Heater, manufacturing method of heater, and mounting method of heater

Abstract

This heater (100) has straight end sections (108) serving as two end sections and the straight end sections (108) are connected through a loop-back section while having at least two circular arc sections and a straight section in between. Each of the at least two circular arc sections (a first circular arc section (105a), a second circular arc section (105b), and a third circular arc section (105c)) extends in the circumferential direction of a hydrogen generation device (103). The straight section (a first straight section and a second straight section (106b)) connects the circular arc sections. The straight end sections (108) gap dimension is set to be larger than the outer shape of protruding parts (102) of the hydrogen generation device (103). The interval between the second circular arc section (105b) and the third circular arc section (105c) is set to be wider than the interval between the protruding parts (102) of the hydrogen generation device (103) in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heater for a hydrogen generation apparatus, a method for manufacturing the heater, and a method for installing the heater. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a transformer heater (hereinafter referred to as a heater) for heating the outer cylinder of a hydrogen generator. This heater has a spiral shape.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a heater (hereinafter referred to as a heater) for heating the outer cylinder of a reformer (hereinafter referred to as a hydrogen generator). This heater has a corrugated shape formed by folding a microheater element multiple times, and is flexible enough to be wrapped around the outer cylinder and fixed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-275164 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-013323 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides a heater for a hydrogen generation device that prevents water vapor in the reformed gas from condensing during start-up, causing the catalyst to become wet and deteriorate, as well as a method for manufacturing and installing the heater.

[0006] The heater according to the present disclosure is a heater for a hydrogen generator that is attached to a hydrogen generator having protrusions on its outer periphery. The heater according to the present disclosure has linear end portions at both ends, and the linear end portions are continuously formed by at least two arcuate portions and a linear portion via a folded portion. The at least two arcuate portions extend in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator. The linear portions connect the arcuate portions. The gap dimension between the linear end portions is larger than the outer shape of the protrusions of the hydrogen generator. The at least two arcuate portions include those in which the distance between the arcuate portions is wider than the distance between the protrusions of the hydrogen generator in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction.

[0007] The method for manufacturing a heater according to the present disclosure includes a two-dimensional bending process and a UO forming process. The two-dimensional bending process is a process of two-dimensionally bending a rod-shaped sheathed heater. In the two-dimensional bending process, the rod-shaped sheathed heater is two-dimensionally bent so that the linear ends are connected to each other via a folded portion, with at least two arc portions extending in the circumferential direction of a hydrogen generator having protrusions on its outer periphery. The linear portions connect the arc portions. In the two-dimensional bending process, the rod-shaped sheathed heater is two-dimensionally bent so that the at least two arc portions include arc portions whose spacing is wider than the spacing between the protrusions in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator. The UO forming process is a process in which the sheathed heater that has been two-dimensionally bent in the two-dimensional bending process is UO formed so that the gap dimensions of each straight end are larger than the outer dimensions of the protrusions of the hydrogen generation device, forming it into an approximately ring shape in a plan view.

[0008] Furthermore, a heater mounting method according to the present disclosure is a method for mounting a heater according to the present disclosure to the outside of a hydrogen generator, and includes an insertion step, a circumferential positioning step, and a fixing step. The insertion step is a step of inserting the heater into the outside of the hydrogen generator so that the protrusions of the hydrogen generator pass at least between the linear ends of the heater. The circumferential positioning step is a step of rotating the heater in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator so that the protrusions are positioned at predetermined positions between the arc portions. The fixing step is a step of fixing the heater, positioned at the predetermined position, to the hydrogen generator.

[0009] The heater according to the present disclosure can prevent water vapor in the reformed gas from condensing at the time of start-up, causing the catalyst to become wet and deteriorate.

[0010] The method for manufacturing a heater according to the present disclosure makes it possible to relatively easily manufacture a heater according to the present disclosure that prevents deterioration of the catalyst due to water wetting caused by condensation of water vapor in the reformed gas at start-up.

