Hydrogen storage container

Abstract

To increase diffusion of hydrogen inside a container to achieve rapid hydrogen absorption and release reactions.SOLUTION: A hydrogen storage container 1, which is an example of an embodiment, comprises a cylindrical storage part 10, a hydrogen storage alloy stored in the storage part 10, and a heat transfer pipe 30 that extends along a longitudinal direction of the storage part 10 and heats and cools the hydrogen storage alloy. On a side wall 12 of the storage part 10, a hydrogen flow path 21 through which hydrogen flows in and out is provided, and inside the storage part 10, an absorption / release plate 50 is provided so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the storage part 10 and diffuse the hydrogen present inside the storage part 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage container that contains a hydrogen storage alloy that absorbs and releases hydrogen. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, hydrogen storage containers containing hydrogen storage alloys have been attracting attention as a method for safely storing large amounts of hydrogen. In this storage method, hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage container by having the hydrogen storage alloy absorb hydrogen, and the hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy, allowing the hydrogen to be filled from the hydrogen storage container into another fuel tank or the like.

[0003] When hydrogen is absorbed into a hydrogen storage alloy, an exothermic reaction occurs, and when hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy, an endothermic reaction occurs. Therefore, in order to promote these reactions, it is necessary to heat or cool the hydrogen storage alloy. Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrogen storage container in which many plate fins are provided inside the container. By providing many plate fins, the hydrogen storage alloy can be efficiently heated and cooled. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4420445 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a hydrogen storage container using a hydrogen storage alloy, it is an important issue to realize a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction. In the hydrogen storage container disclosed in Patent Document 1, the hydrogen absorption / release reaction occurs preferentially in the hydrogen storage alloy present near the hydrogen inflow / outflow path. The present invention aims to realize a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction by increasing the amount of hydrogen storage alloy that contributes to the hydrogen absorption / release reaction by making the hydrogen absorption / release reaction uniform throughout the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A hydrogen storage container as one example of an embodiment comprises a cylindrical storage portion, a hydrogen storage alloy stored in the storage portion, and a heat transfer pipe extending along the longitudinal direction of the storage portion for heating and cooling the hydrogen storage alloy. A hydrogen flow path through which hydrogen flows in and out is provided in the side wall of the storage portion, and an absorption / release plate is provided inside the storage portion, extending along the longitudinal direction of the storage portion for diffusing the hydrogen present inside the storage portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the hydrogen storage container of the present invention, the hydrogen absorption / release reaction can be made uniform throughout the container, thereby realizing a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a hydrogen storage container according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a hydrogen storage container according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a typical shape of an absorption and release plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic shape of an absorption and release plate according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a hydrogen storage container according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, the present invention includes a form obtained by selectively combining multiple embodiments and modified examples described below.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view that generally shows a hydrogen storage container 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view that generally shows a hydrogen storage container 1 of the present embodiment.

[0011] 1 and 2, the hydrogen storage container 1 includes a cylindrical storage section 10, a hydrogen storage alloy (not shown) stored in the storage section 10, a heat transfer pipe 30 that extends along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10 and heats and cools the hydrogen storage alloy, and a plurality of fins 40 joined to the heat transfer pipe 30. In addition, as will be described in detail later, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped absorption / release plate 50 that diffuses hydrogen present inside the storage section 10 and has an internal space through which hydrogen flows is provided inside the storage section 10. Note that in FIG. 1, the number of fins 40 is shown to be smaller than in the actual case in order to make it easier to understand the positional relationship inside the storage section 10.

[0012] The storage unit 10 has a cylindrical side wall 12, a first lid body 11 provided at one end of the side wall 12, and a second lid body 13 provided at the other end of the side wall 12. The first lid body 11 and the second lid body 13 have a shape that bulges outward from the inside of the storage unit 10.

[0013] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the housing 10 is circular, but is not limited thereto. The cross-sectional shape of the housing 10 may be, for example, polygonal or elliptical. The wall thickness and size of the housing 10 can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. The material of the housing 10 can be selected from materials that do not or are unlikely to be embrittled by hydrogen, such as stainless steel alloys and aluminum alloys.

