Hydrogen supply system

Abstract

To supply, when high-pressure hydrogen supplied from a high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure is stopped, hydrogen capable of operating hydrogen-consuming equipment from a low-pressure hydrogen tank while preventing an increase in size of the low-pressure hydrogen tank.SOLUTION: A hydrogen supply system comprises: a mainstream pipe having a main flow path formed therein for supplying hydrogen from a high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure to hydrogen consumption equipment; a low-pressure hydrogen tank that supplies low-pressure hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption equipment when a normal supply mode, in which hydrogen is supplied from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure to the hydrogen consumption equipment, is stopped and is transited to a temporary supply mode; and a control unit that controls a heating element for heating a hydrogen storage alloy to cause the heating element to heat the hydrogen storage alloy and to cause low-pressure hydrogen to be replenished from the hydrogen storage alloy to the low-pressure hydrogen tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] The hydrogen filling method described in Patent Document 1 involves providing a heat exchanger containing a hydrogen storage alloy between a hydrogen storage source and a low-pressure hydrogen tank, and filling hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage source into the low-pressure hydrogen tank through the heat exchanger.The method includes the steps of releasing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy and introducing the released hydrogen into the low-pressure hydrogen tank, and filling the low-pressure hydrogen tank with hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage source while cooling it using the hydrogen storage alloy, which is cooled by an endothermic reaction when hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-303625 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure is cut off, and hydrogen is temporarily supplied to hydrogen-consuming equipment using only the hydrogen stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank, the low-pressure hydrogen tank must be enlarged.

[0005] On the other hand, if the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure is stopped, if an attempt is made to temporarily supply hydrogen stored in a hydrogen storage alloy to a hydrogen consumption equipment, the hydrogen storage alloy would need to be heated, and hydrogen would not be able to be supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment in a timely manner.

[0006] The objective of the present disclosure is to supply hydrogen from a low-pressure hydrogen tank that is large enough to operate hydrogen-consuming equipment when the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from a high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure is stopped, while preventing the low-pressure hydrogen tank from becoming too large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The hydrogen supply system of the first aspect is characterized by comprising: a mainstream pipe having a main flow path formed therein through which high-pressure hydrogen from a high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure is decompressed and supplied to a hydrogen consuming equipment; a low-pressure hydrogen tank connected to one end of a supply pipe connected to a midpoint of the mainstream pipe, the other end of which supplies low-pressure hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming equipment through a supply flow path formed in the supply pipe when a normal supply mode in which hydrogen is supplied from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure to the hydrogen consuming equipment is stopped and a temporary supply mode is entered; a hydrogen storage alloy connected to the other end of a supply pipe connected to the low-pressure hydrogen tank, the other end of which is connected to the low-pressure hydrogen tank, and when heated, replenishes low-pressure hydrogen to the low-pressure hydrogen tank through the replenishment flow path formed in the replenishment pipe; and a control unit that controls a heating element that heats the hydrogen storage alloy when the mode is entered from the normal supply mode to the temporary supply mode, causing the heating element to heat the hydrogen storage alloy and replenish low-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy to the low-pressure hydrogen tank.

[0008] According to the configuration of the above aspect, when the system switches from the normal supply mode to the temporary supply mode, the control unit controls the heating element that heats the hydrogen storage alloy, causing low-pressure hydrogen to be replenished from the hydrogen storage alloy to the low-pressure hydrogen tank. As a result, when the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure is stopped, it is possible to supply hydrogen from the low-pressure hydrogen tank enough to operate the hydrogen-consuming equipment while preventing the low-pressure hydrogen tank from becoming too large.

[0009] The hydrogen supply system of the second aspect is characterized in that, in the hydrogen supply system of the first aspect, when the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure returns to the normal supply mode after switching to the temporary supply mode, the control unit causes the heating element to heat the hydrogen storage alloy so that the amount of hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, thereby replenishing hydrogen to the low-pressure hydrogen tank.

