Ammonia decomposition device

Abstract

Provided is an ammonia gas decomposition device in which ammonia gas (NH3) is decomposed into hydrogen gas (H2) and nitrogen gas (N2) in a decomposition container (10), and a plurality of catalyst layers (20) using a catalyst (21) for decomposing the ammonia gas into hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas are provided in the decomposition container at desired intervals along the flow direction of the ammonia gas flowing in the decomposition container. And a heating device for heating the interior of the decomposition container is arranged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ammonia decomposition device for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a decomposition container. In particular, the ammonia decomposition device has the following characteristics: when ammonia is used as fuel, ammonia can be efficiently decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen in a decomposition container containing a catalyst for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. Background Art

[0002] In a combustion device that mixes fuel with combustion air and burns the mixture, hydrocarbon fuel is generally used as the fuel.

[0003] However, when hydrocarbon fuel is mixed with combustion air and burned in such a combustion device, there is a problem that a large amount of greenhouse gas such as carbon dioxide is generated.

[0004] Therefore, conventionally, ammonia gas has been used as fuel in combustion devices.

[0005] However, ammonia has poorer combustibility than hydrocarbon fuels and is difficult to burn completely. It is also prone to misfire when burned at low temperatures. On the other hand, if it burns intensely, the flame temperature becomes high, which increases the amount of NOx generated.

[0006] Therefore, conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, ammonia gas is introduced into a reactor filled with a catalyst for decomposing ammonia gas into hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas, and the ammonia gas is mixed with a heated dilution gas to be diluted before the ammonia gas is decomposed into hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.

[0007] However, even if ammonia gas is mixed with the heated dilution gas and introduced into the reactor in this manner, it is difficult to fully decompose the ammonia gas into hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.

[0008] Patent Document 2 discloses that a heating device is provided on the periphery of a catalyst housing portion that houses a catalyst for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. When decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen, the catalyst housed in the catalyst housing portion is heated by the heating device.

[0009] However, when the catalyst contained in the catalyst containing section is heated by a heating device provided on the periphery of the catalyst containing section, if the diameter of the catalyst containing section becomes larger, the catalyst in the central portion of the catalyst containing section cannot be sufficiently heated and activated, making it difficult to fully decompose the ammonia passing through the catalyst containing section into hydrogen and nitrogen.

[0010] In addition, Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose heating a catalyst housing containing a catalyst from the surroundings.

[0011] However, the devices shown in Patent Documents 3 and 4 also have the problem that, similar to the device shown in Patent Document 2, if the diameter of the catalyst housing portion is increased, the catalyst in the center portion of the catalyst housing portion cannot be sufficiently heated and activated. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0012] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-109042 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-39681 Patent Document 3: WO2011 / 052020 Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-57508 Summary of the invention

[0013] The technical problem of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in an ammonia decomposition device that decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a decomposition container.

[0014] That is, the technical problem of the present invention is to enable ammonia to be efficiently decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen in a decomposition container containing a catalyst for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in the above-mentioned ammonia decomposition device.

[0015] In the ammonia decomposition device of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, in the ammonia decomposition device for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a decomposition container, a plurality of catalyst layers using a catalyst for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen are arranged in the decomposition container at required intervals along the flow direction of the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container, and a heating device for heating the inside of the decomposition container is provided.

[0016] In this way, if multiple catalyst layers using a catalyst that decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen are arranged in the decomposition container at required intervals along the flow direction of the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container, the catalyst layers are heated by the heat generated by the above-mentioned heating device, and the heat generated by the heating device will also pass through the parts between the catalyst layers and be transferred to the central part of each catalyst layer in the decomposition container. The central part of the catalyst layer is also fully heated to activate the catalyst, and the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container passes through each catalyst layer and is efficiently decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen.

[0017] Here, in the ammonia decomposition device of the present invention, when a heating device for heating the inside of the decomposition container is provided as described above, the heating device can be provided on the outer peripheral side of the decomposition container, and a heat insulator can be provided on the outer peripheral side of the heating device.

[0018] In addition, in the ammonia decomposition device of the present invention, when a heating device for heating the inside of the decomposition container is provided as described above, when a plurality of catalyst layers are provided at desired intervals along the flow direction of ammonia in the above-mentioned decomposition container, the catalyst layers can be provided at desired intervals along the vertical direction in the decomposition container.

