JP2004316673A - Gas storage tank and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas storage tank capable of efficiently discharging heat generated in an occlusion/adsorption material. <P>SOLUTION: The hydrogen storage tank 10 houses inside a hydrogen occlusion alloy 32. The hydrogen storage tank 10 is provided with heat transfer fins 30 along its inside wall face, contacting the inside wall face and the hydrogen occlusion alloy 32, and a retaining part 32 to retain the heat transfer fins 30 so that it contacts the inside wall face of a tank container 20. Heat generated in the hydrogen occlusion alloy 32 upon the hydrogen occlusion alloy 32 occluding hydrogen is transferred to the tank container 20 through the heat transfer fins 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas storage tank for storing gas and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various gas storage tanks for storing gas have been proposed. As one of the methods of storing gas, a method of storing and adsorbing gas in a predetermined storage / adsorption material is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a hydrogen storage alloy improved so as to be able to store more hydrogen, and a hydrogen storage tank including a hydrogen storage alloy therein.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-53926 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-60201
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-2002-161999
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, when occluding and adsorbing gas to the occlusion / adsorption material, the occlusion / adsorption material generates heat and rises in temperature with the occlusion / adsorption operation, and the efficiency of occlusion / adsorption gradually increases in accordance with the temperature increase. descend. Therefore, in order to promote the operation of occlusion / adsorption, it is necessary to efficiently release the heat generated by the occlusion / adsorption material. As described above, there has been a demand for a gas storage tank that can more efficiently release the heat generated by the storage / adsorption material.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a gas storage tank capable of more efficiently releasing heat generated by an occlusion / adsorption material.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a gas storage tank for storing gas,
A hollow tank container,
An occlusion and / or adsorbent that is housed in the tank container and occludes and / or adsorbs the gas;
A heat transfer fin disposed along an inner wall surface of the tank container and in contact with at least a part of the inner wall surface and the occlusion / adsorption material,
A holding member for holding the heat transfer fins in contact with the inner wall surface of the tank container;
The gist is to provide
[0007]
According to the gas storage tank of the present invention configured as described above, the heat transfer fins are arranged along the inner wall surface of the gas storage tank so as to contact at least a part of the inner wall surface and the occlusion / adsorption material. The heat transfer fins ensure a sufficient contact area for transferring the heat of the occlusion / adsorption material, thereby improving the efficiency of heat transfer between the occlusion / adsorption material and the tank container. . This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of heat radiation from the occlusion / adsorption material and to efficiently perform the operation of occluding and / or adsorbing gas. Here, since the heat transfer fins are held by the holding member, even when vibration is applied to the gas storage tank, the heat transfer fins can be kept in contact with the inner wall of the tank container. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency between the storage / adsorption material and the tank container is not impaired.
[0008]
In the gas storage tank of the present invention, the holding member may hold the heat transfer fin by pressing the heat transfer fin against the inner wall surface of the tank container by an elastic force of the holding member. Alternatively, the holding member has two ends, and at least one of the ends is fixed to a predetermined position in the tank container, and the holding member has a portion other than the fixed end. The heat transfer fins may be pressed against the inner wall surface of the tank container. With such a configuration, the heat transfer fins can be easily held by a simple structure.
[0009]
In such a gas storage tank, the heat transfer fin is a thin plate-shaped member having a plurality of concave portions and convex portions, and is in contact with an inner wall surface of the tank container at the convex portions, and from the inside of the convex portions. The holding member may be pressed against the inner wall surface of the tank container. When the heat transfer fin has the plurality of recesses and protrusions, it is possible to ensure a sufficiently large contact area between the heat transfer fin and the occlusion / adsorption material. Further, by holding down the convex portion by the holding member, the heat transfer fin can be stably held.
[0010]
In the gas storage tank of the present invention, the heat transfer fins may be provided on the inner side wall of the tank container so as to cover up to a height exceeding a height at which the occlusion / adsorption material is provided. . By providing the heat transfer fins as described above, the heat generated by the occlusion / adsorption material can be efficiently transmitted to the tank container.
[0011]
In the gas storage tank of the present invention, the tank container may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. With such a configuration, the heat transfer fins may be mounted along the inner wall surface of the tank container, which is a smooth curved surface, and the mounting operation can be easily performed. Further, by forming the tank container in a substantially columnar shape, it becomes possible to supply and store a higher-pressure gas to the gas storage tank.
[0012]
In the gas storage tank of the present invention,
In the vicinity of the opening formed at the longitudinal end, the tank container has a narrowed portion having a smaller cross-sectional area,
The tank container and the heat transfer fins are formed of a metal including aluminum,
The holding member may be formed of stainless steel.
