Heat generating device and heat utilization system

Abstract

To provide a heating cell having high durability and capable of stably heating, a small-sized and compact heating device with high output and high durability, and a heat using system capable of efficiently recovering heat generate in the heating device and effectively using it.SOLUTION: On an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical supporting body, a multilayer film heating by occluding and discharging hydrogen is formed to configure a heating cell 1. In a sealed container 21, the plurality of heating cells 1 is penetrated by a separator 22, thereby opening axial both ends of the heating cells 1 into a first space S1 and a second space S2, and a heater 2 for heating each heating cell 1 is provided to configure a heating device 20. A heat using system is configured by including the heating device 20, a hydrogen supply line, a hydrogen recovery line, a heat using device, a heat medium supply line, and a heat medium recovery line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat generating cell that generates heat by absorbing and releasing hydrogen, a heat generating device with integrated heat generating and heat exchanging functions that includes a plurality of such heat generating cells, and a heat utilization system that utilizes the heat generated in the heat generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Hydrogen storage alloys have the property of repeatedly absorbing and releasing large amounts of hydrogen under certain reaction conditions, and it is known that the absorption and release of hydrogen involves a considerable amount of reaction heat. Heat utilization systems and hydrogen storage systems, such as heat pump systems, heat transport systems, and cold (refrigeration) systems, that utilize this reaction heat have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] The present applicant and others have discovered that in a heat generating device equipped with a heat generating element using a hydrogen storage alloy or the like, the heat generating element can be constructed from a support and a multilayer film supported on the support, so that heat is generated when hydrogen is absorbed into the heat generating element and when hydrogen is released from the heat generating element. Based on this discovery, the present applicant and others have previously proposed a heat utilization system and a heat generating device (see Patent Document 3).

[0004] Specifically, the support provided on the heating element of the heating device is composed of at least one of a porous body, a hydrogen-permeable membrane, or a proton dielectric, and the multilayer film supported on this support is composed, for example, by alternately stacking a first layer less than 1000 nm thick made of a hydrogen-storing metal or hydrogen-storing alloy and a second layer less than 1000 nm thick made of a hydrogen-storing metal, hydrogen-storing alloy, or ceramic different from the first layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 56-100276 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 58-022854 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6749035 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the heat generating device proposed in Patent Document 3, the heat generating elements are not incorporated in a densely packed state, so the heat generating elements cannot generate heat efficiently, and there is still room for improvement.

[0007] 17 , a first flow path 106 for introducing hydrogen into the heating element 105 and a second flow path 107 for receiving hydrogen that has permeated through the heating element 105 are disposed on both sides of the heating element 105, and the heating element 105 and the first and second flow paths 106, 107 are stacked at high density to make the heating device 101 small, compact, and high-power with high heating efficiency. In the heating device 101 configured in this way, hydrogen introduced into the first flow path 106 permeates the heating element 105, causing the heating element 105 to generate heat. In this case, hydrogen that has permeated the heating element 105 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "permeated hydrogen") flows into the second flow path 107, and therefore the pressure in the second flow path 107 is lower than the pressure in the first flow path 106.

[0008] Here, since the heating element 105 is made of a very thin flat plate made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal or a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, as shown in FIG. 18, the heating element 105 is bent and deformed into an arc-shaped curve so as to bulge toward the second flow path 107 where the pressure is lower. This bending deformation generates large stress, which may cause the multilayer film to peel off from the support of the heating element 105, reducing the durability of the heating element 105 and preventing the heating element 105 from generating heat stably.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a heat generating cell that is highly durable and capable of stably generating heat, a small and compact yet high-output and highly durable heat generating device, and a heat utilization system that can efficiently recover and effectively utilize the heat generated by the heat generating device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the heat generating cell according to the present invention is constructed by forming a multilayer film that generates heat by absorbing and releasing hydrogen on the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical support body.

[0011] In addition, the heat generating device of the present invention is configured to include a plurality of the heat generating cells, divide the inside of a sealed container into a first space, a second space, and a third space in the axial direction by a plurality of separators, penetrate the plurality of heat generating cells through the separators, open both axial ends of the plurality of heat generating cells to the first space and the second space at both axial ends of the sealed container, respectively, and provide a heater for heating each of the heat generating cells.

[0012] Furthermore, the heat utilization system according to the present invention comprises the heat generation device, a hydrogen supply line that supplies hydrogen to the first space of the heat generation device, a hydrogen recovery line that recovers hydrogen discharged from the second space of the heat generation device and returns it to the hydrogen supply line, a heat utilization device that utilizes heat generated in the heat generation device, a heat medium supply line that supplies the heat medium discharged from the third space of the heat generation device to the heat utilization device, and a heat medium recovery line that recovers the heat medium discharged from the heat utilization device and returns it to the third space of the heat generation device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The heating cell according to the present invention is constructed by forming a multilayer film on the inner peripheral surface of a highly rigid cylindrical support, so that it does not easily deform even when subjected to external forces, and the multilayer film formed on the inner peripheral surface of the support does not peel off, thereby ensuring stable heat generation and improving durability.

[0014] Furthermore, the heat generating device according to the present invention has multiple highly durable heat generating cells concentrated in a sealed container, so that while it is small and compact, its heat output is increased, achieving high output and enhanced durability. Furthermore, the heat medium is heated by heat exchange between the hydrogen heated by the multiple heat generating cells and the heat medium flowing through the third space, so the heat generated by the multiple heat generating cells is efficiently recovered by the heat medium. In other words, the heat generating device functions as an integrated heat generating / heat exchanging device that also serves as a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the heat utilization system of the present invention, the heat generated in the high-power heat generating device that also functions as a shell-and-tube heat exchanger is efficiently recovered by the heat medium, and the heat recovered by this heat medium can be effectively used to drive the heat utilization device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a heat generating cell according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged detailed view of part B in FIG. 2, showing the configuration of the multilayer film of the heat generating cell according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mechanism of excess heat generation in the multilayer film of the heat generating cell according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the multilayer film of the heat generating cell according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the multilayer film of the heat generating cell according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a heat generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the 1 / tube filling ratio and the amount of heat extracted (amount of heat generated). [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of tubes and the shell inner diameter to obtain a predetermined tube filling ratio. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between 1 / tube filling ratio and Di (shell inner diameter) / L (tube length) ratio. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the Di / L ratio and the shell-side fluid pressure loss. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the 1 / tube filling ratio and the baffle-through flow / cross flow ratio. [Figure 14] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a heat generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a heat generating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a heat utilization system according to the present invention. [Figure 17] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the basic configuration of a heat generating device having a flat plate-shaped heat generating element. [Figure 18] 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing deformation of the heat generating element of the heat generating device shown in FIG. 17. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] [Heat generating cell] The configuration of the heat generating cell according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a heat generating cell according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. The heat generating cell 1 shown in the figure is constructed by forming a multilayer film 1B, which generates heat by absorbing and releasing hydrogen, on the inner surface of a cylindrical (round pipe-shaped) support 1A made of a porous metal sintered body, a porous ceramic sintered body, or a metal. The porous metal sintered body or porous ceramic sintered body that constitutes the support 1A has numerous pores large enough to allow hydrogen permeation. The porous metal sintered body or porous ceramic sintered body is made of a material that does not inhibit the exothermic reaction between hydrogen and the multilayer film 1B. Specifically, the porous metal sintered body may be made of Ti, SUS, or Mo, for example, and the ceramic sintered body may be made of Al2O3, MgO, or CaO, for example. The metal that constitutes the support 1A may be stainless steel (SUS), for example.