[0010] According to the configuration of the above aspect, when returning to the normal supply mode, the control unit causes the heating unit to heat the hydrogen storage alloy so that the amount of hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, and causes low-pressure hydrogen to be replenished from the hydrogen storage alloy to the low-pressure hydrogen tank. This makes it possible to continue supplying low-pressure hydrogen from the low-pressure hydrogen tank even if the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure is subsequently stopped.

[0011] The hydrogen supply system according to the third aspect is characterized in that, in the hydrogen supply system according to the first or second aspect, a check valve is provided upstream of the intermediate portion of the main flow path to which the supply flow path is connected, and another check valve is provided upstream of the intermediate portion of the supply flow path.

[0012] According to the configuration of the above aspect, the flow path through which hydrogen flows is switched depending on the difference between the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure and the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the low-pressure hydrogen tank. In this way, the flow path through which hydrogen flows can be switched without providing a valve that forcibly switches the flow path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, in the event that the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure is stopped, hydrogen sufficient to operate hydrogen-consuming equipment can be supplied from the low-pressure hydrogen tank while preventing the low-pressure hydrogen tank from becoming too large. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing the hardware configuration and functional configuration of a control unit provided in a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing each unit connected to a control unit provided in a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a flow diagram showing a flow when a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure transitions from a normal supply mode to a temporary supply mode. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hydrogen flow in a normal supply mode in a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a hydrogen storage alloy is being heated. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which low-pressure hydrogen is supplied from a low-pressure hydrogen tank to a fuel cell. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which low-pressure hydrogen is being supplied from a hydrogen storage alloy to a low-pressure hydrogen tank. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a flow of returning from a temporary supply mode to a normal supply mode in a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which low-pressure hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen station to a fuel cell, and low-pressure hydrogen is replenished from a hydrogen storage alloy to a low-pressure hydrogen tank. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a state where the system has returned from a temporary supply mode to a normal supply mode. [Figure 12]1 is a diagram showing a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which low-pressure hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen station to a fuel cell, and low-pressure hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen station to a hydrogen storage alloy. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram showing a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which low-pressure hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen station to a fuel cell and a hydrogen storage alloy, and low-pressure hydrogen is replenished from the hydrogen storage alloy to a low-pressure hydrogen tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An example of a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] (Overall composition) 1, the hydrogen supply system 100 of this embodiment is a system that supplies hydrogen from a hydrogen station 102 to a fuel cell 110. Specifically, the hydrogen supply system 100 has a normal supply mode in which hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen station 102 to the fuel cell 110, and an emergency supply mode in which hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell 110 when the supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen station 102 stops (when the normal supply mode stops). The hydrogen station 102 is an example of a high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure, and the fuel cell 110 is an example of a hydrogen consumption facility.

[0017] 1, this hydrogen supply system 100 is equipped with a pressure reducing valve 12 that reduces the pressure of high-pressure hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen station 102 in normal supply mode. The hydrogen supply system 100 also includes a mass flow controller 14 (hereinafter referred to as "MFC 14") that detects the flow rate of the low-pressure hydrogen reduced by the pressure reducing valve 12, and a main pipe 20 that has a main flow path 20a formed therein for supplying the low-pressure hydrogen, the flow rate of which has been detected by the MFC 14, to a fuel cell 110.

[0018] Furthermore, the hydrogen supply system 100 includes a low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 in which low-pressure hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell 110 is stored during the emergency supply mode, and a supply pipe 34 having a supply flow path 34a formed therein that joins the main flow path 20a from the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 and supplies low-pressure hydrogen from the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80.

[0019] The hydrogen supply system 100 also includes a hydrogen storage alloy 70 in which hydrogen is stored, a heating element 78 for heating the hydrogen storage alloy 70, and a supply pipe 28 having a supply flow path 28a formed therein for supplying low-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy 70 to the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80.

