JPWO2018173155A1 - Method of operating hydrogen handling device and hydrogen handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

The operating method of the hydrogen handling device (1) is such that, during operation, the process gas (P) containing hydrogen gas is in contact with the inner surface of the metal container (2) or the pipe (3) and also the container (2) or the pipe (3) And the internal pressure (N) of the vessel (2) or the pipe (3) is made lower than during operation, and the vessel (2) or (3) 2) or maintaining the temperature of the pipe (3) at 180 ° C. or higher, and after maintaining the temperature of the container (2) or the pipe (3) at 180 ° C. or higher, the temperature of the container (2) or the pipe (3) Including the step of lowering to less than 180 ° C.

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to the operation technology of a hydrogen handling apparatus that handles hydrogen gas.

  In the process of manufacturing mechanical parts such as bearings, gears and the like made of metal materials, when the mechanical parts are exposed to hydrogen gas, hydrogen is absorbed in the mechanical parts. If this hydrogen remains in the machine parts, embrittlement occurs. Therefore, dehydrogenation treatment is performed in which hydrogen is released from the machine parts by heating the machine parts in vacuum for a predetermined time.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-204612

Muto et al., "Cycle calculation and exergy analysis of SOEC steam electrolysis system", Proceedings of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (B ed.), Vol. 79, 808 (2013)

  BACKGROUND In recent years, hydrogen handling devices that handle hydrogen gas such as hydrogen production devices, hydrogen power storage devices, fuel cells, and hydrogen combustion turbines have begun to spread. The container or piping which comprises such a hydrogen handling apparatus is exposed to the hydrogen gas of high concentration inside at the time of rated operation. And since a container or piping will occlude hydrogen, in the process in which temperature falls after operation stop, the subject that hydrogen embrittlement of a container or piping arises arises.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an operation technique of a hydrogen handling device capable of reducing hydrogen embrittlement of a container or a pipe.

  In the method of operating a hydrogen handling device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a process gas containing hydrogen gas contacts an inner surface of a metal container or pipe during operation, and raises the temperature of the container or the pipe to 180 ° C. or higher Setting the hydrogen partial pressure lower than in the operation and maintaining the temperature of the container or the piping at 180 ° C. or higher when the operation is finished; After the temperature of the container or the piping is maintained at 180 ° C. or higher, the temperature of the container or the piping is lowered to less than 180 ° C.

  Embodiments of the present invention provide a hydrogen handling apparatus operating technique that can reduce hydrogen embrittlement of a vessel or piping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The block diagram which shows the hydrogen handling apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device of the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the driving | operation process of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the dehydrogenation process of 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the hydrogen handling apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the dehydrogenation process of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the hydrogen handling apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the dehydrogenation process of 3rd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the hydrogen handling apparatus of 4th Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the dehydrogenation process of 4th Embodiment.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described based on the attached drawings. First, the hydrogen handling apparatus of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The code | symbol 1 of FIG. 1 is a hydrogen handling apparatus which handles hydrogen gas during driving | operation.

  As an example of the hydrogen handling device 1, a hydrogen producing device for producing hydrogen by performing electrolysis of water, a hydrogen power storage device for storing power in the form of hydrogen by storing hydrogen produced by electrolyzing water There are a fuel cell that generates electric power by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, and a hydrogen combustion turbine that drives a turbine by a gas generated by burning hydrogen. This embodiment can be applied to any hydrogen handling apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen handling device 1 includes a metal container 2 and a pipe 3. In the present embodiment, the pipe 3 is connected to each of the inlet end and the outlet end of one container 2. An upstream gas flow line 5 is connected to the inlet-side connector portion 4 of one of the pipes 3. A downstream gas flow line 7 is connected to the outlet-side connector 6 of the other pipe 3. The process gas P introduced from the inlet-side connector portion 4 is introduced into the container 2 through the one pipe 3 and flows from the container 2 into the outlet-side connector portion 6 through the other pipe 3.

  The upstream gas flow line 5 is connected to a supply source of process gas P such as a hydrogen storage tank and a hydrogen production unit (not shown). A gas heating unit 8 for heating the process gas P supplied from the supply source is provided in the upstream gas flow line 5. The temperature of the process gas P heated by the gas heating unit 8 is raised to 180 ° C. or higher. The temperature of the process gas P is controlled to an appropriate temperature of 180 ° C. or more according to the processing purpose of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1.

  The container 2 and the pipe 3 are parts through which the process gas P flows during rated operation. The flammable limit of hydrogen gas is 4% by volume. In general, in an apparatus that does not actively use hydrogen, the process gas flowing inside the component is designed such that its hydrogen concentration does not exceed 4% by volume. The hydrogen handling device 1 of the present embodiment is directed to a device that actively uses hydrogen. In addition, the process gas P used in the hydrogen handling apparatus 1 may be pure hydrogen. That is, the process gas P of the present embodiment is intended for a gas containing 4% by volume or more and 100% by volume or less of hydrogen gas.

  The internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 of the present embodiment is filled with the process gas P during rated operation. Then, the inner surfaces of the container 2 and the pipe 3 are exposed to high temperature and high concentration hydrogen gas for a long time during the rated operation. The process gas P may contain a gas other than hydrogen gas.

  By circulating the high-temperature process gas P, the temperature of the container 2 or the pipe 3 is raised to 180 ° C. or higher. The upper limit of the temperature of the process gas P is determined by the metal material constituting the vessel 2 or the pipe 3. For example, tungsten, which has the highest melting point among metal materials, has a melting point of 3400 ° C. Therefore, the temperature of the process gas P in the present embodiment is a temperature of 3400 ° C. or less.

  Generally, it is known that when hydrogen atoms are absorbed (absorbed) in a metal material, an event called hydrogen embrittlement occurs, which reduces the strength (ductility or toughness) of the metal material. Destruction based on the storage of hydrogen atoms is also referred to as "delayed destruction" because it involves a time delay associated with the diffusion of hydrogen atoms. This delayed fracture is unlikely to occur during use at high temperatures, and is often caused when the temperature drops.

  The hydrogen handling apparatus 1 uses a high temperature process gas P during rated operation. For example, in the case of a fuel cell, the temperature of the electrolysis cell is 650 ° C. or higher. Because of such a high temperature environment, metal materials such as stainless steel, Ni-based alloy, Hastelloy (registered trademark), or low alloy steel are used for the container 2 and the pipe 3 from the viewpoint of heat resistance and corrosion resistance. Therefore, hydrogen atoms contained in the process gas P easily penetrate and diffuse into the metal material.

