JP7619841B2 - Heat transfer medium storage vessel and hydrogen absorption/release system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heat transfer medium storage container and a hydrogen absorption and release system.

In recent years, hydrogen supply equipment has been developed to supply hydrogen to fuel cell vehicles, fuel cell forklifts, etc. The use of hydrogen storage alloys to store and release hydrogen in these hydrogen supply equipment is being considered. Hydrogen storage alloys store hydrogen through an exothermic reaction and release hydrogen through an endothermic reaction. Hydrogen storage alloys store and release hydrogen reversibly by repeating these exothermic and endothermic reactions.

Normally, the exothermic reaction of a hydrogen storage alloy proceeds by supplying a cooling heat medium such as cold water to the hydrogen storage alloy, and the endothermic reaction of a hydrogen storage alloy proceeds by supplying a heating heat medium such as hot water to the hydrogen storage alloy. Therefore, in hydrogen supply equipment using a hydrogen storage alloy, it is desirable to control the heating and cooling of the hydrogen storage alloy so that hydrogen can be stably absorbed and released.

A known hydrogen supply facility using a hydrogen storage alloy is equipped with a hydrogen storage tank that contains a hydrogen storage alloy, a hot water tank that stores a heat exchange medium for heating that can be heat exchanged with the hydrogen storage alloy, and a cold water tank that stores a heat exchange medium for cooling that can be heat exchanged with the hydrogen storage alloy (see JP 2003-254499 A).

JP 2003-254499 A

As described in the above publication, in conventional hydrogen supply equipment, the heat medium for heating and the heat medium for cooling are stored in separate tanks. However, this configuration results in a large facility and high facility costs.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a heat medium storage container that can store a heating heat medium and a cooling heat medium in a single container, thereby making the equipment more compact and allowing the temperature of the heating heat medium and the cooling heat medium to be appropriately controlled.

The heat medium storage container according to one aspect of the present invention is a heat medium storage container in which a heat medium for heating and cooling a hydrogen storage alloy is stored, and includes a first storage chamber in which a heating heat medium for heating the hydrogen storage alloy is stored, a second storage chamber in which a cooling heat medium for cooling the hydrogen storage alloy is stored, and a reflux chamber disposed between the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber in which the heating heat medium supplied from the first storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and the cooling heat medium supplied from the second storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy are refluxed, and the first storage chamber and the reflux chamber, and the second storage chamber and the reflux chamber are each separated by a partition wall, and one or more guide walls are disposed in the reflux chamber to guide the refluxed heating heat medium to the first storage chamber and to guide the refluxed cooling heat medium to the second storage chamber.

The heat medium storage container can guide the returned heating heat medium to the first storage chamber and the returned cooling heat medium to the second storage chamber by arranging the one or more guide walls in the reflux chamber. Therefore, the heat medium storage container can suppress the heating heat medium and the cooling heat medium from mixing in the container while arranging the first storage chamber, the second storage chamber, and the reflux chamber in a single container. Therefore, the heat medium storage container can appropriately control the temperatures of the heating heat medium and the cooling heat medium while achieving a compact facility.

The one or more induction walls divide the reflux chamber into a first reflux chamber through which the heating heat medium refluxes, a second reflux chamber through which the cooling heat medium refluxes, and a third reflux chamber disposed between the first reflux chamber and the second reflux chamber and through which the circulating heat medium discharged from the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber refluxes, and an opening communicating with the first reflux chamber and the third reflux chamber, and the second reflux chamber and the third reflux chamber may be provided at the lower part of the induction wall. In this way, by providing a third reflux chamber through which the circulating heat medium discharged from the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber refluxes in the reflux chamber, it is possible to reflux the circulating heat medium to the third reflux chamber by minimum flow operation. In addition, the reflux chamber is divided into the first reflux chamber, the second reflux chamber, and the third reflux chamber by the one or more guide walls, and an opening communicating with the first reflux chamber and the third reflux chamber, and the second reflux chamber and the third reflux chamber is provided at the lower part of the guide wall, so that the circulating heat medium returned to the third reflux chamber can be diffused little by little through the first reflux chamber to the first storage chamber, or through the second reflux chamber to the second storage chamber. This makes it possible to enhance the safety of the equipment while suppressing temperature changes of the heating heat medium stored in the first storage chamber and the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber.

The heat medium storage container may have a pair of the above-mentioned guide walls, and the pair of guide walls may be arranged in parallel to each other across the heat medium storage container. In this way, by having a pair of the above-mentioned guide walls, and the pair of guide walls being arranged in parallel to each other across the heat medium storage container, the reflux chamber can be easily and reliably divided into the first reflux chamber, the second reflux chamber, and the third reflux chamber, and the circulating heat medium that has been refluxed to the third reflux chamber can be easily sent to the first reflux chamber and the second reflux chamber.

A hydrogen storage/release system according to another aspect of the present invention includes the heat medium storage container, a hydrogen storage/release tank in which the hydrogen storage alloy is mounted, a first line that supplies the heating heat medium stored in the first storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and circulates the heating heat medium to the reflux chamber after supply, and a second line that supplies the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and circulates the cooling heat medium to the reflux chamber after supply.

The hydrogen absorption and release system includes the heat medium storage container, so the temperature of the heating heat medium and the cooling heat medium can be appropriately controlled while the equipment is made compact.

