Hydrogen gas storage device, hydrogen gas supply system, and power supply system

Abstract

This avoids both a decrease in the amount of hydrogen gas released from the storage section per unit time and a decrease in the amount of hydrogen gas stored in the storage section per unit time. [Solution] The system is equipped with a heat pump 24 capable of cooling heat transfer liquid Bc and heating heat transfer liquid Bh, and a hydrogen gas storage unit 23 is configured so that a hydrogen storage alloy is contained in a storage container so as to be capable of absorbing and releasing hydrogen gas Gh, and is equipped with a temperature adjustment unit capable of cooling the storage container by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid Bc, and heating the storage container by heat exchange with a heat storage agent Bs heated by heat transfer from the heat transfer liquid Bh, and is configured to be able to perform a cooling process in which the storage container is cooled to lower the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy when storing hydrogen gas Gh, and a heating process in which the storage container is heated to raise the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy when releasing hydrogen gas Gh, and a flow path for the heat transfer liquid Bc and a flow path for the heat storage agent Bs are provided separately and independently so that the heat transfer liquid Bc and the heat storage agent Bs do not mix.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen gas storage device having a storage section in which a storage container capable of storing hydrogen gas is arranged, a hydrogen gas supply system having a hydrogen gas storage device and configured to be able to supply hydrogen gas to a supply target, and a power supply system configured to be able to supply electricity generated using hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device as fuel to a power supply target. [Background technology]

[0002] The applicant has disclosed in the prior application listed below a power supply device that supplies hydrogen gas to a fuel cell power generation unit from a hydrogen canister, which can store hydrogen gas by absorbing it in a hydrogen storage alloy inside a pressure vessel, and can generate electricity in the fuel cell power generation unit using this hydrogen gas (hydrogen) as fuel.

[0003] In this case, when hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy (when hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen canister to the fuel cell power generation unit), the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy drops due to an endothermic reaction. It is also known that the hydrogen release rate (amount of hydrogen gas released from the hydrogen canister per unit time) of the hydrogen storage alloy drops as its temperature drops. Therefore, the power supply device disclosed by the applicant uses air that has been supplied to the power generation cell of the fuel cell power generation unit and reacted with hydrogen, or air that has been passed through a cooling cell to cool the power generation cell, as a heating fluid, and heats the hydrogen canister by heat exchange with this air, thereby avoiding an excessive drop in temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy when hydrogen is released. As a result, the power supply device disclosed by the applicant is able to stably supply hydrogen gas from the hydrogen canister to the fuel cell power generation unit and continue suitable power generation. Prior Application 1

[0004] Patent application 2023-015782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the power supply device disclosed by the applicant has the following problems that need to be improved.

[0006] Specifically, the power supply device disclosed by the applicant employs a configuration in which, when hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen canister to the fuel cell power generation unit (when hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy), the heat generated by the power generation in the fuel cell power generation unit is used to heat the hydrogen canister (hydrogen storage alloy), thereby preventing an excessive drop in temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy and providing a stable supply of hydrogen gas.In this case, the power supply device disclosed by the applicant employs, as an example, a configuration in which a "hydrogen canister filled with hydrogen gas" loaned by a hydrogen gas provider is connected to a canister connection unit to supply hydrogen gas to the fuel cell power generation unit.

[0007] Meanwhile, the applicant has prototyped a system that generates hydrogen gas at the site where hydrogen gas is used (in the example of the power supply device described above, the location where the fuel cell power generation unit is installed), stores it in a hydrogen canister (hydrogen storage alloy), and can supply the stored hydrogen gas to a supply target such as the fuel cell power generation unit. According to the system prototyped by the applicant, when power supply from the fuel cell power generation unit is not required, hydrogen gas is generated by a hydrogen gas generating device and stored in a hydrogen canister, and when power supply is required, the stored hydrogen gas can be supplied from the hydrogen canister to the fuel cell power generation unit to generate power. This makes it possible to eliminate the need to replace a hydrogen canister in which hydrogen gas has been consumed by power generation with a hydrogen canister filled with hydrogen gas, unlike the power supply device disclosed by the applicant.

[0008] In this case, when hydrogen is absorbed into the hydrogen storage alloy (when the generated hydrogen gas is stored in the hydrogen canister), the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy rises due to an exothermic reaction. It is also known that the hydrogen absorption rate (amount of hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen canister per unit time) of the hydrogen storage alloy decreases as its temperature rises. For this reason, as in the power supply device disclosed by the applicant, by heating the hydrogen canister (hydrogen storage alloy) during power generation by the fuel cell power generation unit, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the amount of hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen canister per unit time decreases. However, when hydrogen gas is stored in the hydrogen canister, the amount of hydrogen gas stored per unit time decreases due to the temperature rise of the hydrogen storage alloy, so that it may be difficult to store a sufficient amount of hydrogen gas required for continuing power generation in the hydrogen canister during the time when power supply from the fuel cell power generation unit is not required. Therefore, it is preferable to improve this point.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems that need to be improved, and its main object is to provide a hydrogen gas storage device, a hydrogen gas supply system, and a power supply system that can preferably avoid both a decrease in the amount of hydrogen gas released per unit time from the storage unit (hydrogen canister), and a decrease in the amount of hydrogen gas stored in the storage unit per unit time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the hydrogen gas storage device according to claim 1 comprises a storage unit in which a storage container capable of storing hydrogen gas supplied from a supply source is disposed, and is configured to be able to supply the hydrogen gas stored in the storage unit to a supply target, and also comprises a plurality of adsorption towers in which adsorbents that adsorb moisture contained in the hydrogen gas and remove it from the hydrogen gas, and is configured to be able to perform an adsorption removal process in which moisture contained in the hydrogen gas supplied from the supply source and stored in the storage unit is adsorbed by the adsorbent contained in any of the adsorption towers and removed from the hydrogen gas, and an adsorption capacity regeneration process of a thermal regeneration type in which moisture adsorbed in the adsorbent contained in any of the other adsorption towers is desorbed from the adsorbent and regenerated in the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent, and the hydrogen gas storage device is configured to include a hydrogen gas cooling unit that cools the hydrogen gas to be flowed into the adsorption tower where the adsorption removal process is performed, a hydrogen gas heating unit that heats the hydrogen gas to be flowed into the adsorption tower where the adsorption capacity regeneration process is performed, and a hydrogen gas cooling .... The storage unit is equipped with a heat pump capable of cooling a heat transfer liquid for cooling the hydrogen gas, and heating a heat transfer liquid for heating the hydrogen gas by heat exchange with the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas heating unit, and the storage unit is configured so that a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in the storage container and the hydrogen gas can be absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy and released from the hydrogen storage alloy, and the hydrogen storage alloy can be cooled by heat exchange with the cooling heat transfer liquid and heated by heat exchange with the heating heat transfer liquid. The hydrogen storage alloy is provided with a temperature adjustment unit capable of heating, and is configured to be able to perform a cooling process in which the temperature adjustment unit cools the hydrogen storage alloy when the hydrogen gas is stored in the storage unit, and a heating process in which the temperature adjustment unit heats the hydrogen storage alloy when the hydrogen gas is released from the storage unit, and the temperature adjustment unit is provided with a cooling heat transfer liquid flow path through which the cooling heat transfer liquid is passed, and a heating heat transfer liquid flow path through which the heating heat transfer liquid is passed, which are provided separately and independently so that the cooling heat transfer liquid and the heating heat transfer liquid are not mixed.

[0011] The hydrogen gas storage device of claim 2 is the hydrogen gas storage device of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is configured to include the storage container and a container mounting unit to which the storage container is removably mounted, and the temperature adjustment unit is configured to include a cooling spiral tube unit that is arranged to surround the storage container mounted on the container mounting unit and forms the cooling heat transfer liquid flow path, thereby cooling the storage container and thereby cooling the hydrogen storage alloy in the storage container, and is also configured to include a heating spiral tube unit that is arranged to surround the storage container mounted on the container mounting unit and forms the heating heat transfer liquid flow path, thereby heating the storage container and thereby heating the hydrogen storage alloy in the storage container.

[0012] The hydrogen gas storage device of claim 3 is the hydrogen gas storage device of claim 1, in which the storage section has the cooling heat transfer liquid flow path and the heating heat transfer liquid flow path constituting the temperature adjustment section, each provided in the hydrogen storage alloy accommodation section within the storage container.