[0011] Furthermore, the method for attaching the heater according to the present disclosure allows the heater according to the present disclosure to be attached relatively easily to the hydrogen generation device according to the present disclosure, which has a protrusion on its outer periphery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic external view showing the appearance of the hydrogen generation apparatus according to the first embodiment to which the heater according to the first embodiment is attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the hydrogen generation device in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the heater according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing the heater according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for attaching the heater according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of manufacturing the heater according to the first modification. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing a heater according to the second modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of a heater in the fourth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors arrived at the idea of the present disclosure, a technology for producing a hydrogen-rich reformed gas applicable to fuel gas for fuel cell power generation devices, etc., was known. This technology produces hydrogen from hydrocarbon fuels such as city gas through a steam reforming reaction, and then removes impurities such as by-product carbon monoxide (CO), thereby producing a hydrogen-rich reformed gas.

[0014] A reformer (hereinafter referred to as a hydrogen generator) is used as a technology for generating hydrogen-rich reformed gas from which impurities such as CO have been removed. The hydrogen generator has a reaction tube consisting of multiple cylinders with a cylindrical overall shape. A heater is disposed inside the reaction tube. The reaction tube is composed of a first cylinder (hereinafter referred to as a combustion cylinder) that forms the outer wall of the heater, a second cylinder (hereinafter referred to as an inner cylinder) that is provided outside the combustion cylinder, an inner cylinder that is provided outside the inner cylinder, and an outer cylinder that is provided outside the inner cylinder. A reforming catalyst is filled in the annular space between the inner cylinder and the inner cylinder, and a shift catalyst (hereinafter referred to as a CO reduction catalyst) and a selective oxidation catalyst (hereinafter referred to as a CO removal catalyst) are filled in the annular spaces between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, respectively.

[0015] The hydrogen generator is equipped with a heater for heating the CO reduction catalyst and CO removal catalyst at startup. When the hydrogen generator is started, the heater is energized to heat the catalyst, quickly raising the temperature of the CO reduction catalyst and CO removal catalyst, allowing them to react efficiently. The hydrogen generator is configured to heat the outer cylinder with a single heater, thereby simultaneously heating the CO reduction catalyst and CO removal catalyst.

[0016] When commercializing a hydrogen generation device, it is necessary to provide at least a temperature detection port for measuring the temperature of the CO reduction catalyst or CO removal catalyst, and a selective oxidation air port for supplying the air necessary for the selective oxidation reaction of the CO removal catalyst on the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder. The temperature detection port and the selective oxidation air port are generally configured to protrude beyond the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder.

[0017] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a spiral heater is installed on an outer cylinder. In this disclosure, it is difficult to wind the heater in a spiral shape while avoiding the temperature detection port and the selective oxidation air port, and there is also the problem that when installing a heater that has been pre-formed in a spiral shape, the temperature detection port and the selective oxidation air port get in the way, making assembly impossible.

[0018] Patent Document 2 discloses a method of fixing a wavy heater by wrapping it around an outer cylinder in a body-wrapped manner so as not to interfere with the temperature detection port or the selective oxidation air port. In this disclosed example, by wrapping the wavy heater around the outer cylinder and installing it, the spacing between the waves can become large due to assembly variations during installation. In this disclosed example, in areas with large spacing between the waves, some of the gas flowing through the CO reduction catalyst and CO removal catalyst does not come into contact with the heater via the outer cylinder and flows without rising in temperature sufficiently, which causes the water vapor in the reformed gas to condense, wetting the catalyst and causing deterioration.

[0019] To address these issues, it is conceivable to mold a heater having a wave shape with as small a wave spacing as possible into a cylindrical structure in advance to prevent assembly variations during installation, and then install it on an outer cylinder.

[0020] However, to form it into a cylindrical structure, the heater sheath diameter must be at least a certain size (for example, φ6 or more). As a result, the wave spacing cannot be made small, and gas flows without being heated sufficiently in areas around the circumference of the tube that are far from the heater, which creates a new problem: water vapor in the reformed gas condenses in those areas, wetting the catalyst and causing it to deteriorate.

[0021] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a heater for a hydrogen generator that does not interfere with the circumferential protrusions of the hydrogen generator when installed, even if it has a cylindrical structure and uses a sheath heater with a sheath diameter equal to or greater than a certain value. The present disclosure also provides a heater for a hydrogen generator that uniformly heats the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator and is shaped to prevent water vapor in the reformed gas from condensing during startup, causing the catalyst to become wet.

