IP Library Granted Patent US 9,334,164
Granted Patent B2
US 9,334,164 · App. 13/264,128 · Granted May 10, 2016

Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,334,164
App. No.
13/264,128
Granted
May 10, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hydrogen generator ( 100 ) includes: a hydrogen generating unit ( 1 ) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by using a raw material gas; a hydro-desulfurizer ( 7 ) configured to remove a sulfur compound in the raw material gas supplied to the hydrogen generating unit ( 1 ); a first gas channel ( 5 ) through which the raw material gas supplied through the hydro-desulfurizer ( 7 ) to the hydrogen generating unit ( 1 ) flows; a recycle channel ( 10 ) through which the hydrogen-containing gas from the hydrogen generating unit ( 1 ) is supplied to the raw material gas in the first gas channel ( 5 ) located upstream of the hydro-desulfurizer ( 7 ); a raw material gas supply unit ( 6 ) disposed between the hydro-desulfurizer ( 7 ) and a meeting point where the first gas channel ( 5 ) and the recycle channel ( 10 ) meet; and a first on-off valve ( 8 ) disposed between the raw material gas supply unit ( 6 ) and the hydro-desulfurizer ( 7 ) to close when the hydrogen generator ( 100 ) stops.

Claims (33)

1. A hydrogen generation apparatus comprising:

a hydrogen generator configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by using a raw material gas;

a hydro-desulfurizer configured to remove a sulfur compound in the raw material gas supplied to the hydrogen generator;

a first gas channel through which the raw material gas supplied through the hydro-desulfurizer to the hydrogen generator flows;

a recycle channel through which the hydrogen-containing gas from the hydrogen generator is supplied to the raw material gas flowing in the first gas channel, the recycle channel being connected to a meeting point of the first gas channel located upstream of the hydro-desulfurizer;

a raw material gas supply disposed between the hydro-desulfurizer and the meeting point;

a first on-off valve disposed on the first gas channel extending between the raw material gas supply and the hydro-desulfurizer;

a normal temperature desulfurizer configured to remove the sulfur compound in the raw material gas supplied to the hydrogen generator;

a second gas channel branching at a point located upstream of the hydro-desulfurizer, pass through the normal temperature desulfurizer, and meeting the first gas channel located upstream of the meeting point where the first gas channel and the recycle channel meet;

a second on-off valve disposed on the second gas channel; and

a third on-off valve disposed on the first gas channel extending between a branching point where the second gas channel branches from the first gas channel and a meeting point where the second gas channel meets the first gas channel.

2. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to:

open the first on-off valve and the third on-off valve and close the second on-off valve when desulfurization is performed by using the hydro-desulfurizer; and

open the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve and close the third on-off valve when the desulfurization is performed by using the normal temperature desulfurizer.

3. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a third channel branching from the first gas channel extending between the raw material gas supply and the hydro-desulfurizer and meeting the first gas channel located downstream of the hydro-desulfurizer; and

a fourth on-off valve disposed on the third channel.

4. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a controller configured to:

open the first on-off valve and the third on-off valve and close the second on-off valve and the fourth on-off valve when desulfurization is performed by using the hydro-desulfurizer; and

open the second on-off valve and the fourth on-off valve and close the first on-off valve and the third on-off valve when the desulfurization is performed by using the normal temperature desulfurizer.

5. A hydrogen generation apparatus comprising;

a hydrogen generator configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by using a raw material gas;

a hydro-desulfurizer configured to remove a sulfur compound in the raw material gas supplied to the hydrogen generator;

a first gas channel through which the raw material gas supplied through the hydro-desulfurizer to the hydrogen generator flows;

a recycle channel through which the hydrogen-containing gas from the hydrogen generator is supplied to the raw material gas flowing in the first gas channel, the recycle channel being connected to a meeting point of the first gas channel located upstream of the hydro-desulfurizer;

a raw material gas supply disposed between the hydro-desulfurizer and the meeting point;

a first on-off valve disposed on the first gas channel extending between the raw material gas supply and the hydro-desulfurizer;

a normal temperature desulfurizer configured to remove the sulfur compound in the raw material gas supplied to the hydrogen generator;

a second gas channel branching from the first gas channel extending between the raw material gas supply and the first on-off valve, pass through the normal temperature desulfurizer, and meeting the first gas channel located downstream of the hydro-desulfurizer; and

a second on-off valve disposed on the second gas channel.

6. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a controller configured to:

open the first on-off valve and close the second on-off valve when desulfurization is performed by using the hydro-desulfurizer; and

open the second on-off valve and close the first on-off valve when the desulfurization is performed by using the normal temperature desulfurizer.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →