Hydrogen storage container

Abstract

To homogenize the temperature distribution of a hydrogen storage alloy inside a container and to efficiently promote hydrogen absorption and desorption reactions.SOLUTION: A hydrogen storage container comprises: a container body 10 which is cylindrical with an axial direction thereof aligned in a horizontal direction; and a plurality of pipes 40 which is arranged inside the container body 10, extends along the axial direction and allows a heat medium to circulate therethrough. The container body 10 has: a storage chamber 30 storing a hydrogen storage alloy; and a pair of distribution chambers 31 and 32 arranged at both ends of the storage chamber 30 in the axial direction. An inflow section 16, through which the heat medium flowing through the pipes is introduced from outside the container body, is connected to a lower end of the distribution chamber 31. An outflow section 17, through which the heat medium flowing through the pipes is discharged to the outside of the container body, is connected to an upper end of the distribution chamber 32. The distribution chamber 31, one of the pair of the distribution chambers 31 and 32 with the inflow section 16 connected thereto, has at least one partition section 60 dividing the distribution chamber 31 into a plurality of spaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage container.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as a method capable of storing hydrogen safely and in a large capacity, a hydrogen storage container containing a hydrogen storage alloy has attracted attention. In this storage method, hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage container by causing the hydrogen storage alloy to absorb hydrogen, and hydrogen is filled from the hydrogen storage container into another fuel tank or the like by releasing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0003] When the hydrogen storage alloy absorbs hydrogen, it is an exothermic reaction, and when hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy, it is an endothermic reaction. 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 a large number of plate fins are provided inside the container. By providing a large number of plate fins, the hydrogen storage alloy can be efficiently heated and cooled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a hydrogen storage container using a hydrogen storage alloy, increasing the amount of hydrogen absorbed and released is an important issue. In order to increase the amount of hydrogen absorbed and released, it is important to make the temperature distribution of the hydrogen storage alloy inside the container uniform and to efficiently advance the hydrogen absorption and release reactions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A hydrogen storage container according to one aspect of the present invention includes a container body having a cylindrical shape and arranged with its axial direction along the horizontal direction, and a plurality of pipes arranged inside the container body, extending along the axial direction of the container body, and through which a heat medium flows. The container body has a storage chamber for storing a hydrogen storage alloy, and a pair of flow-through chambers provided at both axial ends of the storage chamber, partitioned from the storage chamber by partition walls, and to which the ends of the pipes are connected. An inflow portion for allowing the heat medium flowing through the pipes to flow into the container body from the outside is connected to the lower end side of the flow-through chamber, and an outflow portion for allowing the heat medium flowing through the pipes to flow out of the container body is connected to the upper end side of the flow-through chamber. Among the pair of flow-through chambers, at least one partition portion for partitioning the flow-through chamber into a plurality of spaces is provided inside the flow-through chamber to which the inflow portion is connected.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the hydrogen storage container according to one aspect of the present invention, the temperature distribution of the hydrogen storage alloy inside the container can be made uniform. As a result, the hydrogen absorption and desorption reactions can proceed efficiently.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an example of an embodiment of the hydrogen storage container according to the present invention will be described in detail. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, a form formed by selectively combining a plurality of embodiments described below is included in the present invention.

[0010] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hydrogen storage container 1 of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of the hydrogen storage container 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the central portion in the axial direction of the hydrogen storage container 1 of the present embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen storage container 1 includes a container body 10 having an internal storage chamber 30 for storing a hydrogen storage alloy (not shown), and a plurality of pipes 40 through which a heat medium for heating and cooling the hydrogen storage alloy flows. The container body 10 is arranged such that the axial direction is along the horizontal direction, and the pipes 40 extend along the axial direction of the container body 10, that is, the horizontal direction, so as to cross the storage chamber 30. Further, a plurality of heat exchange fins are joined to the pipes 40. In the present embodiment, plate fins 41 are used as the heat exchange fins. In FIG. 1, in order to make the arrangement relationship inside the container body 10 easy to understand, the illustration of the absorption and release plate 50 described later is omitted, and the number of plate fins 41 is shown to be smaller than in the actual case. Also, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pipes 40 and the plate fins 41 are shown hatched.

