Hydrogen detection device and hydrogen detection method

Abstract

This hydrogen detection device for detecting hydrogen contained in a gas in a chamber or in a pipe comprises: a casing which is inserted into the chamber or the pipe and has an internal space into which the gas can be introduced; a physical quantity change part which is provided in the internal space and in which a physical quantity changes according to the concentration of the hydrogen; and a physical quantity detection part which is provided in the internal space and detects the physical quantity in the physical quantity change part. The internal space is separated into a first space and a second space by a separation member. The gas is introduced into the first space and the physical quantity change part is housed in the first space. The gas is not introduced into the second space and the physical quantity detection part is housed in the second space.

Description

Hydrogen detection device and hydrogen detection method

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen detection device and a hydrogen detection method.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an oil mist detector that is attached to a chamber or pipe, such as the crankcase of a marine internal combustion engine, to detect oil mist generated within the chamber or pipe. As shown in Patent Document 1, for example, this type of oil mist detector is used in marine internal combustion engines that use heavy oil as fuel, and detects oil mist generated within the chamber due to overheating of bearings, etc.

[0003] Recently, natural gas has been used instead of heavy oil as fuel for marine internal combustion engines in some cases in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other such emissions. Furthermore, to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other such emissions, active research and development has been conducted into using hydrogen as fuel for marine internal combustion engines, such as mixing hydrogen with conventional fuel and burning the hydrogen and fuel together, or burning only the hydrogen. Accordingly, there is an increasing need to detect hydrogen in a chamber or in a pipe, but until now, there has been no hydrogen detection device capable of detecting hydrogen in a chamber or in a pipe.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-157648

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its main object is to provide a hydrogen detection device that detects hydrogen in a chamber or in a pipe.

[0006] In other words, the hydrogen detection device of the present invention is a hydrogen detection device that detects hydrogen contained in gas in a chamber or a pipe, and comprises: a casing that is inserted into the chamber or the pipe and has an internal space into which the gas can be introduced; a physical quantity change unit that is provided in the internal space and whose physical quantity changes depending on the concentration of the hydrogen; and a physical quantity detection unit that is provided in the internal space and detects the physical quantity in the physical quantity change unit, and the internal space is separated into a first space and a second space by an isolation member, and the gas is introduced into the first space and the physical quantity change unit is housed in the first space, and the introduction of the gas is blocked in the second space and the physical quantity detection unit is housed in the second space.

[0007] In such a hydrogen detection device, a casing is inserted into a chamber or a pipe, and a physical quantity change unit whose physical quantity changes in response to the concentration of hydrogen in the chamber or the pipe and a physical quantity detection unit that detects the physical quantity are provided in the internal space of the casing, so that hydrogen in the chamber or the pipe that accompanies hydrogen combustion can be detected. Furthermore, the internal space of the chamber is separated into a first space and a second space by an isolation member, and the first space receives gas and houses the physical quantity change unit, while the second space blocks the introduction of gas and houses the physical quantity detection unit. Therefore, the physical quantity detection unit is isolated from the first space into which gas from the chamber or the pipe is introduced. Therefore, the physical quantity detection unit is not contaminated by, for example, oil, soot, smoke, or the like in the chamber or the pipe, so that the physical quantity detection unit can accurately detect changes in the physical quantity in the physical quantity change unit.

[0008] A specific embodiment of the hydrogen detection device is one in which the physical quantity change unit comprises an alloy member whose light transmittance changes depending on the concentration of hydrogen, and the physical quantity detection unit comprises a light irradiation unit that irradiates the alloy member with light and a light detection unit that detects light that has passed through the alloy member.

[0009] With this configuration, the light irradiating unit and the light detecting unit housed in the second space are isolated from the first space by the isolating member, so the light irradiating unit and the light detecting unit are not contaminated by, for example, oil, soot, smoke, etc. in the chamber or the piping. As a result, the amount of light irradiated onto the alloy member by the light irradiating unit and the amount of light detected by the light detecting unit after passing through the alloy member are less likely to fluctuate, allowing for accurate detection of hydrogen.

