Foreign matter removal device and hydrogen gas supply system

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to remove even smaller foreign matter from hydrogen gas used as fuel in a foreign matter removal device and a hydrogen gas supply system. [Solution] A foreign matter removal device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body including a flow path portion that is a part of a flow path through which hydrogen gas flows, and a magnet disposed in the flow path portion. The main body includes a cyclone dust collector, and the flow path portion is disposed downstream of the cyclone dust collector. The magnet is rod-shaped and disposed inside the flow path portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a foreign matter removal device and a hydrogen gas supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a gas filter arranged on a pipe that supplies fuel gas. The pipe and the gas filter are arranged with their upstream sides facing downward. The gas filter includes a flange portion sandwiched between two members that form the pipe, and a filter body fixed to the downstream part of the flange portion. A step is formed at the boundary between the flange portion and the filter body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-132426 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, combustion furnaces that use hydrogen gas as fuel are known. Hydrogen gas is more flammable than common fuel gases such as methane gas, so it is desirable to remove even smaller foreign matter. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the foreign matter removal device disclosed in Patent Document 1 when hydrogen gas is used as fuel.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reliably remove even smaller foreign matter from hydrogen gas used as fuel in a foreign matter removal device and a hydrogen gas supply system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A foreign matter removal device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body including a flow path portion that is a part of a flow path through which hydrogen gas flows, and a magnet disposed in the flow path portion.

[0007] A hydrogen gas supply system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the foreign matter removal device and the flow path through which the hydrogen gas compressed by the reciprocating compressor flows, the flow path including a first pipe connecting the reciprocating compressor to the main body, and a second pipe connecting the main body to a combustion furnace that uses the hydrogen gas as fuel gas. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, in a foreign matter removal device and a hydrogen gas supply system, even smaller foreign matter can be removed from hydrogen gas used as fuel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hydrogen gas supply system according to an embodiment and the surrounding area of ​​the hydrogen gas supply system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first foreign matter removal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first foreign matter removal device according to a first modified example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a first foreign matter removal device according to a second modified example. [Figure 5] 5A is a plan view of the magnet and the surrounding area of ​​the magnet in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. 5A.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hydrogen gas supply system 1 according to an embodiment and the peripheral parts of the hydrogen gas supply system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the hydrogen gas supply system 1 supplies hydrogen gas as fuel vaporized in a liquid hydrogen storage tank 2 to a combustion furnace 4. That is, in this embodiment, the liquid hydrogen storage tank 2 is the hydrogen gas supply source. Between the hydrogen gas supply system 1 and the liquid hydrogen storage tank 2, a reciprocating compressor 3 is arranged to compress the hydrogen gas vaporized in the liquid hydrogen storage tank 2.

[0011] The hydrogen gas supply system 1 includes a flow path 10 through which hydrogen gas compressed by the reciprocating compressor 3 flows, and a foreign matter removal device 20 that removes foreign matter from the hydrogen gas compressed by the reciprocating compressor 3.

[0012] The flow path 10 includes a first pipe 11 connecting the reciprocating compressor 3 and the foreign matter removal device 20, and a second pipe 12 connecting the foreign matter removal device 20 and the combustion furnace 4. The first pipe 11 includes a first main pipe 11a connected to the reciprocating compressor 3 and two first sub-pipes 11b branching off from the first main pipe 11a. The second pipe 12 includes a second main pipe 12a connected to the combustion furnace 4 and two second sub-pipes 12b branching off from the second main pipe 12a. The first pipe 11 and the second pipe 12 may each be made of a magnetic material such as iron.

