Hydrogen coloring device and fuel cell vehicle provided with hydrogen coloring device

Abstract

This hydrogen coloring device is equipped with: a hydrogen tank; a fusible plug valve connected to the hydrogen tank; a colorant tank connected to the hydrogen tank via the fusible plug valve and accommodating a colorant; an ejector, connected to the colorant tank, that mixes the colorant with hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank through the fusible plug valve; and a branch line, connected to the fusible plug valve and the colorant tank, that diverts at least a portion of the hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank through the fusible plug valve to the colorant tank, wherein the hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank through the fusible plug valve changes at least a portion of the internal pressure of the colorant tank.

Description

Hydrogen coloring device and fuel cell vehicle equipped with hydrogen coloring device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen coloring device and a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a hydrogen coloring device.

[0002] Automobiles that run on fuels such as gasoline have a large environmental impact due to the exhaust gases they emit. To address this issue, fuel cell vehicles, which reduce the environmental impact, have been developed in recent years. In fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen gas is supplied to one electrode (the fuel electrode) and oxygen gas is supplied to the other electrode (the air electrode). The hydrogen and oxygen react chemically in the fuel cell to generate electrical energy, which drives the motor and powers the vehicle.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-071830

[0004] In the event of a fire in a fuel cell vehicle, hydrogen must be safely discharged to prevent the hydrogen tank from exploding due to high temperatures. At this time, the discharged hydrogen gas and hydrogen flame are colorless and transparent and cannot be seen. While the surrounding flammable materials or sea salt particles may become visible due to the flame becoming entrained, this is not always possible depending on the conditions. Therefore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-146893 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "Publication") discloses a structure for coloring the discharged hydrogen flame by mixing a colorant that colors the hydrogen flame through a flame color reaction with the discharged hydrogen. However, the second group of mechanical elements described in the first embodiment of the disaster prevention equipment in the Publication requires a pressurized container for discharging the colorant, which is cost-intensive. Meanwhile, the second embodiment of the disaster prevention equipment in the Publication discloses a technology for discharging the colorant using the Venturi effect. However, due to pressure loss in the hydrogen discharge pipe, there is a high possibility that the pressure in the hydrogen discharge pipe will be higher than the pressure in the colorant tank, making stable hydrogen flame coloration difficult to achieve.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a hydrogen coloring device that can detect hydrogen gas or hydrogen flames discharged from a hydrogen tank regardless of pressure loss in the hydrogen discharge piping, and a fuel cell vehicle equipped with such a hydrogen coloring device.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a hydrogen coloring device comprising: a hydrogen tank; a fusible plug valve connected to the hydrogen tank; a colorant tank connected to the hydrogen tank via the fusible plug valve and containing a colorant; an ejector connected to the colorant tank and mixing the colorant with hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank through the fusible plug valve; and a branch path connected to the fusible plug valve and the colorant tank, which branches at least a portion of the hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank through the fusible plug valve and leads it to the colorant tank, wherein the hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank through the fusible plug valve changes at least a portion of the internal pressure of the colorant tank.

[0007] As described above, the present disclosure provides a hydrogen coloring device that can detect hydrogen gas or hydrogen flames discharged from a hydrogen tank regardless of pressure loss in the hydrogen discharge piping, and a fuel cell vehicle equipped with the hydrogen coloring device.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a fuel cell vehicle; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a hydrogen coloring device; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a colorant tank; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an ejector; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a colorant tank according to a modified example; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a colorant tank according to a modified example; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an ejector according to a modified example;

[0009] 1. Embodiments A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the dimensions and scale of each part in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions. The drawings are schematic for ease of understanding. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments unless otherwise specified to limit the present disclosure.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in which the hydrogen coloring device of the present disclosure is applied to a fuel cell vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "FCV") equipped with a high-pressure hydrogen tank (hereinafter simply referred to as "hydrogen tank"). As shown in FIG. 1 , the FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) of the present disclosure supplies hydrogen gas stored in a hydrogen tank 10 and air (oxygen gas) drawn in from the atmosphere to a fuel cell FC, and drives a motor MR using electrical energy generated by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen within the fuel cell FC. The FCV of the present disclosure is equipped with a hydrogen coloring device 100 that can detect hydrogen gas or a hydrogen flame discharged from the hydrogen tank 10 regardless of pressure loss in the hydrogen discharge pipe R3, which will be described later.

