JP2004281341A - Fuel container - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to discharge fuel provided regardless of a held posture.
A fuel container (7) according to the present invention has a container body (15) storing a liquid fuel (10) and an outlet (9) through which the fuel (10) flows out. The fuel 10 is caused to flow out of the outlet 9 by being introduced into the inside. In the fuel container 7, the fuel 10 is overlaid with the high-viscosity liquid 11 in a state where air bubbles are not included. The space 60 surrounded by the inner wall of the container body 15 and the liquid surface of the high-viscosity liquid 11 A swelling body 17 that swells by absorbing the generated water is filled. In the fuel container 7, water generated by the fuel cell flows through the flow path 19 and is introduced into the space 60 inside the container body 15.
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel container for storing a liquid fuel, and more particularly to a fuel container for a fuel cell for storing a liquid fuel to be supplied to a fuel cell.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, small electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, digital cameras, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance), and electronic notebooks have made remarkable advances and developments. Batteries and secondary batteries such as nickel-cadmium storage batteries, nickel-hydrogen storage batteries, and lithium ion batteries are used.
[0003]
Since the electronic devices described above are small in size and are supplied with a constant amount of power even when the attitude of the battery itself changes, for example, a laptop computer can be carried while holding it beside a mobile phone, A digital camera can be carried around and used in a state of being stowed in a breast pocket or back casually, and can be used while holding the electronic device in various postures according to the user's usage scene. .
[0004]
However, from the viewpoint of energy use efficiency, the primary battery or the secondary battery mounted on the electronic device cannot always be said to be effective in energy utilization. As a substitute for batteries, research and development on fuel cells that can achieve high energy use efficiency are also being actively conducted.
[0005]
A fuel cell is a device that directly extracts electrical energy from chemical energy by electrochemically reacting fuel and oxygen in the atmosphere, and is positioned as a promising battery with great potential. However, in a fuel cell using a liquid fuel or the like as a fuel, care must be taken in handling a fuel container for storing the fuel. That is, in this type of fuel cell, since the fuel itself is held in a liquid state, the fuel moves in the direction in which gravity acts inside the fuel container by appropriately changing the attitude of the fuel container that stores the fuel. However, air bubbles may be included in the fuel. In this case, since the fuel flows out of the fuel container in a state in which bubbles are contained, the outflow (amount of outflow) of the fuel from the fuel container becomes unstable, and as a result, the power generation module (using the fuel stored in the fuel container) The amount of fuel supplied to the power-generating portion also becomes unstable, leading to a decrease in power generation capacity. Therefore, it is difficult to mount a fuel cell using a liquid fuel as a fuel in a small portable electronic device.
[0006]
Therefore, a fuel container has been devised which can stabilize the supply of fuel to the power generation module regardless of the held posture (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0007]
Specifically, in the fuel container (1) described in Patent Document 1, a liquid fuel permeable member (8) is provided in the fuel container, and a fine hole ( 6) is formed, and while adjusting the negative pressure in the fuel container by introducing air from the pores, the fuel permeating the liquid fuel permeable member is transferred from the fuel container to the power generation module (stack body 2) by capillary force. Supplying.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-93551 A (paragraph numbers 0011 to 0019, FIG. 1)
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the fuel container described in Patent Document 1, the fuel itself surely comes into contact with and penetrates the liquid fuel permeable member irrespective of the holding position, so that the fuel flows out of the fuel container without containing bubbles in the fuel, and the power is generated. Although it is possible to stabilize the supply of fuel to the module, if the amount of stored fuel decreases in a state where the fuel container is laid sideways or held diagonally, the remaining fuel in the fuel container becomes liquid. The fuel does not come into contact with or penetrate the fuel permeable member, so that all the stored fuel cannot flow out of the fuel container. That is, in the fuel container described in Patent Literature 1, it is possible to stabilize the outflow of the fuel from the fuel container irrespective of the held posture, but the fuel remains in the fuel container depending on the held posture.
[0010]
An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel container that allows fuel to flow out regardless of the held posture.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a fuel container according to the first aspect of the present invention is
A container body,
A fuel provided in the container body,
An outlet provided in the container body to supply the fuel to the outside of the container body,
Fluid introduction means for introducing a fluid according to the outflow of the fuel from the outlet into the interior of the container body,
A swelling body that communicates with the fluid introduction unit and swells in the container body by absorbing the fluid,
It is characterized by having.
[0012]
According to the first aspect of the invention, the fluid in the container main body is increased by flowing the fluid into the swelling body through the fluid introducing means, thereby swelling the swelling body and increasing the internal pressure of the container main body. Can be done. Therefore, regardless of the state of the fuel container, the swollen body repeatedly swells and expands as long as fluid is supplied from the outside. And always tries to flow out of the outlet by receiving the pressing force. Thus, in the fuel container according to the first aspect of the present invention, once the fuel is supplied to the outside, the fuel in the container main body always tries to flow out regardless of the held posture, so that the fuel is stably supplied. can do.
[0013]
The fuel container according to claim 2,
The fluid is a product generated from the fuel flowing out of the outlet.
[0014]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the amount of fuel flowing out of the container main body is reduced by introducing the product generated according to the amount of fuel flowing out from the outlet into the container main body. It is possible to make the volume of the container main body substantially equal by offsetting it, but even if the volume of the product flowing into the container main with respect to the fuel is small, the swollen body swells and the fuel remaining in the container main body is Since the pressure can be applied, even if the fuel in the container body is reduced, the fuel can always be supplied from the outlet regardless of the holding position of the fuel container.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 3 is:
The fuel container according to claim 1 or 2,
It has a high viscosity liquid interposed between the fuel and the swelling body in the container body.