[0014] A heat medium inflow path 14 for causing the heat medium to flow into the storage unit 10 is connected to the first lid 11, and a heat medium outflow path 15 for discharging the heat medium inside the storage unit 10 to the outside is connected to the second lid 13. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, one heat medium inflow path 14 is connected to the first lid 11, and one heat medium outflow path 15 is connected to the second lid 13, but this is not limited thereto, and a plurality of heat medium inflow paths 14 and a plurality of heat medium outflow paths 15 may be formed in the first lid 11 and the second lid 13, respectively.

[0015] The storage unit 10 further has a first partition 16 provided at one end of the side wall 12 and a second partition 17 provided at the other end of the side wall 12. Thus, the storage unit 10 has an inflow chamber 18 partitioned by the first lid 11 and the first partition 16, an alloy storage chamber 19 partitioned by the first partition 16, the second partition 17, and the side wall 12 and containing granular hydrogen storage alloy, and an outflow chamber 20 partitioned by the second partition 17 and the second lid 13.

[0016] The inflow chamber 18 accommodates the heat medium that has flowed in through the heat medium inflow path 14. The heat medium accommodated in the inflow chamber 18 is circulated to the outflow chamber 20 through a heat medium pipe 30 that penetrates the first partition 16 and the second partition 17 so as to cross the alloy housing chamber 19. The heat medium that has flowed into the outflow chamber 20 is discharged to the outside through the heat medium outflow path 15. By circulating the heat medium through the heat medium pipe 30 that crosses the alloy housing chamber 19, the hydrogen storage alloy accommodated in the alloy housing chamber 19 can be efficiently heated or cooled.

[0017] A hydrogen flow path 21 through which hydrogen flows in and out is provided in the side wall 12 of the accommodating section 10. In this embodiment, a plurality of hydrogen flow paths are provided in the side wall 12 of the accommodating section 10, but only one hydrogen flow path may be provided. Also, a hydrogen flow path for flowing hydrogen into the inside of the accommodating section 10 and a hydrogen flow path for flowing hydrogen out to the outside of the accommodating section 10 may be separately provided in the side wall 12 of the accommodating section 10.

[0018] The hydrogen flow path 21 is connected to, for example, a hydrogen production device (not shown) or the like via a hydrogen inflow path. This allows hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device to flow into the inside of the accommodation unit 10. In addition, the hydrogen flow path 21 is connected to, for example, a fuel cell (not shown) or a pipe leading to a fuel tank that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell. This allows hydrogen flowing out of the hydrogen flow path 21 to be supplied to the fuel cell or filled into the fuel tank.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hydrogen flow path 21 is provided with a filter 22 that allows hydrogen to pass through while suppressing the permeation of the hydrogen storage alloy. For example, a porous sintered metal or a porous inorganic film can be used as the filter 22. The hydrogen storage alloy expands or contracts in volume when absorbing and releasing hydrogen gas, and is pulverized by repeating this process. If the pulverized hydrogen storage alloy flows out of the accommodation unit 10 through the hydrogen flow path 21, it may adversely affect devices connected to the hydrogen flow path 21. By providing the filter 22 in the hydrogen flow path 21, the hydrogen storage alloy in the alloy accommodation chamber 19 can be prevented from flowing out of the hydrogen storage container 1.

[0020] Although not shown, the hydrogen flow path 21 may be provided with a safety valve that releases high-pressure gas when the internal pressure of the storage unit 10 increases. This makes it possible to prevent the storage unit 10 from bursting in the event of an abnormality.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the inner wall surface of the side wall 12, a plurality of locking portions 23 extending along the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 10 are formed at opposing positions.

