JP2006306667A - Hydrogen generator and ice crusher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydrogen generator capable of efficiently generating hydrogen. <P>SOLUTION: The hydrogen generator 11 is constituted by providing a hydrogen generating medium 20, such as water, used for generating hydrogen, a light condensing optical system 35 for irradiating the medium 20 with a condensed light while condensing an irradiation light L for generating hydrogen, and a hydrogen collection system 40 for collecting hydrogen generated in the medium 20. The light condensing optical system 35 condenses the irradiation light L so as to satisfy such a condition that a photoreaction is initiated by the irradiation with the condensed light of the irradiation light L in the hydrogen generating medium 20, and the hydrogen collection system 40 collects hydrogen generated by the decomposition of a substance in the hydrogen generating medium 20 by the photoreaction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen generation apparatus that generates hydrogen using a photoreaction and an ice breaker that performs crushed ice using a photoreaction.

Hydrogen produced from a hydrogen production medium such as water has attracted attention as an environmentally friendly clean fuel. Water and seawater that can be used for hydrogen production exist at low cost and in large quantities, and the production of clean hydrogen fuel from such a hydrogen production medium is an important issue that leads to the resolution of human energy problems ( For example, see Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2002-338201 A Zhigang Zou et al., “Directsplitting of water under visible light irradiation with an oxide semiconductorphotocatalyst”, NATURE vol. 414, p.625-627 (2001) Takashi Omori, “Catalytic Chemistry for a Sustainable Society-Photocatalytic Chip for Hydrogen Production”, RITE NOW 44, p.06-07 (2002)

As a method for generating hydrogen from a hydrogen generation medium, a method is used in which hydrogen is generated by decomposing the hydrogen generation medium by irradiating light in the presence of a photocatalyst. For example, in Non-Patent Document 1, Ni doping treatment is performed on InTaO ₄ that is an inorganic oxide semiconductor, and hydrogen is generated using a photocatalyst composed of a compound supporting NiO on the surface. In Non-Patent Document 2, a photocatalytic chip having a multilayer thin film structure is used.

  As can be seen from these examples, the conventional hydrogen generation method has a problem that a special photocatalytic device is required. Also, considering the practicality of hydrogen fuel, the hydrogen production efficiency obtained by the above method is still not sufficient.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen generator and an ice crusher capable of efficiently generating hydrogen.

  In order to achieve such an object, a hydrogen generation apparatus according to the present invention includes (1) a hydrogen generation medium used for hydrogen generation, and (2) condensing irradiation light for hydrogen generation on the hydrogen generation medium. And (3) a hydrogen collecting means for collecting hydrogen generated in the hydrogen generation medium, and (4) the light collection optical system collects and irradiates irradiation light in the hydrogen generation medium. The irradiation light is collected so as to satisfy the condition for the occurrence of the photoreaction according to the above, and the hydrogen collecting means collects hydrogen produced by decomposition of the substance in the hydrogen production medium by the photoreaction.

  In the hydrogen generation apparatus described above, light is condensed and irradiated to a hydrogen generation medium such as water, and the substance in the hydrogen generation medium is decomposed by the action of the electric field of the irradiation light itself that has become strong due to the concentration. , Thereby producing hydrogen. According to such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently generate hydrogen with a simple configuration without using a special photocatalyst or the like.

  Here, the hydrogen generation medium preferably contains at least one of water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone. In general, as a hydrogen generation medium, a liquid having hydrogen atoms in the constituent molecules of the medium, such as water, seawater, industrial water, industrial wastewater, methanol, ethanol, acetone, etc., or a gas or solid whose phase has changed. Is preferred.

