New hydrogen nuclear fusion facility, method for controlling duration of new hydrogen nuclear fusion, heating facility, air conditioning facility, thermoacoustic machine, hydrogen production device, method for producing helium, and new hydrogen nuclear fusion method

Abstract

The new hydrogen nuclear fusion facility according to the present disclosure is configured so as to be capable of causing a nuclear fusion reaction under a first condition, and of performing, under a second condition different from the first condition, at least one of helium extraction or regeneration of a heat generation material used in the first condition.

Description

New hydrogen fusion equipment, new method for controlling the duration of hydrogen fusion, heating equipment, air conditioning equipment, thermoacoustic machine, hydrogen production device, helium production method, and new hydrogen fusion method

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a new hydrogen fusion facility, a new method for controlling the duration of hydrogen fusion, a heating facility, an air conditioning facility, a thermoacoustic machine, a hydrogen production device, a method for producing helium, and a new hydrogen fusion method.

[0002] A heat generation method using a cold nuclear fusion reaction based on the Tetrahedral Symmetric Condensate (TSC) theory has been proposed (Patent Document 1). According to the TSC theory, an abnormal heat generation phenomenon can be generated using a heat-generating material containing a metal. The technology in Patent Document 1 involves a heat generation process and an induction process.

[0003] The exothermic reaction based on the TSC theory continues for several tens of hours to several days, after which the amount of heat generated decreases. Therefore, in order to improve the amount of heat generated using the exothermic material described above, there are challenges, such as extending the duration of the exothermic reaction and establishing a simple method for regenerating the exothermic material. However, the technology of Patent Document 1 takes into consideration the improvement of the reaction energy, but does not take into consideration the duration of the reaction at all.

[0004] Patent No. 7187093

[0005] One embodiment aims to provide a new hydrogen fusion facility that can easily regenerate heat-generating materials to extend the exothermic reaction time, a new method for controlling the duration of hydrogen fusion, heating equipment, air conditioning equipment, a thermoacoustic machine, a hydrogen production device, a helium production method, and a new hydrogen fusion method.

[0006] The new hydrogen fusion facility according to the embodiment is configured to cause a fusion reaction under first conditions, and to perform at least one of regenerating the heat-generating material used under the first conditions or extracting helium under second conditions different from the first conditions.

[0007] The new hydrogen fusion equipment, new method for controlling the duration of hydrogen fusion, heating equipment, air conditioning equipment, thermoacoustic machine, hydrogen production device, helium production method, and new hydrogen fusion method according to the embodiments make it possible, for example, to easily regenerate heat-generating materials or extend the duration of heat-generating reactions.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a predicted diagram showing an example of the behavior of hydrogen in a reaction between an exothermic material and hydrogen according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the behavior of hydrogen at each stage of the reaction that has entered the O-site and T-site according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the atomic arrangement on the surface of a metal according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which hydrogen is adsorbed to protrusions according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a surface TSC reaction occurs according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the progress of the hydrogen absorption rate in an exothermic material. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a thermal reaction device according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a graph showing a state in which the hydrogen absorption rate does not change significantly. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature of the exothermic material and the rate of change in the hydrogen absorption rate / heat generation amount. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure for a reaction method for an exothermic material according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a tabular diagram summarizing an example of a reaction method for an exothermic material according to an example. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a thermal reaction device according to an embodiment is applied to a heating facility. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing another example in which a thermal reaction device according to an embodiment is applied to a heating facility. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a thermal reaction device according to an embodiment is applied to an air conditioning facility. Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a thermal reaction device according to an embodiment is applied to a thermoacoustic machine. Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of a first thermoacoustic generating unit in a thermoacoustic machine. Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a thermal reaction device according to an embodiment is applied to a hydrogen production device.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] (Example of the composition of the heat generating material) Various heat generating materials that generate an abnormal heat generation phenomenon based on the TSC theory are known. The heat generating material of the embodiment may be, for example, a hydrogen storage material that contains a metal and has the property of absorbing hydrogen. The heat generating material may be, for example, a single-element metal material, or a composite metal material such as a two-element metal material or a multi-component metal material. The metal contained in the heat generating material may be, for example, nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), palladium (Pd), etc.

[0011] The metal contained in the heat-generating material can have a face-centered cubic lattice structure. When the heat-generating material is a composite metal material containing multiple types of metals, it may have a core-shell structure in which one of these metals forms the core and the others form the shell. In this way, when the composite metal material has a core-shell structure, at least the core metal of the metals in the composite metal material can have the above-mentioned lattice structure.

[0012] The heat generating material may be in the form of nanoparticles, nanomultilayer films, nanowires, or the like, which are finely divided to the nano-order. Here, the nano-order may be, for example, 2 nm or more and 1000 nm or less, or 2 nm or more and 50 nm or less, or 2 nm or more and 20 nm or less, or 2 nm or more and 10 nm or less. In addition, the heat generating material may be zirconia (ZrO ２ The heat generating material may comprise ceramics such as SiO 2 , SiO 3 , SiO 4 , ...

[0013] In this way, the metal surface or metal interface that has been miniaturized to sub-micron size or nano-order size has a catalytic effect. For this reason, the heat-generating material described above can be heated to a certain high temperature while using protons ( １ H ２ ) or deuterium ( ２ H ２When hydrogen gas such as hydrogen fluoride (H2O) is supplied, a heat generation phenomenon occurs due to a reaction with hydrogen. This heat generation phenomenon is also called an abnormal heat generation phenomenon. In this specification, when there is no particular distinction between protium and deuterium, they are simply referred to as "hydrogen."

[0014] When the exothermic material reacts with hydrogen, hydrogen is absorbed into the exothermic material. Also, sub-nano-holes exist on the surface of the exothermic material.

[0015] Furthermore, the heat-generating material also has the O-site (Octahedral site) and T-site (Tetrahedron site) of the metal lattice as described above. The O-site is the center of the octahedral partial structure of the metal lattice, and the T-site is the center of the tetrahedral partial structure of the metal lattice.

[0016] The abnormal heat generation phenomenon caused by the reaction between the heat-generating material and hydrogen is believed to occur due to the behavior of hydrogen on a lattice structure having nanosites such as subnanoholes and T-sites.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a predicted diagram showing an example of the behavior of hydrogen in the reaction between the heat generating material HGM according to the embodiment and hydrogen.

[0018] In FIG. 1, metal atoms M, which are the main elements of the heat-generating material HGM, are present at each vertex position and face center position of a unit cube in the lattice structure. A total of 14 metal atoms M appear in FIG. 1. Four of these are marked with the symbol "M1". These four metal atoms M1 form a basic regular tetrahedron of the nearest main element atoms in this lattice structure. The center position of the basic regular tetrahedron is the T-site. There are actually eight T-sites in the unit cube, but FIG. 1 focuses on one of them.

[0019] The body center position and the center position of each side of the unit cube in the lattice structure of Figure 1 are the O-sites. In this lattice structure, there are six metal atoms M closest to the O-sites. These six metal atoms M form an octahedron with the O-site at its center.

[0020] A total of 13 O-sites appear in Figure 1, but Figure 1 focuses on four of them. The four O-sites of interest are shown as "Proron / Deutron." These are the four O-sites adjacent to the four nearest-neighbor metal atoms M1 mentioned above. The four nearest-neighbor metal atoms M1 and the four nearest-neighbor O-sites form a cube with the T-site at its center. The T-site is also the center position of a regular tetrahedron formed by the four nearest-neighbor O-sites. The true number of O-sites per unit cube is four, which is half the number of T-sites.

[0021] Both the O-sites and the T-sites are originally vacant in the crystal structure of FIG. 1. However, these sites may be occupied by heteroatoms that have entered the heat generating material HGM. In this embodiment, hydrogen, for example, is introduced into the O-sites. Hydrogen may also enter some of the T-sites. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the behavior of the reaction at each stage of hydrogen that has entered the O-sites and T-sites in the heat generating material HGM in this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 shows the energy levels of hydrogen atoms that have entered the lattice structure. Figure 2 also shows the energy levels of the O-site and the T-site. The energy level of the T-site is higher than that of the O-site. Both sites show a periodic wave shape in Figure 2. The lowest positions of each wave correspond to the actual O-site and T-site. The left and right directions in Figure 2 correspond to positions in the lattice structure. However, although Figure 2 shows positions one-dimensionally for simplification, they are actually three-dimensional.

[0023] Hydrogen supplied to the heat-generating material HGM is first captured in the subnanoholes on the surface of the crystal structure, dissociates into protons or deuterons, and enters the metal lattice. Note that protons dissociate into protons, and deuterium dissociates into deuterons. The hydrogen H that enters is thought to first occupy the O-site of the metal lattice in Figure 2. This is because the O-site has a lower energy level than the T-site. This is called the first process, and is indicated by (1) in Figure 2. Figure 2 shows O-sites already occupied by hydrogen H, and empty O-sites that are not occupied by hydrogen H.

[0024] Next, when the state in which the O-site is filled with a proton or deuteron is excited by a phonon, a proton or deuteron moves from the O-site to the T-site of the metal lattice. The reason for the need for phonon excitation is that the T-site has a higher energy level than the O-site. There are two ways in which hydrogen can move from the O-site to the T-site: the second process shown by (2) in Figure 2, and the third process shown by (3) in the same figure. First, the second process will be explained. The second process can occur when all four adjacent O-sites mentioned above are occupied by hydrogen H.

[0025] According to the TSC theory, hydrogen atoms condense from the four adjacent O-sites to the T-site at the center of the tetrahedron, causing a nuclear reaction and converting into helium. This is the second process. This causes an exothermic reaction at the T-site. When hydrogen atoms are used, three of them convert into helium 3( ３ He) is produced, and one remains as a protium. When deuterium is used, helium 4 ( ４ He) is produced.

