Catalyst containment
The use of elastically deformable porous metal materials in a catalyst container addresses the weight increase issue by effectively pressing and holding catalysts, enhancing efficiency and stability, and reducing the container's weight.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FUTABA IND CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing catalyst containers that use weights to press granular catalysts risk increasing the weight of the container, which is undesirable.
A catalyst container design that uses elastically deformable porous metal materials to press and hold the catalyst, eliminating the need for weights and reducing the overall weight of the container.
The design effectively presses and holds the catalyst, reduces container weight, and enhances the efficiency of fluid vaporization and catalytic reactions, while maintaining catalyst stability during vibrations.
Smart Images
Figure 2026100961000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a catalyst container that houses a catalyst.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a catalyst container that houses a catalyst. The catalyst container has a function as a fuel reformer and is configured to reform fuel using a plurality of granular catalysts housed therein to generate hydrogen gas. In the catalyst container, in order to suppress the granular catalysts from colliding with each other when the catalyst container is vibrated, a plurality of granular weights are installed above the packed bed of the catalyst, and the catalyst is pressed by the gravity of the weights.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the catalyst container of Patent Document 1, since weights are used to press the catalyst, there is a risk that the weight of the catalyst container will increase. In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to reduce the weight of the catalyst container.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a catalyst container that houses a catalyst, comprising a case portion, a metal porous material, and a catalyst. The case portion forms an internal space through which a target fluid passes. The metal porous material is disposed in the internal space in an elastically deformed state. The catalyst is disposed in the internal space and is configured to generate a product gas from the target fluid in a gaseous state. Further, the catalyst is configured as a plurality of granular members. The metal porous material is configured to press and hold the catalyst by an elastic force generated by elastic deformation.
[0006] According to the above configuration, the catalyst is held in place by the elastic force of the porous metal material. Therefore, the catalyst container can be made lighter compared to the case where weights are used to press the catalyst. In one aspect of this disclosure, the fluid in question may include a fuel. The catalyst may be a reforming catalyst configured to reform the fuel in a gaseous state to produce a reformed gas corresponding to the product gas. The reformed gas may include hydrogen gas produced from the fuel by the reforming catalyst.
[0007] According to the above configuration, the catalyst container housing the reforming catalyst for generating hydrogen gas can be significantly lightened. In one aspect of this disclosure, the case portion may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is included in the inner circumferential surface surrounding the internal space. The second surface is included in the inner circumferential surface and faces the first surface in the opposite direction. The first and second surfaces may each include first and second regions that sandwich a porous metal material. The distance between the first and second regions in the opposite direction may decrease as one moves away from the catalyst. The porous metal material may be compressed in the opposite direction and elastically deformed.
[0008] According to the above configuration, the porous metal material is compressed in the opposing direction by the first and second regions, causing elastic deformation and generating an elastic force toward the catalyst. Therefore, the catalyst can be effectively pressed and held by the porous metal material.
[0009] In one aspect of this disclosure, the direction in which the porous metal material and the catalyst are aligned may be the arrangement direction. The arrangement direction may be perpendicular to the facing direction. The second region may be inclined with respect to the arrangement direction such that the distance between the first region, the second region and the facing direction decreases as it moves away from the catalyst. The outer surface of the porous metal material in its non-elastically deformed state may have a tapered region inclined with respect to the first direction such that the length in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction decreases as it moves from the first end in the first direction towards the second end. The porous metal material may be arranged in the internal space such that the first direction coincides with the arrangement direction, the second direction coincides with the facing direction, the first end is on the catalyst side, the second end is on the opposite side of the catalyst, and the tapered region is in contact with the second region. The angle of the second region with respect to the arrangement direction may be greater than the angle of the tapered region in contact with the second region with respect to the first direction in the non-elastically deformed porous metal material.
