Catalytic burner device and SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) system
By integrating catalytic combustion and catalytic reforming reactions into the SOFC system, and utilizing heat exchange plates and cooling channels, the problems of large size and high heat loss of catalytic burner devices are solved, achieving efficient system integration and heat utilization.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 福赛尔(武汉)集成有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-28
AI Technical Summary
In existing SOFC systems, the catalytic burner occupies a large volume and suffers high heat loss during heat transfer, resulting in a large system size, low integration, and low heat utilization.
The device employs a catalytic burner unit with heat exchange channels and heat exchange plates inside the main support structure. By stacking catalytic combustion plates and catalytic reforming plates, combined with heat exchange plates, the heat released from catalytic combustion is used to drive the reformer to work, and the overheating is avoided by cooling the heat exchange channels, thereby improving thermal efficiency.
It integrates catalytic combustion and catalytic reforming reactions, reduces system volume, improves thermal efficiency and heat utilization, avoids component damage, and enhances system integration.
Smart Images
Figure CN224177335U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel reforming and catalytic combustion technology, specifically to a catalytic burner device and SOFC system. Background Technology
[0002] SOFCs (Solid Oxide Fuel Cells) generate electricity through electrochemical reactions, offering several advantages: high power generation efficiency (currently around 50%–60%); no moving parts, eliminating vibration and noise; operating temperature between approximately 700–800°C, within which nitrogen remains chemically stable and does not produce nitrogen oxides, making them environmentally friendly; and low requirements for gas quality, requiring only hydrogen-rich gas, thus offering broad fuel adaptability. Therefore, due to their energy-saving and environmentally friendly properties, SOFCs are considered one of the important future energy utilization methods.
[0003] In related technologies, the burner, reformer, and heat exchanger are the three essential core components of a traditional SOFC system. They respectively ensure the system's operating temperature and fuel source. However, these three components are relatively large, and the path required for the heat from the combustion exhaust gas to be transferred to the latter two is relatively long. This results in SOFC systems having problems such as large size, low integration, large heat loss, and low thermal utilization. Utility Model Content
[0004] In response to the problems of large volume and high heat loss during heat transfer in related technologies, catalytic burner devices are used.
[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a catalytic combustor device, comprising:
[0006] The support body has a first heat exchange channel inside it, and at least two spaced heat exchange plates are provided on the support body. The heat exchange plates have a second heat exchange channel inside them, and the second heat exchange channel is connected to the first heat exchange channel.
[0007] At least two catalytic combustion plates are provided, with the two catalytic combustion plates respectively attached to the two heat exchange plates and located between the two heat exchange plates;
[0008] At least one catalytic reforming layer is attached between the two catalytic combustion layers.
[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the support body is provided with a burner inlet manifold, a burner outlet manifold, a reformer inlet manifold, and a reformer outlet manifold spaced apart on its side. The burner inlet manifold and the burner outlet manifold are connected to the catalytic combustion plate, and the reformer inlet manifold and the reformer outlet manifold are connected to the catalytic reforming plate.
[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the burner inlet manifold, burner outlet manifold, reformer inlet manifold, and reformer outlet manifold are evenly arranged along the side of the support body.
[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the inner walls of both the burner outlet manifold and the reformer outlet manifold are provided with reinforcing ribs.
[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the catalytic combustion plate and the side of the catalytic combustion plate are provided with flow holes. The catalytic combustion plate is connected to the burner inlet manifold and the burner outlet manifold through the flow holes thereon. The catalytic combustion plate is also connected to the reformer inlet manifold and the reformer outlet manifold through the flow holes thereon.
[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, a heat exchange cover plate is provided on the side of the heat exchange plate away from the catalytic combustion plate, and the heat exchange cover plate is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, which are connected to the first heat exchange channel.
[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the surface of the heat exchange cover plate is covered with an insulation layer.
[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the heat exchange plate, the catalytic combustion plate, and the catalytic reforming plate are sealed and bonded together using a ceramic adhesive.
[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the support body is provided with three heat exchange plates, four catalytic combustion plates and two catalytic reforming plates stacked on it.
[0017] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an SOFC system, which includes: a catalytic combustor device as described in any of the above claims.
