A gas distribution device for a SOFC power generation module

Abstract

The present invention provides a gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module, which includes a mounting substrate and an anode gas inlet chamber, an anode gas outlet chamber, a cathode gas inlet chamber, and a cathode gas outlet chamber that are independently arranged at the bottom of the mounting substrate. The anode gas inlet chamber is provided with a first anode gas inlet, the anode gas outlet chamber is provided with a first anode gas outlet, the cathode gas inlet chamber is provided with a first cathode gas inlet, and the cathode gas outlet chamber is provided with a first cathode gas outlet. Catalysts are respectively filled in the anode gas inlet chamber and the anode gas outlet chamber. The mounting substrate is provided with a second anode gas inlet, a second anode gas outlet, a second cathode gas inlet, and a second cathode gas outlet that are respectively communicated with the anode gas inlet chamber, the anode gas outlet chamber, the cathode gas inlet chamber, and the cathode gas outlet chamber. The gas distribution device provided by the present invention can improve the integration degree of the system and reduce the overall energy consumption of the system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of gas pretreatment and post-treatment for SOFC power generation modules, and particularly relates to a gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module. Background Art

[0002] In existing SOFC power generation systems with natural gas reforming for hydrogen production, since both the reformer and the tail burner are independent subsystems, the system integration degree is not high. The SOFC power generation system requires a high-temperature environment, and the reformer also requires a high-temperature environment. These two independent high-temperature subsystems increase the energy consumption of the system. Moreover, the existing gas distribution devices for the stack / tower only function for gas distribution. In the case of no external reforming, if hydrocarbon fuels are directly used, only internal reforming in the SOFC can be relied on for pretreatment, which easily causes carbon deposition on the anode, affecting the performance, stability, and service life of the system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module. By utilizing the temperature advantage of placing the gas distribution device and the stack in the same hot box, the reformer and the tail burner are coupled into the gas distribution device, improving the effects of the reforming reaction and the combustion reaction, reducing the overall energy consumption of the system, and increasing the overall integration degree of the system, reducing the volume of the system. The reformer is coupled into the anode inlet chamber to reform the fuel gas into syngas and then introduce it into the SOFC for reaction. The tail gas burner is coupled into the anode outlet chamber to catalytically burn the unreacted fuel gas, which neither generates too high a reaction temperature nor causes environmental pollution.

[0004] To solve the above technical problem, the technical solution proposed by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] A gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module includes a mounting substrate and an anode gas inlet chamber, an anode gas outlet chamber, a cathode gas inlet chamber, and a cathode gas outlet chamber that are independently arranged at the bottom of the mounting substrate. Among them, the anode gas inlet chamber is provided with a first anode gas inlet, the anode gas outlet chamber is provided with a first anode gas outlet, the cathode gas inlet chamber is provided with a first cathode gas inlet, the cathode gas outlet chamber is provided with a first cathode gas outlet. The anode gas inlet chamber is filled with a reforming catalyst, the anode gas outlet chamber is filled with a tail gas combustion catalyst. The mounting substrate is provided with a second anode gas inlet, a second anode gas outlet, a second cathode gas inlet, and a second cathode gas outlet, and the second anode gas inlet is communicated with the anode gas inlet chamber, the second anode gas outlet is communicated with the anode gas outlet chamber, the second cathode gas inlet is communicated with the cathode gas inlet chamber, and the second cathode gas outlet is communicated with the cathode gas outlet chamber.

[0006] The gas distribution device for a SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) solid oxide fuel cell power generation module according to the present invention is connected to the stack / stack module through a mounting substrate and is located inside the hot box. Taking advantage of the high-temperature zone, the high-temperature fuel reformer and the tail gas burner that are usually externally placed are coupled on the mounting substrate to achieve in-situ pre-treatment and post-treatment of the fuel gas. The pre-reforming treatment of the fuel gas can improve the fuel adaptability of the stack / stack system, convert hydrocarbon fuels into syngas, reduce carbon deposition inside the stack, and improve the stability and service life of the stack. The post-combustion treatment of the tail gas can convert unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide into water and carbon dioxide, without generating too high a reaction temperature, while reducing the emission of harmful gases to avoid environmental pollution. Moreover, coupling the fuel pre-reformer and the tail gas burner in the gas distribution device can improve the integration degree of the SOFC system, reduce the overall energy consumption of the system, and also improve the fuel adaptability of the system, enabling the use of fuels that are more convenient to obtain, transport, and store.

