Hydrogen balloon

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen balloon capable of continuously floating for a longer time in a simpler and lighter system.SOLUTION: A hydrogen balloon 1 which stores hydrogen in a balloon 2 and floats by means of the hydrogen in the balloon 2 comprises: a tank 20 that stores water; a thin-film solar battery 5 provided in at least a part of the surface of the balloon 2; and an electrodialysis device 30 that electrolyzes the water in the tank 2 into hydrogen and oxygen using power generated by the solar battery 5 and supplies the hydrogen to the balloon 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a hydrogen balloon that floats using the buoyancy of hydrogen. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrogen balloon that includes a balloon (air bag) for storing hydrogen, a water tank for storing water, an electrolysis device for electrolyzing water into hydrogen and oxygen, and a hydrogen utilization device for generating water from oxygen in the air and hydrogen in the balloon. As a power source for the electrolysis device, the water utilization device, and other pumps and valves, a power receiving device that generates electricity by receiving microwaves or laser light, or a power generation device that generates electricity from sunlight, is also included. It is described that hydrogen is circulated between the electrolysis device and the hydrogen utilization device, and water and hydrogen are continuously reused, so that the balloon can repeatedly rise and fall and continue to float in the air for a long period of time. Although hydrogen is circulated, hydrogen is not replenished from the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-190019 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, hydrogen and oxygen are generated by electrolyzing water in a water tank (the oxygen is released into the atmosphere), the hydrogen is supplied to a balloon, and water is generated using the hydrogen in the balloon, the oxygen in the atmosphere, and a hydrogen utilization device (fuel cell or hydrogen combustor). A system for generating water using a hydrogen utilization device and storing it in a water tank includes an air compression pump that pressurizes the atmosphere (oxygen) to the hydrogen utilization device, a hydrogen tank that temporarily stores the generated hydrogen, a hydrogen pump that pressurizes the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank to the hydrogen utilization device, solenoid valves installed in each path, a condenser that converts the water vapor generated by the hydrogen utilization device into liquid water, etc., which requires many devices and increases the volume and mass of the entire system, which is not very desirable.

[0005] The objective of the technology disclosed in this specification to solve the above problems is to provide a hydrogen balloon that can remain afloat for a longer period of time using a simpler and lighter system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the hydrogen balloon disclosed in this specification takes the following measures.

[0007] The first means is a hydrogen balloon that stores hydrogen in a balloon and floats by the buoyancy of the hydrogen inside the balloon, and has a tank for storing water, a thin-film solar cell provided on at least a part of the surface of the balloon, and an electrolysis device that uses electricity generated by the solar cell to electrolyze water from the tank into hydrogen and oxygen and supply hydrogen to the balloon.

[0008] According to the first aspect, the system is composed of a water tank for storing water, an electrolyzer, and a solar cell as a power source. In other words, it is a very simple and lightweight system, and hydrogen can be continuously supplied (replenished) from the electrolyzer to the balloon, so that it can remain afloat for a longer period of time and can be applied to various observation balloons. In addition, by supplying power to the electrolyzer from a solar cell attached to the balloon, hydrogen can be supplied (replenished) without providing an extra power generation facility.

[0009] The second means is a hydrogen balloon according to the first means, which has a water conversion device that uses electricity generated by the solar cell to drive a heat exchanger and replenishes the tank with water produced from the atmosphere.

[0010] According to the second method, the heat exchanger is driven by the electricity generated by the solar cell, and the water vapor in the air is condensed on the low-temperature part of the heat exchanger to generate water, which is then replenished in the tank. Therefore, water can be replenished from outside, and since the power is provided by the solar cell, it is possible to continue floating for a longer period of time. In addition, the power generated by the solar cell is also supplied to the water conversion device, eliminating the need for any equipment for storing excess water.

[0011] The third means is the hydrogen balloon according to the second means, in which the tank is kept warm by using heat from at least a part of the high temperature part of the heat exchanger.