The hydrogen absorption/release system may include the heat medium storage container, a hydrogen absorption/release tank in which the hydrogen storage alloy is mounted, a first line that supplies the heating heat medium stored in the first storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and refluxes the heating heat medium after supply to the first reflux chamber, a second line that supplies the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and refluxes the cooling heat medium after supply to the second reflux chamber, and a circulation line that circulates the heating heat medium stored in the first storage chamber or the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber to the third reflux chamber. In this way, the hydrogen absorption and release system is provided with a circulation line that circulates the heating heat medium stored in the first storage chamber or the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber to the third reflux chamber, thereby suppressing temperature changes in the heating heat medium stored in the first storage chamber and the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber, while ensuring a minimum flow rate at which the pump can be operated continuously, thereby preventing damage to the pump and improving the safety of the equipment.

The first line may have a first discharge passage connected to the first storage chamber and a first connection passage connecting the first discharge passage and the hydrogen storage and release tank, and the second line may have a second discharge passage connected to the second storage chamber and a first connection passage common to the first line that connects the second discharge passage and the hydrogen storage and release tank. In this way, the first line has a first discharge passage connected to the first storage chamber and a first connection passage connecting the first discharge passage and the hydrogen storage and release tank, and the second line has a second discharge passage connected to the second storage chamber and a first connection passage common to the first line that connects the second discharge passage and the hydrogen storage and release tank, thereby simplifying the flow path and reducing equipment costs, and easily supplying the heating heat medium and the cooling heat medium to the hydrogen storage alloy at a desired temperature.

The first line has a first discharge passage connected to the first storage chamber and a first connection passage connecting the first discharge passage and the hydrogen storage and release tank, the second line has a second discharge passage connected to the second storage chamber and a first connection passage common to the first line that connects the second discharge passage and the hydrogen storage and release tank, and the circulation line has a circulation passage branching off from the first connection passage and communicating with the third reflux chamber. In this way, the first line has a first discharge passage connected to the first storage chamber and a first connection passage connecting the first discharge passage and the hydrogen storage and release tank, the second line has a second discharge passage connected to the second storage chamber and the first connection passage common to the first line that connects the second discharge passage and the hydrogen storage and release tank, and the circulation line has a circulation passage branching from the first connection passage and communicating with the third reflux chamber. This simplifies the flow path, reducing equipment costs, while easily supplying the heating medium and the cooling medium to the hydrogen storage alloy at the desired temperature, and by ensuring the minimum flow rate at which the pump can be continuously operated, damage to the pump can be prevented and the safety of the equipment can be improved.

The first line may have a second connection path connected to the hydrogen storage/release tank, through which the heating heat medium is discharged after heating the hydrogen storage alloy, and a first return path connected to the second connection path and communicating with the lower part of the first return chamber, and the second line may have a second connection path common to the first line, through which the cooling heat medium is discharged after cooling the hydrogen storage alloy, and a second return path connected to the second connection path and communicating with the lower part of the second return chamber. In this way, the first line is connected to the hydrogen storage and release tank, and has a second connection path through which the heating heat medium after heating the hydrogen storage alloy is discharged, and a first return flow path connected to this second connection path and communicating with the lower part of the first return chamber, and the second line has the second connection path common to the first line through which the cooling heat medium after cooling the hydrogen storage alloy is discharged, and a second return flow path connected to the second connection path and communicating with the lower part of the second return chamber. By simplifying the flow path, equipment costs can be reduced, while temperature changes in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber can be suppressed, and the cost required for temperature control of the heating heat medium and the cooling heat medium can be reduced.

As described above, the heat medium storage container according to one aspect of the present invention can store the heating heat medium and the cooling heat medium in a single container, thereby making the equipment more compact and allowing the temperature of the heating heat medium and the cooling heat medium to be appropriately controlled.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hydrogen absorption/release system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a heat medium storage container in the hydrogen absorption/release system of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heat medium storage container taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the heat medium storage container taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the heat medium storage container taken along line VV of FIG.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the numerical values described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined with the upper and lower limit values described. In this specification, all numerical ranges from the upper limit value to the lower limit value that can be combined are described as suitable ranges.

[Hydrogen storage and release system]
The hydrogen absorption/release system 10 in FIG. 1 includes a hydrogen absorption/release tank 1 in which a hydrogen storage alloy 1a is mounted, a heat medium storage container 2 in which heat media (a heating heat medium _M1 and a cooling heat medium _M2 ) for heating and cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 1a are stored, a first line 3 for supplying the heating heat medium _M1 stored in the heat medium storage container 2 to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a and returning it to the heat medium storage container 2, a second line 4 for supplying the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the heat medium storage container 2 to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a and returning it to the heat medium storage container 2, and a circulation line 5 for circulating the heating heat medium _M1 or the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the heat medium storage container 2. The circulation line 5 circulates the heating heat medium _M1 or the cooling heat medium _M2 as a circulating heat medium (hereinafter also referred to as "circulating heat medium _M3 "), thereby ensuring a minimum flow rate at which the pump can be operated continuously and suppressing damage to the pump due to overheating, noise, vibration, etc. caused by shut-off operation. The heat medium storage container 2 is itself an embodiment of the present invention. The hydrogen absorption and release system 10 is used in, for example, a hydrogen supply facility for supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell. Examples of objects on which this fuel cell is mounted include a fuel cell vehicle and a fuel cell forklift. For example, hot water can be used as the heating heat medium _M1 . For example, cold water can be used as the cooling heat medium _M2 .

