JP4528111B2 - Hydrogen storage tank - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage tank, and more particularly to a hydrogen storage tank in which a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in a tank body.

  In recent years, awareness of suppressing global warming has increased, and hydrogen vehicles using hydrogen as fuel, such as fuel cell electric vehicles and hydrogen engine vehicles, have been actively developed, particularly for the purpose of reducing carbon dioxide emitted from vehicles. As a hydrogen vehicle, a vehicle equipped with a hydrogen storage tank filled with hydrogen as a hydrogen supply source is generally used.

  As a method of storing and transporting hydrogen, a hydrogen storage alloy that stores hydrogen under certain temperature and pressure conditions to form a hydride, and releases hydrogen when necessary under different temperature and pressure conditions. The use of metals said to have attracted attention. And in the hydrogen storage tank using a hydrogen storage alloy, since hydrogen storage amount can be increased with the same volume, it attracts attention.

  By the way, the hydrogen storage alloy is generally used in a powder form. Further, the hydrogen storage alloy expands when storing hydrogen and contracts when releasing hydrogen. The hydrogen storage alloy is pulverized to a size of about several μm when hydrogen storage / release is repeated. Therefore, if the hydrogen storage alloy is used in a state where it is simply stored in the hydrogen storage tank, when the hydrogen gas is released (supplied) to the hydrogen consuming part such as a fuel cell, the pulverized hydrogen storage alloy moves along the flow path together with the hydrogen gas. Then, it adheres to the operating portion of the valve provided in the passage path, and adversely affects the operability of the valve. In a configuration in which a filter is provided at the outlet of the hydrogen storage tank so that the pulverized hydrogen storage alloy does not flow into the passage along with hydrogen, the filter is clogged in a short time by the pulverized hydrogen storage alloy.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pressure vessel having a configuration in which a storage case in which a large number of small holes that prevent passage of the hydrogen storage alloy is formed is provided in the pressure vessel, and a heat exchanger is stored in the storage case together with the powder of the hydrogen storage alloy (Hydrogen storage tank) is disclosed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In the case of this hydrogen storage tank, since the hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in the case, when hydrogen is released from the hydrogen storage tank, it is difficult for the hydrogen storage alloy powder to flow out into the passage along with the hydrogen. However, as the hydrogen storage alloy is pulverized, a part of the hydrogen storage alloy powder goes out of the case through a small hole and flows out from the hydrogen storage tank to the passage route along with the air flow during hydrogen release. To do.

  In order to eliminate the inconvenience of Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 6, a hydrogen storage unit 51 in which a hydrogen storage alloy MH and a heat exchanger 53a are housed in a hydrogen storage tank 51 and the outer periphery is covered with a filter 53b. 52, and a filter 54 that prevents passage of fine powder having a small diameter that has passed through the filter 53b at the outlet of the hydrogen storage tank 51 may be considered. In this configuration, when the hydrogen storage alloy MH is finely pulverized and part of the fine powder that has passed through the filter 53b is about to flow out of the outlet together with hydrogen gas when hydrogen is released, it is trapped (collected) by the filter 54. The

Further, a trap structure of a fine powder of hydrogen storage alloy that traps alloy powder contained in a hydrogen flow flowing out of an alloy enclosure containing a hydrogen storage alloy has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). As shown in FIG. 7, the trap structure of Patent Document 2 has a hydrogen outflow / inflow port 55a in the middle of a hydrogen circulation pipe 56 connected to a hydrogen outflow / inflow port 55a of an alloy enclosure 55 containing a hydrogen storage alloy MH. A branch pipe 56a is provided at a position facing the pipe, and an alloy powder recovery container 57 is connected to the branch pipe 56a. A check valve 58 that allows passage to the alloy powder recovery container 57 side is provided in the middle of the branch pipe 56a.
JP 2000-249425 A (paragraph [0016] of the specification, FIG. 3) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-73669 (claim for utility model registration, FIG. 3)

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the fine powder that has passed through the filter 53 b of the hydrogen storage unit 52 is trapped by the filter 54 and the filter 54 is clogged. At the time of hydrogen filling, hydrogen flows at a high speed so as to go through the filter 54 into the hydrogen storage tank 51, so that the fine powder clogged in the filter 54 is blown off, and the clogging of the filter 54 is temporarily eliminated. However, since the fine powder blown off accumulates in the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the hydrogen storage tank 51 and the outer peripheral surface of the filter 54, the fine powder accumulated in the hydrogen storage tank 51 increases with time. Since the fine powder accumulated in the hydrogen storage tank 51 tries to pass through the filter 54 again by riding on the hydrogen gas stream when hydrogen is released, the filter 54 is likely to be clogged.

