Hydrogen power generation system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a hydrogen power generation system that can effectively store hydrogen and generate electricity using the hydrogen. [Solution] The hydrogen power generation system (1) includes: a water electrolysis stack (2) that generates hydrogen through the reaction of water; a fuel cell (4) that generates electricity using hydrogen; and an MH unit (3) that is detachably connected to the water electrolysis stack (2) or the fuel cell (4), stores the hydrogen generated by the water electrolysis stack (2), and can supply the hydrogen to the fuel cell (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen power generation system. Background Art

[0002] In the past, a stand-alone hydrogen power generation system that supplies power without a commercial power source in the event of disasters such as earthquakes has been known.

[0003] As such a hydrogen power generation system, a system in which a hydrogen generation device (b) and a drinking water supply device (a) are integrally connected is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The hydrogen generation device (b) includes a hydrogen production device 3, and the drinking water supply device (a) includes a hydrogen storage alloy 7 that stores hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 3 and a fuel cell 8 that generates power using hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage alloy 7. In addition, the reference numerals are those in Patent Document 1.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: JP-A-2017-103198 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in the above structure, the hydrogen storage alloy 7 is always connected to the hydrogen production device 3 and the fuel cell 8, and thus there is a problem that it is impossible to store hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 3 and generate power by the fuel cell 8 at the same time.

[0009] Therefore, in order to provide a hydrogen power generation system capable of efficiently storing hydrogen and generating power using hydrogen, a technical problem to be solved has arisen, and an object of the present invention is to solve this problem.

[0010] Technical Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] To achieve the above object, the hydrogen power generation system of the present invention is the following hydrogen power generation system, which includes: a hydrogen generation device that generates hydrogen by reacting water; a power generation device that generates power using the hydrogen; and a cylindrical 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.

[0012] According to this structure, it is possible to appropriately disconnect the connection between the cylindrical hydrogen storage device and the hydrogen generation device or the power generation device, and it is possible to efficiently store hydrogen and generate power using hydrogen.

[0013] In addition, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, the cylindrical hydrogen storage device includes a tank for storing the hydrogen, a metal sheath in contact with the tank, and a housing for housing the sheath.

[0014] Furthermore, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, the sheath is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to be in contact with the outer periphery and the bottom surface of the tank.

[0015] Moreover, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, the cylindrical hydrogen storage device further includes a temperature adjustment member that is joined to the sheath and adjusts the temperature of the sheath.

[0016] In addition, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, a cooling device is further included, and the cooling device supplies cold water to a cold water path formed in the temperature adjustment member to cool the sheath.

[0017] Furthermore, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, the cylindrical hydrogen storage device further includes a heater that is buried in the temperature adjustment member and heats the sheath.

[0018] In addition, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, a hydrogen storage alloy is housed in the tank.

[0019] Furthermore, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, the hydrogen generation device is a water electrolysis stack that generates hydrogen by electrolysis of water.

[0020] Moreover, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, the hydrogen generation device further includes: a renewable energy power generation device, and a secondary battery that stores the electric power generated by the renewable energy power generation device.

[0021] Furthermore, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, the power generation device is a fuel cell, and the hydrogen power generation system further includes a waste heat reuse mechanism that uses the waste heat of the fuel cell to heat the outside air inhaled into the fuel cell.

[0022] Furthermore, in the hydrogen power generation system according to the present invention, preferably, the housing accommodating the fuel cell communicates with the reflux pipe through an exhaust side opening provided on the exhaust side with respect to the fuel cell in the flow direction of the air flowing in the housing and an intake side opening provided on the intake side with respect to the fuel cell; the exhaust heat reuse mechanism includes: a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the external air inhaled into the fuel cell; a damper that can open and close the exhaust side opening, and the exhaust side opening allows or blocks the inflow of air from the housing to the reflux pipe through the exhaust side opening; a fan that conveys the air in the reflux pipe to the housing through the intake side opening; and a controller that, when the temperature of the external air is below a specified temperature, opens the damper and drives the fan so that the air heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell returns to the external air.

[0023] Advantages of the Invention

[0024] The present invention can appropriately disconnect the connection between the cylindrical hydrogen storage device and the hydrogen generation device or the power generation device, and can efficiently store hydrogen and generate electricity using hydrogen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a hydrogen power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the exhaust heat reuse mechanism;

[0027] Figure 3 FIG. is a plan view showing the structure of the MH unit;

[0028] Figure 4 Along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken along line A - A in;

[0029] Figure 5 Along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view taken along line B - B in. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In addition, hereinafter, when referring to the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of components, unless otherwise specifically stated and unless it is clearly limited to a specific quantity in principle, it is not limited to that specific quantity, and can be more than a specific quantity or less than a specific quantity.

