JP2022011437A - Thermal energy generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress drive energy of an apparatus which is consumed when excess heat is generated as much as possible to improve energy efficiency.SOLUTION: A thermal energy generating device 1 includes: a waste heat transport section 20 transporting waste heat from a waste heat source 10 mounted to a vehicle; a heat flow rate control section 30 controlling a heat flow rate of waste heat to be transported by the waste heat transport section 20; a heat generating section 41 comprising a heat generating material generating excess heat through chemical reaction with predetermined reaction gas while heated by the waste heat; and an excess heat generating section 40 having an accommodation section 42 accommodating the heat generating section 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act August 28, 2019, website of the Japan Institute of Metals (https://confit.atlas.jp/guide/event-img/jim2019autumn/3I08-17/ Presented at public / pdf? Type = in) through telecommunications line (Internet) Public Interest Incorporated Association Japan Metallurgical Society Fall 2019 (165th) Lecture Meeting, Public Interest Incorporated Association Japan Metallurgical Society, Reiwa 1 (2019) 9 13th of March

The present invention relates to a thermal energy generator that generates excess heat based on a chemical reaction (storage, etc.) between a heat generating material and a predetermined reaction gas (hydrogen gas, etc.).

In Patent Document 1 below, a hydrogen-based gas is introduced into a container from a hydrogen-based gas introduction path, hydrogen is occluded in a heat-generating material (heat-generating body), and then the heat-generating body is heated by a heater and vacuumed. Discloses a technique in which hydrogen permeates the interface between different substances of a heating element by quantum diffusion to generate a very large amount of heat (excessive heat) above the heating temperature of the heater when heating the heating element. Excess heat utilizing the hydrogen storage capacity of such a heat-generating material is expected to be an effective new heat source in various fields in the future from the viewpoint of environmental problems.

International Publication No. 2018/230447

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, a heating device such as a heater must be used to heat a heat-generating material that can generate excess heat. Since a large amount of electric power (driving energy) is consumed to drive the heating device, the energy efficiency (COP: Coefficient Of Performance) at the time of excessive heat generation becomes small. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of energy efficiency in order to adopt the technology of Patent Document 1 for in-vehicle use.

At least one embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and specifically, the driving energy of the device consumed when generating excess heat is suppressed as much as possible to improve the energy efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat energy generator capable of performing.

The heat energy generator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an exhaust heat transport unit for transporting exhaust heat from an exhaust heat source mounted on a vehicle, and further heat of the exhaust heat transported by the exhaust heat transport unit. A heat flow control unit for controlling the flow rate is provided, and a heat generation unit made of a heat generating material that generates excess heat by a chemical reaction with a predetermined reaction gas in a state of being heated by the exhaust heat and a storage unit for accommodating the heat generation unit. It is provided with an excess heat generating portion having the above.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve energy efficiency by suppressing as much as possible the driving energy of the device consumed when generating excess heat.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows one structural example of the thermal energy generator which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the thermal energy generator which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which showed schematically the heat transfer form (heat radiation) of the waste heat transport part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which showed schematically the heat transfer form (heat conduction) of the waste heat transport part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which showed schematically the heat transfer form (heat convection) of the waste heat transport part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which showed schematically the heat transfer form by the heat storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the installation example of the heat storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the other installation example of the heat storage part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which shows the example of the form of the heat switch which can be applied as a heat flow control part when the heat transfer form of the waste heat transport part which concerns on this embodiment is heat radiation. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which shows the example of the form of the heat switch which can be applied as a heat flow control part when the heat transfer form of the waste heat transport part which concerns on this embodiment is heat conduction. It is a partially enlarged sectional view which shows the example of the form of the heat switch which can be applied as a heat flow control part when the heat transfer form of the exhaust heat transport part which concerns on this embodiment is heat convection. It is a conceptual diagram which shows one structural example of the excess heat generation part which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the form of the heat generating material applicable as the heat generating part which concerns on this embodiment. A micrograph (magnification: 500 times) showing the results of analysis of the fine structure of the alloy contained in the heat-generating material applicable to the heat-generating portion according to the present embodiment using the elemental analyzer attached to the scanning electron microscope, SEM-EDX. Is. It is a figure which showed typically the other form of the heat-generating material applicable as a heat-generating part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the other embodiment of the thermal energy generator which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown here are examples for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention. Therefore, all other feasible forms, examples, operational techniques, etc. that can be considered by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention are included in the scope and gist of the present invention, and are described in the claims. It is included in the scope of the invention and its equality.

In addition, the drawings attached to this specification may be represented schematically by changing the scale, aspect ratio, shape, etc. from the actual product for convenience of illustration and comprehension. However, it does not limit the interpretation of the present invention.

In this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" may be added. However, unless there is a special explanation for these ordinal numbers, they are attached to identify the components for convenience of explanation, and do not specify the number or order.

Hereinafter, the excess heat generated by the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment can be used as, for example, as a heat source at the time of cold start of the exhaust gas purification catalyst for automobiles (hereinafter, simply referred to as “catalyst”) 100. can. The catalyst body 100 is a three-way catalyst capable of purifying harmful components such as HC, CO and NOx, and its activity depends on the catalyst temperature. Therefore, in order to sufficiently purify the exhaust gas, it is required to heat the catalyst to the activation temperature, which is effective as an application destination of the excess heat generated by the thermal energy generator 1.

Further, the excess heat generated by the heat energy generator 1 heats the heat source of the catalyst 100, the heat source for heating the vehicle interior in the case of a vehicle, and the interior parts (seat, steering, armrest, etc.) that the occupant touches. It can also be used as a heat source for steering, a heat source for a car interior warmer, and a heat source for a battery heater used in cold regions.

[Constitution]
The configuration of the thermal energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment outlines a predetermined heat exhaust source 10 that radiates exhaust heat in a vehicle such as an engine and exhaust heat from the exhaust heat source 10. The exhaust heat transport unit 20 that transports the waste heat to the destination, the heat flow control unit 30 that controls the amount of exhaust heat transported (heat transfer amount) by the exhaust heat transport unit 20, and the exhaust heat transport unit 20 transports the exhaust heat. It is provided with an excess heat generating unit 40 that previously generates excess heat of a predetermined temperature or higher by using a predetermined reaction gas.

Further, the drive of each part constituting the thermal energy generator 1 is comprehensively controlled by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) mounted on the vehicle based on a predetermined drive program, input instruction information, and the like.

