Protective wall device and hydrogen station

Abstract

To provide a protective wall device in which a dispenser of a hydrogen station is surrounded by a wall, and a hydrogen station having the same.SOLUTION: A protective wall device 5 is provided at a hydrogen station having a dispenser 4 that is installed on the ground facing a road 1 and supplies hydrogen, the protective wall device 5 having: a barrier 20 that is erected upward from the ground on a side of the dispenser 4 facing the road 1, thereby partitioning a space between the dispenser 4 and the road 1 with its own wall surface, and having an upper end positioned closer to the road side than an end face of the dispenser 4 on the opposite side from the road, thereby closing at least a part of a space above the dispenser 4; a spray head 21 that sprays water onto at least a surface of the barrier 20 that faces the dispenser 4 to form a water film; and a recirculation part that collects water sprayed from the spray head 21 onto the barrier 20 and re-supplies it to the spray head 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective wall device surrounding a dispenser for supplying hydrogen in a hydrogen station that supplies hydrogen to a fuel cell vehicle or the like, and a hydrogen station having the same.

Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell vehicle using hydrogen as fuel does not emit carbon dioxide during driving, nor does it emit substances such as NOx that cause air pollution. In addition, since it can travel several hundred kilometers with a fuel supply of about several minutes, it is more convenient than an electric vehicle that requires time for charging. For this reason, technological development for fuel cell vehicles expected to spread in the future is being carried out.

[0003] Fuel supply to a fuel cell vehicle is performed at a hydrogen station. Since there is a possibility of a large-scale explosion if hydrogen leaks and catches fire, fire prevention facilities are provided at the hydrogen station. Examples of hydrogen stations equipped with fire prevention facilities include those described in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For fire prevention of a hydrogen station, a fire wall is provided around it. Also, regarding the arrangement of the dispenser for supplying hydrogen, the law stipulates that a certain distance or more should be provided from the public road. This distance is determined in consideration of leakage diffusion, blast pressure, flame length, radiant heat, etc. when a fire occurs at the dispenser.

[0006] Hydrogen stations have very high construction costs, which is one of the factors hindering their popularization. Since hydrogen stations need to keep dispensers at a certain distance from the road, they require a large site area. It is difficult to secure a large site in urban areas, and even if a site can be secured, the land price will be high. Therefore, this is a factor that makes the construction cost of hydrogen stations even higher.

[0007] Regarding this, by taking measures equivalent to keeping the dispenser at a certain distance from the public road, it is also possible to meet the standards stipulated by laws and regulations. Examples of measures equivalent to keeping the dispenser at a certain distance from the public road include surrounding the roadside of the dispenser with a reinforced concrete barrier, a concrete block barrier, or a steel plate barrier. By taking this measure, the distance between the dispenser and the road can be reduced, so the required site area can be reduced, and the construction cost of the hydrogen station can be reduced.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a protective wall device that surrounds a dispenser of a hydrogen station with a wall and a hydrogen station having the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the protective wall device according to the invention of claim 1 is a protective wall device provided in a hydrogen station having a dispenser installed on the ground facing a road for supplying hydrogen, a barrier that stands upright upward from the ground on the side of the dispenser facing the road, partitions the space between the dispenser and the road with its own wall surface, and closes at least a part of the space above the dispenser by having its upper end located closer to the road side than the end surface on the side opposite to the road side of the dispenser; a watering head that waters the surface of at least the side of the barrier facing the dispenser to form a water film; A recirculation unit that collects the water sprayed from the sprinkler head onto the barrier and supplies it to the sprinkler head again, and is configured to be characterized by having the same.

[0010] Further, the hydrogen station according to the invention of claim 2 is a dispenser installed on the ground facing a road for supplying hydrogen, By standing upright upward from the ground on the side facing the road of the dispenser, a wall surface of its own partitions between the dispenser and the road, and the upper end is located on the road side rather than the end surface on the opposite side of the dispenser from the road side, a barrier that closes at least a part of the upper space of the dispenser, a sprinkler head that sprays water onto at least the surface facing the dispenser side of the barrier to form a water film, and a recirculation unit that collects the water sprayed from the sprinkler head onto the barrier and supplies it to the sprinkler head again, and is configured to be characterized by including a protective wall device.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the protective wall device and the hydrogen station according to the present invention, by spraying water on the barrier, the heat resistance of the barrier can be increased while circulating water to save water.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a hydrogen station equipped with the protective wall device 5 of this embodiment. The hydrogen station shown in this figure is configured as an on-site type capable of reforming fuel to produce hydrogen in the station.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen station of this embodiment is installed facing the road 1 and is provided in a region surrounded by a predetermined partition wall 2 defined by laws and regulations. Inside the region surrounded by the partition wall 2, the place for further hydrogen production (reforming) and storage is surrounded by a partition wall 3 having a height of 2 m or more.