  On the other hand, the trap structure of Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which an alloy powder recovery container 57 is provided in a branch pipe 56a branched from a hydrogen circulation pipe 56 connected to a hydrogen outflow / inflow port 55a of the alloy enclosure 55. . There is no guarantee that all the hydrogen storage alloy fine powder 59 flowing out of the alloy powder recovery container 57 on the hydrogen flow flowing out of the hydrogen outflow / inflow port 55a will flow into the alloy powder recovery container 57. Accordingly, a part of the hydrogen storage alloy fine powder 59 flowing out from the hydrogen outflow / inflow port 55a moves on the hydrogen flow toward the hydrogen consuming part and adheres to the operating part of the valve provided in the middle. Further, the configuration in which the trap structure is provided outside the hydrogen storage tank also has a problem that it cannot be applied to a hydrogen storage tank provided with an in-tank valve.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy fine powder from being discharged out of the tank body in the hydrogen storage tank containing the hydrogen storage alloy. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydrogen storage tank that can prevent clogging failure of a filter.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a hydrogen storage tank in which a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in a tank body. A hydrogen passage opening used when discharging the hydrogen filled in the tank body from the tank body and filling hydrogen into the tank body; and provided inside the tank body of the hydrogen passage opening. And a filter for preventing the fine powder of the hydrogen storage alloy from passing through, and a space provided around the filter on the side opposite to the hydrogen passage port. The space includes a fine powder recovery chamber provided so that hydrogen gas that has passed through the filter flows from the hydrogen passage port during hydrogen filling, and the fine powder recovery chamber passes at least when hydrogen filling starts. When the tank body is filled with hydrogen, the tank body is kept open, and at least when the hydrogen is released from the tank body, the recovery port is kept closed, and the hydrogen storage alloy fine powder is prevented from passing through. And a main body made of a filter member that allows passage of hydrogen. Here, “permitting the passage of hydrogen” means that hydrogen that has entered the fine powder recovery chamber from the recovery port can come out of the fine powder recovery chamber from a portion other than the recovery port. .

  In this invention, when the hydrogen gas in the tank main body flows out of the tank main body from the hydrogen passage port, the fine powder of the hydrogen storage alloy which is going to move with the hydrogen gas is trapped by the filter. The trapped fine powder is blown off from the filter by the hydrogen gas flowing into the tank body from the hydrogen passage port when filling with hydrogen. Then, it passes through the recovery port and enters the fine powder recovery chamber. During the hydrogen filling, hydrogen gas is held from the recovery port so as to enter the fine powder recovery chamber, and the fine powder is prevented from exiting from the recovery port. Since the recovery port is kept closed when hydrogen is released, the fine powder entering the fine powder recovery chamber is stored in the fine powder recovery chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent clogging failure of the filter for preventing the hydrogen storage alloy fine powder from being discharged out of the tank body.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the fine powder recovery chamber is communicated with a hydrogen storage alloy accommodating portion provided in the tank body. In this invention, the fine powder blown off from the filter during hydrogen filling and entered the fine powder recovery chamber can move to the hydrogen storage alloy accommodating portion, so that the fine powder overflows from the main portion even if the volume of the main portion is small. Can be prevented.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the recovery port is configured to be opened and closed by electromagnetic force. The recovery port needs to be kept open when filled with hydrogen. In this invention, since the recovery port is opened and closed by electromagnetic force, the recovery port can be held in the open state more reliably when hydrogen is charged, compared with the configuration in which the recovery port is held in the open state by the force of the hydrogen stream. Sometimes it can be reliably kept closed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the clogging defect of the filter for preventing that the hydrogen storage alloy fine powder is discharged | emitted out of a tank main body can be prevented in the hydrogen storage tank in which the hydrogen storage alloy was accommodated.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hydrogen storage tank, and FIG. 2 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the hydrogen storage tank showing the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen storage tank 11 has a hydrogen storage unit 13 built in a cylindrical tank body 12 (cylindrical in this embodiment). The tank body 12 includes an elongated hollow liner 14 and a fiber reinforced resin layer 15 that covers substantially the entire area of the outer surface of the liner 14. The liner 14 is made of an aluminum alloy, for example, and ensures the airtightness of the hydrogen storage tank 11. One end (base end, left end portion in FIG. 1) of the liner 14 is divided, and a substantially cylindrical main body portion 14a and a lid portion 17 covering the opening portion 16a on the base end side of the main body portion 14a are provided. I have. An opening 16 b for fixing the base 18 is provided on the other end (tip) side of the liner 14.

  In this embodiment, the fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is made of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced resin) using carbon fibers as reinforced fibers, and ensures the pressure resistance (mechanical strength) of the hydrogen storage tank 11. The fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is obtained by winding a carbon fiber bundle impregnated with a resin (for example, unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, etc.) around the liner 14 so as to have a helical winding layer and a hoop winding layer, and thermosetting the resin. Is formed by.

