Generation system

Abstract

To provide a generation system capable of enhancing generation efficiency, which is the ratio of a generation target gas to a raw material supplied to the generation system.SOLUTION: A generation system generates a generation target gas in a pressurized state. The generation target gas is a flammable gas. The generation system includes a lock hopper and a flammable gas path. The lock hopper is configured to move a solid from one of the inside of the generation system and the outside of the generation system to the other and is connected to the flammable gas path at a place different from an inlet of the solid and an outlet of the solid. The flammable gas path is a path to take the flammable gas in the lock hopper out of the lock hopper. The downstream side of the flammable gas path is connected to an internal path in the generation system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a production system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the following Patent Document 1 describes a dust collector that removes solid matter generated when a combustible gas is generated. This dust collector includes a filter device that removes solid matter from the combustible gas. The filter device is connected to a lock hopper via a receiving valve. While the receiving valve is open, solid matter accumulates in the lock hopper from the filter. When the amount of solid matter accumulated in the lock hopper reaches a predetermined amount, the receiving valve is closed. Nitrogen is then supplied into the lock hopper as a non-combustible gas. The solid matter is then discharged from the lock hopper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-110166 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned device, flammable gas flows into the lock hopper in addition to solid matter during the period when the receiving valve is open. However, in the above-mentioned device, the flammable gas in the lock hopper cannot be effectively utilized. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described below. A generation system that generates a target gas under pressurized conditions, the target gas being a flammable gas, comprising a lock hopper and a flammable gas pathway, the lock hopper being configured to move solids from either inside or outside the generation system to the other, and a point other than the solid inlet and the solid outlet being connected to the flammable gas pathway, the flammable gas pathway being a pathway for removing the flammable gas in the lock hopper to the outside of the lock hopper, the downstream side of the flammable gas pathway being connected to an internal pathway in the generation system, and the internal pathway being a pathway from the flow of raw materials for the target gas in the generation system to the flow of the target gas out of the generation system.

[0006] In the above configuration, the flammable gas flowing out from the lock hopper to the flammable gas path is supplied to the internal path. Therefore, the flammable gas flowing into the lock hopper can be contributed to the production amount of the target gas generated by the generation system. Therefore, the generation efficiency, which is the ratio of the target gas to the raw material supplied to the generation system, can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a generation system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of the carbon discharge process according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of the carbon discharge process according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of the carbon discharge process according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of the carbon discharge process according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of the carbon discharge process according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of the carbon discharge process according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of the carbon discharge process according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of the carbon discharge process according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of a catalyst supply process according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of a catalyst supply process according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of a catalyst supply process according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of a catalyst supply process according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of a catalyst supply process according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of a catalyst supply process according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of a catalyst supply process according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of a catalyst supply process according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one step of a catalyst supply process according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a generation system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] <First embodiment> Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. System Configuration The configuration of a system for producing a target gas according to the present embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. The system shown in Fig. 1 is a system for producing hydrogen using methane as a raw material.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, methane supplied to the generation system is pressurized by a compressor 10 and supplied to a combustible gas supply path 50. A raw material gas path 12 is connected to the combustible gas supply path 50. The methane in the raw material gas path 12 is heated by a heat exchanger 14 and then supplied to a reactor 16. The reactor 16 is a device that decomposes methane into hydrogen and carbon by thermal decomposition. A catalyst is provided in the reactor 16. The catalyst is, for example, iron. In the reactor 16, the state of the catalyst is, for example, a fluidized bed catalyst state. In the reactor 16, the temperature of the reacting methane and catalyst is, for example, 750 to 900° C. In addition, the pressure in the reactor 16 is higher than atmospheric pressure. The pressure in the reactor 16 may be, for example, several ata to several tens of ata.

[0010] Hydrogen and carbon produced by pyrolysis in the reactor 16 and methane in the reactor 16 flow into the heat exchanger 14. The mixture of methane and hydrogen flowing out of the heat exchanger 14 and carbon flow into the cyclone 20. The cyclone 20 is a centrifugal separator that separates carbon from the mixture of the mixture and carbon. The cyclone 20 is connected to a filter device 22. This is a device that captures carbon that could not be separated by the cyclone 20. The mixture flowing out of the filter device 22 is compressed by a compressor 24 and then supplied to a hydrogen purifier 26. The hydrogen purifier 26 is, for example, a PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption). The hydrogen extracted from the mixture by the hydrogen purifier 26 is the hydrogen produced by this system. The hydrogen extracted by the hydrogen purifier 26 flows out to a product gas path 25.

