JP3734984B2

JP3734984B2 - Heat utilization system using hydrogen storage alloy

Info

Publication number: JP3734984B2
Application number: JP15863099A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 勤丸橋; 繁角掛
Original assignee: Japan Metals and Chemical Co Ltd; Rinnai Corp
Current assignee: Japan Metals and Chemical Co Ltd; Rinnai Corp
Priority date: 1999-06-04
Filing date: 1999-06-04
Publication date: 2006-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-04
Also published as: JP2000346486A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、水素吸蔵合金の水素の吸蔵と放出とを繰り返して行わせ、水素の放出時に生じる吸熱作用を利用して冷熱出力を得る水素吸蔵合金を利用した熱利用システムに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
水素吸蔵合金を利用して冷熱出力を得る熱利用システムは、まず、同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が高い水素吸蔵合金である高温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より高く保つための加熱用熱媒体を供給し、且つ高温合金に比較して同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が低い水素吸蔵合金である低温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より低く保つための放熱用熱媒体を供給し、高温合金から低温合金に水素を駆動する水素駆動行程を行わせる。次に、高温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より低く保つための放熱用熱媒体を供給し、且つ低温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より高く保つための冷熱出力用熱媒体を供給し、低温合金から高温合金に水素を移動させる冷熱出力行程を行わせる。そして、上記の水素駆動行程と冷熱出力行程とによるサイクルを繰り返し、冷熱出力用熱媒体から冷熱を得る。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記のサイクルでは、水素駆動行程時において、高温合金を封入する容器に加熱用熱媒体の供給を開始する時期と、低温合金を封入する容器に放熱用熱媒体の供給を開始する時期とが、同時であった。
しかし、水素駆動行程の前は、冷熱出力行程であったため、加熱用熱媒体と放熱用熱媒体の供給を開始した直後は、高温合金を封入する容器の内圧が低く、逆に低温合金を封入する容器の内圧が高い状態である。この高低の状態が入れ代わってから、高温合金が水素を放出し、低温合金が水素を吸蔵する状態に移行するものであるが、高低の状態が入れ代わるのに時間がかかるため、水素駆動行程に時間を要してしまう。特に、水素放出側の高温合金は、水素の放出に伴って温度低下する傾向を有し、逆に水素吸蔵側の低温合金は、水素の吸蔵に伴って発熱する傾向を有するため、高低の状態が入れ代わっても、水素の移動が緩慢に開始されることになり、水素移動に時間を要してしまう。
【０００４】
また、従来の冷熱出力行程時は、高温合金を封入する容器に放熱用熱媒体の供給を開始する時期と、低温合金を封入する容器に冷熱出力用熱媒体の供給を開始する時期とが、同時であった。
しかし、冷熱出力行程の前は、水素駆動行程（または前段の冷熱出力行程）であったため、放熱用熱媒体と冷熱出力用熱媒体の供給を開始した直後は、高温合金を封入する容器の内圧が高く、逆に低温合金を封入する容器の内圧が低い状態である。この高低の状態が入れ代わってから、低温合金が水素を放出し、高温合金が水素を吸蔵する状態に移行するものであるが、高低の状態が入れ代わるのに時間がかかるため、冷熱出力行程に時間を要してしまう。特に、水素吸蔵側の高温合金は、水素の吸蔵に伴って発熱する傾向を有し、逆に水素放出側の低温合金は、水素の放出に伴って温度低下する傾向を有するため、高低の状態が入れ代わっても、水素の移動が緩慢に開始されることになり、冷熱出力に時間を要してしまう。
このように、水素駆動行程および冷熱出力行程において、高温合金を封入する容器内と低温合金を封入する容器内との圧力差が大きくないため、急速に水素移動を達成するのが困難であり、水素駆動および冷熱出力に時間を要し、結果的に冷却能力が低下する要因になっていた。
【０００５】
【発明の目的】
本発明は、上記の事情に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的は、容器間で水素の移動を行う際に、水素の吸蔵を行う容器内と、水素の放出を行う容器内との圧力差を急激に大きくし、一定時間内における水素移動量を多くして冷却能力を向上できる水素吸蔵合金を利用した熱利用システムの提供にある。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
〔請求項１の手段〕
水素吸蔵合金を利用した熱利用システムは、水素吸蔵合金の水素の放出時の吸熱を利用したものであって、
同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が異なる複数種類の水素吸蔵合金をそれぞれ収容する複数の容器と、
これらの各容器を連通する水素通路と、
前記各容器に触れる熱媒体温度を変更して、前記各容器の間で水素の移動を行わせる熱媒体変更手段と、を備え、
前記熱媒体変更手段は、
同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が高い水素吸蔵合金である高温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より高く保つための加熱用熱媒体を供給し、且つ前記高温合金に比較して同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が低い水素吸蔵合金である低温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より低く保つための放熱用熱媒体を供給し、前記高温合金から前記低温合金に水素を駆動する水素駆動行程を行わせるとともに、
前記高温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より低く保つための放熱用熱媒体を供給し、且つ前記低温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より高く保つための冷熱出力用熱媒体を供給し、前記低温合金から前記高温合金に水素を移動させる冷熱出力行程を行わせるように設けられ、
前記高温合金を封入する容器および前記低温合金を封入する容器が設けられた熱交換器と、複数の熱媒体の供給および排出を行う分配器とが相対回転し、
前記熱交換器に設けられた給排穴と、前記分配器に設けられた給排穴との重なり具合により、前記各容器に触れる熱媒体温度を変更する熱交換ユニットであり、
前記水素駆動行程において、前記高温合金を封入する容器に加熱用熱媒体を供給し、その容器の内圧が前記低温合金を封入する容器の内圧よりも上昇した後に、前記低温合金を封入する容器に放熱用熱媒体を供給する手段は、
「回転の位相角をずらして設けた前記分配器の給排穴の構成」によりなされることを特徴とする。
【０００７】
〔請求項２の手段〕
水素吸蔵合金を利用した熱利用システムは、水素吸蔵合金の水素の放出時の吸熱を利用したものであって、
同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が異なる複数種類の水素吸蔵合金をそれぞれ収容する複数の容器と、
これらの各容器を連通する水素通路と、
前記各容器に触れる熱媒体温度を変更して、前記各容器の間で水素の移動を行わせる熱媒体変更手段と、を備え、
前記熱媒体変更手段は、
同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が高い水素吸蔵合金である高温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より高く保つための加熱用熱媒体を供給し、且つ前記高温合金に比較して同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が低い水素吸蔵合金である低温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より低く保つための放熱用熱媒体を供給し、前記高温合金から前記低温合金に水素を駆動する水素駆動行程を行わせるとともに、
前記高温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より低く保つための放熱用熱媒体を供給し、且つ前記低温合金を封入する容器に、内圧を水素放出圧より高く保つための冷熱出力用熱媒体を供給し、前記低温合金から前記高温合金に水素を移動させる冷熱出力行程を行わせるように設けられ、
前記高温合金を封入する容器および前記低温合金を封入する容器が設けられた熱交換器と、複数の熱媒体の供給および排出を行う分配器とが相対回転し、
前記熱交換器に設けられた給排穴と、前記分配器に設けられた給排穴との重なり具合により、前記各容器に触れる熱媒体温度を変更する熱交換ユニットであり、
前記冷熱出力行程において、前記高温合金を封入する容器に放熱用熱媒体を供給し、その容器の内圧が前記低温合金を封入する容器の内圧よりも降下した後に、前記低温合金を封入する容器に冷熱出力用熱媒体を供給する手段は、
「回転の位相角をずらして設けた前記分配器の給排穴の構成」によりなされることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
【発明の作用および効果】
〔請求項１の作用および効果〕
水素駆動行程では、まず、高温合金を封入する容器に加熱用熱媒体を供給する。これによって、低温合金を封入する容器の内圧より低かった高温合金を封入する容器の内圧が、低温合金を封入する容器の内圧より高くなる。このように、高温合金を封入する容器の内圧が低温合金を封入する容器の内圧よりも上昇した後に、低温合金を封入する容器に放熱用熱媒体を供給する。この時、すでに水素を放出する容器と、水素を吸蔵する容器との間の圧力差が大きくなっているため、高温合金が水素を放出して吸熱し、低温合金が水素を吸蔵して発熱しても、圧力差は大きく保たれ、結果的に従来に比較して急速に水素移動が行える。
つまり、水素駆動行程において、一定時間内における水素移動量が従来に比較して多くなり、結果的に冷却能力を向上できる。
【０００９】
〔請求項２の作用および効果〕
冷熱出力行程では、まず、高温合金を封入する容器に放熱用熱媒体を供給する。これによって、低温合金を封入する容器の内圧より高かった高温合金を封入する容器の内圧が、低温合金を封入する容器の内圧より低くなる。このように、高温合金を封入する容器の内圧が低温合金を封入する容器の内圧よりも降下した後に、低温合金を封入する容器に冷熱出力用熱媒体を供給する。この時、すでに水素を放出する容器と、水素を吸蔵する容器との間の圧力差が大きくなっているため、高温合金が水素を吸蔵して発熱し、低温合金が水素を放出して吸熱しても、圧力差は大きく保たれ、結果的に従来に比較して急速に水素移動が行える。
つまり、冷熱出力行程において、一定時間内における水素移動量が従来に比較して多くなり、結果的に冷却能力を向上できる。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本発明の実施の形態を、実施例および変形例に基づき説明する。
〔実施例の構成〕
この実施例は、水素吸蔵合金を利用した熱利用システムを室内空調用の冷房に適用したもので、この冷房装置１を図１〜図１３を用いて説明する。なお、本実施例の冷房装置１は、多段サイクルの一例として２段サイクルを用いたものである。
【００１１】
冷房装置１の概略構成を図２を用いて説明する。冷房装置１は、水素吸蔵合金を用いた熱交換ユニット２と、水素吸蔵合金を加熱する加熱水（加熱用の熱媒体に相当する、本実施例では水）を作り出す燃焼装置３と、水素吸蔵合金を冷却させる放熱水（放熱用の熱媒体に相当する、本実施例では水）を放熱によって冷却する放熱水冷却手段４と、水素吸蔵合金の水素放出作用によって生じた吸熱によって冷却された冷熱出力水（冷熱出力用の熱媒体に相当する、本実施例では水）で室内を空調する室内空調機５と、搭載された各電気機能部品を制御する制御装置６とから構成される。
【００１２】
なお、熱交換ユニット２、燃焼装置３、放熱水冷却手段４および制御装置６は、室外機７として室外に設置されるもので、室内には室内空調機５が配置される。また、本実施例に示す冷房装置１は、１つの室外機７に対して、複数の室内空調機５が接続可能な所謂マルチエアコンである。
【００１３】
（熱交換ユニット２の説明）
熱交換ユニット２は、水素吸蔵合金と複数の熱媒体との熱交換を行う熱交換器８と、複数の熱媒体の供給および排出を行う分配器９とから構成される。この熱交換器８と分配器９とから第１、第２、第３容器Ｓ1 、Ｓ2 、Ｓ3 （後述する）に触れる熱媒体の種類を変更する熱媒体変更手段が構成される。なお、本実施例に示す熱交換器８は回転中心側に円筒穴８ａを備えた円筒形状を呈するもので、水平方向に配置された円柱状の分配器９が前記円筒穴８ａ内に回動自在に挿入され、分配器９の周囲を回転するように設けられている（図２では便宜上、分配器９が垂直方向に配置された図を示す）。
【００１４】
熱交換器８は、図３、図４に示すような、偏平でリング円盤形状を呈したリング円盤Ｒを多数積層したもので、１つのリング円盤Ｒは、内部に水素吸蔵合金を収納する偏平な合金収容室１０｛図５（ａ）のハッチング内参照、後述する第１〜第３容器Ｓ1 〜Ｓ3 ｝を複数放射状に配置し、積層方向の合金容器（合金収容室１０を構成する容器）と合金容器との間に熱媒体通路１１｛図５（ｂ）のハッチング内参照｝を形成するものである。
【００１５】
１つのリング円盤Ｒは、ステンレスあるいは銅など、水素透過の無い金属をプレス成形した一対のプレート１２、１３（図３参照）を対向して接合して構成されるもので、その一対のプレート１２、１３は、一方の面に合金収容室１０形成用の窪みが形成され、他方の面に熱媒体通路１１形成用の窪みが形成されたものである。
