JP5117827B2 - Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator for a fuel cell, and further relates to a fuel cell system provided with such a hydrogen generator.

  A fuel cell is an electrochemical reaction in which a fuel fluid such as hydrogen gas or methanol is supplied to the anode side of a power generation unit having an anode and a cathode across a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and an oxidizing fluid such as oxygen or air is supplied to the cathode side. To generate power.

  As a method of obtaining the hydrogen gas with low energy, a method of hydrolyzing a metal hydride (hydrogen generating material) called chemical hydride is known. Examples of the metal hydride include lithium borohydride, sodium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, and sodium aluminum hydride.

  When hydrogen gas is obtained by hydrolyzing the hydrogen generating material, there are reaction products such as metal-containing materials and bubbles generated by the reaction, the reaction product covers the hydrogen generating material, and the hydrogen generating material contacts water. Inhibits. As a result, the reaction rate of the hydrogen generation reaction decreases, and the reaction eventually stops.

For this reason, a technique for removing reaction products by spraying water supplied to the hydrogen generating substance at a high pressure is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1) By spraying water to be supplied to the hydrogen generating material at a high pressure, the reaction product is removed, so that a decrease in the reaction rate can be suppressed.
JP 2002-137903 A

  However, in the conventional technology, there is a possibility that the hydrogen generating material is involved by contacting the surface of the hydrogen generating material in the process of removing (moving) the reaction product, and the unreacted hydrogen generating material flows out. Since the hydrogen generating material that has flowed out unreacted does not contribute to hydrogen generation, the hydrogen generation efficiency is reduced, and it is also considered that the unreacted hydrogen generating material that has flowed out reacts in an unintended place or at an unintended time. It was difficult to control the hydrogen generation reaction.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and by suppressing the flow of unreacted hydrogen generating material that occurs with the movement of the reaction product during the hydrogen generating reaction, the hydrogen generating efficiency is improved and the hydrogen is stably generated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system that can perform control to supply power and can generate stable power in a fuel cell.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the hydrogen generator of the present invention is that a hydrogen generating substance is accommodated, and a reaction vessel that generates hydrogen by reacting the hydrogen generating substance with a reaction solution; A counter plate disposed opposite to the hydrogen generating material, a solution flow channel for supplying the reaction solution to the hydrogen generating material, and a reaction solution provided in the counter plate and supplied from the solution flow channel to the hydrogen generating material. A plurality of solution discharge ports to be discharged, a control valve body part that controls discharge of the reaction solution from a number of solution discharge ports, and a reaction solution and a hydrogen generating material discharged from the solution discharge port provided on the opposing plate A discharge part for discharging the reaction product generated by the reaction with the hydrogen, and a hydrogen outlet channel for discharging the hydrogen generated by the reaction, and the distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating substance is controlled by the control valve body part. The reaction solution is applied in order from the shortest solution outlet. Issued is that the gist.

  According to such a feature, since the hydrogen generation reaction occurs sequentially from the edge of the hydrogen generation material, when the reaction product generated by the hydrogen generation reaction moves, the unreacted hydrogen generation material flows in and flows out from the reaction portion. Can be suppressed.

  As a result, the efficiency of hydrogen generation is improved, and it is possible to perform control for stably supplying hydrogen.

Further, according to a second feature of the hydrogen generator of the present invention, the control valve body portion includes a first displacement portion and a second displacement portion,
The first displacement portion includes a first open state in which the reaction solution flowing through the first solution flow path is discharged from the first solution discharge port, and the first solution discharge port is closed to hold the reaction solution in the second state. The second displacement portion is displaced to one of the first closed states to be sent to the solution flow path, and the second displacement portion blocks the communication flow path between the first solution flow path and the second solution flow path. Then, the communication channel is opened and the reaction solution is displaced to any one of the second open states for sending the reaction solution to the second solution channel. If the first displacement portion is in the first open state, the second displacement is performed. The part is in the second closed state, and the second displacement part is in the second open state when the first displacement part is in the first closed state.

