Self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device capable of meeting mobile hydrogen production requirement

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device capable of meeting a mobile hydrogen production demand, the self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device comprises a reforming cavity, a catalytic combustion cavity and an evaporation cavity which are sequentially stacked from top to bottom, and an outlet of the evaporation cavity is connected to an inlet of the reforming cavity; s-shaped channels are formed in the reforming cavity, the catalytic combustion cavity and the evaporation cavity, and the circulation sections of the S-shaped channels have gradually-changed section widths in the flowing direction. The reforming cavity is filled with a catalyst beneficial to reforming reaction, a foam metal catalyst carrier is placed in the catalytic combustion cavity and carries a catalyst beneficial to catalytic combustion reaction, and the evaporation cavity is filled with foam metal with high porosity. The reactor disclosed by the invention is stable in catalytic performance, can be used for mobile equipment, and can be automatically and quickly started at normal temperature so as to prepare hydrogen-rich gas. The invention relates to the technical field of fuel reforming hydrogen production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hydrogen production device, specifically a self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device that can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production, belonging to the field of fuel reforming hydrogen production technology. Background Technology

[0002] PEMFCs (Potentially Activated Metal Fuels Combined with Molecular Gases) powered by hydrogen have become important energy conversion devices due to their advantages such as zero carbon emissions, high energy conversion efficiency, and noiseless operation. Currently, PEMFCs still use high-purity hydrogen as fuel. However, high-purity hydrogen not only has high production costs, but more importantly, it has a very low volumetric energy density. Therefore, to improve the commercial application value of PEMFCs and leverage their advantages, the primary issue is obtaining a hydrogen source with high volumetric energy density that is easily produced on-site. Traditional hydrogen supply methods involve hydrogen storage tanks, but this method not only has low energy density but also significant shortcomings in terms of quality and safety. Therefore, using liquid fuel reforming to produce hydrogen is currently seen as an effective solution to this problem.

[0003] Steam reforming for hydrogen production requires no oxygen or air in the reaction, has the most extensive industrial application experience, and produces the highest proportion of hydrogen in the product, making it suitable for subsequent connection to fuel cells. However, this reaction is endothermic and requires an external heat source. Using catalytic combustion to heat the reforming reaction avoids this dependence on an external heat source. However, conventional configuration designs and catalyst packing methods often lead to catalyst displacement during equipment movement, resulting in unstable catalyst performance and reduced conversion rate and utilization efficiency of the hydrogen production unit.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide an integrated reformer that is compact, has good heat transfer, stable catalyst performance, high conversion rate, is suitable for mobile devices, and can start up on its own without the need for an external heat source is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problems of poor structural integration, inadequate heat transfer, unstable catalyst performance, low conversion rate, inability to be used by mobile equipment, and the need for external heat source supply for self-starting in existing reforming reactors, this invention proposes a self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device that can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is as follows: The present invention includes a reforming chamber, a catalytic combustion chamber, and an evaporation chamber, which are arranged in a stacked manner from top to bottom; the outlet of the evaporation chamber is connected to the inlet of the reforming chamber; the reforming chamber, the catalytic combustion chamber, and the evaporation chamber are all provided with serpentine channels inside, and the serpentine channels have a cross-sectional width that gradually changes along the flow direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the serpentine channels inside the reforming chamber, catalytic combustion chamber, and evaporation chamber adopt the same structural design, with the flow cross-section having a gradually changing cross-sectional width along the flow direction in a single channel unit.

[0008] Furthermore, the serpentine channel within the evaporation chamber has a flow cross-section that gradually widens along the fluid flow direction for each individual channel unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the serpentine channels within the reforming chamber and catalytic combustion chamber have a flow cross-section that gradually narrows along the fluid flow direction for each individual channel unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the interior of the reforming chamber is filled with a catalyst that facilitates the reforming reaction.

[0011] Furthermore, a foamed metal catalyst carrier is placed inside the catalytic combustion chamber to support the catalyst that facilitates the catalytic combustion reaction.

[0012] Furthermore, the evaporation chamber is filled with highly porous foamed metal.

