Fuel reforming apparatus having double pipe structure

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel reforming apparatus having a double pipe structure, the fuel reforming apparatus including: a housing; a burner which generates combustion gas by using air and fuel gas supplied to the lower part thereof; a main channel pipe which forms a fluid channel in which the combustion gas generated from the burner moves upward, and is positioned at the center of the housing; a reforming reaction part which surrounds the main channel pipe and in which a reforming catalyst is provided; a combustion gas discharge port, which is positioned above the burner and formed at one side of a lower part of the main channel pipe and to which the combustion gas is discharged; and a discharge channel pipe forming a fluid channel through which the combustion gas introduced through the main channel pipe moves downward toward the combustion gas discharge port.

Description

Fuel reformer with a double-pipe structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel reforming device, and more particularly, to a fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure in which a combustion gas flow path is formed in two parts.

[0002]

[0003] As one example of a possible application of the present invention, a reforming reactor (hereinafter, "reformer") that produces hydrogen through a natural gas-steam reforming reaction can be cited. A reformer is a reactor that produces hydrogen using natural gas, the main component of which is methane, as a raw material. The raw gas and steam are converted into reformed gas, a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, over a catalyst. This strongly endothermic reaction requires a separate supply of reaction heat.

[0004] The reformer is connected to a steam generator required for the reaction and a preheater to preheat the reactants, completing the entire process. The heat from the steam generator and preheater can be supplied by heating the catalyst bed and recovering waste heat from the exhausted combustion gas or the reformed gas produced. Therefore, enhancing heat exchange efficiency is required to enhance the efficiency of the entire process, including the steam reformer.

[0005] Heat exchange in conventional industrial reformers primarily utilizes radiation heat transfer. While this approach maximizes processing capacity due to the significant heat flux from the combustion heat generated in the combustion chamber to the reaction tubes, it also poses a risk of localized heating of the reaction tubes due to direct contact with the flame. This, in turn, disrupts uniform reaction, reducing reaction stability and conversion efficiency. Furthermore, significant variation in reaction rate between reaction tubes complicates operation, maintenance, and management, and requires expensive, heat-resistant materials within the device.

[0006] This presents a significant obstacle as the demand for device miniaturization grows. Therefore, research and development is needed to develop technologies that can minimize device volume, such as by reducing the diameter of the centerline where the reaction tubes are arranged, while simultaneously improving heat exchange efficiency for the reaction heat within the reformer.

[0007]

[0008] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure that improves the heat transfer performance required for a reforming reaction by providing a double-structured path for combustion gas and supplies uniform heat to cause a catalytic reaction.

[0009] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0010]

[0011] In order to achieve the above technical problem, one embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure including a housing, a burner that generates combustion gas using air and fuel gas supplied downward, a main flow pipe located at the center of the housing that forms a flow path through which the combustion gas generated from the burner moves upward, a reforming reaction unit that surrounds the main flow pipe and has a reforming catalyst provided therein, a combustion gas outlet located above the burner but formed on one side of the lower portion of the main flow pipe so that the combustion gas is discharged, and an exhaust flow pipe that forms a flow path through which the combustion gas introduced through the main flow pipe moves downward toward the combustion gas outlet.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, an upper channel may be further formed at the upper end of the main channel and the reforming reaction section, and connecting the main channel and the discharge channel.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing and the reforming reaction unit may be formed concentrically with the main flow pipe, and the discharge flow pipe may be formed inside the reforming reaction unit.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust pipe may include a plurality of exhaust pipes spaced apart from each other inside the reforming reaction unit.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower ends of the main flow pipe and the discharge flow pipe are open, the upper ends of the main flow pipe and the discharge flow pipe are connected to the upper flow pipe, and the main flow pipe and the lower ends of the discharge flow pipe can be mutually blocked.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the length of the main flow pipe may be formed to be longer than the length of the discharge flow pipe.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, an air inlet formed on the lowest side of the housing and through which air is supplied, and a fuel gas inlet formed on the lowest side of the housing and through which fuel gas is supplied are further included, wherein the air inlet and the fuel gas inlet may be located at the bottom of the burner.