[0010] According to the above configuration, the elastic force of the porous metal material in the direction toward the catalyst can be increased. Therefore, the catalyst can be effectively pressed and held by the porous metal material. In one aspect of this disclosure, the porous metal material and the catalyst may be arranged side by side in the flow direction of the target fluid. The porous metal material may be positioned upstream of the catalyst in the flow direction and configured to vaporize the target fluid in liquid form that flows into its internal space.
[0011] According to the above configuration, the target fluid in a gaseous state can be supplied to the catalyst efficiently. In one aspect of this disclosure, two porous metal materials may be provided. The two porous metal materials may be arranged on either side of the catalyst in the flow direction of the target fluid.
[0012] According to the above configuration, the catalyst can be effectively pressed and held by the two porous metal materials. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a fuel reformer. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a fuel reformer. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a fuel reformer with the lid separated from the main body. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Overview] The fuel reformer 1 of this embodiment is a catalyst container that houses a reforming catalyst 6, described later, in its internal space, and is configured to reform the fuel that flows into the internal space using the reforming catalyst 6 (see Figures 1 to 3). For example, the fuel reformer 1 is installed in a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, and is configured to react fuel (for example methanol or ethanol) with water vapor using the reforming catalyst 6 to produce a reformed gas containing hydrogen gas as a component, and to supply the produced reformed gas to the fuel cell. However, it is not limited to this, and the fuel reformer 1 may also be installed in a vehicle equipped with a hydrogen engine, for example, and may be configured to supply the produced reformed gas to the hydrogen engine. Furthermore, the fuel reformer 1 may be installed in various machines and equipment instead of vehicles.
[0015] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a liquid mixture of liquid fuel and water (hereinafter referred to as the mixed liquid) flows into the fuel reformer 1. However, it is not limited to this, and gaseous fuel and water vapor may also flow into the fuel reformer 1 (in other words, the target fluid may be a liquid or a gas when it flows into the catalyst container).
[0016] The fuel reformer 1 comprises a case section 2, first and second pipes 5A and 5B, a reforming catalyst 6, and first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B. <Case section> The case section 2 is a box-shaped member that forms an internal space for housing the reforming catalyst 6 and the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B (see Figures 1 to 3).
[0017] The case section 2 comprises a main body section 3 and a lid section 4. The main body portion 3 includes a bottom plate portion 31 and side plate portions 32. The bottom plate portion 31 is a rectangular plate-shaped portion that extends in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction. The side plate portions 32 are wall-shaped portions that project vertically from the edges of the bottom plate portion 31. The side plate portions 32 are provided so as to surround the bottom plate portion 31. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the bottom plate portion 31 is defined as the up-down direction. The side on which the side plate portions 32 project with respect to the bottom plate portion 31 in the up-down direction is defined as the upper side, and the opposite side is defined as the lower side. Also, hereinafter, with respect to the central portion in the left-right direction in the case portion 2, the side where the left-right end portions are located is defined as the outer side, and the opposite side of the outer side is defined as the inner side.
[0018] The bottom plate portion 31 has a first surface 33. The first surface 33 is the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 31 and is a surface included in the inner peripheral surface surrounding the internal space of the case portion 2. The first surface 33 includes two first regions 34A and 34B. Each of the first regions 34A and 34B is disposed at both ends in the left-right direction of the first surface 33 and is a planar region that faces the second regions 46A and 46B described later in the up-down direction, respectively.
[0019] The main body portion 3 has an opening that faces the bottom plate portion 31 in the up-down direction. The opening is surrounded by the upper ends of the side plate portions 32. The side plate portions 32 include two first side plates 35 that face each other in the front-rear direction, and two second side plates 36 that are disposed adjacent to each other between the two first side plates 35 and face each other in the left-right direction. The upper ends of the two first side plates 35 are disposed at the center and are composed of a horizontal portion that extends along the left-right direction and two gradient portions that extend from both ends of the horizontal portion so as to bend downward (in other words, toward the bottom plate portion 31 side).
