JP4833647B2 - Hydrogen production apparatus and fuel cell power generation apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen production apparatus and a fuel cell power generation apparatus including the hydrogen production apparatus.

  In general, a steam reforming reaction is used in a hydrogen production apparatus that generates hydrogen to be supplied to a fuel cell. This steam reforming reaction is performed, for example, by using a ruthenium catalyst filled in the reforming portion with water for reforming evaporated in the preheating portion and a raw material containing a compound composed of carbon and hydrogen. A reformed gas containing hydrogen as a main component is generated by reacting at a high temperature.

  By the way, in order for the fuel cell power generation device to generate a predetermined amount of power according to the power load, it is necessary to accurately control the amount of hydrogen generated by the reforming unit of the hydrogen production device. The amount of hydrogen produced is determined by the feed rate of raw materials and steam and the temperature of the reforming section. For this reason, it is necessary to measure the temperature of the reforming section and accurately control the temperature.

  Patent Document 1 describes a hydrogen production apparatus in which a thermocouple is inserted into the reforming catalyst layer and the temperature at the insertion location is measured in order to measure the temperature of the reforming section. In the hydrogen production apparatus, it is described that when the temperature of the reforming section is measured, the temperature varies depending on the measurement location.

  In order to solve such a problem, in Patent Document 1, an outlet portion where the flow of the reformed gas gathers is provided at the downstream portion of the reforming catalyst layer, and the temperature of the reforming portion is controlled by the temperature detection means provided at the outlet portion. A hydrogen production apparatus for measuring has been proposed.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the hydrogen production apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, this conventional hydrogen production apparatus includes a cylindrical outer cylinder 73 and an inner cylinder 74. A heat insulating material 76 is provided outside the outer cylinder 73 so as to cover the outer cylinder 73. In addition, an upper part of the outer cylinder 73 is provided with an inlet part 79 for supplying raw materials and water vapor, and a lower part is provided with a cylindrical outlet part 80 through which the reformed gas flows out. A gap between the outer cylinder 73 and the inner cylinder 74 is filled with a reforming catalyst, and a reforming catalyst layer 71 is formed by the reforming catalyst. At the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 71, a fixing plate 84 having an opening and holding the reforming catalyst is provided. A space 83 for diffusing the generated reformed gas is provided below the fixed plate 84. A reforming portion is constituted by the reforming catalyst layer 71, the fixing plate 84, and the space portion 83.

  A recessed portion 81 is provided on the outer surface of the outlet portion 80 provided in the outer cylinder 73, and a thermocouple 77 is disposed so as to be in close contact with the recessed portion 81. The thermocouple 77 measures the temperature of the reforming section through the peripheral wall of the outlet section 80 heated by heat transfer from the reformed gas, and the measured data is transmitted to the control section 78. The control unit 78 controls the fuel control valve 82 based on the measured temperature data to control the temperature of the reforming unit.

In such a configuration, the generated reformed gas is diffused in the space portion 83 to become a uniform flow, and a flow that gathers at the outlet portion 80 on the downstream side. Therefore, the flow of the reformed gas is uniform at the outlet portion 80. The temperature distribution becomes uniform. For this reason, even if it measures temperature in any part of the outer surface of the exit part 80, uniform temperature can be measured.
Japanese Patent No. 3408521

  However, in the hydrogen production apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the outlet portion 80 that combines the reformed gases into one is provided, the space near the outlet portion 80 is closer to the central axis of the outer cylinder 73. Since the flow of the reformed gas is faster than the space on the opposite side near the outlet portion 80, a temperature difference occurs between these portions. For this reason, even if the temperature of the peripheral wall of the outlet part 80 is measured, the temperature distribution of the reforming part is not reflected, so that there is a problem that the temperature of the reforming part cannot be measured accurately.

  Moreover, in the hydrogen production apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, since one thermocouple is provided as a single temperature detecting means at the outlet, the temperature of the thermocouple must be changed, making it impossible to measure the temperature. Since it was understood for the first time, there was a problem that the hydrogen production apparatus and the fuel cell power generation apparatus could not be operated safely.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and has as its first object to provide a hydrogen production apparatus capable of accurately measuring the temperature of the reforming section and a fuel cell power generation apparatus including the same. To do. In addition, a second object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen production apparatus that can be operated safely by accurately controlling the temperature of the reforming section, and a fuel cell power generation apparatus including the same.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a hydrogen production apparatus according to the present invention includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, and a reforming catalyst layer in a cylindrical space between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. A reforming section for reforming water vapor and raw material flowing through the catalyst layer to generate a hydrogen-rich reformed gas, and a bottom plate having a surface that collides with the flow of the reformed gas flowing out from the reforming catalyst layer, The bottom plate is closed with respect to the flow of the reformed gas in the inner cylinder, and has a reformed gas outlet formed over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder on the downstream side of the outer cylinder. The reformed gas that has collided with the outer wall of the outer cylinder is configured to flow out to the outside of the outer cylinder through the reformed gas outlet, and the temperature of the reforming section is on the outer surface of the bottom plate opposite to the colliding surface. The reforming temperature measurement part for detecting this is provided.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to operate safely by accurately measuring the temperature of the reforming section and accurately controlling the temperature.

