Gas treatment equipment

Abstract

This technology provides a way to estimate the degree of catalyst degradation using a simple configuration. [Solution] The gas treatment device comprises a housing and a catalyst disposed within the housing. In the gas treatment device, the components of the gas flowing through the housing undergo a chemical change due to the action of the catalyst. The gas treatment device may also include a pressure sensor for detecting the gas pressure in the housing downstream of the catalyst, and an estimation means for estimating the degree of catalyst degradation based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and a predetermined reference pressure.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a gas treatment device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a catalytic combustion type gas turbine combustor. The gas turbine combustor of Patent Document 1 includes means for detecting the temperature of the inflowing gas to the catalyst, means for detecting the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the catalyst, and means for obtaining the degree of deterioration of the catalyst based on the inflowing gas temperature and the pressure difference.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the gas turbine combustor of Patent Document 1, since the degree of deterioration of the catalyst is obtained based on the inflowing gas temperature and the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the catalyst, it is necessary to provide a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor on the upstream side of the catalyst, and a pressure sensor on the downstream side of the catalyst, and there is a problem that the configuration of the entire device becomes complicated. This specification provides a technology capable of estimating the degree of deterioration of the catalyst with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In a first aspect of the present technology, a gas treatment device includes a housing and a catalyst disposed within the housing. In the gas treatment device, the components of the gas flowing within the housing undergo a chemical change by the action of the catalyst. The gas treatment device may include a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the gas within the housing downstream of the catalyst, and an estimation means that estimates the degree of deterioration of the catalyst based on the detected pressure of the pressure sensor and a predetermined reference pressure.

[0006] With this configuration, the degree of catalyst degradation can be estimated simply by detecting the gas pressure in the housing downstream of the catalyst, thus allowing for the estimation of catalyst degradation with a simpler configuration than that described in Patent Document 1.

[0007] In a second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the reference pressure may be the pressure detected by the pressure sensor at a predetermined reference time. The flow rate of the gas in the housing at the reference time and the flow rate of the gas in the housing at the time of estimating the degree of catalyst degradation may be the same. The temperature of the catalyst at the reference time and the temperature of the catalyst at the time of estimating the degree of catalyst degradation may be the same.

[0008] This configuration allows for a comparison of pressures under the same conditions as the baseline and the estimated conditions, enabling an accurate estimation of the catalyst's degradation level.

[0009] In a third embodiment, in the first or second embodiment, the degree of catalyst degradation may depend 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. With this configuration, the degree of catalyst degradation can be estimated based on a theoretical chemical formula.

[0010] In the fourth embodiment, in any one of the first to third embodiments, the gas flowing through the housing upstream of the catalyst may be ammonia gas. With this configuration, the degree of degradation of the ammonia decomposition catalyst can be estimated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A schematic cross-sectional view showing the gas treatment apparatus of the example. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of a fuel cell system using the gas treatment apparatus of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The gas treatment apparatus 2 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the gas treatment apparatus 2 of the embodiment comprises a housing 10, a catalyst 20 disposed within the housing 10, a pressure sensor 30 for detecting the gas pressure inside the housing 10, and a control device 50.

[0013] The housing 10 constitutes a gas flow path 10a through which gas flows. The housing 10 is constructed in a tubular shape, for example, from resin or metal. In a modified example, the housing 10 may be constructed in a box shape. The material and shape of the housing 10 are not particularly limited. The housing 10 constitutes part of a gas flow path in a gas treatment system that treats a reaction gas such as ammonia gas. For example, the housing 10 may be the container of a reformer that reforms ammonia. Alternatively, the housing 10 may be part of a pipe through which ammonia gas flows.

[0014] The gas pressure inside the housing 10 changes depending on the number of molecules of the components contained in the gas. In other words, the gas pressure depends on the total number of molecules of the components contained in the gas. If there are many molecules of the components contained in the gas, the gas pressure will be high, and if there are few molecules of the components contained in the gas, the gas pressure will be low.