[0020] Furthermore, the hydrogen supply system 100 includes a branch pipe 24 having a branch flow path 24a branching from the main flow path 20a to supply low-pressure hydrogen to the hydrogen storage alloy 70. The hydrogen supply system 100 also includes a control unit 90 that controls each component.

[0021] [Mainstream pipe 20] 1, the mainstream pipe 20, in which the main flow path 20a is formed, extends from the hydrogen station 102 to the fuel cell 110. The mainstream pipe 20 is provided with a pressure reducing valve 12, an MFC 14, a three-way valve 16, and a check valve 18, which are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the hydrogen flow direction.

[0022] The three-way valve 16 is provided at the branch point where the branch flow path 24a branches off in the main pipe 20. By controlling the three-way valve 16, low-pressure hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 and depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 12 can be made to flow between the hydrogen station 102 and the hydrogen storage alloy 70.

[0023] The check valve 18 is provided downstream of the three-way valve 16 in the hydrogen flow direction so that the low-pressure hydrogen in the main flow path 20 a does not flow from the fuel cell 110 toward the pressure reducing valve 12 .

[0024] [Low-pressure hydrogen tank 80, supply pipe 34] The low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is a tank in which low-pressure hydrogen is stored, and as shown in Figure 1, is connected to the mainstream pipe 20 via a supply pipe 34. In other words, the low-pressure hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 communicates with the main flow path 20a of the mainstream pipe 20 via a supply flow path 34a formed in the supply pipe 34.

[0025] Specifically, one end of supply pipe 34 is connected to a connecting portion 38 that is downstream of check valve 18 in the hydrogen flow direction, and the other end of supply pipe 34 is connected to a low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. Also, supply pipe 34 is provided with a check valve 36, which prevents low-pressure hydrogen in supply flow path 34a from flowing from main flow path 20a toward low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. Connecting portion 38 is an example of an intermediate portion, and check valve 36 is an example of another check valve.

[0026] The connecting portion 38 where the main pipe 20 and the supply pipe 34 are connected is not provided with a three-way valve or the like that forcibly regulates the flow rate or flow direction.

[0027] The low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is also provided with a hydrogen amount sensor 80a (see FIG. 3) that detects the amount of hydrogen (amount of hydrogen) in the low-pressure hydrogen stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. Specifically, the hydrogen amount sensor 80a detects the amount of hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 by detecting the temperature and pressure inside the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80.

[0028] [Hydrogen storage alloy 70, supply pipe 28, heating element 78] The hydrogen storage alloy 70 is a metal that absorbs hydrogen into the gaps formed by the metal atoms and releases the absorbed hydrogen when heated, and is placed inside a housing 72 as shown in Fig. 1. This housing 72 is filled with low-pressure hydrogen.

[0029] Also provided inside the housing 72 is a hydrogen amount sensor 70a (see FIG. 3) that detects the amount of hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70. Specifically, the hydrogen amount sensor 70a detects the temperature and pressure inside the housing 72 to detect the amount of hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70.

[0030] Furthermore, the housing 72 is connected to a low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 via a supply pipe 28. In other words, the interior of the housing 72 is in communication with the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 via a supply flow path 28a formed in the supply pipe 28.

[0031] Specifically, one end of supply pipe 28 is connected to low-pressure hydrogen tank 80, and the other end of supply pipe 28 is connected to casing 72. Supply pipe 28 is also provided with a check valve 30 and an on-off valve 32, which are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the hydrogen flow direction. This check valve 30 prevents low-pressure hydrogen in supply flow path 28a from flowing from low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 toward casing 72.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, a heating element 78 is provided adjacent to the hydrogen storage alloy 70 to heat the hydrogen storage alloy 70 and generate low-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy 70 .

[0033] [Branch pipe 24] 1, one end of the branch pipe 24 is connected to the three-way valve 16, and the other end of the branch pipe 24 is connected to the housing 72. As a result, the main flow path 20a of the mainstream pipe 20 communicates with the interior of the housing 72 via a branch flow path 24a formed in the branch pipe 24.