[0022] The locking portion 23 engages with a frame 51 (see FIG. 3) of the suction and release plate 50 described later, and restricts movement of the suction and release plate 50 in the short-side direction of the storage unit 10 inside the storage unit 10. In this embodiment, the locking portion 23 uses a rail having a U-shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The locking portion 23 is configured to restrict movement of the suction and release plate 50 in the short-side direction of the storage unit 10 by sandwiching the frame 51 of the suction and release plate 50 between a portion located at one end and a portion located at the other end. The frame 51 of the suction and release plate 50 restricts movement of the suction and release plate 50 in the long-side direction of the storage unit 10 by a first partition wall 16 provided at one end of the side wall 12 and a second partition wall 17 provided at the other end of the side wall 12. In this way, the locking portion 23, the first partition 16, and the second partition 17 function to position the intake and release plate 50 at a predetermined position inside the storage section 10. In other words, in a situation where at least one of the first partition 16 and the second partition 17 is not provided, the intake and release plate 50 is slidable relative to the storage section 10, and is configured to be easily attached to and detached from the storage section 10.

[0023] The shape of the locking portion 23 is not particularly limited as long as it can perform the above-mentioned function. For example, the locking portion 23 may have a plurality of through holes or notches formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 10.

[0024] The heat transfer pipe 30 is made of a material having high conductivity. In this embodiment, the heat transfer pipe 30 extends along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10, one end of the heat transfer pipe 30 is fixed to the storage section 10 by penetrating the first partition wall 16, and the other end of the heat transfer pipe 30 is fixed to the storage section 10 by penetrating the second partition wall 17. The heat transfer pipe 30 flows through the heat transfer pipe 30, which has flowed in through the heat transfer pipe inflow path 14. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, 32 heat transfer pipes 30 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the absorption and release plate 50 in the cross-sectional view of the storage section 10. The number of the heat transfer pipes 30 can be appropriately set according to the cross-sectional shape, size, etc. of the storage section 10. By increasing the number of the heat transfer pipes 30, the hydrogen storage alloy stored in the storage section 10 can be efficiently heated or cooled.

[0025] The heat medium flowing through the heat medium pipe 30 may be, for example, water or brine.

[0026] The fins 40 are highly conductive plate materials extending in the short direction of the storage unit 10, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are penetrated by the heat transfer pipes 30 and joined to the heat transfer pipes 30 extending in the longitudinal direction of the storage unit 10. Each heat transfer pipe 30 and each fin 40 is embedded in granular hydrogen storage alloy. The reaction in which the hydrogen storage alloy releases hydrogen is an endothermic reaction, and the reaction in which the hydrogen storage alloy absorbs hydrogen is an exothermic reaction. When hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy, the heated heat transfer medium is flowed into the storage unit 10 through the heat transfer medium inflow path 14. Then, the hydrogen storage alloy is heated through the heat transfer pipes 30 and the fins 40, and the hydrogen release reaction can be made to proceed more smoothly. When hydrogen is absorbed again into the hydrogen storage alloy that has released hydrogen, the cooled heat transfer medium is flowed into the storage unit 10 through the heat transfer medium inflow path 14. As a result, the hydrogen storage alloy is cooled via the heat transfer pipe 30 and the fins 40, allowing the hydrogen storage reaction to proceed smoothly. Therefore, by providing the fins 40, the hydrogen storage alloy accommodated in the accommodation section 10 can be heated or cooled uniformly and efficiently, and a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction can be achieved.

[0027] The thickness, number, spacing, and size of the fins 40 can be set as appropriate. Increasing the number of fins 40 or increasing the size of the fins 40 increases the contact area between the hydrogen storage alloy and the fins 40, allowing the hydrogen storage alloy contained in the container 10 to be efficiently heated or cooled, thereby achieving a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction. The material of the fins 40 is not particularly limited as long as it has high thermal conductivity, and examples of the material include an aluminum alloy.

[0028] The absorption and release plate 50 will be described in detail below with further reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic shape of the absorption and release plate 50.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the absorption and release plate 50 extends along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10, and is arranged inside the storage section 10 so that the upper surface 52 of the absorption and release plate 50 faces an opening connected to the hydrogen flow path 21.