そして、熱交換器８は、図３に示すように一対のプレート１２、１３よりなるリング円盤Ｒを多数積層し、合金容器の外端に水素通路Ｓ4 を確保するための連結パイプＳ5 および端部閉塞蓋Ｓ6 を組付けるとともに、円筒穴８ａの内周に分配器摺接シール用の円筒パイプＳ7 を組付け、真空ろう付けや溶接等の接合方法により接合したものである。
なお、円筒パイプＳ7 には、分配器９の外周面に形成された固定側給排穴Ａ1 （後述する）から、熱交換器８内の各熱媒体通路１１への熱媒体の供給と排出を行う回転側給排穴Ａ2 （後述する）が形成されている。
【００１６】
１つのリング円盤Ｒに形成される合金容器の数は、２段サイクルの場合は３×ｎ（ｎ＝正の整数）であり、この実施例では、１つのリング円盤Ｒに６つの合金容器が形成される例を示す。なお、３段サイクルの場合は４×ｎである。
１つのリング円盤Ｒに形成される複数の合金容器は、円盤中心の周囲に巻付けられる形状で配置される。これによって、熱交換ユニット２の占めるスペース内における水素吸蔵合金の充填有効率が高くなり、結果的に熱交換ユニット２を小型化できる。
【００１７】
多数のリング円盤Ｒを積層して構成される合金容器は、高温合金ＨＭが封入された第１容器Ｓ1 、この第１容器Ｓ1 内に水素通路Ｓ4 を介して連通し、中温合金ＭＭが封入された第２容器Ｓ2 、この第２容器Ｓ2 内に水素通路Ｓ4 を介して連通し、低温合金ＬＭが封入された第３容器Ｓ3 に分類される。
【００１８】
水素吸蔵合金は、水素平衡圧力が異なる３種を用いたもので、第１容器Ｓ1 内に封入される高温合金ＨＭは同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が最も高い高温度水素吸蔵合金の粉末であり、第２容器Ｓ2 内に封入される中温合金ＭＭは中温度水素吸蔵合金の粉末であり、第３容器Ｓ3 内に封入される低温合金ＬＭは同一平衡水素圧で水素平衡温度が最も低い低温度水素吸蔵合金の粉末である。
この関係を図６のＰＴ冷凍サイクル線図を用いて説明すると、水素吸蔵合金の特性が、相対的に高温側（図示左側）にあるのが高温合金ＨＭ、低温側にあるのが低温合金ＬＭ、両者の中間にあるのが中温合金ＭＭである。
なお、粉末状の各合金ＨＭ、ＭＭ、ＬＭは、第１〜第３容器Ｓ1 〜Ｓ3 の内部に充填され、真空引きを行い、活性化処理を施し、水素を高圧充填した後、合金充填用開口部１４を金属蓋（図示しない）で封止して封入されるものである。
【００１９】
円筒状の熱交換器８は、円柱形状を呈する分配器９の周囲を回転するように設けられている。熱交換器８は、回転駆動手段（例えば、電動モータによって熱交換器８を直接的あるいはギヤやベルト等を介して間接的に回転駆動する手段）によって連続的に回転駆動されるものである。
【００２０】
分配器９の構成を図７、図８に示す。分配器９は、第１〜第３容器Ｓ1 〜Ｓ3 に触れる熱媒体を切り換えて供給するもので、円筒状の熱交換器８が分配器９の周囲で回転することによって、各合金容器の間（積層方向の間）の各熱媒体通路１１に供給される熱媒体が切り換えられ、水素通路Ｓ4 で連結される第１〜第３容器Ｓ1 〜Ｓ3 が水素駆動部α→第１冷熱出力部β→第２冷熱出力部γに移行する（図９参照）。
【００２１】
水素駆動部αは第１容器Ｓ1 内の水素、および第２容器Ｓ2 内に残されている水素の一部を第３容器Ｓ3 内に移動させる部位である。
第１冷熱出力部βは第３容器Ｓ3 内に移動した水素を第２容器Ｓ2 に移動させる部位である。
第２冷熱出力部γは第２容器Ｓ2 内の水素および第３容器Ｓ3 内に残されている水素の一部を第１容器Ｓ1 に移動させる部位である。
なお、水素駆動部α、第１冷熱出力部β、第２冷熱出力部γは、略１２０°間隔に設けられたもので、分配器９の外周面に形成された各固定側給排穴Ａ1 （後述する）の連通範囲によって区画されている。
【００２２】
水素駆動部αは、第１容器Ｓ1 と接触する加熱水（例えば８０℃ほど）が供給される第１加熱域α1 、第２容器Ｓ2 と接触する昇圧水（例えば５６℃ほど）が供給される第２加熱補助域α2 、第３容器Ｓ3 と接触する放熱水（例えば２８℃ほど）が供給される第３放熱域α3 を備える。
第１冷熱出力部βは、第１容器Ｓ1 と接触する昇圧水（例えば５８℃ほど）が供給される第１水素移動制限域β1 、第２容器Ｓ2 と接触する放熱水（例えば２８℃ほど）が供給される第２放熱域β2 、第３容器Ｓ3 と接触する冷熱出力水（例えば１３℃ほど）が供給される第３冷熱出力域β3 を備える。
第２冷熱出力部γは、第１容器Ｓ1 と接触する放熱水（例えば２８℃ほど）が供給される第１放熱域γ1 、第２容器Ｓ2 と接触する冷熱出力水（例えば１３℃ほど）が供給される第２冷熱出力域γ2 、第３容器Ｓ3 と接触する冷熱出力水（例えば１３℃ほど）が供給される第３冷熱出力補助域γ3 を備える。
【００２３】
そして、回転駆動手段により熱交換器８が回転することにより、第１容器Ｓ1 の群が第１加熱域α1 →第１水素移動制限域β1 →第１放熱域γ1 を繰り返し、第２容器Ｓ2 の群が第２加熱補助域α2 →第２放熱域β2 →第２冷熱出力域γ2 を繰り返し、第３容器Ｓ3 の群が第３放熱域α3 →第３冷熱出力域β3 →第３冷熱出力補助域γ3 を繰り返す。
【００２４】
次に、分配器９と熱交換器８との熱媒体の受渡しについて説明する。
分配器９は、図７に示すように、第１容器Ｓ1 の各間に形成される熱媒体通路１１に熱媒体を給排するための第１ブロック９ａと、第２容器Ｓ2 の各間に形成される熱媒体通路１１に熱媒体を給排するための第２ブロック９ｂと、第３容器Ｓ3 の各間に形成される熱媒体通路１１に熱媒体を給排するための第３ブロック９ｃとを備えるとともに、第１ブロック９ａと第２ブロック９ｂの間に配置されて熱媒体の流れを１２０°捩じって変更する第１ジョイント９ｄと、第２ブロック９ｂと第３ブロック９ｃの間に配置されて熱媒体の流れを１２０°捩じって変更する第２ジョイント９ｅとから構成される。
【００２５】
なお、この実施例の分配器９は、図８（ｂ）に示すように、第１〜第３容器Ｓ1 〜Ｓ3 に直列的に熱媒体を供給する直列接続供給タイプを示すが、図８（ａ）に示すように、第１〜第３容器Ｓ1 〜Ｓ3 に並列的に熱媒体を供給する並列接続供給タイプを採用しても良い。
第１〜第３ブロック９ａ〜９ｃのそれぞれは、水素駆動部α、第１冷熱出力部β、第２冷熱出力部γに対応して配置されるもので、各部に応じて熱媒体の給排用の固定側給排穴Ａ1 が形成されている。
【００２６】
各固定側給排穴Ａ1 を図７を用いて具体的に説明する。
第１ブロック９ａには、第１加熱域α1 に移行した第１容器Ｓ1 間の熱媒体通路１１に加熱水を給排するための固定側給排穴Ａ1 、第１水素移動制限域β1 に移行した第１容器Ｓ1 間の熱媒体通路１１に昇圧水を給排するための固定側給排穴Ａ1 、第１放熱域γ1 に移行した第１容器Ｓ1 間の熱媒体通路１１に放熱水を給排するための固定側給排穴Ａ1 が形成されている。
第２ブロック９ｂには、第２加熱補助域α2 に移行した第２容器Ｓ2 間の熱媒体通路１１に昇圧水を給排するための固定側給排穴Ａ1 、第２放熱域β2 に移行した第２容器Ｓ2 間の熱媒体通路１１に放熱水を給排するための固定側給排穴Ａ1 、第２冷熱出力域γ2 に移行した第２容器Ｓ2 間の熱媒体通路１１に冷熱出力水を給排するための固定側給排穴Ａ1 が形成されている。
第３ブロック９ｃには、第３放熱域α3 に移行した第３容器Ｓ3 間の熱媒体通路１１に放熱水を給排するための固定側給排穴Ａ1 、第３冷熱出力域β3 に移行した第３容器Ｓ3 間の熱媒体通路１１に冷熱出力水を給排するための固定側給排穴Ａ1 、第３冷熱出力補助域γ3 に移行した第３容器Ｓ3 間の熱媒体通路１１に冷熱出力水を給排するための固定側給排穴Ａ1 が形成されている。
なお、各固定側給排穴Ａ1 のそれぞれは、供給側と排出側が軸方向にずれて配置されている。
【００２７】
熱交換器８の内周面には、上述したように、分配器摺接シール用の円筒パイプＳ7 が接合されており、この円筒パイプＳ7 には、分配器９の固定側給排穴Ａ1 を介して熱媒体の給排を行う複数の回転側給排穴Ａ2 が形成されている。
本実施例の熱交換器８は、合金容器が周方向に６つ形成されたリング円盤Ｒを軸方向に多数積層したものであるため、積層方向に隣接する第１容器Ｓ1 の群は、第１ブロック９ａの周囲に周方向に６つ配置され、積層方向に隣接する第２容器Ｓ2 の群は、第２ブロック９ｂの周囲に周方向に６つ配置され、積層方向に隣接する第３容器Ｓ3 の群は、第３ブロック９ｃの周囲に周方向に６つ配置される。
このため、円筒パイプＳ7 には、第１容器Ｓ1 の６つの群のために供給側と排出側の合わせて１２個の回転側給排穴Ａ2 が形成されており、第２容器Ｓ2 の６つの群のために供給側と排出側の合わせて１２個の回転側給排穴Ａ2 が形成されており、第３容器Ｓ3 の６つの群のために供給側と排出側の合わせて１２個の回転側給排穴Ａ2 が形成されている。
なお、各回転側給排穴Ａ2 のそれぞれは、供給側と排出側が軸方向（合金容器の積層方向）にずれて配置されている。
【００２８】
上述したように、積層方向に隣接する合金容器と合金容器との間に熱媒体通路１１が形成されており、合金容器には第１、第２、第３容器Ｓ1 、Ｓ2 、Ｓ3 のそれぞれの範囲内で積層方向に貫通する貫通穴Ａ3 が設けられており、各熱媒体通路１１は、貫通穴Ａ3 を介して隣接する熱媒体通路１１に連通している。
この実施例の熱交換器８は、円筒パイプＳ7 の回転側給排穴Ａ2 の供給側から熱交換器８内に供給された熱媒体を、各熱媒体通路１１に分配して供給する並列接続供給タイプを採用している。このため、各合金容器には、熱媒体供給用の貫通穴Ａ3 と、熱媒体排出用の貫通穴Ａ3 の両方が形成されている。なお、熱交換器８は、各合金容器に熱媒体供給用の貫通穴Ａ3 と熱媒体排出用の貫通穴Ａ3 の両方が形成されたリング円盤Ｒ1 ｛図１０（ａ）参照｝と、第１容器Ｓ1 の群と第２容器Ｓ2 の群との境界の仕切、及び第２容器Ｓ2 の群と第３容器Ｓ3 の群との境界の仕切に用いられ、各合金容器に貫通穴Ａ3 のない仕切用のリング円盤Ｒ2 ｛図１０（ｂ）参照｝とを組合わせて構成されるものである。
【００２９】
熱交換器８内に供給された熱媒体の流れを図１１を参照して説明する。
回転側給排穴Ａ2 の供給側（図１１の上方）から熱交換器８内に供給された熱媒体は、各熱媒体通路１１を連通させる熱媒体供給用の貫通穴Ａ3 を介して熱交換器の軸方向（図１１の下方向）に流れ、その熱媒体供給用の貫通穴Ａ3 から各熱媒体通路１１に分配して供給される。
各熱媒体通路１１を通過した熱媒体は、各熱媒体通路１１を連通させる熱媒体排出用の貫通穴Ａ3 にて収集されるとともに、その熱媒体排出用の貫通穴Ａ3 を介して熱交換器８の軸方向（図１１の下方向）に流れる。
そして、熱媒体排出用の貫通穴Ａ3 によって、図１１の下方に流れた熱媒体は、回転側給排穴Ａ2 の排出側（図１１の下方）から分配器９の固定側給排穴Ａ1 （排出側）に排出される。
つまり、熱交換器８の各容器Ｓ1 、Ｓ2 、Ｓ3 内において、合金容器の積層方向に貫通して設けられた貫通穴Ａ3 によって熱媒体は軸方向へ流れるため、熱交換器８の内周に設けられる回転側給排穴Ａ2 の供給側と排出側とを軸方向にずらして配置することができる。
【００３０】
分配器９と熱交換器８との熱媒体の受渡しについてさらに説明する。
熱媒体変更開始直後から合金間の水素放出と吸蔵の定常の反応が進行する初期段階のしばらくの間、サイクルによる水素放出側と水素吸蔵側との差圧がそのプロセスの定常の反応差圧より大きく確保できるように設けられる。
つまり、水素駆動部αでは、高温合金ＨＭを封入する第１容器Ｓ1 に加熱用熱媒体である加熱水を供給し、その第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧が低温合金ＬＭを封入する第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧よりも上昇した後に、低温合金ＬＭを封入する第３容器Ｓ3 に放熱用熱媒体である放熱水を供給するように設けられる。
また、第１冷熱出力部βでは、高温側の水素吸蔵合金（中温合金ＭＭ）を封入する第２容器Ｓ2 に放熱用熱媒体である放熱水を供給し、その第２容器Ｓ2 の内圧が低温側の水素吸蔵合金（低温合金ＬＭ）を封入する第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧よりも降下した後に、低温側の水素吸蔵合金（低温合金ＬＭ）を封入する第３容器Ｓ3 に冷熱出力用熱媒体である冷熱出力水を供給するように設けられる。
さらに、第２冷熱出力部γでは、高温側の水素吸蔵合金（高温合金ＨＭ）を封入する第１容器Ｓ1 に放熱用熱媒体である放熱水を供給し、その第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧が低温側の水素吸蔵合金（中温合金ＭＭおよび低温合金ＬＭ）を封入する第２容器Ｓ2 および第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧よりも降下した後に、低温側の水素吸蔵合金（中温合金ＭＭおよび低温合金ＬＭ）を封入する第２容器Ｓ2 および第３容器Ｓ3 に冷熱出力用熱媒体である冷熱出力水を供給するように設けられる。
【００３１】
上記を個別に説明する。
水素駆動部αでは、水素を吸蔵する第３容器Ｓ3 を冷やして内圧を下げた状態で、水素を放出する第１容器Ｓ1 を加熱して内圧を上げ、第１、第３容器Ｓ1 、Ｓ3 の圧力差を大きくするように設けられている。この実施例では、第３容器Ｓ3 は前行程の第２冷熱出力部γにおいて冷熱出力水に触れて充分に冷やされているのを利用する。つまり、すでに第３容器Ｓ3 は冷熱出力水で冷やされているため、水素駆動部αでは、先に第２容器Ｓ2 に昇圧水を供給し、所定時間Ｆ経過後に第１容器Ｓ1 に加熱水を供給し、所定時間Ｅ経過後に、第３容器Ｓ3 に放熱水を供給する。
なお、所定時間Ｆは、第２容器Ｓ2 に昇圧水の供給を開始してから、水素駆動部αにおいて第２容器Ｓ2 内の中温合金ＭＭの温度が第１容器Ｓ1 内の高温合金ＨＭが到達する水素放出圧に等しい水素圧に達する手前までの時間であり、所定時間Ｅは、第１容器Ｓ1 に加熱水の供給を開始してから、第３容器Ｓ3 の低温合金ＬＭが高温合金ＨＭの放出した水素を吸蔵して発熱反応を起こして温度上昇し、その温度が放熱水の温度に達する手前までの時間である。
【００３２】
このように、水素駆動部αにおいては、第３容器Ｓ3 内の低温合金ＬＭは、前行程の第２冷熱出力部γにおいて冷熱出力水に触れて充分に冷やされた温度状態のままであり、放熱水が供給される状態よりも水素吸蔵圧が低い。このような状態で第１容器Ｓ1 が加熱水で加熱されて、高温合金ＨＭが水素を放出しても、圧力差は第３容器Ｓ3 に放熱水が供給される状態よりも大きく、高温合金ＨＭから低温合金ＬＭへの水素移動に都合が良い。つまり、高温合金ＨＭが水素を放出し、低温合金ＬＭが水素吸蔵を行って発熱反応を起こし始めた時、圧力差が大きく保たれ、効率良く水素移動が行われる。
【００３３】
第１冷熱出力部βでは、水素を吸蔵する第２容器Ｓ2 を冷やして内圧を下げた状態で、水素を放出する第３容器Ｓ3 を温めて内圧の降下を防いで保持させ、第２、第３容器の圧力差を大きくするように設けられている。具体的には、先ず、第２容器Ｓ2 に放熱水を供給し、所定時間Ａ経過後に第１容器Ｓ1 に昇圧水を供給し、所定時間Ｂ経過後に、第３容器Ｓ3 に冷熱出力水を供給する。