[0034] In addition, the branch pipe 24 is provided with a check valve 26 , which prevents low-pressure hydrogen in the branch flow path 24 a from flowing from the casing 72 toward the three-way valve 16 .

[0035] [Control unit 90] The control unit 90 controls each unit based on a flow rate signal from the MFC 14, an operation signal from the fuel cell 110, and the like.

[0036] -Hardware configuration of the control unit 90- 2A, the control unit 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 92, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 93, a storage 94, and a communication interface 95. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 96 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0037] The CPU 91 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 91 reads programs from the ROM 92 or storage 94 and executes the programs using the RAM 93 as a work area. The CPU 91 controls each component and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs stored in the ROM 92 or storage 94.

[0038] In this embodiment, for example, the ROM 92 or the storage 94 stores a control program for controlling the heating member 78, the on-off valve 32, the three-way valve 16, etc. based on the flow rate signal of the MFC 14 and the operation signal of the fuel cell 110.

[0039] The RAM 93 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 94 is configured by a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various programs including the operating system, and various data.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication interface 95 is an interface through which the control unit 90 communicates with the MFC 14, fuel cell 110, hydrogen quantity sensors 70a, 80a, three-way valve 16, and on-off valve 32, and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0041] When executing the above operating programs, the control unit 90 uses the above hardware resources to realize various functions. The functional configuration of the control unit 90 that enables the control unit 90 to realize various functions will be described below.

[0042] -Functional configuration of the control unit 90- 2(B), the control unit 90 has a receiving unit 90a, a detecting unit 90b, an operating unit 90c, an opening / closing unit 90d, and a determining unit 90e. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 91 reading and executing a drive program stored in the ROM 92 or the storage 94. The control of each unit by the control unit 90 will be explained below together with the operation.

[0043] (action) Next, we will explain the operation of the hydrogen supply system 100. Specifically, we will explain the operation of the hydrogen supply system 100 separately for the cases when hydrogen is flowing in the normal supply mode, when the normal supply mode is switched to the temporary supply mode, and when the temporary supply mode is switched back to the normal supply mode.

[0044] [When hydrogen is flowing in normal supply mode] In the normal supply mode, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen station 102 to the fuel cell 110 as shown in FIG.

[0045] Specifically, the control unit 90 controls the three-way valve 16 so that low-pressure hydrogen flows only through the main flow path 20a. As a result, high-pressure hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 is depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 12, and the depressurized low-pressure hydrogen flows through the MFC 14, the three-way valve 16, and the check valve 18 and is supplied to the fuel cell 110. In addition, the heating element 78 is deactivated, and the on-off valve 32 is closed.

[0046] Furthermore, the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 stores a predetermined amount of low-pressure hydrogen or more, and the hydrogen storage alloy 70 stores a predetermined amount of low-pressure hydrogen or more.

[0047] [When switching from normal supply mode to temporary supply mode] The transition from the normal supply mode to the temporary supply mode will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

[0048] The receiving unit 90a of the control unit 90 receives a flow rate signal from the MFC 14 and an operation signal from the fuel cell 110, and the detecting unit 90b of the control unit 90 detects from these signals that the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen station 102 has been stopped. Specifically, if the hydrogen flow rate detected by the MFC 14 is low even though the fuel cell 110 is operating, the detecting unit 90b of the control unit 90 detects that the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen station 102 has been stopped. Note that, as the supply of high-pressure hydrogen is stopped, the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 and flowing through the main flow path 20a drops.

[0049] When it is detected that the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen station 102 has been stopped, in step S100 of Fig. 4, the operation unit 90c of the control unit 90 operates the heating element 78, and as shown in Fig. 6, the heating element 78 heats the hydrogen storage alloy 70. Furthermore, the opening / closing unit 90d of the control unit 90 opens the opening / closing valve 32.

