JP2000302403A - System for feeding hydrogen to equipment using hydrogen as fuel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for feeding hydrogen equipped with a hydrogen storage device and designed so that only the hydrogen released therefrom is fed to equipment and problems possessed by a reformer are resultantly prevented from affecting the hydrogen feed to the equipment. SOLUTION: This system 1 for feeding hydrogen comprises a reformer 3 capable of producing the hydrogen from a raw material such as an alcohol or gasoline and a hydrogen storage device 15 capable of absorbing the hydrogen produced with the reformer 3, then releasing the absorbed hydrogen and feeding the released hydrogen to a fuel cell 2 using the hydrogen as a fuel. The hydrogen storage device 15 is equipped with at least three tanks T1, T2 and T3 containing a hydrogen absorbing material MH therein and capable of starting operations of the fuel cell 2 with the hydrogen released from at least one T1 of the tanks T1, T2 and T3 and keeping another tank T2 in a hydrogen absorbing state when the one tank T3 is in a hydrogen releasing state under continuous operating conditions of the fuel cell 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for supplying hydrogen to equipment using hydrogen as a fuel, and more particularly to a method for producing hydrogen from a raw material such as alcohol or gasoline to supply hydrogen to equipment using hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen supply system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this kind of hydrogen supply system is provided with a reformer for producing hydrogen.

[0003]

However, the current reformer takes a long time to start, and therefore, in an electric vehicle powered by a fuel cell as the device, the reformer starts immediately even if the start switch is turned on. And the response to the demand for increased hydrogen production is slow,
Therefore, the electric vehicle has a problem that its acceleration is poor.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a hydrogen storage device, and supplies only hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage device to the equipment. It is an object of the present invention to provide the hydrogen supply system that has no influence.

[0005] To achieve the above object, according to the present invention,
Alcohol, a reformer that generates hydrogen from a raw material such as gasoline, and occludes the hydrogen generated by the reformer, and then releases the occluded hydrogen to supply it to equipment using hydrogen as a fuel A hydrogen storage device, the hydrogen storage device comprising at least three tanks containing a hydrogen storage material, and starting operation of the equipment by at least one of the tanks.
To release the hydrogen from one of the tanks to a hydrogen-fueled device when one of the tanks is in a hydrogen releasing state while the other device is in a hydrogen releasing state. A hydrogen supply system is provided.

For example, the reformer is operated while the equipment is at rest, and the hydrogen generated by the reformer is stored in one of the hydrogen storages.
Absorb in more than one tank. Then, when the operation of the equipment is started, for example, hydrogen is released from one tank and supplied to the equipment. The supply of the released hydrogen is performed until the reformer started at the same time as the operation start of the apparatus reaches a steady state.

[0007] The subsequent operation of the equipment is performed sequentially and continuously using the released hydrogen supplied from each tank. In this case, when the required hydrogen amount of the equipment increases, the amount of hydrogen released from the tank is increased, while when the required hydrogen amount decreases, the amount of hydrogen released from the tank is reduced.

Therefore, according to this hydrogen supply system, it is possible to prevent the problems such as the response delay of the reformer from affecting the hydrogen supply to the equipment.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A hydrogen supply system 1 shown in FIG.
Is mounted on an electric vehicle powered by a fuel cell 2 as a device using hydrogen as a fuel.

In the hydrogen supply system 1, the reformer 3
Generates hydrogen from raw materials such as alcohol and gasoline. The first, second humidistat 4 _1, 4 ₂ those having a humidifying function and a dehumidifying function, their one end first communication port on the side 5 ₁ and the other end second communication port on the side 5 ₂ Have each. Both the first communication port 5 ₁ between is connected via a conduit 6, its conduit 6, first towards from the first humidistat 5 ₁ side to the second humidistat 5 ₂ side, the second, third the three-way valve 3V _1, 3V _2, 3V ₃
Is installed. First of them, the second port p1, p2 are respectively connected to the first humidistat 5 ₁ side and the second humidistat 5 ₂ side of the conduit 6. Inlet 8 of the reformer 3 is connected via a conduit 7 to the third port p3 of the second three-way valve 3V _2. The first, third port p3 of the third three-way valve 3V _1, 3V ₃ first fourth three-way valve 3V ₄ via conduit 9 and 10, respectively connected to the second port p1, p2, the fourth Three-way valve 3
The third port p3 of V ₄ is connected to the inlet 12 of the fuel cell 2 via a conduit 11. Outlet 13 of the fuel cell 2 is connected to the reformer 3 a combustion system through the first exhaust pipe 14 _1, thereby being combustible components in the exhaust gas of the fuel cell 2 is burned,
The generated heat is used for a reforming reaction in the reformer 3.

