JP2002068709A - Reformer for fuel cells - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reformer for a fuel cells in which a holding/sealing body has a high yield, is low in cost and enables to have a partially different property. SOLUTION: The reformer for the fuel cells has a catalyst support 1 which holds a reforming catalyst for reforming a hydrocarbon compound to hydrogen, a shell 95 which covers the outside of the catalyst support 1 and the holding/ sealing body 2 which is composed of an inorganic fiber mat like material arranged between the catalyst support and the shell. The holding/sealing body 2 is wound around the exterior circle of the catalyst support 1 circumferentially and comprises a belt-like material 281 which is at least divided into three parts to the axis direction of the catalyst support 1 and herein at least one of the belt-like materials 281 is come into contact with a different wind contact composition from a wind contact position 280 of the other belt-like materials 281.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reformer for a fuel cell, and more particularly, to an assembling structure of a holding seal body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5 to be described later, a fuel cell reformer mainly mounted on a vehicle includes a catalyst carrier 1 and
It is composed of a metal shell 95 covering the outside and a holding seal body 2 made of an inorganic fiber mat-like material disposed therebetween.

[0003] The catalyst carrier 1 supports a catalyst component such as platinum. As the catalyst carrier 1, for example, there is a honeycomb body made of cordierite. After the catalyst carrier 1 and the holding seal body 2 are disposed inside the shell 95, the inlet pipe 97 and the outlet pipe 9
Combine 8.

[0004] Next, the holding seal body 2 made of the above-mentioned inorganic fiber mat-like material prevents a hydrocarbon compound or reformed gas from leaking out from between the catalyst carrier 1 and the shell 95, and also prevents the running of the automobile. It is used to prevent the catalyst carrier 1 from being in contact with the shell 95 and being damaged in the middle or the like.

As means for disposing the holding seal body 2 between the catalyst carrier 1 and the shell 95, for example,
Into a semicircular half, into which an integrated product having the holding seal body 2 wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 1 is inserted, and then the half shell 95 is joined in a cylindrical shape. is there. Alternatively, there is a method in which the shell 95 is formed into a C-shaped or U-shaped cross section, the above-mentioned integrated product is put therein, and then the shell 95 is closed in a cylindrical shape. In recent years, as shown in FIG. 8, a cylindrical shell 95 has been developed from the beginning to improve workability and simplify the process.
Are prepared, and the integrated product 80 is press-fitted into the integrated product.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, as a method of winding and holding the holding seal body 2 on the catalyst carrier 91, an inorganic fiber mat material 89 having a length necessary for the winding is previously provided. Is prepared, and one end of the
7 is formed at the other end by cutting a protruding portion 88 having a size that fits into the concave portion 87.

That is, the concave portion 87 is formed by cutting off one end of the inorganic fiber mat-like material 89, and the protruding portion 88 is formed on the other end of the inorganic fiber mat-like material 89 so that the protruding portion 88 remains. It is formed by cutting the periphery. The holding seal body 2 thus processed is wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 91 as shown in FIG.
Is inserted. The holding seal 2 is fixed to the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 91.

[0008]

However, the conventional fuel cell reformer has the following problems. As shown in FIG. 9, when manufacturing the holding seal body 2,
The concave portion 87 and the projecting portion 8 are formed on the inorganic fiber mat material 89.
8 so that the cut portions 871, 881
Will be discarded. Therefore, not only the yield of the holding seal body is low and the cost is increased, but also industrial waste is increased, which is not preferable for the environment.

Further, as described above, the holding seal body 2
It is used for the purpose of improving the sealing property between the catalyst carrier 91 and the shell 95, preventing damage to the catalyst carrier 91, and the like. However, the conventional holding seal body 2 is, as shown in FIG. Since it is processed from an object, the whole has the same physical properties. Therefore, it is not possible to manufacture a holding seal body having partially different physical properties such as density, rigidity, and material.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a reformer for a fuel cell in which a holding seal body has a high yield, is low in cost, and can have partially different physical properties. It is.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a catalyst carrier for holding a reforming catalyst for reforming a hydrocarbon compound into hydrogen, a shell for covering the outside of the catalyst carrier, and an inorganic carrier disposed between the two. In a reformer for a fuel cell having a holding seal body made of a fibrous mat-like material, the holding seal body is circumferentially wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier and has at least 3 A fuel comprising divided strips, wherein at least one strip of the strips abuts at a winding contact position different from a winding contact position of another strip. This is a battery reformer.