[0031] In addition, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components, etc., except for cases where it is specifically indicated and cases where it is clearly not the case in principle, etc., it includes cases where it is substantially similar or analogous to the shape, etc.

[0032] Furthermore, in order to facilitate understanding of the features, the drawings sometimes exaggerate the characteristic parts, such as magnifying them, and the dimensional ratios of the components are not necessarily the same as the actual ones. In addition, in sectional views, in order to facilitate understanding of the sectional structure of the components, the sectional lines of some components are sometimes omitted.

[0033] In addition, in the present embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up and down, left and right are not absolute. They are appropriate when each component is in the posture depicted in the drawings, but when the posture changes, it should be interpreted by making changes according to the change in the posture.

[0034] The hydrogen power generation system 1 of the present invention efficiently generates hydrogen and generates electricity using 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.

[0035] 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 causing the pure water refined by the pure water purification device 22 to react at the cathode by applying electricity to the electrodes. In addition, the decomposed oxygen is discharged into the atmosphere. Furthermore, after hydrogen generation is performed in the hydrogen generation device 2, by automatically pumping the pipes inside the water electrolysis stack 21 and the pure water purification device 22 and the pipes connecting them, it is possible to prevent the water remaining inside the pipes from freezing.

[0036] The water electrolysis stack 21 has a known structure. Preferably, a solid polymer water electrolysis device is used. For example, the water electrolysis stack 21 can be considered to adopt the electrolysis stack QL - 500 (manufactured by Shandong Saikesaisi Hydrogen Energy). The water electrolysis stack 21 requires 400 - 600 W of power by the power supply from a solar cell 23 described later, and the hydrogen production amount is 1.0 L / min (0.35 MPa Max).

[0037] In addition, the water used by the water electrolysis stack 21 to generate hydrogen is preferably pure water, but as long as it is water that can generate hydrogen, it can also be commercially available drinking water or tap water.

[0038] The hydrogen generation device 2 preferably includes a solar cell 23 as a renewable energy power generation device and a secondary battery 24. Thereby, it is possible to supply the electricity used in the water electrolysis stack 21 using the electricity generated by the solar cell 23 and stored in the secondary battery 24.

[0039] As long as the renewable energy power generation device is a power generation device that generates electricity based on an energy resource that is stably or repeatedly replenished by sunlight, wind power, wave energy, small hydropower, running water, tides, geothermal energy, biomass, etc., or a combination of these natural forces, it can be any power generation device. For example, the solar cell 23 can be considered to adopt a solar cell of CS6P-250P (manufactured by CanadianSolar).

[0040] The secondary battery 24 is preferably a lead battery or a lithium-ion battery. For example, the secondary battery 24 can be considered to adopt YT-B24R (manufactured by Optima), etc.

[0041] The hydrogen gas generated by the water electrolysis stack 21 sequentially passes through the cooling tank 25, the gas-water separator 26, and the dehumidifier 27. The cooling tank 25 cools the hydrogen gas, and the gas-water separator 26 removes the moisture contained in the hydrogen gas. By cooling the hydrogen gas by the cooling tank 25, the removal of moisture in the gas-water separator 26 can be efficiently performed. The dehumidifier 27 dehumidifies the hydrogen gas by passing the hydrogen gas through the silica gel filled inside. In the dehumidifier 27, the hydrogen gas from which moisture has been removed via the cooling tank 25 and the gas-water separator 26 passes, so that the accumulation of water in the dehumidifier 27 can be suppressed. In this way, the accumulation of water in the MH unit 3 described later can be suppressed.

[0042] The MH unit 3 is a cylindrical hydrogen storage device capable of storing and releasing hydrogen gas, and is detachably connected to the hydrogen generation device 2 or the fuel cell 4. The structure of the MH unit 3 will be described later.

[0043] A plurality of MH units 3 connected in parallel with the water electrolysis stack 21 via the storage hydrogen gas pipeline L1 respectively store the hydrogen gas generated by the water electrolysis stack 21. A plurality of MH units 3 can be connected to the water electrolysis stack 21 at the same time. In addition, the plurality of MH units 3 are housed in an isolated space isolated from the outside, and a sensor (not shown in the figure) for detecting hydrogen gas leakage is provided in this space. In addition, the reference numeral 24 denotes an explosion-proof solenoid valve provided in the storage hydrogen gas pipeline L1.

