Generation device and generation method

Abstract

To provide a technique with which it is possible to shorten the time necessary for generating a product gas.SOLUTION: A generation device comprises a reactor for generating a product gas by an exothermic reaction of a raw material gas in a catalyst, a raw material gas supply unit for supplying the raw material gas to the reactor, and a temperature adjustment unit for maintaining the operating temperature within the reactor within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of a heating medium passing through the reactor. When an operation starting procedure is carried out for the reactor which is in a cold shutdown state where the supply of raw material gas to the reactor from the raw material gas supply unit has been stopped, the temperature adjustment unit starts raising the temperature of the reactor by heating the heating medium, and the raw material gas supply unit starts supplying the raw material gas at a predetermined supply start temperature at which the temperature within the reactor during heating is lower than the operating temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a generating device and a generating method. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to a generating device and a generating method for generating a product gas by an exothermic reaction of gaseous reactants. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6984098 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A heat transfer medium is passed through the reactor and heated with a heater or the like to raise the temperature inside the reactor to the temperature required to start generating product gas. Because raw material gas is supplied to the reactor when the temperature of the heat transfer medium is above the temperature required to start generating product gas, product gas is not generated until the temperature of the heat transfer medium reaches or exceeds the temperature required to start generating product gas. Therefore, the time required to generate product gas increases in proportion to the time required to raise the temperature of the heat transfer medium.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can shorten the time required to generate a product gas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a generation apparatus comprising: a reaction tower that generates a product gas by an exothermic reaction of a raw material gas in a catalyst; a raw material gas supply unit that supplies the raw material gas to the reaction tower; and a temperature adjustment unit that maintains an operating temperature inside the reaction tower within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of a heat medium passed through the reaction tower, wherein when an operation to start up the reaction tower is performed while the reaction tower is in a cold shutdown state in which the supply of the raw material gas to the reaction tower by the raw material gas supply unit has been stopped, the temperature adjustment unit starts to heat up the reaction tower by heating the heat medium, and the raw material gas supply unit starts to supply the raw material gas when the temperature inside the reaction tower during heating reaches a predetermined supply start temperature that is lower than the operating temperature.

[0007] According to the above-described generator, the supply of the raw material gas to the reaction tower is started when the temperature inside the reaction tower is lower than the operating temperature. Since the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas starts inside the reaction tower while the temperature inside the reaction tower is lower than the operating temperature, the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas inside the reaction tower is started early. Therefore, according to the above-described generator, the time required to generate the product gas can be shortened.

[0008] Furthermore, the temperature adjusting unit may stop heating the reaction tower by heating the heat medium when the raw material gas supply unit starts supplying the raw material gas during heating of the reaction tower. Since the reaction tower is heated by the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas inside the reaction tower, even if heating of the reaction tower by heating the heat medium stops, the temperature inside the reaction tower can reach the operating temperature and the inside of the reaction tower can be maintained at the operating temperature.

[0009] The temperature adjusting unit may adjust the temperature of the heat medium by performing at least one of heating, cooling, stopping heating, and stopping cooling of the heat medium. For example, a heater that heats the heat medium heats or stops heating the heat medium. The cooling device cools or stops the cooling of the heat medium.

[0010] The raw material gas supply unit may determine the supply amount of the raw material gas based on the temperature inside the reaction tower. There is a correlation between the temperature inside the reaction tower and the concentration of the product gas generated from the raw material gas in the reaction tower. By determining the supply amount of the raw material gas into the reaction tower based on this correlation, the concentration of the product gas generated by the reaction tower can be controlled.

[0011] The generation apparatus may further include a separation unit that separates the dissolved gas from the produced water produced in the reaction tower when the product gas is generated. By separating the dissolved gas from the produced water produced in the reaction tower, it is possible to prevent the dissolved gas from diffusing into the atmosphere.

[0012] The generation apparatus may include a product gas path through which the product gas delivered from the reaction tower flows, and the separation unit may, when the dissolved gas is the product gas, merge the product gas separated from the produced water with the product gas flowing through the product gas path, and, when the dissolved gas is unreacted raw material gas, return the unreacted raw material gas to the raw material gas supply unit. By separating the product gas dissolved in the produced water from the produced water generated in the reaction tower and merging the product gas separated from the produced water with the product gas flowing through the product gas path, it is possible to prevent the product gas dissolved in the produced water from diffusing into the atmosphere. By separating the unreacted raw material gas dissolved in the produced water from the produced water generated in the reaction tower and returning the unreacted raw material gas to the raw material gas supply unit, it is possible to prevent the unreacted raw material gas dissolved in the produced water from diffusing into the atmosphere.

[0013] The generation apparatus may include a boost reaction tower that generates the product gas by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in a catalyst, and a switching unit that switches a destination of the raw material gas supplied by the raw material gas supply unit between the reaction tower and the boost reaction tower, wherein the temperature adjustment unit maintains the inside of the boost reaction tower and the inside of the reaction tower at the operating temperature by adjusting the temperatures of the boost reaction tower and the heat medium passed through the reaction tower, and when an operation to start up the boost reaction tower that is in a cold shutdown state in which the raw material gas supply unit has stopped supplying the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower is performed, the temperature adjustment unit starts raising the temperatures of the boost reaction tower and the reaction tower by heating the heat medium, and the raw material gas supply unit starts supplying the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower when the temperature inside the boost reaction tower during heating reaches the supply start temperature, and the product gas and unreacted raw material gas are supplied from the boost reaction tower into the reaction tower, and the capacity of the boost reaction tower may be smaller than that of the reaction tower.