[0011] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a hydrogen coloring device 100. The hydrogen coloring device 100 has a hydrogen tank 10, a fusible plug valve 20, a colorant tank 30, an ejector 40, and a branch path 50. In addition to the above elements, the hydrogen coloring device 100 according to this embodiment also has flow paths R1 to R3 and a valve V.

[0012] The hydrogen tank 10 is, for example, a tank with an oval external shape. The hydrogen tank 10 contains hydrogen gas to be supplied to a fuel cell FC. The hydrogen tank 10 has a housing with a three-layer structure consisting of a liner layer, a CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) layer, and a GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics) layer. The liner layer is the inner layer of the three-layer structure. The liner layer is made of a resin material such as polyethylene resin or polypropylene resin. The CFRP layer is the middle layer of the three-layer structure, and is wound around the liner layer. The CFRP layer is made of a resin material such as epoxy resin or unsaturated polyester resin. The GFRP layer is the outer layer of the three-layer structure, and is wound around the CFRP layer.

[0013] The hydrogen tank 10 is connected to flow path R1. A valve V is provided in flow path R1. The valve V is a valve mechanism that switches between open and closed states of flow path R1. When the valve V is open, high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank 10 is supplied to the fuel cell FC of the FCV via flow path R1. On the other hand, when the valve V is closed, the valve V blocks the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank 10 to the fuel cell FC.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2 , the fusible plug valve 20 is connected to a flow path R2 branching from flow path R1 and to a branch path 50. The fusible plug valve 20 is connected to the hydrogen tank 10 via flow paths R1 and R2. In other words, flow path R2 has the function of introducing hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank 10 into the branch path 50 via the fusible plug valve 20. A typical fusible plug can be used as the fusible plug, in which a fusible portion melts at a predetermined temperature when the internal pressure of the hydrogen tank 10 increases, thereby releasing the internal pressure to the outside of the container. Note that in the present disclosure, a typical spring-loaded safety valve or the like may be used instead of the fusible plug valve 20. When in a closed state, the fusible plug valve 20 cuts off the supply of high-pressure hydrogen gas from the hydrogen tank 10 to the branch path 50. On the other hand, if the fusible plug valve 20 is exposed to excessively high temperatures due to factors such as the FCV being involved in a fire, the fusible portion (e.g., a fusible alloy) melts and the valve opens. When the fusible plug valve 20 opens, the high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank 10 is discharged outside the FCV via the ejector 40. In other words, the fusible plug valve 20 functions as a safety valve that prevents the hydrogen tank 10 from rupturing or exploding by discharging the high-pressure hydrogen gas outside the FCV as a result of the fusible alloy melting.

[0015] 2 is connected to the hydrogen tank 10 via flow paths R1 and R2, but is not limited to this. The fusible plug valve 20 according to this embodiment may be provided directly on, for example, a neck valve (not shown) of the hydrogen tank 10.

[0016] The fusible alloy used in the fusible plug valve 20 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a low-melting-point alloy whose main component is zinc, indium, gallium, tin, bismuth, or lead, or an alloy such as wood metal, field metal, rose metal, or solder.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the colorant tank 30. The colorant tank 30 is connected to a branch line 50 and a hydrogen discharge pipe R3. The colorant tank 30 contains a colorant capable of producing a color by, for example, a flame color reaction with hydrogen gas. The colorant contained in the colorant tank 30 is discharged from the colorant tank 30 by the pressure of hydrogen gas supplied into the colorant tank 30 through the branch line 50 or by a synergistic effect, and introduced into the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. The synergistic effect is the synergistic effect of the negative pressure generated in the hydrogen discharge pipe R3 by the ejector 40 and the pressure of the hydrogen gas. The colorant tank 30 preferably has a double structure as shown in FIG. 3. That is, the colorant tank 30 has an outer layer 31, an inner layer 32 enclosed within the outer layer 31, and a space 33 formed by the outer layer 31 and the inner layer 32.