[0015] The fuel that becomes the raw material of hydrogen is stored in a fuel tank 10 provided underground in the hydrogen station. The fuel from the fuel tank 10 is sent to the hydrogen production device 11, where the fuel is reformed to produce hydrogen. The produced hydrogen is in a gaseous state, which is sent to the compressor 12 and compressed, and stored in the storage tank 13 in a state of compressed hydrogen.

[0016] A dispenser 4 for supplying hydrogen to an automobile is arranged in the hydrogen station. A protective wall device 5 is arranged around the dispenser 4. The protective wall device 5 has a barrier 20 that is substantially U-shaped in plan view. The barrier 20 is arranged on both sides of the periphery of the dispenser 4 that are different from the side facing the road 1 of the dispenser 4 and surrounds the periphery of the dispenser 4.

[0017] Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the protective wall device 5. As shown in this figure, the barrier 20 stands vertically from the ground. The barrier 20 is formed of a transparent material. As the transparent material forming the barrier 20, a reinforced transparent resin such as acrylic can be used. Also, as the transparent material, tempered glass or the like can be used. Therefore, from the side of the road 1, the dispenser 4 and the store facilities 6 in the hydrogen station can be seen through the barrier 20.

[0018] At the upper end of the barrier 20, a fixing member 20a protruding toward the dispenser 4 side is provided, and a water spray head 21 is attached to the lower surface of the fixing member 20a. Therefore, the water spray head 21 is disposed on the dispenser 4 side from the barrier 20. The water spray head 21 can receive water supply and spray water toward the barrier 20. The water spray head 21 is disposed so as to face obliquely downward at the upper end of the barrier 20 so that it can spray water onto the surface of the barrier 20 facing the dispenser 4 among both surfaces of the barrier 20. By spraying water from the water spray head 21 toward the barrier 20, a water film 23 is formed on the surface of the barrier 20 facing the dispenser 4. Since the barrier 20 with the water film 23 formed on its surface can also transmit light, the dispenser 4 and the store facilities 6 in the hydrogen station can be seen through the barrier 20 from the side of the road 1.

[0019] At the lower part of the barrier 20, the sprayed water is collected, and the water is supplied again to the water spray head 21 by the recirculation pump 22. That is, the water sprayed by the water spray head 21 circulates, and water conservation can be achieved.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a front view with the front side being the side facing the dispenser 4 of the protective wall device 5. As shown in this figure, a plurality of water spray heads 21 are arranged along the horizontal direction, and each water spray head 21 is connected to a water supply pipe 25. The water supply pipe 25 supplies water to the water spray heads 21. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 25 supplies water to the water spray heads 21 regardless of the presence or absence of abnormalities in the hydrogen station. For this reason, water is constantly sprayed from the water spray heads 21 onto the barrier 20. Since water is constantly sprayed from the water spray heads 21, a water film 23 is constantly formed on the surface of the barrier 20, and the design property can be enhanced.

[0021] Each water spray head 21 can spray water in a substantially fan shape. The water sprayed from the water spray head 21 spreads downward and merges with the water sprayed from the adjacent water spray head 21. For this reason, a uniform water film is formed over the entire surface of the barrier 20.

[0022] The amount of water sprayed onto the barrier 20 is in the range of 5×10 -5 m 3 / (sec·m 2 ) to 1×10 -3 m 3 / (sec·m 2 ). Thereby, when a fire occurs in the hydrogen station and its energy is 100 kW / m 2 , the energy can be blocked by the water film.

[0023] In this way, by forming the barrier 20 with a light-transmissive material and spraying water from the water spray head 21 onto the surface of the barrier 20 from the upper end of the barrier 20 to form a water film, the barrier 20 can be protected during a fire, blocking the flame and providing heat resistance to withstand radiant heat. Therefore, it is possible to provide a protective wall device 5 that has fireproof performance while ensuring light transmittance so that the dispenser 4, the store facility 6, etc. can be seen through from the side of the road 1. As a result, the dispenser 4 can be arranged at a position close to the road 1, and the floor area of the hydrogen station can be prevented from increasing, so that an increase in the construction cost of the hydrogen station can be suppressed.

