JP4664767B2 - Reformer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a reformer used in a fuel reforming apparatus for a fuel cell, and in particular, a hollow cylindrical reforming vessel having a combustion burner for heating inside, and the reforming vessel connected to the reforming vessel. A plurality of fuel supply pipes having a predetermined length for supplying a gaseous gas fuel, and a reformed gas that is inserted into the reforming container and is generated in the reforming container in a state of passing through the fuel supply pipe The present invention relates to a reformer that includes a plurality of reformed gas discharge pipes that discharge gas and can improve the energy efficiency of the reformer.

A fuel cell is a battery that uses hydrogen and oxygen (hot water) generated during a chemical reaction by chemically reacting hydrogen gas generated from a hydrocarbon raw material with oxygen.
The fuel cell uses petroleum-based fuels such as naphtha and kerosene, city gas, and the like as hydrocarbon raw materials, and the hydrocarbon raw materials and water vapor are mixed to form a gaseous reformed gas fuel. Is heated in a reforming catalyst to produce a hydrogen-rich reformed gas.
For this reason, in fuel cells, how to efficiently generate reformed gas from hydrocarbon feedstock is an important issue, and various technologies have been disclosed regarding fuel reformers and reformers that generate reformed gas. Yes.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel reformer in which a reformer and its related devices are combined as a single unit, which includes a vacuum heat insulating container, and an inner space of the vacuum heat insulating container is disposed in the exhaust gas of the reformer. A fuel reformer having a plurality of reforming pipes arranged in parallel with the exhaust gas flow path, loaded with a reforming catalyst therein, and circulated through the raw material gas (reformed gas fuel) for reforming. Quality device technology is disclosed.
According to this technique, heat insulation can be performed by the vacuum heat insulation container without using a heat insulating material such as ceramic fiber, and thus the fuel reformer can be downsized and the thermal efficiency can be improved.
JP 2003-327405 A

However, although the fuel reformer described in Patent Document 1 can improve the thermal efficiency by the vacuum heat insulating container, for example, assuming a small fuel cell with a power generation amount of about 1 kW, the energy efficiency is lowered. There was a problem.
Generally, when the fuel reformer is downsized, the energy efficiency is lowered. However, there is a demand for a reformer that does not lower the energy efficiency even when the fuel reformer is downsized, and preferably can further improve the energy efficiency. .
In addition, in a small fuel cell targeted for sale at a general home, there has been a strong demand for further improving energy efficiency and simplifying the structure of the reformer.

  In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a reformer that can improve energy efficiency even if it is downsized, and that can simplify the structure of the reformer.

In order to achieve the above object, a reformer of the present invention is a reformer that generates a reformed gas by heating a reformed gas fuel containing a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reforming catalyst, A hollow cylindrical reforming vessel having an inner cylindrical body and an outer cylindrical body, a reforming catalyst filled in the reforming vessel, and a reforming catalyst connected to the reforming vessel and in the reforming vessel A plurality of fuel supply pipes having a predetermined length for supplying the reformed gas fuel to the reforming container and the fuel supply pipe, and the reformed gas generated in the reforming container And a plurality of reformed gas discharge pipes to be discharged.
In this case, the fuel supply pipe having a predetermined length and a part of the reformed gas discharge pipe penetrating the fuel supply pipe constitute a double pipe, and the fuel supply pipe and the reformed gas discharge pipe are connected to each other. Heat exchange is performed between the low-temperature reformed gas fuel that flows between the high-temperature reformed gas and the high-temperature reformed gas that flows in the reformed gas discharge pipe, so that the energy efficiency of the reformer can be improved. Also, compared with the case where the fuel supply pipe and the reformed gas discharge pipe are connected to the reforming vessel in a state where they are independent from each other, the distance between the fuel supply pipes is made closer, and the reformed gas fuel is reformed more uniformly. Since it can supply to a catalyst, the utilization factor of a reforming catalyst can be improved.

