JPS62278101A - Reactor for hydrogen-occlusion alloy - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the titled reactor utilizable as an efficient heat-exchanger, a fuel supplying tank, etc., by introducing hydrogen gas into a reaction tube, passing the gas through a filter and occluding in an occlusion alloy filled in a hydrogen supplying tube. CONSTITUTION:A reaction tube 1 is composed of end members 1a, a cylinder member 1b and a joint member 1c. A unit 2 contains a pair of filters 2a at both ends of the tube 1 and a hydrogen occlusion alloy 2b held between the filters 2a. Heat-conductive partition walls 2c are arranged in the hydrogen occlusion alloy 2b. In the case of occluding hydrogen gas in the hydrogen occlusion alloy 2b of the unit 2, hydrogen gas is introduced into the reaction tube 1 through a supplying and exhausting line 4. The introduced hydrogen gas is passed through the filter 2a and occluded in the hydrogen gas occlusion alloy 2b. The occluded hydrogen can be released from the hydrogen occlusion alloy 2b of the unit 2 by heating the outer circumference of the reaction tube 1 e.g. with water of a proper temperature. The temperature of the hydrogen occlusion alloy 2b is raised thereby to release the occluded hydrogen gas. The released hydrogen gas is passed through the filter 2a and discharged from the reaction tube 1 through the hydrogen gas supplying and exhausting line 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy reaction device used as a heat exchanger, a heat storage device, a hydrogen gas supply tank, etc.

[Background of the invention]

In recent years, metal hydrides for hydrogen storage, that is, hydrogen storage alloys, have been developed to utilize the exothermic and endothermic reactions that occur when storing and releasing hydrogen gas in heat exchangers and heat storage devices, and to store large amounts of hydrogen gas at relatively low pressures and high temperatures. Attempts have been made to utilize this occlusion property in fuel supply tanks for hydrogen gas fueled engines and the like.

The hydrogen storage alloy must have a volume that changes by about 10 to 25% between the state in which hydrogen gas is stored and the state in which it is released, the hydrogen gas storage and release to occur quickly, and the hydrogen gas per unit weight. It is used as fine particles for reasons such as increasing storage capacity. Therefore, not only in heat exchangers but also in heat storage units and fuel supply tanks, measures are required to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy from being unevenly distributed and mixed into released hydrogen gas. Furthermore, since the hydrogen storage alloy has a relatively low thermal conductivity, measures are required to efficiently transfer heat generation and heat absorption from the hydrogen storage alloy to the walls of the reaction vessel. This measure is particularly necessary in heat exchangers, but is also used in heat storage units and fuel supply tanks to increase the speed and efficiency of hydrogen gas storage and release.

[Purpose of the invention]

The first object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen storage alloy reaction device that is equipped with the above-mentioned measures and is used as an efficient heat exchanger, fuel supply tank, etc. A second object of the present invention is to provide a reaction device for storage alloys.

[Structure of the invention]

In the present invention, units including filters at both ends and a hydrogen storage alloy held between both filters are arranged in line in the axial direction in a reaction tube, and the peripheral wall of the reaction tube is provided with a position between the units and a hydrogen storage alloy held between the filters at both ends. The reaction tube is characterized by using a reaction tube provided with a hydrogen gas supply/discharge pipe at the outer filter position or a position outside the filter for introducing hydrogen gas into the reaction tube, passing through the filter, and storing it in the hydrogen storage alloy. This structure achieves the first object, and further achieves the second object by integrating the units disposed in the reaction tube.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below using illustrated examples.

1 and 2 each show an example of the reactor of the present invention, where A in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, B is a view taken along the line X-X of A, and FIG. 3 is a heat transfer partition wall. FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the reactor of the present invention which is the same as the reactor of FIG. 2 except for the difference in FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example of the integrated unit used in the reactor shown in FIG.
Figures A and B are a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing another example of the reactor of the present invention, and a view taken along the line X--X of A.

In the figure, l is an end member 1a, a cylindrical member 1b, and a flat member 1.
2 is a unit comprising filters 2a at both ends and a hydrogen storage alloy 2b held between the filters 2a, and the units 2 are arranged in line in the axial direction within the reaction tube 1. has been done. In the reactors shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the units 2 are arranged so that spaces 3 are provided between adjacent units 2 and outside the units 2 at both ends. In the reactor shown in Figure 6,
Adjacent units 2 are closely aligned with adjacent filters 2a in common, and are arranged without providing any space outside the units 2 at both ends.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a hydrogen gas supply/discharge pipe provided through the circumferential wall of the reaction tube 1 at a position between adjacent units 2 and at a position outside the filter 2a of the units 2 at both ends, or at a position outside it. .

