JP4175943B2 - Fuel reformer and method of operating fuel reformer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel reformer that generates hydrogen from a hydrocarbon-based reformed fuel using a reforming reaction and an operation method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a method of generating hydrogen, a method of generating hydrogen from a hydrocarbon fuel by a reforming reaction is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel reformer that uses a steam reforming reaction and a partial oxidation reaction as reforming reactions to generate hydrogen from gasoline and supplies the generated hydrogen to a fuel cell. . In Patent Document 1, raw fuel to be subjected to a reforming reaction is vaporized by a vaporizer and sprayed directly on the reformer.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-79703
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-344502 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2000-63104 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, especially when the temperature of the fuel reformer is low, such as when the fuel reformer is started, the evaporation rate of the sprayed raw fuel particulates is slowed down. The hydrogen generation efficiency may be insufficient. Further, when the apparatus is not warmed up at the time of start-up, the amount of water vaporization is particularly insufficient, and the efficiency of hydrogen generation may be insufficient.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and ensures the amount of water vapor to be supplied to the reforming reaction even when the temperature of the fuel reformer is low, such as during startup. The purpose of this is to improve the efficiency of hydrogen generation.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to achieve the above object, a first fuel reformer of the present invention is a fuel reformer that generates hydrogen from a hydrocarbon-based reformed fuel using a reforming reaction,
A reforming raw material supply unit comprising a sprayer for supplying the reformed fuel and water and spraying at least a part of the water as a liquid reforming raw material;
A first high-temperature gas supply unit that supplies a first high-temperature gas that has been heated using heat generated by a combustion reaction;
A space in which the reformed fuel and water are supplied from the reforming raw material supply unit and the first high temperature gas is supplied from the first high temperature gas supply unit, and is sprayed by the sprayer. A fuel introduction chamber for advancing vaporization of the liquid reforming raw material;
A catalyst unit provided with the reforming catalyst that promotes the reforming reaction while being supplied with the reformed fuel and water and the first high-temperature gas via the fuel introduction chamber;
It is a summary to provide.
[0007]
According to the first fuel reformer of the present invention configured as described above, since the first high-temperature gas is obtained using the heat generated in the combustion reaction that can immediately obtain a high temperature, the fuel Even when the temperature inside the reforming apparatus is lowered, it is possible to quickly vaporize the liquid reforming raw material containing water and use it for the reforming reaction using the first high-temperature gas. . Therefore, the reforming reaction can proceed immediately as necessary, and the hydrogen production efficiency at that time can be ensured. As an example when the temperature inside the fuel reformer is decreasing, for example, even when the fuel reformer is started, by using the heat generated in the combustion reaction, hydrogen production is started immediately, Warm-up time can be shortened.
[0008]
In the first fuel reforming apparatus of the present invention, the sprayer may spray a premixed fuel obtained by mixing the reformed fuel that is a liquid and water as the liquid reforming raw material. good. In this way, by using the premixed fuel in which the reformed fuel and water are mixed, the ratio of the reformed fuel and water supplied to the reforming reaction at the low temperature of the fuel reformer is determined by the above premixing. It can be the ratio of the reformed fuel and water in the fuel. Therefore, even when the temperature of the fuel reformer is low, the amount of water contained in the premixed fuel can be secured as the amount of water supplied to the reforming reaction, and the efficiency of hydrogen generation is sufficiently high. can do.
[0009]
In such a first fuel reformer of the present invention,
The reforming material supply unit is
A water vapor supply unit that generates water vapor and supplies the water vapor to the fuel introduction chamber;
Part of the water supplied to the fuel introduction chamber is contained in the premixed fuel and sprayed into the fuel introduction chamber via the sprayer, and the rest is supplied to the fuel introduction chamber as water vapor by the water vapor supply unit. It is also good to do.
[0010]
With such a configuration, water can be supplied to the reforming reaction at a rate higher than the rate of water relative to the reformed fuel in the premixed fuel. Therefore, when sufficient water vapor can be obtained from the water vapor supply unit, water vapor is also supplied from the water vapor supply unit, and the amount of water vapor is adjusted so that the efficiency of the reforming reaction becomes higher, thereby improving the hydrogen generation efficiency. Is possible.
[0011]
In the fuel reformer of the present invention, further,
A second high-temperature gas supply unit capable of supplying the second high-temperature gas heated using the heat of the system including the fuel reformer to the fuel introduction chamber;
When it is determined that a gas having a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature is obtained as the second high-temperature gas, the fuel introduction chamber is configured to use the second high-temperature gas instead of the first high-temperature gas. A high-temperature gas switching control unit for switching the supplied high-temperature gas;
It is good also as providing.
[0012]
With such a configuration, when the second high-temperature gas heated to a predetermined temperature or higher is obtained from the second high-temperature gas supply unit, the liquid reforming is performed by the second high-temperature gas without using the combustion reaction. Since the raw material is vaporized, it is possible to suppress a reduction in energy efficiency of the entire apparatus by performing a combustion reaction.
[0013]
In such a second fuel reformer of the present invention,
The second high-temperature gas supply unit includes a heat exchanger through which a reformed gas containing hydrogen generated by the reforming reaction passes in the catalyst unit,
The second high-temperature gas may be a gas whose temperature has been raised in the heat exchanger using the heat of the reformed gas.
[0014]
With this configuration, when reformed gas having a sufficiently high temperature is supplied to the heat exchanger, the heat of the reformed gas is used to vaporize the liquid reforming raw material without performing a combustion reaction. Can be performed.
[0015]
The first high-temperature gas and / or the second high-temperature gas may contain air. With such a configuration, it is possible to advance the oxidation reaction in the catalyst portion using oxygen in the air, and by this oxidation reaction, heat required for the steam reforming reaction is obtained or warming up is promoted at a low temperature. It becomes possible to do.
[0016]
In the first fuel reformer of the present invention, further,
The information that reflects the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber is acquired, and the vaporizable amount setting that sets the amount of the liquid reforming raw material that can be vaporized when sprayed into the fuel introduction chamber is obtained based on the information And
A spray amount control unit for controlling the sprayer so as to spray the liquid reforming raw material amount set by the vaporizable amount setting unit;
It is good also as providing.