[0014] The product gas and unreacted raw material gas can be supplied into the reaction tower in a state in which they are heated by the boost reaction tower. Since the volume of the boost reaction tower is smaller than the volume of the reaction tower, the time required for the temperature in the boost reaction tower to reach the operating temperature is short. Therefore, the product gas and unreacted raw material gas in a high-temperature state can be supplied into the reaction tower at an early stage after heating of the heat transfer medium is started. This shortens the time required for the temperature in the reaction tower to reach the operating temperature.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for producing a product gas by an exothermic reaction of a raw material gas on a catalyst, a boost reaction tower producing the product gas by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas on a catalyst, a raw material gas supply unit supplying the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower, and a temperature adjustment unit maintaining the inside of the reaction tower and the boost reaction tower at an operating temperature within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of a heat medium passed through the reaction tower and the boost reaction tower, wherein the temperature adjustment unit is configured to adjust the temperature of the heat medium passed through the reaction tower and the boost reaction tower when the supply of the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower by the raw material gas supply unit is stopped. and when an operation start operation is performed on the boost reaction tower in a cold shutdown state, the reaction tower and the boost reaction tower start to be heated by heating the heat medium, the raw material gas supply unit starts to supply the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower at a predetermined supply start temperature at which the temperature inside the boost reaction tower during heating is lower than the operating temperature, the product gas and the unreacted raw material gas are supplied from the boost reaction tower into the reaction tower, and the capacity inside the boost reaction tower is smaller than the capacity inside the reaction tower.

[0016] According to the above-described generation apparatus, the supply of the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower is started when the temperature inside the boost reaction tower is lower than the operating temperature. The exothermic reaction of the raw material gas starts in the boost reaction tower when the temperature inside the boost reaction tower is lower than the operating temperature, thereby early initiating the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the boost reaction tower. The product gas and unreacted raw material gas are heated by the boost reaction tower and then supplied into the reaction tower. Because the volume inside the boost reaction tower is smaller than the volume inside the reaction tower, the time required for the temperature inside the boost reaction tower to reach the operating temperature is short. Therefore, the product gas and unreacted raw material gas in a high-temperature state can be supplied into the reaction tower at an early stage after heating of the heat transfer medium is started. This shortens the time required for the temperature inside the reaction tower to reach the operating temperature, thereby shortening the time required for the product gas to be generated.

[0017] The present invention can also be viewed from the aspect of a method. That is, the present invention may be a production method for a production apparatus including a reaction tower that produces a product gas by an exothermic reaction of a raw material gas in a catalyst, a raw material gas supply unit that supplies the raw material gas to the reaction tower, and a temperature adjustment unit that maintains an operating temperature inside the reaction tower within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of a heat medium passed through the reaction tower, the method including: when an operation start-up operation is performed for the reaction tower that is in a cold shutdown state in which the supply of the raw material gas to the reaction tower by the raw material gas supply unit has been stopped, starting to heat the reaction tower by heating the heat medium; and starting the supply of the raw material gas at a predetermined supply start temperature that is lower than the operating temperature during the temperature increase inside the reaction tower.

[0018] According to the generation method of the generator, the supply of the raw material gas to the reaction tower is started when the temperature inside the reaction tower is lower than the operating temperature. Since the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas starts inside the reaction tower while the temperature inside the reaction tower is lower than the operating temperature, the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas inside the reaction tower starts early. Therefore, according to the generation method of the generator, the time required to generate the product gas can be shortened.

[0019] The present invention also provides a production method for a production apparatus including a reaction tower for producing a product gas by an exothermic reaction of a raw material gas on a catalyst, a boost reaction tower for producing the product gas by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas on a catalyst, a raw material gas supply unit for supplying the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower, and a temperature adjustment unit for maintaining the inside of the reaction tower and the boost reaction tower at an operating temperature within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of a heat medium passed through the reaction tower and the boost reaction tower, wherein the supply of the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower by the raw material gas supply unit is stopped. and a step of starting to raise the temperatures of the reaction tower and the boost reaction tower by heating the heat medium when an operation start operation is performed on the boost reaction tower in a cold shutdown state where the boost reaction tower is in a cold shutdown state and the temperature inside the boost reaction tower during the temperature increase reaches a predetermined supply start temperature which is lower than the operating temperature, wherein the product gas and the unreacted raw material gas are supplied from the boost reaction tower into the reaction tower, and the capacity inside the boost reaction tower is smaller than the capacity inside the reaction tower.

[0020] According to the production method of the above-mentioned production device, the temperature in the boost reaction tower is lower than the operating temperature. The supply of the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower is started at this temperature. The exothermic reaction of the raw material gas starts in the boost reaction tower at a stage when the temperature in the boost reaction tower is lower than the operating temperature, so that the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the boost reaction tower is started early. The product gas and unreacted raw material gas are supplied to the reaction tower in a state in which they are heated by the boost reaction tower. Since the capacity of the boost reaction tower is smaller than the capacity of the reaction tower, the time required for the temperature in the boost reaction tower to reach the operating temperature is short. Therefore, the product gas and unreacted raw material gas in a high-temperature state can be supplied to the reaction tower at an early stage after heating of the heat transfer medium is started. This shortens the time required for the temperature in the reaction tower to reach the operating temperature, and shortens the time required for the product gas to be produced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] It is possible to provide a technology that can shorten the time required to generate product gas. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a generating device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operating procedure of the generating device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the temperature change of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower in the first embodiment and the temperature change of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower in the comparative example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the driving load amount according to the first embodiment and the driving load amount according to the comparative example. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the separation unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a generating device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operating procedure of the generating device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following aspects.

[0024] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The generator 100 shown in FIG. 1 generates methane gas and water as product gases through an exothermic reaction between gaseous hydrogen and carbon dioxide as raw material gases (reactant gases), for example. The above chemical reaction is also reversible. The above exothermic reaction is expressed by the following chemical reaction formula: 4H2+CO2⇔CH4+2H2O (1)

[0025] The generation apparatus 100 includes a first-stage reaction tower 1, a first-stage gas cooling heat exchanger 2, a second-stage reaction tower 3, a second-stage gas cooling heat exchanger 4, a heat medium heater 5, a heat medium heat exchanger 6, gas-liquid separators 7 and 8, and a raw material gas supply unit 9.

