Gas treatment device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a gas treatment device, provide a kind of can be through simple structure to estimate the degree of deterioration of catalyst technology.Gas treatment device has shell and the catalyst configured in shell.In gas treatment device, the composition of gas flowing in shell occurs chemical change due to the effect of catalyst.Gas treatment device can also have: pressure sensor, which detects the pressure of the gas downstream of the catalyst in the shell;And estimation unit, which estimates the degree of deterioration of catalyst based on the detection pressure of pressure sensor and the specified reference pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to gas processing devices. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a gas turbine combustor using a catalytic combustion method. The gas turbine combustor of Patent Document 1 includes: a unit for detecting the temperature of the inflow gas flowing into the catalyst; a unit for detecting the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the catalyst; and a unit for determining the degree of catalyst degradation based on the inflow gas temperature and pressure difference.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-50406 Utility Model Content

[0006] Problems to be solved by utility models

[0007] In the gas turbine combustor of Patent Document 1, the degree of catalyst degradation is determined based on the inflow gas temperature and the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the catalyst. Therefore, it requires a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor upstream of the catalyst, and a pressure sensor downstream of the catalyst, resulting in a relatively complex overall device structure. This specification provides a technique that can estimate the degree of catalyst degradation using a simple structure.

[0008] Solution for solving the problem

[0009] In a first embodiment of this technology, the gas processing apparatus includes a housing and a catalyst disposed within the housing. In the gas processing apparatus, the composition of the gas flowing within the housing undergoes a chemical change due to the action of the catalyst. The gas processing apparatus may also include: a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the gas downstream of the catalyst within the housing; and an estimation unit that estimates the degree of degradation of the catalyst based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and a predetermined reference pressure.

[0010] According to this structure, the degree of catalyst degradation can be estimated simply by detecting the pressure of the gas downstream of the catalyst inside the shell. Therefore, the degree of catalyst degradation can be estimated using a structure that is simpler than that of Patent Document 1.

[0011] In the second technical solution, according to the first technical solution described above, the reference pressure is the detection pressure of the pressure sensor at a predetermined reference time. Alternatively, the gas flow rate within the housing at the reference time is the same as the gas flow rate within the housing at the estimated degree of catalyst degradation. Alternatively, the catalyst temperature at the reference time is the same as the catalyst temperature at the estimated degree of catalyst degradation.

[0012] Based on this structure, pressure can be compared while keeping the conditions consistent between the reference time and the estimated time, thus enabling the estimation of the catalyst's degradation degree with high accuracy.

[0013] In the third technical solution, according to the first or second technical solution described above, the degree of catalyst degradation depends on the difference between the total number of molecules of the gas components upstream of the catalyst and the total number of molecules of the gas components downstream of the catalyst. Based on this structure, the degree of catalyst degradation can be estimated based on a theoretical chemical formula.

[0014] In the fourth technical solution, according to any of the first to third technical solutions described above, the gas flowing in the portion of the shell upstream of the catalyst is ammonia. Based on this structure, the degree of degradation of the ammonia decomposition catalyst can be estimated. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an embodiment of a gas processing apparatus.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system using the gas processing apparatus of an embodiment.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0018] 2. Gas processing device; 10. Housing; 10a. Gas flow path; 20. Catalyst; 30. Pressure sensor; 50. Control device; 100. Fuel cell system; 104. Gasifier; 106. Reformer; 108. Adsorber; 110. Fuel cell; 122. Reactant gas supply path; 124. Reformer gas supply path; 126. Fuel gas supply path. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The gas processing apparatus 2 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 As shown, the gas processing device 2 of the embodiment includes a housing 10, a catalyst 20 disposed in the housing 10, a pressure sensor 30 for detecting the pressure of the gas in the housing 10, and a control device 50.

[0020] The housing 10 constitutes a gas flow path 10a for gas flow. The housing 10 is, for example, made of resin or metal and is tubular. In a variation, the housing 10 may also be box-shaped. The material and shape of the housing 10 are not particularly limited. The housing 10, for example, constitutes part of a gas flow path in a gas processing system for processing reactive gases such as ammonia. For example, the housing 10 may also be the container of a reformer for reforming ammonia. Additionally, the housing 10 may also be part of a pipe for supplying ammonia flow.

[0021] The pressure of the gas inside the casing 10 varies depending on the number of molecules of the components contained in the gas. That is, the gas pressure depends on the total number of molecules of the components contained in the gas. When the number of molecules of the components contained in the gas is large, the gas pressure is high, and when the number of molecules of the components contained in the gas is small, the gas pressure is low.