[0017]
With such a configuration, the sprayed liquid reforming raw material is vaporized well and does not stay without being vaporized in the fuel introduction chamber. Therefore, the efficiency of the reforming reaction does not decrease with respect to the sprayed liquid reforming raw material. In such a case, the information reflecting the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber may include the temperature of the first hot gas supplied to the fuel introduction chamber. For example, the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber can be calculated based on the information about the temperature of the first high-temperature gas and the flow rate of the first high-temperature gas, and based on the calculated amount of heat, The amount of liquid reforming raw material that can be vaporized by the amount of heat can be calculated.
[0018]
In the first fuel reformer of the present invention, further,
It is good also as providing the fuel pressure control part which acquires the temperature in the said fuel introduction chamber, and controls the pressure of the said liquid reforming raw material at the time of spraying the said liquid reforming raw material from the said sprayer based on this temperature.
[0019]
By increasing the pressure (fuel pressure) of the liquid reforming raw material when the liquid reforming raw material is sprayed in the sprayer, the droplet diameter of the sprayed liquid reforming raw material can be further reduced. The lower the temperature in the fuel introduction chamber, the harder the vaporized liquid reforming material droplets are vaporized.In this case, by controlling the fuel pressure and reducing the particle size of the liquid reforming material, Vaporization can be promoted.
[0020]
A second fuel reformer of the present invention is a fuel reformer that generates hydrogen from a hydrocarbon-based reformed fuel using a reforming reaction,
A reforming raw material supply unit comprising a sprayer for supplying the reformed fuel and water and spraying at least a part of the water as a liquid reforming raw material;
A high-temperature gas supply unit that supplies a high-temperature gas that has been heated above the vaporization temperature of the liquid reforming raw material sprayed from the sprayer;
Vaporization of the liquid reforming material sprayed by the sprayer in a space in which the reformed fuel and water are supplied from the reforming material supply unit and the high temperature gas is supplied from the high temperature gas supply unit A fuel introduction chamber for advancing
A catalyst unit provided with a reforming catalyst that promotes the reforming reaction while being supplied with the reformed fuel and water and the high-temperature gas via the fuel introduction chamber;
A fuel pressure control unit that acquires a temperature in the fuel introduction chamber and controls a pressure of the liquid reforming raw material when spraying the liquid reforming raw material in the sprayer based on the temperature;
It is a summary to provide.
[0021]
According to the second fuel reforming apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, when the liquid reforming raw material sprayed in the fuel introduction chamber is vaporized using the heat of the high-temperature gas, the liquid reforming is performed in the sprayer. By increasing the fuel pressure at the time of spraying the quality raw material, the droplet diameter of the sprayed liquid reforming raw material can be made smaller and the vaporization of the liquid reforming raw material can be promoted. When the internal temperature of the fuel reformer is low, such as at the time of start-up, the sprayed droplets of the liquid reforming raw material are less likely to vaporize. The reforming efficiency at the time can be improved.
[0022]
The present invention can be realized in various forms other than the above, and can be realized in the form of, for example, a method for operating the fuel reformer.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Overall configuration of the device:
B. Start-up action:
C. effect:
D. Second embodiment:
E. Third embodiment:
F. Fourth embodiment:
G. Variation:
[0024]
A. Overall configuration of the device:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a fuel cell system 15 including a fuel reformer 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The fuel reformer 10 includes a sprayer 20, a fuel introduction chamber 22, a burner 30, an evaporator 31, a reformer 24, a heat exchanger 26, a CO reduction unit 28, and a control unit 35.
[0025]
The sprayer 20 injects a premixed fuel to be supplied to the reformer 24 as a reactant of the reforming reaction into the fuel introduction chamber 22. The premixed fuel is a mixture of liquid hydrocarbon and water in advance at a predetermined ratio, and the sprayer 20 includes a nozzle that sprays the premixed fuel in the form of liquid fine particles. Furthermore, the sprayer 20 includes a pump (not shown) that pressurizes premixed fuel supplied to the nozzle, and also includes an electromagnetic solenoid valve that can control the amount of premixed fuel to be sprayed by opening and closing the valve. Therefore, the amount of premixed fuel sprayed from the nozzle can be controlled by the pressure at which the pump pressurizes the premixed fuel (hereinafter referred to as fuel pressure) and the time during which the solenoid valve is opened.
[0026]
The fuel introduction chamber 22 is a space in which the premixed fuel is sprayed from the sprayer 20 and water vapor and air are supplied via the reforming gas channel 32 (hereinafter referred to as the reforming gas channel 32). The steam and the air supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 through the air are referred to as reforming gas). Water vapor in the reforming gas supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 is generated in the evaporator 31. The evaporator 31 is a device for evaporating water to generate a desired amount of water vapor. As the heat source, for example, a burner or a heater can be used. In the evaporator 31, the amount of water vapor generated can be controlled by controlling the amount of water to be vaporized using the heat generated by the heat source. The evaporator 31 is provided with a second temperature sensor 37 for detecting the internal temperature of the evaporator 31. Air in the reforming gas is taken in from the outside by the blower 33 and supplied from the heat exchanger 26 through the burner 30 to the fuel introduction chamber 22. The burner 30 heats the air passing through the inside by a combustion reaction. As the fuel for the combustion reaction, for example, the premixed fuel described above can be used. Alternatively, various fuels such as liquid hydrocarbons that are not mixed with water can be used. A first temperature sensor 36 for detecting the temperature of the air passing through the heat exchanger 26 is provided in the air flow path provided between the heat exchanger 26 and the burner 30. The air passing through the heat exchanger 26 and the burner 30 and the water vapor generated in the evaporator 31 are mixed in the reforming gas flow path 32 and supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 as reforming gas. . In the fuel introduction chamber 22, the sprayed premixed fuel is vaporized by the heat of the reforming gas, and the reforming gas and the premixed fuel are mixed to form a mixed gas. 24. Note that, in order to favorably vaporize the sprayed premixed fuel, the temperature in the fuel introduction chamber 22, that is, the temperature of the reforming gas supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 is preferably 200 ° C. or more, and more preferably. Is 400 ° C. or higher.
