Heat generation system, power generation system, thermal power generation system, and heat generation method

Abstract

Provided are a heat generation system, a power generation system, a thermal power generation system, and a heat generation method that make it possible, when generating heat using a heating element in which a hydrogen storage alloy or the like is used, to heat the heating element without using a heater, or to reduce power for heating even when a heater is used. A heating system 1 includes: a heating element in which a multilayer film for generating heat by storage and release of hydrogen is formed on a surface of a support body formed of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a proton conductor; a heating device 11 having a sealed container for storing the heating element, an introduction line 4 for introducing a gas containing hydrogen into the sealed container, and a lead-out line 5 for leading out the gas containing hydrogen used for heat generation in the heating element by storage and release of hydrogen in the heating element; and a heat source 7 which is provided in any of a factory, a hot spring site, and a thermal power plant, and which discharges, to the periphery of the sealed container, a fluid for heating the heating element from the outside of the sealed container.

Description

Heat generation system, power generation system, thermal power generation system, and heat generation method

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat generation system, a power generation system, a thermal power generation system, and a heat generation method.

[0002] In recent years, attention has been paid to a heat generation phenomenon that generates heat by using a hydrogen storage alloy such as a palladium alloy (see, for example, Patent Document 1). If the heat generation phenomenon using a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy can be controlled, it can also be used as an effective heat source. In recent years, from the perspective of environmental problems, the advent of a hydrogen society is expected, and it is also desired to obtain safe and high-energy-density hydrogen energy.

[0003] International Publication No. 2018 / 230447

[0004] However, in the heat generation device using a heat generating body using a hydrogen storage alloy or the like proposed in Patent Document 1, a large amount of electric power is required to heat the heat generating body with a heater, and it is required to heat the heat generating body with less electric power.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a heat generation system, a power generation system, a thermal power generation system, and a heat generation method that can heat a heat generating body without using a heater or can reduce the heating power even when using a heater when generating heat using a heat generating body using a hydrogen storage alloy or the like.

[0006] The heat generation system according to the present invention includes a heat generating body in which a multilayer film that generates heat by hydrogen storage and release is formed on the surface of a support formed of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a proton conductor, a sealed container that stores the heat generating body, an introduction line that introduces a gas containing hydrogen into the sealed container, and a lead-out line that leads out the gas containing hydrogen that has been used for heat generation in the heat generating body due to hydrogen storage and release in the heat generating body. And a heat source provided in any one of a factory, a hot spring, and a thermal power plant, and discharging a fluid that heats the heat generating body from the outside of the sealed container to the periphery of the sealed container.

[0007] The power generation system according to the present invention comprises a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing a hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element; a heat source installed in a factory, a hot spring area, or a thermal power plant, which discharges a fluid that heats the heating element from outside the sealed container to the vicinity of the sealed container; and a power generation device that converts the thermal energy of the fluid discharged from the heat source and heated by the heat generated in the heating element into electrical energy.

[0008] The thermal power generation system according to the present invention comprises a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element; and an air preheater for preheating combustion air sent to a boiler using exhaust gas discharged from the boiler, wherein the air preheater heats the heating element from the outside of the sealed container by discharging the exhaust gas that has preheated the combustion air around the sealed container.

[0009] Furthermore, the heat generation method according to the present invention involves housing a heating element in a sealed container, wherein a multilayer film that generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen is formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, and a fluid that heats the heating element is supplied from outside the sealed container from a heat source provided at a factory, a hot spring resort, or a thermal power plant, and a gas containing the hydrogen is introduced into the sealed container, thereby generating heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of the hydrogen in the heating element.

[0010] According to the present invention, when generating heat using a heating element made of a hydrogen storage alloy or the like, the heating element can be heated without using a heater, or even if a heater is used, the power required for heating can be reduced.

[0011] This is a schematic diagram of a heating system according to the first embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the heating device. This is an explanatory diagram for explaining other components of the heating device. This is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the heating element. This is a schematic diagram of a power generation system according to the second embodiment. This is a schematic diagram of a thermal power generation system according to the third embodiment.