[0044] The hydrogen power generation system 1 includes a cooling device 5 that cools the MH unit 3 when hydrogen gas is occluded. The cooling device 5 includes a cold water tank 51 that is connected to the MH unit 3 via a cold water pipeline L2 and stores the cold water supplied to the MH unit 3, a cooler 52 that cools the cold water in the cold water tank 51, and a pump 53 that transports the cold water from the cold water tank 51 to the MH unit 3.

[0045] The fuel cell 4 is usually installed at a position far from the hydrogen generation device 2. The fuel cell 4 is a power generation device that can continuously output electric power by supplying hydrogen gas to the anode and supplying oxygen gas to the cathode, and causing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to react in a normal temperature or high temperature environment.

[0046] As the fuel cell 4, for example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is known which generates electricity by supplying an oxidant to the positive electrode across an ion exchange membrane and hydrogen as a reducing agent.

[0047] The electricity obtained from the fuel cell 4 can be used as the electricity supplied to the household AC power supply. The power supplied by the household AC power supply is 100 to 200V. Such a household AC power supply can be used as the power supply for portable terminals required in case of disasters and the power supply for household electrical appliances such as household TVs.

[0048] The fuel cell 4 is connected to a plurality of MH units 3 via a hydrogen release pipeline L3. The fuel cell 4 generates electricity by releasing hydrogen from the MH unit 3 in a state where hydrogen is occluded. In addition, the plurality of MH units 3 are housed in an isolated space isolated from the outside. In addition, reference numeral 41 denotes an explosion-proof solenoid valve provided in the hydrogen release pipeline L3.

[0049] In addition, when the fuel cell 4 generates electricity by reacting oxygen contained in the outside air with hydrogen supplied from the MH unit 3, there is a concern about generating an overflow that may cause a failure of the battery unit 4a when the intake temperature of the outside air obtained by the plurality of battery units 4a is low (for example, 15°C or lower). Therefore, as shown in (a) and (b) of Figure 2 , it is preferable to provide a heat recovery and reuse mechanism 42 which returns at least a part of the exhaust gas during power generation to the intake side to heat the outside air when the intake temperature is low. Thereby, the overflow can be suppressed.

[0050] The heat recovery and reuse mechanism 42 includes: a temperature sensor 43 for measuring the temperature of the outside air (intake temperature) sucked through the fuel cell 4; a damper 44 provided with an exhaust side opening h1 that communicatively opens and closes the outer casing c and a return pipe d provided above the outer casing c; a fan 45 that returns the air in the return pipe d to the outer casing c via an intake side opening h2 that communicatively connects the outer casing c and the return pipe d; and a controller 46 that controls their operations.

[0051] The exhaust side opening h1 is provided on the exhaust side with respect to the fuel cell 4 in the flow direction of the air flowing in the outer casing c, and the intake side opening h2 is provided on the intake side with respect to the fuel cell 4 in the flow direction of the air flowing in the outer casing c. In addition, reference numeral 44a denotes a drive motor that moves the damper 44 forward and backward.

[0052] When the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 43 is below a specified temperature, as shown in Figure 2As shown in (a) thereof, by opening the air damper 44 and driving the fan 45, the air heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell 4 is mixed with the outside air through the exhaust side opening h1, the reflux pipe d, and the intake side opening h2, thereby heating the outside air.

[0053] On the other hand, when the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 43 is higher than the specified temperature, as Figure 2 shown in (b) thereof, by closing the air damper 44 and stopping the fan 45, the air heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell 4 is directly discharged to the outside.

[0054] Thus, by heating the outside air using the exhaust heat of the fuel cell 4, it is possible to simply suppress the overflow without additionally providing a large-scale piping or the like.

[0055] Next, based on Figures 3 to 5 the structure of the MH unit 3 will be described. The MH unit 3 includes two cans 31, a sheath 32, a temperature adjustment member 33, and a housing 34.

[0056] The can 31 is a hydrogen storage bottle containing a hydrogen storage alloy. The capacity of the can 31 is, for example, 500 NL. As the hydrogen storage alloy, for example, AB2 type, AB5 type, BCC solid solution type, Ti-Fe system, V system, Mg alloy, Pd system, Ca system alloy, etc. are known, but not limited thereto. It should be noted that the hydrogen storage device may be, for example, an organic hydride, a liquid hydrogen tank, a high-pressure hydrogen tank, etc. in addition to the above MH unit 3, but the hydrogen storage alloy is preferred in terms of having few auxiliary devices and being easy to operate.

