JPH11211268A - Container of heat harnessed system utilizing alloy for storing hydrogen and method of filling the container with hydrogen - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent inflammation of hydrogen inside during the welding by filling with hydrogen a container into which is sealed an alloy for storing hydrogen to restrict the leakage of hydrogen in the closing of an open hole. SOLUTION: A link part S5 of a cell S is provided with an open hole A for evacuation or the filling of hydrogen. An outer cylinder A1 outward is provided on the perimeter of the open hole A. The open hole A is closed by a lid B, which B is provided with an inner cylinder B1 overlapping the inside of the outer cylinder A1. After the filling of the hydrogen, the lid B is pressed into the open hole A to close the open hole A simply. After the cooling, the lap margin between the outer cylinder A1 and the inner cylinder B1 is welded, a process in which an internal pressure drops to eliminate the leakage of hydrogen before the welding. The outer cylinder A1 and the inner cylinder B1 are made of stainless steel with a large heat capacity and the heat during the welding is hard to transmit internally while a cooling is made during the welding to minimize the amount of hydrogen to fill the interior thereby preventing inflammation of hydrogen as caused by the heat of welding.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy which repeatedly absorbs and releases hydrogen and obtains cold heat by utilizing an endothermic effect generated when hydrogen is released, or a heat radiating effect generated when storing hydrogen. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a container for enclosing a hydrogen storage alloy in a heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy that obtains heat by using a hydrogen storage alloy, and a method for filling the container with hydrogen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy uses a plurality of containers filled with hydrogen, in which a hydrogen storage alloy is sealed. The technique of closing the opening hole by welding after filling the container with the hydrogen storage alloy therein with a vacuum and then filling the opening hole with hydrogen at a high pressure and then closing the opening hole has been known.

[0003]

When the opening hole of the container is closed by welding, there is a problem that high-pressure hydrogen in the container leaks from the opening hole, the ability of the hydrogen storage alloy to release and occlude hydrogen is reduced, and heat is utilized. There was a problem that the performance of the system was reduced. In addition, during the operation of closing the opening hole, there is a possibility that heat during welding may ignite hydrogen in the container.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to suppress hydrogen leakage when filling a container for enclosing a hydrogen storage alloy with hydrogen and closing an opening hole. An object of the present invention is to provide a container of a heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy capable of eliminating ignition of hydrogen inside, and a method of filling the container with hydrogen.

[0005]

The heat utilization system using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention employs the following technical means to achieve the above object. (Means of Claim 1) A container for enclosing a hydrogen storage alloy for use in a heat utilization system utilizing a hydrogen storage alloy utilizing heat absorption of the hydrogen storage alloy at the time of releasing hydrogen or heat release at the time of hydrogen storage of the hydrogen storage alloy. The container for enclosing the hydrogen storage alloy is provided with an opening hole for filling hydrogen with an outer cylinder directed outward of the container, and a lid including an inner cylinder that matches the inner diameter of the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder and the inner cylinder were formed of a material having a large heat capacity, and the lid was press-fitted into the opening hole, and the overlap of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder was joined by welding. It is characterized by the following.

(Means of Claim 2) Hydrogen to a container used in a heat utilization system utilizing a hydrogen storage alloy utilizing heat absorption during release of hydrogen of the hydrogen storage alloy or heat release during storage of hydrogen of the hydrogen storage alloy. In the filling method, a container for enclosing the hydrogen storage alloy is provided with an opening hole for filling hydrogen closed by a lid, and cooling the hydrogen storage alloy contained in the container to a temperature equal to or lower than the hydrogen storage alloy temperature. The opening hole is joined to the lid by welding in a state in which hydrogen is occluded in the hydrogen storage alloy to make the inside of the container equal to the atmospheric pressure.

[0007]

(Operation and Effect of Claim 1) After the lid is press-fitted into the opening hole, the overlap margin between the outer cylinder of the opening hole and the inner cylinder of the lid is welded, so that there is no leakage at the time of welding. .
For this reason, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the capacity of the hydrogen storage alloy to release and store hydrogen due to hydrogen leakage. The overlap margin at which welding is performed is away from the inside of the container to the outside and has a large heat capacity, so that high heat during welding is difficult to transfer to hydrogen in the container. For this reason, the hydrogen filling the container is not ignited, and the temperature rise of the hydrogen storage alloy sealed in the container can be suppressed.

(Operation and Effect of Claim 2) At the time of welding,
Hydrogen is occluded by the hydrogen storage alloy, and the inside of the container is at atmospheric pressure. Hydrogen does not leak from the container and air does not enter the container, preventing the hydrogen storage alloy from desorbing hydrogen and reducing the storage capacity. be able to. Since hydrogen is occluded by the hydrogen storage alloy and the amount of hydrogen filling the container is reduced, ignition of hydrogen is prevented.