When hydrogen gas is to be stored in the hydrogen storage alloy 2b of the unit 2, hydrogen gas is introduced into the reaction tube 1 through the hydrogen gas supply pipe 4, and the introduced hydrogen gas passes through the filter 2a and passes through the hydrogen gas storage alloy. 2b is occluded. In this case, to ensure efficient occlusion, the outside of the reaction tube 1 is cooled with water or the like at a temperature suitable for occlusion. Further, when releasing the stored hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage alloy 2b of the unit 2, the outside of the reaction tube 1 is heated with water or the like at an appropriate temperature for release. As a result, the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy 2b rises and releases hydrogen gas, and the released hydrogen gas is discharged to the outside of the reaction tube 1 through the hydrogen gas supply pipe 4 through the filter 2a.

Hydrogen gas storage and release are performed quickly and efficiently, and
In order to prevent uneven distribution of the hydrogen storage alloy 2b in the unit 2, in the reactors shown in FIGS. It is stored and held in each small room partitioned by a heat transfer partition wall 2C which is partitioned into small rooms that penetrate in the axial direction and is thermally connected to the inner wall of the cylindrical member 1b. The heat transfer partition wall 2c in FIG. 1 has a honeycomb shape with a triangular cross section for each partitioned small room, and the heat transfer partition wall 2c in FIG. 6 has a cross-shaped wall, but the small rooms penetrate in the axial direction. It goes without saying that the heat transfer partition wall 2C forming the heat transfer partition wall 2C is not limited to these examples. In addition, in the reactor shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the hydrogen storage alloy 2b of the unit 7 is provided with a large number of hydrogen gas communication holes, and the outer periphery is thermally connected to the inner wall of the cylindrical member 1b. They are housed and held in separate rooms that are lined up in the axial direction and partitioned by a large number of heat transfer partition walls 2c. The heat transfer partition wall 2C in FIGS. 2 and 4 has a cylindrical member 1
The heat transfer partition wall 2C in FIG. 3 is thermally connected to the inner wall of the cylindrical member 1b at the outer surface of the flange portion provided on the outer periphery. Furthermore, the flange portion of the heat transfer partition wall 2C in FIG. 3 also serves as a spacer that maintains the distance between each heat transfer partition wall 2C.

By using the heat transfer partition wall 2C as described above, the heat transfer efficiency between the outside of the reaction tube 1 and the hydrogen storage alloy 2b is improved, and by cooling and heating the outside of the reaction tube 1, hydrogen gas storage and The release reaction can be performed quickly and efficiently, and uneven distribution of the hydrogen storage alloy 2b within the unit 2 can be prevented. However, the structure in which the units 2 are arranged in the axial direction of the reaction tube 1 prevents uneven distribution of the hydrogen storage alloy 2b in each unit 2. Therefore, when the reaction tube 1 has a small diameter or the unit 2 is short in length, the heat transfer partition wall 2C may be omitted.

The reactor shown in FIG. 4 uses an integrated unit 2 as shown in FIG. 5 to enable efficient production. That is, the unit 2 partitions between a filter 2a, a plurality of hydrogen storage alloys 2b formed into a disc cake shape by sintering, etc., and each cake-shaped hydrogen storage alloy 2b,
If necessary, a cut 2C is made on the outer peripheral edge so that the outer peripheral edge is bent by the inner diameter of the reaction tube 1 and is tightly thermally connected to the inner diameter.
The unit 2 has a structure in which a plurality of heat transfer partition walls 2c in which the unit 2
are inserted into the cylindrical member lb of the reaction tube 1 in a connected state, so that the reaction apparatus 4 can be efficiently produced.