[0012] [First Embodiment] The heating system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0013] (Heat Generation System 1) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the heat generation system 1 according to this embodiment. The illustrated heat generation system 1 is configured with a heat generation device 11 housed in a containment vessel 2. The heat generation device 11 is connected via an introduction line 4 to a hydrogen tank 3 and a hydrogen supply device 10 that supply hydrogen-containing gas (hereinafter referred to as hydrogen-based gas), and the hydrogen-based gas is introduced. The heat generation device 11 is connected to a pump 6 via an outlet line 5, and the hydrogen-based gas that has been used to generate heat in the heat generation device 11 is discharged. The containment vessel 2 is connected via piping 8 to a heat source 7 installed in a factory, hot spring area, and thermal power plant, and a fluid that heats the heat element 14 (described later) of the heat generation device 11 is supplied from the heat source 7. The containment vessel 2 is connected to the outside of the heat generation system 1 via piping 9.

[0014] The configuration shown in Figure 1 includes three heating devices 11, but there is no particular limit to the number of heating devices 11. Similarly, the configuration shown in Figure 1 includes three hydrogen tanks 3, but there is no particular limit to the number of hydrogen tanks 3.

[0015] (Containment container 2) The containment container 2 is, for example, a hollow container that houses the heating device 11 inside. The containment container 2 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The heating system 1 is configured such that a fluid that heats the heating element 14 of the heating device 11 is supplied from the heat source 7, and the containment container 2 does not have to be in the form of a container that partitions space. For example, the heating system 1 may be configured such that the heating device 11 is installed in a flow path through which exhaust gas or wastewater discharged from a heat source 7 installed in a factory, hot spring area, or thermal power plant flows. In other words, the heat source 7 is configured to discharge a fluid that heats the heating element 14 of the heating device 11 from outside the sealed container 15 (described later) of the heating device 11 to the area around the sealed container 15.

[0016] (Hydrogen Tank 3) Hydrogen Tank 3 stores hydrogen-based gas. Hydrogen-based gas is a gas containing isotopes of hydrogen. At least one of deuterium gas or light hydrogen gas is used as the hydrogen-based gas. Light hydrogen gas includes a naturally occurring mixture of light hydrogen and deuterium, that is, a mixture in which the abundance of light hydrogen is 99.985% and the abundance of deuterium is 0.015%.

[0017] (Heating device 11) Figure 2A is an explanatory diagram for illustrating the heating device 11. The illustrated heating device 11 is configured with a heating element 14 housed in a sealed container 15. The heating element 14 generates heat (hereinafter referred to as excess heat) by the absorption and release of hydrogen. By generating excess heat, the heating element 14 is heated to a temperature in the range of, for example, 50°C to 1000°C. In this example, the heating element 14 is formed in the shape of a plate having a front and a back surface. The detailed configuration of the heating element 14 will be described later using another drawing, but the surface area of ​​the heating element 14 is adjusted in advance so that the heating element 14 reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0018] The sealed container 15 is a hollow container that houses the heating element 14 inside. The sealed container 15 is made of, for example, stainless steel. In this example, the sealed container 15 has a shape in which the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the direction perpendicular to the surface or back surface of the heating element 14. The heating element 14 is installed inside the sealed container 15 by an installation part (not shown).

[0019] The sealed container 15 has an inlet 23 that connects to an inlet line 29. The inlet line 29 is connected to the inlet line 4 of the heat generation system 1 in Figure 1. Hydrogen-based gas is introduced into the sealed container 15 from the hydrogen tank 3 via the inlet 23. The sealed container 15 has an outlet 24 that connects to an outlet line 30. The outlet line 30 is connected to the outlet line 5 of the heat generation system 1 in Figure 1. The hydrogen-based gas in the sealed container 15 is discharged from the sealed container 15 to the outside of the heat generation device 11 via the outlet line 30 connected to the outlet 24.

[0020] Hydrogen-based gas from the hydrogen tank 3 is introduced into the sealed container 15. At this time, hydrogen molecules contained in the hydrogen-based gas are adsorbed onto the heating element 14, and these hydrogen molecules dissociate into two hydrogen atoms. The dissociated hydrogen atoms penetrate into the interior of the heating element 14. In other words, hydrogen is absorbed into the heating element 14. After the hydrogen is absorbed into the heating element 14, the sealed container 15 is depressurized by the release of the hydrogen-based gas by the operation of the pump 6, for example, to 1 × 10⁻⁶. －４ The pressure is set to be less than or equal to [Pa]. As a result, due to the difference in concentration between the hydrogen inside the heating element 14 and the hydrogen outside the heating element 14 inside the sealed container 15, hydrogen atoms diffuse inside the heating element 14, and hydrogen is absorbed and released in the heating element 14. After absorbing hydrogen, the heating element 14 evacuates (depressurizes) the space outside the heating element 14, creating a hydrogen concentration difference between the heating element 14 and the space, and generates heat when hydrogen diffuses from the heating element 14 into the space.

