Hydrogen generator

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen generator capable of sufficiently diluting the hydrogen inside the housing of the hydrogen generator. [Solution] A hydrogen generator utilizing a hydrolysis reaction, comprising at least a hydrogen generating means for containing a hydrogen carrier, a ventilation fan, and a housing for housing the hydrogen generating means and the ventilation fan, having a ventilation inlet and a ventilation outlet, wherein the ventilation inlet is located below and on the same plane as the ventilation outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen generation device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrogen generation device that generates hydrogen from sodium borohydride. Patent Document 2 discloses that in a hydrogen generation device, a hydrogen sensor is arranged near the exhaust port, and if there is an abnormality in the hydrogen concentration, the system is stopped. Also, it is described here that a ventilation fan is arranged near the exhaust port. Patent Document 3 discloses that a ventilation fan is operated at a predetermined rotation speed according to the detected value of the hydrogen concentration. Patent Document 4 discloses that as a fail-safe function, there is an auxiliary power source using renewable energy or the like as a power supply for driving a fan.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the prior art, hydrogen in the housing of a hydrogen generation device may not be sufficiently diluted.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a hydrogen generation device capable of sufficiently diluting hydrogen in the housing of the hydrogen generation device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This application discloses a hydrogen generator utilizing a hydrolysis reaction, comprising at least a hydrogen generating means for containing a hydrogen carrier, a ventilation fan, and a housing for housing the hydrogen generating means and the ventilation fan, having a ventilation inlet and a ventilation outlet, wherein the ventilation inlet is located below and on the same plane as the ventilation outlet.

[0007] The system may include a hydrogen generation amount measuring means capable of measuring the amount of hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation means, and the ventilation fan may be configured so that its rotation speed is controlled based on the amount of hydrogen measured by the hydrogen generation amount measuring means.

[0008] The ventilation fan may be configured to be directly connected to the main power supply.

[0009] A hydrogen concentration sensor may be placed near the ventilation outlet.

[0010] The ventilation fan may be placed near the ventilation outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, the hydrogen inside the housing of the hydrogen generator can be sufficiently diluted. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the hydrogen generator 10. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the hydrogen generator 10. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the hydrogen generator 10. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the flow of control S10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] 1. Structure of Hydrogen Generator Figs. 1 and 2 show external views of a hydrogen generator 10 according to one exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1 is a view seen from the side where a ventilation inlet 11a and a ventilation outlet 11b are arranged, and Fig. 2 is a view seen from the side of a cartridge insertion part 11c into which a cartridge 12 containing a hydrogen carrier is inserted. Further, Fig. 3 shows a conceptual diagram obtained by looking through the internal structure of the hydrogen generator 10 in the direction indicated by arrow A in Fig. 1.

[0014] 1.1. Housing The housing 11 is a box-shaped member that houses each component of the hydrogen generator 10 inside it, and is a cube in this embodiment as can be seen from Figs. 1 and 2. The housing 11 is provided with a ventilation inlet 11a and a ventilation outlet 11b. The ventilation inlet 11a is an opening that communicates the inside and outside of the housing for ventilating the inside of the housing 11, and is a part where outside air for ventilation flows in. The ventilation outlet 11b is an opening that communicates the inside and outside of the housing for ventilating the inside of the housing 11, and is a part where the inside air flows out to the outside air for ventilation. The ventilation inlet 11a is arranged below the ventilation outlet 11b. It is preferable that the ventilation inlet 11a and the ventilation outlet 11b are arranged in the same plane of the housing 11.

[0015] Further, a cartridge insertion part 11c is arranged in the housing 11. The cartridge insertion part 11c is a part where the cartridge 12 can be taken in and out. In this embodiment, two cartridge insertion parts 11c are provided and are arranged on the opposite side of the ventilation inlet 11a and the ventilation outlet 11b so as to be vertical. When a plurality of cartridges 12 are provided, these plurality of cartridges 12 may be used simultaneously or individually.

[0016] 1.2. Cartridge The cartridge 12 functions as a hydrogen generation means and is a container containing a hydrogen carrier. By inserting it into the cartridge insertion part 11c and mounting it on the hydrogen filling device 10, water is introduced into it and hydrogen generated by the reaction flows out. As the hydrogen carrier, any substance that generates hydrogen through a hydrolysis reaction may be used. Specifically, although not limited thereto, metal hydrides such as sodium borohydride, potassium borohydride, lithium borohydride, zinc borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium aluminum hydride, magnesium aluminum hydride, calcium aluminum hydride, magnesium hydride, lithium hydride, sodium hydride, and calcium hydride can be mentioned. For example, sodium borohydride reacts with water to form sodium metaborate and hydrogen.

[0017] 1.3. Water tank The water tank 13 is a tank that stores water that reacts with the hydrogen carrier contained in the cartridge 12.

