Heating device

Abstract

To solve the problem that a conventional heat generation system is too large in overall structure size to mount on a vehicle such as an automobile.SOLUTION: There is provided a cartridge type heat generation device 1 that comprises an enclosure 3 which enables gas to be supplied and exhausted, a material container 4 into which a hydrogen gas can be charged and which houses a heat generating material 2 including a material occluding hydrogen, a heater 5 which supplies heat to the heat generating material 2, and a fixation member 6 which fixes the material container 4 inside the enclosure 3. The fixation member 6 thermally connects the material container 4, and the heater 5 and enclosure 3 inside the enclosure 3 and a circulation space S for gas is formed in a circumference thereof. Size reduction matching on-vehicle constitution is actualized, Heat, a purge gas and a hydrogen gas can be supplied to the heat generating material 2 while a molten heat generating material is prevented from flowing out in reproduction processing, and the reproduction processing is smoothly carried out.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat generating device having a structure containing a material that stores hydrogen and used as a heat source. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional heating device as described above is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. The heating system described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of heating cells that use a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy and generate excess heat when supplied with a hydrogen-based gas, and an integrated control unit that controls the heating of the heating cells. The integrated control unit heats the heating cells, supplies the hydrogen-based gas to the heating cells, and controls the power recovery unit to recover the excess heat output from each heating cell. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-110835 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since the conventional heat generation system described above is equipped with peripheral equipment such as a gas supplier, a gas recovery device, and a thermal fluid circulator, the entire structure is large and it is impossible to install it in a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide a cartridge-type heat generating device that uses a recyclable heat generating material, which is compact enough to be mounted on a vehicle, and which can prevent the outflow of molten heat generating material during the regeneration process and supply heat, purge gas, and hydrogen gas to the heat generating material, thereby enabling the regeneration process to be carried out smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The heat generating device according to the present invention is a cartridge-type heat generating device that uses a recyclable heat generating material that contains a material that occludes hydrogen. The heat generating device comprises a housing that can supply and discharge gas to the inside, a material container that can be filled with hydrogen gas and contains the heat generating material, a heater that is attached to the housing and supplies heat to the heat generating material in the material container, and a fixing member that fixes the material container inside the housing. The fixing member thermally connects the material container, the heater, and the housing inside the housing, and forms a gas flow space around it. The housing has at least one tubular section that is open to the outside, the heater is detachable from the tubular section, and the heater includes a plurality of fixing members each including a material container, and the fixing members are arranged radially around the tubular section. It is characterized by the fact that [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] By adopting the above-mentioned configuration, the heat generating device of the present invention is made compact enough to be suitable for in-vehicle installation, and during the regeneration process, it is possible to prevent the molten heat generating material from leaking out and supply heat, purge gas, and hydrogen gas to the heat generating material, thereby enabling the regeneration process to be carried out smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are a longitudinal sectional view and a transverse sectional view showing a first embodiment of a heat generating device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2A is a perspective view of the material container shown in FIG. 1 in an exploded state, FIG. 2B is a plan view of a holding member, and FIG. 2C is a front view of the holding member with one side cross-sectional. [Figure 3] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing second to fourth embodiments of the heat generating device according to the present invention, respectively. [Figure 4] 10A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of a heat generating device according to the present invention, FIG. 10B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a sixth embodiment, and FIG. 10C is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a holding member removed from a housing. [Figure 5] 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views illustrating three examples of material containers with different shapes. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a seventh embodiment of a heat generating device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment The heat generating device 1 shown in Figure 1 is a cartridge-type device that uses a heat generating material 2 that contains a material that stores hydrogen and that can be regenerated. When mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, this heat generating device 1 can be mounted in various positions depending on the target area. However, since the heat generating material 2 is melted during regeneration, the heat generating device 1 must be maintained in a fixed position. Therefore, the positional relationship of each component will be explained below based on the position during regeneration.