[0013]
With such a configuration, it is easy to secure the airtightness of the tank while enduring the pressure of the gas stored therein by providing the throttle portion and sufficiently reducing the size of the opening of the tank container. Become. In addition, since the heat transfer fins are formed of a metal including aluminum having high heat conductivity, the heat transfer between the storage / adsorption material and the tank container can be further improved. Further, by forming the tank container with a metal including aluminum, the heat transmitted from the occlusion / adsorption material to the tank container via the heat transfer fins can be efficiently transmitted to the outside. When the heat transfer fins and the holding member are housed in the tank container prior to forming the narrowed portion, and the heat treatment is further performed after forming the narrowed portion, the heat transfer fin and the holding member may be formed by a metal including aluminum. Fins may have reduced strength during heat treatment. However, by providing the holding member, the contact state between the heat transfer fins and the tank container can be favorably ensured during and after the heat treatment.
[0014]
In such a gas storage tank of the present invention,
The gas storage tank is a tank that stores hydrogen,
The storage / adsorption material may include at least a hydrogen storage alloy.
[0015]
Aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity and is lightweight. Even if high-pressure hydrogen is stored in a container made of aluminum (aluminum alloy), hydrogen molecules do not leak out, and a tank container that constitutes a hydrogen storage tank Excellent as a material.
[0016]
The gas storage tank of the present invention may further include a reinforcing layer provided on an outer wall of the tank container and formed of a material having a larger heat capacity than a material forming the tank container.
[0017]
With such a configuration, in addition to transmitting the heat generated when the occlusion / adsorption material occludes and / or adsorbs the gas to the outside, a part of the heat can be absorbed by the reinforcing layer. The occlusion and / or adsorption operation can be further promoted.
[0018]
The present invention can be realized in various forms other than the above. For example, the present invention can be realized in a form such as a method for manufacturing a gas storage tank.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Structure of hydrogen storage tank 10:
B. Manufacturing process of the hydrogen storage tank 10:
C. Behavior of hydrogen storage and release:
D. effect:
E. FIG. Modification of the first embodiment:
F. Second embodiment:
G. FIG. Third embodiment:
H. Modification:
[0020]
A. Structure of hydrogen storage tank 10:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of a hydrogen storage tank 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG. 1A shows a state of a longitudinal section of the hydrogen storage tank 10, and FIG. 1B shows a state of a BB section (transverse section) in FIG. 1A. I have. The hydrogen storage tank 10 includes a tank container 20, a powdery hydrogen storage alloy 34 stored in the tank container 20, a heat transfer fin 30 disposed along an inner wall of the tank container 20, and a heat transfer fin 30. And a holding member 32 for holding the holding member 30. In FIG. 1A, the description of the hydrogen storage alloy 34 is omitted.
[0021]
The tank container 20 is a hollow container formed in a substantially columnar shape. In this embodiment, the tank container 20 is formed of an aluminum alloy. Both ends of the tank container 20 are opened as connection ports 21 and 22, respectively. The cross section of the vicinity of the connection ports 21 and 22 is smaller than that of the middle of the tank container 20. It is formed so as to be smaller and substantially circular.
[0022]
The heat transfer fins 30 are substantially cylindrical members, and are arranged along the inner side wall of the tank container 20 so as to be in contact with the inner wall surface. The heat transfer fins 30 are formed by a corrugated thin plate having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions formed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tank container 20, and the heat transfer fins 30 contact the inner wall of the tank container 20 at the convex portions. are doing. A hydrogen storage alloy 34 is stored in the tank container 20, and the heat transfer fins 30 contact both the hydrogen storage alloy 34 and the inner wall of the tank container 20, so that the heat transfer fins 30 Promotes heat transfer between. An example of a specific shape of the heat transfer fin 30 is shown in FIG. 1 (B), but such a shape of the heat transfer fin 30 can contact both the hydrogen storage alloy 34 and the inner wall of the tank container 20. What is necessary is just to have unevenness. When the heat transfer fins 30 are formed of a corrugated thin plate as in this embodiment, for example, a heat transfer fin having a cross section of a U-shape, V-shape, U-shape or the like can be used. In this embodiment, the heat transfer fins 30 are formed of an aluminum alloy.
[0023]
The holding member 32 is an elastic member made of three thin and thin metal plates, and forms a substantially triangular shape in the cross section of the tank container 20 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the holding member 32 in more detail. The holding member 32 is formed by using three thin plates 31 each having a bent portion 31a bent to form a substantially U-shape at both ends thereof. Are joined together to form As shown in FIG. 2A, the holding member 32 is formed such that the size of the substantially triangular circumscribed circle is larger than the cross section of the tank container 20. Therefore, the holding member 32 is compressed by utilizing the elastic force and is housed in the tank container 20 (see FIG. 2B), thereby obtaining a pressing force for holding the heat transfer fin 30. The holding member 32 contacts the heat transfer fin 30 from the inside of the convex portion of the heat transfer fin 30 at the bent portion 31 a at the vertex of the substantially triangle, and presses and holds the heat transfer fin 30 against the wall surface side of the tank container 20. are doing. As described above, when the bent portion 31a comes into contact with the heat transfer fins 30, the contact area with the heat transfer fins 30 is increased and the concentration of stress is preferably suppressed. However, the bent portion 31a may not be formed in the holding member 32. In this embodiment, the holding member 32 is formed of stainless steel.