[0020] In this embodiment, a cylindrical (round pipe) support member 1A is used, but a polygonal (square pipe) support member may also be used.

[0021] Incidentally, hydrogen includes hydrogen-based gases containing isotopes of hydrogen, and either deuterium gas or proton gas is used as the hydrogen-based gas. Proton gas includes a mixture of naturally occurring protons and deuterium, i.e., a mixture in which the proportion of protons is 99.985% and the proportion of deuterium is 0.015%. In the following description, gases including hydrogen-based gases will be collectively referred to as "hydrogen."

[0022] Here, the structure of the multilayer film 1B will be described with reference to FIG.

[0023] <Multilayer film structure> FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of portion B in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, multilayer film 1B formed on the inner circumferential surface of support 1A shown in FIG. 1 includes first layer 11 made of a hydrogen-storing metal or alloy and second layer 12 made of a different hydrogen-storing metal, alloy, or ceramic from first layer 11. A dissimilar-material interface 13 is formed between first layer 11 and second layer 12. In the example shown in FIG. 3, multilayer film 1B is formed on the inner circumferential surface of support 1A by alternately stacking five first layers 11 and five second layers 12 in this order, resulting in a total of 10 layers. The number of first layers 11 and second layers 12 is optional. Unlike the example shown in FIG. 3, a multilayer film may be formed by alternately stacking multiple second layers 12 and first layers 11 in this order on the inner circumferential surface of support 1A. Furthermore, the multilayer film 1B only needs to have at least one first layer 11 and one second layer 12, and to have one or more interfaces 13 of different materials formed between the first layer 11 and the second layer 12.

[0024] Here, the first layer 11 is made of, for example, any of Ni, Pd, Cu, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, Co, and alloys thereof. Here, the alloy making up the first layer 11 is preferably made of two or more of Ni, Pd, Cu, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, and Co. The alloy making up the first layer 11 may also be made of Ni, Pd, Cu, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, or Co to which an additive has been added.

[0025] The second layer 12 is made of, for example, Ni, Pd, Cu, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, Co, alloys thereof, or SiC. The alloy making up the second layer 12 is preferably made of two or more of Ni, Pd, Cu, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, and Co. The alloy making up the second layer 12 may also be made of Ni, Pd, Cu, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, or Co to which an additive has been added.

[0026] As a combination of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12, when the types of elements are expressed as "first layer-second layer," the combinations of Pd-Ni, Ni-Cu, Ni-Cr, Ni-Fe, Ni-Mg, and Ni-Co are preferable. When the second layer 12 is made of ceramics, the combination of Ni-SiC is preferable.

[0027] Here, the mechanism of heat generation (excess heat generation) of the heat generating cell 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mechanism of excess heat generation in a heat generating cell. The dissimilar material interface 13 formed between the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 of the multilayer film 1B of the heat generating cell 1 allows hydrogen atoms to pass through. When hydrogen is supplied to the heat generating cell 1 from its inner peripheral surface, the first layer 11 and the second layer 12, which have a face-centered cubic structure, i.e., the multilayer film 1B, absorb the hydrogen. Here, even if the supply of hydrogen is stopped, the heat generating cell 1 maintains the state in which hydrogen is absorbed by the multilayer film 1B.

[0029] When heating of the heat generating cell 1 is started by a heater (not shown), as shown in Fig. 4, hydrogen atoms in the metal lattice of the first layer 11 permeate the dissimilar material interface 13 and move into the metal lattice of the second layer 12, releasing the hydrogen occluded in the multilayer film 1B. This hydrogen undergoes quantum diffusion while hopping within the multilayer film 1B. It is known that hydrogen is light and undergoes quantum diffusion while hopping between sites occupied by hydrogen (octohedral or tetrahedral sites) in certain materials A and B. Therefore, when the heat generating cell 1 is heated by the heater, hydrogen permeates the dissimilar material interface 13 by quantum diffusion, or hydrogen permeates the dissimilar material interface 13 by diffusion, causing the heat generating cell 1 to generate heat in an amount greater than the amount of heat generated by the heater as excess heat.

[0030] The thicknesses of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 constituting the multilayer film of the heating cell 1 are preferably each less than 1000 nm. When the thicknesses of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are each less than 1000 nm, the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 can maintain a nanostructure that does not exhibit bulk properties. Incidentally, when the thicknesses of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are each 1000 nm or more, hydrogen becomes less likely to permeate the multilayer film 1B. The thicknesses of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are preferably each less than 500 nm. When the thicknesses of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are each less than 500 nm, the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 can maintain a nanostructure that does not exhibit any bulk properties.

[0031] <Production method of heating cell> Here, an example of a method for manufacturing the heat generating cell 1 will be described.

[0032] The heat generating cell 1 is manufactured by preparing a cylindrical (round pipe-shaped) support 1A, rotating the support 1A around its axis, and using a vapor deposition device to vaporize a hydrogen storage metal or alloy to become the first layer 11 and the second layer 12, and then forming the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 alternately on the inner circumferential surface of the support 1A through aggregation and adsorption of the hydrogen storage metal or alloy in the vapor state. In this case, it is preferable to form the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 successively in a vacuum state, and by doing so, a dissimilar material interface 13 is formed between the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 without forming a native oxide film.