[0012] The container body 10 includes a side wall 11 having a cylindrical shape, a first lid 12 closing an opening at one axial end of the side wall 11, and a second lid 13 closing an opening at the other axial end of the side wall 11. The first lid 12 and the second lid 13 have a shape that bulges axially outward from the inside of the container body 10.

[0013] In this embodiment, although the cross-sectional shape of the side wall 11 is circular, it is not limited thereto. The cross-sectional shape of the side wall 11 may be, for example, a polygon or an ellipse. Also, the wall thickness and size of the side wall 11, the first lid 12, and the second lid 13 can be appropriately selected according to the purpose and the like. Further, as the material of the side wall 11, the first lid 12, and the second lid 13, for example, a material that does not cause or hardly causes hydrogen embrittlement, such as a stainless alloy or an aluminum alloy, can be selected.

[0014] A first partition wall 14 is provided between the side wall 11 and the first lid 12, and a second partition wall 15 is provided between the side wall 11 and the second lid 13. As a result, inside the container body 10, there are formed a storage chamber 30 partitioned by the side wall 11, the first partition wall 14, and the second partition wall 15, a first flow-through chamber 31 partitioned by the first lid 12 and the first partition wall 14, and a second flow-through chamber 32 partitioned by the second lid 13 and the second partition wall 15. That is, at both axial ends of the storage chamber 30, a pair of flow-through chambers including the first flow-through chamber 31 and the second flow-through chamber 32 are provided respectively.

[0015] Further, a plurality of through holes (not shown) through which the pipe 40 penetrates are provided in the first partition wall 14 and the second partition wall 15. As a result, one end of the pipe 40 is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31, and the other end of the pipe 40 is connected to the second flow-through chamber 32. In this embodiment, the first flow-through chamber 31 and the second flow-through chamber 32 have substantially the same size.

[0016] Here, one partition portion 60 is provided inside the first flow-through chamber 31. The partition portion 60 has a flat plate shape extending in the horizontal direction. The material of the partition portion 60 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a stainless alloy and an aluminum alloy.

[0017] The partition portion 60 is arranged to separate the first flow-through chamber 31 into two spaces. That is, the first flow-through chamber 31 is partitioned by the partition portion 60 into a first flow-through chamber 31A (which corresponds to the inflow chamber, details of which will be described later) that constitutes the lower space of the first flow-through chamber 31 and a first flow-through chamber 31B that constitutes the upper space of the first flow-through chamber 31. In the present embodiment, since the partition portion 60 is arranged at the central position in the vertical direction of the storage chamber 30, the first flow-through chamber 31A and the first flow-through chamber 31B have substantially the same size. Here, the central position in the vertical direction of the storage chamber 30 means the position that bisects the vertical length of the straight line connecting the upper end and the lower end of the storage chamber 30.

[0018] As described above, one end of the pipe 40 is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31. Therefore, the end of the pipe 40 that is arranged in the lower region when the container body 10 is bisected in the vertical direction is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31A. And the end of the pipe 40 that is arranged in the upper region when the container body 10 is bisected in the vertical direction is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31B.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, an inflow portion 16 for allowing the heat medium flowing through the pipe 40 to flow into the container body 10 from the outside is provided on the lower end side of the first lid body 12, that is, on the portion of the first lid body 12 that partitions the first flow-through chamber 31A. Thereby, the inflow portion 16 is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31A. Further, an outflow portion 17 for allowing the heat medium flowing through the pipe 40 to flow out of the container body 10 is provided on the upper end side of the first lid body 12, that is, on the portion of the first lid body 12 that partitions the first flow-through chamber 31B. Thereby, the outflow portion 17 is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31B.