  The hydrogen storage unit 13 is assembled to the lid portion 17. The hydrogen storage unit 13 includes a heat exchanger 19, a substantially disc-shaped header portion 20 that is an attachment portion to the lid portion 17, and a filter portion 21 that covers the periphery of the heat exchanger 19. The heat exchanger 19 includes a heat medium pipe 19a bent in a substantially U shape through which the heat medium flows, and a large number of fins 19b for increasing the efficiency of heat exchange between the hydrogen storage alloy (MH). The end of the heat medium pipe 19a is fixed to the header part 20 by brazing, welding or the like.

  The heat medium pipe 19 a is fixed to the end plates 22, 23 while penetrating the disk-shaped end plates 22, 23, and the fins 19 b are provided between the end plates 22, 23. A hydrogen storage alloy powder (MH powder) 24 is filled between the fins 19 b and the end plates 22 and 23. The MH powder 24 is filled not in a tightly packed state but in a spatially spacious state. Only a part of the MH powder 24 is illustrated. And the filter part 21 is provided in the state which contacts the fin 19b and the surrounding surface of the end plates 22 and 23. FIG.

  The outer diameter of the filter unit 21 is set so that a space exists between the outer peripheral surface of the filter unit 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the liner 14. The hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported by the tank main body 12 via a support member 12a interposed between the inner surface of the tank main body 12 and the outer surface of the filter portion 21 in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction. Has been. The support member 12a is composed of a porous metal body having continuous pores.

  The lid portion 17 includes a convex portion 25 that is inserted into the opening portion 16 a and a flange portion 26 that has a larger diameter than the convex portion 25. The lid portion 17 is formed with a concave portion 25a that is formed on the end face side of the convex portion 25 and fits the header portion 20, and passages 17a and 17b that communicate with the concave portion 25a. Pipes communicating with a heat medium supply unit (not shown) are connected to the passages 17a and 17b, and a heat medium can be supplied to the heat medium pipe 19a from the heat medium supply unit. The passages 17a and 17b communicate with the end of the heat medium pipe 19a through flow paths (not shown) formed in the header portion 20, respectively.

  The base 18 fixed by screwing to the opening 16b on the front end side of the liner 14 includes a hydrogen passage port 27 used when releasing hydrogen from the tank main body 12 and filling hydrogen into the tank main body 12. ing. Inside the tank main body 12 of the hydrogen passage port 27, a filter 29 is provided which prevents the passage of the hydrogen storage alloy fine powder 28 generated by the pulverization of the MH powder 24 and passed through the filter portion 21 and allows hydrogen to pass therethrough. Yes. The filter 29 is made of sintered metal.

  In the tank body 12, a space portion S provided around the filter 29 on the side opposite to the hydrogen passage port 27 has a fine powder collection chamber at a position facing the end of the hydrogen passage port 27 with the filter 29 interposed therebetween. 30 is provided. The fine powder collection chamber 30 is integrally formed with a bottomed cylindrical (cylindrical in this embodiment) main body 31, a lid 32 fixed to the open side of the main body 31 and having an opening 32 a, and the lid 32. The support part 33 is provided. The support portion 33 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a plurality of holes 33a. The fine powder collection chamber 30 is fixed to the base 18 via the support portion 33 so that the opening 32 a faces the filter 29. The main body 31 is formed to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening 16b so that the fine powder 28 attached to the filter 29 and collected during the lifetime of the hydrogen storage tank 11 does not overflow.

  The main body 31 is formed of a filter member (sintered metal in this embodiment) that allows the passage of hydrogen and prevents the passage of the fine powder 28. The lid 32 and the support portion 33 are made of metal, and the lid 32 is fixed to the main body portion 31 by brazing or the like. The fine powder recovery chamber 30 is held open when hydrogen is charged into the tank body 12 from the hydrogen passage port 27 when hydrogen is charged, and the recovery port 34 is held closed when hydrogen is released from the tank body 12. It has.

  The recovery port 34 is provided on the opposite side of the surface on which the support portion 33 is provided with respect to the lid 32 so as to be rotatable between a closed position that covers the opening 32 a and an open position that opens inside the main body portion 31. The plate 34a is configured to be rotated and biased toward the closed position by a torsion spring (not shown), and is held in the closed position except during hydrogen filling.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the hydrogen storage tank 11 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. First, the liner 14 having the base 18 fixed to the opening 16 b is prepared, and the fine powder collection chamber 30 is fixed to the base 18. Further, the end of the heat medium pipe 19a of the hydrogen storage unit 13 including the heat medium pipe 19a, the end plates 22 and 23, and the fins 19b is fixed to the header part 20 by brazing or welding. Subsequently, with the sealing material interposed between the lid portion 17 and the header portion 20, the header portion 20 is fitted into the recess 25 a and the header portion 20 is attached to the lid portion 17 with the screw 35.

  After the hydrogen storage unit 13 is attached via the header portion 20, the lid portion 17 is fixed to the liner 14 with the screw 36 in a state where the hydrogen storage unit 13 is accommodated in the tank body 12, and a split liner is obtained. 14 is integrated. Then, the liner 14 is set in a filament winding apparatus (not shown), and a carbon fiber impregnated with a thermosetting resin is wound around the outer periphery of the liner 14 by a filament winding method, and then the thermosetting resin is cured. A fiber reinforced resin layer 15 is formed.

