Integrated hydrogen reforming reactor under multiple power requirements

By introducing shape memory springs and catalytic combustion into the reforming hydrogen production reactor, the reactor's adaptive adjustment is achieved, solving the problem of multiple power requirements under a fixed structure and improving hydrogen production efficiency and flexibility.

CN117323922BActive Publication Date: 2026-04-14HARBIN INST OF TECH
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-09-28
Publication Date
2026-04-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing reformer has a fixed structure, which makes it difficult to meet the power requirements of various fuel cells, resulting in a decrease in hydrogen production capacity. Furthermore, the existing reactor cannot maintain a high conversion rate under variable power conditions.

Method used

An integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor with multiple power requirements is adopted. A shape memory spring is used to sense temperature changes and adjust the reaction chamber volume and catalyst content. Combined with catalytic combustion to provide heat, the reactor can achieve adaptive adjustment.

Benefits of technology

It improves the hydrogen production efficiency and flexibility of the reactor, enabling it to meet the changing operating conditions of the fuel cell under different power requirements, shorten the start-up time, and enhance heat exchange efficiency.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The application discloses a kind of integrated reforming hydrogen production reactors under multiple power requirements, including reactor body, partition cylinder one, partition cylinder two, shape memory spring, adjusting plate and connecting plate;Partition cylinder one top end is equipped with sealing plate one, and partition cylinder two top end is equipped with sealing plate two;Reactor body is divided into concentrically arranged reaction cavity, evaporation cavity and combustion cavity;Shape memory spring upper end is connected with sealing plate one;Adjusting plate is fixed with shape memory spring lower end;Connecting plate is fixed in adjusting plate bottom surface;Reaction cavity inlet is communicated with evaporation cavity;Reforming gas outlet is communicated with reaction cavity, fuel inlet is communicated with evaporation cavity, and catalytic combustion fuel inlet and tail gas outlet are all communicated with combustion cavity.The hydrogen production reactor provided by the application shortens the reactor start-up time, and when power changes, temperature change in evaporation cavity is caused, shape memory spring senses temperature change, drives adjusting plate to move, controls the volume of reaction cavity, meets the demand of different conversion rate and hydrogen production amount under multiple power requirements.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel reforming hydrogen production technology, and more specifically to an integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor for multiple power requirements. Background Technology

[0002] Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have become important energy conversion devices due to their advantages such as zero carbon emissions, high energy conversion efficiency, and noiseless operation. However, PEMFCs currently still use high-purity hydrogen as fuel. But the production cost of high-purity hydrogen is high, and its volumetric energy density is very low. The demand for high-purity hydrogen sources limits the large-scale application of PEMFCs. Therefore, the primary issue is to obtain hydrogen sources with high volumetric energy density that are easily produced on-site. Currently, methods such as metal hydride hydrogen storage, cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage, high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage, and liquid fuel reforming for hydrogen production have been developed. Among these, liquid fuel reforming for hydrogen production is currently the most widely used hydrogen supply method.

[0003] Using catalytic combustion to heat reforming for hydrogen production allows the fuel-to-hydrogen reaction to simultaneously achieve high hydrogen production rates and rapid response characteristics, avoiding dependence on external heat sources. Coupled self-heating reactors, which couple endothermic and exothermic reactions within the same reactor, have been developed. However, existing reactors, once their configuration is fixed, can only be matched to a single power output. When fuel cells start / stop or power demands change, the reformer's hydrogen production capacity is significantly affected. Often, a single configuration design can only meet the requirements of one operating condition, leading to low reformer efficiency and decreased hydrogen production capacity under varying power. Therefore, fixing the reformer structure and catalyst particle diameter makes it difficult to achieve high conversion rates under varying power; adjustable-power reformers are essential.

[0004] How to provide an integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor with a compact structure of evaporation, reforming and catalytic combustion sections, sufficient wall heating during the reaction process, sufficient catalyst reaction, high conversion rate, applicability to various occasions, and able to meet the power requirements of various fuel cells is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides an integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor for multiple power demands, aiming to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor for multiple power demands includes a reactor body, a first partition cylinder, a second partition cylinder, a shape memory spring, an adjusting plate, and a connecting plate.