[0020] Here, the first flow chamber 31A houses the heat medium that has flowed in from the inflow section 16. The heat medium that has flowed into the first flow chamber 31A via the inflow section 16 flows through the pipe 40 and into the second flow chamber 32. Then, the heat medium that has flowed into the second flow chamber 32 flows through the pipe 40 into the first flow chamber 31B and flows out of the container body 10 via the outflow section 17. That is, the heat medium flows through the pipe 40 on the lower side of the container body 10 and then through the pipe 40 on the upper side of the container body 10.

[0021] Also, by circulating the heat medium through the first flow chamber 31A, the second flow chamber 32, and the first flow chamber 31B, it becomes possible to circulate the heat medium through all the pipes 40 without directly connecting the pipes 40 to each other. Therefore, the hydrogen storage container 1 can be manufactured at low cost.

[0022] As a result of the study by the present inventors, as shown in FIG. 8 described later, when the partition section 60 is not provided in the first flow chamber 31 and the outflow section 17 is connected to the second flow chamber 32, it has been found that during hydrogen absorption, the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy disposed in the lower region of the storage chamber 30 becomes higher than the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy disposed in the upper region of the storage chamber 30. This is presumably because when the partition section 60 is not provided in the first flow chamber 31, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the pipe 40 disposed in the lower region of the container body 10 becomes smaller than the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the pipe 40 disposed in the upper region of the container body 10. As a result, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the pipe 40 disposed in the lower region of the container body 10 decreases, and it becomes difficult to sufficiently cool the hydrogen storage alloy disposed in the lower region of the storage chamber 30 during hydrogen absorption. As a result, the hydrogen absorption reaction cannot proceed efficiently, and the amount of hydrogen absorbed decreases.

[0023] By providing the partition portion 60 in the first flow-through chamber 31 as in the present embodiment, the heat medium flows through the pipe 40 disposed in the lower region of the container body 10 and then through the pipe 40 disposed in the upper region of the container body 10. As a result, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the pipe 40 disposed in the lower region of the container body 10 can be increased. As a result, during hydrogen occlusion, it becomes easy to sufficiently cool the hydrogen occlusion alloy disposed in the lower region of the storage chamber 30. As a result, the hydrogen occlusion reaction can proceed efficiently, and the amount of hydrogen occlusion can be increased.

[0024] Further, the hydrogen occlusion alloy expands or contracts in volume during the occlusion and release of hydrogen gas, and is pulverized by the repetition. Since the pulverized hydrogen occlusion alloy tends to accumulate at the lower part of the storage chamber 30, the filling density of the hydrogen occlusion alloy in the lower region of the storage chamber 30 tends to be higher than the filling density of the hydrogen occlusion alloy in the upper region of the storage chamber 30. As a result, in the lower region of the storage chamber 30, the amount of hydrogen occluded and released per unit volume increases, and the amount of heat generation and heat absorption accompanying the hydrogen occlusion and release reaction also increases. Specifically, the temperature in the lower region of the container becomes higher during hydrogen occlusion and lower during hydrogen release.

[0025] By providing the partition portion 60 in the first flow-through chamber 31 as in the present embodiment, after causing the heat medium to flow through the pipe 40 disposed in the lower region of the container body 10 and then causing the heat medium to flow through the pipe 40 disposed in the upper region of the container body 10, even when the hydrogen occlusion alloy is pulverized and the filling density of the hydrogen occlusion alloy in the lower region of the storage chamber 30 increases, it becomes easy to sufficiently cool the hydrogen occlusion alloy disposed in the lower region of the storage chamber 30. As a result, even when the hydrogen occlusion alloy is pulverized, the hydrogen occlusion reaction can proceed efficiently, and the amount of hydrogen occlusion can be increased.

[0026] At the upper part of the side wall 11, two filling ports 18 for filling the hydrogen storage alloy into the interior of the container body 10 are provided. Lids 19 are respectively provided on the filling ports 18. After filling the hydrogen storage alloy into the interior of the container body 10, for example, by closing the filling port 18 with the lid 19 by means of flange joint, the sealing inside the container body 10 is ensured.

