JP4435445B2 - Hydrogen storage alloy container - Google Patents

Hydrogen storage alloy container Download PDF

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Publication number
JP4435445B2
JP4435445B2 JP2001145433A JP2001145433A JP4435445B2 JP 4435445 B2 JP4435445 B2 JP 4435445B2 JP 2001145433 A JP2001145433 A JP 2001145433A JP 2001145433 A JP2001145433 A JP 2001145433A JP 4435445 B2 JP4435445 B2 JP 4435445B2
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heat medium
storage alloy
hydrogen storage
heat
heat transfer
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JP2002340430A (en
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幸雄 佐藤
隆志 岩本
政征 河合
将一 佐藤
康志 大脇
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Japan Steel Works Ltd
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Japan Steel Works Ltd
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    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/32—Hydrogen storage
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
    • Y02P90/45—Hydrogen technologies in production processes

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、水素吸蔵合金を収容して、熱媒と水素吸蔵合金との間での熱の授受と、水素吸蔵合金での水素の吸放出がなされる水素吸蔵合金容器に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
水素吸蔵合金を収容して水素を吸放出させる容器は、熱媒が移動する熱媒移動管を水素吸蔵合金間に配置しておき、この熱媒移動管に高温の熱媒と低温の熱媒とを交互に流して水素吸蔵合金を加熱、冷却させることによって、水素が放出、吸収される性質を利用した、水素貯蔵タンク、水素精製装置、等に使用される。また、逆に水素を放出、吸収させると吸熱、発熱する性質を利用して、その熱を熱媒移動管を流れる熱媒に伝えて熱を取り出す、ヒートポンプ、冷凍機、等にも使用される。
【０００３】
図３に、従来の水素吸蔵合金容器の例を示す。
水素吸蔵合金容器は、図３に示すように容器シェル１を有しており、該容器シェル１内に熱媒が通る伝熱チューブ２が内部熱媒移動管として配設されている。該伝熱チューブ２は、開口部を有する端部側がチューブシート３で固定され、折り返し部である他端部側がエンドプレート４で束ねられて固定されている。前記チューブシート３とエンドプレート４との間の容器シェル１内には、粒あるいは粉状の水素吸蔵合金５が収容されている。また、伝熱チューブ２の外壁には、該チューブ２と水素吸蔵合金５との伝熱性を高めるために多数のフィン６が固定されている。さらに容器シェル１は伝熱チューブ２の開口部側にシェルヘッド９を有しており、該シェルヘッド９には、水素吸蔵合金を加熱、冷却したり、吸熱、発熱した合金から熱を伝えたりするための熱媒を外部から容器に送り込むための熱媒流入管７と、その熱媒を容器から外部に排出するための熱媒流出管８が外部熱媒移動管として挿入されており、該シェルヘッド９内で、該熱媒流入管７の端部開口部７ａと前記伝熱チューブ２の端部開口部２ａ、熱媒流出管８の端部開口部８ｂと伝熱チューブ２の端部開口部２ｂとが接続されている。
【０００４】