[0050] 4, the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 and flowing through the main flow path 20a decreases, causing the pressure of the hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 to become higher than the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 and flowing through the main flow path 20a. As a result, the low-pressure hydrogen from the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 flows through the supply flow path 34a and the main flow path 20a and is supplied to the fuel cell 110, as shown in FIG.

[0051] Specifically, the check valve 18 is provided in the main flow path 20a, and the check valve 36 is provided in the supply flow path 34a, so that the flow path for supplying hydrogen can be switched depending on the pressure difference of the hydrogen. In other words, the flow path for supplying hydrogen can be switched without forcibly switching the flow path by providing a valve or the like.

[0052] 4, the amount of low-pressure hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is reduced, and the pressure of hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is lowered. Then, in step S400, the low-pressure hydrogen generated by the hydrogen storage alloy 70 heated by the heating element 78 flows through the supply flow path 28a and is supplied to the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80, as shown in FIG.

[0053] 4, the receiving unit 90a of the control unit 90 receives the detection result from the hydrogen amount sensor 70a, which detects the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70. The determining unit 90e of the control unit 90 then determines whether the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 is equal to or less than a lower limit, for example, 5% of the storable amount.

[0054] If the temperature is equal to or lower than the lower limit, in step S600, the operation unit 90c of the control unit 90 deactivates the heating member 78. By deactivating the heating member 78, the supply of low-pressure hydrogen to the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is stopped, and the amount of low-pressure hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is further reduced. Then, the supply of low-pressure hydrogen from the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 to the fuel cell 110 is stopped, and the series of steps is completed. In other words, the temporary supply mode is completed.

[0055] On the other hand, if in step S500 the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 is greater than the aforementioned lower limit, heating of the hydrogen storage alloy 70 continues, and the low-pressure hydrogen generated by the hydrogen storage alloy 70 flows through the supply flow path 28a and is replenished to the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. In other words, heating of the hydrogen storage alloy 70 continues until the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 becomes equal to or less than the lower limit, and the low-pressure hydrogen generated by the hydrogen storage alloy 70 flows through the supply flow path 28a and is replenished to the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80.

[0056] [When returning from temporary supply mode to normal supply mode] A return from the temporary supply mode to the normal supply mode will be described using the flow diagram shown in Fig. 9. Specifically, the description will be made of a return to the normal supply mode when the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 has not reached or exceeded the lower limit value and heating of the hydrogen storage alloy 70 is continuing.

[0057] 9, the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 and flowing through the main flow path 20a becomes higher than the pressure of the hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. As a result, the high-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen station 102 is depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 12, as shown in FIG. 10, and the depressurized low-pressure hydrogen flows through the MFC 14, the three-way valve 16, and the check valve 18 and is supplied to the fuel cell 110.

[0058] Furthermore, in step S1200, the heating element 78 continues to heat the hydrogen storage alloy 70, and low-pressure hydrogen produced by the hydrogen storage alloy 70 flows through the supply flow path 28a and is supplied to the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80.

[0059] 9, the receiving unit 90a of the control unit 90 receives the detection result from the hydrogen amount sensor 80a, which detects the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. The determining unit 90e of the control unit 90 then determines whether the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

[0060] If a predetermined amount of low-pressure hydrogen or more is stored, in step S1400, the operating unit 90c of the control unit 90 deactivates the heating member 78, and the opening / closing unit 90d of the control unit 90 closes the opening / closing valve 32.

[0061] 9, the receiving unit 90a of the control unit 90 receives the detection result from the hydrogen amount sensor 70a, which detects the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70. Then, the determining unit 90e of the control unit 90 determines whether the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

[0062] If the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the series of steps ends. In other words, the system returns from the temporary supply mode to the normal supply mode, as shown in FIG.