[0018] The outer layer 31 is connected to the branch passage 50 and the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. The outer layer 31 accommodates at least a portion of the inner layer 32. The outer layer 31 is made of, for example, a rigid material that can suppress damage when an external impact is applied to the FCV. Examples of such rigid materials include ordinary metal materials and fiber-reinforced plastics. In particular, it is preferable to use steel or flame-retardant CFRP, which are materials that combine flame retardancy and rigidity.

[0019] The inner layer 32 is connected to the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. An internal space 32R (first space) of the inner layer 32 is connected to a suction port 40b (described later) of the ejector 40 via the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. In contrast, in this embodiment, the internal space 32R is not directly connected to the branch path 50, and the internal space 32R and the branch path 50 are not in communication with each other. The inner layer 32 is made of a material with lower rigidity than the outer layer 31. In particular, in this embodiment, the inner layer 32 is preferably made of a soft material that can contract due to hydrogen gas supplied from the branch path 50 into the space 33. Furthermore, the inner layer 32 is preferably made of a material that is both flame-retardant and liquid-sealing. Specifically, the material of the inner layer 32 is, for example, a resin-laminated flame-retardant woven fabric.

[0020] There are no particular restrictions on the location where the colorant tank 30 is provided in the FCV, but it is preferable that it be located close to the hydrogen tank 10. In this embodiment, the hydrogen tank 10 and the colorant tank 30 may be in contact with each other, or another member such as a tank housing case may be interposed between the hydrogen tank 10 and the colorant tank 30.

[0021] The inner layer 32 contains a colorant, which may be a solution containing at least one of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, calcium, strontium, barium, radium, molybdenum, copper, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, tin, lead, phosphorus, and antimony. The colorant is preferably an aqueous solution of a water-soluble element from the above-listed elements.

[0022] The amount of colorant contained in the inner layer 32 is not particularly limited, but is set to an amount that will not be depleted by the time the hydrogen gas is discharged from the hydrogen tank 10 that is filled to the brim with hydrogen gas.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 , the space 33 (second space) is defined by the inner surface of the outer layer 31 and the outer surface of the inner layer 32. The space 33 communicates with the branch path 50. In contrast, in this embodiment, the space 33 is not directly connected to the hydrogen discharge pipe R3 and does not communicate with the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. Another portion G2 of the high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank 10 through the fusible plug valve 20 is supplied to the space 33 via the branch path 50. As a result, the hydrogen gas G2 (see FIG. 2 ) discharged from the hydrogen tank 10 through the fusible plug valve 20 changes at least a portion of the internal pressure of the colorant tank 30. In other words, the hydrogen gas G2 flows into the space 33, which is part of the internal space of the colorant tank 30, changing (increasing) the internal pressure of the space 33, thereby pressing the inner layer 32 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 ). As described above, since the inner layer 32 is made of a soft material, the inner layer 32 contracts due to the hydrogen gas G2, and the colorant in the internal space 32R is discharged to the ejector 40 side via the hydrogen discharge pipe R3.

[0024] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the ejector 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the ejector 40 has an inlet 40a, a suction port 40b, a discharge port 40c, and a nozzle 40N. A portion G1 of the high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged from the fusible plug valve 20 (hereinafter referred to as hydrogen gas G1) is supplied to the inlet 40a as the driving fluid of the ejector 40. Inside the ejector 40, a drop in static pressure occurs as the hydrogen gas G1 is sprayed at high speed from the nozzle 40N toward the discharge port 40c.

[0025] Due to the above-mentioned decrease in static pressure, the colorant is sucked as a suction fluid from suction port 40b toward discharge port 40c. Near the confluence of inlet 40a and suction port 40b, hydrogen gas G1 sprayed at high speed from nozzle 40N is mixed with the colorant sucked from suction port 40b toward discharge port 40c. The mixed fluid of hydrogen gas G1 and colorant (hereinafter simply referred to as "mixed fluid") is discharged from discharge port 40c to the outside of the FCV.