[0011] The methane separated by the hydrogen purification device 26 flows out into an off-gas path 27. An off-gas tank 29 is provided in the off-gas path 27. The gas in the off-gas tank 29 is compressed by a compressor 28 and then returned to the raw material gas path 12. Since hydrogen is used when separating methane in the hydrogen purification device 26, hydrogen flows into the compressor 28 in addition to methane.

[0012] The carbon separated from the mixture by the cyclone 20 and filter device 22 flows into a feed hopper 30. The feed hopper 30 is connected via an inlet valve 32 to a lock hopper 34. The lock hopper 34 discharges the carbon through a discharge valve 36 into a storage bin 38. The storage bin 38 is open to the atmosphere.

[0013] A flammable gas supply line 50 is connected to the lock hopper 34 via a flammable gas supply valve 52. A non-flammable gas supply line 56 is also connected to the lock hopper 34 via a non-flammable gas supply valve 58. Nitrogen to be supplied to the system is pressurized by a compressor 54 and supplied to the non-flammable gas supply line 56.

[0014] The lock hopper 34 is connected to a product gas line 60 via a product gas valve 62. The product gas line 60 is connected to the off-gas tank 29. The lock hopper 34 is connected to a mixed gas line 64 via a mix valve 66. The mixed gas line 64 discharges a mixture of methane, hydrogen, and nitrogen from the lock hopper 34. This mixture may be removed, for example, by combustion.

[0015] The lock hopper 34 is connected to a non-combustible gas discharge path 68 via a non-combustible gas discharge valve 70. The non-combustible gas discharge path 68 is open to the atmosphere. The solids discharged to the storage tank 38 contain not only carbon, but also a catalytic compound of iron and carbon. The regenerator 40 extracts the iron from the compound. The iron extracted by the regenerator 40 is combined with new iron being fed to the system and fed to the feed hopper 80.

[0016] The feed hopper 80 is connected via an inlet valve 82 to a lock hopper 84. The lock hopper 84 is connected to the reactor 16 via a discharge valve 86. A flammable gas supply line 90 is connected to the lock hopper 84 via a flammable gas supply valve 92. The flammable gas supply line 90 is connected to the flammable gas supply line 50. The lock hopper 84 is connected to a non-flammable gas supply line 94 via a non-flammable gas supply valve 96. The non-flammable gas supply line 94 is connected to the non-flammable gas supply line 56.

[0017] The lock hopper 84 is connected to a produced gas path 100 via a produced gas valve 102. The produced gas path 100 is connected to an off-gas tank 29. The lock hopper 84 is connected to a mixed gas path 104 via a mixed gas valve 106. A mixture of methane, hydrogen, and nitrogen is discharged from the lock hopper 84 to the mixed gas path 104. The flammable gas in the mixture may be removed, for example, by combustion. The lock hopper 84 is connected to a non-flammable gas discharge path 108 via a non-flammable gas discharge valve 110. The non-flammable gas discharge path 108 is open to the atmosphere.

[0018] The control device 200 controls the above-mentioned generation system. The control device 200 operates the inlet valve 32, the exhaust valve 36, the flammable gas supply valve 52, the non-flammable gas supply valve 58, the produced gas valve 62, the mixing valve 66, and the non-flammable gas exhaust valve 70. The control device 200 also operates the inlet valve 82, the exhaust valve 86, the flammable gas supply valve 92, the non-flammable gas supply valve 96, the produced gas valve 102, the mixing valve 106, and the non-flammable gas exhaust valve 110.

[0019] The control device 200 includes a PU 202 and a storage device 204. The PU 202 is a software processing device including at least one of a CPU, a GPU, a TPU, and the like. A program including commands for opening and closing the above-mentioned 14 valves is stored in the storage device 204. The PU 202 executes this program to realize the opening and closing control of the above-mentioned 14 valves.