It may be formed by adding an appropriate amount of a cake-like hydrogen storage agent, or it may be formed by slicing and forming a round rod-shaped hydrogen storage alloy obtained by casting, and the forming process can easily absorb and release hydrogen gas. It is preferable to use a material that decomposes into fine particles because it does not exert excessive force on the reaction tube 1, filter 2a, heat transfer partition wall 2C, etc. The outer diameter of the cake-shaped hydrogen storage alloy is formed to be suitably smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 1b in consideration of expansion during storage of hydrogen gas. Of course, the heat transfer partition wall 2C may be provided with a flange portion as shown in FIG. 3. To assemble the reactor shown in Fig. 4, the filter 2a and the cylindrical member 1b are usually sealed by welding, brazing, etc., so first insert the integrated unit 2 and seal the gap with the filter 2a. The cylindrical members 1b are connected by a joint member IC,
This is done by connecting the end members 1a to both ends. In this respect, for example, in the reactor shown in FIG. 2, the cake-like hydrogen storage alloy 2b excluding the filter 2a and the heat transfer partition wall 2C are integrated, and the filter 2a is attached to the end member 1a of the reaction tube 1 and The cylindrical member 1b may be attached to the joint member 1c, and the integrated hydrogen storage alloy 2b and the heat transfer partition wall 2C inserted therein may be connected by the joint member 1c, and the end members 1a may be connected to both ends. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a spacer ring 6 is inserted between the uni-nods 2, which has holes in the peripheral wall so as not to obstruct the introduction and discharge of hydrogen gas through the hydrogen gas supply and discharge pipe 4. However, this may be omitted if the assembly method described above is used.

Not only in the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 but also in other apparatuses, the reaction tube 1
The connection between the end member 1a and the cylindrical member 1b and the connection between the cylindrical member 1b and the joint member IC are preferably performed by welding or brazing, but may be performed by other means such as screwing or flange joints.

Alternatively, an end member and a cylindrical member or a cylindrical member and a joint member formed integrally may be used. The pipes used for the hydrogen gas supply pipe 4 in Figures 1, 2, and 4 are also welded and brazed.

Connected by screwing, etc.

The reaction apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is configured such that a plurality of reaction tubes 1 are connected together at the end member 1a and the joint member 1c where the hydrogen gas supply pipe 4 is provided, and are used in parallel. The hydrogen gas supply/discharge pipe 4 of each reaction tube 1 is provided at the position of the filter 2a of the unit 2, and communicates with a common hydrogen gas supply pipe 7 provided through the center of the array of the plurality of reaction tubes 1. ing. The plurality of reaction tubes 1 of this reactor can also be as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Note that the hole lcl provided in the joint member 1c in FIG. 6B
is a flow hole for a heat medium such as water.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The hydrogen storage alloy reactor of the present invention prevents uneven distribution of the hydrogen storage alloy within the reaction tube, and improves heat transfer between the heat medium outside the tube and the hydrogen storage alloy inside the tube, so that hydrogen gas can be produced. It has the advantage of being able to perform occlusion and release quickly and efficiently, being able to configure products from large to small with the same efficiency, and being able to be manufactured with high productivity. play.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 each show an example of the reactor of the present invention, where A in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, B is a view taken along the line X-X of A, and FIG. 3 is a heat transfer partition wall. FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the reactor of the present invention which is the same as the reactor of FIG. 2 except for the difference in FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example of the integrated unit used in the reactor shown in FIG.
Figures A and B are a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing another example of the reactor of the present invention, and a view taken along the line X--X of A. l...Reaction tube, 1a... End member, 1b
...Cylinder member, 1c...Joint member, 2...
・Unit, 2a...Filter, 2b...
・Hydrogen storage alloy, 2c... Heat transfer partition, 3... Space, 4... Hydrogen gas supply pipe, 5...
Connecting member, 6... Spacer ring, 7...
・Hydrogen gas supply common pipeline. Patent applicant: Fuji Filter Industry Co., Ltd., #τ ′・−′−□ Representative patent attorney: Haru Yasutaka ←7. -No. Z
Figure 4! Figure 5 B? Figure 6 cf

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) Units including filters at both ends and a hydrogen storage alloy held between both filters are arranged in line in the axial direction in a reaction tube, and the peripheral wall of the reaction tube is provided with positions between the units and the outside of the units at both ends. A reaction tube is used, which is provided with a hydrogen gas supply/discharge pipe at the filter position or at a position outside of the filter for introducing hydrogen gas into the reaction tube and causing it to pass through the filter and be stored in the hydrogen storage alloy. Hydrogen storage alloy reactor. (2) A hydrogen storage alloy is held between the filters of the unit separated by a heat transfer partition that does not block the flow of hydrogen gas in the filter direction, and the heat transfer partition is thermally connected to the peripheral wall of the reaction tube. A reactor for a hydrogen storage alloy according to claim 1. (3) The hydrogen storage alloy reaction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the units is integrated and disposed within the reaction tube. (4) Any of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the reaction tubes are connected together at a peripheral wall portion of the reaction tube provided with the hydrogen gas supply/discharge pipe line and are used in parallel. A reactor for the hydrogen storage alloy according to the above item.