[0013] The hydrogen gas storage device of claim 4 is the hydrogen gas storage device of claim 1, wherein the temperature adjustment unit is configured to be able to heat the hydrogen storage alloy by passing a second heat transfer liquid as the heating heat transfer liquid through the heating heat transfer liquid flow path, the second heat transfer liquid being capable of storing heat transferred from the first heat transfer liquid by heat exchange with the first heat transfer liquid as the heating heat transfer liquid heated by the heat pump.

[0014] A hydrogen gas supply system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes the hydrogen gas storage device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and an electrolysis treatment device as the supply source that electrolyzes raw water to produce the hydrogen gas.

[0015] The hydrogen gas supply system of claim 6 is the hydrogen gas supply system of claim 5, further comprising an oxygen cooling section that cools the oxygen exhausted from the electrolysis treatment device when the hydrogen gas is generated in the electrolysis treatment device by heat exchange with the cooling heat transfer liquid cooled by the heat pump in the hydrogen gas storage device.

[0016] The power supply system described in claim 7 includes a hydrogen gas storage device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, and a fuel cell as the supply target, which is configured to be capable of performing a power generation process using the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device as fuel. Effect of the Invention

[0017] The hydrogen gas storage device according to claim 1 includes a hydrogen gas cooling section for cooling hydrogen gas to be introduced into an adsorption tower for performing an adsorption removal process, a hydrogen gas heating section for heating hydrogen gas to be introduced into an adsorption tower for performing an adsorption capacity regeneration process, and a heat pump capable of cooling a heat transfer liquid for cooling hydrogen gas by heat exchange with hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas cooling section, and heating a heat transfer liquid for heating hydrogen gas by heat exchange with hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas heating section, and the storage section is configured such that a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in a storage container, and hydrogen gas can be absorbed into the hydrogen storage alloy and released from the hydrogen storage alloy. The hydrogen storage alloy is provided with a temperature adjustment unit capable of cooling the hydrogen storage alloy by heat exchange with a cooling heat transfer liquid and heating the hydrogen storage alloy by heat exchange with a heating heat transfer liquid, and is configured to be able to perform a cooling process in which the temperature adjustment unit cools the hydrogen storage alloy when hydrogen gas is stored in the storage unit, and a heating process in which the temperature adjustment unit heats the hydrogen storage alloy when hydrogen gas is released from the storage unit, and the temperature adjustment unit is provided with a cooling heat transfer liquid flow path through which the cooling heat transfer liquid passes, and a heating heat transfer liquid flow path through which the heating heat transfer liquid passes, which are provided separately and independently so that the cooling heat transfer liquid and the heating heat transfer liquid do not mix.

[0018] Therefore, according to the hydrogen gas storage device described in claim 1, when hydrogen gas is released from the storage section, a heating heat transfer liquid heated using a heat pump as a hot heat source is supplied to the heating heat transfer liquid flow path to heat the hydrogen storage alloy, thereby preferably avoiding a decrease in the hydrogen gas release efficiency, and when hydrogen gas is stored in the storage section, a cooling heat transfer liquid cooled using a heat pump as a cold heat source is supplied to the cooling heat transfer liquid flow path to cool the hydrogen storage alloy, thereby preferably avoiding a decrease in the hydrogen gas absorption efficiency. In addition, by arranging the cooling heat transfer fluid flow path and the heating heat transfer fluid flow path separately and independently, the cooling heat transfer fluid and the heating heat transfer fluid do not mix in the temperature adjustment section, so that when the hydrogen storage alloy transitions from a heating state to a cooling state, the hydrogen storage alloy can be immediately cooled by supplying low-temperature cooling heat transfer fluid to the cooling heat transfer fluid flow path, and when the hydrogen storage alloy transitions from a cooling state to a heating state, the hydrogen storage alloy can be immediately heated by supplying high-temperature heating heat transfer fluid to the heating heat transfer fluid flow path, and in addition, different types of liquids (fluids) can be used as the cooling heat transfer fluid and the heating heat transfer fluid.

[0019] In the hydrogen gas storage device described in claim 2, the storage section is configured to include a storage container and a container mounting section to which the storage container is removably mounted, and the temperature adjustment section is configured to include a cooling spiral tube section that is arranged to surround the storage container mounted on the container mounting section and forms a cooling heat transfer liquid flow path, thereby cooling the storage container and thereby cooling the hydrogen storage alloy in the storage container, and is also configured to include a heating spiral tube section that is arranged to surround the storage container mounted on the container mounting section and forms a heating heat transfer liquid flow path, thereby heating the storage container and thereby heating the hydrogen storage alloy in the storage container. Therefore, according to the hydrogen gas storage device described in claim 2, unlike a storage section in which a storage container is fixedly arranged in the hydrogen gas storage device, a storage container filled with hydrogen gas at a separate location can be attached to the container mounting section and hydrogen gas can be supplied to the supply target.In this case, the hydrogen storage alloy can be heated by heating the storage container through the heating heat transfer liquid flow path, thereby efficiently releasing hydrogen gas, and the hydrogen storage alloy can be cooled by cooling the storage container through the cooling heat transfer liquid flow path.After efficiently storing the hydrogen gas supplied from the supply source, the storage container in which the hydrogen gas is stored can be removed from the container mounting section and transported to any desired location of use, etc.

[0020] In the hydrogen gas storage device according to claim 3, the cooling heat transfer liquid flow path and the heating heat transfer liquid flow path constituting the temperature adjustment unit are respectively provided in the hydrogen storage alloy storage unit in the storage container to form the storage unit. Therefore, according to the hydrogen gas storage device according to claim 3, the hydrogen storage alloy can be cooled in a short time from the start of the cooling process and the hydrogen storage alloy can be heated in a short time from the start of the heating process, compared to a configuration in which the hydrogen storage alloy in the pressure container is cooled / heated via the pressure container (storage container). Furthermore, even if the pressure container that contains the hydrogen storage alloy has a thermal insulation structure, the hydrogen storage alloy can be reliably cooled / heated, so that it is possible to suitably avoid the cooling of the hydrogen storage alloy being hindered by heat absorption from outside the pressure container during the cooling process, or the heating of the hydrogen storage alloy being hindered by heat radiation to the outside of the pressure container during the heating process.

[0021] In the hydrogen gas storage device according to claim 4, the temperature adjustment unit is configured to be able to heat the hydrogen storage alloy by passing a second heat transfer liquid as a heating heat transfer liquid, which is capable of storing heat transferred from the first heat transfer liquid by heat exchange with the first heat transfer liquid as a heating heat transfer liquid heated by a heat pump, through a heating heat transfer liquid flow path. Therefore, according to the hydrogen gas storage device according to claim 4, in a situation where the heat pump cannot be operated or in a situation where cooling of the cooling heat transfer liquid by the heat pump is not required, the hydrogen storage alloy can be suitably heated by utilizing the heat stored in the second heat transfer liquid even without operating the heat pump.

[0022] The hydrogen gas supply system of claim 5 includes the above-mentioned hydrogen gas storage device and an electrolysis treatment device as a supply source that electrolyzes raw water to generate hydrogen gas. Therefore, unlike hydrogen gas supply systems in which hydrogen gas generated at a different location is transported to the installation location of the hydrogen gas storage device and stored in a storage container by the hydrogen gas storage device, or the storage container in which hydrogen gas is stored is transported to the installation location of the hydrogen gas storage device and attached to a container attachment part, the hydrogen gas supply system of claim 5 can generate hydrogen gas required for the supply target by the electrolysis treatment device at the installation location of the hydrogen gas storage device (storage container), eliminating the need to transport the hydrogen gas and the storage container, thereby reducing the cost of supplying hydrogen gas to the supply target.

[0023] The hydrogen gas supply system of claim 6 includes an oxygen cooling unit that cools oxygen exhausted from the electrolysis treatment device during hydrogen gas generation in the electrolysis treatment device by heat exchange with a cooling heat transfer liquid cooled by a heat pump in the hydrogen gas storage device. Therefore, according to the hydrogen gas supply system of claim 6, the moisture separated from the oxygen by cooling the oxygen can be effectively used as raw water for generating hydrogen gas in the electrolysis treatment device, thereby reducing the cost of generating hydrogen gas.