[0019] In addition, in the ammonia decomposition device of the present invention, when multiple catalyst layers are arranged at required intervals along the flow direction of ammonia in the above-mentioned decomposition container, a holding mechanism for holding the above-mentioned catalyst layers can be provided in the decomposition container, and a space portion can be provided between the above-mentioned catalyst layers. In this way, as described above, the catalyst layers are heated by the heat generated by the heating device, and the heat generated by the heating device also passes through the space portion between the catalyst layers and is transferred to the central portion of each catalyst layer in the decomposition container, each catalyst layer is fully heated as a whole to activate the catalyst, and the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container passes through each catalyst layer and is efficiently decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen.

[0020] In addition, in the ammonia decomposition device of the present invention, when multiple catalyst layers are arranged at required intervals along the flow direction of ammonia in the above-mentioned decomposition container, a heat storage body with air permeability can be arranged between the above-mentioned catalyst layers. In this way, the heat storage body arranged between the catalyst layers is heated and stored together with the catalyst layers by the heat generated by the heating device, and the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container is heated by the heat stored in the heat storage body arranged between the catalyst layers, and the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container passes through each catalyst layer and is efficiently decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen. In particular, if a heat storage body with air permeability is arranged on both sides of the flow direction of ammonia relative to the above-mentioned catalyst layer, the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container is heated by the heat stored in each heat storage body arranged on both sides of the catalyst layer, and the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container is more efficiently decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen.

[0021] In the ammonia decomposition device of the present invention, as described above, a plurality of catalyst layers using a catalyst for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen are arranged in the above-mentioned decomposition container at required intervals along the flow direction of the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container, and a heating device for heating the above-mentioned decomposition container is provided. Therefore, the catalyst layer is heated by the heat generated by the above-mentioned heating device, and the heat generated by the heating device is also transferred to the central part of each catalyst layer in the decomposition container through the part between the catalyst layers, and each catalyst layer is fully heated as a whole to activate the catalyst.

[0022] As a result, in the ammonia decomposition device of the present invention, the ammonia introduced into the decomposition container is efficiently decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen by the catalyst in each catalyst layer which is activated by being heated to the center portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing an ammonia decomposition device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing Modification 1 of the ammonia decomposition device of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1. Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing an ammonia decomposition device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing a second modification of the ammonia decomposition device of the second embodiment. Explanation of symbols 10: Decomposition container; 11: Import port; 12: Take the exit; 20, 20a-20c: catalyst layer; 21, 21a, 21b: catalyst; 22, 22a, 22b: space department; 23, 23a~23c: heat storage body; 24, 24a, 24b: heat storage material; 31: holding member; 32: retaining protrusion; 40: heating device; 41: Insulator; H2: Hydrogen; N2: Nitrogen; NH3: Ammonia. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an ammonia decomposition device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. In addition, the ammonia decomposition device of the present invention is not limited to the device shown in the following embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate changes within the scope of the invention.

[0025] (Implementation Method 1) In the ammonia decomposition device of embodiment 1, Figure 1 As shown, when ammonia NH3 is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 in the decomposition container 10, an inlet 11 for introducing ammonia NH3 is provided at the lower part of the decomposition container 10, and on the other hand, an outlet 12 for taking out the hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 after the decomposition of the ammonia NH3 is provided at the upper part of the decomposition container 10, ammonia NH3 is introduced into the decomposition container 10 through the inlet 11, the introduced ammonia NH3 is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 in the decomposition container 10, and the decomposed hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 are taken out from the outlet 12.

[0026] Here, in the ammonia decomposition device of the first embodiment, when a plurality of catalyst layers 20 using a catalyst 21 for decomposing ammonia NH3 into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 are arranged at required intervals in the above-mentioned decomposition container 10 along the flow direction of ammonia NH3, a granular catalyst 21a is used as the catalyst 21, and a plurality of (three layers in the figure) air-permeable holding members 31 such as a grid for holding the granular catalyst 21a in a manner not to spill are arranged at required intervals in the up-down direction which is the flow direction of ammonia NH3 in the above-mentioned decomposition container 10, and a plurality of (three layers in the figure) catalyst layers 20 are arranged above each holding member 31 so as to be stacked so as to give the granular catalyst 21a an appropriate thickness, and a space portion 22 is provided between each catalyst layer 20.

[0027] In addition, in the ammonia decomposition device of the first embodiment, a heating device 40 composed of a heater for heating the inside of the decomposition container 10 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the decomposition container 10, and a heat insulator 41 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the heating device 40, so that the heat generated by the heating device 40 is not dissipated to the outside, and each space portion 22 between each catalyst layer 20 provided in the decomposition container 10 can be efficiently heated.