  According to such a feature, the first displacement portion and the second displacement portion are interlocked when the hydrogen generating material in a range that can be reacted is consumed by discharging the reaction solution from the first solution discharge port. Therefore, the reaction solution is quickly displaced by displacing the first displacement portion from the first open state to the first closed state and displacing the second displacement portion from the second closed state to the second open state. Responsiveness that can be sent to the second solution channel and switches the solution discharge port for discharging the reaction solution is improved.

  As a result, the reactive hydrogen generating substance can be reacted without waste, so that the hydrogen generation efficiency is improved and stable hydrogen supply becomes possible.

  The third feature of the hydrogen generator of the present invention is that when the hydrogen generating material reaches a predetermined amount, the first displacement portion is displaced from the first open state to the first closed state, and the second displacement is achieved. The gist is to switch the discharge of the reaction solution from the first solution discharge port to the second solution discharge port by displacing from the second closed state to the second open state.

  According to this feature, the solution discharge port for discharging the reaction solution can be switched when the hydrogen generating substance reaches a predetermined amount.

  As a result, since the reaction solution can be sent to the hydrogen generating material without waste, the hydrogen generation efficiency is improved, and it is possible to control to supply hydrogen stably.

  Moreover, the 4th characteristic of the hydrogen generator of this invention makes a summary the discharge part being a groove part formed in the opposing board, and a reaction product being discharged | emitted through a groove part.

  According to this feature, since the discharge part is a groove part formed in the counter plate, the reaction product can be quickly moved to a region that does not contact the unreacted hydrogen generating substance.

  Thereby, since it can suppress that an unreacted hydrogen generating substance is caught in and discharged | emitted by a reaction product, hydrogen generating efficiency improves and stable hydrogen supply is attained.

  A fifth feature of the hydrogen generator of the present invention is that the hydrogen generating substance is held by a holding mechanism, and the surface of the hydrogen generating substance that faces the counter plate is inclined with respect to the counter plate, and the discharge section Is the distance between the hydrogen generating substance and the counter plate, and the gist is that the reaction solution is discharged in order from the solution discharge port closest to the part having the widest distance.

  According to such a feature, the physical property that the hydrogen generating substance and the counter plate are not arranged in parallel, but the interval between them is inclined, and the reaction product moves from a narrow space to a wide space. Since it can be used, the slanted interval formed by the hydrogen generating material and the counter plate functions as a discharge part, and the reaction product is discharged without flowing into the part where the unreacted hydrogen generating material exists. Is done.

  As a result, it is possible to reliably suppress the flow of the unreacted hydrogen generating substance with a simple structure, leading to an improvement in hydrogen generation efficiency.

  The sixth feature of the hydrogen generator of the present invention is summarized in that the discharge unit has an inclination with respect to a horizontal plane and discharges the reaction product along the inclination.

  According to this feature, since the discharge portion has an inclination with respect to the horizontal plane, the reaction product is discharged from the discharge portion more reliably and promptly.

  Thereby, the flow of the unreacted hydrogen generating substance by the reaction product can be suppressed, and the hydrogen generation efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, according to a seventh feature of the hydrogen generator of the present invention, the solution discharge port includes a first solution discharge port group composed of a plurality of solution discharge ports with the shortest distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating material; And a second solution discharge port group composed of a plurality of solution discharge ports having a short distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating material next to the first solution discharge port group. When the reaction solution is discharged from the solution discharge port, and the discharge of the reaction solution from all the solution discharge ports constituting the first solution discharge port group is finished, the solution discharge ports constituting the second solution discharge port group The gist is that the reaction solution is discharged from

  According to such a feature, since the reaction solution is discharged in order from the solution discharge port group having the shortest distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating substance, the reaction product generated by the hydrogen generation reaction is located near the edge. However, it is easy to be discharged to the outside, and it is discharged without involving any unreacted hydrogen generating substance.