[0018] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in this application include at least the following:
[0019] This application integrates catalytic combustion and catalytic reforming reactions into one unit through stacking, and adds a heat exchange plate. The heat released by catalytic combustion can be used to drive the reformer. Cooling heat exchange channels are used to avoid damage to components caused by overheating of the reformer and burner due to the heat released during operation. At the same time, the cooling heat exchange channels can preheat the air, improve the thermal efficiency of the system, and reduce the system's volume occupancy. Attached Figure Description
[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0021] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the catalytic burner device in the embodiments of this application;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the catalytic burner device in the embodiments of this application;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the support body and the heat exchange plate in the assembled state in an embodiment of this application;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the catalytic combustion layer and the catalytic reforming layer in the embodiments of this application;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the burner outlet manifold and the reformer outlet manifold in the embodiments of this application.
[0026] In the diagram: 1. Support body; 2. Heat exchange plate; 21. Heat exchange cover plate; 22. Air inlet; 23. Air outlet; 24. Second heat exchange channel; 3. Catalytic combustion plate; 4. Catalytic reforming plate; 5. Burner inlet manifold; 6. Burner outlet manifold; 7. Reformer inlet manifold; 8. Reformer outlet manifold; 9. Reinforcing rib. Detailed Implementation
[0027] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0028] In response to the problems of large volume and high heat loss during heat transfer in related technologies, catalytic burner devices are used.
[0029] Firstly, such as Figure 1 As shown, this application provides a catalytic combustor device, which includes: a support body 1, at least two catalytic combustion plates 3, and at least one catalytic reforming plate 4; wherein,
[0030] The support body 1 has a first heat exchange channel inside it. The support body 1 has at least two spaced heat exchange plates 2, which are connected to the first heat exchange channel. There are at least two catalytic combustion plates 3, which are respectively attached to the two heat exchange plates 2 and located between the two heat exchange plates 2. There is at least one catalytic reforming plate 4, which is attached between the two catalytic combustion plates 3.
[0031] It is worth noting that the catalytic combustion plate 3, catalytic reforming plate 4, and heat exchange plate 2 are stacked and integrated in this application. On the one hand, this reduces the overall volume of the three devices and improves the space utilization rate. On the other hand, it reduces the heat exchange surface area between the components and the outside air, thereby avoiding heat loss of the burner and reformer during operation and improving the thermal efficiency of the system. Furthermore, during the start-up phase of the catalytic burner device in this application, gas is introduced into the catalytic combustion plate 3 for direct combustion to generate heat. The heat is then applied to the catalytic reforming plate 4 through the wall. Under high temperature conditions, the catalytic reforming reaction gradually begins to occur. However, as the reforming reaction proceeds, methane reforming releases heat, which may lead to internal overheating. To avoid this phenomenon, cold air needs to be introduced into the heat exchange plate 2 to cool the burner assembly. In this application, the heat exchange plate 2 is arranged in multiple layers, which facilitates more uniform heat dissipation.
[0032] In some optional embodiments, the support body 1 is provided with a burner inlet manifold 5, a burner outlet manifold 6, a reformer inlet manifold 7, and a reformer outlet manifold 8 at intervals on its side. The burner inlet manifold 5 and the burner outlet manifold 6 are connected to the catalytic combustion plate 3, and the reformer inlet manifold 7 and the reformer outlet manifold 8 are connected to the catalytic reforming plate 4.
[0033] It should be noted that the reformer inlet manifold 7 is connected to the water evaporator, the reformer outlet manifold 8 is connected to the fuel cell anode, the burner inlet manifold 5 is connected to the fuel cell anode tail gas, and the burner outlet manifold 6 is connected to the tail exhaust. In this application, the catalytic reforming plate 4 and the catalytic combustion plate 3 are fitted together, while the burner and reformer inlets and outlets are separated to prevent gas leakage during the reaction of various functional components, which could lead to cross-contamination and cause the entire unit to malfunction or a more serious safety accident.
[0034] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the burner inlet manifold 5, burner outlet manifold 6, reformer inlet manifold 7, and reformer outlet manifold 8 are evenly arranged along the side of the support body 1.
[0035] Furthermore, in order to improve the flow efficiency of gas in the catalytic combustion plate 3 and the catalytic reforming plate 4, the burner inlet manifold 5 and the burner outlet manifold 6 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the catalytic combustion plate 3, and the reformer inlet manifold 7 and the reformer outlet manifold 8 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the catalytic reforming plate 4.
