JP2007059326A - Fuel cartridge, fuel cartridge pressure release device, and fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cartridge in which, when a pressure release valve is operated, injection speed of hydrogen gas and methanol is reduced and hydrogen storage alloy powder is made not to leak to the outside of the fuel cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cartridge for fuel cell is provided with a pressure release valve 5 which injects fuel when the pressure increases, and has a fuel injection suppression part 6 which suppresses injection speed of the fuel injected by the operation of the pressure release valve 5 installed at the inside or outside of the pressure release valve 5 so as to cover the pressure release valve 5. It is desirable that the fuel injection suppression part is constructed of a porous material such as foam metal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cartridge that uses hydrogen gas, methanol, or an aqueous methanol solution as fuel, a fuel cartridge pressure release device, and a fuel cell using them.

  In recent years, there has been a demand for clean energy free from harmful waste due to environmental destruction. In addition, depletion of fossil fuels has become a problem, and new energy sources are being sought. On the other hand, in the electronics field, the amount of information increases, and along with this, the information processing capability dramatically increases and the power consumption of electronic devices tends to increase.

  Therefore, hydrogen, which is contained in inexhaustible water on the earth and does not emit harmful substances with large chemical energy, has attracted attention as an energy source. In particular, fuel cells that can extract electrical energy directly from hydrogen have high hydrogen utilization efficiency and can extract large amounts of power, so they can be used in automobiles and portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones, and video cameras. It is being advanced.

  A so-called fuel cell that extracts electric energy from hydrogen has a hydrogen electrode to which hydrogen is supplied and an oxidation electrode to which oxygen is supplied. The hydrogen electrode separates hydrogen into electrons and protons by a catalytic reaction. Protons pass through the electrolyte membrane and reach the oxidation electrode, and react with oxygen by a catalytic reaction to generate water, and in this process, an electron flow, that is, electric power is generated.

In the fuel cell using methanol aqueous solution as the fuel, electric power is generated by a known similar reaction.
Unlike conventional secondary batteries, fuel cells do not need to be recharged, and can be used to generate power immediately after replenishing the fuel.

  As described above, the fuel cell can take out electric energy by replenishing the fuel anytime and anywhere. However, unlike a conventional battery, the fuel cell handles a combustible material such as hydrogen or methanol. In particular, there is a risk that the fuel cartridge may be accidentally thrown into the fire when it is mishandled or touched by a child in order to be carried and operated by the user. In addition, the temperature may rise abnormally due to leaving the vehicle in the vehicle.

As a countermeasure, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the pressure in the fuel cartridge is increased to a predetermined value or more, a pressure release valve is used to release the pressure by deforming the metal valve.
JP 11-297292 A

  However, when the pressure in the fuel cartridge of the fuel cell increases to a predetermined value or more and the metal valve is deformed to operate the pressure release valve, there is a risk that hydrogen or methanol fuel gas is ejected at a high pressure.

Further, when a hydrogen storage alloy is used for the fuel cartridge, there is a risk that the hydrogen storage alloy powder is released to the outside together with hydrogen gas.
The present invention has been made in view of such background art. The present invention provides a fuel cartridge and a fuel cartridge pressure release device that reduce the hydrogen gas and methanol injection speed and prevent hydrogen storage alloy powder from leaking outside the fuel cartridge when the pressure release valve is operated. To do.

  The present invention also provides a fuel cell using the fuel cartridge and the fuel cartridge pressure release device.

  That is, the present invention is a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell having a pressure release valve that ejects fuel when the pressure rises, and has a fuel ejection inhibiting portion that suppresses the ejection speed of fuel ejected from the pressure relief valve. This is a fuel cartridge.

  The present invention further includes a pressure release valve that ejects fuel when the pressure of the fuel cartridge for the fuel cell rises, and a fuel ejection suppression unit that suppresses the ejection speed of the fuel ejected from the pressure release valve. A fuel cartridge pressure relief device is featured.