[0030] 2, the connection portion of the hydrogen flow path 21 and the locking portion 23 having a U-shaped cross section are disposed so as to face the side wall 12. In addition to the side wall 12, a through hole is provided in the surface of the locking portion 23 facing the side wall 12 (the surface connecting the surface at one end and the surface at the other end), and hydrogen can be transferred between the storage portion 10 and the hydrogen flow path 21 through the through hole provided in the side wall 12 and the locking portion 23. In this embodiment, a hydrogen retention chamber 24 is provided, which is partitioned by at least the locking portion 23 and the upper surface 52 of the absorption / release plate 50. Since the absorption / release plate 50 extends along the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 10, the hydrogen retention chamber 24 extends along the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 10. As a result, the hydrogen retention chamber 24 is capable of retaining hydrogen that has flowed in from the hydrogen flow path 21, and allows hydrogen to be transferred between the hydrogen flow path 21 and the absorption / release plate 50 even if the positions of the through-holes provided in the side wall 12 and the locking portion 23 connected to the hydrogen flow path 21 and the through-holes 55 provided in the absorption / release plate 50 described later are misaligned in the longitudinal direction. In addition, by providing the hydrogen retention chamber 24 as in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a configuration that contributes to uniformly supplying hydrogen that has flowed in from the hydrogen flow path 21 along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10, and to extracting hydrogen that has been uniformly released from the hydrogen storage alloy along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10. This makes the hydrogen absorption / release reaction within the storage section 10 uniform, and increases the amount of hydrogen storage alloy that contributes to the hydrogen absorption / release reaction, thereby enabling a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction to be realized.

[0031] 3, the absorption and release plate 50 has a frame 51 forming a hydrogen flow chamber 54 therein, and a mesh layer 56 exposed from opposing side surfaces 53 of the frame 51, and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10. As will be described in detail later, of the side surfaces of the absorption and release plate 50, the side surface 53 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10 and is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the absorption and release plate 50 has a structure that allows hydrogen to permeate.

[0032] A plurality of through holes 55 having a substantially perfect circle shape are formed on the upper surface 52 of the absorption / release plate 50 (frame body 51). The through holes 55 have a function of circulating hydrogen between the hydrogen retention chamber 24 and the hydrogen flow chamber 54 inside the absorption / release plate 50 during hydrogen absorption / release. In this embodiment, the through holes 55 have a substantially perfect circle shape, but the shape of the through holes 55 is not limited thereto. For example, the through holes 55 may have a substantially polygonal shape or an elliptical shape. The size and number of the through holes 55 can be appropriately set according to the cross-sectional shape, size, etc. of the storage section 10. Also, the absorption / release plate 50 may be used in which the through holes 55 are not formed on the upper surface 52 of the absorption / release plate 50 and the entire upper surface 52 is open.

[0033] A mesh layer 56 that allows hydrogen to permeate while suppressing the permeation of the hydrogen storage alloy is formed on the side surface 53 of the absorption / release plate 50. This makes it possible to suppress the hydrogen storage alloy in the alloy accommodation chamber 19 from flowing out to the hydrogen flow chamber 54 in the absorption / release plate 50, and further to the outside of the hydrogen storage container 1 via the hydrogen flow chamber 54. In addition, in this embodiment, the mesh layer 56 is made of a stainless steel metal mesh.

[0034] From the viewpoint of realizing a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction, the mesh layer 56 has an opening ratio of preferably 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more, and even more preferably 90% or more, relative to the area of ​​the side surface 53. The mesh layer 56 may be formed on substantially the entire surface of the side surface 53.