[0024] The power supply system according to claim 7 includes the hydrogen gas storage device and a fuel cell as a power supply target configured to perform power generation processing using hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device as fuel. Therefore, according to the power supply system according to claim 7, the hydrogen gas required for power generation in the fuel cell can be stably supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device, and therefore, power can be stably supplied from the fuel cell to the power supply target. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a power supply system S1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen gas generation device 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen gas storage device 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hydrogen gas storage section 23. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the hydrogen canister C and spiral tubes 31c and 31h. [Figure 6] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the adsorption removal process in the adsorption tower 22a and the adsorption capacity regeneration process for the adsorption tower 22b. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the adsorption removal process in the adsorption tower 22b and the adsorption capacity regeneration process for the adsorption tower 22a. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a hydrogen gas storage unit 23A. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a hydrogen gas storage unit 23B (hydrogen canister Ca). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of a hydrogen gas storage device, a hydrogen gas supply system, and a power supply system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] First, the configuration of the power supply system S1 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] 1 is an example of a "power supply system" and is configured to be able to execute a series of processes including generation of hydrogen gas Gh, storage of the generated hydrogen gas Gh, and power generation using the stored hydrogen gas Gh (power supply to power supply target X). Specifically, the power supply system S1 is configured to include a hydrogen gas generation device 1, a hydrogen gas storage device 2, a fuel cell power generation unit 3, a switching device 4, and a control device 5.

[0029] The hydrogen gas generator 1 is an example of a "supply source (electrolysis treatment device as a supply source)" and is configured to generate hydrogen gas Gh by electrolyzing raw water using electric power supplied from a solar power generation device Spg. In this example, the hydrogen gas generator 1 is configured to generate hydrogen gas Gh using electric power supplied from the solar power generation device Spg so as to reduce the burden on the global environment and to operate in places where it is difficult to supply electric power from commercial AC. However, instead of the solar power generation device Spg, a configuration using various types of renewable energy supplied from a wind power generation device, a geothermal power generation device, a wave power generation device, etc. can be adopted. As shown in FIG. 2, the hydrogen gas generator 1 includes a water purifier 11, a raw water tank 12, an electrolysis treatment device 13, and a heat exchanger 14.

[0030] The purifier 11 is configured to purify tap water or the like to generate raw water W (pure water), which is an example of "raw water". The raw water tank 12 is configured to store the raw water W generated by the purifier 11. The electrolytic treatment device 13 is configured to generate hydrogen gas Gh by electrolyzing the raw water W using power supplied from the solar power generation device Spg. The heat exchanger 14 is an example of an "oxygen cooling section" and increases the relative humidity of the oxygen Go by cooling the oxygen Go exhausted from the electrolytic treatment device 13 by the electrolysis of the raw water W through heat exchange with low-temperature heat transfer liquid Bc supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device 2 as described below. In this case, in the hydrogen gas generating device 1 (power supply system S1) of this example, as an example, a configuration is adopted in which the raw water W discharged together with oxygen Go from the electrolytic treatment device 13, and the moisture that has changed to a liquid phase due to an increase in the relative humidity of the oxygen Go caused by cooling in the heat exchanger 14, are flowed into the raw water tank 12 together with the oxygen Go, and are effectively utilized as raw water W for generating hydrogen gas Gh in the electrolytic treatment device 13.

[0031] The hydrogen gas storage device 2 is an example of a "hydrogen gas storage device" and is configured to remove moisture from the hydrogen gas Gh supplied from the hydrogen gas generation device 1 and store the hydrogen gas Gh, and to supply the stored hydrogen gas Gh to a "supply target" such as the fuel cell power generation unit 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the hydrogen gas storage device 2 includes a gas-liquid separation tank 21, adsorption towers 22a, 22b, a hydrogen gas storage unit 23, a heat pump 24, heat exchangers 25a, 25b, a heat storage unit 26, and solenoid valves 27a to 27i, 28a to 28c, 29ca to 29cc, and 29h.

[0032] The gas-liquid separation tank 21 separates the raw water W discharged together with the hydrogen gas Gh from the hydrogen gas generation apparatus 1 from the hydrogen gas Gh, and also functions as a "hydrogen gas cooling section" as described below, cooling the hydrogen gas Gh to be flowed into the adsorption tower 22 (either adsorption tower 22a or 22b) which performs the "adsorption removal process" by heat exchange with the low-temperature heat transfer liquid Bc cooled by the heat pump 24, thereby increasing the relative humidity of the hydrogen gas Gh. In this case, in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (power supply system S1) of this example, as an example, the raw water W separated from the hydrogen gas Gh in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 and the moisture that has changed to a liquid phase due to an increase in the relative humidity of the hydrogen gas Gh caused by cooling in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 are stored in the gas-liquid separation tank 21, and when a predetermined amount of moisture (raw water W) has been stored, the solenoid valve 21a is switched to an open state by the control device 5, so that the moisture (raw water W) in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 flows into the raw water tank 12 of the hydrogen gas generation device 1 and is effectively utilized as the raw water W for generating hydrogen gas Gh in the hydrogen gas generation device 1 (electrolysis treatment device 13).

[0033] The adsorption towers 22a, 22b (hereinafter, also referred to as "adsorption towers 22" when there is no need to distinguish between them) are an example of "plurality of adsorption towers" and are configured as pressure vessels containing "zeolite (synthetic zeolite)" which is an example of an "adsorbent". In this case, the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (power supply system S1) of this example is configured to be able to perform an "adsorption removal process" in which the hydrogen gas Gh that has passed through the gas-liquid separation tank 21 is passed through one of the adsorption towers 22a, 22b, thereby adsorbing and removing moisture remaining in the hydrogen gas Gh to the adsorbent in that adsorption tower 22, and an "adsorption capacity regeneration process" of a heating regeneration type in which the hydrogen gas Gh heated by heat exchange with the high-temperature heat transfer liquid Bh heated by the heat pump 24 is passed through the other of the adsorption towers 22a, 22b (the adsorption tower 22 in which the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent has decreased) to remove moisture from the adsorbent in that adsorption tower 22 and regenerate the adsorption capacity. The specific contents of the "adsorption removal process" and the "adsorption capacity regeneration process" will be described in detail later.

[0034] The hydrogen gas storage unit 23 is an example of a "storage unit" and, as shown in FIG. 4, comprises a plurality of hydrogen canisters C, a plurality of mounting sections 30 to which the hydrogen canisters C are attached (an example of a "container mounting section to which a storage container is removably attached"), and a plurality of spiral tubes 31c, 31h arranged to surround the hydrogen canister C attached to the mounting section 30. The hydrogen canister C is an example of a "storage container" and is constituted by a pressure vessel containing a hydrogen storage alloy and is configured to enable the absorption of hydrogen gas Gh into the hydrogen storage alloy and the release of hydrogen gas Gh from the hydrogen storage alloy. In this case, in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (power supply system S1) of this example, as an example, the hydrogen canister C is constituted by a cylindrical pressure vessel.

[0035] The spiral tube 31c is an example of a "cooling spiral tube portion constituting a cooling heat transfer fluid flow path" and is arranged to allow the passage of heat transfer fluid Bc (an example of a "cooling heat transfer fluid") cooled using the heat pump 24 as a cold source, as described later. The spiral tube 31h is an example of a "heating spiral tube portion constituting a heating heat transfer fluid flow path" and is arranged to allow the passage of heat storage agent Bs (an example of a "heating heat transfer fluid") heated by heat exchange with heat transfer fluid Bh heated using the heat pump 24 as a hot source, as described later.

[0036] In this case, in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (power supply system S1) of this example, the spiral tubes 31c and 31h cooperate to form a "temperature adjustment section." The spiral tubes 31c and 31h form separate and independent refrigerant flow paths so that the heat transfer liquid Bc in the spiral tube 31c and the heat transfer liquid Bh in the spiral tube 31h are not mixed. In addition, in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 of this example, as shown in FIG. 5, the spiral tubes 31c and 31h are formed so that they do not come into contact with each other and that their inner diameters are slightly larger than the outer diameter of the hydrogen canister C, and are configured to surround the hydrogen canister C attached to the attachment section 30 and be sufficiently close to the hydrogen canister C. As a result, in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 of this example, it is possible to suitably cool and heat the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C via the hydrogen canister C (storage container).

[0037] Moreover, the hydrogen gas storage section 23 in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 of this example is provided with the mounting section 30 to which the hydrogen canister C is removably mounted as described above, and the spiral tubes 31c, 31h are arranged so as not to impede the attachment and detachment of the hydrogen canister C to the mounting section 30. As a result, in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (power supply system S1) of this example, it is possible to mount the hydrogen canister C filled with hydrogen gas Gh on the mounting section 30 and supply it to the fuel cell power generation section 3 and the like, as well as the hydrogen gas Gh generated by the hydrogen gas generation device 1, and to remove the hydrogen canister C storing the hydrogen gas Gh in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 from the mounting section 30 and use the hydrogen gas G in the hydrogen canister C in another device, in addition to supplying it to the fuel cell power generation section 3 and the like.