(Hydrogen storage and release tank)
The hydrogen absorbing/releasing tank 1 is configured to be capable of absorbing hydrogen by the hydrogen absorbing alloy 1a. The hydrogen absorbing/releasing tank 1 is also configured to be capable of supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell by releasing the hydrogen absorbed by the hydrogen absorbing alloy 1a. The hydrogen absorbing alloy 1a absorbs hydrogen introduced from the hydrogen introduction path 1b by being cooled through heat exchange with a cooling heat medium _M2 supplied from a heat medium storage container 2. The hydrogen absorbing alloy 1a is heated through heat exchange with a heating heat medium _M1 supplied from the heat medium storage container 2, thereby releasing hydrogen. This hydrogen is discharged from the hydrogen release path 1c.

[Hydrogen storage alloy]
The hydrogen storage alloy 1a is an alloy that can absorb and release hydrogen by controlling pressure or temperature. Known alloys such as binary alloys, ternary alloys, quaternary alloys, and quinary alloys can be used as the hydrogen storage alloy 1a.

Examples of the _binary alloy include LaNi-based alloys such as LaNi5, TiFe-based alloys, MnNi-based alloys, CaNi-based alloys, TiMn-based alloys, TiZr-based alloys, and ZrMn-based alloys.

Examples of the ternary alloy include TiCrV alloys such as Ti ₂₅ Cr ₅₀ V ₂₅ , Ti ₂₅ Cr ₂₅ V ₅₀ , and Ti ₂₀ Cr ₄₅ V ₃₅ ; TiCrMn alloys such as Ti ₃₆ Cr ₃₂ Mn ₃₂ and Ti ₃₀ Cr ₃₅ Mn ₃₅ ; and TiVMo alloys.

Examples _of the quaternary alloy _{include TiCrVMo alloys such as Ti30Cr45V10Mo15 and Ti25Cr50V20Mo5 , TiCrVFe alloys such as Ti25Cr44V25Fe6 , and TiCrVNi alloys such as Ti25Cr50V20Ni5 .}

Examples of the quinary _alloy include _{TiCrVMoNi alloys} such _{as Ti11Cr12V71Mo5Ni1} .

(Heat medium storage container)
1 to 5, the heat medium storage container 2 includes a first storage chamber 11 in which a heating heat medium _M1 for heating the hydrogen storage alloy 1a is stored, a second storage chamber 12 in which a cooling heat medium _M2 for cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 1a is stored, and a reflux chamber 13 disposed between the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12, through which the heating heat medium _M1 supplied from the first storage chamber 11 to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a and the cooling heat medium _M2 supplied from the second storage chamber 12 to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a are refluxed. The first storage chamber 11 and the reflux chamber 13, and the second storage chamber 12 and the reflux chamber 13 are each partitioned by a partition wall 14. A pair of guide walls 15 are disposed in the reflux chamber 13. The pair of guide walls 15 guide the heating heat medium _M1 returned to the reflux chamber 13 to the first storage chamber 11, while the pair of guide walls 15 guide the cooling heat medium _M2 returned to the reflux chamber 13 to the second storage chamber 12. The heat medium storage container 2 may have a lid (not shown) that closes the upper opening.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heat medium storage container 2 is rectangular in plan view. The heat medium storage container 2 has a pair of opposing side walls 2b, 2c. Between the pair of side walls 2b, 2c, a first storage chamber 11, a reflux chamber 13, and a second storage chamber 12 are provided in parallel in this order. That is, the heat medium storage container 2 is partitioned into three chambers, the first storage chamber 11, the reflux chamber 13, and the second storage chamber 12, from one side wall 2b to the other side wall 2c. Note that "rectangular" is not limited to a perfect rectangle, and includes, for example, a shape that is partially curved or bent, or a shape in which two opposing sides are not completely parallel.

[First storage chamber]
The heating medium _M1 is introduced into the first storage chamber 11 from the reflux chamber 13. More specifically, the first storage chamber 11 is configured to selectively introduce the heating medium _M1 from the reflux chamber 13. In other words, the first storage chamber 11 is configured to prevent the introduction of the cooling medium _M2 that has cooled the hydrogen storage alloy 1a. The first storage chamber 11 is configured to prevent the temperature change of the stored heating medium _M1 by preventing the introduction of the cooling medium _M2 . As a result, it is easy to reduce the energy required to heat the hydrogen storage alloy 1a. The first storage chamber 11 is connected to a first discharge path 3a that can discharge the heating medium _M1 .

A heater 11a for maintaining the temperature of the heating medium _M1 is disposed in the first storage chamber 11. The type of the heater 11a is not particularly limited, but for example, an electric heater can be used. The lower limit of the liquid temperature of the heating medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11 is preferably 40°C, more preferably 50°C. On the other hand, the upper limit of the liquid temperature is preferably 90°C, more preferably 80°C. If the liquid temperature does not reach the lower limit, the hydrogen release efficiency of the hydrogen storage alloy 1a may be insufficient. On the other hand, if the liquid temperature exceeds the upper limit, the heating cost may be increased by changing the type of the heating medium _M1 .