[0022] The reaction gas flowing within the housing 10 is not particularly limited, for example, it is ammonia. The reaction gas contains ammonia (NH3) as a gaseous component. The ammonia contained in the reaction gas flowing within the housing 10 undergoes a chemical change due to the action of the catalyst 20 disposed within the housing 10. The ammonia decomposes into nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) as shown in the following chemical formula (1) through the chemical change caused by the action of the catalyst 20.

[0023] 2NH3→N2+3H2···(1)

[0024] The number of molecules of the components contained in the reaction gas flowing within the casing 10 changes due to the chemical decomposition of ammonia within the reaction gas. Since ammonia decomposes into nitrogen and hydrogen, the number of molecules of the components contained in the gas after ammonia decomposition (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "product gas") becomes greater than the number of molecules of the components contained in the reaction gas before ammonia decomposition. Therefore, the number of molecules of the components contained in the gas downstream of catalyst 20 (product gas) is greater than the number of molecules of the components contained in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Consequently, the pressure of the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is higher than the pressure of the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20.

[0025] The catalyst 20 is not particularly limited. When the reactant gas flowing within the shell 10 is ammonia, ruthenium (Ru), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), etc., may be used. The catalyst 20 is disposed within the shell 10, for example, in powder or granular form and supported on a carrier. The carrier supporting the catalyst 20 is disposed, for example, throughout the entire width direction of the gas flow path 10a (a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the gas flow path 10a). In a modified example, the carrier supporting the catalyst 20 may also be disposed at the center of the width direction of the gas flow path 10a. The placement position of the carrier is not particularly limited.

[0026] Catalyst 20 deteriorates more rapidly with the accumulation of reactant gases passing through it (the degree of deterioration of catalyst 20 increases). As deterioration intensifies (the degree of deterioration increases), the ability of catalyst 20 to process components contained in the reactant gases decreases. In this embodiment, the ability to decompose ammonia decreases as catalyst 20 deteriorates more rapidly. Therefore, the decomposition of ammonia becomes difficult. Causes of catalyst 20 deterioration include, for example, oxidation, nitriding, carbonization, poisoning, contamination, and sintering.

[0027] In the gas processing apparatus 2 of this embodiment, if the catalyst 20 deteriorates further and the decomposition of ammonia becomes difficult, the number of molecules of the component contained in the gas (product gas) downstream of the catalyst 20 is unlikely to increase. As a result, the pressure of the gas (product gas) downstream of the catalyst 20 is unlikely to increase. For example, if we compare a situation where 100% of the ammonia in the reaction gas is decomposed after passing through the catalyst 20 with a situation where only 50% of the ammonia in the reaction gas is decomposed, the pressure of the product gas downstream of the catalyst 20 is higher in the case of 100% ammonia decomposition compared to the case where only 50% of the ammonia is decomposed.

[0028] The pressure of the gas downstream of the catalyst 20 within the housing 10 is detected by a pressure sensor 30. The pressure sensor 30 is, for example, installed on the side of the housing 10 downstream of the catalyst 20. The pressure sensor 30 detects the pressure of the gas (generated gas) after passing through the catalyst 20 within the housing 10. The pressure information detected by the pressure sensor 30 is sent to the control device 50.

[0029] The control device 50 can estimate the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 based on the detection pressure of the pressure sensor 30 and a predetermined reference pressure. The reference pressure is set, for example, assuming the catalyst 20 is not degraded. The reference pressure is preset, for example, based on experiments or analysis. The reference pressure is, for example, the detection pressure of the pressure sensor 30 at a predetermined reference time. The reference time is, for example, when the catalyst 20 is not degraded, and is the initial state in which the catalyst 20 is disposed within the housing 10. The reference pressure is set, for example, under the condition that the gas flow rate in the housing 10 at the reference time is the same as the gas flow rate in the housing 10 at the estimated degree of degradation. The reference pressure is set, for example, under the condition that the temperature of the catalyst 20 at the reference time is the same as the temperature of the catalyst 20 at the estimated degree of degradation.

[0030] Next, an example of a method for estimating the degree of degradation of catalyst 20 will be described. For example, when the detection pressure of pressure sensor 30 when estimating the degree of degradation of catalyst 20 is set to "Pc", the reference pressure (the detection pressure of pressure sensor 30 at the reference time) is set to "Pb", and the pressure change rate (decrease rate or increase rate) between the detection pressure Pc and the reference pressure Pb is set to "Y", the pressure change rate Y is expressed by the following equation (2).