[0010] A specific embodiment for irradiating light onto an alloy component and detecting light transmitted through the alloy component is one in which the physical quantity change unit is provided in the first space and further includes a reflecting member having a reflecting surface that reflects light irradiated from the light irradiating unit to the light detecting unit, and the alloy component is provided on an optical path from the light irradiating unit via the reflecting member to the light detecting unit.

[0011] With this configuration, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the reflecting member onto the light detecting unit, and both the light emitting unit and the light detecting unit are provided on the same side of the reflecting surface, which results in a simpler casing structure than when no reflecting member is provided.

[0012] If the reflective surface covers the entire surface of the alloy component, hydrogen will not be able to pass through the alloy component. Therefore, in order to allow hydrogen to pass through the alloy component, it is preferable that the area of ​​the reflective surface is smaller than the area of ​​the surface of the alloy component facing the reflective surface.

[0013] Here, conventionally, when a reflective member is used, the alloy member is supported on the reflective member via a substrate made of a light-transmitting material. However, in order to eliminate the need for this substrate, it is preferable that the alloy member is supported in contact with the reflective surface.

[0014] In another embodiment, the alloy member is supported on the reflecting surface via a support member made of a light-transmitting material.

[0015] A specific embodiment of the alloy member whose light transmittance changes upon contact with hydrogen is a gasochromic metal thin film.

[0016] It is preferable that the alloy member is covered with a protective film that allows hydrogen to pass through and protects the alloy member from inhibitory substances that are generated within the chamber or the piping and that inhibit changes in light transmittance in the alloy member.

[0017] With this configuration, the alloy member is covered with a protective film that protects the alloy member from inhibitors that inhibit changes in light transmittance in the alloy member, such as oil, soot, or smoke, which are generated in the chamber or piping, and therefore the surface of the alloy member can be prevented from being contaminated with the inhibitors. Furthermore, even when the alloy member is covered with the protective film, the protective film allows hydrogen to pass through, so the light transmittance of the alloy member changes depending on the hydrogen concentration, and the physical quantity detection unit is not inhibited from detecting hydrogen.

[0018] As a specific configuration of the protective film that is permeable to hydrogen and resistant to oil, the protective film is preferably made of silicon or fluororesin.

[0019] According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to provide a hydrogen detection device that detects hydrogen in a chamber or in a pipe.

[0020] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

[0021] An embodiment of a hydrogen detection device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in any of the drawings shown below, some parts may be omitted or exaggerated as appropriate for clarity. Identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0022] <Device Configuration> As shown in FIG. 1 , the hydrogen detection device 100 in this embodiment is installed in a chamber where hydrogen is being burned, such as by mixing hydrogen with natural gas as a fuel and burning it, or by burning hydrogen itself, and detects hydrogen in the chamber. The chamber referred to here is the crankcase C of an internal combustion engine that burns hydrogen. However, it is not limited to the crankcase C and may be the housing of an external combustion engine, such as a gas turbine. In this embodiment, the hydrogen detection device 100 is intended for use in a marine internal combustion engine. However, it may also be used in any internal combustion engine and / or external combustion engine that burns hydrogen, such as an aircraft or an automobile (e.g., a hydrogen-burning vehicle and / or a fuel cell vehicle). Furthermore, the hydrogen detection device 100 may be used in any mobile vehicle, such as a combustion engine used in a combustion furnace or power plant, a fuel cell, and / or a water electrolysis device. The hydrogen detection device 100 may also be installed in a pipe in addition to the crankcase C. In this embodiment, the piping refers to an exhaust pipe, such as a flue, through which gases resulting from the combustion of hydrogen flow, or a piping through which process gases generated in a hydrogen production process flow, or other piping through which gases containing hydrogen flow. Hereinafter, "forward" refers to the direction toward the inside of the crankcase C, and "rearward" refers to the direction opposite to the direction toward the inside of the crankcase C.