In FIG. 2, the diagonal arrow in the figure indicates the flow of waste heat from the waste heat source 10 in the heat energy generator 1, and the black arrow in the figure indicates the heating by the waste heat and the chemical reaction of the reaction gas. It shows the flow of excess heat from the heat generating portion 41 generated by. As shown in FIG. 2, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the waste heat is delivered from the waste heat source 10 to the excess heat generation unit 40 by the exhaust heat transport unit 20, and is generated by the excess heat generation unit 40. The excess heat is supplied to the catalyst body 100 to be supplied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat energy generator 1 includes an outer pipe 21 and a housing composed of an inner pipe 22 provided inside the outer pipe 21, and the inner pipe 22 serves as an exhaust heat source 10. The exhaust gas G is arranged in the pipeline of the engine exhaust pipe 11 in a state of being communicated with the engine exhaust pipe 11 for flowing out the exhaust gas G to the outside. Inside the inner tube 22, the catalyst body 100, which is a supply destination of excess heat, is housed. Therefore, the exhaust gas G from the engine is purified by passing through the catalyst body 100 housed in the inner pipe 22 when flowing from the upstream side (exhaust heat source 10 side) to the downstream side (outside side). Is exhausted to the outside.

The outer pipe 21 is continuously connected to the first space 23a, which is provided between the pipe wall 21a and the inner pipe 22 and accommodates the storage portion 42 and the heat storage portion 50, which will be described later, and the first space 23a. An in-pipe space 23 including a second space 23b extending toward the downstream side in the axial direction is provided. A part of the second space 23b communicates with the downstream side of the inner pipe 22. As a result, a part of the exhaust gas G flowing through the inner pipe 22 can flow into the second space 23b after passing through the inner pipe 22. In FIG. 1, the inner pipe space 23 is provided one by one across the inner pipe 22 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction (horizontal direction in the figure) of the outer pipe 21 (vertical direction in the figure).

<Exhaust heat source>
The exhaust heat source 10 is a device that generates heat by a predetermined drive. As shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust heat source 10 is composed of, for example, a heat engine (for example, an engine which is an internal combustion engine) having heat as an energy source, which is a drive source mounted on a vehicle and giving a driving force to the vehicle. Will be done. In the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the exhaust heat of the exhaust heat source 10 is the heat contained in the exhaust gas G (white arrow in FIG. 1) exhausted from the engine.

Further, the exhaust gas G transports the exhaust heat of the exhaust heat source 10 to the excess heat generating portion 40 when flowing from the exhaust heat source 10 to the excess heat generating portion 40 through the engine exhaust pipe 11, the outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22. It can function as a heat transport unit 20.

<Waste heat transport section>
The waste heat transport unit 20 transports the waste heat discharged from the waste heat source 10 to the excess heat generation unit 40. The waste heat transport unit 20 controls the amount of waste heat transported (heat flow rate) from the waste heat source 10 to the excess heat generation unit 40 by the control of the heat flow control unit 30.

The exhaust heat transport unit 20 is composed of an exhaust gas G exhausted from an engine, which is an exhaust heat source 10, as an example, and the exhaust gas G directly or indirectly transports exhaust heat to an excess heat generation unit 40 which is a transport destination. .. Further, the waste heat transport unit 20 may be composed of an engine exhaust pipe 11, an inner pipe 22, and an outer pipe 21 through which exhaust gas from the engine serving as the waste heat source 10 flows. That is, as the method for transporting the exhaust heat by the exhaust heat transport unit 20, at least one of heat convection by the exhaust gas G and heat radiation or heat conduction by the inner pipe 22 and the outer pipe 21 is set.

3A to 3C show a mode (heat transfer mode) in which the waste heat is directly or indirectly transported from the waste heat transport unit 20 to the excess heat generation unit 40.

Here, when the heat transfer form is "heat radiation", as shown in FIG. 3A, the outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22 are heated through the engine exhaust pipe 11 heated by the exhaust gas G of the exhaust heat source 10 which is the transportation source. The radiant heat radiated from these is indirectly transmitted as an electromagnetic wave to the excess heat generation unit 40 which is the transport destination. The outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22 vacuum the space between the outer pipe 21, the inner pipe 22 and the storage portion 42 and the heat storage portion 50 in order to efficiently transfer only the exhaust heat of the exhaust gas G to the excess heat generating portion 40. It is preferable to set it to.

When the heat transfer form is "heat conduction", as shown in FIG. 3B, the heat of the engine exhaust pipe 11 heated by the exhaust gas G of the exhaust heat source 10 on the high temperature side is the heat of the inner pipe 22 and the outer pipe 21. It is directly transmitted to the excess heat generating portion 40 on the low temperature side via the above. The engine exhaust pipe 11, the outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22 constituting the waste heat transport unit 20 are preferably manufactured by using a high heat conductive member having a relatively high thermal conductivity in consideration of heat transfer performance. In particular, it is preferable to make the outer tube 21 and the inner tube 22 which carry out heat transfer by heat conduction so that the heat conductivity is higher than the heat conductivity of the exhaust gas G which carries out heat transport by heat convection. As the high thermal conductive member, as an example, materials such as metals, alloys and ceramics having a thermal conductivity of 10 (W / m · K) or more and capable of withstanding the exhaust heat temperature of the engine which is the exhaust heat source 10 are preferable. Specifically, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, aluminum, copper, silicon carbide and the like can be applied.

Further, in the case of "heat convection", as shown in FIG. 3C, the exhaust gas G exhausted from the exhaust heat source 10 is circulated to the outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22, so that the exhaust gas G is distributed to the outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22. The heat is directly transferred to the excess heat generating portion 40 by convection.

As shown in FIG. 4, the thermal energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured to include a heat storage unit 50. The heat storage unit 50 temporarily stores the waste heat from the exhaust gas G and can directly or indirectly transport the waste heat to the excess heat generation unit 40, so that the heat storage unit 50 functions as the exhaust heat transport unit 20. You can also do it.

The heat storage unit 50 is composed of a heat storage material capable of storing heat, and accumulates the exhaust heat from the exhaust heat source 10 transported by the exhaust heat transport unit 20 and transfers it to the excess heat generation unit 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the heat storage unit 50 is provided in a state where at least a part of the heat storage unit 50 is in contact with the wall surface of the storage unit 42 for accommodating the heat generation unit 41 in order to transfer heat to the heat generation unit 41. As a result, the heat stored in the heat storage unit 50 is transferred to the heat generation unit 41 through the storage unit 42 by heat conduction. Further, since the heat storage unit 50 is installed in a state close to the storage unit 42, it is possible to transfer heat to the storage unit 42 by heat radiation and heat convection in addition to heat conduction. One of the reasons why it is preferable that the thermal conductivity of the inner tube 22 is higher than the thermal conductivity of other members other than the exhaust heat transport section 20 (for example, the heat storage section 50) is the excess heat generating section 40 (heating section 41). , Excess heat generated in the storage unit 42) can be quickly transported to the catalyst body 100 side mainly by "heat conduction". As shown in FIG. 1, if the thermal conductivity of the heat storage section 50 and the thermal conductivity of the inner tube 22 are about the same, a part of the generated excess heat is re-stored in the heat storage section 50. There is a possibility that it will be difficult to effectively utilize the catalyst 100 for heating via the inner tube 22.