  Furthermore, the present invention is a fuel cell having the fuel cartridge described above.

  According to the present invention, when the temperature of the fuel cartridge rises and the pressure release valve is activated, the hydrogen ejection speed can be lowered to prevent the fuel cartridge from being damaged, and the release of the hydrogen storage alloy powder can be prevented. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, according to the present invention, in a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell using methanol or a methanol aqueous solution as a fuel, the vapor or liquid ejection speed of the methanol or methanol aqueous solution can be lowered to prevent the fuel cartridge from being damaged.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
The fuel cartridge of the present invention is a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell having a pressure release valve that ejects fuel when the pressure rises, and suppresses the ejection of fuel that is ejected by the operation of the pressure release valve. It has the part.

It is preferable that the fuel ejection suppressing portion is provided inside or outside the pressure release valve so as to cover the pressure release valve.
It is preferable that the fuel ejection suppressing portion is made of a porous material.

The porous material is preferably made of a foam metal.
It is preferable that the fuel ejection suppressing portion has a hydrogen permeable membrane.
It is preferable that the fuel ejection suppressing portion includes a catalyst that oxidizes hydrogen gas.

The fuel is preferably composed of hydrogen, methanol or an aqueous methanol solution.
The fuel cartridge pressure release device of the present invention includes a pressure release valve that ejects fuel when the pressure of the fuel cartridge for the fuel cell rises, and a fuel that suppresses the ejection speed of the fuel that is ejected by the operation of the pressure release valve. It has an ejection suppression part.

  Furthermore, a fuel cell according to the present invention includes the above fuel cartridge.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples.
Example 1
A desirable embodiment of the present invention is described using a figure.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of the fuel cartridge of the present invention. A fuel cartridge for a hydrogen fuel cell using a hydrogen storage alloy will be described. In the figure, 1 indicates the entire fuel cartridge. A fuel cartridge housing 2 is provided with a cover member 2a for coupling with a fuel cell power generation unit (not shown). 3 b is a convex portion of the valve 3. Reference numeral 7 denotes a hydrogen storage alloy, which is made of, for example, an Fe—Ti alloy, a Ti—Mn alloy, or the like, and particles having an average particle diameter of several mm to several μm are used depending on the setting. 2e is a hole for releasing hydrogen gas when the internal pressure of the fuel cartridge 1 becomes higher than a predetermined value.

  A pressure release valve 5 is provided at the position of the hole 2e and operates when the pressure of the fuel cartridge for the fuel cell rises to eject the fuel. The pressure release valve 5 is made of, for example, a shape memory alloy, a metal thin film, a low melting point metal, or the like.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a fuel ejection inhibiting portion. As a material for the fuel ejection inhibiting portion, a material in which a large number of through holes having a diameter that allows hydrogen gas to pass but does not allow hydrogen storage alloy particles to pass therethrough is used. Metal is preferred. Examples of the foam metal include aluminum and stainless steel. In addition, the material described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2001-335809 can also be used for a foam metal.

  It is preferable that the fuel ejection suppression unit 6 is provided in the vicinity of the pressure release valve 5 and is provided inside or outside the pressure release valve 5 so as to cover the pressure release valve 5. The fuel ejection inhibiting unit 6 and the pressure release valve 5 are preferably arranged with a gap therebetween, but may be in contact with each other.

  Reference numeral 2a denotes a cover member which is disposed around the convex portion 3b of the bulb 3 and has a protruding portion larger than the convex portion 3b. The conical surface 3a of the valve 3 is formed in contact with the conical surface 2b of the fuel cartridge so that the fuel gas does not go outside. Reference numeral 4 denotes a compression spring. A right end portion in the figure is fixed to a member (not shown) in the fuel cartridge, and the left end portion is formed so as to press the bottom surface 3 c of the valve 3.

