Protective barrier device and hydrogen station

Abstract

To provide a protective wall device in which a dispenser of a hydrogen station is surrounded by a wall, and a hydrogen station having the same.SOLUTION: A protective wall device 5 is provided at a hydrogen station having a dispenser 4 that is installed on the ground facing a road 1 and supplies hydrogen, the protective wall device 5 having: a barrier 20 that is erected upward from the ground on a side of the dispenser 4 facing the road 1, thereby partitioning a space between the dispenser 4 and the road 1 with its own wall surface, and having an upper end positioned closer to the road side than an end face of the dispenser 4 on the opposite side from the road, thereby closing at least a part of a space above the dispenser 4; a spray head 21 that sprays water onto at least a surface of the barrier 20 that faces the dispenser 4 to form a water film; and a recirculation part that collects water sprayed from the spray head 21 onto the barrier 20 and re-supplies it to the spray head 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective wall device that surrounds a dispenser that supplies hydrogen at a hydrogen station that supplies hydrogen to fuel cell vehicles and the like, and to a hydrogen station having the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Fuel cell vehicles, which use hydrogen as fuel, do not emit carbon dioxide while driving, nor do they emit substances such as NOx that cause air pollution. Furthermore, because they can travel several hundred kilometers on just a few minutes of fuel supply, they are more convenient than electric vehicles, which take a long time to charge. For this reason, technological development is being carried out for fuel cell vehicles, which are expected to become more widespread in the future.

[0003] Fuel is supplied to fuel cell vehicles at hydrogen stations. Hydrogen stations are equipped with fire prevention equipment to prevent a large-scale explosion if hydrogen leaks or ignites. Patent Document 1, for example, describes a hydrogen station equipped with fire prevention equipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-66086 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To prevent fires at hydrogen stations, fire walls are installed around them. Furthermore, laws and regulations require that hydrogen dispensers be located at a certain distance from public roads. This distance is determined based on factors such as the risk of leakage and spread in the event of a fire at the dispenser, blast pressure, flame length, and radiant heat.

[0006] Hydrogen stations are extremely expensive to build, which is one factor hindering their widespread adoption. Hydrogen stations require a large amount of land area because the dispensers must be located at a certain distance from the road. It is difficult to secure a large site in urban areas, and even if a site can be secured, the land price is high. This is one of the reasons why the construction costs of hydrogen stations are so high.

[0007] In this regard, it is possible to meet the legal standards by taking measures equivalent to placing dispensers at a certain distance from public roads. Measures equivalent to placing dispensers at a certain distance from public roads include, for example, surrounding the road side of the dispenser with a reinforced concrete barrier, a concrete block barrier, or a steel plate barrier. By taking such measures, the distance between the dispenser and the road can be reduced, thereby reducing the required land area and the construction costs of the hydrogen station.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a protective wall device that surrounds a dispenser at a hydrogen station with a wall, and a hydrogen station having the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the protective wall device according to the invention of claim 1 is a protective wall device installed in a hydrogen station that is installed on the ground facing a road and has a dispenser that supplies hydrogen, a barrier that is erected upward from the ground on the side of the dispenser facing the road, thereby partitioning the space between the dispenser and the road with its own wall, and that has an upper end located closer to the road than the end face of the dispenser opposite to the road side, thereby closing off at least a part of the space above the dispenser; a water sprinkler head that sprinkles water onto at least a surface of the barrier facing the dispenser side to form a water film; and a recirculation section that recovers the water sprayed onto the barrier from the sprinkler head and supplies it again to the sprinkler head.

[0010] The hydrogen station according to the invention of claim 2 comprises a dispenser that is installed on the ground facing the road and supplies hydrogen; The protective wall device is characterized by comprising: a barrier that is erected upward from the ground on the side of the dispenser facing the road, thereby separating the dispenser from the road with its own wall, and whose upper end is located closer to the road than the end face of the dispenser opposite the road side, thereby closing off at least a portion of the space above the dispenser; a sprinkler head that sprays water onto at least the surface of the barrier facing the dispenser to form a water film; and a recirculation section that recovers the water sprayed onto the barrier from the sprinkler head and supplies it again to the sprinkler head. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the protective wall device and hydrogen station of the present invention, water can be sprayed onto the barrier to increase the heat resistance of the barrier, while water can be circulated to save water. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a hydrogen station equipped with a protective wall device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the protective wall device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the protective wall device, with the surface facing the dispenser as the front. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a protective wall device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a protective wall device of a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a barrier in a protective barrier device of a fourth embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a protective wall device of a fifth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a protective wall device of a sixth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a protective wall device of a seventh embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the protective wall device of the seventh embodiment when water is being sprayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a hydrogen station equipped with a protective wall device 5 of this embodiment. The hydrogen station shown in this figure is configured as an on-site type that can produce hydrogen within the station by reforming fuel.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the hydrogen station of this embodiment is installed facing a road 1 and is located in an area surrounded by a predetermined partition wall 2 as stipulated by laws and regulations. Within the area surrounded by partition wall 2, the area where hydrogen is produced (reformed) and stored is further surrounded by a partition wall 3 that is 2 m or more in height.