Further, in order to improve the thermal conductivity, it is preferable to intervene between the housing of the heat storage unit 50 and the wall surface of the storage unit 42 as an intervening layer 26 made of the above-mentioned high thermal conductive member as shown in FIG. Further, if the housing of the heat storage unit 50, the housing of the storage unit 42, and the like are made of a high heat conductive member, the heat transfer efficiency can be further improved, which is more preferable.

Further, the heat storage unit 50 stores a part of the waste heat and naturally radiates it, but since the radiation timing and the amount of radiation can be controlled by the constituent materials, in addition to the function as the waste heat transport unit 20, heat is generated. It also has the function of the flow control unit 30. Therefore, when the heat storage unit 50 is provided as the configuration of the heat energy generation device 1, the heat flow control unit 30 may not be separately provided in order to control the heat flow rate of the heat storage unit 50.

As the heat storage material constituting the heat storage unit 50, an appropriate material may be arbitrarily selected from among well-known materials having a heat storage function in consideration of heat storage / heat dissipation performance such as heat storage time and heat radiation amount. Examples of heat storage materials include inorganic salt hydrates (sodium thiosulfate, etc.), hydrocarbons (paraffin, naphthaline, etc.), fatty acids (stearic acid, etc.), fatty acid esters, aliphatic ketones, and aliphatic alcohols. , At least one of the group consisting of aliphatic ethers, inclusion hydrates, and strongly correlated electronic substances is applicable, and as chemical heat storage materials, aluminosilicates, phenylphosphonic acid compound metal salts, and aromatic carboxylic acid compounds are applicable. At least one of the group consisting of metal salts, such as a metal salt of a nitrogen-containing aromatic carboxylic acid, a cyanuric acid metal salt, and an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid metal salt can be applied.

In addition, considering the case where the heat storage material is used to activate the catalytic reaction at the time of cold start, the molten salt heat storage material (alkali nitrate, fluoride, alkali) having a relatively high melting point (about 300 to 600 ° C.) is used. Examples thereof include hydroxides, alkaline carbonates, alkaline chlorides, etc.), and examples thereof include a heat storage device (SiC honeycomb unit and molten salts NaNO ₃ , KNO ₃ ) as described in JP-A-2016-141760. , NaNO ₃ , CsNO ₃ , Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ , etc., and a quasi-capsule molten salt heat storage material having a NaNO ₃ content of 50 mol% or more and a heat storage device filled with these can be applied.

As the heat transfer form in the waste heat transport unit 20, one or a plurality of the above-mentioned three forms can be selected or combined as appropriate. Further, the heat transfer form of the exhaust heat transport unit 20 is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and any form may be used as long as the exhaust heat from the exhaust heat source 10 can be transported to the excess heat generation unit 40.

<Heat flow control unit>
The heat flow control unit 30 controls the heat flow according to the heat transfer form of the waste heat transported by the waste heat transport unit 20.

As an example, the heat flow control unit 30 may employ a heat switch capable of switching between a heat transfer state and a heat insulation state between the exhaust heat source 10 and the excess heat generation unit 40. The thermal switch switches the thermal conductivity by switching the contact / non-contact state between materials or devices, the same type or dissimilar members whose thermal conductivity changes significantly by applying a predetermined energy (electric field, magnetic field, light, etc.), for example. It suffices to have a function capable of switching between heat transfer (heat conduction: ON state) and heat cutoff (heat conduction: OFF state), such as a device for changing heat. By using these heat switches as the heat flow control unit 30, the amount of heat transferred from the exhaust heat source 10 to the excess heat generation unit 40 can be appropriately controlled.

Hereinafter, a configuration example of the heat switch in each heat transfer mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. In each figure, the dotted arrows represent the transfer of heat in heat radiation, heat conduction and heat convection.

When the heat transfer form of the exhaust heat transport section 20 is "heat radiation", the outer tube 21 is provided in the second space 23b provided between the storage section 42 and the heat storage section 50 and the outer tube 21 as shown in FIG. A shielding plate 24 is provided to shield the transmission of radiant heat from the surface. The installation state (direction of the plate surface, installation position, increase / decrease in the number of installations, etc.) of the shielding plate 24 can be adjusted, and the storage unit 42 and the storage unit 42 of the radiant heat from the outer pipe 21 around the storage unit 42 can be adjusted. It is appropriately adjusted when controlling the amount of heat absorbed by the heat storage unit 50. In this way, the shielding plate 24 functions as a heat switch in which the heat flow rate based on the heat radiation to the storage unit 42 and the heat storage unit 50 can be controlled.

When the heat transfer form of the exhaust heat transport unit 20 is "heat transfer", a gap 27 is provided in at least a part between the storage unit 42 and the inner pipe 22 as shown in FIG. 8, and heat conduction occurs as the temperature rises and falls. The heat transfer medium 28 having a variable rate is moved in and out of the gap 27. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the heat transfer medium 28 is filled in the gap 27. The heat transfer medium 28 is, for example, a liquid metal having a relatively high thermal conductivity when transferring heat and a relatively low thermal conductivity when blocking heat, or a solid metal which expands or contracts as the temperature rises or falls. Can be applied. When the heat transfer medium 28 is present in the gap 27, heat is easily transferred from the inner tube 22 to the storage portion 42, and when the heat transfer medium 28 is removed from the gap 27, it becomes difficult to transfer heat. In this way, the gap 27 and the heat transfer medium 28 function as a heat switch in which the heat flow rate based on heat conduction to the storage unit 42 and the heat storage unit 50 can be controlled. The liquid metal and solid metal applicable as the heat transfer medium 28 are not particularly limited as long as they are metal materials having the above-mentioned function of controlling the heat flow rate.

