Hydrogen storage alloy filling system

Abstract

A hydrogen storage alloy filling system is provided that can stably transfer hydrogen from a hydrogen supply tank to a hydrogen absorption tank. [Solution] A hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 is provided with a supply-side medium circuit 2 equipped with a hydrogen supply-side tank 21, an absorption-side medium circuit 3 equipped with a hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, and a hydrogen transfer path 4 connecting the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31. The absorption-side medium circuit 3 is provided with a cooler 36 for further cooling the medium. The cooling amount of the cooler 36 is controlled so that the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 are in a predetermined ratio.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy filling system, and more particularly to an improvement for stably transferring hydrogen from a hydrogen supply tank to a hydrogen absorption tank. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, for example, techniques for transferring hydrogen (hydrogen gas) from a hydrogen supply tank to a hydrogen absorption tank are known.

[0003] Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses that when hydrogen is filled from a hydrogen gas cylinder (hydrogen supply tank) into a tank with a built-in hydrogen storage alloy (hydrogen absorption tank), the hydrogen storage alloy inside the tank with a built-in hydrogen storage alloy is cooled to reduce the pressure inside the tank, thereby making it easier for hydrogen to be adsorbed by the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0004] Patent Document 2 also discloses that when hydrogen is transferred from a hydrogen supply tank (hydrogen supply side tank) to a hydrogen storage tank (hydrogen absorption side tank), the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen supply tank is heated and the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen storage tank is cooled.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose that when hydrogen is filled into a hydrogen tank (hydrogen absorption tank) mounted on a vehicle, the hydrogen storage alloy built into the hydrogen tank is cooled using the heat medium of the vehicle's air conditioner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6951737 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-128502 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 4542414 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-239847 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The pressure of hydrogen in a tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy depends on the temperature inside the tank. Therefore, when transferring hydrogen from a hydrogen supply tank (such as a hydrogen tank installed in a hydrogen-filled vehicle) to a hydrogen absorption tank (such as a hydrogen tank installed in construction machinery), increasing the pressure difference between the tanks is effective in increasing the amount of hydrogen transferred per unit time. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase the temperature difference between the tanks.

[0008] However, simply increasing the temperature difference between the tanks may result in the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank becoming too high or, conversely, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption tank becoming too low when transferring hydrogen at a predetermined transfer rate. If the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank becomes too high, there is a risk that the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank will exceed the design value. On the other hand, if the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption tank becomes too low, there is a risk that the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption tank will fall below atmospheric pressure, causing air to enter the tank. In other words, there is a problem in that hydrogen cannot be stably transferred from the hydrogen supply tank to the hydrogen absorption tank due to an imbalance between the amount of heating to the hydrogen supply tank and the amount of cooling to the hydrogen absorption tank.

[0009] The above-mentioned patent documents merely disclose the technical idea of ​​transferring hydrogen by simply utilizing heat, and do not take into consideration the problems caused by the above-mentioned imbalance in heat quantity.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its purpose is to provide a hydrogen storage alloy filling system that can stably transfer hydrogen from a hydrogen supply tank to a hydrogen absorption tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The solution of the present invention for achieving the above object is based on a hydrogen storage alloy filling system in which a hydrogen supply tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy and a hydrogen absorption tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy are connected via a hydrogen transfer path, and hydrogen is transferred from the hydrogen supply tank to the hydrogen absorption tank. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system is characterized by comprising a heating device for heating the hydrogen supply tank and a cooling device for cooling the hydrogen absorption tank, and is configured to be able to control at least one of the heating amount and the cooling amount so that the heating amount by the heating device and the cooling amount by the cooling device are in a predetermined ratio.

[0012] This specification ensures that the amount of heat generated by the heating device for the hydrogen supply tank (the amount of heat generated in response to the endothermic reaction caused by hydrogen release from the hydrogen storage alloy) and the amount of cooling generated by the cooling device for the hydrogen absorption tank (the amount of cooling generated in response to the exothermic reaction caused by hydrogen absorption in the hydrogen storage alloy) are in a predetermined ratio (for example, a 1:1 ratio), preventing the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank from becoming too high or, conversely, preventing the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption tank from becoming too low, and enabling stable transfer of hydrogen from the hydrogen supply tank to the hydrogen absorption tank.

[0013] Specifically, the heating / cooling device includes a sub-heating / cooling device that increases or decreases the amount of heating in the heating device and / or increases or decreases the amount of cooling in the cooling device.

[0014] This makes it possible to embody means for increasing or decreasing the amount of heating in the heating device and means for increasing or decreasing the amount of cooling in the cooling device.

[0015] The heating device may also be configured to include a primary heat medium path that heats the hydrogen supply side tank with a primary heat medium, a secondary heat medium path through which a secondary heat medium flows that provides heat to the primary heat medium, and a first heat exchanger in which the primary heat medium and the secondary heat medium exchange heat.

[0016] Similarly, the cooling device may be configured to include a primary refrigerant path that cools the hydrogen absorption side tank with a primary refrigerant, a secondary refrigerant path through which a secondary refrigerant that removes heat from the primary refrigerant flows, and a second heat exchanger in which the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant exchange heat.

[0017] These configurations allow for greater flexibility in the type of fluid (heat medium, refrigerant) flowing through the primary heat medium path and the primary refrigerant path, making it possible to use fluids that do not adversely affect the tanks containing the hydrogen storage alloy (hydrogen supply tank and hydrogen absorption tank).

[0018] The heating device may also be configured to include a primary heat medium path that heats the hydrogen supply side tank with a primary heat medium, a secondary heat medium path through which a secondary heat medium flows that provides heat to the primary heat medium, and a first heat exchanger in which the primary heat medium and the secondary heat medium exchange heat, and the sub-heating / cooling device may be provided in the primary heat medium path and / or the secondary heat medium path.

[0019] Similarly, the cooling device may be configured to include a primary refrigerant path that cools the hydrogen absorption side tank with a primary refrigerant, a secondary refrigerant path through which a secondary refrigerant that removes heat from the primary refrigerant flows, and a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant, and the sub-heating / cooling device may be provided in the primary refrigerant path and / or the secondary refrigerant path.

[0020] These configurations make it possible to realize a configuration in which a sub-heating / cooling device is used in a system having a secondary heat medium path or a secondary refrigerant path.

[0021] In addition, a flow rate adjusting valve is provided in the hydrogen transfer path.

[0022] This allows a constant amount of hydrogen to be transferred from the hydrogen supply tank to the hydrogen absorption tank under normal circumstances by adjusting the opening of the flow control valve. Furthermore, if the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank becomes too high or the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption tank becomes too low, the opening of the flow control valve can be increased to maintain the internal pressure of each tank within a predetermined range.

[0023] The heating device and the cooling device are each formed of a heat pump unit.

[0024] By using a heat pump, the condenser can be used as a heating source and the evaporator can be used as a cooling source, and a large pressure difference can be obtained between the two tanks with little energy, allowing hydrogen to be transferred at a high transfer rate.

[0025] Furthermore, by controlling the amount of medium circulating in the heat pump unit, the temperature difference between the hydrogen supply tank and the hydrogen absorption tank is controlled to a predetermined temperature difference.

[0026] This makes it possible to stably transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply tank to the hydrogen absorption tank.

[0027] The hydrogen supply tank further includes a sub-heater / cooler that increases or decreases the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply tank and / or increases or decreases the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption tank.

[0028] This makes it possible to use the sub-heating / cooling device to avoid a rise in high pressure on the hydrogen supply tank side due to an imbalance in heat quantity, and to use the sub-heating / cooling device to avoid a drop in low pressure on the hydrogen absorption tank side due to an imbalance in heat quantity.

[0029] Furthermore, when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit becomes higher than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating / cooling device is reduced or the cooling amount is increased.

[0030] This allows the sub-heater / cooler to be used to avoid a high pressure rise on the hydrogen supply tank side due to an imbalance in heat quantity.

[0031] Furthermore, when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit becomes lower than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating / cooling device is increased or the cooling amount is reduced.

[0032] This allows the sub-heater / cooler to be used to avoid a drop in the low pressure on the hydrogen absorption tank side due to an imbalance in the amount of heat.

[0033] Furthermore, when the pressure of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path becomes higher than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating / cooling device is reduced or the cooling amount is increased.

[0034] As a result, when the pressure on the hydrogen supply tank side in the hydrogen transfer path is high, the sub-heating / cooling device can be used to reduce the heating capacity of the hydrogen supply tank, thereby suppressing the increase in pressure on the hydrogen supply tank side.

[0035] Furthermore, when the pressure of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path becomes lower than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating / cooling device is increased or the cooling amount is reduced.