図４は、上記熱媒流入管７および熱媒流出管８と、伝熱チューブ２との接続部分を示す拡大図であり、伝熱チューブ２の開口端部２ａ、２ｂが熱媒流入管７、熱媒流出管８の開口端部７ａ、８ｂの内側になるように嵌入され、溶接やロウ接等により固定されている。また、この図とは逆に、熱媒流入管７、熱媒流出管８の開口端部７ａ、８ｂを、伝熱チューブ２の開口端部２ａ、２ｂの内側に嵌入する場合もある。
図５は、特開平６−１９３９９６号公報に示された接続構造のうち熱媒の流入側を示すものであり、熱媒流入管７の開口端部７ａと伝熱チューブ２の開口端部２ａとの接続部分の内側に、円筒状補強材であるパイプ１０が挿入・固定されている。
【０００５】
次に上記水素吸蔵合金容器の作用について説明する。図３において、熱媒は熱媒流入管７を通って伝熱チューブ２に送られると、熱媒温度が水素吸蔵合金５の温度よりも高い場合は、熱媒の持つ熱が伝熱チューブ２を介して水素吸蔵合金５に伝わる。すると水素吸蔵合金５は、温度上昇に伴い水素を放出する。また、熱媒温度が水素吸蔵合金５の温度よりも低い場合は、水素吸蔵合金５の持つ熱が伝熱チューブ２を介して熱媒に伝わる。すると水素吸蔵合金５は、温度降下に伴い水素を吸収する。一方、水素吸蔵合金５から水素が放出状態にある場合は吸熱反応となり、水素吸蔵合金５の温度が下がって、熱媒の持つ熱が伝熱チューブ２を介して水素吸蔵合金５に伝わり、熱媒の温度が下がる。また、水素吸蔵合金５へ水素が吸収される状態にある場合は放熱反応となり、水素吸蔵合金５の温度が上がって、その熱が伝熱チューブ２を介して熱媒に伝わり、熱媒温度が上がる。この際、熱媒流入管７および熱媒流出管８と伝熱チューブ２とは熱媒によって加熱と冷却を受け、それに伴って膨張と収縮の寸法変化が起こる。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、従来の容器構造では、熱媒流入管７、熱媒流出管８、伝熱チューブ２は熱媒によって加熱と冷却を受け、それに伴って膨張と収縮の寸法変化が起こると、図４に示すようにフィンの配置がとぎれる部分２０や接合部分の根本部２１、２２、断面変化の始まる部分２３に応力が集中し、歪が発生して、それが繰り返されると、伝熱チューブ２や熱媒流入管７、熱媒流出管８において断面形状のつぶれ変形や極端な場合には部材の破壊に至ることもある。
【０００７】
また、図５の例ではその歪を抑えるために前述したように補強材としてパイプ１０を配置しているが、結局は必ず接合部の根本部分２４ができるため、変形や破壊の危険性の完全回避は難しい。また、この例ではパイプ１０と熱媒流入管７／熱媒流出管８、伝熱チューブ２との接合部が、管の奥に設けられているため、接合作業がやりにくく、コスト高や長い作業時間、品質管理が難しいといった問題も避けられない。
【０００８】
本発明は、上記のような従来の水素吸蔵合金容器の課題を解決するためになされたもので、伝熱チューブの熱膨張／収縮を吸収する構造を設けることにより、熱媒の加熱と冷却によるチューブの膨張と収縮の寸法変化によるつぶれ変形や部材破壊を回避しながら、熱効率の良い水素吸蔵合金容器とすることを目的としている。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するため本発明の水素吸蔵合金容器のうち請求項１に記載の発明は、素吸蔵合金と該合金間に配設された内部熱媒移動管とが収容され、前記合金間外で前記内部熱媒移動管の端部開口部と容器外部に伸長する外部熱媒移動管の端部開口部とが接続された水素吸蔵合金容器において、前記両端部開口部の接続部分周辺にあって、前記外部熱媒移動管に、非拘束状態で変形可能な逆向きのエルボが連なる屈曲形状が付与され、かつ、前記内部移動管がストレート形状で該外部熱媒移動管に接続されていることを特徴とする。
【００１０】
請求項２に記載の水素吸蔵合金容器の発明は、請求項１記載の発明において、前記外部熱媒移動管は、前記内部熱媒移動管と比して、疲労強度が高い材質からなることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
請求項３に記載の水素吸蔵合金容器の発明は、請求項１または２に記載の発明において、前記外部熱媒移動管は、前記内部熱媒移動管と比して、熱伝導性が低い材質からなることを特徴とする。
【００１２】
すなわち、本発明によれば、伝熱チューブの熱膨張／収縮の寸法変化は、変形可能で非拘束の状態にある外部熱媒移動管の屈曲形状部分で曲げ変形することによって吸収される。これにより伝熱チューブや熱媒移動管のつぶれ変形や部材破壊が回避される。
【００１３】
なお、上記屈曲形状は接続部分周辺にある。これは、内部熱媒移動管の膨張、収縮の応力が最も集中しやすいのが開口部同士の接続部分であり、この応力を効果的に解消するためには、接続部分にできるだけ近い位置で屈曲形状を付与するのが望ましい。なお、この屈曲形状の付与を接続部分からどの程度離れた位置で行うかは任意であり、本発明としては特に限定されない。ただし、非拘束で変形可能な範囲に限定される。この範囲は、通常、接続部分に近いところに限られる。