[0027] Also, at the upper part of the side wall 11, a hydrogen circulation part 20 is provided which allows hydrogen to flow into the interior of the container body 10 during absorption and allows hydrogen to flow out of the container body 10 during release. The hydrogen circulation part 20 is connected to, for example, a hydrogen production device (not shown). Thereby, the hydrogen produced by the above hydrogen production device can be made to flow into the interior of the container body 10. Further, the hydrogen circulation part 20 is connected to, for example, a pipe leading to a fuel cell (not shown) or a fuel tank (not shown) that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell. Thereby, the hydrogen flowing out through the hydrogen circulation part 20 can be supplied to the fuel cell or filled into the fuel tank. Note that the number and arrangement of the hydrogen circulation parts 20 can be appropriately set according to the size of the container body 10 and the like.

[0028] The pipe 40 is a hollow member that extends along the axial direction of the container body 10 inside the accommodation chamber 30 and through which the heat medium flows. In this embodiment, all the pipes 40 have the same shape. The pipe 40 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity. The pipe 40 is fixed by passing through through-holes provided in the first partition wall 14 and the second partition wall 15, with one end connected to the first circulation chamber 31 and the other end connected to the second circulation chamber 32. By arranging the pipe 40 so as to cross the accommodation chamber 30 and allowing the heat medium to flow through the pipe 40, the hydrogen storage alloy accommodated in the accommodation chamber 30 can be efficiently heated or cooled.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the pipes 40 are regularly arranged inside the container body 10. Further, when the container body 10 is bisected in the vertical direction, the same number of pipes 40 are arranged in the upper region and the lower region. Note that the arrangement of the pipes 40 is not limited to this, and when the container body 10 is bisected in the vertical direction, the number of pipes 40 arranged in the lower region may be larger than the number of pipes 40 arranged in the upper region. By arranging more pipes 40 in the lower region, the hydrogen storage alloy existing in the lower region of the storage chamber 30 can be heated and cooled more efficiently.

[0030] As the heat medium flowing through the inside of the pipe 40, for example, water or brine can be used.

[0031] A plurality of plate fins 41 are joined to the pipe 40 as heat exchange fins. The plate fin 41 has a flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction. The plate fin 41 has a through hole (not shown), and the pipe 40 penetrates through the through hole, whereby the plate fin 41 is fixed to the pipe 40.

[0032] The plate fins 41 are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the axial direction of the container body 10. And in the storage chamber 30, the hydrogen storage alloy is arranged in the gap between the plate fins 41 so as to be in contact with the plate fins 41. Thereby, the hydrogen storage alloy is heated and cooled via the plate fins 41 in addition to the pipes 40. In other words, by providing the plate fins 41, the hydrogen storage alloy can be heated and cooled efficiently. The interval between the plate fins 41 in the axial direction of the container body 10 can be appropriately set according to the particle size of the hydrogen storage alloy and the like, and is, for example, 1.0 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

[0033] The thickness, number, spacing, and size of the plate fins 41 can be set as appropriate. By increasing the number of the plate fins 41 or increasing the size of the plate fins 41, the contact area between the hydrogen storage alloy and the plate fins 41 increases, and the hydrogen storage alloy accommodated in the accommodation chamber 30 can be efficiently heated and cooled. Further, the material of the plate fins 41 is not particularly limited as long as it has a high thermal conductivity, and examples thereof include aluminum alloys.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, an absorption and release plate 50 for transferring hydrogen existing inside the container body 10 is provided inside the accommodation chamber 30. The absorption and release plate 50 has a frame body 51 having a hollow structure and a filter material 52 provided inside the frame body 51. The absorption and release plate 50 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the absorption and release plate 50 extends along the axial direction of the container body 10.

[0035] The frame body 51 is installed inside the container body 10, for example, by engaging with a locking portion (not shown) provided on the inner wall of the container body 10. The frame body 51 has a structure in which a mesh layer is formed on a side surface orthogonal to the thickness direction of the absorption and release plate 50, and hydrogen permeates through the side surface. Thereby, hydrogen existing outside the frame body 51 flows into the inside of the frame body 51 through the side surface of the frame body 51. Further, the hydrogen that has flowed into the inside of the frame body 51 flows out of the frame body 51 through the side surface of the frame body 51.