[0036] As a result, when the pressure on the hydrogen absorption tank side in the hydrogen transfer path is low, the sub-heating / cooling device can be used to reduce the cooling capacity of the hydrogen absorption tank side, thereby suppressing a drop in pressure on the hydrogen absorption tank side.

[0037] In addition, a flow control valve is provided in the hydrogen transfer path, and the opening of the flow control valve is increased when the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen transfer path becomes higher than a first hydrogen pressure threshold or lower than a second hydrogen pressure threshold that is lower than the first hydrogen pressure threshold.

[0038] This makes it possible to suppress the increase in pressure on the hydrogen supply tank side in the hydrogen transfer path when the pressure on the hydrogen supply tank side is high (when it is higher than the first hydrogen pressure threshold), and to suppress the decrease in pressure on the hydrogen absorption tank side in the hydrogen transfer path when the pressure on the hydrogen absorption tank side is low (when it is lower than the second hydrogen pressure threshold).

[0039] In addition, when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit becomes higher than a first medium pressure threshold or lower than a second medium pressure threshold that is lower than the first medium pressure threshold, the amount of medium circulating in the heat pump unit is reduced.

[0040] As a result, when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit is high (higher than the first medium pressure threshold), the amount of heat applied to the hydrogen supply side tank is reduced by reducing the amount of medium circulated, making it possible to suppress a pressure increase on the hydrogen supply side tank side.Furthermore, when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit is low (lower than the second medium pressure threshold), the amount of cooling applied to the hydrogen absorption side tank is reduced by reducing the amount of medium circulated, making it possible to suppress a pressure decrease on the hydrogen absorption side tank side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0041] In the present invention, in a hydrogen storage alloy filling system in which a hydrogen supply tank and a hydrogen absorption tank are connected via a hydrogen transfer path, the amount of heating by a heating device that heats the hydrogen supply tank and the amount of cooling by a cooling device that cools the hydrogen absorption tank can be controlled to a predetermined ratio. This makes it possible to prevent the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank from becoming too high or too low, and enables stable transfer of hydrogen from the hydrogen supply tank to the hydrogen absorption tank. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a modified example of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a modified example of the seventh embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a modified example of the eighth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption tank, the flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path, and the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve in the ninth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption tank, the flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path, and the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve in the tenth embodiment. [Figure 15]FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to an eleventh embodiment, illustrating an example of the flow of a medium. [Figure 16] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to the eleventh embodiment, illustrating another example of the flow of the medium. [Figure 17] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the relationship between the opening degree of the three-way valve and the corresponding temperature change in the hydrogen supply tank in the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a twelfth embodiment, illustrating an example of the flow of a medium. [Figure 19] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to the twelfth embodiment, illustrating another example of the flow of the medium. [Figure 20] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the relationship between the opening degree of the three-way valve and the corresponding temperature change in the hydrogen supply tank in the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between tank pressure and the amount of absorbed hydrogen when different alloys are used. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the tank pressure and the amount of absorbed hydrogen when the same alloy is used. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the tank pressure and the amount of occluded hydrogen when a heat pump unit is used. [Figure 24] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to a thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the high pressure of the heat pump unit, the low pressure of the heat pump unit, the aperture of the solenoid valve, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path, the aperture of the flow control valve, the heat radiation amount of the main condenser, and the heat radiation amount of the sub-condenser in the fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 26]FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the high pressure of the heat pump unit, the low pressure of the heat pump unit, the aperture of the solenoid valve, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path, the aperture of the flow control valve, the heat radiation amount of the main condenser, and the heat radiation amount of the sub-condenser in the 15th embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the high-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit, the low-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit, the aperture of the solenoid valve, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path, the aperture of the flow control valve, the heat absorption amount of the main evaporator, and the heat absorption amount of the sub-evaporator in the sixteenth embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the high pressure of the heat pump unit, the low pressure of the heat pump unit, the aperture of the solenoid valve, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path, the aperture of the flow control valve, the heat absorption amount of the main evaporator, and the heat absorption amount of the sub-evaporator in the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the high pressure of the heat pump unit, the low pressure of the heat pump unit, the opening of the solenoid valve, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path, the opening of the flow control valve, the amount of hydrogen absorbed by the hydrogen absorption-side tank, and the amount of hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen supply-side tank in the 18th embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the high pressure of the heat pump unit, the low pressure of the heat pump unit, the opening of the solenoid valve, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path, the opening of the flow control valve, the amount of hydrogen absorbed by the hydrogen absorption-side tank, and the amount of hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen supply-side tank in the 19th embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a hydrogen storage alloy filling system that transfers hydrogen from a hydrogen supply tank mounted on a hydrogen filling vehicle (such as a truck) to a hydrogen absorption tank mounted on a construction machine.

[0044] -First embodiment- First, a first embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to a measure for a case where the amount of heat applied to a hydrogen supply-side tank in a supply-side medium circuit equipped with a hydrogen supply-side tank is greater than the amount of cooling applied to a hydrogen absorption-side tank in an absorption-side medium circuit equipped with a hydrogen absorption-side tank (greater in absolute value of the amount of heat).

[0045] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment includes a supply-side medium circuit 2 equipped with a hydrogen supply-side tank 21, an absorption-side medium circuit 3 equipped with a hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, and a hydrogen transfer path 4 connecting the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0046] The supply-side medium circuit 2 includes a pump 22 and a hydrogen supply-side tank 21, and the discharge side of the pump 22 is connected to the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 by a first supply-side pipe 23. The suction side of the pump 22 is connected to the medium outlet side of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 by a second supply-side pipe 24.

[0047] The first supply-side piping 23 is also provided with a heater 25 for heating the medium flowing through the first supply-side piping 23. This heater 25 can be an electric heater, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a condenser of a heat pump unit (an embodiment using this heat pump unit will be described later), or the like. The medium flowing through the first supply-side piping 23 may also be heated by other means. Therefore, the supply-side medium circuit 2 constitutes the heating device referred to in the present invention.

[0048] The hydrogen supply side tank 21 is configured so that a hydrogen storage alloy is contained within a casing, and heat is exchanged between the medium flowing into the casing from the supply side first piping 23 and the hydrogen storage alloy, thereby heating the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0049] The absorption-side medium circuit 3 includes a pump 32 and a hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, and the discharge side of the pump 32 is connected to the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 by a first absorption-side pipe 33. The suction side of the pump 32 is connected to the medium outlet side of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 by a second absorption-side pipe 34.

[0050] The absorption-side first pipe 33 is provided with a cooler 35 for cooling the medium flowing through the absorption-side first pipe 33. This cooler 35 can be a heat exchanger of a chiller, a Peltier element, an evaporator of a heat pump unit (an embodiment using this heat pump unit will be described later), or the like. Alternatively, the medium flowing through the absorption-side first pipe 33 may be cooled by other means. Therefore, the absorption-side medium circuit 3 constitutes the cooling device referred to in the present invention.

[0051] The hydrogen absorption side tank 31 is configured so that a hydrogen storage alloy is housed within a casing, and heat is exchanged between the medium flowing into the casing from the absorption side first piping 33 and the hydrogen storage alloy, thereby cooling the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0052] The hydrogen transfer path 4 connects the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 and is made up of piping that enables the transfer of hydrogen from the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31. The hydrogen transfer path 4 is also provided with a flow rate adjustment valve 41 that has the function of maintaining a constant flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4. The flow rate adjustment valve 41 is a so-called mass flow controlled valve that keeps the flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4 constant regardless of the pressure difference between the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0053] As described above, this embodiment is a hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 that transfers hydrogen from a hydrogen supply tank 21 mounted on a hydrogen filling vehicle to a hydrogen absorption tank 31 mounted on a construction machine. Of the various components constituting this hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1, the supply medium circuit 2, the absorption medium circuit 3, and the flow control valve 41 of the hydrogen transfer path 4, other than the hydrogen absorption tank 31, are all mounted on the hydrogen filling vehicle, and only the hydrogen absorption tank 31 is mounted on the construction machine. In FIG. 1, the components mounted on the hydrogen filling vehicle are surrounded by a dash-dot line, and the components mounted on the construction machine are surrounded by a two-dot dash line. When hydrogen is transferred from the hydrogen supply tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption tank 31, the piping of the hydrogen filling vehicle and the piping of the construction machine are connected by joints J1, J2, and J3. In the drawings of the following embodiments, the dashed dotted lines, dashed two dotted lines, and the joints J1, J2, and J3 are omitted for ease of viewing.

