Heat exchange reformer unit and reformer system

Abstract

In a heat exchange reformer unit, a reforming passage supporting reform catalyst for inducing reforming reactions and a combustion passage supporting oxidizing catalyst for combustion are disposed adjacent to each other with a plate portion interposed therebetween. Heat-exchanging passages of the reforming passage that produce reformate gas that contains hydrogen from supplied reformation material, and heat-exchanging passages of the combustion passage that supply heat, which is generated by catalytically burning supplied fuel, to the reforming passage constitute a parallel-flow heat exchanger. Reformation material guide passages for introducing reformation material into the heat-exchanging passages in a predetermined direction, and mixed gas guide passages for introducing fuel into the heat-exchanging passages in a direction intersecting the gas flow direction in the reformation material guide passages, are provided upstream of the heat-exchanging passages in a gas flow direction.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . A heat exchange reformer unit, comprising:
 a reforming section, in which reforming catalyst for inducing reforming reactions is supported, for producing reformate gas, which contains hydrogen, from supplied reformation material through reforming reactions including steam-reforming reaction;   a heating section, which is disposed adjacent to the reforming section with a separation wall interposed between the heating section and the reforming section so as to cause a gas flow in the same direction as that of a gas flow in the reforming section, and in which oxidizing catalyst for catalytic combustion is supported, for supplying, to the reforming section, heat generated by catalytically burning supplied fuel;   a reformation material-introducing section, one end of which serves as a supply port of the reformation material, and the other end of which is integral with a reformation material inflow side of the reforming section;   a fuel-introducing section, one end of which serves as a supply port of the fuel, and the other end of which is integral with a fuel inflow side of the heating section, for introducing the fuel into the heating section in a flow direction different from a flow direction of the reformation material in the reformation material-introducing section; and   a cross-flow heat exchanging section which is constituted by the reformation material introducing section and the fuel-introducing section, and which does not support a catalyst,   wherein a plurality of the reforming sections and a plurality of the heating sections are provided,   wherein the plurality of the reforming sections and the plurality of the heating sections are stacked with at least part of the plurality of the reforming sections being adjacent to at least part of the plurality of the heating sections.   
   
   
       25 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 24 , wherein the entirety of the fuel-introducing section is a region in which no oxidizing catalyst is supported. 
   
   
       26 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 24 ,
 wherein the reformation material-introducing section is provided for each of the reforming sections, and surface planes of the reformation material supply ports are substantially on the same plane, and   wherein the fuel-introducing section is provided for each of the heating sections, and surface planes of the fuel supply ports are substantially on the same plane.   
   
   
       27 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 26 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit comprises:
 a plurality of reforming section-forming plate members each including:
 a first flat-shaped plate portion; and 
 a first standing wall provided on the first flat-shaped plate portion in a standing condition for guiding the reformation material in a predetermined direction, wherein a first heat exchanging section constituting the reforming section together with another plate portion is formed of part of the first flat-shaped plate portion, and wherein a reformation material guide section constituting the reformation material-introducing section together with another plate portion is formed of part of the first flat-shaped plate portion and the first standing wall that is formed adjacent to a reformation material supply-side of the first heat exchanging section; and 
   a plurality of heating section-forming plate members each including:
 a second flat-shaped plate portion; and 
 a second standing wall provided on the second flat-shaped plate portion in a standing condition for guiding the fuel in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction, wherein a second heat exchanging section constituting the heating section together with another plate portion is formed of part of the second flat-shaped plate portion, and wherein a fuel guide section constituting the fuel-introducing section together with another plate portion is formed of part of the second flat-shaped plate portion and the second standing wall that is formed adjacent to a fuel supply-side of the second heat exchanging section, wherein 
   the reforming section-forming plate members and the heating section-forming plate members are stacked in a predetermined pattern.   
   