[0026] For the above reasons, the exothermic reaction between an exothermic material and hydrogen gas that causes an abnormal heat generation phenomenon is also referred to as cold fusion or condensed matter fusion. In this specification, the reaction involving an abnormal heat generation phenomenon between an exothermic material and hydrogen gas based on the TSC theory is also referred to as a TSC reaction. The TSC reaction may include a reaction in which helium is produced from hydrogen.

[0027] The explanation using Figure 1 above is about the TSC reaction within a crystal lattice (hereinafter also referred to as a "lattice-type TSC reaction"). TSC reactions also occur on the surface of solids. This type of TSC reaction (hereinafter also referred to as a "surface-type TSC reaction") will be explained using Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the arrangement of atoms on the surface of a metal. In metals, the atomic arrangement on the surface is regular, but there are also anomalous points where the arrangement is disordered. The protrusions P, heteroatoms Q, and holes R shown in Figure 3 are examples of anomalous points. An anomalous point is a location where gas molecules preferentially adsorb onto the surface of a metal. Hydrogen is no exception.

[0028] The surface TSC reaction basically occurs when another hydrogen molecule comes flying from the space side to a location where hydrogen has already been adsorbed. Figure 4 shows a situation where a hydrogen molecule is adsorbed at the location of a protrusion P. One of the two hydrogen atoms H of the hydrogen molecule is close to the protruding metal atom, and the other is close to the metal atom diagonally below the protruding atom. Another hydrogen molecule H comes flying from the space side to the position of the hydrogen molecule in this situation. ２ Molecules in space are rotating and flying at a considerable speed. On the other hand, hydrogen molecules that have already been adsorbed have stopped rotating.

[0029] Flying hydrogen molecule H ２ When the hydrogen molecule H reaches the metal surface, the situation shown in FIG. 5 is obtained if both of the following two conditions are satisfied: First, a new hydrogen molecule H ２ The position where the first hydrogen molecule has already been adsorbed is the position where the first hydrogen molecule has already been adsorbed. ２ The direction connecting the two hydrogen atoms of the first hydrogen molecule is perpendicular to the direction connecting the two hydrogen atoms H of the first hydrogen molecule at the time of arrival.

[0030] The situation in Figure 5 is that of a flying hydrogen molecule H ２In this situation, two hydrogen atoms from the first hydrogen molecule take on a TSC configuration with respect to the first hydrogen molecule. In this situation, a TSC reaction occurs with these four hydrogen atoms. This is a surface TSC reaction. In Figures 4 and 5, a surface TSC reaction is described at the location of protrusion P, but a surface TSC reaction can also occur at the location of heteroatom Q or hole R. The atom protruding at the location of protrusion P may itself be a heteroatom. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the TSC reaction will be mainly described with lattice TSC reactions in mind. However, this does not mean that only lattice TSC reactions occur as TSC reactions.

[0031] Here, it is known that if the exothermic reaction between the exothermic material and hydrogen continues for, for example, several tens of hours to several days, the amount of heat generated thereafter decreases.

[0032] As a result of extensive research based on the theories shown in Figures 1 and 2 above, the inventors have discovered that one of the reasons for the decrease in the heat generation amount of the heat generating material is that the intrusion of hydrogen into the heat generating material and the presence of helium generated in the heat generating material reduce the heat generating sites in the heat generating material. In other words, as the exothermic reaction between the heat generating material and hydrogen progresses, the T-sites where the second process occurred are subsequently occupied by the generated helium He. This is because the generated helium He does not necessarily immediately escape to the outside of the heat generating material HGM.

[0033] Furthermore, not only the second process but also the third process described above can occur when hydrogen migrates from the O-site to the T-site. In particular, when phonon excitation occurs in a situation where only some of the four adjacent O-sites are occupied by hydrogen H and the rest are vacancies, the second process is impossible, and the third process must occur. The third process is a process in which hydrogen H migrates alone from one O-site to the T-site. After the third process has occurred, the T-site will be occupied by the migrated hydrogen H.

[0034] As a result, the T-sites of the metal lattice are filled with absorbed hydrogen (process 3) or helium generated from hydrogen through the TSC reaction (process 2). In this way, the inventors predicted that as the T-sites become filled and the number of heat-generating sites decreases, the amount of heat generated by the reaction between the heat-generating material and hydrogen also decreases. This is because when a T-site is filled, process 2 cannot occur even if all four adjacent O-sites are occupied by hydrogen H.

[0035] Figure 2 also shows the fourth process, indicated by (4). The fourth process is a process in which hydrogen H entering the T-site returns to the O-site. For the fourth process to occur, the state in which the T-site is occupied by hydrogen H must be excited by phonons to some extent. This is because the energy level of the T-site is wave-like as mentioned above, and therefore there is a potential barrier to some extent against escape from its lowest position. For the fourth process to occur, at least one of the four O-sites adjacent to the T-site occupied by hydrogen H must also be a vacancy.

[0036] The T-site where the fourth process has occurred then becomes a vacancy, allowing the second process to occur. The phonon excitation that causes the fourth process to occur also promotes the escape of helium (He) occupying the T-site. The T-site from which the helium (He) has escaped then also becomes a vacancy, allowing the second process to occur.

[0037] FIG. 2 also shows the fifth process indicated by (5). The fifth process is the process in which hydrogen H occupying the O-site escapes to the outside of the heat generating material HGM. For the fifth process to occur, the state in which the O-site is occupied by hydrogen H needs to be excited by phonons. This is because the energy level is higher outside than at the O-site. The O-site where the fifth process has occurred becomes a vacancy. Therefore, the occurrence of the fifth process makes it easier for the fourth process to occur.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows the transition of the hydrogen storage rate in the exothermic material. In the graph for "Reaction temperature 400°C" in FIG. 6, the storage rate rises rapidly after the start of measurement, and the increase in the storage rate tends to converge before the lapse of three days. In this state, it is thought that many T-sites are occupied by hydrogen H. In contrast, in the graph for "Reaction temperature 600°C" in FIG. 6, the increase in the storage rate is more gradual compared to the graph for "Reaction temperature 400°C." This is thought to be because the high temperature makes the fourth and fifth processes more likely to occur, and the progress of storage is slow. Furthermore, even in an exothermic material where many T-sites are occupied and the heat generation amount has decreased, it is thought that if the temperature is further increased, the number of vacant T-sites can be increased again.

[0039] Based on the above findings, it is believed that by releasing hydrogen and helium from the exothermic material, the exothermic material can be returned to its initial state and its heat generating performance can be restored. This makes it possible to continue the exothermic reaction with hydrogen and maintain a high calorific value. The configuration of a thermal reaction device based on this concept is described below.

[0040] (Configuration example of thermal reaction device) Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a thermal reaction device 100 according to an embodiment. The thermal reaction device 100 of the embodiment is a device that recovers heat generated by the reaction of a heat-generating material with hydrogen. The thermal reaction device 100 is also configured to be able to capture and extract helium generated by the reaction of the heat-generating material. The thermal reaction device 100 of the embodiment is an example of a new hydrogen fusion facility.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the thermal reaction apparatus 100 includes a reactor 10, temperature sensors 11 (11a to 11d), heaters 21, 22a, and 22b, a gas supply pipe 30, an oil-liquid pipe 40, a pump 50, a collection vessel 60, a purifier 70, a gas tank 80, and a controller 90.

[0042] The reactor 10 is a container made of stainless steel such as SUS304 or SUS316. The reactor 10 is configured, for example, as a cylinder with both ends closed. A sample such as a heat-generating material HGM for causing an exothermic reaction can be accommodated inside the reactor 10. The reactor 10 is a heat-generating material storage unit that stores the heat-generating material HGM. The heat-generating material HGM may have any form, such as powder, foil (ribbon), wire, or bulk, as long as it can be accommodated in the reactor 10. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, nickel powder is used as the heat-generating material HGM. When the powder size is on the order of several nanometers, each powder contains approximately 4,000 T-sites and approximately 2,000 O-sites.

[0043] Temperature sensors 11a to 11d are inserted into the reactor 10. The temperature sensors 11a to 11d may be K-type thermocouple temperature sensors that use chromel for the positive leg and alumel for the negative leg. K-type thermocouple temperature sensors can measure temperature by generating thermoelectric power due to the temperature difference between different metals. The temperature sensors 11a to 11d are each of different lengths. Due to this difference in length, the temperature sensors 11a to 11d are arranged at intervals from each other within the reactor 10. This arrangement allows the temperature inside the sample contained in the reactor 10 to be measured by the temperature sensors 11a to 11d.

[0044] The heater 21 is installed inside the reactor 10. The heaters 22a and 22b are spirally wound around the outer wall of the body of the reactor 10. This allows the heater 21 to directly heat the sample contained in the reactor 10. The heaters 22a and 22b heat the sample in the reactor 10 from outside the reactor 10.

[0045] The oil liquid pipe 40 is wound spirally around the outer wall of the body portion of the reactor 10. The lower end of the oil liquid pipe 40 is located on the lower side of the reactor 10. The upper end of the oil liquid pipe 40 is located on the upper side of the reactor 10. This allows the oil liquid to flow from the lower end of the oil liquid pipe 40 to the upper end of the oil liquid pipe 40.

[0046] The downstream end of a gas supply pipe 30 is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical reactor 10. The upstream end of the gas supply pipe 30 is connected to a hydrogen gas supply source. The gas supply pipe 30 is a hydrogen supply pipe. This allows hydrogen gas to be supplied to the heat generating material HGM in the reactor 10. As described above, for example, proton or deuterium can be used as the hydrogen gas to react with the heat generating material HGM.

[0047] However, the gas supply pipe 30 may be connected to a supply source of other gases, such as nitrogen gas, so as to be able to supply other gases in addition to hydrogen gas. In this case, at least a portion of the upstream side of the gas supply pipe 30, or the entire gas supply pipe 30, may be branched for each type of gas.

