JP7638728B2 - Hydrogen Power Generation System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hydrogen power generation system.

Stand-alone hydrogen power generation systems that can supply power without needing a commercial power source during disasters such as earthquakes have been known for some time now.

As such a hydrogen power generation system, Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrogen generation device (b) equipped with a hydrogen production device 3, and a drinking water supply device (a) equipped with a hydrogen storage alloy 7 that stores hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 3 and a fuel cell 8 that generates electricity using hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage alloy 7, all connected together. Note that the reference numerals are those in Patent Document 1.

JP 2017-103198 A

However, in the above-mentioned configuration, the hydrogen storage alloy 7 is always connected to the hydrogen production device 3 and the fuel cell 8, so there is a problem in that it is not possible to simultaneously store hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 3 and generate electricity using the fuel cell 8.

Therefore, a technical problem arises that must be solved in order to provide a hydrogen power generation system that can efficiently store hydrogen and generate power using hydrogen, and the present invention aims to solve this problem.

To achieve the above object, the hydrogen power generation system of the present invention is a hydrogen power generation system that includes a hydrogen generation device that generates hydrogen by reacting water, a power generation device that generates electricity using the hydrogen, and a cartridge-type hydrogen storage device that is detachably connected to the hydrogen generation device or the power generation device, stores the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device, and can supply hydrogen to the power generation device.

With this configuration, the cartridge-type hydrogen storage device can be disconnected from the hydrogen generation device or power generation device as needed, allowing hydrogen storage and power generation using hydrogen to be carried out efficiently.

In addition, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the cartridge-type hydrogen storage device comprises a tank for storing the hydrogen, a metal jacket in contact with the tank, and a casing for housing the jacket.

In addition, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the jacket is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to contact the outer periphery and bottom surface of the tank.

In addition, it is preferable that the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention further includes a temperature control block that is joined to the jacket and controls the temperature of the jacket.

In addition, it is preferable that the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention further includes a cooling device that supplies cold water to a cold water path formed in the temperature control block to cool the jacket.

In addition, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the cartridge-type hydrogen storage device further includes a heater embedded in the temperature control block to heat the jacket.

In addition, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, it is preferable that a hydrogen storage alloy is contained in the tank.

In addition, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the hydrogen generation device is a water electrolysis stack that generates hydrogen by electrolysis of water.

In addition, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the hydrogen generation device further includes a renewable energy power generation device and a secondary battery that stores electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device.

In addition, it is preferable that the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention further includes a heat recycle mechanism in which the power generation device is a fuel cell and the heat exhausted from the fuel cell is used to heat the outside air that is drawn into the fuel cell.

Furthermore, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, the housing that houses the fuel cell is preferably connected to the return duct via an exhaust side opening provided on the exhaust side of the fuel cell in the flow direction of the air flowing through the housing and an intake side opening provided on the intake side of the fuel cell, and the exhaust heat recycling mechanism preferably includes a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the outside air taken into the fuel cell, a shutter that can open and close the exhaust side opening to allow or block the flow of air from the housing to the return duct through the exhaust side opening, a fan that sends air in the return duct to the housing through the intake side opening, and a controller that opens the shutter and drives the fan to return air warmed by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell to the outside air when the temperature of the outside air is below a predetermined temperature.

The present invention allows the cartridge-type hydrogen storage device to be disconnected from the hydrogen generation device or power generation device as needed, enabling efficient storage of hydrogen and power generation using hydrogen.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a heat recovery mechanism. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of an MH unit. Cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 4 .

The embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following, when referring to the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc. of components, unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle, it is not limited to that specific number, and it may be more or less than the specific number.

In addition, when referring to the shape or positional relationship of components, etc., this includes things that are substantially similar or similar to that shape, etc., unless otherwise specified or considered in principle to be clearly different.

In addition, drawings may exaggerate characteristic parts to make the features easier to understand, and the dimensional ratios of components may not be the same as in reality. In addition, in cross-sectional views, hatching of some components may be omitted to make the cross-sectional structure of the components easier to understand.

In this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, etc. are not absolute, but are appropriate when each component is in the position depicted in the drawing, but if that position changes, they should be interpreted differently depending on the change in position.

The hydrogen power generation system 1 according to the present invention efficiently generates hydrogen and generates electricity from hydrogen. The hydrogen power generation system 1 includes a hydrogen generation device 2, an MH unit 3 as a hydrogen storage device, and a fuel cell 4 as a power generation device.

The hydrogen generation device 2 includes a water electrolysis stack 21 and a pure water purification device 22. The water electrolysis stack 21 generates hydrogen by passing electricity between the electrodes, causing the pure water purified by the pure water purification device 22 to react at the cathode. The decomposed oxygen is discharged into the atmosphere. After the hydrogen generation device 2 generates hydrogen, the water electrolysis stack 21 and the pure water purification device 22 are automatically drained from the piping and the piping connecting them, thereby preventing the water remaining in the piping from freezing.