[0010] Heat generating device 1 comprises a housing 3 capable of supplying and discharging gas to and from the interior thereof, and a material container 4 that can be filled with hydrogen gas and contains heat generating material 2. Heat generating device 1 also comprises a heater 5 that is attached to housing 3 and supplies heat to heat generating material 2 in material container 4, and a fixing member 6 that fixes material container 4 inside housing 3.

[0011] The housing 3 in the illustrated example has a roughly prismatic appearance, and has a tubular portion 3A that is open to the outside at both ends on a center line that is horizontal in Fig. 1, and forms an annular closed space inside with the tubular portion 3A at its center. The housing 3 also has a supply valve V1 for supplying gas to the inside and a discharge valve V2 for discharging gas from the inside at one end, which is the left end in Fig. 1.

[0012] 2(A), the material container 4 in the illustrated example has a flattened cylindrical shape, is open on the upper side, has a lid 4A that closes the open portion, and contains a flattened cylindrical heat generating material 2. This material container 4 has a diameter L, which is the width, that is larger than the height H, thereby ensuring as large a contact surface as possible between the heat generating material 2 and hydrogen gas.

[0013] The material container 4 also has a gas-passing hole 4B in the lid 4A. Note that the material container 4 may have a gas-passing hole formed in a portion other than the lid 4A, or may be made of a material that is permeable to gases.

[0014] The heater 5 in the illustrated example is a rod-shaped ceramic heater, and is detachable from the tubular portion 3A of the housing 3, as shown by the imaginary line in Figure 1. This heater 5 has a thermal expansion coefficient at least greater than that of the tubular portion 3A, and expands when heated, thereby being fixed within the tubular portion 3A. The heat-generating material 2 will be described in detail later.

[0015] The fixing member 6 thermally connects the material container 4 with the heater 5 and the housing 3 inside the housing 3, and forms a gas flow space S around the fixing member 6. The fixing member 6 may be made of any structure or material that allows gas to flow through it, and may be made of, for example, a porous material, or more specifically, a metal or fine ceramics such as SiC or Al2O3.

[0016] The heat generating device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a plurality of fixing members 6, each including a material container 4, and as shown in Fig. 1(B), a plurality of fixing members 6 (four in the figure) are arranged radially around the tubular portion 3A inside the housing 3. Also, as shown in Fig. 1(A), the heat generating device 1 has a plurality of fixing members 6 (six in the figure) arranged at predetermined intervals along the center line of the tubular portion 3A. As a result, the gas flow space S is continuous along the center line inside the housing 3 and also includes the spaces between the fixing members 6.

[0017] The fixing members 6 arranged along the center line of the tubular portion 3A all have the same shape. On the other hand, the fixing members 6 arranged radially from the tubular portion 3A have the same basic structure, but the contact points with the housing 3 and the tubular portion 3A differ between the top, bottom, left, and right. The fixing member 6 shown in Figures 2(B) and (C) is arranged above the tubular portion 3A, and its bottom surface contacts the tubular portion 3A and its top surface contacts the inner surface of the housing 3, thermally connecting the heat-generating material 2 with the heater 5 and the housing 3.

[0018] The fixing member 6 in the illustrated example has a gas flow section 6A above the storage space for the material container 4. The gas flow section 6A is continuous in the axial direction of the tubular portion 3A and is open at both ends. Furthermore, the fixing member 6 may have a structure in which the top is formed into an openable lid, for example, to allow the material container 4 to be stored and removed.

[0019] The heat-generating material 2 is formed from a hydrogen storage alloy containing a first and a second metal with different hydrogen absorption / desorption characteristics. There are no particular restrictions on the specific types of the first and second metals, and they can be arbitrarily selected from combinations that can exhibit the above-mentioned hydrogen storage function. Whether a metal corresponds to a "first metal" or a "second metal" is a relative matter determined by its relationship with the other metals it is combined with. Therefore, depending on the combination of these metals, there is a possibility that a metal may correspond to both a "first metal" and a "second metal."

[0020] Examples of the first metal include aluminum (Al), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb). Examples of the second metal include nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), vanadium (V), and calcium (Ca). These metals are preferred because they can be used to form the heat generating material 2 with a large calorific value.