[0024] Figure 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the protective wall device of the second form. As shown in this figure, the fixing member 20a may be made to project on both sides of the barrier 20, on the side of the dispenser 4 and the side opposite thereto, and water spray heads 21 may be provided on each of them so as to spray water on both sides of the barrier 20. Thereby, both sides of the barrier 20 are covered with the water film 23, and the heat insulation property during a fire can be made greater.

[0025] Figure 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the protective wall device of the third form. As shown in this figure, in this form, an inclined folded-back portion 20b is formed at the upper end of the barrier 20 toward the side of the dispenser 4. A fixing member 20b is provided on the folded-back portion 20b, and the water spray head 21 is attached thereto. The water spray head 21 sprays water obliquely downward toward the surface of the barrier 20 on the side of the dispenser 4, and the water forms a water film 23 across the vertical surface from the folded-back portion 20b. In this way, by forming the folded-back portion 20b on the barrier 20 and providing the water spray head 21 on the folded-back portion 20b, it is possible to surround the barrier 20 with the water film 23 covering not only the side but also the upper part of the dispenser 4, and during a fire, the barrier 20 can block the flame and radiant heat more effectively.

[0026] In the embodiments described so far, the surface of the barrier 20 is a smooth surface. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the surface of the barrier 20 on the side where the water film 23 is formed may have uneven portions 20c. By having the uneven portions 20c on the surface of the barrier 20, an uneven pattern is also formed on the surface of the water film 23, and the design property can be enhanced. Also, the uneven portions 20c can have various shapes, such as being wavy in the horizontal direction.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the protective wall device according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, the water sprinkling head 21 is disposed on the side facing the barrier 20 of the dispenser 4. The water sprinkling head 21 is installed so as to be able to sprinkle water toward the barrier 20. As shown in FIG. 7, by sprinkling water from the water sprinkling head 21 onto the barrier 20, a water film 23 is formed on the surface of the barrier 20. Thus, the water sprinkling head 21 does not necessarily have to be provided above the barrier 20. By providing the water sprinkling head 21 on the dispenser 4 side, the configuration on the barrier 20 side can be simplified. Also, in this embodiment, the water sprinkling head 21 may sprinkle water constantly toward the barrier 20, or may sprinkle water only when an abnormality of the hydrogen station is detected.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the protective wall device according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, apart from the barrier 20 and the dispenser 4, support columns 26 are provided at predetermined intervals, and a water sprinkling head 21 is arranged on a support 27 supported by these support columns 26. The water sprinkling head 21 is installed so as to be able to sprinkle water on the surface of the barrier 20, and can form a water film 23 on the surface of the barrier 20. In this way, by providing the water sprinkling head 21 on the support 27, which is a fixture installed separately from the barrier 20 and the dispenser 4, the configuration on the side of the barrier 20 and the dispenser 4 can be simplified. Also, as the fixture for providing the water sprinkling head 21, any fixture located above the barrier 20, such as the roof of the hydrogen station or lighting equipment, may be used. In this case, dedicated support columns 26 as in this embodiment can be made unnecessary. Also, when the water sprinkling head 21 is provided on a fixture other than the barrier 20 and the dispenser 4, the water sprinkling head 21 can be arranged to sprinkle water toward either one or both of the side facing the dispenser 4 of the barrier 20 and the side facing the road of the barrier 20. Further, in this embodiment, the water sprinkling head 21 may sprinkle water constantly toward the barrier 20, or may sprinkle water only when an abnormality of the hydrogen station is detected.

[0029] FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the protective wall device according to the seventh embodiment. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, a box-shaped storage portion 28 is provided at the upper part of the barrier 20. The storage portion 28 stores a sheet 29 wound therein. The sheet 29 is formed of a fireproof cloth having water absorbency or the like, and is normally stored in the storage portion 28 as shown in FIG. 9. When an abnormality of the hydrogen station is detected, the sheet 29 can descend from the storage portion 28 to cover the surface of the barrier 20. Also, a water sprinkling head 21 is arranged in the storage portion 28 so as to be able to sprinkle water toward the barrier 20 side.

[0030] FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the seventh form of the protective wall device at the time of abnormal detection. As shown in this figure, at the time of abnormal detection, the sheet 29 descends from the storage part 28 and covers the surface of the dispenser 4 of the barrier 20. Then, by spraying water from the water spray head 21 toward the barrier 20, a water film 23 is formed on the surface of the sheet 29 that covers the surface of the barrier 20. For this reason, since the surface of the barrier 20 is protected by the sheet 29 and the water film 23, the fire resistance can be increased. In addition, since the sheet 29 has water absorption, the amount of water present on the surface of the barrier 20 is increased compared to the case where water is directly sprayed on the surface of the barrier 20, and the fire resistance can be made higher.