[0007] Specifically, under normal reaction conditions, the anode reaction gas (usually hydrocarbon fuel and water vapor) enters the anode gas inlet chamber through the first anode gas inlet, is converted into hydrogen and carbon monoxide syngas through the reforming reaction of the reforming catalyst, and then enters the stack / multi-stack module through the second anode gas inlet. After the reaction, the anode tail gas enters the anode gas outlet chamber through the second anode gas outlet, and the unreacted fuel mixed with air / oxygen catalytically burns on the catalyst surface, converting into carbon dioxide and water vapor, and finally flows into the tail gas pipeline through the first anode gas outlet; the cathode reaction gas (usually air) enters the cathode gas inlet chamber through the first cathode gas inlet, is preheated, and then enters the stack / multi-stack module through the second cathode gas inlet. The cathode tail gas after the reaction enters the cathode gas outlet chamber through the second cathode gas outlet, and finally flows into the tail gas pipeline through the first cathode gas outlet.

[0008] The reforming catalyst can be applicable to endothermic steam reforming or exothermic partial oxidation reforming of hydrocarbon fuels. The temperature in the hot box can meet the reaction requirements. No additional heat is required for the reforming process and the combustion process. Compared with the externally placed reformer and tail burner, the volume of the coupled system is reduced. Taking advantage of the high-temperature environment in the hot zone of the gas distribution device, the reforming reaction and the combustion reaction effects are improved, the overall energy consumption of the system is reduced, the reaction temperature of the tail burner is reduced by catalytic combustion, the temperature of the gas distribution device is maintained uniformly stable, ensuring safety and tail gas treatment effect, and reducing environmental pollution.

[0009] For the above technical solution, the following further improvements can be made.

[0010] For the gas distribution device of the SOFC power generation module according to the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, the reforming catalyst includes Ni-based and Rh-based catalysts.

[0011] The catalysts of the above composition can effectively improve the effect of the reforming reaction.

[0012] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the reforming catalyst is in one or more porous medium forms of spherical, granular, and porous fiber.

[0013] Setting the reforming catalyst in porous medium forms such as spherical, granular, and porous fiber allows gas to pass through the catalyst from all directions, thereby ensuring a large specific surface area and a long reaction time. Due to the large specific heat capacity of the porous medium, the change in reaction temperature has little impact on the temperature of the gas distribution device surface.

[0014] Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the tail gas combustion catalyst includes Pd-based and Pt-based catalysts.

[0015] The catalysts of the above composition can effectively improve the effect of the reforming reaction.

[0016] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the tail gas combustion catalyst is in one or more porous medium forms of spherical, granular, and porous fiber.

[0017] Setting the tail gas combustion catalyst in porous medium forms such as spherical, granular, and porous fiber allows gas to pass through the catalyst from all directions, thereby ensuring a large specific surface area and a long reaction time. Due to the large specific heat capacity of the porous medium, the change in reaction temperature has little impact on the temperature of the gas distribution device surface.

[0018] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, a flow channel structure is provided in the anode gas inlet chamber.

[0019] By increasing the flow channels, the reaction residence time of the gas can be increased, and the reaction is more complete.

[0020] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, a flow channel structure is provided in the anode gas outlet chamber.

[0021] By increasing the flow channels, the reaction residence time of the gas can be increased, and the reaction is more complete.

[0022] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, a flow channel structure is provided in the cathode gas inlet chamber.