[0027]
The reformer 24 includes a reforming catalyst that promotes the reforming reaction. What is necessary is just to select a reforming catalyst suitably according to the liquid hydrocarbon to be used. In the reformer 24 of the present embodiment, since steam and air are supplied as described above, a steam reforming reaction and a partial oxidation reaction proceed as reforming reactions. By performing the steam reforming reaction that is an endothermic reaction and the partial oxidation reaction that is an exothermic reaction, at least part of the heat required for the steam reforming reaction can be supplied by the partial oxidation reaction. The reformer 24 may be further provided with a heat source such as a heater in order to supply heat required for the steam reforming reaction so that the reformer 24 has a predetermined temperature range suitable for the liquid hydrocarbon and the reforming catalyst to be used. In addition, the temperature in the reformer 24 is controlled. Alternatively, in order to promote warming up of the reformer 24 when the fuel reformer 10 is started, a heat source such as a heater may be further provided. In the present specification, a gas containing hydrogen generated by the reformer 24 is referred to as a reformed gas.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the fuel introduction chamber 22 and the reformer 24 connected to the fuel introduction chamber 22 of this embodiment in more detail as a cross-sectional view. In this embodiment, the fuel introduction chamber 22 and the reformer 24 are each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The fuel introduction chamber 22 formed as a cylinder with a larger cross-sectional diameter and the reformer 24 formed as a cylinder with a smaller cross-sectional diameter are connected in series, and the two are integrally formed. . Gas path 32 for reforming From The high-temperature reforming gas introduced into the fuel introduction chamber 22 forms a swirling flow along the inner wall surface of the cylinder in the fuel introduction chamber 22. The premixed fuel sprayed from the sprayer 20 is vaporized while being mixed with the reforming gas forming the swirl flow. In this way, the high-temperature reforming gas forms a swirling flow, whereby vaporization of the premixed fuel is further promoted. A partition wall 23 a is provided between the fuel introduction chamber 22 and the reformer 24. The partition wall 23a is formed in a conical wall shape that protrudes toward the fuel introduction chamber 22, and a communication hole 23b is formed in the center (top). The mixed gas obtained by mixing the premixed fuel vaporized in the fuel introduction chamber 22 and the reforming gas is introduced into the reformer 24 through the communication hole 23b. The reformer 24 includes a reforming catalyst 25 inside, and the reforming catalyst 25 can be formed in various shapes such as being supported on a honeycomb carrier or formed into pellets. FIG. 2 shows a reforming catalyst 25 formed using a honeycomb carrier. When the mixed gas is supplied to the reformer 24, the reforming reaction proceeds on the reforming catalyst, and the generated reformed gas is discharged to the heat exchanger.
[0029]
The fuel introduction chamber 22 and the reformer 24 may have different configurations other than those shown in FIG. For example, instead of the configuration in which the fuel introduction chamber 22 and the reformer 24 are separated by the partition wall 23a as in the embodiment, the two may be integrally formed without being separated by the partition wall. It suffices if a space for spraying the premixed fuel and mixing with the high temperature gas is provided on the upstream side of the reforming catalyst 25.
[0030]
The heat exchanger 26 is a device for exchanging heat between the air taken in by the blower 33 described above and the reformed gas discharged from the reformer 24. The air taken in by the blower 33 is heated to a temperature corresponding to the reformed gas temperature by heat exchange. Further, the reformed gas is cooled by heat exchange and supplied to the CO reduction unit 28. Generally, the reaction temperature in the reformer 24 is higher than the reaction temperature in the CO reduction unit 28, and the reformed gas becomes a temperature suitable for the reaction in the CO reduction unit 28 through the heat exchanger 26.
[0031]
The CO reduction unit 28 is a device that reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide in the reformed gas supplied from the reformer 24. Thus, by reducing the carbon monoxide concentration in the reformed gas prior to supplying the reformed gas to the fuel cell 17, the catalyst of the fuel cell 17 is poisoned and the cell performance is reduced. Is preventing. The CO reduction unit 28 may include a catalyst that promotes a shift reaction that generates carbon dioxide and hydrogen from carbon monoxide and water vapor, and a selective oxidation reaction that oxidizes carbon monoxide in preference to hydrogen. Alternatively, the CO reduction unit 28 may be a device that selectively extracts hydrogen using, for example, a hydrogen separation membrane containing palladium or the like.
[0032]
The reformed gas whose carbon monoxide concentration is reduced by the CO reduction unit 28 is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell 17 as a fuel gas. Further, air is supplied as an oxidizing gas from the blower 34 to the cathode of the fuel cell 17, and an electrochemical reaction proceeds in the fuel cell 17.
[0033]
The control unit 35 is configured as a logic circuit centered on a microcomputer, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, or an input / output port for inputting / outputting various signals. The control unit 35 inputs detection signals from various sensors included in the fuel cell system 15 and outputs drive signals to the sprayer 20 and the blower 33 described above. Thus, the control unit 35 controls the operation state of the entire fuel cell system 15 including the fuel reformer 10.
[0034]
Although the fuel reformer 10 of this embodiment supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell 17, the hydrogen generated by the fuel reformer may be supplied to different types of hydrogen consuming devices. good.
[0035]
B. Start-up action:
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a start-up process routine executed by the control unit 35 when the fuel reformer 10 is started.
[0036]
When the start of the fuel reformer 10 is instructed and this routine is executed, the control unit 35 starts the burner 30 and the blower 33 and starts spraying the premixed fuel from the sprayer 20. Evaporator 3 1 Is started (step S100). By starting the burner 30 and the blower 33, hot air starts to be supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 immediately after the start. At this time, vaporization of the sprayed premixed fuel is started in the fuel introduction chamber 22 by using the high-temperature air by starting spraying of the premixed fuel from the sprayer 20. As a result, the gas mixture of vaporized premixed fuel and high-temperature air starts to be supplied to the reformer 24. Since the premixed fuel is a mixture of liquid hydrocarbon and water in a predetermined ratio in advance, the reformer 24 performs a steam reforming reaction using water contained in the premixed fuel and high-temperature air. The oxidation reaction using oxygen is started. In addition, when the reformer 24 includes a heat source such as a heater for promoting warm-up, the heat source may be driven at the same time.
[0037]
At this time, the evaporator 3 1 The warm-up of the evaporator is started, but immediately after the start-up, the evaporator 3 1 When the warm-up of the fuel is insufficient, water vapor cannot be supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22. Here, the evaporator 31 includes the second temperature sensor 37 for detecting the internal temperature, as described above. When it is determined that the steady state where the internal temperature of the evaporator 31 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature is determined based on the detected temperature, the supply of water vapor to the fuel introduction chamber 22 is started.
