JP4819527B2 - Hydrogen compressor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen compression apparatus, and more particularly to a hydrogen compression apparatus for obtaining high purity hydrogen used in a fuel cell.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a hydrogen compression apparatus, two removal containers that contain a CO adsorbent are provided, and hydrogen gas compressed by a compressor is supplied to one removal container to remove CO, while the other removal container has A system in which regeneration is performed by supplying regeneration gas and releasing CO adsorbed on the adsorbent is known (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2005-256899 A JP 2001-102076 A

  By the way, in the conventional hydrogen compression apparatus, the adsorbent is regenerated in one removal container. In order to efficiently perform this regeneration, it is desirable to maintain the inside of the removal container at a high temperature.

  However, in order to obtain such a configuration in the conventional hydrogen compression apparatus, it is necessary to separately provide means for heating the regeneration gas, which makes the configuration complicated and expensive.

  Therefore, the present invention is a hydrogen compression that can effectively cool the hydrogen gas and effectively regenerate the adsorption gas to effectively regenerate the adsorbing member, despite the simple and inexpensive configuration. It is an object to provide an apparatus.

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a hydrogen compression apparatus, a compression means for compressing hydrogen gas, and a removal container, and the removal container contains hydrogen gas compressed by the compression means. with adsorbing member for adsorbing impurity gas is accommodated, is constituted by a pipe extending into the removal container, the heating unit in which a hydrogen compressed supplied by said compression means are provided, at least two removal means, wherein At least two compression means are provided, and hydrogen gas discharged from one of the compression means is supplied to the heating part of at least one of the removal means to dissipate heat, and then one of the remaining compression means. a heating line for flowing a One, reproduction line for supplying the regeneration gas into the removal container housed adsorption member removing means hydrogen gas is supplied to the heating portion from said compression means , And a switching means for switching the reproduction line and the heating line, the heating line, the flow channel opening and closing means for permission the supply of hydrogen gas to the heating portion of each of said removal means together comprise respectively, wherein A bypass path connecting the upstream part of the heating line upstream of the heating part and the downstream part of the heating line downstream of the heating part is provided, and another flow path opening / closing means is provided in the bypass path It is what.

With this configuration, the hydrogen gas that has been compressed by the compression unit and has reached a high temperature is transferred to the heating unit on the side of the removal unit to which the regeneration gas is supplied (that is, the removal unit on the side of regenerating the adsorption member). By supplying, the regeneration gas can be heated without providing a separate heating means, and the adsorption member of the removal means can be effectively regenerated. If it is not necessary to supply the hydrogen gas compressed by the compression means to the heating unit, the flow path opening / closing means is driven to open the bypass passage, and the hydrogen gas is supplied to the removal means via another (following) compression means. Or can be fed directly to the removal means. Thereby, for example, when one removing means is inspected, the supply of hydrogen gas can be stopped.

  A storage means for storing the hydrogen gas that has been compressed by the compression means and from which the impure gas has been removed by the removal means may be further provided.

  What is necessary is just to set it as the structure further provided with the cooling means which cools the hydrogen gas discharged from the said compression means. Since cooling is performed by dissipating the heat of the hydrogen gas in the heating section of the removing means, the cooling means is not always necessary, but when provided, the lack of cooling of the hydrogen gas can be appropriately compensated.

  The temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the hydrogen gas supplied from the compression means to the heating unit, and the flow path opening / closing means provided in the bypass path based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means are driven and controlled to flow. It is preferable to further comprise control means for opening and closing the path.

  With this configuration, the supply of hydrogen gas to the heating unit can be automatically stopped if the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is lower than a predetermined threshold value set in advance. In other words, the hydrogen gas can be supplied to the heating unit only when the temperature of the hydrogen gas rises to a value effective for heating the regeneration gas.

  At least one of the compression means may be any means as long as the hydrogen gas flowing out from the removal means is compressed and stored in the storage means.

