FUEL GAS GENERATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A fuel gas generation system includes a reactor (16) and a filter device (22). The reactor is configured to thermally decompose a hydrocarbon supplied to the fuel gas generation system into carbon and hydrogen. The filter device is configured to capture carbon flowing from the reactor. The fuel gas generation system is configured to supply combustible gas to the filter device as backwash gas for the filter device's regeneration process.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel gas generation system. State of the art

[0002] For example, the patent reference 1 below describes a device configured to extract hydrogen by the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon gas such as methane over a catalyst. Since hydrocarbons are decomposed into hydrogen and carbon by thermal decomposition, carbon must be removed to extract hydrogen from hydrocarbons. A filter is generally used to remove carbon. List of literature on patent literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: JP 2022-24997 A Brief description of the invention: Technical problem

[0004] Over time, solids accumulate on the filter surface. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a filter regeneration process by blowing backwash gas into the filter. If nitrogen or a similar gas is used as the backwash gas, the nitrogen concentration in the hydrogen extraction system will unexpectedly increase. Solution to the problem

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel gas generation system is provided. The fuel gas generation system includes a reactor and a filter device. The reactor is configured to thermally decompose a hydrocarbon supplied to the fuel gas generation system into carbon and hydrogen. The filter device is configured to capture carbon flowing from the reactor. The fuel gas generation system can supply combustible gas to the filter device as backwash gas for the filter device's regeneration process. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a fuel gas generation system according to a first embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the fuel gas generation system according to a second embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the fuel gas generation system according to a third embodiment. Fig. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the fuel gas generation system according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the fuel gas generation system according to a fifth embodiment. Description of embodiments: First embodiment

[0006] The embodiments of the first model are described below with reference to the drawings.

[0007] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the configuration of a fuel gas generation system according to the present embodiment. The Fig. The illustrated system is one that produces hydrogen using methane as a feedstock. The hydrogen can, for example, be used as fuel for a gas turbine to generate electricity.

[0008] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, methane supplied to the system is pressurized by a compressor 10 and discharged into a raw gas path 12. The methane in the raw gas path 12 is heated by a heat exchanger 42 and a heat exchanger 14 and then fed into a reactor 16. The reactor 16 is a device that decomposes methane into hydrogen and carbon through thermal decomposition. The reactor 16 is equipped with a catalyst. An example of a catalyst is iron. In the reactor 16, the catalyst is, for example, in the form of a fluidized bed catalyst. In the reactor 16, the temperature of the methane and catalyst to be converted is, for example, between 750 and 900 °C. Furthermore, the pressure in the reactor 16 is higher than atmospheric pressure. The pressure in the reactor 16 can be, for example, several ata to several tens of ata.

[0009] The methane, along with the hydrogen and carbon produced by thermal decomposition, flows from reactor 16 into an outlet path 18. Outlet path 18 passes through heat exchanger 14. Thus, the methane supplied to reactor 16 is heated by the high-temperature substances flowing out of reactor 16. Outlet path 18 is connected to a cyclone 20. Therefore, the gas mixture of methane and hydrogen, as well as carbon, flowing out of heat exchanger 14 enters cyclone 20. Cyclone 20 is a centrifugal separation device that separates carbon from a mixture of gas and carbon. Cyclone 20 is connected to a filter device 22. This device captures any carbon that could not be separated by cyclone 20.

[0010] The filter device 22 is connected to a product gas path 40. The product gas path 40 runs through the heat exchanger 42. Therefore, the heat of the gas mixture flowing out of the filter device 22 is absorbed by the heat exchanger 42. In other words, the methane supplied to the reactor 16 is heated by the heat of the gas mixture flowing out of the filter device 22. The product gas path 40 is connected to a cooler 44, which is located downstream of the heat exchanger 42. Therefore, the gas mixture flowing out of the heat exchanger 42 is further cooled by the cooler 44.

[0011] The gas mixture, cooled by the cooler 44, is pressurized by a compressor 46 and then fed to a hydrogen refiner 48. The hydrogen refiner 48 is, for example, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system. The hydrogen extracted from the gas mixture by the hydrogen refiner 48 is a fuel gas produced by the system.

[0012] The methane separated from the hydrogen by the hydrogen refiner 48 is discharged into an exhaust gas path 52. When the hydrogen refiner 48 processes the discharge of the methane into the exhaust gas path 52, the hydrogen extracted from the gas mixture by the hydrogen refiner 48 is used. This results in hydrogen being added to the gas discharged into the exhaust gas path 52.