  The reformed gas outlet is preferably a gap formed over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder between the bottom plate and the downstream end of the outer cylinder with respect to the reformed gas flow. .

  It is preferable that the reformed gas outlet is an opening formed over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder on the downstream side of the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer.

  The reformed gas outlet is preferably a gap formed over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder on the downstream side of the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer.

The opening or the gap, Tei Rukoto formed in the vicinity of the bottom plate is preferred.

  The reforming temperature measurement unit is preferably covered with a heat insulating member.

  It is preferable that a plurality of the reforming temperature measuring units are disposed on the outer surface of the bottom plate.

  With such a configuration, the temperature of the reforming unit can be measured more accurately, and since a plurality of reforming temperature measuring units are installed, the reforming unit can be operated even if one of the reforming temperature measuring units fails. And the device can be operated more safely.

  It is preferable that the reforming temperature measuring unit is disposed on the same circumference around the central axis of the outer cylinder or the inner cylinder on the outer surface of the bottom plate.

  It is preferable that a recess is formed on the outer surface of the bottom plate, and the reforming temperature measurement unit is disposed in the recess.

  It is preferable to include a control unit that issues a maintenance signal when a difference in temperature detected by the plurality of reforming temperature measuring units reaches a preset value or more.

  The fuel cell power generation device of the present invention includes the hydrogen production device and a fuel cell that generates power using fuel gas supplied from the hydrogen production device.

  Thereby, reliable and favorable coordination operation can be performed stably.

  According to the hydrogen production apparatus of the present invention, the temperature of the reforming section can be accurately detected. Moreover, according to the hydrogen production apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to operate safely by accurately controlling the temperature of the reforming section. Furthermore, according to the fuel cell power generation apparatus of the present invention provided with such a hydrogen production apparatus, it is possible to stably perform a reliable and favorable cogeneration operation.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 5, the structure is shown typically and the magnitude | size of each component is not shown.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  First, the configuration of the fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell power generation device according to the present embodiment includes a fuel cell 21, an oxidant gas supply unit (not shown), a hydrogen production device 1, a reforming temperature measurement unit 17, and a control unit 22. And have.

  The hydrogen production apparatus 1 includes a raw material supply unit 24, a water supply unit 23, a heating unit 25, a preheating unit 26, a reforming unit 31, a transformation unit 4, and a purification unit 5.

  The raw material supply unit 24 supplies a raw material including a compound composed of at least carbon and hydrogen to the preheating unit 26. Here, examples of the compound composed of at least carbon and hydrogen include hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane and propane, alcohols such as methanol, kerosene and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).

  The water supply unit 23 supplies reforming water to the preheating unit 26. In the preheating unit 26, the supplied water for reforming is evaporated to generate water vapor. In the preheating unit 26, the generated water vapor is mixed with the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit 24, and this mixed gas is supplied to the reforming unit 31.

  In the reforming unit 31, a hydrogen-rich reformed gas is generated by performing a reforming reaction between the raw material in the supplied mixed gas and water vapor using the heat transfer of the combustion gas generated in the heating unit 25. The The reformed gas sequentially passes through the transformation unit 4 and the purification unit 5, during which the concentration of carbon monoxide is reduced and supplied to the anode of the fuel cell 21 as fuel gas.

  In the fuel cell 21, an oxidant gas containing oxygen is supplied to the cathode from the oxidant gas supply unit, and hydrogen in the fuel gas supplied to the anode and oxygen in the oxidant gas react electrochemically to generate electricity. appear.

  The hydrogen production apparatus 1 is provided with a reforming temperature measuring unit 17 that measures the temperature of the reforming unit 31.

  The control unit 22 controls the fuel cell 21, the raw material supply unit 24, the water supply unit 23, and the hydrogen production apparatus 1, acquires temperature information detected by the reforming temperature measurement unit 17, and To control the temperature.

  In the fuel cell power generation device according to the present embodiment, the control unit 22 controls the hydrogen production device 1 and the entire fuel cell power generation device. However, the control unit 22 controls the hydrogen production device 1. A control unit for controlling the fuel cell power generator may be provided.

  Next, the configuration of the hydrogen production apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  The hydrogen production apparatus 1 includes a container 43 sharing a central axis, a cylindrical outer cylinder 42 and an inner cylinder 41. The container 43 is formed of a stepped cylinder in which a large diameter portion is formed in the upper portion and a small diameter portion having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion is formed in the lower portion. A heat insulating member 11 is provided outside the container 43 so as to cover the container 43. The lower end of the container 43 is closed by the bottom plate 12, and the upper end is connected to the outer cylinder 42 via the annular plate member 27. Here, the container 43 is a cylinder having a step, but may be configured without a step.

  The upper ends of the outer cylinder 42 and the inner cylinder 41 are closed by the lid member 10. On the other hand, the lower end of the outer cylinder 42 is opened, and the lower end of the inner cylinder 41 is closed by the inner cylinder bottom plate 30.

  A cylindrical raw material supply port 7 is provided at the upper end portion of the outer cylinder 42. The raw material supply port 7 is connected to the preheating unit 26 by appropriate piping, and supplies the mixed gas mixed in the preheating unit 26 to the reforming unit 31.