[0011] The first, second humidistat 4 _1, 4 ₂ in both the second communication port 5 ₂ between are connected via a conduit 16, the conduit 16
The fifth, sixth, seventh three-way valve 3V _5, 3V _6, 3V ₇ is device towards from the first humidistat 4 ₁ side to the second humidistat 4 ₂ side. The first and second ports p1 and p2 are connected to the conduit 16
It is first humidistat 4 ₁ side and each of the second humidistat 4 ₂ side of the connection, and the third port p3 of the sixth three-way valve 3V ₆ is connected to the inlet side of the hydrogen reservoir 15.

The hydrogen storage 15 is generated by the reformer 3.
The first or second humidity controller 4 ₁, 4_TwoSupply via
And occlude it and release the stored hydrogen to the first
Or the second humidity controller 4₁, 4_TwoTo fuel cell 2 via
can do. The hydrogen storage 15 is a hydrogen storage material
At least three, in the example shown, three
1, 2nd, 3rd tank T₁, T_Two, T_ThreeIs provided. hydrogen
As the storage material MH, a hydrogen storage alloy or a carbon material is used.
In the embodiment, the hydrogen storage material MH is an AB5-based alloy, for example,
MmNi_4.77Al_0.23Alloy (Mm: Mish Metal)
It becomes.

The inlets 17 of the _first to third tanks T _{1 to} T ₃ are interconnected by a conduit 18, and a branch 19 of the conduit 18 is connected via another conduit 20 to the third of the sixth three-way valve 3V ₆ . Connected to port p3. In the conduit 18, each tank T
First between the inlet 17 of ₁ through T ₃ and the branch portion 19, a second,
The third two-way valve 2V _1, 2V _2, 2V ₃ are devices respectively. The outlet 21 of the _first to third tanks T _{1 to} T ₃ is connected to a conduit 22.
By being connected to each other, a set portion 23 of the conduit 22 is connected to the first downstream side of the exhaust pipe 14 ₁ through the second exhaust pipe 14 _2. In the conduit 22, the eighth between the outlet 21 and the collecting portion 23 of the tank T ₁ through T _3, 9, 10 three-way valve 3V _8, 3V _9, 3V ₁₀ are devices respectively. The first and second ports p of these three-way valves 3V ₈ , 3V ₉ , 3V ₁₀
1 and p2 are connected to the _first to third tanks T _{1 to} T ₃ of the conduit 22 and the collecting portion 23, respectively.

A third port p3 of the eighth three-way valve 3V ₈ is connected to a first port p1 of a 11 three-way valve 3V ₁₁ via the conduit 24, also the ninth three-way valve 3V ₉ and 10 three-way valve 3V
The third port p3 of the ₁₀ first twelfth three-way valve 3V ₁₂ via conduit 25 and 26, are connected to the second port p1, p2. Its third port p3 of the 12 three-way valve 3V ₁₂ via a conduit 27 second port p2 of the 11 three-way valve 3V ₁₁
Connected to. 11 first port p1 of a 13 three-way valve 3V ₁₃ through the third port p3 conduit 28 of the three-way valve 3V ₁₁
Connected to. A second port p2 of the 13 three-way valve 3V ₁₃ is connected to the third port p3 of the fifth three-way valve 3V ₅ via the conduit 29, and the third port p3 via the conduit 30 7
It is connected to the third port p3 of the three-way valve 3V _7.