なお、所定時間Ａは、第２容器Ｓ2 に放熱水の供給を開始して、第２容器Ｓ2 は前プロセスの水素駆動部αでは昇圧水による高温に達していたため冷却し、内部の中温合金ＭＭが水素吸蔵圧に達するまでの時間である。第１容器Ｓ1 に昇圧水を供給するタイミングが、所定時間Ａより速すぎると低温合金ＬＭの放出する水素を高温合金ＨＭが吸蔵する不具合が発生する。
また、所定時間Ｂは、第２容器Ｓ2 に放熱水の供給を開始してから、第２容器Ｓ2 の中温合金ＭＭが水素を吸蔵し始め、低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出して第３容器Ｓ3 は前プロセスの水素駆動部αでは放熱水により、出力温度より高温に達していたため低温合金ＬＭの吸熱作用で冷却され、冷熱出力（例えば７℃）を可能とする温度（例えば７℃を下回る温度）に達するまでの時間である。
【００３４】
この第１冷熱出力部βでは、まず第２容器Ｓ2 に放熱水を供給して中温合金ＭＭを先に冷やし、水素吸蔵圧を低くする。このような状態での低温合金ＬＭは、前行程の水素駆動部αにおいて放熱水によって冷やされた温度状態であり、冷却出力水が供給される状態よりは水素放出圧が高く、低温合金ＬＭから中温合金ＭＭへの水素移動に都合が良い。つまり、その後に第３容器Ｓ3 に冷熱出力水を供給して低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出し、中温合金ＭＭが水素吸蔵を行って発熱反応を起こし始めた時、圧力差が大きく保たれ、効率良く水素移動が行われる。
【００３５】
第２冷熱出力部γでは、水素を吸蔵する第１容器Ｓ1 を冷やして内圧を下げた状態で、水素を放出する第２容器Ｓ2 を温めて内圧の降下を防いで保持させ、第１、第２容器Ｓ1 、Ｓ2 の圧力差を大きくするように設けられている。具体的には、先ず、第１容器Ｓ1 に放熱水を供給し、所定時間Ｃ経過後に第２容器Ｓ2 に冷熱出力水を供給し、所定時間Ｄ経過後に、第３容器Ｓ3 にも冷熱出力水を供給する。
なお、所定時間Ｃは、第１容器Ｓ1 に放熱水の供給を開始してから、第１容器Ｓ1 の高温合金ＨＭが水素を吸蔵し始め、中温合金ＭＭが水素を放出して第２容器Ｓ2 の表面温度が下がり、冷熱出力（例えば７℃）を可能とする温度（例えば７℃を下回る温度）に達するまでの時間である。
また、第３容器Ｓ3 は、前行程の第１冷熱出力部βにおいて既に冷熱出力温度に達しているため、所定時間Ｄは、第１容器Ｓ1 に放熱水の供給を開始して第１容器Ｓ1 内が第３容器Ｓ3 内と同圧に達するまでの時間である。
【００３６】
この第２冷熱出力部γでは、まず第１容器Ｓ1 に放熱水を供給して高温合金ＨＭを先に冷やし、水素吸蔵圧を低くする。このような状態での中温合金ＭＭは、前行程の第１冷熱出力部βにおいて放熱水によって冷やされた温度状態であり、冷却出力水が供給される状態よりは水素放出圧が高く、中温合金ＭＭから高温合金ＨＭへの水素移動に都合が良い。つまり、その後に第２容器Ｓ2 に冷熱出力水を供給して中温合金ＭＭが水素を放出し、高温合金ＨＭが水素吸蔵を行って発熱反応を起こし始めたとき、圧力差が大きく保たれ、効率良く水素移動が行われる。
【００３７】
なお、水素駆動部αでは、先に水素の放出に関与する水素吸蔵合金を封入する容器に内圧を水素放出圧より高く保つ熱媒体を供給し、その後、水素の吸蔵に関与する水素吸蔵合金を封入する容器に内圧を水素放出圧より低く保つ熱媒体をずらして供給し、第１冷熱出力部β、第２冷熱出力部γのそれぞれにおいて、先に、水素の吸蔵に関与する水素吸蔵合金を封入する容器に内圧を水素吸蔵圧より低く保つ熱媒体を供給し、その後、水素の放出に関与する水素吸蔵合金を封入する容器に内圧を水素放出圧より高く保つ熱媒体をずらして供給する手段として、この実施例では、図１に示すように、それぞれの水素駆動部α、第１冷熱出力部β、第２冷熱出力部γにおいて、最初に熱媒を供給する容器向の供給位置と、各時差を設けて供給する供給位置を示し、その位置のずれを回転の位相角として時間差により定めている。各位相角がそれぞれ上記で示した所定時間Ａ〜Ｆに相当する。
【００３８】
（燃焼装置３の説明）
本実施例の燃焼装置３は、燃料であるガスを燃焼して熱を発生させ、発生した熱によって加熱水を加熱するガス燃焼装置を用いたもので、ガスの燃焼を行うガスバーナ１６、このガスバーナ１６へガスの供給を行うガス量調節弁１７およびガス開閉弁１８を備えたガス供給回路１９、ガスバーナ１６へ燃焼用の空気を供給する燃焼ファン２０、ガスの燃焼熱と加熱水とを熱交換する熱交換器２１等から構成される。
そして、ガスバーナ１６のガス燃焼で得られた熱で、加熱水を例えば８０℃程に加熱し、加熱された加熱水を加熱水循環ポンプＰ1 を備えた加熱水循環路２２を介して第１加熱域α1 に供給するものである。
【００３９】
第２加熱補助域α2 と第１水素移動制限域β1 とに昇圧水を供給する昇圧水供給路１５は、図１に示すように、加熱水循環路２２から分岐したもので、オリフィス１５Ａによって流速を下げ、第１水素移動制限域β1 の昇圧水の温度を例えば５８℃程（第１容器Ｓ1 内において高温合金ＨＭが水素の吸蔵および放出を行わない温度）にするとともに、第２加熱補助域α2 の昇圧水の温度を例えば５６℃程（第２容器Ｓ2 の内部を水素放出圧より高くして、中温合金ＭＭが水素の放出を行う温度）にするものである。
【００４０】
（室内空調機５の説明）
室内空調機５は、上述のように室内に配置されるもので、内部に室内熱交換器２３、この室内熱交換器２３に供給される冷熱出力水と室内空気とを強制的に熱交換し、熱交換後の空気を室内に吹き出させるための室内ファン２４を備える。室内熱交換器２３には、第３冷熱出力域β3 および第２冷熱出力域γ2 から供給される冷熱出力水を循環させる冷熱出力水循環路２５が接続され、この冷熱出力水循環路２５の途中（室外機７内）には、冷熱出力水を循環させる冷熱出力水ポンプＰ2 が設けられている。
【００４１】
（放熱水冷却手段４の説明）
放熱水冷却手段４は、水冷開放型の冷却塔であり、この放熱水冷却手段４によって冷却された放熱水は、放熱水循環ポンプＰ3 を備えた放熱水循環路２６によって第３放熱域α3 、第２放熱域β2 、第１放熱域γ1 に供給される。
放熱水冷却手段４は、第３放熱域α3 、第２放熱域β2 、第１放熱域γ1 を通過した放熱水を、上方から下方へ流し、流れている間に外気と熱交換して放熱するとともに、流れている間に一部蒸発させて、蒸発時に流れている放熱水から気化熱を奪い、流れている放熱水を冷却するものである。また、この放熱水冷却手段４は、図示しない放熱ファンを備え、この放熱ファンの生じる空気流によって放熱水の蒸発および冷却を促進するように設けられている。
なお、この実施例では、放熱水冷却手段４として水冷開放型の冷却塔を示すが、放熱水（放熱用の熱媒体）が空気に触れずに熱交換する水冷密閉型あるいは空冷密閉型の冷却手段を用いても良い。
【００４２】
ここで、上記に示す加熱水循環路２２、冷熱出力水循環路２５および放熱水循環路２６は、それぞれシスターンＴ1 、Ｔ2 、Ｔ3 を備えており、シスターンＴ1 、Ｔ2 、Ｔ3 内の水位が所定水位以下に低下すると、それぞれに設けられた給水バルブＴ4 、Ｔ5 、Ｔ6 が開き、給水管２７から供給される水道水をシスターンＴ1 、Ｔ2 、Ｔ3 内に補充するように設けられている。
また、熱交換ユニット２の下部にはドレンパンＰが配置され、熱交換ユニット２に発生したドレン水を排水管２８から排水するように設けられている。なお、放熱水冷却手段４で溢れた水も排水管２８から排水するように設けられている。
【００４３】
（制御装置６の説明）
制御装置６は、室内空調機５に設けられたコントローラからの操作指示や、複数設けられた各センサの入力信号に応じて、上述の加熱水循環ポンプＰ1 、冷熱出力水ポンプＰ2 、放熱水循環ポンプＰ3 、給水バルブＴ4 、Ｔ5 、Ｔ6 、放熱水冷却手段４の放熱ファンなどの電気機能部品、および燃焼装置３の電気機能部品（図示しない点火装置、ガス量調節弁１７、ガス開閉弁１８、燃焼ファン２０等）を制御するとともに、室内空調機５に室内ファン２４の作動指示を与えるものである。
【００４４】
（冷房運転の作動説明）
上記の冷房装置１による冷房運転の作動を、図６のＰＴ冷凍サイクル線図を参照して説明する。
冷房運転が室内空調機５のコントローラによって指示されると、制御装置６によって、燃焼装置３、回転駆動手段、放熱ファンおよび加熱水循環ポンプＰ1 、冷熱出力水ポンプＰ2 、放熱水循環ポンプＰ3 が作動するとともに、冷房が指示された室内空調機５の室内ファン２４をONする。
【００４５】
回転駆動手段によって、熱交換器８が連続的に回転移動する。これによって、多数の合金容器が、水素駆動部α→第１冷熱出力部β→第２冷熱出力部γの順で移動する。
つまり、各第１容器Ｓ1 が第１加熱域α1 →第１水素移動制限域β1 →第１放熱域γ1 の順で移動し、各第２容器Ｓ2 が第２加熱補助域α2 →第２放熱域β2 →第２冷熱出力域γ2 の順で移動し、各第３容器Ｓ3 が第３放熱域α3 →第３冷熱出力域β3 →第３冷熱出力補助域γ3 の順で移動する。
【００４６】
水素駆動部αへ移行すると、第１容器Ｓ1 が加熱水に触れ、第２容器Ｓ2 が昇圧水に触れ、第３容器Ｓ3 が放熱水に触れる。
第１容器Ｓ1 が加熱水（８０℃）に触れることにより、第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧が上昇し、高温合金ＨＭが水素を放出する。
第２容器Ｓ2 が昇圧水（５６℃）に触れることにより、第２容器Ｓ2 の内圧が上昇し、中温合金ＭＭが水素を放出する。
第３容器Ｓ3 が放熱水（２８℃）に触れることにより、第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧が下がり、低温合金ＬＭが水素を吸蔵する。
【００４７】
このように、第１容器Ｓ1 が第１加熱域α1 で加熱水に触れ、第２容器Ｓ2 が第２加熱補助域α2 で昇圧水に触れ、第３容器Ｓ3 が第３放熱域α3 の放熱水に触れることにより、第１容器Ｓ1 内が８０℃：１．０ＭＰａ、第２容器Ｓ2 内が５６℃：１．０ＭＰａ、第３容器Ｓ3 内が２８℃：０．９ＭＰａとなり、第１容器Ｓ1 の高温合金ＨＭが水素を放出（図６の▲１▼）するとともに、第２容器Ｓ2 の中温合金ＭＭも少量の水素を放出（図６の▲１▼’）し、第３容器Ｓ3 の低温合金ＬＭは高温、中温合金ＨＭ、ＭＭから放出された水素を吸蔵する（図６の▲２▼）。
そして、水素駆動部αを通過すると、その後第１冷熱出力部βへ移動する。
【００４８】
第１冷熱出力部βへ移行すると、第１容器Ｓ1 が昇圧水に触れ、第２容器Ｓ2 が放熱水に触れ、第３容器Ｓ3 が冷熱出力水に触れる。
第１容器Ｓ1 が昇圧水（５８℃）に触れることにより、第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧が高温合金ＨＭが水素の吸蔵および放出を行わない圧力に設定される。
第２容器Ｓ2 が放熱水（２８℃）に触れることにより、第２容器Ｓ2 の内圧が下がり、中温合金ＭＭが水素を吸蔵し、第３容器Ｓ3 の低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出する。
低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出するため、第３容器Ｓ3 内で吸熱が生じ、第３容器Ｓ3 に触れた冷熱出力水が例えば７℃に冷やされる。なお、低温合金ＬＭは、冷熱出力水が１３℃くらいでは、第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧が第２容器Ｓ2 の内圧より高くなるように設けられている。
【００４９】
このように、第１容器Ｓ1 が第１水素移動制限域β1 で昇圧水に触れ、第２容器Ｓ2 が第２放熱域β2 で放熱水に触れ、第３容器Ｓ3 が第３冷熱出力域β3 の冷熱出力水に触れることにより、第１容器Ｓ1 内が５８℃：０．５ＭＰａ、第２容器Ｓ2 内が２８℃：０．４ＭＰａ、第３容器Ｓ3 内が１３℃：０．５ＭＰａとなり、第３容器Ｓ3 の低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出（図６の▲３▼）し、第２容器Ｓ2 の中温合金ＭＭが水素を吸蔵（図６の▲４▼）する。第３容器Ｓ3 の低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出する際、吸熱作用により第３容器Ｓ3 に触れる冷熱出力水から熱を奪い冷熱出力水の温度を低下させる。なお、第１容器Ｓ1 は、昇圧水に触れて高温合金ＨＭは水素の吸蔵および放出は行わない。
そして、第１冷熱出力部βを通過すると、その後第２冷熱出力部γへ移動する。
【００５０】
第２冷熱出力部γへ移行すると、第１容器Ｓ1 が放熱水に触れ、第２容器Ｓ2 および第３容器Ｓ3 が冷熱出力水に触れる。
第１容器Ｓ1 が放熱水（２８℃）に触れることにより、第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧が下がり、高温合金ＨＭが水素を吸蔵する。
中温合金ＭＭおよび低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出するため、第２容器Ｓ2 および第３容器Ｓ3 内で吸熱が生じ、第２容器Ｓ2 および第３容器Ｓ3 に触れた冷熱出力水が例えば７℃に冷やされる。なお、中温合金ＭＭも、冷熱出力水が１３℃くらいでは、第２容器Ｓ2 の内圧が第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧より高くなるように設けられている。
【００５１】
このように、第１容器Ｓ1 が第１放熱域γ1 で放熱水に触れることにより、第１容器Ｓ1 内が２８℃：０．１ＭＰａ、第２容器Ｓ2 内が１３℃：０．２ＭＰａ、第３容器Ｓ3 内が１３℃：０．５ＭＰａとなり、第２容器Ｓ2 の中温合金ＭＭが水素を放出（図６の▲５▼）するとともに、第３容器Ｓ3 の低温合金ＬＭも水素を放出（図６の▲３▼’）し、第１容器Ｓ1 の高温合金ＨＭが水素を吸蔵する（図６の▲６▼）。第２容器Ｓ2 の中温合金ＭＭおよび第３容器Ｓ3 の低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出する際、吸熱作用により第２容器Ｓ2 および第３容器Ｓ3 に触れる冷熱出力水から熱を奪い冷熱出力水の温度を低下させる。
そして、第２冷熱出力部γを通過すると、その後水素駆動部αへ移動する。
【００５２】
なお、熱交換ユニット２の第３冷熱出力域β3 、第２冷熱出力域γ2 および第３冷熱出力補助域γ3 で熱を奪われた低温の冷熱出力水は、冷熱出力水循環路２５を介して室内空調機５の室内熱交換器２３に供給されて、室内に吹き出される空気と熱交換されて室内を冷房する。
【００５３】
〔実施例の効果〕