[0048] A pump 50 is also connected to the upper end of the reactor 10 via an exhaust pipe 51. A valve 52 is provided midway through the exhaust pipe 51. A collection vessel 60 is provided further downstream of the pump 50. The collection vessel 60 collects the atmosphere inside the reactor 10 discharged by the pump 50. This allows the atmosphere inside the reactor 10 to be discharged to the outside of the reactor 10 and collected in the collection vessel 60. To do this, the pump 50 is operated with the valve 52 open.

[0049] A refiner 70 is connected to the trapping vessel 60. A gas tank 80 is connected further ahead of the refiner 70. The refiner 70 extracts and refines helium generated by the abnormal heat generation phenomenon from the gas trapped in the trapping vessel 60. The purified helium is stored in the gas tank 80.

[0050] The gas collected in the collection vessel 60 contains, in addition to helium, hydrogen, the atmospheric gas in the reactor 10, and other impurity gases. Any method can be selected from various existing methods to purify helium from such gases. In this case, the purifier 70 may have, for example, an adsorbent or a filter that adsorbs impurities other than helium in the collected gas, or may have a mechanism for liquefying and separating the impurities other than helium.

[0051] Alternatively, hydrogen gas may be extracted and purified from the remaining gas after helium has been extracted in the purifier 70. In this case, piping may be provided so that the extracted hydrogen gas can be supplied again into the reactor 10 via the gas supply pipe 30.

[0052] The controller 90 is configured as a computer equipped with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls each part of the thermal reaction device 100. The controller 90 is a control part that functions as a lattice vibration adjusting part that adjusts the degree of lattice vibration of the heat generating material HGM. In addition, the control by the controller 90 also controls the duration of the new hydrogen fusion reaction by occupying at least a part of the O-sites in the heat generating material HGM with hydrogen, and by controlling the amount of hydrogen occupying multiple T-sites.

[0053] When an exothermic reaction occurs in the thermal reaction device 100, the exothermic material HGM is first placed in the reactor 10, and the pump 50 is operated to evacuate the atmosphere inside the reactor 10. Once the reactor 10 reaches a predetermined vacuum level, the exothermic material HGM is baked using the heaters 21, 22a, and 22b. In the baking process, the exothermic material HGM is heated to a temperature of at least 100°C and below the melting point of the exothermic material HGM, preferably 200°C to 450°C, for example, 300°C. This removes air molecules (nitrogen, water, etc.) adsorbed on the surface of the exothermic material HGM.

[0054] After that, the temperature is further increased, and hydrogen gas is supplied into the reactor 10. This causes the hydrogen absorption process in which hydrogen is absorbed into the heat generating material HGM. That is, the first process described above occurs. In the hydrogen absorption process, the supply of hydrogen gas is continued while the heat generating material HGM is heated, for example, at a temperature of at least 200°C or higher and lower than the melting point of the heat generating material HGM, or at a temperature of 200°C or higher and 900°C or lower.

[0055] As the absorption of hydrogen into the heat generating material HGM progresses, the number of O-sites occupied by hydrogen H increases, and the number of vacant O-sites decreases. Furthermore, since the heat generating material HGM is maintained at a high temperature as described above, the O-sites occupied by hydrogen H are excited by thermal phonons. This causes the exothermic reaction according to the second process described above. In this way, an abnormal heat generation phenomenon occurs due to the reaction between the heat generating material HGM and hydrogen, and the heat generating material HGM generates heat. The heat generated by the heat generating material HGM also increases the temperature of the reactor 10. During this time, heating at the above hydrogen absorption treatment temperature by the heaters 21, 22a, and 22b and the supply of hydrogen gas continue.

[0056] As a result, the temperature of the heat generating material HGM rises to a temperature equal to or higher than the heating temperature of the heaters 21, 22a, and 22b, and the heat generated is recovered as excess heat.

[0057] That is, while the exothermic reaction of the heat generating material HGM is occurring, the oil liquid flows into the oil liquid pipe 40 from the bottom of the reactor 10 and flows out of the oil liquid pipe 40 at the top of the reactor 10. On the way, the oil liquid circulates around the outer wall of the reactor 10. At this time, the oil liquid is heated by the heat generating material HGM through the reactor 10. For this reason, oil liquid that has been heated higher than its original temperature flows out from the top end of the oil liquid pipe 40. By using this heated oil liquid, the heat generated by the reaction of the heat generating material HGM is recovered to the outside.

[0058] The above conditions that cause the abnormal heat generation phenomenon between the heat generating material HGM and hydrogen are an example of the first condition. The first condition can also be considered a condition under which a nuclear fusion reaction (second process) can occur. When operating under the first condition, the hydrogen absorption rate in the heat generating material HGM is maintained within a range of, for example, 1.0 to 3.0 (number of hydrogen atoms / number of main element atoms). If the hydrogen absorption rate is too low, there are few O-sites occupied by hydrogen H, and the second process does not occur very often. If the hydrogen absorption rate is too high, the T-sites are often already occupied by hydrogen H, hindering the second process. The above range of hydrogen absorption rate is an example of a range suitable for continuous long-term operation under the first condition. In this way, the duration of the new hydrogen nuclear fusion reaction can be controlled by controlling the amount of hydrogen occupying the multiple T-sites in the heat generating material HGM.

[0059] Furthermore, when operating under the first condition, the temperature inside the reactor 10 can be raised above the temperature during the hydrogen absorption process and maintained at 300°C or higher. It is inevitable that the third process will occur to some extent during the exothermic reaction. However, if the exothermic material HGM is maintained at such a high temperature, the lattice phonons are large, and hydrogen H that has entered the T-site will easily return to the O-site through the fourth process. This maintains a situation in which there are many vacant T-sites. It can also be set to 950°C or lower. This is because raising the temperature too high may result in damage to the exothermic material HGM or other components.

[0060] Operation under the first condition also allows the rate of change of the hydrogen absorption rate per hour to be less than 0.1 / 240 hours. This is because a small change in the hydrogen absorption rate is advantageous for continuing the exothermic reaction for a long period of time. The graph in Figure 8 shows an example of a situation in which the hydrogen absorption rate has not changed much. In the example shown in Figure 8, the hydrogen absorption rate has only increased by about 0.1 even after nearly 30 days.

[0061] In a situation where the hydrogen absorption rate increases rapidly, it is thought that hydrogen H will frequently enter the T-site (third process). On the other hand, in a situation where the hydrogen absorption rate decreases rapidly, it is thought that hydrogen H will decrease at the O-site. By setting the time rate of change of the hydrogen absorption rate to the above-mentioned level or less, it is possible to prevent such a situation from occurring and continue operation under the first condition for a longer period of time.

[0062] On the other hand, since it is difficult to maintain a completely constant hydrogen absorption rate, the change over time can be limited to a range of 0.01 / 240 hours to 0.1 / 240 hours. Furthermore, the temperature of the heat generating material HGM can be set to 300°C or higher. This is explained with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 shows the relationship between the temperature of the heat generating material and the rate of change of the hydrogen absorption rate, and the relationship between the temperature of the heat generating material and the amount of heat generated. The "slope of the absorption rate" in Figure 9 is the rate of change of the hydrogen absorption rate, and peaks in the middle of the horizontal axis in the figure. This shows that at a certain temperature, hydrogen absorption into the heat generating material HGM is more likely to proceed, but if the temperature is too high, further absorption is suppressed.

[0063] The "heat generation amount" in Figure 9 increases toward the right in the figure. Within this range, the higher the temperature, the greater the heat generation amount. Range L in Figure 9 is an example of a recommended section. This is because in this range, the heat generation amount is high and the rate of change in the hydrogen absorption rate is lower than its peak value. The lower limit of range L in Figure 9 is the temperature at which the rate of change in the hydrogen absorption rate reaches its peak value. The upper limit of range L in Figure 9 is approximately 950°C. If the temperature is increased beyond this, damage to the heat generating material HGM will become a problem.

[0064] Here, the main element atom is an atom of an element that determines the crystal structure of the heat generating material HGM at the temperature during the heat generating reaction. For example, if the heat generating material HGM contains a large amount of nickel and has a face-centered cubic crystal structure like nickel, the main element atom of the heat generating material HGM is a nickel atom.

[0065] As the above-mentioned exothermic reaction continues, the heat generation amount of the heat generating material HGM gradually decreases. As a result, even if the output value (heat amount) of the heaters 21, 22a, and 22b is kept constant as described above, the temperature of the heat generating material HGM will decrease by, for example, about 100°C compared to its maximum.

[0066] According to the inventors' theory, this decrease in the calorific value of the heat generating material HGM indicates that the T-sites of the metal lattice in the heat generating material HGM are being filled with absorbed hydrogen (Process 3) or helium generated from condensed hydrogen (Process 2). In other words, the number of vacant T-sites decreases, making it difficult for Process 2 to occur. Therefore, a regeneration process is performed to release hydrogen and helium (Process 4 and Process 5) and return the heat generating material HGM to a state close to its initial state. That is, if a decrease in the heat generating value of the heat generating material HGM is observed, the supply of hydrogen gas is temporarily stopped and the atmosphere in the reactor 10 is evacuated by the pump 50.

[0067] The phonon excitation for the fourth process can use the residual heat of the exothermic material HGM that has undergone the exothermic reaction. In addition, by reducing the pressure inside the reactor 10, the potential difference between the O-site level and the outside, as shown in Figure 2, is reduced. Therefore, the phonon excitation for the fifth process can also use the residual heat of the exothermic material HGM.

[0068] This discharges the hydrogen or helium filled in the T-sites of the metal lattice in the heat generating material HGM, as well as the hydrogen and helium in the reactor 10. The hydrogen in the reactor 10 may include hydrogen supplied from the gas supply pipe 30 and not absorbed by the heat generating material HGM, as well as hydrogen trapped on the surface or inside the heat generating material HGM and released again into the atmosphere in the reactor 10 (fifth process). The helium in the reactor 10 is helium generated on the surface or inside the heat generating material HGM and released into the atmosphere in the reactor 10.