[0015] The first, second humidistat 4 _1, 4 ₂ in order to improve the hydrogen absorption properties of the first storage unit 15 ₁ performs the dehumidifying process to hydrogen from the reformer 3 and the fuel cell 2 The released hydrogen is humidified in order to improve the power generation performance. in this case,
The water content of each of the first and second humidifiers 4 ₁ and 4 _{2 is} calculated as Cw
1, when the Cw2, for example, Cw1 <First humidistat 4 ₁ dehumidification process if Cw2, while the second humidistat 4 ₂
Are used for the humidification treatment, respectively.

As a result of such use, both water contents Cw1,
If the relationship of Cw2 is reversed and Cw1> Cw2, the first
Humidistat 4 ₁ after dehumidification function exhibit, become humidifying function capable of exhibiting state, while the second humidistat 4 ₂ after humidifying function exhibit, which was a dehumidification function capable of exhibiting state, this time the first humidistat 4 ₁ to the humidifying treatment, while the second humidistat 4 ₂ are used respectively in the dehumidifying process. Such use content is also possible by one of the humidistat, tone two humidifier 4 _1, 4 comprises _two, providing a difference in water content between them, the dehumidification and humidification We can respond appropriately. Molecular sieves may be used to perform the dehumidifying and humidifying effects as described above.

If necessary, both humidity controllers 4 ₁ and 4 ₂ may have a function of removing impure gas components such as carbon dioxide and oxygen contained in hydrogen from the reformer 3. In the figure,
V is a check valve.

(1) For example, in the next morning, an electric vehicle
To ensure that the vehicle starts
The following hydrogen storage operation is performed while the operation of the fuel cell 2 is stopped.
I do. For convenience, before starting the operation, the hydrogen storage 15
First to third tanks T₁~ T _ThreeIs empty
And

[0019] (1) As shown in -a Figure 1, first, between the second humidistat 4 _1, 4 ₂ of both moisture content Cw1, Cw2 established relationship Cw1 ≒ Cw2, they It is assumed that the dehumidifying function can be exhibited. In a state where the paths to the inlets 17 of the second and third tanks T ₂ and T ₃ are cut off by the valve switching operation, the reformer 3 → the second three-way valve 3V ₂ → the first three-way valve 3V ₁ → the first control. Humidifier 4 ₁ → 5th three-way valve 3V ₅ → 6th
The three-way valve 3V ₆ → establishing a first two-way valve 2V ₁ → first tank T ₁ → eighth three-way valve 3V ₈ → second path of the discharge pipe 14 _2. Then, the reformer 3 is operated, and the hydrogen generated in the reformer 3 is supplied to the first humidity controller 4 in a state where the dehumidification process can be performed.
Occluding the first tank T ₁ through _1. This hydrogen storage is performed smoothly and sufficiently on the hydrogen storage material MH because the hydrogen is subjected to the dehumidification process. Excess hydrogen not stored in the hydrogen storage material MH is discharged to the second discharge pipe 1
4 ₂ through the led to the combustion system of the reformer 3, where it is combusted, the heat generated is used for the reforming reaction in the reformer 3. Also included in the hydrogen, and since the impurity gas components carbon dioxide gas which is not absorbed in the hydrogen absorption material MH is discharged to the second discharge pipe 14 ₂ through the first tank T ₁ of the outlet 21, the first
Increase in the concentration of impure gas components in the tank T ₁ is avoided. The first storage of hydrogen to the tank T ₁ is performed until the tank T ₁ is a filling state (full state), then the path and the outlet 21 to the first tank T ₁ of the inlet 17 by a valve switching operation The route from each is blocked (see FIG. 2). The relationship between both water contents Cw1 and Cw2 is Cw1 ≒ C
w2 → Cw1> Cw2.

(1) -b As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the relationship of Cw1> Cw2 is established between the two water contents Cw1 and Cw2, a valve switching operation is performed, and the reformer 3 → 2 3 way valve 3V ₂ → 3rd 3 way valve 3V ₃ → 2nd humidity controller 4 ₂ →
7th 3-way valve 3V ₇ → 6th 3-way valve 3V ₆ → 3rd 2-way valve 2V
₃ → establishing a third tank T ₃ → 10 three-way valve 3V ₁₀ → second path of the discharge pipe 14 _2. The hydrogen generated in the reformer 3, is inserted in the third tank T ₁ was subjected to a dehumidifying treatment thereto. The third storage of hydrogen to the tank T ₃ is performed until the tank T ₃ is packed state (full state),
Path to block each from the path and outlet 21 of performing subsequent valve switching operation to the third tank T ₃ of the inlet 17 (see FIG. 3). The relationship between the two water contents Cw1 and Cw2 is Cw1
> Cw2 → Cw1 ≒ Cw2.