[0026] That is, the ejector 40 according to this embodiment mixes the hydrogen gas G1 with the colorant to generate a mixed fluid by injecting the hydrogen gas G1 from the nozzle 40N at high speed and sucking in the colorant. The ejector 40 then ejects this mixed fluid from the outlet 40c to the outside of the FCV. The mixed fluid ejected from the outlet 40c to the outside of the FCV can be colored by the flame color reaction of the colorant contained in the mixed fluid. This allows people around the FCV to visually detect hydrogen gas leakage from the FCV and to evacuate the FCV. However, the structure and mechanism of the ejector 40 are not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and any conventional technology may be employed as long as the ejector 40 is capable of mixing the colorant and hydrogen gas, and the structure and mechanism do not necessarily have to utilize a static pressure drop.

[0027] There are no particular limitations on the location where the ejector 40 is provided in the FCV, but it is preferable that the ejector 40 be provided in the vicinity of the hydrogen tank 10 and the colorant tank 30 .

[0028] 2, the branch path 50 (indicated by a thick solid line in FIG. 2) is connected to the fusible plug valve 20, the colorant tank 30, and the ejector 40. The branch path 50 guides the hydrogen gas G1 discharged from the fusible plug valve 20 to the ejector 40.

[0029] Furthermore, the branch path 50 according to this embodiment guides another portion G2 of the high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged from the fusible plug valve 20 (hereinafter referred to as hydrogen gas G2) to the colorant tank 30. As a result, the pressure inside the colorant tank 30 becomes greater than the pressure inside the ejector 40, and as shown in FIG. 3 , the inner layer 32 of the colorant tank 30 is compressed in the direction of the arrow by the hydrogen gas G2. As a result, the colorant contained in the inner layer 32 is pressure-fed to the suction port 40b of the ejector 40 via the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. Therefore, even if the ejector 40 has difficulty suctioning the colorant due to a change in the attitude of the FCV caused by some factor, such as an external impact to the FCV, an increase in pressure loss due to the long dimension of the hydrogen discharge pipe R3 connecting the ejector 40 and the colorant tank 30, or an increase in the internal pressure of the ejector 40 due to the long dimension of the hydrogen discharge pipe R3, the colorant is reliably supplied from the colorant tank 30 to the ejector 40. Therefore, compared to when the pressure inside the colorant tank 30 is not increased, the stability of ejecting the mixed fluid from the ejector 40 is improved.

[0030] While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications may be made. Specific modifications that may be made to the above-described embodiments are exemplified below.

[0031] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a colorant tank 310 according to a modified example. The colorant tank 310 has an inner layer 312, an outer layer 311 that accommodates the inner layer 312, and a space 313 formed by the inner layer 312 and the outer layer 311.

[0032] The inner layer 312 is connected to the branch path 50. Another portion G2 of the high-pressure hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank 10 through the fusible plug valve 20 is supplied to the inner layer 312. The inner layer 312 is made of a soft material that is less rigid than the outer layer 311 and expands due to the high-pressure hydrogen gas supplied from the branch path 50. As in the above-described embodiment, an example of such a soft material is a resin-laminated flame-retardant woven fabric.

[0033] The outer layer 311 houses the inner layer 312 and is connected to the ejector 40 via the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. The outer layer 311 is made of a rigid material that can suppress damage even when an impact force is applied to the FCV. Examples of such a rigid material include ordinary metal materials and fiber-reinforced plastics.

[0034] The space 313 (second space) is defined by the inner surface of the outer layer 311 and the outer surface of the inner layer 312, and communicates with the ejector 40 via the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. The space 313 contains the colorant of the above embodiment.