[0024]
Lids 24 and 26 are fitted into the above-described connection ports 21 and 22 provided at the end of the tank container 20, respectively (see FIG. 1A). The lids 24 and 26 have a structure for ensuring the airtightness of the tank container 20 at the connection ports 21 and 22, thereby preventing the hydrogen gas stored in the tank container 20 from leaking to the outside. . Further, a hydrogen supply / discharge port 24 a for supplying / discharging hydrogen gas to / from the tank container 20 is provided in the lid portion 24 so as to open to the outside.
[0025]
Further, inside the hydrogen storage tank 10, an elongated substantially cylindrical filter 25 connected to the hydrogen supply / discharge port 24 a is provided at a substantially central portion of the hydrogen storage tank 10 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen storage tank 10. They are arranged so as to be parallel (see FIG. 1A). The filter 25 is formed of a sintered metal or the like, and is a gas-permeable porous body in which particles of the hydrogen storage alloy 34 contained in the tank container 20 do not substantially enter the inside of the filter 25. . The hydrogen storage alloy 34 is held in the tank container 20 by closing the hydrogen supply / discharge port 24 a using such a filter 25. When supplying and discharging hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tank 10, hydrogen flows in and out through the filter 25.
[0026]
A reinforcing layer 23 is provided on the outer wall of the tank container 20 (see FIG. 1). The reinforcing layer 23 is for improving the strength of the tank container 20 for storing high-pressure hydrogen therein, and is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP).
[0027]
B. Manufacturing process of the hydrogen storage tank 10:
FIG. 3 is a process chart illustrating a method for manufacturing the hydrogen storage tank 10. When manufacturing the hydrogen storage tank 10, first, a corrugated thin plate formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in a substantially cylindrical outer wall portion 50 having both open ends for forming the tank container 20. The heat transfer fins 30 are stored (step S100). FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the heat transfer fins 30 are stored in the outer wall portion 50.
[0028]
Thereafter, the holding member 32 is attached to the outer wall 50, and the heat transfer fins 30 are fixed in the outer wall 50 (Step S110). FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure when the holding member 32 is attached. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the holding member 32 is mounted using the mounting tool 40. The attachment 40 includes a hollow cylindrical portion 42, an operation portion 44, and three pinching bars 46. The operation unit 44 is a rod-shaped member slidably disposed in the tubular portion 42, and has one end protruding from one end of the tubular portion 42. The pinch bar 46 is a flexible rod-shaped member fixed to the other end of the operation unit 44, and is bent so that its tip is spread outward. FIG. 5A shows an initial state of the attachment 40 when attaching the holding member 32 using the attachment 40. In the initial state, the three pinch bars 46 can pinch the holding member 32 from outside. FIG. 5B is an explanatory view showing a state in which three pinching bars 46 are in one-to-one contact with the three thin plates 31 constituting the holding member 32 and pinch the holding member 32. From this initial state, when the cylindrical portion 42 is slid toward the pinch 46 with respect to the operation portion 44, a part of the pinch bar 46 enters the cylindrical portion 42, and the three pinch bars The interval between the 46 becomes narrower (see FIG. 5C). As a result, the holding member 32 sandwiched by the sandwiching bar 46 is bent from the center (see FIG. 5D), and the holding member 32 has a size that can be inserted into the outer wall 50. After that, the holding member 32 is inserted into a desired position in the outer wall portion 50 in which the heat transfer fins 30 are housed while being sandwiched by the fixture 40 as shown in FIG. At this time, when the operation portion 44 is slid to the opposite side to the pinch bar 46 side (see FIG. 5E), the pinch bar 46 is housed in the tubular portion 42 and detaches from the holding member 32. When the pinch bar 46 comes off, the holding member 32 exerts a force to return to the original shape, and presses the convex portion of the heat transfer fin 30 against the wall surface of the outer wall portion 50 at the bent portion 31a, thereby pressing the heat transfer fin 30 to the outer wall portion. It becomes fixed within 50. In FIG. 5E, the illustration of the heat transfer fins 30 is omitted.