[0013] A compressor 50 is provided in the exhaust gas path 52. This pressurizes the gas discharged from the hydrogen refiner 48 into the exhaust gas path 52. The exhaust gas path 52 is connected to the raw gas path 12 on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 42. Thus, the gas discharged from the hydrogen refiner 48 into the exhaust gas path 52 is returned to the reactor 16. Since the exhaust gas path 52 is connected to the raw gas path 12, the raw gas path 12 contains traces of hydrogen.

[0014] The carbon separated from the gas mixture by the cyclone 20 and the filter device 22 flows into a carbon transfer device 30. The carbon transfer device 30 temporarily stores carbon in the fuel gas generation system and subsequently extracts the carbon to the outside of the fuel gas generation system.

[0015] The raw gas path 12 is connected to a backwash path 60. A connection point between the backwash path 60 and the raw gas path 12 is located upstream of a connection point between the raw gas path 12 and the exhaust gas path 52. The backwash path 60 is connected, in that order, to a buffer tank 62, a compressor 64, a heater 66, and a buffer tank 68 upstream of the backwash path 60. The backwash path 60 is connected to the filter device 22 downstream of the buffer tank 68. Actions and effects of the present embodiment

[0016] As the integrated value of the inflow rate of substances from reactor 16 to filter device 22 increases, solids are deposited on the surface of filter device 22. Here, the raw gas path 12 is connected to the backwash path 60. Accordingly, methane can be blown to filter device 22 as backwash gas. Therefore, the regeneration process of filter device 22 can be carried out by using methane as backwash gas. The backwash gas is blown to filter device 22, mixed with the gas mixture of methane and hydrogen from reactor 16, and then flows through product gas path 40 into compressor 46.

[0017] Furthermore, the gas mixture of hydrogen and methane flows upstream and downstream of compressor 46 even when regeneration processing is not performed. Therefore, the type of gas flowing upstream and downstream of compressor 46 does not change, regardless of whether regeneration processing is carried out. This prevents an unexpected increase in the concentration of non-combustible gases in the system due to regeneration processing.

[0018] According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects are also obtained. (1-1) Exhaust gas path 52 is provided for the return of the gas on the downstream side of the filter device 22 to the reactor 16. In this case, the backwash gas used in the regeneration process of the filter device 22 is returned to the reactor 16 via exhaust gas path 52. Therefore, if the backwash gas is nitrogen gas or the like, which is unrelated to the gas used to produce hydrogen as the system's production target, the concentration of the unrelated gas in the system is likely to increase. This makes methane particularly valuable as a backwash gas.

[0019] (1-2) When the filter device 22 is regenerated by the backwash gas, it is desirable that the pressure of the backwash gas supplied to the filter device 22 be sufficiently higher than the pressure in the filter device 22 immediately before the regeneration process. Accordingly, the compressor 64 is provided in the backwash path 60. Therefore, the methane supplied to the raw gas path 12 can be pressurized, and thus the high-pressure backwash gas can be blown to the filter device 22.

[0020] (1-3) The regeneration process of the filter device 22 is performed intermittently. Therefore, the flow rate of the methane supplied to the backwash path 60 fluctuates. This can lead to pressure fluctuations in the raw gas path 12. Accordingly, the buffer tank 62 is provided in the backwash path 60. Therefore, pressure fluctuations on the upstream side of the buffer tank 62 in the backwash path 60 due to the execution of the regeneration process can be suppressed.

[0021] (1-4) The temperature of the methane in the raw gas path 12 is lower than the temperature of the methane in the filter device 22. If the temperature of the backwash gas is approximately equal to the temperature of the methane in the raw gas path 12, the backwash gas will flow into the filter device 22 and cause a thermal shock in the filter device 22. Accordingly, the heater 66 is provided in the backwash path 60, and thus the backwash gas heated by the heater 66 is supplied to the filter device 22. This prevents the occurrence of a thermal shock in the filter device 22 due to the regeneration process.

[0022] (1-5) The buffer tank 68 is located downstream of the heater 66. Therefore, the backwash gas, the temperature of which is adjusted for the regeneration process, can be temporarily stored. This allows the temperature of the backwash gas supplied to the filter device 22 during the regeneration process to be stabilized. Furthermore, pressure fluctuations on the upstream side of the filter device 22 can also be suppressed. Second embodiment

[0023] The second embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates the configuration of the fuel gas generation system according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 are elements that the in Fig. The elements shown in section 1 correspond to those shown, which for the sake of simplicity are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0025] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, in the present embodiment the exhaust gas path 52 is connected to the backwash path 60. Thus, gas such as methane, which is separated from hydrogen as exhaust gas by the hydrogen refiner 48, becomes the backwash gas.