[0038] The heat pump 24 is an example of a "heat pump" and is configured to include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and the like (not shown). As shown in Fig. 3, the heat pump 24 functions as a cold heat source capable of cooling a heat transfer liquid Bc (an example of a "heat transfer liquid for cooling") that cools the hydrogen gas Gh by heat exchange with the hydrogen gas Gh in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 as a "hydrogen gas cooling section", cools the hydrogen canister C (hydrogen storage alloy) by passing through the spiral tube 31c of the hydrogen gas storage section 23, and cools the oxygen Go by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 14 of the hydrogen gas generation device 1 as described above, and also functions as a hot heat source capable of heating a heat transfer liquid Bh (an example of a "heat transfer liquid for heating") that heats the hydrogen gas Gh by heat exchange with the hydrogen gas Gh in the heat exchanger 25a as a "hydrogen gas heating section" as described later, and heats the hydrogen canister C (hydrogen storage alloy) through the heat storage agent Bs passed through the spiral tube 31h. The detailed configuration and operation of the heat pump 24 are well known, and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0039] The heat exchanger 25a corresponds to the "hydrogen gas heating section" as described above, and heats the hydrogen gas Gh to be flowed into the adsorption tower 22 performing the "adsorption capacity regeneration process" by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid Bh heated by the heat pump 24. The heat exchanger 25b heats the heat storage agent Bs in the heat storage section 26 by heat exchange with the high-temperature heat transfer liquid Bh heated by the heat pump 24. The heat storage section 26 includes a pump 26a and an electromagnetic valve 26b, and is configured to be able to store hot heat in the heat storage agent Bs (an example of the "second heat transfer liquid as the heat transfer liquid for heating") by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 25b with the heat transfer liquid Bh heated by the heat pump 24 (an example of the "first heat transfer liquid as the heat transfer liquid for heating"), and is configured to be able to heat the hydrogen canister C (hydrogen storage alloy) by heat release from the heat storage agent Bs in the spiral tube 31h. In a configuration in which the heat storage section 26 is not present, instead of the heat storage agent Bs, a heat transfer liquid Bh can be supplied directly to the spiral tube 31h, etc. as a "heat transfer liquid for heating" to heat the hydrogen canister C (hydrogen storage alloy) (not shown).

[0040] The solenoid valves 27a to 27i switch between a flow path for guiding the low-temperature hydrogen gas Gh cooled in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the adsorption tower 22 performing the "adsorption removal process" and a flow path for guiding the high-temperature hydrogen gas Gh heated in the heat exchanger 25a to the adsorption tower 22 performing the "adsorption capacity regeneration process" under the control of the control device 5. The solenoid valves 28a and 28b switch between a flow path for flowing the hydrogen gas Gh from which moisture has been removed by the "adsorption removal process" in any of the adsorption towers 22 into the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (a flow path for storing the hydrogen gas Gh in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23) and a flow path for supplying the hydrogen gas Gh stored in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 to the fuel cell power generation unit 3 under the control of the control device 5, and the solenoid valve 28c allows / restricts the inflow of the hydrogen gas Gh into the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 and the outflow of the hydrogen gas Gh from the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 under the control of the control device 5.

[0041] The solenoid valve 29ca allows / restricts the flow of the heat transfer liquid Bc cooled by the heat pump 24 into the gas-liquid separation tank 21 under the control of the control device 5, the solenoid valve 29cb allows / restricts the flow of the heat transfer liquid Bc into the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (spiral tube 31c) under the control of the control device 5, and the solenoid valve 29cc allows / restricts the flow of the heat transfer liquid Bc into the hydrogen gas generation device 1 (heat exchanger 14) under the control of the control device 5. The solenoid valve 29h allows / restricts the flow of the heat transfer liquid Bh heated by the heat pump 24 into the heat exchangers 25a and 25b under the control of the control device 5. Note that the valve mechanisms such as the solenoid valves 21a, 27a to 27i, 28a to 28c, and 29h in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 of this example can be configured with various valve mechanisms such as motor-operated valves, proportional control valves, and three-way valves instead of solenoid valves. Furthermore, the number and locations of the "valve mechanisms" provided in the "hydrogen gas storage device" are not limited to those in the configuration of this example, and may be appropriately changed as necessary.

[0042] The fuel cell power generation unit 3 is an example of a "supply target (fuel cell as a supply target)" and is configured to be able to execute a power generation process using hydrogen gas Gh supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device 2 as fuel. The principle of power generation in the fuel cell power generation unit 3 is well known, so a detailed description will be omitted. Under the control of the control device 5, the switching device 4 causes either (or both) the power generated by the solar power generation device Spg or the power generated by the fuel cell power generation unit 3 to be supplied to the power supply target X. The control device 5 comprehensively controls the power supply system S1. Specifically, the control device 5 controls the generation of hydrogen gas Gh by the hydrogen gas generation device 1, the storage and release (supply) of hydrogen gas Gh by the hydrogen gas storage device 2, the power generation by the fuel cell power generation unit 3, and the supply of power to the power supply target X by the switching device 4.

[0043] In the power supply system S1 of this example, the hydrogen gas generating device 1, the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and the control device 5 work together to form a "hydrogen gas supply system," and the hydrogen gas storage device 2, the fuel cell power generation unit 3, the switching device 4 and the control device 5 work together to form a "power supply system."

[0044] Next, power supply to the power supply target X by the power supply system S1 will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] In this power supply system S1, a configuration is adopted in which the control device 5 causes the hydrogen gas generator 1 to generate hydrogen gas Gh, stores the generated hydrogen gas Gh in the hydrogen gas storage device 2, releases (supplies) the hydrogen gas Gh from the hydrogen gas storage device 2, and generates power (supplies power to the power supply target X) by the fuel cell power generation unit 3, depending on the amount of power required by the power supply target X and the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device Spg. Note that in this power supply system S1, by shifting the solenoid valve 28c to a closed state, it is possible to execute only the "adsorption and removal process" for the hydrogen gas Gh generated by the hydrogen gas generator 1 in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and immediately supply the hydrogen gas Gh to the fuel cell power generation unit 3 without storing the hydrogen gas Gh in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (hydrogen gas storage unit 23) or releasing (supplying) the hydrogen gas Gh from the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (hydrogen gas storage unit 23); however, a description of this operating mode will be omitted.

[0046] For example, during the day when the solar power generation device Spg can generate sufficient power, the control device 5 controls the switching device 4 to supply the power generated by the solar power generation device Spg to the power supply target X, and uses a part of that power to generate hydrogen gas Gh by the hydrogen gas generation device 1, store the generated hydrogen gas Gh in the hydrogen gas storage device 2, and store hot heat in the heat storage section 26. Specifically, the control device 5 controls the heat pump 24 of the hydrogen gas storage device 2 to start cooling the heat transfer liquid Bc and heating the heat transfer liquid Bh, and controls the electrolysis treatment device 13 of the hydrogen gas generation device 1 to start generating hydrogen gas Gh.

[0047] In this case, the raw water W purified by the water purifier 11 and stored in the raw water tank 12 is used as a raw material for electrolysis in the electrolysis treatment device 13, and hydrogen gas Gh and oxygen Go are discharged from the electrolysis treatment device 13. In this case, since the discharged hydrogen gas Gh and oxygen Go contain a small amount of raw water W that was not electrolyzed and moisture in the gas phase, the power supply system S1 of this example employs a configuration in which the moisture discharged together with the oxygen Go from the electrolysis treatment device 13 flows into the raw water tank 12 together with the oxygen Go, and the moisture discharged together with the hydrogen gas Gh is separated from the hydrogen gas Gh in the hydrogen gas storage device 2, and then sent from the hydrogen gas storage device 2 to the hydrogen gas generator 1 and flows into the raw water tank 12.

