Hydrogen generation apparatus and hydrogen generation method

Abstract

This invention provides a technology that can shorten the hydrogen generation cycle in a configuration for generating hydrogen from hydrogen-generating materials. [Solution] The hydrogen generation device comprises a container for housing a hydrogen generation material that generates hydrogen by receiving light of a specific wavelength and whose hydrogen generation function can be regenerated by the supply of water; a light application unit for applying the light to the hydrogen generation material; a water supply unit for supplying water to the hydrogen generation material; and a control unit configured to control the light application unit and the water supply unit and to execute a hydrogen generation mode in which hydrogen is generated from the hydrogen generation material by the application of the light, and a regeneration mode in which the hydrogen generation function of the hydrogen generation material is regenerated by the supply of water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a hydrogen generation device and a hydrogen generation method.

Background Art

[0002] Hydrogen generation materials that generate hydrogen by heating or irradiation with ultraviolet light and whose hydrogen generation function can be regenerated by supplying water are known (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Non-Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for continuously generating hydrogen from a hydrogen-generating material by repeatedly performing a mode in which hydrogen is generated from the hydrogen-generating material and a mode in which water is supplied to the hydrogen-generating material for regeneration. However, there is room for improvement in terms of shortening the hydrogen generation cycle.

[0006] The objective of this disclosure is to provide a technology that can shorten the hydrogen generation cycle in a configuration for generating hydrogen from a hydrogen generation material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A hydrogen generating apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a container for housing a hydrogen generating material that generates hydrogen by receiving light of a specific wavelength and whose hydrogen generating function can be regenerated by the supply of water; a light application unit for applying the light to the hydrogen generating material; a water supply unit for supplying water to the hydrogen generating material; and a control unit configured to control the light application unit and the water supply unit and to execute a hydrogen generation mode in which hydrogen is generated from the hydrogen generating material by the application of the light, and a regeneration mode in which the hydrogen generating function of the hydrogen generating material is regenerated by the supply of water.

[0008] In the hydrogen generation apparatus of the first embodiment, the control unit executes a hydrogen generation mode and a regeneration mode. In the hydrogen generation mode, light of a specific wavelength is applied to the hydrogen generation material from the light application unit. When light is applied to the hydrogen generation material, hydrogen is generated from the hydrogen generation material. In the regeneration mode, water is supplied to the hydrogen generation material from the water supply unit. When water is supplied to the hydrogen generation material, the hydrogen generation function of the hydrogen generation material is regenerated. In this way, the hydrogen generation apparatus makes it possible to continuously generate hydrogen from the hydrogen generation material by having the control unit repeatedly execute the hydrogen generation mode and the regeneration mode.

[0009] Furthermore, in the hydrogen generation apparatus of the first embodiment, hydrogen is generated from the hydrogen generation material by applying light to the hydrogen generation material. Therefore, compared to, for example, an apparatus that generates hydrogen by heating the hydrogen generation material with a heater, it is possible to immediately switch to the regeneration mode without having to lower the temperature of the hydrogen generation material to a predetermined temperature when transitioning to the regeneration mode. As a result, the hydrogen generation cycle can be shortened in the above-mentioned hydrogen generation apparatus.

[0010] A hydrogen generating apparatus according to a second aspect of this disclosure is a hydrogen generating apparatus according to a first aspect, wherein the hydrogen generating material is a boron and hydrogen-containing hydrogen boride sheet, and the light of a specific wavelength includes ultraviolet light.

[0011] In the hydrogen generation apparatus of the second embodiment, hydrogen is generated from the boronide sheet when ultraviolet light is applied to it. Here, the boronide sheet generates hydrogen when ultraviolet light is applied to it, even at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. In this way, because the hydrogen generation apparatus is configured to apply ultraviolet light to the boronide sheet, there is no need to provide a heating device or pressurizing device in the container. In other words, the hydrogen generation apparatus can continuously generate hydrogen with a simple configuration.

[0012] A third aspect of the hydrogen generation apparatus of the present disclosure is a hydrogen generation apparatus of the first or second aspect, wherein the light-applying unit is a light source that irradiates the hydrogen generation material with light.

[0013] In the hydrogen generation apparatus of the third embodiment, since light is irradiated onto the hydrogen generation material from a light source, hydrogen can be stably generated from the hydrogen generation material.