Next, the case where the operation of the hydrogen storage tank 11 configured as described above is used in an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell will be described as an example.
The hydrogen storage tank 11 is used in a horizontal position. Pipes (not shown) through which a heat medium (for example, an antifreeze liquid mainly composed of ethylene glycol or a long life coolant) supplied from the heat medium supply unit flows are connected to the passages 17a and 17b. As the heat medium, the heat medium used for cooling the fuel cell may be supplied to the heat medium pipe 19a. Further, a pipe 37 connected to the hydrogen electrode side of the fuel cell is connected to the hydrogen passage port 27 via a joint 38. A pipe (not shown) having a hydrogen filling port is branched in the middle of the pipe 37, and a direction switching valve (not shown) is provided at the pipe 37 and a branch portion of the pipe. Then, the direction switching valve is switched in response to the filling of hydrogen into the tank body 12 and the release of hydrogen from the tank body 12. The pipe 37 is provided with a valve (not shown). The tank body 12 is filled with hydrogen in a high-pressure state (for example, 25 MPa to 35 MPa) when fully filled.

  When the fuel cell is used, the direction switching valve is switched to the hydrogen release side, and the valve provided in the pipe 37 is held open. When hydrogen gas is used in the fuel cell, the hydrogen gas in the tank body 12 is discharged from the hydrogen storage tank 11 through the hydrogen passage 27 and supplied to the fuel cell. Until the pressure in the hydrogen storage tank 11 reaches the equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy, the hydrogen gas is not released from the MH powder 24, and the hydrogen gas not stored in the MH powder 24 in the tank body 12 flows into the hydrogen passage port. 27 is released. When the pressure in the hydrogen storage tank 11 falls below the equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy, hydrogen gas is released from the MH powder 24. Since the release of hydrogen is an endothermic reaction, if the heat necessary for the release of hydrogen is not supplied by the heat medium, the MH powder 24 consumes its own sensible heat and releases the hydrogen, so that the temperature decreases. When the temperature of the MH powder 24 decreases, the reaction rate of hydrogen release decreases. However, when the hydrogen is released, the heated heat medium flows through the passage 17a, the heat medium pipe 19a, and the passage 17b. This heat medium suppresses the temperature drop of the MH powder 24 through the heat medium pipe 19a and the fins 19b, thereby releasing hydrogen. The reaction proceeds smoothly.

  When the hydrogen storage tank 11 from which hydrogen has been released is filled again with hydrogen gas, that is, when the MH powder 24 occludes hydrogen gas, the direction switching valve is switched to the hydrogen filling side. Then, for example, a coupler of a dispenser of a hydrogen station (not shown) is connected to the hydrogen filling port, and hydrogen gas is supplied to the hydrogen storage tank 11 due to a pressure difference between the hydrogen curdle of the hydrogen station and the hydrogen storage tank 11.

  The hydrogen gas supplied into the hydrogen storage tank 11 reacts with the MH powder 24 to become a hydride and is stored in the MH powder 24. Since the occlusion reaction of hydrogen is an exothermic reaction, the occlusion reaction does not proceed smoothly unless the heat generated by the occlusion reaction of hydrogen is removed. However, when filling the hydrogen gas, the cooled heat medium flows through the passage 17a, the heat medium pipe 19a, and the passage 17b, and this heat medium causes the temperature of the MH powder 24 to rise through the heat medium pipe 19a and the fins 19b. It is suppressed and the occlusion of hydrogen gas is performed efficiently.

  The MH powder 24 has a size that does not pass through the filter unit 21 in the initial stage. However, when the MH powder 24 repeatedly expands and contracts with the occlusion / release of hydrogen, the MH powder 24 is gradually pulverized and a part of the MH powder 24 can pass through the filter unit 21. It becomes. A part of the fine powder 28 having a size capable of passing through the filter unit 21 passes through the filter unit 21 and accumulates in the gap between the hydrogen storage unit 13 and the tank body 12. Since the fine powder 28 is very small, when hydrogen is released (supplied) to the fuel cell, it rides on a hydrogen gas stream and passes through the hole 33a of the support portion 33 to exit from the hydrogen passage port 27. . However, since the filter 29 is provided inside the tank body 12 of the hydrogen passage port 27, the fine powder 28 is prevented from passing, and adheres to and accumulates on the filter 29 as shown in FIG.