[0063] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1500 that the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 has not reached a predetermined amount, then in step S1610, the opening / closing unit 90d of the control unit 90 opens the three-way valve 16. As a result, the low-pressure hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 and reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing valve 12 flows through the three-way valve 16 and the branch flow path 24a, as shown in Fig. 12, and is supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 70. Note that if the three-way valve 16 has already been opened in step S1520, which will be described later, and step S1610 is reached, the three-way valve 16 remains open.

[0064] 9, the receiving unit 90a of the control unit 90 receives the detection result from the hydrogen amount sensor 70a, which detects the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70. The determining unit 90e of the control unit 90 then determines whether the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

[0065] If a predetermined amount of low-pressure hydrogen or more has been stored, in step S1810, the opening / closing unit 90d of the control unit 90 changes the flow path using the three-way valve 16 so that low-pressure hydrogen flows only through the main flow path 20a. This completes the series of steps. In other words, as shown in Figure 11, the system returns from the temporary supply mode to the normal supply mode.

[0066] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1710 that the predetermined amount of low-pressure hydrogen has not been stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70, the process returns to step S1710 and the above-described process is carried out again. In other words, the three-way valve 16 is opened until the predetermined amount of low-pressure hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70.

[0067] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1300 that the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 does not store a predetermined amount of low-pressure hydrogen, then in step S1420 the receiving unit 90a of the control unit 90 receives the detection result from the hydrogen amount sensor 70a, which detects the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70. Then, the determining unit 90e of the control unit 90 determines whether the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 is a predetermined amount or more.

[0068] If the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the process returns to step S1300 and the above-described process is carried out again. In other words, the heating element 78 heats the hydrogen storage alloy 70 until the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount.

[0069] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1420 that the hydrogen storage alloy 70 does not store a predetermined amount of low-pressure hydrogen, then in step S1520 the opening / closing unit 90d of the control unit 90 opens the three-way valve 16. As a result, the low-pressure hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 and reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing valve 12 flows through the three-way valve 16 and the branch flow path 24a and is supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 70, as shown in FIG.

[0070] Then, the process returns to step S1300, and the above-described process is performed again. In other words, the heating element 78 heats the hydrogen storage alloy 70 until a predetermined amount of low-pressure hydrogen is stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. Then, the above-described process is repeated.

[0071] (summary) As described above, in the hydrogen supply system 100, when the mode is shifted from the normal supply mode to the temporary supply mode, the operation unit 90c of the control unit 90 operates the heating element 78, causing the heating element 78 to heat the hydrogen storage alloy 70, as shown in FIG. 6. Furthermore, the heated hydrogen storage alloy 70 replenishes low-pressure hydrogen to the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. As a result, when the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen station 102 is stopped, low-pressure hydrogen sufficient to operate the fuel cell 110 can be supplied from the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 without increasing the size of the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 that supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell 110.

[0072] Furthermore, in the hydrogen supply system 100, when returning from the temporary supply mode to the normal supply mode, the receiving unit 90a of the control unit 90 receives the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 from the hydrogen amount sensor 80a. Then, the determining unit 90e of the control unit 90 determines whether the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. If the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored is not equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, heating by the heating element 78 continues until the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount. Then, when the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the operating unit 90c of the control unit 90 deactivates the heating element 78. As a result, even if the supply of high-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen station 102 is stopped, low-pressure hydrogen can be continuously supplied from the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 to the fuel cell 110.

[0073] Furthermore, in the hydrogen supply system 100, a check valve 18 is provided in the main flow path 20a upstream in the hydrogen flow direction relative to a connecting portion 38 to which the supply flow path 34a is connected. Furthermore, a check valve 36 is provided in the supply flow path 34a upstream in the hydrogen flow direction relative to the connecting portion 38. This allows the flow path through which hydrogen flows to be switched depending on the difference in pressure between the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 and flowing through the main flow path 20a and the hydrogen supplied from the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. In this way, the flow path through which hydrogen flows can be switched without providing a valve or the like that forcibly switches the flow path.