[0023] Specifically, hydrogen detection device 100 includes a casing 1 that is inserted into crankcase C and has an internal space into which gas can be introduced, a physical quantity change unit 2 that is provided in the internal space of casing 1 and whose physical quantity changes in accordance with the concentration of hydrogen, a physical quantity detection unit 3 that is provided in the internal space of casing 1 and detects the physical quantity in physical quantity change unit 2, a protective film 4 that protects physical quantity change unit 2, a calculation unit 5 that calculates the hydrogen concentration based on the physical quantity detected by physical quantity detection unit 3, and an isolation member 6 that isolates the internal space of casing 1 into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The configuration of each unit will be described below.

[0024] The casing 1 houses the physical quantity change unit 2 and the physical quantity detection unit 3. Specifically, the casing 1 has a generally cylindrical shape, and the physical quantity change unit 2 and the physical quantity detection unit 3 are provided in the internal space formed by the cylindrical shape.

[0025] The casing 1 also has an inlet / outlet port 11 that introduces or discharges hydrogen-containing gas from the crankcase C into or from the internal space of the casing 1. In this embodiment, the inlet / outlet port 11 actively introduces hydrogen-containing gas from the crankcase C into the internal space of the casing 1 while preventing liquids, such as oil, from being introduced into the internal space of the casing 1. Because the molecular weight of hydrogen is smaller than that of other gases, at least one inlet / outlet port 11 is preferably arranged to open downward into the crankcase C in order to actively introduce hydrogen into the internal space of the casing 1. Note that, although multiple inlet / outlet ports 11 are provided in this embodiment, the number and size of the inlet / outlet ports 11 are not particularly limited.

[0026] The physical quantity change unit 2 includes an alloy member 21 whose light transmittance changes depending on the concentration of hydrogen. In this embodiment, the alloy member 21 is, for example, a gasochromic metal thin film. The gasochromic metal thin film is formed by incorporating hydrogen into a platinum group metal (e.g., palladium). When the gasochromic metal thin film comes into contact with a gas containing hydrogen, the light transmittance of the gasochromic metal thin film changes reversibly.

[0027] The physical quantity detection unit 3 detects a change in the intensity of light transmitted through the alloy member 21. Specifically, the physical quantity detection unit 3 includes a light irradiation unit 31 that irradiates the alloy member 21 with light, and a light detection unit 32 that detects the light that has transmitted through the alloy member 21.

[0028] The light irradiating unit 31 is, for example, a light emitting diode. The irradiation surface of the light irradiating unit 31 is arranged facing the alloy member 21. Note that the light irradiating unit 31 is not limited to a light emitting diode, and may be, for example, another light irradiating element such as a laser diode.

[0029] The light detection unit 32 is, for example, a photodiode. The detection surface of the light detection unit 32 is arranged facing the alloy member 21. Note that the light detection unit 32 is not limited to a photodiode, and may be, for example, another light detection element such as a CCD camera.

[0030] In this embodiment, the physical quantity changing unit 2 further includes a reflecting member 22 having a reflecting surface 22a that reflects light emitted from the light emitting unit 31 to the light detecting unit 32. The reflecting member 22 is, for example, a thin plate-like reflecting mirror, and is disposed with the reflecting surface 22a facing the light emitting unit 31 and the light detecting unit 32. In this embodiment, the reflecting member 22 is provided in front of the alloy member 21. As a result, the alloy member 21 is provided on the optical path from the light emitting unit 31 via the reflecting member 22 to the light detecting unit 32. In addition, the area of ​​the reflecting surface 22a is configured to be smaller than the area of ​​the surface of the alloy member 21 that faces the reflecting member 22.

