Heating system, power generation system, thermal power generation system, and heat generation method

Abstract

The present invention provides a heating system, power generation system, thermal power generation system, and heating method that can heat a heating element using a hydrogen storage alloy or the like without using a heater, or reduce the power required for heating even when a heater is used. [Solution] The heating system 1 comprises a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line 4 for introducing hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line 5 for releasing the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element; and a heat source 7 installed in a factory, a hot spring area, or a thermal power plant, which discharges the fluid that heats the heating element from the outside of the sealed container to the area around the sealed container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat generation system, a power generation system, a thermal power generation system, and a heat generation method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, attention has been paid to a heat generation phenomenon that generates heat using a hydrogen storage alloy such as a palladium alloy (see, for example, Patent Document 1). If the heat generation phenomenon using a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy can be controlled, it can also be used as an effective heat source. In recent years, from the perspective of environmental problems, the advent of a hydrogen society is expected, and it is also desired to obtain safe hydrogen energy with a high energy density.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the heat generation device using a heat generating body using a hydrogen storage alloy or the like proposed in Patent Document 1, a large amount of electric power is required to heat the heat generating body with a heater, and it is required to heat the heat generating body with less electric power.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a heat generation system, a power generation system, a thermal power generation system, and a heat generation method that can heat a heat generating body without using a heater or can reduce the heating power even when using a heater when generating heat using a heat generating body using a hydrogen storage alloy or the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The heating system according to the present invention comprises a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing a hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element; and a heat source provided in a factory, a hot spring area, or a thermal power plant, which discharges a fluid that heats the heating element from outside the sealed container to the vicinity of the sealed container.

[0007] The power generation system according to the present invention comprises a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing a hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element; a heat source installed in a factory, a hot spring area, or a thermal power plant, which discharges a fluid that heats the heating element from outside the sealed container to the vicinity of the sealed container; and a power generation device that converts the thermal energy of the fluid discharged from the heat source and heated by the heat generated in the heating element into electrical energy.

[0008] The thermal power generation system according to the present invention comprises a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element; and an air preheater for preheating combustion air sent to a boiler using exhaust gas discharged from the boiler, wherein the air preheater heats the heating element from the outside of the sealed container by discharging the exhaust gas that has preheated the combustion air around the sealed container.

[0009] Furthermore, the heat generation method according to the present invention involves housing a heating element in a sealed container, wherein a multilayer film that generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen is formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, and a fluid that heats the heating element is supplied from outside the sealed container from a heat source provided at a factory, a hot spring resort, or a thermal power plant, and a gas containing the hydrogen is introduced into the sealed container, thereby generating heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of the hydrogen in the heating element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when generating heat using a heating element made of a hydrogen storage alloy or the like, the heating element can be heated without using a heater, or even if a heater is used, the power required for heating can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the heating system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2A] This is an explanatory diagram for describing a heating device. [Figure 2B] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating other components of the heating device. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the heating element. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the power generation system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of a thermal power generation system according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] [First Embodiment] The heat generation system 1 according to the first embodiment will now be described.

[0013] (Heating System 1) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the heat generation system 1 according to this embodiment. The illustrated heat generation system 1 is configured with a heat generation device 11 housed in a containment vessel 2. The heat generation device 11 is connected via an introduction line 4 to a hydrogen tank 3 and a hydrogen supply device 10 that supply hydrogen-containing gas (hereinafter referred to as hydrogen-based gas), and the hydrogen-based gas is introduced. The heat generation device 11 is connected to a pump 6 via an outlet line 5, and the hydrogen-based gas that has been used to generate heat in the heat generation device 11 is discharged. The containment vessel 2 is connected via piping 8 to a heat source 7 installed in a factory, hot spring area, and thermal power plant, and a fluid that heats the heat element 14 (described later) of the heat generation device 11 is supplied from the heat source 7. The containment vessel 2 is connected to the outside of the heat generation system 1 via piping 9.

[0014] The configuration shown in Figure 1 includes three heating devices 11, but there is no particular limit to the number of heating devices 11. Similarly, the configuration shown in Figure 1 includes three hydrogen tanks 3, but there is no particular limit to the number of hydrogen tanks 3.