  When fuel is supplied from the fuel cartridge to the fuel cell, the fuel cartridge 1 is mounted on a fuel cell main body (not shown). Thereby, a pin (not shown) on the fuel cell main body pushes the convex portion 3b, the contact between the conical surface 2b and the conical surface 3a is released, and the fuel gas is supplied from the fuel cartridge 1 to the fuel cell main body.

Next, the operation of the fuel cartridge will be described.
When the temperature of the fuel cartridge rises, the internal pressure of the fuel cartridge 1 rises. When the fuel cartridge 1 reaches a predetermined value, the pressure release valve 5 is deformed or melted to release hydrogen gas to the outside in order to prevent the fuel cartridge from being damaged. At this time, since the hole 2e is covered with the foam metal of the fuel ejection inhibiting part 6, only the hydrogen gas passes through the fuel ejection inhibiting part 6, and the hydrogen storage alloy powder remains inside the fuel cartridge. Therefore, the external environment is not polluted. Further, when the pressure release valve 5 is deformed and hydrogen gas is released, since the foam metal 6 is present, the hydrogen gas has a low jetting speed and does not jet out in a so-called jet form, which is safe. Furthermore, if the fuel ejection inhibiting portion includes a catalyst that oxidizes hydrogen, the ejected hydrogen is oxidized and becomes water, and hydrogen is not released outside the fuel cartridge, thereby reducing the risk.

  With respect to a fuel cartridge that uses methanol or an aqueous methanol solution as a fuel, when the inside of the fuel cartridge reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure release valve operates. At this time, since there is a foam metal of the fuel ejection restraining part 6, the vapor and liquid ejection speed of methanol or aqueous methanol solution is reduced, so that the risk is lowered.

Example 2
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the fuel cartridge of the present invention.
The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except that the pressure release valve uses a fusing plug 8 having a lower melting point than that of the housing 2 of the fuel cartridge and using a low melting point metal.

  In this embodiment, when the fuel cartridge is heated, the plug 8 is melted first, and the fuel 9 is ejected from this portion. Since the foam metal of the fuel ejection restraining part 6 is provided so as to cover the plug 8, the discharge of the hydrogen storage alloy powder is prevented and the fuel ejection speed is suppressed.

  The fuel cartridge of the present invention can be used for a fuel cartridge for a fuel cell because when the pressure release valve is operated, the jet speed of hydrogen gas or methanol is reduced and the hydrogen storage alloy powder does not leak outside the fuel cartridge. Can do.

It is sectional drawing which shows preferable embodiment of the fuel cartridge of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the fuel cartridge of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cartridge 2 Fuel cartridge housing | casing 2a Cover member 2b Conical surface 2c Fuel supply hole 2d The left end surface 2e hole of the cover member 2a 3 Valve 3a Conical surface 3b Convex part 4 Compression spring 5 Pressure release valve 6 Fuel ejection suppression part 7 Hydrogen occlusion part Alloy 8 Fuse 9 Fuel

Claims (9)

  A fuel cartridge for a fuel cell having a pressure release valve that ejects fuel when the pressure rises, and having a fuel ejection inhibiting portion that suppresses the ejection speed of fuel ejected from the pressure relief valve cartridge.   The fuel cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fuel ejection suppression unit is provided inside or outside the pressure release valve so as to cover the pressure release valve.   The fuel cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fuel ejection suppressing portion is made of a porous material.   The fuel cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the porous material is made of a foam metal.   The fuel cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fuel ejection suppressing portion has a hydrogen permeable membrane.   The fuel cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel ejection suppressing portion includes a catalyst that oxidizes hydrogen gas.   The fuel cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the fuel is made of hydrogen, methanol, or an aqueous methanol solution.   A fuel cartridge pressure comprising: a pressure release valve that ejects fuel when the pressure of the fuel cartridge for the fuel cell rises; and a fuel ejection suppression unit that suppresses the ejection speed of the fuel ejected from the pressure release valve. Opening device.   A fuel cell comprising the fuel cartridge according to claim 1.

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