[0013] Hydrogen gas has approximately one-third the calorific value per unit volume and approximately one-seventh the density of methane gas, a common fuel gas. Therefore, for example, if hydrogen gas were supplied to the combustion furnace 4 at the same pressure as methane gas, its volume would be larger than that of methane gas, resulting in an excessively fast flow rate in the flow path 10. Therefore, hydrogen gas is compressed by the reciprocating compressor 3 before being supplied to the combustion furnace 4 by the hydrogen gas supply system 1. This increases the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied to the combustion furnace 4, making its volume approximately the same as that of methane gas, and preventing an excessively fast flow rate. Therefore, when replacing equipment, the flow path 10 and other components of the hydrogen gas supply system 1 can be configured using the flow paths and other components of the methane gas supply system. Furthermore, when installing a new system, the flow paths can be configured based on the same concept as the methane gas supply system. However, wear on the sliding parts of the reciprocating compressor 3 can cause relatively small foreign objects, such as magnetic materials, to become mixed into the hydrogen gas. Therefore, the hydrogen gas supply system 1 is equipped with a foreign object removal device 20 to remove such foreign objects.

[0014] The foreign matter removal device 20 includes a first foreign matter removal device 21A and a second foreign matter removal device 22A connected in parallel to the first foreign matter removal device 21A by the flow path 10. Specifically, the upstream end of the first foreign matter removal device 21A is connected to the downstream end of one of the two first sub-pipes 11b, and the downstream end of the first foreign matter removal device 21A is connected to the upstream end of one of the two second sub-pipes 12b. Furthermore, the upstream end of the second foreign matter removal device 22A is connected to the downstream end of the other of the two first sub-pipes 11b, and the downstream end of the second foreign matter removal device 22A is connected to the upstream end of the other of the two second sub-pipes 12b.

[0015] 2 is a schematic diagram of a first foreign matter removal device 21A according to an embodiment. The second foreign matter removal device 22A has a configuration similar to that of the first foreign matter removal device 21A. Therefore, hereinafter, unless otherwise necessary, only the first foreign matter removal device 21A will be described, and similar descriptions of the second foreign matter removal device 22A will not be repeated.

[0016] 2, first foreign matter removal device 21A includes a main body 25 that includes flow path portion 15A, which is a part of flow path 10. Main body 25 includes a cyclone dust collector 31. Cyclone dust collector 31 includes a dust collection tube 32 that swirls hydrogen gas, an intake port 33 that connects first sub-pipe 11b and dust collection tube 32, and an exhaust port 34 that connects dust collection tube 32 and second sub-pipe 12b. Exhaust port 34 penetrates the top plate of dust collection tube 32 and extends vertically along the central axis of dust collection tube 32.

[0017] Flow path portion 15A is disposed downstream of cyclone dust collector 31. Flow path portion 15A is the upstream end portion of second sub-pipe 12b connected to exhaust port 34 of cyclone dust collector 31. Flow path portion 15A is disposed coaxially with exhaust port 34 of cyclone dust collector 31 and communicates with exhaust port 34. Flow path portion 15A has opening 18 at its upper end.

[0018] The first foreign matter removal device 21A further includes a magnet 40A disposed inside the flow path portion 15A. The magnet 40A is rod-shaped. The magnet 40A may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. A cover member 45 of the magnet 40A is fixed to the upper end of the flow path portion 15A so as to cover the opening 18. As a result, the magnet 40A is disposed inside the flow path portion 15A and extends along the central axis of the flow path portion 15A. The magnet 40A may be disposed on the central axis of the flow path portion 15A or may be disposed offset from the central axis. The magnet 40A may extend at an angle to the central axis of the flow path portion 15A or may extend perpendicular to the central axis of the flow path portion 15A.

[0019] The hydrogen gas supply system 1 further includes a first circuit breaker 51 that blocks the flow of hydrogen gas to the first foreign matter removal device 21A and a second circuit breaker 52 that blocks the flow of hydrogen gas to the second foreign matter removal device 22A. The first circuit breaker 51 includes a first upstream shutoff valve 51a arranged in the first sub-pipe 11b located upstream of the first foreign matter removal device 21A and a first downstream shutoff valve 51b arranged in the second sub-pipe 12b located downstream of the first foreign matter removal device 21A. The second circuit breaker 52 includes a second upstream shutoff valve 52a arranged in the first sub-pipe 11b located upstream of the second foreign matter removal device 22A and a second downstream shutoff valve 52b arranged in the second sub-pipe 12b located downstream of the first foreign matter removal device 21A.