[0009]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples and modifications. [Configuration of First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the heat utilization system using the hydrogen storage alloy of the present invention is applied to a cooling device for indoor air conditioning. 7
This will be described with reference to FIG.

(Schematic Description of Cooling Apparatus 1) The schematic configuration of the cooling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a heat pump cycle 2 using a hydrogen storage alloy was performed.
As an example, a two-stage cycle was used.

The cooling apparatus 1 to which the present embodiment is applied is roughly classified into a heat pump cycle 2 using a hydrogen storage alloy.
And a combustion device 3 for producing heated water (corresponding to a heating medium for heating, water in this embodiment) for heating the hydrogen storage alloy;
Facility water cooling means 4 for cooling the hydrogen storage alloy by cooling the facility water (corresponding to a heat medium for heat dissipation, water in this embodiment) for cooling the hydrogen storage alloy, and cooling by the heat absorption generated by the hydrogen releasing action of the hydrogen storage alloy. An indoor air conditioner 5 for air-conditioning the room with cold heat output water (corresponding to a heat medium for cold heat output, in this embodiment, water), and a control device 6 for controlling each mounted electric functional component. .

The heat pump cycle 2, the combustion device 3, the facility water cooling means 4 and the control device 6 are installed outdoors as an outdoor unit 7, and an indoor air conditioner 5 is disposed indoors. The cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called multi-air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor air conditioners 5 can be connected to one outdoor unit 7.

(Explanation of Heat Pump Cycle 2) The heat pump cycle 2 of this embodiment uses a two-stage cycle as described above. As shown in FIG. 5, an upper vessel S1 in which a hydrogen storage alloy is sealed is used. A middle vessel S2 which communicates with the upper vessel S1 through a hydrogen passage S4 and in which a hydrogen storage alloy is sealed, and a lower vessel which communicates with the middle vessel S2 via a hydrogen passage S4 and in which the hydrogen storage alloy is sealed. A plurality of cells S having S3 are used. In this embodiment, 12 to
Eighteen cells S were used.

The hydrogen storage alloy has different hydrogen equilibrium pressures.
A high-temperature hydrogen storage alloy having the highest hydrogen equilibrium temperature at the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure in the upper vessel S1
High-temperature alloy HM) powder is sealed in the middle vessel S2, and a medium-temperature hydrogen storage alloy (hereinafter, medium-temperature alloy MM) powder is sealed in the middle vessel S2. Low-temperature low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy (hereinafter, low-temperature alloy LM)
Is sealed. This will be described with reference to the PT refrigeration cycle diagram of FIG. 7. The characteristics of the hydrogen storage alloy are relatively high on the high temperature side (left side in the drawing) and high temperature alloy LM on the low temperature side. The middle temperature alloy MM is between the two.

One cell S is made of a metal having no hydrogen permeability, such as stainless steel or copper, and is connected to the upper, middle, and lower vessels S1, S2, S3 by a joining method such as vacuum brazing or welding.
Was formed in the middle of a flat container, a hydrogen-absorbing alloy was put in each container, and then each container was connected by a connecting portion S5 constituting a hydrogen passage S4, and then formed in a part of the cell S. After evacuating the interior from the opening A, an activation process is performed, hydrogen is filled at a high pressure, the opening A is covered with a lid B, and the opening A is sealed by welding.

This structure will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The opening A of the present embodiment is provided in the activation joint fitting G joined to the connecting portion S5. The activation joining metal fitting G is formed by cutting a stainless steel block having a large heat capacity by machining, and a cylindrical outer cylinder A1 facing outward by machining is provided outside the opening hole A.
Is provided. The lid B that closes the opening A is also formed by cutting out a stainless steel block having a large heat capacity, is provided with an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder A1, and is formed inside the outer cylinder A1. Tube B
1 is provided so that when the cover B is pressed into the opening A, the inside of the cell S is easily sealed. The overlap between the outer cylinder A1 and the inner cylinder B1 which is press-fitted and overlapped is joined by a welding technique such as laser welding or TIG welding, and the inside of the cell S is provided in a sealed state.

A method for filling hydrogen into the cell S will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 1A, the connecting portion S5 to which the activation bonding metal G is bonded is sandwiched between jigs J. The jig J is provided with a press-fitting piston J1 for press-fitting the lid B into the opening A.
The lid B is set inside the lid insertion passage J2 at the retracted position of the piston J1. The lid insertion passage J2 is provided with a communication passage J3 communicating with the opening A. When the lid is set in the lid insertion passage J2 (the retreat position of the piston J1; see the broken line position), the communication passage J3 is provided. Is in communication with the opening A. Reference numerals J4 and J5 in the figure denote O-rings for bringing the jig J into close contact with the activation joint G when the jig J sandwiches the activation joint G therebetween. next,
After the inside of the cell S is evacuated from the communication passage J3, an activation process is performed and hydrogen is filled at a high pressure. Next, the piston J1 is moved, and the lid B is pressed into the opening A. As a result, the inside of the cell S is simply sealed as described above. In this state, the cell S is cooled to cool the internal hydrogen storage alloy to a temperature equal to or lower than the hydrogen storage temperature of the high-temperature alloy HM (for example, 4 ° C. or lower). Then, the hydrogen filled in the cell S is stored in the hydrogen storage alloy, and the pressure in the cell S becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure.