  In the cylindrical space between the outer cylinder 42 and the inner cylinder 41, the reforming catalyst layer 3 filled with the reforming catalyst is formed, thereby forming a reforming catalyst housing space. A preheating space for preheating the mixed gas is formed above the reforming catalyst housing space. A reforming section 31 is constituted by the reforming catalyst housing space and the reforming catalyst layer 3. The reforming unit 31 performs a steam reforming reaction using the raw material and steam supplied from the raw material supply port 7. A gap 36 is provided across the entire circumference of the outer cylinder 42 between the lower end of the outer cylinder 42 (the end on the downstream side of the reforming catalyst layer 3 with respect to the flow of the reformed gas) and the bottom plate 12. . The downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 3 and the space formed between the inner cylinder bottom plate 30 and the bottom plate 12 form a buffer space 19. The reformed gas outflow portion from the buffer space portion 19 to the outside of the outer cylinder 42 is called a reformed gas outlet. Here, the gap 36 forms a reformed gas outlet. A part of the cylindrical space of the container 43 and the outer cylinder 42 communicating with the buffer space 19 via the reformed gas outlet 36 becomes the reformed gas flow path 51. The height of the buffer space 19 (the distance between the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 3 and the bottom plate 12 of the container 43) is appropriately designed according to the flow rate of the reformed gas. This is because the difference between the actual temperature of the unit 31 and the temperature detected by the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 becomes small. The difference between the actual temperature of the reforming unit 31 and the temperature detected by the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 may be corrected by the control unit 22 described later.

  A pair of partition plates 28 and 29 are disposed in the cylindrical space between the large-diameter portion of the container 43 and the outer cylinder 42 above the reformed gas flow path 51 with an axial interval therebetween. Thus, the cylindrical space is divided into a shift catalyst housing space, an air mixing portion 18 and a selective oxidation catalyst housing space. A shift catalyst layer filled with the shift catalyst is formed in the shift catalyst storage space. The shift portion 4 is composed of the shift catalyst space and the shift catalyst layer. The container 43 forming the air mixing unit 18 is provided with an air supply port 8 for supplying air for a carbon monoxide selective oxidation reaction. A selective oxidation catalyst layer filled with a selective oxidation catalyst is formed in the selective oxidation catalyst housing space. The purification unit 5 is constituted by the selective oxidation catalyst housing space and the selective oxidation catalyst layer. The partition plate 28 is provided with a plurality of through holes that allow the transformation portion 4 and the air mixing portion 18 to communicate with each other, while the partition plate 29 has a plurality of holes that allow the air mixing portion 18 and the purification portion 5 to communicate with each other. A through hole is provided. As a result, the reformed gas that has undergone a shift reaction in the transformation section 4 flows out from the through hole of the partition plate 28 to the air mixing section 18, and the reformed gas mixed with air in the air mixing section 18 from the through hole of the partition plate 29. The gas flows into the purification unit 5.

  Inside the inner cylinder 41, a cylindrical radiation cylinder 44 is provided coaxially with the inner cylinder 41. The upper end of the radiation tube 44 is closed by the lid member 10, and the lower end of the radiation tube 44 is opened. A cylindrical space formed between the radiation cylinder 44 and the inner cylinder 41 constitutes a combustion gas flow path 52. Inside the radiation tube 44, the burner 2 is disposed so as to penetrate the lid member 10 and extend downward. The burner 2 and the combustion gas flow path 52 constitute a heating unit 25. In the burner 2, off gas is supplied from the fuel cell 21, and combustion air (not shown) is supplied from the outside, and these are combusted to generate combustion gas. The generated combustion gas flows out from the tip (lower end) of the radiation cylinder 44, hits the bottom wall of the inner cylinder 41, reverses, and flows upward from there through the combustion gas flow path 52. Further, the inner cylinder 41 forming the upper end portion of the combustion gas passage 52 is provided with a combustion gas discharge port 6, and the combustion gas flowing through the combustion gas passage 52 passes through the combustion gas discharge port 6. Exhausted to the outside as exhaust gas. In addition, although the cross section of the radiation cylinder 44 is circular here, it is not limited to this, A polygon etc. may be sufficient.