[0036] Optionally, such as Figure 5 As shown, in order to enhance the transfer of combustion heat from the combustion end to the cold air end, a dense flow channel is arranged inside the burner outlet manifold 6.
[0037] In some preferred embodiments, the inner walls of both the burner outlet manifold 6 and the reformer outlet manifold 8 are provided with reinforcing ribs 9.
[0038] It is worth noting that in a high-temperature exhaust gas environment, components are prone to expansion and deformation. Setting a reinforcing rib 9 at the outlet manifold can improve the strength of the components and prevent exhaust gas leakage.
[0039] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the heat exchange plate 2 is provided with a heat exchange cover plate 21 on the side away from the catalytic combustion plate 3. The heat exchange cover plate 21 is provided with an air inlet 22 and an air outlet 23, which are connected to the first heat exchange channel.
[0040] Furthermore, the heat exchange plate 2 and the heat exchange cover plate 21 are connected and sealed by metal welding.
[0041] It should be noted that air inlet 22 and air outlet 23 are connected to the fan intake duct and intake distribution manifold (part of the air is supplied to the fuel cell cathode, and part is supplied to the burner), respectively. Figure 3 As shown, after air is supplied through the air inlet 22, it flows through the first heat exchange channel of the support body 1, and then from the first heat exchange channel to the second heat exchange channel 24 in the multiple heat exchange plates 2 arranged at intervals. Finally, it flows through the first heat exchange channel on the other side of the support body 1 to the air outlet 23 and is discharged from the burner device.
[0042] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 4As shown, both the catalytic combustion plate 3 and the catalytic reforming plate 4 have flow holes on their sides. The catalytic combustion plate 3 is connected to the burner inlet manifold 5 and the burner outlet manifold 6 through the flow holes on it. The catalytic combustion plate 3 is also connected to the reformer inlet manifold 7 and the reformer outlet manifold 8 through the flow holes on it.
[0043] Furthermore, platinum-rhodium metal particle catalyst is coated on the walls of the flow holes on the catalytic combustion plate 3. Nickel metal particle catalyst is coated on the walls of the flow holes on the catalytic reforming plate 4.
[0044] Understandably, this arrangement of the two reactions in a cross-flow manner facilitates the installation of the intake and exhaust manifolds and enhances the heat exchange between them.
[0045] In some preferred embodiments, both the catalytic reforming plate 4 and the catalytic combustion plate 3 are made of cordierite, while the heat exchange plate 2 is made of 310S stainless steel. The heat exchange plate 2 and the catalytic combustion plate 3 are bonded and sealed together using high-temperature ceramic adhesive, and the catalytic reforming plate 4 and the catalytic combustion plate 3 are bonded and sealed together using ceramic adhesive.
[0046] Optionally, both the catalytic reforming plate 4 and the catalytic combustion plate 3 are made of cordierite material and are made of cordierite porous carrier. Optionally, the carrier is processed by a mold and has many square flow holes, each hole with a side length of 1mm.
[0047] It should be noted that cordierite has a strong heat storage capacity, ensuring that the heat generated by combustion is not quickly dissipated. 310S stainless steel has good thermal conductivity. When the reformer tail gas temperature is too high, affecting reforming efficiency, or when the heat released by the reformer causes the internal temperature of the integrated burner to be too high, the air intake can be adjusted to increase the heat exchange between the air and the catalytic combustion layer, thus reducing the combustion layer temperature. Simultaneously, a large airflow into the burner also lowers the temperature of the combustion tail gas. This ensures both the safety of the cordierite carrier itself and the efficient utilization of the heat released by combustion and reforming, greatly improving the system integration and thermal efficiency of the hot zone in the SOFC system.
[0048] In some preferred embodiments, the surface of the heat exchange cover plate 21 is covered with an insulation layer.
[0049] Furthermore, to prevent heat dissipation and energy loss, the entire surface of the catalytic burner casing is wrapped with insulating cotton.
[0050] In conjunction with the above implementation methods, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, this application provides a specific embodiment in which three heat exchange plates 2, four catalytic combustion plates 3, and two catalytic reforming plates 4 are stacked on the support body 1. Each catalytic reforming plate 4 is attached between two catalytic combustion plates 3, and the side of each catalytic combustion plate 3 away from the catalytic combustion plate 3 is attached to one heat exchange plate 2.