[0020] "Carbon Emissions Processing" As described above, the pressure in the reactor 16 is higher than atmospheric pressure. As a result, the pressure in the cyclone 20 and the pressure in the filter device 22 are also higher than atmospheric pressure. Meanwhile, the storage 38 is open to the atmosphere. Therefore, the lock hopper 34 is used to discharge carbon from the pressurized system, including the reactor 16, while maintaining the pressure in the pressurized system. The carbon discharge process using the lock hopper 34 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 9. The reference numbers in Figures 2 to 9 correspond to the chronological order of the steps.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a state where carbon 112 is accumulated in the lock hopper 34. In FIG. 2, the open / close states of the inlet valve 32, the outlet valve 36, the flammable gas supply valve 52, the non-flammable gas supply valve 58, the product gas valve 62, the mixed valve 66, and the non-flammable gas outlet valve 70 are shown in different colors. That is, the valves painted black indicate that they are closed, while the valves painted white indicate that they are open. As shown in FIG. 2, in the process of accumulating carbon 112 in the lock hopper 34, only the inlet valve 32 out of the seven valves is in an open state. As a result, the carbon 112 that has flowed into the supply hopper 30 flows into the lock hopper 34. In addition, a mixture of hydrogen and methane that has flowed out of the reactor 16 also flows into the lock hopper 34.

[0022] 3 shows the process of depressurizing the lock hopper 34. This process is executed on the condition that the state shown in FIG. 2 is reached. In this process, the PU 202 opens only the product gas valve 62 out of the seven valves. This causes the product gas, which is a mixture of hydrogen and methane in the lock hopper 34, to flow into the product gas path 60.

[0023] 4 shows the process of expelling the generated gas from the lock hopper 34. This process is a step following the process shown in FIG. 3. In this process, the PU 202 opens only the non-combustible gas supply valve 58 and the mixed gas valve 66 out of the seven valves. This causes nitrogen to flow from the non-combustible gas supply path 56 into the lock hopper 34. This causes the generated gas in the lock hopper 34 to flow out into the mixed gas path 64.

[0024] Fig. 5 shows a process of discharging the carbon 112 from the lock hopper 34. This process is a process following the process shown in Fig. 4. In this process, only the discharge valve 36 out of the seven valves is opened by the PU 202. This allows the carbon 112 to fall into the storage 38 under the action of gravity.

[0025] 6 shows the process of expelling oxygen from the lock hopper 34. This process follows the process shown in FIG. 5. In this process, the PU 202 opens only two of the seven valves, the non-combustible gas supply valve 58 and the non-combustible gas discharge valve 70. This causes nitrogen to flow from the non-combustible gas supply path 56 into the lock hopper 34. Oxygen has flowed into the lock hopper 34 from the discharge port 34b in the process shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, this oxygen flows out into the non-combustible gas discharge path 68 along with the flow of nitrogen into the lock hopper 34.

[0026] 7 shows the process of expelling nitrogen from the lock hopper 34. This process is a process following the process shown in FIG. 6. In this process, the PU 202 opens only two of the seven valves, the combustible gas supply valve 52 and the mixed gas valve 66. This causes methane to flow from the combustible gas supply valve 52 into the lock hopper 34. As a result, the nitrogen in the lock hopper 34 is discharged into the mixed gas path 64.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows the process of pressurizing the inside of the lock hopper 34. This process is a process following the process shown in FIG. 7. In this process, only the combustible gas supply valve 52 out of the seven valves is opened by the PU 202. This increases the methane loading concentration in the lock hopper 34, and the pressure in the lock hopper 34 increases. This process is for reducing the difference between the pressure in the lock hopper 34 and the pressure in the reactor 16. In this process, it is desirable to make the pressure in the supply hopper 30 and the pressure in the lock hopper 34 equal.

[0028] Fig. 9 shows the process of depositing carbon in the lock hopper 34. This process follows the process shown in Fig. 8. In this process, only the inlet valve 32 out of the seven valves is opened by the PU 202. As a result, carbon accumulates, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 2.

[0029] "Catalyst supply processing" Iron is supplied to the above-mentioned supply hopper 80 in a state open to the atmosphere. A lock hopper 84 is used to supply the iron supplied under atmospheric pressure to a pressurized system equipped with the reactor 16. The catalyst supply process using the lock hopper 84 will be described below with reference to Figures 10 to 18. Note that the numbers in Figures 10 to 18 correspond to the chronological order of the steps.

