A hydrogen production apparatus and a hydrogen production method with low temperature start-up

Abstract

The application provides a low-temperature starting hydrogen production device and method, and belongs to the technical field of hydrogen production.The device comprises a storage tank, a water tank, a low-temperature starting box, a water pump and the like.In the low-temperature starting box, a starting agent is used to react with solid water to generate heat and hydrogen, the generated heat is used to melt part of the solid water in the water tank, and the hydrogen is used to purge pipelines and a fuel cell system and the like.When part of the solid water in the water tank is melted into liquid water, a water pump is started to inject the liquid water into the storage tank, hydrogen production materials react with the water to generate heat and hydrogen, filtration and heat exchange are performed again, and finally, the purified hydrogen is introduced into a fuel cell to generate power.The application fully utilizes the heat generated in the hydrogen production process to melt the solid water, thereby reducing the demand of the hydrogen production device on reserve energy;the application has the advantages of compact structure, convenient operation, rapid response, good controllability of reaction, easy disassembly, high safety, low energy consumption and the like, and can be widely used in the field of fuel cell power sources in various low-temperature environments.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of hydrogen production, and particularly relates to a low-temperature starting hydrogen production device and a hydrogen production method. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, the hydrogen source technology bottleneck greatly limits the application development of fuel cell power supply. Especially in harsh environments (below zero), the on-site hydrogen production technology by water reaction needs to be broken through.

[0003] Patent (CN115432668A) discloses a low-temperature metal hydrogen production system, which belongs to the technical field of hydrogen production. The system comprises a reaction liquid storage tank, a reaction liquid water storage tank, a reactor, a gas-liquid separator, a drying pipe and a hydrogen storage tank. When in use, the reaction liquid in the reaction liquid storage tank is pumped into the reaction liquid water storage tank, and then pumped into the reactor. The reaction liquid reacts with the hydrogen production metal to generate hydrogen gas crude product. The hydrogen gas crude product enters the reaction liquid water storage tank through the reactor gas outlet, and then enters the gas-liquid separator through the reaction liquid water storage tank gas outlet. After gas-liquid separation, the hydrogen gas enters the drying pipe for drying. The dried hydrogen gas enters the hydrogen storage tank for storage. The system can produce hydrogen gas in a low-temperature environment of-30℃ to 0℃. The patent uses low-temperature resistant reaction liquid (calcium chloride aqueous solution, potassium chloride aqueous solution, ethanol / water mixed solution and isopropyl alcohol / water mixed solution) to overcome the low-temperature starting problem.

[0004] Patent (CN113428836A) discloses a hydrogen production device capable of operating in a low-temperature environment and a control method thereof. By arranging a heat-conducting frame in the hydrogen production device, the heat released by the hydrolysis reaction and the heat released during the operation of the fuel cell are fully utilized to continuously provide heat for the water tank. The heat generated during the hydrolysis process of the solid hydride and the heat generated during the operation of the fuel cell are reasonably utilized, so that the water path and the gas path of each component of the system and the water tank can maintain a high temperature during the operation of the system. When starting at low temperature, the patent uses an energy storage unit (lithium battery or lead-acid battery) to supply power. SUMMARY

[0005] The application provides a low-temperature starting hydrogen production device and a hydrogen production method to solve the problems of low-temperature starting difficulty, complex device structure and low integration in the existing hydrogen production technology, and realizes real-time and rapid hydrogen production.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the application provides the following technical scheme.

[0007] A low-temperature starting hydrogen production device comprises a storage tank 1, a hydrogen production material 2, a water tank 3, a solid water 4, a low-temperature starting box 5, a fuel cell 6, a starting agent 7, a heat preservation layer 8, a water pump 9, a one-way valve 10, a temperature sensor 11, a safety valve 12, a gas guide pipe 13, a gas outlet pipe 14, a water guide pipe 15 and a pipeline and valve.

[0008] The storage tank 1 stores hydrogen production material 2, the water tank 3 stores solid water 4, and the low-temperature starting box 5 stores the starting agent 7. The storage tank 1 is in close contact with the water tank 3, and the water tank 3 is also in close contact with the low-temperature starting box 5; the storage tank 1, the water tank 3 and the low-temperature starting box 5 are all wrapped by an insulation layer 8.

[0009] The low-temperature starting box 5 is connected to the water tank 3 via an air conduit 13. The water tank 3 is connected to the storage tank 1 via an air outlet pipe 14 and a water conduit 15. A one-way valve 10 is installed on the air outlet pipe 14. A water pump 9 is installed on the water conduit 15; the water pump 9 is powered by a stored energy source. The storage tank 1 is equipped with a temperature sensor 11 and a safety valve 12. The water tank 3 is connected to the fuel cell 6 via a gas pipeline and a pressure reducing valve is installed.