[0048] Specifically, the control device 5 switches the solenoid valve 29cc of the hydrogen gas storage device 2 to an open state while the hydrogen gas generator 1 is performing the electrolysis process. At this time, a part of the low-temperature heat transfer liquid Bc cooled by the heat pump 24 is supplied to the heat exchanger 14 of the hydrogen gas generator 1, and the oxygen Go discharged from the electrolysis treatment device 13 is cooled by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid Bc, and the relative humidity is increased. As a result, a part of the moisture in the gas phase contained in the oxygen Go becomes moisture in the liquid phase, and the moisture (raw water W) discharged together with the oxygen Go from the electrolysis treatment device 13 is caused to flow into the raw water tank 12 together with the oxygen Go. This makes it possible to effectively use the flowing moisture (raw water W) as raw water W for the electrolysis treatment in the electrolysis treatment device 13. In addition, the oxygen Go that flows into the raw water tank 12 is, for example, released into the atmosphere from an exhaust port not shown.

[0049] Furthermore, the control device 5 removes moisture contained in the hydrogen gas Gh supplied from the hydrogen gas generation device 1 to the hydrogen gas storage device 2 from the hydrogen gas Gh in the hydrogen gas storage device 2. In this case, the power supply system S1 of this example employs a configuration in which, prior to storing the hydrogen gas Gh supplied from the hydrogen gas generation device 1 in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23, moisture is removed from the hydrogen gas Gh in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 and moisture is removed from the hydrogen gas Gh by an "adsorption removal process" in any of the adsorption towers 22. Specifically, the control device 5 shifts the solenoid valve 28b to a closed state and shifts the solenoid valve 28a to an open state, thereby allowing the hydrogen gas Gh supplied from the hydrogen gas generation device 1 to flow into the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (hydrogen canister C).

[0050] At this time, the hydrogen gas Gh supplied from the hydrogen gas generation device 1 to the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and the small amount of raw water W discharged from the hydrogen gas generation device 1 together with the hydrogen gas Gh are caused to flow into the gas-liquid separation tank 21, so that the raw water W is separated from the hydrogen gas Gh in the gas-liquid separation tank 21. In addition, the control device 5 causes a part of the low-temperature heat transfer liquid Bc cooled by the heat pump 24 to be supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank 21 (more specifically, a heat absorber not shown in the figure in the gas-liquid separation tank 21) by switching the solenoid valve 29ca to an open state. At this time, the hydrogen gas Gh caused to flow into the gas-liquid separation tank 21 is cooled by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid Bc and the relative humidity is increased, so that a part of the moisture in the gas phase contained in the hydrogen gas Gh becomes moisture in the liquid phase and is separated from the hydrogen gas Gh. The moisture (raw water W) separated from the hydrogen gas Gh in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 in this manner is stored in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 as described above, and when a specified amount of water has been stored, the solenoid valve 21a is switched to an open state, thereby supplying the water from the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (gas-liquid separation tank 21) to the hydrogen gas generation device 1 (raw water tank 12).

[0051] In addition, the low-temperature, high-humidity hydrogen gas Gh that has been passed through the gas-liquid separation tank 21 is allowed to flow into the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (hydrogen canister C) through the solenoid valves 28a and 28c after moisture is adsorbed by the "adsorption and removal process" in any of the adsorption towers 22. Specifically, when the control device 5 performs the "adsorption and removal process" in the adsorption tower 22a, as an example, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 5 switches the solenoid valves 27b, 27c, 27f, and 27g to a closed state and switches the solenoid valves 27a, 27d, 27e, and 27h to an open state. At this time, the hydrogen gas Gh that has been passed through the gas-liquid separation tank 21 is allowed to flow into the adsorption tower 22a through the solenoid valve 27a, and after moisture is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorption tower 22a, it is allowed to flow into the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 through the solenoid valves 27e, 28a, and 28c in this order. This makes it possible to suitably avoid a situation in which liquid water or high-humidity hydrogen gas Gh is allowed to flow into the hydrogen gas storage portion 23, thereby reducing the efficiency of hydrogen absorption in the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0052] At this time, the adsorbent in the adsorption tower 22b has moisture adsorbed from the hydrogen gas Gh when the "adsorption removal process" was performed in the adsorption tower 22b, and the adsorption capacity of the adsorption tower 22b is reduced. Therefore, in the power supply system S1 of this example, a configuration is adopted in which an "adsorption capacity regeneration process" is performed for the adsorption tower 22b in parallel with the "adsorption removal process" in the adsorption tower 22a. Specifically, a part of the hydrogen gas Gh passed through the gas-liquid separation tank 21 (for example, about 5% of the hydrogen gas Gh passed through the gas-liquid separation tank 21) is passed through the heat exchanger 25a, and at this time, the temperature is increased by heat exchange with the high-temperature heat transfer liquid Bh heated by the heat pump 24. This high-temperature hydrogen gas Gh is passed through the solenoid valve 27i and flows into the adsorption tower 22b, and the adsorbent in the adsorption tower 22b is heated to remove moisture from the adsorbent, and as a result, the adsorption capacity of the adsorption tower 22b is regenerated.

[0053] Moreover, the moisture desorbed from the adsorbent is, for example, released into the atmosphere together with the hydrogen gas Gh passed through the adsorption tower 22b. In this case, as in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 of this example, by releasing the hydrogen gas Gh used in the "adsorption capacity regeneration process" into a low-pressure area such as the atmosphere, it is possible to smoothly desorb the moisture from the adsorbent in the adsorption tower 22 performing the "adsorption capacity regeneration process", and the adsorption capacity can be suitably regenerated in a short period of time.

[0054] On the other hand, when the "adsorption and removal process" is performed in the adsorption tower 22b, the control device 5 closes the solenoid valves 27a, 27d, 27e, and 27h and opens the solenoid valves 27b, 27c, 27f, and 27g as shown in Fig. 7. At this time, the hydrogen gas Gh that has passed through the gas-liquid separation tank 21 passes through the solenoid valve 27b and flows into the adsorption tower 22b, and after moisture is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorption tower 22b, it passes through the solenoid valves 27f, 28a, and 28c in this order and flows into the hydrogen gas storage unit 23. This makes it possible to suitably avoid a situation in which moisture in the liquid phase or high-humidity hydrogen gas Gh flows into the hydrogen gas storage unit 23, resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of hydrogen absorption in the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0055] At this time, in parallel with the "adsorption removal process" in the adsorption tower 22b, an "adsorption capacity regeneration process" is performed on the adsorption tower 22a. Specifically, a part of the hydrogen gas Gh passed through the gas-liquid separation tank 21 is passed through the heat exchanger 25a, and at this time, the temperature is increased by heat exchange with the high-temperature heat transfer liquid Bh heated by the heat pump 24. This high-temperature hydrogen gas Gh passes through the solenoid valve 27g and flows into the adsorption tower 22a, and heats the adsorbent in the adsorption tower 22a, causing moisture to be removed from the adsorbent, thereby regenerating the adsorption capacity of the adsorption tower 22a. In addition, the moisture removed from the adsorbent is, for example, released into the atmosphere together with the hydrogen gas Gh passed through the adsorption tower 22a.

[0056] In the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (power supply system S1) of this example, in both the "adsorption capacity regeneration process" for the adsorption tower 22b and the "adsorption capacity regeneration process" for the adsorption tower 22a, a configuration is adopted in which a part of the hot heat of the heat transfer liquid Bh heated by the heat pump 24 is stored in the heat storage agent Bs in the heat storage section 26. Specifically, in parallel with the "adsorption capacity regeneration process" in any of the adsorption towers 22, the control device 5 operates the pump 26a with the solenoid valve 26b shifted to a closed state. At this time, the temperature of the heat storage agent Bs delivered by the pump 26a is increased by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid Bh in the heat exchanger 25b, resulting in a state in which hot heat is stored in the heat storage agent Bs.

[0057] As described above, the hydrogen gas Gh from which moisture has been removed by the "adsorption and removal process" in any one of the adsorption towers 22 is caused to flow into the hydrogen gas storage section 23, whereby hydrogen is absorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C. At this time, in the hydrogen storage alloy employed in this type of device (system), as described above, the temperature rises due to an exothermic reaction when hydrogen is absorbed, and it is known that in a state where the temperature rises, the hydrogen absorption rate (the amount of hydrogen gas Gh stored per unit time in the hydrogen canister C) decreases. Therefore, in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (power supply system S1) of this example, a configuration is adopted in which a process of cooling the hydrogen canister C (the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C) is executed in parallel with the above-mentioned "adsorption and removal process" and "adsorption capacity regeneration process".