In the reformer of the present invention, the lower end of the fuel supply pipe is connected to the reformed gas fuel supply chamber, the lower end of the reformed gas discharge pipe is connected to the reformed gas discharge chamber, and the reformer The gas fuel supply chamber and the reformed gas discharge chamber are integrally provided.
In this way, heat exchange is performed between the low temperature reformed gas fuel flowing in the reformed gas fuel supply chamber and the high temperature reformed gas flowing in the reformed gas discharge chamber, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the reformer. Further improvement can be achieved.

In the reformer of the present invention, the number of the fuel supply pipes is 3 or more and 32 or less.
In this way, heat transfer is performed between the low-temperature reformed gas fuel flowing between the fuel supply pipe and the reformed gas discharge pipe and the high-temperature reformed gas flowing in the reformed gas discharge pipe. While maintaining the rate, it is possible to suppress the drift of the reformed gas fuel in the reforming catalyst layer, and to improve the production efficiency when manufacturing the reformer.

Further, the reformer of the present invention has a configuration in which a protrusion is provided in the reformed gas fuel supply chamber in the horizontal direction, and a reformed gas fuel supply hole is provided in the protrusion.
In this way, the reformed gas fuel can be easily supplied to the reformed gas fuel supply chamber having the reformed gas discharge chamber connected to the lower portion, and the structure of the reformer can be simplified.

In the reformer of the present invention, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the reformed gas in the reformed gas discharge pipe to the cross-sectional area of the reformed gas fuel in the fuel supply pipe is 0.05 or more and 5 The configuration is as follows.
If it does in this way, the heat transfer efficiency of the double pipe which consists of a fuel supply pipe and a reformed gas discharge pipe can be improved.

Further, the reformer of the present invention provides a reformed gas flowing between the fuel supply pipe and the reformed gas discharge pipe with respect to a cross-sectional area of the reformed gas fuel flowing in the annular reformed gas fuel supply chamber. The ratio of the total flow path cross-sectional area of the fuel is set to 0.005 or more and 0.2 or less.
In this way, substantially the same amount of reformed gas fuel can be supplied to each fuel supply pipe, and the reformed gas fuel can be supplied more uniformly to the reforming catalyst, thereby improving the utilization rate of the reforming catalyst. In addition, it is possible to suppress the drift of the reformed gas fuel in the reforming catalyst layer.

Also, the reformer of the present invention has a ratio of a total cross-sectional area of the reformed gas flowing through the reformed gas discharge pipe to a cross-sectional area of the reformed gas flowing through the annular reformed gas discharge chamber. , 0.005 or more and 0.2 or less.
In this way, the drift of reformed gas fuel in the reforming catalyst layer can be further suppressed, and the utilization rate of the reforming catalyst can be improved.

  According to the reformer of the present invention, energy efficiency can be improved even if the size is reduced, and the structure of the reformer can be simplified.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top sectional view of a reformer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic AA cross-sectional view of FIG.
1 and 2, the reformer 1 includes a fuel supply pipe 3 connected to a lower portion of a burner 5, an inner radiation cylinder 51, a reforming vessel 2, and a reforming vessel 2 from the center toward the outer periphery. The reformed gas discharge pipe 4 and the outer shell cylinder 52 charged in the quality container 2 are provided (see FIG. 1), and further, the fuel supply pipe 3, the reformed gas discharge pipe 4, and the lower part of the reforming container 2 are provided. The reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 and the reformed gas discharge chamber 40 are provided (see FIG. 2).
Although not illustrated, the reformer 1 of the present embodiment is a reformer incorporated in a fuel reformer of a fuel cell, and is necessary for the fuel reformer below the reformed gas discharge chamber 40. Related equipment, such as water evaporators, hydrocarbon feedstock vaporizers, etc. are provided.
The reformer 1 of the present invention is not limited to being unitized as a fuel reformer, and may be used for a fuel cell in a state independent of a water evaporator or the like, for example.

