Hydrogen supply system

Abstract

The goal is to stably supply hydrogen to hydrogen consumption facilities even without using a compressor. [Solution] A hydrogen supply system comprising: a hydrogen storage alloy that generates or stores hydrogen; a heating unit that heats or cools the hydrogen storage alloy to generate or store hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy; and a control unit that controls the heating unit, adjusts the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy to the hydrogen consumption equipment, and controls the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In the heat medium supply system described in Patent Document 1, it is a heat medium supply system capable of supplying a heat medium to a first hydrogen storage alloy tank and a second hydrogen storage alloy tank. When heating the first hydrogen storage alloy tank, a heat medium is supplied to the first hydrogen storage alloy tank, and the heat medium discharged from the first hydrogen storage alloy tank is supplied to the second hydrogen storage alloy tank to preheat the second hydrogen storage alloy tank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a hydrogen supply system that boosts the hydrogen in a low-pressure hydrogen tank with a compressor and supplies the hydrogen to a hydrogen-consuming facility using the pressure difference with the hydrogen-consuming facility. In this hydrogen supply system, problems such as the noise of the compressor arise.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to stably supply hydrogen to a hydrogen-consuming facility even when a compressor is not used.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The hydrogen supply system according to the first aspect includes a hydrogen storage alloy that generates or stores hydrogen, a heating unit that heats or cools the hydrogen storage alloy to cause the hydrogen storage alloy to generate or store hydrogen, and a control unit that controls the heating unit, adjusts the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy to a hydrogen-consuming facility, and controls the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0007] According to the above embodiment, hydrogen can be stably supplied to hydrogen consumption equipment even without using a compressor.

[0008] A hydrogen supply system according to the second embodiment is a hydrogen supply system according to the first embodiment, wherein a plurality of hydrogen storage alloys are provided, and a hydrogen tank is provided for storing the hydrogen absorbed by the hydrogen storage alloys, and the control unit heats one of the hydrogen storage alloys or the other hydrogen storage alloys with the heating unit to supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption equipment, and cools the other of the hydrogen storage alloys with the heating unit to absorb the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank, thereby alternately supplying and storing hydrogen to one of the hydrogen storage alloys and the other hydrogen storage alloys.

[0009] According to the above embodiment, one hydrogen storage alloy and another hydrogen storage alloy alternately absorb hydrogen and supply hydrogen, thereby enabling a continuous supply of hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption facility.

[0010] A hydrogen supply system according to the third embodiment is characterized in that, in the hydrogen supply system according to the first or second embodiment, the control unit increases the amount of hydrogen per unit time that is absorbed into the hydrogen storage alloy by the hydrogen tank compared to the amount of hydrogen per unit time supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy to the hydrogen consumption equipment.

[0011] According to the above embodiment, when switching between supplying or storing hydrogen with one hydrogen storage alloy and another hydrogen storage alloy, it is possible to suppress the interruption of hydrogen supply. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, hydrogen can be stably supplied to hydrogen consumption equipment even without using a compressor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1]This is a system diagram showing a hydrogen supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] (A)(B) These are block diagrams showing the hardware configuration and functional configuration of a control unit provided in a hydrogen supply system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the flow of control of each part by the control unit of the hydrogen supply system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the flow of how each part of the hydrogen supply system according to the embodiment of this disclosure is controlled by the control unit. [Figure 5] (A)(B) These are state diagrams showing the state in which hydrogen is flowing in the hydrogen supply system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] (A)(B) These are state diagrams showing the state in which hydrogen is flowing in the hydrogen supply system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a state diagram showing the state in which hydrogen is flowing in the hydrogen supply system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] An example of a hydrogen supply system according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. As shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen supply system 100 according to this embodiment is a system that supplies hydrogen produced by a hydrogen production device 10 to hydrogen consumption equipment 110 such as a fuel cell or a hydrogen boiler.