[0020] The hydrogen gas supply system 1 further includes a flow control valve 55 arranged in the second main pipe 12a, a pressure control valve 56 arranged in the second main pipe 12a downstream of the flow control valve 55, a pressure gauge 57 arranged in the second main pipe 12a downstream of the pressure control valve 56, and a shut-off valve 58 arranged in the second main pipe 12a downstream of the pressure gauge 57.

[0021] According to the above-described configuration, the foreign matter removal device 20 includes the main body 25 including the flow path portion 15A and the magnet 40A disposed within the flow path portion 15A. This allows for the removal of relatively small foreign matter contaminants from the hydrogen gas. Examples of such foreign matter include iron powder resulting from wear on the sliding parts of the reciprocating compressor 3 and scale deposited within the flow path 10. The size of the foreign matter can be, for example, 2 μm to 30 μm. It is unlikely that foreign matter of this size will affect safety even if it is mixed into methane gas, a common fuel gas. However, if it is mixed into hydrogen gas, which has a wider flammable range and a lower minimum ignition energy than methane gas, the static electricity generated by the tiny foreign matter can cause fires and explosions. Therefore, removing the foreign matter using the foreign matter removal device 20 enhances the safety of the hydrogen gas supply system 1. Furthermore, malfunctions of the flow control valve 55, the pressure control valve 56, and the shutoff valve 58 due to the foreign matter can be prevented. Furthermore, since a strainer for removing the foreign matter is not required, there is no pressure loss that occurs when the hydrogen gas passes through a strainer, and therefore the output of the reciprocating compressor 3 can be reduced compared to when the foreign matter is removed by a strainer.

[0022] Since the main body 25 includes the cyclone dust collector 31 and the flow path portion 15A is located downstream of the cyclone dust collector 31, before the minute magnetic bodies are removed by the magnet 40A located in the flow path portion 15A, foreign matter including magnetic bodies larger than the magnetic bodies and non-magnetic bodies can be removed by the cyclone dust collector 31. This makes it possible to reliably remove foreign matter of various sizes and types mixed in with the hydrogen gas.

[0023] Because magnet 40A is rod-shaped and placed inside flow path portion 15A, minute magnetic particles mixed in hydrogen gas can be efficiently removed from the hydrogen gas. Also, maintenance work on foreign matter removal device 20 can be easily performed. Specifically, maintenance work can be easily performed by removing magnet 40A from flow path portion 15A, removing foreign matter attached to magnet 40A, and then re-fixing magnet 40A to flow path portion 15A.

[0024] The hydrogen gas supply system 1 includes the foreign matter removal device 20, and therefore can achieve the same effects as those of the foreign matter removal device 20.

[0025] Because the hydrogen gas supply system 1 further includes a first circuit breaker 51 that blocks the flow of hydrogen gas to the first foreign matter removal device 21A and a second circuit breaker 52 that blocks the flow of hydrogen gas to the second foreign matter removal device 22A, maintenance work can be performed on the foreign matter removal device 20 without stopping operation of the hydrogen gas supply system 1. Specifically, by blocking the flow of hydrogen gas to either the first foreign matter removal device 21A or the second foreign matter removal device 22A and performing maintenance work on that one, while allowing hydrogen gas to flow to the other of the first foreign matter removal device 21A or the second foreign matter removal device 22A, maintenance work can be performed on the foreign matter removal device 20 without stopping operation of the hydrogen gas supply system 1.

[0026] 3 is a schematic diagram of a first foreign matter removal device 21B according to a first modified example. The first foreign matter removal device 21B can be disposed in place of the first foreign matter removal device 21A in the hydrogen gas supply system 1 described above. The first foreign matter removal device 21B has the same configuration as the first foreign matter removal device 21A described above, except for the structure of the flow path portion 15B and the arrangement of the magnet 40B. Therefore, the same or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and similar descriptions will not be repeated.