[0013] Furthermore, the fluids in the evaporation chamber and the catalytic combustion chamber are arranged to flow in opposite directions, while the fluids in the reforming chamber and the catalytic combustion chamber are arranged to flow in the same direction.

[0014] Furthermore, fuel and water flow into the inlet of the evaporation chamber; fuel and air flow into the inlet of the catalytic combustion chamber.

[0015] Furthermore, the reforming chamber and the evaporation chamber are located above and below the catalytic combustion chamber, respectively, and are arranged symmetrically.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. This invention employs a stacked arrangement of reforming chamber, catalytic combustion chamber, and evaporation chamber, utilizing fuel and air for catalytic combustion at room temperature to provide heat for the reforming reaction. This solves the problem of the reforming reaction requiring an external heat source for endothermic combustion, enabling rapid start-up without relying on electric heating. The plate arrangement structure is compact and provides excellent heat transfer. 2. The high-porosity foam metal filled in the evaporation chamber in this invention enhances the turbulence and increases the thermal conductivity in the evaporation chamber. The good turbulence also makes the fluid heated evenly and enhances heat transfer. 3. This invention promotes the reforming reaction by filling the variable cross-section serpentine channel within the reforming chamber with catalyst. The cross-section of each channel gradually decreases along the gas flow direction. For mobile devices such as fuel cell vehicles, this avoids significant displacement of the catalyst inside the reformer due to equipment movement, preventing uneven catalyst distribution and low reforming efficiency. Simultaneously, the variable cross-section arrangement within the reforming chamber alters the flow rate, weakens the boundary layer effect, enhances mass transfer, and improves the reaction conversion rate. 4. This invention promotes the catalytic combustion reaction by placing a foamed metal catalyst carrier in a variable cross-section serpentine channel within the catalytic combustion chamber. Utilizing the large specific surface area of ​​the foamed metal, the contact area between the reactants and the catalyst is further increased, improving the conversion rate. Furthermore, the method of supporting the catalyst on the foamed metal carrier effectively avoids catalyst breakage and minimizes the impact of airflow velocity and device movement on the internal catalyst. Simultaneously, it increases the contact between the catalyst and the fluid, significantly shortening the reactor start-up time. 5. This invention employs a co-current flow arrangement for the reforming chamber and the catalytic combustion chamber, and a counter-current flow arrangement for the evaporation chamber and the catalytic combustion chamber. Since the reforming reaction requires more heat than preheating evaporation, the different flow directions allow for better heat matching. The serpentine channels inside the three chambers use the same structural design, facilitating better heat transfer. Simultaneously, at the inlet of the reforming chamber and the inlet of the catalytic combustion chamber, due to the high reactant concentration, the catalytic combustion reaction can release a large amount of heat in the initial stage, allowing the reforming reaction to occur at a higher reaction temperature, further improving the reaction rate and fuel conversion rate. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a detailed structural diagram of the reforming chamber in this invention; Figure 3 This is a top view showing the detailed structure of the reforming cavity in this invention.

[0018] Among them, 1-reforming chamber, 2-catalytic combustion chamber, 3-evaporation chamber, 4-variable cross-section serpentine channel, 5-evaporation chamber inlet, 6-evaporation chamber outlet, 7-catalytic combustion chamber inlet, 8-catalytic combustion chamber outlet, 9-reforming chamber inlet, 10-reforming chamber outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions in 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.

[0020] like Figure 1As shown in the figure, this embodiment proposes a self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device that can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production. It includes a reforming chamber 1, a catalytic combustion chamber 2, and an evaporation chamber 3, which are arranged in a stacked manner from top to bottom. The interiors of the reforming chamber 1, catalytic combustion chamber 2, and evaporation chamber 3 are all serpentine channels 4, with the cross-sectional width gradually changing along the flow direction. The reforming chamber 1 is filled with a catalyst that facilitates the reforming reaction. The catalytic combustion chamber 2 contains a foamed metal catalyst carrier that supports the catalyst for catalytic combustion. The evaporation chamber 3 is filled with highly porous foamed metal. Fuel and water flow into the evaporation chamber inlet 5, fuel and air flow into the catalytic combustion chamber inlet 7, and the evaporation chamber outlet 6 connects to the reforming chamber inlet 9. The fluids inside the evaporation chamber 3 and the catalytic combustion chamber 2 flow in opposite directions, while the fluids inside the reforming chamber 1 and the catalytic combustion chamber 2 flow in the same direction.