  Thereby, hydrogen generation efficiency can be improved.

  The fuel cell system according to the present invention is characterized in that a hydrogen outlet flow path for leading out hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator having any one of the first to seventh features of the hydrogen generator according to the present invention is a fuel cell fuel. The gist is that it is connected to the polar chamber and the generated hydrogen is supplied to the negative electrode.

  According to this feature, by suppressing the flow of unreacted hydrogen generating material from the reaction part that occurs with the movement of the reaction product during the hydrogen generating reaction, hydrogen generation efficiency is improved and stable hydrogen supply is achieved. It can be carried out.

  Thereby, it can be set as the fuel cell system in which the stable electric power generation is possible.

  According to the feature of the present invention, the reaction product generated by the hydrogen generation by the reaction between the hydrogen generating material and the reaction solution is discharged without involving the unreacted hydrogen generating material, so that the hydrogen generation efficiency is improved. It is possible to provide a hydrogen generator capable of supplying stable hydrogen and a fuel cell system capable of generating stable electric power.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen generator according to a first embodiment.

    As shown in FIG. 1, a hydrogen generation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a reaction vessel 2 in which a hydrogen generation reaction occurs, and a hydrogen generation material 6 as a reactant of the hydrogen generation reaction is contained in the reaction vessel 2. Is accommodated via the counter plate 7. Further, the reaction vessel 2 is provided with a hydrogen outlet channel 5 for supplying the generated hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming part of the fuel cell system. Note that the supply destination of the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator according to the present embodiment is not limited to the hydrogen consumption unit of the fuel cell system, and may be used for other purposes.

  The counter plate 7 includes a plurality of solution discharge ports 8 that supply the reaction solution sent by the solution flow path 4 to the hydrogen generating material 6, and the reaction solution and the hydrogen generating material 6 discharged from the solution discharge port 8. And a discharge unit 11 for discharging a reaction product generated by the reaction.

  The discharge of the reaction solution from the plurality of solution discharge ports 8 is controlled by a plurality of control valves 9 operated by the liquid supply control unit 10. In the present embodiment, the control valve body portion includes a plurality of control valves 9 and a liquid feeding control portion 10.

  A reaction solution storage container (not shown) is provided adjacent to the reaction container 2, and the reaction solution is stored in the container.

  The solution flow path 4 is provided with a solution feeding section 3, and the feeding and stopping of the reaction solution is controlled by the solution feeding section 3. The configuration of the solution feeding unit 3 is not limited as long as the solution feeding unit 3 introduces and distributes the reaction solution into the solution channel 4. For example, a liquid can be fed by applying a pressure feeding mechanism such as a pump, and the amount of liquid fed is controlled by the amount of hydrogen consumed by the hydrogen consuming unit (power consumption in the case of a fuel cell). In addition, a liquid that can be sent using a valve that is opened and closed using the internal pressure in the reaction vessel 2 and that generates hydrogen by sending the solution when the internal pressure of the reaction vessel 2 becomes low is applied. The

  The reaction solution supplied by the solution feeding unit 3 is discharged from the solution discharge port 8 through the control valve 9 whose flow is controlled by the solution feeding control unit 10. The discharged reaction solution is brought into contact with the hydrogen generating substance 6 to react to generate hydrogen, which is supplied from the hydrogen outlet channel 5 to the hydrogen consuming unit.

  Examples of the hydrogen generating substance 6 include borohydride salts, aluminum hydroxide salts, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydroxide, and the like. Examples of the reaction solution include sulfuric acid, malic acid, and citric acid water. In particular, it is preferable to use sodium borohydride as the hydrogen generating substance 6 and malic acid as the reaction solution. The hydrogen generating substance 6 and the reaction solution are not particularly limited to these, and any hydrogen generating substance 6 can be used as long as it is a hydrolyzable metal hydride. Any hydrogen generation catalyst such as acid and inorganic acid or ruthenium is applicable. Further, any combination of the hydrogen generating substance 6 and the reaction solution can be applied as long as the substance generates hydrogen by mixing, such as the hydrogen generating substance 6 is an aqueous sodium borohydride solution and the reaction solution is malic acid. It is. Alternatively, hydrogen may be obtained by a reaction between a metal and a basic or acidic aqueous solution.