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0023] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0024] (Embodiment 1) 1 and 2, the heater 100 according to the first embodiment, which is attached to the hydrogen generator 103 according to the first embodiment, will be described below. In FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen generator 103 coincides with the vertical direction, and hereinafter, the vertical direction in the state in which the hydrogen generator 103 is installed as shown in FIG. 1 (corresponding to the installed state according to the present disclosure) may be referred to as the up-down direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the vertical direction of the heater 100 in the direction in which the linear end portion 108 is upward and the first arc portion 105a is downward may be referred to as the up-down direction. These are the same in the other embodiments.

[0025] [1-1.Configuration] 1 is a schematic external view showing the appearance of a hydrogen generator 103 according to Embodiment 1, to which a heater 100 according to Embodiment 1 is attached. FIG.

[0026] (Configuration of hydrogen generation device) First, the configuration of a hydrogen generator 103 according to a first embodiment, which is an example of a hydrogen generator according to the present disclosure, will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 2, the hydrogen generator 103 includes an inner cylinder 30 having an axial direction that is substantially vertical, an inner cylinder 31 positioned outside the inner cylinder 30, and an outer cylinder 32 positioned outside the inner cylinder 31.

[0027] A heater 19 is provided inside the inner cylinder 30 so as to be surrounded by the inner cylinder 30 and to heat the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 30 .

[0028] An A gas flow path 51 is formed between the outer surface of the inner cylinder 30 and the inner surface of the inner cylinder 31, and a B gas flow path 52 is formed between the outer surface of the inner cylinder 31 and the inner surface of the outer cylinder 32.

[0029] At the top of the inner cylinder 31, there are provided a water supply section 28 that supplies water to the upstream section between the inner cylinder 30 and the inner cylinder 31, and a raw material supply section 29 that supplies raw material between the inner cylinder 30 and the inner cylinder 31.

[0030] The inner cylinder 30 and the inner cylinder 31 constitute an evaporator 5 for generating a mixed gas of water and raw materials by heat from the inner cylinder 30 heated by the heater 19 after water and raw materials are supplied from the water supply section 28 and the raw material supply section 29.

[0031] Below the space between the inner cylinder 30 and the inner cylinder 31, a reforming catalyst 11 is installed downstream of the evaporator 5 in the A gas flow path 51 to convert the mixed gas generated in the evaporator 5 into a hydrogen-rich reformed gas through a steam reforming reaction.

[0032] Between the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32, a CO reduction catalyst 13 for reducing CO in the reformed gas resulting from the reaction in the reforming catalyst 11 is installed in the B gas flow path 52. In addition, between the inner cylinder 31 and the outer cylinder 32, a CO removal catalyst 14 for further reducing the CO concentration in the post-shift gas resulting from the reaction in the CO reduction catalyst 13 is installed in the B gas flow path 52 downstream of the CO reduction catalyst 13.

[0033] An air pipe 15 is provided above the outer casing 32, communicating between the CO reduction catalyst 13 and the CO removal catalyst 14 in the gas flow path 52. In addition, an outlet pipe 17 is provided above the outer casing 32, communicating with the downstream side of the CO removal catalyst 14 in the gas flow path 52.

[0034] The post-shift gas is mixed with air supplied from an air pipe 15 and sent to a CO removal catalyst 14 where the CO concentration is reduced to a level of several ppm by a selective oxidation reaction.

[0035] The reformed gas that has reacted in the CO removal catalyst 14 is discharged to the outside via an outlet pipe 17.

[0036] Further, the outer casing 32 is provided with a temperature port 20 for detecting the temperatures of the CO reduction catalyst 13 and the CO removal catalyst 14.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, a heater 100 is provided on the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 32.

[0038] The air pipe 15 and the outlet pipe 17 are each a protrusion 102 of the hydrogen generator 103 .

[0039] (Heating heater configuration) Next, the configuration of heater 100 according to the first embodiment, which is an example of a heater according to the present disclosure, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of heater 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the heater 100 includes a first arc-shaped portion 105a extending in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103 (approximately horizontal in FIG. 3). That is, the first arc-shaped portion 105a extends along the circumference of a circle parallel to the approximately horizontal direction. This also applies to a second arc-shaped portion 105b and a third arc-shaped portion 105c, which will be described later. In the following description, the first arc-shaped portion 105a, the second arc-shaped portion 105b, and the third arc-shaped portion 105c will also be collectively referred to as arc portions 105. The length of the first arc-shaped portion 105a is formed to be slightly shorter than the outer circumferential length of the outer casing 32 of the hydrogen generator 103 so as to surround the outer periphery of the hydrogen generator 103 nearly once.

