Hydrogen gas storing device

Abstract

A plurality of MH tank modules (13) each include a cylindrical porous member (14). The porous member (14) is formed as a hydrogen flow path (15) through which hydrogen can flow and has straight grooves formed on the outer circumferential surface. A plurality of fins (17) are attached to the porous member (14). A first edge and a second edge of each fin (17) are fitted in different grooves. The fins (17) define a plurality of accommodation chambers (19) for accommodating MH powder P. The MH tank modules (13) are accommodated in the housing while being arranged adjacent to each other to form a predetermined shape. Heat medium pipes (22a, 22b) are arranged in the housing (12) so as to contact the fins (17) and correspond to the accommodation chambers (19). Heat medium flows through the heat medium pipes (22a, 2b). Therefore, it is possible to provide a hydrogen gas storing device that easily increases the number of places to be installed in and facilitates the installment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a hydrogen gas storing device.BACKGROUND ART[0002]As a hydrogen storage tank, there is known a technique in which powdered hydrogen absorbing metal (hereinafter, referred to as MH) is accommodated in a tank, and MH absorbs and stores hydrogen, and releases hydrogen to be utilized.[0003]MH has a property of generating heat when storing hydrogen and a property of absorbing heat when releasing hydrogen. Each time MH stores and releases hydrogen, the MH generates or absorbs heat. Therefore, a hydrogen storage tank using MH may be provided with a function of a heat exchanger that heats and cools the MH.[0004]As one example of a hydrogen storage tank that accommodates MH and has a function as an heat exchanger, a heat exchanger incorporating metal hydride has been proposed, in which an inner space between a sealed cylinder and a hydrogen pipe therein is divided into a plurality of small chambers with partitions, and each small chamber ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026]In this case, the curved portions reinforce the fins so that the fins have an increased strength against forces in a direction opposite to the direction of the recess. Therefore, even if the hydrogen absorbing metal filling the accommodation chambers is thermally expanded when absorbing hydrogen, and an outward force acts on the fins, the fins are prevented from being damaged.

Problems solved by technology

However, when the heat exchanger incorporating metal hydride disclosed in Patent Document 1 is installed on, for example, an electric vehicle having a fuel cell, a space having desired shape and size cannot be secured at a planned installation position (for example, between the axle of the rear wheels and the rear seats), and, in some cases, the heat exchanger cannot be installed.

In this case, if the size of the heat exchanger is reduced, the single heat exchanger cannot provide performance required for an electric vehicle having a fuel cell.

Therefore, the heat exchanger incorporating metal hydride disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a disadvantage in that it can be installed in only limited locations.

However, in this case, each of the heat exchangers needs to be fixed to the vehicle separately, which makes the installation of the heat exchangers troublesome.

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