In this state, the cell S is removed from the jig J, and the overlap between the outer cylinder A1 and the inner cylinder B1 is joined by a welding technique. The overlap between the outer cylinder A1 and the inner cylinder B1 is made of stainless steel having a large heat capacity, so that the heat of welding is difficult to be transferred to the inside, and the hydrogen filled in the cell S is occluded by the hydrogen storage alloy to fill the inside. Since the amount of generated hydrogen is reduced, ignition during welding is prevented. At the time of this welding, since the pressure in the cell S is the same as the atmospheric pressure, hydrogen does not leak from the cell S before welding is completed, and conversely, air does not enter the cell S. That is, it is possible to prevent a hydrogen leak or the like before the welding is completed after the jig J is removed, and it is possible to prevent a reduction in the hydrogen release and storage capacity of the hydrogen storage alloy.

Fins (not shown) are inserted into the upper, middle, and lower vessels S1, S2, and S3, and the opposed surfaces and the fins are joined by brazing to transfer heat from the hydrogen storage alloy to the vessels. Is increasing. In addition, since the fins are arranged over the opposing surface of the container and the fins and the opposing surface are joined, the fins are evacuated or hydrogen is charged at a high pressure to apply hydrogen to the hydrogen storage alloy sealed in each container. In addition, even if the pressure inside the vessel rises due to the high hydrogen equilibrium pressure during the cycle operation, the bonded fins keep the distance between the opposed surfaces of the vessel constant and suppress the deformation of the vessel.

The upper, middle, and lower containers S1, S2, S3 each having a flat shape are provided so as to be wound around the rotating shaft 8. Therefore, one surface of each container is curved in a convex shape, and the other opposing surface is curved in a concave shape. In this manner, by providing the facing surfaces of the containers in the same direction, the containers face each other under a low pressure at the time of evacuation, and at a high hydrogen equilibrium pressure at the time of hydrogen filling and high pressure during the cycle operation. A tensile stress and a compressive stress are applied to the surface, and from this result, the deformation of each container is suppressed to a small value.

In each of the plurality of cells S, each connecting portion S5 of the plurality of cells S is fixed around a rotary shaft 8 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The rotating shaft 8 is driven to rotate by cell moving means (not shown). The cell moving means rotates a plurality of cells S slowly and continuously by, for example, a motor (for example, in one hour). 20 laps).

Each of the upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2, S3 is
It is covered by a divider 9 as shown in FIG.
The divider 9 reduces heat dissipation loss of the heat medium by flowing the heat medium along each container, and rectifies the flow of the heat medium to increase the flow rate and increase the heat exchange efficiency, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency. And the cell S further includes a hydrogen driving section α → first cooling / heating section β → second section.
The purpose is to avoid the problem that the opposing surface of the container comes into contact with a different heat medium at the boundary moving to the cold heat output portion γ to increase the heat exchange efficiency.

The divider 9 covers the upper, middle and lower containers S1, S2 and S3, and is made of a resin material having excellent heat insulation. On the inner surface of the divider 9, a heat medium passage 9a for flowing the heat medium along the container is formed. The heat medium passage 9a is provided in a substantially groove shape and is provided shallowly in order to rectify the flow of the heat medium and increase the flow velocity. In addition, a supply / discharge port 9b for supplying the heat medium to the heat medium passage 9a and discharging the heat medium passing through the heat medium passage 9a is provided at the outer end and the upper portion on the center side of the divider 9. In this embodiment, the supply / discharge port 9b at the outer end is a supply port for supplying the heat medium to the heat medium passage 9a, and the supply / discharge port 9b on the center side is the heat medium passage 9a.
This is a discharge port for discharging the heat medium that has passed through a to the outside.

Heat pump cycle 2 of two-stage cycle
As shown in FIG. 5, a hydrogen driver α for forcibly moving the hydrogen in the upper vessel S1 into the lower vessel S3, and a first cooling device for moving the hydrogen in the lower vessel S3 to the middle vessel S2. An output section β, and a second cooling output section γ for moving the hydrogen moved into the middle vessel S2 to the upper vessel S1.
The hydrogen drive section α, the first cooling output section β, and the second cooling output section γ are provided at intervals of approximately 120 °, and are defined by the arrangement of concave portions M1 and M2 described later.