  The hydrogen generating material 6 is installed close to one surface (reaction surface) of the counter plate 7 in which a plurality of solution discharge ports 8 are formed, and the control valve 9 has the shortest distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating material 6. Control is performed by the liquid supply control unit 10 so that the reaction solution is discharged in order toward the solution discharge port 8 having a longer distance from the edge than the solution discharge port 8.

  Here, the arrangement of the solution discharge port 8 with respect to the counter plate 7 and the order of discharge of the reaction solution from the solution discharge port 8 are set according to the shape and size of the hydrogen generating substance 6, and FIG. A specific example is shown. The solution discharge ports 8 formed in the counter plate 7 are indicated by circles, the order in which the reaction solution is discharged is indicated by numbers, and the flow direction of the reaction products is indicated by arrows. In addition, the number of the solution discharge ports 8 and the control valves 9 may or may not correspond to one to one, and is not limited.

  The control valve 9 is closed when a predetermined amount of a hydrogen generating substance that can react with the reaction solution discharged from the corresponding solution discharge port 8 reaches a predetermined amount, and the reaction solution is discharged from the next solution discharge port 8. It is controlled by the liquid feeding control unit 10.

  Further, the discharge amount of the reaction solution from each solution discharge port 8 is integrated, and the opening and closing of the control valve 9 can be switched when the predetermined amount is reached. The discharge amount of a predetermined amount of reaction solution is the amount of reaction solution necessary for the reaction of the hydrogen generating substance 6 around one solution discharge port 8 within a reactable range. The range of the hydrogen generating material 6 that can be reacted by discharging the reaction solution from one solution discharge port 8 is that the hydrogen generating reaction by the reaction between the reaction solution discharged from the solution discharge port 8 and the hydrogen generating material 6 is stable. It is set as a design value that is within the range to be done. For detecting the consumption of the hydrogen generating substance 6, a contact type or non-contact type position sensor installed in the vicinity of each solution discharge port 8 can be used.

  By this control, the reaction between the reaction solution and the hydrogen generating material 6, that is, hydrogen generation, is sequentially performed from the edge of the hydrogen generating material 6, and when the reactable hydrogen generating material 6 reacts, the solution discharge that discharges the reaction solution is performed. Since the outlet 8 is switched, the reaction product is discharged without entraining the unreacted hydrogen generating substance 6, and the supply of useless reaction solution to the hydrogen generating substance 6 can be suppressed. For this reason, the hydrogen generating substance 6 efficiently reacts with the reaction solution, and the hydrogen generating efficiency can be improved.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the layout of the discharge unit 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge part 11 is arrange | positioned at the surface (reaction surface) facing the hydrogen generating substance 6 of the opposing board 7 with which the some solution discharge port 8 was provided. In the discharge unit 11, the reaction product generated by discharging the reaction solution from the solution discharge port 8 having the shortest distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating material 6 does not immediately contact the unreacted hydrogen generating material 6. It is the channel of the groove shape arranged so that it may be discharged to the range.

  It is also possible to arrange the groove shape arranged on the reaction surface in the hydrogen generating material 6. When the hydrogen generation reaction is started, a reaction product accompanying the hydrogen generation reaction generated in the direction of the groove shape of the hydrogen generation material 6 is discharged. As the hydrogen generating material 6 is consumed by the hydrogen generating reaction, the shape of the groove disposed in the hydrogen generating material 6 changes and disappears. However, the discharge direction of the reaction product is determined at the time of the reaction at the solution discharge port 8 having the shortest distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating material 6 that discharges the reaction solution first, and at the same time, the hydrogen generating material 6 is consumed. The discharged product functions as a discharge unit for the reaction product generated by the reaction of the solution discharge unit 8 that discharges the reaction solution next, so that the reaction product is discharged to a range not in contact with the unreacted hydrogen generating substance 6. Can do.