(2) When the electric vehicle starts running, that is, when the fuel cell 2 starts operating, the first and second humidity controllers 4
Cw1 ≒ C between the water content Cw1 and Cw2 of ₁ and 4 ₂
It is assumed that the relationship of w2 is established. As shown in FIG. 3, the first tank T ₁ → the eighth three-way valve 3V ₈ → the eleventh three-way valve 3V ₁₁ → the thirteenth three-way valve 3V ₁₃ →→ by the valve switching operation.
Fifth three-way valve 3V ₅ → first humidity controller 4 ₁ → first three-way valve 3V ₁
→ Fourth three-way valve 3V ₄ → Establish the fuel cell 2 path.
As a result, hydrogen is released from the first tank T ₁ and supplied to the fuel cell 2 after humidification. The supply of the released hydrogen is performed until the reformer 3 started simultaneously with the start of operation of the fuel cell 2 reaches a steady state. The electric vehicle runs with the operation of the fuel cell 2. Both water content Cw1, Cw
The relationship of 2 is Cw1 ≒ Cw2 → Cw1 <Cw2.

(3) When the reformer 3 reaches a steady state, the first tank T is operated by a valve switching operation as shown in FIG.
Blocking the path from the _first outlet 21. And the third tank T ₃ → the tenth three-way valve 3V ₁₀ → the twelfth three-way valve 3V ₁₂ → the first
1 3-way valve 3V ₁₁ → 13th 3-way valve 3V ₁₃ → 7th 3-way valve 3V
₇ → Second humidity controller 4 ₂ → Third three-way valve 3V ₃ → Fourth three-way valve 3
V ₄ → Establish a route for the fuel cell 2. This makes the third
Since the desorbed hydrogen from the tank T ₃ is supplied to the fuel cell 2 after having been subjected to moistening the electric vehicle is traveling is continued. When the electric vehicle accelerates, exit 2 of the third tank T ₃
To expand the opening to increase the release amount of hydrogen in the 1, whereas, during deceleration reduces the released hydrogen amount to narrow the opening in the third tank T ₃ of the outlet 21.

[0023] The reformer 3 → the second three-way valve 3V ₂ → the first three-way valve 3V ₁ → first humidistat 4 ₁ → fifth three-way valve 3V ₅ → 6
The three-way valve 3V ₆ → establishing a second two-way valve 2V ₂ → second tank T ₂ → 9 three-way valve 3V ₉ → the second path of the discharge pipe 14 _2. Thus the hydrogen from the reformer 3 are inserted into the second tank T ₂ after being subjected to dehumidifying treatment. Both water content Cw1, C
The relationship of w2 is Cw1 <Cw2 → Cw1> Cw2.

FIG. 5 shows the driving phase next to that of FIG.
At this stage, both the water content C of the first and second humidifiers 4 ₁ and 4 ₂
The relationship of Cw1> Cw2 is established between w1 and Cw2,
Release of hydrogen from the second tank T _2, the supply of desorbed hydrogen after humidification to humidification and the fuel cell 2 to the first humidistat 4 ₁ due to the release of hydrogen takes place, also of hydrogen by the reformer 3 production, storage of generated hydrogen after dehumidification in the dehumidifying processing and the first tank T ₁ of the the second humidistat 4 ₂ due to the production of hydrogen is taking place. Thus, the relationship between the two water contents Cw1 and Cw2 is Cw1> Cw2 → Cw1 <Cw2.