[0029]
Next, drawing (mouth drawing) is performed on both ends of the outer wall 50 (step S120). That is, the outer wall portion 50 is processed so that the openings at both ends of the outer wall portion 50 become the connection ports 21 and 22 which are smaller openings, and the tank container 20 is formed.
[0030]
Thereafter, heat treatment is performed on the tank container 20 (Step S130). This heat treatment is a treatment for improving the fatigue strength of the aluminum alloy constituting the tank container 20 and the heat transfer fins 30. In the hydrogen storage tank 10, the constituent members expand and contract as the temperature rises and falls, and the internal pressure rises and falls as the hydrogen is charged and released. The shape of the tank container 20 is distorted at a predetermined ratio with the expansion and contraction of the constituent members and the rise and fall of the internal pressure. By repeatedly generating such strain, the aluminum alloy constituting the tank container 20 gradually causes metal fatigue. The heat treatment improves the resistance to fatigue, and in this embodiment, the well-known T6 treatment applied to the aluminum alloy was performed. In this heat treatment, the aluminum alloy is heated to, for example, 515 to 550 ° C. to form a solution, and then quenched by water cooling.
[0031]
After the heat treatment, a predetermined amount of the hydrogen storage alloy 34 is stored in the tank container 20 (Step S140). Thereafter, the lid 24 having the filter 25 is attached to the connection port 21 of the tank container 20, and the lid 26 is attached to the connection port 22 (Step S150). Further, the reinforcing layer 23 is formed on the outer periphery of the tank container 20 (Step S160), and the hydrogen storage tank 10 is completed. The reinforcing layer 23 is formed, for example, by winding carbon fibers impregnated with an epoxy resin or the like around the outer periphery of the tank container 20 and then curing the impregnated resin.
[0032]
C. Behavior of hydrogen storage and release:
When storing hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tank 10, high-pressure hydrogen is introduced into the hydrogen storage tank 10 through the hydrogen supply / discharge port 24a. Hydrogen introduced from the hydrogen supply / discharge port 24 a is guided into the tank container 20 and stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 34. The amount of hydrogen storage in the hydrogen storage alloy 34 is determined by the hydrogen pressure, the temperature, and the type of the hydrogen storage alloy. Then, when hydrogen is supplied at a predetermined pressure, the hydrogen storage alloy 34 increases its temperature while storing hydrogen until it reaches a predetermined temperature. Heat generated as the hydrogen storage alloy 34 stores hydrogen is transmitted to the tank container 20 via the heat transfer fins 30 and further transmitted to the reinforcing layer 23. At this time, since the heat transfer fins 30 are held by the holding member 32, the state in which the heat transfer fins 30 are in contact with the tank container 20 and transfer heat is stably maintained. Part of the heat transmitted to the tank container 20 and the reinforcing layer 23 is absorbed by the tank container 20 and the reinforcing layer 23. In particular, the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) constituting the reinforcing layer 23 has a larger heat capacity than a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, so that more heat is absorbed in the reinforcing layer 23. Further, part of the heat transmitted to the tank container 20 and the reinforcing layer 23 is further released from the reinforcing layer 23 to the outside. As described above, the heat is removed by being absorbed or dissipated by the surrounding members, whereby the operation of hydrogen storage by the hydrogen storage alloy 34 is promoted. After the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy 34 is raised to a predetermined temperature, the hydrogen storage alloy is formed between the space in the tank container 20 and the hydrogen storage alloy powder at a pressure corresponding to the hydrogen pressure supplied to the hydrogen storage tank 10. The void is filled with hydrogen gas, and the hydrogen storage tank 10 is fully charged.
[0033]
When extracting hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank 10, first, hydrogen is released from compressed hydrogen in a space including a void formed between the hydrogen storage alloy powders, and then hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 34 is further released. You.
[0034]
D. effect:
According to the hydrogen storage tank 10 of the first embodiment configured as described above, along the inner wall of the side surface of the hydrogen storage tank 10, the transmission having an uneven shape is in contact with the inner wall surface and the hydrogen storage alloy 34. Since the heat fins 30 are provided, the contact area between the hydrogen storage alloy 34 and the heat transfer fins 30 is increased to ensure sufficient heat transfer between the hydrogen storage alloy 34 and the tank container 20. Can be. Thus, the efficiency of discharging heat from the hydrogen storage alloy 34 is improved, and the hydrogen storage operation can be performed efficiently. Here, since the holding member 32 for fixing the heat transfer fin 30 is provided, the heat transfer fin 30 is held by the holding member 32 even when vibration is applied to the hydrogen storage tank 10, for example. And the state where the inner wall of the tank container 20 is in contact. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency between the hydrogen storage alloy 34 and the tank container 20 is not impaired. In particular, in this embodiment, since the heat transfer fins 30 are formed of an aluminum alloy having a high heat transfer, the heat transfer between the hydrogen storage alloy 34 and the tank container 20 can be further improved.