[Second storage chamber]
The cooling heat medium _M2 is introduced into the second storage chamber 12 from the reflux chamber 13. More specifically, the second storage chamber 12 is configured to selectively introduce the cooling heat medium _M2 from the reflux chamber 13. In other words, the second storage chamber 12 is configured to prevent the introduction of the heating heat medium _M1 that has heated the hydrogen storage alloy 1a. The second storage chamber 12 is configured to prevent the temperature change of the stored cooling heat medium _M2 by preventing the introduction of the heating heat medium _M1 . As a result, it is easy to reduce the energy required to cool the hydrogen storage alloy 1a. The second storage chamber 12 is connected to a second discharge path 4a that can discharge the cooling heat medium _M2 .

The second storage chamber 12 is provided with a cooler 12a for maintaining the temperature of the cooling heat medium _M2 . The type of the cooler 12a is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a known heat exchanger. The liquid temperature of the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the second storage chamber 12 is lower than the liquid temperature of the heating heat medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11. The lower limit of the liquid temperature of the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the second storage chamber 12 is preferably 5°C, more preferably 10°C. On the other hand, the upper limit of the liquid temperature is preferably 40°C, more preferably 35°C. If the liquid temperature does not reach the lower limit, the cooling cost may increase due to the need to change the type of the cooling heat medium _M2 . Conversely, if the liquid temperature exceeds the upper limit, the hydrogen storage efficiency of the hydrogen storage alloy 1a may decrease.

[Reflux chamber]
The reflux chamber 13 has a first reflux chamber 13a through which the heating heat medium _M1 refluxes, a second reflux chamber 13b through which the cooling heat medium _M2 refluxes, and a third reflux chamber 13c through which the circulating heat medium _M3 refluxes. The circulating heat medium _M3 refluxes in the third reflux chamber 13c by minimum flow operation. The first reflux chamber 13a is disposed adjacent to the first storage chamber 11, the second reflux chamber 13b is disposed adjacent to the second storage chamber 12, and the third reflux chamber 13c is disposed between the first reflux chamber 13a and the second reflux chamber 13b. Partition walls 14 are disposed between the first reflux chamber 13a and the first storage chamber 11, and between the second reflux chamber 13b and the second storage chamber 12. Further, between the first reflux chamber 13a and the third reflux chamber 13c, and between the second reflux chamber 13b and the third reflux chamber 13c, guide walls 15 are respectively arranged. That is, the pair of guide walls 15 divide the reflux chamber 13 into the first reflux chamber 13a through which the heating heat medium _M1 refluxes, the second reflux chamber 13b through which the cooling heat medium _M2 refluxes, and the third reflux chamber 13c that is arranged between the first reflux chamber 13a and the second reflux chamber 13b and through which the circulating heat medium (circulating heat medium _M3 ) discharged from the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12 refluxes.

As shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the partition wall 14 is erected on the bottom 2a of the heat medium storage container 2. It is preferable that the partition wall 14 does not have an opening through which the heating heat medium _M1 and the cooling heat medium _M2 can pass in the area facing the guide wall 15 in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, the lower part of the guide wall 15 is provided with a plurality of openings 15a communicating with the first return chamber 13a and the third return chamber 13c, and the second return chamber 13b and the third return chamber 13c. In the heat medium storage container 2, the openings 15a are provided in the lower part of the guide wall 15, so that the circulating heat medium _M3 returned to the third return chamber 13c can be diffused little by little into the first storage chamber 11 via the first return chamber 13a, or into the second storage chamber 12 via the second return chamber 13b. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the pump and improve the safety of the facility by ensuring the minimum flow rate at which the pump can be continuously operated while suppressing a sudden change in temperature of the heating heat medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11 and the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the second storage chamber 12. Note that the "lower part of the guide wall" refers to an area within a range of 10 cm upward from the bottom end of the guide wall, and preferably an area within a range of 5 cm.

As shown in Fig. 3 to Fig. 5, the heat medium storage container 2 is configured so that the heating heat medium _M1 is sent to the first storage chamber 11 over the partition wall 14, and the cooling heat medium _M2 is sent to the second storage chamber 12 over the partition wall 14. Therefore, it is preferable that the heat medium storage container 2 is configured so that at least a part of the upper end of the partition wall 14 is located below the liquid level. On the other hand, the heat medium storage container 2 is configured so that the heating heat medium _M1 , the cooling heat medium _M2 , and the circulating heat medium _M3 cannot move over the upper end of the induction wall 15. In other words, the entire area of the upper end of the induction wall 15 is located above the liquid level. As a result, movement between the first reflux chamber 13a and the third reflux chamber 13c, and movement between the second reflux chamber 13b and the third reflux chamber 13c can only be performed through the opening 15a. With this configuration, it is possible to easily and reliably prevent the heating heat medium _M1 that has returned to the first return chamber 13a from flowing into the second storage chamber 12, and it is also possible to easily and reliably prevent the cooling heat medium _M2 that has returned to the second return chamber 13b from flowing into the first storage chamber 11.

The openings 15a are aligned at intervals in the horizontal direction at the bottom of the guide wall 15. By arranging the openings 15a at intervals, the flow rate between the first reflux chamber 13a and the third reflux chamber 13c, and between the second reflux chamber 13b and the third reflux chamber 13c can be made relatively small. As a result, the circulating heat medium _M3 returned to the third reflux chamber 13c can be sent little by little through the openings 15a to the first reflux chamber 13a and the second reflux chamber 13b, and the inflow of the heating heat medium _M1 from the first reflux chamber 13a to the third reflux chamber 13c and the inflow of the cooling heat medium _M2 from the second reflux chamber 13b to the third reflux chamber 13c can be easily suppressed.