  In addition, the hydrogen generation apparatus may include a medium storage unit that stores the hydrogen generation medium, and a light transmission window that transmits the irradiation light from the condensing optical system to the hydrogen generation medium in the medium storage unit. Thereby, a hydrogen generator can be constituted suitably. In this case, the hydrogen generation medium may be made of a liquid, and a light-transmitting hydrophilic agent may be applied to the surface of the light transmission window on the hydrogen generation medium side. Furthermore, it is preferable to use a hydrophilic agent made of a substance having a photocatalytic action as the hydrophilic agent.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the hydrogen generator includes an irradiation light supply unit that supplies irradiation light for hydrogen generation. As a specific irradiation light supply means, for example, a pulse laser light source that supplies pulse laser light as irradiation light can be used. In addition to the laser light source, a lamp light source or the like may be used as the irradiation light supply means. Or when using sunlight as irradiation light, it is unnecessary to provide an irradiation light supply means.

  In addition, the hydrogen generation apparatus may include a light reuse unit for irradiating the hydrogen generation medium with the irradiation light that has passed through the hydrogen generation medium as irradiation light for hydrogen generation again. As such light reuse means, for example, a configuration in which the medium accommodating means is an optical integrating sphere can be used.

  Further, the hydrogen generation medium may be made of a liquid and added with a surfactant. Further, the hydrogen generation medium may be made of ice and may itself have a function of a hydrogen collecting means.

  An ice breaking device according to the present invention comprises (a) an irradiation light supply means for supplying irradiation light for ice breaking, and (b) a condensing optical system for condensing the irradiation light on the ice to be crushed. (C) the condensing optical system crushes the ice by condensing the irradiation light so as to satisfy the condition that the photoreaction caused by the condensing irradiation of the irradiation light occurs in the ice to be crushed. It is characterized by.

  In the above-described ice breaking apparatus, light is condensed and irradiated on the ice, and ice breaking is performed by the action of the electric field of the irradiation light itself that has become strong due to the concentration. According to such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently perform ice breaking with a simple configuration without using a special photocatalyst or the like. Such an ice breaking device is applicable to an ice breaking ship, for example.

  According to the hydrogen generation apparatus of the present invention, light is condensed and irradiated on a hydrogen generation medium such as water, and the substance in the hydrogen generation medium is decomposed by the action of the electric field of the irradiation light itself that has become high intensity. Thus, it is possible to efficiently generate hydrogen with a simple configuration without using a special photocatalyst or the like.

  In addition, according to the ice breaking device according to the present invention, a special photocatalyst or the like is used by condensing and irradiating light to the ice to be crushed, and breaking the ice by the action of the electric field of the irradiation light itself that has become high intensity. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently perform ice breaking with a simple configuration.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a hydrogen generator and an ice breaker according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Further, the dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those described.

  FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a hydrogen generator according to the present invention. The hydrogen generator 11 of the present embodiment is a device that generates hydrogen using a photoreaction, and includes a hydrogen generation medium 20, an irradiation light supply system 30, and a hydrogen collection system 40.

  The hydrogen generation medium 20 is a medium containing a substance (constituent molecule) used for hydrogen generation. For example, a medium containing at least one of water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone is preferably used. In general, the hydrogen generation medium 20 includes water, seawater, industrial water, industrial wastewater, methanol, ethanol, acetone, and other liquids having hydrogen atoms in the constituent molecules of the medium, or gases, solids, and the like in which they change phase. Can be used.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen generation medium 20 is accommodated in a container 25 that is a medium accommodating means. An irradiation light supply system 30 that supplies irradiation light L for hydrogen generation to the hydrogen generation medium 20 is installed at a predetermined position when viewed from the container 25. A condensing optical system 35 for irradiating the irradiation light L while condensing the irradiation light L onto the hydrogen generation medium 20 is disposed between the container 25 and the irradiation light supply system 30. Further, a light transmission window 26 that transmits the irradiation light L condensed by the condensing optical system 35 to the hydrogen generation medium 20 in the container 25 is provided at a predetermined portion of the container 25 on the irradiation light supply system 30 side. Is provided. In FIG. 1, the condensing optical system 35 is schematically shown by a single condensing lens.

  In such a configuration, the condensing optical system 35 condenses the irradiation light L so as to satisfy a condition in which a photoreaction occurs due to the condensing irradiation of the irradiation light L in the hydrogen generation medium 20. At this time, in the hydrogen generation medium 20, the substance in the medium 20 is decomposed by photoreaction (for example, water is decomposed) to generate hydrogen. Further, a hydrogen collection system 40 is connected above the container 25 through a hydrogen collection pipe 40a. Hydrogen produced by the photoreaction in the hydrogen production medium 20 is collected by the hydrogen collection system 40.