[0054] A feature of this embodiment is that a cooler (referred to as a sub-heating / cooling device in the present invention) 36 is provided downstream of the cooler 35 in the absorption-side first piping 33 to further cool the medium flowing through the absorption-side first piping 33. The cooler 36 is not particularly limited as long as it cools the medium flowing through the absorption-side first piping 33, and like the cooler 35, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a Peltier element, an evaporator of a heat pump unit, or the like can be applied. The cooler 36 is also variable in the amount of cooling the medium flowing through the absorption-side first piping 33. Specifically, in a situation where the amount of cooling the medium in the cooler 35 provided in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 is insufficient compared to the amount of heating the medium in the heater 25 provided in the supply-side medium circuit 2 (a situation where an imbalance in the amount of heat occurs), the insufficient amount of cooling is compensated for by the amount of cooling provided by the cooler 36, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in the amount of heat. For example, when the temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in the supply side first piping 23 (hereinafter referred to as the supply side target temperature) and the temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 in the absorption side first piping 33 (hereinafter referred to as the absorption side target temperature) are predetermined to obtain ideal internal pressures in each tank 21, 31 for stable hydrogen transfer in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the cooling amount of the cooler 36 is controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity depending on the amount of deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 (e.g., the temperature of the medium detected by a temperature sensor not shown) and the supply side target temperature, and the amount of deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 (e.g., the temperature of the medium detected by a temperature sensor not shown) and the absorption side target temperature.

[0055] This prevents the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank 21 from becoming too high (for example, exceeding the pressure specified by the High-Pressure Gas Safety Act), making it possible to stably transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption tank 31.

[0056] -Second embodiment- Next, a second embodiment will be described. This embodiment is directed to a case where the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 is greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2 (greater in absolute value of the amount of heat).

[0057] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment, like the system according to the first embodiment, also includes a supply-side medium circuit 2 equipped with a hydrogen supply-side tank 21, an absorption-side medium circuit 3 equipped with a hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, and a hydrogen transfer path 4 connecting the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0058] In this embodiment, no cooler is provided downstream of the cooler 35 in the absorption-side first piping 33, and a heater (referred to as a sub-heater-cooler in the present invention) 26 is provided downstream of the heater 25 in the supply-side first piping 23 to further heat the medium flowing through the supply-side first piping 23. The heater 26 is not particularly limited as long as it heats the medium flowing through the supply-side first piping 23. Similar to the heater 25, an electric heater, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a condenser of a heat pump unit, or the like can be used. The heater 26 is also variable in the amount of heat applied to the medium flowing through the supply-side first piping 23. Specifically, in a situation where the amount of heat applied to the medium by the heater 25 provided in the supply-side medium circuit 2 is insufficient compared to the amount of cooling of the medium by the cooler 35 provided in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 (a situation where an imbalance in heat amounts occurs), the insufficient amount of heat is compensated for by the amount of heat applied by the heater 26, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in heat amounts. For example, when the supply side target temperature and absorption side target temperature are predetermined to obtain an ideal internal pressure for each tank 21, 31 for stable hydrogen transfer in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the heating amount of the heater 26 is controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity depending on the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 and the supply side target temperature, and the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 and the absorption side target temperature.

[0059] This prevents the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 from becoming too low (for example, a state where the hydrogen pressure falls below the hydrogen pressure required by the device connected to the hydrogen absorption side tank 31), making it possible to stably transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply side tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption side tank 31.

[0060] -Third embodiment- Next, a third embodiment will be described. Similar to the first embodiment, this embodiment is directed to a case where the amount of heat applied to the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2 is greater than the amount of cooling applied to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 (greater in absolute value of the amount of heat).

[0061] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment, like the system according to the first embodiment, also includes a supply-side medium circuit 2 equipped with a hydrogen supply-side tank 21, an absorption-side medium circuit 3 equipped with a hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, and a hydrogen transfer path 4 connecting the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0062] In this embodiment, no cooler is provided downstream of the cooler 35 in the absorption-side first piping 33. Instead, a cooler (referred to as a sub-heating / cooling device in the present invention) 27 for cooling the medium flowing through the supply-side first piping 23 is provided downstream of the heater 25 in the supply-side first piping 23. The cooler 27 is not particularly limited as long as it cools the medium flowing through the supply-side first piping 23. As with the cooler 35, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a Peltier element, an evaporator of a heat pump unit, or the like can be used. The cooler 27 is also variable in the amount of cooling the medium flowing through the supply-side first piping 23. Specifically, in a situation where the amount of heating of the medium in the heater 25 provided in the supply-side medium circuit 2 is excessive relative to the amount of cooling of the medium in the cooler 35 provided in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 (a situation where an imbalance in the amount of heat occurs), the cooler 27 offsets the excess amount of heating, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in the amount of heat. For example, when the supply side target temperature and absorption side target temperature are predetermined to obtain an ideal internal pressure for each tank 21, 31 for stable hydrogen transfer in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the cooling amount of the cooler 27 is controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity depending on the amount of deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 and the supply side target temperature, and the amount of deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 and the absorption side target temperature.

[0063] This prevents the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank 21 from becoming too high, and enables stable transfer of hydrogen from the hydrogen supply tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption tank 31.

[0064] -Modification of the third embodiment- In the third embodiment described above, the cooler 27 is connected in series to the hydrogen supply-side tank 21, but it may also be connected in parallel. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 when the cooler 27 is connected in parallel to the hydrogen supply-side tank 21.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 4, a branch pipe 28 is provided between the first supply pipe 23 and the second supply pipe 24, and a cooler 27 is provided in the branch pipe 28.

[0066] When the cooler 27 is connected in parallel to the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in this way, the cooling amount of the cooler 27 may be controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity, or the cooling amount of the cooler 27 may be constant and the cooling amount for the entire medium in the supply side medium circuit 2 may be adjusted by adjusting the amount of medium flowing through the branch pipe 28 (for example, by providing a flow control valve at the branch section), thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in heat quantity.

[0067] Furthermore, when the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in the supply side medium circuit 2 is greater than the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 in the absorption side medium circuit 3, in a configuration in which a cooler is provided in the absorption side medium circuit 3, the technology of the present invention also includes connecting the cooler in parallel to the hydrogen absorption side tank 31.

[0068] -Fourth embodiment- Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Similar to the second embodiment, this embodiment is directed to a case where the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 is greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2 (greater in absolute value of the amount of heat).

[0069] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment, like that of the second embodiment, also includes a supply-side medium circuit 2 equipped with a hydrogen supply-side tank 21, an absorption-side medium circuit 3 equipped with a hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, and a hydrogen transfer path 4 connecting the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0070] In this embodiment, no heater is provided downstream of the heater 25 in the supply-side first piping 23, but a heater (referred to as a sub-heater-cooler in the present invention) 37 for heating the medium flowing through the absorption-side first piping 33 is provided downstream of the cooler 35 in the absorption-side first piping 33. The heater 37 is not particularly limited as long as it heats the medium flowing through the absorption-side first piping 33. Similar to the heater 25, an electric heater, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a condenser of a heat pump unit, or the like can be used. The heater 37 is also variable in the amount of heat applied to the medium flowing through the absorption-side first piping 33. Specifically, in a situation where the amount of cooling applied to the medium in the cooler 35 provided in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 is excessive relative to the amount of heating applied to the medium in the heater 25 provided in the supply-side medium circuit 2 (a situation where an imbalance in the amount of heat occurs), the heater 37 offsets the excess cooling amount, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in the amount of heat. For example, when the supply side target temperature and absorption side target temperature are predetermined to obtain an ideal internal pressure for each tank 21, 31 for stable hydrogen transfer in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the heating amount of the heater 37 is controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity depending on the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 and the supply side target temperature, and the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 and the absorption side target temperature.

[0071] This prevents the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 from becoming too low, and makes it possible to stably transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0072] -Modification of the fourth embodiment- In the fourth embodiment described above, the heater 37 is connected in series to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, but it may also be connected in parallel. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 when the heater 37 is connected in parallel to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, a branch pipe 38 is provided between the first absorption side pipe 33 and the second absorption side pipe 34, and a heater 37 is provided in the branch pipe 38.

[0074] When the heater 37 is connected in parallel to the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 in this manner, the heating amount of the heater 37 may be controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity, or the heating amount of the heater 37 may be constant and the heating amount for the entire medium in the absorption side medium circuit 3 may be adjusted by adjusting the amount of medium flowing through the branch pipe 38 (for example, by providing a flow control valve at the branch section), thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in heat quantity.

[0075] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 in the absorption side medium circuit 3 is greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in the supply side medium circuit 2, the technology of the present invention also includes connecting the heater in parallel to the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in the configuration in which the supply side medium circuit 2 is equipped with a heater.

[0076] -Fifth embodiment- Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a secondary circuit through which the medium circulates is provided as a means for heating the medium circulating in the supply-side medium circuit 2 and a means for cooling the medium circulating in the absorption-side medium circuit 3, and the imbalance in the amount of heat is suppressed or eliminated.