[0018] 1.4. Condenser The condenser 14 is a heat exchanger. Inside the pipe, a hydrogen pipe 17 described later passes through, and fins are arranged outside the pipe. When air passes here, heat exchange occurs so that the heat inside the hydrogen pipe is transferred to the outside of the hydrogen pipe.

[0019] 1.5. Gas-liquid separator The gas-liquid separator 15 is a device that separates gas and liquid.

[0020] 1.6. Water pipe The water pipe 16 is a pipe that supplies the water stored in the water tank 13 to the cartridge 12. It is shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3, and the direction of water flow is represented by a dotted arrow. Although the specific water flow will be described later, the water pipe 16 connects the water tank 13 and the cartridge 12, and also connects the gas-liquid separator 15 and the water tank 13. A pump 16a for moving water is arranged in the water pipe 16.

[0021] 1.7. Hydrogen pipe Hydrogen piping 17 is the piping that leads the hydrogen generated in the cartridge to the outside. In Figure 3, it is shown with a solid line, and the direction of hydrogen flow is indicated by an arrow. The specific hydrogen flow will be explained later, but hydrogen piping 17 goes from cartridge 12 through condenser 14 to gas-liquid separator 15, and from gas-liquid separator 15 to the outside. Hydrogen piping 17 also branches, and the branched hydrogen piping functions as a purge pipe that releases hydrogen into the inside of housing 11. Valves 17a are located in the purge pipe to control the allowance and regulation of purging.

[0022] 1.8. Ventilation fan The ventilation fan 18 is a fan positioned at the ventilation inlet 11a and is a means of forcibly circulating air to bring outside air into the inside of the housing 11 from the ventilation inlet 11a. In this configuration, a condenser 14 is positioned between the ventilation fan 18 and the ventilation inlet 11a, and the system is configured to allow forced air cooling by directing outside air onto the condenser 14.

[0023] 1.9. Rectifier plate The rectifier plate 19 is a plate-shaped member that is positioned to divide the inside of the housing 11 into upper and lower sections, the ventilation inlet 11a side and the ventilation outlet 11b side. A gap 19a is provided at the end of the rectifier plate 19 opposite to the ventilation inlet 11a and ventilation outlet 11b, allowing air to flow. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, it is preferable that the end of the purge pipe (exhaust port) of the hydrogen piping 17 be located on the lower side (ventilation inlet) of the upper and lower sections separated by the rectifier plate 19. This makes it possible to increase the degree of hydrogen dilution inside the housing 11.

[0024] 1.10. Others The hydrogen generator 10 has a main power supply and a control device connected to the main power supply as power sources for each of its components. The control device is a so-called computer and is equipped with a central operator, RAM, ROM, input terminals, and output terminals. Each component of the hydrogen generator 10 is electrically connected to the input and output terminals of the control device and is configured to operate based on the results of calculations performed by the central operator based on a program stored in ROM. However, the ventilation fan 18 may be directly connected to the main power supply without going through the control device. This ensures that even if a problem occurs with the control device, electricity is supplied to the ventilation fan 18, preventing ventilation from stopping.

[0025] A hydrogen concentration sensor 20 for measuring hydrogen concentration may be provided. Preferably, the hydrogen concentration sensor 20 is placed near the ventilation outlet 11b.

[0026] The hydrogen piping 17 may be equipped with a flow meter. The degree of ventilation can also be controlled based on the measurement results of this flow meter. Specific control examples will be described later.

[0027] 2. Effect etc. 2.1. Hydrogen generation Hydrogen can be obtained from the hydrogen generator 10 as follows. Water is supplied from the water tank 13 to the cartridge 12 through the water pipe 16. In this configuration, since there are two cartridges 12, the water pipe 16 branches off and water is distributed from each water pipe 16 to the cartridge 12. The power source for moving the water is the pump 16a described above.

[0028] The above-described reaction occurs inside the water-supplied cartridge 12, generating hydrogen. The generated hydrogen flows out into the hydrogen piping 17. The hydrogen flowing out from each cartridge 12 flows through the hydrogen piping 17, merges, and reaches the condenser 14. In the condenser 14, the water in the flowing gas condenses to form a fluid of hydrogen gas and water. These fluids then reach the gas-liquid separator 15, where they are separated into gaseous hydrogen and liquid water. The resulting hydrogen (gas) is discharged to the outside and used as hydrogen. The separated water is returned to the water tank 13.

[0029] 2.2. Ventilation 2.2a.First In the event of a hydrogen leak or hydrogen discharged from the housing 11 through valve 17a, the ventilation fan 18 can be activated to allow air to flow into the housing 11 from the ventilation inlet 11a and out from the ventilation outlet 11b, thereby ventilating the inside of the housing 11 and reducing the hydrogen concentration. In this case, the ventilation inlet 11a is located below the ventilation outlet 11b and is on the same plane, so the air flowing in from the ventilation inlet 11a can create a flow over a wide area inside the housing 11, enabling efficient ventilation.