[0035] In this embodiment, a filter (not shown) that allows hydrogen to pass through while suppressing the permeation of the hydrogen storage alloy is provided between the opposing mesh layers 56 in the hydrogen flow chamber 54, i.e., inside the frame 51. By providing a filter in the hydrogen flow chamber 54, it is possible to further suppress the hydrogen storage alloy accommodated in the alloy accommodation chamber 19 from flowing out to the outside of the accommodation section 10 through the hydrogen flow chamber 54 inside the absorption / release plate 50. In addition, the mesh layer 56 is subjected to pressure from the hydrogen storage alloy accommodated in the alloy accommodation chamber 19. Therefore, by providing a filter, deformation of the mesh layer 56 caused by the pressure from the hydrogen storage alloy is suppressed, and the hydrogen flow chamber 54 is prevented from being crushed. For example, glass wool, porous sintered metal, and porous inorganic membrane can be used as the filter.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, in a cross section along the thickness direction of the absorption / release plate 50, the height of the absorption / release plate 50 is preferably 75% or more of the inner dimension of the storage section 10 in a predetermined direction, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 85% or more. In this case, the volume of the hydrogen flow chamber 54 inside the absorption / release plate 50 increases, so that hydrogen inside the storage section 10 can more easily flow in the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10 through the hydrogen flow chamber 54, and a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction can be realized. In addition, from the viewpoint of ensuring the volume of the hydrogen retention chamber 24, the height of the absorption / release plate 50 is preferably 95% or less of the inner diameter of the storage section 10. Therefore, an example of a suitable range of the height of the absorption / release plate 50 is 70% or more and 95% or less of the inner diameter of the storage section 10, and more preferably 80% or more and 95% or less of the inner diameter of the storage section 10.

[0037] In this embodiment, the height of the absorption and release plate 50 is constant along the longitudinal direction, but is not limited to this. For example, the height of the absorption and release plate 50 at both longitudinal ends may be smaller than the height of the absorption and release plate 50 at the longitudinal center. By reducing the height of the absorption and release plate 50 at both longitudinal ends, the volume of the hydrogen retention chamber 24 at both longitudinal ends of the storage unit 10 increases. This makes it easier for hydrogen present in the hydrogen retention chamber 24 to be guided to both longitudinal ends of the storage unit 10.

[0038] The thickness of the absorption / release plate 50 is preferably 3% or more, and more preferably 5% or more, of the inner dimension of the storage section 10 in the cross section along the thickness direction of the absorption / release plate 50. In this case, the volume of the hydrogen flow chamber 54 inside the absorption / release plate 50 increases, so that hydrogen inside the storage section 10 can more easily flow in the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10 through the hydrogen flow chamber 54, and a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction can be realized. In addition, from the viewpoint of ensuring the volume of the hydrogen storage alloy inside the storage section 10, the thickness of the absorption / release plate 50 is preferably 15% or less, and more preferably 10% or less, of the inner diameter of the storage section 10. Thus, an example of a suitable range of the thickness of the absorption / release plate 50 is 3% or more and 15% or less of the inner diameter of the storage section 10, and more preferably 5% or more and 10% or less of the inner diameter of the storage section 10.

[0039] The length of the absorption / release plate 50 is preferably 75% or more, more preferably 80% or more, and even more preferably 85% or more of the longitudinal length of the alloy accommodation chamber 19. In this case, the volume of the hydrogen flow chamber 54 inside the absorption / release plate 50 increases, so that hydrogen inside the accommodation part 10 is more easily diffused in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation part 10 through the hydrogen flow chamber 54, and a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction can be achieved.

[0040] In this embodiment, one absorption / release plate 50 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10, but the shape of the absorption / release plate 50 is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of absorption / release plates 50 may be arranged in a straight line at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10. When a plurality of absorption / release plates 50 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10, from the viewpoint of increasing the diffusibility of hydrogen inside the storage section 10, the total length of the absorption / release plates 50 is preferably 75% or more, more preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 85% or more of the longitudinal length of the alloy storage chamber 19. In addition, when a plurality of absorption / release plates 50 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10, the absorption / release plates 50 may be arranged at intervals.

[0041] 3, a frame body 51 that slidably engages with the locking portion 23 is formed on the upper part of the absorption and emission plate 50. The frame body 51 engages with the locking portion 23, whereby the absorption and emission plate 50 is fixed to the storage portion 10. The frame body 51 may be formed on the lower part of the absorption and emission plate 50, or may be formed on both the upper and lower parts of the absorption and emission plate 50.

[0042] As described above, the hydrogen storage container 1 of this embodiment is provided with an absorption / release plate 50 extending along the longitudinal direction of the storage unit 10 at a position inside the storage unit 10 facing the connection part of the side wall 12 to which the hydrogen flow path 21 is connected. The absorption / release plate 50 has a plurality of through holes 55 formed in an upper surface 52, a mesh layer 56 that is permeable to hydrogen formed on a side surface 53, and has a hydrogen flow chamber 54 inside through which hydrogen inside the storage unit 10 flows. In addition, a hydrogen retention chamber 24 is provided between the side wall 12 of the storage unit 10 and the upper surface 52 of the absorption / release plate 50.