[0015] (Containment vessel 2) The containment vessel 2 is, for example, a hollow container that houses the heating device 11 inside. The containment vessel 2 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The heating system 1 is configured such that a fluid that heats the heating element 14 of the heating device 11 is supplied from the heat source 7, and the containment vessel 2 does not have to be in the form of a container that partitions space. For example, the heating system 1 may be configured such that the heating device 11 is installed in a flow path through which exhaust gas or wastewater discharged from a heat source 7 installed in a factory, hot spring area, or thermal power plant flows. In other words, the heat source 7 is configured to discharge a fluid that heats the heating element 14 of the heating device 11 from outside the sealed container 15 (described later) of the heating device 11 to the area around the sealed container 15.

[0016] (Hydrogen tank 3) The hydrogen tank 3 stores a hydrogen-based gas. The hydrogen-based gas is a gas containing isotopes of hydrogen. As the hydrogen-based gas, at least one of deuterium gas and protium gas is used. Protium gas includes a mixture of naturally occurring protium and deuterium, that is, a mixture in which the abundance ratio of protium is 99.985% and the abundance ratio of deuterium is 0.015%.

[0017] (Heat generating device 11) FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the heat generating device 11. The illustrated heat generating device 11 is configured by housing a heating element 14 in a sealed container 15. The heating element 14 generates heat (hereinafter referred to as excess heat) by absorbing and releasing hydrogen. The heating element 14 is heated to a temperature within a range of, for example, 50°C or higher and 1000°C or lower by generating excess heat. In this example, the heating element 14 is formed in a plate shape having a front surface and a back surface. The detailed configuration of the heating element 14 will be described later using another drawing, but the surface area of the heating element 14 is adjusted in advance so that the heating element 14 reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0018] The sealed container 15 is a hollow container that houses the heating element 14 inside. The sealed container 15 is formed of, for example, stainless steel or the like. In this example, the sealed container 15 has a shape having a longitudinal direction orthogonal to the direction orthogonal to the front surface or the back surface of the heating element 14. The heating element 14 is installed inside the sealed container 15 by an installation portion not shown.

[0019] The sealed container 15 has an inlet 23 connected to an introduction line 29. The introduction line 29 is connected to the introduction line 4 of the heat generating system 1 in FIG. 1. A hydrogen-based gas is introduced into the sealed container 15 from the hydrogen tank 3 through the inlet 23. The sealed container 15 has an outlet 24 connected to an outlet line 30. The outlet line 30 is connected to the outlet line 5 of the heat generating system 1 in FIG. 1. The hydrogen-based gas in the sealed container 15 is discharged from the sealed container 15 to the outside of the heat generating device 11 through the outlet line 30 connected to the outlet 24.

[0020] Hydrogen-based gas from hydrogen tank 3 is introduced into the sealed container 15. At this time, hydrogen molecules contained in the hydrogen-based gas are adsorbed onto the heating element 14, and these hydrogen molecules dissociate into two hydrogen atoms. The dissociated hydrogen atoms penetrate into the interior of the heating element 14. In other words, hydrogen is absorbed into the heating element 14. After the hydrogen is absorbed into the heating element 14, the sealed container 15 is depressurized by the release of the hydrogen-based gas by the operation of the pump 6, for example, to 1 × 10⁻⁶. -4 The pressure is set to be less than [Pa]. As a result, due to the difference in hydrogen concentration between the hydrogen inside the heating element 14 and the hydrogen outside the heating element 14 inside the sealed container 15, hydrogen atoms diffuse inside the heating element 14, and hydrogen is absorbed and released in the heating element 14. After absorbing hydrogen, the heating element 14 evacuates (depressurizes) the space outside the heating element 14, creating a hydrogen concentration difference between the heating element 14 and the space, and generates heat when hydrogen diffuses from the heating element 14 into the space.

[0021] In the configuration shown in Figure 2A, even with a small supply of hydrogen to the heating element 14, the heating element 14 can generate heat through hydrogen absorption and release. The heat from the heating element 14 can be recovered and utilized.

