Hydrogen generation equipment and hydrogen power generation equipment

Abstract

Rapidly increase hydrogen pressure to the target pressure. [Solution] The hydrogen generation device 2 comprises a plurality of hydrogen containers 3 each containing granular material H made of a hydrogen storage alloy with different particle sizes, a reaction vessel 20 to which the plurality of hydrogen containers are connected, a valve device 21 configured to individually control the supply of granular material from the hydrogen containers to the reaction vessel for each hydrogen container, a water supply device 4 configured to supply water to the reaction vessel, a pressure sensor 5 for detecting the pressure of hydrogen produced by the reaction of granular material and water, and a control unit 6 configured to control the valve device based on the detected pressure detected by the pressure sensor. The control unit controls the valve device so that when the detected pressure rises toward a predetermined target pressure, the hydrogen container supplying the granular material is changed according to the difference between the detected pressure and the target pressure.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] It is known to use a fuel cell as a means for countermeasures against global warming. A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by chemically reacting hydrogen and oxygen existing in nature. By using a fuel cell, electricity can be generated without relying on fossil fuels, and the emission of carbon dioxide, which causes global warming, can be suppressed. In practice, power generation is performed by supplying hydrogen generated by a hydrogen generation device to a fuel cell stack.

[0003] Regarding hydrogen generation devices, those that supply water to a granular material made of a hydrogen storage alloy and generate hydrogen by chemically reacting the granular material and water are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when starting the operation of a fuel cell, it is necessary to raise the pressure of hydrogen generated by a hydrogen generation device to a predetermined target pressure.

[0006] However, depending on the size of the granular material, there is a problem that the reaction rate decreases and it takes time to raise the hydrogen pressure to the target pressure.

[0007] Therefore, in view of such circumstances, the present disclosure was conceived, and its object is to provide a hydrogen generation device and a hydrogen power generation device capable of rapidly raising the hydrogen pressure to the target pressure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, Multiple hydrogen containers, each containing powders and granules of different particle sizes made of hydrogen storage alloys, A reaction vessel to which multiple hydrogen containers are connected, A valve device configured to individually control the supply of granular material from the hydrogen container to the reaction vessel for each hydrogen container, A water supply device configured to supply water to the reaction vessel, A pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of hydrogen produced by the reaction of powder and water, A control unit configured to control the valve device based on the detected pressure detected by the pressure sensor, Equipped with, The control unit controls the valve device so that when the detected pressure rises toward a predetermined target pressure, the hydrogen container supplying the granular material is changed according to the difference between the detected pressure and the target pressure. A hydrogen generation device characterized by the above is provided.

[0009] Preferably, the control unit controls the valve device such that the larger the difference, the more the powder is supplied from the hydrogen container containing the powder with smaller particle size.

[0010] Preferably, the valve device is provided for each hydrogen container and has a solenoid valve that controls the supply of powder from the hydrogen container. The control unit changes which solenoid valve is opened according to the difference between the detected pressure and the target pressure.

[0011] Preferably, the control unit is The valve device is controlled to supply a predetermined amount of powder to the reaction vessel at predetermined intervals. In each cycle, the water supply device is controlled to supply water to the reaction vessel after the supply of powdered material.

[0012] Preferably, the number of the hydrogen containers containing the granular powder with a large particle size is larger than the number of the hydrogen containers containing the granular powder with a small particle size.

[0013] Preferably, the hydrogen storage alloy is magnesium hydride.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the hydrogen generation device, and a fuel cell stack that generates electricity using the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation device, a hydrogen power generation device is provided, characterized by comprising the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, the hydrogen pressure can be rapidly increased to the target pressure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the hydrogen power generation device of this embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram showing a valve device. [Figure 3] It is a time chart showing the operation states of a solenoid valve and a water supply solenoid valve. [Figure 4] It is a time chart showing the content of the control of this embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the content of the control of this embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the hydrogen power generation device of this embodiment. The hydrogen power generation device 100 comprises a fuel cell (hereinafter also referred to as FC) stack 1 that substantially generates electricity, and a hydrogen generation device 2 that generates hydrogen (specifically hydrogen gas) supplied to the FC stack 1.