[0008] The bottom plate of the reactor body is provided with a reforming gas outlet, a fuel inlet, a catalytic combustion fuel inlet, and a tail gas outlet.

[0009] The first separator cylinder is provided with a sealing plate at its top end, and the second separator cylinder is provided with a sealing plate at its top end. The second separator cylinder has a reaction chamber inlet on one side wall near the bottom plate. The bottom ends of the first separator cylinder and the second separator cylinder are fixed to the inner side of the bottom wall of the reactor body, and are arranged alternately inside and outside, top and bottom to divide their inner cavity into a reaction chamber, an evaporation chamber and a combustion chamber arranged concentrically from the inside to the outside. The sealing plate is provided with a through hole.

[0010] The upper end of the shape memory spring is connected to the inner side of the sealing plate; the adjusting plate is slidably connected in the reaction chamber and fixed to the lower end of the shape memory spring that passes through the through hole; the connecting plate is vertically fixed to the inner side of the adjusting plate, and a reaction gas channel is provided on the connecting plate.

[0011] The reaction chamber inlet is connected to the evaporation chamber; the reformed gas outlet is connected to the reaction chamber; the fuel inlet is connected to the evaporation chamber; and the catalytic combustion fuel inlet and the exhaust gas outlet are both connected to the combustion chamber.

[0012] Through the above technical solutions, the integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor provided by this invention utilizes catalytic combustion reaction to provide heat, shortening the reactor start-up time. At the same time, a shape memory spring is installed inside the reactor. When the power changes, the fuel flow rate also changes, causing the temperature inside the evaporation chamber to change. The shape memory spring senses the temperature change and drives the adjustment plate and connecting plate to move, thereby controlling the volume of the reaction chamber and meeting the needs of different conversion rates and hydrogen production under various power requirements.

[0013] Preferably, the integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements further includes a partition cylinder three, the top of which is provided with a sealing plate three, the outer side of which is fixed to the bottom surface of the connecting plate; an adjustable reforming reaction chamber is formed between the inner cavity of the partition cylinder three and the bottom plate of the reactor body, and a reforming reaction chamber is formed between the outer wall of the partition cylinder three and the adjusting plate and the inner wall of the reaction chamber. Dividing the reaction chamber into two parts allows the volume of the reaction chamber to be adjusted according to the shrinkage degree of the shape memory alloy.

[0014] Preferably, in the aforementioned integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements, a reforming chamber baffle is fixed to the bottom plate of the reactor body, and the side wall of the reforming chamber baffle is slidably connected to one inner wall of the partition cylinder. This allows the reformed gas in the reforming reaction chamber to flow counter-currently to the solution in the evaporation chamber.

[0015] Preferably, in the aforementioned integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements, the connecting plate divides the reforming reaction chamber into a front reforming reaction chamber and a rear reforming reaction chamber. Dividing the reforming reaction chamber into two parts allows the reformed gas to reach the reformed gas outlet through the reaction gas channel on the connecting plate.

[0016] Preferably, in the aforementioned integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements, multiple ribs are fixed on the outer wall of the first partition cylinder. This increases the heat exchange area, allowing for more complete heat exchange.

[0017] Preferably, in the aforementioned integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements, the combustion chamber is divided into a front combustion reaction chamber and a rear combustion reaction chamber by a combustion baffle with a bottom opening; the evaporation chamber is divided into a front evaporation reaction chamber and a rear evaporation reaction chamber by an evaporation baffle with a bottom opening. The substances in the combustion chamber and the evaporation chamber flow in opposite directions, improving the reactor's flexibility.

[0018] Preferably, in the aforementioned integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements, the catalytic combustion fuel inlet and the reaction chamber inlet are located on one side of the reactor body; the reformed gas outlet, the fuel inlet, and the tail gas outlet are located on the other side of the reactor body. This causes the substances in the combustion chamber and the evaporation chamber to flow in opposite directions, while simultaneously the substances in the evaporation chamber and the reaction chamber flow in opposite directions, further increasing the reaction time.

[0019] Preferably, in the aforementioned integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements, the combustion chamber, the reforming reaction chamber, and the adjustable reforming reaction chamber are all filled with catalyst. When the volume of the reaction chamber changes, the adjustable reforming reaction chamber can change the catalyst content within it.

