Heat generation system and heat generation method

Abstract

To supply appropriate thermal energy in response to external requests for thermal energy.SOLUTION: A heat generating system 100 has a thermal energy generating unit 110, a thermal energy transfer adjusting unit 150, and a heat exchange unit 160. The thermal energy generating unit 110 has a hydrogen occlusion material and generates excessive heat. The heat exchange unit 160 receives supply of thermal energy from the thermal energy generating unit 110 and supplies the thermal energy to a target component 180. The thermal energy transfer adjusting unit 150 adjusts the amount of thermal energy supply from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160 on the basis of the amount of the thermal energy requested from the heat exchange unit 160.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat generation system and a heat generation method that use a heat generation element containing a hydrogen storage material. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are technologies for generating thermal energy using a heat generating material that generates excess heat using hydrogen. For example, a technology has been proposed in which, based on the temperature measurement results of a heat generating cell that generates heat using a hydrogen storage material, a portion of the heat generating cell that generates excess heat is identified, and the supply position of the hydrogen-based gas to be supplied into the heat generating cell is determined to be around that portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-110899 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the heat-generating system of the above-mentioned prior art, multiple heat-generating modules are provided to take into consideration the possibility that the heat-generating reaction may become unstable. The heat-generating module that is identified as operating normally based on the cell temperature is used to stably generate heat energy. However, it is considered difficult to quickly generate heat energy in response to changes in the amount of heat energy required from the outside, and there is room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to supply appropriate heat energy in response to a heat energy demand from the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a heat generation system including a heat generation material system having a hydrogen storage material and generating excess heat. The heat generation system includes a heat exchange unit that receives heat energy from the heat generation material system and supplies the heat energy to an external component, and a heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of heat energy supplied from the heat generation material system to the heat exchange unit based on the amount of heat energy requested from the heat exchange unit. The heat energy transfer amount adjusting unit includes a heat transfer area calculating unit that calculates a heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member for transferring a heat energy supply amount corresponding to the heat energy request amount based on the heat energy request amount, the difference between the temperature of the heat generating material system and the temperature of the heat exchange unit, and the thermal resistance generated by a high thermal conductivity member disposed between the opposing outer surface of the heat generating material system and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit, and a heat transfer area adjusting unit that adjusts a first contact area between the high thermal conductivity member and the outer surface of the heat generating material system and a second contact area between the high thermal conductivity member and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit based on the heat transfer area calculated by the heat transfer area calculating unit. do. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to supply appropriate heat energy in response to a heat energy demand from the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heat generation system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the high thermal conductivity member, the thermal energy generating section, and the heat exchanging section. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of control for adjusting the amount of thermal energy transferred to the heat exchange unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the heat energy transfer amount adjuster. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a parallel movement type heat transfer area adjusting unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a rotationally movable heat transfer area adjusting unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of heat generation control in a heat generation system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heat generation system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration in which a heat storage material is installed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram showing an example of control when a heat storage material is used. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heat generation system. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing control when two heat energy transfer amount adjusters are provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] [First embodiment] [Example of heat generation system configuration] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heat generation system 100. The heat generation system 100 includes a thermal energy generating unit 110, a heater control unit 120, a hydrogen supply unit 130, an intake / exhaust amount control unit 140, a thermal energy transfer rate adjusting unit 150, and a heat exchange unit 160. For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the heat generation system 100 includes one thermal energy generating unit 110, but the present invention is also applicable to a case in which the heat generation system 100 includes two or more thermal energy generating units. The heat generation system 100 may be composed of multiple devices, or may be composed of a single device (e.g., a thermal energy generating device).

[0011] The heat generation system 100 can be mounted on a vehicle, for example. In this case, the system can be applied to various uses that utilize heat, such as warming up and keeping warm the internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle, a battery heater for an electric vehicle, warming up and keeping warm the stack of a fuel cell vehicle, air conditioning equipment (air conditioner), and temperature-adjustable parts (steering wheel, seats). In FIG. 1, parts and devices to which the heat generated by the thermal energy generating unit 110 is supplied are collectively referred to as target parts 180. Note that, although the first embodiment shows an example in which one target part 180 is provided for one heat exchanger 160, the system can also be applied to a case in which multiple target parts are provided for one heat exchanger 160.

[0012] Here, when heat is required for use by the target component 180, it is important to quickly supply the required heat energy. Therefore, in this embodiment, a heat generation system 100 capable of quickly supplying the required heat energy is used.

[0013] The thermal energy generating unit 110 includes a container 111, a heat generating material 112, and a heater 113. The thermal energy generating unit 110 is a heat generating material system that has a hydrogen storage material and generates excess heat.

[0014] The housing 111 houses the heat generating material 112 and the heater 113 and has a structure that allows the interior to be sealed. The housing 111 is formed, for example, of a housing that forms a closed space. The housing 111 can be made of, for example, aluminum or iron.

[0015] In addition, the outer surface of the accommodating section 111 is covered with a heat insulating material except for the part that comes into contact with the high thermal conductivity member 153 (see Figure 2) of the heat energy transfer amount adjusting section 150, so that radiation of heat energy and thermal convection with the surrounding outside air hardly occur.

[0016] A temperature sensor (not shown) and a pressure sensor (not shown) are installed in the accommodation section 111 to detect the temperature and pressure, respectively, inside the accommodation section 111. The pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are arranged so that their detection sections face the inside of the accommodation section 111.

[0017] The heater 113 is a heating device that heats the heat-generating material 112 and supplies heat to the heat-generating material 112. Various heaters (heating devices, heating appliances) can be used as the heater 113. Specifically, the heater 113 includes an electric resistor and an electrode pair connected to the electric resistor.

[0018] The electric resistor of the heater 113 is made of a so-called high electric resistance material, and the heater 113 generates heat when electric energy is input via the electrode pair. The high electric resistance material here refers to a material with higher electric resistance than the metallic materials typically used as heater members, and in this embodiment, ceramics is used. When used at high voltages such as in a vehicle power source, if the heater member is made of a metallic material, a large current will flow, causing overheating and accelerating deterioration. In contrast, a high electric resistance material suppresses the magnitude of the current, ensuring durability.

[0019] The ceramic used in this embodiment is composed mainly of, for example, silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon (Si). The term "main component" refers to a content ratio of 50 mass% or more, preferably 90 mass% or more. Silicon functions as a binder that bonds silicon carbide particles together, and the mass ratio of silicon to silicon carbide preferably satisfies the following relationship: 0.15≦Si / (Si+SiC)≦0.35

[0020] For example, when using a sheet-shaped heat generating material 112, the heat generating material 112 can be formed into a multilayer film and laminated on the sheet-shaped heater 113, but the shapes of the heat generating material 112 and the heater 113 are not limited to sheet shapes. Note that the power source (not shown) for the heater 113 uses an on-board power supply when the system is mounted on a vehicle, and a dedicated power supply when the system is stationary.

[0021] The heat generating material 112 is a heat generating material having a hydrogen storage function, and is disposed on the surface of the electric resistor of the heater 113. This heat generating material is also called a hydrogen storage material, and is a hydrogen storage alloy or a material containing a hydrogen storage alloy that, when heated with hydrogen supplied thereto, continuously generates excess heat energy relative to the heating energy. By using a hydrogen storage material, it is possible to efficiently recover the heat energy supplied to the material to promote the hydrogen absorption / desorption reaction. Below, an example of the configuration of the hydrogen storage material (heat generating material 112) and an example of a manufacturing method are shown.

[0022] [Hydrogen storage materials] The hydrogen storage material of this embodiment contains at least two metals. Here, of the two metals, the one with the lower melting point is referred to as the first metal, and the one with the higher melting point is referred to as the second metal. The melting point of the first metal must be 230°C or higher. Furthermore, at least one of the first metal and the second metal has a hydrogen solubility greater than that of silver at temperatures below the melting point of the second metal. The hydrogen solubility value may be an experimental value or a calculated value.

[0023] Furthermore, the hydride of at least one of the first metal and the second metal has a standard enthalpy of formation equal to or greater than the standard enthalpy of formation of CaH (-186.2 kJ / mol). This allows sufficient desorption of hydrogen due to the repeated phase transitions of the hydride alloy that occur when the hydrogen storage material generates a large amount of heat. The standard enthalpy of formation of a hydride of a certain metal may also be an experimental value or a calculated value.

[0024] In this embodiment, a material containing at least one metal satisfying the first and second metal specifications can be used as a hydrogen storage material. In other words, even if three or more metals are contained, it can be used as long as two of the metals satisfy the above specifications. There are no particular restrictions on the form in which these metals are contained. However, it is preferable that the first and second metals exist in the form of an alloy having multiple phases with different composition ratios.

[0025] The specific types of the first metal and the second metal are not particularly limited, and any combination that satisfies the above requirements can be selected. Whether a metal is a first metal or a second metal is determined relative to its relationship with the other metals it is combined with. Examples of first metals include aluminum (Al), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb). Examples of second metals include nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), vanadium (V), and calcium (Ca). These metals are preferred because they allow the construction of hydrogen storage materials with high calorific values. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of functioning even at relatively low heating temperatures, tin (Sn), which has a relatively low melting point, is preferably used as the first metal. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of high calorific value, aluminum (Al) is preferably used as the first metal. Furthermore, examples of the "first metal-second metal" combination include nickel-zirconium, aluminum-nickel, aluminum-titanium, aluminum-manganese, aluminum-zinc, tin-titanium, aluminum-calcium, etc. In particular, from the viewpoint of being able to form a hydrogen storage material with a large calorific value, the combinations of aluminum-nickel, aluminum-titanium, and tin-titanium are preferred, the combinations of aluminum-nickel and tin-titanium are more preferred, and the combination of aluminum-nickel is particularly preferred.

[0026] [Method of manufacturing hydrogen storage material] The method for producing the hydrogen storage material used in this embodiment is not particularly limited, and can be produced by referring to conventionally known technical common sense (e.g., WO2020 / 080303). As an example, a case where aluminum is used as the first metal and nickel is used as the second metal will be described.

[0027] First, aluminum powder and nickel powder are prepared. The metals do not necessarily have to be in powder form, but powder form is desirable for uniform mixing. The two types of powder are weighed out in the desired ratio and mixed using a mortar and pestle. The mortar and pestle can be made of any material, such as agate or alumina.