[0038]
After step S100 is executed, the control unit 35 next performs the temperature T of the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 26. ₁ Is acquired from the first temperature sensor 36 (step S110). Thereafter, the controller 35 further controls the air temperature T acquired in step S110. ₁ And a preset reference temperature T _A Are compared (step S120). By executing step S100, the reformer 24 starts the reforming reaction as described above, and the warm-up of the reformer 24 proceeds. As the reformer 24 warms up, the temperature of the reformed gas discharged from the reformer 24 also increases, and the temperature of the air heat-exchanged with the reformed gas via the heat exchanger 26 also increases. To rise. The reference temperature T _A Is preset as the temperature of the air when the premixed fuel sprayed in the fuel introduction chamber 22 can be sufficiently vaporized, and is stored in the control unit 35. In step S120, it is determined whether or not the air passing through the heat exchanger 26 has reached a temperature at which the premixed fuel can be sufficiently vaporized and heated without further heating by the burner 30. Yes.
[0039]
In step S120, the air temperature T ₁ Is the reference temperature T _A When it is determined that the value has not been reached, the process returns to step S110 again. In this way, the temperature T of the air passing through the heat exchanger 26 ₁ Is the reference temperature T _A Until this is the case, the operations in step S110 and step S120 are repeated.
[0040]
In step S120, the air temperature T ₁ Is the reference temperature T _A If it judges that it became above, control part 35 will stop burner 30 (Step S130), and will end this routine. After the completion of this routine, the air supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 is heated by the reformed gas passing through the heat exchanger 26, but the heating operation by the burner 30 is stopped.
[0041]
C. effect:
According to the fuel reforming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, air heated using the burner 30 is supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 when the fuel reforming apparatus 10 is started. The premixed fuel can be sufficiently vaporized. Since the premixed fuel is immediately vaporized by spraying in high-temperature air, the sprayed premixed fuel adheres to the wall surface of the fuel introduction chamber 22 and remains in the fuel introduction chamber 22 without being vaporized. Can be prevented. Thus, since the reforming reaction can be started by vaporizing and raising the temperature of the premixed fuel immediately after startup, the amount of vaporized premixed fuel supplied to the reformer 24 at startup is insufficient. Thus, the reforming reaction efficiency does not decrease.
[0042]
Note that after the warm-up of the reformer 24 is completed and the air supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 can be sufficiently heated by the heat of the reformed gas, the reformer 24 is stopped to stop the burner 30. Due to the use of the burner 30 after the heater 24 is warmed up, the energy efficiency of the entire system is not reduced.
[0043]
In this embodiment, the air taken in by the blower 33 is supplied from the heat exchanger 26 to the fuel introduction chamber 22 via the burner 30. As described above, since the burner 30 is disposed on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 26, when the air is heated using the burner 30 at the time of starting, heat is not taken away by the heat exchanger 26, and the burner The heat given by 30 to the air can be efficiently used for vaporizing the premixed fuel.
[0044]
In this embodiment, the burner 30 is used to heat the air supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 at the start, but a different heating device may be used. A device that performs a fuel reaction and heats it with heat generated by a combustion reaction can quickly heat the air at the time of start-up and obtain the same effect.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, since the premixed fuel is sprayed to the fuel introduction chamber 22, the ratio of liquid hydrocarbon to water in the premixed fuel is appropriately adjusted, so that the desired ratio from the start can be obtained. It becomes possible to advance the reforming reaction using the reformed fuel mixed with water. In general, water has a property that it has a smaller evaporation rate coefficient than liquid hydrocarbons and is difficult to evaporate. Therefore, liquid hydrocarbons and water are mixed in a desired ratio especially at low temperatures such as at the time of startup. It is difficult to obtain a mixed gas. However, in this embodiment, the premixed fuel in which the liquid hydrocarbon and water are mixed in advance at a predetermined ratio is sprayed into the space to which the high temperature gas is supplied, so that the reformed fuel and water have a predetermined ratio ( A mixed gas mixed at a mixing ratio in the premixed fuel) can be easily obtained. In addition, since the high-temperature mixed gas containing a sufficient amount of water vapor can be quickly subjected to the reforming reaction in this way, the water-vapor reforming reaction can be immediately started with high activity, Hydrogen can be obtained more quickly. In addition, the mixing ratio of water in the premixed fuel can be, for example, 10 to 50% of the whole.
[0046]
Furthermore, since the fuel reformer 10 of the present embodiment includes the evaporator 31, after the warm-up of the evaporator 31 is finished, the amount of water vapor used for the reforming reaction can be arbitrarily set using the evaporator 31. The amount can be controlled. Thereby, the efficiency of the reforming reaction in the reformer 24 can be further increased. For example, when the temperature of the reformer 24 is not sufficiently raised at the time of start-up, the ratio of water in the premixed fuel is used to promote the warming-up of the reformer 24 by promoting the oxidation reaction more actively. May be set smaller than the ratio at which the efficiency of the steam reforming reaction is maximized. Even in such a case, by using the evaporator 31, it is possible to adjust the amount of steam supplied to the reforming reaction so that the efficiency of the steam reforming reaction becomes higher after the warm-up is completed.
[0047]
D. Second embodiment:
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the fuel cell system 115 including the fuel reformer 110 of the second embodiment. Since the fuel cell system 115 of the second embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the fuel cell system 15 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to common components, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0048]
In the fuel reformer 110 of the second embodiment, the flow path of the air taken in from the blower 33 is branched into a flow path that passes through the heat exchanger 26 and a flow path that passes through the burner 30. At the branching portion where the air flow path branches, a flow path switching valve 39 controlled by the control section 35 is provided, and it is possible to control which flow path the air taken in from the blower 33 passes through. It has become. The flow path passing through the heat exchanger 26 and the flow path passing through the burner 30 merge to connect to the reforming gas flow path 32. Thereby, the air heated via either the heat exchanger 26 or the burner 30 is mixed with the water vapor supplied from the evaporator 31 and can be supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22. In the fuel reformer 110, the heat exchanger 26 is provided with a third temperature sensor 136 that detects the internal temperature.
[0049]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a start-up process routine executed by the control unit 35 when the fuel reformer 110 of the second embodiment is started.
[0050]
When the start of the fuel reformer 110 is instructed and this routine is executed, the control unit 35 first outputs a drive signal to the switching valve 39, and the flow path of the air taken in by the blower 33 is changed. Switching to the flow path side via the burner 30 (step S200). This is because, as will be described later, when the routine ends, the air flow path is usually switched to the side passing through the heat exchanger 26. In addition, the control unit 35 activates the burner 30 and the blower 33 and starts spraying the premixed fuel from the sprayer 20. 1 Is started (step S210). This is the same process as step S100 in FIG. As a result, immediately after startup, high-temperature air heated by the burner 30 begins to be supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22, and vaporization of the sprayed premixed fuel is started using this high-temperature air. In addition, as the vaporized premixed fuel is supplied, the reformer 24 starts the reforming reaction and gradually warms up the reformer 24.