[0036] The filter material 52 has a function of suppressing the permeation of the hydrogen storage alloy while allowing hydrogen to permeate. Here, inside the container body 10, the hydrogen storage alloy may be lifted up by the flowing hydrogen. And, for example, when hydrogen is released, when hydrogen flows out of the container body 10 through the hydrogen flow passage portion 20 (see FIG. 1), the hydrogen storage alloy may also be drawn into the hydrogen flow passage portion 20. When the hydrogen storage alloy enters the hydrogen flow passage portion 20, the hydrogen flow passage portion 20 may become clogged. By providing the filter material 52 inside the frame body 51 as in the present embodiment, the movement of the hydrogen storage alloy being drawn by the flowing hydrogen is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of clogging of the hydrogen flow passage portion 20 by the hydrogen storage alloy. As the filter, for example, glass wool, porous sintered metal, and porous inorganic membrane can be used.

[0037] In addition, in the present embodiment, one absorption and desorption plate 50 is provided inside the storage chamber 30, but the number of absorption and desorption plates 50 may be two or more. Also, the absorption and desorption plate 50 may not be provided inside the storage chamber 30.

[0038] [Second Embodiment] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the hydrogen storage container 1A which is the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an axial cross-sectional view of the hydrogen storage container 1A of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view at the central portion in the axial direction of the hydrogen storage container 1A of the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, in order to make the arrangement relationship inside the container body 10 easy to understand, the illustration of the absorption and desorption plate 50 is omitted, and the number of plate fins 41 is shown to be less than that in the actual case. Also, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the piping 40 and the plate fins 41 are shown by hatching. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be used for the configurations common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted, and mainly the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, as the partition portion 60, two partition portions 61 and 62 are provided in the first flow chamber 31, and one partition portion 63 is provided in the second flow chamber 32, which is different from the first embodiment.

[0040] The partition portions 61, 62, and 63 have a flat plate shape extending in the horizontal direction, similar to the partition portion 60 of the first embodiment. That is, the partition portions 61, 62, and 63 are arranged parallel to each other.

[0041] The partition portion 61 is provided inside the first flow-through chamber 31 at a position below the vertical center of the storage chamber 30. Also, the partition portion 62 is provided at a position above the vertical center of the storage chamber 30. As a result, the first flow-through chamber 31 is partitioned into a first flow-through chamber 31A (which corresponds to an inflow chamber, to be described in detail later), a first flow-through chamber 31B, and a first flow-through chamber 31C. More specifically, the first flow-through chamber 31A is partitioned by the first lid 12, the first partition wall 14, and the partition portion 61. Also, the first flow-through chamber 31B is partitioned by the first lid 12, the first partition wall 14, the partition portion 61, and the partition portion 62. Also, the first flow-through chamber 31C is partitioned by the first lid 12, the first partition wall 14, and the partition portion 62.

[0042] The partition portion 63 is provided inside the second flow-through chamber 32 at a position below the vertical center of the storage chamber 30 and is provided so as to separate the second flow-through chamber 32 into two spaces. As a result, the second flow-through chamber 32 is partitioned by the partition portion 63 into a second flow-through chamber 32A that constitutes the lower space of the second flow-through chamber 32 and a second flow-through chamber 32B that constitutes the upper space of the second flow-through chamber 32.

[0043] As described above, one end of the pipe 40 is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31. Therefore, the end of the pipe 40 that is disposed in the lower region when the container body 10 is bisected in the vertical direction is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31A. And the end of the pipe 40 that is disposed in the upper region when the container body 10 is bisected in the vertical direction is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31C.