[0016]
In the invention according to claim 3, when pressure is applied to the inside of the container body and the fuel is under a higher pressure than outside the outlet, or when the pressure outside the outlet is lower than inside the container body, Since the fuel can be covered by the container body and the high-viscosity liquid, almost no gaseous phase fluid is mixed into the fuel with a change in the pressure in the container body. Once the fuel flows out from the outlet of the main body, it will be stable until the pressure inside and outside the container becomes equilibrium or the intake means that takes in the fuel from the outlet of the container stops the intake. To supply fuel. Further, since the fuel provided in the container body is kept sealed by the inner wall (excluding the outlet) of the container body and the high-viscosity liquid, the fuel hardly comes into contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, the fuel provided in the container body can be prevented from being volatilized and reduced.
[0017]
The invention described in claim 4 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An interior of the container body is filled with an absorber capable of absorbing the fuel.
[0018]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the interior of the container main body is filled with the absorber, the function of attracting the fuel to constantly absorb the fuel works, so that the stable supply of the fuel regardless of the posture of the fuel container. Can be performed.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 5 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The container main body is provided with volume changing means for changing the volume in the container main body.
[0020]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the volume of the container body is reduced by the volume changing means, the pressure in the container is increased, and the fuel tends to flow out of the outlet, so that the fuel is easily supplied from the outlet. be able to.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 6 is
The fuel container according to claim 4,
The inside of the container body is filled with an absorber capable of absorbing the fuel,
The absorber is contracted by a reduction in the volume of the container body by the volume changing means.
[0022]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the absorbent that has absorbed the fuel and swelled contracts as the volume of the container body is reduced by the volume changing means, the fuel absorbed by the absorbent is simply supplied from the outlet. can do.
[0023]
The invention according to claim 7 is
The fuel container according to claim 5, wherein
The volume changing means is a bellows which can be contracted by stress.
[0024]
In the invention according to claim 7, since the volume changing means is an elastic bellows formed on the container body, the volume of the container body is reduced by contracting the bellows, so that the fuel can be surely discharged from the outlet. Can be drained.
[0025]
The invention according to claim 8 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
It is characterized by having outside air introduction means for introducing outside air into the inside of the container body.
[0026]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the outside air introducing means introduces outside air, thereby compensating for a decrease in fuel in the container body.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 9 is
The fuel container according to claim 8,
The outside air introduction means is a vent that communicates the inside and the outside of the container body.
[0028]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the outside air introduction means is a vent, outside air can easily flow in and out between the inside and the outside of the container body through the vent. Therefore, when fuel flows out of the outlet of the container body, the outside air can be introduced into the inside of the container body through the ventilation hole as the outside air introduction means, and the negative pressure acting on the inside of the container body can be adjusted.
[0029]
The invention according to claim 10 is
The fuel container according to claim 9,
The ventilation hole as the outside air introduction means is provided with a selective permeable membrane that blocks transmission of volatile components of the fuel and selectively allows outside air to pass therethrough.
[0030]
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the selective permeable membrane is provided in the ventilation hole as the outside air introducing means, it is possible to prevent the volatile components of the fuel from being released to the outside of the container body. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the fuel provided in the container body from being volatilized and reduced.
[0031]
The invention according to claim 11 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A check valve is provided inside the outlet to allow the fuel to flow out of the container body to the outside of the outlet and prevent the fuel from flowing into the container body from outside the outlet. It is characterized by being provided.
[0032]
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the fuel flows only in the forward direction, can be prevented from flowing in the reverse direction, and the fuel does not flow into the container body. Therefore, when the fuel container is connected to an external pump, Since no gas is generated between the fuel container and the pump due to the negative pressure due to the backflow, the pump can always deliver fuel stably.
[0033]
The invention according to claim 12 is
The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The fluid introduction means is a flow passage communicating with the swollen body through which the fluid can flow.
[0034]
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the swollen body can reliably capture the fluid by the fluid introducing means.
[0035]
The invention according to claim 13 is the fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The swollen body is a compressed body obtained by adding a water-soluble adhesive to pulp, fiber, woven fabric, or the like and compressing it.
[0036]
In the invention according to claim 13, since the swelling body is a compressed body to which a water-soluble adhesive has been added, when the fluid is water generated by a fuel cell, the generated water is absorbed by the swelling body. The water-soluble adhesive is eluted, and the swollen body can be released from the compressed state and expanded reliably.
[0037]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a power generation system 1 provided with a fuel container 7 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the fuel storage module 2 and the power generation module 3 provided in the power generation system 1. However, in FIG. 2, only the configuration of one end of the fuel storage module 2 is shown, and the other end is omitted.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation system 1 includes a fuel storage module 2 that stores a fuel 10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and a power generation module 3 that generates power using the fuel 10 stored in the fuel storage module 2. are doing. The fuel storage module 2 and the power generation module 3 are detachable from each other, and the fuel storage module 2 has a substantially cylindrical casing 4 as shown in FIG. A circular through hole 5 is formed at the top of the housing 4, and a through hole 6 is also formed at the outer periphery of the housing 4 and at the top of the housing 4. A fuel container 7 is housed inside the housing 4.
[0039]
3A and 3B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of the fuel container 7, in which FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an appearance of the fuel container 7, and FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the fuel container 7 has a cylindrical container body 15 having a predetermined length. The container body 15 is a transparent or translucent member, and is made of a material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and acrylic.
[0040]
A plurality of outside air introduction holes 14, 14,... Serving as outside air introduction means for introducing outside air into the fuel container 7 are provided at the rear end of the container body 15 and on the side surface of the container body 15. Are formed side by side. Each outside air introduction hole 14 is a simple ventilation hole that connects the inside and the outside of the container body 15.