  Next, the configuration of the reforming temperature measurement unit 17 that is a characteristic configuration of the hydrogen production apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pocket-shaped accommodation part 16 formed with the plate-shaped member is provided in the outer surface of the bottom plate 12 of the container 43 at one place. The accommodating portion 16 is preferably installed on the outer surface portion of the bottom plate 12 opposite to the surface colliding with the flow of the reformed gas flowing out from the reforming catalyst layer 3. This is because the flow of the reformed gas generated in the reforming unit 31 constantly collides with (contacts) this portion of the bottom plate 12, so that a temperature close to the actual temperature of the reforming unit 31 can be detected. . In addition, when the installation position of the accommodating part 16 is installed in a place other than the preferable position, the difference between the temperature detected by the reforming temperature measurement part 17 and the actual temperature of the reforming part 31 is obtained in advance by experiments or the like. The difference may be corrected by the control unit 22.
The reforming temperature measurement unit 17 is configured with a temperature sensor housed in the housing unit 16. This temperature sensor has a cylindrical sheath tube 34 and a thermocouple 35 whose one end is open and whose end is closed. The sheath tube 34 is fitted into the accommodating portion 16 with the bottom 34b first (toward the side). The distal end portion of the bottom portion 34 b of the sheath tube 34 is in contact with the side surface of the housing portion 16. A flange 34a is formed at one end of the sheath tube 34 (hereinafter referred to as an open end). Inside the sheath tube 34, the tip 35 a of the thermocouple 35 is inserted so as to contact the bottom portion 34 b of the sheath tube 34. The sheath tube 34 is filled with a powdery filler 32 so as to fill the gap between the thermocouple 35 and the gap. The filler 32 is for preventing the movement of the thermocouple, and is made of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material such as magnesium oxide (MgO ₂ ). And the open end of the sheath pipe | tube 34 is sealed by the cover plate 33 fitted to the flange 34a. The lid plate 33 is joined to the flange 34a of the sheath tube 34 by appropriate means such as welding. Further, a through hole is formed in the cover plate 33, and the thermocouple 35 is led out of the sheath tube 34 through the through hole. The sheath tube 34 is fixed to the housing portion 16 by fixing the flange 34a to the housing portion 16 with an appropriate fixing tool such as a screw. The thermocouple 35 is electrically connected to the processing control unit 61 by appropriate wiring. The accommodating part 16 and this wiring are arrange | positioned so that the heat insulation member 11 may be covered. Moreover, it is preferable to apply | coat heat-transfer cement for promoting heat conduction in the bottom plate 12 of the container 43 in which the accommodating part 16 is provided, and the inside of the accommodating part 16. FIG.

  By adopting such a configuration, the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 can detect the temperature of the reforming unit 31 via the bottom plate 12 of the container 43.

  The reforming temperature measuring unit 17 may be configured to be fixed by omitting the accommodating unit 16 and sandwiching it between the heat insulating member 11 and the bottom of the container 43. Moreover, although the thermocouple was used for the temperature sensor, a platinum sound measuring resistor or a thermistor may be used. Furthermore, the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 may be configured with an infrared temperature sensor. In this case, the infrared temperature sensor may be configured to detect infrared rays radiated from the outer surface of the portion facing the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 3 of the bottom plate 12 of the container 43.

  The temperature detected by the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 is transmitted to the control unit 22. The control unit 22 is configured by a computer such as a microcomputer, and includes a processing control unit 61 (CPU), a storage unit 63 (internal memory) configured from a semiconductor memory, an operation input unit 62, and a display unit 64. Have. The process control unit 61 reads out a predetermined control program stored in the storage unit 63 and executes it to perform various controls relating to the fuel cell power generation device. Further, the process control unit 61 processes data stored in the storage unit 63 and data input from the operation input unit 62. In particular, here, the process control unit 61 performs necessary control of the hydrogen production apparatus 1 based on the temperature of the reforming unit 31 detected by the reforming temperature measuring unit 17. When the temperature from the reforming temperature measurement unit 17 is not transmitted to the process control unit 61, the process control unit 61 causes the display unit 64 to display a notification that the reforming temperature measurement unit 17 has failed.

  The control unit 22 may be configured to be connected to communication means such as a LAN. Thereby, the signal sent from the control part 22 can be directly transmitted to the support center, and the hydrogen production apparatus and the fuel cell power generation apparatus can be operated more safely.

  Next, operation | movement of the hydrogen production apparatus 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIG.

  The hydrogen production apparatus 1 is started by outputting an operation start control signal from the process control unit 61. Specifically, a part of the fuel supplied from the raw material supply unit 23 is supplied as combustion fuel to the burner 2 at a predetermined supply amount, and combustion air is supplied at a predetermined supply amount. The combustion fuel and combustion air are combusted to generate combustion gas. The generated combustion gas passes through the combustion gas passage 52 and is discharged to the outside through the combustion gas discharge port 6. At this time, the reforming unit 31 is heated by heat transfer from the combustion gas. The temperature of the reforming unit 31 is always detected by the reforming temperature measuring unit 17, and the detected temperature is transmitted to the process control unit 61.

  On the other hand, hydrocarbon as a raw material is supplied from the raw material supply unit 24 to the preheating unit 26, and reforming water is supplied from the water supply unit 23 to the preheating unit 26. In the preheating unit 26, the supplied water is heated to become steam, and the steam and the heated raw material are mixed. The mixed water vapor and raw material are supplied to the heated reforming section 31 through the raw material supply port 7. The reforming unit 31 generates a reformed gas containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and unreacted methane and steam by a steam reforming reaction between steam and a raw material. The generated reformed gas passes through the reformed gas channel 51 from the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 3 and is supplied to the shift unit 4. At this time, the flow of the reformed gas is made uniform in the buffer space 19. The shift catalyst body of the shift section 4 performs a shift reaction in which carbon monoxide and water vapor are reacted to generate carbon dioxide and hydrogen. As a result, carbon monoxide in the reformed gas is reduced to about 1%. The reformed gas (shifted gas) after the shift reaction is supplied to the air mixing unit 18. In the air mixing unit 18, the air supplied from the air supply port 8 and the post-transformation gas are mixed. This mixed gas is supplied to the purification unit 5. The purification unit 5 performs a selective oxidation reaction with carbon monoxide remaining in the reformed gas and oxygen in the air. As a result, a fuel gas having a carbon monoxide concentration of 10 ppm or less is generated. The generated fuel gas is supplied from the fuel gas outlet 9 to the fuel cell 21. The fuel cell 21 generates power using hydrogen in the fuel gas and oxygen in the oxidant gas. Excess fuel gas that has not been used in the fuel cell 21 is supplied as off-gas to the hydrogen production apparatus 1 (more precisely, the burner 2). In the burner 2, this off-gas is used as combustion fuel.