[0015] The reaction gas flowing through the housing 10 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is ammonia gas. The reaction gas contains ammonia (NH3) as a gas component. The ammonia contained in the reaction gas flowing through the housing 10 undergoes a chemical change as it passes through the catalyst 20 located inside the housing 10, due to the action of the catalyst 20. The ammonia is decomposed into nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) by the chemical change caused by the action of the catalyst 20, as shown in the following chemical formula (1). 2NH3 → N2 + 3H2 ... (1)

[0016] The number of molecules of the components contained in the reaction gas flowing through the housing 10 changes as ammonia in the reaction gas is decomposed by a chemical reaction. As ammonia is decomposed into nitrogen and hydrogen, the number of molecules of the components contained in the gas after the decomposition of ammonia (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "product gas") is greater than the number of molecules of the components contained in the reaction gas before the decomposition of ammonia. Therefore, the number of molecules of the components contained in the gas downstream of the catalyst 20 (product gas) is greater than the number of molecules of the components contained in the reaction gas upstream of the catalyst 20. As a result, the pressure of the product gas downstream of the catalyst 20 is higher than the pressure of the reaction gas upstream of the catalyst 20.

[0017] The catalyst 20 is not particularly limited, but if the reaction gas flowing through the housing 10 is ammonia gas, for example, ruthenium (Ru), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), etc., can be used. The catalyst 20 is arranged in the housing 10 in a state such as powder or particulate matter and supported on a carrier. The carrier on which the catalyst 20 is supported is arranged, for example, over the entire width direction of the gas flow path 10a (a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gas flow path 10a). In a modified example, the carrier on which the catalyst 20 is supported may be located in the center of the width direction of the gas flow path 10a. The position of the carrier is not particularly limited.

[0018] As the cumulative amount of reaction gas passing through the catalyst 20 increases, the catalyst 20 deteriorates (the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 increases). As the catalyst 20 deteriorates (as the degree of deterioration increases), its ability to process the components contained in the reaction gas decreases. In this embodiment, as the deterioration of the catalyst 20 progresses, its ability to decompose ammonia decreases. As a result, the decomposition of ammonia becomes difficult to carry out. Possible causes of the deterioration of the catalyst 20 include oxidation, nitriding, carbonization, poisoning, contamination, sintering, etc.

[0019] In the gas treatment apparatus 2 of the embodiment, when the deterioration of the catalyst 20 progresses and it becomes difficult for the decomposition of ammonia to proceed, it becomes difficult for the number of molecules of the components contained in the gas (generated gas) on the downstream side of the catalyst 20 to increase. As a result, it becomes difficult for the pressure of the gas (generated gas) on the downstream side of the catalyst 20 to increase. For example, when comparing the situation where 100% of the ammonia contained in the reaction gas is decomposed as the reaction gas passes through the catalyst 20 with the situation where only 50% of the ammonia contained in the reaction gas is decomposed, the pressure of the generated gas on the downstream side of the catalyst 20 is higher in the situation where 100% of the ammonia is decomposed than in the situation where only 50% of the ammonia is decomposed.

[0020] The pressure of the gas in the housing 10 on the downstream side of the catalyst 20 is detected by the pressure sensor 30. The pressure sensor 30 is attached, for example, to the side surface portion of the housing 10 on the downstream side of the catalyst 20. The pressure sensor 30 detects the pressure of the gas (generated gas) after passing through the catalyst 20 in the housing 10. Information on the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 30 is transmitted to the control device 50.

[0021] The control device 50 can estimate the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 based on the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 30 and a predetermined reference pressure. The reference pressure is set, for example, assuming that the catalyst 20 has not deteriorated. The reference pressure is set in advance based on, for example, experiments or analyses. The reference pressure is, for example, the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 30 at a predetermined reference time. The reference time is, for example, when the catalyst 20 has not deteriorated and is the initial state in which the catalyst 20 is disposed in 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 time of estimating the degree of deterioration. 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 time of estimating the degree of deterioration.