  According to the present invention, the hydrogen gas compressed by the compression means is supplied to the removal means for supplying the regeneration gas. Therefore, the regeneration gas is heated without requiring a separate heating means, so that the adsorption member It becomes possible to perform the reproduction effectively.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a hydrogen compression apparatus according to this embodiment. This hydrogen compression apparatus compresses the supplied hydrogen by the compressor 1, cools it by the discharge cooler 2, removes impure gas other than hydrogen gas such as carbon monoxide by the removal apparatus 3, and then stores it in the storage container 4. Is configured to do.

  A total of four compressors (four stages) are provided, and three (first, second, third compressors 1a, 1b, 1c) are provided in the middle of the inflow path to the removal device 3 (one ( The fourth compressor 1d) is provided in the middle of the outflow path from the removal device 3 to the storage container 4 respectively. In order to increase the storage efficiency in the storage container 4, it is desired to pressurize hydrogen to about 70 MPa. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of compressors 1 (the number of stages) is set to four (four stages) that are considered necessary and sufficient for that purpose.

  The discharge cooler 2 includes three units (first, second, and third discharge coolers 2a, 2b, and 2c) provided on the discharge side of each compressor 1, respectively. Each discharge cooler 2 cools the passing hydrogen gas. That is, it plays a role of increasing the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent by cooling the hydrogen gas whose temperature has been increased by being compressed by the compressor 1.

The removal device 3 includes two removal containers 5 (first and second removal containers 5a and 5b). Each removal container 5a, 5b contains an adsorbent (not shown). When one of the removal containers 5 is used for removing or adsorbing impure gas such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide contained in hydrogen gas, the remaining other remove container 5 is released from the adsorbed gas adsorbed on the adsorbent. That is, it is used for reproduction. Each removal container 5 includes heating units 6a and 6b, respectively. The heating parts 6a and 6b are configured by pipes extending into the removal containers 5a and 5b, respectively . Also, as the adsorbent, especially it preferred to use a highly selective for carbon monoxide. Examples of the adsorbent having high selectivity for carbon monoxide include silica, alumina, activated carbon, and graphite.

  The storage container 4 is provided with valves V11 and V12 on the inlet side and outlet side pipes, respectively, and can be stored by filling the hydrogen compressed in a high pressure state inside.

  Each of the constituent members is connected by a plurality of pipes constituting the hydrogen supply line L1 and a plurality of pipes constituting the regeneration gas supply line L2.

  In the hydrogen supply line L1, the first compressor 1a and the second compressor 1b are connected in series by a pipe. A heating line L3 is provided between the outlet of the second compressor 1b and the inlet of the third compressor 1c. The supply side of the heating line L3 branches in the middle and is connected to the inlets of the heating units 6a and 6b of the removal containers 5a and 5b via valves V9 and V10, respectively. The recovery side (return side) of the heating line L3 extends from the outlets of the heating units 6a and 6b of the removal containers 5a and 5b, joins in the middle, and is connected to the inlet of the third compressor 1c. The discharge cooler 2b provided on the outlet side of the second compressor 1b is arranged not on the supply side of the heating line L3 but on the recovery side (return side). The piping extending from the outlet of the third compressor 1c branches in the middle, and is connected to the first communication portion of each removal container 5 via valves V1 and V3. Valves V5 and V7 are provided in the piping extending from the second communication portion of each removal container 5, and are joined on the way and connected to the inlet of the fourth compressor 1d.

  In the regeneration gas supply line L2, a pipe to which regeneration gas (for example, nitrogen and water vapor) is supplied is branched and connected to the second communication portion of each removal container 5 via valves V6 and V8. Moreover, it extends from the 1st communication part of each removal container 5 via valve | bulb V2, V4, merges in the middle, and is guide | induced to the transformation process.

  Next, the operation of the hydrogen compression apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  First, in the hydrogen supply line L1, the valves V1 and V5 are opened, and the valves V3 and V7 are closed. Further, in the regeneration gas supply line L2, the valves V8 and V4 are opened, and the valves V6 and V2 are closed. Further, in the heating line L3, the valve V10 is opened and the valve V9 is closed. Then, hydrogen gas is supplied to the hydrogen supply line L1, and regeneration gas is supplied to the regeneration gas supply line L2.