【００１４】
非拘束状態で変形可能とは、屈曲形状部分での曲げ変形が可能なように、これが不可である直接に拘束された状態にないことを意味している。
なお、付与される屈曲形状は特に限定されるものではなく、屈曲部分を含むものであればよく、内部熱媒移動管の膨張、収縮の変形力の全部または一部を屈曲形状部分で曲げ変形によって吸収できるものであればよい。
【００１５】
また、屈曲形状は外部熱媒移動管に設けられており、該外部熱媒移動管に疲労強度が高い材質を用いれば、熱媒移動管のつぶれ変形、部材破壊がより確実に防止される。さらに、該外部熱媒移動管に熱伝導性が低い材質を用いれば、水素吸蔵合金容器の熱効率の向上が可能となる。
上記の疲労強度や熱伝導性は、内部熱媒移動管との相対的な比較において、高低をいうことができる。これら特性が上記を満たすものとしては、伝熱チューブが銅製である場合に、ステンレス鋼、チタン合金等を挙げることができる。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、本発明の一実施形態を図１、２に基づいて説明する。なお、従来の容器と同様の構造については同一の符号を付している。図１に本発明の容器の全体構造図、図２に内部熱媒移動管と外部熱媒移動管の接合部分周辺の拡大図を示す。
該容器では、容器シェル１を有し、該容器シェル１内に熱媒が通る銅管製の伝熱チューブ２が内部熱媒移動管として配設されている。伝熱チューブ２は、開口部を有する端部側がチューブシート３で固定され、折り返し部である他端部側がエンドプレート４で固定されている。前記チューブシート３とエンドプレート４との間に、粒あるいは粉状の水素吸蔵合金５が収容されており、前記伝熱チューブ２の外壁には多数のフィン６が固定されている。
【００１７】
シェルヘッド９には、熱媒流入管１７と熱媒流出管１８が外部熱媒移動管として外側から挿入されており、シェルヘッド９内で、該熱媒流入管１７の端部開口部１７ａが前記伝熱チューブ２の端部開口部２ａに外嵌され、熱媒流出管１８の端部開口部１８ｂが前記伝熱チューブ２の端部開口部２ｂに外嵌され、溶接やロウ接等により接続されている。
上記熱媒流入管１７と熱媒流出管１８は、伝熱チューブ２に比較して疲労強度が高く、熱伝導性の低い、ステンレス鋼やチタン合金により構成されている。
【００１８】
また、上記熱媒流入管１７と熱媒流出管１８は、図２に特に詳細に示すように、シェルヘッド９内において逆向きの９０度エルボが連なる屈曲形状の屈曲部１７０、１８０が付与されている。この屈曲形状部分は、シェルヘッド９の壁部と、チューブシート３の間にあって、非拘束の状態にあり、曲げ変形が可能な状態にある。
【００１９】
次に、上記水素吸蔵合金容器の作用について説明する。
熱媒は熱媒流入管１７を通って開口端部１７ａ、開口端部２ａから伝熱チューブ２に送られると、熱媒温度が水素吸蔵合金５の温度よりも高い場合は、熱媒の持つ熱が伝熱チューブ２を介して水素吸蔵合金５に伝わる。すると水素吸蔵合金５は温度上昇に伴い水素を放出する。また、熱媒温度が水素吸蔵合金５の温度よりも低い場合は、水素吸蔵合金５の持つ熱が伝熱チューブ２を介して熱媒に伝わる。すると水素吸蔵合金５は、温度降下に伴い水素を吸収する。
【００２０】
その他の動作例として、水素吸蔵合金５から水素が放出状態にある場合は吸熱反応となり、水素吸蔵合金５の温度が下がって、熱媒の持つ熱が伝熱チューブ２を介して水素吸蔵合金５に伝わり、熱媒の温度が下がる。また、水素吸蔵合金５へ水素が吸収される状態にある場合は放熱反応となり、水素吸蔵合金５の温度が上がって、その熱が伝熱チューブ２を介して熱媒に伝わり、熱媒温度が上がる。上記のように水素吸蔵合金容器は、熱を利用した水素の吸放出や水素の吸放出を利用した熱の移動に利用される。伝熱チューブ２を通った熱媒は、開口端部２ｂ、開口端部１８ｂから熱媒流出管１８へと送られる。
【００２１】
上記作用の際、熱媒流入管１７と熱媒流出管１８、伝熱チューブ２は熱媒によって加熱と冷却を受け、それに伴って膨張と収縮の寸法変化が起こる。そしてその寸法変化は、熱媒流入管１７と熱媒流出管１８に設けられた屈曲部１７０、１８０が変形屈曲部（図２では変形屈曲部１７０ａのみ図示）となるように変形することによって吸収される。特に、熱媒流入管１７と熱媒流出管１８とは、疲労強度の高い材質で構成されているので、上記変形を繰り返し受けても損傷を受けにくい。
さらに、熱媒流入管１７と熱媒流出管１８には、熱伝導性が低い材質を用いているので、熱媒からシェルヘッド９や容器シェル１に逃げる熱ロスが少なくなり、熱交換効率が向上する。
【００２２】