[0022] Next, an example of a method for estimating the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 will be described. For example, when the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 30 at the time of estimating the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 is "Pc", the reference pressure (the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 30 at the reference time) is "Pb", and the pressure change rate (decrease rate or increase rate) between the detected pressure Pc and the reference pressure Pb is "Y", the pressure change rate Y is expressed by the following formula (2). Y = (Pc - Pb) × 100 / Pb ··· (2)

[0023] Also, in the decomposition of ammonia represented by the above chemical formula (1) (2NH3 → N2 + 3H2), when the number of molecules on the left side is "m" (= 2), the number of molecules on the right side is "n" (= 1 + 3 = 4), and the coefficient considering the pressure loss etc. of the gas flow path 10a in the housing 10 is "k", and the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 is "X", the degree of deterioration X of the catalyst 20 is expressed by the following formula (3). X = Y{n / k(n - m)} ··· (3)

[0024] The control device 50 estimates the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 based on the above formulas (2) and (3). Note that the method for estimating the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 is not limited to the above example.

[0025] (Effect) As described above, the gas treatment apparatus 2 of the embodiment has been described. As is clear from the above description, the gas treatment apparatus 2 includes a catalyst 20 disposed in the housing 10 and a pressure sensor 30 that detects the pressure of the gas (generated gas) in the housing 10 on the downstream side of the catalyst 20. The components of the gas flowing through the housing 10 (for example, ammonia) undergo a chemical change by the action of the catalyst 20. The control device 50 (an example of the estimation means) estimates the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 by comparing the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 30 with a predetermined reference pressure.

[0026] According to this configuration, since the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 can be estimated only by detecting the pressure of the gas (generated gas) in the housing 10 on the downstream side of the catalyst 20, the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 can be estimated with a simple configuration. Note that the gas treatment apparatus 2 may include a heating device that heats the gas in the housing 10.

[0027] The reference pressure is the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 30 at a predetermined reference time. 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 time of degradation estimation. Also, the temperature of the catalyst 20 at the reference time is the same as the temperature of the catalyst 20 at the time of degradation estimation. With this configuration, the pressure can be compared while the conditions at the reference time and the estimation time are the same, so the degradation level of the catalyst 20 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0028] The degree of degradation of catalyst 20 depends on the difference between the total number of molecules of the gas components upstream of catalyst 20 and the total number of molecules of the gas components downstream of catalyst 20. This configuration allows for the estimation of the degree of degradation of catalyst 20 based on a theoretical chemical formula.

[0029] Next, a fuel cell system 100 using the technology of the gas treatment device 2 of the embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the fuel cell system 100 comprises a raw material tank 102, a vaporizer 104, a reformer 106, an adsorbent 108, a fuel cell 110, and a control device 50. The technology of the gas treatment device 2 of the embodiment is used in the reformer 106 of the fuel cell system 100.

[0030] The raw material tank 102 stores liquid ammonia as a raw material. A liquid supply channel 120 through which liquid ammonia flows is connected to the raw material tank 102. The upstream end of the liquid supply channel 120 is connected to the raw material tank 102, and the downstream end is connected to the vaporizer 104.

[0031] The vaporizer 104 vaporizes the liquid ammonia supplied by the liquid supply passage 120 by heating it. This generates ammonia gas. The vaporizer 104 is connected to a reaction gas supply passage 122 through which the ammonia gas flows. The upstream end of the reaction gas supply passage 122 is connected to the vaporizer 104, and the downstream end is connected to the reformer 106.

[0032] The reformer 106 generates reformed gas by reforming the ammonia gas supplied through the reaction gas supply passage 122. The reformed gas contains hydrogen produced by the reforming of ammonia gas. The reformed gas also contains undecomposed ammonia.

[0033] The reformer 106 corresponds to the gas treatment device 2 (see Figure 1) of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the reformer 106 comprises a housing 10, a catalyst 20 disposed within the housing 10, and a pressure sensor 30 for detecting the gas pressure within the housing 10. The reformer 106 may also include a heating device for heating the gas within the housing 10.

[0034] A reformer 106 is connected to a reformed gas supply channel 124 through which the reformed gas flows. The upstream end of the reformed gas supply channel 124 is connected to the reformer 106, and the downstream end is connected to the adsorbent 108.

[0035] The adsorbent 108 removes ammonia from the reformed gas supplied through the reformed gas supply channel 124 by adsorbing the ammonia contained in the reformed gas with an adsorbent. This produces fuel gas with a lower ammonia concentration. Examples of adsorbents used for ammonia adsorption include activated carbon, zeolite, and MOF (Metal Organic Framework).