   
       28 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a reformation material manifold, defining a collection space to which the reformation material supply ports of the plurality of the reformation material-introducing sections are open, for distributing the reformation material to the plurality of the reformation material-introducing sections; and   a fuel manifold, defining a collection space to which the fuel supply ports of the plurality of the fuel-introducing sections are open, for distributing the fuel to the plurality of the fuel-introducing sections.   
   
   
       29 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a reformate gas-discharging section, one end of which serves as a discharge port of the reformate gas, and the other end of which is integral with a reformate gas outflow side of the reforming section; and   a combustion exhaust gas-discharging section, one end of which serves as a discharge port of combustion exhaust gas of the heating section, and the other end of which is integral with a combustion exhaust gas outflow side of the heating section, for introducing the combustion exhaust gas to the discharge port of the combustion exhaust gas in a flow direction different from a flow direction of the reformate gas in the reformate gas-discharging section.   
   
   
       30 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 24 , wherein a plurality of the reforming sections are provided, and the at least one heating section is provided so that the heating sections is less in number than the reforming sections. 
   
   
       31 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 24 , wherein a plurality of the reforming sections and a plurality of the heating sections are provided, wherein the plurality of the reforming sections and the plurality of the heating sections are stacked so that a surface area of a region in which the reforming catalyst is supported is greater than a surface area of a region in which the oxidizing catalyst is supported. 
   
   
       32 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 24 , wherein a plurality of the reforming sections and a plurality of the heating sections are provided, wherein the plurality of the reforming sections and the plurality of the heating sections are stacked so that an amount of the reforming catalyst supported is greater than an amount of the oxidizing catalyst supported. 
   
   
       33 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 24 , wherein a plurality of the reforming sections and a plurality of the heating sections are provided, wherein the plurality of the reforming sections and the plurality of the heating sections are stacked so that a total volume of the plurality of the reforming sections is greater than a total volume of the plurality of heating sections. 
   
   
       34 . A heat exchange reformer unit, comprising:
 a plurality of reforming sections for producing reformate gas, in which reforming catalyst for inducing reforming reactions is supported; and   a plurality of heating sections, in which reforming catalyst for catalytic combustion is supported, for supplying heat, which is generated by catalytically burning supplied fuel, to the reforming sections, wherein   a number of the heating sections is less in number than a number of the reforming sections.   
   
   
       35 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 34 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which two layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       36 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 34 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which three layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       37 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 34 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which four or more layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       38 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 34 , further comprising a heat transfer-promoting portion for promoting heat transfer from the heating section to the adjacent reforming section. 
   
   
       39 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 38 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is provided in any one of or each of the reforming section and the heating section in a standing condition, wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is a standing wall extending from one of separation walls of adjacent reforming section and heating section to the other separation wall. 
   
   
       40 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 39 , wherein the standing wall is thicker than the separation wall between the reforming section and the adjacent heating section. 
   
   
       41 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 38 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion has a thermal conductivity greater than that of a material of which separation walls forming the heating section are made. 
   
   
       42 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 38 , wherein
 the heat transfer-promoting portion is formed near the vicinity of a supply port of reformation material for producing reformate gas.   
   
   
       43 . A reformer system, comprising:
 the heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 34 ; and   a water supply system for supplying water to the reforming section of the heat exchange reformer unit.   
   
   
       44 . A heat exchange reformer unit, comprising:
 a plurality of reforming sections for producing reformate gas, in which reforming catalyst for inducing reforming reactions is supported; and   a plurality of heating sections, in which reforming catalyst for catalytic combustion is supported, for supplying heat, which is generated by catalytically burning supplied fuel, to the reforming reactions,   wherein the plurality of the reforming sections and the plurality of the heating sections are stacked so that a surface area of a region in which the reforming catalyst is supported is greater than a surface area of a region in which the oxidizing catalyst is supported.   
   
   
       45 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 44 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which two layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       46 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 44 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which three layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       47 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 44 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which four or more layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       48 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 44 , further comprising a heat transfer-promoting portion for promoting heat transfer from the heating section to the adjacent reforming section. 
   