[0015] (Overall structure) As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen supply system 100 includes a hydrogen production device 10, a pressure reducing valve 12 that reduces the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen production device 10, and a hydrogen tank 14 in which the reduced-pressure low-pressure hydrogen (hereinafter simply referred to as "hydrogen") is stored. Further, the hydrogen supply system 100 includes a mass flow controller 16 (hereinafter "MFC16"), a hydrogen storage alloy 18, a hydrogen storage alloy 22, and a mass flow meter 28 (hereinafter "MFM28"). Furthermore, the hydrogen supply system 100 includes a control unit 90 that controls each part. The hydrogen storage alloy 18 is an example of one hydrogen storage alloy, and the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is an example of another hydrogen storage alloy.

[0016] Also, the hydrogen supply system 100 includes a main flow path 30 in which the pressure reducing valve 12, the hydrogen tank 14, and the MFC16 are arranged in this order in the middle and through which hydrogen flows, and a branch flow path 34 that branches from the main flow path 30 and in which the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is arranged in the middle. Furthermore, the hydrogen supply system 100 includes a branch flow path 38 that branches from the main flow path 30 and in which the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is arranged in the middle, a confluence flow path 42 in which the branch flow path 34 and the branch flow path 38 merge and lead to the hydrogen consumption facility 110, and a bypass flow path 46 that leads directly from the hydrogen tank 14 to the hydrogen consumption facility 110.

[0017] Furthermore, the hydrogen supply system 100 includes an on-off valve 60, an on-off valve 62, an on-off valve 64, a three-way valve 66, a three-way valve 68, and a check valve 70. The on-off valve 60 is arranged in a downstream portion of the MFC16 in the main flow path 30 in the hydrogen flow direction. The on-off valve 62 is arranged in an upstream portion of the hydrogen storage alloy 18 in the branch flow path 34 in the hydrogen flow direction. The on-off valve 64 is arranged in an upstream portion of the hydrogen storage alloy 22 in the branch flow path 38 in the hydrogen flow direction. The three-way valve 66 is arranged at the confluence portion of the branch flow path 34 and the branch flow path 38. The three-way valve 68 is arranged at the portion where the bypass flow path 46 merges into the confluence flow path 42. The check valve 70 is arranged in the middle of the bypass flow path 46.

[0018] 〔Hydrogen Tank 14〕 As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen tank 14 is disposed in the middle of the main flow path 30 so that hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 10 and depressurized by the pressure reducing valve 12 is stored therein. The hydrogen tank 14 also includes a pressure gauge 14a (see FIG. 2(A)) for detecting the pressure of the hydrogen flowing out of the hydrogen tank 14.

[0019] Moreover, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 14 flows through the bypass flow path 46, the three-way valve 68, and the confluence flow path 42 and is supplied to the hydrogen-consuming facility 110. Here, a check valve 70 is provided in the middle of the bypass flow path 46 so that hydrogen does not flow from the hydrogen-consuming facility 110 through the bypass flow path 46 toward the hydrogen tank 14.

[0020] Furthermore, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 14 flows through the main flow path 30 and the branch flow path 34 and is supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 18. Also, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 14 flows through the main flow path 30 and the branch flow path 38 and is supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy 22.

[0021] 〔MFC16, MFM28〕 The MFC16 is arranged to control the flow rate of the hydrogen flowing from the hydrogen tank 14 through the main flow path 30. The MFM28 is arranged to measure the flow rate of the hydrogen flowing through the confluence flow path 42 and supplied to the hydrogen-consuming facility 110.

[0022] 〔Hydrogen storage alloy 18, hydrogen storage alloy 22〕 The hydrogen storage alloys 18 and 22 absorb hydrogen when cooled and generate the stored hydrogen when at room temperature or heated. Further, the hydrogen storage alloy 18 includes a pressure gauge 18a (see FIG. 2(A)) for detecting the pressure of the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen storage alloy 18. The hydrogen storage alloy 22 also includes a pressure gauge 22a (see FIG. 2(A)) for detecting the pressure of the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen storage alloy 22. The hydrogen supply system 100 includes a heating unit 20 for heating or cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 18 and a heating unit 24 for heating or cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 22.