上記の実施例で示したように、水素駆動部αでは、まず、高温合金ＨＭを封入する第１容器Ｓ1 に加熱水を供給する。これによって、低温合金ＬＭを封入する第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧より低かった第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧が、第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧より高くなる。このように、第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧が第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧よりも上昇した後に、第３容器Ｓ3 に放熱水を供給する。この時、すでに水素を放出する第１容器Ｓ1 内と、水素を吸蔵する第３容器Ｓ3 内との間の圧力差が大きくなっているため、第１容器Ｓ1 内の高温合金ＨＭが水素を放出して吸熱し、第３容器Ｓ3 内の低温合金ＬＭが水素を吸蔵して発熱しても、圧力差は大きく保たれ、結果的に従来に比較して急速に水素移動が行える。
【００５４】
また、第１冷熱出力部βでは、まず、中温合金ＭＭを封入する第２容器Ｓ2 に放熱水を供給する。これによって、低温合金ＬＭを封入する第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧より高かった第２容器Ｓ2 の内圧が、第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧より低くなる。このように、第２容器Ｓ2 の内圧が第３容器Ｓ3 の内圧よりも降下した後に、第３容器Ｓ3 に冷熱出力水を供給する。この時、すでに水素を放出する第３容器Ｓ3 内と、水素を吸蔵する第２容器Ｓ2 内との間の圧力差が大きくなっているため、第３容器Ｓ3 内の低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出して吸熱し、第２容器Ｓ2 内の中温合金ＭＭが水素を吸蔵して発熱しても、圧力差は大きく保たれ、結果的に従来に比較して急速に水素移動が行える。
【００５５】
さらに、第２冷熱出力部γでは、まず、高温合金ＨＭを封入する第１容器Ｓ1 に放熱水を供給する。これによって、中温合金ＭＭおよび低温合金ＬＭを封入する第２、第３容器Ｓ2 、Ｓ3 の内圧より高かった第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧が、第２、第３容器Ｓ2 、Ｓ3 の内圧より低くなる。このように、第１容器Ｓ1 の内圧が第２、第３容器Ｓ2 、Ｓ3 の内圧よりも降下した後に、第２、第３容器Ｓ2 、Ｓ3 に冷熱出力水を供給する。この時、すでに水素を放出する第２、第３容器Ｓ2 、Ｓ3 内と、水素を吸蔵する第１容器Ｓ1 内との間の圧力差が大きくなっているため、第２、第３容器Ｓ2 、Ｓ3 内の中温合金ＭＭおよび低温合金ＬＭが水素を放出して吸熱し、第１容器Ｓ1 内の高温合金ＨＭが水素を吸蔵して発熱しても、圧力差は大きく保たれ、結果的に従来に比較して急速に水素移動が行える。
【００５６】
このように、水素駆動部α、第１冷熱出力部β、第２冷熱出力部γのそれぞれにおいて、圧力差を確保した状態で水素移動を開始するように設けたため、一定時間内（水素移動を行う時間内）における水素移動量が従来に比較して多くなり、冷房装置１の冷房能力が向上する。
【００５７】
上記の効果を、図１２、図１３を用いて具体的に説明する。図１２のグラフは、第１冷熱出力部β、第２冷熱出力部γにおいて、所定時間（例えば１分）先に水素吸蔵側の容器に放熱水を供給した場合の冷熱出力水の温度変化を実線Ｘ1 に示し、水素吸蔵側と水素放出側の容器に同時に熱媒体を供給した場合の冷熱出力水の温度変化を破線Ｘ2 に示す。
この実線Ｘ1 に示すように、先に水素を吸蔵する水素吸蔵合金を封入する容器内を、水素吸蔵圧より低く保つことにより、その後冷熱出力水を水素放出側の容器に供給した際に、水素放出が急速に行われ、冷熱出力水の温度が急激に低下する。
このように、一定時間内（水素移動を行う時間内）における水素移動量が従来に比較して多くなるため、図１３に示すように、同時の場合の冷熱出力Ｙ1 に比較して、所定時間先に水素吸蔵側の容器に放熱水を供給することにより冷熱出力Ｙ2 に上昇する。つまり、同時に比較して高い冷却効率を得ることができる。
【００５８】
〔変形例〕
上記の実施例では、水素駆動部αにおいて、昇圧水によって容器（第２容器Ｓ2 ）内を水素放出圧より高く保つようにして、その容器の水素吸蔵合金（中温合金ＭＭ）から水素を放出させた例を示したが、水素駆動部αにおいて昇圧水の触れる容器の水素吸蔵合金（中温合金ＭＭ）から水素の放出禁止を行うようにしても良い。
上記の実施例では、第２冷熱出力部γにおいて、冷熱出力水によって容器（第３容器Ｓ3 ）内を水素放出圧より高く保つようにして、その容器の水素吸蔵合金（低温合金ＬＭ）から水素を放出させた例を示したが、第２冷熱出力部γにおいて冷熱出力水の触れる容器の水素吸蔵合金（低温合金ＬＭ）から水素の放出禁止を行うようにしても良い。
【００５９】
上記の実施例では、熱交換器８の外周側で熱媒体がターンして内側に戻る熱媒体通路１１を採用した並列接続供給タイプを採用した例を示したが、図１４（ａ）に示すように、熱媒体がターンしない熱媒体通路１１を採用した並列接続供給タイプを採用しても良い。また、図１４（ｂ）、（ｃ）に示すような直列接続供給タイプや、図１４（ｄ）に示すような並列接続供給と直列接続供給の混成タイプを採用しても良い。
【００６０】
上記の実施例では、冷房専用の装置を例に示したが、冷暖房装置に適用しても良い。具体的な一例を示すと、燃焼装置３で加熱された加熱水を室内空調機５の室内熱交換器２３に導いて室内暖房を行うように設けても良い。また、燃焼装置３で加熱された加熱水を床暖房マット、浴室乾燥機などに接続し、加熱水の供給によって床暖房、浴室暖房などを行うように設けても良い。
【００６１】
上記の実施例では、一対のプレート１２、１３を接合したリング円盤Ｒ内に複数の合金容器を構成した例を示したが、図１５に示すように、一対のプレートで１つの合金容器を構成するように設けても良い。つまり、一対のプレートで１つの合金容器を構成し、それらを周方向に組合わせてリング円盤状に構成し、そのリング円盤状の複数の合金容器を軸方向に積層して筒状の熱交換器８を構成しても良い。また、上記の実施例では、熱交換器８の外周囲形状を円筒に設けた例を示したが、例えば外周囲形状を六角筒形状に設け、中心側に回転側給排穴Ａ2 が形成される円筒穴８ａを設けるようにしても良い。
【００６２】
上記の実施例では、熱交換器８を回転駆動手段によって連続的に回転させた例を示したが、熱交換器８を間欠的に回転移動させても良い。
上記の実施例では熱交換器８の回転軸（分配器９）を水平に配置した例を示したが、垂直に配置したり、斜めに配置しても良い。また、第１容器Ｓ1 、第２容器Ｓ2 、第３容器Ｓ3 の配置順序を変えても良い。
上記の実施例では、熱交換ユニット２の一例として、２段サイクルを用いた例を示したが、１段サイクルや、３段サイクル以上としても良い。
【００６３】
上記の実施例では、１つの室外機７に複数の室内空調機５が接続可能なマルチエアコンを示したが、１つの室外機７に１つの室内空調機５が接続されるエアコンに本発明を適用しても良い。
上記の実施例では、熱交換ユニット２によって得られた冷熱出力用の熱媒体（実施例中では冷熱出力水）で室内を冷房する例を示したが、冷熱出力用の熱媒体で冷蔵運転や冷凍運転に用いるなど、本発明を他の冷却装置として用いても良い。
上記の実施例では、１つの熱交換ユニット２（１つの分配器９と１つの熱交換器８によって構成されるユニット）を用いた例を示したが、複数の熱交換ユニット２を搭載して冷却能力を増大させ、ビル用空調システムなど大きな冷却能力が要求される冷却装置に用いても良い。
【００６４】
上記の実施例では、加熱用の熱媒体（実施例中では加熱水）を加熱する加熱手段として、ガスを燃焼するガス燃焼装置を用いたが、石油を燃焼する石油燃焼装置など、他の燃焼装置を用いても良いし、内燃機関の排熱によって加熱用の熱媒体を加熱する加熱手段、ボイラーによる蒸気、電気ヒータを用いた加熱手段など、他の加熱手段を用いても良い。なお、内燃機関の排熱を利用する際は、車両用に用いることもできる。
上記の実施例では、各熱媒体の一例として、水道水を用いたが、不凍液やオイルなど他の液体の熱媒体を用いても良いし、空気など気体の熱媒体を用いても良い。
【００６５】
上記の実施例では、水素吸蔵合金が水素を放出する際の吸熱作用により冷熱出力を得る冷却装置を例に示したが、水素吸蔵合金が水素を吸蔵する際の放熱作用により温熱出力を得る加熱装置（例えば暖房装置など）に本発明を適用しても良い。
上記の実施例では、熱交換器８が回転して熱媒体が変更される例を示したが、固定された熱交換器８に熱媒体を切り換えて供給するように設けても良い。
上記の実施例では、複数の容器を軸方向に重ねた熱交換器８を示したが、内部の水素吸蔵合金と熱媒体とが熱交換されるいかなる熱交換器を用いても良い。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】固定側給排穴と回転側給排穴の位相差を示す説明図である（実施例）。
【図２】冷房装置の概略構成図である（実施例）。
【図３】熱交換器の断面図である（実施例）。
【図４】リング円盤の平面図である（実施例）。
【図５】合金収容室および熱媒体通路の説明図である（実施例）。
【図６】ＰＴ冷凍サイクル線図である（実施例）。
【図７】分配器による熱媒体の流れを示す説明図である（実施例）。
【図８】分配器における並列接続供給と直列接続供給の説明図である（実施例）。
【図９】熱交換ユニットの作動説明図である（実施例）。
【図１０】リング円盤の平面図である（実施例）。
【図１１】熱交換器内における熱媒体の流れを示す説明図である（実施例）。
【図１２】冷熱出力水の温度変化を示すグラフである（実施例）。
【図１３】冷熱出力を比較するグラフである（実施例）。
【図１４】熱交換器内における熱媒体の流れを示す説明図である（変形例）。
【図１５】リング円盤の平面図である（変形例）。
【符号の説明】
ＨＭ高温合金（高温水素吸蔵合金）
ＭＭ中温合金（中温水素吸蔵合金）
ＬＭ低温合金（低温水素吸蔵合金）
Ｓ1 第１容器
Ｓ2 第２容器
Ｓ3 第３容器
Ｓ4 水素通路
１冷房装置
８熱交換器
９分配器
Ａ 1 固定側給排穴（分配器に設けられた給排穴）
Ａ 2 回転側給排穴（熱交換器に設けられた給排穴）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy that repeatedly performs hydrogen storage and release of a hydrogen storage alloy and obtains a cold output by utilizing an endothermic effect that occurs during the release of hydrogen.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A heat utilization system that uses a hydrogen storage alloy to obtain a cold output first maintains the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure in a container that encloses a high-temperature alloy that is a hydrogen storage alloy with the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure and a high hydrogen equilibrium temperature. Heat supply to keep the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure in a container that encloses a low-temperature alloy, which is a hydrogen storage alloy that supplies a heating medium of the same temperature and has a low hydrogen equilibrium temperature at the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure as that of a high-temperature alloy. A heating medium is supplied, and a hydrogen driving process for driving hydrogen from a high temperature alloy to a low temperature alloy is performed. Next, a heat dissipation heat medium for keeping the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to the container enclosing the high temperature alloy, and a cold output for keeping the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure to the container enclosing the low temperature alloy A heating medium is supplied, and a cooling output process is performed to move hydrogen from the low temperature alloy to the high temperature alloy. And the cycle by said hydrogen drive process and cold heat output process is repeated, and cold is obtained from the heat medium for cold output.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above cycle, during the hydrogen driving process, the timing for starting the supply of the heating heat medium to the container enclosing the high temperature alloy and the timing for starting the supply of the heat dissipating heat medium to the container enclosing the low temperature alloy, It was at the same time.