[0042] A first straight portion 106a extending above the hydrogen generator 103 is connected to each end of the first arc portion 105a. In the following description, the first straight portion 106a and a second straight portion 106b described later may be collectively referred to as the straight portion 106. A second arc portion 105b extending in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103 is connected to the upper end of the first straight portion 106a. A first folded portion 107a described later is formed by the first straight portion 106a and the first arc portion 105a and second arc portion 105b connected to the first straight portion 106a. In the following description, the first folded portion 107a and a second folded portion 107b described later may be collectively referred to as the folded portion 107.

[0043] Furthermore, a second straight portion 106b extending above the hydrogen generator 103 is connected to the tip of each second arc portion 105b. For ease of explanation, the second arc portion 105b is divided into two parts and described as each second arc portion 105b, but these two parts together constitute one second arc portion 105b. This also applies to the description of each third arc portion 105c described later. The length dimension of each second straight portion 106b is formed to be longer than the vertical distance between the air pipe 15 and the outlet piping 17, which are the protrusion 102.

[0044] A third arc portion 105c extending in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103 is connected to the upper end of each second straight portion 106b. The second straight portion 106b, and the second arc portion 105b and third arc portion 105c connected to the second straight portion 106b form a second folded portion 107b, which will be described later.

[0045] The distance between the second arc portion 105b and the third arc portion 105c is set wider than the distance between the protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103 in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103).

[0046] A straight end portion 108 extending in the up-down direction (approximately vertical direction in FIG. 3 ) of the hydrogen generator 103 is connected to the tip end of each third arc portion 105c. The distance between the straight end portions 108 is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the air pipe 15 and the outlet piping 17, which are the protrusions 102. The straight end portions 108 are connected to a power source (not shown) and configured to heat the heater 100 by passing electricity through them.

[0047] The first arc portion 105a, each first linear portion 106a, each second arc portion 105b, each second linear portion 106b, each third arc portion 105c, and each linear end portion 108 of the heater 100 are formed by bending a single rod-shaped sheathed heater at the first folded portion 107a and the second folded portion 107b.

[0048] Furthermore, the heater 100 has an approximately annular shape in a planar view, and is formed into a columnar shape located on the outer periphery of the hydrogen generation device 103 as a whole by the first arc portion 105a, each first straight portion 106a, each second arc portion 105b, each second straight portion 106b, and each third arc portion 105c.

[0049] (Heater manufacturing method) Next, a method for manufacturing the heater 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0050] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing the heater 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0051] The manufacturing method of the heater 100 includes a two-dimensional bending process and a UO forming process. The two-dimensional bending process is a process of two-dimensionally bending a rod-shaped sheathed heater. In the two-dimensional bending process, the rod-shaped sheathed heater is two-dimensionally bent so that, with linear end portions 108 as both ends, the space between the linear end portions 108 is continuously formed by at least two arc portions 105 and a linear portion 106 via a folded portion 107 (a first folded portion 107a and a second folded portion 107b). The at least two arc portions 105 (a first arc portion 105a, a second arc portion 105b, and a third arc portion 105c) extend in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103, which has a protrusion 102 on its outer periphery. The straight line portions 106 (first straight line portion 106a and second straight line portion 106b) connect the arc portions 105 together.

[0052] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a single sheathed heater is first subjected to two-dimensional bending to form a two-dimensional heater 100 having the following structure. That is, one end of each first linear portion 106a is connected at right angles to both ends of the first arc portion 105a. One end of each second arc portion 105b is connected to the other end of each first linear portion 106a, and each second arc portion 105b extends substantially parallel to the first arc portion 105a. One end of each second linear portion 106b is connected at right angles to the other end of each second arc portion 105b. One end of each third arc portion 105c is connected to the other end of each second linear portion 106b, and each third arc portion 105c extends substantially parallel to the first arc portion 105a and the second arc portion 105b. One end of each straight end portion 108 is connected at a right angle to the other end of each third arc portion 105c.

[0053] The first arc portion 105a, the first linear portions 106a, the second arc portions 105b, the third arc portions 105c, and the linear end portions 108 are formed two-dimensionally. In the two-dimensional bending process, a single rod-shaped sheathed heater is two-dimensionally bent so as to have a structure in which the interval between the second arc portion 105b and the third arc portion 105c is wider than the interval between the protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103 in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction.