[0020] Preferably, in the aforementioned integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements, the reactor body can be used with various hydrocarbon fuels, including but not limited to methanol, diesel, and natural gas. It is suitable for various applications and can meet the power requirements of various fuel cells.

[0021] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the present invention discloses an integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor for multiple power demands, which has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0022] 1. A shape memory spring senses temperature changes within the evaporation chamber and converts these changes into spring deformation, thereby altering the reaction chamber volume and catalyst content. The introduction of shape memory alloys enables intelligent adjustment of reactor power, eliminating the need for manual adjustment. By converting thermal energy into material deformation, the size of the reaction chamber and catalyst content can be adaptively adjusted according to changes in fuel cell operating conditions, thus meeting different power requirements, increasing the reactor's applicability, and improving its hydrogen production efficiency.

[0023] 2. A turbulence structure is set between different cavities, which can effectively weaken the boundary layer effect, increase the heat exchange area, and better preheat the fuel.

[0024] 3. Utilizing the heat from catalytic combustion to provide heat for the fuel-to-hydrogen reaction shortens the overall reactor start-up time and improves the reactor's flexibility. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 The attached figure is a cross-sectional view of the reactor under normal conditions provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 The attached figure is a top view of the reactor provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 The attached figure is a schematic diagram of the external inlet and outlet of the reactor provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 The attached figure is a cross-sectional view of the reactor under power fluctuation conditions provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 The attached figure is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the reactor provided by the present invention.

[0031] in:

[0032] 1-Catalytic combustion fuel inlet; 2-Exhaust gas outlet; 3-Fuel inlet; 4-Reformed gas outlet;

[0033] 5- Combustion chamber;

[0034] 51 - Front combustion reaction chamber; 52 - Rear combustion reaction chamber;

[0035] 6-Evaporation chamber;

[0036] 61 - Rear evaporation reaction chamber; 62 - Front evaporation reaction chamber;

[0037] 7-Reaction chamber;

[0038] 71-Reforming reaction chamber; 72-Adjustable reforming reaction chamber; 73-Pre-reforming reaction chamber; 74-Post-reforming reaction chamber;

[0039] 8-Rib; 9-Shape memory spring; 10-Adjusting plate; 11-Reaction gas channel; 12-Connecting plate; 13-Reaction chamber inlet; 14-Reactor body; 15-Reformation chamber baffle; 16-Separator cylinder one; 17-Separator cylinder two; 18-Separator cylinder three. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] Example 1:

[0042] See appendix Figures 1-3 The present invention discloses an integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements, including a reactor body 14, a first partition cylinder 16, a second partition cylinder 17, a shape memory spring 9, an adjusting plate 10, and a connecting plate 12.

[0043] The bottom plate of the reactor body 14 is provided with a reforming gas outlet 4, a fuel inlet 3, a catalytic combustion fuel inlet 1, and a tail gas outlet 2.

[0044] The top of the first separator 16 is provided with a sealing plate 1, and the top of the second separator 17 is provided with a sealing plate 2. The side wall of the second separator 17 near the bottom plate has a reaction chamber inlet 13. The bottom ends of the first separator 16 and the second separator 17 are fixed to the inner side of the bottom wall of the reactor body 14, and are arranged alternately inside and outside, top and bottom to divide their inner cavity into a reaction chamber 7, an evaporation chamber 6 and a combustion chamber 5 arranged concentrically from the inside to the outside. The sealing plate 2 is provided with a through hole.

[0045] The upper end of the shape memory spring 9 is connected to the inner side of the sealing plate 1; the adjusting plate 10 is slidably connected in the reaction chamber 7 and fixed to the lower end of the shape memory spring 9 that passes through the through hole; the connecting plate 12 is vertically fixed to the inner side of the adjusting plate 10, and a reaction gas channel 11 is provided on the connecting plate 12.

[0046] The reaction chamber inlet 13 is connected to the evaporation chamber 6; the reforming gas outlet 4 is connected to the reaction chamber 7; the fuel inlet 3 is connected to the evaporation chamber 6; and the catalytic combustion fuel inlet 1 and the exhaust gas outlet 2 are both connected to the combustion chamber 5.