[0031] Y=(Pc-Pb)×100 / Pb···(2)

[0032] Furthermore, in the decomposition of ammonia represented by the above chemical formula (1) (2NH3→N2+3H2), when the number of molecules on the left is set to "m" (=2), the number of molecules on the right is set to "n" (=1+3=4), the coefficient considering the pressure loss of the gas flow path 10a in the shell 10 is set to "k", and the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 is set to "X", the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 is represented by the following formula (3).

[0033] X=Y{n / k(nm)}···(3)

[0034] The control device 50 estimates the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 based on the above-described equations (2) and (3). Furthermore, the method for estimating the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 is not limited to the examples described above.

[0035] (Effect)

[0036] The gas processing apparatus 2 of the embodiment has been described above. As can be seen from the above description, the gas processing apparatus 2 includes: a catalyst 20 disposed within a housing 10; and a pressure sensor 30 that detects the pressure of a gas (generated gas) downstream of the catalyst 20 within the housing 10. The composition of the gas flowing within the housing 10 (e.g., ammonia) undergoes a chemical change due to the action of the catalyst 20. The control device 50 (an example of an estimation unit) compares the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 30 with a predetermined reference pressure to estimate the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20.

[0037] According to this structure, the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 can be estimated simply by detecting the pressure of the gas (generated gas) downstream of the catalyst 20 within the housing 10. Therefore, the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 can be estimated through a simple structure. Furthermore, the gas processing device 2 may also include a heating device for heating the gas within the housing 10.

[0038] The reference pressure is the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 at a specified reference time. The gas flow rate inside the housing 10 at the reference time is the same as the gas flow rate inside the housing 10 at the estimated degradation time. Furthermore, the temperature of the catalyst 20 at the reference time is the same as the temperature of the catalyst 20 at the estimated degradation time. Based on this structure, pressure can be compared while ensuring consistency between the conditions at the reference time and the estimated time, thus enabling high-precision estimation of the degradation degree of the catalyst 20.

[0039] The degree of degradation of catalyst 20 depends on the difference between the total number of molecules of the gas component upstream of catalyst 20 and the total number of molecules of the gas component downstream of catalyst 20. Based on this structure, the degree of degradation of catalyst 20 can be estimated based on the theoretical chemical formula.

[0040] Next, the fuel cell system 100 using the technology of the gas processing device 2 of the embodiment will be described. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the fuel cell system 100 includes a feed tank 102, a vaporizer 104, a reformer 106, an adsorber 108, a fuel cell 110, and a control device 50. The technology of the gas treatment device 2 in this embodiment is used in the reformer 106 of the fuel cell system 100.

[0041] The raw material tank 102 stores liquid ammonia as a raw material. A liquid supply path 120 for the flow of liquid ammonia is connected to the raw material tank 102. The upstream end of the liquid supply path 120 is connected to the raw material tank 102, and the downstream end is connected to the vaporizer 104.

[0042] The vaporizer 104 vaporizes ammonia by heating liquid ammonia supplied by the liquid supply line 120, thereby generating ammonia gas. A reaction gas supply line 122, which supplies ammonia gas, is connected to the vaporizer 104. The upstream end of the reaction gas supply line 122 is connected to the vaporizer 104, and the downstream end is connected to the reformer 106.

[0043] Reformer 106 generates reformed gas by reforming ammonia supplied by reactant gas supply path 122. The reformed gas contains hydrogen generated by reforming the ammonia. In addition, the reformed gas also contains undecomposed ammonia.

[0044] The reformer 106 is equivalent to the gas processing device 2 of the above embodiment (see reference). Figure 1 Therefore, the reformer 106 includes a housing 10, a catalyst 20 disposed within the housing 10, and a pressure sensor 30 for detecting the pressure of the gas within the housing 10. The reformer 106 may also include a heating device for heating the gas within the housing 10.

[0045] A reforming gas supply path 124 is connected to the reformer 106 for the flow of reforming gas. The upstream end of the reforming gas supply path 124 is connected to the reformer 106, and the downstream end is connected to the adsorber 108.

[0046] Adsorber 108 removes ammonia from the reformed gas by adsorbing it from the reformed gas supplied by reformed gas supply path 124 using an adsorbent. This produces fuel gas with a lower ammonia concentration. Adsorbents used for ammonia adsorption include, for example, activated carbon, zeolite, and MOF (Metal Organic Framework).

[0047] A fuel gas supply path 126 for the flow of fuel gas is connected to the adsorber 108. The upstream end of the fuel gas supply path 126 is connected to the adsorber 108, and the downstream end is connected to the fuel cell 110.

[0048] In addition to the fuel gas supply path 126, the fuel cell 110 is also connected to an air supply path 128 for air circulation. The upstream end of the air supply path 128 is connected to an air supply source (not shown), and the downstream end is connected to the fuel cell 110.