なお、上記実施形態では、外部熱媒移動管である熱媒流入管１７および熱媒流出管１８に、屈曲部１７０、１８０を設けた。本発明としては、内部熱媒移動管である伝熱チューブをストレートにして、外部熱媒移動管側に屈曲形状を付与する。
【００２３】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明の水素吸蔵合金容器によれば、素吸蔵合金と該合金間に配設された内部熱媒移動管とが収容され、前記合金間外で前記内部熱媒移動管の端部開口部と容器外部に伸長する外部熱媒移動管の端部開口部とが接続された水素吸蔵合金容器において、前記両端部開口部の接続部分周辺にあって、前記外部熱媒移動管に、非拘束状態で変形可能な逆向きのエルボが連なる屈曲形状が付与され、かつ、前記内部移動管がストレート形状で該外部熱媒移動管に接続されているので、熱媒の加熱と冷却による熱媒移動管の膨張と収縮の繰り返し寸法変化による熱媒移動管のつぶれ変形や部材破壊を回避できる。
【００２４】
また、上記屈曲形状を付与した外部熱媒移動管を疲労強度が高い材質で構成すれば、上記寸法変化による熱媒移動管の耐久性が一層向上する。さらに、上記外部熱媒移動管を熱伝導性の低い材質で構成すれば、熱媒からシェルヘッドや容器シェルに逃げる熱ロスが少なくなり、水素吸蔵合金容器としての熱効率が向上する。
また、構成部品数が少なく接合構造も簡単であるため、ロウ接や溶接等の接合作業が楽にでき、製造コストが安価にでき、また品質の安定性も向上するという効果が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の一実施形態の水素吸蔵合金容器を示す正面断面図である。
【図２】 同じく熱媒移動管の接合部分付近を示す拡大正面断面図である。
【図３】 従来の水素吸蔵合金容器を示す正面断面図である。
【図４】 同じく熱媒移動管の接合部分付近を示す拡大正面断面図である。
【図５】 熱媒移動管の接合部分を改良した従来の水素吸蔵合金容器の接合部分付近を示す拡大正面断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 容器シェル
２ 伝熱チューブ
２ａ 開口端部
５ 水素吸蔵合金
６ フィン
１７ 熱媒流入管
１７ａ 開口端部
１７０ 屈曲部
１８ 熱媒流出管
１８ｂ 開口端部
１８０ 屈曲部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy container in which a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated to transfer heat between a heat medium and the hydrogen storage alloy and to absorb and release hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A container that contains a hydrogen storage alloy and absorbs and releases hydrogen has a heat medium moving tube between which the heat medium moves arranged between the hydrogen storage alloy, and a high temperature heat medium and a low temperature heat medium in the heat medium moving tube. Are alternately used to heat and cool the hydrogen-occlusion alloy, so that it is used in hydrogen storage tanks, hydrogen purifiers, etc. utilizing the property of releasing and absorbing hydrogen. On the other hand, it is also used in heat pumps, refrigerators, etc. that take advantage of the property of absorbing and generating heat when hydrogen is released and absorbed, and transferring the heat to the heat medium flowing through the heat medium moving tube. .