[0027] Like the above-described flow path portion 15A, the flow path portion 15B is the upstream end of the second sub-pipe 12b connected to the exhaust port 34 of the cyclone dust collector 31. In this embodiment, the flow path portion 15B has a base 17a connected to the exhaust port 34 and a protruding portion 17b protruding from a side portion of the base 17a. The base 17a is disposed coaxially with the exhaust port 34 of the cyclone dust collector 31 and communicates with the exhaust port 34. The protruding portion 17b is a cylindrical pipe communicated with the base 17a. The protruding portion 17b has an opening 18 at its tip. A cover member 45 of a magnet 40B is fixed to the flow path portion 15B so as to close the opening 18. As a result, the magnet 40B is disposed inside the flow path portion 15B and extends along the central axis of the second sub-pipe 12b. Even with this first foreign matter removal device 21B, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above-described first foreign matter removal device 21A. Note that the magnet 40B may be disposed on the central axis of the flow path portion 15B or may be disposed offset from the central axis. Furthermore, the magnet 40B may extend at an angle to the central axis of the flow path portion 15B or may extend perpendicular to the central axis.

[0028] 4 is a schematic diagram of a first foreign matter removal device 21C according to a second modification. The first foreign matter removal device 21C can be disposed in place of the first foreign matter removal device 21A in the hydrogen gas supply system 1 described above. The first foreign matter removal device 21C has the same configuration as the first foreign matter removal device 21A described above, except for a flow path portion 15C and a magnet 40C. Therefore, the same or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and similar descriptions will not be repeated.

[0029] The flow path portion 15C is a part of the second sub-pipe 12b that is disposed adjacent to the connection portion 19 of the second sub-pipe 12b that is connected to the exhaust port 34. The connection portion 19 is the upstream end of the second sub-pipe 12b, and is disposed coaxially with the exhaust port 34 of the cyclone dust collector 31. The flow path portion 15C is the upstream end of the portion of the second sub-pipe 12b that bends from the connection portion 19 and extends toward the combustion furnace 4.

[0030] Fig. 5A is a plan view of the magnet 40C in Fig. 4 and the surrounding area of ​​the magnet 40C, and Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in Fig. 5A. As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, in this embodiment, the magnet 40C is disposed so as to surround the flow path portion 15C. The magnet 40C is cylindrical and disposed coaxially with the flow path portion 15C. Even with this first foreign matter removal device 21C, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the first foreign matter removal devices 21A and 21B described above.

[0031] The magnet 40C is divided into two by two dividing lines 41 extending in the axial direction of the flow path portion 15C. When viewed from the axial direction of the magnet 40C, the two dividing lines 41 are arranged on the same straight line extending in the radial direction of the magnet 40C. This structure makes it easy to attach and detach the magnet 40C to and from the flow path portion 15C. Furthermore, the flow path portion 15C is provided separately from the second sub-pipe 12b, and the flow path portion 15C is detachable from the exhaust port 34 of the cyclone dust collector 31 and the second sub-pipe 12b, which makes maintenance easy.

[0032] The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described configuration.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the foreign matter removal device 20 is described as including the first foreign matter removal device 21A and the second foreign matter removal device 22A connected in parallel to each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the foreign matter removal device 20 may include only one foreign matter removal device, or may include three or more foreign matter removal devices connected in parallel to each other.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the case where the main body 25 includes the cyclone dust collector 31 has been described. However, this is not limited to this case, and the main body 25 does not have to include the cyclone dust collector 31. This allows the foreign matter removal device 20 to have a simple configuration.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the case where the flow path portions 15A to 15C are each a part of the second sub-pipe 12b has been described. However, this is not limited to this case, and the flow path portions may be disposed at the exhaust port 34 of the cyclone dust collector 31.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the magnets 40A and 40B are rod-shaped, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the magnets 40A and 40B may each be cylindrical.