The lower limit of the ratio of the total area of the openings 15a provided in the guide wall 15 dividing the first reflux chamber 13a and the third reflux chamber 13c to the inner diameter cross-sectional area of the first discharge passage 3a and the ratio of the total area of the openings 15a provided in the guide wall 15 dividing the second reflux chamber 13b and the third reflux chamber 13c to the inner diameter cross-sectional area of the second discharge passage 4a is preferably 2. On the other hand, the upper limit of the ratio is preferably 4. If the ratio does not reach the lower limit, it may be difficult to send the circulating heat medium _M3 that has been returned to the third reflux chamber 13c to the first reflux chamber 13a and the second reflux chamber 13b through the openings 15a. On the other hand, if the ratio exceeds the upper limit, the flow rate from the third reflux chamber 13c to the first reflux chamber 13a or the second reflux chamber 13b may become too large.

The pair of guide walls 15 are arranged in parallel to each other and traverse the heat medium storage container 2. With this configuration, the return chamber 13 can be easily and reliably divided into the first return chamber 13a, the second return chamber 13b, and the third return chamber 13c, and the circulating heat medium _M3 returned to the third return chamber 13c can be easily and appropriately diffused into the first return chamber 13a and the second return chamber 13b.

The reflux chamber 13 includes a first reflux chamber 13a, a third reflux chamber 13c, and a second reflux chamber 13b arranged in this order in parallel from the first storage chamber 11 side toward the second storage chamber 12 side. With this configuration, it is easy to send the heating heat medium _{M1 that} has been refluxed to the first reflux chamber 13a to the first storage chamber 11 and to send the cooling heat medium _M2 that has been refluxed to the second reflux chamber 13b to the second storage chamber 12 while suppressing the movement of the heating heat medium M1 _and the cooling heat medium _M2 between the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12.

(First line)
The first line 3 supplies the heating medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11 to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a. The first line 3 also circulates the heating medium _M1 after being supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a to the reflux chamber 13. More specifically, the first line 3 circulates the heating medium _M1 after being supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a to the first reflux chamber 13a.

The first line 3 has a first discharge passage 3a connected to the first storage chamber 11, and a first connection passage 3b connecting the first discharge passage 3a and the hydrogen storage/release tank 1. The first line 3 also has a second connection passage 3c connected to the hydrogen storage/release tank 1 and discharging the heating medium _M1 after heating the hydrogen storage alloy 1a, and a first return passage 3d connected to the second connection passage 3c and communicating with the lower part of the first return chamber 13a. The first discharge passage 3a is provided with a first valve 16a. The first connection passage 3b is provided with a pump 17. The first return passage 3d is provided with a second valve 16b. The "lower part of the first return chamber" means, for example, a region located below the center position in the vertical direction of the partition wall.

(Second line)
The second line 4 supplies the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the second storage chamber 12 to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a. The second line 4 also circulates the cooling heat medium _M2 after being supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a to the reflux chamber 13. More specifically, the second line 4 circulates the cooling heat medium _M2 after being supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a to the second reflux chamber 13b.

The second line 4 has a second discharge passage 4a connected to the second storage chamber 12, and a first connection passage 3b that connects the second discharge passage 4a and the hydrogen storage/release tank 1 and is shared with the first line 3. In this way, the second line 4 has the second discharge passage 4a connected to the second storage chamber 12, and the first connection passage 3b that is shared with the first line 3, and thus the flow paths are simplified to reduce equipment costs, and the heating heat medium _M1 and the cooling heat medium _M2 can be easily supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a at desired temperatures.

The second line 4 is connected to the hydrogen storage/release tank 1, and has a second connection path 3c common to the first line 3, through which the cooling heat medium _M2 after cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 1a is discharged, and a second return path 4d connected to the second connection path 3c and communicating with the lower part of the second return chamber 13b. In this way, the second line 4 has the second connection path 3c common to the first line 3 and the second return path 4d communicating with the lower part of the second return chamber 13b, and thus the flow paths can be simplified to reduce equipment costs, while suppressing temperature changes in the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12, thereby reducing costs required for temperature control of the heating heat medium _M1 and the cooling heat medium _M2 . Note that the "lower part of the second return chamber" refers to, for example, an area located below the center position in the vertical direction of the partition wall.

A third valve 16c is disposed in the second discharge path 4a. A fourth valve 16d is disposed in the second return path 4d.

(Circulation line)
The circulation line 5 circulates the heating heat medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11 or the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the second storage chamber 12 to the third reflux chamber 13c as the circulating heat medium _M3 . The circulation line 5 has a circulation path 5a branching from the first connection path 3b and communicating with the third reflux chamber 13c. By having the circulation path 5a, the circulation line 5 can simplify the flow path to reduce equipment costs, while ensuring a minimum flow rate at which the pump can be continuously operated, thereby preventing damage to the pump and improving the safety of the equipment.

A fifth valve 16e is disposed in the circulation path 5a. Note that an orifice (not shown) for controlling the flow rate may be disposed in the circulation path 5a together with the fifth valve 16e or in place of the fifth valve 16e.