The reforming container 2 is a hollow cylindrical sealed container including an inner cylindrical body 21, an outer cylindrical body 22, a lower plate 23, and an upper plate 24, and the reforming catalyst 20 is filled therein.
The reforming container 2 is a double cylinder in which an inner cylindrical body 21 and an outer cylindrical body 22 are formed into cylinders, and an annular lower plate 23 and an upper plate 24 are welded to the cylinders.
The inner cylindrical body 21 and the outer cylindrical body 22 of the reforming container 2 are not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a cylindrical body provided with unevenness to increase the heat transfer area. . If it does in this way, since the heat-transfer area with respect to waste gas increases, energy efficiency can further be improved.

The reforming vessel 2 has 16 fuel supply pipes 3 having a predetermined length connected to the lower plate 23 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and hydrocarbons are passed through the fuel supply pipe 3. The reformed gas fuel containing the raw material is supplied to the reforming vessel 2. Thus, by arranging the fuel supply pipes 3 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, the reformed gas fuel can be supplied to the reforming vessel 2 in a substantially uniform state in the circumferential direction. The reforming catalyst 20 reacts in the circumferential direction in substantially the same state. Therefore, the utilization rate of the reforming catalyst 20 is improved.
The reformed gas fuel supplied to the reforming vessel 2 is reformed by the reforming catalyst 20 into a hydrogen-rich reformed gas while rising inside the reforming vessel 2.
Although not shown, in the present embodiment, a filter such as a wire mesh is provided on the upper part of the fuel supply pipe 3 so that the reforming catalyst 20 does not fall into the fuel supply pipe 3. Further, the filter is not limited to the case where it is provided at the upper part of the fuel supply pipe 3. For example, an annular filter may be provided with a gap at the upper part of the lower plate 23. The drift of the reformed gas fuel in the reforming vessel 2 is more effectively suppressed.

Further, the number of fuel supply pipes 3 is not limited to the above 16, but may be 8 or 24, for example.
Here, it is preferable that the number of the fuel supply pipes 3 is 3 or more and 32 or less. In this way, heat is performed between the low-temperature reformed gas fuel flowing between the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 and the high-temperature reformed gas flowing in the reformed gas discharge pipe 4. While effectively maintaining the heat transfer coefficient of exchange, it is possible to suppress the drift of the reformed gas fuel in the reforming catalyst 20 (in the layer), and further improve the production efficiency when the reformer 1 is manufactured. Can be made. This is because when the number of the fuel supply pipes 3 is 2 or less, the heat transfer coefficient of the heat exchange is greatly reduced, and the reformed gas fuel drifts in the reforming catalyst 20 (in the layer). This is because the utilization rate of the reforming catalyst 20 decreases. On the other hand, when the number of fuel supply pipes 3 is 33 or more, the number of fuel supply pipes 3 increases, so that the work for manufacturing the reformer 1 increases and the productivity of the reformer 1 decreases. It is.

The reforming vessel 2 is filled with the reforming catalyst 20 so that a void 26 is formed in the upper portion of the vessel, and as a reformed gas flow path for recovering the reformed gas generated in the void 26 in the upper portion of the vessel, Sixteen reformed gas discharge pipes 4 are provided. Each of the 16 reformed gas discharge pipes 4 is attached so that the lower part penetrates the fuel supply pipe 3 and protrudes from the upper surface of the reforming catalyst 20 filled with the tip part. The accumulated reformed gas is discharged below the reforming vessel 2.
That is, the fuel supply pipe 3 having a predetermined length and the lower part of the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 penetrating the fuel supply pipe 3 constitute a double pipe, and the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 Heat exchange is performed between the low-temperature reformed gas fuel flowing between the high-temperature reformed gas and the high-temperature reformed gas flowing in the reformed gas discharge pipe 4, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the reformer 1. Although not shown in the drawing, the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 are more closely spaced from each other than the case where the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 are connected to the reforming vessel 2 in an independent state. Since the reformed gas fuel can be supplied to the reforming catalyst 20 more uniformly, the utilization rate of the reforming catalyst 20 is improved.