[0030] 10 shows a state in which iron 114 as a catalyst is supplied into the supply hopper 80. In this state, all of the seven valves, namely, the inlet valve 82, the exhaust valve 86, the combustible gas supply valve 92, the non-combustible gas supply valve 96, the product gas valve 102, the mixed valve 106, and the non-combustible gas exhaust valve 110, are closed.

[0031] Fig. 11 shows the process of supplying iron 114 to the lock hopper 84. This process is executed on the condition that the state shown in Fig. 10 is met. In this process, only the inlet valve 82 out of the seven valves is opened by the PU 202. As a result, the iron 114 in the supply hopper 80 falls into the inlet 84b of the lock hopper 84 by the action of gravity.

[0032] 12 shows the process of expelling oxygen from the lock hopper 84. This process follows the process shown in FIG. 11. In this process, the PU 202 opens only two of the seven valves, the non-combustible gas supply valve 96 and the non-combustible gas discharge valve 110. This causes nitrogen to be supplied from the non-combustible gas supply valve 96 to the lock hopper 84. Oxygen flows into the lock hopper 84 from the supply hopper 80 in the process shown in FIG. 11. This oxygen is discharged from the non-combustible gas discharge path 108 along with the flow of nitrogen into the lock hopper 84.

[0033] Fig. 13 shows the process of expelling nitrogen from the lock hopper 84. The process shown in Fig. 13 is a process subsequent to the process shown in Fig. 12. In this process, the PU 202 opens only two valves out of the seven valves, the combustible gas supply valve 92 and the mixed gas valve 106. This causes methane to flow from the combustible gas supply path 90 into the lock hopper 84. As a result, the nitrogen in the lock hopper 84 is expelled into the mixed gas path 104.

[0034] FIG. 14 shows the process of pressurizing the inside of the lock hopper 84. This process is a process following the process shown in FIG. 13. In this process, only the combustible gas supply valve 92 out of the seven valves is opened by the PU 202. As a result, methane flows into the lock hopper 84 from the combustible gas supply path 90. As a result, the concentration of methane in the lock hopper 84 increases, and the inside of the lock hopper 84 is pressurized. This process is provided to reduce the difference between the pressure in the lock hopper 84 and the pressure in the reactor 16. In this process, it is desirable to equalize the pressure in the lock hopper 84 and the pressure downstream of the discharge valve 86.

[0035] Fig. 15 shows a process of supplying iron 114 to the reactor 16. This process follows the process shown in Fig. 14. In this process, only the discharge valve 86 out of the seven valves is opened by the PU 202. As a result, the iron 114 in the lock hopper 84 is discharged from the lock hopper 84 by the action of gravity.

[0036] FIG. 16 shows the process of reducing the pressure in the lock hopper 84. This process follows the process shown in FIG. 15. In this process, only the product gas valve 102 out of the seven valves is opened by the PU 202. This causes the product gas in the lock hopper 84 to flow into the product gas path 100. In the process shown in FIG. 15, the product gas flows into the lock hopper 84 from the reactor 16 side. Therefore, product gas is present in the lock hopper 84 when the process of FIG. 16 is started.

[0037] 17 shows the process of expelling the produced gas in the lock hopper 84. This process follows the process shown in FIG. 16. In this process, the PU 202 opens only two of the seven valves, the non-combustible gas supply valve 96 and the mixed gas valve 106. This causes nitrogen to flow from the non-combustible gas supply path 94 into the lock hopper 84. This causes the produced gas in the lock hopper 84 to be expelled into the mixed gas path 104.

[0038] Figure 18 shows the process of depressurizing the inside of the lock hopper 84. This process follows the process shown in Figure 17. In this process, only the non-combustible gas discharge valve 110 out of the seven valves is opened by the PU 202. As a result, the nitrogen in the lock hopper 84 flows out into the non-combustible gas discharge path 108, and the pressure in the lock hopper 84 becomes equivalent to atmospheric pressure.