[0051] Optionally, only the outermost heat exchange cover plate 21 is provided with an air inlet 22 and an air outlet 23.
[0052] It is worth noting that, such as Figure 3 As shown, air enters the first heat exchange channel from the air inlet 22. There are vents between the first and second heat exchange channels 24, facilitating air flow from the uppermost heat exchange plate 2 into the middle and lower layers. This allows air to cool and exchange heat with the different catalytic combustion plates 3 and catalytic reforming plates 4, resulting in a uniform temperature distribution throughout the integrated burner. After entering the heat exchange plate 2, the air flows through its corresponding channels and finally converges and exits at the air outlet 23.
[0053] Secondly, this application provides an SOFC system comprising: a catalytic combustor device as described in any of the above embodiments.
[0054] In summary, this invention integrates catalytic combustion and catalytic reforming reactions into a single unit using a stacked approach. A high-temperature resistant heat exchanger plate is incorporated in the middle, utilizing the heat released from combustion to power the reformer. Cooling heat exchange channels prevent damage to components caused by overheating from the heat released by the reformer and burner. Simultaneously, the cooling heat exchange channels preheat the air, improving the system's thermal efficiency and reducing its volumetric footprint. This application achieves a high degree of integration of the three major hot-zone components in an SOFC system, reducing the system's space footprint and the heat exchange surface area between components and the outside air. This avoids heat loss during burner and reformer operation, thereby improving the system's thermal efficiency.
[0055] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0056] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.
[0057] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. 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 this application. Therefore, this application 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 claimed herein.
Claims
1. A catalytic burner device, characterized in that, include: The support body (1) has a first heat exchange channel inside it. The support body (1) has at least two spaced heat exchange plates (2). The heat exchange plates (2) have a second heat exchange channel (24) inside them. The second heat exchange channel (24) is connected to the first heat exchange channel. At least two catalytic combustion plates (3), the two catalytic combustion plates (3) are respectively attached to the two heat exchange plates (2), and the two catalytic combustion plates (3) are located between the two heat exchange plates (2); At least one catalytic reforming plate (4) is attached between the two catalytic combustion plates (3).
2. The catalytic combustor device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The main body of the support (1) is provided with a burner inlet manifold (5), a burner outlet manifold (6), a reformer inlet manifold (7) and a reformer outlet manifold (8) at intervals on the side. The burner inlet manifold (5) and the burner outlet manifold (6) are connected to the catalytic combustion plate (3), and the reformer inlet manifold (7) and the reformer outlet manifold (8) are connected to the catalytic reforming plate (4).
3. The catalytic combustor device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The burner inlet manifold (5), burner outlet manifold (6), reformer inlet manifold (7), and reformer outlet manifold (8) are evenly arranged along the side of the support body (1).
4. The catalytic combustor device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The inner walls of both the burner outlet manifold (6) and the reformer outlet manifold (8) are provided with reinforcing ribs (9).
5. The catalytic combustor device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: Both the catalytic combustion plate (3) and the side of the catalytic combustion plate (3) are provided with flow holes. The catalytic combustion plate (3) is connected to the burner inlet manifold (5) and the burner outlet manifold (6) through the flow holes. The catalytic combustion plate (3) is connected to the reformer inlet manifold (7) and the reformer outlet manifold (8) through the flow holes.
6. The catalytic combustor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange plate (2) is provided with a heat exchange cover plate (21) on the side away from the catalytic combustion plate (3). The heat exchange cover plate (21) is provided with an air inlet (22) and an air outlet (23), which are connected to the first heat exchange channel.
7. The catalytic combustor device as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The heat exchange cover plate (21) is covered with an insulation layer.
8. The catalytic combustor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange plate (2), the catalytic combustion plate (3) and the catalytic reforming plate (4) are sealed and bonded together with ceramic adhesive.
9. The catalytic combustor device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The support body (1) is provided with three heat exchange plates (2), four catalytic combustion plates (3) and two catalytic reforming plates (4).
10. An SOFC system, characterized in that, include: The catalytic burner device as described in any one of claims 1-9.