[0028] Moreover, in the ammonia decomposition device of the first embodiment, while the decomposition container 10 is heated by the above-mentioned heating device 40, ammonia NH3 is introduced into the decomposition container 10 from the introduction port 11 provided at the lower portion of the decomposition container 10, and while the introduced ammonia NH3 is guided and heated in the order of the first catalyst layer 20a, the first space portion 22a, the second catalyst layer 20b, the second space portion 22b, and the third catalyst layer 20c in the decomposition container 10, it is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2, and taken out from the above-mentioned take-out port 12 provided at the upper portion of the decomposition container 10.

[0029] Here, when the catalyst layers 20 (20a~20c) and the space portions 22 (22a, 22b) arranged in the decomposition container 10 are heated by the heating device 40 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the decomposition container 10 as described above, the heat generated by the heating device 40 will also pass through the space portions 22 (22a, 22b) and be transferred to the central portion of each catalyst layer 20 (20a~20c), and each catalyst layer 20 (20a~20c) as a whole is fully heated to activate the catalyst 21.

[0030] As a result, if the ammonia NH3 introduced from the inlet 11 at the bottom of the decomposition container 10 is guided in the order of the first catalyst layer 20a, the first space portion 22a, the second catalyst layer 20b, the second space portion 22b, and the third catalyst layer 20c in the decomposition container 10 while the inside of the decomposition container 10 is heated by the heating device 40 as described above, the ammonia NH3 can be efficiently decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 by the catalysts 21a that are fully heated and activated as a whole and taken out from the above-mentioned outlet 12.

[0031] Here, in the ammonia decomposition device of the first embodiment, the granular catalyst 21 a is used as the catalyst 21 of the catalyst layer 20 , but the catalyst 21 used is not limited to this.

[0032] For example, in Figure 2 In the variation example 1 shown, as the catalyst 21, a honeycomb catalyst 21b having air permeability in the flow direction of the ammonia gas NH3 is used, and a catalyst layer 20 formed into a prescribed shape is used, and the catalyst layer 20 formed in this way is retained above a retaining protrusion 32 protruding from the inner periphery of the decomposition container 10, and multiple layers (three layers in the example shown in the figure) of the above-mentioned catalyst layer 20 are arranged at required intervals in the decomposition container 10 along the up and down direction which is the flow direction of the ammonia gas NH3, and a space portion 22 is provided between each catalyst layer 20.

[0033] Here, in Figure 2 In the variation 1 shown, Figure 1 Similarly to the first embodiment shown, a heating device 40 composed of a heater for heating the inside of the decomposition container 10 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the decomposition container 10, and an insulator 41 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the heating device 40, so that the heat generated by the heating device 40 is not dissipated to the outside, and each catalyst layer 20 arranged in the decomposition container 10 and each space portion 22 between the catalyst layers 20 can be efficiently heated.

[0034] Moreover, in the ammonia decomposition device of the present variation 1, similarly to the ammonia decomposition device of the above-mentioned embodiment 1, while the above-mentioned decomposition container 10 is heated by the above-mentioned heating device 40, ammonia NH3 is introduced into the decomposition container 10 from the introduction port 11 provided at the lower portion of the decomposition container 10, and while the introduced ammonia NH3 is guided and heated in the order of the first catalyst layer 20a, the first space portion 22a, the second catalyst layer 20b, the second space portion 22b, and the third catalyst layer 20c in the decomposition container 10, it is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2, and taken out from the above-mentioned take-out port 12 provided at the upper portion of the decomposition container 10.

[0035] In this way, in the ammonia decomposition device of modification example 1, as in the ammonia decomposition device of embodiment 1, the ammonia NH3 introduced from the inlet 11 at the lower part of the decomposition container 10 is guided in the order of the first catalyst layer 20a, the first space portion 22a, the second catalyst layer 20b, the second space portion 22b, and the third catalyst layer 20c in the decomposition container 10. The ammonia NH3 can be efficiently decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 by the catalysts 21b that are fully heated and activated as a whole, and taken out from the outlet 12.

[0036] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and variation 1, three catalyst layers 20 are arranged at required intervals in the decomposition container 10 along the up and down direction as the flow direction of ammonia NH3, but the number of catalyst layers 20 arranged in the decomposition container 10 is not particularly limited, as long as a space portion 22 can be formed between the catalyst layers 20. If there are more than two layers, more catalyst layers 20 can also be arranged.