   
       49 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 48 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is provided in any one of or each of the reforming section and the heating section in a standing condition, wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is a standing wall extending from one of separation walls of adjacent reforming section and heating section to the other separation wall. 
   
   
       50 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 49 , wherein the standing wall is thicker than the separation wall between the reforming section and the adjacent heating section. 
   
   
       51 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 48 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion has a thermal conductivity greater than that of a material of which separation walls forming the heating section are made. 
   
   
       52 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 48 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is formed near the vicinity of a supply port of reformation material for producing reformate gas. 
   
   
       53 . A reformer system, comprising:
 the heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 44 ; and   a water supply system for supplying water to the reforming section of the heat exchange reformer unit.   
   
   
       54 . A heat exchange reformer unit, comprising:
 a plurality of reforming sections for producing reformate gas, in which reforming catalyst for inducing reforming reactions is supported; and   a plurality of heating sections, in which reforming catalyst for catalytic combustion is supported, for supplying heat, which is generated by catalytically burning supplied fuel, to the reforming reactions,   wherein the plurality of the reforming sections and the plurality of the heating sections are stacked so that an amount of the reforming catalyst supported is greater than an amount of the oxidizing catalyst supported.   
   
   
       55 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 54 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which two layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       56 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 54 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which three layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       57 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 54 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which four or more layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       58 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 54 , further comprising a heat transfer-promoting portion for promoting heat transfer from the heating section to the adjacent reforming section. 
   
   
       59 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 58 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is provided in any one of or each of the reforming section and the heating section in a standing condition, wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is a standing wall extending from one of separation walls of adjacent reforming section and heating section to the other separation wall. 
   
   
       60 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 59 , wherein the standing wall is thicker than the separation wall between the reforming section and the adjacent heating section. 
   
   
       61 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 58 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion has a thermal conductivity greater than that of a material of which separation walls forming the heating section are made. 
   
   
       62 . heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 58 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is formed near the vicinity of a supply port of reformation material for producing reformate gas. 
   
   
       63 . A reformer system, comprising:
 the heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 54 ; and   a water supply system for supplying water to the reforming section of the heat exchange reformer unit.   
   
   
       64 . A heat exchange reformer unit, comprising:
 a plurality of reforming sections for producing reformate gas, in which reforming catalyst for inducing reforming reactions is supported; and   a plurality of heating sections, in which reforming catalyst for catalytic combustion is supported, for supplying heat, which is generated by catalytically burning supplied fuel, to the reforming reactions,   wherein the plurality of the reforming sections and the plurality of the heating sections are stacked so that a total volume of the plurality of the reforming sections is greater than a total volume of the plurality of heating sections.   
   
   
       65 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 64 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which two layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       66 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 64 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which three layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       67 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 64 , wherein the heat exchange reformer unit includes a part in which four or more layers of the reforming sections are stacked per one layer of the heating section. 
   
   
       68 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 64 , further comprising a heat transfer-promoting portion for promoting heat transfer from the-heating section to the adjacent reforming section. 
   
   
       69 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 68 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is provided in any one of or each of the reforming section and heating section in a standing condition, wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is a standing wall extending from one of separation walls of adjacent reforming section and heating section to the other separation wall. 
   
   
       70 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 69 , wherein the standing wall is thicker than the separation wall between the reforming section and the adjacent heating section. 
   
   
       71 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 68 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion has a thermal conductivity greater than that of a material of which separation walls forming the heating section are made. 
   
   
       72 . The heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 68 , wherein the heat transfer-promoting portion is formed near the vicinity of a supply port of reformation material for producing reformate gas. 
   
   
       73 . A reformer system, comprising;
 the heat exchange reformer, unit according to  claim 64 ; and   a water supply system for supplying water to the reforming section of the heat exchange reformer unit.   
   
   
       74 . A reformer system, comprising:
 the heat exchange reformer unit according to  claim 24 ; and   a water supply system for supplying water to the reforming section of the heat exchange reformer unit.