[0077] Furthermore, like the first embodiment, this embodiment is an embodiment relating to a measure to be taken when the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in the supply side medium circuit 2 is greater than the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 in the absorption side medium circuit 3 (greater in absolute value of the amount of heat).

[0078] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment includes a supply-side medium circuit (a primary heat medium path through which a primary heat medium flows according to the present invention) 2, an absorption-side medium circuit (a primary refrigerant path through which a primary refrigerant flows according to the present invention) 3, and a hydrogen transfer path 4, as well as a supply-side secondary medium circuit (a secondary heat medium path through which a secondary heat medium flows according to the present invention) 5 and an absorption-side secondary medium circuit (a secondary refrigerant path through which a secondary refrigerant flows according to the present invention) 6.

[0079] In this embodiment, the supply side medium circuit 2 is provided with a supply side heat exchanger (referred to as the first heat exchanger in the present invention) 51 in the supply side first piping 23, which exchanges heat between a medium (primary heat medium) circulating through the supply side medium circuit 2 and a medium (secondary heat medium) circulating through the supply side secondary medium circuit 5.

[0080] The supply-side secondary medium circuit 5 includes a pump 52 and the supply-side heat exchanger 51. The discharge side of the pump 52 is connected to the supply-side heat exchanger 51 by a third supply-side pipe 53. The suction side of the pump 52 is connected to the supply-side heat exchanger 51 by a fourth supply-side pipe 54. The third supply-side pipe 53 is provided with a heater 55 for heating the medium flowing through the third supply-side pipe 53. As in the above-described embodiment, this heater 55 can be an electric heater, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a condenser of a heat pump unit, or the like. Alternatively, the medium flowing through the third supply-side pipe 53 may be heated by other means. With this configuration, the supply-side medium circuit 2 and the supply-side secondary medium circuit 5 constitute a heating device as defined in the present invention.

[0081] On the other hand, the absorption side medium circuit 3 in this embodiment is provided with an absorption side heat exchanger (referred to as a second heat exchanger in the present invention) 61 in the absorption side first piping 33, which exchanges heat between a medium (primary refrigerant) circulating through the absorption side medium circuit 3 and a medium (secondary refrigerant) circulating through the absorption side secondary medium circuit 6.

[0082] The absorption-side secondary medium circuit 6 includes a pump 62 and the absorption-side heat exchanger 61. The discharge side of the pump 62 is connected to the absorption-side heat exchanger 61 by a third absorption-side pipe 63. The suction side of the pump 62 is connected to the absorption-side heat exchanger 61 by a fourth absorption-side pipe 64. The third absorption-side pipe 63 is provided with a cooler 65 for cooling the medium flowing through the third absorption-side pipe 63. As in the above-described embodiment, a chiller heat exchanger, a Peltier element, an evaporator of a heat pump unit, or the like can be used as the cooler 65. Alternatively, the medium flowing through the third absorption-side pipe 63 may be cooled by other means. With this configuration, the absorption-side medium circuit 3 and the absorption-side secondary medium circuit 6 constitute a cooling device as defined in the present invention.

[0083] As a feature of this embodiment, the fourth absorption-side pipe 64 is provided with a cooler 66 for further cooling the medium flowing through the fourth absorption-side pipe 64. The cooler 66 is also not particularly limited as long as it cools the medium flowing through the fourth absorption-side pipe 64, and like the cooler 65, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a Peltier element, an evaporator of a heat pump unit, or the like can be applied. The cooler 66 is also variable in the amount of cooling the medium flowing through the fourth absorption-side pipe 64. Specifically, in a situation where the amount of cooling the medium in the cooler 65 provided in the absorption-side secondary medium circuit 6 is insufficient compared to the amount of heating the medium in the heater 55 provided in the supply-side secondary medium circuit 5 (a situation where an imbalance in the amount of heat occurs), the insufficient amount of cooling is made up for by the amount of cooling provided by the cooler 66, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in the amount of heat. For example, when the supply side target temperature and absorption side target temperature are predetermined to obtain an ideal internal pressure for each tank 21, 31 for stable hydrogen transfer in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the cooling amount of the cooler 66 is controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity depending on the amount of deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 and the supply side target temperature, and the amount of deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 and the absorption side target temperature.

[0084] This prevents the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank 21 from becoming too high, and enables stable transfer of hydrogen from the hydrogen supply tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption tank 31.

[0085] -Sixth embodiment- Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is an embodiment relating to a measure for a case in which the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 is greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2 (greater in absolute value of the amount of heat) in a hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 equipped with a supply-side secondary medium circuit 5 and an absorption-side secondary medium circuit 6.

[0086] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment also includes a supply side secondary medium circuit 5 and an absorption side secondary medium circuit 6 in addition to the supply side medium circuit 2, the absorption side medium circuit 3, and the hydrogen transfer path 4, just like the fifth embodiment.

[0087] In this embodiment, the absorption-side fourth pipe 64 is not provided with a cooler, and a heater 56 is provided in the supply-side third pipe 53 downstream of the heater 55 for further heating the medium flowing through the supply-side third pipe 53. The heater 56 is also not particularly limited as long as it heats the medium flowing through the supply-side third pipe 53. Like the heater 55, an electric heater, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a condenser of a heat pump unit, or the like can be applied. The heater 56 is also variable in the amount of heat applied to the medium flowing through the supply-side third pipe 53. Specifically, in a situation where the amount of heat applied to the medium by the heater 55 provided in the supply-side secondary medium circuit 5 is insufficient compared to the amount of cooling of the medium by the cooler 65 provided in the absorption-side secondary medium circuit 6 (a situation where an imbalance in heat amounts occurs), the insufficient amount of heat is compensated for by the amount of heat applied by the heater 56, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in heat amounts. For example, when the supply side target temperature and absorption side target temperature are predetermined to obtain an ideal internal pressure for each tank 21, 31 for stable hydrogen transfer in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the heating amount of the heater 56 is controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity depending on the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 and the supply side target temperature, and the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 and the absorption side target temperature.

[0088] This prevents the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 from becoming too low, and makes it possible to stably transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0089] -Seventh embodiment- Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. Like the fifth embodiment, this embodiment is an embodiment relating to a measure for a case in which the amount of heat applied to the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2 is greater than the amount of cooling applied to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 (greater in absolute value of the amount of heat) in a hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 equipped with a supply-side secondary medium circuit 5 and an absorption-side secondary medium circuit 6.

[0090] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment also includes a supply side secondary medium circuit 5 and an absorption side secondary medium circuit 6 in addition to the supply side medium circuit 2, the absorption side medium circuit 3, and the hydrogen transfer path 4, just like the fifth embodiment.

[0091] In this embodiment, the absorption-side fourth pipe 64 is not provided with a cooler, but the supply-side third pipe 53 is provided with a cooler 57 downstream of the heater 55 for cooling the medium flowing through the supply-side third pipe 53. The cooler 57 is not particularly limited as long as it cools the medium flowing through the supply-side third pipe 53, and like the cooler 65, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a Peltier element, an evaporator of a heat pump unit, or the like can be applied. The cooler 57 is also variable in the amount of cooling the medium flowing through the supply-side third pipe 53. Specifically, in a situation where the amount of heating of the medium in the heater 55 provided in the supply-side third pipe 53 is excessive relative to the amount of cooling of the medium in the cooler 65 provided in the absorption-side third pipe 63 (a situation where an imbalance in the amount of heat occurs), the excess amount of heating is offset by the cooler 57, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in the amount of heat. For example, when the supply side target temperature and absorption side target temperature are predetermined to obtain an ideal internal pressure for each tank 21, 31 for stable hydrogen transfer in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the cooling amount of the cooler 57 is controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the heat imbalance depending on the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 and the supply side target temperature, and the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 and the absorption side target temperature.

[0092] This prevents the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank 21 from becoming too high, and enables stable transfer of hydrogen from the hydrogen supply tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption tank 31.

[0093] -Modification of the Seventh Embodiment- In the seventh embodiment described above, the cooler 57 is connected in series to the supply-side heat exchanger 51, but it may be connected in parallel. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 when the cooler 57 is connected in parallel to the supply-side heat exchanger 51.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 10, a branch pipe 58 is provided between the third supply pipe 53 and the fourth supply pipe 54, and the branch pipe 58 is provided with a cooler 57.

[0095] In this way, when the cooler 57 is connected in parallel to the supply side heat exchanger 51, the cooling amount of the cooler 57 may be controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity, or the cooling amount of the cooler 57 may be constant and the cooling amount for the entire medium in the supply side secondary medium circuit 5 may be adjusted by adjusting the amount of medium flowing through the branch pipe 58, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in heat quantity.