[0023] Since the cathode gas flow is generally large, designing flow channels in the cathode gas inlet chamber can play a role in preheating the cathode gas again.

[0024] Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the mounting substrate has a rectangular plate-like structure.

[0025] The mounting substrate with the above structural form can be well installed in cooperation with the SOFC power generation module, and has a simple structure, is easy to process and manufacture, and can effectively reduce costs.

[0026] Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the anode gas inlet chamber, the anode gas outlet chamber, the cathode gas inlet chamber, and the cathode gas outlet chamber are all cuboid structures with the same height.

[0027] Setting the inlet and outlet gas chambers of the above-mentioned anode and cathode into a square structure consistent with the outer shape of the mounting substrate makes the entire arrangement device form a flat plate structure matching the outer shape of the SOFC power generation module, which can greatly reduce the volume of the entire arrangement device and make the structure of the entire SOFC power generation module compact.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: Based on the characteristics that both the gas distribution device and the fuel cell stack / fuel cell stack module are located inside the hot box, taking advantage of the high-temperature zone, the usually externally placed high-temperature fuel reformer and the tail gas burner are coupled in the gas distribution plate to realize in-situ pre-treatment and post-treatment of the fuel gas. The pre-reforming treatment of the fuel gas can improve the fuel adaptability of the fuel cell stack / stack system, convert hydrocarbon fuels into syngas, reduce carbon deposition inside the fuel cell stack, and improve the stability and service life of the fuel cell stack; the post-combustion treatment of the tail gas can convert unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide into water and carbon dioxide, reducing harmful gas emissions. Therefore, coupling the fuel pre-reformer and the tail gas burner in the gas distribution device can improve the integration degree of the SOFC system and reduce the overall energy consumption of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments and with reference to the drawings. Among them:

[0030] Figure 1 Schematically shows the overall structure of the gas distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 Schematically shows the overall structure of the gas distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention in another direction.

[0032] In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to actual scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Hereinafter, the present invention will be further described in detail with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereby.

[0034] Figure 1Schematically shows the overall structure of the gas distribution device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 Schematically shows the overall structure of the gas distribution device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention in another direction.

[0035] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the gas distribution device 10 for an SOFC power generation module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting substrate 1 and an anode gas inlet chamber 2, an anode gas outlet chamber 3, a cathode gas inlet chamber 4, and a cathode gas outlet chamber 5 that are independently arranged at the bottom of the mounting substrate 1. Among them, the anode gas inlet chamber 2 is provided with a first anode gas inlet 21, the anode gas outlet chamber 3 is provided with a first anode gas outlet 31, the cathode gas inlet chamber 4 is provided with a first cathode gas inlet 41, and the cathode gas outlet chamber 5 is provided with a first cathode gas outlet 51. The anode gas inlet chamber 2 is filled with a reforming catalyst, and the anode gas outlet chamber 3 is filled with a tail gas combustion catalyst. The mounting substrate 1 is provided with a second anode gas inlet 11, a second anode gas outlet 12, a second cathode gas inlet 14, and a second cathode gas outlet 13. And the second anode gas inlet 11 is communicated with the anode gas inlet chamber 2, the second anode gas outlet 12 is communicated with the anode gas outlet chamber 3, the second cathode gas inlet 14 is communicated with the cathode gas inlet chamber 4, and the second cathode gas outlet 13 is communicated with the cathode gas outlet chamber 5. Specifically, the second anode gas inlet 11, the second anode gas outlet 12, the second cathode gas inlet 14, and the second cathode gas outlet 13 are respectively in one-to-one correspondence and communication with the anode gas inlet and outlet, and the cathode gas inlet and outlet on the SOFC power generation module. The first anode gas inlet 21, the first anode gas outlet 31, the first cathode gas inlet 41, and the first cathode gas outlet 51 are respectively connected to pipelines.