[0021] In the configuration shown in Figure 2A, even with a small supply of hydrogen to the heating element 14, the heating element 14 can generate heat through hydrogen absorption and release. The heat from the heating element 14 can be recovered and utilized.

[0022] Figure 2B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a heating device 11 with a different configuration from that shown in Figure 2A. The sealed container 15 is a hollow container that houses the heating element 14 inside. The sealed container 15 is made of, for example, stainless steel. In this example, the sealed container 15 has a shape with a longitudinal direction parallel to the direction perpendicular to the surface or back surface of the heating element 14. Inside the sealed container 15, there is an installation section 20 for installing the heating element 14.

[0023] The sealed container 15 has a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22 inside, separated by a heating element 14. The first chamber 21 is formed by the surface, which is one side of the heating element 14, and the inner surface of the sealed container 15. The first chamber 21 has an inlet 23 that connects to an introduction line 29. The introduction line 29 is connected to the introduction line 4 of the heating system 1 in Figure 1. Hydrogen-based gas is introduced into the first chamber 21 from the hydrogen tank 3 via the inlet 23. The second chamber 22 is formed by the back surface, which is the other side of the heating element 14, and the inner surface of the sealed container 15. The second chamber 22 has an outlet 24 that connects to an outlet line 30. The outlet line 30 is connected to the outlet line 5 of the heating system 1 in Figure 1. The hydrogen-based gas in the second chamber 22 is discharged from the second chamber 22 to the outside of the heating device 11 via the outlet line 30 connected to the outlet 24.

[0024] The first chamber 21 is pressurized by the introduction of hydrogen-based gas from the hydrogen tank 3. The second chamber 22 is depressurized by the discharge of hydrogen-based gas by the operation of the pump 6. As a result, the hydrogen pressure in the first chamber 21 is higher than the hydrogen pressure in the second chamber 22. The hydrogen pressure in the first chamber 21 is, for example, 100 [kPa]. The hydrogen pressure in the second chamber 22 is, for example, 1 × 10⁻⁶ －４ The pressure is set to be less than or equal to [Pa]. Thus, the hydrogen pressure in the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 are different. For this reason, a pressure difference is created inside the sealed container 15 on both sides of the heating element 14. Pressure regulating valves (not shown) are appropriately provided along the paths of the introduction line 29 and the discharge line 30 to adjust the pressure in the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 as described above.

[0025] When a pressure difference occurs on both sides of the heating element 14, hydrogen molecules contained in the hydrogen-based gas are adsorbed on one side (front surface) of the heating element 14 that is positioned on the high-pressure side, and these hydrogen molecules dissociate into two hydrogen atoms. The dissociated hydrogen atoms penetrate into the interior of the heating element 14. In other words, hydrogen is absorbed into the heating element 14. The hydrogen atoms diffuse and pass through the interior of the heating element 14. On the other side (back surface) of the heating element 14 that is positioned on the low-pressure side, the hydrogen atoms that have passed through the heating element 14 recombine and are released as hydrogen molecules. In other words, hydrogen is released from the heating element 14.

[0026] As described above, hydrogen is absorbed and released in the heating element 14. After absorbing hydrogen, the heating element 14 releases it, creating a hydrogen concentration difference between the heating element 14 and the surrounding space. When the hydrogen diffuses from the heating element 14 into the surrounding space, it generates heat.

[0027] When hydrogen is absorbed and released in the heating element 14, if a sufficient amount of hydrogen-based gas is supplied, the heating element 14 permeates hydrogen from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side. "Permeation" means that hydrogen is absorbed on one side of the heating element and released from the other side. Therefore, the heating element 14 generates heat through the permeation of hydrogen. In the following explanation, "hydrogen permeation" of the heating element may be referred to as "hydrogen-based gas permeation."

[0028] In the configuration shown in Figure 2A, a pressure sensor (not shown) is provided inside the sealed container 15 to detect the pressure inside the sealed container 15. The pressure sensor is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected pressure to the control unit (not shown).