[0030] 2.2b.Second If the hydrogen generator 10 is equipped with a rectifier plate 19, the inside of the housing 11 is divided into a ventilation inlet 11a side and a ventilation outlet 11b side, and a gap 19a is provided on the opposite side from the ventilation outlet side. As shown by the thick arrow in Figure 3, the air that flows into the inside of the housing 11 from the ventilation inlet 11a flows more effectively inside the housing 11 and flows out from the ventilation outlet 11b. This allows for even more efficient ventilation. The basic principle is to prevent hydrogen leaks, but in the unlikely event that a hydrogen leak occurs somewhere, safety is ensured through ventilation. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that every part of the enclosure is ventilated, and the airflow from bottom to top, indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 3, is particularly effective. To achieve this, the ventilation fan 18 is used to push air in, introducing air from the bottom inlet, circulating throughout the entire interior of the enclosure, and expelling it from the top, thereby significantly enhancing its effectiveness. In addition, by arranging the ventilation inlet 11a and ventilation outlet 11b on the same plane as the enclosure 11, external influences such as wind become less likely to occur.

[0031] 2.2c.Third If a flow meter is installed in the hydrogen piping 17, control can be performed as follows using the control device described above. Figure 4 shows the flow of control S10. In control S10, the flow rate of generated hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen piping 17 is measured by a flow meter and transmitted to the control device (S11). The control device, having received the measurement, calculates the amount of air required for ventilation based on a database of data obtained in advance and the hydrogen flow rate information (S12). This database may include the relationship between the position of the flow meter and ventilation. For example, if the flow meter is placed in a position where hydrogen is actively flowing, a high flow rate should be measured, and if a high flow rate is measured, there is no hydrogen leakage, so the ventilation flow rate can be small. However, if a low flow rate is measured, the ventilation flow rate needs to be increased. Next, the rotation speed of the ventilation fan 18 is calculated (S13). The calculation result is then sent to the ventilation fan to control the rotation speed of the ventilation fan 18 (S14).

[0032] Subsequently, it is determined whether purging is being performed from the hydrogen piping 17 (S15). Purge is performed when the pressure inside the cartridge 12 or hydrogen piping 17 rises above a threshold, and is carried out by the control device controlling valve 17a. If purging is performed in S15, the control device controls the ventilation fan to maximize its rotation speed. This ensures that the hydrogen concentration, which has increased due to purging, is reliably ventilated and diluted inside the enclosure. On the other hand, if purging is not performed in S15, a decision is made as to whether to continue hydrogen generation (S17). If hydrogen generation continues in S17, the process returns to S11 and the above steps are repeated. On the other hand, if hydrogen generation does not continue in S17, the process terminates.

[0033] According to this, the fan speed can be appropriately controlled according to the hydrogen generation and purging conditions to adjust the hydrogen concentration inside the enclosure. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the amount of hydrogen generated in S11 was obtained using a hydrogen flow meter, but the amount of hydrogen may also be determined from the water flow rate of pump 16a.

[0034] 2.2d.Fourth When a hydrogen sensor 20 is placed near the ventilation outlet 11b, hydrogen concentration information from this hydrogen sensor 20 is transmitted to the control device. The control device stops hydrogen generation if the hydrogen concentration is greater than a predetermined threshold, and maintains hydrogen generation otherwise. Here, stopping hydrogen generation can be achieved by stopping the pump 16a. This can enhance safety. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 10...Hydrogen generator, 11...Housing, 12...Cartridge, 13...Water tank, 14...Condenser, 15...Gas-liquid separator, 16...Water piping, 16a...Pump, 17...Hydrogen piping, 18...Ventilation fan, 19...Rectifier plate

Claims

1. A hydrogen generator that utilizes a hydrolysis reaction, A hydrogen generation means for containing hydrogen carriers, Ventilation fan, The system comprises at least a housing that houses the hydrogen generating means and the ventilation fan, and has a ventilation inlet and a ventilation outlet, The ventilation inlet is located below and on the same plane as the ventilation outlet. Hydrogen generator.

2. The system includes a hydrogen generation amount measuring means capable of measuring the amount of hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation means, The rotation speed of the ventilation fan is controlled based on the amount of hydrogen measured by the hydrogen generation amount measuring means. The hydrogen generator according to claim 1.

3. The hydrogen generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ventilation fan is directly connected to the main power supply.

4. The hydrogen generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a hydrogen concentration sensor is located near the ventilation outlet.

5. The hydrogen generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ventilation fan is located near the ventilation outlet.

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