[0033] The deposition device used is a physical deposition device that deposits a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy by a physical method, and examples of such physical deposition devices include a sputtering device, a vacuum deposition device, and a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) device. Alternatively, the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 may be formed alternately by depositing a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy on the inner peripheral surface of the support 1A by electroplating.

[0034] Here, first and second modified examples of the configuration of the multilayer film of the heat generating cell are shown in Figures 5 and 6. Figures 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing the layer structures of multilayer films 60B and 70B according to the first and second modified examples.

[0035] <Modification 1 of the layer structure of the multilayer film> In the present embodiment described above, the multilayer film 1B of the heat generating cell 1 is formed by alternately stacking five first layers 11 and five second layers 12 as shown in Fig. 3, but the heat generating cell 60 shown in Fig. 5 further includes a third layer 63 in addition to the first layer 61 and the second layer 62. Here, the third layer 63 is formed of a hydrogen storage metal, hydrogen storage alloy, or ceramic different from the first layer 61 and the second layer 62, and its thickness is preferably less than 1000 nm.

[0036] In the heat generating cell 60 shown in FIG. 5, a first layer 61, a second layer 62, a first layer 61, and a third layer 63 constituting a multilayer film 60B are laminated in this order on the inner circumferential surface of a support 60A. In this heat generating cell 60, a dissimilar material interface 64 formed between the first layer 61 and the second layer 62 and a dissimilar material interface 65 formed between the first layer 61 and the third layer 63 allow hydrogen atoms to pass through. Note that the first layer 61, the second layer 62, and the third layer 63 may also be laminated on the inner circumferential surface of the support 60A in the order of the first layer 61, the third layer 63, the first layer 61, and the second layer 62. In other words, the multilayer film 60B has a laminated structure in which the first layer 61 is provided between the second layer 62 and the third layer 63. Note that the multilayer film 60B may have at least one third layer 63.

[0037] Here, the third layer 63 is made of Ni, Pd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, Co, or an alloy thereof, or SiC, CaO, YO, TiC, LaB, SrO, or BaO. The alloy making up the third layer 63 is preferably made of two or more of Ni, Pd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, and Co. However, the alloy making up the third layer 63 may also be made of Ni, Pd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, or Co to which an additive element has been added.

[0038] In particular, it is desirable that the third layer 63 be made of any one of CaO, Y2O3, TiC, LaB6, SrO, and BaO. A heat generating cell 60 having a third layer 63 made of any one of CaO, Y2O3, TiC, LaB6, SrO, and BaO can store more hydrogen, and the amount of hydrogen that permeates the interfaces 64 and 65 between different materials can be increased, resulting in a higher output of excess heat.

[0039] The third layer 63, which is made of any of CaO, YO, TiC, LaB, SrO, and BaO, preferably has a thickness of 10 nm or less. This allows hydrogen atoms to easily pass through the multilayer film 60B. The third layer 63, which is made of any of CaO, YO, TiC, LaB, SrO, and BaO, may be formed in the shape of islands rather than as a complete film. The first layer 61 and the third layer 63 are preferably formed successively in a vacuum. This allows only a heterogeneous material interface 65 to be formed between the first layer 61 and the third layer 63, without forming a native oxide film.

[0040] The combinations of the first layer 61, the second layer 62 and the third layer 63, when the types of elements are displayed as "first layer-third layer-second layer", are Pd-CaO-Ni, Pd-Y2O3-Ni, Pd-TiC-Ni, Pd-LaB6-Ni, Ni-CaO-Cu, Ni-Y2O3-Cu, Ni-TiC-Cu, Ni-LaB6-Cu, Ni-Co-Cu, Ni-CaO-Cr, Ni-Y2O3-Cr, Ni-TiC-Cr, Ni-LaB6-Cr, N i-CaO-Fe, Ni-Y2O3-Fe, Ni-TiC-Fe, Ni-LaB6-Fe, Ni-Cr-Fe, Ni-CaO-Mg, Ni-Y2O3-Mg, Ni-TiC-Mg, Ni-LaB6-Mg, Ni-Ca Desirably, it is any one of O-Co, Ni-Y2O3-Co, Ni-TiC-Co, Ni-LaB6-Co, Ni-CaO-SiC, Ni-Y2O3-SiC, Ni-TiC-SiC, and Ni-LaB6-SiC.

[0041] <Modification 2 of the Layer Structure of the Multilayer Film> 6, the multilayer film 70B of the heat generating cell 70 according to this embodiment further includes a fourth layer 74 in addition to the first layer 71, the second layer 72, and the third layer 73. The fourth layer 74 is made of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a ceramic different from the first layer 71, the second layer 72, and the third layer 73, and its thickness is preferably less than 1000 nm.

[0042] 6, the first layer 71, the second layer 72, the first layer 71, the third layer 73, the first layer 71, and the fourth layer 74 are stacked in this order on the inner circumferential surface of the support 70A. Alternatively, the first layer 71, the fourth layer 74, the first layer 71, the third layer 73, the first layer 71, and the second layer 72 may be stacked in this order on the inner circumferential surface of the support 70A. That is, the multilayer film 70B has a stacked structure in which the second layer 72, the third layer 73, and the fourth layer 74 are stacked in any order, and the first layer 71 is provided between each of the second layer 72, the third layer 73, and the fourth layer 74. Here, a dissimilar material interface 75 formed between the first layer 71 and the second layer 72, a dissimilar material interface 76 formed between the first layer 71 and the third layer 73, and a dissimilar material interface 77 formed between the first layer 71 and the fourth layer 74 allow hydrogen atoms to pass through. The multilayer film 70B may have at least one fourth layer 74.

[0043] The fourth layer 74 is made of Ni, Pd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, Co, or an alloy thereof, or SiC, Y2O3, TiC, LaB6, SrO, or BaO. The alloy constituting the fourth layer 74 is preferably made of two or more of Ni, Pd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, and Co. The alloy constituting the fourth layer 74 may also be made of Ni, Pd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, or Co to which an additive element has been added.

[0044] In particular, the fourth layer 74 is preferably made of any one of CaO, Y2O3, TiC, LaB6, SrO, and BaO. Here, in a heating cell 70 having a fourth layer 74 made of any one of CaO, Y2O3, TiC, LaB6, SrO, and BaO, the amount of hydrogen absorbed increases, and the amount of hydrogen permeating the dissimilar material interfaces 75, 76, and 77 also increases, thereby increasing the output of excess heat generated by the heating cell 70. Furthermore, the thickness of the fourth layer 74 made of any one of CaO, Y2O3, TiC, LaB6, SrO, and BaO is preferably 10 nm or less to allow easy permeation of hydrogen atoms.