[0069] Furthermore, during the regeneration treatment, nitrogen gas or the like may be supplied into the reactor 10 from the gas supply pipe 30. This is to promote the discharge of hydrogen and helium from the surface or inside of the heat generating material HGM and from the atmosphere in the reactor 10. As a result, the hydrogen atmosphere in the reactor 10 is replaced with a nitrogen atmosphere. Furthermore, the nitrogen gas functions as a carrier gas, and the hydrogen and helium are transported together with the nitrogen gas. This makes it even easier for these hydrogen and helium to be discharged.

[0070] The carrier gas for transporting these hydrogen and helium is not limited to nitrogen gas, and other gases can be used. In this case, the carrier gas can be a reducing gas or a neutral gas.

[0071] In this way, the atmosphere in the reactor 10 is discharged by the pump 50 and then collected in the collection vessel 60. The collected gas contains carrier gases such as hydrogen, helium, and nitrogen. This regeneration process causes the heat generating material HGM to have many vacant T-sites again.

[0072] Here, after the exothermic reaction involving the absorption and desorption of hydrogen, defects are thought to occur in the metal lattice in the exothermic material HGM. Such defects are lattice defects caused by the re-desorption of the hydrogen absorbed in the metal lattice and the helium produced. These defects are a factor that hinders the exothermic reaction. Therefore, when returning the exothermic material HGM to its initial state, such metal lattice defects can also be repaired.

[0073] The defects in the metal lattice can be repaired, for example, by further increasing the temperature inside the reactor 10 when evacuating the reactor 10 as described above. That is, the reactor 10 can be evacuated by the pump 50 while the heaters 21, 22a, and 22b heat the exothermic material HGM to a temperature higher than the heating temperature during the exothermic reaction and at which the exothermic material HGM will not be damaged by melting, for example, at 900°C.

[0074] In this way, by maintaining the heat generating material HGM at a high temperature, the diffusion rate of metal atoms in the heat generating material HGM increases, which allows for self-repair of defects in the metal lattice at the atomic level, and also further promotes the release of hydrogen and helium from the heat generating material HGM. This regeneration process, which is carried out while repairing defects, can be called a repair process.

[0075] The above conditions for regenerating the heat generating material HGM are an example of the second condition. The second condition can also be said to be a condition that allows helium extraction because it can promote the degassing of hydrogen and helium from the heat generating material HGM. Operation under the second condition causes the fourth process to occur, reducing the hydrogen occupancy rate at the T-site.

[0076] The second condition is a condition that promotes the escape of hydrogen and helium from the heat generating material HGM, and is therefore different from the first condition. The exhaust of the atmosphere in the reactor 10 in the regeneration process is different from the first condition in that the atmospheric pressure or hydrogen partial pressure is reduced. Further heating of the heat generating material HGM in the repair process is also an example of a difference between the first and second conditions.

[0077] After the heat generating material HGM has recovered to its initial state or to a state where it can again carry out a sufficient exothermic reaction, hydrogen gas is supplied again and an exothermic reaction is carried out to further recover the heat generated from the heat generating material HGM.

[0078] As described above, by repeating the hydrogen absorption process, the exothermic reaction, and the recovery process of the heat-generating material HGM multiple times, the exothermic reaction by the heat-generating material HGM can be substantially extended, and the amount of heat that can be recovered from the heat-generating material HGM can be increased.

[0079] On the other hand, the gas captured in the collection vessel 60 contains helium generated by the abnormal heating phenomenon based on the TSC theory. Helium is a rare substance and is difficult to obtain. In particular, helium-3, an isotope of helium-4, is rarely found in nature and is artificially produced by nuclear transmutation or nuclear fission. Therefore, by extracting and purifying helium from the gas captured in the collection vessel 60 using the purifier 70, it becomes possible to produce helium as a valuable resource.

[0080] Recent research has shown that the amount of heat generated by abnormal heat generation has gradually increased. In particular, by continuing the exothermic reaction while carrying out the above-mentioned regeneration process of the exothermic material, the amount of heat generated can be dramatically increased. This increase in the amount of heat generated also means an increase in the amount of helium produced. Therefore, for example, by combining the above-mentioned regeneration process of the exothermic material with helium extraction and purification, helium, a scarce resource, can be efficiently produced.

[0081] It is also possible to extract hydrogen from the gas collected in the collection vessel 60. The hydrogen gas extracted and purified from the gas collected in the collection vessel 60 can be supplied again to the reactor 10 and used in the reaction with the exothermic material HGM. The hydrogen gas that has been purified by mixing helium may contain a small amount of helium that was not extracted, but this does not prevent the abnormal exothermic phenomenon described above from occurring.

[0082] It is also possible to install a plurality of thermal reaction devices 100 shown in Fig. 7 in parallel. This allows the regeneration process of the heat generating material HGM, whose heat generation amount has decreased, to be performed at different times for each thermal reaction device 100, thereby enabling continuous recovery and supply of heat.

[0083] As described above, helium-3 is produced in an abnormal exothermic phenomenon using hydrogen, and helium-4 is produced in an abnormal exothermic phenomenon using deuterium. Therefore, the multiple thermal reaction devices 100 can be divided into thermal reaction devices 100 used for reactions with hydrogen and thermal reaction devices 100 used for reactions with deuterium, and the collection vessels 60 can be separated. This prevents mixing of helium-3 and helium-4, and allows helium to be produced more efficiently.

[0084] However, one collection vessel 60 may be shared by both the thermal reaction device 100 for light hydrogen and the thermal reaction device 100 for deuterium. In this case, a mixture of helium-3 and helium-4 is collected in the collection vessel 60. However, it is also possible to purify the helium using the above-mentioned purifier 70 by utilizing the difference in liquefaction temperature between these.

[0085] (Method for Reacting Heat-Generating Material) Next, a method for reacting a heat-generating material with hydrogen gas will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of the method for reacting a heat-generating material according to an embodiment. The method for reacting a heat-generating material according to an embodiment is an example of a new hydrogen fusion method, and also includes a method for producing helium.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 10, the exothermic material is placed in the reactor 10 (step S101), and the pump 50 is operated to evacuate the atmosphere in the reactor 10 (step S102).

[0087] When the inside of the reactor 10 reaches a predetermined vacuum level, the inside of the reactor 10 is heated by the heaters 21, 22a, and 22b to bake the heat-generating material (step S103).

[0088] After baking is continued for a predetermined time, the temperature inside the reactor 10 is further increased (step S104), and the supply of hydrogen gas is started (step S105). When the first condition is satisfied, an exothermic reaction occurs between the exothermic material and the hydrogen gas (step S106).

[0089] During the exothermic reaction between the exothermic material and hydrogen gas, the controller 90 of the thermal reaction device 100, for example, monitors whether a decrease in the amount of heat generated is occurring (step S107). Specifically, the controller 90 monitors the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 11a to 11d. The conditions for determining whether a decrease in the amount of heat generated is occurring can be determined in advance. As long as the amount of heat generated is maintained (step S107; No), the exothermic reaction continues (step S106).

[0090] When the amount of heat generated decreases (step S107: Yes), whether or not to perform a regeneration process for the heat-generating material is determined by, for example, the above-mentioned controller 90. More specifically, the controller 90 determines how many times the above-mentioned steps S105 and S106 have been performed on the heat-generating material in the reactor 10 (step S108).

[0091] If the number of times the exothermic reaction by the exothermic material has been performed is less than the predetermined number of times (step S108: No), the regeneration process of the exothermic material is performed under second conditions different from the first conditions.

[0092] That is, the supply of hydrogen gas is temporarily stopped, the temperature inside the reactor 10 is further increased, and the atmosphere inside the reactor 10 is exhausted by the pump 50 (step S109). At this time, a carrier gas such as nitrogen gas may be supplied into the reactor 10 from the gas supply pipe 30 instead of hydrogen gas. This promotes degassing of hydrogen and helium from the exothermic material, and the hydrogen and helium are exhausted together with the atmosphere inside the reactor 10 and collected in the collection container 60.

[0093] Helium is extracted and purified from the gas trapped in the trapping vessel 60. Hydrogen may also be extracted and purified from the gas trapped in the trapping vessel 60, and the purified hydrogen may be reused in the processes from step S105 onwards.

[0094] Furthermore, the exothermic material is regenerated by degassing the hydrogen and helium, and the reactor 10, which was heated to regenerate the exothermic material, is cooled back down to the temperature of the exothermic reaction (step S110), after which the processing from step S105 is repeated using the regenerated exothermic material. In this case, it is possible not to perform the baking again in step S103. It is also possible not to perform the heating again in step S104. This is because the temperature inside the reactor 10 is maintained at a level that allows the exothermic reaction.

[0095] On the other hand, if the exothermic reaction using the exothermic material has been performed a predetermined number of times (step S108: Yes), the temperature inside the reactor 10 is lowered and evacuated without performing a regeneration process for the exothermic material (step S111), and then the reactor 10 is opened to the atmosphere and the used exothermic material is recovered (step S112).

[0096] The regeneration treatments in steps S109 and S110 described in FIG. 10 are repair treatments performed while repairing defects. A light regeneration treatment that does not involve repairing defects may also be performed. In this case, additional heating inside the reactor 10 in step S109 is not required. That is, the temperature inside the reactor 10 is maintained at the temperature during the exothermic reaction. In step S110, instead of making a judgment based on the temperature inside the reactor 10, it is possible to make a judgment based on, for example, the elapsed time since the pressure inside the reactor 10 dropped below a predetermined value.

[0097] In this case, the number of times the light regeneration process has been performed in step S108 can also be used as a determination target. If the number of times the light regeneration process has been performed reaches a predetermined upper limit, a repair process for repairing the defect can be performed instead of the light regeneration process. Alternatively, the determination can be made based on the number of times the exothermic reaction is performed after the previous light regeneration process until the determination in step S107 becomes Yes again. If the number of times the exothermic reaction is performed is less than a predetermined lower limit, a repair process can be performed.