[0014] A hydrogen generating apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a hydrogen generating apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the container has a light-transmitting portion, the light-applying portion is a shielding member capable of shielding the light-transmitting portion from external light, and in the unshielded state of the light-transmitting portion by the shielding member, the light that has passed through the light-transmitting portion is applied to the hydrogen generating material.

[0015] In the hydrogen generation device according to the fourth aspect, in a state where the shielding member does not shield the transmission portion (non-shielding state), light from the outside is applied to the hydrogen generation material, and hydrogen is generated from the hydrogen generation material. Thus, in the hydrogen generation device, since hydrogen is generated by using light from the outside, the cost associated with hydrogen generation can be suppressed.

[0016] The hydrogen generation device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the hydrogen generation device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, wherein the water supply unit supplies gaseous water to the hydrogen generation material.

[0017] In the hydrogen generation device according to the fifth aspect, since the water supply unit supplies gaseous water to the hydrogen generation material, it becomes possible to supply water evenly to the hydrogen generation material.

[0018] The hydrogen generation device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the hydrogen generation device according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, further comprising a flow path for sending the hydrogen generated in the container to an object, and a purification unit provided in the flow path for increasing the concentration of the hydrogen.

[0019] In the hydrogen generation device according to the sixth aspect, the concentration of the hydrogen generated in the container is increased by the purification unit. Thus, in the hydrogen generation device, hydrogen satisfying a predetermined concentration can be sent to an object (a device using hydrogen, a hydrogen tank, etc.).

[0020] The hydrogen generation device according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the hydrogen generation device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the flow path includes a first flow path provided with the purification unit and a second flow path bypassing the first flow path, and a switching valve controlled by the control unit for switching between the first flow path and the second flow path is provided at a branch portion between the first flow path and the second flow path.

[0021] In the hydrogen generation device according to the seventh aspect, the first flow path and the second flow path are switched by a switching valve controlled by the control unit. Here, in the hydrogen generation device, for example, compared with a configuration in which all the hydrogen generated in the container is generated by the purification unit, it becomes possible to improve the hydrogen supply rate to the object.

[0022] The hydrogen generation device according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the hydrogen generation device according to the seventh aspect, further comprising a measurement unit provided upstream of the branch portion in the flow path for measuring the concentration of the hydrogen, and the control unit causes the hydrogen to flow through the first flow path when the concentration information of the hydrogen is lower than a preset threshold value, and causes the hydrogen to flow through the second flow path when the concentration information is equal to or higher than the threshold value. The control of the switching valve is executed.

[0023] In the hydrogen generation device according to the eighth aspect, since the control unit executes the control of the switching valve so that the hydrogen flows through the first flow path when the concentration information of the hydrogen is lower than a preset threshold value and the hydrogen flows through the second flow path when the concentration information of the hydrogen is equal to or higher than the threshold value, it is possible to improve the hydrogen supply rate to the object while sending hydrogen satisfying a predetermined concentration to the object.

[0024] The hydrogen generation method according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure includes generating hydrogen by receiving light of a specific wavelength, applying the light to a hydrogen generation material capable of regenerating a hydrogen generation function by supplying water, and generating hydrogen from the hydrogen generation material, and supplying water to the hydrogen generation material to regenerate the hydrogen generation function of the hydrogen generation material.

[0025] In the hydrogen generation method according to the ninth aspect, hydrogen is generated from the hydrogen generation material by applying light of a specific wavelength to the hydrogen generation material. Then, the hydrogen generation function of the hydrogen generation material is regenerated by supplying water to the hydrogen generation material. In this way, in the hydrogen generation method, it is possible to continuously generate hydrogen from the hydrogen generation material by repeatedly executing applying light of a specific wavelength to the hydrogen generation material and supplying water to the hydrogen generation material.