FIG. 6 shows the driving stage next to that of FIG.
At this stage, both the water content C of the first and second humidifiers 4 ₁ and 4 ₂
The relationship of Cw1 <Cw2 is established between w1 and Cw2,
The release of hydrogen from the first tank T ₁ , the humidification of the released hydrogen by the _second temper 42, and the supply of the released hydrogen to the fuel cell 2 after humidification are performed. production, storage of generated hydrogen after dehumidification in the first humidistat 4 ₁ dehumidifying processing and the third tank T ₃ to generate hydrogen by is performed. Thus, the relationship between the two water contents Cw1 and Cw2 is Cw1 <Cw2 → Cw1> Cw2.

As described above, in the hydrogen supply system 1, the operation of the fuel cell 2 is started by the first to third tanks T ₁ to T ₁ .
At least one tank T _3, the first one in the embodiment
Performed by releasing hydrogen from the tank T _1, while one of the tanks T _3, T _2, T ₁ of the first to third tank T ₁ through T ₃ is in the hydrogen release condition in continuous operation under the fuel cell 2 When
Another tank T ₂ , T ₁ , T ₃ is in a hydrogen storage state.

As an apparatus using hydrogen as a fuel, an internal combustion engine can be used in addition to a fuel cell.

[0028]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by employing the above-described means, the operation of the equipment can be started quickly, and the supply of hydrogen to the equipment can be performed without interruption so that the operation can be performed. It is possible to provide a hydrogen supply system which can be surely continued and in which the problems of the reformer do not affect the hydrogen supply.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by employing the above-described means, the hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage can be improved, and in particular, the power generation performance of the fuel cell as the device is improved. Capable of providing a hydrogen supply system capable of performing the above.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a hydrogen supply system capable of reliably performing humidification processing and dehumidification processing on hydrogen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a hydrogen supply system showing a state in which hydrogen is stored in a first tank during suspension of operation of a fuel cell.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a hydrogen supply system showing a state where hydrogen is stored in a third tank while the operation of the fuel cell is suspended.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a hydrogen supply system showing a state in which hydrogen is released from a first tank and supplied to the fuel cell at the start of operation of the fuel cell.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a hydrogen supply system showing a state in which hydrogen is released from a third tank while the electric vehicle is running, and hydrogen is stored in a second tank.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a hydrogen supply system showing a state in which hydrogen is released from a second tank and hydrogen is stored in a first tank while the electric vehicle is running.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a hydrogen supply system showing a state in which hydrogen is released from a first tank and hydrogen is stored in a third tank while the electric vehicle is running.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 hydrogen supply system 2 fuel cell (equipment) 3 reformer 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ first and second humidifier 15 hydrogen storage Cw 1, Cw 2 water content MH hydrogen storage material T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ first , Second and third tanks

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4G040 AA01 AA12 AA14 EA02 EA03 EA06 FA01 FA02 FB04 FB05 FC02 FD04 FE01 5H027 AA02 BA01 BA09 BA14

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reformer (3) for producing hydrogen from a raw material such as alcohol or gasoline, and hydrogen stored by the reformer (3) is absorbed, and then the stored hydrogen is released to produce hydrogen. A hydrogen storage (15) that can be supplied to a device (2) that is a fuel, and the hydrogen storage (15)
Has at least three tanks (T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ ) containing a hydrogen storage material (MH), and starts operation of the device (2) with the tanks (T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ ). The operation is performed with hydrogen released from at least one of the tanks, and when the operation of the equipment (2) is continued, one of the tanks (T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ )
Is in a hydrogen releasing state, another one of the tanks (T
₃ , T ₁ , T ₂ ) is in a hydrogen storage state. Wherein said reformer hydrogen from (3) prior to storage in the tank (T _1, T _2, T _3), subjected to dehumidification process in the hydrogen, and each tank (T _1, T ₂ , ₂ humidifiers (4 ₁ , 4 ₂ ) for humidifying the released hydrogen before introducing the hydrogen released from T ₃ ) into the fuel cell (2) as the device. The system for supplying hydrogen to hydrogen-fueled equipment according to claim 1. 3. In the dehumidifying treatment, use one of the two humidifiers (4 ₁ , 4 ₂ ) having a smaller water content (Cw1, Cw2). In the humidifying treatment, use both humidifiers. vessel (4 _1, 4 ₂₎ use one with a lot of water content (Cw1, Cw2) of the hydrogen supply system of hydrogen according to claim 2, wherein the device for the fuel.