[0037] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and modification 1, the introduction port 11 is provided at the lower part of the decomposition container 10, and the outlet 12 is provided at the upper part of the decomposition container 10. However, the introduction port 11 may be provided at the upper part of the decomposition container 10, and the outlet 12 may be provided at the lower part of the decomposition container 10, and ammonia NH3 may be introduced into the decomposition container 10 from the introduction port 11 at the upper part of the decomposition container 10, decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 in the decomposition container 10, and taken out from the outlet 12 at the lower part of the decomposition container 10.

[0038] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and modification 1, the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 are arranged at the upper part or the lower part of the decomposition container 10, and a plurality of catalyst layers 20 are arranged in the decomposition container 10 at required intervals in the vertical direction, but it is not limited to this. Although not shown in the figure, the decomposition container 10 can also be placed horizontally, and the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 can be arranged on both sides of the decomposition container 10 in the lateral direction, and a plurality of catalyst layers 20 can be arranged in the decomposition container 10 in the lateral direction at required intervals.

[0039] (Implementation Method 2) In the ammonia decomposition device of embodiment 2, Figure 3As shown, when ammonia NH3 is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 in the decomposition container 10, an inlet 11 for introducing ammonia NH3 is provided at the lower part of the decomposition container 10, and on the other hand, an outlet 12 for taking out the hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 after the decomposition of the ammonia NH3 is provided at the upper part of the decomposition container 10, ammonia NH3 is introduced into the decomposition container 10 through the inlet 11, the introduced ammonia NH3 is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 in the decomposition container 10, and the decomposed hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 are taken out from the outlet 12.

[0040] Here, in the ammonia decomposition device of the second embodiment, in the above-mentioned decomposition container 10, the heat storage body 23 having air permeability and the catalyst layer 20 using the catalyst 21 that decomposes ammonia NH3 into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 are alternately arranged in multiple layers in the up and down direction which is the flow direction of ammonia NH3.

[0041] In the ammonia decomposition device of the second embodiment, as the heat storage body 23, a honeycomb heat storage material 24a having air permeability in the flow direction of the ammonia NH3 is used in the heat storage material 24, and the honeycomb heat storage material 24a is formed into a material of a predetermined shape. On the other hand, as the catalyst 21 in the catalyst layer 20, a granular catalyst 21a is used, and the first heat storage body 23a formed of the honeycomb heat storage material 24 is held in the lower part of the decomposition container 10 on the upstream side in the flow direction of the ammonia NH3 introduced from the inlet 11. A first catalyst layer 20a formed by stacking the granular catalyst 21a in a suitable thickness is provided above the first heat storage body 23a, a second heat storage body 23b formed by a honeycomb heat storage material 24 is provided above the first catalyst layer 20a, a second catalyst layer 20b formed by stacking the granular catalyst 21a in a suitable thickness is provided above the second heat storage body 23b, and a third heat storage body 23c formed by a honeycomb heat storage material 24 is provided above the second catalyst layer 20b.

[0042] In order to prevent the granular catalyst 21 a from falling from the mesh holes, the size of the honeycomb mesh of the honeycomb heat storage material 24 at this time is preset to be smaller than the minimum size of the granular catalyst 21 a.

[0043] In addition, in the ammonia decomposition device of the second embodiment, a heating device 40 composed of a heater for heating the inside of the decomposition container 10 is also arranged on the outer peripheral side of the decomposition container 10, and a heat insulator 41 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the heating device 40, so that the heat generated by the heating device 40 is not dissipated to the outside, and the above-mentioned heat storage bodies 23 (23a~23c) and the catalyst layers 20 (20a, 20b) arranged in the decomposition container 10 can be efficiently heated.

[0044] Moreover, in the ammonia decomposition device of the second embodiment, while the decomposition container 10 is heated by the above-mentioned heating device 40, ammonia NH3 is introduced into the decomposition container 10 from the introduction port 11 provided at the lower portion of the decomposition container 10, and while the introduced ammonia NH3 is guided and heated in the order of the first heat storage body 23a, the first catalyst layer 20a, the second heat storage body 23b, the second catalyst layer 20b, and the third heat storage body 23c in the decomposition container 10, it is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2, and taken out from the above-mentioned take-out port 12 provided at the upper portion of the decomposition container 10.