[0031] The sheet 29 may be plain, or characters, symbols, etc. indicating that an abnormality is occurring may be displayed. Thereby, when an abnormality is detected and the sheet 29 descends from the storage part 28, it is possible to make it easier for passers-by on the road, etc. to recognize that an abnormality has occurred. Further, in this form, the sheet 29 is sprayed while covering the surface facing the dispenser 4 of the barrier 20, but it may be sprayed while covering the surface facing the road, or may be sprayed while covering both surfaces of the barrier 20.

[0032] In this form, the sheet 29 has water absorption, but it is sufficient to use a sheet material having water-containing property that can contain water. For example, a sheet material having a coarse weave may be used to hold the water sprayed into the gap between the weaves by surface tension. Also, a sheet material having hydrophilicity may be used. In this case, the sprayed water easily spreads on the surface of the sheet, and a uniform water film can be formed over the entire sheet.

[0033] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the application of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it can be variously applied within the scope of the technical idea.

[0034] Regarding the water spray from the water spray head 21, in the above-described embodiment, it was set to be performed constantly. However, under normal circumstances, water spraying may not be performed, and water spraying may be performed from the water spray head 21 when an abnormality such as hydrogen leakage, fire, or temperature rise of equipment is detected at the hydrogen station. The detection of an abnormality at the hydrogen station can be performed by arranging a hydrogen leakage sensor near the dispenser 4 and detecting hydrogen leakage with this hydrogen leakage sensor. When hydrogen leakage is detected by the hydrogen leakage sensor, water spraying is performed from the water spray head 21. Also, an abnormality at the hydrogen station can be detected by a fire detector or the like. Further, when an abnormality is detected in a store facility, an office, or a hydrogen-related facility, for example, when a transmitter installed therein is operated, when hydrogen leakage is detected, or when an output such as a fire is output from the sensor, water spraying may be performed from the water spray head 21 as if an abnormality has been detected.

[0035] Regarding the barrier 20, in the above-described embodiment, it is formed of a transparent material. However, as long as it is a material having translucency, it does not have to be transparent. Also, a surface treatment for scattering light, such as frosted glass, may be performed. Further, in the case where water is sprayed from the water spray head 21 onto one side of the barrier 20, in the above-described embodiment, water is sprayed onto the surface of the barrier 20 facing the dispenser 4 out of both sides of the barrier 20. However, the water spray head 21 may be arranged so that water can be sprayed onto the surface of the barrier 20 facing the road out of both sides of the barrier 20.

[0036] Also, a part of the water spray head 21 may be arranged so as to face the dispenser 4 side, and at the time of detecting an abnormality, water spraying may be performed from the water spray head 21 onto the dispenser 4 together with the barrier 20.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 1 Road 2 Partition Wall 3 Partition Wall 4 Dispenser 5 Protective Wall Device 6 Store Facility 10 Fuel Tank 11 Hydrogen production device 12 Compressor 13 Storage tank 20 Barrier 21 Sprinkler head 22 Recirculation pump 23 Water film 25 Water supply pipe

Claims

1. A protective barrier device to be installed at a hydrogen station having a dispenser for supplying hydrogen, the dispenser being installed on the ground facing a road, a barrier that is erected upward from the ground on the side of the dispenser facing the road, thereby partitioning the space between the dispenser and the road with its own wall, and has an upper end that is located closer to the road than the end face of the dispenser opposite to the road side, thereby closing off at least a part of the space above the dispenser; A water sprinkler head for sprinkling water on at least a surface of the barrier facing the dispenser side to form a water film; a recirculation section that recovers water sprayed from the sprinkler head onto the barrier and supplies it again to the sprinkler head.

2. A hydrogen dispenser is installed on the ground facing the road to supply hydrogen. a barrier that is erected upward from the ground on the side of the dispenser facing the road, thereby partitioning the space between the dispenser and the road with its own wall and having an upper end located closer to the road than the end face of the dispenser opposite the road side, thereby closing off at least a portion of the space above the dispenser; a sprinkler head that sprays water on at least the surface of the barrier facing the dispenser to form a water film; and a recirculation section that recovers water sprayed from the sprinkler head onto the barrier and supplies it again to the sprinkler head.

Images