[0051]
After executing Step S210, the control unit 35 next performs the internal temperature T of the heat exchanger 26. _Three Is acquired from the third temperature sensor 136 (step S220). Thereafter, the control unit 35 further determines the internal temperature T of the heat exchanger 26 acquired in step S220. _Three And a preset reference temperature T _T Are compared (step S230). When the warm-up of the reformer 24 proceeds by executing step S210, the heat exchanger 26 that receives the supply of reformed gas from the reformer 24 also gradually increases in temperature. The reference temperature T _T Is preset as the internal temperature of the heat exchanger 26 when the air can be heated to such an extent that the premixed fuel sprayed in the fuel introduction chamber 22 can be sufficiently vaporized, and is stored in the control unit 35. It is what I left.
[0052]
In step S230, the internal temperature T of the heat exchanger 26 _Three Is the reference temperature T _T If it is determined that the value has not been reached, the process returns to step S220. In this way, the internal temperature T of the heat exchanger 26 _Three Is the reference temperature T _T Until this is the case, the operations of step S220 and step S230 are repeated.
[0053]
In step S230, the internal temperature T of the heat exchanger 26 _Three Is the reference temperature T _T If it judges that it became the above, the control part 35 will switch the air flow path so that it may be on the side which goes through the heat exchanger 26, while stopping the burner 30 (step S240), and complete | finishes this routine. After the end of this routine, the air supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 is heated via the heat exchanger 26 without passing through the burner 30.
[0054]
According to the fuel reforming apparatus of the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the fuel reforming apparatus of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0055]
E. Third embodiment:
In the third embodiment described below, when the same control as in the first embodiment is performed at the start in the fuel reformer 10 similar to the first embodiment, premixing is performed according to the temperature of the reforming gas. Control is further performed to adjust the fuel spray amount. In the fuel reforming apparatus of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the components corresponding to those of the fuel reforming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, and the third embodiment is adapted in accordance with FIGS. Give an explanation.
[0056]
In the fuel reformer 10 of the third embodiment, a fourth temperature sensor 38 provided in the vicinity of the connection portion with the fuel introduction chamber 22 in the reforming gas flow path 32 in order to detect the temperature of the reforming gas. (See FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the detected value of the fourth temperature sensor 38 is used as information reflecting the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 when the premixed fuel is vaporized. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a spray amount control processing routine that is repeatedly executed by the control unit 35 when the fuel reformer 10 of the third embodiment is started.
[0057]
When this routine is executed, the control unit 35 first determines the temperature T of the reforming gas (the air taken in by the blower 33 immediately after starting). _Four Is acquired from the fourth temperature sensor 38 (step S300). Next, the control unit 35 acquires the flow rate of the reforming gas supplied from the reforming gas flow path 32 to the fuel introduction chamber 22 (step S310). The flow rate of the reforming gas supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 may be detected directly by providing a flow rate sensor in the reforming gas flow path 32, for example. Alternatively, the reforming gas flow rate is calculated based on the total amount of the air amount obtained from the drive amount of the blower 33 and the amount of water vapor generated in the evaporator 31 (the amount of water supplied to the evaporator 31). It's also good.
[0058]
Thereafter, the reforming gas temperature T acquired in step S300. _Four And based on the reforming gas flow rate acquired in step S310, the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 is calculated as the product of both (step S320). Here, the control unit 35 provided in the fuel reforming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment stores in advance the vaporization heat of the premixed fuel, and based on this vaporization heat and the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22. Thus, the amount of premixed fuel to be sprayed in the fuel introduction chamber 22 is set (step S330). As the amount of premixed fuel to be sprayed, for example, the maximum value of the amount of premixed fuel that can be vaporized by the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 is obtained in consideration of energy loss in the fuel introduction chamber 22. That's fine. Note that the amount of premixed fuel that can be vaporized also changes depending on the temperature of the premixed fuel to be sprayed. Therefore, if the temperature of the premixed fuel may change, measure the temperature of the premixed fuel, The premixed fuel amount to be sprayed may be corrected based on this value. Thereafter, the control unit 35 outputs a drive signal to the sprayer 20 so that the amount of premixed fuel set in step S330 is sprayed (step S340), and this routine is terminated.
[0059]
According to the third embodiment, in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, the following effects are further achieved. That is, when the fuel reformer 10 is started, a part of the premixed fuel is fueled by spraying a vaporizable amount of premixed fuel based on information reflecting the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22. The premixed fuel can be vaporized without staying in the introduction chamber 22 and the reforming reaction can be started efficiently.
[0060]
In the third embodiment, the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 is calculated each time, but a different configuration may be used. For example, the reforming gas temperature T _Four The relationship between the reforming gas flow rate and the amount of premixed fuel to be sprayed may be stored in advance in the control unit 35 as a map, and the spray amount may be set with reference to this map. Further, when there is an operation state in which the amount of air taken in by the blower 33 or the amount of water vapor supplied from the evaporator 31 is constant, the reforming gas amount temperature T _Four It is also possible to prepare a map so that the amount of premixed fuel to be sprayed can be set on the basis of only the fuel.
[0061]
In the third embodiment, the change in the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 is obtained by directly measuring the temperature of the reforming gas. However, a different configuration may be used. After the fuel reformer 10 is started, the temperature of the gas supplied from the reforming gas flow path 32 to the fuel introduction chamber 22 may suddenly decrease. For example, when the warm-up of the evaporator 31 proceeds and the supply of water vapor from the evaporator 31 to the reforming gas flow path 32 is started, or when the warm-up of the heat exchanger 26 is finished, This is when the heat source for heating is changed to the heat exchanger 26. In such a case, before detecting that the gas temperature in the reforming gas flow path 32 actually decreases, the supply of water vapor from the evaporator 31 or the switching of the heat source for heating the air is performed. If correction is made to immediately reduce the spray amount of the premixed fuel based on the instruction signal, the spray amount can be controlled without delay.