The hydrogen driving section α has a heating zone α 1 to which heated water (for example, about 80 ° C.) which comes into contact with the upper vessel S 1 is supplied.
Middle-stage pressurized region α2 to which pressurized water (for example, about 56 ° C.) contacting with middle container S2 is supplied, and lower-stage heat-dissipating region α3 to which facility water (for example, approximately 28 ° C.) to be contacted with lower container S3 is supplied.
Is provided. The first cooling / heat output section β is provided with an upper boosting region β1 to which pressurized water (for example, at about 58 ° C.) that comes into contact with the upper vessel S1, and a middle stage to be supplied with facility water (for example, at about 28 ° C.) that comes into contact with the middle vessel S2 A heat radiation region β2 and a lower cooling power output region β3 for outputting cooling water (for example, about 7 ° C.) in contact with the lower container S3 are provided. The second cooling output section γ outputs an upper radiating region γ1 to which radiating water (for example, about 28 ° C.) that comes into contact with the upper vessel S1 and a cold output water (for example, about 7 ° C.) that contacts the middle vessel S2. Equipped with a middle cooling power output area γ2. In the second cooling output section γ, the lower vessel S3
The temperature of the heat medium that comes into contact with is not questionable, and that portion is referred to as an unquestionable area γ3.

When the rotating shaft 8 is rotated by a cell moving means (not shown), the group of upper vessels S1 circulates from the heating zone α1, the upper pressure boosting zone β1, and the upper heat radiation area γ1. The group circulates in the middle step-up area α2 → middle heat radiation area β2 → middle cooling output area γ2,
The group of lower vessels S3 is lower heat radiation area α3 → lower heat output area β
3 → circulates in the unquestioned area γ3.

The group of upper vessels S1 is covered with an upper water tank K1 and has a heating zone α1, an upper boost zone β1, and an upper heat radiation zone γ.
1 is provided. The group of middle vessels S2 is covered with a middle water tank K2, and is provided with a middle pressure rising area α2, a middle heat radiation area β2, and a middle cooling power output area γ2. further,
The group of lower vessels S3 is covered by a lower water tank K3, and has a lower heat radiation area α3, a lower cooling / heat output area β3, and a non-interest area γ3.

Upper water tank K1, middle water tank K2, lower water tank K
3 is a water tank K (for example, a container made of resin) provided continuously and connected to the water tank K, as shown in FIG.
Sixteen heat medium pipes 10 for supplying and discharging the heat medium are connected to the upper, middle, and lower water tanks K1, K2, and K3. Specifically, six heating medium pipes 10 are connected to the upper water tank K1 for the heating zone α1, the upper boosting zone β1, and the upper heat dissipation zone γ1, and the middle water tank K2 is connected to the middle boosting zone α2 and the middle heat dissipation zone. β2
, 6 heat medium pipes 10 for the middle cooling power output area γ2
Are connected to the lower water tank K3, and four heat medium pipes 10 for a lower heat radiation area α3 and a lower cooling power output area β3 are connected.

The upper, middle, and lower water tanks K1, K2, and K3 include:
The heating medium supplied by the heating medium pipe 10 is supplied to the hydrogen driving unit α, the first cooling output unit β, the second cooling output unit γ,
A concave portion M1 is provided to lead to the supply / discharge port 9b at the outer end of the divider 9 in each lower region, and a concave portion M2 for collecting the heat medium discharged from the central supply / discharge port 9b is provided. , M2 depending on the arrangement and length.
The hydrogen driving unit α, the first cooling / cooling output unit β, and the second cooling / cooling output unit γ at 0 ° intervals are determined. The supply / drain port 9b provided in each divider 9 is provided with a water tank K having no concave portions M1, M2.
Rotating in contact with or close to the inner wall of the
The inner wall of the water tank K in which 2 is not provided serves as a partition between the hydrogen driving section α, the first cooling output section β, and the second cooling output section γ. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an example is shown in which the heat medium flows from the outer supply / discharge port 9b → the heat medium passage 9a → the center supply / discharge port 9b. You may shed.

(Explanation of Other Components in Heat Pump Cycle 2) Reference numeral 11 shown in FIG. 4 is a pressurized water circuit for circulating pressurized water in the upper pressure step region β1 and the middle pressure step region α2, and is provided in the middle. Pressurized water is circulated by the pressurized water circulation pump P1 '. Note that the pressurized water is supplied to the heating area α1
The temperature of the pressurized water in the upper pressurized region β1 is, for example, about 58 ° C. during the operation of the heat pump cycle 2, and the temperature of the pressurized water is about 58 ° C. The temperature of the pressurized water in the pressurized region α2 is, for example, about 56 ° C.