When the heat transfer form of the exhaust heat transport unit 20 is "heat convection", as shown in FIG. 9, the exhaust heat is exhausted in the second space 23b provided between the storage unit 42 and the heat storage unit 50 and the outer pipe 21. A heat shield plate 25 for controlling the inflow amount of the exhaust gas G that transports the exhaust heat (dotted arrow in the figure) of the heat source 10 is provided. The heat shield plate 25 is composed of a plate-shaped member whose swing angle with respect to the axial direction of the outer pipe 21 can be adjusted. When the swing angle of the heat shield plate 25 is controlled when adjusting the inflow amount of the exhaust gas G into the second space 23b, the heat flow rate transmitted to the storage unit 42 and the heat storage unit 50 can be controlled. It becomes. Therefore, when the second space 23b is opened by adjusting the swing angle of the heat shield plate 25, the exhaust gas G that has passed through the catalyst body 100 flows into the inner space 23 of the outer pipe 21 and the storage portion 42 and the heat storage portion. When the exhaust heat is transmitted to the 50 and the second space 23b is closed, the exhaust gas G that has passed through the catalyst body 100 does not flow into the second space 23b, and the exhaust heat is not transmitted to the storage unit 42 and the heat storage unit 50. Further, when the second space 23b is closed by the heat shield plate 25, heat radiation from the second space 23b of the heat stored in the heat storage unit 50 is prevented, and the drive of the exhaust heat source 10 is stopped. However, the second space 23b is maintained in a high temperature state for a long time. In this way, the heat shield plate 25 functions as a heat switch in which the heat flow rate based on heat convection to the storage unit 42 and the heat storage unit 50 can be controlled.

Incidentally, as a thermal switch, in addition to the above configuration, for example, "Thermal diodes, regulators, and switches: Physical mechanisms and potential applications, Geoff Wehmeyer, Tomohide Yabuki, Christian Monachon, Junqiao Wu, and Chris Dames Applied Physics Reviews 4, 041304 ( It is also possible to appropriately select and use from those disclosed in "2017)".

Further, since the heat storage unit 50 can store and radiate a part of the exhaust heat, it has a function as a heat flow control unit 30, but if the configuration is combined with the heat switch as described above, the heat storage unit 50 has a function. It is also possible to control the outflow amount (and the inflow (heat storage) amount) of the heat stored in the heat storage unit 50 with high accuracy.

<Excessive heat generator>
As shown in FIG. 10, the excess heat generation unit 40 includes a heat generation unit 41, a storage unit 42, a supply / exhaust amount control unit 43, and a gas supply unit 44. The excess heat generation unit 40 supplies the excess heat obtained by the heat generated by the heat generation unit 41 stored in the storage unit 42 to the supply destination.

The heat generating unit 41 generates excess heat triggered by a chemical reaction between heating and a predetermined reaction gas (hydrogen gas). As shown in FIG. 10, the heat generating unit 41 is housed in the storage unit 42, and the heat generating material 46 is fixed on the fixing substrate 45.

As an example, the heat generating portion 41 occludes hydrogen in the presence of hydrogen gas to form a hydride alloy or a hydrogen solid solution, and then is heated to repeat the phase transition of the hydride alloy or the hydrogen solid solution (that is, hydrogen storage / desorption). A metal material having a hydrogen storage function, which generates excessive heat due to repeated storage), may be used as the heat generating material 46. Further, in order to fully exert the hydrogen storage function of this metal material, it is preferable to remove impurities from the metal surface by vacuum degassing and heat removal as a pretreatment.

Here, a metal material having a hydrogen storage function applicable as the heat generating material 46 will be described in detail. The metal material (alloy 47) to be the heat generating material 46 includes a first metal 47a having a melting point of 230 ° C. or higher and a second metal 47b having a melting point higher than that of the first metal 47a. At least one of the first metal 47a or the second metal 47b has a higher hydrogen solubility than silver at a temperature below the melting point of the second metal 47b, and of the first metal 47a or the second metal 47b. At least one hydride has a standard production enthalpy equal to or higher than the standard production enthalpy of CaH ₂ , and at a temperature below the melting point of the second metal 47b, the first metal 47a and the second metal 47b come into contact with hydrogen gas. It generates heat by doing so. By adopting this heat generating material 46 as the heat generating portion 41, sufficient excess heat is generated to heat the catalyst body 100 to be supplied without causing deterioration of hydrogen storage performance and heat generation amount when used at high temperature. It can be obtained stably.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the heat generating material 46. The heat generating material 46 shown in FIG. 11 is an alloy of aluminum (Al) (melting point: 660.3 ° C.), which is the first metal 47a, and nickel (Ni) (melting point: 1455 ° C.), which is the second metal 47b. It contains 47 and has a plurality of phases having different composition ratios.

FIG. 12 is a photomicrograph (magnification: 500 times) showing the results of analysis of the fine structure of the alloy 47 contained in the heat generating material 46 using an elemental analyzer attached to a scanning electron microscope, SEM-EDX. As shown in FIG. 12, the alloy 47 has a plurality of phases having different composition ratios. Specifically, in the micrograph shown in FIG. 12, it can be seen that there are two phases, a phase showing light gray and a phase showing dark gray. Here, the graph shown on the left of FIG. 12 shows the result of analyzing the elemental composition of the light gray phase in the micrograph shown in FIG. 12, and from this result, the light gray phase is Al: Ni = 61. It can be seen that it has a composition of atomic%: 39 atomic% (Al: Ni = 3.12: 2 (atomic ratio)). On the other hand, the graph shown on the right of FIG. 12 shows the result of analyzing the elemental composition of the dark gray phase in the micrograph shown in FIG. 12, and from this result, the dark gray phase has Al: Ni = 76 atoms. It can be seen that it has a composition of%: 24 atomic% (Al: Ni = 3.16: 1 (atomic ratio)).

Here, the heat-generating material 46 contains at least two kinds of metals, and among the metals contained in the heat-generating material 46, those having a lower melting point are referred to as "first metal 47a", and those having a higher melting point are referred to. It is called "second metal 47b". It is essential that the melting point of the first metal 47a is 230 ° C. or higher. Further, at least one of the first metal 47a and the second metal 47b contained in the heat generating material 46 has a hydrogen solubility higher than that of silver at a temperature lower than the melting point of the second metal 47b. With such a configuration, hydrogen storage for repeating the phase transition of the hydride alloy or the hydrogen solid solution that occurs when the heat generating material 46 according to the present embodiment generates a large amount of heat is sufficiently performed. On the other hand, if the hydrogen solubility of both the first metal 47a and the second metal 47b is less than or equal to the hydrogen solubility of silver, the material cannot occlude a sufficient amount of hydrogen and is used as the heat generating material 46. I can't. Therefore, preferably, both the first metal 47a and the second metal 47b have a higher hydrogen solubility than silver at the above temperature. The value of hydrogen solubility in a certain metal may be a value obtained experimentally or a value obtained by calculation using a computer simulation.

