Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a cathode, and an anode. The surface size of a cathode side electrode catalyst layer of the cathode is smaller than the surface size of an anode side electrode catalyst layer of the anode. An inner end of a gas impermeable film provided around the anode side electrode catalyst layer and an outer end of a cathode side electrode catalyst layer are overlapped with each other on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a cathode, and an anode. The surface size of a cathode side electrode catalyst layer of the cathode is smaller than the surface size of an anode side electrode catalyst layer of the anode. An inner end of a gas impermeable film provided around the anode side electrode catalyst layer and an outer end of a cathode side electrode catalyst layer are overlapped with each other on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A home fuel gas refining system has a modifier for modifying a hydrogen-containing fuel to produce a modified gas. The modifier includes a hydrogen-containing fuel supply mechanism for supplying the hydrogen-containing fuel and a modifying air supply mechanism for supplying modifying air. The hydrogen-containing fuel delivered from the hydrogen-containing fuel supply mechanism and the modifying air delivered from the modifying air supply mechanism are mixed with each other by a modification fuel ejector, and then delivered to a reactor.

Abstract: A residual gas supply means includes a residual gas passage connected to a PSA mechanism and a heater, and a branch passage having opposite ends connected to the residual gas passage and branched from the residual gas passage. The residual gas passage has an opening-adjustable valve having an adjustable opening positioned between the connected opposite ends of the branch passage. The branch passage has a check valve, a chamber for storing the residual gas, and an on-off valve.

Abstract: A PSA mechanism has a plurality of adsorption towers having inlet/outlet ends connected to respective valves that are connected to an off-gas discharge passage. The off-gas discharge passage is connected to an off-gas ejector of a residual gas supply. The off-gas ejector has a function to draw an off gas from the PSA mechanism with compressed air that is caused by an air compressor to flow from an off-gas discharging air supply passage into an off-gas passage.

Abstract: A PSA mechanism has adsorption towers. Cleaning valves and off gas valves are connected to the adsorption towers. Valve positions of at least either the cleaning valves or the off gas valves are determined based on an operation suspension period of the PSA mechanism or internal conditions which vary depending on the operation suspension period.

Abstract: When a shutoff signal is entered to shut off a fuel gas manufacturing apparatus, it is determined whether a PSA mechanism is in a prescribed shutoff state or not. If the PSA mechanism is judged as not being in the prescribed shutoff state, the fuel gas manufacturing apparatus is continuously operated until the PSA mechanism is brought into the prescribed shutoff state. Then, if the PSA mechanism reaches the prescribed shutoff state, the fuel gas manufacturing apparatus is shut off.

Abstract: A fuel supplying apparatus for maintaining a stable supply of a mixed water-methanol solution while preventing water from freezing in a cold climate, and for immediately supplying a mixed water-methanol gas that has a composition which is outside of the high-rate reaction region during the starting/stopping operation of the reformer when the control tends to be unstable. The methanol reforming apparatus that generates a hydrogen-rich gas by reacting a mixed gas of water, methanol and air on a catalyst is supplied with the fuel from a fuel supplying apparatus comprising a mixed water-methanol solution tank wherein the molar ratio of water and methanol used for reforming is controlled to a predetermined value, a mixed water-methanol solution tank wherein the molar ratio of water and methanol is controlled to 4.6 or higher, and a switching means that switches the mixed water-methanol solution tank used as a fuel source according to the conditions of operation of the methanol reforming apparatus.

Abstract: A PSA mechanism has adsorption towers. Cleaning valves and off gas valves are connected to the adsorption towers. Valve positions of at least either the cleaning valves or the off gas valves are determined based on an operation suspension period of the PSA mechanism or internal conditions which vary depending on the operation suspension period.

Abstract: An ECU detects various conditions of a home fuel gas refining system before starting operation of the home fuel gas refining system using pressure sensors and temperature sensors. Then, it is determined whether the detected conditions are abnormal or not. If abnormal conditions are determined, a self-repair process is performed for a predetermined abnormal condition among the conditions determined as abnormal.

Abstract: A residual gas supply means includes a residual gas passage connected to a PSA mechanism and a heater, and a branch passage having opposite ends connected to the residual gas passage and branched from the residual gas passage. The residual gas passage has an opening-adjustable valve having an adjustable opening positioned between the connected opposite ends of the branch passage. The branch passage has a check valve, a chamber for storing the residual gas, and an on-off valve.