[0028] Next, the composite particles obtained above are alloyed by heat treatment. Note that alloying beforehand is not necessarily required, and alloying may be performed during firing after application to the heater surface. The alloying method is not limited to heat treatment, and may also be chemical alloy plating or mechanical alloying, in which the materials are mechanically mixed using a ball mill.

[0029] When the particle size of the alloy is adjusted after alloying, the particle size may be reduced by pulverization or the like.

[0030] [Example of heat generation system configuration] Returning to FIG. 1, the heater control unit 120 controls the power supplied to the heater 113 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 based on the control of the thermal energy transmission amount adjusting unit 150 .

[0031] The hydrogen supply unit 130 is a hydrogen gas supply device that supplies hydrogen (H2) to the heat generating material 112 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 via a supply pipe, and includes a hydrogen tank filled with hydrogen gas, a pump and pipes for supplying the hydrogen gas to the storage unit 111, etc. When the heat generating material 112 is heated, the hydrogen (H2) is absorbed into the heat generating material, causing an exothermic reaction. The hydrogen (H2) may be stored in a hydrogen tank, or instead of a hydrogen tank, a tank for storing ethanol or biomass and a reformer may be provided, and hydrogen gas may be generated by reforming.

[0032] The intake / exhaust amount control unit 140 adjusts the amount of hydrogen supplied to the heat generating material 112 based on the control of the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150. As the intake / exhaust amount control unit 140, for example, a flow rate adjustment valve interposed in a supply pipe that supplies hydrogen gas from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the heat generating material 112, or a vacuum (suction) pump that recovers excess gas within the accommodation unit 111 can be used. Alternatively, as the intake / exhaust amount control unit 140, a purge valve that is connected to a purge pipe that communicates between the inside and outside of the accommodation unit 111 and adjusts the pressure within the accommodation unit 111 can be used. Then, the pressure within the accommodation unit 111 is adjusted by opening and closing the purge pipe with the purge valve.

[0033] The heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 is a control unit that controls the amount of heat energy supplied from the heat energy generation unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160. Specifically, the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 includes a heat transfer area calculation unit 151 and a heat transfer area adjustment unit 152.

[0034] The heat transfer area calculation unit 151 calculates the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 (see FIG. 2) for transferring the amount of heat energy supply corresponding to the amount of heat energy requested from the heat exchange unit 160. Specifically, the heat transfer area calculation unit 151 calculates the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 for transferring the amount of heat energy supply corresponding to the amount of heat energy requested, based on the amount of heat energy requested from the heat exchange unit 160, the difference between the temperature of the heat energy generating unit 110 and the temperature of the heat exchange unit 160, and the thermal resistance generated by the high thermal conductivity member 153 disposed between the opposing outer surfaces of the heat energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchange unit 160. This calculation method will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the temperature of the heat energy generating unit 110 refers to the temperature inside the accommodation unit 111. Furthermore, the outer surface of the heat energy generating unit 110 refers to the outer surface of the accommodation unit 111.

[0035] The heat transfer area adjusting unit 152 adjusts the contact area between the high thermal conductivity member 153 (see FIG. 2) and the outer surface of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the contact area between the high thermal conductivity member 153 and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit 160 so as to achieve the heat transfer area calculated by the heat transfer area calculating unit 151. This adjustment method will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0036] The thermal energy transfer rate adjustment unit 150 controls the intake / exhaust flow rate control unit 140 to supply hydrogen from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the accommodation unit 111, and controls the heater control unit 120 to supply power to the heater 113 to continuously heat the heat generating material 112, so that the temperature of the accommodation unit 111 rises and the heat generating material 112 begins a hydrogen absorption / devolatilization reaction, generating excess heat energy. Furthermore, the thermal energy transfer rate adjustment unit 150 controls the intake / exhaust flow rate control unit 140 to adjust the pressure, monitors the temperature and pressure inside the accommodation unit 111 with a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor, and controls the intake / exhaust flow rate control unit 140 and the heater control unit 120 to fix these temperature and pressure conditions when a state in which excess heat energy is stably generated is reached. Whether or not a state in which excess heat energy is stably generated can be determined based on the needs of the heat energy supply destination. For example, a criterion can be that the fluctuation range of the heat generation rate of the heat generating material 112 falls within a predetermined range of the control target value set by the thermal energy transfer rate adjustment unit 150. The predetermined range of the control target value can be from -9% to +9% of the control target value, preferably from -7% to +7%, and more preferably from -5% to +5% of the control target value.

[0037] In this way, the heat energy transfer rate adjusting unit 150 controls the heater control unit 120 and the air intake / exhaust flow rate control unit 140 based on temperature information from the temperature sensor and pressure information from the pressure sensor, thereby adjusting the temperature and pressure inside the accommodation unit 111 and controlling the heat generation rate of the heat generating material 112. In this way, the heat energy transfer rate adjusting unit 150 controls the operating state of the heat energy generating unit 110, thereby maintaining the operating conditions of the heat generating material system that continues to operate. The heat transfer area calculating unit 151 of the heat energy transfer rate adjusting unit 150 is composed of one or more microcomputers equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and input / output interface (I / O interface). The operating and non-operating states of the heat energy generating unit 110 will be described later.

[0038] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the operating state of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is controlled by the thermal energy transmission amount adjusting unit 150, but another control device may be provided inside or outside the heat generating system 100, and the operating state of the thermal energy generating unit 110 may be controlled using that control device. For example, when this system is mounted on a vehicle, it may be controlled using a vehicle controller.

[0039] The heat exchanger 160 receives thermal energy from the thermal energy generator 110 via the thermal energy transfer amount adjuster 150, and supplies the received thermal energy to the target component 180. Specifically, the heat exchanger 160 notifies the thermal energy transfer amount adjuster 150 of the amount of thermal energy required to be supplied to the target component 180, and supplies the thermal energy supplied from the thermal energy generator 110 to the target component 180 in accordance with this amount of thermal energy required.

[0040] In addition, a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature is installed inside the heat exchanger 160.

[0041] The heat exchanger 160 is also provided with a circulation pipe (not shown) for circulating, for example, a refrigerant. This circulation pipe is installed to connect the inside and outside of the heat exchanger 160. The heat supplied from the thermal energy generating unit 110 is exchanged with the refrigerant flowing through the circulation pipe, and the refrigerant supplies thermal energy to the target component 180. The refrigerant may be a liquid such as water or ethylene glycol. For example, when the heat generating system 100 is used as a heat source for warming and maintaining the temperature of an internal combustion engine, a portion of the engine's coolant piping can be installed in the heat exchanger 160 as the circulation pipe. This increases the temperature of the coolant through heat exchange with the heat exchanger 160, whose temperature has been increased by the thermal energy generated by the thermal energy generating unit 110, thereby enabling the internal combustion engine to be warmed and maintained. Note that a gas (e.g., air) may also be used as the refrigerant.

[0042] It is preferable that the periphery of the heat exchanger 160 be covered with a heat insulating material except for the area in contact with the high thermal conductivity member 153 of the heat energy transfer amount adjuster 150 and the circulation piping, so that radiation of heat energy and heat convection with the surrounding outside air hardly occur. Although an example in which a refrigerant is circulated through the heat exchanger 160 has been shown above, heat energy may be supplied by other heat transfer means.

[0043] [Examples of heat-generating materials and operating conditions] Below, an example of a heat generating material having a hydrogen storage function that can generate thermal energy in a time-series, stable, oscillating manner is shown, along with an example of the conditions (pressure, temperature, etc.) under which the heat generating material system is operated (hydrogen storage reaction). Note that the heat generating material and the operating conditions are not limited to those shown below.

[0044] [Example of heat-generating material composition] The heat-generating material is made of a hydrogen storage alloy. When heated in the presence of hydrogen gas (H), this hydrogen storage alloy absorbs hydrogen and becomes a hydride alloy. Repeated phase transitions of this hydride alloy result in repeated absorption and desorption of hydrogen, resulting in the release of a large amount of heat to the outside. Such a hydrogen storage alloy is suitable for use as a heat-generating material in a thermal energy generation system.

[0045] Although the mechanism by which the heat-generating material according to this embodiment generates a large amount of heat (excess heat) is not completely clear, the inventors speculate that the large amount of heat is generated as a result of repeated absorption and desorption of hydrogen due to repeated phase transitions of the hydride alloy as described above.

[0046] The exothermic material according to this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it can generate excess heat in the presence of hydrogen gas, and examples thereof include palladium (Pd)-nickel (Ni)-zirconium (Zr) materials.

[0047] For example, palladium (Pd)-nickel (Ni)-zirconium (Zr)-based hydrogen storage alloys are produced by melt-spinning a palladium (Pd)-nickel (Ni)-zirconium (Zr)-based alloy into an amorphous ribbon, which is then oxidized in air and crushed. The melt-spinning method involves spraying a molten alloy onto the surface of a rapidly rotating copper roll, resulting in an amorphous ribbon, which is rapidly cooled in a time much shorter than the crystallization time. Oxidizing the amorphous ribbon produces ZrO2, in which the zirconium (Zr) component is oxidized, and a microstructure is formed in which palladium (Pd) and nickel (Ni) are precipitated as nanometal particles.

[0048] As an example of a palladium (Pd)-nickel (Ni)-zirconium (Zr) based hydrogen storage alloy, an alloy made using the melt spinning method with an atomic ratio of palladium (Pd):nickel (Ni):zirconium (Zr) = 4:31:65 can be fired in air at 450°C for 60 hours to produce a heat generating material in the shape of a plate with a thickness of approximately 35 μm and a length of 30 to 300 μm.

[0049] [Example of operating (reaction) conditions] Next, conditions for operating a thermal energy generating system (corresponding to the heat generating system 100) using a hydrogen storage alloy will be described.

[0050] <First Step> First, in the thermal energy generation system, the hydrogen storage alloy is heated and depressurized to a reference temperature (room temperature) and a reference pressure (room pressure), for example, 25°C and 0.1 MPa (approximately 1 atm), to remove impurities from the surface of the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0051] Specifically, the hydrogen storage alloy is pretreated (vacuum degassing and thermal desorption) to remove impurities from the alloy surface. This pretreatment is performed by heating and depressurizing at a standard temperature and pressure. The heating temperature is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 200°C. The depressurization pressure is also not particularly limited, but is, for example, vacuum (on the order of 1.0 x 10-2 Pa). The time for maintaining the heating and depressurization is also not particularly limited, but is, for example, 50 to 100 minutes. In the case of a palladium (Pd)-nickel (Ni)-zirconium (Zr)-based hydrogen storage alloy, the temperature is 200°C and the pressure is vacuum (0.01 Pa).