[0041]
An outlet 9 is provided at the tip of the container body 15 so as to protrude, and is provided near the outlet 9 of the container body 15 as a volume changing means that can expand and contract along the longitudinal direction of the fuel container 7. Bellows 8 are formed. The volume of the container body 15 increases when the bellows 8 extends, and decreases when the bellows 8 decreases.
[0042]
A water introduction pipe 16 for distributing water generated by the power generation module 3 and introducing the water into the container main body 15 is provided on a side portion of the container main body 15. The water introduction pipe 16 extends along the longitudinal direction of the fuel container 7 from the front end to the rear end of the fuel container 7.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 3B, the fuel 10 is stored inside the container body 15. Specifically, the fuel 10 is a mixture of a chemical fuel and water. As the chemical fuel, alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, and compounds containing a hydrogen element such as gasoline can be applied. In the present embodiment, a mixture in which methanol and water are uniformly mixed in an equimolar amount is used as the fuel 10. Further, inside the container body 15, a highly viscous liquid 11 is layered so as to completely cover the liquid surface of the fuel 10. Thus, the fuel 10 is sealed inside the container body 15 by the inner wall (excluding the supply port 9) of the container body 15 and the high-viscosity liquid 11. The high-viscosity liquid 11 is a liquid having a higher viscosity than the fuel 10, and is specifically a mineral oil such as polybutene, liquid paraffin, or spindle oil, or a silicon oil such as dimethyl silicone oil or methylphenyl silicone oil. Further, the high-viscosity fluid 11 is colored with a coloring material such as a pigment or a dye. Further, the high-viscosity liquid 11 is preferably insoluble or hardly soluble in the fuel 10.
[0044]
The fuel 10 and the high-viscosity liquid 11 are separated from each other without being mixed with each other due to the characteristics of water and oil, and the fuel 10 is completely sealed by the inner wall of the container body 15 and the high-viscosity liquid 11. It is stored in the container body 15. Gas such as air at the interface between the fuel 10 and the high-viscosity liquid 11 or air or the like mixed in the fuel 10 is previously suctioned and removed by a vacuum defoaming device or the like. The fuel 10 is in a state containing almost no air bubbles (no air bubbles).
[0045]
A space 60 surrounded by the liquid surface of the highly viscous liquid 11 (the surface opposite to the interface with the fuel 10) and the inner wall of the container body 15 is filled with a swelling body 17 that swells by absorbing water. ing. Specifically, the swollen body 17 is a compressed body obtained by adding a water-soluble adhesive to pulp, fiber, woven fabric, or the like, and is compressed and solidified by absorbing the water to elute the water-soluble adhesive. From water, and gradually swell according to the amount of water absorbed. In addition, a water introduction hole 18 for introducing water into the swelling body 17 is formed on the rear wall of the container body 15 that comes into contact with the swelling body 17.
[0046]
The vicinity of the outlet 9 inside the container body 15 is filled with an absorber 12 that absorbs the fuel 10 in a compressed state. Specifically, the absorber 12 is a porous body made of an oil-repellent material and having a plurality of fine pores through which the high-viscosity liquid 11 cannot penetrate, and particularly has high absorbency for the fuel 10. . Therefore, the high-viscosity liquid 11 does not permeate (is not absorbed) into the absorber 12, and the high-viscosity liquid 11 does not flow out of the outlet 9 of the container body 15. The absorber 12 is in close contact with the inner wall of the bellows 8 formed on the container body 15, and when the bellows 8 is contracted to reduce the volume of the container body 15, the absorber 12 contracts, and conversely, absorbs. When the body 12 absorbs the fuel 10 and swells, the bellows 8 expands and the volume of the container body 15 increases.
[0047]
Further, inside the outlet 9 of the container body 15, a check valve 13 having a duck bill shape (a shape like a duck / duck beak) is provided. When a pressure (positive pressure) for pushing out the fuel 10 to the fuel 10 absorbed by the absorber 12 is applied to the check valve 13, stress acts in a direction to push and expand the opening 13 a. Then, when the fuel 10 is allowed to flow out of the outlet 13a to the outlet 9 and the inside of the container body 15 becomes negative pressure, and pressure is applied from the outlet 9 toward the check valve 13, the port 13a is closed. A stress acts in a direction to be closed, and has a function of preventing backflow from the outlet 9 to the container body 15. In the present embodiment, as described later, when a positive pressure is applied to the inside of the container body 15, the fuel 10 can flow out of the inside of the container body 15 to the outside of the outlet 9 through the check valve 13. ing. As described above, when a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the container body 15, the check valve 13 closes the opening 13 a and prevents the fluid such as the fuel 10 from flowing out of the check valve 13.
[0048]
A flow path 19 as a fluid introduction means through which water as a fluid generated by the power generation module 3 flows is formed inside the water introduction pipe 16 disposed on the side of the container body 15. The flow path 19 extends substantially along the water introduction pipe 16 from the front end of the water introduction pipe 16, bends at the rear end of the water introduction pipe 16, and forms a space through the water introduction hole 18 of the container body 15. The flow path has a diameter through which water generated by the power generation module 3 can flow by capillary force.
[0049]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the fuel container 7 having the above configuration has a fuel storage module such that the supply port 9 is inserted into the through hole 5 and the tip of the water introduction pipe 16 is inserted into the through hole 6. The second housing 4 is detachably housed. When the fuel container 7 is installed at a predetermined position of the fuel storage module 2, the fuel container 7 has a part of the outer peripheral surface of the container body 15 exposed to the outside of the housing 4. In this state, as described above, since the container body 15 is transparent or translucent and the high-viscosity liquid 11 is colored, the displacement of the liquid surface of the high-viscosity liquid 11 can be visually recognized through the container body 15. Thus, the presence or absence or the remaining amount of the fuel 10 can be easily confirmed.