  The effect of the hydrogen generator 11 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the hydrogen generator 11 shown in FIG. 1, the irradiation light L from the irradiation light supply system 30 is condensed and irradiated to the hydrogen generation medium 20 such as water by the condensing optical system 35, and the intensity is increased by condensing. The substance in the hydrogen generation medium 20 is decomposed by the action of the strong electric field of the irradiation light L itself, thereby generating hydrogen. According to such a configuration, it is possible to efficiently generate hydrogen with a simple configuration without using a special photocatalyst or the like.

  The hydrogen generator 11 includes a container 25 that stores the hydrogen generation medium 20 and a light transmission window 26 that transmits the irradiation light L from the condensing optical system 35. Thereby, the hydrogen production | generation apparatus 11 can be comprised suitably. However, the medium accommodating means such as the container 25 may be configured not to use the medium accommodating means if unnecessary, for example, when seawater is used as the hydrogen generation medium.

  In the present embodiment, an irradiation light supply system 30 that supplies irradiation light L for hydrogen generation to the medium 20 is installed. As a specific irradiation light supply system 30, for example, a pulse laser light source that supplies a pulse laser beam as the irradiation light L can be used. When such a pulse laser beam is used, the intensity of the electric field when the irradiation light L is condensed on the hydrogen generation medium 20 can be sufficiently increased, and hydrogen generation by photoreaction can be realized with high efficiency. . As for the intensity of the pulse laser beam, it is preferable to use a pulse laser beam having a peak intensity of, for example, 100 kW or more.

  In addition to the pulse laser light source, the irradiation light supply system 30 may be a light source such as a CW laser light source or a lamp light source in consideration of the strength of the electric field when the irradiation light L is collected on the hydrogen generation medium 20. An apparatus may be used. Alternatively, for example, when sunlight is used as the irradiation light L, it is not necessary to provide the irradiation light supply system 30, and only the condensing optical system 35 may be installed for the sunlight.

  With respect to the production of hydrogen by the hydrogen generator 11 having the above configuration, an experiment was performed using the hydrogen generator having the configuration shown in FIG. Here, water 20a was used as a hydrogen production medium, and water 20a was accommodated in a medium accommodating container composed of containers 25a and 25b. Moreover, the objective lens 35a was installed with respect to this water 20a as a condensing optical system, and it was set as the structure by which the irradiation light L is condensed in the predetermined condensing position P in the water 20a. As the irradiation light L, a reproduction amplification femtosecond pulsed laser beam having a wavelength of 815 nm, a repetition frequency of 1 kHz, a peak intensity of 1.6 GW, a pulse energy of 80 μJ / pulse, and a pulse width of 50 fs was used.

  When an experiment was performed under such conditions, it was confirmed that a gas 20b containing hydrogen was generated in the container. Further, when this gas 20b was irradiated with laser light, explosion was confirmed. This indicates that hydrogen and oxygen in which the water 20a is decomposed exist in the gas 20b. The presence of hydrogen was also confirmed by spectral analysis of laser-induced plasma emission and gas analysis by gas chromatography.