[0015] The fuel that is the raw material for hydrogen is stored in a fuel tank 10 located underground at the hydrogen station. The fuel from the fuel tank 10 is sent to a hydrogen production unit 11, where the fuel is reformed to produce hydrogen. The produced hydrogen is in a gaseous state, sent to a compressor 12 where it is compressed, and stored in a storage tank 13 in the form of compressed hydrogen.

[0016] Dispensers 4 that supply hydrogen to automobiles are disposed within the hydrogen station. Protective wall devices 5 are disposed around the dispensers 4. The protective wall devices 5 have barriers 20 that are roughly U-shaped in plan view. The barriers 20 are disposed on both sides of the periphery of the dispenser 4, one facing the road 1 and the other on the other side of the dispenser 4 that faces the road 1, and surround the periphery of the dispenser 4.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the protective wall device 5. As shown in this figure, the barrier 20 rises vertically from the ground. The barrier 20 is made of a transparent material. A reinforced transparent resin such as acrylic can be used as the transparent material for the barrier 20. Tempered glass can also be used as the transparent material. Therefore, from the road 1 side, the dispenser 4 and the store facilities 6 within the hydrogen station can be seen through the barrier 20.

[0018] A fixing member 20a that protrudes toward the dispenser 4 is provided at the upper end of the barrier 20, and a sprinkler head 21 is attached to the underside of the fixing member 20a. Therefore, the sprinkler head 21 is positioned closer to the dispenser 4 than the barrier 20. The sprinkler head 21 is supplied with water and can sprinkle water toward the barrier 20. The sprinkler head 21 is positioned at the upper end of the barrier 20 so as to face diagonally downward so that it can spray water onto the surface of the barrier 20 that faces the dispenser 4. As water is sprayed from the sprinkler head 21 toward the barrier 20, a water film 23 is formed on the surface of the barrier 20 that faces the dispenser 4. The barrier 20 with the water film 23 formed on its surface can also transmit light, so that the dispenser 4 and the store facilities 6 within the hydrogen station can be seen through the barrier 20 from the road 1 side.

[0019] The sprayed water is collected below the barrier 20 and is supplied again to the sprinkler head 21 by the recirculation pump 22. In other words, the water sprayed by the sprinkler head 21 is circulated, which contributes to water conservation.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the protective wall device 5, with the side facing the dispenser 4 as the front. As shown in this figure, multiple sprinkler heads 21 are arranged horizontally, and each sprinkler head 21 is connected to a water supply pipe 25. The water supply pipe 25 supplies water to the sprinkler heads 21. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 25 supplies water to the sprinkler heads 21 regardless of whether there is an abnormality in the hydrogen station. Therefore, the sprinkler heads 21 constantly spray water onto the barrier 20. Because the sprinkler heads 21 constantly spray water, a water film 23 is constantly formed on the surface of the barrier 20, improving the design.

[0021] Each sprinkler head 21 can spray water in a roughly fan-shaped pattern. The water sprayed from each sprinkler head 21 spreads downward and merges with the water sprayed from the adjacent sprinkler head 21. As a result, a uniform water film is formed over the entire surface of the barrier 20.

[0022] The amount of water sprayed onto the barrier 20 is such that the flow rate on the surface of the barrier 20 is 5×10 -5 m 3 / (sec m 2 )~1×10 -3 m 3 / (sec m 2 ) range. This will cause a fire at a hydrogen station, and the energy will be 100 kW / m 2 In this case, the energy can be blocked by a water film.