[0037] In the second modified example described above, the case where magnet 40C is divided into two by two dividing lines 41 has been described. However, this is not limited to this case, and magnet 40C may be a single piece without dividing lines 41, or may be divided into three or more pieces by three or more dividing lines.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the hydrogen gas supply system 1 is described as not including a strainer for removing foreign matter. However, this is not limited to this case, and the hydrogen gas supply system 1 may include such a strainer. The strainer may be disposed, for example, in the first main pipe 11a. The size of the openings of the strainer is preferably 100 mesh or less. By using the strainer in combination with at least one of the magnets 40A to 40C, it is possible to remove foreign matter of various sizes mixed in with the hydrogen gas while suppressing pressure loss that occurs when the hydrogen gas passes through the strainer.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the hydrogen gas supply system 1 has been described as having a first upstream shutoff valve 51a and a first downstream shutoff valve 51b as the first circuit breaker 51, and a second upstream shutoff valve 52a and a second downstream shutoff valve 52b as the second circuit breaker 52. However, without being limited to this, the hydrogen gas supply system 1 may have, as the first circuit breaker and the second circuit breaker, for example, flow switching valves that allow hydrogen gas to flow to either the first foreign matter removal device 21A or the second foreign matter removal device 22A.

[0040] Each of the following aspects is a disclosure of a preferred embodiment. [Aspect 1] A foreign object removal device, a main body including a flow path portion that is a part of a flow path through which hydrogen gas flows; a magnet disposed in the flow path portion. [Aspect 2] the main body includes a cyclone dust collector; 2. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 1, wherein the flow path portion is disposed downstream of the cyclone dust collector. [Aspect 3] 3. The foreign matter removal device according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the magnet is rod-shaped or cylindrical and is disposed inside the flow path portion. [Aspect 4] 3. The foreign matter removal device according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the magnet is disposed so as to surround the flow path portion. [Aspect 5] 5. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 4, wherein the magnet is divided into a plurality of parts by dividing lines extending in the axial direction of the flow path portion. [Aspect 6] Aspect 6. The foreign matter removal device according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein a reciprocating compressor that compresses the hydrogen gas is disposed upstream of the main body in the flow path. [Aspect 7] A foreign matter removal device according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, and the flow path through which the hydrogen gas flows, The flow path includes a first pipe connecting a hydrogen gas supply source to the main body, and a second pipe connecting a combustion furnace that uses the hydrogen gas as a fuel gas to the main body. [Aspect 8] the foreign matter removal device includes a first foreign matter removal device and a second foreign matter removal device connected in parallel to the first foreign matter removal device by the flow path; a first circuit breaker that blocks the flow of the hydrogen gas to the first foreign matter removal device; 8. The hydrogen gas supply system according to claim 7, further comprising: a second circuit breaker that blocks the flow of the hydrogen gas to the second foreign matter removal device.

[0041] 1. Hydrogen gas supply system 3 Reciprocating compressor 4 Combustion furnace 10 Flow path 11 First piping 12 Second piping 15A to 15C Flow path section 20 Foreign matter removal device 21A to 21C 1st foreign matter removal device 22A 2nd foreign matter removal device 25 Main Unit 31 Cyclone dust collector 34 Exhaust port 40A~40C magnet 41 Dividing Line 51 First Circuit Breaker 52 Second circuit breaker

Claims

1. A foreign object removal device, a main body including a flow path portion that is a part of a flow path through which hydrogen gas flows; a magnet disposed in the flow path portion.

2. the main body includes a cyclone dust collector; The foreign matter removal device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow path portion is disposed downstream of the cyclone dust collector.

3. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnet is rod-shaped or cylindrical and is disposed inside the flow path portion.

4. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 1 , wherein the magnet is disposed so as to surround the flow path portion.

5. 5. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 4, wherein the magnet is divided into a plurality of portions by dividing lines extending in the axial direction of the flow passage portion.

6. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 1 , wherein a reciprocating compressor that compresses the hydrogen gas is disposed upstream of the main body in the flow path.

7. 3. A foreign matter removal device comprising: the foreign matter removal device according to claim 1 or 2; and the flow path through which the hydrogen gas flows; The flow path includes a first pipe connecting a hydrogen gas supply source to the main body, and a second pipe connecting a combustion furnace that uses the hydrogen gas as a fuel gas to the main body.

8. the foreign matter removal device includes a first foreign matter removal device and a second foreign matter removal device connected in parallel to the first foreign matter removal device by the flow path, a first circuit breaker that blocks the flow of the hydrogen gas to the first foreign matter removal device; 8. The hydrogen gas supply system according to claim 7, further comprising: a second circuit breaker that blocks the flow of the hydrogen gas to the second foreign matter removal device.

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