  As described above, when stopping the operation of the hydrogen handling device 1, hydrogen atoms taken into the metal material from the process gas P in a high temperature state decrease in diffusion coefficient as the temperature of the metal material decreases, and the metal material It is concerned that it will be trapped during. If the temperature of the metal material decreases in this state, the risk of hydrogen embrittlement increases. In addition, when the generation of tensile stress accompanying thermal contraction is accompanied in a metal material, there is a concern that hydrogen embrittlement cracking may occur in a stress concentration portion such as a notch.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the rated operation is finished, the internal pressure N of the container 2 or the pipe 3 is made lower than in the operation, and the temperature of the container 2 or the pipe 3 is 180 ° C. or more Dehydrogenation is carried out to maintain the temperature (more preferably 190 ° C. or higher). In this way, the release of hydrogen atoms stored in the container 2 or the pipe 3 can be promoted. Then, the temperature of the vessel 2 or the pipe 3 is lowered to less than 180 ° C. after the dehydrogenation treatment. In this way, hydrogen embrittlement of the container 2 or the pipe 3 can be prevented or reduced.

  In order to execute the dehydrogenation process, the hydrogen handling device 1 of the present embodiment detects a plurality of temperature sensors 9 for detecting the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 respectively, and the pressure of the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 Pressure sensor 10, a hydrogen sensor 11 for detecting the hydrogen concentration in the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3, a first inlet valve 12 provided in the upstream gas flow line 5, and a downstream gas flow line 7 Connected to the first outlet valve 13 provided on the inlet side connector portion 4 of one of the pipes 3 to introduce the hydrogen release gas R, and connected to the outlet side connector portion 6 of the other pipe 3 Control parts of the hydrogen handling device 1 and the discharge line 15 for discharging the hydrogen release gas R, the second inlet valve 16 provided in the introduction line 14, the second outlet valve 17 provided in the discharge line 15, and Control device And a 8.

  Air is exemplified as the hydrogen release gas R of the first embodiment. The air does not contain hydrogen gas, so it has a lower hydrogen partial pressure than the process gas P. Here, the introduction line 14 is provided with an intake port 19 for taking in air from the outside of the hydrogen handling device 1. Further, the exhaust line 15 is provided with an exhaust port 20 for exhausting the air to the outside of the hydrogen handling device 1.

  Although not shown to facilitate understanding, the vessel 2 may be a part that accommodates an apparatus (for example, an electrolytic cell or a turbine) that performs a predetermined process of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1. Further, the pipe 3 may constitute part of a gas flow line connecting the plurality of containers 2. Furthermore, the parts to be subjected to the dehydrogenation treatment of the present embodiment may include parts accommodated in the interior of the container 2 or the pipe 3.

  During rated operation, the first inlet valve 12 and the first outlet valve 13 are opened, and the second inlet valve 16 and the second outlet valve 17 are closed. Then, the process gas P is introduced into the internal space N of the container 2 or the pipe 3, whereby the pressure of the internal space N of the container 2 or the pipe 3 is increased to an atmospheric pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure in the internal space N of the container 2 or the pipe 3 during rated operation is referred to as operating atmospheric pressure.

  During rated operation, the process gas P heated by the gas heating unit 8 and heated to 180 ° C. or more passes through the first inlet valve 12 and enters the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3. The gas heating unit 8 is provided upstream of the first inlet valve 12 in the upstream gas flow line 5. By filling the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 with the process gas P, the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is raised to 180 ° C. or more.

  During the dehydrogenation process, the first inlet valve 12 and the first outlet valve 13 are closed, and the second inlet valve 16 and the second outlet valve 17 are opened. Then, the hydrogen release gas R (air) is introduced into the internal space N of the container 2 or the pipe 3 so that the pressure in the internal space N of the container 2 or the pipe 3 is reduced to atmospheric pressure.

  Thus, by replacing the process gas P in the inner space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 with the hydrogen releasing gas R (air), the hydrogen partial pressure is made lower than in the rated operation. be able to. The atmospheric pressure in the internal space N of the vessel 2 or the pipe 3 during the dehydrogenation treatment is referred to as a specific atmospheric pressure. The specific pressure may be at least a pressure lower than the operating pressure.

  The hydrogen release gas R does not contain hydrogen gas. That is, during the dehydrogenation process, the hydrogen releasing gas R enters the internal space N of the vessel 2 or the pipe 3 and becomes a specific pressure, so that the state of the internal space N is more hydrogen than during the rated operation. The pressure is low.

  Even when the process gas P is discharged from the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 during execution of the dehydrogenation treatment, the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is maintained at 180 ° C. or higher by the residual heat. In addition, the temperature of the container 2 or piping 3 in execution of a dehydrogenation process is called specific temperature. Furthermore, while performing dehydrogenation processing, while making the internal space N of the container 2 or the piping 3 into a state with low hydrogen partial pressure, time to maintain the temperature of the container 2 or the piping 3 at a specific temperature is called specific time.

  The values of the specific atmospheric pressure, the specific temperature, and the specific time used in the dehydrogenation treatment are values appropriately changed according to the storage amount of hydrogen atoms in the container 2 and the pipe 3 (hydrogen concentration in the metal material). In this embodiment, the storage amount of hydrogen atoms stored in the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the rated operation is analyzed before the rated operation.

  The storage amount is the structure, material, solid solubility of hydrogen atoms, diffusion coefficient of hydrogen atoms, concentration of hydrogen gas of process gas P during rated operation, pressure of internal space N during rated operation , Analysis based on the temperature of the container 2 and the piping 3 during rated operation, and the rated operation time.

  The solid solubility of hydrogen atoms is a frequency that indicates the ease with which hydrogen atoms are absorbed into the metal material. Further, the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen atoms is a coefficient related to the time during which the hydrogen atoms stored in the metal material diffuse as the temperature increases. Further, the rated operation time is the operation time of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1 and indicates the time during which hydrogen gas is in contact with the inner surface of the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the operation.

  In addition, the environment (pressure or temperature) or other information (years of use, usage history, purpose of use, cost-effectiveness or safety) of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1 may be used in the aforementioned analysis. .

  Based on the analysis result, values of a specific pressure, a specific temperature, and a specific time are set. For example, when the operation time is long, it is assumed that the specific time also becomes long. The storage amount of hydrogen atoms in the container 2 and the pipe 3 has a maximum value (limit value) according to the structure or the material. Therefore, there is also a maximum value for the length of specific time. That is, when the operation time of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, hydrogen atoms are stored up to the maximum value, and therefore the specific time is a constant value regardless of which operation time.

  In the present embodiment, since the hydrogen storage amount of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is analyzed in advance, the dehydrogenation treatment is not continued for an excessive time or the dehydrogenation treatment time is not insufficient.

  The values of the specific atmospheric pressure, the specific temperature, and the specific time may be fixedly determined based on the analysis result in advance. In addition, when there are a plurality of conditions of rated operation, the values of specific atmospheric pressure, specific temperature, and specific time corresponding to each condition may be set separately, and these values may be held in a predetermined database. . And according to the conditions of the rating operation actually performed, you may set the value of a specific atmospheric pressure, a specific temperature, and a specific time suitably.