[0023] In this way, by forming the barrier 20 from a translucent material and spraying water from the sprinkler head 21 onto the surface of the barrier 20 from its upper end to form a water film, the barrier 20 can be protected in the event of a fire, blocking the flames and providing heat resistance to radiant heat. This makes it possible to create a protective wall device 5 that is translucent enough to allow the dispensers 4 and store facilities 6, etc., to pass through from the road 1 side while also providing fire protection. This allows the dispensers 4 to be located close to the road 1, which prevents the site area of ​​the hydrogen station from becoming too large, thereby suppressing increases in construction costs for the hydrogen station.

[0024] 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a protective wall device of the second embodiment. As shown in this figure, fixing members 20a may be protruded on both sides of the barrier wall 20, one on the dispenser 4 side and the other on the opposite side, and sprinkler heads 21 may be provided on each side to sprinkle water on both sides of the barrier wall 20. This covers both sides of the barrier 20 with a water film 23, thereby improving heat insulation in the event of a fire.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a protective barrier device of a third embodiment. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, a folded portion 20b is formed at the upper end of the barrier 20, sloping toward the dispenser 4 side. A fixing member 20b is provided on the folded portion 20b, and a sprinkler head 21 is attached to the folded portion 20b. The sprinkler head 21 sprays water diagonally downward toward the surface of the barrier 20 facing the dispenser 4, and the water forms a water film 23 from the folded portion 20b across the vertical surface. In this way, by forming the folded portion 20b in the barrier 20 and providing the sprinkler head 21 on the folded portion 20b, the dispenser 4 can be surrounded not only on the sides but also above by the barrier 20 covered with the water film 23. In the event of a fire, the barrier 20 can better block flames and radiant heat.

[0026] In the embodiment described so far, the surface of the barrier 20 is a smooth surface, but as shown in Fig. 6, the surface of the barrier 20 on which the water film 23 is formed may have an uneven portion 20c. By having the uneven portion 20c on the surface of the barrier 20, an uneven pattern is also formed on the surface of the water film 23, thereby improving the design. In addition, the uneven portion 20c may have various shapes, such as a wave shape in the horizontal direction.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a protective barrier device according to a fifth embodiment. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, the sprinkler head 21 is disposed on the side of the dispenser 4 facing the barrier 20. The sprinkler head 21 is installed so that it can spray water toward the barrier 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the sprinkler head 21 sprays water onto the barrier 20, forming a water film 23 on the surface of the barrier 20. In this way, the sprinkler head 21 does not necessarily have to be disposed on top of the barrier 20. By disposing the sprinkler head 21 on the dispenser 4 side, the configuration on the barrier 20 side can be simplified. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sprinkler head 21 may constantly spray water toward the barrier 20, or may spray water only when an abnormality is detected in the hydrogen station.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a protective wall device according to a sixth embodiment. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, pillars 26 are provided at predetermined intervals, separate from the barrier 20 and the dispensers 4, and sprinkler heads 21 are disposed on supports 27 supported by the pillars 26. The sprinkler heads 21 are installed so that they can spray water on the surface of the barrier 20, forming a water film 23 on the surface of the barrier 20. By providing the sprinkler heads 21 on the supports 27, which are installed separately from the barrier 20 and the dispensers 4, the configuration of the barrier 20 and the dispensers 4 can be simplified. Furthermore, the installation on which the sprinkler heads 21 are installed can be anything located above the barrier 20, such as the roof or lighting equipment of a hydrogen station. In this case, dedicated pillars 26, as in this embodiment, are not required. Furthermore, when sprinkler head 21 is provided on an installation other than barrier 20 and dispenser 4, sprinkler head 21 can be positioned so as to spray water toward either or both the side of barrier 20 facing dispenser 4 and the side of barrier 20 facing the road. Furthermore, in this embodiment, sprinkler head 21 may spray water toward barrier 20 at all times, or may spray water only when an abnormality is detected in the hydrogen station.

[0029] FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a protective barrier device of the seventh embodiment. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, a box-shaped storage section 28 is provided on top of the barrier 20. Storage section 28 stores a sheet 29 that is rolled up inside. Sheet 29 is made of a water-absorbent fireproof cloth or the like, and is normally stored in storage section 28 as shown in FIG. 9. When an abnormality is detected in the hydrogen station, sheet 29 can be lowered from storage section 28 to cover the surface of barrier 20. In addition, sprinkler head 21 is arranged in storage section 28 so that water can be sprayed toward barrier 20.