  Preferably, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the reformed gas in the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 to the cross-sectional area of the reformed gas fuel in the fuel supply pipe 3 is changed to the inner diameter of the fuel supply pipe 3. The ratio (= C / B) of the area (= C) of the circle surrounded by the inner diameter of the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 to the area (= B) of the ring surrounded by the outer diameter of the quality gas discharge pipe 4 is 0 .05 or more and 5 or less. In this way, the heat transfer efficiency of the double pipe composed of the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 is improved. The reason for this is that if the flow rates of the reformed gas fuel and the reformed gas become too fast, the pressure loss will increase, so it is necessary to prevent each flow rate from becoming too fast. When the flow path cross-sectional area is increased, the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 are increased in size, so that it is necessary to set an appropriate flow path cross-sectional area. Under these conditions, when the area ratio is smaller than 0.05, the flow rate of the reformed gas fuel flowing between the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 becomes too slow, and the heat transfer coefficient between the two gases. This is because of a decrease. On the other hand, if the area ratio exceeds 5, the flow rate of the reformed gas flowing through the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 becomes too slow, and the heat transfer coefficient between the two gases decreases.

Further, by providing each reformed gas discharge pipe 4 in each fuel supply pipe 3, it is possible to prevent the problem that the reformed gas fuel supplied from the fuel supply pipe 3 flows almost upward and a drift occurs. The reaction rate of the catalyst 20 can be made substantially uniform in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the reformed gas can be generated in a stable state until the life of the reforming catalyst 20 is exhausted.
In addition, by providing the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 inside the reforming vessel 2 (in a state of being in direct contact with the reforming catalyst 20), the generated high-temperature reformed gas is connected to the reformed gas discharge pipe 4. When flowing, the surrounding reforming catalyst 20 and the reformed gas fuel are heated, so that energy efficiency can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the lower end of the fuel supply pipe 3 is connected to the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30, and the lower end of the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 is connected to the reformed gas discharge chamber 40. Further, the upper reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 and the lower reformed gas discharge chamber 40 are provided integrally (in a connected state). In this way, heat exchange is also performed between the low-temperature reformed gas fuel flowing in the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 and the high-temperature reformed gas flowing in the reformed gas discharge chamber 40, and the reformer 1 Energy efficiency is further improved.

  The reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 and the reformed gas discharge chamber 40 are press-molded bodies, and are formed in an annular shape in accordance with the shape of the lower plate 23 of the reforming container 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the reformed gas discharge chamber 40 has an annular shape having a rectangular cross section (in the radial direction), an inner wall 401, a bottom plate 402, an outer wall 403 integrally formed by press molding, The upper plate includes a bottom plate 302 of the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 that is shared with the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30. A single reformed gas discharge pipe 4 a having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 is connected to the bottom plate 402. The reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 has an annular shape having a rectangular cross section (in the radial direction), and includes an inner wall 301, a bottom plate 302, an outer wall 303, and an upper plate 304 that are integrally formed by press molding. ing. Each reformed gas discharge pipe 4 is connected to the bottom plate 302, and each reformed gas discharge pipe 4 communicates the gap 26 of the reforming container 2 and the reformed gas discharge chamber 40. Each fuel supply pipe 3 is connected to the upper plate 304, and each fuel supply pipe 3 communicates the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 and the reforming container 2. In this way, the structure is simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 is provided with substantially semicircular protrusions 305 in the outer peripheral direction at two opposing positions in the horizontal direction. A fuel supply pipe 3a having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the fuel supply pipe 3 is connected to the bottom of 305, and reformed gas fuel is supplied through the reformed gas fuel supply hole 305a. A pipe (not shown) communicating with a safety valve (not shown) is connected to the bottom of the other protrusion 305. If it does in this way, the fuel supply pipe | tube 3a can be easily connected to the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 by which the reformed gas discharge chamber 40 was connected to the lower part, and it can aim at the cost reduction of manufacturing cost.