  In the first embodiment, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 are maintained at 180 ° C. or higher by the residual heat during the dehydrogenation treatment. Here, as the hydrogen releasing gas R (air) is introduced into the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3, the temperature thereof is lowered.

  For example, when the rated operation is performed at a temperature of 300 ° C. for the container 2 and the pipe 3, it is assumed that the remaining heat time for the temperature to drop to 180 ° C. is 30 minutes after the dehydrogenation treatment is started. When the storage amount of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is small, hydrogen atoms can be sufficiently released from the container 2 or the pipe 3 even if the remaining heat time of 30 minutes is set as a specific time.

  However, when the storage amount of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is large, it is necessary to set the specific time as 60 minutes. In that case, control is performed to extend the remaining heat time. For example, the temperature of the process gas P is raised by temporarily raising the output of the gas heating unit 8 at the start of the dehydrogenation treatment. Then, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 are raised to 400.degree. The temperature rise extends the remaining heat time to 60 minutes. By this extension, the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 can be maintained at 180 ° C. or higher for a specific time of 60 minutes.

  A heat insulating material may be provided on the outer surface of the container 2 and the pipe 3 in order to secure the remaining heat time in the first embodiment. When the values of the specific temperature and the specific time are fixedly set at the time of manufacturing the hydrogen handling apparatus 1, the amount of the heat insulating material may be changed based on the set specific temperature and the specific time.

  Next, the system configuration of the control device 18 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. In addition, the data which show the structure * material of the container 2 and the piping 3, and the data which show the solid solution degree * diffusion coefficient of the hydrogen atom of the container 2 and the piping 3 are called specific information. Further, the concentration of hydrogen gas of the process gas P during rated operation, the pressure of the internal space N during rated operation, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 during rated operation, and the rated operating time are referred to as operating information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the control device 18, specific information is input from the outside, a specific information storage unit 21 that stores the specific information, and driving information are input from the outside, and driving information storage that stores the driving information And a unit 22. These pieces of information are input to the specific information storage unit 21 and the operation information storage unit 22 before the start of the rated operation. Specific information may be replaced by data set in consideration of security margin and the like. Also, it may be input at the time of manufacture of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1.

  Data indicating the solid solution degree and diffusion coefficient of hydrogen atoms of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is input in the form of a relational expression or a numerical table. In addition, the specific information storage unit 21 previously stores data indicating the solid solution degree and diffusion coefficient of hydrogen atoms of the metal material corresponding to various types of structures and materials in the form of a relational expression or a number table. Also good. And according to the data which show the structure and the material which were input, you may specify the solid solution degree and the diffusion coefficient of the hydrogen atom of the container 2 and the piping 3. FIG.

  The control device 18 stores the hydrogen atoms stored in the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the rated operation based on the specific information stored in the specific information storage unit 21 and the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 22. The analysis unit 23 analyzes the amount. The analysis unit 23 analyzes the storage amount analysis unit 24 that analyzes the storage amount of hydrogen atoms in the container 2 and the pipe 3, and the storage maximum value analysis unit 25 that analyzes the maximum storage amount of hydrogen atoms in the container 2 and the pipe 3. And a hydrogen distribution analysis unit 26 for analyzing the concentration distribution of hydrogen atoms in the container 2 and the pipe 3.

  Based on the result analyzed in the analysis unit 23, values of a specific pressure, a specific temperature, and a specific time are determined. The hydrogen storage amount of the container 2 and the pipe 3 need not be zero after the dehydrogenation treatment, and may be reduced to a predetermined target value. This target value is a value that can prevent hydrogen embrittlement. Further, the target value is set in consideration of the structure, material, stress state, safety factor, and the like of the container 2 and the pipe 3.

  As a measure of the target value that can generally be used, the limit hydrogen amount can be mentioned. The critical hydrogen content is the upper limit of the diffusible hydrogen content at which the metal material does not cause delayed destruction. This limit hydrogen amount is obtained by conducting an experiment in advance using a test piece of a metal material. For example, the limit hydrogen amount can be defined based on the change in rupture time when the load (stress) applied to the test piece is fixed and the diffusible hydrogen amount is changed.

  In the analysis unit 23, a target value for the reduction in the amount of stored hydrogen in the vessel 2 and the pipe 3 after the dehydrogenation treatment is set. Then, by execution of the dehydrogenation treatment, the values of the specific pressure, the specific temperature, and the specific time are determined such that the hydrogen storage amounts of the container 2 and the pipe 3 become target values.

  In the first embodiment, the specific temperature is determined such that the specific time is within the allowable range in the operation plan. In the first embodiment, since the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 are maintained by the residual heat, the value of the specific temperature is the highest at the start of the dehydrogenation treatment, and decreases as the specific time passes. ing. Moreover, efficient operation of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1 can be measured by shortening the specific time.

  Further, in the analysis unit 23, the specific time is calculated by using a method of finding a solution of the diffusion equation, a method of finding a numerical analysis solution of the diffusion equation, or a method of predicting using a finite element analysis solution. In addition, the above analysis may be performed in advance, and may be replaced by a relational expression, a numerical table, or a fixed value derived based on this. By appropriately selecting and using these methods, it is possible to obtain the hydrogen concentration distribution prediction with the required accuracy in the minimum time. As a result, the determination of the specific time can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, the control device 18 stores a result analyzed by the analysis unit 23, and includes a dehydrogenation database 27 in which values of the determined specific pressure, specific temperature, and specific time are stored.

  Furthermore, the control device 18 is operated by the user of the hydrogen handling device 1 to perform an operation related to the rated operation, and the operation control part performs the rated operation based on the instruction input to the operation part 28. 29, a dehydrogenation control unit 30 that executes a dehydrogenation process when the rated operation is finished, and a temperature decrease control unit 31 that decreases the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 after the dehydrogenation process.

  The specific pressure, specific temperature, and specific time value (parameter) stored in the dehydrogenation database 27 are input to the dehydrogenation control unit 30. That is, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 includes a specific pressure setting unit 32 in which a specific pressure is set, a specific temperature setting unit 33 in which a specific temperature is set, and a specific time setting unit 34 in which a specific time is set. Dehydrogenation is performed based on these settings.

  The dehydrogenation control unit 30 also receives various detection signals output from the temperature sensor 9, the pressure sensor 10, and the hydrogen sensor 11 during the dehydrogenation process. In addition, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 includes a clock unit 35 that counts a specific time during the dehydrogenation process.

  The control device 18 of the present embodiment includes hardware resources such as a processor and a memory, and is configured by a computer in which information processing by software is realized using the hardware resources by the CPU executing various programs. . Furthermore, the operating method of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is realized by causing a computer to execute a program.

  Next, the driving process performed by the control device 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 will be referred to as appropriate. In the description of each step in the following flowchart, for example, a portion described as "step S11" will be abbreviated as "S11".