(Explanation of Combustion Apparatus 3) The combustion apparatus 3 of this embodiment uses a gas combustion apparatus that generates heat by burning gas as a fuel and heats heated water by the generated heat. A gas burner 12 for burning gas, a gas supply circuit 15 including a gas amount control valve 13 and a gas on-off valve 14 for supplying gas to the gas burner 12, a gas burner 12
It comprises a combustion fan 16 for supplying combustion air to the heat exchanger, a heat exchanger 17 for exchanging heat between gas combustion heat and heating water, and the like. Then, the heating water is heated to, for example, about 80 ° C. by the heat obtained by the gas combustion of the gas burner 12, and the heated heating water is supplied to the heating zone α1 via the heating water circulation path 18 provided with the heating water circulation pump P1. Is what you do. The heated water circulation pump P1 of this embodiment is the same as the pressurized water circulation pump P1 '
Is a tandem pump driven by a dual-purpose motor. Therefore, when the heating water is supplied from the combustion device 3 to the heat pump cycle 2, the pressurized water is also provided so as to circulate.

(Explanation of the indoor air conditioner 5)
As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 19 is provided inside the indoor heat exchanger 19, and the cold output water supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 19 and the indoor air are forcibly exchanged heat, and the air after the heat exchange Indoor fan 20 for blowing air into the room. The indoor heat exchanger 19 is connected to a cold output water circulation path 21 for circulating the cold output water supplied from the lower cooling output area β3 and the middle cooling output area γ2. (Inside) is provided with a chilled water output pump P2 for circulating chilled output water.

(Explanation of the facility water cooling means 4) The facility water cooling means 4 is a water cooling open type cooling tower, and the facility water cooled by the facility water cooling means 4 is a facility water circulation pump P
3, the lower heat radiation area α3,
The heat is supplied to the middle heat radiation area β2 and the upper heat radiation area γ1. The facility water cooling means 4 allows the facility water flowing through the lower heat radiation area α3, the middle heat radiation area β2, and the upper heat radiation area γ1 to flow downward from above,
While exchanging heat with the outside air during the flow to radiate heat, it also partially evaporates during the flow, deprives the radiating water flowing during evaporation of heat of vaporization, and cools the flowing radiating water. . The radiating water cooling means 4 includes a radiating fan (not shown), and is provided so as to promote evaporation and cooling of the radiating water by an air flow generated by the radiating fan. In this embodiment, a water-cooled open-type cooling tower is shown as the facility water cooling means 4. However, a water-cooled hermetic type or an air-cooled hermetic type in which facility water (heat medium for heat radiation) exchanges heat without contacting air. Cooling means may be used.

Here, the above-mentioned heated water circulation path 18, cold heat output water circulation path 21 and facility water circulation path 22 are provided with cisterns T1, T2 and T3, respectively, and the water levels in the cisterns T1, T2 and T3 are at predetermined water levels. When it falls below, the water supply valves T4, T5, T6 provided respectively.
Is opened to supply tap water supplied from the water supply pipe 23 into the cisterns T1, T2, and T3.
A drain pan P is provided at the lower part of the heat pump cycle 2.
Is disposed to drain the drain water generated in the heat pump cycle 2 from the drain pipe 24. The water overflowing from the facility water cooling means 4 is also drained from the drain pipe 24.

(Explanation of the control device 6) The control device 6 responds to an operation instruction from a controller (not shown) provided in the indoor air conditioner 5 or an input signal of each of a plurality of sensors to perform the above-described heating. Water circulating pump P1 (Pressurized water circulating pump P1 '), Cooling / heat output water pump P2, Facility water circulating pump P
3, electric function parts such as water supply valves T4, T5, T6, heat radiation fan of facility water cooling means 4, and electric function parts of combustion device 3 (combustion fan 16, gas amount control valve 13, gas on-off valve 14, not shown) In addition to controlling the ignition device, the operation instruction of the indoor fan 20 is given to the indoor air conditioner 5.

(Explanation of Cooling Operation) The cooling device 1 described above
The operation of the cooling operation according to the above will be described with reference to the PT refrigeration cycle diagram of FIG. When the cooling operation is instructed by the controller of the indoor air conditioner 5, the control device 6 controls the combustion device 3, the cell moving means, the radiating fan and the heated water circulating pump P1 (pressurized water circulating pump P1 '), the cooling water output water pump P2, and the radiating heat. When the water circulation pump P3 operates,
The indoor fan 20 of the indoor air conditioner 5 for which cooling is instructed is turned on.

The plurality of cells S are slowly and continuously rotated by the cell moving means. As a result, the plurality of cells S move in the order of the hydrogen drive unit α → the first cold output unit β → the second cold output unit γ. That is, each upper vessel S1 moves in the order of the heating zone α1, the upper pressure boosting area β1, and the upper heat radiation area γ1, and each middle vessel S2 moves in the middle pressure boosting area α2 → the middle heat radiation area β2.
→ Movement in the order of the middle cooling power output area γ2, and each lower vessel S3 moves in the order of the lower heat radiation area α3 → the lower cooling power output area β3 → the unrelated area γ3.