[0023] In this configuration, the heating unit 20 cools the hydrogen storage alloy 18, causing it to absorb hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 14. On the other hand, the heating unit 20 heats the hydrogen storage alloy 18, causing it to generate hydrogen, which is then supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110.

[0024] Furthermore, the heating unit 24 cools the hydrogen storage alloy 22, causing it to absorb hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 14. On the other hand, the heating unit 24 heats the hydrogen storage alloy 22, causing it to generate hydrogen, which is then supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110.

[0025] [Control Unit 90] The control unit 90 controls the heating units 20 and 24, the on-off valves 60, 62 and 64, and the three-way valves 66 and 68 to adjust the flow path of hydrogen based on the hydrogen pressure detected by the pressure gauges 14a, 18a and 22a. Furthermore, the control unit 90 controls the MFC 16 to adjust the flow rate of hydrogen flowing through the main flow path 30 based on the hydrogen flow rate detected by the MFM 28.

[0026] -Hardware configuration of the control unit 90- As shown in Figure 2(A), the control unit 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 92, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 93, storage 94, and a communication interface 95. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 96 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0027] The CPU 91 is the central processing unit, which executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 91 reads programs from the ROM 92 or storage 94 and executes them using the RAM 93 as a working area. The CPU 91 controls each component and performs various calculations according to the programs stored in the ROM 92 or storage 94.

[0028] In this embodiment, for example, the ROM 92 or storage 94 stores a control program that adjusts the flow path of hydrogen based on the hydrogen pressure detected by the pressure gauges 14a, 18a, and 22a, and a control program that adjusts the flow rate of hydrogen flowing through the main flow path 30 based on the hydrogen flow rate detected by the MFM 28.

[0029] RAM93 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage94 consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data.

[0030] The communication interface 95 is an interface for the control unit 90 to communicate with pressure gauges 14a, 18a, 22a, heating units 20, 24, on-off valves 60, 62, 64, three-way valves 66, 68, MFC16, and MFM28, etc. Standards such as Ethernet®, FDDI, and Wi-Fi® are used.

[0031] When executing the control program described above, the control unit 90 uses the hardware resources described above to implement various functions. The functional configuration of the control unit 90 for implementing these various functions will be described below.

[0032] -Functional configuration of the control unit 90- As shown in Figure 2(B), the control unit 90 includes a receiving unit 90a, a determination unit 90b, and an adjustment unit 90c. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 91 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 92 or storage 94. The control of each part by the control unit 90 will be explained later along with its operation.

[0033] (action) Next, the operation of the hydrogen supply system 100 will be explained using the flow diagrams shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the initial state of the flow, sufficient hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen tank 14, and sufficient hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage alloys 18 and 22.

[0034] When the hydrogen supply system 100 is activated, in step S100, the determination unit 90b determines whether the hydrogen production device 10 is operating. Specifically, the receiving unit 90a receives the operation signal of the hydrogen production device 10, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the hydrogen production device 10 is operating.

[0035] If the hydrogen production device 10 is in operation, the process proceeds to step S200. If the hydrogen production device 10 is not in operation, or if it is in operation but the hydrogen supply pressure from the hydrogen production device 10 is below the required pressure, the process proceeds to step S210.

[0036] In step S200, the adjustment unit 90c closes the on-off valve 60 and switches the three-way valve 68, so that, as shown in Figure 5(A), the hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production apparatus 10 flows through the hydrogen tank 14, through the bypass channel 46, and through the confluence channel 42 to be supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110. Here, for example, if the required pressure of hydrogen needed by the hydrogen consumption equipment 110 is 0.7 [MPa], hydrogen at a pressure of 0.9 [MPa] is supplied from the hydrogen tank 14.

[0037] On the other hand, if the hydrogen production apparatus 10 is in a non-operating state and the process proceeds to step S210, in step S210, the determination unit 90b determines whether the hydrogen pressure from the hydrogen tank 14 is greater than the required pressure for hydrogen to be supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110. Specifically, the receiving unit 90a receives the detection result from the pressure gauge 14a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the hydrogen pressure from the hydrogen tank 14 is greater than the required pressure.