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, before the rated operation, identification including data indicating the structure and material of the container 2 and the pipe 3 and data indicating the solid solubility and diffusion coefficient of hydrogen atoms of the container 2 and the pipe 3 Information is input to the control device 18 (S11). Next, the input specific information is stored in the specific information storage unit 21 (S12).

  Next, before the rated operation, the concentration of hydrogen gas of the process gas P in the assumed rated operation, the pressure in the inner space N in the assumed rated operation, and the container 2 and piping in the assumed rated operation Operation information including the temperature of 3 and the estimated rated operation time is input to the control device 18 (S13). Next, the input driving information is stored in the driving information storage unit 22 (S14).

  Next, the storage amount analysis unit 24 of the analysis unit 23 analyzes the storage amount of hydrogen atoms stored in the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the rated operation (S15). Next, the storage maximum value analysis unit 25 of the analysis unit 23 analyzes the maximum value of the storage amount of hydrogen atoms stored in the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the rated operation (S16). The maximum value of the storage amount of hydrogen atoms may be replaced by a solid solution degree of hydrogen atoms or a numerical value set in consideration of the safety margin and the like from the solid solution degree. Next, the hydrogen distribution analysis unit 26 of the analysis unit 23 analyzes the concentration distribution of hydrogen atoms stored in the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the rated operation (S17).

  Note that the analysis unit 23 does not have to include all of the storage amount analysis unit 24, the storage maximum value analysis unit 25, and the hydrogen distribution analysis unit 26, and a part or all of them may be selected and used. Corresponding to this, the analysis of the storage amount of hydrogen atoms to be stored (S15), the analysis of the maximum value of the storage amount of hydrogen atoms to be stored (S16), the analysis of the concentration distribution of hydrogen atoms to be stored (S17). It is not necessary to carry out all the processing, and it is sufficient to select and carry out some or all of the processing.

  The analysis unit 23 can easily analyze the storage amount of hydrogen atoms stored in the container 2 and the pipe 3 by acquiring the specific information before the rated operation. Further, by acquiring the operation information, the analysis unit 23 analyzes the storage amount according to the state in operation, and based on this analysis, it is possible to perform the dehydrogenation process at the end of the operation. The analysis unit 23 determines values of a specific pressure, a specific temperature, and a specific time.

  Next, the dehydrogenation processing database 27 stores the result of analysis by the analysis unit 23 and the determined specific pressure, specific temperature, and specific time values (S18). In the present embodiment, the amount of hydrogen atoms absorbed in the container 2 and the pipe 3 is analyzed in advance, and the dehydrogenation treatment for releasing the hydrogen atoms absorbed in the container 2 or the pipe 3 is performed based on this analysis. It can be set.

  Next, the specific atmospheric pressure stored in the dehydrogenation database 27 is set in the specific atmospheric pressure setting unit 32 of the dehydrogenation control unit 30 (S19). Next, the specific temperature stored in the dehydrogenation database 27 is set in the specific temperature setting unit 33 of the dehydrogenation control unit 30 (S20). Next, the specific time stored in the dehydrogenation database 27 is set in the specific time setting unit 34 of the dehydrogenation control unit 30 (S21).

  Next, the operation control unit 29 starts the rated operation by the user operating the operation unit 28 and giving an instruction related to the rated operation (S22). Next, the operation control unit 29 starts driving of the gas heating unit 8 (S23). Next, the operation control unit 29 introduces the process gas P into the upstream gas flow line 5 (S24). The process gas P is heated to 180 ° C. or more by the gas heating unit 8.

  Next, the operation control unit 29 opens the first inlet valve 12 and the first outlet valve 13 to introduce the high-temperature process gas P into the container 2 and the pipe 3. As a result, the air pressure in the internal space N is increased (S25). In addition, the process gas P passes through the vessel 2 and the pipe 3 from the gas flow line 5 on the upstream side and flows to the gas flow line 7 on the downstream side.

  Next, the high temperature process gas P contacts the inner surfaces of the container 2 and the pipe 3 to raise the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 to 180 ° C. or more (S26). The rated operation is continued in this state.

  The rated operation is continued for a predetermined time, and thereafter, when the rated operation is ended, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 executes a dehydrogenation process described later (S27). Next, the temperature decrease control unit 31 performs predetermined control to lower the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 to less than 180 ° C. (S28). Then, the rated operation is ended (S29).

  In the first embodiment, since air is introduced into the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3, the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 decreases to the temperature of the air (normal temperature) after the dehydrogenation treatment. Further, the temperature drop control unit 31 may drive the air cooling fan (not shown) to lower the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 after the dehydrogenation process. Alternatively, a large amount of cold air may be fed from the introduction line 14 to cool the container 2 and the pipe 3.

  Next, the dehydrogenation process performed by the controller 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 will be referred to as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the rated operation is finished, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 introduces the process gas P based on the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 detected by the temperature sensor 9 and the above-described specific information. The residual heat time which can maintain the temperature of the container 2 and the piping 3 at 180 degreeC or more is estimated, when stopping. Then, it is determined whether the predicted remaining heat time is longer than the specific time set in the specific time setting unit 34 (S31).

  Here, if the predicted remaining heat time is longer than the specific time (YES in S31), the process proceeds to S33 described later. On the other hand, if the predicted remaining heat time is shorter than the specific time (S31 is NO), the process proceeds to S32.

  In S32, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 raises the temperature of the process gas P by temporarily raising the output of the gas heating unit 8. Then, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 are raised. The temperature rise extends the remaining heat time. The temperature at which the temperature is raised is determined based on the specific temperature set in the specific temperature setting unit 33.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 stops the gas heating unit 8 (S33). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 closes the first inlet valve 12 and the first outlet valve 13 (S34). Thereby, the supply of the process gas P to the internal space N is stopped. Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 opens the second inlet valve 16 and the second outlet valve 17 (S35).

  Next, the hydrogen release gas R (air) is continuously supplied to the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 through the introduction line 14 (S36). The hydrogen release gas R is continuously discharged through the discharge line 15. Next, the pressure in the internal space N is reduced to the atmospheric pressure (S37).

  Note that the pressure in the internal space N does not have to be reduced to the atmospheric pressure, and may be at least a pressure lower than the operating pressure. For example, the pressure of the internal space N may be maintained at a predetermined pressure by adjusting the opening degree of the second outlet valve 17. The pressure in the internal space N is determined based on the specific pressure set in the specific pressure setting unit 32.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 starts counting of a specific time using the clock unit 35 (S38). Next, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 are maintained at 180 ° C. or higher by the residual heat (S39). During this preheating time, hydrogen atoms are released from the container 2 and the pipe 3. Then, the released hydrogen atoms (hydrogen gas) are discharged to the outside from the discharge line 15 together with the hydrogen release gas R.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the pressure in the internal space N using the pressure sensor 10 (S40). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 using the temperature sensor 9 (S41). By monitoring the pressure of the internal space N during the dehydrogenation treatment and the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 as described above, it can be understood that the dehydrogenation treatment has been appropriately performed.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the hydrogen concentration in the internal space N using the hydrogen sensor 11 (S42). As described above, by monitoring the hydrogen concentration in the internal space N during the dehydrogenation process, it is possible to grasp whether or not the hydrogen atoms are sufficiently released from the container 2 and the pipe 3 by the change in the hydrogen concentration in the internal space N. Can.