However, before the hydrogen driving process was a cooling output process, immediately after the supply of the heating heat medium and the heat dissipation heat medium was started, the internal pressure of the container containing the high temperature alloy was low, and conversely, the low temperature alloy was sealed. The internal pressure of the container is high. After this high and low state is replaced, the high temperature alloy releases hydrogen, and the low temperature alloy shifts to a state of absorbing hydrogen, but it takes time to replace the high and low state, so the hydrogen driving process It takes time. In particular, the high temperature alloy on the hydrogen release side has a tendency to decrease in temperature with the release of hydrogen, and conversely, the low temperature alloy on the hydrogen storage side has a tendency to generate heat with the storage of hydrogen. Even if is replaced, hydrogen movement starts slowly, and it takes time for hydrogen movement.
[0004]
Further, during the conventional cooling output process, the timing for starting the supply of the heat dissipation heat medium to the container enclosing the high temperature alloy and the timing for starting the supply of the heating medium for the cooling output to the container enclosing the low temperature alloy, It was at the same time.
However, since the hydrogen driving process (or the preceding cooling output process) was performed before the cooling output process, immediately after the supply of the heat dissipation heat medium and the cooling output heat medium was started, the internal pressure of the container enclosing the high temperature alloy was On the contrary, the internal pressure of the container containing the low temperature alloy is low. After this high and low state is replaced, the low temperature alloy releases hydrogen and the high temperature alloy shifts to a state of absorbing hydrogen, but it takes time for the high and low state to replace, so the cooling output process It takes time. In particular, the high temperature alloy on the hydrogen storage side has a tendency to generate heat with the storage of hydrogen, and conversely the low temperature alloy on the hydrogen release side has a tendency to decrease in temperature with the release of hydrogen. Even if it is replaced, the movement of hydrogen starts slowly, and it takes time for the cold output.
In this way, in the hydrogen driving process and the cooling output process, the pressure difference between the container enclosing the high temperature alloy and the container enclosing the low temperature alloy is not large, so it is difficult to achieve rapid hydrogen transfer, It took time to drive the hydrogen and cool output, resulting in a decrease in cooling capacity.
[0005]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pressure difference between a container that stores hydrogen and a container that discharges hydrogen when transferring hydrogen between containers. Is to provide a heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy that can improve the cooling capacity by increasing the amount of hydrogen transfer within a certain time.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[Means of Claim 1]
  The heat utilization system using the hydrogen storage alloy uses the heat absorption during the hydrogen release of the hydrogen storage alloy,
  A plurality of containers each containing a plurality of types of hydrogen storage alloys having different hydrogen equilibrium temperatures at the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure;
  A hydrogen passage communicating each of these containers;
  A heating medium changing means for changing the temperature of the heating medium that touches each of the containers to move hydrogen between the containers;
  The heat medium changing means includes
  A heating medium for keeping the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to a container that encloses a high-temperature alloy that is a hydrogen storage alloy having the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure and a high hydrogen equilibrium temperature, and is the same as that of the high-temperature alloy. A heat-dissipating heat medium for keeping the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to a container enclosing a low-temperature alloy, which is a hydrogen storage alloy having a low hydrogen equilibrium temperature at an equilibrium hydrogen pressure, and hydrogen is supplied from the high-temperature alloy to the low-temperature alloy. While driving the hydrogen driving process to drive,
  Supplying a heat-dissipating heat medium for keeping the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure to the container enclosing the high temperature alloy, and for cooling output for keeping the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure in the container enclosing the low temperature alloy A heating medium is provided to perform a cold power output process for transferring hydrogen from the low temperature alloy to the high temperature alloy;
  A heat exchanger provided with a container for enclosing the high-temperature alloy and a container for enclosing the low-temperature alloy, and a distributor for supplying and discharging a plurality of heat media rotate relative to each other,
  A heat exchange unit that changes the temperature of the heat medium that touches each of the containers, depending on the degree of overlap between the supply and discharge holes provided in the heat exchanger and the supply and discharge holes provided in the distributor;
  The hydrogen driving processInA heating heat medium is supplied to the container enclosing the high temperature alloy, and after the internal pressure of the container rises higher than the internal pressure of the container enclosing the low temperature alloy, the heat dissipating heat medium is added to the container enclosing the low temperature alloy. SupplyMeans
  “A configuration of the supply / discharge holes of the distributor provided with the rotational phase angle shifted”It is characterized by that.
[0007]
[Means of claim 2]
  The heat utilization system using the hydrogen storage alloy uses the heat absorption during the hydrogen release of the hydrogen storage alloy,
  A plurality of containers each containing a plurality of types of hydrogen storage alloys having different hydrogen equilibrium temperatures at the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure;
  A hydrogen passage communicating each of these containers;
  A heating medium changing means for changing the temperature of the heating medium that touches each of the containers to move hydrogen between the containers;
  The heat medium changing means includes
  A heating medium for keeping the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to a container that encloses a high-temperature alloy that is a hydrogen storage alloy having the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure and a high hydrogen equilibrium temperature, and is the same as that of the high-temperature alloy. A heat-dissipating heat medium for keeping the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to a container enclosing a low-temperature alloy, which is a hydrogen storage alloy having a low hydrogen equilibrium temperature at an equilibrium hydrogen pressure, and hydrogen is supplied from the high-temperature alloy to the low-temperature alloy. While driving the hydrogen driving process to drive,
  Supplying a heat-dissipating heat medium for keeping the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure to the container enclosing the high temperature alloy, and for cooling output for keeping the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure in the container enclosing the low temperature alloy A heating medium is provided to perform a cold power output process for transferring hydrogen from the low temperature alloy to the high temperature alloy;
  A heat exchanger provided with a container for enclosing the high-temperature alloy and a container for enclosing the low-temperature alloy, and a distributor for supplying and discharging a plurality of heat media rotate relative to each other,
  A heat exchange unit that changes the temperature of the heat medium that touches each of the containers, depending on the degree of overlap between the supply and discharge holes provided in the heat exchanger and the supply and discharge holes provided in the distributor;
  SaidCold output processInA heat-dissipating heat medium is supplied to the container enclosing the high-temperature alloy, and after the internal pressure of the container drops below the internal pressure of the container enclosing the low-temperature alloy, the heat medium for cooling output to the container enclosing the low-temperature alloy SupplyMeans
  “A configuration of the supply / discharge holes of the distributor provided with the rotational phase angle shifted”It is characterized by that.
[0008]
Operation and effect of the invention
[Operation and effect of claim 1]
In the hydrogen driving process, first, a heating heat medium is supplied to a container that encloses a high-temperature alloy. As a result, the internal pressure of the container that encloses the high temperature alloy that was lower than the internal pressure of the container that encloses the low temperature alloy becomes higher than the internal pressure of the container that encloses the low temperature alloy. Thus, after the internal pressure of the container enclosing the high temperature alloy rises higher than the internal pressure of the container enclosing the low temperature alloy, the heat dissipation heat medium is supplied to the container enclosing the low temperature alloy. At this time, since the pressure difference between the container already releasing hydrogen and the container storing hydrogen is large, the high temperature alloy releases hydrogen and absorbs heat, and the low temperature alloy absorbs hydrogen and generates heat. However, the pressure difference is kept large, and as a result, hydrogen transfer can be performed more rapidly than in the past.
That is, in the hydrogen driving process, the amount of hydrogen movement within a certain time is increased compared to the conventional case, and as a result, the cooling capacity can be improved.
[0009]
[Operation and effect of claim 2]
In the cooling output process, first, a heat dissipation heat medium is supplied to a container that encloses a high temperature alloy. As a result, the internal pressure of the container enclosing the high temperature alloy, which is higher than the internal pressure of the container enclosing the low temperature alloy, becomes lower than the internal pressure of the container enclosing the low temperature alloy. Thus, after the internal pressure of the container enclosing the high-temperature alloy falls below the internal pressure of the container enclosing the low-temperature alloy, the cooling medium is supplied to the container enclosing the low-temperature alloy. At this time, since the pressure difference between the container already releasing hydrogen and the container storing hydrogen is large, the high temperature alloy absorbs hydrogen and generates heat, and the low temperature alloy releases hydrogen and absorbs heat. However, the pressure difference is kept large, and as a result, hydrogen transfer can be performed more rapidly than in the past.
That is, in the cooling output process, the amount of hydrogen transfer within a certain time is increased compared to the conventional case, and as a result, the cooling capacity can be improved.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples and modifications.
[Configuration of Example]
In this embodiment, a heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy is applied to cooling for indoor air conditioning. The cooling device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the cooling device 1 of the present embodiment uses a two-stage cycle as an example of a multistage cycle.
[0011]
A schematic configuration of the cooling device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The cooling device 1 includes a heat exchange unit 2 using a hydrogen storage alloy, a combustion device 3 that generates heated water for heating the hydrogen storage alloy (water corresponding to a heating medium in this embodiment), a hydrogen storage Facility water cooling means 4 that cools the facility water for cooling the alloy (water in this embodiment, which corresponds to a heat medium for heat dissipation) by heat radiation, and cooling heat that is cooled by heat absorption caused by the hydrogen releasing action of the hydrogen storage alloy It is comprised from the indoor air conditioner 5 which air-conditions a room | chamber interior with output water (it is water in a present Example corresponding to the heat medium for cold-heat output), and the control apparatus 6 which controls each electric functional component mounted.
[0012]
The heat exchange unit 2, the combustion device 3, the facility water cooling means 4 and the control device 6 are installed outside as an outdoor unit 7, and an indoor air conditioner 5 is arranged indoors. The cooling device 1 shown in the present embodiment is a so-called multi-air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor air conditioners 5 can be connected to one outdoor unit 7.
[0013]
(Description of heat exchange unit 2)
The heat exchange unit 2 includes a heat exchanger 8 that performs heat exchange between the hydrogen storage alloy and a plurality of heat media, and a distributor 9 that supplies and discharges the plurality of heat media. The heat exchanger 8 and the distributor 9 constitute a heat medium changing means for changing the type of heat medium that touches the first, second, and third containers S1, S2, and S3 (described later). The heat exchanger 8 shown in this embodiment has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical hole 8a on the rotation center side, and a columnar distributor 9 arranged in the horizontal direction rotates into the cylindrical hole 8a. It is inserted freely and is provided so as to rotate around the distributor 9 (in FIG. 2, for the sake of convenience, a diagram in which the distributor 9 is arranged in the vertical direction is shown).
[0014]
The heat exchanger 8 is formed by laminating a large number of flat ring disks R having a ring disk shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and one ring disk R has a flat structure in which a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated. The alloy housing chamber 10 {refer to the hatched portion in FIG. 5 (a), first to third containers S1 to S3} to be described later are arranged radially, and the alloy containers in the stacking direction (containers constituting the alloy housing chamber 10) The heat medium passage 11 {refer to the hatched portion in FIG. 5B} is formed between the alloy container and the alloy container.
[0015]
One ring disk R is formed by facing and joining a pair of plates 12 and 13 (see FIG. 3) formed by press-molding a metal having no hydrogen permeation, such as stainless steel or copper. , 13 is formed with a recess for forming the alloy housing chamber 10 on one surface and a recess for forming the heat medium passage 11 on the other surface.
As shown in FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 8 has a large number of ring disks R made up of a pair of plates 12 and 13, and a connecting pipe S5 and end portions for securing a hydrogen passage S4 at the outer end of the alloy container. In addition to assembling the closing lid S6, a cylindrical pipe S7 for distributor sliding contact sealing is assembled on the inner periphery of the cylindrical hole 8a and joined by a joining method such as vacuum brazing or welding.
The cylindrical pipe S7 supplies and discharges the heat medium to and from the heat medium passages 11 in the heat exchanger 8 through a fixed side supply / discharge hole A1 (described later) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distributor 9. A rotation side supply / discharge hole A2 (described later) is formed.
[0016]
The number of alloy containers formed in one ring disk R is 3 × n (n = positive integer) in the case of a two-stage cycle. In this embodiment, six alloy containers are included in one ring disk R. The example formed is shown. In the case of a three-stage cycle, 4 × n.
The plurality of alloy containers formed on one ring disk R are arranged in a shape wound around the center of the disk. Thereby, the filling effective rate of the hydrogen storage alloy in the space occupied by the heat exchange unit 2 is increased, and as a result, the heat exchange unit 2 can be downsized.
[0017]
An alloy container formed by laminating a large number of ring disks R is connected to a first container S1 in which a high temperature alloy HM is enclosed, and the first container S1 is connected to the first container S1 through a hydrogen passage S4, and an intermediate temperature alloy MM is enclosed in the container. The second container S2 is classified into a third container S3 which communicates with the second container S2 through a hydrogen passage S4 and is filled with a low temperature alloy LM.
[0018]
Three kinds of hydrogen storage alloys with different hydrogen equilibrium pressures are used, and the high temperature alloy HM enclosed in the first vessel S1 is a high temperature hydrogen storage alloy powder having the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure and the highest hydrogen equilibrium temperature. The medium temperature alloy MM sealed in the second container S2 is a powder of medium temperature hydrogen storage alloy, and the low temperature alloy LM sealed in the third container S3 is the lowest in hydrogen equilibrium temperature at the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure. Temperature hydrogen storage alloy powder.
This relationship will be described with reference to the PT refrigeration cycle diagram of FIG. 6. The characteristics of the hydrogen storage alloy are relatively high temperature side (left side in the drawing), high temperature alloy HM, and low temperature side is low temperature alloy LM. The intermediate temperature alloy MM is between the two.