[0052] <Second step> Next, the gas phase of the system (corresponding to the storage section 111) containing the hydrogen storage alloy and hydrogen gas is heated and pressurized to a first temperature higher than the reference temperature and a first pressure higher than the reference pressure to store hydrogen in the alloy phase of the hydrogen storage alloy. Here, the gas phase of the system refers to the space inside the storage section 111 where hydrogen gas exists.

[0053] Here, the first temperature and the first pressure are not particularly limited, as they differ depending on the hydrogen storage alloy used. For example, the first temperature is 400 to 800°C, and the first pressure is, for example, a pressure higher than 0.1 MPa (abs) (approximately 1 atm) and not higher than 1 MPa (abs) (approximately 10 atm). The time for which the first temperature and the first pressure are maintained is not particularly limited, as they differ depending on the hydrogen absorption rate characteristics of the hydrogen storage alloy used, but is, for example, 1 to 60 hours. In the case of a palladium (Pd)-nickel (Ni)-zirconium (Zr)-based hydrogen storage alloy, the temperature is 500 to 800°C and the pressure is greater than 0.1 to 1 MPa.

[0054] <Third Step> Next, a process for reliably generating the oscillating heating phenomenon is carried out, specifically, a process for maintaining the gas phase of the system containing the hydrogen storage alloy and hydrogen gas at a second temperature higher than the reference temperature and lower than the first temperature, and at a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

[0055] Here, the second temperature and the second pressure are not particularly limited, as they differ depending on the hydrogen storage alloy used. However, the second temperature is, for example, 200 to less than 800°C (but lower than the first temperature), and the second pressure is, for example, 0.01 MPa (abs) (approximately 0.1 atm) to 0.3 MPa (abs) (approximately 3 atm) (but lower than the first pressure). Even when the second temperature and the second pressure are maintained, the oscillating heat generation continues for a predetermined time (for example, about 100 hours), although the oscillation amplitude gradually decreases over time. In the case of a palladium (Pd)-nickel (Ni)-zirconium (Zr)-based hydrogen storage alloy, the temperature and pressure are 450°C and 0.01 MPa. The second temperature may be set to a range of, for example, 20°C to 900°C, or 100°C to 700°C. Preferably, the temperature is set to a range of 200°C to 500°C.

[0056] In this way, by performing the processes of the first to third steps in the thermal energy generating system, it is possible to reliably generate excess heat in a pulsed manner.

[0057] In addition, the control device of the thermal energy generation system (corresponding to the thermal energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150) maintains the gas phase portion of the system under the atmosphere conditions shown in the second step for a predetermined time or more, and then performs control to maintain the gas phase portion of the system under the atmosphere conditions shown in the third step until the heat generation amount per unit mass of the heat generating material begins to vibrate at an amplitude greater than or equal to the threshold value.

[0058] Here, the operating state and non-operating state of the thermal energy generating unit (corresponding to the thermal energy generating unit 110) will be described.

[0059] The processes of the first to third steps described above are performed once, for example, at the time of shipping from a factory (for example, when inspecting whether the thermal energy generating system can operate properly).

[0060] When the thermal energy generation system is put into operation, it is started from room temperature, and the above-mentioned first and second steps are omitted, and the above-mentioned third step is performed. In other words, by performing each of the first to third steps once, such as at the time of factory shipment, hydrogen gas is absorbed and remains in the heat-generating material, so a new absorption step is not necessary. Therefore, when the thermal energy generation system is put into operation, the thermal energy generation system can be quickly started up by performing only the above-mentioned third step.

[0061] Furthermore, in the thermal energy generation system, when a thermal energy generating unit in a non-operating state is put into an operating state, hydrogen gas is supplied and heat is applied from a heater to control the temperature and pressure of the non-operating thermal energy generating unit. Specifically, the temperature and pressure of the non-operating thermal energy generating unit are controlled to the second temperature and second pressure shown in the third step. That is, the non-operating thermal energy generating unit can be put into an operating state by increasing the temperature of the gas phase of the thermal energy generating unit and pressurizing or depressurizing the gas phase of the thermal energy generating unit. This makes it possible to control the non-operating thermal energy generating unit to become an operating thermal energy generating unit that generates stable, oscillatory heat.

[0062] In addition, in the thermal energy generation system, when an operating thermal energy generating unit is put into a non-operating state, the supply of hydrogen gas is stopped and the supply of heat from the heater is stopped, thereby controlling the temperature and pressure of the operating thermal energy generating unit. Note that in this example, an example is shown in which the supply of hydrogen gas and the supply of heat from the heater are stopped, but the operating thermal energy generating unit may be put into a non-operating state by stopping or adjusting one of these. That is, the operating thermal energy generating unit can be put into a non-operating state by lowering the temperature of the gas phase of the operating thermal energy generating unit or by depressurizing the gas phase of the thermal energy generating unit.

[0063] In this embodiment, instead of changing the amount of thermal energy generated by complexly controlling the hydrogen gas supply, temperature, and pressure each time the amount of thermal energy required from outside changes, the efficient thermal energy generation mode (temperature and pressure) set at startup is maintained, and thermal energy generation can continue.

[0064] [Example of high thermal conductivity material configuration] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing the relationship between high thermal conductivity member 153 constituting heat transfer area adjustment section 152, thermal energy generation section 110, and heat exchange section 160. As shown in FIG.

[0065] The high thermal conductivity member 153 is disposed between the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160, and is a member for supplying the thermal energy generated in the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchanging unit 160. For example, the high thermal conductivity member 153 is disposed between the outer surface 114 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the outer surface 161 of the heat exchanging unit 160, which face each other. In addition, in the heat transfer state, at least a portion of the high thermal conductivity member 153 is disposed so as to be in contact with both the outer surface 114 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the outer surface 161 of the heat exchanging unit 160.

[0066] For example, metal, highly thermally conductive ceramic, or carbon material can be used as the highly thermally conductive member 153. By using these materials to form the highly thermally conductive member 153, it is possible to quickly realize the amount of thermal energy supply corresponding to the adjusted heat transfer area, thereby improving the responsiveness of the heat generation system 100. An example in which a liquid metal 252 is used as the highly thermally conductive member 153 is shown in Fig. 4, and examples in which a plate-shaped member (metal plate 310, 410) is used as the highly thermally conductive member 153 are shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0067] Next, the amount of heat transferred Q of the high thermal conductivity member 153 will be described. The amount of heat transferred Q can be calculated using the contact area A and the amount of heat transferred per unit area q, as shown in the following equation 1. The amount of heat transferred q per unit area can be calculated based on the temperature Tg of the thermal energy generating unit 110 with which the high thermal conductivity member 153 is in contact, the temperature Tex of the heat exchanging unit 160 with which the high thermal conductivity member 153 is in contact, the contact thermal resistance h1 between the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the high thermal conductivity member 153, the contact thermal resistance h2 between the heat exchanging unit 160 and the high thermal conductivity member 153, the thermal conductivity km of the high thermal conductivity member 153, and the size x of the high thermal conductivity member 153. Note that the contact area A refers to the smaller of the contact area between the high thermal conductivity member 153 and the outer surface of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the contact area between the high thermal conductivity member 153 and the outer surface of the heat exchanging unit 160. 2, the size x of the high thermal conductivity member 153 means the thickness of the high thermal conductivity member 153 (the shortest distance between the outer surface of the thermal energy generating part 110 and the outer surface of the heat exchanging part 160).

[0068]

number

[0069] The temperatures Tg and Tex are acquired by temperature sensors installed in the corresponding parts. The contact thermal resistance h1, contact thermal resistance h2, thermal conductivity km, and size x are stored in a memory unit. This memory unit may be provided in the thermal energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150, or an external memory unit may be used.

[0070] As shown in Equation 1, the amount of heat transferred Q of the high thermal conductivity member 153 can be controlled by adjusting the contact area A. Therefore, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the contact area A of the high thermal conductivity member 153 is adjusted to control the amount of heat transferred Q of the high thermal conductivity member 153 and thereby control the amount of thermal energy supplied from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchanging unit 160.

[0071] [Example of control of the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of control in which the amount of heat energy transferred from the heat energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchanging unit 160 is adjusted by the heat energy transfer amount adjuster 150. In Fig. 3, similar to Fig. 2, explanation will be given using the high thermal conductivity member 153. The upper side of Fig. 3 shows the state before the high thermal conductivity member 153 is adjusted, and the lower side of Fig. 3 shows the state after the high thermal conductivity member 153 has been adjusted.

[0072] Here, the thermal energy (output energy) generated in the thermal energy generating unit 110 is defined as Qout, and the amount of thermal energy (requested amount of thermal energy) requested from the heat exchanging unit 160 is defined as Qdem. Of the thermal energy (output energy) Qout generated in the thermal energy generating unit 110, the amount of thermal energy (transfer amount) supplied to the heat exchanging unit 160 is defined as Qprov. Initially, the system operates with Qout=Qdem.

[0073] During the initial startup of the heat generation system 100, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the thermal energy generating unit 110, and input energy Ein is supplied to the heater 113, so that the thermal energy (output energy) generated in the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes Qout. Specifically, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the thermal energy generating unit 110 so that the pressure P inside the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes P0. Furthermore, input energy Ein is supplied to the heater 113 so that the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes T0. Note that P0 is a value that satisfies the pressure condition for keeping the generated thermal energy constant. Furthermore, T0 is a value that satisfies the temperature condition for keeping the generated thermal energy constant.

[0074] Furthermore, the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 controls the high thermal conductivity member 153 to adjust the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 so that the heat energy Qprov supplied from the heat energy generation unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160 becomes the same as the heat energy demand Qdem. That is, the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 controls the high thermal conductivity member 153 to supply heat energy to the heat exchange unit 160 (target component 180) so that Qprov = Qout = Qdem holds. The energy consumption efficiency COP (Coefficient of Performance) in this case is calculated by the following formula. In this embodiment, COP>1. COP = Qout (heat generation amount) / Ein (input energy)

[0075] Here, when the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the thermal energy demand Qdem are the same, there is no need to adjust the amount of thermal energy transferred from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160. However, when the thermal energy demand Qdem is smaller than the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110, there is a risk of excessive thermal energy being supplied to the heat exchange unit 160. If excessive thermal energy is supplied in this way, the heat exchange unit 160 (or the target component 180) that receives the thermal energy will be heated more than necessary. Therefore, the heat exchange unit 160 (or the target component 180) must perform a process to discard the excess thermal energy. Furthermore, the thermal energy generating unit 110 will also generate more thermal energy than necessary, resulting in poor energy efficiency.