[0035]
Further, in the present embodiment, since the holding member 32 is formed of stainless steel, which is a metal having higher heat resistance than the heat transfer fins 30, the heat transfer fins 30 and the inner wall of the tank container 20 are caused by the heat treatment. Can be prevented from being damaged. If the heat transfer fins 30 made of an aluminum alloy are softened during the heat treatment to reduce the strength, the contact state between the heat transfer fins 30 and the inner wall of the tank container 20 may be impaired. However, as in the present embodiment, the contact between the heat transfer fin 30 and the inner wall of the tank container 20 can be improved by pressing the heat transfer fin 30 with the holding member 32 formed of a material having higher heat resistance. Can be held.
[0036]
Further, in this embodiment, since the tank container 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape, the heat transfer fins 30 having a predetermined uneven shape may be attached along the inner wall surface of the tank container 20 which is a smooth curved surface. This can be easily performed. In the present embodiment, the tank container 20 is formed in an approximately columnar shape and is formed of an aluminum alloy that has been subjected to a heat treatment to improve fatigue strength. For example, hydrogen at a pressure of 1 MPa or more can be supplied and stored. The aluminum alloy does not leak hydrogen molecules to the outside even when such high-pressure hydrogen is stored therein, has excellent heat conductivity, is lightweight, and is excellent as a material of the tank container 20. .
[0037]
Further, in this embodiment, by providing the reinforcing layer 23, hydrogen at a higher pressure can be stored, and for example, hydrogen at a pressure of 25 MPa or more, or even 35 MPa or more can be stored. By supplying high-pressure hydrogen to the hydrogen storage tank 10 having such excellent strength, not only is the hydrogen storage alloy occluded with hydrogen, but also the space between the hydrogen storage alloy powders and the space in the hydrogen storage tank 10 In addition, more hydrogen gas can be stored. Further, by forming the reinforcing layer 23 from a material having a larger heat capacity than the material forming the tank container 20, more heat is absorbed by the reinforcing layer 23 when the hydrogen storage alloy absorbs hydrogen while generating heat. Can be absorbed, and the efficiency of hydrogen storage can be improved.
[0038]
E. FIG. Modification of the first embodiment:
In the first embodiment, the holding member 32 has a substantially triangular shape in which each of the three thin plates 31 constitutes one side, but may have a different shape. FIGS. 6 to 8 are explanatory views showing the configuration of a holding member as a modification of the first embodiment, which can be used in place of the holding member 32.
[0039]
A holding member 132 as a first modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6A is formed in a substantially square shape by a thin metal plate such as stainless steel. The holding member 132 is formed into a substantially square shape as a whole by bending a single thin plate at a predetermined position and joining both ends of the thin plate at a joining portion 132a. Even with such a configuration, the heat transfer fins 30 are pressed at the apexes of the rectangular shape by using the elastic force of the holding member 132, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. When the holding member is formed in a substantially square shape as shown in FIG. 6A, four thin plates are used, and these thin plates are joined so that each thin plate forms each side. Alternatively, a holding member may be formed.
[0040]
A holding member 232 as a second modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6B is formed of a metal wire that extends in the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen storage tank and is bent in a waveform. The holding member 232 presses the heat transfer fins 30 at the apex of the waveform by using the elastic force of the wire bent in a waveform, and obtains the same effect as that of the first embodiment. When the holding member 232 is formed of a metal wire as described above, the heat transfer fin 30 can be held more stably by using a plurality of metal wires. FIG. 6B shows a holding member 232 made of two metal wires. For example, the heat transfer fins 30 can be stably held by disposing two metal wires shifted from each other by 180 ° or disposing three metal wires shifted from each other by 60 °. .
[0041]
A holding member 332 as a third modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is formed of four metal wires that extend in the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen storage tank and are bent at predetermined positions. One metal wire 332a constituting the holding member 332 has a vertically upper end (shown as U in FIG. 7) and a horizontal right end (see FIG. 7) with respect to the inner wall of the tank container 20 having a substantially circular cross section. 7 (indicated by R in FIG. 7) so as to alternately contact at predetermined intervals. The other metal wire 332b constituting the holding member 332 is similarly spaced from the inner wall of the tank container 20 at the above-described predetermined distance at the lower end in the vertical direction (indicated by D in FIG. 7) and the right end in the horizontal direction. It is bent so that it contacts alternately. Further, the other metal wire 332c constituting the holding member 332 is similarly provided at the upper end in the vertical direction and the left end in the horizontal direction (shown as L in FIG. 7) with respect to the inner wall of the tank container 20. It is bent so that it contacts alternately at intervals of. Further, another metal wire 332d constituting the holding member 332 is similarly bent so as to alternately contact the inner wall of the tank 20 at the lower end in the vertical direction and the left end in the horizontal direction at the predetermined interval. Have been. In such a holding member 332, adjacent metal wires are joined to each other at a portion in contact with the inner wall of the tank container 20, and the holding member 332 presses the heat transfer fins 30 at this joined portion, thereby providing the same effect as in the first embodiment. Have gained.