[0096] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in the supply side medium circuit 2 is greater than the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 in the absorption side medium circuit 3, and a cooler is provided in the absorption side secondary medium circuit 6, the technology of the present invention also includes connecting the cooler in parallel to the absorption side heat exchanger 61.

[0097] -Eighth embodiment- Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. Like the sixth embodiment, this embodiment is an embodiment relating to a measure for a case in which the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 is greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2 (greater in absolute value of the amount of heat) in a hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 equipped with a supply-side secondary medium circuit 5 and an absorption-side secondary medium circuit 6.

[0098] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment also includes a supply side secondary medium circuit 5 and an absorption side secondary medium circuit 6 in addition to the supply side medium circuit 2, the absorption side medium circuit 3, and the hydrogen transfer path 4, just like the sixth embodiment.

[0099] In this embodiment, no heater is provided downstream of the heater 55 in the supply-side third piping 53, but a heater 67 is provided downstream of the cooler 65 in the absorption-side third piping 63 to heat the medium flowing through the absorption-side third piping 63. The heater 67 is not particularly limited as long as it heats the medium flowing through the absorption-side third piping 63, and like the heater 55, an electric heater, a heat exchanger of a chiller, a condenser of a heat pump unit, or the like can be applied. The heater 67 is also variable in the amount of heat applied to the medium flowing through the absorption-side third piping 63. Specifically, in a situation where the amount of cooling of the medium in the cooler 65 provided in the absorption-side third piping 63 is excessive relative to the amount of heating of the medium in the heater 55 provided in the supply-side third piping 53 (a situation where an imbalance in the amount of heat occurs), the heater 67 offsets the excess cooling amount, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in the amount of heat. For example, when the supply side target temperature and absorption side target temperature are predetermined to obtain an ideal internal pressure for each tank 21, 31 for stable hydrogen transfer in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the heating amount of the heater 67 is controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity depending on the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 and the supply side target temperature, and the deviation between the actual temperature of the medium on the medium inlet side of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 and the absorption side target temperature.

[0100] This prevents the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 from becoming too low, and makes it possible to stably transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0101] -Modification of the eighth embodiment- In the above-described eighth embodiment, the heater 67 is connected in series to the absorption-side heat exchanger 61, but it may be connected in parallel. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 when the heater 67 is connected in parallel to the absorption-side heat exchanger 61.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 12, a branch pipe 68 is provided between the third absorption pipe 63 and the fourth absorption pipe 64, and the branch pipe 68 is provided with a heater 67.

[0103] When the heater 67 is connected in parallel to the absorption side heat exchanger 61 in this way, the heating amount of the heater 67 may be controlled so as to suppress or eliminate the imbalance in heat quantity, or the heating amount of the heater 67 may be constant and the amount of heat for the entire medium in the absorption side secondary medium circuit 6 may be adjusted by adjusting the amount of medium flowing through the branch pipe 68, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in heat quantity.

[0104] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 in the absorption side medium circuit 3 is greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in the supply side medium circuit 2, and a heater is provided in the supply side secondary medium circuit 5, the technology of the present invention also includes connecting the heater in parallel to the supply side heat exchanger 51.

[0105] -Ninth embodiment- Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to control for resolving a state in which the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 becomes too high due to the amount of heating of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2 being greater than the amount of cooling of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3.

[0106] Specifically, when the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 reaches a predetermined high-pressure limit value, control is performed to increase the aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41. In other words, the function of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 to maintain a constant hydrogen flow rate is released and the aperture of this flow rate adjustment valve 41 is temporarily increased, thereby releasing the pressure in the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 from the hydrogen transfer path 4 to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 and reducing the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 to below the high-pressure limit value. This control of the aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 is performed by sending a command signal from a valve controller (not shown) on the condition that the pressure detected by a pressure sensor (not shown) disposed upstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 in the hydrogen transfer path 4 reaches the high-pressure limit value.

[0107] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank 21, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption tank 31, the flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4, and the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 in this case.

[0108] Until timing T1 in the figure is reached, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 gradually increases, and accordingly, the aperture of the flow rate control valve 41 gradually decreases, thereby maintaining a constant flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4. Then, at timing T1 in the figure, when the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 reaches the high-pressure limit value PH, the aperture of the flow rate control valve 41 increases, and accordingly, the flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4 increases, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 decreases (below the high-pressure limit value PH), and the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 increases slightly.

[0109] In this way, by implementing control to increase the opening of the flow control valve 41 when the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 reaches a predetermined high-pressure limit value, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 from becoming too high.

[0110] Incidentally, such control of the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 41 can be applied to any of the above-described embodiments.

[0111] -Tenth embodiment- Next, a tenth embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to control for resolving a state in which the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 becomes too low due to the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 being greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2.

[0112] Specifically, when the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 reaches a predetermined low-pressure limit value, control is performed to increase the aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41. In other words, the function of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 to maintain a constant hydrogen flow rate is released, and the aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 is temporarily increased, thereby increasing the flow rate of hydrogen to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 and raising the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 to or above the low-pressure limit value. The aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 is controlled by a command signal sent from a valve controller (not shown) on the condition that the pressure detected by a pressure sensor (not shown) disposed downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 in the hydrogen transfer path 4 reaches the low-pressure limit value.

[0113] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply tank 21, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption tank 31, the flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4, and the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 in this case.

[0114] Until timing T2 in the figure is reached, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 gradually decreases, and accordingly, the aperture of the flow rate control valve 41 gradually decreases, thereby maintaining a constant flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4. Then, at timing T2 in the figure, when the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 reaches the low-pressure limit value PL, the aperture of the flow rate control valve 41 increases, and accordingly, the flow rate of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4 increases, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 increases (becomes higher than the low-pressure limit value PL), and the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 decreases slightly.

[0115] In this way, by controlling the flow rate control valve 41 to increase the opening when the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 reaches a predetermined low pressure limit value PL, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 from becoming too low.

[0116] Incidentally, such control of the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 41 can be applied to any of the above-described embodiments.

[0117] -Eleventh embodiment- Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a heat storage tank, which is an external heat source, is used as a means for heating the medium flowing through the supply-side third piping 53 of the supply-side secondary medium circuit 5. Examples of this heat storage tank include one that uses waste heat from a facility or one that uses cooling water from an internal combustion engine.

[0118] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 15, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment includes a supply-side medium circuit 2, an absorption-side medium circuit 3, a hydrogen transfer path 4, a supply-side secondary medium circuit 5, and an absorption-side secondary medium circuit 6, similar to the fifth embodiment. The supply-side secondary medium circuit 5 includes a heat exchanger 59 instead of a heater. The external heat source circuit 7 is also provided with a pump 71 and a heat storage tank 72, and the supply-side third piping 53 includes a bypass circuit 73 that bypasses the heat exchanger 59. A three-way valve 74 is disposed at the connection position of the discharge side of the pump 52 in this bypass circuit 73, and by adjusting the opening of this three-way valve 74, the flow rate of the medium flowing through the supply side third piping 53 to the heat exchanger 59 and the flow rate bypassing the heat exchanger 59 (flow rate of the bypass circuit 73) can be varied.

[0119] When the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 in the absorption side medium circuit 3 is greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in the supply side medium circuit 2, the flow rate of the medium to the heat exchanger 59 is increased and the flow rate of the medium bypassing the heat exchanger 59 is reduced (for example, the flow rate is set to zero), as shown by the arrows in Figure 15 (arrows attached to the external heat source circuit 7 and the supply side third piping 53), thereby heating the medium flowing through the supply side third piping 53.

[0120] On the other hand, when the heat quantity imbalance is suppressed or eliminated by heating the medium flowing through the supply-side third piping 53, the flow rate of the medium to the heat exchanger 59 is reduced (for example, set to zero) and the flow rate of the medium bypassing the heat exchanger 59 is increased, as shown by the arrow (arrow attached to the bypass circuit 73) in Fig. 16, thereby maintaining a balanced state of heat quantities. Also, when the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 becomes greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2 again, the state shown by the arrow in Fig. 15 is restored again.

[0121] 17 shows the relationship between the degree of opening of three-way valve 74 (degree of opening to bypass circuit 73) and the corresponding change in temperature of hydrogen supply-side tank 21. As is clear from FIG. 17, by changing the degree of opening of three-way valve 74, the temperature of hydrogen supply-side tank 21 can be maintained within a predetermined range.

[0122] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to effectively utilize heat from an external heat source while maintaining a balanced state of heat quantity.

[0123] -Twelfth embodiment- Next, a twelfth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is a modification of the eleventh embodiment described above. Here, differences from the eleventh embodiment will be mainly described.