[0030] 10 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the seventh embodiment of the protective barrier device when an abnormality is detected. As shown in this figure, when an abnormality is detected, the sheet 29 descends from the storage section 28 to cover the surface of the dispenser 4 of the barrier 20. Then, water is sprayed from the water spray head 21 toward the barrier 20, forming a water film 23 on the surface of the sheet 29 covering the surface of the barrier 20. As a result, the surface of the barrier 20 is protected by the sheet 29 and the water film 23, thereby improving fire resistance. In addition, because the sheet 29 is water-absorbent, a larger amount of water is present on the surface of the barrier 20 than when water is sprayed directly onto the surface of the barrier 20, thereby further improving fire resistance.

[0031] Sheet 29 may be plain, or may have letters or symbols indicating that an abnormality has occurred. This makes it easier for passersby on the road to be aware of the abnormality when sheet 29 is lowered from storage section 28 upon detection of an abnormality. In this embodiment, sheet 29 is used to cover the surface of barrier 20 facing dispenser 4 when water is sprayed, but it may also be used to cover the surface facing the road when water is sprayed, or may be used to cover both sides of barrier 20 when water is sprayed.

[0032] In this embodiment, the sheet 29 is water-absorbent, but any sheet material capable of absorbing water may be used. For example, a sheet material with a coarse mesh may be used, allowing the sprayed water to be retained in the gaps between the meshes by surface tension. Alternatively, a hydrophilic sheet material may be used. In this case, the sprayed water spreads easily over the surface of the sheet, forming a uniform water film over the entire sheet.

[0033] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the application of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various applications are possible within the scope of the technical concept thereof.

[0034] In the above-described embodiment, sprinkler head 21 is always sprayed with water. However, sprinkler head 21 may be configured not to spray water under normal circumstances but to spray water only when an abnormality such as a hydrogen leak, fire, or temperature rise in the equipment is detected at the hydrogen station. Abnormalities at hydrogen stations can be detected by disposing a hydrogen leak sensor near dispenser 4 and using this hydrogen leak sensor to detect a hydrogen leak. When a hydrogen leak is detected by the hydrogen leak sensor, sprinkler head 21 will spray water. Abnormalities at hydrogen stations can also be detected by fire detectors or the like. Furthermore, when an abnormality is detected in a store, office, or hydrogen-related facility, for example, when a transmitter installed therein is operated, when a hydrogen leak is detected, or when a sensor outputs a signal indicating a fire, sprinkler head 21 may be configured to spray water as an abnormality has been detected.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the barrier 20 is formed of a transparent material, but it does not have to be transparent as long as the material is translucent. The barrier 20 may also be surface-treated to scatter light, such as frosted glass. Furthermore, when water is sprayed from the sprinkler head 21 onto one side of the barrier 20, in the above-described embodiment, water is sprayed onto the side of the barrier 20 facing the dispenser 4, but the sprinkler head 21 may be positioned so that water can be sprayed onto the side of the barrier 20 facing the road.

[0036] In addition, a portion of sprinkler head 21 may be arranged to face dispenser 4, so that when an abnormality is detected, sprinkler head 21 may spray water on dispenser 4 as well as barrier 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 road 2 Bulkhead 3 Bulkhead 4 Dispensers 5 Protective wall device 6. Store facilities 10. Fuel Tank 11 Hydrogen production equipment 12 Compressor 13 Storage Tank 20 Barriers 21 Sprinkler head 22 Recirculation Pump 23 Water film 25 Water supply piping

Claims

1. A protective barrier device installed at a hydrogen station that is installed on the ground facing a road and has a dispenser that supplies hydrogen, a barrier that is erected upward from the ground on the side of the dispenser facing the road, thereby partitioning the space between the dispenser and the road with its own wall, and that has an upper end located closer to the road than the end face of the dispenser opposite to the road side, thereby closing off at least a part of the space above the dispenser; a water sprinkler head that sprinkles water onto at least a surface of the barrier facing the dispenser side to form a water film; a recirculation section that recovers water sprayed onto the barrier from the sprinkler head and supplies it again to the sprinkler head.

2. A hydrogen dispenser installed on the ground facing the road to supply hydrogen; a barrier that is erected upward from the ground on the side of the dispenser facing the road, thereby separating the dispenser from the road with its own wall, and whose upper end is located closer to the road than the end face of the dispenser opposite the road side, thereby closing off at least a portion of the space above the dispenser; a sprinkler head that sprays water onto at least the surface of the barrier that faces the dispenser, forming a water film; and a recirculation unit that recovers water sprayed onto the barrier from the sprinkler head and supplies it again to the sprinkler head.

Images