KR20080073404A - Heat pump using hydrogen storage alloy - Google Patents

Abstract

A heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy is provided to improve the efficiency by inducing stable heat radiating and absorbing reactions according to the mounting position of air foils. A heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy comprises a chamber(150), at least one reaction chamber(162,172), a circulation unit, and air foils(166,176). The chamber provides a gas circulation passage at its separate inside. The reaction chambers, placed at the outside of the gas circulation passage, include an exposed inlet on the gas circulation passage to embed the hydrogen storage alloy. The circulation unit circulates gas along the gas circulation passage toward one direction. The air foils, placed at the rear end of the inlet in the reaction chambers with respect to the gas circulation direction, apply relatively high pressure into the reaction chambers, or apply relatively low pressure into the reaction chambers to be positioned at the front end of the inlet in the reaction chambers. The heat radiating reaction and heat absorbing reaction in the reaction chambers are induced according to the mounting position of the air foils. The opening direction of the inlet is perpendicular to the circulation direction of gas.

Description

Heat pump using hydrogen storage alloy

1 is a schematic diagram of a heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy of a general compressor method.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention.

Figure 3a and Figure 3b is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the heat pump using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention in different directions, respectively.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of any reaction chamber of the heat pump using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention.

5 and 6 are schematic views showing different examples of the heat pump using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention, respectively.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

150: chamber 152: gas net furnace

162, 172: first and second reaction chamber 164, 174: first and second inlet

166,176 First and second air foils 168,178 First and second mesh networks

180: fan 190: electric motor

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy. More specifically, the invention provides a stable hydrogen storage alloy while eliminating the use of a compressor having low efficiency, high load, and high noise. The present invention relates to a heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy which can induce endothermic and exothermic reactions and exhibits low noise and high efficiency.

In general, "heat pump" refers to "a device that absorbs heat from a relatively low temperature material or space and transfers it to a higher temperature material or space. The heat pump is a heat source from a low temperature heat source. It can be applied to the refrigerating and cooling unit using the action of absorbing, and can be applied to the heating and heater, etc. using the action of dissipating heat to a high temperature heat source.

These heat pumps are divided into mechanical and chemical formulas according to the principle.

Among them, the mechanical heat pump utilizes the endothermic effect of the vaporization stage and the heat dissipation effect of the condensation stage while phase transitioning the specific refrigerant, such as freon, into four cycles of compression, condensation, expansion, and vaporization. Although it is the most widely used method at present, it has been subject to the problem of environmental pollution caused by refrigerants such as freon, and thus has been regulated worldwide, and its use is gradually being avoided.

On the other hand, chemical heat pumps use thermal movements, such as endothermic and exothermic reactions, that occur during chemical reactions of materials, such as absorption heat pumps, absorption heat pumps, and heat pumps using hydrogen storage alloys. Can be broken down. Among these, heat pumps using hydrogen storage alloys are commonly referred to as MHHP (Metal Hydride Heat Pump), and many researches have been conducted since Gruen et al. In 1978 presented the principle. It has no merit and wide operating temperature range.

The heat pump using the hydrogen storage alloy utilizes endothermic and exothermic phenomena that appear when the hydrogen storage alloy absorbs and releases hydrogen.

At this time, the hydrogen storage alloy, otherwise called a hydrogen absorbing metal, refers to an alloy capable of reversibly absorbing, storing, releasing and using a large amount of hydrogen, and currently used types include Mg ₂ Cu and Mg. ₂ there is a Mg-based, such as Ni, LaNi _5, MmNi a rare earth metal-based, represented by _5, and TiFe, TiCo, TiMn, Ti-based, Zr-based, such as ZrMn _2, the TiCr _2.

The reaction between the hydrogen storage alloy and hydrogen is shown in Scheme 1 below.

<Scheme 1>

M + H ₂ ↔MH ₂ + Q (M: hydrogen storage alloy, H ₂ : hydrogen, MH ₂ : metal hydride, Q: heat)

On the other hand, the conventional heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy used a pair of hydrogen storage alloys having different reaction characteristics, and is operated by circulating hydrogen between two reaction tubes after charging each of them into different reaction tubes. Accordingly, Sudan et al. Obtained 120kcal / kg-alloy.h per unit weight of hydrogen storage alloy, while Ron et al. Obtained 110kcal / kg-alloy.h output.

However, this conventional heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy uses a pair of hydrogen storage alloys with different characteristics, so that when one alloy pair is used, the output is only suitable for one half of the entire cycle. It shows the disadvantages that can be obtained, and the use of two pairs of alloy pairs to solve this problem has the disadvantage that the size of the device is enlarged and the efficiency is lowered.

Accordingly, a CDHMMP (Compressor Driven Metal Hydride Heat Pump) using the same alloy pair has recently been proposed, which uses the same alloy pair but uses a separate compressor instead of spontaneous movement of hydrogen to force hydrogen. Indicates how to move. As an example, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-007335 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2001-0014272 have introduced a technology using a corresponding method.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a general CDHHM system.