[0058] Specifically, the control device 5, in a state in which the high-temperature heat storage agent Bs is restricted from flowing into the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (spiral tube 31h) by closing the solenoid valve 26b of the heat storage unit 26 as described above, opens the solenoid valve 29cb. At this time, a part of the low-temperature heat transfer liquid Bc cooled by the heat pump 24 is passed through the spiral tube 31c in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23, so that the heat of the hydrogen canister C surrounded by the spiral tube 31c (warm heat generated by an exothermic reaction due to hydrogen absorption) is absorbed by the heat transfer liquid Bc, and the hydrogen canister C (storage container) is cooled, and the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C is cooled (an example of a "cooling process"). This makes it possible to suitably avoid a situation in which the absorption efficiency of the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C decreases (i.e., a decrease in the amount of hydrogen gas Gh stored in the hydrogen canister C per unit time).

[0059] By continuing the above-mentioned process, when a sufficient amount of hydrogen gas Gh is stored in the hydrogen gas storage section 23 (each hydrogen canister C) and a sufficient amount of hot heat is stored in the heat storage agent Bs in the heat storage section 26, the control device 5 terminates the generation of hydrogen gas Gh by the hydrogen gas generation device 1 and the storage of hydrogen gas Gh by the hydrogen gas storage device 2.

[0060] On the other hand, at night or other times when it is difficult to generate sufficient power in the solar power generation device Spg, the control device 5 causes the hydrogen gas Gh to be released (supplied) from the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and the fuel cell power generation unit 3 to generate power (supply power to the power supply target X), and controls the switching device 4 to supply the power generated by the fuel cell power generation unit 3 to the power supply target X. Specifically, in a state in which the heat pump 24 of the hydrogen gas storage device 2 is stopped, the control device 5 causes the solenoid valve 28c to remain open, while shifting the solenoid valve 28a to a closed state and shifting the solenoid valve 28b to an open state, thereby supplying the hydrogen gas Gh stored in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (hydrogen canister C) from the hydrogen gas storage device 2 to the fuel cell power generation unit 3, and controls the fuel cell power generation unit 3 to start power generation using the hydrogen gas Gh as fuel.

[0061] In this case, as described above, it is known that the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy employed in this type of device (system) drops due to an endothermic reaction when hydrogen is released, and in a state where the temperature is lowered, the hydrogen release rate (amount of hydrogen gas released per unit time from the hydrogen canister C) drops. Therefore, in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (power supply system S1) of this example, a configuration is adopted in which a process is performed to heat the hydrogen canister C (the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C) when hydrogen gas Gh is supplied from the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (hydrogen canister C) to a supply target such as the fuel cell power generation unit 3.

[0062] Specifically, as an example, the control device 5 switches the solenoid valve 26b to an open state in a state in which the pump 26a of the heat storage unit 26 is operated using the electric power generated by the fuel cell power generation unit 3. At this time, the high-temperature heat storage agent Bs, which has stored a sufficient amount of heat by heat transfer from the heat transfer liquid Bh heated by the heat pump 24, is passed through the spiral tube 31h in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23, whereby the hydrogen canister C surrounded by the spiral tube 31h is heated, and the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C is heated (an example of a "heating process"). This avoids a situation in which the efficiency of releasing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C decreases (i.e., a decrease in the amount of hydrogen gas Gh supplied to the fuel cell power generation unit 3 per unit time), and allows the fuel cell power generation unit 3 to perform suitable power generation.

[0063] Furthermore, the control device 5 controls the switching device 4 to supply the power generated by the fuel cell power generation unit 3 to the power supply target X. This makes it possible to stably supply the necessary power from the fuel cell power generation unit 3 to the power supply target X even in a situation where it is difficult for the solar power generation unit Spg to generate power.

[0064] Here, even if, instead of the above-described configuration in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 of this example, a configuration is adopted in which a "heat transfer liquid flow path for cooling" (such as a spiral tube) through which the heat transfer liquid Bc passes and a "heat transfer liquid flow path for heating" (such as a spiral tube) through which the heat storage agent Bs (or heat transfer liquid Bh) passes are shared, it is possible to perform cooling and heating processes on the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C by changing the temperature of the heat transfer liquid passing through the shared "heat transfer liquid flow path."

[0065] However, in a configuration that allows a "heat transfer liquid flow path", when switching from a state in which hydrogen gas Gh is stored in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (i.e., a state in which low-temperature heat transfer liquid is supplied to and passed through the shared "heat transfer liquid flow path") to a state in which hydrogen gas Gh is supplied from the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (i.e., a state in which high-temperature heat transfer liquid is supplied to and passed through the shared "heat transfer liquid flow path"), not only does the temperature of the shared "heat transfer liquid flow path" become low, but the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C cannot be sufficiently heated until the low-temperature heat transfer liquid remaining in the "heat transfer liquid flow path" is replaced with high-temperature heat transfer liquid. Similarly, when switching from a state in which hydrogen gas Gh is supplied from the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (a state in which high-temperature heat transfer liquid is supplied to and passed through the shared "heat transfer liquid flow path") to a state in which hydrogen gas Gh is stored in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 (a state in which low-temperature heat transfer liquid is supplied to and passed through the shared "heat transfer liquid flow path"), in addition to the fact that the shared "heat transfer liquid flow path" is at a high temperature, the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C cannot be sufficiently cooled until the high-temperature heat transfer liquid remaining in the "heat transfer liquid flow path" is replaced with low-temperature heat transfer liquid.

[0066] In contrast to this, in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (power supply system S1) of this example, as described above, the spiral tube 31c that constitutes a "heat transfer liquid flow path for cooling" through which the heat transfer liquid Bc for cooling the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C is passed when the hydrogen gas Gh is stored in the hydrogen gas storage section 23 (when it is absorbed into the hydrogen storage alloy) and the spiral tube 31h that constitutes a "heat transfer liquid flow path for heating" through which the heat storage agent Bs for heating the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C is passed when the hydrogen gas Gh is supplied from the hydrogen gas storage section 23 (when it is released from the hydrogen storage alloy) as described above are arranged separately and independently.

[0067] Therefore, when switching from a state in which hydrogen gas Gh is stored in the hydrogen gas storage section 23 (i.e., a state in which low-temperature heat transfer liquid Bc is supplied to and passed through the spiral tube 31c) to a state in which hydrogen gas Gh is supplied from the hydrogen gas storage section 23 (i.e., a state in which high-temperature heat transfer liquid Bh is supplied to and passed through the spiral tube 31h), the spiral tube 31h does not become excessively cold, and the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C can be quickly heated by the high-temperature heat transfer liquid Bh supplied to the spiral tube 31h regardless of the heat transfer liquid Bc in the spiral tube 31c. Similarly, when switching from a state in which hydrogen gas Gh is supplied from the hydrogen gas storage section 23 (a state in which high-temperature heat transfer liquid Bh is supplied to and passed through the spiral tube 31h) to a state in which hydrogen gas Gh is stored in the hydrogen gas storage section 23 (a state in which low-temperature heat transfer liquid Bc is supplied to and passed through the spiral tube 31c), the spiral tube 31c does not become excessively hot, and the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C can be quickly cooled by the low-temperature heat transfer liquid Bc supplied to the spiral tube 31c regardless of the heat transfer liquid Bh in the spiral tube 31h.

[0068] In addition, by configuring the spiral tubes 31c, 31h (the "cooling heat transfer fluid flow path" and the "heating heat transfer fluid flow path") separately and independently, the "cooling heat transfer fluid" and the "heating heat transfer fluid" do not mix, so that different liquids (fluids) suitable for the purpose can be adopted as the "cooling heat transfer fluid" and the "heating heat transfer fluid", as in the heat transfer fluid Bc and the heat storage agent Bs in this example. In particular, when a configuration is adopted in which the heat storage agent Bs is used as the "heating heat transfer fluid", as in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 of this example, a situation in which the heat storage capacity of the heat storage agent Bs is reduced due to mixing with the heat transfer fluid Bc can be reliably avoided, so that the state in which the hydrogen canister C can be suitably heated by using the warm heat stored in the heat storage section 26 can be maintained for a long period of time.

