초록 ▼

A partial oxidation reforming reaction occurs at the center of a chamber in a reformer, while a steam reforming reaction occurs in a localized manner around the chamber center. Thus, the efficiency of the reforming reaction is improved while keeping a temperature in the vicinity of an outer chamber

A partial oxidation reforming reaction occurs at the center of a chamber in a reformer, while a steam reforming reaction occurs in a localized manner around the chamber center. Thus, the efficiency of the reforming reaction is improved while keeping a temperature in the vicinity of an outer chamber wall low. Oxygen is supplied from an inlet center of the reformer so as to enhance a concentration of oxygen in a central area of the chamber. On the other hand, steam is supplied along an outer wall of the chamber so as to enhance a concentration of steam in an outer peripheral area of the chamber. When a hydrocarbon raw material is reformed in this state, a partial oxidation reforming reaction, which is an exothermic reaction, mainly occurs in the central area, while a steam reforming reaction, which is an endothermic reaction, tends to occur in the outer peripheral area surrounding the central area. Thus, in the central area, the partial oxidation reformation can be promoted by reaction heat that is generated. On the other hand, in the outer peripheral area, when the reaction heat produced in the central area diffuses, the reaction heat is absorbed so as to improve the efficiency of the steam reforming reaction while keeping a temperature of the vicinity of the outer wall low.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A reformer that combines a steam reforming reaction, in which a hydrocarbon raw material is reformed into hydrogen using steam, with a partial oxidation reforming reaction, in which a hydrocarbon raw material is reformed into hydrogen using oxygen, in order to reform the hydrocarbon raw material

1. A reformer that combines a steam reforming reaction, in which a hydrocarbon raw material is reformed into hydrogen using steam, with a partial oxidation reforming reaction, in which a hydrocarbon raw material is reformed into hydrogen using oxygen, in order to reform the hydrocarbon raw material and produce a fuel gas containing hydrogen, the reformer comprising:an outer wall defining an internal chamber in which the steam reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reforming reaction occur, the internal chamber having a central area located adjacent to a center of the internal chamber and an outer peripheral area located adjacent to an inner surface of the outer wall and located radially outward of the central area, the central area and the outer peripheral area are not radially separated by any fluid impermeable barriers, such that radial flow paths for fluids exist between the central area and the outer peripheral area; a hydrocarbon raw material supply means for supplying a hydrocarbon raw material into the internal chamber; a steam supply means for supplying steam into the internal chamber such that, due to passage of the steam along the radial flow paths, an amount of the steam increases in the internal chamber from the center of the internal chamber toward the inner surface of the outer wall of the internal chamber; and an oxygen supply means for supplying oxygen into the internal chamber such that, due to passage of the oxygen along the radial flow paths, an amount of the oxygen increases in the internal chamber from the inner surface of the outer wall of the internal chamber toward the center of the internal chamber, wherein the partial oxidation reforming reaction primarily occurs in the central area of the internal chamber and the steam reforming reaction primarily occurs in the outer peripheral area of the internal chamber.