[0026] Furthermore, in the hydrogen generation method of the ninth embodiment, hydrogen is generated from the hydrogen generation material by applying light to the hydrogen generation material. Compared to a method in which hydrogen is generated by heating the hydrogen generation material, for example, water can be supplied immediately to the hydrogen generation material without having to lower its temperature to a predetermined temperature when switching from applying light to supplying water. As a result, the hydrogen generation cycle can be shortened in the above hydrogen generation method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] As explained above, this disclosure makes it possible to shorten the hydrogen generation cycle in a configuration for generating hydrogen from a hydrogen generation material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0028] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen generation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the hydrogen generation section shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the control unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the hydrogen generation state (hydrogen generation mode in operation) in the hydrogen generation unit shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the hydrogen generation unit shown in Figure 2, in a state where water is being supplied to the hydrogen generation material (state during regeneration mode execution). [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the startup time (h) of the hydrogen generator and the amount of hydrogen generated per unit time (μmol). [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a graph showing the relationship between cumulative light irradiation time (h) and cumulative hydrogen generation / retained hydrogen amount (%). [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the hydrogen generation section in a hydrogen generation apparatus of another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the control system of the control unit used in the hydrogen generation apparatus of another embodiment shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the hydrogen generation state (hydrogen generation mode in operation) in the hydrogen generation unit shown in Figure 8. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the hydrogen generation unit shown in Figure 8, where water is being supplied to the hydrogen generation material (during regeneration mode execution). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components indicated by the same reference numerals in each drawing are considered to be the same or similar components. In the embodiments described below, descriptions and reference numerals that are repeated may be omitted. Furthermore, the drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to reality. Also, the dimensional relationships and ratios of each element do not necessarily correspond between multiple drawings.

[0030] [Hydrogen generator] A hydrogen generation device 20 in one embodiment of this disclosure is a device that generates hydrogen (H2) by irradiating a hydrogen generation material, which generates hydrogen (H2) when it receives light of a specific wavelength and whose hydrogen generation function can be regenerated by supplying water (H2O), with light of a specific wavelength. Furthermore, the hydrogen generation device 20 is a device that regenerates the hydrogen generation function of the hydrogen generation material by supplying water to the hydrogen generation material. In the figure, the light of a specific wavelength is indicated by the arrow L.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen generation device 20 includes a reaction vessel 32 as an example of a container (see Figure 2), a light source 36 as an example of a light-emitting unit (see Figure 2), a water supply unit 70, and a control unit 100.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen generation device 20 includes a flow path 80, a purification unit 40, a measuring unit 60, and a switching valve 50.

[0033] (Reaction vessel 32) As shown in Figure 2, the reaction vessel 32 is a container for housing a boron hydride sheet 110 containing boron and hydrogen, which is an example of a hydrogen generating material. The hydrogen generating material is not particularly limited as long as it contains boron and hydrogen, generates hydrogen when exposed to light of a specific wavelength, and can regenerate its hydrogen generating function by supplying water.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the reaction vessel 32 has a transparent section 34 that allows light of a specific wavelength to pass through. Specifically, a transparent section 34 with high transmittance to light of a specific wavelength is provided on the ceiling of the reaction vessel 32.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the reaction vessel 32 is provided with an exhaust pipe 38. This exhaust pipe 38 discharges the oxygen O2 generated from the boron sheet 110 when hydrogen is generated from the boron sheet 110 inside the reaction vessel 32.

[0036] (Light source 36) As shown in Figure 2, the light source 36 has the function of irradiating the borohydride sheet 110 with light of a specific wavelength. Specifically, the light from the light source 36 is irradiated onto the borohydride sheet 110 through the transparent section 34 of the reaction vessel 32. The light of a specific wavelength irradiated onto the borohydride sheet 110 from the light source 36 includes ultraviolet light.

[0037] Examples of light sources 36 that include ultraviolet light include mercury xenon lamps, high-pressure mercury UV lamps, low-pressure mercury UV lamps, ultraviolet LEDs, ultraviolet LDs, or metal halide UV lamps.

[0038] Furthermore, it is preferable that the irradiation band of the light source 36 be ultraviolet light (240-400 nm) and / or visible light (over 400 nm and up to 750 nm).

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the light source 36 is placed on the translucent portion 34 of the reaction vessel 32, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the light source 36 may be placed inside the reaction vessel 32. If the light source 36 is placed inside the reaction vessel 32, the translucent portion 34 may not be provided in the reaction vessel 32.

[0040] Furthermore, the light irradiation function provided by the light source 36 is controlled by the control unit 100.

[0041] In this embodiment, the hydrogen generation unit 30 is composed of a reaction vessel 32 containing a borohydride sheet 110 and a light source 36.

[0042] (Water supply section 70) As shown in Figure 1, the water supply unit 70 has the function of supplying water to the reaction vessel 32. The water supply unit 70 is equipped with a supply channel 72 that connects a water supply source (not shown) to the reaction vessel 32. Examples of water supply sources include tap water and water storage tanks.