[0003]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a conventional hydrogen storage alloy container.
The hydrogen storage alloy container has a container shell 1 as shown in FIG. 3, and a heat transfer tube 2 through which a heat medium passes is disposed as an internal heat medium moving pipe. The heat transfer tube 2 has an end portion side having an opening portion fixed by a tube sheet 3, and the other end portion side which is a folded portion is bundled and fixed by an end plate 4. In the container shell 1 between the tube sheet 3 and the end plate 4, granular or powdered hydrogen storage alloy 5 is accommodated. A large number of fins 6 are fixed to the outer wall of the heat transfer tube 2 in order to enhance the heat transfer between the tube 2 and the hydrogen storage alloy 5. Furthermore, the container shell 1 has a shell head 9 on the opening side of the heat transfer tube 2. The shell head 9 heats and cools the hydrogen storage alloy, and transfers heat from the alloy that absorbs heat and generates heat. A heat medium inflow pipe 7 for feeding a heat medium for carrying out to the container from the outside, and a heat medium outflow pipe 8 for discharging the heat medium from the container to the outside are inserted as external heat medium moving pipes, Within the shell head 9, the end opening 7 a of the heat medium inflow pipe 7 and the end opening 2 a of the heat transfer tube 2, the end opening 8 b of the heat medium outflow pipe 8 and the end of the heat transfer tube 2 The opening 2b is connected.
[0004]
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a connection portion between the heat medium inflow pipe 7 and the heat medium outflow pipe 8 and the heat transfer tube 2, and the opening ends 2 a and 2 b of the heat transfer tube 2 are the heat medium inflow pipe 7. The heat medium outlet pipe 8 is fitted so as to be inside the open ends 7a and 8b, and is fixed by welding, brazing or the like. Contrary to this figure, the opening end portions 7 a and 8 b of the heat medium inflow tube 7 and the heat medium outflow tube 8 may be fitted inside the opening ends 2 a and 2 b of the heat transfer tube 2.
FIG. 5 shows the inflow side of the heat medium in the connection structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-193996. The open end 7a of the heat medium inflow pipe 7 and the open end 2a of the heat transfer tube 2 are shown. A pipe 10 that is a cylindrical reinforcing material is inserted and fixed inside the connecting portion.
[0005]
Next, the operation of the hydrogen storage alloy container will be described. In FIG. 3, when the heat medium is sent to the heat transfer tube 2 through the heat medium inflow pipe 7, when the heat medium temperature is higher than the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy 5, the heat of the heat medium is the heat transfer tube 2. It is transmitted to the hydrogen storage alloy 5 via. Then, the hydrogen storage alloy 5 releases hydrogen as the temperature rises. When the heat medium temperature is lower than the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy 5, the heat of the hydrogen storage alloy 5 is transmitted to the heat medium via the heat transfer tube 2. Then, the hydrogen storage alloy 5 absorbs hydrogen with a temperature drop. On the other hand, when hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy 5, an endothermic reaction occurs, the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy 5 decreases, and the heat of the heating medium is transferred to the hydrogen storage alloy 5 through the heat transfer tube 2, The temperature of the medium decreases. Further, when hydrogen is absorbed by the hydrogen storage alloy 5, a heat dissipation reaction occurs, the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy 5 rises, and the heat is transferred to the heat medium via the heat transfer tube 2, so that the heat medium temperature is increased. Go up. At this time, the heat medium inflow pipe 7 and the heat medium outflow pipe 8 and the heat transfer tube 2 are heated and cooled by the heat medium, and accordingly, dimensional changes of expansion and contraction occur.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional container structure, when the heat medium inflow pipe 7, the heat medium outflow pipe 8, and the heat transfer tube 2 are heated and cooled by the heat medium, and the accompanying dimensional change of expansion and contraction occurs, FIG. As shown, stress concentrates on the portion 20 where the fin arrangement is interrupted, the base portions 21 and 22 of the joint portion, and the portion 23 where the cross-sectional change starts, and when distortion occurs and is repeated, the heat transfer tube 2 and heat In the medium inflow pipe 7 and the heat medium outflow pipe 8, the cross-sectional shape may be crushed and, in extreme cases, the member may be destroyed.