  Note that changes in the pressure of the inner space N during the dehydrogenation treatment, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3, and the hydrogen concentration in the inner space N may be stored as the treatment result of the dehydrogenation treatment. Then, the deterioration degree of the container 2 and the pipe 3 may be predicted based on the history of the processing result of the dehydrogenation treatment.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 determines whether a specific time has elapsed (S43). Here, when the specific time has not elapsed (S43 is NO), the process returns to S39 described above. On the other hand, when the specific time has elapsed (YES in S43), the dehydrogenation process is ended.

  In addition, the processing result of the actual dehydrogenation processing may be fed back to the analysis unit 23. For example, the amount of hydrogen released from the container 2 and the pipe 3 may be measured using the hydrogen sensor 11, and information on the release state of hydrogen may be fed back to the analysis unit 23. Then, the result of feedback may be reflected in the dehydrogenation treatment to be performed next.

  Further, an intake pump may be provided in the discharge line 15 to suck out the process gas P or the hydrogen release gas R in the internal space N.

  Also, the processing result acquired in the currently executing dehydrogenation process is fed back to the analysis unit 23 in real time, and the values of the specific pressure, the specific temperature, and the specific time used in the currently executing dehydrogenation process You may change suitably. For example, the amount of hydrogen released from the container 2 and the pipe 3 is measured using the hydrogen sensor 11, and when the amount of released hydrogen reaches the target amount, the dehydrogenation treatment currently being performed is You may finish. Further, according to the change in the amount of released hydrogen, the time when the amount of released hydrogen reaches the target amount may be predicted, and this time may be set as the end time of the dehydrogenation treatment.

  In the present embodiment, by setting the specific temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 at the end of the rated operation based on the analyzed storage amount, it is possible to set the specific temperature according to the storage amount of hydrogen atoms. As a result, hydrogen atoms can be sufficiently released from the container 2 and the pipe 3.

  In the present embodiment, the storage amount of hydrogen atoms is set by setting a specific time for maintaining a low hydrogen partial pressure and a temperature of 180 ° C. or higher when ending the rated operation based on the analyzed storage amount. The specific time according to it can be set, and hydrogen atoms can be sufficiently released from the container 2 and the piping 3.

Second Embodiment
Next, an operation method of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1A of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as the components shown in the above-described embodiment, and the redundant description will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the hydrogen handling apparatus 1 </ b> A of the second embodiment includes a gas cylinder 36 that contains a hydrogen release gas R. The gas cylinder 36 is connected to the introduction line 14. The gas cylinder 36 is filled with the hydrogen release gas R in an amount that can be continuously supplied to the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the dehydrogenation treatment.

  Further, in the gas flow line 5 on the upstream side, the connector portion 37 is provided on the downstream side of the first inlet valve 12. The introduction line 14 is connected to the connector portion 37. Furthermore, a gas heating unit 8 is provided downstream of the connector unit 37. That is, the gas heating unit 8 is provided downstream of the first inlet valve 12 in the upstream gas flow line 5.

  In the second embodiment, the temperature of the hydrogen release gas R is raised to 180 ° C. or more using the gas heating unit 8 during the dehydrogenation treatment. Then, the high temperature hydrogen release gas R is supplied to the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3. That is, during the dehydrogenation treatment, the vessel 2 and the pipe 3 are heated by the hydrogen release gas R to maintain the temperature of the vessel 2 and the pipe 3 at 180 ° C. or higher.

  In order to maintain the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 at 180 ° C. or higher, the temperature of the hydrogen release gas R may be supplied higher than the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3. For example, the hydrogen release gas R at 200 ° C. or higher may be supplied.

  The hydrogen release gas R of the second embodiment is an inert gas having an oxygen content lower than that of air. The hydrogen release gas R may have an oxygen concentration of 0% by volume or more and 20% by volume or less. In this way, the container 2 and the pipe 3 are not oxidized by the hydrogen release gas R. Therefore, dehydrogenation can be performed with less oxidative damage than when using the air. The shortening of the life of the container 2 and the pipe 3 can be prevented. Further, the hydrogen gas remaining in the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 does not react with the hydrogen release gas R.

  Further, the hydrogen release gas R contains at least one of helium gas, nitrogen gas and argon gas. Alternatively, a mixture of these gases may be used. In this way, the container 2 and the pipe 3 are not deteriorated by the hydrogen release gas R. Further, the hydrogen gas remaining in the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 does not react with the hydrogen release gas R.

  Next, the dehydrogenation process performed by the controller 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 will be referred to as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the rated operation is finished, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 closes the first inlet valve 12 and the first outlet valve 13 (S51). Thereby, the supply of the process gas P to the internal space N is stopped. Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 opens the second inlet valve 16 and the second outlet valve 17 (S52).

  Next, the hydrogen release gas R (inert gas) contained in the gas cylinder 36 is supplied to the gas flow line 5 on the upstream side through the introduction line 14. Then, the hydrogen release gas R is continuously supplied to the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 (S53). The hydrogen release gas R is continuously discharged through the discharge line 15. Further, the hydrogen release gas R is supplied at a pressure lower than the operating pressure.

  Next, the pressure in the internal space N is reduced to a pressure lower than the operating pressure (S54). In this way, the hydrogen partial pressure can be made lower than during operation of the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3. Therefore, the release of hydrogen atoms from the container 2 and the pipe 3 can be promoted.

  The pressure of the internal space N is determined by the pressure of the hydrogen release gas R supplied from the gas cylinder 36. Further, by adjusting the degree of opening of the second inlet valve 16, the pressure in the internal space N may be maintained at a predetermined pressure. The pressure in the internal space N is determined based on the specific pressure set in the specific pressure setting unit 32.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 starts counting of a specific time using the clock unit 35 (S55). Next, the high temperature hydrogen release gas R (inert gas) is introduced into the internal space N, whereby the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 are maintained at 180 ° C. or higher (S56).

  The temperature to be maintained is determined based on the specific temperature set in the specific temperature setting unit 33. During the maintenance of this temperature, hydrogen atoms are released from the container 2 and the pipe 3. Then, the released hydrogen atoms (hydrogen gas) are discharged to the outside from the discharge line 15 together with the hydrogen release gas R.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the atmospheric pressure in the internal space N using the pressure sensor 10 (S57). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 using the temperature sensor 9 (S58). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the hydrogen concentration in the internal space N using the hydrogen sensor 11 (S59).