<Heating procedure for hydrogen storage alloy>
1 and 5, the procedure for heating the hydrogen storage alloy 1a in the hydrogen storage/release system 10 will be described. When heating the hydrogen storage alloy 1a, the first valve 16a is opened while the third valve 16c is closed. As a result, the heating medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11 is sent to the first connection path 3b through the first discharge path 3a. The heating medium _M1 sent to the first connection path 3b is pumped by the pump 17 to the hydrogen storage/release tank 1, where it heats the hydrogen storage alloy 1a by heat exchange. When heating the hydrogen storage alloy 1a, the second valve 16b is opened and the fourth valve 16d is closed. As a result, the heating medium _M1 after heat exchange with the hydrogen storage alloy 1a is returned to the lower part of the first return chamber 13a through the second connection path 3c and the first return path 3d. The heating medium _M1 returned to the first reflux chamber 13a moves the liquid level upward as it accumulates, and is sent from above the partition wall 14 to the first storage chamber 11 beyond the upper end of the partition wall 14. At this time, since the entire upper end of the guide wall 15 is located above the liquid level and the total area of the opening 15a is small, the outflow of the heating medium _M1 from the first reflux chamber 13a to the third reflux chamber 13c is suppressed. The heating medium _M1 returned to the first reflux chamber 13a has a lower temperature than when it was discharged from the first storage chamber 11 due to heat exchange with the hydrogen storage alloy 1a. In addition, the temperature change of the heating medium _M1 returned to the first reflux chamber 13a is likely to be large when the heat medium sent to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a is switched between the cooling medium _M2 and the heating medium _M1 . However, according to the heat medium storage container 2, the heating heat medium _M1 moves upward in the first reflux chamber 13a and is gradually diffused into the first storage chamber 11, so the temperature change of the heating heat medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11 does not become abrupt. As a result, the cost required for temperature control of the heating heat medium _M1 can be reduced, and the cost reduction effect is particularly large when the heat medium sent to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a is switched between the cooling heat medium _M2 and the heating heat medium _M1 . Note that the hydrogen storage alloy 1a may be heated at a time other than when hydrogen is released. For example, by heating the hydrogen storage alloy 1a to a certain degree before releasing hydrogen, it is possible to increase the efficiency of hydrogen release by the hydrogen storage alloy 1a.

<Procedure for cooling hydrogen storage alloy>
Next, the procedure for cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 1a in the hydrogen storage/release system 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 5. When cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 1a, the first valve 16a is closed and the third valve 16c is opened. As a result, the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the second storage chamber 12 is sent to the first connection path 3b through the second discharge path 4a. The cooling heat medium _M2 sent to the first connection path 3b is pumped by the pump 17 to reach the hydrogen storage/release tank 1, where it cools the hydrogen storage alloy 1a by heat exchange. When cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 1a, the second valve 16b is closed and the fourth valve 16d is opened. As a result, the cooling heat medium _M2 after heat exchange with the hydrogen storage alloy 1a is returned to the lower part of the second return chamber 13b through the second connection path 3c and the second return path 4d. The cooling heat medium _M2 returned to the second reflux chamber 13b moves the liquid level upward as it accumulates, and is sent to the second storage chamber 12 from above the partition wall 14 beyond the upper end of the partition wall 14. At this time, since the entire upper end of the guide wall 15 is located above the liquid level and the total area of the opening 15a is small, the outflow of the cooling heat medium _M2 from the second reflux chamber 13b to the third reflux chamber 13c is suppressed. The cooling heat medium _M2 returned to the second reflux chamber 13b has a higher temperature than when it was discharged from the second storage chamber 12 due to heat exchange with the hydrogen storage alloy 1a. In addition, the temperature change of the cooling heat medium _M2 returned to the second reflux chamber 13b is likely to be large when the heat medium sent to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a is switched between the heating heat medium _M1 and the cooling heat medium _M2 . However, according to the heat medium storage container 2, the cooling heat medium _M2 moves upward in the second reflux chamber 13b and is gradually diffused into the second storage chamber 12, so the temperature change of the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the second storage chamber 12 does not become abrupt. As a result, the cost required for temperature control of the cooling heat medium _M2 can be reduced, and the cost reduction effect is particularly large when the heat medium sent to the hydrogen storage alloy 1a is switched between the heating heat medium _M1 and the cooling heat medium _M2 . The hydrogen storage alloy 1a may be cooled at a time other than when hydrogen is absorbed. For example, by cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 1a to a certain degree before hydrogen absorption, it is possible to increase the hydrogen absorption efficiency of the hydrogen storage alloy 1a.

<Circulation procedure for circulating heat transfer medium>
1 and 5, the circulation procedure of the circulating heat medium _M3 in the hydrogen occlusion and release system 10 will be described. The circulation of the circulating heat medium _M3 is performed with the intention of protecting the pump 17 from mechanical damage. The circulation of the circulating heat medium _M3 is performed by returning the heating heat medium _M1 discharged from the first storage chamber 11 or the cooling heat medium _M2 discharged from the second storage chamber 12 to the third reflux chamber 13c by minimum flow operation. At this time, the fifth valve 16e is opened so that the heating heat medium _M1 or the cooling heat medium _M2 can be returned to the third reflux chamber 13c by minimum flow operation. The fifth valve 16e may be always open during the operation of the hydrogen occlusion and release system 10. In addition, when performing the minimum flow operation, the flow rate of the heating heat medium _M1 or the cooling heat medium _M2 may be adjusted according to the discharge state of the pump 17 by controlling the fifth valve 16e. The hydrogen absorption/release system 10 can protect the pump 17 and improve the safety of the equipment by including the circulation line 5. In addition, the circulation line 5 is configured to return the heating heat medium _M1 discharged from the first storage chamber 11 or the cooling heat medium _M2 discharged from the second storage chamber 12 to the third return chamber 13c, so that a change in temperature of the heating heat medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11 and the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the second storage chamber 12 can be suppressed.