[0062]
Further, when performing the control shown in the third embodiment, in addition to the gas temperature in the reforming gas flow path 32, the premixed fuel is further taken into account in consideration of the amount of water vapor supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22. It is good also as determining the spraying amount. Although the premixed fuel contains water, the higher the water vapor concentration in the fuel introduction chamber 22, the less the water sprayed in the fuel introduction chamber 22 is vaporized. In addition, it is said that the smaller the molecular weight of gas molecules present in the atmosphere where vaporization proceeds, the easier it is for the sprayed liquid to diffuse and promote vaporization. However, it is considered that the sprayed premixed fuel is more easily vaporized as the concentration of water vapor composed of water molecules having a small molecular weight increases. The degree of the influence of the water vapor concentration on vaporization is different from that of the premixed fuel sprayed in the fuel introduction chamber 22, the ratio of water in the premixed fuel, the type of liquid hydrocarbon in the premixed fuel, and the like. It varies depending on the condition when the gas for quality is mixed. Therefore, according to the premixed fuel actually used in the fuel reformer 10, the influence of the water vapor concentration on the evaporability is experimentally investigated in advance and stored in the control unit 35, and the result is referred to. The premixed fuel amount to be sprayed may be corrected.
[0063]
The effect obtained by appropriately controlling the spray amount of the premixed fuel based on the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 can be obtained not only at the start time but also at the steady operation after the warm-up operation. Moreover, although the said 3rd Example demonstrated based on the fuel reformer 10 of 1st Example, it is good also as performing the same control in the fuel reformer 110 of 2nd Example.
[0064]
F. Fourth embodiment:
In the fourth embodiment described below, in the fuel reformer 10 similar to that in the first embodiment, when performing the same control as in the first embodiment at the time of start-up, in the sprayer 20 when spraying the premixed fuel. Further control is performed to set the fuel pressure higher. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fuel pressure control process routine executed by the control unit 35 when the fuel reformer 10 of the fourth embodiment is started.
[0065]
When this routine is executed, the control unit 35 first determines that the fuel pressure in the sprayer 20 is a preset fuel pressure P at start-up. _S Then, the pump pressurizing the premixed fuel in the sprayer 20 is driven (step S400). When the fuel reformer 10 is started, the start time processing routine shown in FIG. 1 is also executed, and when the spraying of the premixed fuel is started in step S100 of FIG. 1 by executing the above step S400. , The fuel pressure is the starting fuel pressure P _S The premixed fuel set to 1 is sprayed from the sprayer 20.
[0066]
Next, the control unit 35 determines whether or not the warm-up operation in the fuel reformer 10 has been completed (step S410). Whether or not the warm-up operation has ended can be determined, for example, by whether or not the start time processing routine shown in FIG. 1 has ended. The control unit 35 repeats the process of step S410 until it is determined that the warm-up operation has been completed. Thereafter, when it is determined that the warm-up operation has ended, the control unit 35 determines that the fuel pressure in the sprayer 20 is a preset steady-state fuel pressure P during steady operation. _R The above pump is driven so as to become (step S430), and this routine is finished.
[0067]
Here, the starting fuel pressure P _S Is the fuel pressure P during steady operation _R The particle size of the droplets of the premixed fuel to be sprayed can be made smaller at start-up. Fuel pressure P at start _S For example, if the fuel pressure is the starting fuel pressure P _S In this case, the average particle size (Sauta average particle size, SMD) of the premixed fuel droplets to be sprayed is preferably set to 80 μm or less, more preferably 40 μm or less.
[0068]
According to the fuel reformer 10 of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the following effects are further achieved. In other words, by controlling the fuel pressure and making the droplet size of the sprayed premixed fuel droplets smaller at the start, the vaporization of the premixed fuel at the start before warm-up is promoted, and the reforming reaction is faster Can be started. Here, when the warm-up operation is completed, the fuel pressure is reset to a lower level within a range where the vaporization of the premixed fuel is performed without any problem, so that the energy consumed in the pump is reduced in order to increase the fuel pressure during the steady operation. be able to.
[0069]
As in the fourth embodiment, when the fuel pressure is fixed at a predetermined value during start-up or steady operation, the amount of premixed fuel sprayed into the fuel introduction chamber 22 is adjusted by the valve opening time in the sprayer 20. That's fine.
[0070]
Alternatively, it is possible to further adjust the fuel pressure in addition to the valve opening time during start-up and steady operation. In this case as well, by setting the fuel pressure higher at the time of starting and setting the upper limit of the fuel pressure at the time of steady operation to be lower, the droplet diameter of the premixed fuel is made smaller at the time of starting and vaporization is promoted. A similar effect can be obtained to reduce energy consumption during steady operation.
[0071]
The effect of atomizing the droplets of the sprayed premixed fuel can be obtained not only by increasing the fuel pressure but also by reducing the diameter of the nozzle hole formed in the nozzle provided in the sprayer 20. Alternatively, sprayed premixed fuel droplets can be obtained by further adding an additive having a function of reducing the surface tension of the premixed fuel to the premixed fuel to further reduce the surface tension of the premixed fuel. The particle size can be reduced. These methods have the effect of atomizing the sprayed premixed fuel regardless of whether or not the engine is started. By applying such a configuration to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily achieve a desired particle size even if the extent to which the fuel pressure at the time of starting is made higher than that during steady operation is suppressed.
[0072]
In addition, the effect by controlling the fuel pressure at the time of spraying the premixed fuel can be obtained not only at the time of starting but also at the time of steady operation after the end of warm-up operation. Moreover, although the said 4th Example demonstrated based on the fuel reformer 10 of 1st Example, it is good also as performing the same control in the fuel reformer 110 of 2nd Example.
[0073]
G. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0074]
G1. Modification 1:
In the first to fourth embodiments, when the fuel reformer is started, the heat generated by the combustion reaction by the burner 30 is used to heat the air to promote the vaporization of the premixed fuel. It is also good. Not only at the time of start-up, but when the temperature of the heat exchanger 26 decreases and the air cannot be sufficiently heated even through the heat exchanger 26, the air is heated using the combustion reaction. That's fine. For example, the air temperature T detected by the first temperature sensor 36 included in the fuel reformer 10 of FIG. ₁ When the value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the burner 30 may be activated. Alternatively, the internal temperature T of the heat exchanger 26 detected by the third temperature sensor 136 provided in the fuel reformer 110 of FIG. _Three However, when the value becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, the burner 30 is started and the switching valve 39 is switched to supply the air that has passed through the burner 30 to the fuel introduction chamber 22. As a result, when the temperature of the heat exchanger 26 is lowered, it is possible to obtain the effect of ensuring the reforming efficiency by sufficiently vaporizing the premixed fuel regardless of whether or not it is at the time of starting.