[0026] The reaction tower 1 generates a product gas by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas on the catalyst. The raw material gas contains, for example, hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The product gas is, for example, methane gas. The reaction tower 1 and a raw material gas supply unit 9 are connected by piping, and the raw material gas is supplied from the raw material gas supply unit 9 into the reaction tower 1. The reaction tower 1 also generates product water by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas on the catalyst. The reaction tower 1 and a gas cooling heat exchanger 2 are connected by piping. The piping connecting the reaction tower 1 and the gas cooling heat exchanger 2 is provided with a valve or the like.

[0027] The gas cooling heat exchanger 2 condenses the produced water (water vapor) produced in the reaction tower 1. The gas cooling heat exchanger 2 and the gas-liquid separator 7 are connected by piping. The piping connecting the gas cooling heat exchanger 2 and the gas-liquid separator 7 is provided with a valve or the like. The gas-liquid separator 7 separates the produced water (liquid) from the product gas and unreacted raw material gas. The production apparatus 100 is equipped with a separation section 10, and the produced water is sent from the gas-liquid separator 7 to the separation section 10. The separation section 10 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The reaction tower 3 and the gas-liquid separator 7 are connected by piping. The piping connecting the reaction tower 3 and the gas-liquid separator 7 is equipped with a valve or the like. The product gas generated in the reaction tower 1 and the unreacted raw material gas are sent to the reaction tower 3 via the gas cooling heat exchanger 2 and the gas-liquid separator 7. The reaction tower 3 generates the product gas by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the catalyst. By generating the product gas from the unreacted raw material gas in the reaction tower 3, the generation device 100 can generate a highly concentrated product gas.

[0029] The reaction tower 3 and the gas-cooling heat exchanger 4 are connected by piping. The piping connecting the reaction tower 3 and the gas-cooling heat exchanger 4 is provided with a valve or the like. The gas-cooling heat exchanger 4 condenses the product water (water vapor) produced in the reaction tower 3. The gas-cooling heat exchanger 4 and the gas-liquid separator 8 are connected by piping. The piping connecting the gas-cooling heat exchanger 4 and the gas-liquid separator 8 is provided with a valve or the like. The gas-liquid separator 8 separates the product water (liquid) from the product gas and unreacted raw material gas.

[0030] The generation device 100 includes a storage tank 11. Produced water is sent from the gas-liquid separator 8 to the separation section 10, and the product gas is sent from the gas-liquid separator 8 to the storage tank 11. The storage tank stores the product gas. The gas-liquid separators 7 and 8 are provided with drain valves for discharging the produced water. The drain valves may be of a type that uses the buoyancy of a floating device such as a drain trap to open and close the valve, or may be of a type that electrically detects the water level and opens and closes a solenoid valve.

[0031] The reaction towers 1 and 3 are pre-filled with a catalyst. Any catalyst that promotes reaction formula (1) may be used, and examples thereof include a catalyst that includes a stabilized zirconia support having a tetragonal and / or cubic crystal structure in which a stabilizing element is dissolved, and Ni supported on the stabilized zirconia support, where the stabilizing element is at least one transition element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, and Co.

[0032] Furthermore, reaction towers 1 and 3 have a jacket structure, and a heat medium that exchanges heat with the heat-generating part in the reaction tower where an exothermic reaction occurs can flow in and out of the jacket part (shell). For example, heat transfer oil is used as the heat medium. The heat medium heater 5 and the jacket part of reaction tower 1 are connected by a pipe through which the heat medium flows. Furthermore, the jacket part of reaction tower 1 and the jacket part of reaction tower 3 are connected by a pipe through which the heat medium flows. The pipe through which the heat medium flows is provided with a valve or the like. The heat medium heater 5 is a heater that heats the heat medium. The heat medium heated by the heat medium heater 5 passes through reaction tower 1 and then through reaction tower 3.

[0033] The jacket portion of the reaction tower 3 and the heat medium heat exchanger 6 are connected by piping through which the heat medium flows. The heat medium heat exchanger 6 cools the heat medium that has passed through the reaction towers 1 and 3. The heat medium heater 5 and the heat medium heat exchanger 6 are connected by piping through which the heat medium flows. The piping connecting the heat medium heater 5 and the heat medium heat exchanger 6 is provided with a heat medium circulation pump 12 that sends the heat medium cooled by the heat medium heat exchanger 6 to the heat medium heater 5. In addition, the piping through which the heat medium flows is provided with adjustment valves 13 and 14. By opening and closing the adjustment valves 13 and 14, the heat medium that has passed through the reaction towers 1 and 3 can be sent to the heat medium heater 5 via the heat medium heat exchanger 6, or sent to the heat medium heater 5 without passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 6. You can send it to.

[0034] The generation device 100 includes a chiller 15. The chiller 15 cools cooling water (refrigerant) for condensing the generated water in the gas-cooling heat exchangers 2 and 4. The gas-cooling heat exchangers 2 and 4 and the chiller 15 are interconnected by piping through which the cooling water flows. The cooling water cooled by the chiller 15 returns to the chiller 15 via the gas-cooling heat exchangers 2 and 4.

[0035] The generation apparatus 100 includes a cooling tower 16 and a cooling water circulation pump 17. The cooling tower 16 cools the cooling water that exchanges heat with the heat medium in the heat medium heat exchanger 6. For example, tap water supplied to the cooling tower 16 from outside the system may be used as the cooling water. The cooling water circulation pump 17 circulates the cooling water supplied into the cooling tower 16 between the heat medium heat exchanger 6 and the cooling tower 16.

[0036] The generation apparatus 100 includes a control unit 21, a measurement sensor 22 that measures the temperature inside the reaction tower 1, and a measurement sensor 23 that measures the temperature inside the reaction tower 3. The measurement data measured by the measurement sensor 22 and the measurement data measured by the measurement sensor 23 are sent to the control unit 21. As a result, the control unit 21 acquires the temperatures inside the reaction tower 1 and the reaction tower 3. The control unit 21 sends the measurement data measured by the measurement sensor 22 and the measurement data measured by the measurement sensor 23 to the raw material gas supply unit 9. As a result, the raw material gas supply unit 9 acquires the temperatures inside the reaction tower 1 and the reaction tower 3.