[0012] According to the third aspect, the tank is kept warm using heat from at least a part of the high temperature section of the heat exchanger, so that it is possible to prevent the water in the tank from freezing in the air where the surrounding air temperature is low. Effect of the Invention

[0013] By taking the measures described above, the hydrogen balloon disclosed herein can remain afloat for longer periods of time using a simpler, lighter system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a hydrogen balloon according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system for generating and supplying (replenishing) hydrogen and water. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a hydrogen balloon according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] <Hydrogen balloon 1 according to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2)> Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic overall configuration of a hydrogen balloon 1 of the first embodiment, and Fig. 2 shows each device shown in Fig. 1 (a system for generating and supplying (replenishing) hydrogen and water).

[0016] 1, the hydrogen balloon 1 has a balloon 2, a suspension cable 3, a gondola 4, etc. The gondola 4 is suspended from the balloon 2 by the suspension cable 3, and is connected to a winch W provided on the ground surface E by a mooring cable 4k.

[0017] Hydrogen is stored in the balloon 2, and the buoyancy of the hydrogen in the balloon 2 causes the hydrogen balloon 1 to rise in the atmosphere. Thin-film solar cells 5 are provided (attached) to at least a portion of the surface of the balloon 2, for example, thin-film perovskite solar cells are attached. The solar cells 5 are preferably provided on the upper hemisphere and side portions of the balloon 2 in order to generate electricity more efficiently by receiving sunlight. The electricity generated by the solar cells 5 is supplied to each device provided in the gondola 4. The balloon 2 is also provided with a pressure detection device 62 that detects the pressure inside the balloon 2.

[0018] The gondola 4 is provided with a water conversion device 10, a tank 20, an electrolyzer 30, a control device 50, ancillary equipment 80, etc., and one end of a refill pipe 6, the other end of which is connected to the vicinity of the lower end of the balloon 2, is connected to the electrolyzer 30. The refill pipe 6 is also provided with a pressure regulator 61.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the water conversion device 10 has a heat exchanger 11 that is powered by power supplied from a solar cell 5. For example, the heat exchanger 11 is a Peltier element. Water vapor in the air condenses and accumulates in the low-temperature part (heat absorption part) of the heat exchanger 11, forming water droplets. These water droplets are collected in a tray 12, and the collected water is replenished to the tank 20 through a pipe 13. In addition, by using at least a part of the heat of the high-temperature part (heat dissipation part) of the heat exchanger 11 to keep the tank 20 warm, it is possible to prevent the water in the tank 20 from freezing in the air where the temperature is low. In addition, since condensation is unlikely to occur when the temperature is low, the air is heated in the high-temperature part (heat dissipation part) of the heat exchanger 11, and the heated air is guided to the low-temperature part (heat absorption part), so that water can be efficiently generated in the low-temperature part.

[0020] The tank 20 stores water and supplies the water to the electrolyzer 30 via a pipe 21. The tank 20 is also provided with a water level detector 22 that detects the amount of water stored therein. The water level detector 22 outputs a detection signal to the control device 50 according to the position of the water surface in the tank 20 (i.e., the amount of water).

[0021] The electrolyzer 30 is a device that electrolyzes water supplied from the tank 20 to generate hydrogen and oxygen. A small amount of sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, etc. is mixed into the water in the electrolyzer 30 to promote electrolysis. The sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, etc. are not electrolyzed, but rather "promote" the electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen, and do not run out, so there is no need to replenish them. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolyzer 30 has a hydrogen pipe 31 that extends substantially in the vertical direction, an oxygen pipe 32 that also extends in the vertical direction, a connecting pipe 33 that connects a midpoint of the hydrogen pipe 31 and a midpoint of the oxygen pipe 32, and an approximately H-shaped H pipe 34.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the hydrogen pipe 31 has a sealed lower end and houses a cathode 31k extending from the lower end upward beyond the connecting pipe 33. The upper end of the hydrogen pipe 31 is connected to the lower end of the refilling pipe 6 (see FIG. 1). The cathode 31k is connected to the negative terminal (-) of the solar cell 5 and generates hydrogen by electrolysis. As a result, the hydrogen generated in the hydrogen pipe 31 is supplied (refilled) into the balloon 2 via the refilling pipe 6 and the pressure regulator 61 (see FIG. 1). The pressure regulator 61 releases the hydrogen in the balloon 2 into the atmosphere when the pressure in the refilling pipe 6 (i.e., the pressure in the balloon 2) reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, thereby preventing the hydrogen pressure in the balloon 2 from reaching or exceeding the predetermined pressure.