[0098] This completes the procedure for the reaction method of the exothermic material according to the embodiment.

[0099] (Summary) Various heat recovery methods utilizing abnormal heat generation phenomena based on the TSC theory have been researched. To improve the heat generation amount in abnormal heat generation phenomena, there are demands for the prolongation of the exothermic reaction and the establishment of a method for regenerating exothermic materials whose heat generation amount has decreased.

[0100] For example, if the exothermic material is to be regenerated outside the reactor, the temperature of the exothermic material after the reaction must be lowered, the reactor must be opened to the atmosphere, and the exothermic material must be recovered. Furthermore, if the regenerated exothermic material is to be reused, evacuation and bakeout, etc., are required to restart the reactor that was opened to the atmosphere when the exothermic material was recovered, and the exothermic material must also be heated again.

[0101] According to the embodiment of the thermal reaction device 100, the device is provided with a reactor 10 for accommodating a heat-generating material HGM containing a metal and causing an abnormal heat generation phenomenon by a reaction between the heat-generating material HGM and at least one of protons or deuterium, a gas supply pipe 30 for supplying at least one of protons or deuterium to the heat-generating material HGM in the reactor 10, and an exhaust pipe 51 for exhausting gases desorbed from the heat-generating material HGM after the reaction.

[0102] In addition, according to the reaction method of the heat generating material HGM of the embodiment, an abnormal heat generation phenomenon occurs due to a reaction between the heat generating material HGM containing a metal and at least one of protons or deuterium, and the gas desorbed from the heat generating material HGM after the reaction is exhausted, and the reaction is resumed using the degassed heat generating material HGM.

[0103] This allows the heat generating material HGM to be easily regenerated without first being recovered from the reactor 10. Therefore, compared to regenerating the heat generating material HGM outside the reactor 10, the above-mentioned complicated procedures are not required, and the series of steps can be carried out efficiently in a short time. In addition, the waste of energy required to reheat the heat generating material HGM after it has been cooled is also reduced. No additional equipment or additional costs are required to regenerate the heat generating material HGM.

[0104] Furthermore, since the exothermic material HGM can be recycled without being recovered from the reactor 10, continuous supply of heat by the exothermic material HGM becomes possible, and the duration of the exothermic reaction can be extended.

[0105] According to the embodiment, the thermal reaction device 100 further comprises a purifier 70 for purifying helium from the desorbed gas exhausted and collected from the exothermic material HGM after the reaction.

[0106] In addition, the reaction method of the exothermic material HGM according to the embodiment further includes purifying helium from the desorbed gas exhausted and collected from the exothermic material HGM after the reaction.

[0107] As mentioned above, helium is a rare substance and is becoming more difficult to obtain every year. The above configuration enables both heat recovery and helium production. Furthermore, by repeating the exothermic reaction by the heat-generating material HGM and the regeneration of the heat-generating material HGM, the amount of helium produced can be further increased.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the thermal reaction device 100 includes the reactor 10, an exhaust mechanism such as the pump 50, a collection container 60 for the exhausted gas, a purifier 70, and a gas tank 80 for storing helium. However, extraction and purification of helium from the gas collected from the reactor 10 may be performed using other equipment provided outside the thermal reaction device 100. In this case, the thermal reaction device 100 does not need to include the purifier 70, the gas tank 80, etc.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the regeneration process of the heat generating material HGM is started when the amount of heat generated by the heat generating material HGM decreases. However, the timing for starting the regeneration process of the heat generating material HGM is not limited to this. For example, the regeneration process may be performed at any timing after the start of the heat generating reaction by the heat generating material HGM and before the amount of heat generated decreases.

[0110] In the above embodiment, when the exothermic material HGM is regenerated, the reactor 10 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature during the exothermic reaction, or the temperature during the exothermic reaction is maintained. However, the temperature during the regeneration of the exothermic material HGM is not limited to this, and the exothermic material HGM may be regenerated at a temperature lower than the temperature during the exothermic reaction, for example.

[0111] As an example, when regenerating the heat generating material HGM, the heaters 21, 22a, and 22b may be lowered to lower the temperature of the heat generating material HGM, and the atmosphere in the reactor 10 may be exhausted. In this case, although the efficiency of degassing from the heat generating material HGM decreases, by maintaining this state for a long period of time, the heat generating material HGM can be sufficiently regenerated.

[0112] Furthermore, when performing a repair process to raise the temperature of the exothermic material HGM to a temperature higher than that during the exothermic reaction during regeneration, the further heating can be limited to a short pulsed period (for example, a temperature rise time of 600 seconds or less and a holding time of 0 seconds). This is because if the exothermic material HGM is exposed to a higher temperature for a long period of time, the nano-sized exothermic material HGM will become coarse.

[0113] In the above embodiment, when regenerating the heat generating material HGM, the pump 50 is operated to evacuate the reactor 10, thereby promoting degassing from the heat generating material HGM. However, the method of promoting degassing from the heat generating material HGM is not limited to this. For example, degassing from the heat generating material HGM can also be promoted by replacing the atmosphere in the reactor 10 with a carrier gas such as nitrogen without operating the pump 50.

[0114] Therefore, the thermal reaction device 100 only needs to have an exhaust pipe 51 as the minimum configuration of the exhaust part for exhausting the desorbed gas from the exothermic material HGM after the reaction. However, as described above, the exhaust part may be considered to include the pump 50, the gas supply pipe 30 capable of supplying a carrier gas such as nitrogen gas, or the valve 52 provided on the exhaust pipe 51.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a reaction promotion operation may be performed in which the hydrogen partial pressure in the reactor 10 is temporarily increased after the hydrogen partial pressure in the reactor 10 is reduced during regeneration of the heat generating material HGM. If the hydrogen partial pressure is momentarily increased after being reduced, a surface TSC reaction occurs at defects on the surface of the heat generating material HGM. This is because the probability of the surface TSC reaction occurring is proportional to the hydrogen partial pressure in the atmosphere. As a result, the heat generating material HGM becomes locally hot. This locally high temperature causes hydrogen and helium to escape from the heat generating material HGM, which has the advantage of allowing the regeneration process to be completed in a shorter time. However, to prevent the heat generating material HGM from coarsening, the increase in hydrogen partial pressure for this purpose can be limited to a short time (e.g., within 60 seconds). This is to prevent the heat generating material HGM from coarsening.

[0116] When utilizing this reaction promotion operation, nanoparticles with a core-shell structure can be used as the heat generating material HGM. This is because the core-shell structure has many defects on the surface, which allows the surface TSC reaction to occur actively. Furthermore, when utilizing the reaction promotion operation, it is desirable to increase the flow rate of hydrogen in the reactor 10 (for example, to 10 m / sec or more). This also allows gas components other than hydrogen to be reduced as much as possible.

[0117] In the above-described embodiment, the application of phonons to the heat generating material HGM to cause a heat generating reaction is basically performed by heating the heat generating material HGM with the heaters 21, 22a, and 22b. However, the means for applying phonons to the heat generating material HGM is not limited to heat. Other means include, for example, applying an alternating magnetic field, applying ultrasonic waves, irradiating light, applying an alternating voltage, or applying an electric current to the heat generating material HGM. A combination of these methods can also be used.

[0118] An alternating magnetic field can be applied by placing a coil inside or outside the reactor 10. When an alternating current is passed through the coil, an alternating magnetic field is generated, and phonons due to the alternating magnetic field are applied to the heat-generating material HGM in the reactor 10. Ultrasonic waves can be applied by installing an ultrasonic oscillator in place of or in addition to the heater 21 at the position of the heater 21. When the ultrasonic oscillator is oscillated, acoustic phonons are applied to the heat-generating material HGM.

[0119] Light irradiation is possible by installing a light-emitting element inside the reactor 10 instead of or in addition to the heater 21. When light is irradiated from the light-emitting element to the heat-generating material HGM, phonons are generated in the heat-generating material HGM as photoelectrons escape. An AC voltage can be applied by installing an electrode pair inside the reactor 10. When an AC voltage is applied to the electrode pair, an AC electric field is applied to the heat-generating material HGM, generating phonons. An electric current can be applied by using a foil or wire-shaped heat-generating material HGM and connecting both ends to a power source. When an electric current is passed through the heat-generating material HGM, free electrons move inside the heat-generating material HGM, generating phonons.

[0120] (Modification) In the above embodiment, the thermal reaction device 100 and the reaction method of the exothermic material HGM that regenerate the exothermic material HGM and produce helium have been described. However, the method of producing helium using the abnormal heat generation phenomenon is not limited to the above. For example, the regeneration process of the exothermic material HGM after the exothermic reaction is not essential. If the regeneration process is not performed, helium can be produced by the method described below.

[0121] That is, in the modified helium production method, the exothermic material HGM after the exothermic reaction can be recovered from the reactor 10 and heated at a temperature higher than the temperature during the above-mentioned regeneration process using other equipment. At this time, by setting the temperature at which the metal components of the exothermic material HGM melt, gas components including helium can be extracted more efficiently from the exothermic material HGM. In addition, various existing methods can be used to extract gas components from solids such as the exothermic material HGM.

[0122] In this way, the helium extraction method that damages the structure of the exothermic material HGM can be used for exothermic material HGM recovered from the reactor 10 after repeating the exothermic reaction a predetermined number of times or more.

[0123] (Example) Next, a reaction method of an exothermic material according to an example will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram summarizing in tabular form an example of a reaction method of an exothermic material according to an example.

[0124] The processing steps in the table shown in Figure 11 are extracted from the main steps included in the reaction method of the exothermic material. The atmosphere in the table shown in Figure 11 indicates the main components in the atmosphere in the reactor of the thermal reaction device of the example, the temperature indicates an example of the average temperature of the exothermic material, and the heater output indicates the output intensity of the heaters installed inside and outside the reactor.