[0007]
Further, in the example of FIG. 5, the pipe 10 is disposed as a reinforcing material as described above in order to suppress the distortion. However, since the base portion 24 of the joint portion is surely formed in the end, the risk of deformation and destruction is completely eliminated. Avoidance is difficult. Moreover, in this example, since the joint part of the pipe 10, the heat-medium inflow pipe 7 / heat-medium outflow pipe 8, and the heat transfer tube 2 is provided in the back of the pipe, it is difficult to perform the joining work, and the cost is high and long. Problems such as work time and quality control are inevitable.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the conventional hydrogen storage alloy container as described above. By providing a structure for absorbing the thermal expansion / contraction of the heat transfer tube, the heating medium is heated and cooled. An object of the present invention is to make a hydrogen-absorbing alloy container with high thermal efficiency while avoiding crushing deformation and member destruction due to dimensional change of expansion and contraction of the tube.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the hydrogen storage alloy container of the present invention contains an element storage alloy and an internal heat transfer pipe arranged between the alloys, In the hydrogen storage alloy container in which the end opening of the internal heat transfer pipe and the end opening of the external heat transfer pipe extending to the outside of the container are connected to each other around the connection portion of the opening of both ends. The outer heat transfer pipe is provided with a bent shape in which reverse elbows that can be deformed in an unconstrained state are connected , and the inner transfer pipe is connected to the outer heat transfer pipe in a straight shape. It is characterized by that.
[0010]
Invention of the hydrogen storage alloy container of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, wherein said outer portion heat medium moving tube, wherein as compared with the internal heat medium moving tube, the fatigue strength having a higher material It is characterized by.
[0011]
The invention of the hydrogen storage alloy container of claim 3, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer portion heat medium moving tube, wherein as compared with the internal heat medium moving tube, low thermal conductivity It is made of a material.
[0012]
That is, according to the present invention, dimensional changes of the thermal expansion / contraction of the heat transfer tube is absorbed by bending deformation in bending piece shaped part of the situations that near-deformable unconstrained external heat medium moves tube The Thereby, crushing deformation and member destruction of the heat transfer tube and the heat transfer tube are avoided.
[0013]
The bent shape is around the connection portion. This is because the stress of expansion and contraction of the internal heat transfer pipe is most likely to be concentrated at the connection part of the openings, and in order to effectively eliminate this stress, it is bent as close as possible to the connection part. It is desirable to give shape. It should be noted that it is arbitrary how far this bent shape is imparted from the connecting portion, and the present invention is not particularly limited. However, it is limited to an unconstrained and deformable range. This range is usually limited to the vicinity of the connection.
[0014]
Deformable in an unconstrained state means that it is not in a directly constrained state where this is not possible so that bending deformation at the bent portion is possible.
The bent shape to be imparted is not particularly limited as long as it includes a bent portion, and all or a part of the deformation force of expansion and contraction of the internal heat transfer medium moving tube is bent and deformed at the bent shape portion. As long as it can be absorbed by
[0015]
Further, bent shape are found provided on the outer portion heat medium moving tubes, the use of the fatigue strength to the external heat medium moving tube material high collapse deformation of the heat transfer medium moving tube member breaking is more reliably prevented The Furthermore, the use of low thermal conductivity material in the external heat medium moving pipe, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of the hydrogen storage alloy container.