  In the hydrogen generation by this photoreaction, a high efficiency of about 1.4% was obtained for the light-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency from irradiation light to hydrogen. Further, when the amount of gas generated was examined using various laser beams, it was found that it is preferable to use a pulse laser beam having a peak intensity of about MW or more for hydrogen generation. From these facts, generation of plasma may be involved in hydrogen generation in the hydrogen generation medium.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the peak intensity dependency of the amount of gas generated. The graph (a) in FIG. 3 shows the dependence of the amount of gas containing hydrogen (cc / h) on the peak intensity (GW) of the pulsed laser beam. Further, the graph (b) shows a partially enlarged graph (a). Graph A1 (solid line, black circle) shows the amount of gas generated when objective lens A (OLYMPUS ULWD MSPlan 50) is used as the condensing optical system, and graph B1 (dashed line, white circle) shows objective lens B (Mitutoyo). The amount of gas generated when using M Plan Apo 20x) is shown. From these graphs, the gas generation threshold at the objective lens A is estimated to be 540 MW (average intensity 27 mW), and the gas generation threshold at the objective lens B is estimated to be 120 MW (average intensity 6 mW).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the dependence of the amount of gas generation on the concentration of collected light. The graph (a) in FIG. 4 shows the dependence of the amount of gas containing hydrogen (cc / h) on the focused intensity (PW / cm ² ) of the pulse laser beam. Further, the graph (b) shows a partially enlarged graph (a). Graph A2 (solid line, black circle) shows the amount of gas generated when the objective lens A is used as the condensing optical system, and graph B2 (dashed line, white circle) shows the amount of gas generated when the objective lens B is used. Is shown. From these graphs, it is estimated that the gas generation threshold at the objective lens A is 21 × 10 ¹⁵ W / cm ² , and the gas generation threshold at the objective lens B is 2.7 × 10 ¹⁵ W / cm ² .

Here, the spot diameter was determined as φ = 1.22 × λ / NA with respect to the wavelength λ of the laser beam and the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens. Specifically, assuming that the wavelength is λ = 815 nm, the numerical aperture is NA = 0.55 with the objective lens A, and NA = 0.42 with the objective lens B, the obtained spot diameter is φ = 1. 8 μm, and the objective lens B has φ = 2.4 μm. For example, in the case of the peak intensity of 1.6 GW and the objective lens A, the light collection intensity is I = 1.6 × 10 ⁹ / {π (φ / 2) ² } = 63 × 10 ¹⁵ W / cm ² .

  In the above example, water is used as the hydrogen generation medium, but in general, various substances having hydrogen atoms in the constituent molecules may be used. As such a hydrogen production medium, for example, seawater can be considered. When generation of plasma is involved in hydrogen generation in a hydrogen generation medium, the efficiency of hydrogen generation may be improved by using seawater, which is a medium through which electricity easily flows. Also, the use of methanol or ethanol as a hydrogen production medium may be effective in improving the efficiency of hydrogen production.

  The configuration of the hydrogen generator according to the present invention will be further described.

  FIG. 5 is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the hydrogen generator according to the present invention. The hydrogen generation apparatus 12 of the present embodiment uses seawater S as the hydrogen generation medium 20 and sunlight as the irradiation light L for hydrogen generation, and includes a condensing optical system 36 and a hydrogen collection system 41. I have. Moreover, in this apparatus 12, since the seawater S is utilized, medium accommodation means, such as a container, are not provided. Moreover, since sunlight is used, an irradiation light supply system for supplying irradiation light is not provided.

  For irradiating the solar light L, which is the irradiation light, to the predetermined position on the optical path where the solar light is irradiated onto the seawater S, while concentrating the seawater S, which is a hydrogen generation medium, on the seawater S. A condensing optical system 36 is disposed. The condensing optical system 36 shown in FIG. 5 is a reflective condensing optical system composed of a concave mirror 36a and a convex mirror 36b.

  When the sunlight L is condensed and irradiated on the seawater S by the condensing optical system 36, the water in the seawater S is decomposed by the photoreaction in the seawater S to generate hydrogen. Further, a hydrogen collection system 41 is disposed above the position where the sunlight L of the seawater S is condensed and irradiated via a hydrogen intake system 41a and a hydrogen collection pipe 41b. Hydrogen generated by the photoreaction in the seawater S is collected by the hydrogen collection system 41. Further, a light transmission window 27 is provided at a predetermined position of the hydrogen uptake system 41a to transmit sunlight L collected by the condensing optical system 36 to the seawater S below.

Thus, seawater can be used as the hydrogen production medium. Moreover, sunlight can be used as irradiation light for hydrogen generation. Here, in the case of sunny weather (sunlight: 1 kW / m ² ), assuming that a light collecting intensity of 2 × 10 ¹⁵ W / cm ² is required to generate hydrogen from water, the mirror is composed of a concave mirror and a convex mirror. The distance until sunlight is collected by the condensing optical system is 10 m, and the diameter of the mirror is about 386 km.