  When the hydrogen storage tank 11 is filled with hydrogen, hydrogen gas passes through the filter 29 at a high speed because the difference between the pressure in the hydrogen curdle and the pressure in the tank body 12 is large at the beginning of filling. As shown in FIG. 2, the fine powder 28 adhered and deposited on the filter 29 is blown off, and the plate 34a held at the closed position is rotated to be in an open state. The fine powder 28 blown off enters the fine powder recovery chamber 30 from the opening 32a together with hydrogen gas. Since the fine powder collection chamber 30 is made of sintered metal, the hydrogen gas passes through the wall of the fine powder collection chamber 30 and exits into the tank body 12. On the other hand, the fine powder 28 cannot pass through the sintered metal wall and accumulates in the fine powder collection chamber 30.

  When the force of the hydrogen gas that passes through the filter 29 and acts on the plate 34a becomes weaker than the spring force that urges the plate 34a, the plate 34a is held in the closed position. Then, after the hydrogen filling is completed, the fine powder 28 collected in the fine powder collection chamber 30 cannot come out of the fine powder collection chamber 30 at the time of the next hydrogen release. Not enough to adversely affect hydrogen release. Therefore, unlike the case where the fine powder recovery chamber 30 does not exist, the filter 29 is prevented from being easily clogged with the fine powder 28.

This embodiment has the following effects.
(1) The hydrogen storage tank 11 in which the hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in the tank body 12 is used when discharging the hydrogen filled in the tank body 12 from the tank body 12 and filling the tank body 12 with hydrogen. A hydrogen passage port 27 to be used is provided, and a filter 29 for preventing the passage of the hydrogen storage alloy fine powder 28 is provided inside the tank body 12 of the hydrogen passage port 27. In the space S provided around the filter 29, a fine powder recovery chamber 30 is provided at a position that becomes a flow path for hydrogen gas that passes through the filter 29 from the hydrogen passage port 27 and flows into the tank body 12 when hydrogen is charged. It has been. The fine powder recovery chamber 30 has a wall that allows hydrogen to pass through, and is held in an open state at a position corresponding to the opening 32a when hydrogen is filled into the tank body 12 from the hydrogen passage port 27 during hydrogen filling. In addition, a recovery port 34 is provided that is kept closed when hydrogen is released from the tank body 12. Therefore, the pulverization of the MH powder 24 proceeds, and after passing through the filter portion 21 of the hydrogen storage unit 13, the fine powder 28 attached to the filter 29 in an attempt to move from the hydrogen passage port 27 to the outside of the tank body 12 together with the hydrogen gas is obtained. Then, it is blown off from the filter 29 and filled in the fine powder collecting chamber 30 when filling with hydrogen. As a result, the clogging failure of the filter 29 for preventing the hydrogen storage alloy fine powder 28 from being discharged out of the tank body 12 can be prevented.

  (2) The fine powder recovery chamber 30 is disposed at a position where the opening 32 a faces the end of the hydrogen passage port 27 with the filter 29 interposed therebetween. Therefore, the fine powder 28 blown off from the filter 29 at the time of hydrogen filling easily enters the fine powder collection chamber 30 together with the hydrogen gas.

  (3) The fine powder recovery chamber 30 is fixed to the base 18 via a cylindrical support portion 33. Accordingly, the support portion 33 functions as a guide portion that guides the hydrogen gas and the fine powder 28 to the opening 32 a, and the fine powder 28 is easily collected in the fine powder collection chamber 30.

  (4) The fine powder recovery chamber 30 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and is arranged so that the central axis substantially coincides with the central axis of the tank body 12. Therefore, when the hydrogen storage tank 11 is placed horizontally, the amount of fine powder 28 that can be stored without protruding into the opening 32a is the same regardless of the placement position of the tank, and when the hydrogen storage tank 11 is installed, Accurate positioning is not necessary.

  (5) Since the recovery port 34 is configured to urge the plate 34a rotatably supported to the closed position side by a torsion spring, the recovery port 34 is held at the closed position by its own weight in a state where it is not affected by hydrogen gas. Compared to the configuration, regardless of the arrangement state of the hydrogen storage tank 11, the closed state can be reliably maintained in a state where the action of hydrogen gas is not received.

  (6) The fine powder collection chamber 30 is formed in such a size that the fine powder 28 that adheres to the filter 29 and is collected during the lifetime of the hydrogen storage tank 11 does not overflow. 28 need not be removed.

  (7) An opening 16 a into which the hydrogen storage unit 13 can be inserted is provided in the liner 14 constituting the tank body 12, and the hydrogen storage unit 13 is integrally assembled to the lid portion 17. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the spinning process and heat treatment of the liner 14 in a state where the hydrogen storage unit 13 is fixed to the liner 14, and thus the process of the liner 14 is facilitated.