The powdered alloys HM, MM, and LM are filled in the first to third containers S1 to S3, evacuated, subjected to activation treatment, and filled with hydrogen at a high pressure, and then filled with alloys. The opening 14 is sealed and sealed with a metal lid (not shown).
[0019]
The cylindrical heat exchanger 8 is provided so as to rotate around a distributor 9 having a columnar shape. The heat exchanger 8 is continuously rotationally driven by rotational drive means (for example, means for rotationally driving the heat exchanger 8 directly or indirectly via a gear, a belt or the like by an electric motor).
[0020]
The structure of the distributor 9 is shown in FIGS. The distributor 9 switches and supplies the heat medium that touches the first to third containers S1 to S3, and the cylindrical heat exchanger 8 rotates around the distributor 9 so that each alloy container is in contact with each other. The heat medium supplied to each heat medium passage 11 (between the stacking directions) is switched, and the first to third containers S1 to S3 connected by the hydrogen passage S4 are connected to the hydrogen driving unit α → first cooling output unit β. → Transition to the second cooling output unit γ (see FIG. 9).
[0021]
The hydrogen drive unit α is a part that moves the hydrogen in the first container S1 and a part of the hydrogen remaining in the second container S2 into the third container S3.
The first cold output unit β is a part for moving the hydrogen moved into the third container S3 to the second container S2.
The second cold output unit γ is a part that moves the hydrogen in the second container S2 and a part of the hydrogen remaining in the third container S3 to the first container S1.
The hydrogen driving part α, the first cooling output part β, and the second cooling output part γ are provided at approximately 120 ° intervals, and each fixed side supply / discharge hole A1 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distributor 9 is provided. It is divided by the communication range (described later).
[0022]
The hydrogen drive unit α is supplied with a first heating zone α1 in which heated water (for example, about 80 ° C.) is in contact with the first container S1, and pressurized water (for example, about 56 ° C.) in contact with the second container S2. The second heating auxiliary area α2 and the third heat radiating area α3 supplied with the facility water (for example, about 28 ° C.) in contact with the third container S3 are provided.
The first cold output unit β is a first hydrogen movement restriction region β1 to which pressurized water (for example, about 58 ° C.) is brought into contact with the first container S1, and facility water (for example, about 28 ° C.) in contact with the second container S2. Is provided with a second heat radiation area β2 and a third heat output area β3 to which cold output water (for example, about 13 ° C.) in contact with the third container S3 is supplied.
The second cooling output unit γ has a first heat radiation area γ1 supplied with facility water (for example, about 28 ° C.) in contact with the first container S1, and a cold output water (for example, about 13 ° C.) in contact with the second container S2. The second cold energy output area γ2 to be supplied and the third cold energy output auxiliary area γ3 to which the cold energy output water (for example, about 13 ° C.) in contact with the third container S3 is provided.
[0023]
When the heat exchanger 8 is rotated by the rotation driving means, the group of the first containers S1 repeats the first heating area α1 → the first hydrogen movement restriction area β1 → the first heat radiation area γ1, and the second container S2 The group repeats the second heating auxiliary area α2 → the second heat radiation area β2 → the second cold energy output area γ2, and the group of the third container S3 is the third heat radiation area α3 → the third cold energy output area β3 → the third cold energy output auxiliary area. Repeat γ3.
[0024]
Next, delivery of the heat medium between the distributor 9 and the heat exchanger 8 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the distributor 9 includes a first block 9a for supplying and discharging a heat medium to and from a heat medium passage 11 formed between the first containers S1, and a second container S2. A second block 9b for supplying / discharging the heat medium to / from the formed heat medium passage 11 and a third block 9c for supplying / discharging the heat medium to / from the heat medium passage 11 formed between the third containers S3. Between the first block 9a and the second block 9b, the first joint 9d changing the flow of the heat medium by twisting 120 °, and between the second block 9b and the third block 9c. And a second joint 9e that changes the flow of the heat medium by twisting 120 °.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 8B, the distributor 9 of this embodiment shows a serial connection supply type that supplies a heat medium in series to the first to third containers S1 to S3. As shown to a), you may employ | adopt the parallel connection supply type which supplies a heat medium in parallel to 1st-3rd container S1-S3.
Each of the first to third blocks 9a to 9c is arranged corresponding to the hydrogen drive unit α, the first cold output unit β, and the second cold output unit γ, and supply and discharge of the heat medium according to each unit. A fixed-side supply / discharge hole A1 is formed.
[0026]
Each fixed-side supply / discharge hole A1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
In the first block 9a, a fixed side supply / discharge hole A1 for supplying and discharging heated water to and from the heat medium passage 11 between the first containers S1 transferred to the first heating area α1, and the first hydrogen movement restriction area β1 are transferred. The fixed-side supply / discharge hole A1 for supplying / discharging pressurized water to / from the heat medium passage 11 between the first containers S1 and the heat medium passage 11 between the first containers S1 transferred to the first heat radiation zone γ1 are supplied. A fixed side supply / discharge hole A1 for discharging is formed.
The second block 9b has a fixed side supply / discharge hole A1 for supplying and discharging pressurized water to and from the heat medium passage 11 between the second containers S2 transferred to the second heating auxiliary zone α2, and the second heat dissipation zone β2. The fixed side supply / discharge hole A1 for supplying and discharging the facility water to / from the heat medium passage 11 between the second containers S2 and the cold medium output water to the heat medium passage 11 between the second containers S2 which has shifted to the second cold energy output region γ2 A fixed-side supply / discharge hole A1 for supply / discharge is formed.
In the third block 9c, a fixed side supply / discharge hole A1 for supplying / exhausting the facility water to / from the heat medium passage 11 between the third containers S3 transferred to the third heat radiation area α3, and the third cooling output area β3 are transferred. Cooling power output to the heat medium passage 11 between the third container S3 which has shifted to the fixed side supply / discharge hole A1 for supplying / discharging the cold heat output water to the heat medium passage 11 between the third containers S3 and the third cooling power output auxiliary region γ3 A fixed-side supply / discharge hole A1 for supplying and discharging water is formed.
Each of the fixed side supply / discharge holes A1 is arranged such that the supply side and the discharge side are shifted in the axial direction.
[0027]
As described above, the cylindrical pipe S7 for the sliding contact seal of the distributor is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the heat exchanger 8, and the fixed side supply / discharge hole A1 of the distributor 9 is formed in the cylindrical pipe S7. A plurality of rotation side supply / discharge holes A2 for supplying and discharging the heat medium are formed.
Since the heat exchanger 8 of this embodiment is formed by laminating a large number of ring disks R each having six alloy containers in the circumferential direction in the axial direction, the group of the first containers S1 adjacent in the laminating direction is Six groups of second containers S2 arranged in the circumferential direction around one block 9a and adjacent in the stacking direction are arranged in a group of six in the circumferential direction around the second block 9b and are adjacent in the stacking direction. Six groups of S3 are arranged in the circumferential direction around the third block 9c.
For this reason, the cylindrical pipe S7 is formed with twelve rotation-side supply / discharge holes A2 for the six groups of the first container S1, including the supply side and the discharge side, and the six of the second container S2. Twelve rotation side supply / discharge holes A2 are formed for the group on the supply side and the discharge side, and 12 rotations on the supply side and the discharge side are combined for the six groups of the third container S3. A side supply / discharge hole A2 is formed.
Each of the rotation side supply / discharge holes A2 is arranged so that the supply side and the discharge side are shifted in the axial direction (alloy container stacking direction).
[0028]
As described above, the heat medium passage 11 is formed between the alloy containers adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, and each of the first, second, and third containers S1, S2, S3 is formed in the alloy container. Through holes A3 penetrating in the stacking direction are provided within the range, and each heat medium passage 11 communicates with the adjacent heat medium passage 11 through the through hole A3.
The heat exchanger 8 of this embodiment is a parallel connection in which the heat medium supplied into the heat exchanger 8 from the supply side of the rotation side supply / discharge hole A2 of the cylindrical pipe S7 is distributed and supplied to each heat medium passage 11. The supply type is adopted. For this reason, each alloy container is formed with both a through hole A3 for supplying the heat medium and a through hole A3 for discharging the heat medium. The heat exchanger 8 includes a ring disk R1 {see FIG. 10 (a)} in which each alloy container has both a through hole A3 for supplying a heat medium and a through hole A3 for discharging a heat medium. Used to partition the boundary between the group of containers S1 and the group of the second container S2 and the boundary between the group of the second container S2 and the group of the third container S3, and each alloy container has no through hole A3. Ring disc R2 {see FIG. 10 (b)}.
[0029]
The flow of the heat medium supplied into the heat exchanger 8 will be described with reference to FIG.
The heat medium supplied into the heat exchanger 8 from the supply side (upper side in FIG. 11) of the rotation side supply / discharge hole A2 is exchanged through the heat medium supply through hole A3 that connects the heat medium passages 11 to each other. It flows in the axial direction of the vessel (downward in FIG. 11), and is distributed and supplied to each heat medium passage 11 from the through hole A3 for supplying the heat medium.
The heat medium that has passed through each heat medium passage 11 is collected in a through hole A3 for discharging the heat medium that communicates with each heat medium path 11, and also through the through hole A3 for discharging the heat medium. 8 flows in the axial direction (downward in FIG. 11).
Then, the heat medium flowing downward in FIG. 11 through the through hole A3 for discharging the heat medium flows from the discharge side of the rotation side supply / discharge hole A2 (downward in FIG. 11) to the fixed supply / discharge hole A1 ( Discharged to the discharge side).
That is, in each of the containers S1, S2, and S3 of the heat exchanger 8, the heat medium flows in the axial direction through the through hole A3 provided through the alloy container in the stacking direction. The supply side and the discharge side of the provided rotation side supply / discharge hole A2 can be shifted in the axial direction.
[0030]
The transfer of the heat medium between the distributor 9 and the heat exchanger 8 will be further described.
The pressure difference between the hydrogen release side and the hydrogen storage side due to the cycle is longer than the steady reaction differential pressure of the process for a while during the initial stage where the steady reaction of hydrogen release and storage between the alloys proceeds immediately after the start of the heat medium change. It is provided so that it can be largely secured.
That is, in the hydrogen drive unit α, heated water as a heating medium is supplied to the first container S1 that encloses the high temperature alloy HM, and the internal pressure of the first container S1 is that of the third container S3 that encloses the low temperature alloy LM. After rising from the internal pressure, it is provided to supply the facility water, which is the heat medium for heat dissipation, to the third container S3 enclosing the low temperature alloy LM.
Further, in the first cold output part β, the facility water as the heat medium for heat radiation is supplied to the second container S2 enclosing the high temperature side hydrogen storage alloy (medium temperature alloy MM), and the internal pressure of the second container S2 is low. After lowering the internal pressure of the third container S3 enclosing the hydrogen storage alloy (low temperature alloy LM) on the side, the third container S3 enclosing the low temperature side hydrogen storage alloy (low temperature alloy LM) is filled with a heat medium for cold output. It is provided to supply some cold output water.
Further, in the second cold output unit γ, the facility water, which is a heat-dissipating heat medium, is supplied to the first container S1 that encloses the high-temperature-side hydrogen storage alloy (high-temperature alloy HM), and the internal pressure of the first container S1 is low. After lowering the internal pressure of the second container S2 and the third container S3 enclosing the hydrogen storage alloy (medium temperature alloy MM and low temperature alloy LM) on the side, the low temperature side hydrogen storage alloy (medium temperature alloy MM and low temperature alloy LM) The second container S2 and the third container S3 to be sealed are provided so as to supply cold heat output water as a heat medium for cold heat output.
[0031]
The above will be described individually.
In the hydrogen drive part α, the first container S1 for releasing hydrogen is heated to increase the internal pressure while the internal pressure is lowered by cooling the third container S3 for storing hydrogen, and the internal pressure of the first and third containers S1, S3 is increased. It is provided to increase the pressure difference. In this embodiment, it is utilized that the third container S3 is sufficiently cooled by touching the cold output water in the second cold output unit γ in the previous step. That is, since the third container S3 has already been cooled by the cold output water, the hydrogen drive unit α first supplies the pressurized water to the second container S2, and supplies the heated water to the first container S1 after a predetermined time F has elapsed. After the predetermined time E has passed, the facility water is supplied to the third container S3.
During the predetermined time F, after the supply of pressurized water to the second container S2 is started, the temperature of the medium temperature alloy MM in the second container S2 reaches the high temperature alloy HM in the first container S1 at the hydrogen drive unit α. Is a time before reaching a hydrogen pressure equal to the hydrogen release pressure, and the predetermined time E is the time when the low temperature alloy LM in the third container S3 is changed to the high temperature alloy HM after the supply of heated water to the first container S1 is started. This is the time until the temperature rises due to an exothermic reaction by absorbing the released hydrogen and before the temperature reaches the temperature of the facility water.
[0032]
Thus, in the hydrogen drive unit α, the low temperature alloy LM in the third container S3 remains in a sufficiently cooled temperature state by touching the cold output water in the second cold output unit γ in the previous stroke, The hydrogen occlusion pressure is lower than the state in which the facility water is supplied. Even if the first container S1 is heated with heated water in this state and the high temperature alloy HM releases hydrogen, the pressure difference is larger than in the state where the facility water is supplied to the third container S3, and the high temperature alloy HM. Convenient for hydrogen transfer from to low temperature alloy LM. That is, when the high temperature alloy HM releases hydrogen and the low temperature alloy LM begins to absorb hydrogen and starts an exothermic reaction, the pressure difference is kept large, and hydrogen transfer is performed efficiently.
[0033]
In the first cold output part β, the second container S2 storing hydrogen is cooled and the internal pressure is lowered, and the third container S3 releasing hydrogen is warmed to prevent the internal pressure from falling, and the second and second The three containers are provided to increase the pressure difference. Specifically, first, the facility water is supplied to the second container S2, the pressurized water is supplied to the first container S1 after a predetermined time A has elapsed, and the cold output water is supplied to the third container S3 after the predetermined time B has elapsed. To do.