[0037] The control unit 21 is a controller that controls the overall operation of the generation device 100. The control unit 21 may be configured with a dedicated device or a general-purpose computer. The control unit 21 includes hardware resources such as a processor (CPU), memory, storage, and a communication I / F. The memory may be RAM. The storage may be a non-volatile storage device (e.g., ROM, flash memory, etc.). The functions of the control unit 21 are realized by loading a program stored in the storage into the memory and executing it with the processor. Note that the configuration of the control unit 21 is not limited to this. For example, all or part of the functions may be configured with circuits such as ASIC or FPGA, or all or part of the functions may be executed by a cloud server or other device.

[0038] The control unit 21 controls the heat medium heater 5. By controlling the operation of the heat medium heater 5, the heat medium heater 5 heats or stops heating the heat medium. In this way, heating or stopping of heating of the heat medium is performed using the heat medium heater 5. The control unit 21 also controls the regulating valves 13 and 14. By controlling the opening and closing of the regulating valves 13 and 14, the heat medium is sent to the heat medium heater 5 via the heat medium heat exchanger 6, thereby cooling the heat medium. By controlling the opening and closing of the regulating valves 13 and 14, the heat medium is sent to the heat medium heater 5 without passing through the heat medium heat exchanger 6, thereby stopping cooling of the heat medium. In this way, cooling or stopping of cooling of the heat medium is performed using the heat medium heat exchanger 6 as a cooler. The temperature of the heat medium is adjusted by performing at least one of heating, cooling, stopping heating, and stopping cooling of the heat medium. The control unit 21 is an example of a temperature adjusting unit.

[0039] The control unit 21 maintains the operating temperature inside the reaction tower 1 within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of the heat medium. The control unit 21 may adjust the temperature of the heat medium so as to maintain the temperature inside the reaction tower 1, for example, between 200°C and 220°C. The operating temperature is not limited to between 200°C and 220°C. The operating temperature may be a rated temperature at which the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas proceeds well. The rated temperature may be a temperature at which a highly concentrated product gas is produced. The operating temperature and the rated temperature are temperatures higher than the temperature at which the catalytic reaction in the reaction tower 1 starts, for example, temperatures at which the catalytic reaction in the reaction tower 1 proceeds efficiently.

[0040] The control unit 21 maintains the operating temperature inside the reaction tower 3 within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of the heat medium. The control unit 21 may adjust the temperature of the heat medium so as to maintain the temperature inside the reaction tower 3, for example, between 200°C and 220°C. The operating temperature is not limited to between 200°C and 220°C. The operating temperature may be a rated temperature at which the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas proceeds well. The rated temperature may be a temperature at which a highly concentrated product gas is produced. The operating temperature and the rated temperature are temperatures higher than the temperature at which the catalytic reaction in the reaction tower 3 starts, for example, temperatures at which the catalytic reaction in the reaction tower 3 proceeds efficiently.

[0041] <Operating procedure> The operation procedure of the generation apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the flow of the operation procedure of the generation apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. First, the heat medium circulating pump 12 is started (S101). The heat medium is sent to the jacket portion of the reaction tower 1 and passes through the reaction tower 1. The heat medium that has passed through the reaction tower 1 is sent to the jacket portion of the reaction tower 3 and passes through the reaction tower 3. In this way, the operation start-up operation of the reaction tower 1 is performed, and the operation start-up operation of the reaction tower 3 is also performed.

[0042] When an operation start operation is performed on the reaction tower 1 in a state where the supply of raw material gas to the reaction tower 1 by the raw material gas supply unit 9 is stopped (cold shutdown state), the control unit 21 starts raising the temperature of the reaction tower 1 by heating the heat medium (S102). Specifically, the control unit 21 turns on the power of the heat medium heater 5 and controls the heat medium heater 5 to heat the heat medium. The heated heat medium is sent to the jacket part of the reaction tower 1 and passes through the reaction tower 1. The heated heat medium passes through the reaction tower 1, thereby raising the temperature of the reaction tower 1. As a result, the temperature inside the reaction tower 1 rises. Then, the heat medium that has passed through the reaction tower 1 is sent to the jacket part of the reaction tower 3 and passes through the reaction tower 3. The heated heat medium passes through the reaction tower 3, thereby raising the temperature of the reaction tower 3. As a result, the temperature inside the reaction tower 3 rises.

[0043] The raw material gas supply unit 9 starts supplying the raw material gas to the reaction tower 1 at a predetermined supply start temperature at which the temperature inside the reaction tower 1 during heating is lower than the operating temperature (S103). The predetermined supply start temperature is, for example, 180°C. The predetermined supply start temperature is not limited to 180°C and may be another temperature. When the raw material gas is supplied into the reaction tower 1, a product gas is generated. The temperature of the reaction tower 1 rises due to an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas. The temperature inside the reaction tower 1 rises due to the temperature rise of the reaction tower 1 when the heated heat medium passes through the reaction tower 1 and the temperature rise of the reaction tower 1 due to the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas inside the reaction tower 1, and reaches the operating temperature.

[0044] A comparative example will be described. In the method according to the comparative example, a heat medium is heated by a heater, and a raw material gas is supplied to the reaction tower when the temperature of the heat medium reaches the operating temperature. That is, in the method according to the comparative example, the raw material gas is supplied to the reaction tower after the temperature of the heat medium reaches the operating temperature, and the heat medium is heated by the heater until the temperature of the heat medium reaches the operating temperature. Therefore, in the method according to the comparative example, it takes time for the temperature in the reaction tower to reach the operating temperature. Furthermore, in the method according to the comparative example, the heat medium is heated by the heater until the temperature of the heat medium reaches the operating temperature, and therefore the power consumption of the heater is large. According to the first embodiment, the temperature in the reaction tower 1 increases due to the temperature rise of the reaction tower 1 when the heated heat medium passes through the reaction tower 1 and the temperature rise of the reaction tower 1 due to the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the reaction tower 1. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the time required for the temperature in the reaction tower 1 to reach the operating temperature after the heat medium heater 5 starts heating the heat medium is shortened. As a result, the power consumption of the heat medium heater 5 can be reduced.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the supply of the raw material gas to the reaction tower 1 is started when the temperature inside the reaction tower 1 is lower than the operation temperature. When the temperature inside the reaction tower 1 is lower than the operation temperature, an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas starts inside the reaction tower 1. Compared to the comparative example, the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the reaction tower 1 starts earlier. Therefore, the generation device 100 can shorten the time required to generate the product gas and can generate a high-concentration product gas in a short time. As a result, in the first embodiment, the time required to generate a high-concentration product gas can be shortened compared to the comparative example.