[0047] To further optimize the above technical solution, the reactor body 14 also includes a partition cylinder 3 18, the top of the partition cylinder 3 18 is provided with a sealing plate 3, the outer side of the sealing plate 3 is fixed to the bottom surface of the connecting plate 12; the inner cavity of the partition cylinder 3 18 and the bottom plate of the reactor body 14 form an adjustable reforming reaction chamber 72, and the outer wall of the partition cylinder 3 and the inner wall of the adjusting plate 10 and the reaction chamber 7 form a reforming reaction chamber 71.

[0048] To further optimize the above technical solution, a reforming chamber baffle 15 is fixed on the bottom plate of the reactor body 14, and the side wall of the reforming chamber baffle 15 is slidably connected to one inner wall of the partition cylinder 18.

[0049] To further optimize the above technical solution, multiple ribs 8 are fixed on the outer wall of the separator cylinder 16.

[0050] In this embodiment, the connecting plate 12 divides the reforming reaction chamber 71 into a front reforming reaction chamber 73 and a rear reforming reaction chamber 74.

[0051] In this embodiment, the combustion chamber 5 is divided into a front combustion reaction chamber 51 and a rear combustion reaction chamber 52 by a combustion baffle with a bottom opening; the evaporation chamber 6 is divided into a front evaporation reaction chamber 62 and a rear evaporation reaction chamber 61 by an evaporation baffle with a bottom opening.

[0052] In this embodiment, the catalytic combustion fuel inlet 1 and the reaction chamber inlet 13 are located on one side of the reactor body 14; the reforming gas outlet 4, the fuel inlet 3, and the tail gas outlet 2 are located on the other side of the reactor body 14.

[0053] In this embodiment, the combustion chamber 5, the reforming reaction chamber 71, and the adjustable reforming reaction chamber 72 are all filled with catalyst.

[0054] Combined with appendix Figure 1 Under normal operating conditions or rated power conditions, fuel and air are introduced into the fuel inlet 1 via catalytic combustion. Figure 3 As shown; then the fuel enters the combustion chamber 5, which is divided into a pre-combustion reaction chamber 51 and a post-combustion reaction chamber 52. The fuel begins a catalytic combustion reaction within the combustion chamber 5, starting operation at rated power, as... Figure 1 The exhaust gas from the catalytic combustion reaction flows out from exhaust gas outlet 2. On the other side, fuel enters from fuel inlet 3, enters evaporation chamber 6, flows into the front evaporation reaction chamber 62, passes through shape memory spring 9, then enters the rear evaporation reaction chamber 61, and then enters from reaction chamber inlet 13. Fuel enters reaction chamber 7, where regulating plate 10, connecting plate 12, and dividing cylinder 3 18 divide reaction chamber 7 into reforming reaction chamber 71 and adjustable reforming reaction chamber 72. The connecting plate further divides reforming reaction chamber 71 into front reforming reaction chamber 73 and rear reforming reaction chamber 74. After the reformed gas enters, it first enters the front reforming reaction chamber 73, then enters the rear reforming reaction chamber 74 through reformed gas channel 11, and then flows out from reformed gas outlet 4, completing one hydrogen production cycle.

[0055] Example 2:

[0056] See Figure 4 This embodiment includes another operating state of the reforming reactor in Embodiment 1, namely, under non-rated power conditions or power fluctuations, fuel and air enter through the catalytic combustion fuel inlet 1. Then the fuel enters the combustion chamber 5, as... Figure 3As shown; the fuel begins a catalytic combustion reaction in combustion chamber 5. The exhaust gas, having completed the catalytic combustion reaction, flows out from exhaust outlet 2. On the other side, fuel enters from inlet 3, enters evaporation chamber 6, flows in from the front evaporation reaction chamber 62, and passes through shape memory spring 9. Due to power fluctuations, the temperature of the fluid flowing through shape memory spring 9 fluctuates. At this time, the reactor's operating state changes from... Figure 1 Convert to Figure 4 The shape memory spring 9 drives the adjusting plate 10, connecting plate 12, and partition cylinder 18 to slide within the reaction chamber 7. At this time, the volume of the reaction chamber 7 increases, and simultaneously, the catalyst in the adjustable reforming reaction chamber 72 flows out. The evaporated solution enters through the reaction chamber inlet 13, then flows through the pre-reformation reaction chamber 73, then through the reforming gas channel 11 on the connecting plate 12 into the post-reformation reaction chamber 74, passes through the adjustable reforming reaction chamber 72, and finally flows out from the reforming gas outlet 4.