[0124] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 18, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that, in addition to the components of the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 of the eleventh embodiment described above, a branch pipe 58 extending between the third supply pipe 53 and the fourth supply pipe 54 of the supply side secondary medium circuit 5 is provided, and a cooler 57 is provided on the branch pipe 58. A three-way valve 75 is provided at the connection position of the branch pipe 58 with the third supply pipe 53, and the flow rate of the medium flowing through the cooler 57 can be varied by adjusting the opening degree of this three-way valve 75.

[0125] When the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 in the absorption side medium circuit 3 is greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply side tank 21 in the supply side medium circuit 2, the flow rate to the branch pipe 58 is reduced (for example, the flow rate is set to zero) as shown by the arrows in Figure 18 (arrows attached to the external heat source circuit 7 and the supply side secondary medium circuit 5), thereby reducing the amount of cooling of the medium and heating the medium flowing through the supply side third pipe 53.

[0126] On the other hand, when the heat imbalance is suppressed or eliminated by heating the medium flowing through the supply-side third pipe 53, the flow rate to the branch pipe 58 is adjusted as shown by the arrow in Figure 19, thereby maintaining a balanced state of heat.

[0127] By connecting the cooler 57 in parallel with the supply-side heat exchanger 51 in this way, it is possible to improve the accuracy of suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in the amount of heat.

[0128] 20 shows the relationship between the opening of three-way valve 75 (opening to branch pipe 58) and the corresponding change in temperature of hydrogen supply-side tank 21. As is clear from this Figure 20, by changing the opening of three-way valve 75, the temperature of hydrogen supply-side tank 21 can be maintained within a predetermined range.

[0129] As described above, in this embodiment, when heat from an external heat source is effectively utilized, a balanced state of heat quantity can be maintained.

[0130] <Embodiment using a heat pump unit> When the temperatures of the hydrogen supply tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption tank 31 are close, the energy required to supply and absorb a given amount of hydrogen is equivalent. Therefore, simply connecting the hydrogen supply tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption tank 31 with a water pump achieves an energy balance through heat cascade utilization, reducing the energy required for transfer. When the hydrogen supply tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption tank 31 have different PCT characteristics (e.g., when dissimilar alloys are used as hydrogen storage alloys), even if the temperature difference between the alloys due to heat cascade utilization is small, a pressure difference occurs between the two tanks due to the use of dissimilar alloys, allowing for a relatively high transfer rate. Figure 21 shows the relationship between the tank pressure and the amount of hydrogen stored when dissimilar alloys (alloy A and alloy B) are used. In this case, a high hydrogen transfer rate can be achieved with little energy.

[0131] However, if the PCT characteristics of the hydrogen supply tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption tank 31 are similar (for example, if the same alloy is used as the hydrogen storage alloy), the pressure difference between the two tanks will be small, resulting in a low transfer rate. Figure 22 shows the relationship between the tank pressure and the amount of absorbed hydrogen when the same alloy (alloy B) is used. In this case, the pressure difference between the two tanks will be small, so a large amount of energy will be required to achieve a high hydrogen transfer rate.

[0132] In the following embodiment, by using the condenser of a heat pump unit (double-bundle heat pump unit) as the heating source and the evaporator as the cooling source, a large pressure difference between the two tanks can be achieved with little energy, resulting in a high transfer rate. In other words, the heating device and cooling device are configured as heat pump units, and by controlling the amount of medium circulating in the heat pump unit, the temperature difference between the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 is controlled to a predetermined temperature difference. Figure 23 shows the relationship between the pressure of each tank and the amount of absorbed hydrogen in this case, and a high hydrogen transfer rate can be achieved with little energy.

[0133] -Thirteenth embodiment- Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 24, the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 according to this embodiment is configured to include a heat pump unit 8 instead of the supply-side secondary medium circuit 5 and the absorption-side secondary medium circuit 6 in the fifth to twelfth embodiments described above. Although temperature sensors and pressure sensors are shown at various locations in Fig. 24, these sensors are well known and therefore will not be described here. Although the sensors are omitted from the drawings of the other embodiments, they are provided in the same manner as in Fig. 24.

[0134] In this embodiment, the supply side medium circuit 2 is provided with a main condenser 82a in the supply side first piping 23, which performs heat exchange between the medium circulating through the supply side medium circuit 2 and the medium circulating through the heat pump unit 8.

[0135] In addition, the absorption side medium circuit 3 in this embodiment is provided with a main evaporator 83a in the absorption side first piping 33, which performs heat exchange between the medium circulating in the absorption side medium circuit 3 and the medium circulating in the heat pump unit 8.

[0136] The heat pump unit 8 is configured such that a compressor 81, a condenser circuit 82, and an evaporator circuit 83 are connected by piping.

[0137] The condenser circuit 82 is disposed on the discharge side of the compressor 81 and includes a main condenser circuit 82A and a sub-condenser circuit 82B, through which the medium that has passed through the oil separator 84 flows. The main condenser circuit 82A includes a main condenser 82a and a solenoid valve 82b. The sub-condenser circuit 82B includes a sub-condenser (sub-heating / cooling device) 82c and a solenoid valve 82d. The opening of each of the solenoid valves 82b and 82d can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the medium flowing through the main condenser circuit 82A and the sub-condenser circuit 82B. In addition, the sub-condenser 82c is provided with a fan 82e, and the amount of heat dissipated in the sub-condenser 82c can be adjusted by controlling the rotation speed of this fan 82e.

[0138] The evaporator circuit 83 is connected to the condenser circuit 82 via a receiver 85 and includes a main evaporator circuit 83A and a sub-evaporator circuit 83B. The main evaporator circuit 83A includes a solenoid valve 83b and a main evaporator 83a. The sub-evaporator circuit 83B includes a solenoid valve 83d and a sub-evaporator (sub-heating / cooling device) 83c. The opening of each of the solenoid valves 83b and 83d is adjustable, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the medium flowing through the main evaporator circuit 83A and the sub-evaporator circuit 83B. The sub-evaporator 83c is provided with a fan 83e, and the amount of heat absorption in the sub-evaporator 83c can be adjusted by controlling the rotation speed of the fan 83e. An accumulator 86 is provided between the evaporator circuit 83 and the suction side of the compressor 81.

[0139] Generally, in the heat pump unit 8, the amount of heat released on the heating side (heat release side) is greater than the amount of heat absorbed on the cooling side (heat absorption side) (for example, the ratio of heat released from heating to heat absorbed is 4:3). In other words, if the total amount of heat released by the condenser were simply given to the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the total amount of heat absorbed by the evaporator were simply taken from the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, the amount of heat applied to the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 would be greater than the amount of cooling applied to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, resulting in an imbalance in the amounts of heat.

[0140] In view of this, the present embodiment adjusts the amount of heat released by the sub-condenser 82c and the amount of heat absorbed by the sub-evaporator 83c, thereby suppressing or eliminating the imbalance in the amount of heat.

[0141] Specifically, the opening of the solenoid valve 82d and the rotation speed of the fan 82e are controlled so that the amount of heat released by the sub-condenser 82c is greater than the amount of heat absorbed by the sub-evaporator 83c, thereby balancing the amount of heat released by the main condenser 82a and the amount of heat absorbed by the main evaporator 83a. Specifically, since the heat pump unit 8 has a 4:3 heat ratio between the heating side and the cooling side as described above, the excess heat is released from the sub-condenser 82c (a heat amount equivalent to one-third of the heat released by the heating side) so that the ratio of the heat released by the main condenser 82a to the heat absorbed by the main evaporator 83a becomes 3:3. The opening of each solenoid valve 82b, 82d, 83b, and 83d and the rotation speed of each fan 82e, 83e are controlled based on the detected values ​​of temperature and pressure sensors provided in various parts of the heat pump unit 8. This allows the temperature difference between the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 to be a predetermined temperature difference.

[0142] This makes it possible to obtain a high hydrogen transfer rate with little energy. Also, it becomes possible to stably transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 while preventing the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 from becoming too high.

[0143] The following embodiments are specific to the hydrogen storage alloy filling system 1 of the thirteenth embodiment, in which the heating amount of the sub-heating-cooler is reduced or the cooling amount is increased when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit 8 becomes higher than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating-cooler is increased or the cooling amount is reduced when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit 8 becomes lower than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating-cooler is reduced or the cooling amount is increased when the pressure of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4 becomes higher than a predetermined value, and the heating amount of the sub-heating-cooler is increased or the cooling amount is reduced when the pressure of hydrogen in the hydrogen transfer path 4 becomes lower than a predetermined value. These will be described in detail below.

[0144] -Fourteenth embodiment- Next, a fourteenth embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to control for eliminating a state in which the high pressure in the heat pump unit 8 becomes too high.