[0018]

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, by providing a dual structure for the combustion gas path, the heat transfer performance required for the reforming reaction is improved, and uniform heat is supplied to effectively cause a catalytic reaction.

[0020] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the composition of the invention described in the description or claims of the present invention.

[0021]

[0022] Figure 1 is a drawing illustrating a fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of a fuel reforming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional drawing of a fuel reforming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]

[0026] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is therefore not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity of description, and similar parts have been designated with similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0027] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected (connected, contacted, or coupled)" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected," but also cases where it is "indirectly connected" with another part in between. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0028] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] The fuel reforming device (10) described below relates to a catalytic reactor for hydrocarbon steam reforming, and forms a combustion gas path with a double structure. Since the fuel reforming device (10) according to the present invention causes a reforming reaction by filling a catalyst between the combustion gas paths in the form of a double tube, it can more effectively induce heat transfer for generating hydrogen from hydrocarbon raw materials and steam.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of a fuel reforming device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fuel reforming device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 1 (a) is a three-dimensional drawing of a fuel reforming device, and (b) is a plan view of the fuel reforming device.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the fuel reforming device (10) of the present invention may include a housing (110), a burner (120), a fuel gas inlet (130), an air inlet (140), a main flow pipe (150), an upper flow pipe (160), an exhaust flow pipe (170), a combustion gas outlet (180), a reforming reaction unit (190), a raw material gas inlet (200), a reforming gas outlet (210), a spark plug pipe (220), a temperature sensor pipe (230), and a catalyst exchange pipe (240).

[0034] The housing (110) provides an internal space in which a burner (120), a main flow pipe (150), an upper flow pipe (160), an exhaust flow pipe (170), and a reforming reaction unit (190) can be arranged, and the exhaust flow pipe (170) can be formed in a cylindrical shape to densely arrange the exhaust flow pipe and miniaturize the device, but is not limited thereto. On the outside of the housing (110), a fuel gas inlet (130), an air inlet (140), a combustion gas outlet (180), a raw material gas inlet (200), and a reforming gas outlet (210) can be formed in a shape that protrudes outward.

[0035] The burner (120) can generate reaction heat and combustion gas using air and fuel gas supplied downward. The burner (120) supplies the reaction heat required for the reforming reaction, and can perform a process of receiving air and fuel from the outside and combusting them to generate reaction heat at the inner center of the housing (110). For example, the combustion gas generated from the burner (120) can spray heat in the form of a flame through combustion.

[0036] The burner (120) according to the present invention may be provided as a metal fiber burner. The metal fiber burner has the advantage of enabling better heat transfer of combustion gas to the main flow pipe (150) and the combustion gas exhaust port (180), thereby achieving a uniform temperature distribution and more efficient catalytic reaction.

[0037] The fuel gas injection port (130) is where fuel gas is injected from the outside and can be formed at the lowest end of the side of the housing (110).

[0038] The air inlet (140) is a place where air is injected from the outside and can be formed at the lowest end of the side of the housing (110).

[0039] The fuel gas inlet (130) and the air inlet (140) are located at the bottom of the burner (120), so that the burner (120) can be supplied with fuel gas and air necessary for combustion.

[0040] The fuel gas inlet (!30) and the air inlet (140) can be formed in a direction perpendicular to each other with respect to the housing (110).

[0041] The main flow path (150) can form a main flow path through which combustion gas generated from the burner (120) can move upward. The main flow path (150) can be located at the inner center of the housing (110). The combustion gas generated from the burner (120) can move upward through the main flow path formed by the main flow path (150).

[0042] The upper and lower ends of the main flow pipe (150) and the discharge flow pipe (170) can both be formed in an open form. In addition, the upper ends of the main flow pipe (150) and the discharge flow pipe (170) can be connected to the upper flow pipe (160).

[0043] The upper passage (160) may be formed at the upper end of the main passage (150) and may serve to connect the main passage (150) and the exhaust passage (170). The upper passage (160) may be provided as a separation space formed between the upper end of the main passage (150) and the upper cap (111) of the housing (110).