[0074] While the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. In the above embodiment, the hydrogen station 102 was used as an example of high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure, but the present disclosure is not limited to a hydrogen station as long as it is a facility that supplies high-pressure hydrogen.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fuel cell 110 was used as an example of hydrogen consumption equipment that consumes low-pressure hydrogen, but the equipment is not limited to fuel cells as long as it consumes low-pressure hydrogen.

[0076] Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the hydrogen storage alloy 70 may be heated by heat generated by reducing the pressure of high-pressure hydrogen.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 was detected by the hydrogen amount sensor 70a detecting the temperature and pressure inside the housing 72, but the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy may also be detected from the history of the amount of hydrogen that has entered and left the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0078] In addition, in the above embodiment, individual events are described in order to easily understand the process of transitioning from normal supply mode to temporary supply mode and the process of returning from temporary supply mode to normal supply mode, but individual events may occur simultaneously or overlapping.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the check valve 18 is provided in the main flow path 20a upstream of the connecting portion 38 in the hydrogen flow direction, and the check valve 36 is provided in the supply flow path 34a upstream of the connecting portion 38 in the hydrogen flow direction. However, instead of providing a check valve, a three-way valve or the like may be provided to forcibly change the flow path. In this case, however, the effect of providing a check valve is not achieved.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, no particular description was given of the flow of returning to the normal supply mode after the heating of the hydrogen storage alloy 70 is stopped in the temporary supply mode. However, in this case, for example, a portion of the low-pressure hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen station 102 to the fuel cell 110 is supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 70 through the branch flow path 24a, and the hydrogen storage alloy 70 is further heated to replenish the low-pressure hydrogen to the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80. In this way, the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the low-pressure hydrogen tank 80 and the amount of low-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 70 may be increased to or greater than a predetermined amount, after which the heating of the hydrogen storage alloy 70 may be stopped. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 18 Check valve 20 Main pipe 20a Main channel 28 Supply pipe 28a Supply channel 34 Supply pipe 34a Supply channel 36 Check valve (an example of another check valve) 38 Connection section (example of mid-section) 70 Hydrogen storage alloy 78 Heating element 80 Low-pressure hydrogen tank 90 Control Unit 100 Hydrogen Supply System 102 Hydrogen station (an example of high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure) 110 Fuel cells (an example of hydrogen consumption equipment)

Claims

1. a main stream pipe in which a main flow path is formed for reducing the pressure of high-pressure hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure and supplying it to hydrogen consumption equipment; a low-pressure hydrogen tank connected to one end of a supply pipe connected to a midpoint of the mainstream pipe, the other end of which supplies low-pressure hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming equipment through a supply flow path formed in the supply pipe when a normal supply mode in which hydrogen is supplied from the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure to the hydrogen consuming equipment is stopped and switched to a temporary supply mode; a hydrogen storage alloy, one end of which is connected to the other end of a supply pipe connected to the low-pressure hydrogen tank, and which, when heated, supplies low-pressure hydrogen to the low-pressure hydrogen tank through a supply flow path formed in the supply pipe; a control unit that controls a heating element that heats the hydrogen storage alloy when the mode is shifted from the normal supply mode to the temporary supply mode, causes the heating element to heat the hydrogen storage alloy, and causes low-pressure hydrogen to be replenished from the hydrogen storage alloy to the low-pressure hydrogen tank; A hydrogen supply system comprising:

2. When the high-pressure hydrogen infrastructure returns to the normal supply mode after switching to the temporary supply mode, the control unit causes the heating element to heat the hydrogen storage alloy so that the amount of hydrogen in the low-pressure hydrogen tank becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, thereby supplying hydrogen to the low-pressure hydrogen tank. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 .

3. a check valve is provided in the main flow path upstream of the intermediate portion to which the supply flow path is connected, Another check valve is provided upstream of the intermediate portion in the supply flow path. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 or 2.

Images