  In addition, the shape and arrangement | positioning of the discharge part 11 are not restricted to these, What is necessary is just to be able to discharge | emit the reaction product to the range which does not contact the unreacted hydrogen generating substance 6. FIG. Although the hydrogen generating substance 6 is shown here as one unit, it may be subdivided and accommodated in the reaction vessel 2.

  By the above, it can suppress that the reaction product accompanying the generated hydrogen generating reaction contacts with the unreacted hydrogen generating material 6 when being discharged from the reaction portion, and the flow of the hydrogen generating material 6 by the reaction product can be prevented. Therefore, hydrogen generation efficiency can be improved and stable hydrogen supply can be controlled.

(Modification of Embodiment 1)
FIG. 4 shows a modification of the first embodiment.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 4, the hydrogen generating substance 6 is held by the holding mechanism, and the surface facing the counter plate 7 is inclined with respect to the counter plate 7. Specific examples of the holding mechanism include a mechanism that supports the hydrogen generating material 6 so that a part of the hydrogen generating material 6 is lifted from the opposing plate 7 and a mechanism that suspends the hydrogen generating material 6 from above. Any mechanism may be used as long as it has a tilt with respect to the counter plate 7 and is not limited thereto. The same members as those in FIG. 1 shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The discharge of the reaction solution from the plurality of solution discharge ports 8 arranged on the surface of the counter plate 7 facing the hydrogen generating substance 6 is the solution closest to the portion where the distance between the hydrogen generating substance 6 and the counter plate 7 is the widest. The discharge is performed sequentially from the discharge port 8 (from left to right in FIG. 4). Thus, by arranging the hydrogen generating substance 6 and discharging the reaction solution from the solution discharge port 8, the physical property that the generated reaction product moves from a narrow space to a wide space is utilized. The reaction product is discharged in the direction in which the distance between the hydrogen generating material 6 and the counter plate 7 is wide without involving the unreacted hydrogen generating material 6.

  As a result, the distance between the hydrogen generating substance 6 and the counter plate 7 functions as a discharge portion due to the arrangement relationship between the hydrogen generating substance 6 and the counter plate 7. The contact with the hydrogen generating substance 6 can be suppressed, and the reaction product can be suppressed from entraining the unreacted hydrogen generating substance 6 and flowing out.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the first embodiment and the modification of the first embodiment, the outside of the hydrogen generating material 6 is covered with a partition wall (cover) 12 except for the vicinity where the reaction product is discharged. This makes it possible to control the flow direction of the reaction product more reliably.

  Thereby, when the reaction product accompanying the hydrogen generation reaction is discharged from the reaction portion, the contact with the hydrogen generation material 6 is more reliably suppressed, and the flow of the unreacted hydrogen generation material 6 can be suppressed. .

  Moreover, although not shown in figure, the discharge part 11 may become a structure with the inclination with respect to the horizontal surface.

  Since the discharge part 11 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the reaction product flows out from the discharge part according to gravity, so that the unreacted hydrogen generating substance 6 can be more reliably prevented from flowing out.

(Embodiment 2)
In FIG. 6, the structure of the control valve body part of the hydrogen generator which concerns on the example of 2nd Embodiment is shown.

  In the present embodiment, the control valve body is composed of the control valve 9.

  The control valve 9 shown in FIG. 6 is not controlled by the liquid supply control unit 10 in the configuration of the hydrogen generator 1 of FIG. It is the structure which operates normally and is controlled to open and close.