[0125] However, the steps, temperatures in the reactor, and other conditions shown in Figure 11 are merely examples, and the reaction of exothermic materials using the abnormal exothermic phenomenon can be carried out at various temperatures and conditions, including various steps.

[0126] (Application Examples) Application examples of the thermal reaction device 100 of the embodiment will be described below.

[0127] Fig. 12 shows an example of a heating facility to which the thermal reaction device 100 of the embodiment is applied. The heating facility of Fig. 12 has an indoor unit 201, an outdoor unit 202, a first air duct 203 from the indoor unit 201 to the outdoor unit 202, and a second air duct 204 from the outdoor unit 202 to the indoor unit 201. The outdoor unit 202 is equipped with the thermal reaction device 100. The second air duct is equipped with a cooling unit 205. The cooling unit 205 cools the warm air from the outdoor unit 202 with outside air. The cooling level of the cooling unit 205 can be changed.

[0128] In the heating equipment of Fig. 12, air is heated in the outdoor unit 202 by the heat generated by the thermal reaction device 100. Therefore, warm air is sent from the outdoor unit 202 to the indoor unit 201 through the second air duct 204. This allows the indoor unit 201 to raise the temperature in the room.

[0129] Here, the temperature inside the room can be adjusted by operating the cooling unit 205. To increase the temperature inside the room, the degree of cooling by the cooling unit 205 can be reduced. To decrease the temperature inside the room, the degree of cooling by the cooling unit 205 can be increased. It is also possible to adjust the temperature inside the room by adjusting the output of the thermal reaction device 100. However, operating the cooling unit 205 allows for faster temperature adjustment inside the room than adjusting the output of the thermal reaction device 100.

[0130] The cooling unit 205 may exchange heat between the warm air and the outside air, or may mix the warm air with the outside air. The range in which the cooling degree of the cooling unit 205 can be changed may include no cooling. The first air duct 203 is not essential.

[0131] Figure 13 shows another example of a heating system to which the thermal reaction apparatus 100 of the embodiment is applied. The heating system in Figure 13 is a heater 206 placed indoors. The heater 206 has a built-in reactor 10. The reactor 10 is a part of the thermal reaction apparatus 100. In Figure 13, components of the thermal reaction apparatus 100 other than the reactor 10 are omitted. The heater 206 is an external container that houses the reactor 10. The heater 206 is further provided with a pressure regulator 207. The pressure regulator 207 regulates the pressure in the space between the inner surface of the heater 206 and the outer surface of the reactor 10.

[0132] 13, when the reactor 10 becomes hot, the heat is transferred to the heater 206, and the heater 206 also becomes hot. This makes it possible to raise the temperature inside the room.

[0133] Here, the temperature inside the room can be adjusted by operating the pressure regulator 207. When the pressure in the space between the heater 206 and the reactor 10 is reduced by the pressure regulator 207, the degree of heating by the heater 206 is reduced. This is because the heat transfer from the reactor 10 to the heater 206 is reduced. When the pressure in the space is increased by the pressure regulator 207, the degree of heating by the heater 206 is increased. This is because the heat transfer from the reactor 10 to the heater 206 is increased. In this way, the temperature inside the room can be adjusted.

[0134] It is also possible to adjust the temperature in the room by adjusting the output of the thermal reactor 100. However, the temperature in the room can be adjusted more quickly by operating the pressure regulator 207 than by adjusting the output of the thermal reactor 100. Adjusting the output using an external vessel and a pressure regulator can also be applied to applications other than heating equipment.

[0135] Fig. 14 shows an example of an air conditioning system to which the thermal reaction device 100 of the embodiment is applied. The air conditioning system of Fig. 14 has an indoor unit 201, an outdoor unit 202, a first refrigerant pipe 203 from the indoor unit 201 to the outdoor unit 202, and a second refrigerant pipe 204 from the outdoor unit 202 to the indoor unit 201. The indoor unit 201 is equipped with a heat exchanger 211. The outdoor unit 202 is equipped with a thermal reaction device 100.

[0136] The outdoor unit 202 circulates a heat transfer medium fluid between the outdoor unit 202 and the heat exchanger 211, and has the function of heating and cooling the heat transfer medium fluid. This allows hot or cold air to be blown into the room from the indoor unit 201. In the outdoor unit 202 of the air conditioning equipment of Figure 14, the heat generated by the thermal reaction device 100 can be used as at least a part of the driving energy source.

[0137] 14, at least a part of the heat generated by the thermal reaction device 100 can also be used directly to heat the heat transfer fluid. This makes it possible to realize an air conditioning system with a heating capacity greater than its cooling capacity. This is because the heating capacity due to the heat generated by the thermal reaction device 100 is added to the original heating capacity of the outdoor unit 202. In other words, it is possible to increase only the heating capacity while slightly suppressing the original heating and cooling capacity of the outdoor unit 202.

[0138] This type of air conditioning system is particularly useful in cold regions. During the coldest winters, the heat generated by the thermal reaction device 100 is directly used to heat the heat transfer fluid, providing powerful heating capacity, while during the summer, the weaker cooling capacity of the outdoor unit 202 is sufficient. For example, the total heating capacity can be made 1.2 times or more the cooling capacity. While Figures 12, 13, and 14 all show examples of heating or air conditioning systems installed in buildings, these systems can also be installed in moving objects such as vehicles.

[0139] Fig. 15 shows another example of a thermoacoustic machine to which the thermal reaction device 100 of the embodiment is applied. The thermoacoustic machine of Fig. 15 has a first thermoacoustic generating unit 221 and a second thermoacoustic generating unit 222. The first thermoacoustic generating unit 221 and the second thermoacoustic generating unit 222 are connected by a ring-shaped pipe 223. The first thermoacoustic generating unit 221 has a heat exchanger 224, a heat exchanger 225, and a breathable heat storage core 226 therebetween. The second thermoacoustic generating unit 222 also has two heat exchangers and a breathable heat storage core therebetween.

[0140] 15 further includes a heat exchanger 227 and a thermal reaction device 100. The heat exchanger 227 circulates a heat transfer fluid between the heat exchanger 225 and the heat exchanger 224. The heat exchanger 227 also heats the heat transfer fluid with the heat from the thermal reaction device 100. This causes the temperature of the heat exchanger 224 to rise. A room temperature fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger 225.

[0141] This causes a temperature difference between the heat exchanger 224 and the heat exchanger 225. This generates sound waves in the pipe 223, and energy is transferred from the first thermoacoustic generating unit 221 to the second thermoacoustic generating unit 222. This also causes a temperature difference between the two heat exchangers in the second thermoacoustic generating unit 222. The temperature difference in the second thermoacoustic generating unit 222 can be used for refrigeration, freezing, air conditioning, and power generation. Any type of thermal storage core can be used depending on the embodiment, such as a honeycomb, a mesh stack, or a powder deposit.

[0142] The first thermoacoustic generating unit 221 in the thermoacoustic machine of Fig. 15 may be modified as shown in Fig. 16. In the first thermoacoustic generating unit 221 of Fig. 16, a portion M on one end side of the heat storage core 226 is made of the heat generating material HGM. The portion M on one end side is the portion on the heat exchanger 224 side. In this case, the inside of the pipe 223 is further filled with a gas containing hydrogen. As a result, the portion M of the heat storage core 226 functions as a part of the thermal reaction device 100.

[0143] Figure 17 shows an example of a hydrogen production device that applies the thermal reaction device 100 of the embodiment. The hydrogen production device of Figure 17 has a generator 231, a hydrogen production device 232, and the thermal reaction device 100. The generator 231 can be one that generates electricity using superheated steam. Alternatively, one that uses a gas turbine or organic solvent vapor can also be used. The hydrogen production device 232 produces hydrogen using the power of the generator 231. An example of the hydrogen production device 232 is a device that electrolyzes water. However, other devices are also acceptable.

[0144] 17, the heat generated by the thermal reaction device 100 is used as a heat source for superheated steam used in the power generator 231, and hydrogen can be produced in the hydrogen production device 232. Furthermore, the hydrogen production device of FIG. 17 can supply a portion of the hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production device 232 to the thermal reaction device 100 for use.

[0145] [Additional Notes] Additional notes regarding this embodiment are provided below.

[0146] (Supplementary Note 1) According to an aspect of the embodiment, there is provided a thermal reaction device comprising: a reactor for accommodating a heat-generating material containing a metal and causing an abnormal heat generation phenomenon by a reaction between the heat-generating material and at least one of proton and deuterium; a gas supply pipe for supplying at least one of proton and deuterium to the heat-generating material in the reactor; and an exhaust section for exhausting gas desorbed from the heat-generating material after the reaction.

[0147] (Supplementary Note 2) The thermal reaction apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a purifier for purifying helium from the desorbed gas.

[0148] (Supplementary Note 3) In the thermal reaction apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, the exhaust part is an exhaust pipe through which the atmosphere in the reactor is exhausted.

[0149] (Supplementary Note 4) In the thermal reaction apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, the exhaust unit is a pump that exhausts the atmosphere inside the reactor.

[0150] (Supplementary Note 5) The thermal reaction apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 further comprises a heater for heating the reactor, and a controller for controlling each part of the thermal reaction apparatus, wherein the controller supplies at least one of a process gas of proton or deuterium from the gas supply pipe into the reactor, heats the exothermic material in the reactor at a first temperature using the heater to cause the reaction, and stops the supply of the process gas after the reaction has continued for a predetermined time, and exhausts gas desorbed from the exothermic material after the reaction.

[0151] (Supplementary Note 6) In the thermal reaction device described in Supplementary Note 5, the controller starts exhausting the desorbed gas after the reaction has continued for a predetermined time and the heat generation amount of the heat generating material has decreased to a predetermined value or less.

[0152] (Supplementary Note 7) In the thermal reaction apparatus described in Supplementary Note 5 or Supplementary Note 6, when the desorbed gas is exhausted, the controller supplies a carrier gas from the gas supply pipe into the reactor to replace the atmosphere in the reactor with the carrier gas.