[0044] Similarly, the other end of the pipe 40 is connected to the second flow-through chamber 32. Therefore, the end of the pipe 40 that is disposed in the lower region when the container body 10 is bisected in the vertical direction is connected to the second flow-through chamber 32A.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, an inflow portion 16 for allowing the heat medium flowing through the pipe 40 to flow into the container body 10 from the outside is provided below the first lid body 12, that is, in the portion of the first lid body 12 that partitions the first flow-through chamber 31A. That is, the inflow portion 16 is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31A. Further, an outflow portion 17 for allowing the heat medium flowing through the pipe 40 to flow out of the container body 10 is provided above the first lid body 12, that is, in the portion of the first lid body 12 that partitions the first flow-through chamber 31C. That is, the outflow portion 17 is connected to the first flow-through chamber 31C.

[0046] As a result, the heat medium that has flowed in from the inflow portion 16 is stored in the first flow-through chamber 31A. The heat medium that has flowed into the first flow-through chamber 31A through the inflow portion 16 flows through the pipe 40 and into the second flow-through chamber 32A. Then, the heat medium that has flowed into the second flow-through chamber 32A flows through the pipe 40 and into the first flow-through chamber 31B. Then, the heat medium that has flowed into the first flow-through chamber 31B flows through the pipe 40 and into the second flow-through chamber 32B. Then, the heat medium that has flowed into the second flow-through chamber 32B flows through the pipe 40 and into the first flow-through chamber 31C, and flows out of the container body 10 through the outflow portion 17. That is, the heat medium flows through the pipe 40 on the lower side of the container body 10 and then through the pipe 40 on the upper side of the container body 10.

[0047] Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the height from the lower end of the storage chamber 30 to the partition 61, which is the lowermost one among the partitions 61 and 62 provided in the first flow chamber 31, is defined as H1, and the height from the lower end of the storage chamber 30 to the partition 63 provided in the second flow chamber 32 is defined as H2. At this time, the number of pipes 40 arranged in the range from the lower end of the storage chamber 30 to the position at a height of H1 is P1, and the number of pipes 40 arranged in the range from the lower end of the storage chamber 30 to the position at a height of H2 is P2. It is preferable that (P2 - P1) > P1 is satisfied. That is, when the range from the lower end of the storage chamber 30 to the position at a height of H1 is defined as the first region, and the range from the position at a height of H1 to the position at a height of H2 is defined as the second region, the number of pipes 40 arranged in the first region is less than the number of pipes 40 arranged in the second region. In this case, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the pipes 40 arranged in the first region can be made larger than the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the pipes 40 arranged in the second region. That is, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the pipes 40 arranged on the lower side of the container body 10 can be made larger. By increasing the flow rate of the heat medium, the amount of heat exchange between the heat medium and the hydrogen storage alloy can be increased, and the hydrogen absorption and desorption reactions can proceed efficiently. As a result, the amount of hydrogen absorption and the amount of hydrogen release can be increased. In this embodiment, the partitions 61 and 63 are arranged such that P1 is 24 and P2 is 60, that is, the number of pipes 40 arranged in the first region, P1, is 24, and the number of pipes 40 arranged in the second region, (P2 - P1), is 36.

[0048] Similarly, let the height from the lower end of the storage chamber 30 to the partition portion 62 provided in the first flow-through chamber 31 be H3. At this time, it is preferable that the number P3 of pipes 40 arranged in the range from the lower end of the storage chamber 30 to the position at the height H3 and the number P2 of pipes 40 arranged in the range from the lower end of the storage chamber 30 to the position at the height H2 satisfy (P3 - P2) > (P2 - P1). That is, when the range from the position at the height H2 to the position at the height H3 is defined as the third region, the number of pipes 40 arranged in the third region is larger than the number of pipes 40 arranged in the above-described second region. In this case, the flow velocity of the heat medium flowing through the pipes 40 arranged in the second region can be made larger than the flow velocity of the heat medium flowing through the pipes 40 arranged in the third region. In the present embodiment, the partition portion 62 is arranged such that P3 is 76, that is, the number (P3 - P2) of pipes 40 arranged in the third region is 40.