[0042]
The holding member 232 or the holding member 332 has an elastic force for pressing the side wall surface of the hydrogen storage tank, and has a structure capable of expanding and contracting in the longitudinal direction of the hydrogen storage tank. Therefore, when the holding member is housed in the outer wall portion 50 at the time of manufacturing the hydrogen storage tank, the holding member can be pulled in the longitudinal direction to have a size that can be inserted into the inside from the opening of the outer wall portion 50.
[0043]
A holding member 432 as a fourth modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is formed by a thin metal plate bent so as to form the convex portions 32b at predetermined intervals. The holding member 432 is arranged along the inner periphery of the side wall surface of the tank container 20 so as to make one round around the inner wall so as to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tank container 20. When disposing the holding member 432, the protrusions 32 b of the holding member 432 are engaged with the protrusions of the heat transfer fins 30 that are provided at predetermined intervals. Arrange. The holding member 432 has, at both ends, a bent portion 32a which is bent to a side opposite to the side on which the convex portion 32b is formed, but is disposed so as to make one round of the inner circumference of the tank container 20. Thus, the bent portions 32a provided at both ends come into contact with each other. By arranging the holding member 432 in this manner, the holding member 432 presses the heat transfer fin 30 toward the inner wall of the tank container 20 from the inside of the convex portion of the heat transfer fin 30, and the same effect as in the first embodiment. Can be obtained.
[0044]
F. Second embodiment:
In the first embodiment, the heat transfer fins 30 are provided so as to cover the inner wall of the side surface of the tank container 20 once, but the heat transfer fins may be provided so as to cover a smaller area. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the hydrogen storage tank 110 according to the second embodiment. Since the hydrogen storage tank 110 of the second embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the hydrogen storage tank 10 of the first embodiment, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 9, the hydrogen storage tank 110 according to the second embodiment includes heat transfer fins 130 instead of the heat transfer fins 30. The heat transfer fins 130 have the same concavo-convex shape as the heat transfer fins 30, but, unlike the heat transfer fins 30, are provided so as to cover a substantially lower half area of the inner side wall of the tank container 20. . In this embodiment, an amount of the hydrogen storage alloy 34 that is approximately one third of the height in the tank container 20 is stored in the tank container 20, and the region where the hydrogen storage alloy 34 contacts the inner wall of the tank container 20 is , And the heat transfer fins 130.
[0046]
Thus, if the heat transfer fins in contact with the inner wall of the tank container 20 are provided over the height of the stored hydrogen storage alloy 34, the effect of sufficiently promoting the heat transfer between the two can be obtained.
[0047]
G. FIG. Third embodiment:
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of the hydrogen storage tank 210 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10A shows a state inside the hydrogen storage tank 210 in a longitudinal section of the hydrogen storage tank 210, and FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along a line BB (cross section) in FIG. The state of the hydrogen storage tank 210 is shown. Since the hydrogen storage tank 210 of the third embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the hydrogen storage tank 10 of the first embodiment, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.
[0048]
The hydrogen storage tank 210 includes a holding bar 60 instead of the holding member 32 as a holding member for holding the heat transfer fin. Further, the hydrogen storage tank 210 is provided with the heat transfer fins 130 provided so as to cover a lower region of the inner side wall of the tank container 20, similarly to the hydrogen storage tank 210 of the second embodiment. Further, the hydrogen storage tank 210 is provided with a lid 126 instead of the lid 26 for closing the connection port 22. In FIG. 10A, the description of the hydrogen storage alloy 34 is omitted.
[0049]
The holding rod 60 is a solid or hollow rod-shaped member whose both ends are closed, and one end thereof is fixed to the lid 126. Further, the other end of the holding bar 60 is fixed to a ring portion 27 in which the filter 25 attached to the lid portion 24 is fitted and fixed. Further, the holding rod 60 is bent at a middle portion thereof so as to press and hold the heat transfer fin 130 against the inner wall of the tank container 20 over a predetermined length. Here, the heat transfer fins 130 are pressed by one of the plurality of protrusions formed substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tank container 20 from the inside of the protrusions by the pressing bar 60. Such a holding bar 60 can be formed of, for example, an aluminum alloy or stainless steel.