  Here, preferably, between the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 with respect to the cross-sectional area (w × h in FIG. 3) of the reformed gas fuel flowing through the annular reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30. The ratio of the total channel cross-sectional area of the reformed gas fuel flowing through (= total channel cross-sectional area / channel cross-sectional area) is preferably 0.005 or more and 0.2 or less. In this way, substantially the same amount of reformed gas fuel can be supplied to each fuel supply pipe 3, and the reformed gas fuel can be supplied to the reforming catalyst 20 more uniformly. In addition, it is possible to suppress the uneven flow of the reformed gas fuel in the reforming catalyst 20 (in the layer). This is because the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 becomes too large if the ratio of the total flow passage cross-sectional area is smaller than 0.005, and if it is larger than 0.2, it passes through each fuel supply pipe 3. This is because the amount of the reformed gas fuel to be greatly varies depending on the distance from the fuel supply pipe 3a. That is, when the ratio is larger than 0.2, the flow rate of the reformed gas fuel passing through the fuel supply pipe 3 at a position close to the fuel supply pipe 3a increases, and passes through the fuel supply pipe 3 at a position away from the fuel supply pipe 3a. This is because the flow rate of the reformed gas fuel is reduced and the flow rates of the fuel supply pipes 3 are not uniform.

  More preferably, the total flow passage of the reformed gas flowing through the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 with respect to the cross-sectional area (W × H in FIG. 3) of the reformed gas flowing through the annular reformed gas discharge chamber 40 is cut off. The area ratio (= total channel cross-sectional area / channel cross-sectional area) is preferably 0.005 or more and 0.2 or less. If it does in this way, the drift in reforming catalyst 20 (inside a layer) of reformed gas fuel can be controlled, and the utilization factor of reforming catalyst 20 can be improved. This is because the reformed gas discharge chamber 40 is too large if the ratio of the total flow passage cross-sectional area is less than 0.005, and if it is greater than 0.2, each reformed gas discharge pipe 4 is This is because the amount of reformed gas passing through varies greatly depending on the distance from the reformed gas discharge pipe 4a, and the uniform reaction of the reforming catalyst 20 is impaired due to this variation. In other words, if it is larger than 0.2, the flow rate of the reformed gas passing through the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 at a position close to the reformed gas discharge pipe 4a increases, and reforming at a position away from the reformed gas discharge pipe 4a. This is because the flow rate of the reformed gas passing through the gas exhaust pipe 4 is reduced, and the flow rates of the reformed gas exhaust pipes 4 are not uniform.

  As described above, the total flow of the reformed gas fuel flowing between the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 with respect to the cross-sectional area of the reformed gas fuel flowing in the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30. The ratio of the road cross-sectional area is set to 0.005 or more and 0.2 or less, or the reformed gas flowing through the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 with respect to the cross-sectional area of the reformed gas flowing through the reformed gas discharge chamber 40 By implementing any one of the ratio of the total flow path cross-sectional area of 0.005 or more and 0.2 or less, it is possible to suppress the uneven flow of the reformed gas fuel in the reforming catalyst 20 (in the layer). . Moreover, by implementing both, drift can be suppressed more effectively.

  In the reformer 1, a burner 5 is provided at the lower center portion of the reforming vessel 2, and the flame 50 from the burner 5 does not directly hit the reforming vessel 2 between the burner 5 and the reforming vessel 2. As described above, an inner radiation cylinder 51 having substantially the same height as the reforming vessel 2 is provided. An exhaust gas inner flow path 511 is formed between the inner radiation tube 51 and the reforming vessel 2, and a part of the exhaust gas blown upward by the burner 5 passes through the exhaust gas inner flow path 511 and moves downward. In this case, the reforming vessel 2 is heated in contact with the inner cylindrical body 21 of the reforming vessel 2.