[0049] The fuel cell 110 generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen contained in the fuel gas supplied by the fuel gas supply passage 126 and oxygen contained in the air supplied by the air supply passage 128. The fuel cell 110 includes, for example, a container and multiple battery cells (not shown) stacked within the container, each battery cell generating electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen contained in the fuel gas and oxygen contained in the air. Each battery cell is, for example, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or a solid polymer fuel cell (PEFC), but is not limited to these.

[0050] (Modified example)

[0051] (1) In the above embodiments, the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 is a gas containing ammonia, and the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is a gas containing nitrogen and hydrogen, but the composition of the gas is not limited to the above embodiments. In a modified embodiment, the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2), and the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing ammonia (NH3).

[0052] The nitrogen and hydrogen contained in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 undergo a chemical change as they pass through catalyst 20 due to the action of catalyst 20. The nitrogen and hydrogen change to ammonia as shown in the following chemical formula (4).

[0053] N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3···(4)

[0054] In this case, the number of molecules in the product gas after ammonia synthesis is less than the number of molecules in the reaction gas before ammonia synthesis. Therefore, the number of molecules in the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is less than the number of molecules in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Consequently, the pressure of the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is lower than the pressure of the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Furthermore, in the estimation of the degree of degradation of catalyst 20, the number of molecules "m" on the left side of chemical formula (4) is 4 (=1+3), and the number of molecules "n" on the right side is 2.

[0055] Furthermore, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, ruthenium (Ru), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), etc. Additionally, catalyst 20 can also be an iron-based catalyst (e.g., Fe3O4-Al2O3-K2O, Fe3O4-Al2O3-CaO-K2O, etc.) or a ruthenium-based catalyst (e.g., Ru / Pr2O3, Ru / Ca(NH2)2, etc.).

[0056] (2) In another variation, the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxygen (O2), and the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing sulfur trioxide (SO3).

[0057] The sulfur dioxide and oxygen contained in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 undergo a chemical change as they pass through catalyst 20 due to the action of catalyst 20. The sulfur dioxide and oxygen change into sulfur trioxide as shown in the following chemical formula (5).

[0058] 2SO2 + O2 → 2SO3···(5)

[0059] In this case, the number of molecules in the product gas after sulfur trioxide synthesis is less than the number of molecules in the reaction gas before sulfur trioxide synthesis. Therefore, the number of molecules in the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is less than the number of molecules in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Consequently, the pressure of the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is lower than the pressure of the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Furthermore, in the estimation of the degree of degradation of catalyst 20, the number of molecules "m" on the left side of chemical formula (5) is 3 (=1+2), and the number of molecules "n" on the right side is 2.

[0060] In addition, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, and for example, vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) or platinum (Pt) can be used.

[0061] (3) In another variation, the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing methane (CH4) and oxygen (O2), and the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2).

[0062] The methane and oxygen contained in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 undergo chemical changes as they pass through catalyst 20 due to the action of catalyst 20. The methane and oxygen chemically change into carbon monoxide and hydrogen as shown in the following chemical formula (6).

[0063] 2CH4+O2→2CO+4H2···(6)

[0064] In this case, the number of molecules of the component contained in the generated gas is greater than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reactant gas. As a result, the pressure of the generated gas downstream of catalyst 20 is higher than the pressure of the reactant gas upstream of catalyst 20. Furthermore, in the estimation of the degree of degradation of catalyst 20, the number of molecules "m" on the left side of chemical formula (6) is 3 (=2+1), and the number of molecules "n" on the right side is 6 (=2+4).

[0065] In addition, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, and for example, nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh) or the like can be used.

[0066] (4) In another variation, the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2), and the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing methane (CH4) and water (H2O).

[0067] The carbon dioxide and hydrogen contained in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 undergo chemical changes as they pass through catalyst 20 due to the action of catalyst 20. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are chemically transformed into methane and water as shown in the following chemical formula (7).

[0068] CO2+4H2→CH4+2H2O···(7)

[0069] In this case, the number of molecules of the component contained in the generated gas is less than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reactant gas. As a result, the pressure of the generated gas downstream of catalyst 20 is lower than the pressure of the reactant gas upstream of catalyst 20. Furthermore, in the estimation of the degree of degradation of catalyst 20, the number of molecules "m" on the left side of chemical formula (7) is 5 (=1+4), and the number of molecules "n" on the right side is 3 (=1+2).

[0070] Furthermore, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, and for example, ruthenium (Ru) or cobalt (CO) can be used. Alternatively, catalyst 20 can also be a copper-zinc-aluminum (Cu-Zn-Al) catalyst.