[0076] Furthermore, when the thermal energy demand Qdem is smaller than the output energy Qout, it is possible to discard the thermal energy of the output energy Qout that is equal to or greater than the thermal energy demand Qdem in the thermal energy generating unit 110. In this case, the supply of excess thermal energy to the thermal energy supply destination can be prevented, but as described above, more thermal energy than necessary will be generated in the thermal energy generating unit 110, resulting in poor energy efficiency.

[0077] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the thermal energy demand Qdem is smaller than the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110, the amount of thermal energy transferred from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160 is adjusted by the thermal energy transfer amount adjusting unit 150. This allows an appropriate amount of thermal energy requested from the outside to be supplied immediately, and eliminates the need to discard surplus thermal energy, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0078] When the thermal energy demand Qdem becomes smaller than the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110, the thermal energy transfer amount adjusting unit 150 changes the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 so that the transfer amount Qprov matches the thermal energy demand Qdem. Specifically, the heat transfer area calculating unit 151 calculates the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 for transferring the thermal energy supply amount equivalent to the thermal energy demand Qdem using the above-mentioned Equation 1 based on the thermal energy demand Qdem from the heat exchanging unit 160, the difference between the temperature of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the temperature of the heat exchanging unit 160, and the thermal resistance generated by the high thermal conductivity member 153.

[0079] Next, heat transfer area adjusting unit 152 controls high thermal conductivity member 153 to adjust the contact area between high thermal conductivity member 153 and outer surface 114 of thermal energy generating unit 110 and the contact area between high thermal conductivity member 153 and outer surface 161 of heat exchange unit 160 so that the heat transfer area becomes the value calculated by heat transfer area calculating unit 151. Specifically, heat transfer area adjusting unit 152 adjusts the contact areas by moving high thermal conductivity member 153 in the direction indicated by arrow 191 in FIG. 3 .

[0080] Here, by controlling the high thermal conductivity member 153, the amount Qprov of the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 that is transmitted to the heat exchange unit 160 decreases, causing the heat generated in the thermal energy generating unit 110 to accumulate inside the thermal energy generating unit 110. In this case, the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes higher than T0. Furthermore, the pressure P within the housing 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 also becomes higher than P0. Therefore, the heater control unit 120 controls the heater 113 to reduce the input energy Ein so as to generate the output energy Qout according to the thermal energy demand Qdem. In this way, by controlling the contact area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 and the input energy Ein of the heater 113, the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 can be maintained at T0, and the pressure P within the housing 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 can be maintained at P0.

[0081] In this way, the heat transfer area adjusting unit 152 controls the high thermal conductivity member 153, and the heater control unit 120 controls the input energy Ein of the heater 113, so that the thermal energy generating unit 110 can stably supply thermal energy to an external supply destination. Finally, control is performed so that Qout = Qprov = Qdem.

[0082] As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of surplus heat energy that is wasted from the heat energy generated in the heat energy generating unit 110. It is also possible to improve the ability to respond to the heat energy demand.

[0083] Next, examples of the configuration of the heat energy transfer amount adjuster 150 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Specifically, the following two types of configuration examples are shown for the heat transfer area adjuster 152. (1) An example in which a liquid metal 252 is used as the high thermal conductivity member 153, and the liquid metal 252 is filled into the gap between the accommodating section 111 and the heat exchange section 160 by utilizing the surface tension of the liquid metal 252 and the electrowetting phenomenon caused by the application of voltage (see Figure 4). (2) An example in which a high thermal conductivity member 153 is mechanically inserted into the gap between the housing portion 111 and the heat exchange portion 160 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0084] By using the heat transfer area adjusting unit 152 described above in (1) and (2), the heat energy transfer amount adjusting unit 150 can be made compact, thereby maintaining the energy density of the heat generation system 100 and making the heat generation system 100 compact. In addition, the heat energy generation efficiency in the heat generation system 100 can be improved.

[0085] [Configuration example of a heat energy transfer adjustment unit using liquid metal] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit that uses liquid metal movement due to electrowetting. Fig. 4 shows an example in which liquid metal 252 as a high thermal conductivity member is adjusted by voltage driving. Fig. 4 also shows an example in which the accommodating section 111 of the heat energy generating section 110 and the heat exchanging section 160 are box-shaped (i.e., approximately rectangular parallelepiped or approximately cubic).

[0086] The left side of FIG. 4 shows a state in which all of the liquid metal 252 is contained in the liquid containing portion 250 (i.e., an adiabatic state). The right side of FIG. 4 shows a state in which a portion of the liquid metal 252 has left the liquid containing portion 250, entered the gap 240, and risen to the vicinity of the open end 253 (i.e., a heat transfer state). The height h of the liquid metal 252 shown on the right side of FIG. 4 is the maximum height of the liquid metal 252 in the gap 240. The range from the height 0 of the liquid metal 252 shown on the left side of FIG. 4 to the height h of the liquid metal 252 shown on the right side of FIG. 4 (the height of the liquid metal 252) is controlled based on the magnitude of the voltage applied by the voltage application circuit 215.

[0087] The high thermal conductivity member shown in FIG. 4 includes a first electrode structure in contact with the housing portion 111, a second electrode structure in contact with the heat exchanger 160, a gap 240 between the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure, and liquid metal 252 that is introduced into and removed from the gap 240. The first electrode structure and the second electrode structure have the same structure and are symmetrical with respect to the center line, which is the space (gap 240) formed between the outer surface of the housing portion 111 and the outer surface of the heat exchanger 160. The first electrode structure includes, in order from the housing portion 111 side, a first electrode 211, a dielectric 221, a second electrode 212, and a liquid-repellent coating layer 231. The second electrode structure similarly includes, in order from the heat exchanger 160 side, a first electrode 213, a dielectric 222, a second electrode 214, and a liquid-repellent coating layer 232.

[0088] The lower substrate 201 is also provided with a liquid storage section 250 that communicates with the gap 240. The liquid storage section 250 is a liquid reservoir that stores liquid metal 252. The end of the gap 240 opposite the end where the liquid storage section 250 is provided is an open end 253. When the gap 240 is viewed from above, the liquid-repellent coating layers 231 and 232 are formed to surround the gap 240, preventing the liquid metal 252 from leaking from the side portions of the gap 240. The open end 253 prevents the pressure in the gap 240 from increasing or decreasing due to the movement of the liquid metal 252. By providing the open end 253 in this way, the liquid metal 252 can move smoothly within the gap 240.

[0089] The liquid metal 252 is sometimes referred to as a conductive fluid. The liquid metal 252 is a metal that is liquid at least in the temperature range in which the heat generation system 100 is used. For example, Galinstan, which is a eutectic alloy of gallium, indium, and tin, can be used as the liquid metal 252. Galinstan is a metal that is liquid at room temperature, and its melting point differs depending on the composition of gallium, indium, and tin. For example, Galinstan, which is 68.5% gallium, 21.5% indium, and 10% tin, has a melting point of -19°C, a boiling point of 1300°C or higher, and a specific gravity of 6.44 g / cm 3, viscosity: 0.0024 Pa·s (at 20°C), thermal conductivity: 16.5 W / (m·K). Note that these are just examples, and other liquid metals may be used. However, it is preferable to use liquid metals with high thermal conductivity.

[0090] Furthermore, an upper substrate 202, which is an insulating layer, is disposed between the first electrode 211 and the second electrode 212. Furthermore, an upper substrate 203, which is an insulating layer, is disposed between the first electrode 213 and the second electrode 214. Note that it is preferable to use an insulator (insulating material) having a dielectric constant lower than that of at least the dielectrics 221 and 222 as the upper substrates 202 and 203.

[0091] Furthermore, a wiring 217 is electrically connected to the first electrodes 211 and 213, and a wiring 216 is electrically connected to the second electrodes 212 and 214. Furthermore, the wiring 216 and 217 are connected to a voltage application circuit 215 for controlling the liquid metal 252. The voltage application circuit 215 is a circuit that continuously varies the voltage applied between the first electrodes 211 and 213 and the second electrodes 212 and 214 based on instructions from the heat transfer area calculation unit 151.

[0092] The second electrodes 212, 214 extend into the liquid storage portion 250 and can be electrically connected to the liquid metal 252. On the other hand, the first electrodes 211, 213 are insulated from the liquid storage portion 250. That is, the first electrodes 211, 213 are insulated from the liquid metal 252. As a result, the first electrodes 211, 213 and the second electrodes 212, 214 form a capacitor structure with the dielectrics 221, 222 therebetween, and this directly acts as a capacitor between the liquid metal 252 and the first electrodes 211, 213.

[0093] The first electrodes 211, 213 and the second electrodes 212, 214 are not particularly limited as long as they are made of conductive materials such as copper, aluminum, etc. The first electrodes 211, 213 and the second electrodes 212, 214 have substantially the same shape, and are electrode plates shaped according to the size of the gap 240.

[0094] There are no particular limitations on the dielectrics 221 and 222 as long as they are, for example, a dielectric such as a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film. The shapes of the dielectrics 221 and 222 correspond to the shapes of the first electrodes 211 and 213 and the second electrodes 212 and 214, and are shaped so as not to short-circuit the first electrodes 211 and 213 and the second electrodes 212 and 214.

[0095] The liquid-repellent coating layers 231, 232 are liquid-repellent to the liquid metal 252. The liquid-repellent coating layers 231, 232 are shaped to cover the second electrodes 212, 214. The liquid-repellent coating layers 231, 232 are preferably conductive. The liquid-repellent coating layers 231, 232 are preferably made of a material such as a conductive oxide film (LaSrTiO3-based or the like), a conductive glass material (V-Fe-Ba-O-based or the like), a conductive ceramic (SiC-based or the like), or graphene.

[0096] Because the liquid-repellent coating layers 231 and 232 are liquid-repellent to the liquid metal 252, the liquid metal 252 can be easily stored in the liquid storage portion 250 when no electricity is applied. Furthermore, because the liquid-repellent coating layers 231 and 232 are conductive, electricity passed through the second electrodes 212 and 214 can be passed directly to the liquid metal 252, which is efficient. Furthermore, when electricity is passed through the second electrodes 212 and 214 to fill the gap 240 with the liquid metal 252, the liquid storage portion 250 can be made substantially empty (or completely empty), which reduces the amount of liquid metal 252 used.