[0046] The heat transfer medium that flows into and circulates in the jacket portion of the reaction tower 1 is heated by the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas. Therefore, the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas also serves as a heat source for the heat transfer medium, and the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the first embodiment rises more quickly than in the comparative example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the temperature change of the heat transfer medium passing through the reaction tower 1 in the first embodiment and the temperature change of the heat transfer medium passing through the reaction tower in the comparative example. The horizontal axis of FIG. 3 indicates the time from the start of heating of the heat transfer medium. The vertical axis of FIG. 3 indicates the temperature of the heat transfer medium (°C) at each time. In the first embodiment, it takes about 6 hours for the temperature of the heat transfer medium passing through the reaction tower 1 to reach 230°C. In the method according to the comparative example, it takes about 7 hours for the temperature of the heat transfer medium passing through the reaction tower to reach 230°C. As such, the time required for the temperature of the heat transfer medium passing through the reaction tower 1 in the first embodiment to reach 230°C is about 1 hour shorter than in the comparative example.

[0047] The control unit 21 maintains the inside of the reaction tower 1 at an operating temperature within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of the heat medium (S104). For example, if the supply of raw material gas by the raw material gas supply unit 9 is started while the temperature of the reaction tower 1 is being increased, the control unit 21 may stop increasing the temperature of the reaction tower 1 by heating the heat medium. By stopping the heating of the heat medium by the heat medium heater 5, the increase in temperature of the reaction tower 1 by heating the heat medium is stopped. Since the temperature of the reaction tower 1 is being increased by the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the reaction tower 1, the temperature in the reaction tower 1 reaches the operating temperature even if the increase in temperature of the reaction tower 1 by heating the heat medium is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the inside of the reaction tower 1 at the operating temperature. After stopping the increase in temperature of the reaction tower 1 by heating the heat medium, the control unit 21 may start increasing the temperature of the reaction tower 1 by heating the heat medium again.

[0048] The raw material gas supply unit 9 may determine the amount of raw material gas to be supplied to the reaction tower 1 based on the temperature inside the reaction tower 1. There is a correlation between the temperature inside the reaction tower 1 and the concentration of the product gas generated from the raw material gas in the reaction tower 1. The raw material gas supply unit 9 may determine the amount of raw material gas to be supplied to the reaction tower 1 based on a map or a relational expression indicating the correlation between the temperature inside the reaction tower 1 and the concentration of the product gas. The map or the relational expression may be obtained by design, experiment, or simulation. The map or the relational expression may be stored in a memory unit included in the raw material gas supply unit 9. The map or the relational expression may be stored in a memory unit, such as a memory, included in the control unit 21. The raw material gas supply unit 9 may acquire the amount of raw material gas to be supplied to the reaction tower 1 from the control unit 21. By determining the amount of raw material gas to be supplied to the reaction tower 1 based on the correlation between the temperature inside the reaction tower 1 and the concentration of the product gas generated from the raw material gas in the reaction tower 1, the concentration of the product gas generated by the reaction tower 1 can be controlled.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the operating load (%) according to the first embodiment and the operating load (%) according to the comparative example. The horizontal axis of FIG. 4 represents time from the start of heating of the heat transfer medium. The vertical axis of FIG. 4 represents the operating load (the ratio of the feed gas supply rate at each time to the feed gas supply rate at the operating temperature). In the first embodiment, the feed gas supply to the reaction tower 1 is started at a predetermined feed start temperature, which is lower than the operating temperature, and the operating load is increased stepwise in the order of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. In the comparative example, the feed gas supply to the reaction tower is started and the operating load is increased after the temperature inside the reaction tower reaches the operating temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, the first embodiment and the comparative example differ in the feed gas supply start time and the method of increasing the operating load.

[0050] Next, the separation section 10 will be described. Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of the separation section 10. The separation section 10 separates the product gas from the product water generated in the reaction tower 1 when the product gas is generated in the reaction tower 1. The separation unit 10 separates dissolved gases dissolved in water from the product water produced in the reaction tower 3 when the product gas is produced in the reaction tower 3. The separation unit 10 includes a pump 31, a separation membrane module 32, a vacuum pump 33, a buffer tank 34, and a compressor 35. The generation device 100 includes a product gas path 41 through which the product gas delivered from the reaction tower 3 flows.

[0051] The produced water sent from the gas-liquid separators 7 and 8 to the separation section 10 is sent to a separation membrane module 32 by a pump 31. The separation membrane module 32 has a separation membrane 36. The separation membrane 36 is, for example, a hollow fiber membrane. A vacuum pump 33 is connected to the separation membrane module 32. Dissolved gas is separated from the produced water by the separation membrane 36. If the dissolved gas is product gas, the vacuum pump 33 draws a vacuum inside the separation membrane module 32, and the product gas is sent to a buffer tank 34. The buffer tank 34 temporarily stores the product gas. The product gas stored in the buffer tank 34 is sent to a product gas path 41 by a compressor 35. As a result, the product gas separated from the produced water joins the product gas flowing through the product gas path 41.

[0052] Conventionally, methods have been used in which the product gas dissolved in the produced water is diffused into the atmosphere, or a degasser is used to blow a gas such as air into a tank storing the produced water to forcibly expel the product gas from the water. These methods require a large-capacity tank for storing the product gas and equipment for blowing the gas into the tank. According to the first embodiment, the buffer tank 34, which temporarily stores the product gas, has a small volume, thereby achieving space savings. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, equipment for blowing the gas into the tank is not required. Because the product gas separated from the produced water is merged with the product gas flowing through the product gas path 41, diffusion of the product gas into the atmosphere can be suppressed.