Further, at least one hydride of the first metal 47a or the second metal 47b has a standard enthalpy of formation of CaH ₂ or more (-186.2 kJ / mol) or higher. With such a configuration, hydrogen is sufficiently stored for repeated phase transitions of the hydride alloy or the hydrogen solid solution that occur when the heat generating material 46 generates a large amount of heat. On the other hand, when the standard production enthalpy of each of the hydrides of the first metal 47a and the second metal 47b is larger than the standard production enthalpy of CaH ₂ , the hydride produced by occluding hydrogen is energetically. It becomes an extremely stable state, hydrogen is not sufficiently occluded from the hydride, and it cannot be used as a heat generating material 46. The value of the standard enthalpy of formation of a hydride of a certain metal may also be a value obtained experimentally or a value obtained by calculation using a computer simulation.

When at least a metal satisfying the provisions of these "first metal 47a" and "second metal 47b" is contained, it is included in the technical scope of the heat generating material 46 according to this embodiment. do. That is, even if three or more metals are contained, it is within the scope of the present invention if any two metals satisfy the above-mentioned provisions. Further, there is no particular limitation on the content form of these metals. However, as in the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the first metal 47a and the second metal 47b exist in the state of an alloy 47 having a plurality of phases having different composition ratios.

The specific types of the first metal 47a and the second metal 47b are not particularly limited, and can be arbitrarily selected from combinations that can satisfy the above-mentioned regulations. Whether a certain metal corresponds to the "first metal 47a" or the "second metal 47b" is a relative one determined by the relationship with other metals to be combined. Therefore, depending on the combination of these metals, there is a possibility that a certain metal corresponds to the "first metal 47a" and the case corresponds to the "second metal 47b". As an example, examples of the first metal 47a include aluminum (Al), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb). Examples of the second metal 47b include nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), vanadium (V), and calcium (Ca). It is preferable to use these metals because it is possible to form a heat generating material 46 having a large calorific value. Further, from the viewpoint that tin (Sn) having a relatively low melting point can function as the heat generating material 46 even when the heating temperature is relatively low, it is preferable to use tin (Sn) having a relatively low melting point as the first metal 47a. Further, from the viewpoint of large calorific value, it is also preferable to use aluminum (Al) as the first metal 47a. Further, examples of the combination of "first metal 47a-second metal 47b" include nickel-zirconium, aluminum-nickel, aluminum-titanium, aluminum-manganese, aluminum-zinc, tin-titanium, aluminum-calcium and the like. Be done. However, from the viewpoint that it is possible to form the heat generating material 46 having a particularly large calorific value, the combination of aluminum-nickel, aluminum-titanium, and tin-titanium is preferable, and the combination of aluminum-nickel and tin-titanium is more preferable. The aluminum-nickel combination is preferred, and the aluminum-nickel combination is particularly preferred. Needless to say, metals other than these and combinations other than these may be used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the heat generating material 46 may be located inside the outer shell body 48 made of an inorganic porous body. As shown in FIG. 13, the metal (aluminum (Al) 47a and nickel (Ni) 47b) is an outer shell body 48 made of a metal oxide (silica (SiO ₂ )) which is an inorganic porous body in the state of the alloy 47. It is located inside.

Further, the heat generating material 46 is used by being heated to a temperature lower than the melting point of the second metal 47b. Therefore, the constituent material of the outer shell 48 is not limited to silica, and is a porous body that is chemically stable at the above temperature under a hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) atmosphere and that allows hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) to permeate. It should be. As the constituent material of such an outer shell 48, metal oxides such as silica, alumina, ceria, zirconia, titania, and zeolite are preferable, and silica or zirconia is particularly preferable, from the viewpoint of easy availability and production. Further, a porous carbon material such as activated carbon, a porous silicon carbide / silicon nitride, a porous metal, a porous metal complex (MOF) and the like can also be used as an inorganic porous body constituting the outer shell 48.

As shown in FIG. 13, since the first metal 47a and the second metal 47b are located inside the outer shell body 48 made of the inorganic porous body, there is an advantage that the heat generating material 46 can be easily handled. There is. Further, it is preferable that the first metal 47a melts at the operating temperature of the heat generating material 46 (the temperature below the melting point of the second metal 47b) (however, the exothermic reaction proceeds even if the first metal 47a is not melted). It may be possible to make it). Here, when the first metal 47a melts at the operating temperature of the heat generating material 46, if the outer shell 48 is present, the melted first metal 47a flows and the shape of the heat generating material 46 can be maintained. It can be prevented from disappearing. If the shape of the heat-generating material 46 is maintained in this way, there is an advantage that the heat-generating material 46 is easy to handle even when it is reused. The presence of the outer shell 48 is not essential. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, from the mixture, solid solution or alloy 47 of the first metal 47a (for example, aluminum (Al)) and the second metal 47b (for example, nickel (Ni)), the heat generating material 46 May be configured.

The storage unit 42 is a box-shaped housing that stores the heat generation unit 41 and transfers heat to the heat generation unit 41, and is installed so as to be able to transfer heat to the inner pipe 22. At least a part of the housing of the storage unit 42 is also in contact with a part of the housing of the heat storage unit 50, and the heat radiated from the heat storage unit 50 is transferred to the storage unit 42. Therefore, in consideration of thermal conductivity, it is preferable that the portion of the accommodating portion 42 in contact with the heat storage portion 50 is composed of the high thermal conductive member as described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, an intervening layer 26 made of a high heat conductive member may be provided between the storage portion 42 and the heat storage portion 50.

Inside the accommodating portion 42, a gas flow path 49 for supplying the reaction gas (hydrogen gas) to the heat generating material 46 is provided. An air supply amount adjusting unit 43a for controlling the amount of hydrogen gas supplied is connected to one (upstream side) of the gas flow path 49, and an air supply unit 42 is connected to the other (downstream side). A displacement adjusting unit 43b for controlling the displacement of the hydrogen gas is connected.

The storage unit 42 supplies the excess heat generated by the heat generating unit 41 to the catalyst body 100 via the inner pipe 22. The heat transfer form to the catalyst body 100 by the accommodating portion 42 is dominated by heat conduction through the inner tube 22, but heat can also be transferred by heat radiation or heat convection.

The supply / exhaust amount control unit 43 includes a supply air amount adjustment unit 43a, an exhaust amount adjustment unit 43b, and a flow rate control unit 43c. The supply / exhaust amount control unit 43 controls the supply / exhaust amount and the exhaust amount of hydrogen gas required for generating excess heat, for example, at the time of cold start of the engine serving as the exhaust heat source 10.