[0043] Furthermore, the water supply unit 70 is equipped with a vaporizer 74 in the middle of the supply path 72 to vaporize the water. This vaporizer 74 converts the water from the water supply source into gaseous water (i.e., water vapor) and supplies it to the reaction vessel 32.

[0044] Furthermore, the water vaporization function of the vaporizer 74 is controlled by the control unit 100. In this embodiment, the vaporizer 74 has a flow rate control function in order to supply the water vapor vaporized by the vaporizer 74 to the reaction vessel 32. Alternatively, a flow rate control valve may be provided upstream of the vaporizer, separate from the vaporizer.

[0045] Furthermore, although the water supply unit 70 is equipped with a vaporizer 74 in this embodiment, the disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the water supply unit 70 does not need to be equipped with a vaporizer 74. That is, water from the water supply source may be supplied to the reaction vessel 32 in a liquid state. In this case, it is preferable to provide a flow control valve controlled by the control unit 100 in the supply passage 72.

[0046] Furthermore, although the water supply unit 70 of this embodiment does not include a water supply source, it may be configured to include a water supply source.

[0047] (Flow channel 80) As shown in Figure 1, the flow path 80 is a channel that sends hydrogen generated in the reaction vessel 32 to the target object 200. The flow path 80 connects the reaction vessel 32 and the target object 200. Examples of the target object 200 include a device that operates using hydrogen and a hydrogen storage tank.

[0048] A purification section 40 is provided in the flow path 80. Specifically, the flow path 80 comprises a first flow path 82 in which the purification section 40 is provided, and a second flow path 84 that bypasses the first flow path 82.

[0049] (Refining Department 40) The purification unit 40 is a device that has the function of increasing the concentration of hydrogen generated in the reaction vessel 32 (also called a hydrogen purification function). This purification unit 40 is located in the flow path 80, specifically in the first flow path 82. The purification unit 40 is a device that separates impurities from the hydrogen-containing gas generated in the reaction vessel 32 to increase the hydrogen concentration. In this embodiment, the concentration of hydrogen may be rephrased as the purity of hydrogen.

[0050] Furthermore, the hydrogen purification function of the purification unit 40 is controlled by the control unit 100.

[0051] (Switching valve 50) As shown in Figure 1, the switching valve 50 has the function of switching between the first flow path 82 and the second flow path 84. The switching valve 50 is installed at the branching point between the first flow path 82 and the second flow path 84.

[0052] Furthermore, the flow path switching function of the switching valve 50 is controlled by the control unit 100.

[0053] (Measuring part 60) The measuring unit 60 is a device that has the function of measuring the concentration of hydrogen. As shown in Figure 1, the measuring unit 60 is located upstream of the branching section in the flow path 80. Specifically, the measuring unit 60 is located between the reaction vessel 32 and the switching valve 50 in the flow path 80. In this embodiment, the measuring unit 60 has the functions of both a concentration meter and a flow meter, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The measuring unit 60 may have only the function of a concentration meter, and a flow meter may be provided separately from this measuring unit 60.

[0054] The information measured by the measurement unit 60 is configured to be transmitted to the control unit 100.

[0055] (Control unit 100) The control unit 100 controls the light source 36 and the water supply unit 70, and is configured to execute a hydrogen generation mode in which hydrogen is generated from the borohydride sheet 110 by light irradiation, and a regeneration mode in which the hydrogen generation function of the borohydride sheet 110 is regenerated by the supply of water.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 100 is configured to control the switching valve 50 so that when the hydrogen concentration information is lower than a preset threshold, hydrogen flows into the first channel 82, and when the concentration information is above the threshold, hydrogen flows into the second channel 84.

[0057] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 100 of this embodiment is configured as a computer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100a, ROM (Read Only Memory) 100b, RAM (Random Access Memory) 100c, and I / O port 100d. The CPU 100a, ROM 100b, RAM 100c, and I / O port 100d are connected to each other via a bus 100e.

[0058] The CPU 100a controls the overall operation of the control unit 100. The ROM 100b stores various control programs and parameters in advance. The RAM 100c is used as a work area when the CPU 100a executes various programs. The I / O port 100d is connected to the light source 36, purification unit 40, switching valve 50, measurement unit 60, vaporizer 74, etc.