[0039] "Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment" Carbon is separated from the hydrogen, carbon and methane flowing out of the reactor 16 by a cyclone 20 and a filter device 22. The mixture of hydrogen and methane from which carbon has been separated is pressurized by a compressor 24 and then taken into a hydrogen purification device 26. The hydrogen purification device 26 extracts hydrogen from the mixture. Due to the nature of the process of extracting hydrogen, the pressure in the product gas path 25 of the hydrogen purification device 26 is higher than the pressure in the off-gas path 27.

[0040] On the other hand, the methane and hydrogen that flow from the lock hopper 34 to the produced gas path 60 are supplied to the off-gas tank 29 provided in the off-gas path 27. In addition, the methane and hydrogen that flow from the lock hopper 84 to the produced gas path 100 are supplied to the off-gas tank 29 provided in the off-gas path 27.

[0041] Here, the pressure in the product gas passage 60,100 is lower than the pressure in the product gas passage 25. Therefore, in order to supply the mixture in the product gas passage 60,100 to the product gas passage 25, a new compressor is required. In contrast, in this embodiment, the gas in the product gas passage 60,100 is supplied to the off-gas passage 27, which has a lower pressure than the product gas passage 25. This allows the mixture in the product gas passage 60,100 to be supplied to the off-gas passage 27 without providing a new compressor. The mixture thus supplied is compressed by the compressor 28 and then returned to the reactor 16. Therefore, the mixture in the product gas passage 60,100 can be effectively used for hydrogen generation in the hydrogen generation system according to this embodiment.

[0042] <Second embodiment> The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0043] A system for generating a target gas according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 19. In Fig. 19, members corresponding to those shown in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals for the sake of convenience. In this embodiment, the mixture of hydrogen and methane flowing out from the filter device 22 is pressurized by a compressor 24 and then supplied to a hydrogen purification device 120. The hydrogen purification device 120 is a device equipped with a separation membrane and separates hydrogen from the mixture. The hydrogen separated by the hydrogen purification device 120 flows into a product gas path 25. A compressor 124 is provided in the product gas path 25.

[0044] Moreover, the methane separated by the hydrogen purification device 120 flows into the off-gas path 27 . The pressure in the off-gas passage 27 is higher than the pressure in the product gas passage 25. In particular, the pressure in the off-gas passage 27 is higher than the pressure in the generated gas passage 60, 100. Therefore, in order to supply the mixture in the generated gas passage 60, 100 to the off-gas passage 27, it is necessary to provide a new compressor. Therefore, in this embodiment, the generated gas passage 60, 100 is connected to the product gas passage 25. As a result, the gas in the product gas passage 25 becomes hydrogen mixed with a small amount of methane. Therefore, the generation system for the target gas according to this embodiment is suitable for manufacturing a product that allows hydrogen to be mixed with a small amount of methane. An example of such a case is when the target gas is used as fuel for a gas turbine.

[0045] <Correspondence> The correspondence between the matters in the above embodiment and the matters described in the "Notes" column below is as follows. In the following, the correspondence is shown for each number of the solution means described in the "Notes" column. [1] The gas to be generated corresponds to hydrogen. The lock hopper, the flammable gas path, the solid, the inlet, and the outlet correspond to the lock hopper 34, the generated gas path 60, the carbon 112, the inlet 34a, and the outlet 34b, respectively. In addition, the lock hopper, the flammable gas path, the solid, the inlet, and the outlet correspond to the lock hopper 84, the generated gas path 100, the iron 114, the inlet 84b, and the outlet 84a, respectively. [2] The separation device corresponds to the hydrogen purification device 26 in FIG. 1 and the hydrogen purification device 120 in FIG. 19. The first path and the second path correspond to the product gas path 25 and the off-gas path 27, respectively. [3] Corresponds to FIG. 1. The "path upstream of the first path among the internal paths" corresponds to the raw material gas path 12. [4] Corresponds to FIG. 19. [5] The rock hopper corresponds to rock hopper 34. [6] The rock hopper corresponds to rock hopper 84.

[0046] <Other embodiments> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0047] "About flammable gas routes" The flammable gas path connected to the path for generating the target gas in the generation system is not limited to the generated gas path 60, 100. For example, it may be a mixed gas path 64, 104. In that case, however, it is preferable to provide a device for separating and removing nitrogen in the mixed gas path.