[0049] In the present embodiment, two partition portions 61 and 62 are provided in the first flow-through chamber 31 and one partition portion 63 is provided in the second flow-through chamber 32. However, the configuration of the partition portion is not limited to this. For example, three or more partition portions may be provided in the first flow-through chamber 31, or two or more partition portions may be provided in the second flow-through chamber 32.

[0050] Also, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the partition portion 60 extends in the horizontal direction, but is not limited thereto. The partition portion 60 may be provided along a direction inclined upward or downward with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0051] Also, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the outflow portion 17 is provided on the upper end side of the first lid body 12, but is not limited thereto. The outflow portion 17 may be provided, for example, on the second lid body 13. That is, the outflow portion 17 may be connected to the second flow-through chamber 32.

Example

[0052] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be further described with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to the following examples.

[0053] <Example> As the hydrogen storage container, the same one as shown in Fig. 1 was used. The container body of the hydrogen storage container is made of a stainless alloy. The storage chamber of the hydrogen storage container has an axial length of 490 mm, a circular axial cross-section, and an inner diameter of 355 mm.

[0054] The storage chamber of the above hydrogen storage container was filled with a hydrogen storage alloy, and water at 10 °C as a heat medium was introduced from the inflow section to cool the hydrogen storage alloy and cause the hydrogen storage alloy to absorb hydrogen. As the hydrogen storage alloy, TiFe 0.80 Mn 0.18 Nb 0.02 hydrogen storage alloy having the composition of was used. The flow rate of the heat medium was 10 L / min. The hydrogen pressure was less than 1.1 MPa (abs).

[0055] At this time, in order to evaluate the temperature distribution of the hydrogen storage alloy during hydrogen absorption inside the storage chamber, the first to fifth thermocouples were installed inside the storage chamber. The installation locations of each thermocouple are as shown in Fig. 5. Each thermocouple was installed so as to be in contact with the hydrogen storage alloy. The change in temperature over time at each measurement point is shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the time when hydrogen was introduced from the hydrogen inflow section while the heat medium was introduced from the inflow section is set as 0 minute.

[0056] Also, based on the hydrogen flow rate (L / min) introduced from the hydrogen inflow section, the amount of hydrogen absorbed by the hydrogen storage alloy (hydrogen storage amount) was calculated. The change in the hydrogen flow rate (L / min) introduced from the hydrogen inflow section over time and the change in the calculated hydrogen storage amount over time are shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, similar to Fig. 6, the time when hydrogen was introduced from the hydrogen inflow section while the heat medium was introduced from the inflow section is set as 0 minute. Also, in Fig. 7, for the hydrogen storage amount, the maximum hydrogen filling amount calculated from the amount of the hydrogen storage alloy filled in the hydrogen storage container of the comparative example described later is set as 100, and it is shown relatively.

[0057] <Comparative Example> As a hydrogen storage container, a hydrogen storage container was fabricated and evaluated in the same manner as in the examples, except that the hydrogen storage container shown in FIG. 8 was used. More specifically, the hydrogen storage container of the comparative example was not provided with a partition in the first flow-through chamber, and an outflow portion was connected to the upper end side of the second flow-through chamber. That is, the heat medium that flowed into the first flow-through chamber through the inflow portion flowed through the pipe into the second flow-through chamber and flowed out of the container body 10 through the outflow portion 17. FIG. 9 shows the change over time in the temperature at each measurement point in the hydrogen storage container of the comparative example. Also, FIG. 10 shows the change over time in the hydrogen flow rate (L / min) introduced from the hydrogen inflow portion and the change over time in the hydrogen storage amount in the hydrogen storage container of the comparative example.

[0058] First, based on FIGS. 6 and 9, the temperature distributions inside the storage chamber of the hydrogen storage containers of the example and the comparative example are compared. As shown in FIG. 9, the temperatures at the lower part (the first and third thermocouples) of the storage chamber of the hydrogen storage container of the comparative example are higher than the temperatures at the upper part (the second and fourth thermocouples) of the storage chamber. And the maximum value of that temperature difference is about 30°C after about 45 minutes have elapsed.