[0050]
According to the hydrogen storage tank 210 of the third embodiment configured as described above, by holding the heat transfer fins 130 with the presser bar 60, the hydrogen storage alloy 34 and the hydrogen storage alloy 34 are held in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments. The effect of sufficiently securing the heat transfer between the tank container 20 is obtained. Thereby, the efficiency of cooling the hydrogen storage alloy 34 can be improved, and the hydrogen storage operation can be performed efficiently. Even when vibration is applied to the hydrogen storage tank 210, the state in which the heat transfer fins 130 and the inner wall of the tank container 20 are in contact is maintained, and the heat exchange efficiency between the hydrogen storage alloy 34 and the tank container 20 is impaired. There is no.
[0051]
In this embodiment, since the heat transfer fins 130 are provided only below the inside of the tank container 20, even if heat treatment is performed without pressing the heat transfer fins 130, the heat transfer fins 130 are held by gravity. be able to. Therefore, even if heat treatment is performed without pressing the heat transfer fins 130, the contact state between the heat transfer fins 130 and the inner wall of the tank container 20 is not impaired, and the holding rod 60 is attached to the heat treatment It can be done later.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, the holding bar 60 is fixed to the lid 24 and the lid 126 at both ends, but may be fixed to only one end. This is because the holding bar 60 only needs to be able to engage with the convex portion of the heat transfer fin 130 and press and hold the heat transfer fin 130 against the tank container 20 side. Further, in the present embodiment, since the holding bar 60 is fixed substantially at the center of the lid 126, the holding bar 60 and the lid 126 can be easily fixed. That is, at the time of assembling, after the holding rod 60 is disposed in a predetermined state in the tank container 20, the holding rod 60 and the lid 126 are tightened using a bolt or the like without moving the tank container 20. And can be easily fixed.
[0053]
In the third embodiment, the pressing rod 60 is a single rod-shaped member. However, a plurality of rod-shaped members may be used. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of a presser bar 160 as a modification of the third embodiment. The presser bar 160 is used in place of the presser bar 60 in the hydrogen storage tank 210 of the third embodiment, and the region in contact with the heat transfer fins 130 is branched into three. Each of the branched rods engages with a different projection provided on the heat transfer fin 130, and presses and holds the heat transfer fin 130 against the inner wall side of the tank container 20 at this projection. As described above, the use of a plurality of holding rods, not limited to three, can more stably hold the heat transfer fins. Therefore, even when the heat transfer fins covering a wider area of the inner wall surface of the tank container 20 are used, the contact state between the inner wall surface of the tank container 20 and the heat transfer fins can be favorably maintained.
[0054]
E. FIG. Modification:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the invention, and for example, the following modifications are possible.
[0055]
H1. Modification 1
In the first embodiment, the tank container 20 is formed by performing drawing and heat treatment on the cylindrical outer wall portion 50. However, the tank container may be formed by a different method. For example, a plurality of members for forming a tank container may be attached to each other after the heat treatment to produce a tank container. In this case, the heat transfer fins may be stored when a plurality of members are bonded, and there is no need to perform heat treatment after storing the heat transfer fins. Therefore, it is not necessary to hold the heat transfer fins in the outer wall portion (tank container) during the heat treatment, but by providing the holding member, the same effect of preventing the heat transfer fins from moving when the hydrogen storage tank is used is provided. Obtainable.
[0056]
H2. Modified example 2:
In the first to third embodiments, the heat transfer fins are pressed and held against the inner wall side of the tank container by the holding members, but may be configured differently. For example, the heat transfer fins may be formed of a clad material having low melting point aluminum on the surface, and the heat transfer fins and the inner wall surface of the tank container may be fixed by melting the low melting point aluminum on the surface. In this way, by melting the low melting point metal, a holding member for fixing and holding the heat transfer fins can be formed.
[0057]
In such a case, the fixing operation may be performed at the same time as the heat treatment described above or by a heat treatment separately performed by housing the heat transfer fins in the tank container. In particular, when a heat transfer fin that covers the lower region of the inner side wall of the tank container is used as in the heat transfer fin 130 of the second or third embodiment, the heat transfer fin contacts the inner wall surface of the tank container during heat treatment. It is possible to obviate the need for a special configuration for holding the battery. For example, by disposing the heat transfer fins so as to cover the lower region in the tank container and performing vacuum heating, the heat transfer fins can be easily fixed in the tank container.
[0058]
H3. Modification 3:
In the first to third embodiments, the heat generated at the time of storing hydrogen is transmitted to the tank container using the heat transfer fins and discharged, and the refrigerant flow path is not provided. An operation of forming a path and discharging heat using a refrigerant may be further performed.
[0059]
H4. Modification 4:
Further, in the first to third embodiments, the tank container 20 is filled with the hydrogen storage alloy. However, other types of storage / adsorption materials may be used. Alternatively, another type of storage / adsorption material may be further provided. For example, activated carbon or carbon nanotubes may be further provided in addition to the hydrogen storage alloy.