[0059] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the light irradiation function by the light source 36, the hydrogen purification function by the purification unit 40, the flow path switching function by the switching valve 50, and the water vaporization function and flow rate control function by the vaporizer 74. The control unit 100 also receives measurement information from the measurement unit 60 and controls the flow path switching function of the switching valve 50 based on the received measurement information.

[0060] [Hydrogen generation method] Next, a hydrogen generation method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The hydrogen generation method of this embodiment will be described using the hydrogen generation apparatus 20 described above.

[0061] First, in the hydrogen generation method of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the borohydride sheet 110 is irradiated with light of a specific wavelength from a light source 36 to generate hydrogen from the borohydride sheet 110. Specifically, in this embodiment, ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the borohydride sheet 110 from the light source 36 to release hydrogen from the borohydride sheet 110. In this way, hydrogen is generated from the borohydride sheet 110.

[0062] Next, as shown in Figure 5, water is supplied to the borohydride sheet 110 from the water supply unit 70. Specifically, in this embodiment, water in a gaseous state (water vapor) is supplied to the borohydride sheet 110. By supplying water to the borohydride sheet 110, the hydrogen generation function of the borohydride sheet 110 is regenerated.

[0063] As described above, after the hydrogen generation function of the borohydride sheet 110 is regenerated, the borohydride sheet 110 is irradiated with light again to generate hydrogen from the borohydride sheet 110. In this way, hydrogen can be continuously generated by repeatedly irradiating the borohydride sheet 110 with light to generate hydrogen from the borohydride sheet 110 and supplying water to the borohydride sheet 110 to regenerate the hydrogen generation function of the borohydride sheet 110. After the regeneration mode is completed, oxygen and water vapor remain in the reaction vessel 32, but in the next hydrogen generation mode, the hydrogen mixed with oxygen and water vapor can be sent to the purification unit 40 to separate the oxygen as an impure gas from the hydrogen.

[0064] Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described. In the hydrogen generator 20 of this embodiment, the control unit 100 executes a hydrogen generation mode and a regeneration mode. In the hydrogen generation mode, light of a specific wavelength (in this case, ultraviolet light) is irradiated onto the boron hydride sheet 110 from the light source 36. When ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the boron hydride sheet 110, hydrogen is generated from the boron hydride sheet 110. In the regeneration mode, water is supplied to the boron hydride sheet 110 from the water supply unit 70. When water is supplied to the boron hydride sheet 110, the hydrogen generation function of the boron hydride sheet 110 is regenerated. In this way, the hydrogen generator 20 makes it possible to continuously generate hydrogen from the hydrogen generation material by having the control unit 100 repeatedly execute the hydrogen generation mode and the regeneration mode.

[0065] Furthermore, in the hydrogen generator 20, hydrogen is generated from the borohydride sheet 110 by irradiating the borohydride sheet 110 with light. Therefore, compared to a device that generates hydrogen by heating the borohydride sheet 110 with a heater, for example, the hydrogen generator 20 can immediately switch to regeneration mode without having to lower the temperature of the borohydride sheet 110 to a predetermined temperature when transitioning to regeneration mode. As a result, the hydrogen generator 20 can shorten the hydrogen generation cycle.

[0066] In the hydrogen generator 20 of this embodiment, hydrogen is generated from the boric acid sheet 110 when ultraviolet light is irradiated onto it. Here, the boric acid sheet 110 generates hydrogen when irradiated with ultraviolet light, even at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. In this way, the hydrogen generator 20 is configured to apply ultraviolet light to the boric acid sheet 110, so there is no need to provide a heating device or pressurizing device in the container. In other words, the hydrogen generator 20 can continuously generate hydrogen with a simple configuration.

[0067] In the hydrogen generation apparatus 20 of this embodiment, since light is irradiated onto the borohydride sheet 110 from the light source 36, hydrogen can be stably generated from the borohydride sheet 110.

[0068] In the hydrogen generator 20 of this embodiment, the water supply unit 70 supplies water in a gaseous state to the borohydride sheet 110, making it possible to supply water evenly to the borohydride sheet 110.

[0069] In the hydrogen generator 20 of this embodiment, the concentration of hydrogen generated in the reaction vessel 32 is increased in the purification unit 40. In this way, the hydrogen generator 20 can deliver hydrogen that meets a predetermined concentration to the target object 200.

