PURPOSE: To obtain reformed gas suitable for fuel cells with a compact device having increased heat efficiency and being capable of protecting against impact by reforming evaporated fuel by heating using a fuel evaporator and a reactor which are formed to one body by covering with a heat insulating section enclosed by an internal wall and an external wall.
CONSTITUTION: Whole periphery of an integrated construction constructed of a fuel evaporator 1 of a fuel reforming device 30 and plural reaction tubes 4 provided with catalyst layers 5 packed with pelletized catalyst is enclosed down to a bottom surface of the evaporator 1 with a heat insulating section contg. a heat insulating layer 9 comprising glass wool, ceramic wool, or their foam, etc., between a cylindrical internal wall 8 and an external wall 10. The evaporator 1 is heated directly with a burner 3 provided below the bottom of the heat insulating section to evaporate methanol/water fuel mixture fed from a fuel feeding nozzle 2 and to let the evaporated fuel flow into the reaction tube 4. Simultaneously, the reaction tube 4 is heated by dispersing heating gas with a dispersing plate 12 provided with many through holes 12a. Thus, the fuel gas is converted to reformed gas consisting principally of H2, then the gas is collected in a collecting section 6 and fed to a main body of a fuel cell from an outlet 7.
MIZUNO YUTAKA
SUZUKI YASUO