[0038] If the hydrogen pressure from hydrogen tank 14 is greater than the required pressure, proceed to step S310; otherwise, proceed to step S320.

[0039] In step S310, the adjustment unit 90c maintains the closure of the on-off valve 60 and the switching of the three-way valve 68, as shown in Figure 5(B). As a result, hydrogen from the hydrogen tank 14 flows through the bypass channel 46 and the merging channel 42 to be supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110.

[0040] On the other hand, if the hydrogen pressure from the hydrogen tank 14 is not greater than the required pressure and the process proceeds to step S320, in step S320, the adjustment unit 90c supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6(A), the adjustment unit 90c closes the on-off valve 60 and switches the flow path with the three-way valves 66 and 68. Furthermore, the adjustment unit 90c heats the hydrogen storage alloy 18 with the heating unit 20. As a result, the hydrogen storage alloy 18 generates hydrogen, and the generated hydrogen flows through the branched flow path 34 and the merging flow path 42 and is supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110. Here, the adjustment unit 90c controls the degree of heating of the hydrogen storage alloy 18 by the heating unit 20, for example, adjusting the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110 to 0.8 [MPa] and controlling the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18.

[0041] Furthermore, the process moves to step S420, in which the determination unit 90b determines whether the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is less than the required pressure. Specifically, the receiving unit 90a receives the measurement result from the pressure gauge 18a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the received measurement result is less than the required pressure.

[0042] If the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is less than the required pressure, the process proceeds to step S520; otherwise, step S420 is executed again. In other words, the supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110 continues until the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 falls below the required pressure. Note that the more hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18, the less hydrogen the hydrogen storage alloy 18 stores. As the amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 18 decreases, the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 decreases.

[0043] In step S520, the adjustment unit 90c supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110, and the hydrogen storage alloy 18 absorbs the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 14.

[0044] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6(B), the adjustment unit 90c closes the on-off valve 64, opens the on-off valves 60 and 62, and switches the flow path with the three-way valves 66 and 68. Furthermore, the adjustment unit 90c heats the hydrogen storage alloy 22 with the heating unit 24. As a result, the hydrogen storage alloy 22 generates hydrogen, which flows through the branched flow path 38 and the merging flow path 42 and is supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110. Here, the adjustment unit 90c controls the degree of heating of the hydrogen storage alloy 22 by the heating unit 24, for example, adjusting the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110 to 0.8 [MPa] and controlling the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22.

[0045] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 90c cools the hydrogen storage alloy 18 with the heating unit 20. This allows the hydrogen storage alloy 18 to absorb hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 14.

[0046] Furthermore, the receiving unit 90a receives the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110, which is measured by the MFM 28, and the adjustment unit 90c controls the MFC 16 to increase the amount of hydrogen absorbed by the hydrogen storage alloy 18 compared to the flow rate measured by the MFM 28. Specifically, the adjustment unit 90c increases the amount of hydrogen absorbed per unit time by the hydrogen tank 14 into the hydrogen storage alloy 18 compared to the amount of hydrogen supplied per unit time from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110.

[0047] Furthermore, the process moves to step S620, in which the determination unit 90b determines whether the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is less than the required pressure, and whether the pressure of hydrogen that can be supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is greater than the required pressure.

[0048] Specifically, the receiving unit 90a receives the measurement result from the pressure gauge 22a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the received measurement result is less than the required pressure. Furthermore, the receiving unit 90a receives the measurement result from the pressure gauge 18a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the received measurement result is greater than the required pressure. More specifically, the determination unit 90b determines from the received measurement result whether the pressure of hydrogen produced from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 when the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is heated is greater than the required pressure.

[0049] If the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is less than the required pressure, and the pressure of hydrogen that can be supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is greater than the required pressure, proceed to step S720. Otherwise, proceed to step S730.

[0050] In step S720, the adjustment unit 90c supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110, and the hydrogen storage alloy 22 absorbs the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 14.