[0026] The present embodiment described above also provides the same operational effects as the first embodiment. Third embodiment

[0027] The third embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the configuration of the fuel gas generation system according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 are elements that make up the in Fig. The elements shown in section 1 correspond to those shown, which for the sake of simplicity are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0029] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, in the present embodiment the hydrogen extracted by the hydrogen refiner 48 is pressurized by a compressor 70 and fed to the backwash path 60.

[0030] The present embodiment described above also provides the same operational effects as the first embodiment. Fourth embodiment

[0031] The fourth embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the configuration of the fuel gas generation system according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 are elements that make up the in Fig. The elements shown in section 1 correspond to those shown, which for the sake of simplicity are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0033] The in Fig. The fuel gas generation system illustrated in Figure 4 is a system that produces a gas mixture of hydrogen and methane as its end product. Therefore, the hydrogen refiner 48 is not provided in the present embodiment.

[0034] According to the embodiment described above, the same operational effects are achieved as the operational effects (1-2) to (1-5) of the first embodiment. Fifth embodiment

[0035] The fifth embodiment is described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the fourth embodiment.

[0036] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates the configuration of the fuel gas generation system according to the present embodiment. Fig. 5 are elements that make up the in Fig. The 4 elements shown correspond to each other and, for the sake of simplicity, are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0037] In the present embodiment, a gas mixture of hydrogen and methane, which is an end product gas pressurized by the compressor 46, is supplied to the backwash path 60.

[0038] According to the embodiment described above, the same operational effects are achieved as the operational effects (1-2) to (1-5) of the first embodiment. correlation

[0039] The correspondence between the matters in the embodiments described above and the matters described below in the "Supplementary Notes" column is as follows. The correlation is given below for each number of the solution described in the "Supplementary Notes" column. [1] Hydrocarbon corresponds to methane. Backwash gas corresponds to in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 Methane, in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 the gas mixture of methane and hydrogen and in Fig. 3 Hydrogen. [2] One exhaust path corresponds to exhaust path 52. [3] One buffer tank corresponds to buffer tanks 62 and 68. [4] One heater corresponds to heater 66. [5] One compressor corresponds to compressor 64. [6] A first buffer tank corresponds to buffer tank 62. A second buffer tank corresponds to buffer tank 68. [7] The matters described in Solution 7 correspond to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4. [8] The matters described in Solution 8 correspond to Fig. 2. [9] The matters described in Solution 9 correspond to Fig. 3.

[10] The matters described in Solution 10 correspond to Fig. 5. Other embodiments

[0040] It should be noted that the present embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination without any technical contradictions. Regarding compressor 64

[0041] • In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4. Compressor 64 can be omitted if the pressure of the methane pressurized by compressor 10 is sufficient as the pressure of the backwash gas. • In Fig. The compressor 70 can be omitted. • In Fig. 3. Compressor 64 can be omitted if the pressure of the hydrogen pressurized by compressor 70 is sufficient as the pressure of the backwash gas. • In Fig. In case 5, the compressor 46 can be omitted. • In Fig. 5. The compressor 64 can be omitted if the pressure of the gas mixture of methane and hydrogen pressurized by the compressor 46 is sufficient as the pressure of the backwash gas. Regarding the buffer tank

[0042] • In Fig. 1 and the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5. Buffer tank 62 can be omitted if compressor 64 is omitted, as described in the column "Regarding compressor 64" above. Alternatively, buffer tank 68 can be omitted. Alternatively, both buffer tanks 62 and 68 can be omitted. • In Fig. 2. The buffer tank 68 can be omitted. • In Fig. 2 For example, a buffer tank can be provided downstream of the compressor 50 in the exhaust gas path 52 and the buffer tank 62 can be omitted. Regarding heating 66

[0043] • In the Fig. 1 and Fig.4 The heater 66 can be omitted, for example by connecting the backwash path 60 between the heat exchanger 14 and the reactor 16 in the raw gas path 12. Regarding hydrocarbons

[0044] • A hydrocarbon that is to be thermally decomposed into hydrogen and carbon is not limited to methane. For example, propane can be used. Additional information

[0045] Solution 1. A fuel gas generation system comprising a reactor and a filter device, wherein the reactor is configured to thermally decompose a hydrocarbon supplied to the fuel gas generation system into carbon and hydrogen, wherein the filter device is configured to capture carbon flowing out of the reactor, and wherein the fuel gas generation system is configured to supply combustible gas in the fuel gas generation system to the filter device as backwash gas for the regeneration processing of the filter device.