The above fatigue strength and thermal conductivity can be said to be high or low in relative comparison with the internal heat transfer pipe. As those satisfying the above characteristics, when the heat transfer tube is made of copper, stainless steel, titanium alloy and the like can be mentioned.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure similar to the conventional container. FIG. 1 is an overall structural view of a container according to the present invention, and FIG.
The container has a container shell 1, and a heat transfer tube 2 made of a copper tube through which the heat medium passes is disposed as an internal heat medium moving tube. In the heat transfer tube 2, the end side having the opening is fixed by the tube sheet 3, and the other end side which is the folded portion is fixed by the end plate 4. Granulated or powdered hydrogen storage alloy 5 is accommodated between the tube sheet 3 and the end plate 4, and a large number of fins 6 are fixed to the outer wall of the heat transfer tube 2.
[0017]
In the shell head 9, a heat medium inflow pipe 17 and a heat medium outflow pipe 18 are inserted from the outside as external heat medium moving pipes, and an end opening 17 a of the heat medium inflow pipe 17 is formed in the shell head 9. The end opening 2a of the heat transfer tube 2 is fitted over the end opening 2a, the end opening 18b of the heat transfer pipe 18 is fitted over the end opening 2b of the heat transfer tube 2, and welding or brazing is performed. It is connected.
The heat medium inflow pipe 17 and the heat medium outflow pipe 18 are made of stainless steel or titanium alloy having higher fatigue strength and lower thermal conductivity than the heat transfer tube 2.
[0018]
Further, the heat medium inflow pipe 17 and the heat medium outflow pipe 18 are provided with bent portions 170 and 180 having bent shapes in which 90-degree elbows in the opposite direction are connected in the shell head 9, as shown in detail in FIG. ing. This bent shape portion is between the wall portion of the shell head 9 and the tube sheet 3, is in an unconstrained state, and is in a state where bending deformation is possible.
[0019]
Next, the operation of the hydrogen storage alloy container will be described.
When the heating medium passes through the heating medium inflow pipe 17 and is sent from the opening end 17a and the opening end 2a to the heat transfer tube 2, the heating medium has a heating medium temperature higher than that of the hydrogen storage alloy 5. Heat is transferred to the hydrogen storage alloy 5 through the heat transfer tube 2. Then, the hydrogen storage alloy 5 releases hydrogen as the temperature rises. When the heat medium temperature is lower than the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy 5, the heat of the hydrogen storage alloy 5 is transmitted to the heat medium via the heat transfer tube 2. Then, the hydrogen storage alloy 5 absorbs hydrogen with a temperature drop.
[0020]
As another example of operation, when hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage alloy 5, an endothermic reaction occurs, the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy 5 decreases, and the heat of the heat transfer medium 2 passes through the heat transfer tube 2. The temperature of the heating medium decreases. Further, when hydrogen is absorbed by the hydrogen storage alloy 5, a heat dissipation reaction occurs, the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy 5 rises, and the heat is transferred to the heat medium via the heat transfer tube 2, so that the heat medium temperature is increased. Go up. As described above, the hydrogen storage alloy container is used for the absorption and release of hydrogen using heat and the movement of heat using the absorption and release of hydrogen. The heat medium that has passed through the heat transfer tube 2 is sent to the heat medium outlet pipe 18 from the opening end 2b and the opening end 18b.
[0021]
During the above operation, the heat medium inflow pipe 17, the heat medium outflow pipe 18, and the heat transfer tube 2 are heated and cooled by the heat medium, and the dimensional change of expansion and contraction occurs accordingly. The dimensional change is absorbed when the bent portions 170 and 180 provided in the heat medium inflow pipe 17 and the heat medium outflow pipe 18 are deformed so as to become deformed bent portions (only the deformed bent portion 170a is shown in FIG. 2). Is done. In particular, since the heat medium inflow pipe 17 and the heat medium outflow pipe 18 are made of a material having high fatigue strength, they are not easily damaged even if the deformation is repeated.
Furthermore, since the heat medium inflow pipe 17 and the heat medium outflow pipe 18 are made of a material having low heat conductivity, heat loss that escapes from the heat medium to the shell head 9 or the container shell 1 is reduced, and heat exchange efficiency is improved. improves.