[0045] Furthermore, the fourth layer 74, which is made of any of CaO, YO, TiC, LaB, SrO, and BaO, may be formed in the shape of islands rather than as a complete film. Furthermore, it is desirable that the first layer 71 and the fourth layer 74 are successively formed in a vacuum, and by doing so, only a dissimilar material interface 77 is formed between the first layer 71 and the fourth layer 74 without forming a native oxide film.

[0046] Desirable combinations of the first layer 71, second layer 72, third layer 73, and fourth layer 74 are Ni-CaO-Cr-Fe, Ni-Y2O3-Cr-Fe, Ni-TiC-Cr-Fe, and Ni-LaB6-Cr-Fe, when the types of elements are expressed as "first layer-fourth layer-third layer-second layer." The configuration of the multilayer film 70B, such as the thickness ratio of each layer, the number of layers, and the materials, can be set appropriately and arbitrarily depending on the heating temperature.

[0047] 1 according to this embodiment is constructed by forming the multilayer film 1B on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical (round pipe) support 1A with high rigidity, so that the heat generating cell 1 does not easily deform even when subjected to external force, and the multilayer film 1B formed on the inner circumferential surface of the support 1A does not peel off. This allows the heat generating cell 1 to generate heat stably and has improved durability.

[0048] The heat generating cell 1 is not limited to being composed of a support 1A and a multilayer film 1B, but may further include a pedestal made of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a proton dielectric. A heat generating cell with a pedestal may be constructed, for example, by forming a pedestal on the inner peripheral surface of the support 1A and forming a multilayer film 1B on the inner peripheral surface of the pedestal. The multilayer film 1B is not limited to being formed only on the inner peripheral surface of the pedestal, but may be formed only on the outer peripheral surface of the pedestal, i.e., between the support 1A and the pedestal. The multilayer film 1B may also be formed on both the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the pedestal. A plurality of pedestals and multilayer films 1B may be alternately stacked on the support 1A. Examples of hydrogen storage metals used for the pedestal include Ni, Pd, V, Nb, Ta, and Ti. Examples of hydrogen storage alloys used for the base include LaNi5, CaCu5, MgZn2, ZrNi2, ZrCr2, TiFe, TiCo, Mg2Ni, and Mg2Cu. Examples of proton dielectrics used for the base include BaCeO3 (e.g., Ba(Ce 0.95 Y 0.05 )O 3-6 ), SrCeO3 system (e.g., Sr(Ce 0.95 Y 0.05 )O 3-6 ), CaZrO3 system (e.g., Ca(Zr 0.95 Y 0.05 )O 3ーα ), SrZrO3 system (e.g., Sr(Zr 0.9 Y 0.1 )O 3ーα ), βAl2O3, βGa2O3, etc. are used. The base may be made of a porous body or a hydrogen-permeable membrane. The porous body has a large number of holes large enough to allow hydrogen-based gases to pass through. The porous body is made of materials such as metals, non-metals, and ceramics. The porous body is preferably made of a material that does not inhibit the exothermic reaction between hydrogen and the multilayer film 1B. The hydrogen-permeable membrane is made of a material that allows hydrogen to pass through. The material of the hydrogen-permeable membrane is preferably a hydrogen-storing metal or a hydrogen-storing alloy. Hydrogen-permeable membranes also include those having a mesh-like sheet.

[0049] [Heat generating device] Next, the heating device according to the present invention will be described.

[0050] First Embodiment FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the heat generating device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 7. The heat generating device 20 shown in the figure is an integrated heat generating / heat exchanging device that also has the functions of a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger.

[0051] Specifically, the heat generating device 20 includes a hollow cylindrical sealed container (shell) 21 installed laterally (horizontally), and the inside of this sealed container 21 is partitioned in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIG. 7) into three spaces: a first space S1, a second space S2, and a third space S3, by two separators (tube sheets) 22 arranged vertically. That is, the inside of the sealed container 21 is partitioned into the first space S1 and the second space S2 at both ends in the axial direction, and the third space S3 between the first space S1 and the second space S2.

[0052] The upper part of the sealed container 21 is provided with a hydrogen supply port 21a that opens into the first space S1 and a heat medium discharge port 21b that opens into the third space S3, and a hydrogen supply nozzle 23 and a heat medium discharge nozzle 24 are connected to the hydrogen supply port 21a and the heat medium discharge port 21b, respectively. The lower part of the sealed container 21 is provided with a hydrogen discharge port 21c that opens into the second space S2 and a heat medium supply port 21d that opens into the third space S3, and a hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 and a heat medium supply nozzle 26 are connected to the hydrogen discharge port 21c and the heat medium supply port 21d, respectively. An on-off valve 27 is provided on the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25.

[0053] The sealed container 21, separator 22, hydrogen supply nozzle 23, heat transfer medium discharge nozzle 24, hydrogen discharge nozzle 25, and heat transfer medium supply nozzle 26 are made of stainless steel (SUS), which has high pressure resistance and corrosion resistance and low thermal conductivity. In this embodiment, the interior of the sealed container 21 is divided into three spaces: the first space S1, the second space S2, and the third space S3. However, the interior of the sealed container 21 may be divided into four or more spaces.

[0054] 1 are supported horizontally and parallel to each other, penetrating two separators 22, in the sealed container 21, and both axial ends of these heat generating cells 1 are open to the first space S1 and the second space S2, respectively. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the heat generating cells 1 are arranged orderly at equal intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions. In this embodiment, the heat generating cells 1 have a support 1A made of stainless steel (SUS).

[0055] A heater 2, which is a heating means, is provided in the center of each heat generating cell 1, and both ends of these heaters 2 are supported by conductive booth bars 3 and 4, which are supporting members. One booth bar 3 (on the left in FIG. 7) is electrically connected to a power source (not shown) via an electric cord 5, and the other booth bar 4 (on the right in FIG. 7) has an electric cord 6 extending therefrom that is earthed. In this embodiment, the heater 2 is made of a heating wire made of molybdenum, tungsten, or the like, which has high electrical resistance.

[0056] In addition, in the third space S3 inside the sealed container 21, a labyrinth-shaped flow path 29 is formed by a plurality of baffle plates .

[0057] Next, the operation of the heat generating device 20 configured as above will be described.