[0053] Although the above description has been given of the case where the dissolved gas is a product gas, the dissolved gas may also be unreacted raw material gas. By changing the type of separation membrane 36 of the separation membrane module 32, it is possible to separate the product gas dissolved in the produced water from the produced water, or to separate the unreacted raw material gas dissolved in the produced water from the produced water. Furthermore, the separation unit 10 may include a separation membrane module 32 for separating the product gas dissolved in the produced water from the produced water, and a separation membrane module 32 for separating the unreacted raw material gas dissolved in the produced water from the produced water. Furthermore, the separation unit 10 may include a buffer tank 34 for the product gas and a buffer tank 34 for the unreacted raw material gas.

[0054] If the dissolved gas is unreacted raw material gas, the separation membrane module 32 is evacuated by the vacuum pump 33, and the unreacted raw material gas is sent to the buffer tank 34. The unreacted raw material gas stored in the buffer tank 34 is sent to the raw material gas supply unit 9 by the compressor 35. This returns the unreacted raw material gas to the raw material gas supply unit 9. According to the first embodiment, the buffer tank 34, which temporarily stores the unreacted raw material gas, has a small volume, thereby achieving space saving. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, no device is required for blowing gas into the tank. Because the unreacted raw material gas is returned to the raw material gas supply unit 9, it is possible to prevent the unreacted raw material gas from diffusing into the atmosphere.

[0055] Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. The generation devices 100 according to the first and second embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a generating device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a part of the generation apparatus 100. Compared to the generation apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the generation apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment further includes a boost reaction tower 51, a switching unit 52, a gas cooling heat exchanger 53, a gas-liquid separator 54, and a measurement sensor 55.

[0057] The boost reaction tower 51 generates a product gas by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the catalyst. The raw material gas supply unit 9 and the boost reaction tower 51 are connected by a pipe, and a switching unit 52 is provided in the pipe connecting the raw material gas supply unit 9 and the boost reaction tower 51. The switching unit 52 is, for example, a three-way valve. The switching unit 52 switches the supply destination of the raw material gas from the raw material gas supply unit 9 between the reaction tower 1 and the boost reaction tower 51. The control unit 21 may perform switching control of the switching unit 52. When the supply destination of the raw material gas from the raw material gas supply unit 9 is switched from the reaction tower 1 to the boost reaction tower 51, the raw material gas is supplied from the raw material gas supply unit 9 into the boost reaction tower 51. The boost reaction tower 51 generates product water by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the catalyst. Furthermore, when the supply destination of the raw material gas from the raw material gas supply unit 9 is switched from the boost reaction tower 51 to the reaction tower 1, the raw material gas is supplied from the raw material gas supply unit 9 into the reaction tower 1.

[0058] The boost reaction tower 51 is filled with a catalyst in advance. The boost reaction tower 51 has the same configuration as the reaction tower 1, but the capacity of the boost reaction tower 51 is smaller than the capacity of the reaction tower 1. The boost reaction tower 51 and the gas cooling heat exchanger 53 are connected by piping. The piping connecting the boost reaction tower 51 and the gas cooling heat exchanger 53 is provided with a valve or the like. The reaction tower 1 and the gas-liquid separator 54 are connected by piping. The piping connecting the reaction tower 1 and the gas-liquid separator 54 is provided with a valve or the like.

[0059] The gas cooling heat exchanger 53 has the same configuration as the gas cooling heat exchanger 2, and condenses the produced water (water vapor) generated in the boost reaction tower 51. The gas-liquid separator 54 has the same configuration as the gas-liquid separator 7, and separates the produced water (liquid) from the product gas and unreacted raw material gas. The measurement sensor 55 has the same configuration as the measurement sensor 22, and measures the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51. The heat medium heated by the heat medium heater 5 passes through the boost reaction tower 51, reaction tower 1, and reaction tower 3 in this order.

[0060] The control unit 21 maintains the inside of the boost reaction tower 51 at an operating temperature within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of the heat medium. The control unit 21 may adjust the temperature of the heat medium so as to maintain the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51, for example, at 200°C or higher and 220°C or lower. The operating temperature is not limited to 200°C or higher and 220°C or lower. The operating temperature may be a rated temperature at which the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas proceeds well. The rated temperature may be a temperature at which a high-concentration product gas is produced.

[0061] <Operating procedure> An operation procedure of the generation apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the generation apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. First, the heat medium circulating pump 12 is started (S201). The heat medium is sent to the jacket portion of the boost reaction tower 51 and passes through the boost reaction tower 51. The heat medium that has passed through the boost reaction tower 51 is sent to the jacket portion of the reaction tower 1 and passes through the reaction tower 1. The heat medium that has passed through the reaction tower 1 is sent to the jacket portion of the reaction tower 3 and passes through the reaction tower 3. In this way, the operation start-up operation of the reaction tower 1, the operation start-up operation of the reaction tower 3, and the operation start-up operation of the boost reaction tower 51 are performed.

[0062] When the boost reaction tower 51 is in a state where the supply of raw material gas to the boost reaction tower 51 by the raw material gas supply unit 9 is stopped (cold shutdown state) and an operation start operation is performed, the control unit 21 starts raising the temperature of the boost reaction tower 51 by heating the heat medium (S202). Specifically, the control unit 21 turns on the power of the heat medium heater 5 and controls the heat medium heater 5. , heats the heat medium. The heated heat medium is sent to the jacket portion of the boost reaction tower 51 and passes through the boost reaction tower 51. As a result, the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51 increases. Then, the heat medium that has passed through the boost reaction tower 51 is sent to the jacket portion of the reaction tower 1 and passes through the reaction tower 1. As the heated heat medium passes through the reaction tower 1, the temperature of the reaction tower 1 increases. As a result, the temperature inside the reaction tower 1 increases. Furthermore, the heat medium that has passed through the reaction tower 1 is sent to the jacket portion of the reaction tower 3 and passes through the reaction tower 3. As the heated heat medium passes through the reaction tower 3, the temperature of the reaction tower 3 increases. As a result, the temperature inside the reaction tower 3 increases.