Since the supply / exhaust amount control unit 43 only needs to supply a required amount of hydrogen gas to the heat generation unit 41 when excess heat is generated, the supply / exhaust amount control unit 43 may be configured to include at least the supply air amount adjustment unit 43a and the flow rate control unit 43c. However, from the viewpoint of improving the heat generation efficiency of the heat generating unit 41, the exhaust gas adjusting unit 43b is provided so that the pressure of the hydrogen gas in the storage unit 42 can be adjusted (pressurized or depressurized), and the hydrogen gas for the storage unit 42 is provided. It is preferable to have a configuration in which both supply and exhaust of the air can be controlled.

As shown in FIG. 10, the air supply amount adjusting unit 43a is connected to the upstream side of the gas flow path 49 of the storage unit 42, adjusts the state (position, orientation, etc.) of the valve body with respect to the gas flow path 49 and stores the valve body. It is a valve for controlling the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the unit 42. The state of the valve body of the air supply amount adjusting unit 43a is controlled by the flow rate control unit 43c so that the air supply amount is appropriate. The air supply amount adjusting unit 43a is not limited to the valve, and may have a configuration (for example, a delivery pump) in which the air supply amount of the reaction gas to the storage unit 42 can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the exhaust gas amount adjusting unit 43b is connected to the downstream side of the gas flow path 49 of the storage unit 42, and adjusts the state (position, orientation, etc.) of the valve body with respect to the gas flow path 49 to adjust the storage unit. It is a valve for controlling the amount of hydrogen gas exhausted from 42. In the displacement adjusting unit 43b, the state of the valve body is controlled by the flow rate control unit 43c so that the displacement is appropriate. The displacement adjusting unit 43b is not limited to the valve, and may have a configuration (for example, a suction pump) in which the displacement of the reaction gas to the storage unit 42 can be adjusted.

The flow rate control unit 43c controls the supply air amount adjusting unit 43a and the exhaust amount adjusting unit 43b to supply the amount of hydrogen gas supplied to the storage unit 42 and exhaust the hydrogen gas exhausted from the storage unit 42. Control the amount. In the control of the supply / exhaust amount by the flow rate control unit 43c, predetermined control is executed for the control target in consideration of the timing of generation of excess heat by the heat generation unit 41, the amount of excess heat generated, the period of generation of excess heat, and the like. ..

The gas supply unit 44 is a supply source of the reaction gas required to generate excess heat by the heat generation unit 41. As an example, the gas supply unit 44 supplies hydrogen gas as a reaction gas in order to obtain excess heat due to the hydrogen storage function of the heat generating material 46 constituting the heat generating unit 41. The gas supply unit 44 includes an arbitrary device for supplying hydrogen gas, for example, a tank holding hydrogen gas, a gas supply system such as a pump and piping for obtaining hydrogen gas from the outside and supplying it to the heat generating material 46. May be done.

Further, the hydrogen gas may be held in the tank in the state of hydrogen gas, or may be a gas generated at any time by, for example, reforming of methanol or biomass.

Further, the reaction gas supplied from the gas supply unit 44 may be any gas that can generate excess heat by a chemical reaction with the heat generating material 46 constituting the heat generating unit 41, and is other than hydrogen gas depending on the configuration of the heat generating material 46. Other types of gas can be appropriately selected.

The heating unit 60 is an auxiliary heating source installed in the pipeline of the engine exhaust pipe 11 for raising the temperature of the exhaust gas G from the engine, which is the exhaust heat source 10, to a predetermined temperature.

The heating unit 60 is used, for example, to heat the exhaust gas G exhausted from the engine before warming up at the time of cold start of the engine, and the heat accumulated in the heat storage unit 50 is used as described later. Since the excess heat generation unit 40 generates excess heat and the catalyst body 100 can be heated by this heat, the power consumption of the heating unit 60 is very limited, and the energy efficiency of the entire excess heat generation system is high. The effect on is almost nonexistent.

[motion]
Next, the operation of the thermal energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, an operation example at the time of starting the engine (at the time of cold start) using the heat stored in the heat storage unit 50 is shown. It should be noted that the operations described below are presented in an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

During vehicle operation, the engine, which is the exhaust heat source 10, is normally driven, and the exhaust gas G from the engine is circulated to the inner pipe 22 and the outer pipe 21 through the engine exhaust pipe 11. At this time, the angle of the heat shield plate 25 that functions as the heat flow control unit 30 is adjusted so that the exhaust gas G flows into the second space 23b, and the second space 23b is opened. As a result, the waste heat transported by the exhaust gas G is directly transmitted to the storage unit 42 and the heat storage unit 50, and the exhaust heat is gradually accumulated in the heat storage unit 50.

Further, during vehicle operation, the engine is warmed up and the temperature of the exhaust gas G is sufficiently high, so that excess heat is not supplied to the catalyst body 100. Therefore, hydrogen gas is not supplied from the gas supply unit 44 to the storage unit 42, and the excess heat generation unit 40 is in an inactive state (a state in which excess heat is not generated).

When the engine drive is stopped, the heat shield plate 25 is angle-adjusted so that the second space 23b is in a closed state in order to prevent the heat stored in the heat storage unit 50 from escaping. As a result, the heat storage by the heat storage unit 50 is maintained for a long time.

Next, cold start the engine. Since the engine immediately after the start is cooled to about the environmental temperature or lower, the heating unit 60 is driven to supplementally heat the exhaust gas G until it is warmed up.

Further, the supply / exhaust amount control unit 43 is appropriately controlled so that a predetermined amount of hydrogen gas is supplied to the heat generation unit 41. As a result, the excess heat generating portion 40 becomes an active state (a state in which excess heat can be generated).

In the excess heat generation unit 40, hydrogen gas from the gas supply unit 44 is supplied into the storage unit 42, and the heat stored in the heat storage unit 50 is transferred to the storage unit 42 by heat conduction to generate the heat generation unit 41. In a state where the constituent heat-generating material 46 is heated, hydrogen is repeatedly stored and stored to generate excess heat.

Then, the generated excess heat is transferred to the catalyst body 100 via the inner tube 22. The temperature of the catalyst body 100 rises to the activation temperature due to excessive heat and activates the exhaust gas G to the extent that it can be purified.

In the prior art, since the catalyst body 100 is heated by the heater before the engine is warmed up, the energy loss due to the heater drive is large, and the energy efficiency of the entire excess heat generation system is not good. On the other hand, by using the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the catalyst body 100 can be heated by the excess heat generated by utilizing the waste heat of the waste heat source 10. Therefore, the driving of the heating unit 60 can be suppressed to the minimum necessary as in the case of a cold start, so that the energy efficiency of the entire excess heat generation system is improved.