[0060]
H5. Modification 5:
Although the heat transfer fins made of an aluminum alloy are used in the above-described embodiments, the heat transfer fins may be formed of a different material. If the metal member has a sufficient heat conductivity, the heat generated by the hydrogen storage alloy can be transmitted to the tank container to discharge the heat. The contact state between the heat fin and the inner wall surface of the tank container can be kept good.
[0061]
H6. Modification 6:
Further, in the first to third embodiments, the hydrogen storage tank for storing hydrogen is used. However, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to a gas storage tank other than hydrogen.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen storage tank 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the state of a holding member 32 in more detail.
FIG. 3 is a process chart illustrating a method of manufacturing the hydrogen storage tank 10.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which heat transfer fins 30 are stored in outer wall portion 50.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for attaching the holding member 32.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a holding member as a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a holding member as a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a holding member as a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a hydrogen storage tank 110 according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a hydrogen storage tank 210 according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view schematically showing a configuration of a presser bar 160 as a modification of the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10,110,210 ... hydrogen storage tank
20 ... Tank container
21, 22, ... connection port
23 ... reinforcement layer
24, 26, 126 ... lid
24a: Hydrogen supply / discharge port
25 ... Filter
27… Ring part
30, 130 ... heat transfer fins
31 ... thin plate
31a ... bending part
32, 132, 232, 332, 432 ... holding member
32a ... bending part
32b ... convex part
34 ... Hydrogen storage alloy
40 ... Mounting tool
42 ... cylindrical part
44 ... Operation unit
46 ... pincer
50 ... outer wall
60,160… Holding stick
132a ... joint
332a to 332d: metal wire

Claims (11)

A gas storage tank for storing gas,
A hollow tank container,
An occlusion and / or adsorbent that is housed in the tank container and occludes and / or adsorbs the gas;
A heat transfer fin disposed along an inner wall surface of the tank container and in contact with at least a part of the inner wall surface and the occlusion / adsorption material,
A holding member for holding the heat transfer fin in contact with an inner wall surface of the tank container. The gas storage tank according to claim 1, wherein
A gas storage tank in which the holding member presses the heat transfer fin against the inner wall surface of the tank container by an elastic force of the holding member to hold the heat transfer fin. The gas storage tank according to claim 1, wherein
The holding member has two ends, and at least one of the ends is fixed at a predetermined position in the tank container, and the heat transfer is performed at a portion other than the fixed end. A gas storage tank for pressing a fin against the inner wall surface of the tank container. The gas storage tank according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
The heat transfer fin is a thin plate-shaped member having a plurality of concave portions and convex portions, and is in contact with an inner wall surface of the tank container at the convex portions, and inside the tank container by the holding member from inside the convex portions. Gas storage tank pressed against the wall. The gas storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The gas storage tank, wherein the heat transfer fins are provided so as to cover up to a height exceeding a height at which the occlusion / adsorption material is provided on an inner side wall of the tank container. It is a gas storage tank in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5, Comprising:
The tank container is a gas storage tank formed in a substantially columnar shape. The gas storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
In the vicinity of the opening formed at the longitudinal end, the tank container has a narrowed portion having a smaller cross-sectional area,
The tank container and the heat transfer fins are formed of a metal including aluminum,
The holding member is a gas storage tank formed of stainless steel. It is a gas storage tank of Claim 7, Comprising:
The gas storage tank is a tank that stores hydrogen,
A gas storage tank, wherein the storage / adsorption material contains at least a hydrogen storage alloy. The gas storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:
A gas storage tank provided on an outer wall of the tank container and having a reinforcing layer formed of a material having a larger heat capacity than a material forming the tank container. A method of manufacturing a gas storage tank for storing gas,
(A) preparing a hollow outer wall material;
(B) disposing a heat transfer fin along the inner wall surface of the outer wall material so as to contact at least a part of the inner wall surface;
(C) disposing a holding member for holding the heat transfer fins in the outer wall material so as to keep the heat transfer fins in contact with the inner wall surface of the outer wall material;
(D) a step of drawing near the opening of the outer wall material containing the heat transfer fins and the holding member;
(E) performing a heat treatment on the outer wall material drawn in the step (d);
(F) After the step (e), storing a storage / adsorption material for storing and / or adsorbing the gas in the outer wall material so as to be in contact with both the outer wall material and the heat transfer fins. A method for manufacturing a gas storage tank comprising: It is a manufacturing method of the gas storage tank according to claim 10,
The outer wall material and the heat transfer fins are formed of a metal including aluminum,
The method for manufacturing a gas storage tank, wherein the holding member is formed of stainless steel.

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