[0029] In the configuration shown in Figure 2B, a pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting the pressure inside the first chamber 21 is provided inside the first chamber 21. A pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting the pressure inside the second chamber 22 is provided inside the second chamber 22. Each pressure sensor in the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected pressure to the control unit (not shown).

[0030] In the heating system 1, a fluid that heats the heating element 14 of the heating device 11 is supplied from the heat source 7 to the outside of the heating device 11. The fluid that heats the heating element 14 of the heating device 11 from the outside of the heating device 11 is low-temperature exhaust gas, wastewater, etc., from a factory or hot spring area. This maintains the temperature of the heating element 14 at a temperature suitable for heating.

[0031] The appropriate temperature for heating the heating element 14 is, for example, within the range of 50°C to 1000°C. The heating device 11 is equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown). The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heating element 14. The temperature sensor is, for example, a thermocouple and is installed in the installation section 20 of the sealed container 15, etc. The temperature sensor may be configured to detect the temperature of a hydrogen-based gas. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the control unit (not shown).

[0032] Filters for removing impurities contained in the hydrogen-based gas are provided along the introduction line 29 as needed. Here, the amount of hydrogen absorbed and released by the heating element 14 (hereinafter referred to as the hydrogen absorption and release amount), or the amount of hydrogen that permeates through the heating element 14 if hydrogen permeates through it (hereinafter referred to as the hydrogen permeation amount), is determined by the temperature of the heating element 14, the pressure of the hydrogen-based gas introduced into the sealed container 15 or the pressure difference on both sides of the heating element 14, and the surface condition of the heating element 14. If the hydrogen-based gas contains impurities, the impurities may adhere to the surface of the heating element 14, and the surface condition of the heating element 14 may deteriorate. If impurities adhere to the surface of the heating element 14, the adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules on the surface of the heating element 14 is inhibited, and the hydrogen absorption and release amount or hydrogen permeation amount decreases.

[0033] Substances that inhibit the adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules on the surface of the heating element 14 include, for example, water (including water vapor), hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, methanol, ethanol, etc.), C, S, and Si. Water is thought to be released from the inner wall of the sealed container 15, or from the reduction of an oxide film contained in components provided inside the sealed container 15 by hydrogen. Hydrocarbons, C, S, and Si are thought to be released from various components provided inside the sealed container 15. Therefore, the filter removes at least water (including water vapor), hydrocarbons, C, S, and Si as impurities. By removing impurities contained in the hydrogen-based gas, the filter suppresses the decrease in the amount of hydrogen absorbed and released or hydrogen permeated by the heating element 14.

[0034] (Heating element 14) Next, the configuration of the heating element 14 will be described. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the heating element 14. As shown in Figure 3, the heating element 14 has a support 61 (also called a base) made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, and a multilayer film 62 provided on the support 61. The multilayer film 62 has a first layer 71 with a thickness of less than 1000 nm made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal or a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, and a second layer 72 with a thickness of less than 1000 nm made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a ceramic different from the first layer 71. A heterogeneous material interface 73 is formed between the first layer 71 and the second layer 72, and between the support 61 and the multilayer film 62. The heterogeneous material interface 73 allows hydrogen atoms to pass through. The heating element 14 generates excess heat when hydrogen atoms pass through the heterogeneous material interface 73 by quantum diffusion, or when hydrogen atoms diffuse through the heterogeneous material interface 73 by quantum diffusion. As the heating element 14, heating elements disclosed in international publications WO2018 / 230447, WO2020 / 122097, WO2020 / 122098, etc., can be used. The detailed configuration, function, and manufacturing method of the heating element 14 are the same as those disclosed in international publications WO2018 / 230447, WO2020 / 122097, WO2020 / 122098, etc., so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0035] In Figure 3, the multilayer film 62 is shown laminated on one side (e.g., the front surface) of the support 61. However, the design is not limited to this configuration. The multilayer film 62 may also be laminated on the other side (e.g., the back surface) of the support 61, or on both sides (the front and back surfaces) of the support 61.

[0036] (Operation of Heat Generation System 1) Next, the operation of the heat generation system 1 configured as described above will be explained. As shown in Figure 1, by supplying a fluid from the heat source 7 to the outside of the sealed container 15 that constitutes the heat generation device 11, the temperature of the heat generation element 14 is heated to a predetermined temperature. Excess heat is generated by the absorption of hydrogen into the multilayer film 62 and the release of hydrogen from the multilayer film 62. In the heat generation system 1, the excess heat from the heat generation element 14 heats the fluid passing outside the heat generation device 11, for example, the gas or liquid supplied from the heat source 7. The excess heat recovered by the fluid supplied from the heat source 7 is used as thermal energy.