[0059] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, although the temperatures at the lower part (the first and third thermocouples) of the storage chamber of the hydrogen storage container of the example are higher than the temperatures at the upper part (the second and fourth thermocouples) of the storage chamber, the maximum value of that temperature difference is about 20°C. This is presumably because by providing a partition in the first flow-through chamber, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the pipes arranged in the lower region of the container body has increased. As a result, it is presumed that the amount of heat exchange between the hydrogen storage alloy arranged in the lower region of the storage chamber and the heat medium has increased, and the hydrogen storage alloy has been cooled more. Therefore, it can be said that the temperature distribution inside the storage chamber of the hydrogen storage container of the example is more uniform than that of the hydrogen storage container of the comparative example.

[0060] Next, based on FIGS. 7 and 10, the hydrogen flow rate and the hydrogen storage amount of the hydrogen storage containers of the examples and the comparative examples are compared. As shown in FIG. 10, in the hydrogen storage container of the comparative example, the hydrogen flow rate has decreased after about 40 minutes from the start. This is because the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy approaches the upper limit amount of hydrogen that can be stored, resulting in a decrease in the hydrogen storage rate. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, in the hydrogen storage container of the example, the hydrogen flow rate has not decreased until about 55 minutes from the start. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the hydrogen storage amount of the hydrogen storage container of the example is significantly increased compared to the hydrogen storage container of the comparative example. This is presumably because, as described above, the temperature distribution inside the storage chamber of the hydrogen storage container of the example is more uniform than that of the hydrogen storage container of the comparative example.

Description of the reference numerals

[0061] 1, 1A Hydrogen storage container, 10 Container body, 11 Side wall, 12 First lid body, 13 Second lid body, 14 First partition wall, 15 Second partition wall, 16 Inflow part, 17 Outflow part, 18 Filling port, 19 Lid part, 20 Hydrogen circulation part, 30 Storage chamber, 31, 31A, 31B, 31C First circulation chamber, 32, 32A, 32B Second circulation chamber, 40 Pipe, 41 Plate fin, 50 Absorption and release plate, 51 Frame body, 52 Filter material, 60, 61, 62, 63 Partition part

Claims

1. A container body having a cylindrical shape and arranged with its axial direction along the horizontal direction, and a plurality of pipes arranged inside the container body, extending along the axial direction of the container body, and through which a heat medium flows, comprising: The container body has a storage chamber for storing a hydrogen storage alloy, and a pair of flow-through chambers provided at both axial ends of the storage chamber, partitioned from the storage chamber by partition walls, and to which the ends of the pipes are connected, and has an inflow portion for allowing the heat medium flowing through the pipe to flow into the container body from the outside is connected to the lower end side of the flow-through chamber, and an outflow portion for allowing the heat medium flowing through the pipe to flow out of the container body is connected to the upper end side of the flow-through chamber, A hydrogen storage container, wherein at least one partition portion for partitioning the flow-through chamber into a plurality of spaces is provided inside the flow-through chamber to which the inflow portion is connected among the pair of flow-through chambers.

2. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 1, wherein the partition portion has a flat plate shape extending in the horizontal direction.

3. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the partition portions is provided at a position at the vertical center of the storage chamber.

4. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the partition portions is provided at a position below the vertical center of the storage chamber.

5. The flow-through chamber has a first flow-through chamber provided at one axial end side of the storage chamber and to which the inflow portion is connected, and a second flow-through chamber provided at the other axial end side of the storage chamber, and at least one of the partition portions is provided inside each of the first flow-through chamber and the second flow-through chamber, When the height from the lower end of the storage chamber to the lowermost partition portion among the partition portions provided in the first flow-through chamber is H1, and the height from the lower end of the storage chamber to the lowermost partition portion among the partition portions provided in the second flow-through chamber is H2, The number of pipes P1 arranged in the range from the lower end of the storage chamber to the position at height H1 and the number of pipes P2 arranged in the range from the lower end of the storage chamber to the position at height H2 satisfy (P2 - P1) > P1. The hydrogen storage container according to claim 1.

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