  The configuration of the control valve 9 of the hydrogen generator shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

  The control valve 9 is displaced as the hydrogen generating material 6 is consumed, and the first displacement portion 21 and the second displacement portion 22 provided in the solution flow path, the rod portion 23 connected to them, A first solution channel 25 that communicates with the solution ejection port 24 and a second solution channel 28 that communicates with the second solution ejection port 27 are provided.

  The first displacement portion 21 is either the first open state in which the reaction solution is discharged from the first solution discharge port 24 or the first closed state in which the solution discharge port 24 is closed as the hydrogen generating material 6 is consumed. The second displacement portion 22 is in a second closed state where the communication channel between the first solution channel 25 and the second solution channel 28 is closed, or the communication channel is opened to open the reaction solution. Is displaced to any one of the second open states for sending to the second solution channel 28. When the second solution channel 28 is in the second open state, the reaction solution is discharged from the second solution discharge port 27. When the first displacement portion 21 is in the first open state, the second displacement portion is in the second closed state, and when the first displacement portion 21 is in the first closed state, the second displacement portion is second. Will be open.

  A specific operation state of the control valve 9 will be described.

  The rod portion 23 is pressed against the hydrogen generating material 6 by a rod spring 26 and is displaced upward in FIG. 6 as the hydrogen generating material 6 is consumed. The first displacement portion 21 and the second displacement portion 22 fixed to the rod portion 23 are displaced upward in FIG. 6 as the rod portion 23 is displaced.

  The state of FIG. 6A shows a state where the hydrogen generating material 6 is not consumed.

  The rod portion 23 is pushed down by being pressed by the hydrogen generating material 6, and the first displacement portion 21 fixed to the rod portion 23 discharges the reaction solution from the first solution discharge port 24. 1, the second displacement portion 22 is in a second closed state in which the communication channel between the first solution channel and the second solution channel 28 is blocked. At this time, the reaction solution is sent from the first solution channel 25 to the first solution discharge port 24 and discharged, thereby contacting the hydrogen generating material 6 and generating hydrogen.

  The state of FIG. 6 (b) shows a state where the hydrogen generating material 6 in a reactable range is consumed.

  The hydrogen generating substance 6 is consumed, and the rod spring 26 pushes up the rod part 23 with the consumption, and the rod part 23 is displaced upward in FIG. At this time, the first displacement portion 21 fixed to the rod portion 23 is in a first closed state that blocks the first solution discharge port 24, and the second displacement portion 22 is connected to the first solution flow path 25. The second open state opens the communication channel with the second solution channel 28, and the reaction solution passes through the communication channel and is discharged from the second solution discharge port 27. Contact with the hydrogen generating material 6 in the surrounding area to generate hydrogen. This operation is performed in order from the solution discharge port with the shortest distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating material 6.

  As a result, the contact between the reaction solution and the hydrogen generating material 6, that is, hydrogen generation, is performed in order from the edge of the hydrogen generating material 6, so that unreacted when the reaction product accompanying the hydrogen generating reaction is discharged from the reaction portion. Contact with the hydrogen generating substance 6 can be suppressed. As the hydrogen generating material 6 is consumed, the first displacement portion 21 is displaced from the first open state to the first closed state, and the second displacement portion 22 is displaced from the second closed state to the second open state. Displace to the state. In addition, since the 1st displacement part 21 and the 2nd displacement part 22 are being fixed to the rod part 23, and can be displaced simultaneously, the responsiveness of the switching of the solution discharge port which discharges the solution for reaction improves. . With this mechanism, the flow of the hydrogen generating substance 6 can be suppressed by a simple structure that does not require a sensor or electrical control.

  In FIG. 6, the rod portion 23 is provided at a position penetrating the solution discharge port 24, but the positional relationship between the rod portion 23 and the solution discharge port 24 is not limited to this. The solution discharge port 24 may be provided at a position away from the drive position of the rod portion 23. In this case, it is necessary to adopt a configuration in which the reaction solution is not discharged to the hydrogen generating substance 6 from the drive position of the rod portion 23.