[0153] (Supplementary Note 8) In the thermal reaction apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Note 5 to Supplementary Note 7, the exhaust unit is a pump that exhausts the atmosphere inside the reactor, and when exhausting the desorbed gas, the controller operates the pump to exhaust the atmosphere inside the reactor.

[0154] (Supplementary Note 9) In the thermal reaction device described in any one of Supplementary Note 5 to Supplementary Note 8, when the desorbed gas is exhausted, the controller heats the heat-generating material in the reactor by the heater to a second temperature that is equal to or higher than the first temperature.

[0155] (Supplementary Note 10) The thermal reaction apparatus of Supplementary Note 1 further comprises a collection vessel configured to collect the atmosphere in the reactor that is exhausted by the exhaust unit and that contains the desorbed gas.

[0156] (Supplementary Note 11) According to another aspect of the embodiment, there is provided a method for reacting an exothermic material, comprising: causing an abnormal heat generation phenomenon by reacting a metal-containing exothermic material with at least one of proton and deuterium; exhausting gas desorbed from the exothermic material after the reaction; and restarting the reaction using the degassed exothermic material.

[0157] (Supplementary Note 12) In the method for reacting an exothermic material according to Supplementary Note 11, helium is purified from the desorbed gas.

[0158] (Supplementary Note 13) In the reaction method of the exothermic material of Supplementary Note 11, when the reaction is carried out, a process gas of at least one of proton and deuterium is supplied to the exothermic material and the exothermic material is heated at a first temperature, and when the desorbed gas is exhausted, after the reaction continues for a predetermined time, the supply of the process gas is stopped and the desorbed gas from the exothermic material after the reaction is exhausted.

[0159] (Supplementary Note 14) In the reaction method of the exothermic material of Supplementary Note 13, the discharge of the desorbed gas is started after the reaction has continued for a predetermined time and the amount of heat generated by the exothermic material has decreased to a predetermined value or less.

[0160] (Supplementary Note 15) In the reaction method of an exothermic material according to Supplementary Note 13 or Supplementary Note 14, when the desorbed gas is exhausted, a carrier gas is supplied to the exothermic material, and the atmosphere around the exothermic material is replaced with the carrier gas.

[0161] (Supplementary Note 16) In the reaction method of an exothermic material according to any one of Supplementary Note 13 to Supplementary Note 15, when the desorbed gas is exhausted, the atmosphere around the exothermic material is reduced in pressure.

[0162] (Supplementary Note 17) In the reaction method of an exothermic material according to any one of Supplementary Note 13 to Supplementary Note 16, when the desorbed gas is exhausted, the exothermic material is heated to a second temperature equal to or higher than the first temperature.

[0163] (Appendix 18) A heating method using an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, performing a new hydrogen fusion method in the outdoor unit together with the method described in any one of items 16 to 30, sending warm air from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, and cooling the warm air sent from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit with outside air along the way, thereby making the degree of cooling variable.

[0164] (Appendix 19) A heating method that uses a reactor, an external container that houses the reactor, and a pressure regulator that adjusts the pressure in the space between the inner surface of the external container and the outer surface of the reactor, and performs a new hydrogen fusion method inside the reactor together with the method described in any one of items 16 to 30, and raises the temperature of the space outside the external container.

[0165] (Supplementary Note 20) An air conditioning method using an indoor unit equipped with a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit that circulates a heat transfer fluid between the indoor unit and the heat exchanger and has the function of heating and cooling the heat transfer fluid, and utilizing heat generated by a new hydrogen fusion method carried out in conjunction with the method described in any one of Items 16 to 30 as a heat source in the outdoor unit.

[0166] (Supplementary Note 21) A hydrogen production method using a generator and a hydrogen production machine that produces hydrogen using the power of the generator, and using heat generated by a new hydrogen fusion method carried out in conjunction with the method described in any one of Items 16 to 30 as a heat source for the generator.

[0167] (Supplementary Note 22) A hydrogen production method according to Supplementary Note 21, in which a portion of the hydrogen obtained by the hydrogen production device is utilized in a new hydrogen fusion method.

[0168] (Supplementary Note 23) A hydrogen storage material as the heat generating material, comprising: a reactor containing the hydrogen storage material; a hydrogen supply pipe for introducing hydrogen into the reactor; and a lattice vibration adjusting unit for adjusting the degree of lattice vibration of the hydrogen storage material, wherein the hydrogen storage material has a crystalline structure having a T-site, which is a vacant hole at the center of a basic tetrahedron formed by four nearest-neighbor main element atoms, and four O-sites, which are vacant holes forming a hexahedron together with the four nearest-neighbor main element atoms and centered at the T-site, and wherein the hydrogen storage material undergoes a first process in which hydrogen enters the O-site from the outside; a second process in which hydrogen that has entered the four O-sites aggregates at the T-site and generates heat; a third process in which hydrogen that has entered one O-site moves alone to the T-site; and a fourth process in which hydrogen that has entered the T-site returns to the O-site, and the lattice vibration adjusting unit This new hydrogen fusion facility allows the second process to occur under the first condition by maintaining the temperature inside the reactor at 300°C or higher and maintaining the hydrogen storage rate in the hydrogen storage material (number of hydrogen atoms / number of main element atoms) within a range of 1.0 to 3.0, and allows the fourth process to occur under the second condition by reducing the hydrogen occupancy rate at the T-site.

[0169] (Supplementary Note 24) The new hydrogen fusion facility described in Supplementary Note 23, wherein the lattice vibration adjustment unit operates under the first condition while setting the rate of change of the hydrogen absorption rate per hour to (0.01 / 100 hours) or less.

[0170] (Appendix 25) The new hydrogen fusion facility described in Appendix 23, wherein the lattice vibration adjustment unit operates under the first condition by at least one of heating the hydrogen storage body, applying an alternating magnetic field to the hydrogen storage body, applying ultrasonic waves to the hydrogen storage body, irradiating the hydrogen storage body with light, applying an alternating voltage to the hydrogen storage body, applying a current to the hydrogen storage body, and the like.

[0171] (Appendix 26) The new hydrogen fusion facility described in Appendix 23, wherein the lattice vibration adjustment unit operates under the first condition by increasing the temperature of the hydrogen absorbing body, and the temperature of the hydrogen absorbing body after the increase is within the range of 300 to 1050°C.

[0172] (Supplementary Note 27) The new hydrogen fusion facility described in Supplementary Note 23, wherein the lattice vibration adjustment unit operates under the second condition when a decrease in the heat generation rate of the hydrogen absorbing material is detected.

[0173] (Appendix 28) The new hydrogen fusion facility described in Appendix 27, wherein the lattice vibration adjustment unit operates under the second condition by at least one of: pulse heating the hydrogen storage material; and reducing the hydrogen partial pressure in the internal space of the reactor.

[0174] (Appendix 29) The new hydrogen fusion facility described in Appendix 23, wherein the lattice vibration adjustment unit operates under the second condition by lowering the hydrogen partial pressure in the internal space of the reactor, and after lowering the hydrogen partial pressure in the internal space of the reactor, performs a reaction promotion operation of temporarily increasing the hydrogen partial pressure in the internal space of the reactor.

[0175] (Supplementary Note 30) The new hydrogen fusion facility according to Supplementary Note 29, wherein the hydrogen storage material is a particle having a core-shell structure.

[0176] (Appendix 31) The new hydrogen fusion facility according to appendix 23, wherein the hydrogen absorbing material is in the form of particles and is dispersed and held in a ceramic substrate.

[0177] (Supplementary Note 32) A heating system having an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a first air duct from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, and a second air duct from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, wherein the outdoor unit is equipped with the new hydrogen fusion equipment described in Supplementary Note 23, and the second air duct is equipped with a mixing section that mixes outside air with warm air from the outdoor unit and is capable of changing the mixing ratio.

[0178] (Appendix 33) An air conditioning system comprising: an indoor unit equipped with a heat exchanger; and an outdoor unit that circulates a heat transfer fluid between the indoor unit and the heat exchanger and has the function of heating and cooling the heat transfer fluid, wherein the outdoor unit is equipped with the new hydrogen fusion facility described in Appendix 23.

[0179] (Supplementary Note 34) The heating equipment according to Supplementary Note 32, comprising: an outer container that houses the reactor; and a pressure reducer that can reduce the pressure in a space between an inner surface of the outer container and an outer surface of the reactor and adjust the pressure.

[0180] (Appendix 35) A new hydrogen fusion facility as described in Appendix 23, having an atmosphere adjustment unit that adjusts the hydrogen partial pressure in the internal space of the reactor, wherein the atmosphere adjustment unit performs an initial absorption operation that supplies hydrogen to the internal space so that the hydrogen partial pressure in the internal space does not exceed 4%, and an operating operation that maintains the hydrogen partial pressure in the internal space within a range of 0.00001% to 4%.

[0181] (Appendix 36) A thermoacoustic machine having: a refrigerator; a prime mover that supplies sound waves to the refrigerator; a new hydrogen fusion facility as described in Appendix 23; and a heat exchanger that circulates a heat transfer fluid between the refrigerator and the prime mover and heats the heat transfer fluid using exhaust heat from the new hydrogen fusion facility.

[0182] (Appendix 37) A thermoacoustic air conditioning system having: a refrigerator; a prime mover that supplies sound waves to the refrigerator; a new hydrogen fusion facility as described in Appendix 35; and a heat exchanger that circulates a heat transfer fluid between the refrigerator and the prime mover and heats the heat transfer fluid using exhaust heat from the new hydrogen fusion facility.

[0183] (Supplementary Note 38) A hydrogen production facility comprising: the new hydrogen fusion facility described in Supplementary Note 23; a generator that generates electricity using superheated steam generated by the exhaust heat of the new hydrogen fusion facility; and an electrolysis unit that electrolyzes water using the electricity from the generator.