[0021] The reforming chamber 1 and the evaporation chamber 3 are located above and below the catalytic combustion chamber 2, respectively, and are arranged symmetrically with a compact structure.

[0022] The serpentine channels 4 inside the reforming chamber 1, catalytic combustion chamber 2, and evaporation chamber 3 adopt the same structural design, with a gradually changing cross-sectional width along the flow direction in a single channel unit. Preferably, the variable cross-section serpentine channel 4 in the evaporation chamber 3 gradually widens along the flow direction in a single channel unit. The variable cross-section serpentine channels in the reforming chamber and catalytic combustion chamber gradually narrow along the flow direction in a single channel unit. By arranging the variable cross-sections within the chambers, the flow rate can be changed, the boundary layer effect can be weakened, mass transfer can be enhanced, and the conversion rate of the reaction can be improved.

[0023] This embodiment employs a stacked arrangement of the reforming chamber, catalytic combustion chamber, and evaporation chamber, utilizing fuel and air for catalytic combustion at room temperature to provide heat for the reforming reaction. This solves the problem of the reforming reaction requiring an external heat source for endothermic combustion, enabling rapid start-up without relying on electric heating. The plate arrangement structure is compact and provides excellent heat transfer. Preferably, the high-porosity foam metal filling the evaporation chamber enhances the turbulence and increases the thermal conductivity within the evaporation chamber. The good turbulence also makes the fluid heated evenly and strengthens the heat transfer. Preferably, the reforming reaction is promoted by filling the variable cross-section serpentine channels within the reforming chamber with catalyst. The cross-section of each channel gradually decreases along the gas flow direction. For mobile devices such as fuel cell vehicles, this avoids significant displacement of the catalyst inside the reformer due to equipment movement, preventing uneven catalyst distribution and low reforming efficiency. Simultaneously, the variable cross-section arrangement within the reforming chamber alters the flow rate, weakens the boundary layer effect, enhances mass transfer, and improves the reaction conversion rate. Preferably, the catalytic combustion reaction is promoted by placing a foamed metal catalyst carrier in the variable cross-section serpentine channel within the catalytic combustion chamber. Utilizing the large specific surface area of ​​the foamed metal, the contact area between the reactants and the catalyst is further increased, improving the conversion rate. Furthermore, the method of supporting the catalyst on the foamed metal carrier effectively avoids catalyst breakage and minimizes the impact of airflow velocity and device movement on the internal catalyst. Simultaneously, it increases the contact between the catalyst and the fluid, significantly shortening the reactor start-up time. In this embodiment, the fluids inside the reforming chamber and the catalytic combustion chamber flow in the same direction, while the fluids inside the evaporation chamber and the catalytic combustion chamber flow in opposite directions. Since the reforming reaction requires more heat than preheating evaporation, the different flow directions allow for better heat matching. The serpentine channels inside the three chambers employ the same structural design, facilitating better heat transfer. Simultaneously, at the inlet of the reforming chamber and the inlet of the catalytic combustion chamber, due to the high reactant concentration, the catalytic combustion reaction can release a large amount of heat in the initial stage, allowing the reforming reaction to occur at a higher reaction temperature, further improving the reaction rate and fuel conversion rate.