[0021] Tin (Sn), which has a relatively low melting point, is preferably used as the first metal from the viewpoint that it can function as the heat generating material 2 even at a relatively low heating temperature. Also, aluminum (Al) is also preferably used as the first metal from the viewpoint that it generates a large amount of heat.

[0022] Furthermore, examples of combinations of "first metal-second metal" include nickel-zirconium, aluminum-nickel, aluminum-titanium, aluminum-manganese, aluminum-zinc, tin-titanium, and aluminum-calcium. From the viewpoint of being able to configure a heat-generating material 2 with a particularly large calorific value, combinations of aluminum-nickel, aluminum-titanium, and tin-titanium are preferred, combinations of aluminum-nickel and tin-titanium are more preferred, and a combination of aluminum-nickel is particularly preferred. However, it goes without saying that metals other than these and combinations other than these may also be used.

[0023] As a pretreatment, the heat generating material 2 is vacuum degassed and heated to remove impurities from the alloy surface, and then hydrogen is supplied to the alloy while heating it to cause it to be absorbed, thereby turning it into a hydride alloy state.

[0024] During operation, the heat generating material 2 described above absorbs hydrogen when heated in the presence of hydrogen gas, becoming a hydrogen solid solution or hydride, and the phase transition between the hydrogen solid solution and hydride is repeated, causing the material 2 to repeatedly absorb and release (desorb) hydrogen. As a result, the heat generating material 2 generates excess heat in a pulsed manner, and as the absorption and desorption of hydrogen is repeated many times, the material that was a hydrogen storage alloy gradually becomes a simple alloy that no longer has the ability to absorb hydrogen.

[0025] Therefore, as a regeneration treatment, the heat generating material 2 is subjected to the same process as the pretreatment, such as removing impurities, heating, and absorbing hydrogen, to return it to its initial hydride alloy state, whereby the heat generating material 2 is regenerated and recovers its excess heat generating function.

[0026] The heat generating device 1 having the above configuration is attached to an object (other structure) such as a seat, dash panel, instrument panel, or floor as a heat source in the passenger compartment of an automobile. In this case, the heat generating device 1 is a cartridge type whose main exterior is the housing 3, so it is easy to handle and can be attached to a narrow space in the object. In the presence of hydrogen gas, the heat generating device 1 generates excess heat by heating the heat generating material 2 with the heater 5, and transfers the heat from the housing 3 to the object.

[0027] During the regeneration process, the heat generating device 1 uses the supply valve V1 and the discharge valve V2 to perform vacuum degassing and supply purge gas or hydrogen gas to the heat generating material 2. At this time, the heat generating device 1 has the flow space S within the housing 3, the inside and outside of the fixing member 6, and the inside and outside of the material container 4 all communicating with each other, so that gas can be smoothly supplied to and discharged from the outside to the heat generating material 2. Furthermore, the heat generating device 1 is placed in a regeneration treatment device such as a heating furnace to regenerate the heat generating material 2. At this time, by removing the heater 5 from the housing 3, damage to the heater 5 due to heat can be prevented.

[0028] As described above, the heat generating device 1 is of a cartridge type, which makes it easy to handle and also realizes a compact size suitable for in-vehicle installation. Furthermore, during the regeneration process, the heat generating device 1 can supply heat, purge gas, and hydrogen gas to the heat generating material 2 without causing the molten heat generating material 2 to flow out of the material container 4, which allows for smooth regeneration.

[0029] Furthermore, the heat generating device 1 is equipped with a plurality of fixing members 6 containing the heat generating material 2, which are arranged radially around the tubular portion 3A and at predetermined intervals along the center line of the tubular portion 3A. This ensures sufficient flow of hydrogen gas to each heat generating material 2 in the heat generating device 1, enabling a single device to improve output and also to respond to output fluctuations.

[0030] 3 to 6 are diagrams illustrating second to seventh embodiments of the present invention. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] Second to Fourth Embodiments 3, the housing 3 of the heat generating device 1 has a guide 3G for mounting on another structure (object). The heat generating device 1 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3(A) has the same configuration as the first embodiment, and has a guide 3G at the bottom of the housing 3 that forms a flat bottom surface.