Further, an exhaust gas outer flow path 521 is formed between the outer shell cylinder 52 and the outer cylindrical body 22 of the reforming vessel 2, and the remainder of the exhaust gas blown upward by the burner 5 is the exhaust gas outer flow path. Flows downward through 521. At this time, the exhaust gas contacts the outer cylindrical body 22 of the reforming container 2 to heat the reforming container 2.
Although not shown, a vacuum heat insulating container or a heat insulating material may be used as the heat insulating means inside the outer shell cylinder 52.

Here, preferably, the reforming container 2, the exhaust gas inner flow path 511 and the exhaust gas outer flow path 521 are provided concentrically with respect to the burner 5, and in this way, the reforming filled in the reforming container 2 is performed. The catalyst 20 can be heated substantially uniformly in the circumferential direction, and the reforming catalyst 20 can be used effectively. In addition, since the reaction conditions can be made substantially the same with respect to the circumferential direction, it is possible to prevent a problem that the concentration of the reformed gas produced varies depending on the circumferential direction.
The burner 5 is configured to eject one flame 50, but is not limited to this type of burner. For example, a burner from which flame is ejected in an annular shape may be used.

Next, the steady operation of the reformer 1 having the above configuration will be described.
First, in the reformer 1, the burner 5 is ignited, and the exhaust gas rising through the inner radiation cylinder 51 flows through the exhaust gas inner flow path 511 and the exhaust gas outer flow path 521, and the inner cylindrical body 21 of the reforming vessel 2 and The reforming vessel 2 is heated from both side surfaces of the outer cylindrical body 22. When the reforming vessel 2 or the like is heated to a predetermined temperature, the steady operation is started.

  In the steady operation, the reformer 1 has a boiler (not shown) that raises the temperature of the reformed gas fuel to about 200 ° C., and the temperature of the reformed gas fuel that has been raised is improved via the fuel supply pipe 3a. It is supplied to the quality gas fuel supply chamber 30. When the reformed gas fuel supplied to the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 passes through the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30, the reformed gas and the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 pass through the reformed gas discharge chamber 40. Heat exchange is performed with the exhaust gas flowing around the area to raise the temperature.

  Next, in the reformer 1, the reformed gas fuel flowing through the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 flows into the fuel supply pipe 3, and the inside of the fuel supply pipe 3 (the fuel supply pipe 3 and the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 (Cylindrical passage between) is moved upward. At this time, the reformed gas fuel undergoes heat exchange between the high-temperature reformed gas flowing downward in the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 and the high-temperature exhaust gas flowing downward outside the fuel supply pipe 3 to rise. The fuel is supplied from the fuel supply pipe 3 to the reforming vessel 2 while being heated to about 500 ° C. That is, according to the present embodiment, the high-temperature reformed gas and exhaust gas can be effectively used to improve the energy efficiency, and further, the fuel supply pipe 3, the reformed gas discharge pipe 4, and the reformed gas fuel The structure of the supply chamber 30 and the reformed gas discharge chamber 40 can be simplified.

  Next, the reformer 1 is heated while the reformed gas fuel supplied to the reforming vessel 2 rises in the reforming vessel 2 to cause a chemical reaction by the reforming catalyst 20. When it reaches the upper part (gap 26), it is reformed into a hydrogen-rich reformed gas and heated to about 700 ° C.