The most remarkable point in the present invention is that the holding seal body is made of a strip divided into at least three parts in the axial direction of the catalyst carrier, and at least one of the strips has both ends. , And the other belt-shaped materials are in contact at a winding contact position different from the winding contact position.

Next, the function and effect of the present invention will be described.
In the present invention, the holding seal body is formed of a belt-like material that is circumferentially wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier and is divided into three or more in the axial direction of the catalyst carrier. In addition, at least one of the three or more strips is in contact at the winding contact position different from the winding contact position of the other strips.

Therefore, all the above-mentioned strips can have the same length required for the above-mentioned winding. Therefore, there is no need to provide a cut portion as shown in the conventional example. Also, the width of the strip is smaller than the conventional one, for example, at least three.
It can be reduced to one-tenth or less, and the production of the belt-like material becomes easy. Therefore, the production of the holding seal body results in high yield and low cost.

Further, since the holding seal body is divided at least into three parts in the axial direction of the catalyst carrier, for example, the inlet side band located on the introduction side of the hydrocarbon compound may be formed in another part for improving the sealing property. An inorganic fiber mat having a higher density than that of the material can be used, and the other band can be an inorganic fiber mat having an emphasis on rigidity. That is, a holding seal member having a partly arbitrary physical property can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a reformer for a fuel cell in which a holding seal body has a high yield, is low in cost, and has partially different physical properties.

The different physical properties include density, rigidity, and the like. Further, as shown in the embodiment, the wound contact position is a contact position between both ends of the wound strip. The holding seal is not only divided into three parts,
It is also possible to divide into up to six, and the width of the strip may be the same or different.

Next, as in the second aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned band-like material can be obtained by cutting the same inorganic fiber mat-like material. In this case, the entire holding seal body can have the same physical properties.

Next, as in the third aspect of the present invention, the strip is adjusted so that the packing density is 0.1 to 0.6 g / cm ³ in a state where the strip is assembled between the catalyst carrier and the shell. It is preferable that the inorganic fiber mat comprises the above-mentioned inorganic fiber mat and 15% by weight or less of an organic component.

In this case, since the packing density after the above-mentioned assembly is within the above-mentioned range, an effect excellent in holding and sealing properties can be obtained. If it is less than 0.1 g / cm ³ , there is a problem that the holding power is insufficient and the catalyst carrier may be displaced, while if it exceeds 0.6 g / cm ³ , the inorganic fiber mat may be crushed and scattered. There's a problem.

Further, since the above-mentioned holding seal body contains an organic component, it is excellent in its moldability and press-fitting into a shell. If the content exceeds 15% by weight, when an organic component is thermally decomposed by the heat of the reformed gas when the reformer is used, an odor may be generated remarkably. The lower limit is preferably set to 3% by weight from the viewpoint of ensuring the above effects. The organic components include latex, warif,
There are adhesives and the like.

Next, according to the present invention, at least one of the end strips located at the end of the catalyst carrier, the inlet strip located at the hydrocarbon compound introduction side in the fuel cell reformer. It is preferable that the density of the inorganic fiber mat is higher than that of the outlet strip on the side from which the reformed gas containing hydrogen is discharged. In this case, the leakage and inflow of the hydrocarbon compound and the reformed gas between the catalyst carrier and the metal shell can be more reliably prevented.

Next, a catalyst carrier for holding a reforming catalyst for reforming a hydrocarbon compound into hydrogen, a shell for covering the outside of the catalyst carrier, and a catalyst carrier arranged between the two. And a holding seal body made of an inorganic fiber mat-like material, wherein the holding seal body is circumferentially wound around the outer periphery of a catalyst carrier and divided into a plurality in the winding direction. The winding piece has at least one protruding portion at one end, and has a concave portion at the other end for fitting the protruding object provided on the other winding piece. A fuel cell reformer characterized by having the same may be provided.