[0043] According to the hydrogen storage container 1 of this embodiment, during hydrogen absorption, hydrogen flowing in from the hydrogen flow path 21 temporarily resides in the hydrogen retention chamber 24. The hydrogen retention chamber 24 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10, so that hydrogen in the hydrogen retention chamber 24 can flow in the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10. The hydrogen in the hydrogen retention chamber 24 flows into the hydrogen flow chamber 54 in the absorption / release plate 50 through the through holes 55 formed in the upper surface 52 of the absorption / release plate 50. The absorption / release plate 50 extends along the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10, like the hydrogen retention chamber 24, so that hydrogen flowing in the hydrogen flow chamber 54 can flow in the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10. The hydrogen in the hydrogen flow chamber 54 flows out of the absorption / release plate 50 through the side surface 53 of the absorption / release plate 50, reacts with the hydrogen storage alloy, and is absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy. When hydrogen is released, it is released through the hydrogen flow path 21 in the reverse order to the above.

[0044] As described above, according to the hydrogen storage container 1 of this embodiment, hydrogen can be circulated in the longitudinal direction of the container 10 by the absorption / release plate 50. In particular, when hydrogen is supplied, hydrogen can be diffused by the mesh layer 56 and the filter provided in the hydrogen flow chamber 54, and hydrogen can be uniformly supplied from the side surface 53 of the absorption / release plate 50. When hydrogen is released, hydrogen can be collected from a wide area facing the side surface 53 of the absorption / release plate 50. Therefore, the hydrogen absorption / release reaction is likely to occur throughout the entire inside of the container 10. This increases the amount of hydrogen storage alloy that contributes to the hydrogen absorption / release reaction, and a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction can be achieved.

[0045] Furthermore, the hydrogen storage alloy expands or contracts in volume as it absorbs and releases hydrogen gas, and is pulverized by the repetition of this process. The pulverized hydrogen storage alloy is likely to accumulate in the lower part of the storage section 10. As a result, the pulverized hydrogen storage alloy may hinder the smooth flow of hydrogen in the lower part of the storage section 10. As described above, according to the hydrogen storage container 1 of this embodiment, hydrogen can flow in the longitudinal direction of the storage section 10 via the absorption and release plate 50, so that the smooth flow of hydrogen inside the storage section 10 can be ensured, and as a result, a rapid hydrogen absorption and release reaction can be achieved.

[0046] In addition, the efficiency of hydrogen absorption and desorption of pulverized hydrogen storage alloys is likely to decrease. As described above, according to the hydrogen storage container 1 of the present embodiment, unevenness in the hydrogen absorption and desorption reaction inside the accommodation portion 10 is suppressed, so that local pulverization of the hydrogen storage alloy inside the accommodation portion 10 is suppressed, and the efficiency of hydrogen absorption and desorption of the hydrogen storage alloy is easily maintained.

[0047] Furthermore, the hydrogen storage container 1 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of fins 40 inside the accommodation portion 10. The fins 40 are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion 10 so as to partition the alloy accommodation chamber 19. This increases the contact area between the hydrogen storage alloy and the fins 40, allowing the hydrogen storage alloy accommodated in the accommodation portion 10 to be efficiently heated or cooled, and achieving a rapid hydrogen absorption / release reaction.

[0048] However, fins 40 are arranged to divide alloy storage chamber 19, which may impede the flow of hydrogen to the granular hydrogen storage alloy inside alloy storage chamber 19. As described above, according to the hydrogen storage container 1 of this embodiment, absorption / release plate 50 that enhances hydrogen diffusibility is provided inside storage section 10, so that hydrogen diffusibility can be enhanced while ensuring high heat transfer. In other words, the effect of the present invention is prominently exhibited in a hydrogen storage container 1 in which fins 40 are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of storage section 10.