[0010] The initiator 7 has a higher reactivity than the hydrogen-generating material 2 and can react rapidly with the solid water 4. The initiator 7 is composed of one or more of calcium hydride, lithium hydride, lithium, or a lithium-aluminum alloy; the hydrogen-generating material 2 is composed of one or more of an aluminum-based material, magnesium hydride, sodium borohydride, or ammonia borane. The solid water 4 is ice and / or snow.

[0011] The hydrogen production method of the low-temperature start-up hydrogen production device comprises the following steps:

[0012] The hydrogen production material 2 is loaded into the storage tank 1, and the solid water 4 is loaded into the water tank 3; the starting agent 7 is loaded into the bottom of the low-temperature starting box 5, and then the solid water 4 is added. The starter 7 reacts with the solid water 4 in the low-temperature starter box 5 to produce hydrogen, water vapor and heat; the hydrogen and water vapor enter the water tank 3 through the air duct 13, and then pass through the gas pipeline to the fuel cell 6 to purge the various pipelines and the fuel cell system; the heat generated is conducted to the water tank 3, causing part of the solid water 4 to melt and generate liquid water; the water pump 9 transports the liquid water in the water tank 3 to the storage tank 1 through the water duct 15, and the liquid water reacts with the hydrogen-producing material 2 to produce hydrogen, water vapor and heat; the heat generated is conducted to the water tank 3, causing the solid water 4 to gradually melt until it is all converted into liquid water; the generated hydrogen and water vapor are transported from the outlet pipe 14 to below the liquid level in the water tank 3 through the one-way valve 10; the hydrogen is then passed through the gas pipeline to the fuel cell; as the reaction process proceeds, the temperature of the storage tank 1 and the water tank 3 gradually rises until it reaches equilibrium with the outside world.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0014] (1) When a traditional hydrogen production device is started at a low temperature, the first method is to use stored energy (lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries, etc.) to heat the water tank to convert solid water into liquid water. This method significantly increases the total mass and cost of the system. The second method is to use a low-freezing point mixed water solution. This method requires on-site preparation of the mixed water solution and is severely limited in special occasions such as the wild. The third method is to use heat-generating substances such as calcium oxide that react with water to react with solid water to generate heat. This method produces less heat.

[0015] (2) The initiator of the present invention reacts with naturally occurring solid water (ice, snow, etc.) to produce hydrogen, which is convenient and quick. The heat generated by the reaction is used to heat the solid water in the water tank, partially melting the solid water into liquid water. The hydrogen and water vapor are then passed through the gas pipeline to the fuel cell, purging the pipelines and the fuel cell system, etc., achieving two goals at one stroke.

[0016] (3) In the present invention, the hydrogen-producing material in the storage tank reacts with the liquid water to generate heat and hydrogen. The generated heat gradually melts the solid water in the water tank. The hydrogen is filtered through the water tank and enters the fuel cell, thereby achieving low-temperature startup and continuous and controllable hydrogen production.

[0017] (4) The storage tank, water tank and low-temperature starting box are integrated into one design to increase the contact area between them and enhance the heat transfer effect.

[0018] (5) The present invention has the advantages of compact structure, convenient operation, rapid response, good reaction controllability, easy disassembly, high safety, low energy consumption, etc., and can be widely used in the field of fuel cell power supply in various low-temperature environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the low-temperature start-up hydrogen production device of the present invention.

[0020] In the figure: 1 storage tank; 2 hydrogen production material; 3 water tank; 4 solid water; 5 low-temperature starting box; 6 fuel cell; 7 starting agent; 8 insulation layer; 9 water pump; 10 one-way valve; 11 temperature sensor; 12 safety valve; 13 air pipe; 14 outlet pipe; 15 water pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to understand the content, features and effects of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, a low-temperature start-up hydrogen production device includes a storage tank 1, a hydrogen production material 2, a water tank 3, solid water 4, a low-temperature start-up box 5, a fuel cell 6, a starter 7, an insulation layer 8, a water pump 9, a one-way valve 10, a temperature sensor 11, a safety valve 12, an air guide pipe 13, an air outlet pipe 14, a water guide pipe 15, and pipelines and valves.

[0023] The hydrogen production material 2 is stored in the storage tank 1, the solid water 4 is stored in the water tank 3, and the starting agent 7 is stored in the low-temperature starting tank 5; the storage tank 1 is in close contact with the water tank 3, and the water tank 3 is in close contact with the low-temperature starting tank 5; and the storage tank 1, the water tank 3 and the low-temperature starting tank 5 are all wrapped by the heat preservation layer 8.

[0024] The low-temperature starting tank 5 is connected with the water tank 3 through the gas guide pipe 13; the water tank 3 is connected with the storage tank 1 through the gas outlet pipe 14 and the water guide pipe 15; the one-way valve 10 is installed on the gas outlet pipe 14; the water pump 9 is installed on the water guide pipe 15; and the water pump 9 is powered by the reserve energy source. The temperature sensor 11 and the safety valve 12 are installed on the storage tank 1; and the water tank 3 and the fuel cell 6 are connected by the gas pipeline and are provided with a pressure reducing valve.