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 determines whether a specific time has elapsed (S60). Here, when the specific time has not elapsed (S60 is NO), the process returns to S56 described above. On the other hand, when specific time passes (S60 is YES), it progresses to S61.

  At S61, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 determines whether the dehydrogenation condition is satisfied. The dehydrogenation control unit 30 analyzes the information obtained by monitoring the pressure of the internal space N during the dehydrogenation process, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3, and the hydrogen concentration of the internal space N, and the information It is determined whether or not the value of 条件 を 満 た す satisfies the dehydrogenation condition which indicates that the dehydrogenation is normally completed. Here, when the dehydrogenation conditions are not satisfied (S61 is NO), the process returns to S56 described above. On the other hand, when the dehydrogenation condition is satisfied (S61 is YES), the process proceeds to S62.

  At S62, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 stops the gas heating unit 8. Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 closes the second inlet valve 16 (S63). Thereby, the supply of the hydrogen release gas R to the internal space N is stopped. Then, the dehydrogenation treatment is finished.

Third Embodiment
Next, an operation method of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1B of the third embodiment will be described using FIGS. 7 to 8. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as the components shown in the above-described embodiment, and the redundant description will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the hydrogen handling apparatus 1 </ b> B of the third embodiment includes heaters 38 attached to the outer surfaces of the container 2 and the pipe 3. In the third embodiment, these heaters 38 can be used to heat the container 2 and the pipe 3 to maintain the temperature at 180 ° C. or higher during the dehydrogenation treatment.

  The hydrogen handling system 1B of the third embodiment is not provided with the above-mentioned introduction line 14 (FIG. 1), and the hydrogen release gas R is contained in the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the dehydrogenation treatment. Not supplied to

  The hydrogen handling system 1B of the third embodiment includes a gas flow meter 39 provided downstream of the second outlet valve 17 and a vacuum pump 40 provided downstream of the gas flow meter 39 in the discharge line 15. And a hydrogen removal device 41 provided on the downstream side of the vacuum pump 40.

  The gas flow meter 39 detects the flow rate of gas passing through the discharge line 15 during the dehydrogenation process. By using this gas flow meter 39, it can be grasped whether or not the gas present in the internal space N is properly discharged during the dehydrogenation treatment. The value of the gas flow meter 39 is used as a determination condition as to whether or not the dehydrogenation condition is satisfied.

  Further, by driving the vacuum pump 40 during the dehydrogenation process, the process gas P remaining in the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is discharged. Further, hydrogen gas (hydrogen atoms) released from the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the dehydrogenation treatment is also exhausted by the vacuum pump 40. That is, the vacuum pump 40 is continuously driven during the dehydrogenation treatment.

  Furthermore, the hydrogen excluding device 41 excludes hydrogen from the gas exhausted through the exhaust line 15. When the hydrogen gas is discharged through the discharge line 15, the hydrogen removal device 41 combines the hydrogen gas with the oxygen gas and discharges it as water. Therefore, even if hydrogen gas having a high concentration is discharged through the discharge line 15, the hydrogen gas is abated by the hydrogen excluding device 41. Therefore, the hydrogen gas is not diffused around the hydrogen handling device 1B.

  The heater 38, the vacuum pump 40, and the hydrogen excluding device 41 are controlled by the dehydrogenation control unit 30 (FIG. 2). In addition, although the heater 38 is automatically controlled, other control methods may be used. For example, manual control may be used. Further, either discrete value control including on / off or continuous value control may be used.

  Furthermore, the container 2 and the pipe 3 can be heated and maintained at 180 ° C. or more by controlling the output of the heater 38 according to the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the dehydrogenation treatment. The output of the heater 38 may be controlled independently of the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3. That is, the heater 38 may be controlled by sequence control.

  Next, the dehydrogenation process performed by the controller 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 will be referred to as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when ending the rated operation, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 starts driving of the heater 38 (S71). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 stops the gas heating unit 8 (S72). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 closes the first inlet valve 12 and the first outlet valve 13 (S73). Thereby, the supply of the process gas P to the internal space N is stopped. Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 opens the second outlet valve 17 (S74).

Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 starts driving of the vacuum pump 40 (S75). By driving the vacuum pump 40, the process gas P remaining in the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is discharged. Then, the air pressure in the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 decreases (S76). The pressure of the internal space N during the dehydrogenation treatment may be 10 ⁻¹ Pa or more and less than the atmospheric pressure.

  The pressure of the internal space N is determined by the driving force of the vacuum pump 40. Further, by adjusting the opening degree of the second inlet valve 16 or the second outlet valve 17, the air pressure of the internal space N may be maintained at a predetermined air pressure. The pressure in the internal space N is determined based on the specific pressure set in the specific pressure setting unit 32.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 starts counting of a specific time using the clock unit 35 (S77). Next, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 are maintained at 180 ° C. or more by the heating of the heater 38 (S78).

  The temperature of the heater 38 is determined based on the specific temperature set in the specific temperature setting unit 33. During the temperature maintenance using the heater 38, hydrogen atoms are released from the container 2 and the pipe 3. Then, the released hydrogen atoms (hydrogen gas) are sent to the hydrogen removal apparatus 41 using the vacuum pump 40. The hydrogen gas is combined with the oxygen gas by the hydrogen excluding device 41 and drained as water. Further, the other gas sucked from the internal space N by the vacuum pump 40 is exhausted to the air.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the pressure in the internal space N using the pressure sensor 10 (S79). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 using the temperature sensor 9 (S80). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the hydrogen concentration in the internal space N using the hydrogen sensor 11 (S81). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the gas flow rate of the discharge line 15 using the gas flow meter 39 (S82).

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 determines whether a specific time has elapsed (S83). Here, when the specific time has not elapsed (S83: NO), the process returns to S78 described above. On the other hand, if the specific time has elapsed (YES in S83), the process proceeds to S84.

  In S84, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 determines whether or not the dehydrogenation condition is satisfied. The dehydrogenation control unit 30 is obtained by monitoring the pressure of the internal space N during the dehydrogenation processing, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3, the hydrogen concentration of the internal space N, and the gas flow rate of the discharge line 15. The information is analyzed to determine whether the value of the information satisfies the dehydrogenation condition indicating that the dehydrogenation is normally completed. Here, when the dehydrogenation condition is not satisfied (S84 is NO), the process returns to the above-described S78. On the other hand, when the dehydrogenation condition is satisfied (S84 is YES), the process proceeds to S85.

  At S85, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 stops the heater 38. Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 stops the vacuum pump 40 (S86). Then, the dehydrogenation treatment is finished.