[0032] In the heat generating device 1 of the third embodiment shown in Figure 3(B), the housing 3 has two tubular portions 3A, 3A arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined distance, and each tubular portion 3A is provided with a detachable heater (reference numeral 5 in Figure 1). This heat generating device 1 has a plurality of fixing members 6 (four in the illustrated example) radially arranged around each tubular portion 3A, and a guide 3G forming a flat bottom surface at the bottom of the housing 3.

[0033] The heat generating device 1 of the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 3(C) has a configuration in which a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) fixing members 6 are arranged radially around the housing 3A as the center, and a plurality of (eight in the illustrated example) fixing members 6 are arranged circumferentially around the housing 3A. The fixing members 6 arranged inside and outside are in contact with each other. Furthermore, adjacent fixing members 6 arranged in the circumferential direction are in contact with each other. The heat generating device 1 also has a guide 3G at the bottom of the housing 3 that forms a flat bottom surface.

[0034] The heat generating device 1 of each embodiment has an arrangement of multiple fixing members 6 containing the heat generating material 2, thereby improving output with a single device and also being able to accommodate output fluctuations. Furthermore, when each heat generating device 1 is placed in a recycling treatment device such as a heating furnace, the guide 3G stabilizes the position of the housing 3, more reliably preventing the outflow of the molten heat generating material 2. Note that the guide 3G can have various shapes, such as a convex or concave shape, depending on the shape of the other structure (target object), and stabilizes the position during operation and recycling treatment.

[0035] Fifth and Sixth Embodiments The heat generating device 1 shown in Fig. 4(A) has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, and the housing 3 is provided with a cap 3C that opens and closes one end. The cap 3C is integrally provided with a supply valve V1 and a discharge valve V2, and is fixed to the main body by screw connection or the like. A heater 5 may be detachably provided on this cap 3C.

[0036] As a more preferred embodiment, the heat generating device 1 can be configured such that each fixing member 6 including the material container 4 is detachable from the housing 3, and the material container 4 is detachable from the fixing member 6. As a more preferred embodiment, the heat generating device 1 can be configured such that at least the material container 4 out of the housing 3, fixing member 6, and material container 4 is made of a non-dielectric material. It is even more preferred that the heat generating device 1 has all of the housing 3, fixing member 6, and material container 4 made of a non-dielectric material.

[0037] The heat generating device 1 shown in Fig. 4(B) has a configuration similar to that of the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 4(A), and has a structure in which a plurality of fixing members 6 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the center line of the tubular portion 3A and connected to each other by connecting portions 7 along the arrangement direction. In this case, the heat generating device 1 allows the plurality of fixing members 6 integrated together by the connecting portions 7 to be removed from the housing 3, as shown in Fig. 4(C).

[0038] The heat generating device 1 having the above configuration can be disassembled according to the size of the recycling processing device by making the housing 3 and the fixing member 6, and the fixing member 6 and the material container 4 detachable. Furthermore, the heat generating device 1 has at least the material container 4 of the housing 3, fixing member 6, and material container 4 formed from a non-dielectric material, which provides the following effects during recycling processing.

[0039] That is, if the housing 3, fixing member 6, and material container 4 of the heat generating device 1 are all made of a dielectric material, the heater 5 can be removed and the housing 3 can be placed in a high-frequency induction heating furnace to heat and melt only the heat generating material 2. Also, if the fixing member 6 and material container 4 of the heat generating device 1 are all made of a dielectric material, the fixing member 6 can be placed in a high-frequency induction heating furnace to heat and melt only the heat generating material 2.

[0040] Furthermore, if only the material container 4 of the heat generating device 1 is made of a dielectric material, the material container 4 can be placed in a high-frequency induction heating furnace to heat and melt only the heat generating material 2. In this way, the heat generating device 1 can be disassembled according to the size of the recycling treatment device, and only the heat generating material 2 can be heated and melted in the high-frequency induction heating furnace, allowing for efficient recycling treatment.