[0022] Figure 2B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a heating device 11 with a different configuration from that shown in Figure 2A. The sealed container 15 is a hollow container that houses the heating element 14 inside. The sealed container 15 is made of, for example, stainless steel. In this example, the sealed container 15 has a shape with a longitudinal direction parallel to the direction perpendicular to the surface or back surface of the heating element 14. Inside the sealed container 15, there is an installation section 20 for installing the heating element 14.

[0023] The sealed container 15 has a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22 inside, separated by a heating element 14. The first chamber 21 is formed by the surface, which is one side of the heating element 14, and the inner surface of the sealed container 15. The first chamber 21 has an inlet 23 that connects to an introduction line 29. The introduction line 29 is connected to the introduction line 4 of the heating system 1 in Figure 1. Hydrogen-based gas is introduced into the first chamber 21 from the hydrogen tank 3 via the inlet 23. The second chamber 22 is formed by the back surface, which is the other side of the heating element 14, and the inner surface of the sealed container 15. The second chamber 22 has an outlet 24 that connects to an outlet line 30. The outlet line 30 is connected to the outlet line 5 of the heating system 1 in Figure 1. The hydrogen-based gas in the second chamber 22 is discharged from the second chamber 22 to the outside of the heating device 11 via the outlet line 30 connected to the outlet 24.

[0024] The first chamber 21 is pressurized by introducing hydrogen-based gas from the hydrogen tank 3. The second chamber 22 is depressurized by releasing hydrogen-based gas through the operation of the pump 6. As a result, the hydrogen pressure in the first chamber 21 is higher than the hydrogen pressure in the second chamber 22. The hydrogen pressure in the first chamber 21 is, for example, 100 [kPa]. The hydrogen pressure in the second chamber 22 is, for example, 1 × 10⁻⁶ -4 The pressure is set to be less than [Pa]. Thus, the hydrogen pressure in the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 are different. For this reason, a pressure difference is created on both sides of the heating element 14 inside the sealed container 15. Pressure regulating valves (not shown) are appropriately provided along the paths of the introduction line 29 and the discharge line 30 to adjust the pressure in the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 as described above.

[0025] When a pressure difference occurs on both sides of the heating element 14, hydrogen molecules contained in the hydrogen-based gas are adsorbed on one side (front surface) of the heating element 14 that is positioned on the high-pressure side, and these hydrogen molecules dissociate into two hydrogen atoms. The dissociated hydrogen atoms penetrate into the interior of the heating element 14. In other words, hydrogen is absorbed into the heating element 14. The hydrogen atoms diffuse through the interior of the heating element 14. On the other side (back surface) of the heating element 14 that is positioned on the low-pressure side, the hydrogen atoms that have passed through the heating element 14 recombine and are released as hydrogen molecules. In other words, hydrogen is released from the heating element 14.

[0026] As described above, hydrogen is absorbed and released in the heating element 14. After absorbing hydrogen, the heating element 14 releases it, creating a hydrogen concentration difference between the heating element 14 and the surrounding space. When the hydrogen diffuses from the heating element 14 into the surrounding space, it generates heat.

[0027] When hydrogen is absorbed and released in the heating element 14, if a sufficient amount of hydrogen-based gas is supplied, the heating element 14 permeates hydrogen from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side. "Permeation" means that hydrogen is absorbed on one side of the heating element and released from the other side. Therefore, the heating element 14 generates heat through the permeation of hydrogen. In the following explanation, "hydrogen permeation" of the heating element may be referred to as "hydrogen-based gas permeation."

[0028] In the configuration shown in Figure 2A, a pressure sensor (not shown) is provided inside the sealed container 15 to detect the pressure inside the sealed container 15. The pressure sensor is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected pressure to the control unit (not shown).

[0029] In the configuration shown in Figure 2B, a pressure sensor (not shown) is provided inside the first chamber 21 to detect the pressure inside the first chamber 21. A pressure sensor (not shown) is provided inside the second chamber 22 to detect the pressure inside the second chamber 22. Each pressure sensor provided in the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected pressure to the control unit (not shown).