In the cell S that has entered the hydrogen drive unit α, the upper vessel S1 contacts heated water, the middle vessel S2 contacts pressurized water,
The lower container S3 comes into contact with the facility water. When the upper vessel S1 comes into contact with heated water (80 ° C.), the internal pressure of the upper vessel S1 increases, and the high-temperature alloy HM releases hydrogen. Middle container S2
Comes into contact with the pressurized water (56 ° C), the middle vessel S2
Is increased to a pressure at which the intermediate temperature alloy MM does not absorb hydrogen. When the lower vessel S3 comes into contact with facility water (28 ° C.), the internal pressure of the lower vessel S3 decreases, and the low-temperature alloy LM absorbs hydrogen.

As described above, the upper vessel S1 touches the heating water in the heating zone α1, the middle vessel S2 touches the pressurized water in the middle boosting area α2, and the lower vessel S3 touches the radiating water in the lower heat dissipation area α3. 80 ° C: 1.0MP in the upper vessel S1
a, the temperature in the middle vessel S2 is 56 ° C .: 1.0 MPa, the temperature in the lower vessel S3 is 28 ° C .: 0.9 MPa, the high-temperature alloy HM in the upper vessel S1 releases hydrogen (FIG. 7), and the lower vessel S
The low temperature alloy LM of No. 3 absorbs hydrogen (of FIG. 7). The middle vessel S2 is heated by the pressurized water and has a high internal pressure, and the middle temperature alloy MM does not occlude hydrogen. Then, the cell S that has passed through the hydrogen driving unit α moves to the first cooling / heating unit β.

In the cell S that has entered the first cold output section β, the upper vessel S1 contacts the pressurized water, the middle vessel S2 contacts the facility water, and the lower vessel S3 contacts the cold output water. Upper container S1
Comes into contact with the pressurized water (58 ° C), so that the upper vessel S1
Is increased to a pressure at which the high-temperature alloy HM does not absorb hydrogen. When the middle vessel S2 comes into contact with facility water (28 ° C.), the internal pressure of the middle vessel S2 decreases, the middle temperature alloy MM absorbs hydrogen, and the low temperature alloy LM of the lower vessel S3 releases hydrogen. Since the low-temperature alloy LM releases hydrogen, the lower vessel S
Endothermic occurs in 3 and the cold output water coming into contact with the lower vessel S3 is cooled to 7 ° C, for example, when the temperature is 13 ° C at the time of entering water. The low-temperature alloy LM has a cooling output water of about 13 ° C.
The inner pressure of the lower vessel S3 is provided to be higher than the inner pressure of the middle vessel S2.

As described above, the upper vessel S1 is placed in the upper pressure step-up region β.
1 touches the pressurized water, the middle vessel S2 touches the facility water in the middle heat radiation area β2, and the lower vessel S3 touches the cold output water in the lower cold output area β3, so that the inside of the upper vessel S1 is 58 ° C .:
0.5MPa, 28 ℃ in the middle container S2: 0.4MP
a, The temperature in the lower vessel S3 is 13 ° C .: 0.5 MPa, the low-temperature alloy LM in the lower vessel S3 releases hydrogen (FIG. 7), and the medium-temperature alloy MM in the middle vessel S2 absorbs hydrogen (FIG. 7). . When the low-temperature alloy LM in the lower vessel S3 releases hydrogen, heat is taken from the cold output water that contacts the lower vessel S3 by an endothermic action to lower the temperature of the cold output water. The upper vessel S1 is heated by pressurized water and has a high internal pressure, and the high-temperature alloy HM does not occlude hydrogen. And
The cell S that has passed through the first cooling output unit β moves to the second cooling output unit γ.

In the cell S that has entered the second cold output section γ, the upper vessel S1 contacts the facility water, the middle vessel S2 contacts the cold output water, and the lower vessel S3 contacts the unaffected water. Upper container S1
Comes into contact with facility water (28 ° C), causing the upper vessel S1
, The high temperature alloy HM absorbs hydrogen, and the medium temperature alloy MM in the middle vessel S2 releases hydrogen. Medium temperature alloy MM
Releases hydrogen, so that heat is absorbed in the middle vessel S2,
The cold output water that touches the middle vessel S2 is, for example, 13
° C is cooled to 7 ° C. In addition, medium temperature alloy MM
Is provided so that the internal pressure of the middle vessel S2 becomes higher than the internal pressure of the upper vessel S1 when the cold output water is about 13 ° C.