[0019] The hydrogen generation device 2 comprises a plurality of hydrogen containers 3, each containing granular material H made of a hydrogen storage alloy with different particle sizes; a reaction vessel 20 to which the plurality of hydrogen containers 3 are connected; a valve device 21 configured to individually control the supply of granular material H from the hydrogen containers 3 to the reaction vessel 20 for each hydrogen container 3; a water supply device 4 configured to supply water to the reaction vessel 20; a pressure sensor 5 for detecting the pressure of hydrogen produced by the reaction of granular material H and water; and a control unit (ECU 6) configured to control the valve device 21 based on the detected pressure detected by the pressure sensor 5.

[0020] In this embodiment, hydrogen is generated using a hydrogen storage alloy that is easy to handle and highly safe. The hydrogen storage alloy in this embodiment is magnesium hydride (MgH2). This hydrogen storage alloy is formed and processed into powder H and used as a material for hydrogen generation.

[0021] In this embodiment, three hydrogen containers 3 are provided. Meanwhile, three types of granular material H are available, with particle sizes of large, medium, and small. Here, "large particle size" means that the average particle size of the granular material H is large, and the granular material H is large-grained or coarse. Similarly, "medium particle size" means that the average particle size of the granular material H is of an intermediate size, and the granular material H is medium-grained or medium-grained. "Small particle size" means that the average particle size of the granular material H is small, and the granular material H is small-grained or fine-grained.

[0022] In this embodiment, one hydrogen container 3 contains fine-grained powder H, one hydrogen container 3 contains medium-grained powder H, and one hydrogen container 3 contains coarse-grained powder H. The three hydrogen containers 3 are numbered #1 to #3, with container #1 containing fine-grained powder H, container #2 containing medium-grained powder H, and container #3 containing coarse-grained powder H.

[0023] The hydrogen container 3 has the form of a removable and replaceable cartridge or pack. The granular material H is deposited inside the hydrogen container 3.

[0024] The three hydrogen containers 3 are positioned so as to rest on the top surface of a common reaction vessel 20. The granular material H contained in each hydrogen container 3 is supplied into the reaction vessel 20 by gravity. The reaction vessel 20 is a larger container than the hydrogen containers 3 and, in addition to functioning as a reaction vessel for reacting the granular material H and water, also functions as a gas storage container for storing the generated hydrogen gas.

[0025] The valve device 21 has solenoid valves 22 provided individually for each hydrogen container 3. Each solenoid valve 22 is positioned between each hydrogen container 3 and the reaction vessel 20.

[0026] Figure 2 shows details of the valve device 21, and in particular shows one solenoid valve 22 for one hydrogen container 3 (container #1). As shown in the figure, the solenoid valve 22 in this embodiment is formed by a shutter valve and has a valve body 23 positioned between the hydrogen container 3 and the reaction vessel 20, and a shutter-type valve body 24 that can slide horizontally within the valve body 23. An outlet 25 for the granular material H is provided at the bottom of the hydrogen container 3, and an inlet 26 for the granular material H is provided at the top of the reaction vessel 20. The valve body 23 has a valve body hole 27 that communicates with these outlets 25 and inlets 26. The valve body 24 has a valve body hole 28 that communicates with the valve body hole 27 when the solenoid valve 22 is open. When the valve body 24 is positioned on the left side as shown in the figure, the solenoid valve 22 is in the closed state, and at this time the valve body hole 27 is closed by the valve body 24. When the valve body 24 is moved to the right in the diagram from this position, the solenoid valve 22 opens, and the valve body hole 28 communicates with the valve body hole 27. As a result, the granular material H in the hydrogen container 3 falls and is supplied into the reaction vessel 20.