During a predetermined time A, the supply of the facility water is started to the second container S2, and the second container S2 is cooled because it has reached the high temperature due to the pressurized water in the hydrogen driving part α of the previous process, and the intermediate temperature alloy MM inside Is the time to reach the hydrogen storage pressure. If the timing of supplying the pressurized water to the first container S1 is too faster than the predetermined time A, there is a problem that the high temperature alloy HM occludes hydrogen released from the low temperature alloy LM.
Further, for a predetermined time B, after the supply of the facility water is started to the second container S2, the intermediate temperature alloy MM of the second container S2 starts to store hydrogen, and the low temperature alloy LM releases hydrogen to release the third container S3. In the hydrogen driving part α of the previous process, the temperature is higher than the output temperature by the facility water, so that it is cooled by the endothermic action of the low temperature alloy LM, and a temperature that enables a cold output (for example, 7 ° C.) (for example, a temperature below 7 ° C.). ) Is the time to reach.
[0034]
In the first cold output unit β, first, the facility water is supplied to the second container S2 to cool the intermediate temperature alloy MM first, and the hydrogen storage pressure is lowered. The low temperature alloy LM in such a state is a temperature state cooled by the facility water in the hydrogen drive unit α in the previous stroke, and has a higher hydrogen release pressure than the state in which the cooling output water is supplied. Convenient for hydrogen transfer to medium temperature alloy MM. That is, when the cold output water is subsequently supplied to the third container S3, the low temperature alloy LM releases hydrogen, and the intermediate temperature alloy MM begins to absorb hydrogen and initiate an exothermic reaction, the pressure difference is kept large and the efficiency is increased. Hydrogen transfer is performed well.
[0035]
In the second cold power output unit γ, the first container S1 storing hydrogen is cooled and the internal pressure is lowered, and the second container S2 that releases hydrogen is warmed to prevent the internal pressure from being lowered. The two containers S1 and S2 are provided so as to increase the pressure difference. Specifically, first, the facility water is supplied to the first container S1, the cold output water is supplied to the second container S2 after a predetermined time C, and the cold output water is also supplied to the third container S3 after the predetermined time D has elapsed. Supply.
Note that, for a predetermined time C, after the supply of the facility water to the first container S1 is started, the high temperature alloy HM of the first container S1 begins to store hydrogen, and the intermediate temperature alloy MM releases hydrogen to release the second container S2. It is the time until the surface temperature of the glass plate reaches a temperature (for example, a temperature lower than 7 ° C.) that enables a cold output (for example, 7 ° C.).
Further, since the third container S3 has already reached the cold output temperature in the first cold output unit β in the previous step, the supply of the facility water to the first container S1 is started for a predetermined time D and the first container S1 is started. This is the time until the inside reaches the same pressure as the inside of the third container S3.
[0036]
In the second cold output unit γ, first, the facility water is supplied to the first container S1 to cool the high temperature alloy HM first, and the hydrogen storage pressure is lowered. The medium temperature alloy MM in such a state is a temperature state cooled by the facility water in the first cold output part β in the previous step, and the hydrogen release pressure is higher than the state in which the cooling output water is supplied, and the intermediate temperature alloy MM Convenient for hydrogen transfer from MM to high temperature alloy HM. In other words, when the cold water is supplied to the second container S2 and the intermediate temperature alloy MM releases hydrogen and the high temperature alloy HM begins to absorb the hydrogen and cause an exothermic reaction, the pressure difference is kept large and the efficiency is increased. Hydrogen transfer is performed well.
[0037]
In the hydrogen drive unit α, a heat medium that keeps the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to a container that encloses the hydrogen storage alloy that participates in the hydrogen release, and then the hydrogen storage alloy that participates in the hydrogen storage is added. A heat medium that keeps the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure is shifted and supplied to the container to be sealed, and in each of the first cold output part β and the second cold output part γ, the hydrogen storage alloy that is involved in the storage of hydrogen is first added. Means for supplying a heat medium that keeps the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen storage pressure to the container to be sealed, and then supplying the heat medium that keeps the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure by shifting to the container that encloses the hydrogen storage alloy involved in the release of hydrogen In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in each of the hydrogen driving unit α, the first cold output unit β, and the second cold output unit γ, the supply position for the container that supplies the heating medium first, Supply level for each time difference Are shown, it is determined by the time difference deviation of the position as the phase angle of the rotation. Each phase angle corresponds to the predetermined times A to F shown above.
[0038]
(Description of combustion device 3)
The combustion apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment uses a gas combustion apparatus that burns gas as fuel to generate heat and heats heated water by the generated heat. The gas burner 16 performs gas combustion, and the gas burner. A gas supply circuit 19 having a gas amount adjusting valve 17 and a gas opening / closing valve 18 for supplying gas to the gas 16, a combustion fan 20 for supplying combustion air to the gas burner 16, and heat exchange between the combustion heat of the gas and the heating water It comprises a heat exchanger 21 and the like.
The heated water is heated to, for example, about 80 ° C. with the heat obtained by gas combustion of the gas burner 16, and the heated heated water is supplied to the first heating zone α1 via the heated water circulation path 22 provided with the heated water circulation pump P1. To supply.
[0039]
A pressurized water supply passage 15 for supplying pressurized water to the second auxiliary heating zone α2 and the first hydrogen movement restriction zone β1 is branched from the heated water circulation passage 22 as shown in FIG. The temperature of the pressurized water in the first hydrogen movement restriction region β1 is set to about 58 ° C. (temperature at which the high temperature alloy HM does not occlude and release hydrogen in the first container S1), and the second heating auxiliary region α2 The temperature of the pressurized water is about 56 ° C. (the temperature at which the inside of the second container S2 is made higher than the hydrogen release pressure and the intermediate temperature alloy MM releases hydrogen).
[0040]
(Description of indoor air conditioner 5)
The indoor air conditioner 5 is arranged indoors as described above, and forcibly exchanges heat between the indoor heat exchanger 23 and cold output water supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 23 and indoor air. An indoor fan 24 is provided for blowing the air after heat exchange into the room. The indoor heat exchanger 23 is connected with a cooling output water circulation path 25 for circulating the cooling output water supplied from the third cooling output area β3 and the second cooling output area γ2, and a halfway (outdoors) of the cooling output water circulation path 25 In the machine 7), a cold output water pump P2 for circulating the cold output water is provided.
[0041]
(Description of facility water cooling means 4)
The facility water cooling means 4 is a water-cooled open type cooling tower, and the facility water cooled by the facility water cooling means 4 is supplied to the third heat radiation zone α3, second by the facility water circulation path 26 provided with the facility water circulation pump P3. It is supplied to the heat radiation area β2 and the first heat radiation area γ1.
The facility water cooling means 4 radiates the facility water that has passed through the third radiating region α3, the second radiating region β2, and the first radiating region γ1 from the top to the bottom and radiates heat by exchanging heat with the outside air. At the same time, it partially evaporates during the flow, takes heat of vaporization from the facility water flowing at the time of evaporation, and cools the flowing facility water. The facility water cooling means 4 includes a heat dissipation fan (not shown), and is provided so as to promote evaporation and cooling of the facility water by an air flow generated by the heat dissipation fan.
In this embodiment, a water-cooled open type cooling tower is shown as the facility water cooling means 4, but water-cooled or air-cooled sealed cooling in which the facility water (heat-dissipating heat medium) exchanges heat without touching the air. Means may be used.
[0042]
Here, the heating water circulation path 22, the cooling / heating output water circulation path 25, and the facility water circulation path 26 described above have cis-turns T1, T2, and T3, respectively, and the water levels in the cis-turns T1, T2, and T3 are lowered below a predetermined water level. Then, the water supply valves T4, T5, and T6 provided to the respective valves are opened so that the tap water supplied from the water supply pipe 27 is replenished into the cisterns T1, T2, and T3.
In addition, a drain pan P is disposed at the lower part of the heat exchange unit 2 so as to drain the drain water generated in the heat exchange unit 2 from the drain pipe 28. The water overflowing from the facility water cooling means 4 is also provided to drain from the drain pipe 28.
[0043]
(Description of the control device 6)
The control device 6 responds to an operation instruction from a controller provided in the indoor air conditioner 5 and an input signal of each of a plurality of sensors, and the above-described heating water circulation pump P1, cooling output water pump P2, and facility water circulation pump P3. , Water supply valves T4, T5, T6, electric functional parts such as a heat radiating fan of the facility water cooling means 4, and electric functional parts of the combustion device 3 (not shown ignition device, gas amount adjusting valve 17, gas on-off valve 18, combustion fan) 20 etc.) and an operation instruction of the indoor fan 24 is given to the indoor air conditioner 5.
[0044]
(Description of cooling operation)
The operation of the cooling operation by the cooling device 1 will be described with reference to the PT refrigeration cycle diagram of FIG.
When the cooling operation is instructed by the controller of the indoor air conditioner 5, the control device 6 activates the combustion device 3, the rotation drive means, the heat radiating fan, the heating water circulation pump P1, the cooling output water pump P2, and the facility water circulation pump P3. Then, the indoor fan 24 of the indoor air conditioner 5 instructed to be cooled is turned on.
[0045]
The heat exchanger 8 continuously rotates by the rotation driving means. As a result, a large number of alloy containers move in the order of the hydrogen drive unit α → the first cold output unit β → the second cold output unit γ.
That is, each first container S1 moves in the order of the first heating area α1 → first hydrogen movement restriction area β1 → first heat radiation area γ1, and each second container S2 moves to the second heating auxiliary area α2 → second heat radiation area. Each of the third containers S3 moves in the order of the third heat radiation region α3, the third heat output region β3, and the third heat output auxiliary region γ3.
[0046]
When moving to the hydrogen drive unit α, the first container S1 touches the heated water, the second container S2 touches the pressurized water, and the third container S3 touches the facility water.
When the first container S1 comes into contact with heated water (80 ° C.), the internal pressure of the first container S1 rises, and the high temperature alloy HM releases hydrogen.
When the second container S2 comes into contact with the pressurized water (56 ° C.), the internal pressure of the second container S2 rises and the intermediate temperature alloy MM releases hydrogen.
When the third container S3 comes into contact with the facility water (28 ° C.), the internal pressure of the third container S3 decreases, and the low temperature alloy LM occludes hydrogen.
[0047]
Thus, the first container S1 touches the heated water in the first heating zone α1, the second container S2 touches the pressurized water in the second heating auxiliary zone α2, and the third vessel S3 touches the heated water in the third heat radiating zone α3. , The inside of the first container S1 becomes 80 ° C .: 1.0 MPa, the inside of the second container S2 becomes 56 ° C .: 1.0 MPa, and the inside of the third container S3 becomes 28 ° C .: 0.9 MPa. The high temperature alloy HM releases hydrogen ((1) in FIG. 6), and the medium temperature alloy MM in the second container S2 also releases a small amount of hydrogen ((1) in FIG. 6), and the low temperature alloy in the third container S3. LM occludes hydrogen released from high-temperature and medium-temperature alloys HM and MM ((2) in FIG. 6).
And if it passes hydrogen drive part alpha, it will move to the 1st cold output part beta after that.
[0048]
When moving to the first cold output unit β, the first container S1 touches the pressurized water, the second container S2 touches the facility water, and the third container S3 touches the cold output water.
When the first container S1 touches the pressurized water (58 ° C.), the internal pressure of the first container S1 is set to a pressure at which the high temperature alloy HM does not occlude and release hydrogen.
When the second container S2 touches the facility water (28 ° C.), the internal pressure of the second container S2 decreases, the intermediate temperature alloy MM occludes hydrogen, and the low temperature alloy LM of the third container S3 releases hydrogen.
Since the low temperature alloy LM releases hydrogen, heat is generated in the third container S3, and the cold output water touching the third container S3 is cooled to, for example, 7 ° C. The low temperature alloy LM is provided so that the internal pressure of the third container S3 is higher than the internal pressure of the second container S2 when the cold output water is about 13 ° C.
[0049]
Thus, the first container S1 is in contact with the pressurized water in the first hydrogen movement restriction area β1, the second container S2 is in contact with the facility water in the second heat radiation area β2, and the third container S3 is in the third cold power output area β3. By touching the cold output water, the inside of the first container S1 is 58 ° C: 0.5 MPa, the inside of the second container S2 is 28 ° C: 0.4 MPa, the inside of the third container S3 is 13 ° C: 0.5 MPa, The low temperature alloy LM in the container S3 releases hydrogen ((3) in FIG. 6), and the medium temperature alloy MM in the second container S2 occludes hydrogen ((4) in FIG. 6). When the low temperature alloy LM in the third container S3 releases hydrogen, the heat is taken from the cold output water that touches the third container S3 due to the endothermic effect, and the temperature of the cold output water is lowered. The first container S1 touches the pressurized water and the high temperature alloy HM does not occlude and release hydrogen.
And if it passes the 1st cold-heat output part (beta), it will move to the 2nd cold-heat output part (gamma) after that.
[0050]
When the process proceeds to the second cold output unit γ, the first container S1 touches the facility water, and the second container S2 and the third container S3 touch the cold output water.
When the first container S1 comes in contact with the facility water (28 ° C.), the internal pressure of the first container S1 decreases, and the high temperature alloy HM occludes hydrogen.
Since the intermediate temperature alloy MM and the low temperature alloy LM release hydrogen, endothermic heat is generated in the second container S2 and the third container S3, and the cold output water that touches the second container S2 and the third container S3 is cooled to, for example, 7 ° C. It is. The intermediate temperature alloy MM is also provided so that the internal pressure of the second container S2 is higher than the internal pressure of the first container S1 when the cold output water is about 13 ° C.
[0051]
Thus, when the first container S1 touches the facility water in the first heat radiation zone γ1, the inside of the first container S1 is 28 ° C .: 0.1 MPa, the inside of the second container S2 is 13 ° C .: 0.2 MPa, and the third The inside of the container S3 becomes 13 ° C .: 0.5 MPa, and the medium temperature alloy MM in the second container S2 releases hydrogen ((5) in FIG. 6), and the low temperature alloy LM in the third container S3 also releases hydrogen (FIG. 6). (3) '), and the high temperature alloy HM in the first container S1 occludes hydrogen ((6) in FIG. 6). When the medium temperature alloy MM in the second container S2 and the low temperature alloy LM in the third container S3 release hydrogen, the temperature of the cold output water is deprived of heat from the cold output water that touches the second container S2 and the third container S3 by the endothermic action. Reduce.
And if it passes the 2nd cold-power output part (gamma), it will move to the hydrogen drive part (alpha) after that.