[0145] Specifically, when the high-pressure pressure (refrigerant pressure) in the heat pump unit 8 reaches a predetermined high-pressure limit value, control is performed to increase the opening of the solenoid valve 82d provided in the sub-condenser circuit 82B. In other words, by temporarily increasing the opening of the solenoid valve 82d, the high-pressure pressure in the heat pump unit 8 is released to the low-pressure side, and the high-pressure pressure is reduced to below the high-pressure pressure limit value. This control of the opening of the solenoid valve 82d is performed by sending a command signal from a valve controller (not shown) on the condition that the pressure detected by a pressure sensor arranged in the condenser circuit 82 reaches the high-pressure limit value.

[0146] Figure 25 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in the high-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the low-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the aperture of the solenoid valve 82d, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the aperture of the flow control valve 41, the heat radiation amount of the main condenser 82a, and the heat radiation amount of the sub-condenser 82c in this case.

[0147] Until timing T3 in the figure is reached, the high-pressure in heat pump unit 8 gradually increases, and accordingly, the internal pressure in hydrogen supply-side tank 21 also gradually increases, while the aperture of flow control valve 41 gradually decreases. Then, at timing T3 in the figure, when the high-pressure in heat pump unit 8 reaches high-pressure limit value PH1, the aperture of solenoid valve 82d increases (for example, becomes fully open), and accordingly, the increase in the high-pressure in heat pump unit 8 stops. Furthermore, as the amount of heat radiation from sub-condenser 82c increases, the amount of heat radiation from main condenser 82a decreases, and this causes the increase in the internal pressure in hydrogen supply-side tank 21 to stop.

[0148] In this way, by implementing control to increase the opening of solenoid valve 82d when the high-pressure pressure of heat pump unit 8 reaches a predetermined high-pressure limit value PH1, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of hydrogen supply side tank 21 from becoming too high.

[0149] -Fifteenth embodiment- Next, a fifteenth embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to control for resolving a state in which the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 becomes too high.

[0150] Specifically, when the internal pressure of hydrogen supply-side tank 21 reaches a predetermined high-pressure limit value, control is performed to increase the aperture of solenoid valve 82d provided in sub-condenser circuit 82B. In other words, by temporarily increasing the aperture of solenoid valve 82d, the flow rate of the medium in main condenser 82a is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of heat applied to hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and suppressing an increase in the internal pressure of hydrogen supply-side tank 21. This control of the aperture of solenoid valve 82d is performed by sending a command signal from a valve controller (not shown) on the condition that the pressure detected by a pressure sensor (not shown) disposed upstream of flow rate adjustment valve 41 in hydrogen transfer path 4 reaches the high-pressure limit value.

[0151] Figure 26 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in the high-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the low-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the aperture of the solenoid valve 82d, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the aperture of the flow control valve 41, the heat radiation amount of the main condenser 82a, and the heat radiation amount of the sub-condenser 82c in this case.

[0152] Until timing T3 in the figure is reached, the internal pressure of hydrogen supply-side tank 21 gradually increases, and accordingly, the high-pressure pressure in heat pump unit 8 also gradually increases, while the aperture of flow adjustment valve 41 gradually decreases. Then, at timing T3 in the figure, when the internal pressure of hydrogen supply-side tank 21 reaches a predetermined high-pressure limit value PH2, the aperture of solenoid valve 82d increases (for example, becomes fully open), and accordingly, the increase in internal pressure of hydrogen supply-side tank 21 stops. The increase in high-pressure pressure in heat pump unit 8 also stops.

[0153] In this way, by implementing control to increase the opening of solenoid valve 82d when the internal pressure of hydrogen supply side tank 21 reaches a predetermined high pressure limit value PH2, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of hydrogen supply side tank 21 from becoming too high.

[0154] - Sixteenth embodiment - Next, a sixteenth embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to control for resolving a state in which the low pressure in the heat pump unit 8 becomes too low. One example of a cause of the low pressure in the heat pump unit 8 becoming too low is that the heat capacity of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 is smaller than the heat capacity of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21.

[0155] Specifically, when the low pressure (refrigerant pressure) in the heat pump unit 8 reaches a predetermined low pressure limit value, control is performed to increase the opening of the solenoid valve 83d provided in the sub-evaporator circuit 83B. In other words, the opening of the solenoid valve 83d is temporarily increased to increase the low pressure in the heat pump unit 8. This control of the opening of the solenoid valve 83d is performed by sending a command signal from a valve controller (not shown) on the condition that the pressure detected by a pressure sensor arranged in the evaporator circuit 83 reaches the low pressure limit value.

[0156] Figure 27 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in the high-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the low-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the aperture of the solenoid valve 82d, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the aperture of the flow control valve 41, the heat dissipation amount of the main condenser 82a, and the heat dissipation amount of the sub-condenser 82c in this case.

[0157] Until timing T3 in the figure is reached, the low-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8 gradually decreases, and accordingly, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 also gradually decreases, and the aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 gradually decreases. Then, at timing T3 in the figure, when the low-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8 reaches the low-pressure pressure limit value PL1, the aperture of the solenoid valve 83d increases (for example, becomes fully open), and accordingly, the decrease in the low-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8 stops. Furthermore, as the heat absorption amount of the sub-evaporator 83c increases, the heat absorption amount of the main evaporator 83a decreases, and therefore the decrease in the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 stops.

[0158] In this way, by performing control to increase the opening of the solenoid valve 83d when the low pressure of the heat pump unit 8 reaches a predetermined low pressure limit value PL1, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 from becoming too low.

[0159] -17th embodiment- Next, a seventeenth embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to control for resolving a state in which the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 becomes too low. One example of a cause of the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 becoming too low is that the heat capacity of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 is smaller than that of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21.

[0160] Specifically, when the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 reaches a predetermined low-pressure limit value, control is performed to increase the aperture of the solenoid valve 83d provided in the sub-evaporator circuit 83B. In other words, by temporarily increasing the aperture of the solenoid valve 83d, the flow rate of the medium in the main evaporator 83a is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of cooling in the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 and suppressing a drop in the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31. This control of the aperture of the solenoid valve 83d is performed by sending a command signal from a valve controller (not shown) on the condition that the pressure detected by a pressure sensor (not shown) disposed downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 in the hydrogen transfer path 4 reaches the low-pressure limit value.

[0161] Figure 28 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in the high pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the low pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the opening of the solenoid valve 82d, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply side tank 21, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the opening of the flow control valve 41, the heat absorption amount of the main evaporator 83a, and the heat absorption amount of the sub-evaporator 83c in this case.

[0162] Until timing T3 in the figure is reached, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 gradually decreases, and accordingly, the low-pressure pressure in the heat pump unit 8 also gradually decreases, and the aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 gradually decreases. Then, at timing T3 in the figure, when the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 reaches a predetermined low-pressure pressure limit value PL2, the aperture of the solenoid valve 83d increases (for example, becomes fully open), and accordingly, the decrease in the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 stops. The decrease in the low-pressure pressure in the heat pump unit 8 also stops.

[0163] In this way, by implementing control to increase the opening of the solenoid valve 83d when the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 reaches a predetermined low-pressure limit value PL2, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 from becoming too high.

[0164] -Eighteenth embodiment- Next, an eighteenth embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to control for resolving a state in which the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 becomes too high.

[0165] Specifically, when the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 reaches a predetermined high-pressure limit value (when the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen transfer path becomes higher than the first hydrogen pressure threshold value, as referred to in the present invention), the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 is increased. In other words, the function of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 to maintain a constant hydrogen flow rate is released, and the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 is temporarily increased, thereby releasing the pressure in the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 from the hydrogen transfer path 4 to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 and reducing the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 to below the high-pressure limit value. The opening of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 is controlled by a command signal sent from a valve controller (not shown) on the condition that the pressure detected by a pressure sensor (not shown) disposed upstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 in the hydrogen transfer path 4 reaches the high-pressure limit value.

[0166] Figure 29 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in the high-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the low-pressure pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the aperture of the solenoid valve 82d, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply-side tank 21, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the aperture of the flow control valve 41, the heat dissipation amount of the main condenser 82a, and the heat dissipation amount of the sub-condenser 82c in this case.

[0167] Until timing T3 in the figure is reached, the internal pressure of hydrogen supply-side tank 21 gradually increases, and accordingly, the high-pressure pressure in heat pump unit 8 also gradually increases, while the aperture of flow rate adjustment valve 41 gradually decreases. Then, at timing T3 in the figure, when the internal pressure of hydrogen supply-side tank 21 reaches a predetermined high-pressure limit value PH2, the aperture of flow rate adjustment valve 41 increases, and accordingly, the flow rate of hydrogen in hydrogen transfer path 4 increases, and the increase in internal pressure of hydrogen supply-side tank 21 stops. The increase in high-pressure pressure in heat pump unit 8 also stops.