In this case, a plurality of winding pieces divided in the winding direction around the catalyst carrier are used as the holding seal body. Further, since the holding seal body can be cut into an arbitrary product size from, for example, an inorganic fiber mat-like material of a predetermined size produced in a factory, as shown in the embodiment example, the cut portion that becomes waste is extremely small. As a result, the yield of the holding seal body is improved, and the cost is reduced.

Next, as in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the wound piece has a packing density of 0.1 to 0.6 g / cm ³ when assembled between the catalyst carrier and the shell. It is preferable that the prepared inorganic fiber mat-like material and an organic component of 15% by weight or less be included. In this case,
The same as claim 3.

Next, as in the invention of claim 7, it is preferable that the inorganic fiber mat is made of at least one of crystalline alumina fiber, alumina-silica fiber and silica fiber. In this case, a holding seal having excellent durability can be obtained.

Next, as in the invention of claim 8, the inorganic fiber mat preferably contains less than 1% by weight of substances other than Al ₂ O ₃ and SiO ₂ , that is, impurities. In this case, the hydrogen generated in the fuel cell reformer can be maintained at a high purity, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell can be increased. When the above-mentioned impurity is 1% by weight or more, during use of the fuel cell reformer, the impurity gradually mixes from the holding sealing material into the reformed gas and contaminates the hydrogen gas used for the fuel cell. The power generation efficiency of the fuel cell may be reduced. Examples of the impurities include chlorine, sulfur, and phosphorus.

Next, as in the ninth aspect of the present invention, the inorganic fiber mat preferably has a total of less than 300 ppm of one or more of chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus therein. In this case, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell can be increased. The total of one or more of the above chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus is 300
If the content is more than 1 ppm, as described above, during the use of the fuel cell reformer, the above-mentioned harmful substances acting on the cell such as chlorine enter the hydrogen, hindering the electrochemical action in the fuel cell, The power generation efficiency of the battery may be reduced.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, a reformer for a fuel cell according to the present embodiment comprises a catalyst carrier 1 for holding a reforming catalyst for reforming a hydrocarbon compound into hydrogen, and a catalyst carrier 1 outside the catalyst carrier 1. And a holding seal body 2 made of an inorganic fiber mat-like material disposed therebetween.

The holding seal body 2 is composed of a strip 281 which is wound around the catalyst carrier 1 in a circumferential shape and is divided into three in the axial direction of the catalyst carrier. In addition, among the three strips 281, the center strip 281 is in contact with a winding contact position different from the winding contact position 280 of the other strips 281. The strip 281 is obtained by cutting the same inorganic fiber mat 28 into three pieces along the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 3 described later.

In manufacturing the reformer for a fuel cell, first, as shown in FIG.
Is used. The inorganic fiber mat 28 has the length of the holding seal 2. And the inorganic fiber mat-like material 2
8 is cut along the longitudinal direction of FIG.
1 are produced three times.

Then, one of the strips 281 is displaced from the strips 281 on both sides, and is adhered to each other as necessary. Thereby, the holding seal body 2 having the concave portion 26 and the protruding portion 27 is obtained. Next, this holding seal body 2
Is wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 1 as shown in FIG.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate body 20 in which the holding seal body 2 is wound and fixed on the catalyst carrier 1 is obtained. Next, the intermediate body 20 is pressed into the shell (FIG. 4C).

In this embodiment, the catalyst holder 3 is made of cordierite which is a kind of ceramic. As shown in FIG. 1, the catalyst holder 3 is a monolith honeycomb structure composed of an aggregate of a large number of cells 31. Cell 3 above
Reference numeral 1 denotes a passage having a rectangular cross section, which is formed between the honeycomb walls 33. Then, a gaseous hydrocarbon compound is passed between the cells 31. During this time, the hydrocarbon compound is reformed into a reformed gas containing hydrogen as a main component by a catalytic action.

As shown in FIG. 5, a fuel tank 9 storing methanol as a hydrocarbon compound is connected to the fuel cell reformer 4 via an inlet pipe 91 at the inlet side. On the other hand, at an outlet side of the fuel cell reformer 4, an outlet pipe 92 for leading a reformed gas containing hydrogen to the fuel cell 5 is provided.
Is connected. The fuel cell 5 has a device for purifying hydrogen in the reformed gas (not shown).