  When generating power in the above-described fuel cell 21, the amount of hydrogen required differs depending on the amount of power generation. For this reason, the process control unit 61 of the control unit 22 accurately grasps the temperature of the reforming unit 31 by the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 so that the fuel cell 21 can generate power according to the load power. The amount of water and air supplied, the amount of fuel burned in the heating unit 25, and the like are controlled.

  As described above, in the hydrogen production apparatus according to the first embodiment, the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 is provided at the outer surface position on the opposite side of the surface colliding with the flow of the reformed gas flowing out from the reforming catalyst layer 3 of the bottom plate 12. Since it is provided, the reformed gas generated from the reforming unit 31 constantly touches the position where the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 of the bottom plate 12 of the container 43 is installed. For this reason, the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 can detect a temperature close to the actual temperature in the reforming catalyst layer 3 of the reforming unit 31. Further, since the gap is provided over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder 42 between the bottom plate 12 and the downstream end with respect to the reformed gas flow of the outer cylinder 42, the flow of the reformed gas becomes uniform. As a result, the temperature distribution in the entire bottom plate 12 is averaged due to the heat conduction of the bottom plate 12 (the variation in the temperature distribution is reduced), so that the temperature of the reforming unit 31 can be accurately detected. In addition, since the temperature control of the reforming unit 31 can be performed accurately, the hydrogen production apparatus and the fuel cell power generation apparatus can be operated safely.

  Next, a modification of the fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[Modification 1]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell power generator according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the modification 1, the accommodating part 16 is comprised by the recessed part 13 instead of the pocket formed with the plate-shaped member. The concave portion 13 is formed by bending the wall constituting the bottom plate 12 of the container 43 so as to be recessed in a cylindrical shape when viewed from the downstream end side of the reforming portion 31 (more precisely, the reforming catalyst layer 3). Yes. A sheath tube 34 of a temperature sensor is fitted into the recess 13 with the bottom 34b first (upward). The bottom portion 34 b (tip portion) of the sheath tube 34 is in contact with the bottom portion of the recess 13. The sheath tube 34 is fixed to the bottom plate 12 by fixing the flange 34a to the bottom plate 12 of the container 43 with an appropriate fixing tool such as a screw. In addition, although the cross section of the recessed part 13 is circular here, it is not limited to this, A polygon etc. may be sufficient.
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the same components as those of the fuel cell power generation device of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  In this Embodiment, the accommodating part 16 is provided in the multiple places of the outer surface of the baseplate 12 of the container 43 (here 2 places). The plurality of accommodating portions 16 are arranged at equal intervals (centers equal to each other) on the circumference centering on the central axis of the container 43 at the position of the outer surface of the opposing portion of the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 3 of the bottom plate 12. Arranged so as to be separated by a corner). As described above, the temperature sensors are disposed in the accommodating portions 16.

  Since the reforming unit 31 is provided on the same circumference around the central axis of the container 43, the temperature of the bottom plate 12 is the same in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the container 43, It changes in the radial direction. For this reason, when a plurality of accommodating portions 16 (more precisely, the reforming temperature measuring portion 17) are provided at different positions in the radial direction with respect to the central axis of the container 43, the temperature distribution in the radial direction with respect to the detected temperature is obtained. Although it is necessary to correct, if it is provided on the same circumference centering on the central axis of the container 43 as described above, it is not necessary to perform such correction. In addition, it does not need to be provided on the same circumference centering on the central axis of the container 43. In such a case, a difference between measured values is obtained in advance through experiments or the like, and the difference is measured by the control unit 22. It may be configured to correct the above.

  The controller 22 estimates the temperature of the reforming unit 31 using the temperatures sent from the plurality of reforming temperature measuring units 17 (measured value). For example, here, since it is provided on the same circumference centering on the central axis of the container 43, the average value of the temperature information is used as the measured temperature of the reforming unit 31.

  If the temperature from any one or all of the reforming temperature measuring units 17 is not transmitted, the processing control unit 61 displays a failure of the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 on the display unit 64. Display a message to inform you. Further, when each temperature measured by the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 is greatly different from a predetermined range set in advance, the processing control unit 61 similarly displays a message indicating an abnormality of the reforming temperature measuring unit 17. Is displayed on the display unit 64. The predetermined range is stored in the storage unit 63 and can be read as appropriate by the processing control unit 61, and the range can be stored in the storage unit 63 as appropriate by the operation input unit 62. It has become. The range varies depending on the structure of the hydrogen production apparatus 1 and the method of attaching the reforming temperature measuring unit 17, but is preferably about 50 ° C. or less.