[Action effect]
As described above, the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment has an exhaust heat transport unit 20 for transporting exhaust heat from the exhaust heat source 10 mounted on the vehicle and an exhaust heat transport unit 20 for transporting exhaust heat. A heat flow control unit 30 that controls the heat flow rate of heat, a heat generation unit 41 made of a heat generation material 46 that generates excess heat by a chemical reaction with a predetermined reaction gas in a state of being heated by exhaust heat, and a heat generation unit 41. It is configured to include an excess heat generating unit 40 having a storage unit 42 for storing.

With such a configuration, the heat generating unit 41 can be heated by utilizing the exhaust heat of the exhaust heat source 10 mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, as in the prior art, a heater for heating the heat generating unit 41 and this heater. No power is required to drive the. Therefore, in the excess heat generation system including the heat energy generator 1, the power consumption of the entire system when generating excess heat can be suppressed, and the energy efficiency of the entire system can be improved.

Further, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, preferably, the heat generating material 46 is heated in the presence of hydrogen gas as a reaction gas to occlude hydrogen to form a hydride alloy, and this hydride alloy is obtained. It may be composed of an alloy material having a hydrogen storage function, which generates excessive heat due to repeated storage and storage of hydrogen due to repeated phase transitions.

Since the heat generating material 46 is made of an alloy material having a hydrogen storage function, it is possible to stably obtain a sufficient calorific value for heating the catalyst body 100 to be supplied.

Further, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, preferably, the exhaust heat source 10 may be a heat engine, and the heat engine may be an engine for driving a vehicle.

By using the engine, which is a heat engine mounted on the vehicle, as the exhaust heat source 10, it is not necessary to provide a heater for heating the heat generating portion 41, and the electric power for driving the heater can be saved. As a result, the energy efficiency of the entire excess heat generation system including the heat energy generation device 1 can be improved.

Further, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the excess heat generating unit 40 is preferably a reaction supplied from the gas supply unit 44, which is a supply source of the reaction gas, and at least the gas supply unit 44. The configuration may include an air supply / exhaust amount control unit 43 having an air supply amount adjusting unit 43a for controlling the amount of air supplied to the gas storage unit 42.

With such a configuration, the amount of hydrogen gas supplied as the reaction gas supplied to the storage unit 42 can be appropriately controlled, so that excess heat can be efficiently generated.

Further, in the thermal energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, preferably, the supply / exhaust amount control unit 43 further has a displacement adjustment unit 43b for controlling the displacement of the reaction gas from the storage unit 42. It may be configured.

With such a configuration, by controlling the exhaust amount adjusting unit 43b, it is possible to exhaust an appropriate amount of unnecessary hydrogen gas from the storage unit 42 in addition to the amount of hydrogen gas supplied, so that only the air supply amount adjusting unit 43a can be exhausted. Excess heat can be generated more efficiently than the configuration.

Further, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the waste heat transport unit 20 is preferably configured to include a high heat conduction member that directly or indirectly transfers the waste heat to the storage unit 42. good.

With such a configuration, for example, the exhaust heat from the exhaust heat source 10 serving as an engine is transmitted to the storage portion 42 through the outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22, but the outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22 function as the exhaust heat transport portion 20. Is composed of a high heat conductive member having a high heat conductivity, so that heat can be efficiently transferred to the storage portion 42 regardless of the heat transfer form.

Further, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the waste heat transport unit 20 may preferably further include a heat storage unit 50 that transfers waste heat to the heat generation unit 41 via the storage unit 42. ..

With such a configuration, the exhaust heat from the exhaust heat source 10 can be accumulated for a long period of time. Therefore, when the engine serving as the exhaust heat source 10 is cold-started, the heat accumulated in the heat storage unit 50 is used. The excess heat generating unit 40 can be immediately activated. Therefore, for example, the catalyst body 100 to which the excess heat is supplied can be heated to the activation temperature even at the time of cold start, and can exhibit a sufficient exhaust gas purification function immediately after the engine is started.

Further, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the storage portion 42 is preferably composed of a high thermal conductivity member having a higher thermal conductivity than the portion in which the portion in contact with the heat storage portion 50 does not abut. good.

With such a configuration, the heat accumulated in the heat storage unit 50 is efficiently transferred to the storage unit 42 and the heat generation unit 41 in the storage unit 42 mainly by "heat conduction" rather than "heat radiation" or "heat convection". Since it can be transmitted, the activity of the catalyst 100 can be immediately increased even at the time of cold start of the engine.

Further, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the exhaust heat transport unit 20 may preferably include the exhaust gas G exhausted from the exhaust heat source 10.

With such a configuration, the exhaust gas G from the engine that can be used as the exhaust heat source 10 is circulated to the outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22, so that the exhaust gas contained in the exhaust gas G is transferred to the storage unit 42, the heat storage unit 50, and the like. It can be transmitted to the destination.

Further, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, preferably, the heat flow control unit 30 is a heat switch for switching the heat transfer state or heat insulation state of exhaust heat to the storage unit 42, and at least one of the heat storage units 50. It may be composed of.

By making at least one of the heat switch and the heat storage unit 50 function as the heat flow control unit 30, waste heat of an appropriate heat flow rate for the heat generation unit 41 is generated so that the excess heat of the amount of heat required by the catalyst body 100 is generated. Can be transported.

Further, in the heat energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment, the heat switch may preferably be configured to control the heat flow rate by utilizing any one of heat transfer modes of heat radiation, heat conduction, and heat convection. ..

With such a configuration, the heat switch can appropriately control the heat flow rate of the waste heat according to the heat transfer form of the waste heat transport unit 20, so that the heat required for the generation of excess heat is transferred to the heat generation unit 41. Can be transported.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be appropriately modified and implemented according to the usage environment, for example, as shown below. Further, the following modifications can be arbitrarily combined and carried out within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment (modification example 1) of the thermal energy generator 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, in the heat energy generator 1 of the modification 1, the heat storage unit 50 and the heating unit 60 are removed, and the heat and electricity converted into electric power by utilizing the exhaust heat of the exhaust gas G from the engine serving as the exhaust heat source 10. It has a configuration in which a thermoelectric power generation unit 70 equipped with a conversion module is provided. Further, since the heat shield plate 25 that can open / close the second space 23b provided inside the outer pipe 21 is not provided, the second space 23b is always open.

The operation of the thermal energy generator 1 of the modified example 1 is not limited to the cold start as in the above-described embodiment, but is after the engine, which is the exhaust heat source 10, has been warmed up as in normal vehicle operation. Is also valid.