Further, oxygen gas is supplied to the fuel cell 5 to react with the above-mentioned hydrogen to cause a cell action.
The electric energy obtained in the fuel cell 5 is supplied to a motor 51 used for, for example, driving an automobile or driving electric components of a vehicle. In the fuel cell 5, generated water is recycled and drained. The fuel cell reformer 4
In the above, the shell 2 has a flange portion 28 connected to the inlet pipe 91 and a flange portion 29 connected to the outlet pipe 92. Further, platinum as a catalyst is supported on the catalyst holder.

Next, a specific example of a method for manufacturing the fuel cell reformer will be described. First, as the catalyst carrier 1, the outer diameter 1
A 30 mm long, 100 mm long honeycomb monolith body made of cordierite was used. The catalyst carrier 1 has a large number of square holes along its axial direction, and a porous partition wall carrying a catalyst component such as platinum is located between the holes.

Next, as the shell 95, a cylindrical SUS304 metal cylinder was used. This had an outer diameter of 141 mm and a plate thickness of 1.5 mm. The holding seal body 2 has a thickness of 8 mm and a bulk density of 0.2 g / cm ^3.
An inorganic fiber mat made of crystalline alumina fiber was used. The band 281 has a packing density of 0.1 to 0.6 when assembled between the catalyst carrier and the shell.
g / cm ³ , comprising the above-mentioned inorganic fiber mat-like material and an organic component of 15% by weight or less.

In this embodiment, the holding seal body 2 is formed of a strip 281 which is circumferentially wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 1 and is divided into three in the axial direction of the catalyst carrier 1. The central band 281 of the three belts 281 abuts at both ends thereof at a winding abutment position 280 different from the winding abutment position 280 of the other belts.

For this reason, all the strips 281 can have the same length required for the winding (FIGS. 3 and 4). Therefore, there is no need to provide a cut portion as shown in the conventional example. Further, the width of the band 281 can be made smaller than that of the related art, so that the band can be easily manufactured.
Therefore, the production of the holding seal body is not only high in yield and low in cost, but also because there is no cut-out portion, the amount of industrial waste generated is reduced, and it is preferable from the environmental point of view.

Further, since the holding seal body 2 is divided into three parts in the axial direction of the catalyst carrier 1, for example, the inlet side band located on the hydrocarbon compound introduction side may be formed in another part for improving the sealing property. An inorganic fiber mat having a higher density than that of the material can be used, and the other band can be an inorganic fiber mat having an emphasis on rigidity. That is, the holding seal body 2 having a partly arbitrary physical property can be obtained.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a fuel cell reformer in which the holding seal body has a high yield, is low in cost, and can have partially different physical properties.

The different physical properties include density and rigidity. The band has a packing density of 0.1 to 0.1 when assembled between the catalyst carrier and the shell.
The inorganic fiber mat is adjusted to 0.6 g / cm ³ and comprises 15% by weight or less of an organic component.

In this case, since the packing density after the above-mentioned assembling is within the above-mentioned range, it is possible to obtain an effect excellent in holding and sealing properties. Further, since the holding seal body contains an organic component, it is excellent in the moldability of the mat and the press-fitting of the mat into the shell.

Second Embodiment This embodiment is an example in which a high-density strip is used on the entrance side of the holding seal body 2 in the first embodiment. That is,
Among the end strips located at the end of the catalyst carrier 1, the inlet strip located on the hydrocarbon compound introduction side in the fuel cell reformer is the outlet side on the side from which the reformed gas containing hydrogen is led out. The density of the inorganic fiber mat is higher than that of the band.

In this example, the entrance-side band is
An inorganic fiber mat made of crystalline alumina fiber whose packing density is adjusted to 0.40 g / cm ³ , and a packing density of 0.3 g / cm as the other two strips on the outlet side
^An inorganic fiber mat made of crystalline alumina fiber adjusted to ³ was used. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In this case, the leakage and inflow of the reformed gas between the catalyst carrier 1 and the shell 95 can be more reliably prevented. Further, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 3 As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, this embodiment is an example in which a winding piece 250 divided into a plurality of pieces is used as the holding seal body 2.
That is, the holding seal body 2 is wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier 1 in a circumferential shape, and is composed of four winding pieces 250 divided in the winding direction. One end has at least one protrusion 251 and the other end has a recess 252 for fitting the protrusion 251 provided on another winding piece.