  (8) The hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported by a support member 12 a interposed between the inner surface of the tank main body 12 and the outer surface of the filter portion 21 at the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, as compared with the configuration in which the hydrogen storage unit 13 is supported by the tank body 12 in a cantilever state, when the hydrogen storage tank 11 is vibrated, the hydrogen storage unit 13 is less likely to vibrate, and the fine powder 28 is filtered. It is suppressed from going out from the part 21.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the fine powder recovery chamber that collects the fine powder 28 that is attached to the filter 29 and blown off from the filter 29 during hydrogen filling, and the other configurations are the same. It is. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fine powder collection chamber 40 of this embodiment is greatly different from the first embodiment in that it is communicated with a hydrogen storage alloy accommodating portion provided in the tank body 12. In this embodiment, the hydrogen storage unit 13 constitutes a hydrogen storage alloy accommodating portion. A hole 23 a is formed in the end plate 23 at a position corresponding to the center of the hydrogen storage unit 13, that is, a position facing the filter 29. The MH powder 24 is not filled between the end plate 23 and the fins 19b adjacent to the end plate 23.

  In the fine powder recovery chamber 40, a lid 32 having a recovery port 34 is fixed to one end of a cylindrical main body 41 formed of sintered metal. The main body 41 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the opening 16 b and slightly smaller than the hole 23 a of the end plate 23. And the fine powder collection | recovery chamber 40 is arrange | positioned in the space part S in the state in which the other end of the main-body part 41 was loosely inserted in the hole 23a.

  When the hydrogen storage tank 11 is manufactured, filament winding is performed in a state in which the base 18 and the fine powder collection chamber 40 are not assembled to the liner 14 and the hydrogen storage unit 13 is assembled to the liner 14, and fiber reinforced resin Layer 15 is formed. After the burrs and the like are removed, the base 18 to which the filter 29 and the fine powder collection chamber 40 are fixed is fixed to the opening 16b with the other end of the main body 41 being loosely inserted into the hole 23a.

  In this embodiment, the action when hydrogen gas is released is the same as that in the first embodiment. On the other hand, at the time of hydrogen filling, after the fine powder 28 adhering to the filter 29 at the time of hydrogen release is blown off by hydrogen gas, a part of the fine powder 28 moves into the hydrogen storage unit 13 through the hole 23a, It is stored between 19b and the end plate 23. In this embodiment, in addition to the main body 41, the space between the end plate 23 and the fins 19 b also serves as a collection unit for the fine powder 28.

The second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the effects (1) to (5), (7), and (8) of the first embodiment.
(9) Since the fine powder 28 blown off from the filter 29 and entering the main body portion 41 of the fine powder collection chamber 40 during hydrogen filling can move to the hydrogen storage alloy housing portion, the volume (diameter) of the main body portion 41 is small. However, it is possible to prevent the fine powder 28 from overflowing from the recovery unit.

  (10) Since the outer diameter of the main body 41, which is the maximum outer diameter of the fine powder collection chamber 40, is smaller than the diameter of the opening 16b, the fine powder collection chamber 40 is fixed to the base 18, and then the base 18 is fixed to the liner 14. can do. Therefore, the fine powder collection chamber 40 can be easily assembled as compared with the first embodiment in which the fine powder collection chamber 30 is fixed to the die 18 from the opening 16a side after the die 18 is fixed to the opening 16b. .

The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be embodied as follows, for example.
The hydrogen storage tank 11 is not limited to the configuration including the hydrogen storage unit 13 in which the MH powder 24 is incorporated, and may be any configuration as long as the hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in a state where the space S is provided around the filter 29. . For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a filter 42 that prevents passage of the MH powder 24 is provided near the base 18 of the hydrogen storage tank 11, and a space S is defined around the filter 29, and the space 42 is sandwiched between the filters 42. The MH powder 24 may be filled on the opposite side of S. A fine powder recovery chamber 30 having a bottomed cylindrical main body 31 is fixed to the base 18. The outer diameter of the main body 31 may be smaller than the diameter of the opening 16b as shown in FIG. 4, or may be larger than the diameter of the opening 16b as in the first embodiment. If the outer diameter of the main body 31 is small, it will be compared with the amount of fine powder 28 that adheres to the filter 29 and is blown off at the time of hydrogen filling and collected in the main body 31 during the lifetime of the hydrogen storage tank 11. The storage volume may be insufficient. However, since the fine powder collection chamber 30 is removed together with the base 18 and the fine powder 28 in the main body 31 is removed, the fine powder 28 collected in the fine powder collection chamber 30 can be assembled to the opening 16b again. Can be prevented from overflowing.

  The recovery port 34 may be configured to be held at the closed position by its own weight by omitting the torsion spring instead of the configuration in which the plate 34a is held at the closed position by the torsion spring at times other than hydrogen filling. However, when this configuration is adopted, when the hydrogen storage tank 11 is used, it is necessary to install the hydrogen storage tank 11 so that the rotation axis of the plate 34a extends substantially horizontally on the upper side. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a mark on the hydrogen storage tank 11 so that it is correctly installed. In this case, since the torsion spring is unnecessary, the configuration of the recovery port 34 is simplified.