[0075]
G2. Modification 2:
In the first to fourth embodiments, the fuel introduction chamber 22 is sprayed with a premixed fuel in which liquid hydrocarbon and water are mixed. As the liquid hydrocarbon, hydrogen is generated by a reforming reaction. Various possible ones can be used. Here, when using hydrophobic liquid hydrocarbons such as gasoline, a predetermined emulsifier is added to the premixed fuel to emulsify the whole so that the liquid hydrocarbon and water are uniformly mixed for a long time. Is desirable. Alternatively, in addition to hydrocarbons, various hydrocarbon liquid fuels containing alcohols such as methanol, aldehydes, and the like can be similarly used as the reformed fuel.
[0076]
G3. Modification 3:
Alternatively, gaseous fuel may be used as a reformed fuel for generating hydrogen by the reforming reaction, instead of the hydrocarbon-based liquid fuel. For example, natural gas containing methane may be supplied to the fuel introduction chamber. In this case, the sprayer 20 sprays only water as a liquid reforming raw material, vaporizes the water sprayed in the fuel introduction chamber 22 to which high-temperature air is supplied, and reforms the vaporized water vapor and the gas. The fuel may be mixed in the fuel introduction chamber 22 and supplied to the reformer 24. With such a configuration, when the temperature of the heat exchanger 26 decreases such as at the time of start-up, the efficiency of the reforming reaction is prevented from being lowered by sufficiently evaporating water using the heat of the combustion reaction. The effect of can be obtained. Whether the reformed fuel is liquid or gas, when the reformed fuel and water are supplied to the fuel introduction chamber, the liquid reforming raw material including at least a part of the water to be supplied is supplied by the sprayer 20. If sprayed, the same effect can be obtained.
[0077]
G4. Modification 4:
In the first to fourth embodiments, after the warm-up of the reformer 24 and the heat exchanger 26 is finished, the liquid reforming raw material sprayed into the fuel introduction chamber 22 using the air heated in the heat exchanger 26 However, different heat sources may be used as long as sufficient heat can be obtained during steady operation after the completion of warm-up. For example, the water vapor generated in the evaporator 31 after the warm-up operation has a sufficient temperature as a heat source for heating the air to be supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22, and is sufficient for heating the air during the steady operation. When an amount of water vapor is mixed with air, the water vapor generated by the evaporator 31 can be used as a heat source. At least at the time of start-up, by performing gasification of the liquid reforming raw material using a gas heated using the heat obtained by the combustion reaction, the liquid reforming raw material can be immediately vaporized without any trouble at the time of start-up. An effect can be obtained.
[0078]
G5. Modification 5:
In the first to fourth embodiments, the entire amount of air supplied for the reforming reaction is supplied via the reforming gas flow path 32, but may be configured differently. For example, the sprayer 20 may include a two-fluid nozzle, and a part of air to be supplied to the reformer 24 may be used as an assist gas for spraying the liquid reforming raw material.
[0079]
G6. Modification 6:
In the first to fourth embodiments, high-temperature air is used as the gas supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 in order to vaporize the liquid reforming raw material sprayed in the fuel introduction chamber 22, but other types of gases are used. It may be used. When the air taken in by the blower 33 is supplied as it is into the fuel introduction chamber as in the embodiment, it is desirable that the amount of oxygen supplied to the reformer 24 can be easily controlled by the drive amount of the blower 33. However, for example, it is possible to heat the air by directly blowing the combustion gas generated by the combustion reaction into the air taken in by the blower 33 and supply the mixed gas of the air and the combustion gas to the fuel introduction chamber 22. is there. For example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and hydrogen may be mixed in the gas supplied to the fuel introduction chamber 22 by heating using the combustion reaction. Gas can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a fuel cell system 15 including a fuel reformer 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of a fuel introduction chamber 22 and a reformer 24 as a cross-sectional view.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a start-up processing routine.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a fuel cell system 115 including a fuel reformer 110 of a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a start-up processing routine.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a spray amount control processing routine.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fuel pressure control processing routine.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 110 ... Fuel reformer
15, 115 ... Fuel cell system
17 ... Fuel cell
20 ... Nebulizer
22 ... Fuel introduction chamber
23a ... partition wall
23b ... Communication hole
24 ... reformer
25 ... Reforming catalyst
26 ... Heat exchanger
28 ... CO reduction part
30 ... Burner
31 ... Evaporator
32 ... Gas flow path for reforming
33, 34 ... Blower
35. Control unit
36: First temperature sensor
37 ... Second temperature sensor
38 ... Fourth temperature sensor
39 ... Switching valve
136 ... Third temperature sensor

Claims (16)

A fuel reformer that generates hydrogen from a hydrocarbon-based reformed fuel using a reforming reaction,
A reforming raw material supply unit comprising a sprayer for supplying the reformed fuel and water and spraying at least a part of the water as a liquid reforming raw material;
A first high-temperature gas supply unit that supplies a first high-temperature gas that has been heated using heat generated by a combustion reaction;
A space in which the reformed fuel and water are supplied from the reforming raw material supply unit and the first high temperature gas is supplied from the first high temperature gas supply unit, and is sprayed by the sprayer. A fuel introduction chamber for advancing vaporization of the liquid reforming raw material;
A catalyst unit provided with a reforming catalyst that promotes the reforming reaction while being supplied with the reformed fuel and water and the first high-temperature gas via the fuel introduction chamber;
A second high-temperature gas supply unit capable of supplying the second high-temperature gas heated using the heat of the system including the fuel reformer to the fuel introduction chamber;
When it is determined that a gas having a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature is obtained as the second high-temperature gas, the fuel introduction chamber is configured to use the second high-temperature gas instead of the first high-temperature gas. A fuel reformer comprising: a high-temperature gas switching control unit that switches a supplied high-temperature gas. The fuel reformer according to claim 1, wherein
The second high-temperature gas supply unit includes a heat exchanger through which a reformed gas containing hydrogen generated by the reforming reaction passes in the catalyst unit,
The fuel reforming apparatus, wherein the second high-temperature gas is a gas whose temperature is raised in the heat exchanger using heat of the reformed gas. The fuel reformer according to claim 2, wherein
The second high-temperature gas contains air. A fuel reformer that generates hydrogen from a hydrocarbon-based reformed fuel using a reforming reaction,
A reforming raw material supply unit comprising a sprayer for supplying the reformed fuel and water and spraying at least a part of the water as a liquid reforming raw material;
A first high-temperature gas supply unit that supplies a first high-temperature gas that has been heated using heat generated by a combustion reaction;