[0049] Hereinafter, another embodiment of the hydrogen storage container 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0050] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic shape of an absorption / release plate 50X according to another embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, a plurality of minute circular openings 57 are formed on a side surface 53 of the absorption / release plate 50X. By reducing the diameter of the openings 57, the side surface 53 can have a function of suppressing the permeation of the hydrogen storage alloy while allowing hydrogen to permeate. The absorption / release plate 50X shown in Fig. 4 does not require additional members compared to the absorption / release plate 50 shown in Fig. 3, and therefore the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0051] From the viewpoint of suppressing permeation of the hydrogen storage alloy through the side surface 53, the diameter of the openings 57 is preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 5 mm or less. From the viewpoint of improving hydrogen permeability through the side surface 53, the total area in which the openings 57 are formed is preferably 30% or more of the total area of ​​the side surface 53, more preferably 40% or more, and even more preferably 50% or more. From the viewpoint of improving hydrogen permeability through the side surface 53, the openings 57 are preferably formed periodically. For example, the openings 57 are preferably arranged on the lattice points of a triangular lattice, a square lattice, or a hexagonal lattice.

[0052] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, and various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims of this application.

[0053] 2, for example, in the above embodiment, the absorption and release plate 50 is disposed so as to overlap with the center of the storage section 10 in a cross-sectional view of the storage section 10, but it may be disposed at a position that does not overlap with the center of the storage section 10. Also, the absorption and release plate 50 may be disposed at a position that overlaps with the center of the storage section 10 and at a position that does not overlap with the center of the storage section 10 in a cross-sectional view of the storage section 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 hydrogen storage container, 10 storage section, 11 first lid, 12 side wall, 13 second lid, 14 heat transfer medium inlet path, 15 heat transfer medium outlet path, 16 first partition, 17 second partition, 18 inlet chamber, 19 alloy storage chamber, 20 outlet chamber, 21 hydrogen flow path, 22 filter, 23 locking section, 24 hydrogen retention chamber, 30 heat transfer tube, 40 fins, 50, 50X absorption and release plate, 51 frame, 52 upper surface, 53 side surface, 54 hydrogen flow chamber, 55 through hole, 56 mesh layer, 57 opening

Claims

1. A cylindrical storage portion; a hydrogen storage alloy accommodated in the accommodation portion; Equipped with a hydrogen flow path through which hydrogen flows in and out is provided on a side wall of the storage section; A hydrogen storage container, wherein an absorption / release plate extending along the longitudinal direction of the storage portion is provided inside the storage portion and configured to transfer hydrogen present inside the storage portion.

2. the absorption / release plate has a hydrogen flow chamber therein through which hydrogen present inside the storage section flows, 2. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 1, wherein the side surfaces of the absorption and release plate that extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing portion and are perpendicular to the thickness direction of the absorption and release plate are permeable to hydrogen.

3. A hydrogen storage container as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein a hydrogen retention chamber is provided between the side wall on which the hydrogen flow path is provided and the side of the absorption / release plate opposite the side wall on which the hydrogen flow path is provided, in which hydrogen flowing in from the hydrogen flow path or hydrogen flowing out from the hydrogen flow path retains.

4. 3. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of through holes are formed in a side surface of the absorption / release plate that faces the side wall in which the hydrogen flow path is provided.

5. 3. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 2, wherein a filter that allows hydrogen to pass through but inhibits the hydrogen absorbing alloy from passing through is provided inside the hydrogen flow chamber.

6. 3. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 2, wherein a mesh layer is provided on one of the side surfaces of the absorption / release plate that extends in the longitudinal direction of the storage section and is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the absorption / release plate, the mesh layer allowing hydrogen to pass through while suppressing permeation of the hydrogen storage alloy.

7. The absorption and release plate is provided with a frame that forms a side surface of the absorption and release plate, A locking portion is provided inside the housing portion, extending along the longitudinal direction of the housing portion, and restricts movement of the absorption and release plate in the lateral direction of the housing portion.

3. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 1 or 2.

8. 3. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen flow path is provided with a filter that allows hydrogen to pass through but inhibits the hydrogen absorbing alloy from passing through.

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