[0070] In the hydrogen generation apparatus 20 of this embodiment, the first flow path 82 and the second flow path 84 are switched by a switching valve 50 controlled by the control unit 100. In this configuration, the hydrogen generation apparatus 20 can improve the hydrogen supply rate to the target object 200 compared to a configuration in which, for example, all the hydrogen generated in the reaction vessel 32 is produced in the purification unit 40.

[0071] In the hydrogen generator 20 of this embodiment, the control unit 100 controls the switching valve 50 so that when the hydrogen concentration information (measurement information) received from the measurement unit 60 is lower than a preset threshold, hydrogen flows into the first channel 82, and when the hydrogen concentration information is equal to or greater than the threshold, hydrogen flows into the second channel 84. This makes it possible to supply hydrogen that meets a predetermined concentration to the target object 200 while improving the hydrogen supply rate to the target object 200. In other words, the hydrogen generator 20 can supply hydrogen of a predetermined concentration to the target object 200 at a predetermined supply rate.

[0072] The hydrogen generation method of this embodiment includes applying light to a hydrogen generating material that generates hydrogen when it receives light of a specific wavelength and whose hydrogen generation function can be regenerated by the supply of water, thereby generating hydrogen from the hydrogen generating material, and supplying water to the hydrogen generating material to regenerate the hydrogen generation function of the hydrogen generating material.

[0073] (Examples) Next, in order to demonstrate the effects of this disclosure, the following evaluation was performed. The evaluation was carried out using the hydrogen generation apparatus 20 described above. As the borohydride sheet 110, a borohydride sheet dispersion was prepared by dispersing 5.56 mg of borohydride sheet in acetonitrile solvent. Quartz wool was packed into a quartz tube made of quartz, and the borohydride sheet dispersion was dropped into it and dried. This quartz tube was set at the bottom of the reaction vessel 32, and the following experiment was carried out.

[0074] First, a mercury xenon lamp was used as the light source 36 to irradiate the borohydride sheet with ultraviolet light for 21 hours (hydrogen generation mode). During this time, a total of approximately 82 micromoles of hydrogen were generated from the borohydride sheet.

[0075] Subsequently, the amount of hydrogen generated was measured while the sample was irradiated with light for another 8 hours. The amount of hydrogen generated was measured using a known device called a gas chromatograph, and the cumulative amount of hydrogen generated over one hour was recorded.

[0076] After generating hydrogen in this manner, water vapor was introduced into the quartz tube under sealed conditions and reacted with the hydrogen boride sheet for approximately 17 hours (regeneration mode). The reaction temperature at this time was room temperature. After the regeneration mode, light irradiation was performed again for 8 hours (hydrogen generation mode). This operation was repeated to continuously generate hydrogen. In Figure 6, the symbol A indicates the duration of the hydrogen generation mode, and the symbol B indicates the duration of the regeneration mode.

[0077] As shown in Figure 7 of the experimental results, hydrogen can be repeatedly generated by repeating this operation. Furthermore, in this experiment, it was found that approximately 1.2 times the amount of hydrogen that the borohydride sheet held during synthesis could be generated.

[0078] (Other embodiments) In the hydrogen generation apparatus 20 of the above-described embodiment, a light source 36 is used as an example of a light-applying unit, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, as in the hydrogen generation apparatus 22 shown in Figures 8 to 11, a shielding member 136 may be used as an example of a light-applying unit. Specifically, in the hydrogen generation apparatus 22, the generation unit 130 is composed of a reaction vessel 32 and a shielding device 132. The shielding device 132 includes a shielding member 136 capable of shielding the transparent portion 34 of the reaction vessel 32 from light of a specific wavelength from the outside (for example, sunlight including ultraviolet light). This shielding member 136 is wound around a rotating shaft of the shielding device 132 and is unwound by the rotation of the rotating shaft to shield the transparent portion 34. In this embodiment, the shielding device 132 is an electric shutter as an example, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The structure of the shielding member is not particularly limited as long as it can shield the transparent portion 34. For example, the shielding member may be a double door or a single door. Figure 9 shows the control system of the control unit 140 of the hydrogen generator 22. The control unit 140 controls the opening and closing of the shielding device 132 instead of the light source 36, as controlled by the control unit 100. Figure 10 shows the hydrogen generation mode of the control unit 140. In hydrogen generation mode, the control unit 140 controls the shielding device 132 so that the shielding member 136 opens (in other words, becomes unshielded), and light of a specific wavelength is taken into the reaction vessel 32 from the outside. As a result, light of a specific wavelength is applied to the boron hydride sheet 110, and hydrogen is generated from the boron hydride sheet 110. In regeneration mode, as shown in Figure 11, the control unit 140 controls the shielding device 132 so that the shielding member 136 closes (in other words, becomes shielded), and light of a specific wavelength from the outside is shielded. Thus, in the hydrogen generation device 22, when the shielding member 136 is not shielding the transparent portion 34 (unshielded state), light of a specific wavelength from the outside is applied to the borohydride sheet 110, and hydrogen is generated from the borohydride sheet 110. In this way, the hydrogen generation device 20 generates hydrogen using light from the outside, so the cost of hydrogen generation can be reduced.