[0048] "About downstream connections of flammable gas routes" In FIG. 19, the downstream of the produced gas passages 60, 100 may be connected to the off-gas passage 27 via a compressor.

[0049] In FIG. 1, the downstream of the generated gas path 60, 100 may be connected to the product gas path 25 via a compressor. "About Hydrocarbons" The hydrocarbons to be cracked are not limited to methane. For example, propane may be used.

[0050] "About the gas to be generated" The gas to be generated does not necessarily have to be hydrogen. In short, if there is a process for transferring solids from either inside or outside the generation system to the other, and flammable gas is mixed into the lock hopper, the flammable gas can be recovered in the manner described in the above embodiment.

[0051] "About the control device" The control device is not limited to one that executes software processing. For example, it may be equipped with a dedicated hardware circuit such as an ASIC that executes at least a part of the processing executed in the above embodiment. That is, the control device may include a processing circuit having any of the following configurations (a) to (c). (a) A processing circuit that includes a processing device that executes all of the above processing according to a program, and a program storage device such as a storage device that stores the program. (b) A processing circuit that includes a processing device and a program storage device that executes part of the above processing according to a program, and a dedicated hardware circuit that executes the remaining processing. (c) A processing circuit that includes a dedicated hardware circuit that executes all of the above processing. Here, there may be a plurality of software execution devices that include a processing device and a program storage device. Also, there may be a plurality of dedicated hardware circuits.

[0052] <Additional Notes> 1. A generation system that generates a target gas under pressurized conditions, the target gas being a flammable gas, comprising a lock hopper and a flammable gas pathway, the lock hopper being configured to move solids from either inside or outside the generation system to the other, and a point other than the solid inlet and the solid outlet being connected to the flammable gas pathway, the flammable gas pathway being a pathway for removing the flammable gas in the lock hopper to the outside of the lock hopper, the downstream side of the flammable gas pathway being connected to an internal pathway in the generation system, and the internal pathway being a pathway from the flow of raw materials for the target gas in the generation system to the flow of the target gas out of the generation system.

[0053] In the above configuration, the flammable gas flowing out from the lock hopper to the flammable gas path is supplied to the internal path. Therefore, the flammable gas flowing into the lock hopper can be contributed to the production amount of the target gas generated by the generation system. Therefore, the generation efficiency, which is the ratio of the target gas to the raw material supplied to the generation system, can be increased.

[0054] 2. A generation system as described in 1 above, comprising a separation device configured to separate the gas to be generated from a supplied gas and connected to a first path into which the gas to be generated flows and a second path into which residual gas generated when separating the gas to be generated flows, the downstream of the second path being connected to a path among the internal paths other than the first path, and the combustible gas path being connected to the path having the lower pressure between the first path and the second path.

[0055] Due to the separation of the target gas in the separation device, the pressure in either the first or second path becomes higher than the pressure in the other path. Here, when the flammable gas path is connected to the path with the higher pressure, a compressor is required to increase the pressure of the flammable gas in the flammable gas path in order to flow the flammable gas in the flammable gas path to that path.

[0056] Therefore, in the above-mentioned configuration, the flammable gas path is connected to the path having the lower pressure out of the first path and the second path, so that the flammable gas in the flammable gas path can be supplied to a predetermined path without providing a compressor for increasing the pressure of the flammable gas in the flammable gas path.

[0057] 3. A generation system as described in claim 2, wherein the pressure in the second path is lower than the pressure in the first path, the second path is connected to a compressor, and the compressor is configured to return pressurized gas to a path among the internal paths that is upstream of the first path.

[0058] In the above configuration, the flammable gas in the flammable gas path is returned to the path upstream of the first path among the internal paths. Therefore, the flammable gas in the flammable gas path can be used as a raw material for generating the target gas. Moreover, by utilizing the compressor for returning the residual gas discharged from the separation device to the upstream side of the generation system, the flammable gas in the flammable gas path can be returned to the upstream side of the generation system.

[0059] 4. A generation system as described in claim 2, wherein the pressure in the first path is lower than the pressure in the second path, and the flammable gas flowing from the lock hopper to the flammable gas path includes the gas to be generated.

[0060] In the above configuration, the flammable gas in the flammable gas path merges with the target gas separated by the separation device, thereby increasing the production amount of the target gas generated by the generation system compared to a case where the flammable gas and the target gas are not merged.