  FIG. 6 is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the hydrogen generator according to the present invention. The hydrogen generator 13 of this embodiment includes a hydrogen generation medium 20, a container 28, a light transmission window 29, an irradiation light supply system 30, a condensing optical system 35, and a hydrogen collection system 40. Further, the inner wall portion other than the light transmission window 29 of the container 28 serving as the medium accommodating means is a reflecting mirror that reflects the light L.

  In such a configuration, the container 28 functions as a light recycling means for irradiating the hydrogen generation medium 20 with the irradiation light L that has passed through the hydrogen generation medium 20 as irradiation light for hydrogen generation again. By providing such light recycling means, transmitted light and scattered light can be used again for hydrogen generation, and the hydrogen generation efficiency can be improved. In addition to the light integrating sphere, various configurations can be used as the light reuse means.

  FIG. 7 is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the hydrogen generator according to the present invention. The hydrogen generator 14 of this embodiment includes a hydrogen generation medium 20, a container 25, a light transmission window 26, an irradiation light supply system 30, a condensing optical system 35, and a hydrogen collection system 40. Further, a light-transmitting hydrophilic agent 26 a is applied on the surface of the light-transmitting window 26 constituting a part of the container 25 on the hydrogen generating medium 20 side.

  In such a configuration, when the hydrogen generation medium 20 is made of a liquid, the gas generated in the hydrogen generation medium 20 is prevented from adhering to the light transmission window 26 and the irradiation light L is prevented from being scattered, and the hydrogen generation efficiency is reduced. Can be improved. In addition, a hydrophilic agent may be applied not only to the light transmission window 26 but also to the entire inner surface of the container 25. In this case, the collection efficiency of the gas generated in the hydrogen generation medium 20 is improved, and the hydrogen collection efficiency by the hydrogen collection system 40 can be improved.

  In the configuration of FIG. 7, a hydrophilic agent made of a substance having a photocatalytic action may be used as the hydrophilic agent 26a. In this case, it is possible to further improve the hydrogen generation efficiency by photocatalysis. An example of such a substance is titanium oxide.

  Further, when the hydrogen generation medium 20 is made of a liquid such as water, a configuration in which a surfactant is added to the hydrogen generation medium 20 may be adopted. As described above, the structure using the surfactant also prevents the gas generated in the hydrogen generation medium 20 from adhering to the light transmission window 26 and the like.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the fifth embodiment of the hydrogen generator according to the present invention. The hydrogen generator 15 of this embodiment includes a hydrogen generation medium 20, a container 25, a light transmission window 26, an irradiation light supply system 30, a condensing optical system 35, and a hydrogen collection system 40. Also,
The container 25 for storing the hydrogen generation medium 20 is installed on the ultrasonic vibrator 50 in the container 51 containing water.

  In such a configuration, when the hydrogen generation medium 20 is made of a liquid or a solid, by supplying ultrasonic waves to the hydrogen generation medium 20, the gas generated in the medium 20 can be efficiently transported upward. In addition, the hydrogen collection efficiency by the hydrogen collection system 40 can be improved. Further, the ultrasonic transducer is not limited to being arranged in water as shown in FIG. 8, but may be configured to attach the ultrasonic transducer directly to the container 25 itself, for example.

  FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an irradiation light supply system used in the hydrogen generator. The irradiation light supply system 30 in this configuration example includes a pulsed laser light source 30a, a polarizing beam splitter 30b, a first reflecting light path including a fixed reflecting mirror 31a and a quarter wavelength plate 31b, and movable reflecting mirrors 32a and 1/4. The second reflection optical path including the wave plate 32 b and the half wave plate 33 are provided so that a double pulse laser beam can be supplied as the irradiation light L.

  As described above, the hydrogen generation efficiency can be improved by condensing and irradiating the hydrogen generation medium 20 with double-pulse laser light. Specifically, for example, a pulse laser beam having a pulse width in the picosecond region is used as the laser beam, and a double pulse having a delay time of 5 to 500 times the pulse width is generated using a delay optical system, and the irradiation light L It is preferable that In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the time interval of the double pulse is variable.