[0079] In the hydrogen generators 20 and 22 of the above-described embodiments, a heating device may be provided in the reaction vessel 32. Specifically, a heating device may be provided in the reaction vessel 32 from the viewpoint of drying water droplets that adhere to the inner wall surface of the vessel by supplying gaseous water (water vapor) into the reaction vessel 32 (from the viewpoint of eliminating condensation). Note that if the borohydride sheet is below 150°C, there is no need to cool it when supplying water, so it is preferable to perform water droplet drying using the heating device at a temperature of less than 150°C. In addition, raising the temperature inside the reaction vessel 32 above room temperature promotes the reaction in which hydrogen is generated from the borohydride sheet 110 inside the reaction vessel 32.

[0080] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to examples, these embodiments are merely examples and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the disclosure. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of rights of this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 20 Hydrogen generator 22 Hydrogen generator 30 Generation part 32 reaction vessel 34 Transparent part 36 light source 38 Exhaust pipe 40 Refining Department 50 Switching valve 60 Measuring part 70 Water supply section 72 Supply route 74 Vaporizer 80 channels 82 First channel 84 Second flow path 100 Control Unit 100a CPU 100b ROM 100c RAM 100d I / O ports 100e bus 110 Boric Acid Sheets 130 Generation part 132 Shielding device 136 Shielding member 140 Control Unit 200 Objects

Claims

1. A container for housing a hydrogen-generating material that generates hydrogen when exposed to light of a specific wavelength and whose hydrogen generation function can be regenerated by supplying water, A light-applying unit that applies the light to the hydrogen-generating material, A water supply unit that supplies water to the hydrogen generating material, A control unit is configured to control the light-applying unit and the water-supplying unit, and to execute a hydrogen generation mode in which hydrogen is generated from the hydrogen-generating material by the application of light, and a regeneration mode in which the hydrogen generation function of the hydrogen-generating material is regenerated by the supply of water, A hydrogen generator equipped with the following features.

2. The hydrogen generating material is a hydrogen boride sheet containing boron and hydrogen. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light of the specified wavelength includes ultraviolet light.

3. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light-applying unit is a light source that irradiates the hydrogen generation material with the light.

4. The container has a transparent portion through which the light can pass, The light-emitting portion is a shielding member capable of shielding the light-transmitting portion from external light, The hydrogen generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the unshielded state of the transparent portion by the shielding member, the light transmitted through the transparent portion is applied to the hydrogen generating material.

5. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water supply unit supplies water in a gaseous state to the hydrogen generating material.

6. A channel for sending hydrogen generated in the container to the target object, A purification unit is provided in the aforementioned flow path to increase the concentration of the hydrogen, The hydrogen generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the following:

7. The flow path comprises a first flow path in which the purification section is provided, and a second flow path that bypasses the first flow path. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a switching valve is provided at the branching point between the first flow path and the second flow path, which is controlled by the control unit and switches between the first flow path and the second flow path.

8. The aforementioned flow path is further provided upstream of the branching section and includes a measuring unit for measuring the hydrogen concentration, The hydrogen generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the switching valve to flow the hydrogen into the first channel when the hydrogen concentration information is lower than a preset threshold, and to flow the hydrogen into the second channel when the concentration information is equal to or greater than the threshold.

9. The method involves applying light to a hydrogen-generating material that generates hydrogen upon receiving light of a specific wavelength and whose hydrogen-generating function can be regenerated by supplying water, thereby generating hydrogen from the hydrogen-generating material. By supplying water to the hydrogen generating material, the hydrogen generating function of the hydrogen generating material is restored. A method for producing hydrogen, including the following.

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