Abstract: A home fuel gas refining system has a modifier for modifying a hydrogen-containing fuel to produce a modified gas. The modifier includes a hydrogen-containing fuel supply mechanism for supplying the hydrogen-containing fuel and a modifying air supply mechanism for supplying modifying air. The hydrogen-containing fuel delivered from the hydrogen-containing fuel supply mechanism and the modifying air delivered from the modifying air supply mechanism are mixed with each other by a modification fuel ejector, and then delivered to a reactor.

Abstract: A PSA mechanism has a plurality of adsorption towers having inlet/outlet ends connected to respective valves that are connected to an off-gas discharge passage. The off-gas discharge passage is connected to an off-gas ejector of a residual gas supply. The off-gas ejector has a function to draw an off gas from the PSA mechanism with compressed air that is caused by an air compressor to flow from an off-gas discharging air supply passage into an off-gas passage.

Abstract: When a shutoff signal is entered to shut off a fuel gas manufacturing apparatus, it is determined whether a PSA mechanism is in a prescribed shutoff state or not. If the PSA mechanism is judged as not being in the prescribed shutoff state, the fuel gas manufacturing apparatus is continuously operated until the PSA mechanism is brought into the prescribed shutoff state. Then, if the PSA mechanism reaches the prescribed shutoff state, the fuel gas manufacturing apparatus is shut off.

Abstract: A methanol-decomposing catalyst comprises catalytically active components containing copper and zinc, and a carrier composed of zirconia and/or titania and ceria for supporting the catalytically active components. The methanol-decomposing catalyst has excellent catalytic activity, thereby efficiently producing a hydrogen gas while suppressing side reactions.

Abstract: A methanol-decomposing catalyst comprises catalytically active components containing copper and zinc, and a carrier composed of zirconia and/or titania and ceria for supporting the catalytically active components. The methanol-decomposing catalyst has excellent catalytic activity, thereby efficiently producing a hydrogen gas while suppressing side reactions.

Abstract: A reformer comprises first and second reforming catalyst layers arranged in a reforming chamber, and a supply mechanism for supplying reformable fuel gas, steam, and oxygen to the reforming chamber to simultaneously perform an oxidation reaction and a reforming reaction in the first and second reforming catalyst layers. Each of the first and second reforming catalyst layers is designed to have a hollow plate-shaped configuration with its surface direction perpendicular to a gas flow direction in the reforming chamber. Accordingly, a compact fuel-reforming apparatus having a good thermal efficiency is obtained, in which the start-up operation is smoothly effected.

Abstract: A fuel supplying apparatus for maintaining a stable supply of a mixed water-methanol solution while preventing water from freezing in a cold climate, and for immediately supplying a mixed water-methanol gas that has a composition which is outside of the high-rate reaction region during the starting/stopping operation of the reformer when the control tends to be unstable. The methanol reforming apparatus that generates a hydrogen-rich gas by reacting a mixed gas of water, methanol and air on a catalyst is supplied with the fuel from a fuel supplying apparatus comprising a mixed water-methanol solution tank wherein the molar ratio of water and methanol used for reforming is controlled to a predetermined value, a mixed water-methanol solution tank wherein the molar ratio of water and methanol is controlled to 4.6 or higher, and a switching means that switches the mixed water-methanol solution tank used as a fuel source according to the conditions of operation of the methanol reforming apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention presents: (1) a starting method that is capable of quickly switching to the reforming process after warming up a catalyst; (2) a fuel supplying apparatus that is capable of maintaining a stable supply of a mixed water-methanol solution while preventing water from freezing in a cold climate, and is also capable of immediately supplying a mixed water-methanol gas that has a composition which is outside of the high-rate reaction region during the starting/stopping operation of the reformer when the control tends to be unstable; (3) a method to quickly cool down a catalyst layer without causing thermal runaway when stopping the operation of the methanol reforming apparatus; and (4) a method to quickly cool down the catalyst layer while preventing thermal runaway from occurring and removing residual fuel when stopping the operation of the methanol reforming apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention presents: (1) a starting method that is capable of quickly switching to the reforming process after warming up a catalyst; (2) a fuel supplying apparatus that is capable of maintaining a stable supply of a mixed water-methanol solution while preventing water from freezing in a cold climate, and is also capable of immediately supplying a mixed water-methanol gas that has a composition which is outside of the high-rate reaction region during the starting/stopping operation of the reformer when the control tends to be unstable; (3) a method to quickly cool down a catalyst layer without causing thermal runaway when stopping the operation of the methanol reforming apparatus; and (4) a method to quickly cool down the catalyst layer while preventing thermal runaway from occurring and removing residual fuel when stopping the operation of the methanol reforming apparatus.