[0020] The two second side plates 36 are rectangular in shape. Circular through-holes 37 that penetrate the second side plates 36 are provided at substantially the centers of the two second side plates 36, respectively. The lid portion 4 is a plate-shaped member that is joined to the main body portion 3 so as to close the opening of the main body portion 3. The lid portion 4 includes a top plate portion 41 and two side plate portions 42.
[0021] The top plate portion 41 is a plate-like part that extends from the first end to the second end in the left-right direction of the case portion 2. The top plate portion 41 faces the bottom plate portion 31 in the vertical direction. The top plate portion 41 comprises a flat portion 43 and two inclined portions 44A and 44B. The flat portion 43 is a rectangular portion located in the center of the lid portion 4 in the left-right direction, extending in the left-right and front-back directions. The inclined portions 44A and 44B are portions that extend from the left and right ends of the flat portion 43, respectively, curving downward (in other words, toward the bottom plate portion 31). That is, the inclined portions 44A and 44B are inclined in the left-right direction such that the vertical distance to the bottom plate portion 31 decreases as they move toward the opposite side of the flat portion 43 (in other words, toward the outside).
[0022] The top plate portion 41 has a second surface 45. The second surface 45 is the lower surface of the top plate portion 41 (i.e., the surface facing the first surface 33 in the vertical direction) and is a surface included in the inner circumferential surface surrounding the internal space of the case portion 2.
[0023] The second surface 45 includes two second regions 46A and 46B. The two second regions 46A and 46B are located at the left and right ends of the second surface 45, respectively, and are planar regions that face the two first regions 34A and 34B in the vertical direction. The two second regions 46A and 46B correspond to the lower surfaces of the two inclined portions 44A and 44B, respectively. Therefore, each second region 46A and 46B is inclined in the left-right direction such that the vertical distance from the first regions 34A and 34B that each faces decreases as it moves away from the flat portion 43 (in other words, outwards).
[0024] The two side plate portions 42 are wall-like parts that protrude downward from the ends of the two inclined portions 44A and 44B that are opposite to the flat portion 43. <First and second pipes> The first and second pipes 5A and 5B are cylindrical pipes (see Figures 1 and 2). The first and second pipes 5A and 5B are arranged to extend in the left-right direction, with the first end in the extension direction facing inward and the second end facing outward. The edges of the first ends of the first and second pipes 5A and 5B are joined to the edges of the through holes 37 in the left and right second side plates 36, respectively. The first pipe 5A forms the inlet for the mixed liquid in the fuel reformer 1, and the mixed liquid that flows into the opening at the second end of the first pipe 5A is guided through the through hole 37 into the internal space of the case 2. The second pipe 5B forms the outlet for the reformed gas generated in the fuel reformer 1, and the generated reformed gas flows out through the through hole 37 from the opening at the second end of the second pipe 5B.
[0025] <Reforming Catalyst> The reforming catalyst 6 is a catalyst configured to react vaporized fuel with water vapor to produce hydrogen gas (see Figures 2 and 3). The reforming catalyst 6 is composed of multiple granular members. Furthermore, the reforming catalyst 6 is composed of, for example, a ceramic material (alumina as an example) as a base material and a noble metal supported on the base material that has the effect of promoting the reaction of the fuel.
[0026] The reforming catalyst 6 is positioned approximately in the center of the internal space of the case 2 in the left-right direction. As will be described later, the reforming catalyst 6 is heated when the case 2 is heated from the outside. <First and second porous metal materials> The first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are porous metal materials containing a large number of pores (see Figures 2 and 3). The first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are made of austenitic stainless steel, for example. The first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B have permeability due to their numerous pores and a large surface area per unit volume.