(Modification of Embodiment 2)
As a modification of the second embodiment, the control valve 9 shown in FIG. 6 has a detection unit that detects the discharge amount of the reaction solution, and controls the control valve 9 based on the detection amount.

  Specifically, when the first displacement portion 21 is in the first open state and the second displacement portion 22 is in the second closed state, the reaction solution flowing through the first solution flow path 25 is changed to the first 1 solution discharge port 24. When the discharge of the predetermined amount of reaction solution is detected by the detection unit, the first displacement unit 21 is switched to the first closed state and the second displacement unit 22 is switched to the second open state by the liquid feed switching mechanism. The reaction solution is sent to the second solution flow path 28 and discharged from the second solution discharge port 27. Here, the predetermined amount of the reaction solution is a reaction solution necessary for the reaction of the hydrogen generating material 6 around one solution discharge port within a reactable range. The range of the hydrogen generating material 6 that can react by discharging the reaction solution from one solution discharge port is that hydrogen generation by the reaction between the reaction solution discharged from the solution discharge port and the hydrogen generating material 6 occurs stably. Is set as a design value.

Thus, when a predetermined amount of the reaction solution is discharged, the solution discharge port for discharging the reaction solution can be switched, and the reaction solution can be discharged to a new unreacted hydrogen generating material 6 portion. For this reason, the reaction solution can be sent to the hydrogen generating material 6 without waste, and the hydrogen generation efficiency can be improved and stable hydrogen supply can be achieved (Embodiment 3).
FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system shown in FIG. 7 is a system in which the hydrogen generator 1 shown in FIG. That is, the fuel cell 30 is provided with a fuel electrode chamber 32, and the fuel electrode chamber 32 constitutes a space in contact with the negative electrode of the fuel cell 31. The fuel electrode chamber 32 is connected to the hydrogen outlet passage 5 of the hydrogen generator 1 and supplied with hydrogen generated from the hydrogen generator 1.

  Further, the solution flow path 4 of the hydrogen generator 1 is connected to a solution container 33, and the reaction solution 34 in the solution container 33 is sent to the hydrogen generator 1 by the solution feeding means 3, and is used for reaction in the reaction container 2. Hydrogen is generated by the reaction of the solution 34 and the hydrogen generating material 6. Hydrogen generated in the hydrogen generator 1 is supplied from the hydrogen outlet channel 5 to the fuel electrode chamber 32 and is consumed in the fuel cell reaction at the negative electrode. The amount of hydrogen consumed at the negative electrode of the fuel electrode chamber 32 is determined according to the output of the fuel cell 30.

  In addition, as a component of the hydrogen generator included in the fuel cell system according to the present embodiment, the configurations described in the first embodiment and the modified example thereof, the second embodiment and the modified example may be applied.

  The fuel cell system described above can suppress the flow of the unreacted hydrogen generating material 6 when the reaction product accompanying the hydrogen generating reaction is discharged from the reaction portion, so that the hydrogen generating efficiency is improved and stable hydrogen supply is achieved. It becomes a fuel cell system provided with the hydrogen generator 1 which can do.

  As mentioned above, although an example of the present invention has been described, it is merely a specific example, and the present invention is not particularly limited, and the specific configuration and the like of each part can be appropriately changed in design. The actions and effects of each embodiment and modification are merely a list of the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in each embodiment and modification. It is not limited to the ones.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hydrogen generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of arrangement | positioning of the solution discharge port with respect to an opposing board, and the discharge order of the reaction solution. It is the schematic which concerns on the discharge part of the hydrogen generator which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic of the hydrogen generator which concerns on the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic showing the partition which covers the outer side of the hydrogen generating material used for the hydrogen generator which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic of the control valve which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hydrogen generator 2 Reaction container 3 Solution sending part 4 Solution flow path 5 Hydrogen outlet flow path 6 Hydrogen generating substance 7 Opposite plate 8 Solution discharge port 9 Control valve 10 Liquid sending control part 11 Discharge part 12 Partition (cover)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 1st displacement part 22 2nd displacement part 23 Rod part 24 1st solution discharge port 25 1st solution flow path 26 Rod spring 27 2nd solution discharge port 28 2nd solution flow path 30 Fuel cell 31 Fuel Battery cell 32 Fuel electrode chamber 32
33 Solution container 34 Reaction solution