[0045] Here, if the heat storage bodies 23 (23a to 23c) and the catalyst layers 20 (20a, 20b) provided in the decomposition container 10 are heated by the heating device 40 provided on the outer peripheral side of the decomposition container 10 as described above, the ammonia NH3 introduced into the decomposition container 10 from the introduction port 11 is heated by the heat stored in the first heat storage body 23a and introduced into the first catalyst layer 20a, and is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 by the catalyst 21a in the heated first catalyst layer 20a. Furthermore, the ammonia NH3 is heated by the heat stored in the second heat storage body 23b and introduced into the second catalyst layer 20b, and is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 by the catalyst 21a in the heated second catalyst layer 20b. The hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 decomposed in this way are introduced into the third heat storage body 23c, and are heated by the heat stored in the third heat storage body 23c, and are taken out from the above-mentioned take-out port 12.

[0046] Then, if the ammonia NH3 introduced from the inlet 11 at the lower part of the decomposition container 10 is guided and heated in the order of the first heat storage body 23a, the first catalyst layer 20a, the second heat storage body 23b, the second catalyst layer 20b, and the third heat storage body 23c while the inside of the decomposition container 10 is heated by the heating device 40 as described above, and is simultaneously decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2, then by utilizing the heat storage bodies 23a, 23b, and 23c, a higher temperature is maintained than when only the space 22 is left vacant, and by utilizing the high-temperature heat storage bodies 23a, 23b, and 23c to sandwich the catalyst layers 20a and 20b from above and below, each catalyst layer 20a and 20b is fully heated as a whole to activate each catalyst 21a, so that the ammonia NH3 can be more efficiently decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 and taken out from the above-mentioned outlet 12.

[0047] Furthermore, if the hydrogen gas H2 and the nitrogen gas N2 decomposed as described above are heated in the third heat storage body 23c and taken out from the take-out port 12, the hydrogen gas H2 can be taken out in a high temperature state and can be easily used as a fuel.

[0048] Here, in the ammonia decomposition device of the above-mentioned embodiment 2, a honeycomb-shaped heat storage material 24a is used in the heat storage material 24 of the heat storage body 23, and a granular catalyst 21a is used in the catalyst 21 of the catalyst layer 20, but the heat storage material 24 in the heat storage body 23 and the catalyst 21 in the catalyst layer 20 used are not limited to these.

[0049] For example, in Figure 4 In the second modification shown, a spherical heat storage material 24b is used as the heat storage material 24 of the heat storage body 23, and a holding member 31 having air permeability such as a grating for holding the spherical heat storage material 24b in a manner that prevents the spherical heat storage material 24b from being scattered is provided above the inlet 11 for introducing ammonia gas NH3 into the decomposition container 10, and a first heat storage body 23a is provided above the holding member 31 so that the spherical heat storage material 24b has an appropriate thickness and is stacked, and a particulate catalyst 24b is provided above the first heat storage body 23a. The first catalyst layer 20a is provided by stacking so that the spherical heat storage material 24b has an appropriate thickness, and the second heat storage body 23b is provided above the first catalyst layer 20a by stacking so that the spherical heat storage material 24b has an appropriate thickness. The second catalyst layer 20b is provided above the second heat storage body 23b by stacking so that the particulate catalyst 21a has an appropriate thickness, and the third heat storage body 23c is provided above the second catalyst layer 20b by stacking so that the spherical heat storage material 24b has an appropriate thickness.

[0050] Here, in Figure 4In the variation 2 shown, a heating device 40 composed of a heater for heating the inside of the decomposition container 10 may be arranged on the outer peripheral side of the decomposition container 10, and a heat insulator 41 may be arranged on the outer peripheral side of the heating device 40 so that the heat generated by the heating device 40 is not dissipated to the outside, and the above-mentioned heat storage bodies 23 (23a~23c) and the catalyst layers 20 (20a, 20b) arranged in the decomposition container 10 can be efficiently heated.

[0051] Moreover, in the ammonia decomposition device of the present variation 2, similarly to the ammonia decomposition device of the above-mentioned embodiment 2, while the decomposition container 10 is heated by the above-mentioned heating device 40, ammonia NH3 is introduced into the decomposition container 10 from the introduction port 11 provided at the lower portion of the decomposition container 10, and while the introduced ammonia NH3 is guided and heated in the order of the first heat storage body 23a, the first catalyst layer 20a, the second heat storage body 23b, the second catalyst layer 20b, and the third heat storage body 23c in the decomposition container 10, it is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2, and taken out from the above-mentioned take-out port 12 provided at the upper portion of the decomposition container 10.