  FIG. 10 is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the sixth embodiment of the hydrogen generator according to the present invention. The hydrogen generator 16 of this embodiment includes a hydrogen generation medium 21, a container 60 whose one surface is a light transmission window 61, an irradiation light supply system 30, and a condensing optical system 35.

  In the present embodiment, ice maintained at a predetermined temperature of 0 ° C. or less by the temperature control device 62 is used as the hydrogen generation medium 21. The ice 21 is a hydrogen generation medium and at the same time has a function as a medium storage unit and a hydrogen collection unit. That is, when the irradiation light L is condensed and irradiated on the ice 21, it is possible to transport the hydrogen generated by the photoreaction as fuel as it is while containing the hydrogen generated in the photoreaction.

  FIG. 11 is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the seventh embodiment of the hydrogen generator according to the present invention. The hydrogen generation device 17 of this embodiment includes a hydrogen generation medium 22, a supercritical water generation device 65, a light transmission window 66, an irradiation light supply system 30, a condensing optical system 35, and a hydrogen collection system 40. I have.

  In the present embodiment, a supercritical water generating device 65 is used as the medium containing means, and supercritical water is used as the hydrogen generating medium 22. Thus, the production efficiency of hydrogen can be improved by using a liquid in a supercritical state as a hydrogen production medium. For example, when water is used as the hydrogen generation medium, the supercritical water generation device 65 may be set to a temperature of 374 ° C. or higher and a pressure of 220 atm or higher.

  FIG. 12 is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the eighth embodiment of the hydrogen generator according to the present invention. The hydrogen generator 18 of this embodiment includes a hydrogen generation medium 20, a container 70, a light irradiation window 71, an irradiation light supply system 30, a condensing optical system 35, and a hydrogen collection system 40.

  In the present embodiment, two electrodes 76 and 77 are installed in a container 70 that accommodates the hydrogen generation medium 20. In addition, a voltage applying device 75 installed outside the container 70 is connected between the electrodes 76 and 77 via a conducting wire. In such a configuration, by applying a voltage between the electrodes 76 and 77 by the voltage application device 75, the efficiency of hydrogen generation in the hydrogen generation medium 20 can be improved. In this case, as the hydrogen generation medium 20, it is preferable to use a liquid in which electricity easily flows, such as an electrolytic solution, seawater, and saline.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, when the container 70 has a structure corresponding to the arrangement of the electrodes 76 and 77, hydrogen and oxygen are generated in the hydrogen generation medium 20 in the hydrogen collection system 40. Even in this case, only hydrogen can be collected selectively. In this case, for example, it is possible to avoid the danger that the gas explodes during the transportation of the collected gas.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an icebreaker equipped with an icebreaker according to the present invention. The ice breaking device 81 mounted on the ice breaking ship 80 of the present embodiment includes a laser light source 82, a reflecting mirror 86, and a condenser lens 87.

  The laser light source 82 is irradiation light supply means for supplying irradiation light L for crushed ice. Further, the reflecting mirror 86 and the condensing lens 87 constitute a condensing optical system 85 that irradiates the ice C to be crushed while condensing the irradiation light L. In such a configuration, the condensing optical system 85 condenses the irradiation light L so as to satisfy the condition that the photoreaction occurs due to the condensing irradiation of the irradiation light L in the ice C. At this time, the ice C is decomposed to generate a peroxygen concentration state, and further, the plasma generated by the irradiation light L can be exploded to break the ice.

  The hydrogen generator and ice breaker according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments and configuration examples, and various modifications are possible. For example, for the medium storage means for storing the hydrogen generation medium and the hydrogen collection means for collecting the generated hydrogen, depending on the type and state of the substance used as the hydrogen generation medium, the hydrogen generation state in the medium, etc. Various things can be used.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used as a hydrogen generator capable of efficiently generating hydrogen and an ice breaker. Hydrogen produced from a hydrogen production medium such as water is attracting attention as an environmentally friendly clean fuel, and the present invention is expected as a technology that leads to the solution of human energy problems.