[0027] The outer surfaces of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B, respectively, consist of a bottom surface 71, a side surface 72, and a top surface 73. The bottom surface 71 is a rectangular plane extending in the short-side direction L. The side surface 72 is a surface that protrudes from the edge of the bottom surface 71 in the height direction H perpendicular to the bottom surface 71 and encircles the bottom surface 71. The top surface 73 is the surface opposite the bottom surface 71.
[0028] The top surfaces 73 of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are provided with tapered regions 74. The tapered region 74 is a planar region inclined with respect to the short side L such that the distance in the height direction H from the bottom surface 71 decreases as you move from the first end to the second end in the short side L. The tapered region 74 is positioned adjacent to the end of the top surface 73 on the second end side in the short side L.
[0029] Hereafter, the angles of the second regions 46A and 46B with respect to the left-right direction will be described as inclination angles θ1 and θ2, respectively, and the angles of the tapered regions 74 of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B with respect to the short-side direction L will be described as inclination angles θ3 and θ4, respectively (see Figure 3). Inclination angle θ1 is greater than inclination angle θ3, and inclination angle θ2 is greater than inclination angle θ4.
[0030] The first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are arranged in the internal space of the case 2 adjacent to the left and right sides of the reforming catalyst 6, respectively, with the reforming catalyst 6 in between. Furthermore, the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are arranged in the internal space of the case 2 such that their short sides L coincide with the left-right direction and their height H coincides with the up-down direction, with the first end of the short side L facing inward and the second end facing outward. In addition, the bottom surfaces 71 of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B abut against the first regions 34A and 34B, respectively, and their tapered regions 74 abut against the second regions 46A and 46B, respectively (see Figure 2).
[0031] The length H in the height direction of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B is greater overall than the vertical distance between the parts of the first surface 33 and the second surface 45 that are in contact with the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B (see Figure 3). Therefore, the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are compressed vertically by the first surface 33 and the second surface 45 and are arranged in the internal space of the case portion 2 in an elastically deformed state (see Figure 2). In addition, the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are sandwiched between the first region 34A, 34B and the second region 46A, 46B, respectively, and compressed vertically, generating an elastic force in the direction toward the inside (in other words, toward the reforming catalyst 6). As a result, the reforming catalyst 6 is pressed and held by the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B.
[0032] Furthermore, as will be described later, the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are heated when the case portion 2 is heated from the outside. <Flow of mixed liquids> In the fuel reformer 1, the mixed liquid flows in from the opening at the second end of the first pipe 5A and flows along the left-right direction inside the first pipe 5A, the internal space of the case section 2, and inside the second pipe 5B (see Figures 1 to 3). In other words, the flow direction of the mixed liquid is from the left side (i.e., upstream side) to the right side (i.e., downstream side), along the left-right direction.
[0033] Furthermore, when the mixed liquid flows into the fuel reformer 1, the case section 2 is heated from the outside. As a result, the reforming catalyst 6 and the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B, which are arranged in the internal space of the case section 2, are heated.
[0034] The mixed liquid flowing in from the opening at the second end of the first pipe 5A flows into the internal space of the case section 2 and seeps into the first porous metal material 7A. Here, since the first porous metal material 7A is heated, the mixed liquid that has seeped into the first porous metal material 7A vaporizes. As a result, vaporized fuel and water vapor are supplied to the reforming catalyst 6.
[0035] The reforming catalyst 6 then reacts the vaporized fuel with water vapor to produce reformed gas. The reformed gas contains hydrogen gas produced from the fuel by the reforming catalyst 6 as a component. The reformed gas may also contain components other than hydrogen gas; for example, in addition to hydrogen gas, it may contain carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane as components.
[0036] Furthermore, since the reforming catalyst 6 is heated when the reformed gas is generated, the catalytic reaction that generates the reformed gas is accelerated. The generated reformed gas then passes through the second porous metal material 7B and flows out through the opening of the second pipe 5B.