[0097] The lower substrate 201 may be any substrate that is insulated at least from the first electrodes 211, 213 and the second electrodes 212, 214. For example, an epoxy substrate, a phenol substrate, an ABS resin substrate, a silicon substrate, or the like may be used as a material that is entirely insulating. A liquid storage section 250 is then provided on these substrates. In this case, the inner wall surface of the liquid reservoir is made lyophilic so that the liquid metal 252 can be easily stored in the liquid storage section 250. In order to impart lyophilicity, it is preferable to form a metal film 251 (for example, a film of copper, aluminum, or the like) on the wall surface of the liquid reservoir.

[0098] Next, we will explain the function of the high thermal conductivity member shown in Fig. 4. This high thermal conductivity member has the function of switching between heat transfer and cut-off (insulation) between the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160, so the high thermal conductivity member shown in Fig. 4 is sometimes called a thermal switch.

[0099] 4, the thermal switch function is realized by the liquid metal 252 moving back and forth between the gap 240 and the liquid storage portion 250. In this embodiment, electrowetting is used to move the liquid metal 252 back and forth between the gap 240 and the liquid storage portion 250. The movement of the liquid metal 252 by electrowetting is a known technique, and is disclosed in, for example, WO2014 / 013978, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0100] For example, the liquid metal 252 reaches the position (height h) of the upper substrates 202, 203, which is the top of the gap 240. In the gap between the upper substrates 202, 203, there is no dielectric (or the dielectric constant is low) between the first electrodes 211, 213 and the second electrodes 212, 214, which are at the height of the upper substrates 202, 203. For this reason, there is almost no change in the electrostatic energy in this portion, and the wettability of the liquid metal 252 that has risen does not improve, so the liquid metal 252 does not rise to a position higher than the upper substrates 202, 203.

[0101] Furthermore, as the liquid metal 252 rises, the gap 240 is filled with the liquid metal 252, resulting in a heat transfer state in which thermal energy is transferred between the accommodation section 111 and the heat exchange section 160. In this manner, the high thermal conductivity member 153 shown in FIG. 4 can electrically control between a heat transfer state in which the liquid metal 252 is filled in the gap 240 by electrowetting (the state shown on the right side of FIG. 4) and an adiabatic state in which the liquid metal 252 is removed from the gap 240 (the state shown on the left side of FIG. 4). The state between the heat transfer state shown on the right side of FIG. 4 and the adiabatic state shown on the left side of FIG. 4 can be controlled by the magnitude of the voltage applied by the voltage application circuit 215. In this manner, by controlling the voltage applied between the first electrodes 211, 213 and the second electrodes 212, 214, the height of the liquid metal 252 in the gap 240 can be adjusted by the electrowetting effect. In other words, the heat transfer area of ​​the liquid metal 252 can be adjusted.

[0102] When the liquid metal 252 rises through the gap 240, the liquid metal 252 flows out of the liquid accommodating portion 250. If the liquid accommodating portion 250 is sealed, the inside of the liquid accommodating portion 250 will be under negative pressure (vacuum), making it difficult for the liquid metal 252 to flow out of the liquid accommodating portion 250 into the gap 240. Therefore, a hole may be provided at the lower end of the liquid accommodating portion 250. The size of this hole is set to a size that prevents the liquid metal 252 from leaking out, but allows gas to flow in and out. The hole may be located at a position other than the lower end of the liquid accommodating portion 250, as long as it is positioned so that the liquid metal 252 can easily flow out of the liquid accommodating portion 250 into the gap 240.

[0103] [Example of heat energy transfer control using liquid metal] 3 and 4, a control example of the heat energy transfer amount adjuster 150 using a liquid metal will be described. In this control example, the target component 180 is an air conditioning system (e.g., an air conditioner) installed in a vehicle. In this control example, both the housing 111 of the heat energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanger 160 are made of stainless steel, the first electrodes 211, 213 and the second electrodes 212, 214 are made of aluminum, the dielectrics 221, 222 are made of barium strontium titanate, and the lower substrate 201 and the upper substrates 202, 203 are made of silicon. In addition, galinstan is used as the liquid metal 252, and a variable voltage power supply is used as the voltage application circuit 215.

[0104] Assume that the thermal energy demand Qdem from the target component 180 at the initial start-up of the heat generation system 100 is 2 kW. In this case, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the thermal energy generating unit 110, and input energy Ein is supplied to the heater 113, so that the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes 2 kW. Specifically, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the thermal energy generating unit 110 so that the pressure P inside the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes P0 (1 atm), and 0.5 kW is supplied as input energy Ein to the heater 113 so that the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes T0 (300°C). In this case, the energy consumption efficiency COP is 4 (= 2 kW (Qout) / 0.5 kW (Ein)).

[0105] Furthermore, when the heat generating system 100 is initially started up, the liquid metal 252 is adjusted to be in a heat transfer state (the state shown on the right side of FIG. 4).

[0106] Here, it is assumed that the vehicle is warmed up by the thermal energy from the thermal energy generating unit 110, and that it is sufficient to supply 1 kW (Qdem) of thermal energy to the target component 180 (air conditioner). In other words, it is assumed that the thermal energy demand Qdem is reduced to 1 kW.

[0107] In this case, Qout (=2 kW) > Qdem (1 kW), so the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 changes the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 so that the transfer amount Qprov from the heat energy generation unit 110 matches the heat energy demand Qdem. Specifically, the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 halves the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153, and sets the transfer amount Qprov from the heat energy generation unit 110 to 1 kW. In other words, the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 sets the height of the liquid metal 252 to h / 2.

[0108] With this control, Qprov(1kW) = Qdem(1kW), and the 1kW of thermal energy (Qout(2kW) - Qprov(1kW)) obtained by subtracting the thermal energy Qprov supplied to the heat exchange unit 160 from the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes surplus heat.

[0109] Therefore, the input energy Ein of the heater 113 is controlled so that finally Qout=Qprov and the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes T0 (300°C). For example, the input energy Ein of the heater 113 is gradually reduced to 0.25 kW to stop the increase in the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110. By this control, the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is returned to the initial temperature T0, and the pressure P inside the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is also returned to the initial pressure P0. Furthermore, the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes 1 kW.

[0110] Finally, the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 matches the thermal energy demand Qdem, and the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is generated only by the input energy Ein of the heater 113. That is, the input energy Ein of the heater 113 is controlled so that Qout = Qprov = Qdem. This allows the target component 180 (air conditioner) to be stably supplied with the same amount of thermal energy as the changed thermal energy demand Qdem (1 kW) (Qout = Qprov).

[0111] In this way, when using the liquid metal 252, the surface tension and electrowetting phenomena can be combined to instantly adjust the liquid metal 252, making it possible to quickly respond to changes in the amount of thermal energy required. In other words, even if the amount of thermal energy required by the target component 180 (air conditioner) changes dynamically, it is possible to appropriately respond to the change.

[0112] [Example of configuration of parallel moving heat transfer area adjustment unit] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a translation-type heat transfer area adjustment unit 300. In Fig. 5, the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160 are box-shaped (i.e., approximately rectangular parallelepiped or approximately cubic). Specifically, a metal plate 310 is used as a high thermal conductivity member, and the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member is adjusted by translating the metal plate 310 between the opposing outer surfaces of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160. Also, in Fig. 5, stainless steel is used for the housing 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110, and stainless steel is used for the heat exchanging unit 160.

[0113] The heat transfer area adjusting unit 300 includes a metal plate 310 , a driving device 320 , and a connecting unit 330 .

[0114] The metal plate 310 is translated by a driving device 320 between the outer surfaces of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160, which face each other. That is, the metal plate 310 is translated in the direction of arrow 192 in response to the linear motion of the driving device 320 in the direction of arrow 193. The shape of the metal plate 310 when viewed from the thermal energy generating unit 110 (or the heat exchanging unit 160) in a direction perpendicular to the arrow 192 may be rectangular or the like. The overall shape of the metal plate 310 is appropriately determined depending on the shapes of the outer surfaces of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160, which face each other, and the amount of heat transfer from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchanging unit 160. Furthermore, the metal plate 310 can be made of a material (metal, alloy, ceramic, etc.) with a thermal conductivity of 10 (W / m·K) or higher. For example, if the metal plate 310 is made of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, aluminum, copper, silicon carbide, etc., it can be placed in a location that receives exhaust heat from the engine. Therefore, when the heat generating system 100 is installed in a vehicle, it is preferable to use these materials for the metal plate 310.

[0115] The driving device 320 translates the metal plate 310 by linear motion, and includes a stator 321 and a mover 322. The stator 321 is a fixed rail-like member. The mover 322 translates on the stator 321. For example, a linear motor can be used as the driving device 320.

[0116] The connecting portion 330 is a connecting material that connects the metal plate 310 and the movable element 322. To reduce the influence of heat transfer by the metal plate 310, it is preferable to use a material with low thermal conductivity for the connecting portion 330, such as ceramics with low thermal conductivity.

[0117] By translating the mover 322 of the stator 321 in the direction of arrow 193, the metal plate 310 can be translated in the direction of arrow 194. The left side of Fig. 5 shows a state (non-inserted state) in which the metal plate 310 is not inserted in the space (gap 311) formed between the outer surface of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the outer surface of the heat exchanging unit 160. In this state, the heat transfer area of ​​the metal plate 310 is zero, and therefore the amount of thermal energy supplied from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchanging unit 160 is zero.

[0118] 5 shows a state (inserted state) in which the metal plate 310 is inserted into the gap 311. In this state, the amount of thermal energy supplied from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchanging unit 160 is determined according to the heat transfer area of ​​the metal plate 310.

[0119] [Configuration example of a rotating and movable heat transfer area adjustment unit] FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of a rotatable heat transfer area adjustment unit 400, in which the thermal energy generating unit 110 is cylindrical and is a top view seen from one end face. As shown in FIG. 6, the heat exchange unit 160 is disposed facing a portion of the outer surface of the thermal energy generating unit 110. In this case, a space (gap 411) for a metal plate 410 is formed between the outer surface of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit 160. Specifically, a metal plate 410 bent into an arc shape is used as a high thermal conductivity member, and the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member is adjusted by rotating the metal plate 410 between the outer surfaces of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchange unit 160. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the housing 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is made of stainless steel, and the heat exchange unit 160 is made of stainless steel.

[0120] The heat transfer area adjusting unit 400 includes a metal plate 410 , a rotating shaft 421 , and a sector-shaped plate 422 .