The water electrolysis stack 21 is of known construction, and preferably uses a solid polymer water electrolysis device. For example, the water electrolysis stack 21 may be an electrolysis stack QL-500 (manufactured by Shandong Saikesaisi Hydrogen Energy). The water electrolysis stack 21 requires 400 to 600 W of power supplied from the solar cell 23 described below, and generates hydrogen at a rate of 1.0 L/min (0.35 MPa Max).

The water used by the water electrolysis stack 21 to generate hydrogen is preferably purified water, but drinking water or tap water available on the market can also be used as long as it is water that can generate hydrogen.

The hydrogen generator 2 preferably includes a solar cell 23 as a renewable energy power generation device, and a secondary battery 24. This allows the electricity used in the water electrolysis stack 21 to be generated by the solar cell 23 and stored in the secondary battery 24.

The renewable energy power generation device may be any power generation device that generates electricity based on energy resources that are constantly or repeatedly replenished, such as sunlight, wind, wave, small hydroelectric, running water, tides, geothermal, biomass, or a combination of these natural forces. For example, a CS6P-250P (manufactured by Canadian Solar) solar cell could be used as the solar cell 23.

It is preferable to use a lead battery or a lithium ion battery as the secondary battery 24. For example, a YT-B24R (manufactured by Optima) or the like can be used as the secondary battery 24.

The hydrogen generated by the water electrolysis stack 21 passes through the cooling tank 25, the steam separator 26, and the dehumidifier 27 in this order. The cooling tank 25 cools the hydrogen, and the steam separator 26 removes the moisture contained in the hydrogen. The cooling tank 25 cools the hydrogen, allowing the steam separator 26 to efficiently remove the moisture. The dehumidifier 27 dehumidifies the hydrogen by passing it through silica gel filled inside. The dehumidifier 27 is passed by hydrogen from which moisture has been removed via the cooling tank 25 and the steam separator 26, so that water can be prevented from accumulating in the dehumidifier 27. In this way, water can be prevented from accumulating in the MH unit 3, which will be described later.

The MH unit 3 is a cartridge-type hydrogen storage device capable of storing and releasing hydrogen, and is detachably connected to the hydrogen generation device 2 or the fuel cell 4. The configuration of the MH unit 3 will be described later.

The multiple MH units 3 connected in parallel to the water electrolysis stack 21 via the storage hydrogen line L1 each store the hydrogen generated by the water electrolysis stack 21. Multiple MH units 3 can be connected to the water electrolysis stack 21 at the same time. The multiple MH units 3 are housed in a partitioned space isolated from the outside, and a sensor (not shown) is provided in this space to detect hydrogen leaks. Reference numeral 24 denotes an explosion-proof solenoid valve provided on the storage hydrogen line L1.

The hydrogen power generation system 1 is equipped with a cooling device 5 that cools the MH unit 3 during hydrogen absorption. The cooling device 5 is equipped with a cold water tank 51 that is connected to the MH unit 3 via a cold water line L2 and stores cold water to be provided to the MH unit 3, a chiller 52 that cools the cold water in the cold water tank 51, and a pump 53 that sends cold water from the cold water tank 51 to the MH unit 3.

The fuel cell 4 is usually installed at a location away from the hydrogen generation device 2. The fuel cell 4 is a power generation device that can continuously extract electricity by supplying hydrogen to the anode and oxygen to the cathode, and reacting the hydrogen and oxygen at room temperature or in a high-temperature environment.

As an example of the fuel cell 4, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is known, which generates electricity by sandwiching an ion exchange membrane and supplying an oxidizing agent to the positive electrode and hydrogen as a reducing agent.

The electricity obtained by the fuel cell 4 can be used as electricity supplied to a household AC power source. Electricity supplied by a household AC power source is 100 to 200 V. Such a household AC power source can be used as a power source for mobile devices that are needed in the event of a disaster, or as a power source for home appliances such as a household television.

The fuel cell 4 is connected to multiple MH units 3 via a hydrogen release line L3. The fuel cell 4 generates electricity by releasing hydrogen from the MH units 3 that have stored hydrogen. The multiple MH units 3 are housed in a partitioned space that is isolated from the outside. Reference numeral 41 denotes an explosion-proof solenoid valve provided on the hydrogen release line L3.

Furthermore, the fuel cell 4 generates electricity by reacting oxygen contained in the outside air with hydrogen supplied from the MH unit 3. If the intake temperature of the outside air taken in by the multiple cells 4a is low (for example, below 15°C), flooding may occur, which may cause the cells 4a to fail. Therefore, as shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), it is preferable to provide an exhaust heat recycling mechanism 42 that returns at least a portion of the exhaust gas during power generation to the intake side when the intake temperature is low, thereby warming the outside air. This makes it possible to suppress flooding.