Claims (8)

A hydrogen generating substance is contained, and a reaction vessel for generating hydrogen by reacting the hydrogen generating substance and a reaction solution;
An opposing plate disposed to face the hydrogen generating material;
A solution flow path for supplying the reaction solution to the hydrogen generating material;
A plurality of solution discharge ports provided in the counter plate and configured to discharge the reaction solution supplied from the solution flow path to the hydrogen generating material;
A control valve body for controlling the discharge of the reaction solution from the plurality of solution discharge ports;
A discharge part that is provided in the counter plate and discharges a reaction product generated by a reaction between the reaction solution discharged from the solution discharge port and the hydrogen generating material;
A hydrogen outlet channel for extracting hydrogen generated by the reaction,
The reaction solution is sequentially discharged from the solution discharge port having the shortest distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating material toward the inside of the hydrogen generating material by the control of the control valve body. Hydrogen generator. The control valve body portion includes a first displacement portion and a second displacement portion,
The first displacement portion includes a first open state in which the reaction solution flowing through the first solution channel is discharged from the first solution discharge port, and the first solution discharge port is blocked and the reaction is performed. Displacing the working solution into any of the first closed states to send the solution to the second solution channel;
The second displacement unit includes a second closed state that blocks a communication channel between the first solution channel and the second solution channel, and opens the communication channel to allow the reaction solution to flow. Displaced to any of the second open states to be sent to the second solution flow path,
When the first displacement portion is in the first open state, the second displacement portion is in the second closed state, and when the first displacement portion is in the first closed state, the second displacement portion is in the second closed state. The hydrogen generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displacement portion is in the second open state. When the hydrogen generating substance capable of reacting with the reaction solution discharged from the first solution discharge port reaches a predetermined amount, the first displacement portion changes from the first open state to the first closed state. And the second displacement portion is displaced from the second closed state to the second open state, thereby discharging the reaction solution from the first solution discharge port. It switches to an exit, The hydrogen generator of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The discharge part is a groove formed in the counter plate,
2. The hydrogen generator according to claim 1, wherein the reaction product is discharged through the groove. The hydrogen generating substance is held by a holding mechanism,
A surface of the hydrogen generating material facing the counter plate has an inclination with respect to the counter plate;
The discharge part is a distance between the hydrogen generating substance and the counter plate;
2. The hydrogen generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reaction solution is discharged in order from the solution discharge port closest to the portion having the widest interval.   The hydrogen generator according to claim 1, wherein the discharge unit has an inclination with respect to a horizontal plane, and discharges the reaction product along the inclination. The solution discharge port includes a first solution discharge port group composed of a plurality of the solution discharge ports with the shortest distance from an edge of the hydrogen generating material, and the first solution discharge port group next to the first solution discharge port group. A second solution discharge port group composed of a plurality of the solution discharge ports with a short distance from the edge of the hydrogen generating substance,
The reaction solution is discharged from the solution discharge port constituting the first solution discharge port group, and the reaction is performed by the reaction solution discharged from all the solution discharge ports constituting the first solution discharge port group. 2. The hydrogen generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reaction solution is discharged from the solution discharge ports constituting the second solution discharge port group when a possible amount of the hydrogen generating substance reaches a predetermined amount .   8. The hydrogen lead-out channel for leading out hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator according to claim 1 is connected to a fuel electrode chamber of a fuel cell, and the generated hydrogen is supplied to a negative electrode. A fuel cell system.

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