[0030] In the heating system 1, a fluid that heats the heating element 14 of the heating device 11 is supplied from the heat source 7 to the outside of the heating device 11. The fluid that heats the heating element 14 of the heating device 11 from the outside of the heating device 11 is low-temperature exhaust gas, wastewater, etc., from a factory or hot spring area. This maintains the temperature of the heating element 14 at a temperature suitable for heating.

[0031] The appropriate temperature for heating the heating element 14 is, for example, within the range of 50°C to 1000°C. The heating device 11 is equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown). The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heating element 14. The temperature sensor is, for example, a thermocouple and is installed in the installation section 20 of the sealed container 15, etc. The temperature sensor may be configured to detect the temperature of a hydrogen-based gas. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the control unit (not shown).

[0032] Filters to remove impurities contained in the hydrogen-based gas are provided as needed along the path of the introduction line 29. Here, the amount of hydrogen absorbed and released by the heating element 14 (hereinafter referred to as the hydrogen absorption and release amount), or the amount of hydrogen that permeates through the heating element 14 if hydrogen permeates through it (hereinafter referred to as the hydrogen permeation amount), is determined by the temperature of the heating element 14, the pressure of the hydrogen-based gas introduced into the sealed container 15 or the pressure difference on both sides of the heating element 14, and the surface condition of the heating element 14. If the hydrogen-based gas contains impurities, the impurities may adhere to the surface of the heating element 14, and the surface condition of the heating element 14 may deteriorate. If impurities adhere to the surface of the heating element 14, the adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules on the surface of the heating element 14 is inhibited, and the hydrogen absorption and release amount or hydrogen permeation amount decreases.

[0033] Substances that inhibit the adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules on the surface of the heating element 14 include, for example, water (including water vapor), hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, methanol, ethanol, etc.), C, S, and Si. Water is thought to be released from the inner wall of the sealed container 15, or from the reduction of an oxide film contained in components provided inside the sealed container 15 by hydrogen. Hydrocarbons, C, S, and Si are thought to be released from various components provided inside the sealed container 15. Therefore, the filter removes at least water (including water vapor), hydrocarbons, C, S, and Si as impurities. By removing impurities contained in the hydrogen-based gas, the filter suppresses the decrease in the amount of hydrogen absorbed and released or hydrogen permeated by the heating element 14.

[0034] (Heating element 14) Next, the configuration of the heating element 14 will be described. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the heating element 14. As shown in Figure 3, the heating element 14 has a support 61 (also referred to as a base) made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or proton conductor, and a multilayer film 62 provided on the support 61. The multilayer film 62 has a first layer 71 less than 1000 nm thick made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal or hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and a second layer 72 less than 1000 nm thick made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or ceramic different from the first layer 71. A heterogeneous material interface 73 is formed between the first layer 71 and the second layer 72, and between the support 61 and the multilayer film 62. The heterogeneous material interface 73 allows hydrogen atoms to pass through. The heating element 14 generates excess heat when hydrogen atoms pass through the heterogeneous material interface 73 by quantum diffusion, or when hydrogen atoms diffuse through the heterogeneous material interface 73 by quantum diffusion. As the heating element 14, heating elements disclosed in International Publications WO2018 / 230447, WO2020 / 122097, WO2020 / 122098, etc., can be used. The detailed configuration, function, and manufacturing method of the heating element 14 are the same as those disclosed in International Publications WO2018 / 230447, WO2020 / 122097, WO2020 / 122098, etc., and therefore will not be explained here.

[0035] In Figure 3, the multilayer film 62 is shown laminated on one side (e.g., the front surface) of the support 61. However, the configuration is not limited to this; the multilayer film 62 may also be laminated on the other side (e.g., the back surface) of the support 61, or it may be laminated on both sides (the front and back surfaces) of the support 61.

[0036] (Operation of heating system 1) Next, the operation of the heat generation system 1 configured as described above will be explained. As shown in Figure 1, the temperature of the heat generation element 14 is heated to a predetermined temperature by supplying a fluid from the heat source 7 to the outside of the sealed container 15 that constitutes the heat generation device 11. Excess heat is generated by the absorption of hydrogen into the multilayer film 62 and the release of hydrogen from the multilayer film 62. In the heat generation system 1, the excess heat from the heat generation element 14 heats the fluid passing outside the heat generation device 11, such as the gas or liquid supplied from the heat source 7. The excess heat recovered by the fluid supplied from the heat source 7 is used as thermal energy.