[0058] First, with the on-off valve 27 provided on the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 open, a vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 is driven to reduce the pressure inside the sealed container 21 to a predetermined level, and then the on-off valve 27 is closed.

[0059] Next, hydrogen-based gas is supplied into the sealed container 21 from the hydrogen supply nozzle 23. The hydrogen-based gas is introduced from the hydrogen supply nozzle 23 into the first space S1 in the sealed container 21, passes from this first space S1 through the interior of each heat generation cell 1, and flows into the second space S2. As the hydrogen-based gas passes through each heat generation cell 1, it is absorbed into the multilayer film 1B (see FIG. 1) formed on the inner circumferential surface of each heat generation cell 1. At this time, hydrogen molecules are adsorbed onto the inner circumferential surface of the multilayer film 1B. Then, the hydrogen molecules adsorbed onto the inner circumferential surface of the multilayer film 1B dissociate into two hydrogen atoms, and the dissociated hydrogen atoms penetrate the inside of the multilayer film 1B. These hydrogen atoms permeate the heterogeneous material interface 13 (see FIG. 3) by quantum diffusion, or the hydrogen atoms permeate the heterogeneous material interface 13 by diffusion.

[0060] Next, with the on-off valve 27 provided on the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 open, a vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 is driven to evacuate the sealed container 21, and an electric current is passed from a power source (not shown) through the electric cord 5 and the booth bar 3 to each heater 2, causing each heater 2 to generate heat and heating each heat generating cell 1 from the inner periphery. This causes the hydrogen absorbed in the multilayer film 1B of each heat generating cell 1 to be released. At this time, the hydrogen atoms that had penetrated inside the multilayer film 1B return to the inner periphery of the multilayer film 1B, recombine, and are released as hydrogen molecules. In the process of returning to the inner periphery of the multilayer film 1B, the hydrogen atoms pass through the dissimilar material interface 13 (see FIG. 3) by quantum diffusion, or the hydrogen atoms pass through the dissimilar material interface 13 by diffusion.

[0061] In each heat generating cell 1, hydrogen atoms pass through the dissimilar material interface 13 by quantum diffusion or by diffusion during the process of absorbing hydrogen, generating heat, and in the process of releasing hydrogen, hydrogen atoms pass through the dissimilar material interface 13 by quantum diffusion or by diffusion during the process of releasing hydrogen. A method in which hydrogen is intermittently supplied to and discharged from the sealed container 21, and the heat generating cells 1 generate heat by absorbing and releasing hydrogen, is called a batch type. In the batch type heat generating device 20, the supply of a hydrogen-based gas into the sealed container 21, the evacuation of the sealed container 21, and the heating of each heat generating cell 1 may be repeated, so that the absorption and release of hydrogen in each heat generating cell 1 is repeated.

[0062] On the other hand, a heat medium is supplied to the third space S3 of the sealed container 21 from the heat medium supply nozzle 26. As the heat medium flows through the maze-like flow path 29 formed in the third space S3, the heat medium is heated by the heat generated from each heat-generating cell 1, and its temperature increases. In other words, as the heat medium flows through each heat-generating cell 1, it is heated by heat exchange with each heat-generating cell 1, and the heat generated in each heat-generating cell 1 is efficiently recovered. At this time, the heat medium flows along the maze-like flow path 29 formed in the third space S3 of the sealed container 21, alternating between up and down, thereby increasing the efficiency of heat exchange between the heat medium and each heat-generating cell 1. In this way, the heat medium flowing through the third space S3 of the sealed container 21 is heated by heat exchange with each heat-generating cell 1, and the heat recovered by the heat medium is provided to the heat utilization system, which will be described later. The heat transfer medium is preferably one that has excellent thermal conductivity and is chemically stable, and examples of such heat transfer medium include rare gases such as helium gas and argon gas, hydrogen gas, nitrogen gas, water vapor, air, carbon dioxide, and gases that form hydrides.

[0063] As described above, the heat generating device 20 according to this embodiment has a plurality of highly durable heat generating cells 1 concentrated in the sealed container 21, thereby increasing the amount of heat generated and achieving higher output, as well as improving durability. Furthermore, the heat medium is heated by heat exchange between the plurality of heat generating cells 1 and the heat medium flowing through the third space S3, so the heat generated by the plurality of heat generating cells 1 is efficiently recovered by the heat medium. In other words, the heat generating device 20 is configured as an integrated heat generating / heat exchanging device that also has the function of a shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0064] Here, changes in the amount of heat removal (amount of heat generated) and the like when the specifications of heat generating device 20 (the outer and inner diameters of support 1A (hereinafter referred to as "tube" or "stainless steel tube")) are changed will be described below with reference to Figs. 9 to 13. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between 1 / tube filling ratio and the amount of heat removal (amount of heat generated), Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of tubes required to achieve a predetermined tube filling ratio and the shell inner diameter, Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between 1 / tube filling ratio and the Di (shell inner diameter) / L (tube length) ratio, Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the Di / L ratio and shell-side fluid pressure loss (pressure loss of the heat transfer medium), and Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between 1 / tube filling ratio and the baffle-passing flow / cross flow ratio.

[0065] Among the various specifications of the heat generating device 20, various studies were carried out in which the outer and inner diameters of the stainless steel tube (support 1A) were changed as shown in Table 1, and designated as case 1, case 2, and case 3. Specifically, case 1 was when the outer and inner diameters of the stainless steel tube were 27.2 mm and 23.2 mm, case 2 was when they were 34 mm and 30 mm, and case 3 was when they were 45 mm and 41 mm, and in all cases the length of the stainless steel tube was 1000 mm (constant).

[0066] [Table 1]

[0067] In addition, the tube filling ratio and Di / L ratio are calculated by the following formula, where do is the outer diameter of the tube, Nt is the number of tubes, and Di is the inner diameter of the shell (sealed container). Tube filling ratio = total tube cross-sectional area / inner shell cross-sectional area =Nt×do 2 / Di 2 (1)

[0068] Figure 9 shows the change in the heat removal rate (heat generation rate) (kW) for each of cases 1, 2, and 3 in the heating device 20 versus the 1 / tube filling ratio. The desirable range for each of cases 1, 2, and 3, where the shell-side pressure loss is small and the heat exchange efficiency is high, is a range of 1 / tube filling ratio ≦1.8. When calculating the heat removal rate (heat generation rate) (kW) shown in Figure 9, the inlet temperature of the heat medium (argon gas) was set to 650°C, and the heating element temperature (temperature inside the tube) was set to 800°C.