  ○ The recovery port 34 is configured to be driven by electromagnetic force instead of the configuration in which the plate 34a is held in a closed position by a torsion spring and is held in the open position by the action of hydrogen gas when it is not filled with hydrogen. Also good. For example, the plate 34a is rotated by a rotary solenoid. The rotary solenoid is attached to the outside of the main body portions 31 and 41 of the fine powder collection chambers 30 and 40, and the plate 34a is fixed to the rotation shaft thereof. In this configuration, since the recovery port 34 is driven by electromagnetic force and rotated between the open position and the closed position, the hydrogen filling is performed as compared with the configuration in which the recovery port 34 is held in the open state by the force of the hydrogen air flow. Sometimes it can be reliably held open. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fine powder 28 blown off from the filter 29 from coming out of the fine powder collecting chambers 30 and 40 from the hole 33a after the collection port 34 is delayed. Moreover, it can be reliably kept closed when hydrogen is released. Incidentally, the wiring of the rotary solenoid is led out of the hydrogen storage tank 11 through the base 18, for example.

○ A solenoid valve may be used as a recovery port configured to be driven by electromagnetic force.
The recovery port 34 is configured to be kept open when hydrogen is filled into the tank body 12 from the hydrogen passage port 27 at least at the start of hydrogen filling, and closed when at least hydrogen is discharged from the tank body. I just need it. For example, when neither hydrogen is charged nor released, it may be open or closed. The fine powder 28 adhering to the filter 29 is mostly blown off at the start of hydrogen filling, so that an effect can be obtained if it is in an open state at the start of filling.

  The plate 34a may be forcibly opened and closed from the outside of the tank body 12. For example, the entire tank body 12 is made of metal, and the end portion of the drive shaft penetrating the tank body 12 is fixed to the shaft portion of the plate 34 a protruding outside the body portions 31 and 41. In order to implement this configuration, after the base 18 to which the fine powder collection chambers 30 and 40 are fixed is fixed to the liner 14, the drive shaft is inserted through the hole formed in the tank main body 12, The end portion of the drive shaft that protrudes to the plate 34a is brazed to the shaft portion of the plate 34a and fixed by welding or the like. A seal member is provided between the hole and the drive shaft. And the part which protruded outside the tank main body 12 of the drive shaft is rotated, and the plate 34a is rotated to an open position and a closed position.

The support part 33 of the fine powder collection chambers 30 and 40 is not limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, a plate shape or a rod shape may be used. In the case of a plate shape or a rod shape, it is not necessary to form the hole 33a.
The fine powder collection chambers 30 and 40 may be fixed to the liner 14, fixed to the end plate 23, or fixed to the filter 42 instead of being fixed to the base 18. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), one end side of the support portion 43 formed of a plate material is fixed to the bottom portion of the bottomed cylindrical main body portion 31, and the other end side of the support portion 43 is attached to the end plate 23. Fix it. The lid 32 is integrally formed with a guide tube 44 as a guide portion having a hole 44 a instead of the support portion 33, and the fine powder collection chamber 30 is provided in a state where the end of the guide tube 44 is in contact with the filter 29. .

  The fine powder recovery chamber only needs to be provided in the space portion S at a position that serves as a flow path for hydrogen gas that passes through the filter 29 from the hydrogen passage port 27 and flows into the tank body 12 during hydrogen filling. The configuration is not limited to the configuration in which 32a is disposed at a position facing the end of the hydrogen passage port 27 with the filter 29 interposed therebetween. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the fine powder collection chamber 30 may be provided with the opening 32a facing upward. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the intermediate portion of the cylindrical support portion 33 is formed to be curved, and the hole 33 a is formed in a portion extending in the vertical direction of the support portion 33. In the configuration in which the opening 32 a is arranged so as not to face the end of the hydrogen passage port 27, a guide portion for guiding the fine powder 28 blown off from the filter 29 to the opening 32 a is necessary. In this embodiment, the support part 33 plays the role of a guide part. In this case, even if the volume of the main body 31 is the same, the volume of the portion that can accommodate the fine powder 28 is increased. The collection port 34 is preferably driven by an electromagnetic force into an open state and a closed state.

The outer shape of the main body portions 31 and 41 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a polygonal cylindrical shape or a box shape.
○ The base 18 is not limited to a configuration in which the hydrogen passage port 27 is simply formed, and a regulator (pressure reducing valve), an on / off valve, a check valve, a safety valve, etc. are incorporated in the base 18. You may use what is called an in-tank valve. In this case, the number of valves provided in the middle of the pipe 37 connected to the base 18 can be reduced, and the degree of freedom of the arrangement position of the pipe is increased.

O The pressure of the hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen storage tank 11 is not limited to 25 MPa to 35 MPa, and may be less than 25 MPa or greater than 35 MPa.
The heat exchanger 19 only needs to have a heat medium pipe 19a through which the heat medium flows, and the fins 19b may have a shape other than a disk shape. Further, the fin 19b may not be provided.

  The heat medium pipe 19a is not limited to the configuration bent in a U shape. For example, the heat medium pipe 19 a is bent so that the heat medium reciprocates a plurality of times along the longitudinal direction of the tank body 12, or a pair of straight pipes with one end (base end) fixed to the header portion 20. The other end (tip) may be connected by a block material having a flow path.