[0168] In this way, by implementing control to increase the opening of the flow control valve 41 when the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 reaches a predetermined high-pressure limit value PH2, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply side tank 21 from becoming too high.

[0169] -19th embodiment- Next, a nineteenth embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to control for resolving a state in which the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 becomes too low.

[0170] Specifically, when the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 reaches a predetermined low-pressure limit value (when the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen transfer path falls below a second hydrogen pressure threshold value, as referred to in the present invention), the aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 is increased. In other words, the function of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 to maintain a constant hydrogen flow rate is released, and the aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 is temporarily increased, thereby increasing the flow rate of hydrogen to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 and raising the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 to or above the low-pressure limit value. This control of the aperture of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 is performed by sending a command signal from a valve controller (not shown) on the condition that the pressure detected by a pressure sensor (not shown) disposed downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 41 in the hydrogen transfer path 4 reaches the low-pressure limit value.

[0171] Figure 30 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in the high pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the low pressure of the heat pump unit 8, the opening of the solenoid valve 82d, the internal pressure of the hydrogen supply side tank 21, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31, the hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen transfer path 4, the opening of the flow control valve 41, the heat absorption amount of the main evaporator 83a, and the heat absorption amount of the sub-evaporator 83c in this case.

[0172] Until timing T3 in the figure is reached, the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 gradually decreases, and accordingly, the low-pressure pressure in the heat pump unit 8 also gradually decreases, and the aperture of the flow rate control valve 41 gradually decreases. Then, at timing T3 in the figure, when the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 reaches a predetermined low-pressure limit value PL2, the aperture of the flow rate control valve 41 increases, and accordingly, the decrease in the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 stops. The decrease in the low-pressure pressure in the heat pump unit 8 also stops.

[0173] In this way, by implementing control to increase the opening of the flow control valve 41 when the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 reaches a predetermined low-pressure limit value PL2, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the hydrogen absorption side tank 31 from becoming too high.

[0174] -Twentieth embodiment- Next, a twentieth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when the pressure of the medium in heat pump unit 8 becomes higher than a predetermined value (the first medium pressure threshold value in the present invention), the rotation speed of compressor 81 is temporarily lowered to reduce the amount of medium circulated, thereby reducing the amount of heat applied to hydrogen supply-side tank 21 and suppressing a pressure increase in hydrogen supply-side tank 21.

[0175] Furthermore, as a modified example of the twentieth embodiment, when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit 8 falls below a predetermined value (the second medium pressure threshold value in the present invention), the rotation speed of the compressor 81 may be temporarily lowered to reduce the amount of medium circulated, thereby reducing the amount of cooling to the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 and suppressing a drop in pressure in the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31.

[0176] -Other embodiments- The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, but can be applied to all modifications and applications that fall within the scope of the claims and equivalents thereto.

[0177] For example, the configurations of the above-described embodiments and the above-described modified examples may be combined with each other. In other words, in the above-described embodiments, only one of the heating amount by the heating device (e.g., the supply-side medium circuit 2 in the first embodiment) and the cooling amount by the cooling device (e.g., the absorption-side medium circuit 3 in the first embodiment) is controlled. However, both the heating amount by the heating device and the cooling amount by the cooling device may be controlled simultaneously so that the heating amount and the cooling amount are in a predetermined ratio. Furthermore, in any of the embodiments, when the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2 is greater than the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3, the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 may be cooled, the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 may be cooled, or both may be performed. Similarly, when the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 in the absorption-side medium circuit 3 is greater than the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 in the supply-side medium circuit 2, the hydrogen absorption-side tank 31 may be heated, the hydrogen supply-side tank 21 may be heated, or both may be performed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0178] The present invention is applicable to a hydrogen storage alloy filling system that transfers hydrogen from a hydrogen supply tank to a hydrogen absorption tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0179] 1. Hydrogen storage alloy filling system 2. Supply medium circuit (heating device, primary heat medium path) 21 Hydrogen supply tank 25 Heater 26 Heater (sub-heater / cooler) 27 Cooler (sub-heating / cooling unit) 3 Absorption side medium circuit (cooling device, primary refrigerant path) 31 Hydrogen absorption tank 35 Cooler 36 Cooler (sub-heating / cooling unit) 37 Heater (sub-heater / cooler) 4 Hydrogen transport route 41 Flow control valve 5 Supply side secondary medium circuit (secondary heat medium path) 51 Supply side heat exchanger (1st heat exchanger) 56 Heater (sub-heater / cooler) 57 Cooler (Sub-heater / cooler) 59 Heat exchanger (sub-heating / cooling device) 6 Absorption side secondary medium circuit (secondary refrigerant path) 61 Absorption side heat exchanger (second heat exchanger) 66 Cooler (Sub-heating / cooling unit) 67 Heater (sub-heater / cooler) 8 Heat pump unit 82c Sub-condenser (sub-heating / cooling unit) 83c Sub-evaporator (sub-heating / cooling unit)

Claims

1. A hydrogen storage alloy filling system in which a hydrogen supply-side tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy and a hydrogen absorption-side tank containing a hydrogen storage alloy are connected via a hydrogen transfer path, and hydrogen is transferred from the hydrogen supply-side tank to the hydrogen absorption-side tank, a heating device for heating the hydrogen supply side tank; a cooling device that cools the hydrogen absorption side tank, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system characterized in that it is configured to be able to control at least one of the heating amount and the cooling amount so that the heating amount by the heating device and the cooling amount by the cooling device are in a predetermined ratio.

2. 2. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 1, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system comprising a sub-heating / cooling device for increasing or decreasing the amount of heating in the heating device and / or increasing or decreasing the amount of cooling in the cooling device.

3. 3. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 1, a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the primary heat medium and the secondary heat medium; a second heat medium passage for passing a second heat medium through the first heat medium passage and for providing heat to the primary heat medium; and a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the primary heat medium and the secondary heat medium.

4. 3. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 1, a cooling device provided with a primary refrigerant path that cools the hydrogen absorption side tank with a primary refrigerant, a secondary refrigerant path through which a secondary refrigerant that removes heat from the primary refrigerant flows, and a second heat exchanger in which the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant exchange heat.

5. 3. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 2, the heating device comprises a primary heat medium path that heats the hydrogen supply side tank with a primary heat medium, a secondary heat medium path through which a secondary heat medium flows that provides heat to the primary heat medium, and a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the primary heat medium and the secondary heat medium; A hydrogen storage alloy filling system, characterized in that the sub-heating / cooling device is provided in the primary heat transfer medium path and / or the secondary heat transfer medium path.

6. 3. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 2, the cooling device includes a primary refrigerant path that cools the hydrogen absorption side tank with a primary refrigerant, a secondary refrigerant path through which a secondary refrigerant that removes heat from the primary refrigerant flows, and a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant, A hydrogen storage alloy charging system, characterized in that the sub-heating / cooling device is provided in the primary refrigerant path and / or the secondary refrigerant path.

7. 3. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 1, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system, characterized in that a flow rate adjusting valve is provided in the hydrogen transfer path.

8. 2. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 1, 10. A hydrogen storage alloy filling system, wherein the heating device and the cooling device are configured by a heat pump unit.

9. 9. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 8, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system characterized by controlling the temperature difference between the hydrogen supply side tank and the hydrogen absorption side tank to a predetermined temperature difference by controlling the amount of medium circulating in the heat pump unit.

10. 10. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 8, wherein:

1. A hydrogen storage alloy filling system comprising a sub-heater / cooler that increases or decreases the amount of heating for the hydrogen supply tank and / or increases or decreases the amount of cooling for the hydrogen absorption tank.

11. 11. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 10, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system characterized in that, when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit becomes higher than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating / cooling device is reduced or the cooling amount is increased.

12. 11. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 10, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system characterized in that, when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit falls below a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating / cooling device is increased or the cooling amount is reduced.

13. 11. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 10, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system characterized in that, when the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen transfer path becomes higher than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating / cooling device is reduced or the cooling amount is increased.

14. 11. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 10, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system characterized in that, when the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen transfer path becomes lower than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the sub-heating / cooling device is increased or the cooling amount is reduced.

15. 9. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 8, a flow rate adjusting valve is provided in the hydrogen transfer path, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system characterized in that the opening degree of the flow control valve is increased when the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen transfer path becomes higher than a first hydrogen pressure threshold or when it becomes lower than a second hydrogen pressure threshold that is lower than the first hydrogen pressure threshold.

16. 9. The hydrogen storage alloy filling system according to claim 8, A hydrogen storage alloy filling system characterized in that the amount of medium circulating in the heat pump unit is reduced when the pressure of the medium in the heat pump unit becomes higher than a first medium pressure threshold or lower than a second medium pressure threshold that is lower than the first medium pressure threshold.

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