With such a configuration, even if any of the reforming temperature measuring units 17 fails and the temperature is not transmitted, the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 that has not failed detects the temperature of the reforming unit 31. Therefore, the operation of the hydrogen production apparatus 1 and the fuel cell power generation apparatus can be continued. Moreover, since the temperature on the circumference centering on the central axis of the container 43 is constant, if the detected values detected by the plurality of reforming temperature measuring units 17 are greatly different, the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 fails. Therefore, it is possible to know the maintenance time of the reforming temperature measuring unit 17, and it is possible to stably perform a highly reliable and favorable coordination operation.
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the buffer space 19 and the reformed gas outlet 36 of the hydrogen production device 1 of the fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the fuel cell power generator of Embodiment 1, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, a reformed gas outlet 36 formed of a gap is formed as in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the reformed gas passage connected to the reformed gas outlet 36 has an arbitrary form unlike the reformed gas passage 51 described in the first embodiment. . The reforming temperature measurement unit (not shown) is installed outside the bottom plate 12 as in the first embodiment.

The other configuration of the fuel cell power generator is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the buffer space 19 and the reformed gas outlet 36 of the hydrogen production device 1 of the fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the same components as those of the fuel cell power generator of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the bottom plate 12 closes the downstream end of the inner cylinder 41 with respect to the reformed gas flow. A buffer space 19 is formed by the inner cylinder 41, the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 3, and the bottom plate 12. The reforming temperature measurement unit (not shown) is installed outside the bottom plate 12 as in the first embodiment. The reformed gas outlet 36 and the reformed gas flow path (not shown) have the same configuration as in the above-described third embodiment, and the other configurations of the fuel cell power generator are the same as those in the first embodiment. The description thereof is omitted.
(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the reformed gas outlet of the hydrogen production device 1 in the fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the fuel cell power generator of Embodiment 1, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, the present embodiment has an outer cylinder 42 composed of an upper outer cylinder 42a and a lower outer cylinder 42b. The upper end of the upper outer cylinder 42a is closed by a lid member (not shown) as in the first embodiment, and the lower end of the lower outer cylinder 42b is airtightly connected to the bottom plate 12. Between the lower end of the upper outer cylinder 42a and the upper end of the lower outer cylinder 42b, a gap 36 as a gap formed in the outer cylinder 42 of the present invention is formed over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder 42, The gap 36 forms a reformed gas outlet. If the gap 36 is provided below the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer (not shown), the installation position in the vertical direction is arbitrary, but the high-temperature reformed gas forms a laminar flow having a high viscosity and a gentle flow. In view of this, an opening 37 is provided in the vicinity of the bottom plate 12 so that the reformed gas flowing out from the reforming catalyst collides with the bottom plate 12 reliably and the real-time temperature of the reforming unit is detected by the reforming temperature measuring unit. It is preferable to provide it. The reforming temperature measurement unit (not shown) is installed outside the bottom plate 12 as in the first embodiment. The configuration of the reformed gas flow path and the lower end of the inner cylinder 41 may use any of the configurations of the first embodiment, the third embodiment, or the fourth embodiment, and other configurations of the fuel cell power generator. These are the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the reformed gas outlet of the hydrogen production device 1 of the fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In FIG. 12, the same components as those of the fuel cell power generator of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the lower end of the outer cylinder 42 is closed by the bottom plate 12, and a plurality of openings 37 that are openings of the present invention are formed at the lower end of the outer cylinder 42. ing. The openings 37 are provided so as to be evenly distributed over the entire circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 42. If the opening 37 is provided below the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer (not shown), the installation position in the vertical direction is arbitrary, but the high temperature reformed gas forms a laminar flow having a high viscosity and a gentle flow. In consideration of this, the opening 37 in the vicinity of the bottom plate 12 is also used in order to cause the reformed gas flowing out from the reforming catalyst to collide with the bottom plate 12 reliably and to detect the real-time temperature of the reforming unit with the reforming temperature measuring unit. Is preferably provided. Moreover, although the shape of the opening part 37 is a horizontally long rectangular shape here, it is not limited to this, The shape is arbitrary. The plurality of openings 37 constitute a reformed gas outlet. The reforming temperature measurement unit (not shown) is installed outside the bottom plate 12 as in the first embodiment. The other configuration of the fuel cell power generator is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a modified example of the outer cylinder 42 of the hydrogen generator 1 of the fuel cell power generator according to Embodiment 6 will be described below.

[Modification 2]
FIG. 13 illustrates a second modification of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in this modification, a plurality of pieces 38 as openings of the present invention are provided at the lower end of the outer cylinder 42. The sections 38 are provided so as to be evenly distributed over the entire circumferential direction of the outer cylinder 42. The shape of the section 38 is arbitrary. The plurality of pieces 38 constitute a reformed gas outlet. The reforming temperature measurement unit (not shown) is installed outside the bottom plate 12 as in the first embodiment. The other configuration of the fuel cell power generator is the same as that of the sixth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Below, based on an Example and a comparative example, this invention is demonstrated still in detail.
[Example 1]

  The basic configurations of the hydrogen production apparatuses in Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are all the same (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5), and the reforming temperature measurement for detecting the temperature of the reforming unit 31 is performed. The part 17 was installed as follows.