[0025] The starting agent 7 is calcium hydride; and the hydrogen production material 2 is an aluminum-based material. The solid water is ice.

[0026] The hydrogen production method of the low-temperature starting hydrogen production device comprises the following steps.

[0027] The hydrogen production material 2 is loaded into the storage tank 1, the solid water 4 is loaded into the water tank 3, the starting agent 7 is loaded into the bottom of the low-temperature starting tank 5, and the solid water 4 is further added. The starting agent 7 reacts with the solid water 4 in the low-temperature starting tank 5 to generate hydrogen, water vapor and heat; the hydrogen and the water vapor enter the water tank 3 through the gas guide pipe 13 and then enter the fuel cell 6 through the gas pipeline to purge the pipeline and the fuel cell system; the generated heat is conducted to the water tank 3 to cause part of the solid water 4 to melt to generate liquid water; the liquid water in the water tank 3 is transported to the storage tank 1 through the water guide pipe 15 by the water pump 9, the liquid water reacts with the hydrogen production material 2 to generate hydrogen, water vapor and heat; the generated heat is conducted to the water tank 3 to gradually melt the solid water 4 until all the solid water 4 is converted into liquid water; the generated hydrogen and water vapor are transported to the water tank 3 below the liquid level through the gas outlet pipe 14 and the one-way valve 10; the hydrogen enters the fuel cell through the gas pipeline; and as the reaction process gradually proceeds, the temperature of the storage tank 1 and the water tank 3 gradually rises until the temperature reaches the balance with the outside.

[0028] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0029] The principles and implementation manners of the present application are described by using specific examples in the present application. The above examples are only used to help understand the method of the present application and its core idea. Meanwhile, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, the specific implementation manners and application ranges will be changed. In conclusion, the content of the present specification should not be understood as a limitation of the present application.

Claims

1. A low-temperature start-up hydrogen production device, characterized in that: The low-temperature start-up hydrogen production device comprises a storage tank (1), a hydrogen production material (2), a water tank (3), solid water (4), a low-temperature start-up box (5), a fuel cell (6), a starter (7), an insulation layer (8), a water pump (9), a one-way valve (10), a temperature sensor (11), a safety valve (12), an air guide pipe (13), an air outlet pipe (14) and a water guide pipe (15); The storage tank (1) stores the hydrogen production material (2), the water tank (3) stores the solid water (4), and the low-temperature starting box (5) stores the starting agent (7). The storage tank (1) is in close contact with the water tank (3); the water tank (3) is also in close contact with the low-temperature starting box (5); the storage tank (1), the water tank (3) and the low-temperature starting box (5) are all wrapped by an insulation layer (8); The low-temperature starting box (5) is connected to the water tank (3) via an air pipe (13); the water tank (3) is connected to the storage tank (1) via an air outlet pipe (14) and a water pipe (15); wherein a one-way valve (10) is installed on the air outlet pipe (14); a water pump (9) is installed on the water pipe (15); the storage tank (1) is installed with a temperature sensor (11) and a safety valve (12); the water tank (3) is connected to the fuel cell (6) via a gas pipeline, and a pressure reducing valve is installed.

2. A low-temperature start-up hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The starter (7) is composed of one or more of calcium hydride, lithium hydride, lithium, and lithium aluminum alloy; the hydrogen production material (2) is composed of one or more of aluminum-based materials, magnesium hydride, sodium borohydride, and ammonia borane.

3. A low-temperature start-up hydrogen production device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The solid water is ice and / or snow.

4. A method for producing hydrogen using the low-temperature start-up hydrogen production device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: The hydrogen production material (2) is loaded into the storage tank (1), and the solid water (4) is loaded into the water tank (3); the starter (7) is loaded into the bottom of the low-temperature starter box (5), and the solid water (4) is added; the starter (7) and the solid water (4) react in the low-temperature starter box (5) to generate hydrogen, water vapor and heat; the hydrogen and water vapor enter the water tank (3) through the air guide pipe (13), and then pass through the gas pipeline to the fuel cell (6) to purge the various pipelines and the fuel cell system; the generated heat is transferred to the water tank (3), causing part of the solid water to melt and generate liquid water; the water pump ( 9) The liquid water in the water tank (3) is transported to the storage tank (1) through the water conduit (15), and the liquid water reacts with the hydrogen-producing material (2) to generate hydrogen, water vapor and heat; the generated heat is conducted to the water tank (3), causing the solid water (4) to gradually melt until it is completely converted into liquid water; the hydrogen and water vapor are transported from the outlet pipe (14) through the one-way valve (10) to below the liquid level in the water tank (3); the hydrogen is then led to the fuel cell through the gas pipeline; as the reaction process proceeds, the temperature of the storage tank (1) and the water tank (3) gradually increases until they reach equilibrium with the outside world.

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