APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION

摘要

This invention provides a hydrogen generator that has excellent energy efficiency and can reduce equipment cost. In the hydrogen generator, a hydrocarbon gas is reformed to produce a hydrogen-rich reformed gas. The hydrogen generator comprises a reformer (1) for catalytically reacting the hydrocarbon gas together with oxygen with a catalyst to perform combustion and reforming of the hydrocarbon gas and a first heat exchanger (3) for heating the hydrocarbon gas to be introduced into the reformer (1) after heat exchange between the reformed gas and the hydrocarbon gas in a reformed gas passage (25) provided on the downstream side of the reformer (1). According to the above construction, the raw material gas to be introduced into the reformer (1) is heated by the heat of the reformed gas produced by the combustion and the reforming, without the need to externally supply heat energy necessary for reforming by a burner or the like. Accordingly, the energy efficiency is improved. Further, since the need to provide any burner in the reformer (1) is eliminated, the structure of the reformer (1) per se can be simplified, and, at the same time, the structure for imparting heat resistance and pressure resistance can also be simplified. This advantageously leads to a reduction in equipment cost.