[0035] The branch path 50 according to the first modification guides high-pressure hydrogen gas (hydrogen gas G2) supplied from the hydrogen tank 10 via the fusible plug valve 20 into the internal space (first space) of the inner layer 312. As the inner layer 312 expands (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 ), the pressure in the outer layer 311 becomes greater than the pressure in the ejector 40. In other words, the hydrogen gas G2 increases the internal pressure of the space 313. The colorant contained in the space 313 is then pressure-fed to the suction port 40b of the ejector 40 via the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. As a result, similar to the above embodiment, the colorant is reliably supplied from the colorant tank 310 to the ejector 40.

[0036] 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a modified colorant tank 320. The colorant tank 320 has an outer layer 321 and a nozzle 320N provided in the outer layer 321.

[0037] The outer layer 321 contains the same colorant as in the above embodiment. The outer layer 321 has a nozzle 320N, one end of which is disposed inside the outer layer 321 and the other end of which is disposed outside the outer layer 321. The internal space of the outer layer 321 is connected to the hydrogen discharge pipe R3 via the nozzle 320N. The outer layer 321 is made of a rigid material that can suppress damage even when an impact force is applied to the FCV. Examples of such rigid materials include ordinary metal materials and fiber-reinforced plastics. The nozzle 320N is preferably flexible so that it can move in response to gravity or centrifugal force within the hydrogen tank 10. This allows the tip of the nozzle 320N to be positioned below the surface of the colorant regardless of the attitude of the FCV, allowing the colorant to be stably introduced into the ejector 40.

[0038] In the second modification, the branch path 50 guides the hydrogen gas G2 discharged through the fusible plug valve 20 into the internal space of the outer layer 321. The pressure inside the outer layer 321 becomes greater than the pressure inside the ejector 40 due to the inflowing hydrogen gas G2. The colorant contained in the internal space of the outer layer 321 is then pressure-fed to the suction port 40b of the ejector 40 via the hydrogen discharge pipe R3. This ensures that the colorant is reliably supplied from the colorant tank 320 to the ejector 40, similar to the above embodiment.

[0039] [Modification 3] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a simplified configuration example of a branch pipe 410 according to a modification, and is a cross-sectional view of the branch pipe 410. In the above embodiment, the branch pipe 410 may be used instead of the ejector 40. The branch pipe 410 has a melting member therein and also functions as the fusible plug valve 20 described above. Therefore, when the branch pipe 410 is used instead of the ejector 40, the fusible plug valve 20 may be omitted as necessary. As shown in FIG. 7, the branch pipe 410 has melting members 411 and 412. The melting member 411 is provided in a flow path 413 of the branch pipe 410 and blocks the inflow of hydrogen gas G1 into the flow path 413. The melting member 412 is provided in a flow path 414 of the branch pipe 410 and blocks the inflow of colorant. As shown in FIG. 7, the melting members 411 and 412 are integrally configured within the branch pipe 410. The melting elements 411, 412 are made of a material that melts when it reaches a predetermined temperature or higher. The melting elements 411, 412 may be made of the fusible alloy used in the fusible plug valve 20 of the above embodiment. When the melting elements 411, 412 melt, the flow paths 413, 414 open, and the mixed fluid of hydrogen gas and colorant is discharged outside the FCV. According to the third modification, the fusible plug valve 20 can be omitted, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0040] [Modification 4] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an ejector 510 according to a modification, and is a cross-sectional view of the ejector 510. In the above embodiment, the ejector 510 may be used instead of the ejector 40. In this case, the fusible plug valve 20 may be omitted as necessary. As shown in FIG. 8 , the ejector 510 has melting members 511 and 512. The ejector 510 has the same configuration as the ejector 40 of the above embodiment, except for the melting members 511 and 512. The melting member 511 is provided in a flow path 513 through which hydrogen gas G1 flows as a driving fluid for the ejector 510 and blocks the flow path 513. The melting member 512 is provided in a flow path 514 through which a colorant flows as a suction fluid for the ejector 510 and blocks the flow path 514. The melting members 511 and 512 are made of a material that melts when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. The melting members 511 and 512 may be made of the fusible alloy of the above embodiment. When the fusible members 511 and 512 melt, the flow paths 513 and 514 open, and the ejector 510 functions in the same way as the ejector 40 of the above embodiment. When the fusible plug valve 20 is omitted, the fusible member 511 functions as a safety valve that prevents rupture or explosion of the hydrogen tank 10 by discharging high-pressure hydrogen gas outside the FCV when it melts. According to the fourth modification, the fusible plug valve 20 can be omitted, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0041] [Variation 5] The ejector 40 of the above embodiment or the piping located downstream of the ejector 40 may be configured to have an alarm horn. The alarm horn is provided, for example, at the discharge port 40c, and sounds when the mixed fluid is discharged from the ejector 40. This allows people around the FCV to know that hydrogen gas is leaking from the FCV, even if the mixed fluid discharged from the ejector 40 does not cause a flame color reaction or show any color for some reason, and allows them to evacuate from the FCV.