[0037] (Effect of Heat Generation System 1) According to the heating system 1 of this embodiment, when generating heat using a heating element made of a hydrogen storage alloy or the like, the heating element can be heated without using a heater, or even if a heater is used, the power required for heating can be reduced.

[0038] Since the heating element 14 generates heat using hydrogen, it does not produce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, making it a clean thermal energy source. Furthermore, the hydrogen used can be produced from water, making it inexpensive. Moreover, the heat generated by the heating element 14 is considered safe because, unlike nuclear fission reactions, there is no chain reaction. Therefore, by using such a heating element 14 as a thermal energy source, the heating device 11 can obtain excess heat using an inexpensive, clean, and safe thermal energy source. The design of the heating element 14 used in this embodiment is straightforward.

[0039] Furthermore, factories and hot spring resorts where the heat source 7 of the heat generation system 1 is installed emit large amounts of low-temperature exhaust gas and wastewater. However, because these exhaust gases and wastewater are too low in temperature to be used for power generation, for example, they have traditionally been mostly discarded.

[0040] In the heating system 1, a low-temperature fluid is supplied to the outside of the heating device 11 to heat the heating element 14 to a predetermined temperature. After supplying a small amount of hydrogen-based gas to the heating device 11, excess heat is generated from the heating element 14. The excess heat generated in the heating element 14 heats the fluid guided from the heat source 7 to the area around the heating device 11, raising the temperature of the fluid. Therefore, low-temperature fluids discharged from factories or hot springs can be used, for example, for power generation.

[0041] (Method of generating heat) In this embodiment, the heating method involves housing a heating element 14, which has a multilayer film 62 formed on the surface of a support 61 made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or proton conductor, and which generates heat through the absorption and release of hydrogen, in a sealed container 15. Next, a fluid that heats the heating element 14 is supplied from a heat source 7 from the outside of the sealed container 15. Subsequently, a hydrogen-based gas is introduced into the sealed container 15, and the heating element 14 generates heat through the absorption and release of hydrogen.

[0042] (Effects of heating methods) According to the heating method of this embodiment, when heating using a heating element 14 made of a hydrogen storage alloy or the like, the heating element can be heated without using a heater, or even if a heater is used, the power required for heating can be reduced.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Other embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the drawings and descriptions of other embodiments and modifications, the same or equivalent components and members as in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Descriptions that overlap with the above embodiments will be omitted as appropriate, and the descriptions will focus on configurations that differ from the above embodiments.

[0044] [Second Embodiment] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a power generation system 1A according to the second embodiment. The illustrated power generation system 1A comprises a heat generation system 1 according to the first embodiment and a power generation device 50. The power generation device 50 comprises a heat exchanger 51 housed in a containment vessel 2, a turbine 52 driven by a working medium heated in the heat exchanger 51, and a generator 53 that generates electricity by driving the turbine 52. The working medium discharged from the turbine 52 returns to the heat exchanger 51. The working medium is transported back and forth between the heat exchanger 51 and the turbine 52 using a pump (not shown).

[0045] The heat exchanger 51 performs heat exchange between the fluid discharged from the heat source 7 and the working fluid that drives the turbine 52. The heat source 7 is installed in factories and hot spring areas and discharges a large amount of low-temperature fluid. However, the fluid discharged from the heat source 7 is at a temperature that is too low to drive the turbine 52 as is, or even if it can drive it, the power generation efficiency is low.

[0046] In the power generation system 1A, after the fluid discharged from the heat source 7 has heated the heating element 14 to a predetermined temperature, the excess heat generated in the heating element 14 is conducted to the fluid, and the fluid is then guided to the heat exchanger 51 at a higher temperature than immediately after discharge from the heat source 7. Therefore, the working medium can be heated in the heat exchanger 51, which drives the turbine 52 and generates electricity in the generator 53. In this way, the excess heat generated in the heating element 14 of the heat generation device 11 is utilized as thermal energy with greater efficiency.