[0069] The relationship between the number of tubes and the shell inner diameter required to maintain the tube filling ratio calculated by the above formula (1) at a predetermined value is shown in Figure 10. The results shown in Figure 10 show the relationship between the shell inner diameter and the number of tubes required to achieve a tube filling ratio of 2.0 when the outer diameter d0 of the tube (support 1A) is set to a constant (27.2) mm.

[0070] Figure 11 shows the change in the Di / L ratio versus the 1 / tube filling ratio for cases 1, 2, and 3, and Figure 12 shows the change in the shell-side fluid pressure loss (heat transfer medium pressure loss) versus the Di / L ratio. When the Di / L ratio exceeds 0.4, i.e., when multiple baffle plates 28 are placed in a short section within the shell (sealed vessel) 21, the heat transfer medium pressure loss tends to increase. Therefore, to keep the heat transfer medium pressure loss below a certain value, the Di / L ratio should be kept below 0.4. Assuming the use of an axial flow fan for circulating the heat transfer medium, the heat transfer medium pressure loss should be 3000 Pa (305 mmHg) or less. Conversely, when the Di / L ratio is below 0.15, there is a concern about piping vibration due to heat transfer medium flow resistance. However, in this case, the problem can be solved by placing an inrush prevention plate 28A near the heat transfer medium supply port 21d within the sealed vessel (shell) 21, as shown in Figure 7.

[0071] Therefore, taking into consideration the results shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the range in which the 1 / tube filling ratio shown in FIG. 11 is 1.8 or less and the Di / L ratio is 0.4 or less is a desirable range.

[0072] Incidentally, when the 1 / tube filling ratio exceeds 1.8, the heat transfer medium escapes and flows through the radial gaps between the baffle plate 28 and the tubes (supports 1A) in the shell (sealed vessel) 21 (this flow is called the "baffle escape flow" or "ineffective flow"). However, if the flow rate of this baffle escape flow exceeds 40% of the flow rate of the effective flow of the heat transfer medium (hereinafter referred to as the "cross flow") in the labyrinthine flow paths 29 in the shell 21, the heat exchange efficiency drops significantly. Here, the relationship between the 1 / tube filling ratio and the baffle escape flow / cross flow ratio in each of cases 1, 2, and 3 is shown in Figure 13.

[0073] Therefore, in order to keep the pressure loss of the heat transfer medium to 3000 Pa or less while ensuring high heat exchange efficiency, it is desirable that the 1 / tube filling ratio shown in Figure 13 be 1.8 or less and the baffle exit flow / cross flow ratio be 0.4 or less.

[0074] Second Embodiment Next, a heat generating device 20A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0075] FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a heat generating device 20A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same elements as those shown in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals, and further description thereof will be omitted below.

[0076] The basic configuration of the heat generating device 20A according to this embodiment is the same as that of the heat generating device 20 according to the first embodiment, except that the heater 2 is spirally wound around the outer periphery of each heat generating cell 1. Like the heat generating device 20, the heat generating device 20A is a batch-type heat generating device that intermittently supplies and discharges hydrogen to and from the sealed container 21.

[0077] In the heating device 20A of this embodiment, each heating cell 1 is heated from the outer periphery by a heater 2, and the action is the same as that of the heating device 20 of embodiment 1, and the same effect as that obtained by the heating device 20 is obtained.

[0078] <Third embodiment> Next, a heat generating device 20B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0079] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of a heat generating device 20B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same elements as those shown in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals, and further description thereof will be omitted below.

[0080] The heat generating device 20B of this embodiment differs from the heat generating device 20 of the first embodiment only in that the support 1A (see Figure 1) used as the heat generating cell 1 is made of a porous metal sintered body or a porous ceramic sintered body that allows hydrogen to permeate.

[0081] Next, the operation of the heat generating device 20B will be described.

[0082] First, with the on-off valve 27 provided on the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 open, a vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 is driven to reduce the pressure inside the sealed container 21 to a predetermined level. Next, a hydrogen-based gas is supplied from the hydrogen supply nozzle 23 to the first space S1 of the sealed container 21, and a heat medium is supplied from the heat medium supply nozzle 26 to the third space S3 of the sealed container 21. In the heat generating device 20B, the hydrogen-based gas flows inside each heat generating cell 1, and the heat medium flows outside each heat generating cell 1, resulting in a difference in hydrogen partial pressure between the inside and outside of each heat generating cell 1. This difference in hydrogen partial pressure causes hydrogen to permeate the multilayer film 1B (see FIG. 3) of each heat generating cell 1, and this hydrogen permeation causes each heat generating cell 1 to generate heat. Specifically, hydrogen molecules are adsorbed onto the inner circumferential surface of the multilayer film 1B of each heat generating cell 1 and then dissociate into two hydrogen atoms. The dissociated hydrogen atoms then penetrate (absorb) into the interior of the multilayer film 1B, recombine on the outer peripheral surface of the multilayer film 1B (the surface in contact with the support 1A), and are released as hydrogen molecules. As the hydrogen atoms move from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface of the multilayer film 1B, they permeate the dissimilar material interface 13 (see FIG. 3) by quantum diffusion, or they permeate the dissimilar material interface 13 by diffusion, causing each heat generating cell 1 to generate heat. A method of generating heat in the heat generating cell 1 by permeating hydrogen using a difference in hydrogen partial pressure is called a permeation method. In the permeation type heat generating device 20B, hydrogen continuously permeates each heat generating cell 1, allowing excess heat to be generated efficiently.

[0083] The high-temperature hydrogen that has permeated each heat generating cell 1 (permeated hydrogen) flows into the third space S3 and exchanges heat with the heat medium that is supplied to the third space S3 from the heat medium supply nozzle 26 and flows through the labyrinth-like flow path 29 in the third space S3, and the mixed gas of the hydrogen and the heat medium is discharged from the heat medium discharge nozzle 24 to the outside of the sealed container 21. In addition, the hydrogen that has not permeated each heat generating cell 1 (non-permeated hydrogen) is discharged from the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 to the outside of the sealed container 21.

[0084] In the heat generating device 20B according to this embodiment, as in the heat generating device 20 according to the first embodiment, each heat generating cell 1 is heated from the inner periphery by the heater 2, but the operation is the same as that of the heat generating device 20 according to the first embodiment, and the same effects as those obtained by the heat generating device 20 can be obtained. In this embodiment, the on-off valve 27 is opened to discharge non-permeated hydrogen, but in consideration of generating a pressure difference in hydrogen, it may be better to keep the on-off valve 27 closed.