A space in which the reformed fuel and water are supplied from the reforming raw material supply unit and the first high temperature gas is supplied from the first high temperature gas supply unit, and is sprayed by the sprayer. A fuel introduction chamber for advancing vaporization of the liquid reforming raw material;
A catalyst unit provided with a reforming catalyst that promotes the reforming reaction while being supplied with the reformed fuel and water and the first high-temperature gas via the fuel introduction chamber;
The information that reflects the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber is acquired, and the vaporizable amount setting that sets the amount of the liquid reforming raw material that can be vaporized when sprayed into the fuel introduction chamber is obtained based on the information And
A fuel reformer comprising: a spray amount control unit that controls the sprayer so as to spray the liquid reforming raw material amount set by the vaporizable amount setting unit. The fuel reformer according to claim 4, wherein
The information reflecting the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber includes a temperature of the first high-temperature gas supplied to the fuel introduction chamber. A fuel reformer that generates hydrogen from a hydrocarbon-based reformed fuel using a reforming reaction,
A reforming raw material supply unit comprising a sprayer for supplying the reformed fuel and water and spraying at least a part of the water as a liquid reforming raw material;
A first high-temperature gas supply unit that supplies a first high-temperature gas that has been heated using heat generated by a combustion reaction;
A space in which the reformed fuel and water are supplied from the reforming raw material supply unit and the first high temperature gas is supplied from the first high temperature gas supply unit, and is sprayed by the sprayer. A fuel introduction chamber for advancing vaporization of the liquid reforming raw material;
A catalyst unit provided with a reforming catalyst that promotes the reforming reaction while being supplied with the reformed fuel and water and the first high-temperature gas via the fuel introduction chamber;
A fuel reforming apparatus, comprising: a fuel pressure control unit that acquires a temperature in the fuel introduction chamber and controls a pressure of the liquid reforming raw material when spraying the liquid reforming raw material from the sprayer based on the temperature . A fuel reformer that generates hydrogen from a hydrocarbon-based reformed fuel using a reforming reaction,
A reforming raw material supply unit comprising a sprayer for supplying the reformed fuel and water and spraying at least a part of the water as a liquid reforming raw material;
A high-temperature gas supply unit that supplies a high-temperature gas that has been heated above the vaporization temperature of the liquid reforming raw material sprayed from the sprayer;
Vaporization of the liquid reforming material sprayed by the sprayer in a space in which the reformed fuel and water are supplied from the reforming material supply unit and the high temperature gas is supplied from the high temperature gas supply unit A fuel introduction chamber for advancing
A catalyst unit provided with a reforming catalyst that promotes the reforming reaction while being supplied with the reformed fuel and water and the high-temperature gas via the fuel introduction chamber;
A fuel pressure control unit that acquires a temperature in the fuel introduction chamber and controls a pressure of the liquid reforming raw material when spraying the liquid reforming raw material in the sprayer based on the temperature . The fuel reformer according to claim 7, wherein
From the sprayer, a premixed fuel obtained by mixing the liquid reformed fuel and water is sprayed as the liquid reforming raw material. The fuel reformer according to claim 8, wherein
The reforming material supply unit is
A water vapor supply unit that generates water vapor and supplies the water vapor to the fuel introduction chamber;
Part of the water supplied to the fuel introduction chamber is contained in the premixed fuel and sprayed into the fuel introduction chamber via the sprayer, and the rest is supplied to the fuel introduction chamber as water vapor by the water vapor supply unit. Yes Fuel reformer. The fuel reformer according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The high-temperature gas supply unit includes a first high-temperature gas supply unit that supplies a first high-temperature gas that has been heated using heat generated by a combustion reaction,
The first high-temperature gas contains air. The fuel reformer according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
The high-temperature gas supply unit uses heat of a system including a first high-temperature gas supply unit that supplies a first high-temperature gas that has been heated using heat generated by a combustion reaction, and the fuel reformer. A second high-temperature gas supply part for supplying a second high-temperature gas whose temperature has been raised by
The fuel reformer further comprises:
When it is determined that a gas having a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature is obtained as the second high-temperature gas, the fuel introduction chamber is configured to use the second high-temperature gas instead of the first high-temperature gas. A fuel reformer including a high temperature gas switching control unit that switches a supplied high temperature gas. The fuel reformer according to claim 11, wherein
The second high-temperature gas supply unit includes a heat exchanger through which a reformed gas containing hydrogen generated by the reforming reaction passes in the catalyst unit,
The fuel reforming apparatus, wherein the second high-temperature gas is a gas whose temperature is raised in the heat exchanger using heat of the reformed gas. The fuel reformer according to claim 12, wherein
The second high-temperature gas contains air. The fuel reformer according to any one of claims 7 to 13, further comprising:
The information that reflects the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber is acquired, and the vaporizable amount setting that sets the amount of the liquid reforming raw material that can be vaporized when sprayed into the fuel introduction chamber is obtained based on the information And
A fuel reformer comprising: a spray amount control unit that controls the sprayer so as to spray the liquid reforming raw material amount set by the vaporizable amount setting unit. The fuel reformer according to claim 14, wherein
The information reflecting the amount of heat supplied to the fuel introduction chamber includes a temperature of the first high-temperature gas supplied to the fuel introduction chamber. A method of operating a fuel reformer that generates hydrogen from a hydrocarbon-based reformed fuel using a reforming reaction,
(A) A step of supplying the reformed fuel and water into a predetermined fuel introduction chamber, and when supplying the reformed fuel and water, at least a part of the water is used as a liquid reforming raw material. Spraying the fuel introduction chamber through a predetermined sprayer;
(B) supplying the first high-temperature gas heated to the fuel introduction chamber by using the heat generated in the combustion reaction, and using the heat of the first high-temperature gas to enter the fuel introduction chamber; Vaporizing the sprayed liquid reforming raw material;
(C) supplying the reformed fuel and water and the first high-temperature gas that have passed through the fuel introduction chamber to a reforming catalyst that promotes the reforming reaction;
(D) supplying the second high-temperature gas heated using the heat of the system including the fuel reformer to the fuel introduction chamber, and using the heat of the second high-temperature gas, Vaporizing the liquid reforming raw material sprayed into the fuel introduction chamber;
(E) determining whether it is possible to obtain a gas heated to a predetermined temperature or higher as the second high-temperature gas;
(F) In the step (e), when it is determined that the second high-temperature gas heated to a predetermined temperature or more is obtained, the step (d) is performed instead of the step (b). Operation method of fuel reformer.

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