[0036] The adsorber 108 is connected to a fuel gas supply channel 126 through which fuel gas flows. The upstream end of the fuel gas supply channel 126 is connected to the adsorber 108, and the downstream end is connected to the fuel cell 110.

[0037] In addition to the fuel gas supply line 126, the fuel cell 110 is also connected to an air supply line 128 through which air flows. The upstream end of the air supply line 128 is connected to an air supply source (not shown), and the downstream end is connected to the fuel cell 110.

[0038] The fuel cell 110 generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen contained in the fuel gas supplied by the fuel gas supply line 126 and oxygen contained in the air supplied by the air supply line 128. The fuel cell 110 comprises, for example, a container and a plurality of battery cells (not shown) stacked inside the container, and each battery cell generates 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 polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), but is not limited to these.

[0039] (modified version) (1) In the above embodiment, the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20 was a gas containing ammonia, and the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 was a gas containing nitrogen and hydrogen, but the gas composition is not limited to the above embodiment. In a modified example, 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).

[0040] 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 are chemically converted to ammonia as shown in the following chemical formula (4). N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3...(4)

[0041] In this case, the number of molecules of the component contained in the product gas after ammonia synthesis is less than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reaction gas before ammonia synthesis. Therefore, the number of molecules of the component contained in the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is less than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. As a result, the pressure of the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is lower than the pressure of the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Note that in estimating 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.

[0042] Furthermore, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, but for example, ruthenium (Ru), platinum (Pt), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), etc. may be used. Alternatively, the catalyst 20 may be an iron-based catalyst (for example, Fe3O4-Al2O3-K2O, Fe3O4-Al2O3-CaO-K2O, etc.), a ruthenium-based catalyst (for example, Ru / Pr2O3, Ru / Ca(NH2)2, etc.), etc.

[0043] (2) In other variations, the reaction gas upstream of the catalyst 20 may be a gas containing sulfur dioxide (SO2) and oxygen (O2), and the product gas downstream of the catalyst 20 may be a gas containing sulfur trioxide (SO3).

[0044] 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. Sulfur dioxide and oxygen are chemically converted to sulfur trioxide as shown in the following chemical formula (5). 2SO2 + O2 → 2SO3...(5)

[0045] In this case, the number of molecules of the component contained in the product gas after the synthesis of sulfur trioxide is less than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reaction gas before the synthesis of sulfur trioxide. Therefore, the number of molecules of the component contained in the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is less than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. As a result, the pressure of the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is lower than the pressure of the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Note that in estimating 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.

[0046] Furthermore, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, but for example, vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), platinum (Pt), etc. can be used.

[0047] (3) In further variations, the reaction gas upstream of the catalyst 20 may be a gas containing methane (CH4) and oxygen (O2), and the product gas downstream of the catalyst 20 may be a gas containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2).

[0048] The methane 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 methane and oxygen are chemically changed into carbon monoxide and hydrogen, as shown in the following chemical formula (6). 2CH4 + O2 → 2CO + 4H2 ... (6)

[0049] In this case, the number of molecules of the component contained in the product gas is greater than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reaction gas. As a result, the pressure of the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is higher than the pressure of the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Note that in estimating 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).

[0050] Furthermore, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, but for example, nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), etc. can be used.

[0051] (4) In further variations, the reaction gas upstream of the catalyst 20 may be a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2), and the product gas downstream of the catalyst 20 may be a gas containing methane (CH4) and water (H2O).

[0052] The carbon dioxide 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 carbon dioxide and hydrogen are chemically changed into methane and water, as shown in the following chemical formula (7). CO2 + 4H2 → CH4 + 2H2O ... (7)

[0053] In this case, the number of molecules of the component contained in the product gas is less than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reaction gas. As a result, the pressure of the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is lower than the pressure of the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Note that in estimating 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).

[0054] Furthermore, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, but for example, ruthenium (Ru), cobalt (CO), etc. may be used. Alternatively, the catalyst 20 may be a copper-zinc-aluminum (Cu-Zn-Al) based catalyst.

[0055] (5) In further variations, the reaction gas upstream of the catalyst 20 may be a gas containing ethylene (C2H4) and hydrogen (H2), and the product gas downstream of the catalyst 20 may be a gas containing ethane (C2H6).