The exhaust heat recycling mechanism 42 includes a temperature sensor 43 that measures the temperature (intake temperature) of the outside air taken into the fuel cell 4, a shutter 44 that can be freely opened and closed at an exhaust side opening h1 that connects the housing c to a return duct d provided at the top of the housing c, a fan 45 that returns the air in the return duct d to the housing c via an intake side opening h2 that connects the housing c to the return duct d, and a controller 46 that controls the operation of these.

The exhaust side opening h1 is provided on the exhaust side of the fuel cell 4 in the direction of air flow through the housing c, and the intake side opening h2 is provided on the intake side of the fuel cell 4 in the direction of air flow through the housing c. The reference symbol 44a denotes a drive motor that moves the shutter 44 forward and backward.

When the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 43 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the shutter 44 is opened and the fan 45 is driven, so that the air heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell 4 passes through the exhaust side opening h1, the return duct d, and the intake side opening h2 and mixes with the outside air, thereby heating the outside air.

On the other hand, if the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 43 is higher than the predetermined temperature, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the shutter 44 is closed and the fan 45 is stopped, so that the air heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell 4 is directly exhausted to the outside.

This allows the outside air to be heated using the exhaust heat from the fuel cell 4, making it possible to easily suppress flooding without having to install large-scale separate piping, etc.

Next, the structure of the MH unit 3 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. The MH unit 3 includes two tanks 31, a jacket 32, a temperature control block 33, and a casing 34.

The tank 31 is a hydrogen storage cylinder that contains a hydrogen storage alloy. The capacity of the tank 31 is, for example, 500 NL. Known hydrogen storage alloys include, but are not limited to, AB2 type, AB5 type, BCC solid solution type, Ti-Fe system, V system, Mg alloy, Pd system, Ca system alloy, etc. Note that the hydrogen storage device may be, in addition to the above-mentioned MH unit 3, for example, an organic hydride, a liquid hydrogen tank, a high-pressure hydrogen tank, etc., but the hydrogen storage alloy is preferable because it requires fewer auxiliary equipment and is easy to handle.

The jacket 32 is made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity, such as copper. The jacket 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to contact the outer periphery and bottom surface of the tank 31, and houses the tank 31. Note that the jacket 32 may be in any shape as long as it contacts at least a portion of the tank 31, and may, for example, contact only the outer periphery of the jacket 32.

The temperature control block 33 is disposed between the two tanks 31 and is joined to the jacket 32. It is preferable to use a metal with excellent thermal conductivity for the temperature control block 33, such as aluminum, iron, or stainless steel.

The temperature control block 33 has a cold water passage 33a that is U-shaped when viewed from the side.

In addition, two cartridge heaters 33b are embedded in the temperature control block 33 to heat the tank 31 when hydrogen is released.

The casing 34 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. Inside the casing 34, a pair of heat insulating materials 35a, 35b split in half vertically are provided. The heat insulating materials 35a, 35b house the tank 31 so as to sandwich it between them. In addition, the casing 34 is fitted with a handle (not shown) suitable for transporting the casing 34.

The top lid of the casing 34 is provided with a hydrogen joint 34a, a cold water input side joint 34b, a cold water output side joint 34c, and a heater power supply joint 34d.

The hydrogen joint 34a is connected to the storage hydrogen line L1 or the release hydrogen line L3, and is also connected to two tanks 31 via tubes not shown. In addition, by replacing the hydrogen line connected to the hydrogen joint 34a, the connection between the tank 31 and the hydrogen generation device 2 or the fuel cell 4 can be switched.

The cold water input side fitting 34b is connected to the cold water line L2 through which cold water is supplied from the cold water tank 51, and is connected to the inlet end of the cold water path 33a via a tube (not shown).

The cold water output side fitting 34c is connected to the outlet end of the cold water path 33a via a tube (not shown), and is also connected to a cold water line L2 that returns cold water to the cold water tank 51.

The cold water input side fitting 34b and the cold water output side fitting 34c are connected to the cold water line L2 when hydrogen is stored, and are disconnected from the cold water line L2 when hydrogen is released.

When the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator 2 is absorbed, the tank 31 in contact with the temperature adjustment block 33 is directly cooled by cold water flowing through the cold water path 33a. Furthermore, the tank 31 is indirectly cooled via the jacket 32 by cooling the temperature adjustment block 33. The temperature of the cold water is set so that the tank 31 is at a predetermined temperature (e.g., 15°C) when hydrogen is absorbed.