  In Example 1, the hydrogen production apparatus according to Embodiment 2 was used. In the second embodiment, the reforming temperature measuring units 17 are provided at a plurality of locations on the bottom plate 12 of the container 43. However, in this embodiment, the portions of the bottom plate 12 facing the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 3 are opposed to each other. Four locations were provided at 90 ° intervals on the circumference centered on the central axis of the container 43 at the position of the outer surface.

  In Comparative Example 1, as in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, a temperature sensor is inserted into the reforming catalyst layer 3, and the temperature at the insertion location is detected. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a through hole 20 is provided in the bottom plate 12 of the container 43, and the sleeve 15 is welded to the bottom plate 12 so as to communicate with the through hole 20. . The temperature sensor was inserted into the reforming catalyst layer 3 through the bite joint 14 and fixed so as to detect the temperature at a position 10 mm from the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 3. The reforming temperature measuring units 17 are provided at four locations at intervals of 90 degrees on the circumference centered on the central axis of the container 43 so as to correspond to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, only one reforming temperature measuring unit 17 is described, and the description of other components is omitted.

  In Comparative Example 2, as shown in FIG. 5, the temperature is detected at a position 10 mm from the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer 3 so that the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 corresponds to the side surface of the container 43 and corresponds to Comparative Example 1. Provided. In addition, the reforming temperature measuring units 17 were installed at four locations at 90 ° intervals centering on the central axis of the container 43 so as to correspond to Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. In FIG. 5, only one reforming temperature measuring unit 17 is described, and the description of the other is omitted.

  FIG. 6 shows Example 1 in a steady state (power generation output 1000 W, S / C (ratio of water molecules and carbon atoms in the mixed gas of water vapor and raw material supplied to the reforming unit 31) = 2.7). It is a graph which shows the result of having detected the temperature of the reforming part 31 of the hydrogen production apparatus of Comparative Examples 1-2. In FIG. 6, the circumferential angular position is a position on the circumference centering on the central axis of the container 43, which is the installation position of the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 installed on the bottom plate 12 or the side surface of the container 43. It is expressed in the central angle. As shown in FIG. 6, in Example 1, when the reforming temperature measuring unit 17 is provided on the same circumference around the central axis of the outer cylinder 43 at the bottom 12 of the outer cylinder 43, the center on the same circumference. Even if the installation position is changed so that the angle changes, the difference in measurement temperature is as small as 35 ° C., and if it is on the same circumference, the temperature of the reforming unit 31 can be accurately determined regardless of the detection location (installation position). It can be seen that it can be detected. That is, if the reforming temperature measuring unit is provided on the same circumference centering on the central axis of the cylinder 41 or the cylinder 42 which is the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder of the present invention in the bottom 12 which is the bottom plate of the present invention, There is little individual difference in the temperature detected as the reforming temperature for each individual manufacturing apparatus, and stable reforming temperature control becomes possible. On the other hand, when the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 3 is directly detected as in Comparative Example 1, the temperature differs by 120 ° C. depending on the installation position even on the same circumference, and the reforming unit is accurately It can be seen that it is difficult to detect the temperature of 31. Further, in Comparative Example 2, since the side surface portion of the outer cylinder 43 is detected, a temperature difference as compared with Comparative Example 1 is not observed, but the installation position is even on the same circumference as compared with Example 1. The temperature difference due to is 90 ° C., and it is difficult to accurately detect the temperature of the reforming unit 31. This is because it is difficult to make the central axes of the outer cylinder 43 and the intermediate cylinder 42 substantially the same when the hydrogen production apparatus is manufactured. This is considered to be due to the fact that the distance from the intermediate cylinder 42 is different depending on the circumferential direction.

  Moreover, it turns out that the measurement data of Example 1 show the average value of the data of Comparative Example 1. Accordingly, it was shown that the temperature of the reforming unit 31 can be accurately detected without directly detecting the temperature of the reforming catalyst layer 3.

  FIG. 7A is a graph showing a result of detecting the temperature of the reforming unit 31 from the start of the hydrogen production apparatuses of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. FIG. FIG. 7B is a graph showing a result of detecting the temperature of the reforming unit 31 from the start of the hydrogen production apparatuses of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2. In addition, about the comparative example 1, the data detected in the angular position of 0 degree | times and 180 degree | times of the circumferential direction angular position of FIG. 6 were shown. As in the case of detection in the steady state, in Example 1, it can be seen that the temperature of the reforming unit 31 can be detected regardless of the installation location as long as it is on the same circumference. On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, it can be seen that the measured temperature varies depending on the installation location even on the same circumference.