[0056] 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. The ethylene and hydrogen are chemically converted to ethane as shown in the following chemical formula (8). C2H4 + H2 → C2H6...(8)

[0057] In this case, the number of molecules of the component contained in the product gas is less than the number of molecules of the component contained in the reaction gas. As a result, the pressure of the product gas downstream of catalyst 20 is lower than the pressure of the reaction gas upstream of catalyst 20. Note that in estimating 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.

[0058] Furthermore, the catalyst 20 in this case is not particularly limited, but for example, palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru), etc. can be used.

[0059] (6) In a modified example, the fuel cell system 100 (see Figure 2) may be equipped with a cooling device (not shown) for cooling the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the adsorbent in the cooling device. The cooling device cools the adsorbent by allowing the refrigerant supplied by the refrigerant supply device to flow through the cooling device.

[0060] In this configuration, if the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 in the reformer 106 (gas treatment device 2) is above a predetermined threshold, the control device 50 may start operating the refrigerant supply device and supply refrigerant to the cooling pipe.

[0061] In the fuel cell system 100, as the catalyst 20 in the reformer 106 (gas treatment device 2) deteriorates, ammonia becomes less easily decomposed, and the concentration of ammonia in the gas supplied to the adsorber 108 increases. This can cause the temperature of the adsorbent in the adsorber 108 to rise, reducing its adsorption capacity. With the above configuration, the adsorbent in the adsorber 108 can be cooled when the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 exceeds a predetermined threshold. This improves the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent.

[0062] (7) In other modifications, the fuel cell system 100 (see Figure 2) may be equipped with a flow control valve (not shown) in the reaction gas supply passage 122. The flow control valve can control the flow rate of the reaction gas supplied to the reformer 106 by controlling the flow rate of the reaction gas flowing through the reaction gas supply passage 122.

[0063] In this configuration, if the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 in the reformer 106 (gas treatment device 2) exceeds 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.

[0064] In the fuel cell system 100, as the catalyst 20 in the reformer 106 (gas treatment device 2) deteriorates, ammonia becomes less easily decomposed, and the concentration of ammonia in the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 110 may increase. This can lead to deterioration of the battery cells of the fuel cell 110. With the above configuration, when the degree of deterioration of the catalyst 20 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the amount of ammonia supplied to the fuel cell 110 can be reduced by decreasing the flow rate of the reaction gas supplied to the reformer 106. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration of the battery cells of the fuel cell 110.

[0065] (8) In a modified example, if the degree of degradation of the catalyst 20 in the gas treatment apparatus 2 is above a predetermined threshold, the control device 50 may perform control to restore the catalyst 20. For example, the control device 50 may perform control to supply hydrogen or oxygen into the housing 10. Alternatively, the control device 50 may perform control to supply high-temperature gas into the housing 10.

[0066] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical usefulness. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 2: Gas treatment device, 10: Housing, 10a: Gas flow path, 20: Catalyst, 30: Pressure sensor, 50: Control device, 100: Fuel cell system, 104: Vaporizer, 106: Reformer, 108: Adsorber, 110: Fuel cell, 122: Reaction gas supply path, 124: Reformed gas supply path, 126: Fuel gas supply path

Claims

1. Housing and The housing comprises a catalyst disposed within the housing, A gas treatment apparatus in which the components of the gas flowing inside the housing undergo a chemical change due to the action of the catalyst, A pressure sensor for detecting the gas pressure in the housing downstream of the catalyst, A gas processing apparatus comprising: an estimation means for estimating the degree of deterioration of the catalyst based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and a predetermined reference pressure.

2. A gas processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned reference pressure is the pressure detected by the pressure sensor at a predetermined reference time. A gas treatment apparatus in which the flow rate of gas in the housing at the reference time and the flow rate of gas in the housing at the time of estimating the degree of deterioration of the catalyst are the same, and the temperature of the catalyst at the reference time and the temperature of the catalyst at the time of estimating the degree of deterioration of the catalyst are the same.

3. A gas processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, A gas treatment apparatus wherein the degree of degradation of the catalyst 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.

4. A gas processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, A gas treatment apparatus in which the gas flowing in the housing upstream of the catalyst is ammonia gas.

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