  Next, in the reformer 1, the reformed gas generated as described above is discharged below the reforming vessel 2 through the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 and the reformed gas discharge chamber 40. At this time, the high temperature reformed gas at about 700 ° C. heats the reforming catalyst 20 and the reformed gas fuel at the upper part of the reformed gas discharge pipe 4 when passing through the flow path in the reforming vessel 2. Further, the reformed gas heats the reformed gas fuel in the fuel supply pipe 3 when passing through the flow path in the fuel supply pipe 3, and further passes through the flow path in the reformed gas discharge chamber 40, The reformed gas fuel in the reformed gas fuel supply chamber 30 is heated.

  Thus, according to the reformer 1 of this embodiment, even when the reformer 1 is downsized, energy efficiency can be improved, and the structure of the reformer 1 is simplified. can do.

The reformer according to the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. However, the reformer according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that implementation is possible.
For example, the reformer 1 is provided with a relatively large empty space around the fuel supply pipe 3, but is not limited to this structure. For example, another heat exchanger may be provided. In this way, the reformer 1 can be downsized by effectively utilizing the empty space.

  The reformer of the present invention is not limited to a case where a reforming catalyst is used as a catalyst and a reformed gas fuel is used as a reaction gas. For example, a reactor that performs a chemical reaction using a catalyst at a predetermined temperature. However, it is possible to apply the present invention.

1 shows a schematic top cross-sectional view of a reformer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic AA sectional view of FIG. 1. The schematic expanded sectional view of the principal part of FIG. 2 is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reformer 2 Reforming container 3, 3a Fuel supply pipe 4, 4a Reformed gas discharge pipe 5 Burner 20 Reforming catalyst 21 Inner cylindrical body 22 Outer cylindrical body 23 Lower plate 24 Upper plate 26 Gap 30 Reformed gas Fuel supply chamber 40 Reformed gas discharge chamber 50 Flame 51 Inner radiation tube 52 Outer shell tube 301 Inner wall 302 Bottom plate 303 Outer wall 304 Upper plate 305 Projection portion 305a Reformed gas fuel supply hole 401 Inner wall 402 Bottom plate 403 Outer wall

Claims (7)

A reformer that generates reformed gas by heating a reformed gas fuel containing a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reforming catalyst,
A hollow cylindrical reforming vessel having an inner cylindrical body and an outer cylindrical body;
A reforming catalyst filled in the reforming vessel;
A plurality of fuel supply pipes having a predetermined length connected to the reforming vessel and supplying the reformed gas fuel to the reforming catalyst in the reforming vessel;
A plurality of reformed gas discharge pipes that are inserted in the reforming container and the fuel supply pipe and discharge the reformed gas generated in the reforming container;
A reformer characterized by comprising:   The lower end of the fuel supply pipe is connected to a reformed gas fuel supply chamber, the lower end of the reformed gas discharge pipe is connected to a reformed gas discharge chamber, and the reformed gas fuel supply chamber and the reformed gas discharge chamber The reformer according to claim 1, which is integrally provided.   The reformer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of the fuel supply pipes is 3 or more and 32 or less.   4. The reformer according to claim 2, wherein the reformed gas fuel supply chamber is provided with a projecting portion in a horizontal direction, and the projecting portion is provided with a reformed gas fuel supply hole.   The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the reformed gas in the reformed gas discharge pipe to the cross-sectional area of the reformed gas fuel in the fuel supply pipe is 0.05 or more and 5 or less. The reformer as described in any one of 1-4. The reformed gas fuel supply chamber has a rectangular cross section through which the reformed gas fuel flows and an annular flow path, and the reformed gas fuel flow path break in the fuel supply pipe with respect to the radial cross-sectional area of the flow path. The reformer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the ratio of the total channel cross-sectional area of the area is 0.005 or more and 0.2 or less. The reformed gas discharge chamber has a rectangular cross section in which the reformed gas flows and forms an annular flow path, and the reformed gas flow path cross-sectional area in the reformed gas discharge pipe with respect to the radial cross-sectional area of the flow path The reformer according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the ratio of the total flow path cross-sectional area of the gas is 0.005 or more and 0.2 or less.

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