[0121] The metal plate 410 is a highly thermally conductive member that is rotated by a drive unit (not shown) between the opposing outer surfaces of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160. That is, the metal plate 410 is rotated in the direction of arrow 195 in response to the rotational movement of the drive unit in the direction of arrow 195. The shape of the metal plate 410 may be, for example, a rectangular plate-like member bent along the circumference of the outer surface of the thermal energy generating unit 110. Note that, because the metal plate 410 is disposed below the fan-shaped plate 422, the metal plate 410 is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 6. The shape of the metal plate 410 is appropriately determined depending on the shapes of the opposing outer surfaces of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160 and the amount of heat transfer from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchanging unit 160. The material used for the metal plate 410 may be the same as that of the metal plate 310.

[0122] The rotating shaft 421 is installed in a hole provided in the center of the cylindrical thermal energy generating unit 110. A driving device (not shown) that rotates the rotating shaft 421 is connected to the rotating shaft 421. A servo motor, for example, can be used as this driving device.

[0123] The sectorial plate 422 is a member that connects the metal plate 410 and the rotary shaft 421. The material used for the sectorial plate 422 can be the same as that for the connecting portion 330.

[0124] The driving device can rotate the metal plate 410 by rotating the sector plate 422 in the direction of arrow 195. The left side of Fig. 6 shows a state where the metal plate 410 is not inserted into the gap 411 (non-insertion state). In this state, the heat transfer area of ​​the metal plate 410 is zero, and therefore the amount of heat energy supplied from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchanging unit 160 is zero.

[0125] 6 shows a state (inserted state) in which the metal plate 410 is inserted into the gap 411. In this state, the amount of thermal energy supplied from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchanging unit 160 is determined according to the heat transfer area of ​​the metal plate 410.

[0126] [Example of heat generation system operation] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for heat generation control processing in the heat generation system 100, and shows an example of a case where the amount of thermal energy required from the heat exchange unit 160 changes after the initial start-up of the heat generation system 100. Note that this processing procedure is executed based on a program stored in a storage unit (not shown). Furthermore, this processing procedure is repeatedly executed at a predetermined calculation cycle. FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0127] In step S501, the heat transfer area calculation unit 151 determines whether or not the amount of heat energy requested from the heat exchange unit 160 has changed. If the amount of heat energy requested from the heat exchange unit 160 has changed, the process proceeds to step S502. On the other hand, if the amount of heat energy requested from the heat exchange unit 160 has not changed, there is no need to adjust the heat transfer area, and the operation is terminated.

[0128] In step S502, heat transfer area calculation unit 151 calculates the heat transfer area for transferring the amount of heat energy supply corresponding to the amount of heat energy required from heat exchange unit 160, based on the amount of heat energy required from heat exchange unit 160, the difference between the temperature of heat energy generating unit 110 and the temperature of heat exchange unit 160, and the thermal resistance generated by high thermal conductivity member 153 arranged between the opposing outer surfaces of heat energy generating unit 110 and heat exchange unit 160. For example, using the above-mentioned formula 1, the required contact area A of high thermal conductivity member 153 is calculated.

[0129] In step S503, the heat transfer area calculation unit 151 determines whether the heat transfer area calculated in step S502 is the same as the current heat transfer area. If the heat transfer area calculated in step S502 is the same as the current heat transfer area, there is no need to adjust the heat transfer area, and the operation ends. On the other hand, if the heat transfer area calculated in step S502 is not the same as the current heat transfer area, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0130] In step S504, the heat transfer area adjusting unit 152 adjusts the contact area between the high thermal conductivity member 153 and the outer surface of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the contact area between the high thermal conductivity member 153 and the outer surface of the heat exchanging unit 160 so as to achieve the heat transfer area calculated in step S502. For example, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the contact areas are adjusted by moving the liquid metal 252 and the metal plates 310 and 410.

[0131] In step S505, the heater control unit 120 changes the input energy of the heater 113 as necessary.

[0132] Here, let us consider a case where the conventional technology is utilized. In the conventional technology, it is necessary to complexly control the temperature, pressure, and hydrogen supply amount of each heat-generating material system, and therefore it takes a relatively long time to respond to changes in the thermal energy demand. In contrast, in this embodiment, the high thermal conductivity member 153 can be inserted and removed between the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchange unit 160 in about one second, thereby adjusting the thermal energy supply amount. This makes it possible to supply thermal energy according to the thermal energy demand amount in a relatively short time. Therefore, compared to the case where the conventional technology is utilized, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve the response by several to ten times.

[0133] [Configuration and Effects of the First Embodiment] The heat generation system 100 is a heat generation system including a thermal energy generating unit 110 (heat generation material system) that has a hydrogen storage material and generates excess heat. The heat generation system 100 also includes a heat exchange unit 160 that receives thermal energy from the thermal energy generating unit 110 and supplies the thermal energy to a target component 180 (an example of an external component), and a heat energy transfer amount adjusting unit 150 that adjusts the amount of thermal energy supplied from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160 based on the amount of thermal energy requested by the heat exchange unit 160.

[0134] According to this heat generation system 100, the heat energy transmission amount adjustment unit 150 adjusts the amount of heat energy supplied from the heat energy generation unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160, thereby improving the responsiveness (follow-up ability) to the amount of heat energy requested by the heat exchange unit 160. In other words, appropriate heat energy can be supplied in accordance with the heat energy request from the target component 180.

[0135] Furthermore, in the heat generation system 100, the thermal energy generating unit 110 (heat generation material system) includes a heat generation material 112 having a hydrogen storage function, a heater 113 that supplies heat to the heat generation material 112, and a storage unit 111 that stores the heat generation material 112 and the heater 113. The heat generation system 100 also includes a heater control unit 120 that controls the amount of heat supplied to the heater 113, a hydrogen supply unit 130 that supplies hydrogen to the heat energy generating unit 110, and an air supply / exhaust amount control unit 140 that controls the amount of air supplied / exhausted from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the heat energy generating unit 110.

[0136] According to this heat generation system 100, the system can be stably controlled by the heater control unit 120 and the air intake / exhaust volume control unit 140, and stable responsiveness (tracking ability) can be improved in response to the amount of thermal energy required from the heat exchange unit 160.

[0137] Furthermore, in the heat generation system 100, the thermal energy transfer amount adjuster 150 includes a heat transfer area calculator 151 and a heat transfer area adjuster 152. The heat transfer area calculator 151 calculates the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 for transferring the amount of thermal energy supply corresponding to the thermal energy request from the heat exchanger 160, based on the amount of thermal energy requested by the heat exchanger 160, the difference between the temperatures of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanger 160, and the thermal resistance generated by the high thermal conductivity member 153 disposed between the opposing outer surfaces of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanger 160. The heat transfer area adjuster 152 adjusts a first contact area between the high thermal conductivity member 153 and the outer surface of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and a second contact area between the high thermal conductivity member 153 and the outer surface of the heat exchanger 160, based on the heat transfer area calculated by the heat transfer area calculator 151.

[0138] According to this heat generation system 100, the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 is adjusted by the heat transfer area calculation unit 151 and the heat transfer area adjustment unit 152, thereby improving the tracking (responsiveness) and increasing the accuracy of the amount of thermal energy supplied.

[0139] Furthermore, in the heat generation system 100, the heat transfer area adjustment unit 152 further includes a liquid metal 252 as a high thermal conductivity member, a gap 240 formed between the outer surfaces of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160 facing each other, a liquid storage unit 250 connected to one end of the gap 240 to store the liquid metal 252 flowing in and out of the gap 240, and at least one pair of first electrodes 211, 213, dielectrics 221, 222, and second electrodes 212, 214 provided parallel to each outer surface of the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat exchanging unit 160 so as to be symmetrical with respect to the gap 240. Furthermore, the heat transfer area adjustment unit 152 adjusts the voltage applied between the first electrodes 211, 213 and the second electrodes 212, 214 to cause the liquid metal 252 to flow in and out of the gap 240 by electrowetting, thereby adjusting the first contact area and the second contact area.

[0140] This heat generation system 100 utilizes the surface tension and electrowetting phenomena to instantly supply and remove the liquid metal 252, thereby achieving a thermal energy supply with improved response. Furthermore, the use of the liquid metal 252 allows the heat generation system 100 to be made compact, and improves response to changes in the amount of required thermal energy.

[0141] Furthermore, the heat generation system 100 includes a voltage application circuit 215 (variable voltage power supply) that continuously varies the voltage applied between the first electrodes 211, 213 and the second electrodes 212, 214.

[0142] According to this heat generation system 100, the voltage can be changed continuously, which makes it easy to finely adjust the degree of introduction and removal of the liquid metal 252. This allows the heat transfer area of ​​the liquid metal 252 to be adjusted with high precision.

[0143] Furthermore, in the heat generation system 100, the heat transfer area adjustment unit 152 includes a drive device 320 (an example of a drive unit) that moves a metal plate 310 (an example of a high thermal conductivity member) in a gap 311 between the outer surface of the thermal energy generation unit 110 (an example of a heat-generating material system) and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit 160, and controls the drive device 320 to adjust the first contact area and the second contact area by moving the metal plate 310 in the gap 311. Furthermore, the heat transfer area adjustment unit 152 includes a drive device (a drive unit) that moves a metal plate 410 (an example of a high thermal conductivity member) in a gap 411 between the outer surface of the thermal energy generation unit 110 and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit 160. The drive device is controlled to adjust the first contact area and the second contact area by moving the metal plate 410 in the gap 411.

[0144] According to this heat generation system 100, the highly thermally conductive member can be quickly and smoothly inserted and removed by the mechanical drive unit, thereby realizing a thermal energy supply with improved response.

[0145] Furthermore, when the heat energy generating unit 110 (an example of a heat generating material system) is put into operation, the heat generating system 100 controls the temperature of the gas phase of the heat energy generating unit 110 (an example of a heat generating material system) to be a reference temperature and the pressure of the gas phase to be a reference pressure.

[0146] According to this heat generation system 100, by operating the thermal energy generating unit 110 at an efficient temperature and pressure, thermal energy can be generated in a time-series, stable, and oscillating manner. That is, by setting the operating conditions (gas phase pressure and temperature) in the thermal energy generating unit 110 and generating thermal energy in a time-series, the amount of thermal energy generated per unit time is stabilized, and the accuracy of controlling the amount of thermal energy supplied is improved. Furthermore, because excessive heat is generated by the repeated absorption and desorption of hydrogen gas due to the phase transition of the hydride alloy, the supplied heater heat and hydrogen can be efficiently utilized, further increasing the efficiency of the heat generation system 100.