[0052] Here, if the heat storage bodies 23 (23a to 23c) and the catalyst layers 20 (20a, 20b) provided in the decomposition container 10 are heated by the heating device 40 provided on the outer peripheral side of the decomposition container 10 as described above, the ammonia NH3 introduced from the introduction port 11 is heated by the heat stored in the first heat storage body 23a and introduced into the first catalyst layer 20a, and is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 in the catalyst 21a in the heated first catalyst layer 20a. Furthermore, the ammonia NH3 is heated by the heat stored in the second heat storage body 23b and introduced into the second catalyst layer 20b, and is decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 in the heated second catalyst layer 20b. The decomposed hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 are introduced into the third heat storage body 23c, and are heated by the heat stored in the third heat storage body 23c, and are taken out from the above-mentioned extraction port 12.

[0053] Moreover, in the ammonia decomposition device of the present variation 2, by using a spherical heat storage material 24b, which also has air permeability in the horizontal direction, the heat generated by the heating device 40 is more easily transferred to the central part of each catalyst layer 20a, 20b than the honeycomb heat storage material 24a used in the ammonia decomposition device of the above-mentioned embodiment 2. The ammonia NH3 introduced into the decomposition container 10 from the inlet 11 as described above can be more efficiently decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 in the decomposition container 10 and taken out from the above-mentioned outlet 12, and the decomposed hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 can be heated in the third heat storage body 23c and taken out from the outlet 12, so that the hydrogen H2 can be taken out in a high temperature state and can be easily used as a fuel.

[0054] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment 2 and modification 2, the above-mentioned three heat storage bodies 23 (23a~23c) and two catalyst layers 20 (20a, 20b) are shown to be arranged in the decomposition container 10, but the number of heat storage bodies 23 and catalyst layers 20 arranged in the decomposition container 10 is not limited, and the catalyst layers 20 and heat storage bodies 23 can also be alternated and more catalyst layers 20 and heat storage bodies 23 can be arranged.

[0055] In addition, in the above-mentioned Embodiment 2 and Modification 2, the introduction port 11 is also provided at the lower portion of the decomposition container 10, and the outlet 12 is provided at the upper portion of the decomposition container 10. However, the introduction port 11 may be provided at the upper portion of the decomposition container 10, and the outlet 12 may be provided at the lower portion of the decomposition container 10, and ammonia NH3 may be introduced into the decomposition container 10 from the introduction port 11 at the upper portion of the decomposition container 10, decomposed into hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 in the decomposition container 10, and then taken out from the outlet 12 at the lower portion of the decomposition container 10.

[0056] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment 2 and modification 2, the inlet 11 or the outlet 12 is set at the upper part or the lower part of the decomposition container 10, and a plurality of catalyst layers 20 and heat storage bodies 23 are arranged in a stacked manner in the vertical direction in the decomposition container 10, but it is not limited to this. Although not shown in the figure, the decomposition container 10 can also be placed horizontally, the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 are set on both sides of the decomposition container 10, and a plurality of catalyst layers 20 and heat storage bodies 23 are arranged in the decomposition container 10 in a horizontal direction.

Claims

1. An ammonia decomposition device, The ammonia decomposition device decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a decomposition container, and is characterized in that: A plurality of catalyst layers using a catalyst for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen are provided in the decomposition container at required intervals along the flow direction of the ammonia flowing in the decomposition container, and a heating device for heating the inside of the decomposition container is provided.

2. The ammonia decomposition device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating device is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the decomposition container, and a heat insulator is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the heating device.

3. The ammonia decomposition device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a plurality of catalyst layers are arranged at desired intervals along the flow direction of ammonia gas in the decomposition container, the catalyst layers are arranged at desired intervals in the vertical direction in the decomposition container.

4. The ammonia decomposition device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When a plurality of catalyst layers are arranged at desired intervals along the flow direction of ammonia gas in the decomposition container, a holding mechanism for holding the catalyst layers is provided in the decomposition container, and a space is provided between the catalyst layers.

5. The ammonia decomposition device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When a plurality of catalyst layers are provided in the decomposition container at required intervals along the flow direction of the ammonia gas, a heat storage body having air permeability is provided between the catalyst layers.

6. The ammonia decomposition device according to claim 5, characterized in that: With respect to the catalyst layer, a heat storage body having air permeability is provided on both sides of the ammonia gas flow direction.

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