[0023] 2, the oxygen pipe 32 has a sealed lower end and houses an anode 32k extending from the lower end upward beyond the connecting pipe 33. The upper end of the oxygen pipe 32 is open to the atmosphere. The anode 32k is connected to the positive terminal (+) of the solar cell 5 and generates oxygen by electrolysis. As a result, the oxygen generated in the oxygen pipe 32 is released into the atmosphere.

[0024] 2, the connecting pipe 33 connects a midpoint of the hydrogen pipe 31 to a midpoint of the oxygen pipe 32, and serves as a path through which current flows from the anode 32k to the cathode 31k. In addition, the piping 21 from the tank 20 is connected to the connecting pipe 33, and water is replenished from the tank 20. The replenished water is replenished into the hydrogen pipe 31 and the oxygen pipe 32.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 50 is supplied with power from the solar cell 5, receives detection signals from the pressure detection device 62 and the water level detection device 22, and outputs control signals to the switching devices 51 and 52.

[0026] For example, when the pressure of hydrogen in the balloon 2 detected based on a detection signal from the pressure detection device 62 (see FIG. 1) is equal to or lower than a first pressure threshold, the control device 50 controls the switching device 52 to the short-circuit side to supply power to the electrolyzer 30 to generate hydrogen and oxygen, and supplies (replenishes) hydrogen into the balloon 2. When the pressure of hydrogen in the balloon 2 is equal to or higher than a second pressure threshold set to a value higher than the first pressure threshold, the control device 50 controls the switching device 52 to the open side to stop the supply of power to the electrolyzer 30, thereby avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

[0027] Furthermore, for example, when the amount of water in the tank 20 detected based on the detection signal from the water level detection device 22 is equal to or less than a first water volume threshold, the control device 50 controls the switching device 51 to the short-circuit side to supply power to the water conversion device 10 to generate water, and supplies (replenishes) the water to the tank 20. Furthermore, when the amount of water in the tank 20 is equal to or greater than a second water volume threshold set to a value greater than the first water volume threshold, the control device 50 controls the switching device 51 to the open side to stop the supply of power to the water conversion device 10, thereby avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

[0028] The control device 50, the pressure detection device 62, the water level detection device 22, and the switching devices 51 and 52 may be omitted, and power from the solar cell 5 may be constantly supplied to the water conversion device 10 and the electrolyzer 30.

[0029] The auxiliary equipment 80 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a communication device for wireless communication with a ground base that manages the hydrogen balloon 1, a meteorological observation device, or other equipment according to the intended use of the hydrogen balloon 1. Electricity is supplied to the auxiliary equipment 80 from the solar cell 5.

[0030] <Hydrogen balloon 1a according to the second embodiment (FIG. 3)> The hydrogen balloon 1a of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 3 is a further simplified system compared to the hydrogen balloon 1 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The hydrogen balloon 1a shown in Fig. 3 omits the control device 50, pressure detection device 62, pressure regulator 61, and switching devices 51 and 52 compared to the hydrogen balloon 1 and system shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Also, in the hydrogen balloon 1a, the vicinity of the connection point between the refilling pipe 6 and the balloon 2 is different from the hydrogen balloon 1 as follows.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, the refilling tube 6 is not provided with a pressure regulator, but an exhaust pipe 61a is provided inside the refilling tube 6. The vicinity of the upper end of the exhaust pipe 61a is housed in the refilling tube 6, and the upper end is open. The vicinity of the lower end of the exhaust pipe 61a protrudes outside the refilling tube 6, and the lower end is open to the atmosphere. As a result, hydrogen Ha generated in the electrolyzer 30 moves upward inside the refilling tube 6 and is supplied (refilled) into the balloon 2. Also, excess hydrogen Hb inside the balloon 2 is automatically released into the atmosphere from the exhaust pipe 61a.