[0037] [2. Effects] According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The reforming catalyst 6 is pressed against the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B within the internal space of the case 2. Therefore, even if the fuel reformer 1 vibrates due to an external force and the granular members constituting the reforming catalyst 6 collide with each other, causing the granular members to break and create gaps, the other granular members will be pressed against the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B and displaced to fill those gaps. As a result, the formation of gaps between the granular members of the reforming catalyst 6 can be suppressed.
[0038] Furthermore, the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are placed in the internal space of the case portion 2 in a compressed and elastically deformed state. The first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B then press and hold the reforming catalyst 6 with the elastic force generated by their elastic deformation. Therefore, compared to the case in which weights are used to press the reforming catalyst 6, the fuel reformer 1 can be made lighter and the number of parts in the fuel reformer 1 can be reduced.
[0039] (2) Furthermore, the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are sandwiched between the first regions 34A and 34B and the second regions 46A and 46B, respectively, and are compressed in the vertical direction, thereby generating an elastic force in the direction toward the inside (in other words, toward the reforming catalyst 6). Therefore, the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B can effectively press and hold the reforming catalyst 6.
[0040] Furthermore, the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the second regions 46A and 46B are greater than the inclination angles θ3 and θ4 of the tapered regions 74 of the first and second metal porous materials 7A and 7B. As a result, the elastic force of the first and second metal porous materials 7A and 7B in the direction toward the reformed catalyst 6 is greater compared to the case where the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the second regions 46A and 46B are less than or equal to the inclination angles θ3 and θ4 of the tapered regions 74 of the first and second metal porous materials 7A and 7B. Therefore, the first and second metal porous materials 7A and 7B can effectively press and hold the reformed catalyst 6.
[0041] (3) Furthermore, the first porous metal material 7A is configured to vaporize the mixed liquid that flows into the internal space of the case portion 2. Therefore, the vaporized fuel and water vapor can be supplied to the reforming catalyst 6 efficiently.
[0042] Furthermore, the first porous metal material 7A is placed in the internal space of the case portion 2 in a state of elastic deformation due to compression by the first surface 33 and the second surface 45. In this state, the surface area per unit volume of the first porous metal material 7A in the compressed state increases compared to the uncompressed state. Therefore, the mixed liquid that has permeated the first porous metal material 7A can be vaporized effectively.
[0043] [3. Correspondence between wordings] In the above embodiment, the fuel reformer 1 corresponds to an example of a catalyst container, the reforming catalyst 6 corresponds to an example of a catalyst, the mixed liquid corresponds to an example of a target fluid, and the reformed gas corresponds to an example of a generated gas. Furthermore, the left-right direction corresponds to an example of the arrangement direction and an example of the flow direction of the target fluid, and the up-down direction corresponds to an example of the opposing direction. Furthermore, the short-side direction L corresponds to an example of a first direction, and the height direction H corresponds to an example of a second direction.
[0044] [4. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.
[0045] (1) In the above embodiment, the second regions 46A and 46B of the second surface 45 of the lid 4 are inclined with respect to the left-right direction. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and instead of the second regions 46A and 46B, the first regions 34A and 34B of the first surface 33 of the main body 3 may be inclined with respect to the left-right direction such that the vertical distance between each region and the opposing second region 46A and 46B decreases as they move from the inside out. Alternatively, both the first regions 34A and 34B and the second regions 46A and 46B may be inclined in the same manner with respect to the left-right direction. In that case, the respective inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the second regions 46A and 46B may be greater than the respective inclination angles of the first regions 34A and 34B with respect to the left-right direction.
[0046] (2) In the above embodiment, each of the tapered regions 74 of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B is a planar region. However, it is not limited to this, for example, each of the tapered regions 74 of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B may be bent or curved at one or more places. Similarly, the second regions 46A and 46B are planar regions, but it is not limited to this, for example, they may be bent or curved at one or more places.