[0037] (Effects of the heating system 1) According to the heating system 1 of this embodiment, when heating using a heating element made of a hydrogen storage alloy or the like, the heating element can be heated without using a heater, or even if a heater is used, the power required for heating can be reduced.

[0038] Since the heating element 14 generates heat using hydrogen, it does not produce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, making it a clean thermal energy source. Furthermore, the hydrogen used can be produced from water, making it inexpensive. Moreover, the heat generated by the heating element 14 is considered safe because, unlike nuclear fission reactions, there is no chain reaction. Therefore, by using such a heating element 14 as a thermal energy source, the heating device 11 can obtain excess heat using an inexpensive, clean, and safe thermal energy source. The design of the heating element 14 used in this embodiment is straightforward.

[0039] Furthermore, factories and hot spring resorts where the heat source 7 of the heat generation system 1 is installed emit large amounts of low-temperature exhaust gas and wastewater. However, because these exhaust gases and wastewater are too low in temperature to be used for, for example, power generation, they have traditionally been mostly discarded.

[0040] In the heating system 1, a low-temperature fluid is supplied to the outside of the heating device 11 to heat the heating element 14 to a predetermined temperature. After supplying a small amount of hydrogen-based gas to the heating device 11, excess heat is generated from the heating element 14. The excess heat generated in the heating element 14 heats the fluid guided from the heat source 7 to the area around the heating device 11, raising the temperature of the fluid. Therefore, low-temperature fluids discharged from factories or hot springs can be used, for example, for power generation.

[0041] (Heat generation method) In the heat generation method of this embodiment, a heating element 14 in which a multilayer film 62 that generates heat by hydrogen absorption and desorption is formed on the surface of a support 61 formed of a hydrogen storage metal, a hydrogen storage alloy, or a proton conductor is housed in a sealed container 15. Next, a fluid for heating the heating element 14 is supplied from a heat source 7 from the outside of the sealed container 15. Subsequently, a hydrogen-based gas is introduced into the sealed container 15, and heat is generated in the heating element 14 by hydrogen absorption and desorption in the heating element 14.

[0042] (Effect of heat generation method) According to the heat generation method of this embodiment, when generating heat using the heating element 14 using a hydrogen storage alloy or the like, the heating element can be heated without using a heater, or the heating power can be reduced even when using a heater.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Hereinafter, other embodiments and modification examples will be described. In the drawings and descriptions of other embodiments and modification examples, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent components and members as those in the above embodiment. Descriptions overlapping with the above embodiment are appropriately omitted, and configurations different from the above embodiment will be mainly described.

[0044] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a power generation system 1A according to the second embodiment. The illustrated power generation system 1A includes a heat generation system 1 according to the first embodiment and a power generation device 50. The power generation device 50 includes a heat exchanger 51 housed in a storage container 2, a turbine 52 driven by a working medium heated by the heat exchanger 51, and a generator 53 that generates electricity by driving the turbine 52. The working medium discharged from the turbine 52 returns to the heat exchanger 51. The working medium travels between the heat exchanger 51 and the turbine 52 using a pump (not shown).

[0045] The heat exchanger 51 performs heat exchange between the fluid discharged from the heat source 7 and the working medium that drives the turbine 52. The heat source 7 is provided in a factory or a hot spring area and discharges a large amount of low-temperature fluid. However, the fluid discharged from the heat source 7 has a low temperature as it is and cannot drive the turbine 52, or even if it can be driven, the power generation efficiency is low.

[0046] In the power generation system 1A, after the fluid discharged from the heat source 7 heats the heating element 14 to a predetermined temperature once, the excess heat generated in the heating element 14 is conducted to the fluid, and the fluid is led to the heat exchanger 51 as a fluid at a higher temperature than immediately after being discharged from the heat source 7. Therefore, the working medium can be heated in the heat exchanger 51, the turbine 52 is driven, and power generation is performed by the generator 53. In this way, the excess heat generated in the heating element 14 of the heat generating device 11 is utilized as thermal energy with higher efficiency.