[0061] 5. A generation system described in any one of 1 to 4 above, wherein the generation system is a system that thermally decomposes hydrocarbons to generate hydrogen as the target gas to be generated, the lock hopper is configured to move carbon produced by the thermal decomposition outside the generation system, and the combustible gas flowing into the combustible gas path is a mixture of the hydrogen and the hydrocarbons.

[0062] When the carbon produced by pyrolysis is moved to the outside of the production system via the lock hopper, a mixture of hydrocarbons and hydrogen flows into the lock hopper. By recovering the mixture via the combustible gas path, the mixture in the lock hopper can be used to increase the production volume of the target gas produced by the production system.

[0063] 6. A generation system described in any one of 1 to 4 above, wherein the generation system is a system that thermally decomposes hydrocarbons to generate hydrogen as the target gas, the lock hopper is configured to move a catalyst for the thermal decomposition from outside the generation system to a reactor that performs the thermal decomposition, and the combustible gas flowing into the combustible gas path is a mixture of the hydrogen and the hydrocarbons that have flowed back from the reactor side.

[0064] When the catalyst is fed to the reactor, the hydrocarbons and hydrogen in the reactor flow back into the lock hopper. By recovering these hydrocarbons and hydrogen through the combustible gas path, the recovered mixture can be used to increase the production volume of the target gas produced by the production system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10...Compressor 12…Source gas route 14...Heat exchanger 16...Reactor 20…Cyclone 22...Filter device 24,124…Compressor 25...Product gas route 26,120…Hydrogen purification equipment 27...Off-gas route 28…Compressor 29...Off-gas tank 30,80…Supply hopper 32,82…Inlet valve 34,84…Rockhopper 34a, 84b... Entrance 34b,84a…Discharge port 36,86…Exhaust valve 38…Storage 40...Playback device 50,90…Flammable gas supply route 52,92…Flammable gas supply valve 54…Compressor 56,94…Non-flammable gas supply route 58,96…Non-flammable gas supply valve 60,100…Produced gas route 62,102…Produced gas valve 64,104…Mixed gas route 66,106…Mixed valve 68,108…Non-flammable gas exhaust route 70,110...Non-flammable gas exhaust valve 112…Carbon 114…Iron 200...Control device

Claims

1. A generating system for generating a gas to be generated under pressure, comprising: The gas to be generated is a flammable gas, A lock hopper and a flammable gas path, The lock hopper is configured to move solids from either inside or outside the production system to the other, and a location other than the solids inlet and the solids outlet is connected to a flammable gas path; the flammable gas path is a path for taking the flammable gas in the lock hopper out of the lock hopper, The downstream side of the flammable gas path is connected to an internal path in the generation system, The internal path is a path from when the raw material of the gas to be generated flows in to when the gas to be generated flows out of the generation system.

2. A separation device is provided, The separation device is configured to separate the target gas from the supplied gas, and is connected to a first path into which the target gas flows and a second path into which residual gas generated when separating the target gas flows; a downstream of the second path is connected to a path other than the first path among the internal paths, The generating system according to claim 1 , wherein the flammable gas path is connected to the path having a lower pressure out of the first path and the second path.

3. the pressure in the second passage is lower than the pressure in the first passage; The second path is connected to a compressor, The generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the compressor is configured to return the pressurized gas to a path upstream of the first path among the internal paths.

4. the pressure in the first passage is lower than the pressure in the second passage; The generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the flammable gas flowing out from the lock hopper to the flammable gas path includes the target gas.

5. The generation system is a system for generating hydrogen as the target gas by thermally decomposing hydrocarbons, the lock hopper is configured to move the pyrolyzed carbon out of the production system; The generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the flammable gas flowing into the flammable gas path is a mixture of the hydrogen and the hydrocarbon.

6. The generation system is a system for generating hydrogen as the target gas by thermally decomposing hydrocarbons, the lock hopper is configured to transfer catalyst for the pyrolysis from outside the production system to a reactor where the pyrolysis occurs; The generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the flammable gas flowing into the flammable gas passage is a mixture of the hydrogen and the hydrocarbons flowing back from the reactor side.

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