[0027] The solenoid valve 22 in this embodiment is pneumatic. The valve body 24 is reciprocated by an air cylinder 29. Air pressure is supplied to the air cylinder 29 from a compressor 30, which serves as the air pressure source. In the air pressure path from the compressor 30 to the air cylinder 29, a pressure regulator 31 and a switching valve 32 are arranged in order from the upstream side. The pressure regulator 31 adjusts the pressure value of the air pressure supplied from the compressor 30 to an appropriate value. The switching valve 32 is a solenoid valve for switching between the closing operation (contraction operation) and the opening operation (extension operation) of the air cylinder 29, and is controlled by the ECU 6.

[0028] A similar configuration is used for the other hydrogen containers 3 (containers #2 and #3) which are not shown in the diagram. Air pressure is supplied to the other hydrogen containers 3 by branching off from between the pressure regulator 31 and the switching valve 32.

[0029] Returning to Figure 1, the water supply device 4 includes a water tank 7 for storing water, a water supply pipe 8 for sending water from the water tank 7 to the reaction vessel 20, a water filter 9 installed in the water supply pipe 8 for purifying the water sent from the water tank 7, and a water supply solenoid valve 10 installed downstream of the water filter 9. The water flow is indicated by a solid arrow and denoted by the symbol W.

[0030] The water supply to the reaction vessel 20 is controlled by opening and closing the water supply solenoid valve 10. In this embodiment, water is supplied to the reaction vessel 20 from the water tank 7 by gravity, so a water pump is omitted. However, a water pump may be provided to forcibly supply water.

[0031] Water is supplied to the granular material H in the reaction vessel 20, and hydrogen gas is generated by the hydrolysis of the hydrogen storage alloy. The space above the granular material H in the reaction vessel 20 becomes a gas storage space where the generated hydrogen gas is stored.

[0032] Meanwhile, a hydrogen pipe 11 is provided to send hydrogen from the reaction vessel 20 to the FC stack 1. The hydrogen flow is indicated by a dashed arrow and denoted by the symbol H2.

[0033] The upstream end of the hydrogen piping 11 is connected to the hydrogen outlet of the reaction vessel 20, and the downstream end of the hydrogen piping 11 is connected to the hydrogen input of the FC stack 1. The hydrogen piping 11 is equipped with, in order from upstream, a hydrogen filter 12, a relief valve 13, a pressure sensor 5, a regulator 14, and a flow sensor 15.

[0034] The hydrogen filter 12 removes water vapor mixed with the hydrogen. The relief valve 13 opens to release pressure if the hydrogen pressure rises abnormally. The pressure sensor 5 detects the hydrogen pressure. The regulator 14 adjusts the hydrogen pressure to a pressure suitable for supply to the FC stack 1. The flow sensor 15 detects the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to or introduced into the FC stack 1.

[0035] As is well known, the FC stack 1 is a device that generates electricity by reacting supplied hydrogen with oxygen from the atmosphere. A capacitor 16 is connected to the output section of the FC stack 1 as an energy storage device, and the electricity generated by the FC stack 1 is stored in the capacitor 16. The flow of electricity is shown by a thick solid arrow and is denoted by the symbol E.

[0036] An electrical load 17, consisting of electrical equipment, is connected to the capacitor 16. In the diagram, three electrical loads 17 are connected, but the number of electrical loads 17 is arbitrary. For example, when the hydrogen power generation device 100 is used as an emergency generator, the electrical loads 17 can be electrical appliances, such as a washing machine, a fan, or a mobile phone charger.

[0037] The power output from the FC stack 1 may be supplied to the ECU 6 via a transformer (not shown), and the FC stack 1 may be used as the power source for the ECU 6. Similarly, the capacitor 16 may be used as the power source for the ECU 6. Naturally, the switching valve 32, the water supply solenoid valve 10, the pressure sensor 5, and the flow sensor 15 are electrically connected to the ECU 6.

[0038] The control unit consists of an electronic control unit (ECU) 6. The ECU 6 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) with arithmetic functions, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) as storage media, input / output ports, and other storage devices besides ROM and RAM.

[0039] When hydrogen is generated in the reaction vessel 20, the ECU 6 supplies predetermined amounts of powder H and water into the reaction vessel 20 at predetermined intervals.