[0047] In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the power generation device 50 is shown as including the heat exchanger 51, the turbine 52, and the generator 53, but the power generation device 50 may be any device that can convert thermal energy into electrical energy.

[0048] [Third Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a thermal power generation system 1B according to the third embodiment. The illustrated thermal power generation system 1B includes an air preheater 7B. The air preheater 7B preheats the combustion air sent to a boiler (not shown) of a thermal power plant using the exhaust gas discharged from the boiler.

[0049] The storage container 2 is connected to the air preheater 7B so that the exhaust gas discharged from the air preheater 7B is led thereto. Therefore, the combustion air is preheated, and the exhaust gas discharged from the air preheater 7B is led around the heat generating device 11 to heat the heating element 14 from the outside of the heat generating device 11. After the exhaust gas discharged from the air preheater 7B heats the heating element 14 to a predetermined temperature once, the excess heat generated in the heating element 14 is conducted to the exhaust gas, and the exhaust gas is led to the pipe 9 as a fluid at a higher temperature than immediately after being discharged from the air preheater 7B. The pipe 9 is connected to a chimney (not shown), and the exhaust gas led to the pipe 9 is discharged from the chimney to the atmosphere.

[0050] In thermal power plants and similar facilities, exhaust gases cannot be released into the atmosphere unless they reach a certain temperature (e.g., 140°C) or higher to allow for sufficient diffusion of the exhaust gas from the chimney. Therefore, in conventional thermal power generation systems, there was a limit to how much the combustion air could be preheated in order to maintain the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the air preheater 7B above a certain temperature (for example, the combustion air could only be preheated up to 300°C).

[0051] In the thermal power generation system 1B, after the exhaust gas discharged from the air preheater 7B has preheated the combustion air and heated the heating element 14 to a predetermined temperature, the excess heat generated in the heating element 14 is then conducted to the exhaust gas, and the exhaust gas released from the chimney into the atmosphere is at a higher temperature than when it was discharged from the air preheater 7B. Therefore, in the case of a Jungstrom-type air preheater, by increasing the rotation speed of the element, the temperature of the preheated combustion air can be raised, for example, from 300°C to 330°C, and even if the temperature of the exhaust gas after preheating the combustion air drops, for example, from 140°C to 110°C, the temperature of the exhaust gas released from the chimney into the atmosphere can be raised to, for example, 140°C by the excess heat of the heating element 14. Therefore, the temperature of the combustion air sent to the boiler can be increased without further lowering the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the chimney, which can lead to improved thermal power generation output and thermal efficiency, as well as a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption.

[0052] 1 Heating system 1A Power generation system 1B Thermal power generation system 4 Inlet line 5 Outlet line 7 Heat source 7B Air preheater 11 Heating device 14 Heating element 15 Sealed container 50 Power generation device 61 Support 62 Multilayer film

Claims

1. A heating device comprising: a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing a hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element; and a heat source installed in a factory, a hot spring area, or a thermal power plant, which discharges a fluid that heats the heating element from outside the sealed container to the vicinity of the sealed container.

2. A power generation system comprising: a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing a hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element; a heat source installed in a factory, a hot spring area, or a thermal power plant, which discharges a fluid that heats the heating element from outside the sealed container to the vicinity of the sealed container; and a power generation device that converts the thermal energy of the fluid discharged from the heat source and heated by the heat generated in the heating element into electrical energy.

3. A thermal power generation system comprising: a heating element having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or a proton conductor, which generates heat by the absorption and release of hydrogen; a sealed container housing the heating element; an introduction line for introducing hydrogen-containing gas into the sealed container; and an outlet line for discharging the hydrogen-containing gas that has been used to generate heat in the heating element by the absorption and release of hydrogen in the heating element; and an air preheater for preheating combustion air supplied to a boiler using exhaust gas discharged from the boiler, wherein the air preheater discharges the exhaust gas that has preheated the combustion air around the sealed container to heat the heating element from the outside of the sealed container.

4. A method for generating heat, comprising: housing a heating element in a sealed container; having a multilayer film formed on the surface of a support made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal, hydrogen-absorbing alloy, or proton conductor, which generates heat through the absorption and release of hydrogen; supplying a fluid to heat the heating element from a heat source located in a factory, a hot spring area, or a thermal power plant from the outside of the sealed container; introducing a gas containing hydrogen into the sealed container; and generating heat in the heating element through the absorption and release of hydrogen.

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