[0047] In the configuration described above, the difference between the vertical distance between the inner ends of the second regions 46A and 46B and the first regions 34A and 34B, and the vertical distance between the outer ends of the second regions 46A and 46B, is defined as the first difference value of the first regions 34A and 34B, respectively. Furthermore, the difference between the length in the height direction H at the first end in the short-side direction L and the length in the height direction H at the second end of the tapered region 74 of the first and second metal porous materials 7A and 7B, respectively, is defined as the second difference value of the first and second metal porous materials 7A and 7B, respectively. In this case, the first difference value of the first regions 34A and 34B may be greater than the second difference value of the first and second metal porous materials 7A and 7B, respectively.
[0048] With this configuration, the elastic force of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B toward the reformed catalyst 6 becomes large, so that the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B can effectively press and hold the reformed catalyst 6.
[0049] (3) In the above embodiment, the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B are substantially the same shape and are arranged symmetrically in the left-right direction. However, the shapes of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B can be determined as appropriate. For example, the length in the height direction H and the length in the short side direction L of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B may be different from each other. Also, the materials of the first and second porous metal materials 7A and 7B may be different from each other.
[0050] Furthermore, the fuel reformer 1 may have only one porous metal material. In this case, the porous metal material may be positioned only on the left side of the reforming catalyst 6 (i.e., the upstream side in the fuel flow direction) and press against the second side plate 36 located on the right side. Alternatively, the fuel reformer 1 may have three or more porous metal materials.
[0051] (4) The fuel reformer 1 in the above embodiment is configured to react the fuel contained in the mixed liquid that flows into the interior with water vapor using a reforming catalyst 6 to produce a reformed gas containing hydrogen gas. However, it is not limited to this, and a catalyst container having a similar configuration to the fuel reformer 1 in the above embodiment may be configured, for example, as an exhaust gas purification device for purifying the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine that flows into the interior using a catalyst. In this case, the catalyst may be an exhaust gas purification catalyst for purifying the exhaust gas by reacting with it, the target fluid may be the exhaust gas before purification by the exhaust gas purification catalyst, and the generated gas may be the exhaust gas purified by the exhaust gas purification catalyst.
[0052] (5) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments.
[0053] [5. The technical concept disclosed herein] [Item 1] A catalyst containment container for housing a catalyst, A case portion that forms an internal space through which the target fluid passes, A porous metal material placed in the internal space in an elastically deformed state, The system comprises a catalyst disposed in the internal space and configured to generate a product gas from the target fluid in a gaseous state, The catalyst is composed of multiple granular members, The porous metal material is configured to press and hold the catalyst by the elastic force generated by the elastic deformation. Catalyst containment.
[0054] [Item 2] The catalyst container described in item 1, The aforementioned fluid includes fuel, The catalyst is a reforming catalyst configured to reform the fuel in a gaseous state to produce a reformed gas corresponding to the generated gas, The reformed gas includes hydrogen gas produced from the fuel by the reforming catalyst. Catalyst containment.
[0055] [Item 3] A catalyst container as described in item 1 or item 2, The aforementioned case section is The first surface included in the inner circumferential surface surrounding the aforementioned internal space, The inner circumferential surface includes a second surface which is included in the inner circumferential surface and faces the first surface in the direction opposite to it, The first and second surfaces each include first and second regions that sandwich the porous metal material, As the distance between the first and second regions in the facing direction decreases towards the side opposite to the catalyst, The aforementioned porous metal material is compressed in the opposing direction and undergoes the elastic deformation. Catalyst containment.
[0056] [Item 4] A catalyst containment as described in item 3, The direction in which the porous metal material and the catalyst are aligned is defined as the arrangement direction. The aforementioned arrangement direction is perpendicular to the aforementioned facing direction, The second region is inclined with respect to the arrangement direction such that the distance between the first region and the second region in the facing direction decreases as it moves away from the catalyst, The outer surface of the metal porous material in the state not elastically deformed has a tapered region inclined with respect to the first direction such that the length of the metal porous material in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction decreases as you move from the first end to the second end in the first direction. The porous metal material is arranged in the internal space such that the first direction coincides with the arrangement direction, the second direction coincides with the facing direction, the first end is located on the side of the catalyst, the second end is located on the side opposite to the catalyst, and the tapered region is in contact with the second region. The angle of the second region with respect to the arrangement direction is greater than the angle of the tapered region in contact with the second region in the non-elastically deformed porous metal material with respect to the first direction. Catalyst containment.