[0063] The raw material gas supply unit 9 starts supplying the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower 51 at a predetermined supply start temperature at which the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51 during heating is lower than the operating temperature (S203). The supply destination of the raw material gas by the raw material gas supply unit 9 is switched from the reaction tower 1 to the boost reaction tower 51. Therefore, the raw material gas is supplied to the boost reaction tower 51, and the raw material gas is supplied to the reaction tower 1 via the boost reaction tower 51. The predetermined supply start temperature is, for example, 180°C. The predetermined supply start temperature is not limited to 180°C and may be another temperature. When the raw material gas is supplied into the boost reaction tower 51, a product gas is generated. The temperature of the boost reaction tower 51 increases due to an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas. The temperature of the boost reaction tower 51 increases when the heated heat medium passes through the boost reaction tower 51, and the temperature of the boost reaction tower 51 increases due to the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas inside the boost reaction tower 51, and the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51 increases and reaches the operating temperature.

[0064] According to the second embodiment, the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51 increases due to a temperature increase in the boost reaction tower 51 when the heated heat medium passes through the boost reaction tower 51 and a temperature increase in the boost reaction tower 51 due to an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas inside the boost reaction tower 51. Therefore, in the second embodiment, after heating of the heat medium by the heat medium heater 5 starts, the time required for the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51 to reach the operating temperature is shortened. As a result, the power consumption of the heat medium heater 5 can be reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the supply of the raw material gas to the boost reaction tower 51 is started when the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51 is lower than the operating temperature. Since the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas starts in the boost reaction tower 51 when the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51 is lower than the operating temperature, in the second embodiment, the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the boost reaction tower 51 starts earlier than in the comparative example. Therefore, the generator 100 can shorten the time required to generate the product gas, and can generate a high-concentration product gas in a short time. As a result, in the second embodiment, the time required to generate a high-concentration product gas can be shortened compared to the comparative example.

[0066] In the second embodiment, the heat medium that has passed through the boost reaction tower 51 is heated by the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the boost reaction tower 51. That is, the heat medium that passes through the reaction tower 1 is pre-warmed by the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the boost reaction tower 51. Therefore, in the second embodiment, after the heat medium heater 5 starts heating the heat medium, the time required for the temperature in the reaction tower 1 to reach the operating temperature is shortened. As a result, the power consumption of the heat medium heater 5 can be reduced.

[0067] In the second embodiment, the product gas and unreacted raw material gas can be supplied into the reaction tower 1 in a state in which they are heated by the boost reaction tower 51. The capacity of the boost reaction tower 51 is smaller than the capacity of the reaction tower 1. Therefore, the time required for the temperature in the boost reaction tower 51 to reach the operating temperature is shorter than the time required for the temperature in the reaction tower 1 to reach the operating temperature in the first embodiment. Therefore, the product gas and unreacted raw material gas in a high temperature state can be supplied into the reaction tower 1 at an early stage after the heat medium heater 5 starts heating the heat medium. As a result, the temperature in the reaction tower 1 can be reduced to the operating temperature. The time required to reach temperature is reduced.

[0068] The control unit 21 maintains the inside of the boost reaction tower 51 at an operating temperature within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of the heat medium (S204). For example, if the supply of raw material gas from the raw material gas supply unit 9 is started while the temperature of the boost reaction tower 51 is being increased, the control unit 21 may stop increasing the temperature of the boost reaction tower 51 by heating the heat medium. By stopping the heating of the heat medium by the heat medium heater 5, the increase in the temperature of the boost reaction tower 51 by heating the heat medium is stopped. Since the temperature of the boost reaction tower 51 is being increased by the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the boost reaction tower 51, the temperature in the boost reaction tower 51 reaches the operating temperature even if the increase in the temperature of the boost reaction tower 51 by heating the heat medium is stopped. In addition, the product gas and unreacted raw material gas in a high temperature state are supplied from the boost reaction tower 51 to the reaction tower 1, and the heat medium heated by the exothermic reaction of the raw material gas in the boost reaction tower 51 passes through the reaction tower 1. Therefore, even if the temperature increase of the boost reaction tower 51 by heating the heat medium is stopped, the temperature inside the reaction tower 1 reaches the operating temperature. After stopping the temperature increase of the boost reaction tower 51 by heating the heat medium, the control unit 21 may start the temperature increase of the boost reaction tower 51 by heating the heat medium again.

[0069] The raw material gas supply unit 9 may determine the amount of raw material gas supplied to the boost reaction tower 51 based on the temperature in the boost reaction tower 51. Alternatively, the raw material gas supply unit 9 may determine the amount of raw material gas supplied to the boost reaction tower 51 based on the temperature in the reaction tower 1. The raw material gas supply unit 9 may determine the amount of raw material gas supplied to the boost reaction tower 51 based on a map or a relational expression indicating the correlation between the temperature in the boost reaction tower 51 and the concentration of the product gas. The raw material gas supply unit 9 may determine the amount of raw material gas supplied to the boost reaction tower 51 based on a map or a relational expression indicating the correlation between the temperature in the reaction tower 1 and the concentration of the product gas. The map or the relational expression may be determined by design, experiment, or simulation. The map or the relational expression may be stored in a memory unit included in the raw material gas supply unit 9. The map or the relational expression may be stored in a memory or other memory unit included in the control unit 21. The raw material gas supply unit 9 may acquire the amount of raw material gas supplied to the boost reaction tower 51 from the control unit 21.

[0070] <Modification> Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the measurement sensor 22 measures the temperature inside the reaction tower 1, and the measurement sensor 23 measures the temperature inside the reaction tower 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The measurement sensor 22 may measure the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 1, and the measurement sensor 23 may measure the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 3. The control unit 21 may perform various controls based on at least one of the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 1 and the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 3. Furthermore, the raw material gas supply unit 9 may control the supply of raw material gas based on at least one of the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 1 and the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 3.