[0024] Working principle: At room temperature, fuel and air are uniformly mixed before entering the catalytic combustion chamber 2 through inlet 7. Combustion occurs in chamber 2, releasing a large amount of heat. The combusted gas is discharged through outlet 8. Fuel and water are preheated and vaporized in evaporation chamber 3, then enter reforming chamber inlet 9 through outlet 6. A water vapor reforming reaction occurs in reforming chamber 1, with the heat required for preheating, evaporation, and reforming provided by the catalytic combustion reaction. The hydrogen-rich gas produced by the reforming reaction is discharged through outlet 10. Reforming chamber 1 is filled with a catalyst that facilitates the reforming reaction. Catalytic combustion chamber 2 contains a foamed metal catalyst carrier that supports the catalyst for catalytic combustion. Evaporation chamber 3 is filled with highly porous foamed metal. Reforming chamber 1 and catalytic combustion chamber 2 are arranged with flow in the same direction, while evaporation chamber 3 is arranged with flow in the opposite direction.

[0025] The reforming unit of this invention integrates fuel preheating and evaporation, catalytic combustion, and reforming for hydrogen production, enabling rapid start-up without relying on electric heating. The foamed metal within the evaporation chamber enhances turbulence and increases the thermal conductivity, while the good turbulence also ensures uniform heating of the fluid. The catalytic combustion chamber uses foamed metal as a catalyst carrier, effectively preventing catalyst breakage and minimizing the impact of airflow velocity and device movement on the internal catalyst. It also increases the contact between the catalyst and the fluid, significantly shortening the reactor start-up time. The variable cross-section arrangement within the reforming chamber alters the flow rate, weakens the boundary layer effect, enhances mass transfer, and improves the reaction conversion rate. The reactor exhibits stable catalytic performance, can be used with mobile equipment, and can achieve rapid self-start-up at room temperature to produce hydrogen-rich gas.

[0026] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, based on the technical essence of the present invention and within the spirit and principles of the present invention, shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device capable of meeting the needs of mobile hydrogen production, comprising a reforming chamber (1), a catalytic combustion chamber (2), and an evaporation chamber (3), characterized in that: The reforming chamber (1), catalytic combustion chamber (2) and evaporation chamber (3) are arranged in a stacked manner from top to bottom; the outlet (6) of the evaporation chamber is connected to the inlet (9) of the reforming chamber; the reforming chamber (1), the catalytic combustion chamber (2) and the evaporation chamber (3) are all provided with serpentine channels (4), and the serpentine channels (4) have a cross-sectional width that gradually changes along the flow direction.

2. The self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device according to claim 1, which can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production, is characterized in that: The serpentine channels (4) inside the reforming chamber (1), catalytic combustion chamber (2), and evaporation chamber (3) have the same structure.

3. The self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device according to claim 2, which can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production, is characterized in that: The serpentine channel (4) within the evaporation chamber (3) has a flow cross section that gradually widens along the fluid flow direction for each individual channel unit.

4. The self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device according to claim 2, which can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production, is characterized in that: The serpentine channels (4) within the reforming chamber (1) and the catalytic combustion chamber (2) have a flow cross-section that gradually narrows along the fluid flow direction for each individual channel unit.

5. The self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device according to claim 1, which can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production, is characterized in that: The interior of the reforming chamber (1) is filled with a catalyst that facilitates the reforming reaction.

6. The self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device according to claim 1, which can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production, is characterized in that: The catalytic combustion chamber (2) contains a foamed metal catalyst carrier that carries a catalyst that facilitates the catalytic combustion reaction.

7. The self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device according to claim 1, which can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production, is characterized in that: The evaporation chamber (3) is filled with high-porosity foam metal.

8. A self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device according to claim 1, which can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production, characterized in that: The fluids in the evaporation chamber (3) and the catalytic combustion chamber (2) are arranged to flow in opposite directions, while the fluids in the reforming chamber (1) and the catalytic combustion chamber (2) are arranged to flow in the same direction.

9. A self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device according to claim 1, which can meet the needs of mobile hydrogen production, characterized in that: Fuel and water flow into the evaporator inlet (5); fuel and air flow into the catalytic combustion chamber inlet (7).

10. A self-heating integrated reforming hydrogen production device according to claim 1, capable of meeting the needs of mobile hydrogen production, characterized in that: The reforming chamber (1) and the evaporation chamber (3) are located above and below the catalytic combustion chamber (2), respectively, and are arranged symmetrically.

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