[0069] In this manner, the hydrogen gas storage device 2 includes a gas-liquid separation tank 21 for cooling the hydrogen gas Gh to be flowed into the adsorption tower 22 for performing the "adsorption removal treatment", a heat exchanger 25a for heating the hydrogen gas Gh to be flowed into the adsorption tower 22 for performing the "adsorption capacity regeneration treatment", and a heat pump 24 capable of cooling the heat transfer liquid Bc for cooling the hydrogen gas Gh by heat exchange with the hydrogen gas Gh in the gas-liquid separation tank 21, and heating the heat transfer liquid Bh for heating the hydrogen gas Gh by heat exchange with the hydrogen gas Gh in the heat exchanger 25a. The hydrogen gas storage unit 23 is configured so that a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in a hydrogen canister C to enable the hydrogen gas Gh to be absorbed into the hydrogen storage alloy and the hydrogen gas Gh to be released from the hydrogen storage alloy, and is configured so that the hydrogen storage alloy is cooled by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid Bc, The hydrogen storage alloy is equipped with a "temperature adjustment unit" (spiral tubes 31c, 31h) capable of heating the hydrogen storage alloy by heat exchange with the heat storage agent Bs heated by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid Bh, and is configured to be able to perform a "cooling process" in which the hydrogen storage alloy is cooled by the spiral tube 31c when hydrogen gas Gh is stored in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23, and a "heating process" in which the hydrogen storage alloy is heated by the spiral tube 31h when hydrogen gas Gh is released from the hydrogen gas storage unit 23. The "temperature adjustment unit" is provided with a spiral tube 31c (heat transfer liquid flow path for cooling) through which the heat transfer liquid Bc is passed, and a spiral tube 31h (heat transfer liquid flow path for heating) through which the heat storage agent Bs is passed, which are provided separately and independently to prevent the heat transfer liquid Bc and the heat storage agent Bs from mixing.

[0070] Therefore, according to this hydrogen gas storage device 2, when hydrogen gas Gh is released from the hydrogen gas storage section 23, the heat storage agent Bs heated using the heat pump 24 as a hot heat source is supplied to the spiral tube 31h to heat the hydrogen storage alloy (hydrogen canister C), thereby making it possible to preferably avoid a decrease in the release efficiency of the hydrogen gas Gh, and when hydrogen gas Gh is stored in the hydrogen gas storage section 23, the heat transfer liquid Bc cooled using the heat pump 24 as a cold heat source is supplied to the spiral tube 31c to cool the hydrogen storage alloy (hydrogen canister C), thereby making it possible to preferably avoid a decrease in the storage efficiency of the hydrogen gas Gh. Furthermore, by arranging the spiral tube 31c as the "cooling heat transfer liquid flow path" and the spiral tube 31h as the "heating heat transfer liquid flow path" separately and independently, the "cooling heat transfer liquid (in this example, heat transfer liquid Bc)" and the "heating heat transfer liquid (in this example, heat storage agent Bs)" do not mix in the "temperature adjustment section". Therefore, when the hydrogen storage alloy transitions from a heating state to a cooling state, the hydrogen storage alloy can be immediately cooled by supplying low-temperature heat transfer liquid Bc to the spiral tube 31c, and when the hydrogen storage alloy transitions from a cooling state to a heating state, the hydrogen storage alloy can be immediately heated by supplying high-temperature heat storage agent Bs to the spiral tube 31h. In addition, different types of liquids (fluids) can be used as the "cooling heat transfer liquid (heat transfer liquid Bc)" and the "heating heat transfer liquid (heat storage agent Bs)".

[0071] In addition, in this hydrogen gas storage device 2, the hydrogen gas storage section 23 is configured to include a hydrogen canister C and a mounting section 30 to which the hydrogen canister C is removably mounted, and the "temperature adjustment section" is configured to include a spiral tube 31c (cooling spiral tube section) that is arranged to surround the hydrogen canister C mounted on the mounting section 30 and forms a "cooling heat transfer liquid flow path" so as to be able to cool the hydrogen canister C (storage container) and thereby cool the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C, and is also configured to include a spiral tube 31h (heating spiral tube section) that is arranged to surround the hydrogen canister C mounted on the mounting section 30 and forms a "heating heat transfer liquid flow path" so as to be able to heat the hydrogen canister C (storage container) and thereby heat the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C. Therefore, according to this hydrogen gas storage device 2, unlike a "storage unit" in which a "storage container" is fixedly arranged relative to the "hydrogen gas storage device," a hydrogen canister C filled with hydrogen gas Gh at a separate location can be attached to the attachment unit 30, and the hydrogen gas Gh can be supplied to a "supply target" such as the fuel cell power generation unit 3.In this case, the hydrogen canister C (storage container) can be heated via the spiral tube 31h to heat the hydrogen storage alloy and efficiently release the hydrogen gas Gh, and the hydrogen canister C can be cooled via the spiral tube 31c to cool the hydrogen storage alloy while efficiently storing the hydrogen gas Gh supplied from a "supply source" such as the hydrogen gas generation device 1.The hydrogen canister C in which the hydrogen gas Gh is stored can then be removed from the attachment unit 30 and transported to any desired location of use, etc.

[0072] Furthermore, in this hydrogen gas storage device 2, the "temperature adjustment unit" is configured to be able to heat the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C by passing the heat storage agent Bs as a "heat transfer liquid" capable of storing the hot heat transferred from the heat transfer liquid Bh by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid Bh as a "heat transfer liquid" heated by the heat pump 24 through the spiral tube 31h. Therefore, according to this hydrogen gas storage device 2, in a situation where the heat pump 24 cannot be operated or in a situation where cooling of the heat transfer liquid Bc by the heat pump 24 is not required, the hydrogen storage alloy can be suitably heated by utilizing the hot heat stored in the heat storage agent Bs even without operating the heat pump 24.

[0073] Moreover, this power supply system S1 (hydrogen gas supply system) includes the above-mentioned hydrogen gas storage device 2 and a hydrogen gas generation device 1 (electrolysis treatment device) as a "supply source" that electrolyzes the raw water W to generate hydrogen gas Gh. Therefore, according to this power supply system S1, unlike a "hydrogen gas supply system" configured to transport hydrogen gas Gh generated at a different location to the installation location of the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and store it in the hydrogen canister C by the hydrogen gas storage device 2, or to transport the hydrogen canister C in which the hydrogen gas Gh is stored to the installation location of the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and mount it on the mounting part 30, the hydrogen gas Gh required for the fuel cell power generation unit 3 and the like can be generated by the hydrogen gas generation device 1 at the installation location of the hydrogen gas storage device 2 (hydrogen canister C), and therefore the transportation work of the hydrogen gas Gh and the hydrogen canister C is not required, and the cost of supplying hydrogen gas Gh to the fuel cell power generation unit 3 and the like can be reduced by the amount of the transportation work.

[0074] Furthermore, this power supply system S1 (hydrogen gas supply system) is provided with a heat exchanger 14 (oxygen cooling section) that cools the oxygen Go exhausted from the hydrogen gas generator 1 when hydrogen gas Gh is generated in the hydrogen gas generator 1 by heat exchange with the heat transfer liquid Bc cooled by the heat pump 24 in the hydrogen gas storage device 2. Therefore, according to this power supply system S1, the moisture separated from the oxygen Go by cooling the oxygen Go can be effectively used as raw water W for generating hydrogen gas Gh in the electrolysis treatment device 13, thereby reducing the cost of generating hydrogen gas Gh.

[0075] This power supply system S1 (electricity supply system) also includes the above-mentioned hydrogen gas storage device 2, and a fuel cell power generation unit 3 (fuel cell) as a supply target configured to be able to perform power generation processing using hydrogen gas Gh supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device 2 as fuel. Therefore, according to this power supply system S1, the hydrogen gas Gh required for power generation in the fuel cell power generation unit 3 can be stably supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device 2, and therefore electricity can be stably supplied from the fuel cell power generation unit 3 to the power supply target X.

[0076] The configurations of the "hydrogen gas storage device," "hydrogen gas supply system," and "power supply system" are not limited to the example configuration of the power supply system S1 described above (hydrogen gas generation device 1, hydrogen gas storage device 2, fuel cell power generation unit 3, switching device 4, and control device 5).

[0077] For example, the configuration of the hydrogen gas storage unit 23 has been described as an example, which includes a spiral tube 31c as a "cooling spiral tube section" that constitutes a "cooling heat transfer liquid flow path", and a spiral tube 31h as a "heating spiral tube section" that constitutes a "heating heat transfer liquid flow path", and a "temperature adjustment section" that cools the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C as a "storage container" via the spiral tube 31c, and heats the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C via the spiral tube 31h. However, instead of this configuration, a configuration can be adopted in which the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C is cooled / heated by including a "temperature adjustment section" that includes a liquid storage section 41c that can store heat transfer liquid Bc for cooling the hydrogen canister C, and a liquid storage section 41h that can store heat transfer liquid Bh for heating the hydrogen canister C, as in the hydrogen gas storage unit 23A shown in Figure 8. In such a configuration, by partitioning the liquid tank so that the heat transfer liquid Bc in the liquid storage section 41c and the heat transfer liquid Bh in the liquid storage section 41h do not mix, it is possible to achieve the same effect as when cooling / heating using the spiral tubes 31c, 31h.