[0050]
Further, as described above, the outside air introduction holes 14, 14,... Formed as outside air introduction means formed in the container main body 15 are merely ventilation holes. Alternatively, a selective permeable membrane having a function of blocking the permeation of volatile components of the fuel 10 and a function of selectively permeating only outside air (air) may be provided. In this case, it is possible to prevent the volatile components of the fuel 10 from being released to the outside of the container body 15, and to prevent the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 from being volatilized and reduced.
[0051]
Next, the power generation module 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation module 3 has a reformer 20 that reforms the fuel 10 supplied from the fuel container 7. The reformer 20 includes a vaporizer 21, a steam reforming reactor 22, an aqueous shift reactor 23, and a selective oxidation reactor 24. The power generation module 3 includes a fuel cell 25 that generates power using the fuel 10 reformed by the reforming device 20 and a power storage unit 26 that stores the electric energy generated by the fuel cell 25 and supplies the electric energy as necessary. A distribution unit 27 that distributes the electric energy supplied from the power storage unit 26 to the entire power generation module 3, a control unit 28 that electronically controls the reformer 20, the fuel cell 25, the power storage unit 26, and the distribution unit 27; have.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 2, the power generation module 3 has a substantially cylindrical housing 30. Inside the housing 30, a vaporizer 21, a steam reforming reactor 22, an aqueous shift reactor 23, and a selective oxidation reactor 24 are arranged in a stacked state in this order. A fuel cell 25 is provided so as to surround the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24. Further, a plurality of slits 31, 31,... For taking in oxygen in the air are formed in parallel with each other on the outer peripheral surface of the housing 30 outside the fuel cell 25.
[0053]
A terminal 32 for supplying electric energy from the power storage unit 26 (see FIG. 1) to an external device is provided at the top of the housing 30. A plurality of ventilation holes 33, 33,... Are formed at the top.
[0054]
Pipes 34 and 35 projecting downward for fitting with the fuel storage module 2 are provided at the bottom of the housing 30. The pipe 34 is for flowing water generated by the power generation module 3, and the pipe 35 is for sucking the fuel 10 from the fuel container 7. A valve 36 is provided on the tube 34, and a tube 37 provided on the housing 30 communicates with the tube 34 via the valve 36.
[0055]
Next, each process of a chemical reaction occurring in each reactor of the reformer 20 and the fuel cell 25 will be described.
The vaporizer 21 vaporizes (evaporates) the fuel 10 by heating the fuel 10 supplied from the fuel container 7 of the fuel storage module 2 through the pipe 35. The mixture vaporized by the vaporizer 21 is supplied to the steam reforming reactor 22.
[0056]
The steam reforming reactor 22 reforms the mixture supplied from the vaporizer 21 into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas using a reforming catalyst, as shown in chemical reaction formula (1).
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 3H ₂ + CO ₂ (1)
In some cases, the air-fuel mixture supplied from the vaporizer 21 may not be completely reformed into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas. In this case, as shown in the chemical reaction formula (2), a very small amount Is generated.
2CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 5H ₂ O + CO + CO ₂ (2)
Unreacted steam in addition to the hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas and carbon monoxide generated in the steam reforming reactor 22 is supplied to the aqueous shift reactor 23.
[0057]
The aqueous shift reactor 23 is, as shown in chemical reaction formula (3), a gaseous mixture (hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, steam and carbon monoxide gas) supplied from the steam reforming reactor 22. Is subjected to an aqueous shift reaction with a catalyst.
CO + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + H ₂ (3)
[0058]
Unreacted steam in the steam reforming reactor 22 is used for the aqueous shift reaction, and the concentration of steam and carbon monoxide gas in the air-fuel mixture becomes very low. A gas mixture (including hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas, and carbon monoxide gas) is supplied from the aqueous shift reactor 23 to the selective oxidation reactor 24.
[0059]
The selective oxidation reactor 24 selects a carbon monoxide gas from a gas mixture supplied from the aqueous shift reactor 23 with a catalyst, and oxidizes the carbon monoxide gas as shown in a chemical reaction formula (4). .
2CO + O ₂ → 2CO ₂ (4)
The oxygen on the left side of the chemical reaction formula (4) is taken into the selective oxidation reactor 24 from the atmosphere through the plurality of ventilation holes 33 of the power generation module 3. Further, in the selective oxidation reactor 24, since a catalyst for selectively promoting the chemical reaction of the chemical reaction formula (4) is formed, hydrogen contained in the gas mixture is hardly oxidized. The gas mixture is supplied from the selective oxidation reactor 24 to the fuel cell 25, but the gas mixture hardly contains carbon monoxide gas, and the purity of hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas is very high. If the selective oxidation reactor 24 is provided with a mechanism capable of separating hydrogen and other harmless by-products, the by-products may be discharged from each vent 33.
[0060]
The fuel cell 25 includes a fuel electrode (cathode) to which catalyst particles are attached, an air electrode (anode) to which catalyst particles are attached, and a film-like ion conductive membrane interposed between the fuel electrode and the air electrode. It is provided. An air-fuel mixture from the selective oxidation reactor 24 is supplied to the fuel electrode, and oxygen gas in the atmosphere is supplied to the air electrode through a plurality of slits 31 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the power generation module 3. Is done.
[0061]
As shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (5), when hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel electrode, a catalyst attached to the fuel electrode generates hydrogen ions having separated electrons, and the hydrogen ions are transferred to the air electrode through the ion conductive membrane. It conducts and electrons are extracted from the fuel electrode. Further, the carbon dioxide gas in the gas mixture supplied from the selective oxidation reactor 24 is discharged to the outside without reacting.