  In the hydrogen supply line L1, the supplied hydrogen gas is pressurized by the first compressor 1a, cooled by the discharge cooler 2a, and then flows into the second compressor 1b. And after further pressurizing with the 2nd compressor 1b and becoming high temperature again, it flows through the heating line L3. The high-temperature hydrogen gas flowing through the heating line L3 flows into the heating unit 6b of the second removal container 5b, dissipates heat, and is cooled by the discharge cooler 2b. Subsequently, it is heated by the third compressor 1c and cooled again by the discharge cooler 2c. The hydrogen gas cooled by the discharge cooler 2c flows into the first removal container 5a. In the 1st removal container 5a, since the hydrogen gas fully compressed by the 1st-3rd compressors 1a-1c and fully cooled by the discharge cooler 2 flows, the adsorption capacity by adsorption agent is fully improved. For this reason, impure gas such as carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas is appropriately removed. Then, by closing the valve V12 and opening the valve V11, the hydrogen gas from which the impure gas has been removed is filled in the storage container 4.

  On the other hand, in the regeneration gas supply line L2, the supplied regeneration gas flows into the second removal container 5b. In the 2nd removal container 5b, the inside is heated via the heating part 6b with the hot hydrogen gas which flows through the said heating line L3. For this reason, impure gas such as carbon monoxide adsorbed on the adsorbent is easily released from the adsorbent to the atmosphere in the second removal container 5b. Moreover, the impure gas is discharged from the second removal container 5b to the outside by the regeneration gas, and flows into the metamorphic process.

  In this way, the impure gas is removed from the hydrogen gas in the first removal container 5a, compressed and filled into the storage container 4, but the impure gas is sufficiently adsorbed by the adsorbent in the first removal container 5a, If the capacity decreases, the open / close positions of the valves V1 to V10 are switched to the reverse of those described above. That is, the valves V1, V4, V5, V8, and V10 are closed, and the valves V2, V3, V6, V7, and V9 are opened. Thus, the supplied hydrogen gas first flows through the heating section 6a of the first removal container 5a, and then flows through the second removal container 5b. Then, the removal of the impure gas from the supplied hydrogen gas is started by the adsorbent in the second removal container 5b regenerated as described above. Further, the supplied regeneration gas flows through the first removal container 5a and regenerates the adsorbent in the first removal container 5a in the same manner as described above.

  The valves V1 to V10 may be switched automatically by a control device (not shown). That is, the usage time is measured, and if the usage time reaches a preset time (set time), the flow path may be forcibly switched. As the set time, when the impurity gas is removed from the hydrogen gas in an experiment or the like, a time until the adsorption capacity of the impurity gas is reduced may be used. Of course, the total hydrogen gas amount passing through the removal container 5 may be calculated, and the switching time may be calculated based on the total hydrogen gas amount and the change in the adsorption capacity by the adsorbent.

<Other embodiments>
In the embodiment, the heating line L3 is provided between the second compressor 1b and the third compressor 1c. However, as shown in FIG. 2, a bypass path provided with a valve V13 may be provided. Good.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the hydrogen gas discharged from the second compressor 1b from being supplied to the heating unit 6 of the removal container 5 by closing the valves V9 and V10 and opening the valve V13. . For example, when one of the removal containers 5b is maintained, the supply of hydrogen gas to the heating unit 6b of the removal container 5b can be stopped. It can also be used when supplying hydrogen gas to both removal containers 5a and 5b.