  In the third embodiment, the process gas P is heated using the gas heating unit 8 during the rated operation, but the process gas P may be heated using the heater 38 during the rated operation. That is, the parts for maintaining the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the dehydrogenation treatment may be used as the parts for heating the process gas P during the rated operation.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, an operation method of the hydrogen handling apparatus 1C of the fourth embodiment will be described using FIG. 9 to FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as the components shown in the above-described embodiment, and the redundant description will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the hydrogen handling apparatus 1 </ b> C of the fourth embodiment includes heaters 38 attached to the outer surfaces of the container 2 and the pipe 3, respectively. In the fourth embodiment, during the dehydrogenation treatment, the container 2 and the pipe 3 can be heated to be maintained at 180 ° C. or more using the heaters 38.

  The hydrogen handling apparatus 1C of the fourth embodiment includes a gas cylinder 36 that contains a hydrogen release gas R. The gas cylinder 36 is connected to the introduction line 14. The introduction line 14 is connected to the inlet side connector unit 4.

  In addition, the gas cylinder 36 is filled with the hydrogen release gas R in an amount that can be continuously supplied to the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the dehydrogenation treatment. The hydrogen release gas R is an inert gas having an oxygen concentration of 0 volume% or more and 20 volume% or less and an oxygen content lower than that of air. Further, the hydrogen release gas R contains at least one of helium gas, nitrogen gas and argon gas. Alternatively, a mixture of these gases may be used. Further, the hydrogen release gas R is a purge gas for discharging the process gas P remaining in the internal space N at the start of the dehydrogenation treatment.

  The hydrogen handling apparatus 1C of the fourth embodiment includes a gas flow meter 39 provided downstream of the second outlet valve 17 and a vacuum pump 40 provided downstream of the gas flow meter 39 in the discharge line 15. And a hydrogen removal device 41 provided on the downstream side of the vacuum pump 40.

  Next, the dehydrogenation process performed by the controller 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 will be referred to as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the rated operation is finished, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 starts driving of the heater 38 (S91). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 stops the gas heating unit 8 (S92). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 closes the first inlet valve 12 and the first outlet valve 13 (S93). Thereby, the supply of the process gas P to the internal space N is stopped. Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 opens the second inlet valve 16 and the second outlet valve 17 (S94).

  Next, the hydrogen release gas R (inert gas) contained in the gas cylinder 36 is supplied to the container 2 and the pipe 3 through the introduction line 14. Then, the hydrogen release gas R is continuously supplied to the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 (S95).

Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 starts driving of the vacuum pump 40 (S96). By driving the vacuum pump 40, the process gas P remaining in the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is discharged together with the hydrogen release gas R. Then, the air pressure in the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 decreases (S97). The pressure of the internal space N during the dehydrogenation treatment may be 10 ⁻¹ Pa or more and less than the atmospheric pressure.

  The pressure of the internal space N is determined by the driving force of the vacuum pump 40. Further, by adjusting the opening degree of the second inlet valve 16 or the second outlet valve 17, the air pressure of the internal space N may be maintained at a predetermined air pressure. The pressure in the internal space N is determined based on the specific pressure set in the specific pressure setting unit 32.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 starts counting of a specific time using the clock unit 35 (S98). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 closes the second inlet valve 16 (S99). Thereby, the supply of the hydrogen release gas R to the internal space N of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is stopped. Therefore, the internal space N can be in a state of high vacuum.

  Next, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 are maintained at 180 ° C. or higher by the heating of the heater 38 (S100).

  The temperature of the heater 38 is determined based on the specific temperature set in the specific temperature setting unit 33. During the temperature maintenance using the heater 38, hydrogen atoms are released from the container 2 and the pipe 3. Then, the released hydrogen atoms (hydrogen gas) are sent to the hydrogen removal apparatus 41 using the vacuum pump 40. The hydrogen gas is combined with the oxygen gas by the hydrogen excluding device 41 and drained as water. Further, the other gas sucked from the internal space N by the vacuum pump 40 is exhausted to the air.

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the pressure in the internal space N using the pressure sensor 10 (S101). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 using the temperature sensor 9 (S102). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 uses the hydrogen sensor 11 to detect the hydrogen concentration in the internal space N (S103). Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 detects the gas flow rate of the discharge line 15 using the gas flow meter 39 (S104).

  Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 determines whether a specific time has elapsed (S105). Here, when the specific time has not elapsed (S105 is NO), the process returns to S100 described above. On the other hand, when specific time passes (S105 is YES), it progresses to S106.

  In S106, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 determines whether or not the dehydrogenation condition is satisfied. The dehydrogenation control unit 30 is obtained by monitoring the pressure of the internal space N during the dehydrogenation processing, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3, the hydrogen concentration of the internal space N, and the gas flow rate of the discharge line 15. The information is analyzed to determine whether the value of the information satisfies the dehydrogenation condition indicating that the dehydrogenation is normally completed. Here, when the dehydrogenation conditions are not satisfied (S106: NO), the process returns to S100 described above. On the other hand, when the dehydrogenation condition is satisfied (S106 is YES), the process proceeds to S107.

  In S107, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 stops the heater 38. Next, the dehydrogenation control unit 30 stops the vacuum pump 40 (S108). Then, the dehydrogenation treatment is finished.

  In the fourth embodiment, the temperature of the hydrogen release gas R supplied to the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the dehydrogenation treatment may be less than 180 ° C. For example, when the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is maintained at 300 ° C. by the heating of the heater 38, the temperature of the hydrogen release gas R may be 50 ° C. That is, the temperature of the hydrogen release gas R may be low as long as the temperature of the container 2 and the pipe 3 is maintained at 180 ° C. or higher.

  The operation method of the hydrogen handling apparatus according to the present embodiment has been described based on the first to fourth embodiments, but the configuration applied in any one of the embodiments may be applied to the other embodiments. Also, the configurations applied in each embodiment may be combined. For example, in the first embodiment, an active gas may be introduced into the internal space N during the dehydrogenation treatment. In the second and fourth embodiments, air may be introduced into the internal space N during the dehydrogenation treatment.

  Note that the determination of the predetermined value and the determination value (specific time) in the present embodiment may be a determination of "whether or not the determination value is greater than or equal to" or a determination of "whether or not the determination value is exceeded". The determination may be “whether or not the determination value is less than or equal to”, or the “whether or not the determination value is less than the determination value”. Further, the determination value may have a width, and a numerical value falling within a certain range may be used as the determination value.

  In the flowchart of this embodiment, although the form in which each step is executed in series is illustrated, the anteroposterior relation of each step is not necessarily fixed, and the anteroposterior relation of some steps may be interchanged. good. Also, some steps may be performed in parallel with other steps.

  The control device 18 according to the present embodiment includes a control device in which a processor such as a dedicated chip, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is highly integrated, Storage device such as Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory), external storage device such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), display device such as display, and input such as mouse or keyboard A device and a communication I / F are provided, and can be realized by a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  The program executed by the control device 18 of the present embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like. Alternatively, this program is provided as a file in an installable format or an executable format, stored in a computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a memory card, a DVD, a flexible disk (FD), etc. You may do it.