It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of 1st Embodiment of a hydrogen generator. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a structure of a hydrogen generator. It is a figure which shows the peak intensity dependence of gas generation amount. It is a figure which shows the condensing intensity dependence of the gas generation amount. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of 2nd Embodiment of a hydrogen generator. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of 3rd Embodiment of a hydrogen generator. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of 4th Embodiment of a hydrogen generator. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of 5th Embodiment of a hydrogen generator. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the irradiation light supply system used for a hydrogen generator. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of 6th Embodiment of a hydrogen generator. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of 7th Embodiment of a hydrogen generator. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of 8th Embodiment of a hydrogen generator. It is a mimetic diagram showing composition of one embodiment of an icebreaker provided with an icebreaker.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11-18 ... Hydrogen generator, 20, 21, 22 ... Hydrogen production medium, 25, 28 ... Container, 26, 27, 29 ... Light transmission window, 26a ... Hydrophilic agent, 30 ... Irradiation light supply system, 30a ... Pulse laser Light source, 30b ... Polarizing beam splitter, 31a ... Fixed reflecting mirror, 31b ... 1/4 wavelength plate, 32a ... Movable reflecting mirror, 32b ... 1/4 wavelength plate, 33 ... 1/2 wavelength plate, 35, 36 ... Condensing Optical system, 36a ... concave mirror, 36b ... convex mirror, 40, 41 ... hydrogen collection system, 40a, 41b ... hydrogen collection pipe, 41a ... hydrogen uptake system, 50 ... ultrasonic transducer, 51 ... container, 60 ... container, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 61 ... Light transmission window, 62 ... Temperature control apparatus, 65 ... Supercritical water production | generation apparatus, 66 ... Light transmission window, 70 ... Container, 71 ... Light transmission window, 75 ... Voltage application apparatus, 76, 77 ... Electrode, 80 ... Icebreaker, 81 ... Icebreaker, 82 ... Laser light source, 5 ... condensing optical system, 86 ... reflector, 87 ... condenser lens, L ... irradiation light, S ... seawater, C ... ice.

Claims (11)

A hydrogen production medium used for hydrogen production;
A condensing optical system that irradiates the hydrogen generating medium while condensing irradiation light for hydrogen generation;
Hydrogen collecting means for collecting hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production medium,
The condensing optical system condenses the irradiation light so as to satisfy a condition for causing a photoreaction due to the condensing irradiation of the irradiation light in the hydrogen generation medium, and the hydrogen collecting means is configured to perform the photoreaction. A hydrogen generating apparatus, wherein hydrogen generated by decomposition of a substance in the hydrogen generating medium is collected.   The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen generation medium includes at least one of water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone. Medium accommodating means for accommodating the hydrogen generating medium;
The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light transmission window configured to transmit the irradiation light from the condensing optical system to the hydrogen generation medium in the medium housing unit.   4. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hydrogen generation medium is made of a liquid, and a light-transmitting hydrophilic agent is applied to a surface of the light transmission window on the hydrogen generation medium side.   The hydrogen generator according to claim 4, wherein the hydrophilic agent is made of a substance having a photocatalytic action.   The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising irradiation light supply means for supplying the irradiation light for hydrogen generation.   The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the irradiation light supply means is a pulse laser light source that supplies a pulse laser beam as the irradiation light.   The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a light reuse unit configured to irradiate the hydrogen generation medium with the irradiation light that has passed through the hydrogen generation medium as hydrogen generation irradiation light.   The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen generation medium is made of a liquid and a surfactant is added.   2. The hydrogen generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen generating medium is made of ice and has a function of the hydrogen collecting means by itself. Irradiation light supply means for supplying irradiation light for crushed ice;
A condensing optical system that irradiates the ice to be crushed while collecting the irradiation light;
The condensing optical system crushes the ice by condensing the irradiation light so as to satisfy a condition for causing a photoreaction due to the condensing irradiation of the irradiation light in the ice to be crushed. A featured icebreaker.

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