[0071] In the second embodiment, the measurement sensor 55 measures the temperature inside the boost reaction tower 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the measurement sensor 55 may measure the temperature of the heat medium passing through the boost reaction tower 51. The control unit 21 may perform various controls based on at least one of the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 1, the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 3, and the temperature of the heat medium passing through the boost reaction tower 51. Furthermore, the raw material gas supply unit 9 may control the supply of raw material gas based on at least one of the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 1, the temperature of the heat medium passing through the reaction tower 3, and the temperature of the heat medium passing through the boost reaction tower 51.

[0072] In the first and second embodiments, two reaction towers are provided, but the number of reaction towers may be one, three, four, or any other number of stages. In the first and second embodiments, thermal oil is used as the heat medium, but a substance suitable for the use conditions, such as molten salt or high-pressure water, may be used as the heat medium, taking into consideration the use conditions, such as the use temperature and the equipment used. In addition, a part of the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the reaction tower 1 may be sent to the heat medium heat exchanger 6 without passing through the reaction tower 3. In addition, the heat medium that is used in the reaction tower may be sent to the heat medium heat exchanger 6 without passing through the reaction tower 3. The generator 100 may also be used when the reaction is an irreversible reaction.

[0073] Furthermore, each of the processes described above may be considered as a generation method or an operation method of the generation device 100. Alternatively, each of the processes or functions described above may be considered as a generation system or an operation system having at least some of the functions. Note that the above means and processes may be combined with each other as much as possible to constitute the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1,3 ·· Reactor; 2,4,53 ·· Gas cooling heat exchanger; 5 ·· Heat medium heater; 6 ·· Heat medium heat exchanger; 7,8,54 ·· Gas-liquid separator; 9 ·· Raw gas supply section; 10 ·· Separation section; 11 ·· Storage tank; 12 ·· Heat medium circulation pump; 13,14 ·· Control valve; 15 ·· Chiller; 16 ·· Cooling tower; 17 ·· Cooling water circulation pump; 21 ·· Control section; 22,23,55 ·· Measurement sensor; 31 ·· Pump; 32 ·· Separation membrane module; 33 ·· Vacuum pump; 34 ·· Buffer tank; 35 ·· Compressor; 36 ·· Separation membrane; 41 ·· Product gas path; 52 ·· Switching section; 100 ·· Generation device

Claims

1. a first reaction tower for generating a product gas by an exothermic reaction of a raw material gas over a catalyst; a second reaction tower for producing the product gas by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas over a catalyst; a raw material gas supply unit that supplies the raw material gas to the second reaction tower; a temperature adjusting unit that maintains an operating temperature inside the second reaction tower within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of a heat medium passed through the first reaction tower and the second reaction tower, when an operation start-up operation is performed on the second reaction tower, which is in a cold shutdown state in which the supply of the raw material gas to the second reaction tower by the raw material gas supply unit has been stopped, the temperature adjustment unit starts raising the temperatures of the first reaction tower and the second reaction tower by heating the heat medium, the raw material gas supply unit starts supplying the raw material gas to the second reaction tower when the temperature inside the second reaction tower during heating reaches a predetermined supply start temperature that is lower than the operating temperature, the product gas and the unreacted raw material gas are supplied from the second reaction tower into the first reaction tower; The volume of the second reaction tower is smaller than the volume of the first reaction tower. generator.

2. when the raw material gas supply unit starts supplying the raw material gas during the temperature increase of the second reaction tower, the temperature adjustment unit stops increasing the temperature of the second reaction tower by heating the heat medium. The generating device of claim 1 .

3. the temperature adjustment unit adjusts the temperature of the heat medium by performing at least one of heating, cooling, stopping heating, and stopping cooling on the heat medium. The generating device of claim 1 .

4. the raw material gas supply unit determines the supply amount of the raw material gas based on the temperature inside the second reaction tower. The generating device of claim 1 .

5. a separation unit that separates dissolved gas dissolved in the produced water from the produced water produced in the first reaction tower when the product gas is produced, The generating device of claim 1 .

6. a product gas passage through which the product gas delivered from the first reaction column flows; The separation unit is When the dissolved gas is the product gas, the product gas separated from the produced water is merged with the product gas flowing through the product gas path; When the dissolved gas is unreacted source gas, the unreacted source gas is returned to the source gas supply unit. The generating device of claim 5 .

7. a first reaction tower for generating a product gas by an exothermic reaction of a raw material gas over a catalyst; a second reaction tower for producing the product gas by an exothermic reaction of the raw material gas over a catalyst; a raw material gas supply unit that supplies the raw material gas to the second reaction tower; a temperature adjusting unit that maintains an operating temperature inside the second reaction tower within a predetermined range by adjusting the temperature of a heat medium passed through the first reaction tower and the second reaction tower, when an operation start-up operation of the second reaction tower, which is in a cold shutdown state in which the supply of the raw material gas to the second reaction tower by the raw material gas supply unit has been stopped, is performed, starting to increase the temperatures of the first reaction tower and the second reaction tower by heating the heat medium; and starting the supply of the raw material gas to the second reaction tower at a predetermined supply start temperature during the temperature increase in the second reaction tower that is lower than the operating temperature, the product gas and the unreacted raw material gas are supplied from the second reaction tower into the first reaction tower; The volume of the second reaction tower is smaller than the volume of the first reaction tower. A method for producing a product gas in a generator.

8. A step in which the temperature adjustment unit stops heating of the first reaction tower and the second reaction tower by heating the heat medium when the supply of the raw material gas is started from the raw material gas supply unit during heating of the second reaction tower; 8. A method for producing a product gas in a generator according to claim 7, comprising:

9. A step in which the temperature adjustment unit adjusts the temperature of the heat medium by performing at least one of heating, cooling, stopping heating, and stopping cooling on the heat medium; 8. A method for producing a product gas in a generator according to claim 7, comprising:

10. A step in which the raw material gas supply unit determines the supply amount of the raw material gas based on the temperature in the second reaction tower; 8. A method for producing a product gas in a generator according to claim 7, comprising:

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