[0054] The UO forming process is a process in which the sheathed heater that has been two-dimensionally bent in the two-dimensional bending process is UO formed so that the gap dimension between each of the straight end portions 108 is larger than the outer shape of the protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103, thereby forming the heater 100 into a substantially annular shape in plan view. Specifically, in the UO forming process, as shown in Fig. 4, the two-dimensional heater 100 thus formed is first formed into a U-shape and then into an O-shape, by performing UO bending, whereby the two-dimensional heater 100 is processed into a three-dimensional shape that is annular in plan view.

[0055] This allows the heater 100 to be manufactured easily.

[0056] (How to install the heater) Next, a method for attaching the heater 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0057] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for attaching the heater 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, the method for attaching the heater 100 is a method for attaching the heater 100 to the outside of the hydrogen generator 103, and includes an insertion step, a circumferential positioning step, and a fixing step.

[0059] When the heater 100 is attached to the hydrogen generator 103, an insertion step is first performed. In the insertion step, the upper side of the heater 100 is inserted into the hydrogen generator 103 from below.

[0060] The insertion step is a step of inserting the heater 100 outside the hydrogen generator 103 so that the protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103 pass between the straight ends 108 of the heater 100 (see the insertion step in FIG. 5).

[0061] Next, a circumferential positioning step is performed. The circumferential positioning step is a step of rotating the heater 100 in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103 so that the protrusion 102 (in this example, the air pipe 15) is positioned at a predetermined position between the second arc portion 105b and the third arc portion 105c (see the circumferential positioning step in FIG. 5). This positions the heater 100 in the circumferential direction.

[0062] Finally, a fixing step is carried out, in which the heater 100 positioned at a predetermined position is fixed to the hydrogen generator 103 (see the fixing step in FIG. 5).

[0063] [1-2. Operation] The operation and function of the heater 100 of the hydrogen generator 103 configured as above will be described below.

[0064] At startup, the hydrogen generator 103 energizes the heater 100 to heat the CO reduction catalyst 13 and the CO removal catalyst 14. This allows the hydrogen generator 103 to quickly raise the temperatures of the CO reduction catalyst 13 and the CO removal catalyst 14, allowing them to react efficiently. The heater 100, which is made up of a single sheath heater, heats the outer casing 32 of the hydrogen generator 103, thereby heating the CO reduction catalyst 13 and the CO removal catalyst 14 simultaneously.

[0065] In this case, the heater 100 is formed into a ring shape when viewed in a plane, and then inserted and attached to the outside of the hydrogen generation device 103. Since no winding work is required during assembly, there is no variation in heating due to assembly.

[0066] The straight end portion 108 is located vertically above the hydrogen generator 103, and is formed with a gap dimension larger than the outer shape of the protrusion portion 102 in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103. Therefore, in the insertion step, the heater 100 can avoid interference between the straight end portion 108 and the protrusion portion 102 even when the heater 100 is moved from the bottom to the top of the hydrogen generator 103.

[0067] The lowest part of the heater 100 is composed of a first arc portion 105a that surrounds the periphery of the hydrogen generation device 103 in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generation device 103 almost completely, so that the part of the outer casing 32 of the hydrogen generation device 103 that is in contact with the first arc portion 105a can be heated uniformly.

[0068] Between the linear end portion 108 and the first arc portion 105a, the heater 100 has a second arc portion 105b and a third arc portion 105c arranged in two stages so as to surround nearly one circumference of the outer periphery of the hydrogen generator 103. Therefore, the heater 100, together with the first arc portion 105a, can uniformly heat three positions in the vertical direction of the outer casing 32 of the hydrogen generator 103.

[0069] The distance between the second arc portion 105b and the third arc portion 105c is wider than the vertical distance between the protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103. Therefore, when the heater 100 is inserted into the hydrogen generator 103 and a circumferential positioning step is performed in which the heater 100 is rotated, interference between the heater 100 and the protrusions 102 can be prevented.