  Moreover, when providing a bypass, it is preferable to provide the temperature detection sensor 7 for detecting the temperature of the hydrogen gas discharged from the second compressor 1b. Then, based on the temperature of the hydrogen gas detected by the temperature detection sensor 7, the control device 8 may drive and control the valve V13 provided in the bypass path to perform the opening / closing operation. Specifically, if the temperature (detected temperature) detected by the temperature detection sensor 7 is equal to or lower than a preset temperature (set temperature), the valves V9 and V10 may be closed and the valve V13 provided in the bypass path may be opened. . This prevents low-temperature hydrogen gas that cannot be used for heating the regeneration gas from flowing into the heating unit 6 of the removal container 5. That is, useless operation can be omitted.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the heating line L3 was provided in the discharge side (between the 2nd compressor 1b and the 3rd compressor 1c) of the 2nd compressor 1b, heating in the removal container 5 was performed, The position where the heating line L3 is provided can also be provided on the discharge side of another compressor 1. For example, it can be provided even on the discharge side of the fourth compressor 1d.

  In the embodiment, four compressors 1 are provided. However, when the storage pressure is not so high or the compression ratio in the compressor 1 is large, the number of the compressors 1 is reduced. In some cases, there may be only one.

  The number of removal containers 5 is not limited to two, and may be three or more. At least one of them may be used for removing impure gas, and the remaining adsorbed impure gas may be discharged and regenerated.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, switching of the said valves V1-V10 shall be automatically performed by the control apparatus which is not shown in figure, Furthermore, judgment whether the use time reached | attained in the preset time (set time), or removal. The switching is performed based on the calculation of the total amount of hydrogen gas passing through the container 5. The present invention is not limited to this. Impurity gas detection means is provided in the flow path after the removal container 5, for example, the flow path on the suction side of the fourth stage compressor 1d, and the impurity gas detected by the detection means is detected. The valves V1 to V10 may be switched when the amount exceeds a predetermined value. As the impure gas detection means, it is preferable to use a so-called semiconductor type gas sensor, particularly a so-called catalytic combustion type carbon monoxide gas sensor, when carbon monoxide is selectively detected.

  Moreover, what is called a reciprocating compressor is preferable for the compressor 1 as a compression means. However, as long as specifications such as a desired compression ratio are satisfied, another type of compressor, such as a screw compressor, may be employed.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the whole hydrogen compression apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows a part of hydrogen compression apparatus which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Compressor (compression means)
2 ... discharge cooler 3 ... removal device (removal means)
4. Storage container (storage means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Removal container 6 ... Heating part 7 ... Temperature detection sensor 8 ... Control apparatus

Claims (5)

Compression means for compressing hydrogen gas;
Comprising a removal container, the adsorption member for adsorbing impurity gas contained in the hydrogen gas wherein compressed in the compression means to the removal container is accommodated, is constituted by a pipe extending into the removal container, the said compression means At least two removal means provided with a heating section to which compressed hydrogen is supplied;
At least two compression means are provided, and after the hydrogen gas discharged from one of the compression means is supplied to the heating section of at least one of the removal means to dissipate heat, other compression means remaining A heating line flowing into one ,
A regeneration line for supplying regeneration gas into the removal container in which the adsorbing member of the removing means is supplied with hydrogen gas from the compression means to the heating unit;
Switching means for switching between the heating line and the regeneration line ,
The heating line is provided with flow path opening / closing means for permitting supply of hydrogen gas to the heating part of each of the removing means, and an upstream part of the heating line upstream of the heating part and downstream of the heating part. A bypass path connecting the downstream part of the heating line on the side,
2. A hydrogen compression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bypass passage is provided with other passage opening / closing means .   2. The hydrogen compression apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing hydrogen gas compressed by the compression means and from which impure gas has been removed by the removal means. Hydrogen compression apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cooling means for cooling the hydrogen gas discharged from the compression means. Temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of hydrogen gas supplied from the compression means to the heating unit;
Control means for driving and controlling the flow path opening / closing means provided in the bypass path based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means;
The hydrogen compression apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising: Wherein at least one of the compression means, the hydrogen compression according to any one of the four preceding claims 1, wherein the compressing the hydrogen gas flowing out of said removing means is intended to be stored in said storage means apparatus.

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