[0046] In the configuration described above, the flammable gas in the system is used as a backwash gas. Therefore, an increase in the concentration of non-flammable gases such as nitrogen in the system can be suppressed. It should be noted that the flammable gas in the system can be a carbon-hydrogen compound or hydrogen.

[0047] Solution 2. The fuel gas generation system according to Solution 1, comprising a hydrogen refiner and an exhaust gas path, wherein the hydrogen refiner is a device configured to extract hydrogen from a gas mixture from which carbon has been removed by the filter device, wherein the gas mixture contains the hydrocarbon and the hydrogen, the exhaust gas path is a path through which the exhaust gas is returned from the hydrogen refiner to the reactor, and the exhaust gas is a gas obtained by removing the hydrogen from the hydrogen refiner and containing at least the hydrocarbon.

[0048] In the configuration described above, the backwash gas flows through the exhaust gas path into the reactor. If the backwash gas is a non-flammable gas such as nitrogen, which is unrelated to the flammable gas in the system, the concentration of the non-flammable gas in the system can therefore increase. This makes the usable value of the flammable gas as backwash gas in the fuel gas generation system particularly high.

[0049] Solution 3. The fuel gas generation system according to Solution 1 or 2, with a backwash path and a buffer tank, wherein the backwash path is configured to supply the backwash gas to the filter device, and the buffer tank is provided in the backwash path.

[0050] In the above configuration, pressure fluctuations on the upstream side of the buffer tank in the backwash path can be suppressed due to the execution of the regeneration process. Solution 4. The fuel gas generation system according to one of solutions 1 to 3, with a backwash path and a heater, wherein the backwash path is configured to supply the backwash gas to the filter device, and the heater is provided in the backwash path.

[0051] In the above configuration, the occurrence of a thermal shock in the filter device, which is associated with the regeneration process, can be suppressed by supplying the backwash gas heated by the heater to the filter device. Solution 5. The fuel gas generation system according to one of solutions 1 to 4, comprising a backwash path and a compressor, wherein the backwash path is configured to supply the backwash gas to the filter device, and the compressor is configured to pressurize the backwash gas to be supplied to the filter device.

[0052] In the above configuration, the backwash gas is pressurized by the compressor, and thus the high-pressure backwash gas can be blown to the filter device. Solution 6. The fuel gas generation system according to one of solutions 1 to 5, comprising a backwash path, a first buffer tank, a compressor and a second buffer tank, wherein the backwash path is configured to supply the backwash gas to the filter device, wherein the first buffer tank and the second buffer tank are provided in the backwash path and the compressor is configured to pressurize the backwash gas supplied from the first buffer tank in the backwash path and to supply the pressurized backwash gas to the second buffer tank.

[0053] The provision of the first buffer tank allows pressure fluctuations upstream of the backwash path to be suppressed. Additionally, the pressurized backwash gas can be stored in the second buffer tank.

[0054] Solution 7. The fuel gas generation system according to one of solutions 1 to 6, wherein the backwash gas is the hydrocarbon supplied to the fuel gas generation system. Solution 8. The fuel gas generation system according to any one of solutions 1 to 6, comprising a hydrogen refiner, an exhaust gas path, and a backwash path, wherein the hydrogen refiner is a device configured to extract hydrogen from a gas mixture from which carbon has been removed by the filter device, wherein the gas mixture contains the hydrocarbon and the hydrogen, the exhaust gas path is a path through which the exhaust gas is returned from the hydrogen refiner to the reactor, the exhaust gas is a gas obtained by removing the hydrogen from the hydrogen refiner and containing at least the hydrocarbon, and wherein the backwash path is configured to supply the exhaust gas as backwash gas to the filter device by branching off from the exhaust gas path to be connected to the filter device.

[0055] In the configuration described above, the backwash gas flows through the exhaust gas path into the reactor. If the backwash gas is a non-flammable gas such as nitrogen, which is unrelated to the flammable gas in the system, the concentration of the non-flammable gas in the system can therefore increase. This makes the exhaust gas particularly valuable as a backwash gas.