[0070] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in the first embodiment, the heater 100 is a heater for a hydrogen generator 103, which is attached to the hydrogen generator 103 and has protrusions 102 on its outer periphery. The heater 100 has linear end portions 108 at both ends, and the linear end portions 108 are continuously formed by at least two arc portions 105 and a linear portion 106 via folded portions 107 (first folded portion 107a and second folded portion 107b). The at least two arc portions 105 (first arc portion 105a, second arc portion 105b, and third arc portion 105c) extend in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103. The linear portion 106 (first linear portion 106a and second linear portion 106b) connects the arc portions 105. The gap dimension of each straight end portion 108 is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the protrusion portion 102 of the hydrogen generator 103. The interval between the second arc portion 105b and the third arc portion 105c is formed to be wider than the interval between the protrusion portions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103.

[0071] As a result, even if the heater 100 has a cylindrical structure employing a sheath heater with a sheath diameter equal to or larger than a certain value, it can uniformly heat the hydrogen generator 103 in the circumferential direction without interfering with the circumferential protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103 during installation. Therefore, the heater 100 can prevent the catalyst from becoming wet and deteriorating due to condensation of water vapor in the reformed gas during startup.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the heater 100 is formed so that the linear portion 106 and the linear end portion 108 extend in a substantially vertical direction of the installed hydrogen generator 103 when attached to the hydrogen generator 103. The heater 100 is formed so that the arc portion 105 extends in a substantially horizontal direction of the installed hydrogen generator 103 when attached to the hydrogen generator 103.

[0073] In addition, in the first embodiment, in heater 100, arc portion 105, straight portion 106 and straight end portion 108 are formed by bending a single sheathed heater.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the manufacturing method of the heater 100 includes a two-dimensional bending process and a UO forming process. The two-dimensional bending process is a process of two-dimensionally bending a rod-shaped sheathed heater. In the two-dimensional bending process, the rod-shaped sheathed heater is two-dimensionally bent so that, with linear end portions 108 as both ends, the space between the linear end portions 108 is continuously formed by at least two arc portions 105 and a linear portion 106 via a folded portion 107 (a first folded portion 107a and a second folded portion 107b). The at least two arc portions 105 (a first arc portion 105a, a second arc portion 105b, and a third arc portion 105c) extend in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103, which has a protrusion 102 on its outer periphery. The straight portions 106 (first straight portion 106a and second straight portion 106b) connect the arc portions 105. In the two-dimensional bending process, a single rod-shaped sheathed heater is two-dimensionally bent so as to have a structure in which the distance between the second arc portion 105b and the third arc portion 105c is wider than the distance between the protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103 in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction. The UO forming process is a process in which the sheathed heater two-dimensionally bent in the two-dimensional bending process is UO formed into a substantially annular shape in a plan view so that the gap dimension between the straight end portions 108 is larger than the outer shape of the protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103.

[0075] This allows heater 100 with a complex three-dimensional structure to be manufactured relatively easily.

[0076] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the method for attaching the heater 100 is a method for attaching the heater 100 to the outside of the hydrogen generator 103. This method for attaching the heater 100 includes an insertion step, a circumferential positioning step, and a fixing step. The insertion step is a step of inserting the heater 100 onto the outside of the hydrogen generator 103 so that the protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103 pass at least between the linear ends 108 of the heater 100. The circumferential positioning step is a step of rotating the heater 100 in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator 103 so that the protrusions 102 are positioned at a predetermined position between the second arc portion 105b and the third arc portion 105c. The fixing step is a step of fixing the heater 100, positioned at the predetermined position, to the hydrogen generator 103.

[0077] As a result, even if the hydrogen generator 103 has the protrusions 102 on its outer periphery, the heater 100 can be attached to the hydrogen generator 103 relatively easily.

[0078] (Variation) Next, a modification of the heater 100 will be described.

[0079] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the method for manufacturing heater 100A according to Modification 1. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the method for manufacturing heater 100B according to Modification 2. In the following, each arc portion will be referred to as arc portion 105 without any particular distinction. Similarly, each straight portion and each folded portion will be referred to as straight portion 106 and folded portion 107.

[0080] The heater 100A shown in FIG. 6 has four arc sections 105, instead of the three arc sections 105 in the first embodiment, and these arc sections 105 are connected by straight sections 106, thereby increasing the number of stages.

[0081] Similarly, heater 100B shown in FIG. 7 has five arcuate portions 105, which are connected by straight portions 106, thereby further increasing the number of stages.