[0036] The gas distribution device for an SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) solid oxide fuel cell power generation module according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to the stack / stack module through the mounting substrate and is located inside the hot box. Utilizing the advantage of its high-temperature zone, the usually externally placed high-temperature fuel reformer and tail gas burner are coupled on the mounting substrate to realize in-situ pre-treatment and post-treatment of the fuel gas. The pre-reforming treatment of the fuel gas can improve the fuel adaptability of the stack / stack system, convert hydrocarbon fuels into syngas, reduce carbon deposition inside the stack, and improve the stability and service life of the stack. The post-combustion treatment of the tail gas can convert unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide into water and carbon dioxide, which will neither generate too high a reaction temperature, and at the same time reduce the emission of harmful gases to avoid environmental pollution. Moreover, coupling the fuel pre-reformer and the tail gas burner in the gas distribution device can improve the integration degree of the SOFC system, reduce the overall energy consumption of the system, and also improve the fuel adaptability of the system, and fuels that are more convenient to obtain, transport, and store can be used.

[0037] Specifically, under normal reaction conditions, the anodic reaction gas (usually a hydrocarbon fuel and water vapor) enters the anodic gas inlet chamber through the first anodic gas inlet, is converted into a hydrogen and carbon monoxide syngas through the reforming reaction of the reforming catalyst, and then enters the fuel cell stack / multi-stack module through the second anodic gas inlet. After the reaction, the anodic tail gas enters the anodic gas outlet chamber through the second anodic gas outlet, and the unreacted fuel mixed with air / oxygen catalytically burns on the catalyst surface, is converted into carbon dioxide and water vapor, and finally flows into the tail gas pipeline through the first anodic gas outlet; the cathodic reaction gas (usually air) enters the cathodic gas inlet chamber through the first cathodic gas inlet, is preheated, and then enters the fuel cell stack / multi-stack module through the second cathodic gas inlet. The cathodic tail gas after the reaction enters the cathodic gas outlet chamber through the second cathodic gas outlet, and finally flows into the tail gas pipeline through the first cathodic gas outlet.

[0038] The reforming catalyst can be applied to endothermic steam reforming or exothermic partial oxidation reforming of hydrocarbon fuels. The temperature in the hot box can meet the reaction requirements. No additional heat is required for the reforming process and the combustion process. Compared with an external reformer and tail burner, the volume of the coupled system is reduced. By utilizing the high-temperature environment in the hot zone of the gas distribution device, the effects of the reforming reaction and the combustion reaction are improved, the overall energy consumption of the system is reduced. Catalytic combustion is used to reduce the reaction temperature of the tail burner, maintain the temperature of the gas distribution device uniformly stable, ensure safety and the tail gas treatment effect, and reduce environmental pollution.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, the reforming catalyst includes Ni-based and Rh-based catalysts. The catalysts with the above composition can effectively improve the effect of the reforming reaction. Further, in this embodiment, the reforming catalyst is in one or more porous medium forms of spherical, granular, and porous fiber. Setting the reforming catalyst in porous medium forms such as spherical, granular, and porous fiber allows gas to pass through the catalyst from all directions, thus ensuring a large specific surface area and a long reaction time. Due to the large specific heat capacity of the porous medium, the change in the reaction temperature has little effect on the temperature of the surface of the gas distribution device.

[0040] Specifically, in this embodiment, the tail gas combustion catalyst includes Pd-based and Pt-based catalysts. The catalysts with the above composition can effectively improve the effect of the reforming reaction. Further, in this embodiment, the tail gas combustion catalyst is in one or more porous medium forms of spherical, granular, and porous fiber. Setting the tail gas combustion catalyst in porous medium forms such as spherical, granular, and porous fiber allows gas to pass through the catalyst from all directions, thus ensuring a large specific surface area and a long reaction time. Due to the large specific heat capacity of the porous medium, the change in the reaction temperature has little effect on the temperature of the surface of the gas distribution device.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, flow channel structures are provided in both the anode gas inlet chamber 2 and the anode gas outlet chamber 3. By increasing the flow channels, the reaction residence time of the gas can be increased, making the reaction more complete. Further, in this embodiment, a flow channel structure is provided in the cathode gas inlet chamber 4. Since the cathode gas flow rate is generally large, designing a flow channel in the cathode gas inlet chamber can play a role in preheating the cathode gas again.