3H ₂ → 6H ⁺⁺ 6e ⁻ (5)
On the other hand, as shown in the electrochemical reaction formula (6), when oxygen gas is supplied to the air electrode, hydrogen ions passing through the ionic conductive film, oxygen gas, and electrons react to generate water. You.
6H ⁺ + 3 / 2O ₂ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O (6)
When the above-described electrochemical reaction occurs in the fuel cell 25, electric energy is generated. The generated electric energy is stored in the power storage unit 26.
[0062]
The vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 flow a fluid through a microchannel formed on a small substrate made of silicon, aluminum alloy, or glass. It functions as a microreactor for vaporizing the fluid or causing a chemical reaction in at least a part of the fluid. Hereinafter, the structures of the vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 will be described.
[0063]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the vaporizer 21, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a heat treatment furnace 40 provided in the vaporizer 21.
As shown in FIG. 4, the vaporizer 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped glass container 53 made of low-melting glass, and the inner and outer walls of the glass container 53 have a radiation shield film 51 made of aluminum or the like. , 52 are formed. Each of the radiation shield films 51 and 52 has high reflectivity with respect to electromagnetic waves including infrared rays, and reflects electromagnetic waves emitted from a heat treatment furnace 40 described later into the glass container 53. Thereby, the electromagnetic wave emitted from the heat treatment furnace 40 is shielded from propagating to the outside of the glass container 53, and the radiation heat by the electromagnetic wave emitted from the heat treatment furnace 40 can be prevented from radiating to the outside of the glass container 53. Has become.
[0064]
Supports 54, 54,... Are provided at each corner inside the radiation shield film 51 formed on the inner wall of the glass container 53 and inside the glass container 53, respectively. The heat treatment furnace 40 is disposed inside the glass container 53 while being supported by the supports 54. However, the heat treatment furnace 40 is separated from the inner wall of the glass container 53.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 4, the heat treatment furnace 40 has a structure in which two substrates 41 and 42 are overlapped and joined to each other. Each of the substrates 41 and 42 is made of a material such as silicon crystal, aluminum, and glass. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a minute microchannel 43 is formed at the joint between the substrates 41 and 42.
[0066]
The micro flow channel 43 is formed by joining the substrate 41 and the substrate 42 with the groove formed in one surface of the substrate 41 facing the substrate 42 and facing the substrate 42. It is sealed between. The groove as the micro channel 43 is formed by appropriately performing photolithography, etching, or the like on one surface of the substrate 41.
[0067]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of the micro flow channel 43 is connected to an end of an outflow pipe 45. The outflow pipe 45 penetrates through the substrate 41, the radiation shield films 51 and 52, and the glass container 53, and is drawn out of the heat treatment furnace 40 to the outside of the glass container 53. The other end of the micro channel 43 is connected to an end of an inflow pipe 44. The inflow pipe 44, like the outflow pipe 45, passes through the substrate 42, the radiation shield films 51 and 52, and the glass container 53, and is drawn out of the heat treatment furnace 40 to the outside of the glass container 53. Further, the inflow pipe 44 communicates with the pipe 35 so that the fuel 10 stored in the fuel container 7 can flow into the micro flow channel 43 at any time through the pipe 35 and the inflow pipe 44 due to the pressure applied in the container body 15. It has become.
[0068]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, on the bonding surface of the substrate 42 with the substrate 41, a ridge-shaped heating resistance film 47 corresponding to the microchannel 43 is formed. When the substrate 41 and the substrate 42 are bonded to each other, the heat generating resistive film 47 overlaps the groove forming the micro flow channel 43, and the heat generating resistive film 47 forms the floor of the micro flow channel 43. The heating resistance film 47 is formed along the micro flow channel 43 from one end to the other end of the micro flow channel 43.
[0069]
A lead wire 48 is connected to the heating resistance film 47 at one end of the micro flow channel 43, and a lead wire 49 is connected to the heating resistance film 47 at the other end of the micro flow channel 43. Each of the lead wires 48 and 49 is formed of a chemically stable metal material such as gold, platinum, and nickel having a very low resistivity. It is much smaller than the electrical resistance.
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 4, each lead wire 48, 49 penetrates the radiation shield films 51, 52 and the glass container 53 while being sandwiched between the two substrates 41, 42, from the heat treatment furnace 40 to the outside of the glass container 53. Has been drawn to. The lead wire 48 is connected to one electrode of the distribution unit 27 outside the glass container 53, and the lead wire 49 is connected to the other electrode of the distribution unit 27 outside the glass container 53.
[0071]
The distribution unit 27 controls the temperature of the heating resistance film 47 while displacing the power supplied to the heating resistance film 47 according to a control signal from the control unit 28, and vaporizes the fuel 10 in the vaporizer 21 per unit time. It has a function of optimizing the amount and the progress of the reaction in the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 described below. For example, if the voltage applied by the distribution unit 27 is constant, the distribution unit 27 can change the current flowing through the lead wires 48 and 49. The section 27 can change the voltage applied to the lead wires 48-49. Of course, the distribution unit 27 may be able to change both the voltage and the current, and may be either DC drive or AC drive.
[0072]
Further, the control unit 28 has an arithmetic processing unit including a general-purpose CPU (central processing unit) or a dedicated logic circuit. The control unit 28 feeds back a signal indicating the voltage and current of the distribution unit 27 and feeds a signal from the distribution unit 27 to the heating resistance film. It has a function of adjusting the electric power applied to 47. With such a configuration, the temperature of heat generated by the heat generating resistive film 47 is adjusted.
[0073]
In the vaporizer 21 having the above configuration, the inside of the glass container 53 is sealed when the inflow pipe 44, the outflow pipe 45, and the lead wires 48, 49 penetrate the radiation shielding films 51, 52 and the glass container 53. The interior space of the glass container 53 is in a vacuum state with a very low atmospheric pressure. Therefore, there is almost no medium for transmitting heat inside the glass container 53, so that heat radiation from the heat treatment furnace 40 to the outside of the glass container 53 can be suppressed.