[0085] [Heat utilization system] Next, the heat utilization system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0086] Figure 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a heat utilization system according to the present invention, and the illustrated heat utilization system 30 includes the batch-type heat generation device 20, heat utilization device 50, temperature adjustment unit T, hydrogen supply line L1, hydrogen recovery line L2, heat medium supply line L3, and heat medium recovery line L4 shown in Figure 7. Note that although the present embodiment uses a batch-type heat generation device 20, a batch-type heat generation device 20A or a permeation-type heat generation device 20B may also be used.

[0087] The temperature adjusting unit T, the hydrogen supply line L1, the hydrogen recovery line L2, the heat medium supply line L3, and the heat medium recovery line L4 will be described below.

[0088] (Temperature adjustment part) The temperature adjusting unit T adjusts the temperature of the heat generating cells 1 built into the heat generating device 20 to maintain the heat generating cells 1 at an optimum temperature for heat generation (for example, 50°C to 1500°C), and includes a plurality of heaters 2 disposed inside the heat generating cells 1, a power supply 31 that supplies power to the heaters 2, a temperature sensor 32 such as a thermocouple that detects the temperature of the heaters 2, and a control unit 33 that controls the output of the power supply 31 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32. The control unit 33 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and storage units such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the CPU executes various arithmetic operations using programs and data stored in the ROM and RAM.

[0089] (Hydrogen supply line) The hydrogen supply line L1 supplies low-temperature hydrogen from the hydrogen supply nozzle 23 to the first space S1 in the sealed container 21 via a supply pipe 34. The supply pipe 34 extends from the discharge side of a circulation pump 35. A buffer tank 36, an electric pressure adjustment valve (pressure reducing valve) 37, and a filter 38 are provided along the supply pipe 34. The circulation pump 35 and the pressure adjustment valve 37 are electrically connected to a control unit 33, and the operations of the circulation pump 35 and the pressure adjustment valve 37 are controlled by control signals output from the control unit 33. The circulation pump 35 may be, for example, a metal bellows pump.

[0090] The buffer tank 36 temporarily stores hydrogen and absorbs fluctuations in the flow rate of this hydrogen. The pressure regulating valve 37 receives a control signal from the control unit 33 and adjusts its opening, thereby regulating the pressure of the hydrogen supplied from the buffer tank 36 to the heat generating device 20.

[0091] The filter 38 is used to remove impurities contained in the hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen that permeates the multilayer film 1B of the heat generating cell 1 (hydrogen permeation amount) depends on the temperature of the heat generating cell 1, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the heat generating cell 1, and the surface condition of the inner circumferential surface of the heat generating cell 1. If impurities are contained in the hydrogen, the impurities may adhere to the inner circumferential surface of the heat generating cell 1, deteriorating the surface condition of the heat generating cell 1. If the surface condition of the heat generating cell 1 deteriorates, the adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules on the inner circumferential surface of the multilayer film 1B of the heat generating cell 1 is hindered, resulting in a problem of a reduced hydrogen permeation amount. Possible substances that hinder the adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules on the inner circumferential surface of the multilayer film 1B of the heat generating cell 1 include, for example, water (including water vapor), hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, methanol, ethanol, etc.), C, S, and Si.

[0092] The filter 38 removes impurities contained in the hydrogen and heat medium, such as water (including water vapor), hydrocarbons, C, S, and Si, thereby suppressing a decrease in the amount of hydrogen permeated through the heat generating cell 1.

[0093] (Hydrogen recovery line) The hydrogen recovery line L2 is a line for recovering hydrogen that has flowed from the first space S1 of the heat generating device 20 through each heat generating cell 1 into the second space S2 and returning it to the hydrogen supply line L1, and the recovery pipe 39 extending from the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 of the sealed container 21 is connected to the suction side of the circulation pump 35.

[0094] (heat medium supply line) The heat medium supply line L3 is a line that supplies the heat medium discharged from the third space S3 of the heat generating device 20 to the heat utilization device 50, and includes a supply pipe 40 that extends from the heat medium discharge nozzle 24 of the sealed container 21 and is connected to the inlet side of the heat utilization device 50. A circulation pump 41 and a flow control valve 42 are provided midway along the supply pipe 40. The circulation pump 41 may be a metal bellows pump, and the flow control valve 42 may be a variable leak valve.

[0095] (heat medium recovery line) The heat transfer medium recovery line L4 is a line that recovers the heat transfer medium that has supplied heat to the heat utilization device 50 and returns it to the third space S3 of the heat generation device 20, and is equipped with a recovery pipe 43 that extends from the outlet side of the heat utilization device 50 that utilizes the heat generated in the heat generation device 20 and is connected to the heat transfer medium supply nozzle 26 of the sealed container 21.

[0096] Examples of the heat utilization device 50 include a power generation device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy, a heating device used to preheat combustion air supplied to a boiler, to heat an absorption liquid that has absorbed CO2 by chemical absorption, to heat raw material gas containing CO2 and H2 in a methane production plant, a heat pump system, a heat transport system, and a cold (refrigeration) system.

[0097] (Thermal utilization system action) Next, the operation of the heat utilization system 30 configured as above will be described.

[0098] When the circulation pump 35 is driven by a control signal from the control unit 33, hydrogen discharged from the circulation pump 35 passes through the supply piping 34 of the supply line L1 and is introduced from the hydrogen supply nozzle 23 into the first space S1 of the heat generating device 20. As the hydrogen flows through the supply piping 34, pressure fluctuations are suppressed by the buffer tank 36, and the pressure is reduced to a predetermined value by the pressure regulating valve 37.

[0099] The heaters 2 provided in the heat generating device 20 generate heat by power supplied from a power source 31, and heat each heat generating cell 1 from the inner periphery to a predetermined temperature (for example, 50°C to 1500°C). As described above, the temperature of the heat generating cell 1 is adjusted to a predetermined temperature by the temperature adjusting unit T. Specifically, the output of the power source 31 is controlled by the control unit 33 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 32, and the temperature of each heat generating cell 1 is adjusted to an appropriate value.