[0040] Figure 3 shows the operation of (A) solenoid valve 22 and (B) water supply solenoid valve 10 at this time. The horizontal axis is time t. (A) shows the open / closed state of one of the solenoid valves 22, for example, the solenoid valve 22 corresponding to container #1. The longer the opening time of the solenoid valve 22 per valve opening, the greater the amount of powder H supplied into the reaction vessel 20. Similarly, the longer the opening time of the water supply solenoid valve 10 per valve opening, the greater the amount of water supplied into the reaction vessel 20. In this embodiment, the amount of water supplied in one water supply is such that it is neither too much nor too little, corresponding to the amount of powder H supplied in one instance.

[0041] The opening cycle of the solenoid valve 22 (i.e., the supply cycle of the granular material H) and the opening cycle of the water supply solenoid valve 10 (i.e., the water supply cycle) are equal to τ. In this embodiment, the opening timing of the water supply solenoid valve 10 is delayed by a predetermined time Δτ from the opening timing of the solenoid valve 22 so that water is supplied (started) after the supply of granular material H has finished. This ensures that the granular material H supplied into the reaction vessel 20 is reliably reacted with water. Furthermore, since water is supplied to fresh granular material H for the reaction, the maximum hydrolysis reaction rate and hydrogen production rate can be obtained.

[0042] In this embodiment, the ECU6 controls the valve device 21 (solenoid valve 22) to supply a predetermined amount of powder H to the reaction vessel 20 at predetermined cycles τ, and controls the water supply device 4 (water supply solenoid valve 10) to supply water to the reaction vessel 20 after the supply of powder H in each cycle.

[0043] Now, when starting operation of the hydrogen power generation device 100 or the FC stack 1, it is necessary to raise the pressure of the hydrogen produced in the hydrogen generator 2 to a predetermined target pressure.

[0044] In other words, in order to operate the FC stack 1, the pressure of the input hydrogen must be within a predetermined input pressure range, and the regulator 14 is configured to adjust the hydrogen pressure to such an input pressure range. Therefore, the regulator 14 must be supplied with hydrogen having a pressure value equal to or greater than the upper limit of the input pressure range. When the FC stack 1 starts up, the pressure of the hydrogen supplied to the regulator 14 must be increased from zero or near zero to a predetermined target pressure equal to or greater than the upper limit of the input pressure range.

[0045] On the other hand, the reaction rate, and consequently the hydrogen generation rate, when water is supplied to granular material H changes depending on the particle size of the granular material H. When the same amount of water is supplied to the same amount of granular material H, the reaction rate tends to decrease as the particle size of the granular material H increases, because the surface area per unit volume decreases. Furthermore, since the reaction duration increases as the reaction rate decreases, the reaction duration tends to increase as the particle size of the granular material H increases.

[0046] If, for example, water is supplied to the large-particle-size powder H at the start of operation of FC stack 1, the hydrogen generation rate will be slow, resulting in a problem where it takes time for the hydrogen pressure to rise to the target pressure. Consequently, this will cause a delay in the start of operation of the hydrogen power generation device 100 or FC stack 1.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, the following control is performed to solve this problem. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the detected pressure P detected by the pressure sensor 5 rises toward a predetermined target pressure Pt, the ECU 6 controls the valve device 21 so that the hydrogen container 3 that supplies the powder H is changed according to the difference ΔP between the detected pressure P and the target pressure Pt.

[0048] This will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The horizontal axis represents time t. The "0, 1, 2, ···" on the horizontal axis means the times or timings t0, t1, t2, ··· when the powder H is supplied into the reaction vessel 20. The vertical axis is the hydrogen pressure detected by the pressure sensor 5, that is, the detected pressure P.

[0049] Pressure thresholds (first and second pressure thresholds) Ps1 and Ps2 lower than the target pressure Pt are predetermined. Ps1 < Ps2 < Pt. The difference between the target pressure Pt and the pressure threshold Ps1 is ΔPs1, and the difference between the target pressure Pt and the pressure threshold Ps2 is ΔPs2. ΔPs1 > ΔPs2.