  As described above, according to this example, it has been clarified that the temperature detected by the reforming temperature measurement unit is close to the actual temperature in the reforming catalyst layer. In addition, in the bottom portion 12 which is the bottom plate of the present invention, if the reforming temperature measuring section is provided on the same circumference centering on the central axis of the cylinder 41 or the cylinder 42 which is the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder of the present invention, The temperature of the reforming section can be accurately detected regardless of the position. As a result, the reforming temperature can be controlled stably with little individual difference in the temperature detected as the reforming temperature for each individual hydrogen production device. Become.

  The hydrogen production apparatus of the present invention is useful as a hydrogen production apparatus that can be operated safely by accurately detecting the temperature of the reforming section and accurately controlling the temperature. In addition, the fuel cell power generator of the present invention provided with such a hydrogen production device is useful as a fuel cell power generator capable of stably performing a reliable and favorable coordination operation.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the whole fuel cell electric power generating apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of the fuel cell electric power generating apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the whole fuel cell power generating apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the whole fuel cell power generating apparatus which concerns on the comparative example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the whole fuel cell power generating apparatus which concerns on the comparative example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the result of having detected the temperature of the reforming part in the steady state of the hydrogen production apparatus which concerns on Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the result of having detected the temperature of the reforming part from the time of starting of the hydrogen production apparatus which concerns on Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the result of having detected the temperature of the reforming part from the time of starting of the hydrogen production apparatus which concerns on the comparative example 1 and the comparative example 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the conventional hydrogen generator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the buffer space part and reformed gas outlet of the hydrogen production apparatus of the fuel cell power generator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the buffer space part and reformed gas outlet of the hydrogen production apparatus of the fuel cell power generator which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the reformed gas outlet of the hydrogen production apparatus of the fuel cell power generator which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the reformed gas outlet of the hydrogen production apparatus of the fuel cell power generator concerning Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of the reformed gas outlet of the hydrogen production apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hydrogen production apparatus 2 Burner 3 Reforming catalyst body 4 Transformation part 5 Purification | purification part 6 Combustion gas discharge port 7 Raw material supply port 8 Air supply port 9 Fuel gas outlet 10 Lid member 11 Heat insulation member 12 Bottom plate 13 Concave 14 Biting joint 15 Sleeve 16 Storage unit 17 Reforming temperature measurement unit 18 Air mixing unit 19 Buffer space unit 20 Through hole 21 Fuel cell 22 Control unit 23 Water supply unit 24 Raw material supply unit 25 Heating unit 26 Preheating unit 27 Plate member 28 Partition plate 29 Partition plate 30 Cylinder bottom plate 31 Reforming part 32 Filler 33 Cover plate 34 Sheath tube 34a Flange 34b Bottom 35 Thermocouple 35a Tip 36 Gap 37 Opening 38 Section 41 Inner cylinder 42 Outer cylinder 42a Upper outer cylinder 42b Lower outer cylinder 43 Container 44 Radiation Tube 51 Reformed gas flow path 52 Combustion gas flow path 61 Processing control unit (CPU)
62 Operation input unit 63 Storage unit (internal memory)
64 Display part 71 Reforming catalyst layer 72 Burner 73 Outer cylinder 74 Inner cylinder 75 Exhaust port 76 Heat insulating material 77 Thermocouple 78 Control unit 79 Inlet part 80 Outlet part 81 Recessed part 82 Fuel control valve 83 Space part 84 Fixing plate

Claims (11)

An inner cylinder and an outer cylinder,
A reforming section having a reforming catalyst layer in a cylindrical space between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and reforming water vapor and raw material flowing through the reforming catalyst layer to generate a hydrogen-rich reformed gas When,
A bottom plate having a surface that collides with the flow of reformed gas flowing out of the reforming catalyst layer,
The downstream side of the inner cylinder with respect to the flow of the reformed gas is closed,
By having a reformed gas outlet formed over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder on the downstream side of the outer cylinder, the reformed gas that has collided with the bottom plate passes through the reformed gas outlet and the outer cylinder. Configured to flow out of the
And the hydrogen production apparatus provided with the reforming temperature measurement part for detecting the temperature of the said reforming part in the outer surface on the opposite side to the said collision surface of the said baseplate.   2. The reformed gas outlet is a gap formed over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder between the bottom plate and an end of the outer cylinder on the downstream side with respect to the reformed gas flow. The hydrogen production apparatus as described.   2. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reformed gas outlet is an opening formed over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder on the downstream side of the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer.   2. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reformed gas outlet is a gap formed over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder on the downstream side of the downstream end of the reforming catalyst layer. The opening or the gap, the bottom plate hydrogen generating device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein formed in the vicinity of.   The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reforming temperature measuring unit is covered with a heat insulating member.   The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the reforming temperature measuring units are disposed on an outer surface of the bottom plate.   2. The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reforming temperature measuring unit is disposed on the same circumference around the central axis of the outer cylinder or the inner cylinder on the outer surface of the bottom plate.   The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion is formed on an outer surface of the bottom plate, and the reforming temperature measuring unit is disposed in the concave portion.   The hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a control unit that issues a maintenance signal when a difference in temperature detected by the plurality of reforming temperature measuring units reaches a preset value or more.   A fuel cell power generation apparatus comprising: the hydrogen production apparatus according to claim 1; and a fuel cell that generates power using fuel gas supplied from the hydrogen production apparatus.

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