[0147] The heat generation method according to the first embodiment uses a thermal energy generating unit 110 (an example of a heat generating material system) that has a hydrogen storage material and generates excess heat. This heat generation method includes a control step (steps S501 to S505) that uses a high thermal conductivity member 153 disposed between the thermal energy generating unit 110 and a heat exchange unit 160 that supplies thermal energy from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to a target component 180 (an example of an external component), and controls the amount of thermal energy supplied from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160, based on the amount of thermal energy required by the heat exchange unit 160. In this control step, the amount of thermal energy supplied is controlled by moving the high thermal conductivity member 153 based on the amount of thermal energy required by the heat exchange unit 160.

[0148] According to this heat generation method, the amount of thermal energy supplied is adjusted using the high thermal conductivity member 153, which improves the responsiveness (follow-up) to the amount of thermal energy requested by the heat exchange unit 160. In other words, appropriate thermal energy can be supplied in response to the thermal energy request from the target component 180.

[0149] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example has been shown in which the amount of heat energy transferred from the heat energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160 is adjusted by the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150, and then the input energy of the heater 113 is changed to control the heat energy generated in the heat energy generating unit 110. In this case, a predetermined time is required from the adjustment by the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 until the heat energy of the heat energy generating unit 110 is adjusted in accordance with the change in the input energy of the heater 113. Therefore, if part of the heat energy generated in the heat energy generating unit 110 is not used during that predetermined time, that part of the heat energy becomes surplus heat.

[0150] Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example is shown in which excess heat energy generated between the adjustment by the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 and the adjustment of the heat energy by the heat energy generation unit 110 in accordance with the change in the input energy of the heater 113 is stored in a heat storage material and reused.

[0151] [Example of heat generation system configuration] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a heat generation system 600. Heat generation system 600 differs from heat generation system 100 shown in Fig. 1 in that heat storage material 610 is provided. Therefore, the following description will focus on the differences from heat generation system 100 shown in Fig. 1.

[0152] The heat storage material 610 stores the heat energy generated in the heat energy generating unit 110. That is, by storing in the heat storage material 610 the heat energy generated in the heat energy generating unit 110 that has not been supplied to the heat exchange unit 160, it is possible to reuse a portion of the heat energy generated in the heat energy generating unit 110. For example, when a heat energy demand greater than the heat energy generated in the heat energy generating unit 110 occurs, the heat energy stored in the heat storage material 610 can be used. Note that various known heat storage materials can be used as the heat storage material 610.

[0153] A member capable of transmitting thermal energy is disposed between the thermal energy generating section 110 and the heat storage material 610. An example of this member is shown in FIG.

[0154] [Example using heat storage material] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a case where a heat storage material 610 is installed in a heat generation system 600. Fig. 9 shows an example where a heat switch 621 is arranged between the thermal energy generating unit 110 and the heat storage material 610, and a heat switch 622 is arranged between the heat storage material 610 and the heat exchange unit 160.

[0155] 9 shows an example in which thermal switches utilizing electrowetting of liquid metal shown in FIG. 4 are used as thermal switches 621 and 622. Note that thermal switches 621 and 622 are controlled by a thermal switch control unit. This thermal switch control unit may be provided in thermal energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150, or may be provided as a dedicated control unit.

[0156] 9 shows an example in which a heat storage material accommodation unit containing a heat storage material 610 is disposed near the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110. Also, Fig. 9 shows an example in which the liquid metal 252 shown in Fig. 4 is used as the high thermal conductivity member 153. Also, in Fig. 9, the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is covered with a heat insulating material except for the periphery that comes into contact with the heat transfer area adjusting unit 152 and the thermal switch 621, so that radiation of thermal energy and thermal convection with the surrounding outside air hardly occur.

[0157] The thermal switch control unit keeps the thermal switches 621 and 622 off when maintaining the heat storage state of the heat storage material 610. Furthermore, the thermal switch control unit turns the thermal switch 621 from off to on as needed to store a portion of the thermal energy generated in the thermal energy generating unit 110 in the heat storage material 610. Furthermore, the thermal switch control unit turns the thermal switch 622 from off to on as needed to supply the thermal energy stored in the heat storage material 610 to the heat exchange unit 160.

[0158] [Control example when using heat storage material] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a simplified example of control when the heat storage material 610 is used.

[0159] Assume that the thermal energy requirement Qdem at the initial start-up of the heat generation system 600 is 2 kW. In this case, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the thermal energy generation unit 110, and input energy Ein is supplied to the heater 113, so that the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generation unit 110 becomes 2 kW. Specifically, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the thermal energy generation unit 110 so that the pressure P inside the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generation unit 110 becomes P0 (1 atm). Furthermore, 0.5 kW is supplied as input energy Ein to the heater 113 so that the temperature T of the thermal energy generation unit 110 becomes T0 (300°C). In this case, the energy consumption efficiency COP is 4 (= 2 kW (Qout) / 0.5 kW (Ein)).

[0160] Next, assume that the thermal energy demand Qdem is reduced to 1 kW. In this case, Qout (= 2 kW) > Qdem (1 kW), so the thermal energy transfer amount adjuster 150 changes the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 so that the transfer amount Qprov from the thermal energy generating unit 110 matches the thermal energy demand Qdem. Specifically, the thermal energy transfer amount adjuster 150 halves the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153, and sets the transfer amount Qprov from the thermal energy generating unit 110 to 1 kW. For example, the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 is halved by moving the high thermal conductivity member 153 in the direction of arrow 197.

[0161] With this control, Qprov(1 kW) = Qdem(1 kW), and the thermal energy Qprov supplied to the heat exchange unit 160 minus the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110, that is, 1 kW of thermal energy (Qout(2 kW) - Qprov(1 kW)), becomes excess heat. This excess heat causes the temperature of the thermal energy generating unit 110 to rise sharply. Furthermore, part of the excess heat is reused to generate thermal energy in the heat generating material 112, which results in a further increase in Qout (i.e., Qout > 2 kW), and a further rapid rise in the temperature of the thermal energy generating unit 110. In this case, the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes higher than 300°C, and the pressure P inside the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 also becomes higher than 1 atm.

[0162] Therefore, in the second embodiment, a portion of the excess heat (Qout-Qprov) is stored in the heat storage material 610 and reused as necessary. For example, by moving the thermal switch 621 in the direction of arrow 198, the entire heat transfer area of ​​the thermal switch 621 is used. When excess heat (Qout-Qprov) is no longer generated from the thermal energy generating unit 110, the thermal switch 621 is returned to its off position, and heat storage in the heat storage material 610 is stopped.

[0163] Next, the input energy Ein of the heater 113 is controlled so that finally Qout=Qprov and the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes T0 (300°C). For example, the input energy Ein of the heater 113 is gradually reduced to 0.2 kW to stop the increase in the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110. With this control, the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes about 320°C, and the pressure P inside the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes higher than 1 atm. The output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is in the range of 1 kW to 2 kW.

[0164] In this way, after suppressing the temperature rise of the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110, the input energy Ein of the heater 113 is controlled to be gradually increased from 0.2 kW to 0.25 kW, so that the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 returns to T0 (300°C). In other words, the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is controlled to return to the initial temperature T0 over a certain amount of time.

[0165] Ultimately, the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 matches the thermal energy demand Qdem, and the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is generated only by the input energy Ein of the heater 113. That is, by controlling the input energy Ein of the heater 113 so that Qout = Qprov = Qdem, it is possible to stably supply the same amount of thermal energy as the changed thermal energy demand Qdem (1 kW).

[0166] In the second embodiment, the thermal energy stored in the heat storage material 610 is reused as needed. For example, by moving the thermal switch 622 in the direction of the arrow 199, the thermal energy stored in the heat storage material 610 can be supplied to the heat exchange unit 160.

[0167] For example, assume that the target component 180 is an air conditioning system (e.g., an air conditioner) installed in a vehicle. In this case, it is also expected that the thermal energy demand Qdem will increase. Therefore, by using the heat storage material 610, it becomes possible to appropriately deal with an increase in the thermal energy demand. In this way, according to the second embodiment, the thermal energy generated in the thermal energy generating unit 110 minus the thermal energy supplied to the heat exchange unit 160 can be stored in the heat storage material 610 and reused, thereby further improving the thermal energy utilization efficiency.

[0168] In the above, an example has been shown in which the heat stored in the heat storage material 610 is supplied to the heat exchange unit 160, but if necessary, it may be returned to the thermal energy generating unit 110. When the heat stored in the heat storage material 610 is returned to the thermal energy generating unit 110, the input energy Ein of the heater 113 may be reduced.

[0169] [Configuration and Effects of the Second Embodiment] The heat generation system 600 further includes a heat storage material 610 that stores the heat energy generated in the heat energy generating unit 110. The heat generation system 600 stores, in the heat storage material 610, surplus energy of the heat energy supplied from the heat energy generating unit 110 to the heat exchange unit 160 after the heat energy supply amount adjustment unit 150 adjusts the heat energy transfer amount.

[0170] According to this heat generation system 600, it is possible to prevent the generation of wasted energy by storing surplus heat energy generated in the heat energy generating unit 110 in the heat storage material 610. Furthermore, since the heat energy stored in the heat storage material 610 can be reused as needed, it is possible to improve energy efficiency.

[0171] [Third embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, one set of heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 and heat exchange unit 160 is provided to supply heat energy to one target component 180. However, since it is also possible to supply heat energy to multiple target components, the third embodiment shows an example in which multiple heat energy transfer amount adjustment units and heat exchange units are provided to supply heat energy to multiple target components.

[0172] [Example of heat generation system configuration] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a heat generation system 700. Heat generation system 700 differs from heat generation system 100 shown in Fig. 1 in that it additionally includes a heat energy transfer amount adjuster 710 and a heat exchanger 720. Therefore, the following description will focus on the differences from heat generation system 100. Note that heat energy transfer amount adjuster 710 corresponds to heat energy transfer amount adjuster 150, and heat exchanger 720 corresponds to heat exchanger 160, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0173] [Example of control with multiple heat energy transfer rate adjustments] FIG. 12 shows an example in which two heat energy transfer amount adjusters 150 and 710 are provided.