When the heating medium _M1 is returned to the third return chamber 13c by the circulation line 5, the first valve 16a and the fifth valve 16e are opened and the third valve 16c is closed, and the heating medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11 is returned to the third return chamber 13c through the first discharge path 3a, the first connection path 3b, and the circulation path 5a. This causes the liquid level in the third return chamber 13c to be higher than the liquid level in the first storage chamber 11. As a result, the heating medium _M1 returned to the third return chamber 13c due to the water pressure difference is diffused into the first storage chamber 11 via the first return chamber 13a. On the other hand, when the cooling heat medium _M2 is returned to the third return chamber 13c by the circulation line 5, the third valve 16c and the fifth valve 16e are opened and the first valve 16a is closed to return the cooling heat medium _M2 stored in the second storage chamber 12 to the third return chamber 13c through the second discharge path 4a, the first connection path 3b and the circulation path 5a. This makes the liquid level in the third return chamber 13c higher than the liquid level in the second storage chamber 12. As a result, the cooling heat medium _M2 returned to the third return chamber 13c due to the water pressure difference is diffused into the second storage chamber 12 via the second return chamber 13b.

<Advantages>
The heat medium storage container 2 has a pair of guide walls 15 arranged in the reflux chamber 13, so that the refluxed heating heat medium _M1 can be guided to the first storage chamber 11, and the refluxed cooling heat medium _M2 can be guided to the second storage chamber 12. Therefore, the heat medium storage container 2 can suppress the heating heat medium _M1 and the cooling heat medium _M2 from being mixed in the container while arranging the first storage chamber 11, the second storage chamber 12, and the reflux chamber ₁₃ in a single container. Therefore, the heat medium storage container 2 can appropriately control the temperatures of the heating heat medium _M1 and the cooling heat medium M2, while achieving compact equipment.

The advantages of the heat medium storage container 2 over conventional devices in which a hot water tank for storing the heat medium for heating and a cold water tank for storing the heat medium for cooling are provided separately will be described in detail.

In the case where the hot water tank and the cold water tank are provided separately, for example, when switching from the cooling heat medium to the heating heat medium, the cooling heat medium after heat exchange with the hydrogen storage alloy flows into the hot water tank. In order to mitigate the sudden temperature drop caused by the inflow of the cooling heat medium, it is necessary to enlarge the hot water tank. On the other hand, after switching, it is also possible to return the cooling heat medium to the cold water tank until the heat medium refluxing from the MH tank containing the hydrogen storage alloy is replaced by the heating heat medium, but even when this configuration is adopted, it is necessary to enlarge the cold water tank so that it can store the additional capacity of the MH tank. In contrast, in the heat medium storage container 2, even if the heating heat medium _M1 stored in the first storage chamber 11 is refluxed to the second reflux chamber 13b, this heating heat medium _M1 flows into the first storage chamber 11 through the third reflux chamber 13c and the first reflux chamber 13a. Therefore, the heat medium storage container 2 can mitigate sudden temperature changes of the heat medium. Furthermore, since the guide wall 15 has the opening 15a, the liquid levels in the second storage chamber 12 and the reflux chamber 13 are at the same level, so there is no need to increase the overall volume. As a result, it is possible to achieve a compact size. In addition, since the heat medium storage container 2 integrates the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12, piping, valves, etc. can be shared, reducing equipment costs and the equipment installation area.

The hydrogen absorption/release system 10 includes the heat medium storage container 2, and therefore the temperature of the heating heat medium _M1 and the cooling heat medium _M2 can be appropriately controlled, while the equipment can be made compact.

[Other embodiments]
The above-mentioned embodiment does not limit the configuration of the present invention. Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiment may omit, replace or add components of each part of the above-mentioned embodiment based on the description in this specification and common general technical knowledge, and it should be understood that all of these are within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the reflux chamber may not be provided with a third reflux chamber through which the circulating heat medium is refluxed. In this case, the reflux chamber may only have one guide wall that separates the first reflux chamber through which the heating heat medium is refluxed and the second reflux chamber through which the cooling heat medium is refluxed. In addition, when only one guide wall is provided in the reflux chamber, this guide wall may not have an opening.

The heat medium storage container may be configured to directly return the circulating heat medium to the first storage chamber or the second storage chamber. However, from the viewpoint of simplifying the flow path of the circulating heat medium and reducing the operating costs of valve opening and closing operations, etc., it is preferable to return the circulating heat medium to the third return chamber.

The arrangement of the first storage chamber, the second storage chamber, and the reflux chamber in the heat medium storage container is not particularly limited. For example, when the reflux chamber is divided into the first reflux chamber, the second reflux chamber, and the third reflux chamber, the third reflux chamber may be configured to be circular in plan view, and the first reflux chamber and the second reflux chamber may be arranged outside the third reflux chamber. In this case, the reflux chamber may be provided with three or more guide walls that divide the first reflux chamber, the second reflux chamber, and the third reflux chamber.