[0052]
The low-temperature cold output water deprived of heat in the third cold output area β3, the second cold output area γ2 and the third cold output auxiliary area γ3 of the heat exchange unit 2 passes through the cold output water circulation path 25 in the room. The air supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 23 of the air conditioner 5 is heat-exchanged with the air blown into the room to cool the room.
[0053]
[Effects of Examples]
As shown in the above embodiment, in the hydrogen drive unit α, first, heated water is supplied to the first container S1 that encloses the high temperature alloy HM. As a result, the internal pressure of the first container S1, which was lower than the internal pressure of the third container S3 enclosing the low temperature alloy LM, becomes higher than the internal pressure of the third container S3. In this way, after the internal pressure of the first container S1 rises higher than the internal pressure of the third container S3, the facility water is supplied to the third container S3. At this time, since the pressure difference between the first container S1 already releasing hydrogen and the third container S3 storing hydrogen is large, the high temperature alloy HM in the first container S1 releases hydrogen. Even if the low temperature alloy LM in the third container S3 absorbs heat and generates heat by absorbing hydrogen, the pressure difference is kept large, and as a result, hydrogen can be moved more rapidly than in the prior art.
[0054]
In the first cooling / heating unit β, first, the facility water is supplied to the second container S2 in which the medium temperature alloy MM is enclosed. As a result, the internal pressure of the second container S2, which was higher than the internal pressure of the third container S3 enclosing the low temperature alloy LM, becomes lower than the internal pressure of the third container S3. Thus, after the internal pressure of the second container S2 drops below the internal pressure of the third container S3, the cold output water is supplied to the third container S3. At this time, since the pressure difference between the third container S3 already releasing hydrogen and the second container S2 storing hydrogen is large, the low temperature alloy LM in the third container S3 releases hydrogen. Even if the intermediate temperature alloy MM in the second container S2 absorbs heat and generates heat due to occlusion of hydrogen, the pressure difference is kept large, and as a result, hydrogen can be moved more rapidly than in the prior art.
[0055]
Further, in the second cooling / heating output section γ, first, the facility water is supplied to the first container S1 in which the high temperature alloy HM is enclosed. As a result, the internal pressure of the first container S1, which is higher than the internal pressure of the second and third containers S2, S3 enclosing the intermediate temperature alloy MM and the low temperature alloy LM, becomes lower than the internal pressure of the second, third containers S2, S3. In this way, after the internal pressure of the first container S1 drops below the internal pressure of the second and third containers S2, S3, cold output water is supplied to the second, third containers S2, S3. At this time, since the pressure difference between the second and third containers S2 and S3 already releasing hydrogen and the first container S1 storing hydrogen is large, the second and third containers S2 and Even if the medium temperature alloy MM and the low temperature alloy LM in S3 release hydrogen to absorb heat, and the high temperature alloy HM in the first container S1 absorbs hydrogen and generates heat, the pressure difference is kept large. Compared to the above, hydrogen transfer can be performed rapidly.
[0056]
As described above, in each of the hydrogen driving unit α, the first cooling output unit β, and the second cooling output unit γ, the hydrogen transfer is started in a state in which the pressure difference is ensured. The amount of hydrogen transfer in the time period during which the cooling is performed increases compared to the conventional case, and the cooling capacity of the cooling device 1 is improved.
[0057]
The above effect will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. The graph of FIG. 12 shows the temperature change of the cold output water when the first cold output unit β and the second cold output unit γ supply the facility water to the container on the hydrogen storage side first for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute). The solid line X1 indicates the temperature change of the cold output water when the heat medium is supplied to the hydrogen storage side and hydrogen release side containers at the same time.
As indicated by the solid line X1, by keeping the inside of the container containing the hydrogen storage alloy that previously stores hydrogen lower than the hydrogen storage pressure, when the cold output water is supplied to the container on the hydrogen release side, Release occurs rapidly and the temperature of the cold output water drops rapidly.
As described above, since the amount of hydrogen transfer within a certain time (within the time during which hydrogen transfer is performed) is larger than that in the prior art, as shown in FIG. 13, a predetermined time compared with the cooling output Y1 at the same time. When the facility water is supplied to the container on the hydrogen storage side first, the cooling output Y2 is increased. That is, it is possible to obtain a higher cooling efficiency than that at the same time.
[0058]
[Modification]
In the above embodiment, in the hydrogen driving unit α, the inside of the container (second container S2) is kept higher than the hydrogen release pressure by the pressurized water, and hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy (medium temperature alloy MM) of the container. However, the hydrogen drive unit α may prohibit the release of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy (medium temperature alloy MM) in the container in contact with the pressurized water.
In the above embodiment, the second cold output part γ keeps the inside of the container (third container S3) higher than the hydrogen release pressure by the cold output water, so that the hydrogen storage alloy (low temperature alloy LM) in the container is charged with hydrogen. However, the second cold heat output section γ may prohibit the release of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy (low temperature alloy LM) in the container touching the cold heat output water.
[0059]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the parallel connection supply type using the heat medium passage 11 that turns the heat medium on the outer peripheral side of the heat exchanger 8 and returns to the inner side is employed is shown in FIG. Thus, you may employ | adopt the parallel connection supply type which employ | adopted the heat medium channel | path 11 which a heat medium does not turn. Further, a series connection supply type as shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C, or a mixed type of parallel connection supply and series connection supply as shown in FIG. 14D may be adopted.
[0060]
In the above-described embodiment, an apparatus for cooling only is shown as an example, but the present invention may be applied to an air conditioning apparatus. As a specific example, the heating water heated by the combustion device 3 may be provided to guide the indoor heat exchanger 23 of the indoor air conditioner 5 to perform indoor heating. Further, the heating water heated by the combustion device 3 may be connected to a floor heating mat, a bathroom dryer, or the like, and floor heating, bathroom heating, or the like may be performed by supplying heated water.
[0061]
In the above embodiment, an example in which a plurality of alloy containers are configured in the ring disk R joined with a pair of plates 12 and 13 is shown. However, as shown in FIG. 15, one alloy container is configured with a pair of plates. You may provide so that it may do. In other words, one alloy container is composed of a pair of plates, which are combined in the circumferential direction to form a ring disk, and a plurality of ring disk-shaped alloy containers are stacked in the axial direction to form a cylindrical heat exchange. The device 8 may be configured. In the above embodiment, an example in which the outer peripheral shape of the heat exchanger 8 is provided in a cylinder is shown. For example, the outer peripheral shape is provided in a hexagonal cylinder shape, and a rotation side supply / discharge hole A2 is formed on the center side. A cylindrical hole 8a may be provided.
[0062]
In the above embodiment, the example in which the heat exchanger 8 is continuously rotated by the rotation driving means has been described. However, the heat exchanger 8 may be intermittently rotated.
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the rotation shaft (distributor 9) of the heat exchanger 8 is arranged horizontally has been shown, but it may be arranged vertically or obliquely. Further, the arrangement order of the first container S1, the second container S2, and the third container S3 may be changed.
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a two-stage cycle is used is shown as an example of the heat exchange unit 2, but a single-stage cycle or a three-stage cycle or more may be used.
[0063]
In the above embodiment, a multi air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor air conditioners 5 can be connected to one outdoor unit 7 is shown. However, the present invention is applied to an air conditioner in which one indoor air conditioner 5 is connected to one outdoor unit 7. It may be applied.
In the above embodiment, an example in which the room is cooled with the heat medium for cooling output (cold output water in the embodiment) obtained by the heat exchange unit 2 is shown. The present invention may be used as another cooling device such as a freezing operation.
In the above embodiment, an example in which one heat exchange unit 2 (a unit constituted by one distributor 9 and one heat exchanger 8) is used is shown, but a plurality of heat exchange units 2 are mounted. The cooling capacity may be increased and used for a cooling apparatus that requires a large cooling capacity such as a building air conditioning system.
[0064]
In the above embodiment, the gas combustion apparatus for burning gas is used as the heating means for heating the heating medium (heating water in the embodiment), but other combustion such as an oil combustion apparatus for burning oil is used. An apparatus may be used, and other heating means such as a heating means for heating a heat medium for heating by exhaust heat of the internal combustion engine, a steam by a boiler, a heating means using an electric heater, or the like may be used. In addition, when utilizing the exhaust heat of an internal combustion engine, it can also use for vehicles.
In the above embodiment, tap water is used as an example of each heat medium, but other liquid heat medium such as antifreeze liquid or oil may be used, or a gas heat medium such as air may be used.
[0065]
In the above embodiment, the cooling device that obtains the cold output by the endothermic action when the hydrogen storage alloy releases hydrogen is shown as an example, but the heating that obtains the thermal output by the heat release action when the hydrogen storage alloy absorbs hydrogen. The present invention may be applied to a device (for example, a heating device).
In the above embodiment, the heat medium is changed by rotating the heat exchanger 8. However, the heat medium may be switched and supplied to the fixed heat exchanger 8.
In the above embodiment, the heat exchanger 8 in which a plurality of containers are stacked in the axial direction is shown. However, any heat exchanger in which the internal hydrogen storage alloy and the heat medium exchange heat may be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a phase difference between a fixed side supply / discharge hole and a rotation side supply / discharge hole (Example).
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling device (Example).
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger (Example).
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a ring disk (Example).
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of an alloy storage chamber and a heat medium passage (Example).
FIG. 6 is a PT refrigeration cycle diagram (Example).
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of a heat medium by a distributor (Example).
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of parallel connection supply and series connection supply in a distributor (Example).
FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of a heat exchange unit (Example).
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a ring disk (Example).
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the flow of a heat medium in the heat exchanger (Example).
FIG. 12 is a graph showing a temperature change of cold output water (Example).
FIG. 13 is a graph for comparing cold output (Example).
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the flow of the heat medium in the heat exchanger (modified example).
FIG. 15 is a plan view of a ring disk (modified example).
[Explanation of symbols]
  HM high temperature alloy (high temperature hydrogen storage alloy)
  MM medium temperature alloy (medium temperature hydrogen storage alloy)
  LM Low temperature alloy (low temperature hydrogen storage alloy)
  S1 first container
  S2 second container
  S3 3rd container
  S4 Hydrogen passage
  1 Cooling device
  8 Heat exchanger
  9 Distributor
  A 1 Fixed-side supply / discharge holes (supply / discharge holes provided in the distributor)
  A 2 Rotation side supply / discharge holes (supply / discharge holes provided in the heat exchanger)

Claims

A heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy using the heat absorption during the hydrogen release of the hydrogen storage alloy,
A plurality of containers each containing a plurality of types of hydrogen storage alloys having different hydrogen equilibrium temperatures at the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure;
A hydrogen passage communicating each of these containers;
A heating medium changing means for changing the temperature of the heating medium that touches each of the containers to move hydrogen between the containers;
The heat medium changing means includes
A heating medium for keeping the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to a container that encloses a high-temperature alloy that is a hydrogen storage alloy having the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure and a high hydrogen equilibrium temperature, and is the same as that of the high-temperature alloy. A heat-dissipating heat medium for keeping the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to a container enclosing a low-temperature alloy, which is a hydrogen storage alloy having a low hydrogen equilibrium temperature at an equilibrium hydrogen pressure, and hydrogen is supplied from the high-temperature alloy to the low-temperature alloy. While driving the hydrogen driving process to drive,
Supplying a heat-dissipating heat medium for keeping the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure to the container enclosing the high temperature alloy, and for cooling output for keeping the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure in the container enclosing the low temperature alloy A heating medium is provided to perform a cold power output process for transferring hydrogen from the low temperature alloy to the high temperature alloy;
A heat exchanger provided with a container for enclosing the high-temperature alloy and a container for enclosing the low-temperature alloy, and a distributor for supplying and discharging a plurality of heat media rotate relative to each other,
A heat exchange unit that changes the temperature of the heat medium that touches each of the containers, depending on the degree of overlap between the supply and discharge holes provided in the heat exchanger and the supply and discharge holes provided in the distributor;
In the hydrogen driving step , a heating heat medium is supplied to a container enclosing the high temperature alloy, and after the internal pressure of the container is higher than the internal pressure of the container enclosing the low temperature alloy, The means for supplying the heat dissipation heat medium is:
A heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy, characterized in that it is made by “a configuration of a supply / discharge hole of the distributor provided with a rotational phase angle shifted” .

A heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy using the heat absorption during the hydrogen release of the hydrogen storage alloy,
A plurality of containers each containing a plurality of types of hydrogen storage alloys having different hydrogen equilibrium temperatures at the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure;
A hydrogen passage communicating each of these containers;
A heating medium changing means for changing the temperature of the heating medium that touches each of the containers to move hydrogen between the containers;
The heat medium changing means includes
A heating medium for keeping the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to a container that encloses a high-temperature alloy that is a hydrogen storage alloy having the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure and a high hydrogen equilibrium temperature, and is the same as that of the high-temperature alloy. A heat-dissipating heat medium for keeping the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure is supplied to a container enclosing a low-temperature alloy, which is a hydrogen storage alloy having a low hydrogen equilibrium temperature at an equilibrium hydrogen pressure, and hydrogen is supplied from the high-temperature alloy to the low-temperature alloy. While driving the hydrogen driving process to drive,
Supplying a heat-dissipating heat medium for keeping the internal pressure lower than the hydrogen release pressure to the container enclosing the high temperature alloy, and for cooling output for keeping the internal pressure higher than the hydrogen release pressure in the container enclosing the low temperature alloy A heating medium is provided to perform a cold power output process for transferring hydrogen from the low temperature alloy to the high temperature alloy;
A heat exchanger provided with a container for enclosing the high-temperature alloy and a container for enclosing the low-temperature alloy, and a distributor for supplying and discharging a plurality of heat media rotate relative to each other,
A heat exchange unit that changes the temperature of the heat medium that touches each of the containers, depending on the degree of overlap between the supply and discharge holes provided in the heat exchanger and the supply and discharge holes provided in the distributor;
In the cooling output process , a heat dissipation heat medium is supplied to a container enclosing the high temperature alloy, and after the internal pressure of the container drops below the internal pressure of the container enclosing the low temperature alloy, the container enclosing the low temperature alloy The means for supplying the heat medium for cold output is:
A heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy, characterized in that it is made by “a configuration of a supply / discharge hole of the distributor provided with a rotational phase angle shifted” .