The hydrogen storage unit 13 is not limited to the configuration in which the hydrogen storage unit 13 is fixed to the lid portion 17 via the header portion 20, but may have a configuration in which the end of the heat medium pipe 19 a is fixed to the lid portion 17.
The number of the heat medium pipes 19a included in the hydrogen storage unit 13 is not limited to one, and may be a plurality (for example, two, three, four or more), and the number is not particularly limited.

O It is good also as a structure which supports only the base end side, without supporting the front end side or middle of the hydrogen storage unit 13 with the support member 12a.
The hydrogen storage tank 11 may have a configuration that does not include the heat exchanger 19. However, the configuration with a built-in heat exchanger can smoothly heat the hydrogen storage alloy when releasing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy and cool the hydrogen storage alloy when storing hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy. it can.

  The liner 14 is not limited to a split type having the lid portion 17. For example, after the hydrogen storage unit 13 is assembled to one end of the liner 14, the other end side of the liner 14 may be narrowed by spinning.

  The hydrogen storage tank 11 is not limited to the one used as a hydrogen source for an electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell, and may be applied to, for example, a hydrogen source for a hydrogen engine or a heat pump. Moreover, you may use as a hydrogen source of the fuel cell of a household power supply.

  The reinforcing fiber of the fiber reinforced resin is not limited to the carbon fiber, and other fibers generally called high elasticity and high strength such as glass fiber, silicon carbide ceramic fiber, and aramid fiber may be used as the reinforcing fiber.

  The material of the liner 14 is not limited to an aluminum alloy, but may be a metal having a specific gravity similar to that of aluminum that can ensure airtightness, or a synthetic resin such as polyamide or high-density polyethylene.

  The tank body 12 of the hydrogen storage tank 11 is not limited to the multilayer structure of the liner 14 and the fiber reinforced resin layer 15, and the whole may be made of metal. However, the configuration in which the outer side of the liner 14 is covered with the fiber reinforced resin can reduce the weight.

The following technical idea (invention) can be understood from the embodiment.
(1) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the fine powder recovery chamber is provided at a position facing an end of the hydrogen passage port with the filter interposed therebetween.

  (2) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the technical idea (1), the fine powder recovery chamber is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the center of the tank body. It arrange | positions so that it may correspond with an axis | shaft substantially.

  (3) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the technical ideas (1) and (2), the fine powder recovery chamber is detachably fixed to the tank body. And is formed so as to be removable from the tank body together with the base.

  (4) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the technical ideas (1) to (3), the fine powder recovery chamber has an opening that is opened and closed by the recovery port. A guide portion that is disposed at a position away from the filter and guides the fine powder blown from the filter to the opening is provided between the filter and the opening.

The schematic cross section of the hydrogen storage tank in a 1st embodiment. The partial schematic cross section of the hydrogen storage tank which shows an effect | action. The partial schematic cross section of the hydrogen storage tank in 2nd Embodiment. The partial schematic cross section of the hydrogen storage tank in another embodiment. (A) is a partial schematic cross section of the hydrogen storage tank in another embodiment, (b) is a partial schematic cross section of the hydrogen storage tank in another embodiment. The partial schematic cross section of the hydrogen storage tank of a prior art. The fine powder trap structure of the hydrogen storage alloy in another prior art.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS S ... Space part, 11 ... Hydrogen storage tank, 12 ... Tank main body, 13 ... Unit for hydrogen storage as a hydrogen storage alloy accommodating part, 24 ... MH powder as a hydrogen storage alloy, 27 ... Hydrogen passage port, 28 ... Fine powder , 29, 42 ... filter, 30, 40 ... fine powder collection chamber, 31, 41 ... main body, 34 ... collection port.

Claims (3)

A hydrogen storage tank in which a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in the tank body,
A hydrogen passage port used when discharging hydrogen filled in the tank body from the tank body and filling hydrogen into the tank body;
A filter that is provided inside the tank main body of the hydrogen passage port and prevents passage of fine powder of the hydrogen storage alloy;
A space provided around the opposite side of the filter to the hydrogen passage port;
A fine powder recovery chamber provided in the space portion so that hydrogen gas that has passed through the filter flows from the hydrogen passage port during hydrogen filling;
The fine powder collection chamber is held open when hydrogen is filled into the tank body from the hydrogen passage port at least at the start of hydrogen filling, and is kept closed at least when hydrogen is discharged from the tank body. A hydrogen storage tank comprising a mouth and a main body portion comprising a filter member that prevents passage of fine powder of the hydrogen storage alloy and allows passage of hydrogen.   2. The hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the fine powder recovery chamber is communicated with a hydrogen storage alloy accommodating portion provided in the tank body.   The hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the recovery port is configured to be capable of being opened and closed by electromagnetic force.

Images