[0031] The protective film 4 allows hydrogen to pass through the alloy member 21 and protects the alloy member 21 from inhibitors that inhibit changes in light transmittance through the alloy member 21, such as oil, soot, or smoke generated in the crankcase C. In this embodiment, "the protective film 4 protects the alloy member 21 from inhibitors" means that inhibitors such as oil, soot, or smoke do not adhere to the alloy member 21, or that the inhibitors do not adhere to the protective film 4 due to flowing under their own weight, so that changes in light transmittance through the alloy member 21 are not inhibited. Specifically, the protective film 4 is made of silicon that is resistant to oil and permeable to hydrogen. In this embodiment, the protective film 4 is translucent. Note that the protective film 4 covers the entire portion of the surface of the alloy member 21 facing the reflecting surface 22a that is not in contact with the reflecting surface 22a, but it may also cover a portion that is not in contact with the reflecting surface 22a.

[0032] The calculation unit 5 is a general-purpose or dedicated computer equipped with a CPU, memory, etc. Specifically, the calculation unit 5 is electrically connected to the light detection unit 32, and the CPU and its peripheral devices work together in accordance with a program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the memory to calculate the hydrogen concentration based on the light intensity signal obtained by the light detection unit 32. The hydrogen concentration calculated by the calculation unit 5 is displayed on a display unit, such as a monitor.

[0033] In this embodiment, the calculation unit 5 may store a predetermined threshold value and compare the calculated hydrogen concentration with the threshold value. The calculation unit 5 may then output a hydrogen concentration abnormality signal indicating an abnormality in the hydrogen concentration when the calculated hydrogen concentration exceeds the threshold value. When the hydrogen concentration abnormality signal is output, a display unit, such as a display, may display text or a graphic indicating the abnormality in the hydrogen concentration, or the hydrogen detection device 100 may emit an alarm indicating the abnormality in the hydrogen concentration. Note that the configuration in which the calculation unit 5 compares the calculated hydrogen concentration with the predetermined threshold value and outputs the hydrogen concentration abnormality signal is not a required configuration.

[0034] The isolation member 6 separates the internal space of the casing 1 into a first space S1 into which gas is introduced and which houses the physical quantity change unit 2, and a second space S2 into which the introduction of gas is blocked and which houses the physical quantity detection unit 3. Specifically, the isolation member 6 is, for example, a condenser lens made of a light-transmitting material. In this embodiment, in the internal space of the casing 1, the outer peripheral surface of the condenser lens constituting the isolation member 6 is arranged in airtight contact with the inner peripheral surface 1a of the casing 1 rearward of the inner peripheral surface 1a on which the inlet / outlet port 11 is provided, thereby blocking the introduction of gas into the second space S2.

[0035] The first space S1 is connected to the inlet / outlet port 11, and when the casing 1 is inserted into the crankcase C, gas containing hydrogen in the crankcase C is introduced into the first space S1. In this embodiment, the alloy member 21, the reflecting member 22, and the protective film 4 are housed in the first space S1. Furthermore, when the casing 1 is inserted into the crankcase C, the alloy member 21, the protective film 4, and the reflecting member 22 are arranged in this order in descending order of proximity to the wall that constitutes the crankcase C.

[0036] The second space S2 is located behind the first space S1 via the isolation member 6. In this embodiment, the second space S2 accommodates a light emitting unit 31, a light detecting unit 32, and a calculating unit 5.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the alloy member 21 is supported in contact with the reflecting surface 22 a. Specifically, the alloy member 21 is deposited by vapor deposition on the surface of the isolating member 6 facing the first space S1, so that in the first space S1, the surface of the alloy member 21 in contact with the surface of the isolating member 6 faces the light irradiator 31 and the light detector 32, and the surface of the alloy member 21 on the opposite side is disposed in contact with the reflecting surface 22 a. In the present embodiment, the alloy member 21 is deposited by vapor deposition on the entire surface of the isolating member 6 facing the first space S1, but may be deposited on only a portion of the surface of the isolating member 6 facing the first space S1.