As described above, the upper vessel S1 is provided with the upper heat radiation area γ.
By contacting the facility water with 1, the inside of the upper container S1
° C: 0.1MPa, 13 ° C in the middle vessel S2: 0.2M
Pa, the interior of the lower container S3 is in the unquestioned state,
The middle temperature alloy MM releases hydrogen (FIG. 7), and the high temperature alloy HM of the upper vessel S1 stores hydrogen (FIG. 7). When the middle temperature alloy MM in the middle vessel S2 releases hydrogen, heat is taken from the cold output water that touches the middle vessel S2 by the endothermic action to lower the temperature of the cold output water. The temperature of the lower vessel S3 is irrelevant, and the low-temperature alloy LM of the lower vessel S3 does not occlude hydrogen. Then, the cell S that has passed through the second cooling output unit γ moves to the hydrogen driving unit α.

The low-temperature cold output water whose heat has been deprived in the lower-stage cold output region β3 and the middle-stage cold output region γ2 of the heat pump cycle 2 is passed through the cold output water circulation path 21 to the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor air conditioner 5. The heat is exchanged with the air blown into the room, and the room is cooled.

[Effects of the Embodiment] After the lid B is press-fitted into the opening A and the inside is simply sealed, the overlap margin between the outer cylinder A1 and the inner cylinder B1 of the lid B is welded to the opening A. No leakage during welding. In particular, since the jig J is removed after the pressure in the cell S becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure, welding of the overlap margin between the outer cylinder A1 and the inner cylinder B1 is performed after the lid B is pressed into the opening A. Until the operation, hydrogen does not leak from the cell S, and conversely, air does not enter the cell S, so that the ability of the hydrogen storage alloy to release and occlude hydrogen is prevented. The outer cylinder A1 and the inner cylinder B
Since the overlap with 1 is made of stainless steel with a large heat capacity, it is difficult for the heat of welding to be transmitted to the inside, and at the time of welding, the cell S is cooled and the hydrogen filled in the cell S is stored in the hydrogen storage alloy. The amount of hydrogen filling the inside has decreased. As described above, the heat of welding is hardly transmitted to the inside, and the amount of hydrogen filling the inside is small, so that ignition during welding is prevented.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of a cell S. In the first embodiment, the opening A and the outer cylinder A
1 is joined to the cell S with the activation connection fitting G formed therein,
Although an example in which the cell S is provided with the opening A with the outer cylinder A1 is shown, in this embodiment, the opening A is formed by burring.
Is provided with an outer cylinder A1 outside.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of a cell S. In this embodiment, the end of the connecting portion S5 is used as the opening hole A and the outer cylinder A1, and the evacuation, the activation process, and the hydrogen filling are performed, and the lid B is pressed in to overlap the outer cylinder A1 with the inner cylinder B1. It is the result of welding.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment in which the heat utilization system using the hydrogen storage alloy of the present invention is applied to a cooling and heating device will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling and heating apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Cooling and heating device 30 of the present embodiment
In addition to performing the cooling operation described in the above embodiment, during the heating operation, the heating water heated by the combustion device 3 is guided to the indoor heat exchanger 19 of the indoor air conditioner 5 to perform indoor heating.
The heating water circulation path 18 and the cooling / heating output water circulation path 21 shown in the first embodiment are connected, and three switching valves V1, V2, V3 (switching valves for cooling and heating) for switching the flow paths are provided at the connection portion. It is a thing. In addition to the indoor air conditioner 5,
It may be connected to a floor heating mat, a bathroom dryer, or the like, and provided so as to perform floor heating, bathroom heating, or the like by supplying heated water.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling device of a type in which a cell S is fixed, showing an embodiment. In the above example,
The example in which the type of the heat medium that touches each container is switched by rotating the plurality of cells S in the water tank K has been described.
In the embodiment, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) cells S are fixed, a rotary distributor 40 for switching and outputting a plurality of heat mediums by rotation, and a plurality of heat mediums distributed are collected again. The type of the heat medium is switched and supplied to the heat medium passage 9a (see FIG. 12) inside the divider 9 by the collector 41 returned to the heat medium source. As shown in FIG. 12, the upper, middle, and lower containers S1 of the third embodiment are different from each other.
, S2, S3 are covered by a divider 9, and the divider 9 is covered by a housing 42. A heat insulating material 43 is disposed between the divider 9 and the housing 42.

[Modification] In the above embodiment, the example in which the divider 9 is provided around each container has been described.
May not be used. As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 13, the upper, middle, and lower containers S1, S2, and S3 are arranged in a state of being wound around the rotation shaft 8, and
A gap of substantially the same width is provided between the upper, middle, and lower vessels S1, S2, S3 and the other adjacent upper, middle, and lower vessels S1, S2, S3 so that the heat medium flows through the gap. May be provided. Even if the divider 9 is abolished in this way, the water tank K
In addition to the effect of increasing the distribution density of the hydrogen storage alloy in the inside, the gap is the same width, so the flow of the heat medium flowing through the gap is rectified and the flow becomes faster, and the heat medium that exchanges heat with the hydrogen storage alloy And the heat exchange efficiency can be increased.