[0100] As described above, in the batch-type heat generating device 20, each heat generating cell 1 generates excess heat by absorbing and releasing hydrogen. The mechanism by which this heat generating cell 1 generates heat has been described above (see FIG. 4). When hydrogen-based gas is supplied from the hydrogen supply nozzle 23 into the sealed container 21, hydrogen molecules are adsorbed on the inner circumferential surface of the multilayer film 1B of each heat generating cell 1. These hydrogen molecules dissociate into two hydrogen atoms, and the dissociated hydrogen atoms penetrate into the multilayer film 1B. The hydrogen atoms permeate the heterogeneous material interface 13 (see FIG. 3) by quantum diffusion, or permeate the heterogeneous material interface 13 by diffusion. In other words, hydrogen is absorbed into the heat generating cell 1. Then, with the on-off valve 27 provided on the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 open, a vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the hydrogen discharge nozzle 25 is driven to evacuate the sealed container 21, and each heater 2 heats each heat generating cell 1, causing the hydrogen atoms that had penetrated inside the multilayer film 1B to return to the inner circumferential surface of the multilayer film 1B, recombine, and become hydrogen molecules, which are then released. That is, hydrogen is released from the heat generating cell 1. In the process of the hydrogen atoms returning to the inner circumferential surface of the multilayer film 1B, the hydrogen atoms pass through the dissimilar material interface 13 (see FIG. 3) by quantum diffusion, or the hydrogen atoms pass through the dissimilar material interface 13 by diffusion. Therefore, the heat generating cell 1 generates heat by absorbing hydrogen, and also by releasing hydrogen.

[0101] As described above, the hydrogen used to generate heat in each heat generating cell 1 by absorption and release in the heat generating device 20 flows into the second space S2 in the sealed container 21, and is returned from this second space S2 to the suction side of the circulation pump 35 via the recovery piping 39 of the hydrogen recovery line L2, where it is pressurized to a predetermined pressure by the circulation pump 35 and then sent to the supply piping 34 of the hydrogen supply line L1, and thereafter circulates via a similar route to be used for heat exchange between the heat generated by the multiple heat generating cells 1 and the heat medium.

[0102] On the other hand, when the circulation pump 41 provided in the supply piping 40 of the heat medium supply line L3 is driven, the heat medium continuously circulates through a closed loop formed by the supply piping 40, the heat utilization device 50, the recovery piping 43, and the maze-like flow path 29 formed in the third space S3 of the heat generating device 20. In other words, the heat medium introduced into the third space S3 of the sealed container 21 from the heat medium supply nozzle 26 via the recovery piping 43 is heated by heat exchange with the plurality of heat generating cells 1 while flowing through the maze-like flow path 29 in the third space S3, and the heat generated in the plurality of heat generating cells 1 is efficiently recovered.

[0103] As described above, the heat medium that has recovered the heat generated in the plurality of heat-generating cells 1 is discharged from the heat medium discharge nozzle 24 to the supply pipe 40, and is supplied to the heat-utilization device 50 via the circulation pump 41 and flow control valve 42 provided in the supply pipe 40, supplying the recovered heat to the heat-utilization device 50. The heat-utilization device 50 is then driven using the heat supplied from the heat medium as a heat source to perform required work such as power generation. The heat medium that has been used to drive the heat-utilization device 50 and whose temperature has been reduced is discharged from the heat-utilization device 50 to the recovery pipe 43, and is introduced through the recovery pipe 43 to the heat medium supply nozzle 26 into the third space S3 of the heat-generating device 20. Thereafter, the same process is repeated, and heat generated in the plurality of heat-generating cells 1 is continuously recovered and supplied to the heat-utilization device 50.

[0104] In addition, the hydrogen used to generate heat in the heat generating cell 1 by absorption and release in the heat generating device 20 is discharged from the second space S2 of the sealed container 21, returned to the hydrogen supply line L1 via the hydrogen recovery line L2, and supplied again to the first space S1 of the sealed container 21 to be used for heat exchange between the heat generated in the heat generating cell 1 and the heat medium, and the same action is repeated thereafter.

[0105] According to the heat utilization system 30 of the present invention, which functions as described above, the heat generated in the high-power heat generating device 20, which also functions as a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, is efficiently recovered by the heat medium, thereby achieving the effect of effectively utilizing the heat recovered by the heat medium to drive the heat utilization device 50.

[0106] Although the above has described a heat utilization system 30 equipped with a batch-type heat generation device 20 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the same effects as those described above can also be obtained by configuring a heat utilization system according to the present invention to include a batch-type heat generation device 20A according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 or a transmission-type heat generation device 20B according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15.

[0107] The present invention is not limited to the application of the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and the technical ideas described in the specification and drawings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1,60,70 Heating Cell 1A, 60A, 70A support 1B,60B,70B multilayer film 2 heaters 20, 20A, 20B Heating device 21 Airtight containers 22 Separator 28 Baffle plate 29 Flow path 30 Heat utilization system 50 Heat utilization equipment L1 Hydrogen supply line L2 Hydrogen recovery line L3 Heat medium supply line L4 Heat transfer medium recovery line S1 1st space S2 2nd space S3 3rd space

Claims

1. A plurality of heat generating cells are provided on the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical support, the heat generating cells being formed by forming a multilayer film that generates heat by absorbing and releasing hydrogen, The inside of the sealed container is divided into a first space, a second space, and a third space in the axial direction by a plurality of separators, The plurality of heat generating cells are inserted through the separator, and both axial ends of the plurality of heat generating cells are opened to the first space and the second space at both axial ends in the sealed container, respectively; a heater for heating each of the heat generating cells is provided, The support is made of stainless steel (SUS) and is impermeable to hydrogen.

2. 2. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is formed of a heating wire, and the heating wire is provided inside the heating cell.

3. 2. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the heater is formed of a heating wire, and the heating wire is wound around the outer periphery of the support of the heating cell.

4. 4. The heat generating device according to claim 1, wherein a flow path is formed in the third space by a plurality of baffle plates, which alternately changes the direction of flow of the heat medium between up and down.

5. The heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a hydrogen supply line for supplying hydrogen to the first space of the heat generating device; a hydrogen recovery line that recovers hydrogen discharged from the second space of the heat generating device and returns the hydrogen to the hydrogen supply line; a heat utilization device that utilizes the heat generated in the heat generating device; a heat medium supply line that supplies the heat medium discharged from the third space of the heat generating device to the heat utilization device; a heat medium recovery line that recovers the heat medium discharged from the heat utilization device and returns the heat medium to the third space of the heat generating device; A heat utilization system comprising:

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