摘要 |
A hydrogen generation apparatus for limiting degradation in a catalyst due to dew condensation at the time of shutdown is provided. The hydrogen generation apparatus has a raw material supplier which supplies a raw material, a water supplier which supplies water, a reforming device having a reforming catalyst for generating a gas containing hydrogen by reforming reaction using the raw material and water, a CO reducing device having a CO reducing catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide in the gas containing hydrogen delivered from the reforming device, a combustor which supplies heat necessary for the reforming reaction to the reforming device, a first air supplier which supplies air for combustion to the combustor, a combustion exhaust gas path formed such that the combustion exhaust gas produced in the combustor makes heat exchange with the reforming device and then with the CO reducing device, and a controller which operates the first air supplier so that the temperature of the gas in the CO reducing device does not become equal to or lower than a dew point after shutdown of the combustion operation of the combustor and before a start of a purging operation to purge the interiors of the reforming device and the CO reducing device with a replacement gas. |