[0074]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing each of the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24. However, in each of the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 shown in FIG. 6, the same components as those of the vaporizer 21 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those described above. Detailed description of the components is omitted.
[0075]
As shown in FIG. 6, each of the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 has substantially the same configuration as the vaporizer 21. An inlet pipe 44 of the reactor 22 communicates with an outlet pipe 45 of the vaporizer 21, and an outlet pipe 45 of the steam reforming reactor 22 communicates with an inlet pipe 44 of the aqueous shift reactor 23. The outlet pipe 45 communicates with the inlet pipe 44 of the selective oxidation reactor 24, and the outlet pipe 45 of the selective oxidation reactor 24 communicates with the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the respective reactors of the vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 are stacked in this order, but on the outer wall of each reactor. Each reactor is stacked with the coated radiation shield film 52 in contact with adjacent reactors.
[0076]
Further, in any of the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24, the reforming catalyst is provided on the inner wall and the ceiling of the micro channel 43 (that is, the wall surface of the groove of the substrate 41). A film 46 is formed along the micro flow channel 43 from one end to the other end of the micro flow channel 43. The reforming catalyst film 46 is for reforming the chemical fuel contained in the fuel 10 to generate hydrogen. The components and types of the reforming catalyst film 46 are the same as those of the steam reforming reactor 22 and the aqueous shift reactor. 23, the selective oxidation reactor 24 may be different. Here, in the case of the steam reforming reactor 22, the chemical reaction represented by the chemical reaction formula (1) is promoted by the reforming catalyst film 46, and in the case of the aqueous shift reactor 23, the chemical reaction is performed. The chemical reaction represented by the formula (3) is promoted by the reforming catalyst film 46, and in the case of the selective oxidation reactor 24, the chemical reaction represented by the chemical reaction formula (4) is performed by the reforming catalyst film 46. Is being promoted.
[0077]
Next, the method of use and operation of the power generation system 1 will be described.
First, in order to supply the fuel 10 to the power generation module 3, the fuel container 7 in which the fuel 10 is stored must be installed at a predetermined position of the housing 4 of the fuel storage module 2, as shown in FIG. As described above, in the fuel container 7 before installation, the check valve 13 is closed, the absorber 12 absorbs the fuel 10 and swells, and the bellows 8 is in an extended state.
[0078]
Then, the fuel container 7 in the state shown in FIG. 7A is installed at a predetermined position of the housing 4 of the fuel storage module 2, and then the outlet 9 and the tip of the water introduction pipe 16 are inserted into the through holes 5 and 6. The fuel container 7 is pressed from the fuel storage module 2 toward the power generation module 3 so as to be inserted. Then, the pipe 34 of the power generation module 3 is inserted into the water introduction pipe 16 as shown in FIG.
[0079]
At the same time, since the fuel container 7 is pressed against the power generation module 3, the tip of the outlet 9 abuts against the bottom surface of the housing 30 of the power generation module 3, and a force is applied to the container body 15 in the direction in which the bellows 8 contracts. Then, the absorber 12 and the bellows 8 of the fuel container 7 contract. The fuel 10 absorbed by the absorber 12 is released from the absorber 12 by the contraction of the absorber 12, but at this time, the volume of the container body 15 is reduced by the contraction of the bellows 8, so that the pressure in the container body 15 is reduced. Ascending, the fuel 10 loses its place and tries to collect at the outlet 9. Therefore, the pressure of the fuel 10 is applied to the check valve 13 of the outlet 9, the check valve 13 temporarily flows the fuel 10 from the outlet 9 through the pipe 35, and the pressure balance between the inside and the outside of the container body 15 is balanced. Is kept. The fuel 10 that has flowed out reaches the carburetor 21 through the pipe 35 and the inflow pipe 44 of the carburetor 21, and the supply of the fuel 10 from the fuel storage module 2 to the power generation module 3 is started.
[0080]
While the supply of the fuel 10 is started, in the power generation module 3, a control signal for driving the reformer 20 is input from the control unit 28 to the distribution unit 27. Then, electric power is supplied from the distribution unit 27 to the heat-generating resistance films 47 of the vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 via the leads 48 and 49. Then, each heating resistance film 47 generates heat. Here, the control unit 28 feeds back a signal indicating a voltage and a current applied from the distribution unit 27 to each of the heating resistance films 47 of the vaporizer 21, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24. Then, the voltage and current of the distribution unit 27 are controlled so that each heating resistor 47 generates heat to a predetermined temperature.
[0081]
At this time, the fuel 10 is supplied from the fuel container 7 into the heat treatment furnace 40 of the carburetor 21 through the pipe 35 of the power generation module 3 and the inflow pipe 44 of the carburetor 21, and the fuel 10 is evaporated by the heat of the heat generating resistance film 47. In the vaporizer 21, the pressure increases and convection occurs. As a result, the phase of the liquid fuel 10 changes to a mixture of methanol and water, and the fuel 10 from the vaporizer 21 to the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, the selective oxidation reactor 24 and the fuel cell 25. Distribute in order.
[0082]
In the steam reforming reactor 22, the air-fuel mixture flows through the micro flow channel 43 from the inflow pipe 44 to the outflow pipe 45. When the air-fuel mixture is flowing through the micro flow channel 43, the air-fuel mixture is heated by the heating resistance film 47. Then, the air-fuel mixture is promoted by the reforming catalyst film 46, and the air-fuel mixture reacts according to the chemical reaction formulas (1) and (2). If a large amount of water is generated by the chemical reaction formula (2), the generated water may be sent from the pipe 37 to the pipe 34 by the valve 36.
[0083]
In the aqueous shift reactor 23, the mixture is heated by the heat generating resistive film 47 while flowing through the micro flow channel 43, and a reaction such as the chemical reaction formula (3) occurs. Similarly, in the selective oxidation reactor 24, the mixture is heated by the heat generating resistive film 47 while flowing through the micro flow channel 43, and a reaction represented by the chemical reaction formula (4) occurs. Then, hydrogen generated by the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, and the selective oxidation reactor 24 is supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 25. In the fuel cell 25, the chemical reaction formula (5) An electrochemical reaction as in (6) occurs to generate electric energy. The generated electric energy is stored in the power storage unit 26 or supplied to the outside through the terminal 32.
[0084]
Further, in the fuel cell 25, water is generated along with the electrochemical reaction represented by the chemical reaction formula (6). Water as a fluid generated in the fuel cell 25 (hereinafter, referred to as “generated water”) flows through the pipe 34 via the valve 36 by the output of the generated water and the capillary force, and the fuel container 25 7 flows into the water introduction pipe 16.
[0085]
As the water on the left side of the chemical reaction formulas (1) and (3), a part of the generated water may be introduced into the steam reforming reactor 22 via a pipe 37 controlled by a valve 36. By doing so, the concentration of water in the fuel 10 can be reduced, and the concentration of the chemical fuel in the fuel 10 can be increased.
[0086]
The generated water that has flowed into the water introduction pipe 16 of the fuel container 7 flows through the flow path 19 of the water introduction pipe 16 by sending out the generated water and the capillary force, and reaches the water introduction hole 18 of the container body 15, The water is introduced into the space 60 of the container body 15 through the water introduction hole 18. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the generated water is absorbed by the swelling body 17, and the swelling body 17 is released from the state in which the water-soluble adhesive is eluted and compressed and solidified, and the amount of generated water absorbed Swells gradually according to. Then, as the swelling body 17 swells, air is introduced into the space portion 60 from each outside air introduction hole 14 of the container body 15, and the swelling body 17 sucks the introduced air in addition to swelling due to absorption of generated water, It begins to swell and expand so that it is restored to its state before being compressed and solidified.
[0087]
Here, in the present embodiment, each outside air introduction hole 14 is a very fine through-hole, and the generated water introduced into the space 60 and the swollen / expanded swelling body 17 leak from each outside air introduction hole 14. Never.
[0088]
Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 7C, the swelling body 17 starts to press the high-viscosity liquid 11 by the swelling / expansion of the swelling body 17, and the high-viscosity liquid 11 is pushed by the swelling / expansion of the swelling body 17. The fuel 10 is displaced by the pressure, and the fuel 10 absorbed in the absorber 12 tries to sequentially flow out of the outlet 9 through the pipe 35 of the power generation module 3.
[0089]
The end face of the swelling body 17 facing the high-viscosity liquid 11 is solidified by an adhesive insoluble in the generated water and the high-viscosity liquid 11, or a sheet material is placed between the high-viscosity liquid 11 and the swelling body 17. It may be interposed. In this case, the swelling body 17 can be prevented from breaking through the liquid layer of the high-viscosity liquid 11, and the swelling / swelling action of the swelling body 17 can be reduced by the liquid surface of the high-viscosity liquid 11 (liquid surface facing the swelling body 17). It is possible to transmit the fuel efficiently over the whole, and the fuel 10 can be reliably discharged from the container body 15.
[0090]
Thereafter, the fuel 10 is supplied to the vaporizer 21 through the inflow pipe 44 of the vaporizer 21 in order from the fuel that has flowed out of the fuel container 7, and as described above, the vapor reformer 22, the steam reforming reactor 22, the aqueous shift reactor 23, it flows to the selective oxidation reactor 24 and the fuel cell 25, and the fuel cell 25 generates electric energy and generated water. The electric energy is stored in the power storage unit 26 or supplied to the outside through the terminal 32. The generated water flows through the pipe 37 via the valve 36, flows into the water introduction pipe 16 of the fuel container 7 from the pipe 37, is introduced into the space 60 of the container body 15, and is absorbed by the swelling body 17. Then, as described above, the swelling body 17 swells and expands, and the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 tends to flow out of the container body 15. In other words, as the power generation module 3 reforms the fuel 10 into hydrogen, the water generated as a by-product is retained in the swollen body 17 in the space 60, whereby the fuel 10 in the container main body 15 flows out of the container main body 15. Then, the stress acts, and the fuel 10 in the container body 15 tends to be constantly discharged even though the fuel 10 in the container body 15 decreases.
[0091]
Thereafter, between the fuel storage module 2 and the power generation module 3, the supply of the fuel 10 from the fuel container 7 to (the carburetor 21 of) the reformer 20 and the introduction of generated water from the fuel cell 25 to the fuel container 7. Is repeatedly performed.
[0092]
When the fuel 10 continues to flow out of the fuel container 7, the fuel 10 almost disappears from the fuel container 7, and the supply of the fuel 10 from the fuel container 7 to the reformer 20 ends. At this time, inside the fuel container 7, as shown in FIG. 7D, the highly viscous liquid 11 is displaced until it adheres to the absorber 12, and remains at that position.
[0093]
Since the absorber 12 is made of an oil-repellent material and has a plurality of micropores as described above, the absorber 12 does not absorb the high-viscosity liquid 11, and is transferred from the fuel container 7 to the power generation module 3. The highly viscous liquid 11 does not flow out.
[0094]
As described above, in the fuel container 7 of the present embodiment, the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 is completely sealed by the inner wall of the container body 15 and the high-viscosity liquid 11 because the high-viscosity liquid 11 is overlaid. It is held in a stopped state, and the absorber 12 is filled near the outlet inside the container body 15, so that it is absorbed by the absorber 12 inside the container body 15 and drawn out near the outlet 9. Is held in.