[0071] (5) In another variation, the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing ethylene (C2H4) and hydrogen (H2), and the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 may be a gas containing ethane (C2H6).

[0072] The ethylene and hydrogen contained in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 undergo a chemical change as they pass through catalyst 20 due to the action of catalyst 20. Ethylene and hydrogen change to ethane as shown in the following chemical formula (8).

[0073] C2H4 + H2 → C2H6 ···(8)

[0074] In this case, the number of molecules of the component contained in the generated gas is less than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reactant gas. As a result, the pressure of the generated gas downstream of catalyst 20 is lower than the pressure of the reactant gas upstream of catalyst 20. Furthermore, in the estimation of the degree of degradation of catalyst 20, the number of molecules "m" on the left side of chemical formula (8) is 2 (=1+1), and the number of molecules "n" on the right side is 1.

[0075] In addition, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, and for example, palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru) can be used.

[0076] (6) In a modified example, the fuel cell system 100 (refer to) Figure 2 The adsorbent in the adsorber 108 may also be provided with a cooling device (not shown) for cooling the adsorbent. The cooling device may include, for example, a cooling pipe within the adsorber 108 and a refrigerant supply device for supplying refrigerant to the cooling pipe. The cooling device cools the adsorbent by the refrigerant supplied by the refrigerant supply device flowing through the cooling pipe.

[0077] In this configuration, if the degradation of the catalyst 20 in the reformer 106 (gas processing device 2) exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control device 50 supplies refrigerant to the cooling pipe by starting the operation of the refrigerant supply device.

[0078] In the fuel cell system 100, if the catalyst 20 in the reformer 106 (gas processing device 2) deteriorates rapidly, ammonia becomes difficult to decompose, and the concentration of ammonia in the gas supplied to the adsorber 108 increases. Consequently, the temperature of the adsorbent in the adsorber 108 rises, and its adsorption capacity sometimes decreases. Based on the above structure, when the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the adsorbent in the adsorber 108 can be cooled. This improves the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent.

[0079] (7) In another variation, the fuel cell system 100 (refer to) Figure 2 It may also include a flow control valve (not shown) installed in the reactant gas supply path 122. The flow control valve controls the flow rate of the reactant gas flowing in the reactant gas supply path 122, thereby controlling the flow rate of the reactant gas supplied to the reformer 106.

[0080] In this configuration, if the degradation of the catalyst 20 in the reformer 106 (gas processing device 2) is above a predetermined threshold, the control device 50 may reduce the flow rate of the reaction gas supplied to the reformer 106 by reducing the opening of the flow control valve.

[0081] In the fuel cell system 100, if the catalyst 20 in the reformer 106 (gas processing device 2) deteriorates rapidly, ammonia becomes difficult to decompose, and the concentration of ammonia in the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 110 sometimes becomes high. Consequently, the cell units of the fuel cell 110 sometimes deteriorate. Based on the above structure, when the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 exceeds a predetermined threshold, by reducing the flow rate of the reaction gas supplied to the reformer 106, the amount of ammonia supplied to the fuel cell 110 can be reduced. Therefore, the deterioration of the cell units of the fuel cell 110 can be suppressed.

[0082] (8) In a modified example, if the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 in the gas processing device 2 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control device 50 may perform control to restore the catalyst 20. For example, the control device 50 may also perform control to supply hydrogen and oxygen into the housing 10. In addition, the control device 50 may also perform control to supply high-temperature gas into the housing 10.

[0083] The above details specific examples of this utility model, but these are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes techniques derived from various modifications and alterations of the above-described specific examples. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings are technically useful individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of application. Furthermore, the technology illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives is itself technically useful.

Claims

1. A gas processing apparatus comprising: Casing; and The catalyst, which is disposed within the shell, The composition of the gas flowing within the housing undergoes a chemical change due to the action of the catalyst, characterized in that... The gas processing device has the following features: A pressure sensor detects the pressure of the gas within the housing downstream of the catalyst; and The estimation unit estimates the degree of degradation of the catalyst based on the detection pressure of the pressure sensor and a specified reference pressure.

2. The gas processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reference pressure is the pressure detected by the pressure sensor at a specified reference time. The gas flow rate in the housing at the reference time is the same as the gas flow rate in the housing when the catalyst degradation degree is estimated, and the catalyst temperature at the reference time is the same as the catalyst temperature when the catalyst degradation degree is estimated.

3. The gas processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The degree of degradation of the catalyst depends on the difference between the total number of molecules of the gas component upstream of the catalyst and the total number of molecules of the gas component downstream of the catalyst.

4. The gas processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The gas flowing within the shell, upstream of the catalyst, is ammonia.

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