[0044] The exhaust pipe (170) can form a path through which combustion gas introduced through the main pipe (150) can pass through the upper path (160) and flow downward toward the combustion gas discharge port (180) located at the bottom.

[0045] The exhaust pipe (170) can be formed inside the reforming reaction unit (190). The lower end of the exhaust pipe (170) is connected to a combustion gas discharge port (180), and combustion gas moving downward through the exhaust pipe (170) can be discharged to the combustion gas discharge port (180).

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, since the length of the main flow pipe (150) is formed to be longer than the length of the exhaust flow pipe (170), combustion gas passing through the exhaust flow pipe (170) cannot flow back into the main flow pipe (150) due to the outer wall of the main flow pipe (150). In other words, the lower ends of the main flow pipe (150) and the exhaust flow pipe (170) can be mutually blocked.

[0047] The combustion gas discharge port (180) is positioned higher than the burner (120), but is formed on one side of the lower portion of the main pipe (150), so that the combustion gas passing through the exhaust pipe (170) can be discharged to the outside.

[0048] To be more specific, the combustion gas exhaust port (180) may be formed at a higher position than the lower end of the main pipe (150) and at a lower position than the lower end of the exhaust pipe (170).

[0049] Regarding the movement path of the combustion gas generated from the burner (120), the combustion gas moves upward through the main flow path (150) located at the top of the burner (120), moves vertically along the flow path shape of the upper flow path (160), and then moves vertically again to move to the exhaust flow path (170) located at the bottom. The combustion gas that has moved vertically downward moves downward along the exhaust flow path (170), and then moves vertically to be discharged to the combustion gas outlet (180) formed on the side of the housing (110).

[0050] The reforming reaction unit (190) is formed in a shape that surrounds the main flow pipe (150), and a reforming catalyst (250) can be filled inside. The reforming reaction unit (190) can be arranged in a concentric circle centered on the main flow pipe (150) through which combustion gas generated from the burner (120) passes in order to reform the raw material gas.

[0051] The catalyst for reforming (250) is not limited in type, but may include at least one selected from the group consisting of one or more metals selected from gold, silver, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, aluminum, zinc, titanium, hafnium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, iridium, palladium, zirconium, and lanthanide metals, or oxides thereof, and complexes thereof.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, a filling film (191) may be formed at the upper and lower portions of the inside of the reforming reaction unit (190), and the filling film (191) may be provided to confine the reforming catalyst (250) in a limited space inside the reforming reaction unit (190). For example, it is preferable that the filling film (191) be installed entirely at the upper and lower portions of the inside of the reforming reaction unit (190) except for the area where the exhaust conduit (170) is formed.

[0053] In the reforming reaction unit (190), a reforming reaction can occur in which the raw material gas of the carbon compound and water vapor, which are the reaction raw materials, are converted into a reforming gas containing hydrogen. The reforming reaction unit (190) is not limited in its shape, but can be implemented in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the housing (110).

[0054] The housing (110) and the reforming reaction unit (190) can be arranged concentrically around the main urea pipe (150).

[0055] The exhaust pipe (170) may be formed inside the reforming reaction unit (190). More specifically, a plurality of exhaust pipes (170) may be provided, and the plurality of exhaust pipes (170) may be spaced apart from each other inside the reforming reaction unit (190).

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of exhaust pipes (170) may be spaced apart and arranged along the outer circumference of the reforming reaction unit (190). That is, a plurality of exhaust pipes (170) may be formed at positions of a certain radius centered on the main pipe (150). At this time, the number and arrangement structure of the exhaust pipes (170) are not particularly limited, but may be adjusted for compactness and efficient heat exchange of the fuel reforming device (10).