[0041] Here, as a more preferred embodiment of the heat generating device 1, a material container 4 shown in Fig. 5 can be employed. The material container 4 has a thermal expansion coefficient greater than that of the heat generating material 2, and expands when heated together with the heat generating material 2 during the regeneration process, and contracts when cooled after the regeneration process.

[0042] In contrast, the flat cylindrical material container 4 shown in Figure 5(A) needs to be made to be highly strong so that it will not break due to stress concentration when contraction is prevented by the solidified heat-generating material 2, as shown in the lower part of the figure.

[0043] The material container 4 shown in Figure 5(B) is open at the top and has a tapered shape with the upper end being the larger diameter. When this material container 4 contracts as shown in the lower part of the figure, the solidified heat-generating material 2 escapes upward along the tapered surface, avoiding stress concentration and preventing breakage. This means that the material container 4 does not need to be formed with high strength, and it can be made lighter, etc.

[0044] 5(C) is open on the top and has a tapered convex portion 4C at the bottom, with the top being the small diameter end. Even with this material container 4, when it contracts as shown in the bottom of the figure, the solidified heat-generating material 2 escapes upward along the tapered surface of the convex portion 4C, avoiding stress concentration, and thus preventing breakage and achieving weight reduction.

[0045] Seventh Embodiment The heat generating device 1 shown in Fig. 6 has the same configuration as the first embodiment, and is provided with a protective member 8 having thermal resistance on the outer surface of the housing 3. In the illustrated example, the heat generating device 1 is provided with the protective member 8 on the entire housing 3 except for one end, i.e., the end where the supply valve V1 and the preliminary discharge valve V2 are located. Note that the protective member 8 may be detachable from the housing 3 in consideration of the regeneration process.

[0046] The above-mentioned heating device 1 has the same effect as the previous embodiment, and in addition, since the temperature is lower than that of the outer surface of the housing 3, by appropriately selecting the material, thickness, etc., the desired heating temperature can be secured and maintained.

[0047] The configuration of the heat generating device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The configurations described in the embodiments can be combined, and the shapes of the housing, heat generating material, material container, heater, fixing member, etc. can be modified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Heating device 2. Heat generating materials 3. Housing 3A tubular part 3G Guide 4 Material container 5 Heater 6 Fixing member 7 Connecting part 8 Protective materials S Distribution space

Claims

1. A cartridge-type heat generating device that includes a material that stores hydrogen and uses a regenerative heat generating material, a housing capable of supplying and discharging gas to and from the interior thereof; a material container that can be filled with hydrogen gas and that contains the heat-generating material; a heater attached to the housing to supply heat to the heat-generating material in the material container; a fixing member for fixing the material container inside the housing, the fixing member thermally connects the material container to the heater and the housing inside the housing, and forms a gas circulation space around the fixing member; the housing has at least one tubular portion that is open to the outside, the heater is detachable from the tubular portion; a plurality of the fixing members each including the material container; A heat generating device, characterized in that a plurality of said fixing members are arranged radially around said tubular portion.

2. 2. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said fixing members are arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction along the center line of said tubular portion.

3. 3. The heating device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of said fixing members are connected to each other by connecting portions.

4. 4. The heat generating device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a guide for mounting on another structure.

5. 5. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the material container is open at the top and has a shape in which the width is greater than the height.

6. 6. The heat generating device according to claim 1, wherein the material container is permeable to gas.

7. the fixing member including the material container is detachable from the housing; 7. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the material container is detachable from the fixing member.

8. 8. The heating device according to claim 7, wherein at least the material container out of the housing, the fixing member, and the material container is formed of a non-dielectric material.

9. 9. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the material container is open on the upper side and has a tapered shape with the upper side being an end with a larger diameter.

10. 9. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the material container is open on the top and has a tapered convex portion at the bottom, the apex of which has a smaller diameter.

11. 11. The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising a protective member having thermal resistance on an outer surface of the housing.

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