The thermoelectric power generation unit 70 has a thermoelectric conversion function (thermoelectric conversion module) that converts the exhaust heat of the exhaust heat source 10 into electric power. The generated electric power can be charged to, for example, a storage unit 80 such as a storage battery, and can be used as electric power for driving an electric device (driving motor, air conditioner, air conditioner, etc.) of the vehicle when necessary. By using the electric power generated from the exhaust heat of the exhaust heat source 10 by using the thermoelectric power generation unit 70, it is possible to improve the fuel efficiency and extend the cruising range of the vehicle.

If the thermoelectric power generation unit 70 is provided, it is possible to generate power by using the exhaust heat, but the exhaust heat from the exhaust heat source 10 is absorbed by the thermoelectric power generation unit 70, which is sufficient for the catalyst body 100 on the downstream side of the heat electric power generation unit 70. It may be difficult to activate the catalytic reaction only by exhaust heat without transferring heat. However, in the heat generating section 41 of the excess heat generating section 40, the heat generating material 46 undergoes a phase transition (hydrogen storage / storage) even at the exhaust heat temperature of the exhaust gas G in a state where the amount of heat is absorbed to some extent by the thermoelectric power generation section 70. Is heated to the extent that excess heat can be generated by repeating. Therefore, in the thermal energy generator 1 of the modification 1, excess heat is supplied to the catalyst body 100 even in other situations other than the cold start of the engine (for example, when the vehicle is operated), and the catalyst body 100 is supplied with excess heat. It can promote activation.

Next, an operation example in the thermal energy generator 1 of the modification 1 will be described. Here, the flow when the thermal energy generator 1 is operated during normal operation will be described.

The thermoelectric power generation unit 70 generates electricity by utilizing the exhaust heat of the exhaust gas G exhausted by driving the exhaust heat source 10. The generated electric power is stored in, for example, the electricity storage unit 80 and is transmitted as driving electric power to the electric devices in the vehicle.

Further, the exhaust gas G that has passed through the thermoelectric power generation unit 70 is convected in the second space 23b provided in the vertical direction of the outer pipe 21 after passing through the catalyst body 100, and is convected in the outer pipe 21, the inner pipe 22, and the storage unit 42. Transport waste heat to. Further, the storage portion 42 transfers heat directly (heat conduction, heat convection) or indirectly (heat radiation) through the outer pipe 21 and the inner pipe 22 heated by the exhaust gas G.

Further, the supply / exhaust amount control unit 43 is appropriately controlled so that a predetermined amount of hydrogen gas is supplied to the heat generation unit 41, and the excess heat generation unit 40 is put into an active state (a state in which excess heat can be generated).

As a result, the excess heat generation unit 40 is supplied with an appropriate amount of hydrogen gas from the gas supply unit 44 into the storage unit 42, and heat is transferred through the outer pipe 21, the inner pipe 22 and the storage unit 42 to generate heat. In a state where the heat generating material 46 constituting the 41 is heated, hydrogen is repeatedly occluded and stored to generate excess heat.

Then, the generated excess heat is transferred to the catalyst body 100 via the inner tube 22. The temperature of the catalyst body 100 rises to the activation temperature due to excessive heat and activates the exhaust gas G to the extent that it can be purified.

As described above, the heat energy generator 1 of the modified example 1 utilizes the exhaust heat of the exhaust heat source 10 for the power generation of the thermoelectric power generation unit 70 and also for the excess heat generation treatment of the excess heat generation unit 40. ing. As a result, the electric power obtained by the thermoelectric power generation unit 70 is effectively utilized for driving the electric equipment mounted on the vehicle, and the catalyst body 100 is heated to the activation temperature by the excess heat generated by the heat generation unit 41 to generate a catalyst. It is possible to stably promote the reaction.

1 Thermal energy generator,
10 Exhaust heat source (engine),
11 engine exhaust pipe,
20 Waste heat transport section,
21 outer pipe (21a pipe wall),
22 inner tube,
23 In-pipe space (23a first space, 23b second space),
24 Shielding plate,
25 heat shield,
26 Intervening layer,
27 gap,
28 Heat transfer medium,
30 Heat flow control unit,
40 Excess heat generator,
41 Heat generating part,
42 storage section,
43 Supply / exhaust amount control unit (43a supply / exhaust amount adjustment unit, 43b exhaust amount adjustment unit, 43c flow rate control unit),
44 Gas supply unit,
45 board,
46 Heat-generating material,
47 alloy (47a first metal 47a, 47b second metal 47b),
48 outer shell,
49 gas flow path,
50 heat storage unit,
60 heating part,
70 Thermoelectric power generation unit,
80 power storage unit,
100 catalyst (exhaust gas purification catalyst for automobiles)
G exhaust gas.

Claims (12)

A waste heat transport unit that transports waste heat from the waste heat source mounted on the vehicle,
A heat flow control unit that controls the heat flow rate of the waste heat transported by the waste heat transport unit, and a heat flow control unit.
Heat including a heat generating portion made of a heat generating material that generates excess heat by a chemical reaction with a predetermined reaction gas in a state of being heated by the exhaust heat, and an excess heat generating portion having a storage portion for accommodating the heat generating portion. Energy generator. The heat-generating material is heated in the presence of hydrogen gas, which is the reaction gas, to occlude hydrogen to form a hydride alloy, and the storage and storage of hydrogen are repeated by repeating the phase transition of the hydride alloy. The thermal energy generator according to claim 1, which is made of an alloy material having a hydrogen storage function and excessively generates heat due to hydrogen storage. The heat energy generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the exhaust heat source is a heat engine. The heat energy generator according to claim 3, wherein the heat engine is an engine. The excess heat generating part is
Further, a gas supply unit that is a supply source of the reaction gas and
Any of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a supply / exhaust amount control unit having a supply / exhaust amount adjusting unit for controlling an air supply amount of the reaction gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the storage unit is provided. The thermal energy generator according to item 1. The heat energy generator according to claim 5, wherein the supply / exhaust amount control unit further includes an exhaust amount adjusting unit for controlling the displacement of the reaction gas from the storage unit. The heat energy generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the waste heat transport unit comprises a high heat conductive member that directly or indirectly transmits the waste heat to a storage unit. The heat energy generator according to claim 7, wherein the waste heat transport unit further includes a heat storage unit that transfers the waste heat to the heat generating unit via the storage unit. The heat energy generator according to claim 8, wherein the storage portion has a portion in contact with the heat storage portion composed of the high heat conductive member. The heat energy generator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the waste heat transport unit includes exhaust gas exhausted from the waste heat source. The heat energy according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heat flow control unit comprises at least one of a heat storage unit and a heat switch for switching the heat transfer state or heat insulation state of the exhaust heat to the storage unit. Generator. The heat energy generator according to claim 11, wherein the heat switch controls a heat flow rate by utilizing any heat transfer form of heat radiation, heat conduction, or heat convection.

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