[0032] 3, a balloon opening like a hot air balloon may be provided at the lower end of the balloon 2, and the upper end of the refilling tube 6 may be placed at the balloon opening. The diameter of the balloon opening is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the refilling tube 6, and the tip of the refilling tube 6 is placed so as to be inserted into the balloon 2 from the balloon opening. In this case, excess hydrogen in the balloon 2 is automatically released into the atmosphere from the balloon opening.

[0033] <Effects etc.>

[0034] As described above, the hydrogen balloons 1, 1a of the first and second embodiments can continue to float for a longer period of time with a simpler and lighter system.

[0035] In the first embodiment, the solar cell 5 is a thin-film solar cell and can be attached to a curved surface, and can be easily attached to at least a part of the surface of the balloon 2. When a perovskite solar cell is used as the solar cell 5, it is preferable because it is a thin-film solar cell, can be easily attached to a curved surface, and is very lightweight. In addition, a perovskite solar cell is preferable because it can generate electricity even with relatively weak light and can generate electricity even on cloudy days rather than sunny days, and can supply electricity to the water conversion device 10, the electrolyzer 30, the control device 50, and the auxiliary equipment 80.

[0036] In addition, a secondary battery can be provided in the system of the first embodiment shown in Figure 2, and surplus power can be charged into the secondary battery using a control device, and power can be replenished from the secondary battery when there is a power shortage.

[0037] <Other> The hydrogen balloon 1 and hydrogen balloon 1a of the technology disclosed in this specification are not limited to the configuration, structure, appearance, etc. described in this embodiment, and various modifications, additions, and deletions are possible without changing the gist of the technology disclosed in this specification.

[0038] The hydrogen balloons 1 and 1a can also be applied to airships that use hydrogen as a buoyancy source, for example. The water conversion device 10 may be omitted from the hydrogen balloons 1 and 1a, and the tank 20 may be enlarged accordingly.

[0039] In the description of this embodiment, a perovskite solar cell has been taken as an example of a thin-film solar cell, but any thin-film solar cell may be used as long as it can be attached to at least a portion of the balloon 2.

[0040] Additionally, greater than or equal to (≧), less than or equal to (≦), larger than (>), less than (<), etc. may or may not include the equal sign. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. 1a Hydrogen balloon 2. Balloon 3 Suspension cable 4. Gondola 4k Mooring Cable 5. Solar Cells 6 Refill tube 10 Water conversion device 11 Heat exchanger 12 Saucer 13 Piping 20. Tank 21 Piping 22 Water level detection device 30 Electrolysis Apparatus 31 Hydrogen Pipe 31k cathode 32 Oxygen tube 32k anode 33 Connecting pipe 34 H tube 50 Control device 51, 52 Switching device 61 Pressure regulator 61a Exhaust pipe 62 Pressure detection device 80 Ancillary Facilities E Ground surface Winch

Claims

1. A hydrogen balloon that floats by storing hydrogen in a balloon and using the buoyancy of the hydrogen in the balloon, A tank for storing water; A thin-film solar cell provided on at least a portion of the surface of the balloon; an electrolysis device that electrolyzes water from within the tank into hydrogen and oxygen using the electricity generated by the solar cell, and supplies hydrogen to the balloon; having Hydrogen balloon.

2. The hydrogen balloon according to claim 1, A water conversion device is provided which uses the electricity generated by the solar cell to drive a heat exchanger and replenishes the tank with water generated from the atmosphere. Hydrogen balloon.

3. The hydrogen balloon according to claim 2, The tank is kept warm by using heat from at least a part of the high temperature part of the heat exchanger. Hydrogen balloon.

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