[0174] FIG. 12 shows an example in which a battery mounted on a vehicle is the target component 180, an air conditioning system mounted on a vehicle is the target component 730, and thermal energy is supplied to both or one of them.

[0175] Assume that the thermal energy demand Qdem from both the target component 180 and the target component 730 at the initial start-up of the heat generation system 700 is 2 kW each. In this case, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the thermal energy generating unit 110, and input energy Ein is supplied to the heater 113, so that the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes 4 kW. Specifically, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply unit 130 to the thermal energy generating unit 110 so that the pressure P inside the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes P0 (1 atm). Furthermore, 1 kW is supplied as input energy Ein to the heater 113 so that the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes T0 (300°C). In this case, the energy consumption efficiency COP is 4 (= 2 kW (Qout) / 0.5 kW (Ein)).

[0176] Here, assume that the vehicle warms up with thermal energy from the thermal energy generating unit 110, supplies 1 kW (Qdem) of thermal energy to the target component 730, and no thermal energy is supplied to the target component 180, i.e., the thermal energy requirement Qdem decreases to a total of 1 kW.

[0177] In this case, Qout (4 kW) > Qdem (1 kW), so the thermal energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 changes the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity members 153, 713 so that the transfer amount Qprov from the thermal energy generation unit 110 matches the thermal energy demand Qdem. Specifically, the thermal energy transfer amount adjustment unit 710 moves the high thermal conductivity member 713 in the direction of arrow 751 to halve the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 713, and sets the transfer amount Qprov from the thermal energy generation unit 110 to 1 kW. The thermal energy transfer amount adjustment unit 150 moves the high thermal conductivity member 153 in the direction of arrow 752 to reduce the heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member 153 to zero, and sets the transfer amount Qprov from the thermal energy generation unit 110 to 0 kW.

[0178] With this control, Qprov(1kW) = Qdem(1kW), and the 1kW of thermal energy (Qout(4kW) - Qprov(1kW)) obtained by subtracting the thermal energy Qprov supplied to the heat exchange unit 160 from the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes surplus heat.

[0179] Therefore, the input energy Ein of the heater 113 is controlled so that finally Qout=Qprov and the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes T0 (300°C). For example, the input energy Ein of the heater 113 is gradually reduced to 0.25 kW to stop the increase in the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110. By this control, the temperature T of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is returned to the initial temperature T0, and the pressure P inside the accommodation unit 111 of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is also returned to the initial pressure P0. Furthermore, the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 becomes 1 kW.

[0180] Ultimately, the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 matches the thermal energy demand Qdem, and the output energy Qout of the thermal energy generating unit 110 is generated only by the input energy Ein of the heater 113. That is, by controlling the input energy Ein of the heater 113 so that Qout = Qprov = Qdem, it is possible to stably supply the same amount of thermal energy as the changed thermal energy demand Qdem (total 1 kW). That is, it is possible to stably supply 1 kW (Qdem) of thermal energy to the target component 730 (air conditioner).

[0181] In this way, even if the amount of heat energy required by the target component 730 (air conditioner) and the target component 180 (battery) changes dynamically, it is possible to respond appropriately to the change.

[0182] 12 shows an example in which the thermal energy requirements of both target component 180 and target component 730 change substantially simultaneously, for ease of explanation. However, when the thermal energy requirements of one of target component 180 and target component 730 change, only the thermal energy transfer amount adjuster for the target component whose thermal energy requirement has changed adjusts the transfer amount from thermal energy generating unit 110.

[0183] In the third embodiment, an example has been shown in which two sets of heat energy transfer amount adjusters 150, 710 and heat exchangers 160, 720 are provided. However, the third embodiment can also be applied to a case in which three or more sets of heat energy transfer amount adjusters and heat exchangers are provided.

[0184] The heat storage material shown in the second embodiment may be provided in the heat energy generating section 110 shown in the third embodiment. In this case, one heat storage material may be provided, and heat energy from that heat storage material may be supplied to both the heat exchange sections 160 and 720. Alternatively, two heat storage materials (first and second heat storage materials) may be provided in the heat energy generating section 110, and heat energy from the first heat storage material may be supplied to the heat exchange section 160, and heat energy from the second heat storage material may be supplied to the heat exchange section 720.

[0185] [Configuration and Effects of the Third Embodiment] In heat generation system 700, thermal energy generating unit 110 (an example of a heat-generating material system) supplies thermal energy to target components 180, 730 (an example of multiple external components). Heat generation system 700 also includes multiple combinations of thermal energy transfer rate adjusters and heat exchangers, the number of which corresponds to the number of target components 180, 730 (two), and these combinations of thermal energy transfer rate adjusters and heat exchangers are installed for each target component 180, 730. That is, a combination of thermal energy transfer rate adjuster 150 and heat exchanger 160 is installed for target component 180, and a combination of thermal energy transfer rate adjuster 710 and heat exchanger 720 is installed for target component 730.

[0186] According to this heat generation system 700, by installing a combination of a heat energy transfer rate adjuster and a heat exchanger for each target component, the amount of heat energy supplied can be finely adjusted even by operating only some of the heat energy transfer rate adjusters, thereby improving the accuracy of adjusting the amount of heat energy supplied. Also, by operating only some of the heat energy transfer rate adjusters, power consumption can be reduced.

[0187] Each process described in this embodiment is executed based on a program that causes a computer to execute each process procedure. Therefore, this embodiment can also be understood as an embodiment of a program that realizes the function of executing each process and a recording medium that stores the program. For example, by performing an update to add a new function to a vehicle, the program can be stored in the vehicle's storage device, allowing the updated vehicle to perform each process described in this embodiment. This update may be performed, for example, during a regular vehicle inspection or via wireless communication.

[0188] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0189] 100 heat generating system, 110 thermal energy generating section, 111 accommodation section, 112 heat generating material, 113 heater, 120 heater control section, 130 hydrogen supply section, 140 intake / exhaust amount control section, 150, 710 heat energy transfer amount adjusting section, 151 heat transfer area calculating section, 152 heat transfer area adjusting section, 153, 713 high thermal conductivity member, 160, 720 heat exchange section, 180, 730 target part, 610 heat storage material

Claims

1. 1. A heat generation system comprising a heat generation material system having a hydrogen storage material and generating excess heat, a heat exchange unit that receives thermal energy from the heat-generating material system and supplies the thermal energy to an external component; a heat energy transfer amount adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of heat energy supplied from the heat generating material system to the heat exchange unit based on the amount of heat energy required from the heat exchange unit, The heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit is a heat transfer area calculation unit that calculates a heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member for transferring a heat energy supply amount corresponding to the heat energy demand based on the heat energy demand, a difference between the temperature of the heat generating material system and the temperature of the heat exchange unit, and thermal resistance generated by a high thermal conductivity member disposed between the opposing outer surface of the heat generating material system and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit; a heat transfer area adjusting unit that adjusts a first contact area between the high thermal conductivity member and an outer surface of the heat-generating material system and a second contact area between the high thermal conductivity member and an outer surface of the heat exchange unit based on the heat transfer area calculated by the heat transfer area calculating unit, Heat generation system.

2. 10. The heat generating system of claim 1, the heat generating material system comprises a heat energy generating unit including a heat generating material having a hydrogen storage function, a heater that supplies heat to the heat generating material, and a housing that houses the heat generating material and the heater; a heater control unit that controls the amount of heat supplied to the heater; a hydrogen supply unit that supplies hydrogen to the heat generating material; an air supply / exhaust amount control unit that controls the amount of air supply / exhaust from the hydrogen supply unit to the heat generating material system, Heat generation system.

3. 3. The heating system according to claim 1 or 2, The heat transfer area adjustment unit is a liquid metal as the high thermal conductivity member; a gap formed between the outer surface of the heat-generating material system and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit, which face each other; a liquid storage section connected to one end of the gap and configured to store the liquid metal that flows in and out of the gap; At least one pair of a first electrode, a dielectric, and a second electrode is provided on both the outer surface of the heat generating material system and the outer surface of the heat exchange section in parallel to each other so as to be symmetrical with respect to the gap, adjusting a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode to cause the liquid metal to enter and exit the gap, thereby adjusting the first contact area and the second contact area; Heat generation system.

4. 4. The heat generating system of claim 3, a variable voltage power supply that continuously varies the voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; Heat generation system.

5. 3. The heating system according to claim 1 or 2, the heat transfer area adjustment unit further includes a drive unit that moves the high thermal conductivity member in a gap between an outer surface of the heat-generating material system and an outer surface of the heat exchange unit, controlling the driving unit to adjust the first contact area and the second contact area by moving the high thermal conductivity member in the gap; Heat generation system.

6. 6. The heat generating system according to claim 1, the heat generating material system supplies heat energy to the plurality of external components; a plurality of combinations of the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit and the heat exchange unit are provided so that the number of combinations of the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit and the heat exchange unit corresponds to a plurality of the components; a combination of the heat energy transfer amount adjustment unit and the heat exchange unit is provided for each of the plurality of components; Heat generation system.

7. 7. The heating system according to claim 1, Further provided is a heat storage material that stores thermal energy generated in the heat generating material system, and storing surplus energy of the heat energy supplied from the heat-generating material system to the heat exchange unit after the heat energy supply amount adjustment unit has adjusted the heat energy transfer amount in the heat storage material. Heat generation system.

8. 8. The heating system according to claim 1, When the heat generating material system is put into operation, the temperature of the gas phase part of the heat generating material system is controlled to a reference temperature, and the pressure of the gas phase part is controlled to a reference pressure. Heat generation system.

9. 1. A method for generating heat using a heat-generating material system having a hydrogen storage material and generating excess heat, comprising: a control step of controlling the amount of thermal energy supplied from the heat-generating material system to a heat exchange unit that supplies thermal energy from the heat-generating material system to an external component, using a highly thermally conductive member that is disposed between the heat-generating material system and the heat exchange unit; In the control step, a heat transfer area of ​​the high thermal conductivity member for transferring a heat energy supply amount corresponding to the heat energy demand amount is calculated based on the heat energy demand amount from the heat exchange unit, the difference between the temperature of the heat generating material system and the temperature of the heat exchange unit, and the thermal resistance generated by the high thermal conductivity member disposed between the opposing outer surface of the heat generating material system and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit, and the heat energy supply amount is controlled by adjusting a first contact area between the high thermal conductivity member and the outer surface of the heat generating material system and a second contact area between the high thermal conductivity member and the outer surface of the heat exchange unit based on the calculated heat transfer area. Heat generation method.

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