[0050] The ECU 6 controls the valve device 21 so that the powder H is supplied from the hydrogen container 3 containing the powder H with a smaller particle size as the difference ΔP between the detected pressure P and the target pressure Pt becomes larger.

[0051] At the start of the operation of the FC stack 1, the detected pressure P starts to rise from zero or a value near zero at the initial time t0.

[0052] At this time, the detected pressure P is lower than the pressure threshold Ps1, and the pressure difference ΔPs from the target pressure Pt is larger than ΔPs1, which is large.

[0053] Therefore, at time t0, the ECU 6 supplies the powder H from the #1 hydrogen container 3 that contains the powder H with a small particle size. Specifically, the solenoid valve 22 corresponding to the #1 hydrogen container 3 is opened for a predetermined time. Immediately after that, the ECU 6 supplies a predetermined amount of water into the reaction vessel 20. Specifically, the water supply solenoid valve 10 is opened for a predetermined time.

[0054] As a result, fine-grained granular material H is supplied into the reaction vessel 20, and water is supplied to this granular material H, causing a hydrolysis reaction that generates hydrogen. Since this granular material H has a large surface area per unit volume, the reaction rate and hydrogen generation rate are fast. Therefore, the detected pressure P rises relatively quickly. This makes it possible to shorten the time to reach the target pressure Pt.

[0055] At the next time t1, the detected pressure P is still lower than the pressure threshold Ps1, so the ECU6 supplies granular material H from hydrogen container #1 3 and similarly supplies water. This maintains a high rate of increase in the detected pressure P.

[0056] At the next time point t2, the detected pressure P was above the pressure threshold Ps1 but lower than the pressure threshold Ps2. The pressure difference ΔPs between the detected pressure and the target pressure Pt was smaller than ΔPs1 but larger than ΔPs2, indicating a moderate pressure difference.

[0057] Therefore, at time t2, the ECU6 changes the hydrogen container 3 that supplies the powder. Specifically, it changes from hydrogen container #1 3, which contains fine-grained powder H, to hydrogen container #2 3, which contains medium-grained powder H. Then, it opens the solenoid valve 22 corresponding to hydrogen container #2 3 for a predetermined time, and immediately after that, it opens the water supply solenoid valve 10 for a predetermined time.

[0058] As a result, granular material H of a certain particle size is supplied into the reaction vessel 20, and water is supplied to this granular material H to produce hydrogen. Since this granular material H has an intermediate surface area per unit volume, the reaction rate and hydrogen generation rate are also intermediate. Therefore, the detected pressure P rises at a moderate rate, slightly slower than before. This makes it possible to increase the detected pressure P towards the target pressure Pt more gradually than before, and suppresses overshoot of the detected pressure P.

[0059] At the next time t3, the detected pressure P is higher than the pressure threshold Ps1 and lower than the pressure threshold Ps2, so the ECU6 supplies granular material H from hydrogen container #2 3 and similarly supplies water. This maintains a moderate rate of increase in the detected pressure P.

[0060] At the next time point t4, the detected pressure P is lower than the target pressure Pt, but above the pressure threshold Ps2. The pressure difference ΔPs from the target pressure Pt is smaller than ΔPs2, and is therefore small.

[0061] Therefore, at time t4, the ECU6 changes the hydrogen container 3 that supplies the granular material H. Specifically, it changes from hydrogen container #2 3, which contains medium-sized granular material H, to hydrogen container #3 3, which contains coarse-sized granular material H. Then, it opens the solenoid valve 22 corresponding to hydrogen container #3 3 for a predetermined time, and immediately after that, it opens the water supply solenoid valve 10 for a predetermined time.

[0062] As a result, coarse-grained powder H is supplied into the reaction vessel 20, and water is supplied to this powder H to produce hydrogen. Because this powder H has a small surface area per unit volume, the reaction rate and hydrogen generation rate are slow. Therefore, the detected pressure P rises more slowly than before. This allows the detected pressure P to be increased more gradually toward the target pressure Pt, and the detected pressure P can be stably maintained near the target pressure Pt.