[0056] Solution 9. The fuel gas generation system according to one of solutions 1 to 6, comprising a hydrogen refiner and a backwash path, wherein the hydrogen refiner is a device configured to extract hydrogen from a gas mixture from which carbon has been removed by the filter device, and wherein the backwash path is configured to supply the hydrogen extracted by the hydrogen refiner as backwash gas to the filter device.

[0057] In the configuration described above, the hydrogen extracted by the hydrogen refiner is used as a backwash gas. Therefore, an increase in the concentration of non-flammable gases such as nitrogen in the system can be suppressed. Solution 10. The fuel gas generation system according to one of solutions 1 to 6, wherein the fuel gas generation system is configured to produce as a generation target a gas mixture from which the carbon is removed by the filter device, wherein the gas mixture contains the hydrogen and the hydrocarbon and the backwash gas is the gas mixture.

[0058] In the configuration described above, the gas mixture that is the production target is used as a backwash gas. Therefore, an increase in the concentration of non-flammable gases such as nitrogen in the system can be suppressed. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2022-24997 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] Fuel gas generation system, comprising: a reactor; and a filter device wherein the reactor is configured to thermally decompose a hydrocarbon supplied to the fuel gas generation system into carbon and hydrogen, the filter device is configured to capture carbon flowing out of the reactor, and The fuel gas generation system is configured to supply combustible gas to the fuel gas generation system of the filter device as backwash gas for the regeneration processing of the filter device. [2] Fuel gas generation system according to claim 1, comprising: a hydrogen refiner; and an exhaust path, whereby The hydrogen refiner is a device configured to extract hydrogen from a gas mixture from which carbon has been removed by the filter device. the gas mixture contains hydrocarbon and hydrogen The exhaust gas path is a path through which the exhaust gas is returned from the hydrogen refiner to the reactor, and The exhaust gas is a gas obtained by removing the hydrogen from the hydrogen refiner and contains at least the hydrocarbon. [3] Fuel gas generation system according to claim 1, comprising: a backwash path; and a buffer tank, whereby the backwash path is configured to supply the backwash gas to the filter device, and the buffer tank is provided in the backwash path. [4] Fuel gas generation system according to claim 1, comprising: a backwash path; and a heater, whereby the backwash path is configured to supply the backwash gas to the filter device, and The heating is provided in the backwash path. [5] Fuel gas generation system according to claim 1, comprising: a backwash path; and a compressor, whereby the backwash path is configured to supply the backwash gas to the filter device, and the compressor is configured to pressurize the backwash gas to be supplied to the filter device. [6] Fuel gas generation system according to claim 1, comprising: a backwash path; a first buffer tank; a compressor; and a second buffer tank, whereby the backwash path is configured to supply the backwash gas to the filter device, the first buffer tank and the second buffer tank are provided in the backwash path, and the compressor is configured to pressurize the backwash gas supplied from the first buffer tank in the backwash path and to supply the pressurized backwash gas to the second buffer tank. [7] Fuel gas generation system according to claim 1, wherein the backwash gas is the hydrocarbon supplied to the fuel gas generation system. [8] Fuel gas generation system according to claim 1, comprising: a hydrogen refiner; an exhaust path; and a backwash path, whereby The hydrogen refiner is a device configured to extract hydrogen from a gas mixture from which carbon has been removed by the filter device. the gas mixture contains hydrocarbon and hydrogen The exhaust gas path is a path through which the exhaust gas is returned from the hydrogen refiner to the reactor. the exhaust gas is a gas obtained by removing the hydrogen from the hydrogen refiner and contains at least the hydrocarbon, and the backwash path is configured to supply the exhaust gas as backwash gas to the filter device by branching off from the exhaust gas path to be connected to the filter device. [9] Fuel gas generation system according to claim 1, comprising: a hydrogen refiner; and a backwash path, whereby The hydrogen refiner is a device configured to extract hydrogen from a gas mixture from which carbon has been removed by the filter device, and the backwash path is configured to supply the hydrogen extracted by the hydrogen refiner as backwash gas to the filter device. [10] Fuel gas generation system according to claim 1, wherein the fuel gas generation system is configured to produce a gas mixture as its generation target, from which the carbon is removed by the filter device, The gas mixture contains the hydrogen and the hydrocarbon, and the backwash gas is the gas mixture.

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