When the reflux chamber does not include a third reflux chamber, the hydrogen absorption/release system may not include a circulation line for circulating the circulating heat medium. When the circulation line is not included, the hydrogen absorption/release system preferably controls the switching of the second valve and the fourth valve so as to ensure a minimum flow rate of the pump. For example, it is preferable to close one valve after confirming that the other valve is open so that both the second valve and the fourth valve are not closed. An example of such a control procedure is a procedure in which a limit switch is placed on one valve and the other valve is closed after confirming a signal sent from the limit switch. In addition, even if the hydrogen absorption/release system includes a circulation line, the circulation line may not branch off from the first connection path. In this case, the hydrogen absorption/release system may include a plurality of pumps. For example, the hydrogen absorption/release system may include a first pump for pumping the heating heat medium stored in the first storage chamber and a second pump for pumping the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber.

The first line and the second line do not have to have a common first connection path. However, from the viewpoint of simplifying the flow path and promoting compactness of the equipment, it is preferable that the first line and the second line have a common first connection path.

The first line and the second line do not have to have a common second connection path. However, from the viewpoint of simplifying the flow path and promoting compactness of the equipment, it is preferable that the first line and the second line have a common second connection path.

As described above, the heat transfer medium storage container according to one aspect of the present invention is suitable for making the equipment compact and for appropriately controlling the temperature of the heating heat transfer medium and the cooling heat transfer medium.

1 Hydrogen absorption and release tank 1a Hydrogen storage alloy 1b Hydrogen inlet path 1c Hydrogen release path 2 Heat medium storage container 2a Bottom 2b, 2c Side wall 3 First line 3a First discharge path 3b First connection path 3c Second connection path 3d First return path 4 Second line 4a Second discharge path 4d Second return path 5 Circulation line 5a Circulation path 10 Hydrogen absorption and release system 11 First storage chamber 11a Heater 12 Second storage chamber 12a Cooler 13 Return chamber 13a First return chamber 13b Second return chamber 13c Third return chamber 14 Partition wall 15 Induction wall 15a Opening 16a First valve 16b Second valve 16c Third valve 16d Fourth valve 16e Fifth valve 17 Pump M ₁ Heating medium M ₂ Cooling medium M ₃ Circulating medium

Claims (7)

A heat medium storage container for storing a heat medium for heating and cooling a hydrogen storage alloy,
a first storage chamber for storing a heating medium for heating the hydrogen storage alloy;
a second storage chamber for storing a cooling heat medium for cooling the hydrogen storage alloy;
a reflux chamber disposed between the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, through which the heating medium supplied from the first storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and the cooling medium supplied from the second storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy are refluxed,
The first storage chamber and the reflux chamber, and the second storage chamber and the reflux chamber are each separated by a partition wall,
The reflux chamber is provided with one or more guide walls for guiding the refluxed heating medium to the first storage chamber and for guiding the refluxed cooling medium to the second storage chamber;
The reflux chamber includes a first reflux chamber through which the heating heat medium refluxes and a second reflux chamber through which the cooling heat medium refluxes,
The first reflux chamber and the second reflux chamber are partitioned by the one or more guide walls,
The one or more guide walls divide the reflux chamber into the first reflux chamber, the second reflux chamber, and a third reflux chamber disposed between the first reflux chamber and the second reflux chamber and into which the heat medium for circulation discharged from the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber is returned;
The heat medium storage container has openings in a lower portion of the guide wall, the openings communicating with the first reflux chamber and the third reflux chamber, and the openings communicating with the second reflux chamber and the third reflux chamber . A pair of the guide walls is provided,
The heat medium storage container according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of guide walls extend across the heat medium storage container and are arranged in parallel with each other. A heat medium storage container according to claim 1 or 2 ;
a hydrogen storage/release tank in which the hydrogen storage alloy is mounted;
a first line for supplying the heating medium stored in the first storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and for returning the heating medium to the first return chamber after the supply;
a second line that supplies the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and circulates the cooling heat medium to the second reflux chamber after the supply. A heat medium storage container according to claim 1 or 2 ;
a hydrogen storage/release tank in which the hydrogen storage alloy is mounted;
a first line for supplying the heating medium stored in the first storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and for returning the heating medium to the first return chamber after the supply;
a second line for supplying the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber to the hydrogen storage alloy and for returning the cooling heat medium after the supply to the second return chamber;
a circulation line for circulating the heating heat medium stored in the first storage chamber or the cooling heat medium stored in the second storage chamber to the third reflux chamber. the first line has a first discharge passage connected to the first storage chamber and a first connection passage connecting the first discharge passage and the hydrogen absorption and release tank,
A hydrogen storage and release system as described in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the second line has a second discharge passage connected to the second storage chamber, and a first connection passage common to the first line, which connects the second discharge passage to the hydrogen storage and release tank . the first line has a first discharge passage connected to the first storage chamber and a first connection passage connecting the first discharge passage and the hydrogen absorption and release tank,
the second line has a second discharge passage connected to the second storage chamber, and the first connection passage, which is common to the first line and connects the second discharge passage to the hydrogen occlusion and release tank,
5. The hydrogen absorption/release system according to claim 4 , wherein the circulation line has a circulation path branched off from the first connection path and communicating with the third reflux chamber. the first line has a second connection passage connected to the hydrogen absorbing/releasing tank and through which the heating medium is discharged after heating the hydrogen absorbing alloy, and a first return passage connected to the second connection passage and communicating with a lower portion of the first return chamber;
A hydrogen storage and release system as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second line has a second connection passage common to the first line, through which the cooling heat medium is discharged after cooling the hydrogen storage alloy, and a second return passage connected to the second connection passage and communicating with the lower part of the second return chamber.

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