In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the plurality of cells S are continuously rotated by the cell moving means has been described. However, the cells S may be rotated intermittently. In the above embodiment, for ease of explanation, the upper container S1, the middle container S2, and the lower container S3 are shown as upper and lower parts in the drawing, but the upper and lower arrangement is changed or arranged horizontally. And so on. In such a case, of course, each heat medium supplied to each container is also replaced so that a heat pump cycle is established.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the heating medium (pressurized water in this embodiment) was used as the heating medium for pressurization, in which the temperature of the upper vessel S1 whose temperature was increased in the heating zone α1 was cooled to increase the temperature. Are heating means (for example, temperature rise by a combustion device,
A heat medium whose temperature has been increased by an electric heater, a temperature increase using exhaust heat, or the like may be used. In the above embodiment, an example in which a two-stage cycle is used as an example of the heat pump cycle 2 has been described. The above cycle may be used.

In the above embodiment, a multi air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor air conditioners 5 can be connected to one outdoor unit 7 has been described, but an air conditioner in which one indoor air conditioner 5 is connected to one outdoor unit 7 is shown. The present invention may be applied. In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the room is cooled by the heat medium for cooling output (cooling water in the embodiment) obtained by the heat pump cycle 2 is described. However, the refrigeration operation or the freezing operation is performed by the heating medium for cooling output. The present invention may be used as another cooling device. In the above embodiment, one heat pump unit (a unit in which a plurality of cells S are stored in one water tank K)
Although an example using the above is shown, the cooling capacity may be increased by mounting a plurality of heat pump units, and the heat pump unit may be used for a cooling device requiring a large cooling capacity such as a building air-conditioning system.

In the above embodiment, a gas combustion device for burning gas is used as a heating means for heating a heating heat medium (heating water in the embodiment). Other combustion devices may be used, heating means for heating the heating medium for heating by exhaust heat of the internal combustion engine, steam by a boiler, heating means using an electric heater,
Other heating means may be used. When utilizing the exhaust heat of the internal combustion engine, it can also be used for vehicles.

In the above embodiment, tap water is used as an example of each heat medium. However, another heat medium such as antifreeze or oil may be used, or a gas heat medium such as air may be used. good. In the above embodiment, the cooling device that obtains a cold output by an endothermic action when the hydrogen storage alloy releases hydrogen is described as an example, but a heating apparatus that obtains a thermal output by a heat dissipation action when the hydrogen storage alloy absorbs hydrogen is described. The present invention may be applied to a device (for example, a heating device).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a joint portion between an opening hole and a lid (first embodiment).

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a cell (first embodiment).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cell provided with a divider (first embodiment).

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling device (first embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a heat pump cycle (first embodiment).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heat pump unit (first embodiment).

FIG. 7 is a PT refrigeration cycle diagram (first embodiment).

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a joint portion between an opening hole and a lid (second embodiment).

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a joint portion between an opening hole and a lid (third embodiment).

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling / heating device (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling device (fifth embodiment).

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a housing (fifth embodiment).

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the inside of a container (modification).

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Opening hole B Lid A1 Outer cylinder B1 Inner cylinder HM High temperature alloy (hydrogen storage alloy) MM Medium temperature alloy (hydrogen storage alloy) LM Low temperature alloy (hydrogen storage alloy) S cell S1 Upper container S2 Middle container S3 Lower container

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A container for enclosing a hydrogen storage alloy for use in a heat utilization system utilizing a hydrogen storage alloy utilizing heat absorption when releasing hydrogen of the hydrogen storage alloy or heat release during hydrogen storage of the hydrogen storage alloy. The container for enclosing the hydrogen storage alloy is provided with an opening hole for filling hydrogen with an outer cylinder directed outward of the container, and is closed with a lid having an inner cylinder corresponding to the inner diameter of the outer cylinder. Wherein the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are formed of a material having a large heat capacity, the lid is press-fitted into the opening hole, and the overlap of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder is joined by welding. A container of a heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy, which is a feature. 2. A method for filling hydrogen into a container used in a heat utilization system utilizing a hydrogen storage alloy utilizing heat absorption when releasing hydrogen of the hydrogen storage alloy or heat release during hydrogen storage of the hydrogen storage alloy. The container for enclosing the hydrogen storage alloy is provided with an opening hole for filling hydrogen closed by a lid, and cooling the hydrogen storage alloy contained in the container to a temperature equal to or lower than the hydrogen storage alloy temperature to convert the hydrogen into hydrogen. Hydrogen filling the container of the heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy, wherein the opening is joined to the lid by welding in a state where the inside of the container is made equal to the atmospheric pressure by storing the container with the storage alloy. Method.