[0057] The integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor provided by this invention utilizes the heat from catalytic combustion to provide heat for the fuel hydrogen production reaction, shortening the overall start-up time of the reactor and improving its flexibility. It can adaptively adjust the size of the reaction chamber and the catalyst content according to the operating conditions of the fuel cell, thereby meeting different power requirements, increasing the applicability of the reactor, and improving the hydrogen production efficiency of the reactor.

[0058] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0059] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor for multiple power demands, characterized in that, include: Reactor body (14), partition cylinder one (16), partition cylinder two (17), shape memory spring (9), adjusting plate (10), connecting plate (12) and partition cylinder three (18); The bottom plate of the reactor body (14) is provided with a reforming gas outlet (4), a fuel inlet (3), a catalytic combustion fuel inlet (1) and a tail gas outlet (2). The top of the first partition cylinder (16) is provided with a sealing plate, and the top of the second partition cylinder (17) is provided with a sealing plate. The second partition cylinder (17) has a reaction chamber inlet (13) on one side wall near the bottom plate. The bottom ends of the first partition cylinder (16) and the second partition cylinder (17) are fixed to the inner side of the bottom wall of the reactor body (14), and are arranged alternately inside and outside, top and bottom to divide its inner cavity into a reaction chamber (7), an evaporation chamber (6) and a combustion chamber (5) arranged concentrically from the inside to the outside. The sealing plate has a through hole. The upper end of the shape memory spring (9) is connected to the inner side of the sealing plate; the adjusting plate (10) is slidably connected in the reaction chamber (7) and fixed to the lower end of the shape memory spring (9) that passes through the through hole; the connecting plate (12) is vertically fixed to the inner side of the adjusting plate (10), and a reaction gas channel (11) is provided on the connecting plate (12). The reaction chamber inlet (13) is connected to the evaporation chamber (6); the reforming gas outlet (4) is connected to the reaction chamber (7); the fuel inlet (3) is connected to the evaporation chamber (6); the catalytic combustion fuel inlet (1) and the exhaust gas outlet (2) are both connected to the combustion chamber (5); The top of the partition cylinder three (18) is provided with a sealing plate three, and the outer side of the sealing plate three is fixed to the bottom surface of the connecting plate (12); an adjustable reforming reaction chamber (72) is formed between the inner cavity of the partition cylinder three (18) and the bottom plate of the reactor body (14), and a reforming reaction chamber (71) is formed between the outer wall of the partition cylinder three (18) and the inner wall of the adjusting plate (10) and the reaction chamber (7). A reforming chamber baffle (15) is fixed on the bottom plate of the reactor body (14), and the side wall of the reforming chamber baffle (15) is slidably connected to one inner wall of the partition cylinder (18).

2. The integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting plate (12) divides the reforming reaction chamber (71) into a front reforming reaction chamber (73) and a rear reforming reaction chamber (74).

3. The integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple ribs (8) are fixed on the outer wall of the first separator (16).

4. The integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements according to claim 1, characterized in that, The combustion chamber (5) is divided into a front combustion reaction chamber (51) and a rear combustion reaction chamber (52) by a combustion baffle with an opening at the bottom; the evaporation chamber (6) is divided into a front evaporation reaction chamber (62) and a rear evaporation reaction chamber (61) by an evaporation baffle with an opening at the bottom.

5. The integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements according to claim 1, characterized in that, The catalytic combustion fuel inlet (1) and the reaction chamber inlet (13) are located on one side of the reactor body (14); the reforming gas outlet (4), the fuel inlet (3) and the tail gas outlet (2) are located on the other side of the reactor body (14).

6. The integrated reforming hydrogen production reactor under multiple power requirements according to claim 1, characterized in that, The combustion chamber (5), the reforming reaction chamber (71), and the adjustable reforming reaction chamber (72) are all filled with catalysts.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Hydrogen generating fuel cell cartridges

    CN105098213A

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    CN110386589A