[0057] [Item 5] A catalyst containment described in any one of items 1 to 4, The porous metal material and the catalyst are arranged side by side in the flow direction of the target fluid. The porous metal material is positioned upstream of the catalyst in the flow direction and is configured to vaporize the target fluid in liquid form that flows into its internal space. Catalyst containment.
[0058] [Item 6] A catalyst containment described in any one of items 1 to 5, The invention comprises two of the aforementioned porous metal materials, The two porous metal materials are arranged on either side of the catalyst in the flow direction of the target fluid, Catalyst containment. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0059] 1...Fuel reformer, 2...Case section, 33...First surface, 34A, 34B...First region, 45...Second surface, 46A, 46B...Second region, 6...Reforming catalyst, 7A...First metal porous material, 7B...Second metal porous material, 74...Tapered region.
Claims
1. A catalyst containment container for housing a catalyst, A case portion that forms an internal space through which the target fluid passes, A porous metal material placed in the internal space in an elastically deformed state, The system comprises a catalyst disposed in the internal space and configured to generate a product gas from the target fluid in a gaseous state, The catalyst is composed of multiple granular members, The porous metal material is configured to press and hold the catalyst by the elastic force generated by the elastic deformation. Catalyst containment.
2. A catalyst containment according to claim 1, The aforementioned fluid includes fuel, The catalyst is a reforming catalyst configured to reform the fuel in a gaseous state to produce a reformed gas corresponding to the generated gas, The reformed gas includes hydrogen gas produced from the fuel by the reforming catalyst. Catalyst containment.
3. A catalyst containment according to claim 1, The aforementioned case section is The first surface included in the inner circumferential surface surrounding the aforementioned internal space, The inner circumferential surface includes a second surface which is included in the inner circumferential surface and faces the first surface in the direction opposite to it, The first and second surfaces each include first and second regions that sandwich the porous metal material, As the distance between the first and second regions in the facing direction decreases towards the side opposite to the catalyst, The aforementioned porous metal material is compressed in the opposing direction and undergoes the elastic deformation. Catalyst containment.
4. A catalyst containment according to claim 3, The direction in which the porous metal material and the catalyst are aligned is defined as the arrangement direction. The aforementioned arrangement direction is perpendicular to the aforementioned facing direction, The second region is inclined with respect to the arrangement direction such that the distance between the first region and the second region in the facing direction decreases as it moves away from the catalyst, The outer surface of the metal porous material in the state not elastically deformed has a tapered region inclined with respect to the first direction such that the length of the metal porous material in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction decreases as you move from the first end to the second end in the first direction. The porous metal material is arranged in the internal space such that the first direction coincides with the arrangement direction, the second direction coincides with the facing direction, the first end is located on the side of the catalyst, the second end is located on the side opposite to the catalyst, and the tapered region is in contact with the second region. The angle of the second region with respect to the arrangement direction is greater than the angle of the tapered region in contact with the second region in the non-elastically deformed porous metal material with respect to the first direction. Catalyst containment.
5. A catalyst container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The porous metal material and the catalyst are arranged side by side in the flow direction of the target fluid. The porous metal material is positioned upstream of the catalyst in the flow direction and is configured to vaporize the target fluid in liquid form that flows into its internal space. Catalyst containment.
6. A catalyst container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The invention comprises two of the aforementioned porous metal materials, The two porous metal materials are arranged on both sides of the catalyst in the flow direction of the target fluid, Catalyst containment.