[0095]
When the generated water is introduced into the space 60 of the container body 15, the generated water is absorbed by the swollen body 17, and air is introduced into the space 60 of the container body 15, and the swollen body 17 In addition to the swelling due to the absorption of the air, it expands so as to suck the introduced air and presses the highly viscous liquid 11. Then, the high-viscosity liquid 11 is displaced by receiving a pressing force due to swelling / expansion of the swelling body 17, and at the same time, the fuel 10 absorbed by the absorber 12 flows out of the outlet 9. Therefore, regardless of the posture of the fuel container 7, the swelling body 17 repeats swelling and expansion as long as the generated water is generated in the fuel cell 25, and the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 is It continues to try to flow out of the outlet 9 under the pressing force due to swelling and expansion. Thereby, in the fuel container 7 of the present embodiment, the stored fuel 10 can flow out regardless of the held posture.
[0096]
Furthermore, in the fuel container 7 of the present embodiment, as described above, the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 is held in a state where the fuel 10 is completely sealed by the inner wall of the container body 15 and the high-viscosity liquid 11. 10 does not come into contact with the atmosphere. Therefore, the fuel 10 stored in the container body 15 can be prevented from being volatilized and reduced. Further, in a state where the fuel 10 is stored in the fuel container 7, no air bubbles are contained in the interface between the fuel 10 and the highly viscous liquid 11 or the fuel 10 (no air bubbles). Thus, the supply of the fuel 10 from the fuel container 7 of the fuel storage module 2 to the power generation module 3 can be stabilized, and the power generated by the power generation module 3 can be prevented from lowering.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the swollen body is swollen and the internal pressure of the container body is increased by absorbing the fluid into the swollen body through the fluid introducing means, the fuel in the container body is discharged to the outlet. Can be drained from Therefore, regardless of the posture of the fuel container, the swollen body repeatedly swells and expands as long as fluid is supplied from the outside. And always tries to flow out of the outlet by receiving the pressing force. Thus, in the fuel container according to the first aspect, once the fuel is supplied to the outside, the fuel in the container main body always tries to flow out regardless of the held posture, so that the fuel is supplied stably. can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a power generation system.
FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a fuel storage module and a power generation module.
FIG. 3A is an external perspective view showing a fuel container, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the fuel container.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a vaporizer.
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a heat treatment furnace of a vaporizer.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing respective reactors of a steam reforming reactor, an aqueous shift reactor, and a selective oxidation reactor.
7A to 7D are diagrams showing changes in the fuel container when fuel is supplied from the fuel container to the power generation module.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 power generation system 2 fuel storage module 3 power generation module 4 housings 5 and 6 through hole 7 fuel container 8 bellows (volume changing means)
9 Outflow port 10 Fuel 11 High-viscosity liquid 12 Absorber 13 Check valve 14 Outside air introduction hole (outside air introduction means)
15: Container body 16: Water introduction pipe 17: Swelled body 18: Water introduction hole 19: Channel (fluid introduction means)
Reference Signs List 20 reformer 21 vaporizer 22 steam reforming reactor 23 aqueous shift reactor 24 selective oxidation reactor 25 fuel cell 26 power storage unit 27 distribution unit 28 control unit 30 housing 31 Slit 32 ... Terminal 33 ... Vent holes 34, 35, 37 ... Tube 36 ... Valve 40 ... Heat treatment furnace 41, 42 ... Substrate 43 ... Microchannel 44 ... Inflow tube 45 ... Outflow tube 46 ... Reforming catalyst film 47 ... Heating resistance Films 48, 49 Lead wires 51, 52 Radiation shield film 53 Glass container 54 Support body 60 Space

Claims (13)

A container body,
A fuel provided in the container body,
An outlet provided in the container body to supply the fuel to the outside of the container body,
Fluid introduction means for introducing a fluid according to the outflow of the fuel from the outlet into the interior of the container body,
A swelling body that communicates with the fluid introduction unit and swells in the container body by absorbing the fluid,
A fuel container comprising: The fuel container according to claim 1,
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is a product generated from the fuel flowing out of the outlet. The fuel container according to claim 1 or 2,
A fuel container comprising a highly viscous liquid interposed between the fuel and the swollen body in the container body. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A fuel container, wherein an inside of the container body is filled with an absorber capable of absorbing the fuel. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A fuel container, wherein the container main body is provided with a volume changing means for changing a volume in the container main body. The fuel container according to claim 5,
The inside of the container body is filled with an absorber capable of absorbing the fuel,
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein the absorber contracts due to a reduction in the volume of the container body by the volume changing means. The fuel container according to claim 5, wherein
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein the volume changing means is a bellows which can be contracted by a stress. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A fuel container comprising an outside air introduction unit for introducing outside air into the inside of the container body. The fuel container according to claim 8,
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein the outside air introduction means is a ventilation hole that connects the inside and the outside of the container body. The fuel container according to claim 9,
A fuel container, characterized in that a selectively permeable membrane for blocking the permeation of the volatile components of the fuel and selectively permeating the outside air is disposed in the ventilation hole as the outside air introduction means. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A check valve is provided inside the outlet to allow the fuel to flow out of the container body to the outside of the outlet and prevent the fuel from flowing into the container body from outside the outlet. A fuel container characterized by being provided. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein the fluid introduction unit is a flow path communicating with the swollen body through which the fluid can flow. The fuel container according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The fuel container according to claim 1, wherein the swollen body is a compressed body obtained by adding a water-soluble adhesive to pulp, fiber, woven fabric, or the like.

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