[0057] The outer surface at the center of the reforming reaction unit (190) contacts the main passage pipe (150) through which the combustion gas generated from the burner (120) passes, thereby transferring heat to the raw material gas inside. In addition, the reforming reaction unit (190) can transfer heat from the combustion gas passing through the reforming reaction unit (190) to the raw material gas by providing a plurality of spaced-apart exhaust passage pipes (170) inside. That is, the reforming reaction unit (190) can have heat transfer performed in two ways by the main passage pipe (150) and the exhaust passage pipe (170). The heat transferred by the main passage pipe (150) and the exhaust passage pipe (170) in this way can be used for the reforming reaction, which is an endothermic reaction that is performed in the reforming reaction unit (190).

[0058] The fuel reforming device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is exemplified by providing eight exhaust pipes (170), but is not limited thereto, and the number may be changed depending on the size of the fuel reforming device to be implemented or the size of the exhaust pipes.

[0059] In the reforming reaction unit (190), a reforming reaction can proceed as the raw material gas supplied from the raw material gas inlet (200) arranged at the bottom passes through the reforming catalyst (250) filled inside. The reformed gas reformed while passing through the reforming catalyst (250) can be discharged through the reforming gas discharge port (210) formed on one side of the upper portion of the reforming reaction unit (190).

[0060] For example, the raw material gas inlet (200) and the reformed gas outlet (210) can be formed in a direction perpendicular to each other with respect to the housing (110).

[0061] The main flow pipe (150) formed at the center of the reforming reaction unit (190) and the discharge flow pipe (170) spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction inside the reforming reaction unit (190) can supply uniform heat to the reforming reaction unit (190) to prevent local heating from occurring.

[0062] In addition, by providing a plurality of exhaust conduits (170) that induce a secondary endothermic reaction inside the reforming reaction unit (190), it has the effect of dramatically increasing the device compactness rate. That is, while miniaturizing the fuel reforming device (10), it is possible to suppress local heating of the reforming reaction unit (190), thereby realizing a uniform reaction and high thermal efficiency.

[0063] The spark plug tube (220) is a tube into which a spark plug can be installed.

[0064] The temperature sensor tube (230) is a tube in which a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the catalyst is installed. In the present invention, three temperature sensor tubes (230) can be formed to protrude side by side along the length direction on the outer surface of the housing (110). The plurality of temperature sensor tubes (230) can each measure the temperature of each region of the catalyst.

[0065] The catalyst exchange tube (240) can serve as a passage for replacing the catalyst filled inside the reforming reaction unit (190).

[0066] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0067] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims set forth below, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Housing and, A burner that generates combustion gas using air and fuel gas supplied from below, A main duct located at the center of the housing, through which combustion gas generated from the burner moves upward, A reforming reaction section surrounding the main euro pipe and having a reforming catalyst provided inside, A combustion gas discharge port formed on one side of the lower portion of the main pipe and positioned above the burner, through which the combustion gas is discharged; A fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure including an exhaust pipe forming a path through which combustion gas introduced through the main combustion pipe moves downward toward the combustion gas exhaust port.

2. In paragraph 1, A fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure, characterized in that it further includes an upper duct formed at the upper end of the main duct and the reforming reaction section and connecting the main duct and the exhaust duct.

3. In paragraph 2, A fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure, wherein the housing and the reforming reaction unit are formed concentrically around the main duct, and the exhaust duct is formed inside the reforming reaction unit.

4. In paragraph 3, The above discharge pipe, A fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure, characterized by including a plurality of exhaust paths spaced apart from each other inside the reforming reaction section.

5. In paragraph 3, The top and bottom of the above main euro pipe and the above discharge euro pipe are open, The upper ends of the above main flow pipe and the above discharge flow pipe are connected to the upper flow pipe, A fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure, characterized in that the main fuel pipe and the lower end of the exhaust fuel pipe are mutually blocked.

6. In paragraph 5, A fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure, characterized in that the length of the main fuel pipe is formed longer than the length of the exhaust fuel pipe.

7. In paragraph 1, An air inlet formed at the lowest side of the housing and through which air is supplied, Further comprising a fuel gas inlet formed at the lowest side of the housing to supply fuel gas, A fuel reforming device having a double-pipe structure, characterized in that the air inlet and the fuel gas inlet are located at the bottom of the burner.

Images