[0184] (Supplementary Note 39) The hydrogen production facility according to Supplementary Note 38, wherein a portion of the hydrogen obtained in the electrolysis section is supplied to the new hydrogen fusion facility.

[0185] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0186] 10 Reactor 11a to 11d Temperature sensor 21, 22a, 22b Heater 30 Gas supply pipe 40 Oil-liquid pipe 50 Pump 51 Exhaust pipe 52 Valve 60 Collection container 70 Purifier 80 Gas tank 90 Controller 100 Thermal reaction device 201 Indoor unit 202 Outdoor unit 204 Second air duct 205 Cooling unit 206 Heater 207 Pressure regulator 211 Heat exchanger 221 First thermoacoustic generating unit 222 Second thermoacoustic generating unit 224, 225, 227 Heat exchanger 226 Heat storage core 231 Generator 232 Hydrogen generator HGM Heat generating material

Claims

1. A new hydrogen fusion facility configured to cause a nuclear fusion reaction under first conditions, and to perform at least one of regenerating the heat-generating material used under the first conditions or extracting helium under second conditions different from the first conditions.

2. The new hydrogen fusion facility according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the second condition is equal to or higher than the temperature of the first condition.

3. The new hydrogen fusion facility according to claim 1, wherein the atmosphere under the second condition is an atmospheric gas other than a hydrogen atmosphere, or a reduced pressure atmosphere below atmospheric pressure.

4. A new hydrogen fusion facility as described in claim 1, wherein the temperature of the second condition is equal to or higher than the temperature of the first condition, and the atmosphere of the second condition is an atmospheric gas other than a hydrogen atmosphere, or a reduced pressure atmosphere below atmospheric pressure.

5. The new hydrogen fusion facility described in claim 1, wherein the temperature of the second condition is lower than the temperature of the first condition, and the atmosphere of the second condition is an atmospheric gas other than a hydrogen atmosphere, or a reduced pressure atmosphere below atmospheric pressure.

6. A new hydrogen fusion facility as described in claim 1, equipped with equipment for recovering gas containing at least one of the following: hydrogen in the atmosphere under at least one of the first or second conditions; helium in the atmosphere under at least one of the first or second conditions; hydrogen released from the heat-generating material; or helium released from the heat-generating material.

7. The new hydrogen fusion facility described in claim 1, which is equipped with equipment for purifying gas containing at least one of the following: hydrogen in the atmosphere under at least one of the first or second conditions; helium in the atmosphere under at least one of the first or second conditions; hydrogen released from the heat-generating material; or helium released from the heat-generating material.

8. A method for producing helium, comprising collecting at least one of a solid material that has undergone a nuclear fusion reaction under first conditions and an atmospheric gas within a reactor in which the nuclear fusion reaction has occurred, and collecting helium from at least one of the collected solid material and the atmospheric gas.

9. A new hydrogen nuclear fusion method, which involves inducing a nuclear fusion reaction under first conditions, and performing at least one of regenerating the heat-generating material used under the first conditions or extracting helium under second conditions different from the first conditions.

10. The new hydrogen fusion method according to claim 9, wherein the temperature of the second condition is equal to or higher than the temperature of the first condition.

11. The new hydrogen fusion method according to claim 9, wherein the atmosphere under the second condition is an atmospheric gas other than a hydrogen atmosphere, or a reduced pressure atmosphere below atmospheric pressure.

12. A new hydrogen fusion method as described in claim 9, wherein the temperature of the second condition is equal to or higher than the temperature of the first condition, and the atmosphere of the second condition is an atmospheric gas other than a hydrogen atmosphere, or a reduced pressure atmosphere below atmospheric pressure.

13. The new hydrogen fusion method described in claim 9, wherein the temperature of the second condition is lower than the temperature of the first condition, and the atmosphere of the second condition is an atmospheric gas other than a hydrogen atmosphere, or a reduced pressure atmosphere below atmospheric pressure.

14. The new hydrogen fusion method described in claim 9, wherein gas containing at least one of hydrogen in the atmosphere under at least one of the first or second conditions, helium in the atmosphere under at least one of the first or second conditions, hydrogen released from the heat-generating material, or helium released from the heat-generating material is recovered.

15. The new hydrogen fusion method described in claim 9, which purifies a gas containing at least one of the following: hydrogen in the atmosphere under at least one of the first or second conditions; helium in the atmosphere under at least one of the first or second conditions; hydrogen released from the heat-generating material; or helium released from the heat-generating material.

16. A method for controlling the duration of a new hydrogen fusion reaction that occurs by controlling the lattice phonons of a face-centered cubic lattice crystal exothermic material that includes T-sites at the centers of tetrahedral substructures and O-sites at the centers of octahedral substructures in a hydrogen atmosphere, comprising occupying the O-sites in the exothermic material with hydrogen and controlling the amount of hydrogen occupying multiple T-sites in the exothermic material, thereby controlling the duration of the new hydrogen fusion reaction.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the change over time in the hydrogen absorption rate, which is the number of absorbed hydrogen atoms relative to the number of main element atoms in the heat generating material, is within the range of 0.01 / 240 hours to 0.1 / 240 hours.

18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the amount of hydrogen occupying the plurality of T-sites is controlled by applying at least one of temperature, alternating magnetic field, ultrasound, and light to increase lattice phonons, or by applying at least one of alternating magnetic field, alternating voltage, direct current, and alternating current to apply energy to the hydrogen.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the temperature is 300°C or higher.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the amount of hydrogen occupying the T-sites is controlled by pulsed heating of the exothermic material.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the amount of hydrogen occupying the T-sites is controlled by lowering the hydrogen partial pressure in the ambient space of the heat generating material.

22. A method according to claim 16, comprising, when a decrease in the amount of heat generated by a new hydrogen fusion reaction is detected, reducing the hydrogen partial pressure in the ambient space of the heat generating material, and then temporarily increasing the hydrogen partial pressure in the ambient space of the heat generating material.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the heat generating material is nano-sized particles.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the heat generating material is a nano-sized particle having a core-shell structure, at least the core portion of which is a face-centered cubic lattice crystal.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein after the hydrogen partial pressure in the ambient space of the heat generating material is reduced, the hydrogen partial pressure in the ambient space of the heat generating material is temporarily increased to the hydrogen partial pressure before the reduction or to a pressure higher than that.

26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the flow rate of hydrogen supplied when temporarily increasing the hydrogen partial pressure in the ambient space of the heat generating material is set to 10 m / sec or more.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the temperature of the heat generating material is temporarily increased when the hydrogen partial pressure in the ambient space of the heat generating material is temporarily increased.

28. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein the heat generating material is in the form of particles and is dispersed and held in a mesoporous ceramic substrate.

29. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein the heat generating material is in the form of particles, and the particles are metal particles having an average particle size of 0.1 μm or less coated with any one of oxide, boride, nitride, or carbide.

30. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 29, wherein hydrogen is supplied to the atmosphere space of the heat generating material so that the hydrogen partial pressure in the atmosphere space does not exceed 4% of the total pressure, while hydrogen is absorbed into the heat generating material, and when a new hydrogen fusion reaction is caused, hydrogen is supplied to the atmosphere space so that the hydrogen partial pressure in the atmosphere space is maintained within a range of 0.00001% or more but less than 4% of the total pressure.

31. A new hydrogen fusion facility comprising: a heat generating material storage unit that stores a heat generating material of a face-centered cubic lattice crystal that includes a T-site that is the center of a tetrahedral partial structure and an O-site that is the center of an octahedral partial structure; a hydrogen supply pipe that supplies hydrogen to the ambient space of the heat generating material storage unit; and a control unit that controls the lattice phonons of the heat generating material, wherein the control unit occupies the O-site in the heat generating material with hydrogen to cause a new hydrogen fusion reaction, and controls the amount of hydrogen occupying multiple T-sites in the heat generating material to control the duration of the new hydrogen fusion reaction.

32. A heating system having an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and an air duct from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, wherein the outdoor unit is equipped with the new hydrogen fusion equipment described in claim 31, and the air duct is equipped with a cooling unit that cools the warm air from the outdoor unit with outside air and is capable of changing the degree of cooling.

33. A heating system having the new hydrogen fusion system described in claim 31, comprising a reactor containing the heat-generating material, an external container containing the reactor, and a pressure regulator that adjusts the pressure in the space between the inner surface of the external container and the outer surface of the reactor, and which raises the temperature of the space outside the external container.

34. An air conditioning system comprising an indoor unit equipped with a heat exchanger, and an outdoor unit that circulates a heat transfer fluid between the indoor unit and the heat exchanger and has the function of heating and cooling the heat transfer fluid, wherein the outdoor unit is equipped with the new hydrogen fusion facility described in claim 31.

35. An air conditioning system equipped with the new hydrogen fusion facility described in claim 34, wherein the outdoor unit directly uses at least a portion of the heat generated by the new hydrogen fusion facility to heat the heat transfer fluid, and has a heating capacity that is 1.2 times or more its cooling capacity.

36. A thermoacoustic machine having a plurality of thermoacoustic generating units, each having two heat exchangers and a permeable heat storage core therebetween, the thermoacoustic machine comprising the new hydrogen fusion facility described in claim 31, and utilizing heat generated in the new hydrogen fusion facility as a heating source for one of the heat exchangers of at least one of the plurality of thermoacoustic generating units.

37. A thermoacoustic machine having a plurality of thermoacoustic generating units, at least one of which has a breathable heat storage core, and a new hydrogen fusion facility as described in claim 31, wherein a portion of one end of the heat storage core is the heat-generating material of the new hydrogen fusion facility.

38. A hydrogen production device comprising: a generator; a hydrogen production machine that produces hydrogen using the electricity from the generator; and the new hydrogen fusion facility described in claim 31, wherein the heat generated by the new hydrogen fusion facility is used as a heat source for the generator.

39. The hydrogen production device according to claim 38, wherein a portion of the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production machine is utilized in the new hydrogen fusion facility.

Images