The heater power supply joint 34d is connected to the heater power supply 6 via a power cable 61, and is also connected to the cartridge heater 33b via a cable (not shown). The heater power supply joint 34d is disconnected from the heater power supply 6 during hydrogen storage, and is connected to the heater power supply 6 during hydrogen release.

When the cartridge heater 33b is activated, the temperature control block 33 is heated, and the tank 31 in contact with the temperature control block 33 is heated directly. Furthermore, the tank 31 is heated indirectly via the jacket 32. The heating temperature of the cartridge heater 33b is set so that the temperature of the tank 31 when the MH unit 3 releases hydrogen is a predetermined temperature (e.g., 30°C). The heating of the temperature control block 33 is not limited to the above-mentioned cartridge heater 33b, and may be, for example, a configuration in which hot water is flowed through the cold water path 33a. By using the cartridge heater 33b to heat the tank 31, auxiliary equipment such as piping and pumps for flowing hot water, etc. is not required, and the tank 31 can be heated more efficiently than hot water, etc.

In this way, by cooling or heating the tank 31 while the MH unit 3 is insulated from the outside by the insulating materials 35a, 35b, hydrogen can be efficiently absorbed and released without being affected by the external environment (for example, when the outside air temperature is significantly higher than the cooling temperature, or when the outside air temperature is significantly lower than the heating temperature).

The MH unit 3 is also preferably provided with a temperature sensor (not shown) that monitors the temperature of the tank 31. This allows, for example, for the tank 31 to be heated by the cartridge heater 33b when the temperature of the tank 31 is below 29°C, and for example, for the tank 31 to be heated by the cartridge heater 33b when the tank 31 temperature reaches 30°C, by stopping the heating by the cartridge heater 33b, thereby maintaining the tank 31 at approximately 30°C.

In this way, the hydrogen power generation system 1 according to this embodiment can appropriately disconnect the MH unit 3 from the hydrogen generation device 2 or the fuel cell 4, allowing efficient storage of hydrogen and power generation using hydrogen.

The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention also covers such modifications.

1: Hydrogen power generation system 2: Hydrogen generation device 21: Water electrolysis stack 22: Pure water purification device 23: Solar cell (renewable energy power generation device)
24: Secondary battery 3: MH unit (cartridge-type hydrogen storage device)
Reference Signs List 31: Tank 32: Jacket 33: Temperature adjustment block 33a: Cold water path 33b: Cartridge heater 34: Casing 34a: Hydrogen joint 34b: Cold water input side joint 34c: Cold water output side joint 34d: Heater power joints 35a, 35b: Insulation material 4: Fuel cell 42: Exhaust heat recycling mechanism 5: Cooling device 51: Cold water tank 52: Chiller 53: Pump 6: Heater power supply 61: Power cable L1: Storage hydrogen line L2: Cold water line L3: Release hydrogen line

Claims (9)

A hydrogen power generation system, comprising:
A hydrogen generating device that generates hydrogen by reacting with water;
A power generation device that generates power using the hydrogen;
a cartridge-type hydrogen storage device that is detachably connected to the hydrogen generation device or the power generation device, stores hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device, and can supply hydrogen to the power generation device;
Equipped with
the power generating device is a fuel cell,
a heat recovery mechanism for heating the outside air taken into the fuel cell by using the heat exhausted from the fuel cell;
a housing that accommodates the fuel cell is connected to a return duct via an exhaust side opening provided on an exhaust side of the fuel cell in a flow direction of air flowing through the housing and an intake side opening provided on an intake side of the fuel cell;
The waste heat reuse mechanism is
a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the outside air taken into the fuel cell;
a shutter capable of opening and closing the exhaust side opening to allow or block the inflow of air from the housing to the return duct through the exhaust side opening;
a fan that sends air in the return duct to the housing through the intake side opening;
a controller that opens the shutter and drives the fan when the temperature of the outside air is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature so as to return air that has been heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell to the outside air;
A hydrogen power generation system comprising : The cartridge-type hydrogen storage device is
A tank for storing the hydrogen;
A metal jacket in contact with the tank;
A casing that houses the jacket;
2. The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising: The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the jacket is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to contact the outer periphery and bottom surface of the tank. The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the cartridge-type hydrogen storage device further includes a temperature control block that is joined to the jacket and controls the temperature of the jacket. The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 4, further comprising a cooling device that supplies cold water to a cold water path formed in the temperature control block to cool the jacket. The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the cartridge-type hydrogen storage device further comprises a heater embedded in the temperature control block to heat the jacket. The hydrogen power generation system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a hydrogen storage alloy is contained in the tank. The hydrogen power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hydrogen generation device is a water electrolysis stack that generates hydrogen by electrolysis of water. The hydrogen generation device includes:
A renewable energy power generation device;
A secondary battery that stores electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device;
The hydrogen power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:

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