[0063] Subsequently, until time t9, the detected pressure P is lower than the target pressure Pt and above the pressure threshold Ps2. The pressure difference ΔPs from the target pressure Pt is small. Therefore, ECU6 continuously supplies granular material H from hydrogen container #3 3. This maintains a slow rate of increase in the detected pressure P.

[0064] At the subsequent time t10, the detected pressure P has reached the target pressure Pt. Therefore, the pressure difference ΔPs with respect to the target pressure Pt is zero, but the ECU6 continues to supply the granular material H from hydrogen container #3 3. In this way, when the detected pressure P is higher than the pressure threshold Ps2, the supply of granular material H from hydrogen container #3 3 continues.

[0065] Even if, for any reason, the detected pressure P falls below the pressure thresholds Ps1 and Ps2 after the FC stack 1 has started operation, the hydrogen container 3 supplying the granular material H can be immediately changed. By supplying granular material H with a smaller particle size, the reaction rate can be increased, and the detected pressure P can be quickly restored to a pressure higher than the pressure threshold Ps2. This allows the detected pressure P to be stably maintained near the target pressure Pt.

[0066] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the control process of this embodiment. The routine shown is repeatedly executed by the ECU 6 at a predetermined period τ, i.e., at each timing of the supply of granular material H.

[0067] In step S101, the ECU6 obtains the value of the detected pressure P.

[0068] In step S102, the ECU6 compares the value of the detected pressure P with the pressure threshold Ps1.

[0069] If the detected pressure P is less than or equal to the pressure threshold Ps1 (P ≤ Ps1), the ECU 6 proceeds to step S103, opens the solenoid valve 22 corresponding to the #1 hydrogen container 3 containing the fine-grained powder H, and supplies the fine-grained powder H from the #1 hydrogen container 3 into the reaction vessel 20.

[0070] Subsequently, in step S104, the ECU 6 opens the water supply solenoid valve 10 and supplies water into the reaction vessel 20. As a result, the fine-grained powder H reacts with the water inside the reaction vessel 20, and hydrogen is rapidly produced.

[0071] On the other hand, in step S102, if the value of the detected pressure P is greater than the pressure threshold Ps1 (P>Ps1), the ECU 6 proceeds to step S105 to determine whether the value of the detected pressure P is between the pressure thresholds Ps1 and Ps2.

[0072] That is, when the value of the detected pressure P is greater than the pressure threshold value Ps1 and less than or equal to the pressure threshold value Ps2 (Ps1 < P ≤ Ps2), the ECU 6 proceeds to step S106, opens the solenoid valve 22 corresponding to the #2 hydrogen container 3 that houses the granular solid H of medium particle size, and supplies the granular solid H of medium particle size from the #2 hydrogen container 3 into the reaction vessel 20.

[0073] After that, in step S104, the ECU 6 opens the water supply solenoid valve 10 and supplies water into the reaction vessel 20. As a result, the granular solid H of medium particle size and water react in the reaction vessel 20, and hydrogen is generated at a medium speed.

[0074] On the other hand, in step S105, when the value of the detected pressure P is greater than the pressure threshold value Ps2 (P > Ps2), the ECU 6 proceeds to step S107, opens the solenoid valve 22 corresponding to the #3 hydrogen container 3 that houses the granular solid H of large particle size, and supplies the granular solid H of large particle size from the #3 hydrogen container 3 into the reaction vessel 20.

[0075] After that, in step S104, the ECU 6 opens the water supply solenoid valve 10 and supplies water into the reaction vessel 20. As a result, the granular solid H of large particle size and water react in the reaction vessel 20, and hydrogen is generated at a low speed.

[0076] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the detected pressure P rises toward the target pressure Pt, the hydrogen container 3 that supplies the granular solid H is changed according to the difference ΔP between the detected pressure P and the target pressure Pt. Thereby, when the difference ΔP is large, the granular solid H with a relatively small particle size can be supplied, and the detected pressure P can be quickly raised to the target pressure Pt.

[0077] In particular, according to the present embodiment, the larger the difference ΔP, the smaller the particle size of the granular solid H that can be supplied, and thereby, the detected pressure P can also be quickly raised to the target pressure Pt.