[0038] <Method of Detecting Hydrogen Using Hydrogen Detector 100> Next, a method of detecting hydrogen using the hydrogen detector 100 of this embodiment will be described.

[0039] The hydrogen detection device 100 is attached to a mounting hole H provided in the wall of the crankcase C.

[0040] With the inlet / outlet port 11 disposed in the crankcase C, gas containing hydrogen in the crankcase C is introduced into the first space S1. On the other hand, since the second space S2 is isolated from the first space S1 by the isolation member 6, the introduction of gas in the crankcase C into the second space S2 is blocked.

[0041] When a gas containing hydrogen comes into contact with the alloy member 21, the light transmittance of the alloy member 21 changes depending on the concentration of hydrogen contained in the gas. Then, light irradiated from the light irradiating unit 31 passes through the alloy member 21 via the isolating member 6 in accordance with the light transmittance that has changed depending on the concentration of hydrogen.

[0042] The light that has passed through the alloy member 21 is reflected by the reflecting surface 22a and passes through the alloy member 21 again. Thereafter, the light passes through the isolating member 6 again and is detected by the light detecting unit 32.

[0043] Based on the light intensity signal detected by the light detection unit 32, the calculation unit 5 calculates the hydrogen concentration in the crankcase C. The calculated hydrogen concentration is displayed on a display unit (shown in the attached drawings), such as a display.

[0044] <Effects of this embodiment> According to the hydrogen detection device 100 of this embodiment, the casing 1 is inserted into the crankcase C associated with hydrogen combustion, and the physical quantity change unit 2 and the physical quantity detection unit 3 are provided in the internal space of the casing 1, so that hydrogen in the crankcase C associated with hydrogen combustion can be detected.

[0045] Furthermore, the internal space of the crankcase C is separated into a first space S1 and a second space S2 by the separation member 6, with the first space S1 receiving gas and housing the physical quantity change unit 2, and the second space S2 blocking the introduction of gas and housing the physical quantity detection unit 3, so that the physical quantity detection unit 3 is separated from the first space S1 receiving gas. Therefore, the physical quantity detection unit 3 is not contaminated by, for example, oil, soot, smoke, or the like inside the crankcase C, and can therefore accurately detect changes in the physical quantity in the physical quantity change unit 2.

[0046] Specifically, the light irradiating unit 31 and the light detecting unit 32 housed in the second space S2 are isolated from the first space S1 by the isolating member 6, and therefore the light irradiating unit 31 and the light detecting unit 32 are not contaminated by, for example, oil, soot, or smoke inside the crankcase C. As a result, the amount of light irradiated onto the alloy member 21 by the light irradiating unit 31 and the amount of light detected by the light detecting unit 32 after passing through the alloy member 21 are less likely to fluctuate, allowing hydrogen to be detected accurately.

[0047] Furthermore, since the light emitted from the light emitting unit 31 is reflected by the reflecting member 22 to the light detecting unit 32, both the light emitting unit 31 and the light detecting unit 32 are provided in positions facing the reflecting surface 22 a. Therefore, the casing 1 can be made smaller than when the reflecting member 22 is not provided.

[0048] Furthermore, the area of ​​the reflecting surface 22a is configured to be smaller than the area of ​​the surface of the alloy member 21 facing the reflecting member 22, so even when the reflecting member 22 is provided, the permeation of hydrogen into the alloy member 21 is not hindered, and hydrogen can be permeated into the alloy member 21.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the alloy member 21 is vapor-deposited onto the isolation member 6, so that the alloy member 21 is supported by the isolation member 6 and comes into contact with the reflecting surface 22a, thereby eliminating the need for a substrate interposed between the alloy member 21 and the reflecting member 22 to support the alloy member 21 on the reflecting member 22.

