part
440; channel case

Claims (11)

a plate-shaped burner member including a burner unit providing reforming reaction heat, and a preheating unit coupled to one side of the burner unit to preheat the reformed fuel containing water due to the heat of the burner unit; and
The burner member is coupled to the other side of the burner part and has a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the burner member, and a reforming flow path is formed by combining a plurality of channels, so that the preheated reforming fuel moves through the reforming flow path and performs a reforming reaction. absence;
A fuel reformer of a plate-shaped structure comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
The preheating unit of the burner member includes an air preheating passage through which burner fuel air moves and preheating, and a preheating coil surrounding the air preheating passage,
The fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure, characterized in that the reforming fuel is preheated while moving in the preheating coil.
3. The method of claim 2,
The preheating coil includes a preheating coil injection unit into which the reformed fuel containing water is injected and a preheating coil discharge unit through which the preheated reformed fuel is discharged,
and the reforming member includes a reforming fuel injection unit positioned side by side with the preheating coil discharge unit and into which the preheated reformed fuel is injected.
The method of claim 1,
In the burner member, a barrier rib is positioned between the preheating unit and the burner unit, and the barrier rib has a slit so that the exhaust gas generated from the burner unit moves to the preheating unit through the slit, and at one end of the preheating unit A fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure, characterized in that it is discharged through an exhaust gas outlet located.
The method of claim 1,
The burner unit is a fuel reformer having a plate-shaped structure, characterized in that it includes a plurality of tubular burners positioned at equal intervals.
6. The method of claim 5,
and the burner unit includes a cross union module for injecting burner fuel containing air into each of the burners.
The method of claim 1,
The reforming member is positioned in a direction orthogonal to the burner member and includes a channel module coupled with a U-shaped channel in cross section to surround the burner part, and the reforming flow path is formed. fuel reformer.
8. The method of claim 7,
Each channel of the channel module is composed of a U-shaped outer circumferential surface, a U-shaped inner circumferential surface spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface and enclosing the burner unit, and a partition wall surface through which each channel is partitioned,
The fuel reformer of a plate-shaped structure, characterized in that the partition wall surface positioned between the channels has an open hole positioned on one side or the other side to form the reforming passage.
6. The method of claim 5,
The reforming member includes a channel unit in which a plurality of channels arranged in a direction parallel to the tubular burner are communicated with each other to provide a reforming flow path around the burner unit, and a channel unit case accommodating the channel unit. A fuel reformer of a plate-shaped structure, characterized in that.
10. The method according to claim 7 or 9,
The reforming member has a plate-shaped fuel reformer, characterized in that the reforming passage is provided in a zigzag or d-shape along the inside of the combined channel.
The method of claim 1,
The reforming member has a plate-shaped fuel reformer, characterized in that the reforming reaction channel through which the reforming reaction is carried out with the catalyst located therein and the heat exchange channel through which the reforming reaction heat is recovered are repeatedly provided.

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