[0078] Furthermore, when starting operation of the hydrogen power generation device 100 or FC stack 1, the pressure of the generated hydrogen can be quickly raised to the target pressure Pt, shortening the preparation time or start-up time of the hydrogen power generation device 100 or FC stack 1, and enabling rapid power generation to begin.

[0079] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above, various other embodiments and modifications of this disclosure are conceivable.

[0080] For example, in the above embodiment, three stages of particle size H (small, medium, and large) were prepared and supplied in order. However, the number of particle size stages may be fewer, such as two, or more, such as four or more.

[0081] Incidentally, the fine-grained granular material H and the medium-grained granular material H are mainly used only when FC stack 1 starts up, so their usage frequency is not very high. On the other hand, the coarse-grained granular material H is used almost constantly after FC stack 1 starts up, so its usage frequency is high. Therefore, in line with these usage frequencies, the number of hydrogen containers 3 that contain coarse-grained granular material H may be greater than the number of hydrogen containers 3 that contain fine-grained granular material H and hydrogen containers 3 that contain medium-grained granular material H. For example, there may be one of each and four of the latter. This increases the number of hydrogen containers 3 that are used frequently, and reduces the frequency of hydrogen container 3 replacement.

[0082] Thus, the number of hydrogen containers 3 that contain large-grained powder H may be greater than the number of hydrogen containers 3 that contain small-grained powder H.

[0083] In this case, when supplying the granular material H to multiple hydrogen containers 3 that contain large-grained granular material H, the supply should be from one of the hydrogen containers 3 at a time. Once the granular material H in that hydrogen container 3 is exhausted, the hydrogen container 3 supplying the granular material H should be changed to another hydrogen container 3.

[0084] In the above embodiment, a capacitor 16 was used as the energy storage device, but other energy storage devices, such as a battery, may also be used.

[0085] The hydrogen power generation device 100 can be used for any purpose. For example, the hydrogen power generation device 100 may be used for a vehicle. In this case, the electrical load 17 can be a vehicle drive motor, electric auxiliary equipment, etc.

[0086] The embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, but include any variations, applications, and equivalents encompassed within the spirit of this disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, this disclosure should not be constrained, but can be applied to any other art that falls within the scope of the spirit of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 Fuel cell stack 2. Hydrogen generator 3. Hydrogen container 4 Water supply device 5. Pressure Sensor 6. Electronic control unit 20 Reaction vessel 21 Valve device 22 Solenoid valve 100 Hydrogen power generation equipment H Powder

Claims

1. Multiple hydrogen containers, each containing powders and granules of different particle sizes made of hydrogen storage alloys, A reaction vessel to which multiple hydrogen containers are connected, A valve device configured to individually control the supply of granular material from the hydrogen container to the reaction vessel for each hydrogen container, A water supply device configured to supply water to the reaction vessel, A pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of hydrogen produced by the reaction of powder and water, A control unit configured to control the valve device based on the detected pressure detected by the pressure sensor, Equipped with, The control unit controls the valve device so that when the detected pressure rises toward a predetermined target pressure, the hydrogen container supplying the granular material is changed according to the difference between the detected pressure and the target pressure. A hydrogen generation device characterized by the following features.

2. The control unit controls the valve device such that the larger the difference, the more the powder is supplied from the hydrogen container containing the powder with the smaller particle size. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The valve device is provided for each hydrogen container and includes a solenoid valve that controls the supply of powder from the hydrogen container. The control unit changes the solenoid valve that is opened according to the difference between the detected pressure and the target pressure. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The control unit is The valve device is controlled to supply a predetermined amount of powder to the reaction vessel at predetermined intervals. In each cycle, the water supply device is controlled to supply water to the reaction vessel after the supply of powder and granules. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The number of hydrogen containers that contain large-grained powders is greater than the number of hydrogen containers that contain small-grained powders. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The hydrogen storage alloy is magnesium hydride. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1.

7. A hydrogen generator according to claim 1, A fuel cell stack that generates electricity using hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generation device, A hydrogen power generation device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

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