[0057] The sheath 32 is made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity such as copper. The sheath 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to be in contact with the outer periphery and the bottom surface of the can 31, and houses the can 31. In addition, as long as the sheath 32 is in contact with at least a part of the can 31, it may be in any form. For example, it may also be in contact only with the outer periphery of the sheath 32.

[0058] The temperature adjustment member 33 is disposed between the two cans 31 and joined to the sheath 32. The temperature adjustment member 33 is preferably made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity. For example, aluminum, iron, stainless steel, etc. can be considered.

[0059] A cold water path 33a formed in a U shape when viewed from the side is formed in the temperature adjustment member 33.

[0060] In addition, two cylindrical heaters 33b for heating the can 31 during hydrogen release are buried in the temperature adjustment member 33.

[0061] The outer shell 34 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Inside the outer shell 34, a pair of heat insulation members 35a and 35b that are divided into two halves in the vertical direction are provided. The heat insulation members 35a and 35b are accommodated in such a manner that the can body 31 is sandwiched therebetween. In addition, a handle (not shown in the figure) suitable for carrying the outer shell 34 is attached to the outer shell 34.

[0062] On the upper cover portion of the outer shell 34, a hydrogen connection 34a, a cold water input side connection 34b, a cold water output side connection 34c, and a heater power supply connection 34d are provided.

[0063] The hydrogen connection 34a is connected to the storage hydrogen gas pipeline L1 or the discharge hydrogen gas pipeline L3, and is connected to the two can bodies 31 via a pipe (not shown in the figure). In addition, by replacing the hydrogen gas pipeline connected to the hydrogen connection 34a, the connection between the can body 31 and the hydrogen generation device 2 or the fuel cell 4 can be switched.

[0064] The cold water input side connection 34b is connected to the cold water pipeline L2 that supplies cold water from the cold water tank 51, and is connected to the inlet end of the cold water path 33a via a pipe (not shown in the figure).

[0065] The cold water output side connection 34c is connected to the outlet end of the cold water path 33a via a pipe (not shown in the figure), and is connected to the cold water pipeline L2 that returns the cold water to the cold water tank 51.

[0066] The cold water input side connection 34b and the cold water output side connection 34c are connected to the cold water pipeline L2 during hydrogen occlusion, and are disconnected from the cold water pipeline L2 during hydrogen discharge.

[0067] Moreover, when storing the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device 2, the can body 31 in contact with the temperature adjustment member 33 is directly cooled by the cold water flowing in the cold water path 33a. Further, by cooling the temperature adjustment member 33, the can body 31 is indirectly cooled via the sheath 32. In addition, the temperature of the cold water is set such that the can body 31 during hydrogen occlusion is at a prescribed temperature (for example, 15°C).

[0068] The heater power supply connection 34d is connected to the heater power supply 6 via the power cable 61, and is connected to the cylindrical heater 33b via a cable (not shown in the figure). The heater power supply connection 34d is disconnected from the heater power supply 6 during hydrogen occlusion, and is connected to the heater power supply 6 during hydrogen release.

[0069] Then, when the cartridge heater 33b is activated, the temperature regulating member 33 is heated, and the can body 31 in contact with the temperature regulating member 33 is directly heated. Further, the can body 31 is indirectly heated via the sheath 32. In addition, the heating temperature of the cartridge heater 33b is set such that the temperature of the can body 31 when the MH unit 3 releases hydrogen is a specified temperature (for example, 30°C). In addition, the heating of the temperature regulating member 33 is not limited to the heating of the above-mentioned cartridge heater 33b. For example, it may also be a structure in which hot water flows in the cold water path 33a. By using the cartridge heater 33b in heating the can body 31, auxiliary equipment such as pipes and pumps for the flow of warm water, etc. are not required, and the can body 31 can be heated more efficiently than with warm water, etc.

[0070] In this way, the MH unit 3, in a state of being thermally insulated from the outside by the heat insulating members 35a and 35b, can efficiently store and release hydrogen without being affected by the external environment (for example, when the external air temperature is significantly higher than the cooling temperature, or when the external air temperature is significantly lower than the heating temperature, etc.) by performing cooling or heating of the can body 31.

[0071] In addition, preferably, a temperature sensor (not shown) for monitoring the temperature of the can body 31 is provided in the MH unit 3. Thus, for example, when the temperature of the can body 31 is 29°C or lower, the heating of the cartridge heater 33b is performed, and after the temperature of the can body 31 reaches 30°C, the heating of the cartridge heater 33b is stopped, etc., and the temperature of the can body 31 can be maintained at around 30°C.