  Further, the program executed by the control device 18 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded and provided via the network. In addition, the control device 18 can also be configured by mutually connecting and combining different modules that independently perform each function of the components by a network or a dedicated line.

  In the present embodiment, although the parts of both the container 2 and the pipe 3 are targeted for the dehydrogenation treatment, the storage amount of hydrogen atoms of either one of the part of the container 2 or the pipe 3 is analyzed. Only parts may be subjected to the dehydrogenation treatment.

  In the present embodiment, the controller 18 executes the dehydrogenation process, but the user may execute the dehydrogenation process by manually operating the inlet valve and the outlet valve. The analysis result of the specific time may be output by the controller 18, and the user may manually operate the inlet valve and the outlet valve based on the output specific time. Further, the control device 18 may not be a device integrally provided with the main body of the hydrogen handling device 1, but may be a device that performs only analysis. That is, the control device 18 may be configured by a computer provided separately from the main body of the hydrogen handling device 1.

  In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 9 is attached to the outer surface of the container 2 and the pipe 3. Further, the temperature sensor 9 may be attached to the inner surface of the container 2 and the pipe 3. Since this inner surface is a portion where hydrogen atoms are most easily stored, it is possible to accurately analyze the storage amount or predict the release amount by detecting the temperature with the temperature sensor 9.

  In the present embodiment, the temperatures of the container 2 and the pipe 3 during the dehydrogenation treatment are maintained at 180 ° C. or higher, but may be other temperatures or higher. For example, the temperature may be 200 ° C. or higher, 400 ° C. or higher, or 600 ° C. or higher.

  In the present embodiment, the inert gas is contained in the gas cylinder 36 and supplied to the internal space N during the dehydrogenation treatment, but the inert gas may be supplied in another manner. For example, an oxygen removing device for removing oxygen from the air may be provided, and the deoxygenated air (inert gas) may be supplied to the internal space N during the dehydrogenation treatment.

  According to the embodiment described above, when the operation is finished, the internal pressure of the container or the pipe is made lower than that during the operation, and the temperature of the container or the pipe is maintained at 180 ° C. or higher. , Hydrogen embrittlement of the container or piping can be prevented or suppressed.

  While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof as well as included in the scope and the gist of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) ... hydrogen handling apparatus, 2 ... container, 3 ... piping, 4 ... inlet side connector part, 5 ... gas distribution line, 6 ... outlet side connector part, 7 ... gas distribution line, 8 ... gas Heating part 9 temperature sensor 10 pressure sensor 11 hydrogen sensor 12 first inlet valve 13 first outlet valve 14 introduction line 15 discharge line 16 second inlet valve 17 ... 2nd outlet valve, 18 ... Control device, 19 ... Intake port, 20 ... Exhaust port, 21 ... Specific information storage section, 22 ... Operation information storage section, 23 ... Analysis section, 24 ... Storage amount analysis section, 25 ... Storage Maximum value analysis unit 26: hydrogen distribution analysis unit 27: dehydrogenation database 28: operation unit 29: operation control unit 30: dehydrogenation control unit 31: temperature decrease control unit 32: specific pressure setting unit 33: Specific temperature setting unit 34: Specific time setting unit 35: Clock unit 6 ... gas cylinder, 37 ... connector, 38 ... heater, 39 ... gas flowmeter, 40 ... vacuum pump, 41 ... hydrogen removal systems, N ... inner space, P ... process gas, R ... releasing hydrogen gas.

Claims (15)

While the process gas containing hydrogen gas is in contact with the inner surface of the metal container or pipe during operation, the temperature of the container or the pipe is raised to 180 ° C. or higher;
And setting the internal pressure of the vessel or the pipe at a lower hydrogen partial pressure than that during the operation when the operation is finished, and maintaining the temperature of the vessel or the pipe at 180 ° C. or higher.
Lowering the temperature of the vessel or the piping below 180 ° C. after maintaining the temperature of the vessel or the piping at 180 ° C. or higher;
Operating method of hydrogen handling equipment including:   The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of analyzing the storage amount of hydrogen atoms stored in the vessel or the pipe during the operation.   The method for operating a hydrogen handling device according to claim 2, comprising the step of setting a specific temperature of the vessel or the pipe when the operation is ended based on the analyzed storage amount.   The hydrogen handling according to claim 2, comprising the step of setting a specific time for maintaining the low hydrogen partial pressure and the temperature of 180 ° C or higher when the operation is terminated based on the analyzed storage amount. How to operate the device. Obtaining specific information indicating the solid solution degree and diffusion coefficient of hydrogen atoms of the container or the pipe before the operation;
The operating method of the hydrogen handling device according to claim 2, wherein the storage amount is analyzed based on the acquired specific information. Operation information indicating the concentration of the hydrogen gas during the operation;
Operation information indicating the temperature of the vessel or the pipe during the operation;
Acquiring at least one operation information of operation information indicating a time during which the hydrogen gas contacts the inner surface of the container or the pipe during the operation, before the operation;
The method according to claim 2, wherein the storage amount is analyzed based on the acquired operation information.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the internal space of the vessel or the pipe is filled with a hydrogen releasing gas having a lower hydrogen partial pressure than the process gas when the operation is finished.   The hydrogen according to claim 7, wherein the temperature of the hydrogen releasing gas is 180 ° C or higher, and the container or the piping is heated by the hydrogen releasing gas to maintain the temperature of the container or the piping at 180 ° C or higher. How to operate the handling device.   The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrogen releasing gas is an inert gas having an oxygen content lower than that of air.   The method according to claim 9, wherein the hydrogen releasing gas contains at least one of helium gas, nitrogen gas and argon gas.   The method according to claim 7, wherein the hydrogen releasing gas is air.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the vessel or the pipe is heated by a heater when the operation is finished, and the temperature of the vessel or the pipe is maintained at 180 ° C or higher. The operating method of the hydrogen handling device according to claim 1, wherein the internal pressure of the vessel or the pipe is made 10 ^-1 Pa or more and less than the atmospheric pressure when the operation is finished.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the process gas contains 4% by volume or more and 100% by volume or less of hydrogen gas. An operation control unit that performs control to raise the temperature of the container or the pipe to 180 ° C. or higher while the process gas containing hydrogen gas is in contact with the inner surface of the metal container or the pipe during operation;
Dehydrogenation is performed to make the partial pressure of hydrogen lower than that during the operation and to maintain the temperature of the container or the pipe at 180 ° C. or higher when the operation is ended. A control unit,
A temperature control unit that performs control to lower the temperature of the container or the pipe to less than 180 ° C. after maintaining the temperature of the container or the pipe at 180 ° C. or higher;
Hydrogen handling equipment equipped with

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