[0022]
In the above embodiment, the bent portions 170 and 180 are provided in the heat medium inflow pipe 17 and the heat medium outflow pipe 18 which are external heat medium moving pipes . The present invention, the heat transfer tube is an internal heat medium moving tube and straight, to grant bent shape to the external heat medium moving pipe side.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the hydrogen storage alloy container of the present invention, the element storage alloy and the internal heat medium moving tube disposed between the alloys are accommodated, and the internal heat medium moving tube is disposed between the alloys . In a hydrogen storage alloy container in which an end opening and an end opening of an external heat medium moving tube extending outside the container are connected to each other, the external heat medium moving tube is located around a connecting portion of the both end openings. In addition, a bent shape in which reverse elbows that can be deformed in an unconstrained state are connected , and the internal moving pipe is connected to the external heat medium moving pipe in a straight shape, so that the heating medium is heated and cooled. It is possible to avoid crushing deformation and member destruction of the heat transfer tube due to repeated dimensional changes of expansion and contraction of the heat transfer tube.
[0024]
Further, by forming the external heat medium moving tube imparted on SL bent shape in fatigue strength material high durability of the heat medium moving pipe according to the dimensional change is further improved. Furthermore , if the external heat transfer pipe is made of a material having low heat conductivity, the heat loss that escapes from the heat transfer to the shell head or the container shell is reduced, and the thermal efficiency of the hydrogen storage alloy container is improved.
In addition, since the number of components is small and the joining structure is simple, joining operations such as brazing and welding can be facilitated, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and quality stability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a hydrogen storage alloy container according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged front sectional view showing the vicinity of a joining portion of the heat transfer pipe.
FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a conventional hydrogen storage alloy container.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged front sectional view showing the vicinity of a joining portion of the heat transfer pipe.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged front sectional view showing the vicinity of a joining portion of a conventional hydrogen storage alloy container in which a joining portion of a heat transfer pipe is improved.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container shell 2 Heat transfer tube 2a Open end 5 Hydrogen storage alloy 6 Fin 17 Heat medium inflow pipe 17a Open end 170 Bending part 18 Heat medium outflow pipe 18b Open end 180 Bending part

Claims (3)

水素吸蔵合金と該合金間に配設された内部熱媒移動管とが収容され、前記合金間外で前記内部熱媒移動管の端部開口部と容器外部に伸長する外部熱媒移動管の端部開口部とが接続された水素吸蔵合金容器において、前記両端部開口部の接続部分周辺にあって、前記外部熱媒移動管に、非拘束状態で変形可能な逆向きのエルボが連なる屈曲形状が付与され、かつ、前記内部移動管がストレート形状で該外部熱媒移動管に接続されていることを特徴とする水素吸蔵合金容器。A hydrogen storage alloy and an internal heat medium moving tube disposed between the alloys are accommodated, and an external heat medium moving tube extending between the end opening of the internal heat medium moving tube and the outside of the container between and outside the alloy . In the hydrogen storage alloy container connected to the end opening, a bent elbow in the vicinity of the connecting portion of the opening at both ends and a reverse elbow that can be deformed in an unconstrained state is connected to the external heat transfer pipe. A hydrogen storage alloy container characterized by having a shape and connecting the inner moving pipe to the outer heat medium moving pipe in a straight shape. 前記外部熱媒移動管は、前記内部熱媒移動管と比して、疲労強度が高い材質からなることを特徴とする請求項１記載の水素吸蔵合金容器。  2. The hydrogen storage alloy container according to claim 1, wherein the external heat transfer pipe is made of a material having higher fatigue strength than the internal heat transfer pipe. 前記外部熱媒移動管は、前記内部熱媒移動管と比して、熱伝導性が低い材質からなることを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載の水素吸蔵合金容器。  3. The hydrogen storage alloy container according to claim 1, wherein the external heat medium moving tube is made of a material having lower thermal conductivity than the internal heat medium moving tube.
JP2001145433A 2001-05-15 2001-05-15 Hydrogen storage alloy container Expired - Fee Related JP4435445B2 (en)

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