[0042] [Variation 6] The colorant in the above embodiment is a solution containing an element that undergoes a flame color reaction, but is not limited to this, and colored ink or colored water (water that is colored before combustion) may be used instead of or in addition to the solution. This makes it possible to grasp the range to which the mixed fluid ejected from the ejector 40 (for example, a mixed fluid of colored ink and hydrogen gas G1, or a mixed fluid of colored water and hydrogen gas G1) has spread, even if the mixed fluid ejected from the ejector 40 does not ignite.

[0043] [Variation 7] The colorant of the above embodiment may contain a component that suppresses a flame. This makes it possible to expect that the fire will be extinguished quickly even if the mixed fluid discharged from the ejector 40 ignites. As the component that suppresses a flame in Variation 7, a typical extinguishing agent that can be used for hydrogen gas flames can be used, such as ammonium phosphate.

[0044] 3. Supplementary Information The hydrogen coloring device exemplified in the above embodiment may be applied to a hydrogen-powered vehicle other than a fuel cell vehicle, and the applications of the present disclosure are not particularly limited.

[0045] Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely descriptive or exemplary and are not limiting, meaning that the present invention may exhibit other effects in addition to or in place of the above-described effects that would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the description of this specification.

[0046] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. It is clear that a person skilled in the art of the technology to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10... Hydrogen tank 20... Fusible plug valve 30, 310, 320... Colorant tank 31, 311, 321... Outer layer 32, 312... Inner layer 40... Ejector 50... Branch path 100... Hydrogen coloring device

Claims

1. A hydrogen coloring device comprising: a hydrogen tank; a fusible plug valve connected to the hydrogen tank; a colorant tank connected to the hydrogen tank via the fusible plug valve and containing a colorant; an ejector connected to the colorant tank and mixing the colorant with hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank through the fusible plug valve; and a branch path connected to the fusible plug valve and the colorant tank, which branches at least a portion of the hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank through the fusible plug valve and leads it to the colorant tank, wherein the hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen tank through the fusible plug valve changes at least a portion of the internal pressure of the colorant tank.

2. The hydrogen coloring device according to claim 1, wherein the branch passage is further connected to the ejector, and a portion of the hydrogen gas discharged from the fusible plug valve is guided to the ejector, thereby causing the colorant contained in the colorant tank to be sucked into the ejector.

3. A hydrogen coloring device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the coloring agent tank includes an inner layer connected to the ejector, an outer layer that houses the inner layer and is connected to the branch path, and a second space defined by the outer layer and the inner layer, and the coloring agent contained in the first space, which is the internal space of the inner layer, is discharged when hydrogen gas discharged from the fusible plug valve increases the internal pressure of the second space.

4. A hydrogen coloring device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the coloring agent tank includes an inner layer connected to the branch path, an outer layer connected to the ejector, and a second space defined by the outer layer and the inner layer and containing the coloring agent, and wherein the coloring agent contained in the second space is discharged by hydrogen gas discharged from the fusible plug valve increasing the internal pressure of a first space, which is the internal space of the inner layer.

5. The hydrogen coloring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coloring agent is a flame-reactive coloring agent.

6. A hydrogen coloring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the colorant tank is disposed adjacent to the hydrogen tank.

7. A fuel cell vehicle equipped with the hydrogen coloring device according to claim 1 or 2.

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