[0082] In both heaters 100A and 100B, a single sheathed heater is subjected to two-dimensional bending to connect arc portion 105 and linear portion 106, and the two-dimensionally bent sheathed heater is then UO formed, thereby obtaining heaters 100A and 100B that are substantially annular and columnar in plan view.

[0083] The number of arc portions 105 shown in Embodiment 1, Modification 1, and Modification 2 is merely an example. The number of arc portions in the heater of the present disclosure may be two or more, and may be two or six or more. That is, the number of arc portions in the heater of the present disclosure may be any number equal to or greater than two, depending on the size of the hydrogen generator of the present disclosure to which the heater of the present disclosure is attached, etc. That is, the heater of the present disclosure includes the heater of Modification 3 described below. The heater of Modification 3 has linear end portions 108 at both ends, and the linear end portions 108 are continuously formed between the two arc portions 105 and a linear portion 106 connecting the two arc portions 105 via a folded portion 107. In the heater of Modification 3, the spacing between the linear end portions 108 is larger than the outer shape of the protrusion 102 of the hydrogen generator 103. In the heater of the third modification, the distance between the two arcuate portions 105 is wider than the distance between the protrusions 102 of the hydrogen generator 103 in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the configuration of a heater 100C in the fourth modification.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 8, heater 100C is formed so that the lengths of arcuate portion 105 are different on the left and right sides, and the positions of folded-back portions 107 are shifted.

[0086] This also makes it possible to obtain a heater 100C that is substantially annular and columnar in plan view. [Industrial Applicability]

[0087] The present disclosure is applicable to a heater for a hydrogen generator that is attached to a hydrogen generator having a protrusion on its outer periphery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 5. Evaporator 11. Reforming catalyst 13 CO reduction catalyst 14 CO removal catalyst 15 Air Pipe 17 Outlet piping 19 Heater 20 Temperature Port 28 Water supply section 29 Raw material supply department 30 Inner tube 31 Inner cylinder 32 outer cylinder 51 A gas flow path 52 B gas flow path 100 Heater 100A heater 100B Heater 100C heater 102 Protrusion 103 Hydrogen generator 105 Arc section 105a First arc 105b Second arc section 105c Third arc 106 Straight section 106a 1st straight section 106b 2nd straight section 107 Folded section 107a First fold 107b Second folded part 108 Straight end

Claims

1. A heater for a hydrogen generator that is attached to a hydrogen generator having a protrusion on its outer periphery, The hydrogen generating device has straight end portions as both end portions, and the straight end portions are continuously formed via folded portions by at least two arc portions extending in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generating device and a straight portion connecting the arc portions, a gap dimension between the linear ends is formed to be larger than an outer shape of the protrusion of the hydrogen generator; At least two of the arc portions include arc portions formed such that the interval between the arc portions is wider than the interval between the protrusions of the hydrogen generation device in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction. A heater characterized by:

2. the heater is formed so that, when attached to the hydrogen generation device, the linear portion and the linear end portion extend in a substantially vertical direction of the hydrogen generation device in an installed state, and the arc portion extends in a substantially horizontal direction of the hydrogen generation device in the installed state.

2. The heater according to claim 1.

3. The arc portion, the linear portion, and the linear end portion are formed by bending a single sheathed heater.

3. The heater according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a two-dimensional bending process of two-dimensionally bending a rod-shaped sheathed heater so that the linear end portions are formed continuously via folded portions by at least two arc portions extending in the circumferential direction of a hydrogen generator having protrusions on its outer periphery and linear portions connecting the arc portions, and the distance between the linear end portions is wider than the distance between the arc portions in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generator; and a UO forming process in which the sheath heater two-dimensionally bent in the two-dimensional bending process is formed into a substantially annular shape in a plan view by UO forming the sheath heater so that the gap dimension of each linear end is larger than the outer shape of the protrusion of the hydrogen generation device. A method for manufacturing a heater comprising:

5. A method for attaching the heater according to claim 1 to the outside of the hydrogen generator, comprising: an inserting step of inserting the heater into the outside of the hydrogen generator so that the protrusion of the hydrogen generator passes at least between the linear end portions of the heater; a circumferential direction positioning step of rotating the heater in the circumferential direction of the hydrogen generation device so that the protrusion portion is positioned at a predetermined position between the arc portions; and a fixing step of fixing the heater positioned at the predetermined position to the hydrogen generation apparatus. A method for mounting a heater comprising:

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