[0078] In addition, the configuration has been described with reference to an example in which the hydrogen gas storage unit 23, 23A has a "temperature adjustment unit" that cools / heats the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister C by cooling / heating the hydrogen canister C (storage tank container) (a configuration in which the hydrogen storage alloy is cooled / heated via the storage tank container), but the hydrogen gas storage unit 23B shown in Fig. 9 may also be configured with a "temperature adjustment unit" that can directly cool / heat the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen canister Ca (another example of a "storage container"). In this case, in this hydrogen canister Ca, as an example, the spiral tube 51c that constitutes the "cooling heat transfer liquid flow path" and the spiral tube 51h that constitutes the "heat transfer liquid flow path" are accommodated together with the hydrogen storage alloy in a pressure vessel with a thermal insulation structure ("accommodation unit for hydrogen storage alloy"). Therefore, in the "storage section" equipped with this hydrogen canister Ca, the hydrogen storage alloy can be directly cooled by passing the heat transfer liquid Bc through the spiral tube 51c during the "cooling process", and the hydrogen storage alloy can be directly heated by passing the heat storage agent Bs (or the heat transfer liquid Bh) through the spiral tube 51h during the "heating process".

[0079] In this way, the "cooling heat transfer fluid flow path (spiral tube 51c)" and the "heat transfer fluid flow path (spiral tube 51h)" constituting the "temperature adjustment section" are respectively provided in the hydrogen storage alloy storage section in the hydrogen canister Ca to form a "storage section." Compared to a configuration in which the hydrogen storage alloy in the pressure vessel is cooled / heated via the pressure vessel, the hydrogen storage alloy can be cooled in a short time from the start of the "cooling process" and the hydrogen storage alloy can be heated in a short time from the start of the "heating process." Furthermore, even if the pressure vessel containing the hydrogen storage alloy has a thermal insulation structure, the hydrogen storage alloy can be reliably cooled / heated, so that it is possible to preferably avoid the cooling of the hydrogen storage alloy being hindered by heat absorption from outside the pressure vessel during the "cooling process" or the heating of the hydrogen storage alloy being hindered by heat radiation to the outside of the pressure vessel during the "heating process."

[0080] In addition, instead of a configuration in which spiral tubes 51c, 51h are accommodated together with the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen storage alloy storage section as in the hydrogen canister Ca described above, a configuration can be adopted in which the inside of the pressure vessel is partitioned to provide a space in which the hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated, a space through which a cooling heat transfer liquid can pass, and a space through which a heating heat transfer liquid can pass, thereby enabling the hydrogen storage alloy to be cooled / heated.

[0081] In addition, the power supply system S1 equipped with the hydrogen gas generating device 1, the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and the fuel cell power generation unit 3 has been used as an example for explanation, but it is also possible to configure a "hydrogen gas supply system" equipped with the hydrogen gas generating device 1 and the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and capable of supplying hydrogen gas Gh from the hydrogen gas storage device 2 to various "supply targets" other than the fuel cell power generation unit 3, or a "power supply system" equipped with the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and the fuel cell power generation unit 3 and storing hydrogen gas Gh supplied from various "supply sources" other than the hydrogen gas generating device 1 in the hydrogen gas storage device 2 and supplying it to the fuel cell power generation unit 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] S1 Power Supply System 1 Hydrogen gas generator 2. Hydrogen gas storage device 3. Fuel Cell Power Generation Section 4 Switching Device 5. Control device 11 Water purifier 12 Raw water tank 13 Electrolysis treatment equipment 14,25a,25b heat exchanger 21 Gas-liquid separation tank 21a, 27a~27i, 28a~28c, 29h Solenoid valve 22a,22b Adsorption tower 23, 23A, 23B Hydrogen gas storage unit 24 Heat Pump 26 Heat storage part 26a Pump 26b Solenoid valve 30,30a Mounting part 31c, 31h, 51c, 51h Spiral tube 41c,41h Liquid storage part Bc heat transfer liquid Bh heat transfer liquid Bs heat storage agent C,Ca Hydrogen Canister Gh Hydrogen gas Go Oxygen SPG solar power generation equipment X Power supply target W raw water

Claims

1. a hydrogen gas storage device comprising: a storage unit in which a storage container capable of storing hydrogen gas supplied from a supply source is disposed; the hydrogen gas stored in the storage unit is capable of being supplied to a supply target; and a plurality of adsorption towers each containing an adsorbent that adsorbs moisture contained in the hydrogen gas and removes it from the hydrogen gas; the device is capable of performing an adsorption removal process in which moisture contained in the hydrogen gas supplied from the supply source and stored in the storage unit is adsorbed by the adsorbent contained in any of the adsorption towers to remove it from the hydrogen gas; and an adsorption capacity regeneration process using a thermal regeneration method in which moisture adsorbed by the adsorbent contained in any of the other adsorption towers is desorbed from the adsorbent to regenerate the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent; a hydrogen gas cooling unit that cools the hydrogen gas to be introduced into the adsorption tower where the adsorption and removal treatment is performed; a hydrogen gas heating unit that heats the hydrogen gas that is to be introduced into the adsorption tower that performs the adsorption capacity regeneration treatment; a heat pump capable of cooling a heat transfer liquid for cooling the hydrogen gas by heat exchange with the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas cooling unit, and heating a heat transfer liquid for heating the hydrogen gas by heat exchange with the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas heating unit, the storage unit is configured so that a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in the storage container and so that the hydrogen gas can be absorbed into the hydrogen storage alloy and released from the hydrogen storage alloy, and is equipped with a temperature adjustment unit that can cool the hydrogen storage alloy by heat exchange with the cooling heat transfer liquid and heat the hydrogen storage alloy by heat exchange with the heating heat transfer liquid, and is configured so that a cooling process of cooling the hydrogen storage alloy by the temperature adjustment unit when the hydrogen gas is stored in the storage unit and a heating process of heating the hydrogen storage alloy by the temperature adjustment unit can be performed; The temperature adjustment unit is a hydrogen gas storage device in which a cooling heat transfer liquid flow path through which the cooling heat transfer liquid passes and a heating heat transfer liquid flow path through which the heating heat transfer liquid passes are provided separately and independently so that the cooling heat transfer liquid and the heating heat transfer liquid do not mix.

2. the storage unit is configured to include the storage container and a container mounting unit to which the storage container is removably mounted, The hydrogen gas storage device of claim 1, wherein the temperature adjustment unit is configured to cool the hydrogen storage alloy in the storage container by cooling the storage container and includes a cooling spiral tube portion that is arranged to surround the storage container attached to the container attachment portion and that forms the cooling heat transfer liquid flow path, and is also configured to heat the hydrogen storage alloy in the storage container by heating the storage container and includes a heating spiral tube portion that is arranged to surround the storage container attached to the container attachment portion and that forms the heating heat transfer liquid flow path.

3. 2. The hydrogen gas storage device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling heat transfer fluid flow path and the heating heat transfer fluid flow path constituting the temperature adjustment section are respectively provided in the hydrogen storage alloy accommodation section within the storage container.

4. The temperature adjustment unit is configured to be able to heat the hydrogen storage alloy by passing a second heat transfer liquid as the heating heat transfer liquid through the heating heat transfer liquid flow path, the second heat transfer liquid being capable of storing heat transferred from the first heat transfer liquid as the heating heat transfer liquid heated by the heat pump through heat exchange with the first heat transfer liquid as the heating heat transfer liquid.

5. The hydrogen gas storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A hydrogen gas supply system comprising an electrolysis treatment device as the supply source that electrolyzes raw water to generate the hydrogen gas.

6. 6. The hydrogen gas supply system according to claim 5, further comprising an oxygen cooling unit that cools oxygen exhausted from the electrolysis treatment device during the generation of the hydrogen gas in the electrolysis treatment device by heat exchange with the cooling heat transfer liquid cooled by the heat pump in the hydrogen gas storage device.

7. The hydrogen gas storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a fuel cell as the supply target configured to be capable of performing power generation using the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas storage device as fuel; and a power supply system comprising: a fuel cell as the supply target;

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