[0042] Specifically, in this embodiment, the mounting substrate 1 is in the shape of a rectangular plate. The mounting substrate with the above structural form can be well installed in cooperation with the SOFC power generation module, and has a simple structure, is easy to process and manufacture, and can effectively reduce costs. Specifically, in this embodiment, the anode gas inlet chamber 2, the anode gas outlet chamber 3, the cathode gas inlet chamber 4, and the cathode gas outlet chamber 5 are all cuboid structures with the same height. Setting the inlet and outlet chambers of the above anodes and cathodes into square structures consistent with the shape of the mounting substrate makes the entire layout device form a flat plate structure matching the shape of the SOFC power generation module, which can greatly reduce the volume of the entire layout device and make the structure of the entire SOFC power generation module compact.

[0043] According to the above embodiments, it can be seen that the gas distribution device involved in the present invention, based on the characteristics that both the gas distribution device and the stack / stack module are located inside the hot box, utilizes the advantage of its high-temperature zone to couple the usually externally placed high-temperature fuel reformer and the tail gas burner in the gas distribution plate to achieve in-situ pre-treatment and post-treatment of the fuel gas. The pre-reforming treatment of the fuel gas can improve the fuel adaptability of the stack / stack system, convert hydrocarbon fuels into syngas, reduce carbon deposition inside the stack, and improve the stability and service life of the stack; the post-combustion treatment of the tail gas can convert unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide into water and carbon dioxide, reducing the emission of harmful gases. Therefore, coupling the fuel pre-reformer and the tail gas burner in the gas distribution device can improve the integration degree of the SOFC system and reduce the overall energy consumption of the system.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, various improvements can be made to it and components therein can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any way. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the text, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module, characterized in that, it includes an installation substrate and an anode gas inlet chamber, an anode gas outlet chamber, a cathode gas inlet chamber, and a cathode gas outlet chamber that are independently arranged at the bottom of the installation substrate; wherein, a first anode gas inlet is provided on the anode gas inlet chamber, a first anode gas outlet is provided on the anode gas outlet chamber, a first cathode gas inlet is provided on the cathode gas inlet chamber, and a first cathode gas outlet is provided on the cathode gas outlet chamber; a reforming catalyst is filled in the anode gas inlet chamber, and a tail gas combustion catalyst is filled in the anode gas outlet chamber; a second anode gas inlet, a second anode gas outlet, a second cathode gas inlet, and a second cathode gas outlet are provided on the installation substrate, and the second anode gas inlet communicates with the anode gas inlet chamber, the second anode gas outlet communicates with the anode gas outlet chamber, the second cathode gas inlet communicates with the cathode gas inlet chamber, and the second cathode gas outlet communicates with the cathode gas outlet chamber.

2. The gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that, the reforming catalyst includes Ni-based and Rh-based catalysts.

3. The gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module according to claim 2, characterized in that, the reforming catalyst is in one or more porous medium forms of spherical, granular, and porous fiber.

4. The gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the tail gas combustion catalyst includes Pd-based and Pt-based catalysts.

5. The gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module according to claim 4, characterized in that, the tail gas combustion catalyst is in one or more porous medium forms of spherical, granular, and porous fiber.

6. The gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, a flow channel structure is provided in the anode gas inlet chamber.

7. The gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, a flow channel structure is provided in the anode gas outlet chamber.

8. The gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, a flow channel structure is provided in the cathode gas inlet chamber.

9. The gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the installation substrate is a rectangular plate-like structure.

10. The gas distribution device for an SOFC power generation module according to claim 9, characterized in that, the anode gas inlet chamber, the anode gas outlet chamber, the cathode gas inlet chamber, and the cathode gas outlet chamber are all cuboid structures with the same height.

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