[0050] Furthermore, because the alloy member 21 is covered with the protective film 4, the surface of the alloy member 21 is not contaminated with, for example, oil, soot, or smoke inside the crankcase or piping. Furthermore, because the protective film 4 allows hydrogen to pass through, even when the alloy member 21 is covered with the protective film 4, the alloy member 21 is not prevented from changing its light transmittance in accordance with the hydrogen concentration, and the physical quantity detection unit 3 can accurately detect hydrogen.

[0051] Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0052] In the above embodiment, since the alloy member 21 is vapor-deposited on the isolation member 6, a support member for supporting the alloy member 21 on the reflecting member 22 is not required, but such a support member may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the physical quantity change unit 2 may include a support member 23 that is provided between the reflecting member 22 and the alloy member 21 and supports the alloy member 21 on the reflecting member 22.

[0053] Specifically, the support member 23 is, for example, flat and translucent, and its outer peripheral surface is arranged so as to be in airtight contact with the inner peripheral surface 1a of the casing 1, which is forward of the inner peripheral surface 1a on which the inlet / outlet port 11 is provided. In the axial direction of the casing 1, the reflecting member 22 is supported on the front surface of the support member 23, and the alloy member 21 is supported on the rear surface of the support member 23. The protective film 4 protects the surface of the alloy member 21 opposite to the surface supported by the support member 23. While the alloy member 21 and the reflecting member 22 are in contact with the entire surface of the support member 23 in FIG. 2 , they may be in contact with only a portion of the surface of the support member 23. Also, in FIG. 2 , the alloy member 21 may be directly attached to the reflecting member 22 without using the support member 23.

[0054] Furthermore, the hydrogen detection device 100 in the above-described embodiment may be used in a hydrogen concentration anomaly detection system 1000 that detects anomalies in hydrogen concentration. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3 , the hydrogen concentration anomaly detection system 1000 includes a plurality of hydrogen detection devices 100 inserted, for example, in a pipe P; a control device 200 configured to be able to communicate with the plurality of hydrogen detection devices 100 via wire or wirelessly and that compares the hydrogen concentrations detected by the plurality of hydrogen detection devices 100 with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether or not there is an anomaly in the hydrogen concentration; and an alarm unit 300 configured to be able to communicate with the control device 200 via wire or wirelessly and that notifies a user of the anomaly in the hydrogen concentration when the control device 200 determines that there is an anomaly in the hydrogen concentration. Note that, in Fig. 3 , the alarm unit 300 is a display device such as a display, but is not limited to a display device. The alarm unit 300 may be, for example, a buzzer that emits an alarm or a warning light.

[0055] Here, when at least one of the multiple detected hydrogen concentrations exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control device 200 outputs a hydrogen concentration abnormality signal to the notification unit 300, which is a signal indicating an abnormality in the hydrogen concentration. Here, the hydrogen concentration abnormality signal is a signal that indicates, in addition to the abnormality in hydrogen concentration, which of the multiple hydrogen detection devices 100 has exceeded the threshold. When the notification unit 300 receives the hydrogen concentration abnormality signal, it displays on the display a character or graphic indicating the abnormality in hydrogen concentration. This allows the user to easily know at which location in the piping P, to which multiple hydrogen detection devices 100 are attached, the abnormality in hydrogen concentration has occurred. Note that, although multiple hydrogen detection devices 100 are attached to the piping P in FIG. 3 , only one hydrogen detection device 100 may be attached.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the isolation member 6 is a condenser lens made of a light-transmitting material, but the isolation member 6 is not limited to this. The isolation member 6 may be any member that separates the internal space of the casing 1 into the first space S1 and the second space S2. For example, the alloy member 21 may function as the isolation member 6 by being disposed in airtight contact with the inner peripheral surface 1a of the casing 1 in front of the inner peripheral surface 1a where the inlet / outlet port 11 is provided.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the physical quantity change unit 2 is configured to include the reflecting member 22, but the physical quantity change unit 2 does not have to include the reflecting member 22. Specifically, the light irradiating unit 31 and the light detecting unit 32 may be provided opposite each other via the alloy member 21, and the light irradiated by the light irradiating unit 31 and transmitted through the alloy member 21 may be detected by the light detecting unit 32.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the protective film 4 is made of silicon, but the protective film 4 is not limited to silicon as long as it allows light and hydrogen to pass through the alloy member 21 and protects the alloy member 21 from oil, soot, smoke, etc. generated in the crankcase C or the piping. For example, the protective film 4 may be made of a fluororesin.