In manufacturing the holding seal body 2, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, an inorganic fiber mat 25 having a length of 1 m is used, and this is used as shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B). , And cut into ten wound pieces 250. And
Using four of the ten winding pieces 250, the catalyst carrier 1
Is fixedly arranged on the outer periphery of.

In this case, four winding pieces divided in the winding direction around the catalyst carrier 1 are used as the holding seal body 2. Therefore, each wound piece becomes a short piece, and can be sequentially cut into short pieces from a long inorganic fiber mat.
Therefore, the cut-off amount as waste is extremely reduced, the yield of the holding seal body is improved, and the cost is reduced.

[0050]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell reformer in which a holding seal body has a high yield, is low in cost, and has partially different physical properties.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of press-fitting an intermediate part and a shell in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a state where an intermediate part is press-fitted into a shell.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for producing a holding seal body divided into three from an inorganic fiber mat-like material.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of (A) a holding seal body divided into three parts and (B) a state in which the holding seal body is wound around a catalyst carrier in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a reformer for a fuel cell and its peripheral devices according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of manufacturing a wound piece in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of press-fitting an intermediate part and a shell in which a winding piece is wound around a catalyst carrier in a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a conventional example of press-fitting an integrated product of a holding seal body and a catalyst carrier into a shell.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of manufacturing a holding seal body according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. . . Catalyst carrier, 2. . . Holding seal body, 20. . . Intermediate, 25, 28. . . Inorganic fiber mat, 250. . . Wound piece, 281. . . Band, 95. . . Ciel,

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A catalyst carrier for holding a reforming catalyst for converting a hydrocarbon compound into hydrogen, a shell for covering the outside of the catalyst carrier, and a holding seal comprising an inorganic fiber mat-like material disposed between the two. In the reformer for a fuel cell having a body, the holding seal body is formed of a belt-shaped material wound around the catalyst carrier in a circumferential shape and divided at least into three in the axial direction of the catalyst carrier. And at least one of the strips
A fuel cell reformer characterized in that one of the strips abuts at a winding contact position different from the winding contact position of the other strip. 2. The reformer for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the strip is obtained by cutting the same inorganic fiber mat. 3. The packing material according to claim 1, wherein the packing density of the belt-like material is adjusted to 0.1 to 0.6 g / cm ³ in a state of being assembled between the catalyst carrier and the shell. A reformer for a fuel cell, comprising an inorganic fiber mat and an organic component of 15% by weight or less. 4. An end strip located at an end of the catalyst carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least an inlet strip located at a hydrocarbon compound introduction side in the reformer for a fuel cell is provided with hydrogen. A fuel cell reformer characterized in that the density of the inorganic fiber mat is higher than that of the outlet strip on the side from which the reformed gas is discharged. 5. A holding seal comprising a catalyst carrier for holding a reforming catalyst for reforming a hydrocarbon compound to hydrogen, a shell for covering the outside of the catalyst carrier, and a mat-like inorganic fiber material disposed between the two. In the reformer for a fuel cell having a body, the holding seal body is wound around the outer periphery of the catalyst carrier in a circular shape, and is composed of a plurality of winding pieces divided in the winding direction. The fuel has at least one projecting portion at one end thereof and a concave portion at the other end thereof for fitting the projecting object provided on another wound piece. Battery reformer. 6. The inorganic material according to claim 5, wherein the winding piece is adjusted to have a packing density of 0.1 to 0.6 g / cm ³ when assembled between the catalyst carrier and the shell. A reformer for a fuel cell, comprising a fibrous mat-like material and 15% by weight or less of an organic component. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
The reformer for a fuel cell, wherein the inorganic fiber mat-like material of the holding seal body is made of at least one of crystalline alumina fiber, alumina-silica fiber, and silica fiber. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
The above-mentioned inorganic fiber mat includes Al ₂ O ₃ and SiO ₂ therein.
A reformer for a fuel cell, characterized in that other substances are less than 1% by weight. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
A reformer for a fuel cell, wherein the inorganic fiber mat has a total of less than 300 ppm of at least one of chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus in the inorganic fiber mat.