[0047] In the configuration shown in Figure 4, the power generation device 50 is shown to include a heat exchanger 51, a turbine 52, and a generator 53, but the power generation device 50 can be any device that can convert thermal energy into electrical energy.

[0048] [Third Embodiment] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a thermal power generation system 1B according to the third embodiment. The illustrated thermal power generation system 1B includes an air preheater 7B. The air preheater 7B preheats the combustion air sent to the boiler (not shown) of the thermal power plant using exhaust gas discharged from the boiler.

[0049] The containment vessel 2 is connected to the air preheater 7B so that the exhaust gas discharged from the air preheater 7B is guided to it. Therefore, the exhaust gas that preheats the combustion air and is discharged from the air preheater 7B is guided around the heat generating device 11 and heats the heat generating element 14 from the outside of the heat generating device 11. After the exhaust gas discharged from the air preheater 7B has heated the heat generating element 14 to a predetermined temperature, the excess heat generated in the heat generating element 14 is conducted to the exhaust gas, and it is guided to the piping 9 as a fluid at a higher temperature than immediately after discharge from the air preheater 7B. The piping 9 is connected to a chimney (not shown), and the exhaust gas guided to the piping 9 is released into the atmosphere from the chimney.

[0050] In thermal power plants and similar facilities, exhaust gases cannot be released into the atmosphere unless they reach a certain temperature (e.g., 140°C) or higher to allow for sufficient diffusion of the exhaust gas from the chimney. Therefore, in conventional thermal power generation systems, there was a limit to how much the combustion air could be preheated in order to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the air preheater 7B above a certain temperature (for example, the combustion air could only be preheated up to 300°C).

[0051] In the thermal power generation system 1B, after the exhaust gas discharged from the air preheater 7B has preheated the combustion air and heated the heating element 14 to a predetermined temperature, the excess heat generated in the heating element 14 is then conducted to the exhaust gas, and the exhaust gas released from the chimney into the atmosphere is at a higher temperature than when it was discharged from the air preheater 7B. Therefore, in the case of a Jungstrom-type air preheater, by increasing the rotation speed of the element, the temperature of the preheated combustion air can be raised, for example, from 300°C to 330°C, and even if the temperature of the exhaust gas after preheating the combustion air drops, for example, from 140°C to 110°C, the temperature of the exhaust gas released from the chimney into the atmosphere can be raised to, for example, 140°C by the excess heat of the heating element 14. Therefore, the temperature of the combustion air sent to the boiler can be increased without further lowering the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the chimney, which can lead to improved thermal power generation output and thermal efficiency, as well as a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Heating System 1A power generation system 1B Thermal power generation system 4. Introduction Line 5 Derivation lines 7 Heat source 7B Air preheater 11 Heating device 14 Heating element 15. Airtight container 50 Power generation equipment 61 Support 62 Multilayer film

Claims

1. A heating device comprising: a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing a hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for releasing the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element. A heat source installed in a factory, a hot spring resort, or a thermal power plant, which discharges a fluid that heats the heating element from the outside of the sealed container to the surrounding area of ​​the sealed container, A heating system equipped with a heating element.

2. A heating device comprising: a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing a hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for releasing the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element. A heat source installed in a factory, a hot spring resort, or a thermal power plant, which discharges a fluid that heats the heating element from the outside of the sealed container to the surrounding area of ​​the sealed container, A power generation device that converts the thermal energy of a fluid heated by the heat generated by the heat source and the heat source discharged from the heat source into electrical energy, A power generation system equipped with the following features.

3. A heating device comprising: a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing a hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for releasing the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element. The system includes an air preheater that preheats the combustion air supplied to the boiler using the exhaust gas discharged from the boiler, The air preheater discharges the exhaust gas, which has been preheated from the combustion air, around the sealed container to heat the heating element from the outside of the sealed container. Thermal power generation system.

4. A heating element is housed in a sealed container, having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or proton conductor, which generates heat through the absorption and release of hydrogen. A fluid to heat the heating element is supplied from the outside of the sealed container from a heat source located in a factory, a hot spring area, or a thermal power plant. The gas containing the hydrogen is introduced into the sealed container, and the heating element generates heat through the absorption and release of the hydrogen. Methods for generating heat.

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