[0059] In the above embodiment, hydrogen detection device 100 includes protective film 4 and calculation unit 5, but these are not essential components for detecting hydrogen contained in gas generated within crankcase C. In other words, hydrogen detection device 100 only needs to include casing 1, physical quantity change unit 2, and physical quantity detection unit 3.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the second space S2 accommodates the light irradiator 31, the light detector 32, and the calculator 5. However, the calculator 5 does not have to be accommodated in the second space S2. For example, the calculator 5 may be provided outside the casing 1 and electrically connected to the light detector 32.

[0061] In addition, various modifications and combinations of the embodiments may be made as long as they do not go against the spirit of the present invention.

[0062] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hydrogen detection device that detects hydrogen in the environment inside the crankcase or piping of an internal combustion engine.

[0063] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Hydrogen detection device 1 Casing 2 Physical quantity change section 21 Alloy member 22 Reflecting member 22a Reflecting surface 23 Support member 3 Physical quantity detection section 31 Light irradiation section 32 Light detection section 4 Protective film 5 Calculation section 6 Isolation member 200 Control device 300 Notification section 1000 Hydrogen concentration abnormality detection system C Crankcase S1 First space S2 Second space

Claims

1. A hydrogen detection device for detecting hydrogen contained in gas in a chamber or piping, A casing inserted into the chamber or piping, having an internal space through which the gas can be introduced, A physical quantity changing unit is provided in the aforementioned internal space, the physical quantity of which changes according to the concentration of hydrogen, The system includes a physical quantity detection unit provided in the internal space for detecting the physical quantity in the physical quantity change unit, The aforementioned internal space is separated into a first space and a second space by an isolation member. The first space is into which the gas is introduced and which houses the physical quantity change unit. The second space contains a hydrogen detection device, in which the introduction of the gas is blocked and the physical quantity detection unit is housed.

2. The physical quantity changing section comprises an alloy member whose light transmittance changes according to the hydrogen concentration. The aforementioned physical quantity detection unit is A light irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the alloy member, The hydrogen detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a light detection unit for detecting light transmitted through the alloy member.

3. The physical quantity changing unit is provided in the first space and further comprises a reflective member having a reflective surface that reflects light irradiated from the light irradiation unit to the light detection unit, The hydrogen detection device according to claim 2, wherein the alloy member is provided on the optical path from the light irradiation unit through the reflecting member to the light detection unit.

4. The hydrogen detection device according to claim 3, wherein the area of ​​the reflective surface is smaller than the area of ​​the surface of the alloy member facing the reflective surface.

5. The hydrogen detection device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the alloy member is supported in contact with the reflective surface.

6. The hydrogen detection device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the alloy member is supported on the reflective surface via a support member made of a light-transmitting material.

7. The hydrogen detection device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the alloy member is a gaschromic metal thin film.

8. The hydrogen detection device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the alloy member is covered with a protective film that allows the hydrogen to pass through and protects the alloy member from inhibitory substances that are generated in the chamber or piping and inhibit changes in the light transmittance of the alloy member.

9. The hydrogen detection device according to claim 8, wherein the protective film is made of silicon or fluororesin.

10. A hydrogen detection method for detecting hydrogen contained in a gas in a chamber or piping using the hydrogen detection device described in claim 1.