[0051] Specifically, when the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 decreases and approaches the required pressure, the heating unit 20 preheats the hydrogen storage alloy 18 in preparation for hydrogen release from the hydrogen storage alloy 18. Then, in step S720, the adjustment unit 90c closes the on-off valve 62, opens the on-off valves 60 and 64, and switches the flow path with the three-way valves 66 and 68, as shown in Figure 7(A). Furthermore, the adjustment unit 90c causes the heating unit 20 to heat the hydrogen storage alloy 18. As a result, the hydrogen storage alloy 18 generates hydrogen, and the generated hydrogen flows through the branched flow path 34 and the merging flow path 42 and is supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110. In this way, the heating unit 20 preheats the hydrogen storage alloy 18, ensuring a continuous supply of hydrogen.

[0052] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 90c cools the hydrogen storage alloy 22 with the heating unit 24. This allows the hydrogen storage alloy 22 to absorb hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 14.

[0053] Furthermore, the receiving unit 90a receives the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110, which is measured by the MFM 28, and the adjustment unit 90c controls the MFC 16 to increase the amount of hydrogen absorbed by the hydrogen storage alloy 22 compared to the flow rate measured by the MFM 28. Specifically, the adjustment unit 90c increases the amount of hydrogen absorbed by the hydrogen storage alloy 22 per unit time by the hydrogen tank 14 compared to the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110 per unit time.

[0054] Furthermore, the process moves to step S820, in which the determination unit 90b determines whether the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is less than the required pressure, and whether the pressure of hydrogen that can be supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is greater than the required pressure.

[0055] Specifically, the receiving unit 90a receives the measurement result from the pressure gauge 18a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the received measurement result is less than the required pressure. Furthermore, the receiving unit 90a receives the measurement result from the pressure gauge 22a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the received measurement result is greater than the required pressure. More specifically, the determination unit 90b determines from the received measurement result whether the pressure of hydrogen produced from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 when the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is heated is greater than the required pressure.

[0056] If the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is less than the required pressure, and the pressure of hydrogen that can be supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is greater than the required pressure, proceed to step S920. Otherwise, proceed to step S930.

[0057] Specifically, when the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 decreases and approaches the required pressure, the heating unit 24 preheats the hydrogen storage alloy 22 in preparation for hydrogen release from the hydrogen storage alloy 22. Then, in step S920, similar to step S520 described above, the adjustment unit 90c supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110, and the hydrogen storage alloy 18 absorbs the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 14. In this way, the heating unit 24 preheats the hydrogen storage alloy 22, ensuring a continuous supply of hydrogen. Then, the process proceeds back to step S620.

[0058] Furthermore, if the process moves from step S620 to step S730, in step S730, the determination unit 90b determines whether the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is less than the required pressure, and whether the pressure of hydrogen that can be supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is less than the required pressure.

[0059] Specifically, the receiving unit 90a receives the measurement result from the pressure gauge 22a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the received measurement result is less than the required pressure. Furthermore, the receiving unit 90a receives the measurement result from the pressure gauge 18a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the received measurement result is less than the required pressure. More specifically, the determination unit 90b determines from the received measurement result whether the pressure of hydrogen produced from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 will be less than the required pressure even if the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is heated.

[0060] If the pressure of hydrogen supplied from hydrogen storage alloy 22 is less than the required pressure, and the pressure of hydrogen that can be supplied from hydrogen storage alloy 18 is also less than the required pressure, the flow is terminated. Otherwise, the process returns to step S620.

[0061] Furthermore, if the process moves from step S820 to step S930, in step S930, the determination unit 90b determines whether the pressure of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 is less than the required pressure, and whether the pressure of hydrogen that can be supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is less than the required pressure.

[0062] Specifically, the receiving unit 90a receives the measurement result from the pressure gauge 18a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the received measurement result is less than the required pressure. Furthermore, the receiving unit 90a receives the measurement result from the pressure gauge 22a, and the determination unit 90b determines whether the received measurement result is less than the required pressure. More specifically, the determination unit 90b determines from the received measurement result whether the pressure of hydrogen produced from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 will be less than the required pressure even if the hydrogen storage alloy 22 is heated.