[0072] In this way, the hydrogen power generation system 1 according to the present embodiment can appropriately cut off the connection between the MH unit 3 and the hydrogen generation device 2 or the fuel cell 4, and can efficiently store hydrogen and generate power using hydrogen.

[0073] The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and of course, the present invention also relates to the invention after such modification.

[0074] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0075] Reference numeral 1 denotes a hydrogen power generation system;

[0076] Reference numeral 2 denotes a hydrogen generation device;

[0077] Reference numeral 21 denotes a water electrolysis stack;

[0078] Reference numeral 22 denotes a pure water purification device;

[0079] Reference numeral 23 denotes a solar cell (renewable energy power generation device);

[0080] Reference numeral 24 denotes a secondary battery;

[0081] Reference numeral 3 denotes an MH unit (cylindrical hydrogen storage device);

[0082] Reference numeral 31 denotes a tank;

[0083] Reference numeral 32 denotes a sheath;

[0084] Reference numeral 33 denotes a temperature regulating component;

[0085] Reference numeral 33a denotes a cold water path;

[0086] Reference numeral 33b denotes a cylindrical heater;

[0087] Reference numeral 34 denotes a housing;

[0088] Reference numeral 34a denotes a hydrogen connection;

[0089] Reference numeral 34b denotes a cold water input side connection;

[0090] Reference numeral 34c denotes a cold water output side connection;

[0091] Reference numeral 34d denotes a heater power supply connection;

[0092] Reference numerals 35a and 35b denote heat insulation members;

[0093] Reference numeral 4 denotes a fuel cell;

[0094] Reference numeral 42 denotes a waste heat recovery mechanism;

[0095] Reference numeral 5 denotes a cooling device;

[0096] Reference numeral 51 denotes a cold water tank;

[0097] Reference numeral 52 denotes a cooler;

[0098] Reference numeral 53 denotes a pump;

[0099] Reference numeral 6 denotes a heater power supply;

[0100] Reference numeral 61 denotes a power cable;

[0101] Symbol L1 denotes a hydrogen pipeline for storage;

[0102] Symbol L2 denotes a cold water pipeline;

[0103] Symbol L3 denotes a hydrogen pipeline for discharge.

Claims

1. A hydrogen power generation system, characterized in that, The hydrogen power generation system includes: a hydrogen generation device that generates hydrogen through the reaction of water. The hydrogen generation device includes: a renewable energy power generation device; and a secondary battery that stores the electric power generated by the renewable energy power generation device. A fuel cell that generates electricity using the hydrogen described above; and A cylindrical hydrogen storage device that is detachably connected to the hydrogen generation device or the fuel cell, stores the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device, and can supply hydrogen to the fuel cell. A waste heat reuse mechanism that heats the external air inhaled into the fuel cell by using the waste heat of the fuel cell. Among them, the housing that houses the fuel cell communicates with a reflux pipe through an exhaust side opening disposed on the exhaust side with respect to the fuel cell in the flow direction of the air flowing in the housing and an intake side opening disposed on the intake side with respect to the fuel cell. The waste heat reuse mechanism includes: A temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the external air inhaled into the fuel cell. A damper that can open and close the exhaust side opening. The exhaust side opening allows or blocks the inflow of air from the housing to the reflux pipe through the exhaust side opening. A fan that conveys the air in the reflux pipe to the housing through the intake side opening; and A controller that, when the temperature of the external air is below a specified temperature, opens the damper and drives the fan in such a way that the air heated by the waste heat of the fuel cell returns to the external air.

2. The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 1, wherein The cylindrical hydrogen storage device includes: A tank body that stores the hydrogen. A metal sheath that contacts the tank body; and A housing that houses the sheath.

3. The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sheath is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to contact the outer circumference and the bottom surface of the tank body.

4. The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The cylindrical hydrogen storage device further includes a temperature adjustment component that is joined to the sheath and adjusts the temperature of the sheath.

5. The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that, It further includes a cooling device that supplies cold water to a cold water path formed in the temperature adjustment component to cool the sheath.

6. The hydrogen power generation system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The cylindrical hydrogen storage device further includes a heater buried in the temperature adjustment component and heating the sheath.

7. The hydrogen power generation system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, A hydrogen storage alloy is housed in the tank body.

8. The hydrogen power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The hydrogen generation device is a water electrolyzer that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water.

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