[0063] If the pressure of hydrogen supplied from hydrogen storage alloy 18 is less than the required pressure, and the pressure of hydrogen that can be supplied from hydrogen storage alloy 22 is also less than the required pressure, the flow is terminated. Otherwise, the process returns to step S820.

[0064] In this manner, hydrogen supply and storage are performed alternately on the hydrogen storage alloy 18 and the hydrogen storage alloy 22 in the hydrogen supply system 100.

[0065] (summary) As explained above, in the hydrogen supply system 100, the amount of hydrogen supplied is controlled by controlling the heating units 20 and 24 and adjusting the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloys 18 and 22 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110. This makes it possible to stably supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption equipment even without using a compressor.

[0066] Furthermore, in the hydrogen supply system 100, the adjustment unit 90c supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110, and the hydrogen storage alloy 18 absorbs hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 14 (steps S520, S920). Also, the adjustment unit 90c supplies hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110, and the hydrogen storage alloy 22 absorbs hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank 14 (step S720). By alternately supplying and storing hydrogen to the hydrogen storage alloy 18 and the hydrogen storage alloy 22, hydrogen can be continuously supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110.

[0067] Furthermore, in the hydrogen supply system 100, the adjustment unit 90c increases the amount of hydrogen per unit time that the hydrogen tank 14 stores in the hydrogen storage alloy 18 compared to the amount of hydrogen per unit time supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 22 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110 (steps S520, S920). In addition, the adjustment unit 90c increases the amount of hydrogen per unit time that the hydrogen tank 14 stores in the hydrogen storage alloy 22 compared to the amount of hydrogen per unit time supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy 18 to the hydrogen consumption equipment 110 (step S720). This makes it possible to suppress the interruption of hydrogen supply when switching between supplying or storing hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy 18 and the hydrogen storage alloy 22.

[0068] Although this disclosure has described in detail a particular embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure is not limited to this embodiment, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of this disclosure. In the above embodiment, hydrogen storage alloy 18 and hydrogen storage alloy 22 are provided, but three or more hydrogen storage alloys may be provided. When hydrogen is supplied by any of the hydrogen storage alloys, it is sufficient that a hydrogen storage alloy different from the supplying hydrogen storage alloy is storing hydrogen.

[0069] Furthermore, although a heating unit 20 and a heating unit 24 are provided in the above embodiment, heating and cooling by the heating unit 20 and heating and cooling by the heating unit 24 may be performed by a single heating unit (heat exchanger).

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a pressure reducing valve 12 was used to convert high-pressure hydrogen to low-pressure hydrogen. However, if the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 10 is low-pressure hydrogen, the pressure reducing valve 12 is not necessary. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 14 Hydrogen tanks 18. Hydrogen storage alloys (one example of a hydrogen storage alloy) 20 Heating section 22. Hydrogen storage alloys (an example of other hydrogen storage alloys) 24 Heating section 90 Control Unit 100 Hydrogen supply systems

Claims

1. Hydrogen storage alloys that generate or absorb hydrogen, A heating unit that heats or cools the hydrogen storage alloy to generate or store hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy, A control unit controls the heating unit, adjusts the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy to the hydrogen consumption equipment, and controls the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy. A hydrogen supply system equipped with the following features.

2. Multiple hydrogen storage alloys are provided, The system includes a hydrogen tank capable of storing the hydrogen absorbed by the hydrogen storage alloy, The control unit heats one of the hydrogen storage alloys or the other hydrogen storage alloys with the heating unit to supply hydrogen to the hydrogen consumption equipment, and cools the other of the hydrogen storage alloys with the heating unit to store hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank, thereby causing the supply and storage to be performed alternately for the hydrogen storage alloys. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1.

3. The control unit increases the amount of hydrogen per unit time that the hydrogen tank absorbs into the hydrogen storage alloy compared to the amount of hydrogen per unit time supplied from the hydrogen storage alloy to the hydrogen consumption equipment. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 2.

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