As shown, a typical CDHHM system includes a plurality of reaction tubes (11, 21) and a compressor (40) in which hydrogen storage alloys (10, 20) are built, and a plurality of connecting the compressor (40) and reaction tubes (11, 21). Control box 30 including connecting pipes (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i) and valves (60,61,70,71,80) and MFC (Mass Flower Controller: 50) It includes, each reaction tube (11, 21) by repeating the process of forcibly transferring hydrogen from any reaction tube (11 or 21) to another reaction tube (21 or 11) by the drive of the compressor (40) Exothermic and endothermic reactions.

However, the general CDHHM system described above presents some problems due to the adoption of compressor as an essential component, which is very inefficient in case of requiring more than a certain compression ratio due to the small amount of suction due to the basic characteristics of the compressor, a pressurization device. It is a high load device that consumes a lot of power and is accompanied by noise.

In addition, the general CDHHM system requires a large number of pipes and valves for converting and transferring the suction and compression forces of the compressor to each reactor, thereby increasing the overall size and increasing the difficulty of installation, malfunction and failure.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above problems, while eliminating the use of a compressor having a low efficiency, high load, high noise disadvantages can induce a stable endothermic and exothermic reaction of the hydrogen storage alloy specific to enable low noise, high efficiency The purpose is to present a strategy.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy, the chamber providing an independent gaseous environment path; At least one reaction chamber provided outside the gaseous pure environment furnace to mount the hydrogen storage alloy and having an inlet exposed on the gaseous pure environment furnace; Circulating means for circulating gas in one direction along the gas circulating environment path; Respectively, the gas is provided at the rear end of the inlet of the reaction chamber to provide a relatively high pressure in the reaction chamber or at the inlet end of the reaction chamber to provide a relatively low pressure in the reaction chamber. Including the air foil, according to the mounting position of the air foil provides a heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy induces an exothermic or endothermic reaction.

At this time, the inlet is characterized in that the opening direction is perpendicular to the circulation direction of the gas, the air foil, the reaction chamber of the reaction chamber to cross the circulation direction to give a relatively high pressure to the reaction chamber It is arranged obliquely from the rear end of the inlet or obliquely from the inlet tip of the reaction chamber so as to face the circulation direction to impart relatively low pressure to the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber is one or more of the first and The air foil is divided into a second reaction chamber, each of which is provided at a rear end of the inlet of the first reaction chamber to provide a relatively high pressure in the first reaction chamber and the inlet of the second reaction chamber. The second air foil is provided at the front end and induces a relatively low pressure in the second reaction chamber. The exothermic reaction is induced in the first reaction chamber, and the endothermic reaction is induced in the second reaction chamber.

In addition, the gas circulation means, the electric motor; And a fan rotating by the electric motor in the gaseous pure environment furnace, wherein the gaseous pure environment has a cylindrical shape or a donut shape, which is installed at the inlet and powder of the gas and the hydrogen storage alloy. It characterized in that it further comprises a mesh network of metal sintering filter or grid structure to separate the. And the gas is characterized in that the hydrogen or inert gas containing hydrogen.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 and 3A and 3B are views illustrating a heat pump (hereinafter, simply referred to as a heat pump) using a hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 corresponds to a schematic plan view, and FIG. 3A. And FIG. 3B are schematic views each showing the internal structure in different directions.

As shown, the heat pump according to the present invention is provided with a chamber (150) for providing a closed interior space to provide an independent gaseous environment path (152), and the gaseous environment path (152) outside the chamber 150. At least one reaction chamber 162 and 172, and the circulation means for circulating the gas in a predetermined direction in the gaseous environment path 152 of the chamber 150. In addition, a gas containing hydrogen is filled in the gaseous environment path 152.

In addition, hydrogen storage alloys (M) are mounted in each of the reaction chambers (162, 172). For convenience, as shown in the drawings, the first and second reaction chambers (162, 172), respectively, the first and second reaction chambers (162, 172), respectively. The gas may be disposed along the inner surface of the chamber 150 corresponding to the outside of the gaseous environment path 152, and the first and the first exposed on the gaseous environment path 152 toward the inside of the chamber 150, respectively. 2 inlets 164,174 are opened. In this case, the opening directions of the first and second inlets 164 and 174 may be a direction perpendicular to the circulation direction of the gas, which will be described later, and the first and second inlets along one side edge of the first and second inlets 164 and 174. Air foils (166,176) are mounted respectively.

Accordingly, as shown in the drawing, the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 are mounted along the longitudinal direction of the chamber 150, and the first and second inlets 164 and 174 respectively form the gaseous environment path 152. The first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 may be opened up and down along the longitudinal direction of one surface of the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172. In this case, the first and second air foils 166 and 176 may have one side edges of the first and second inlets 162 and 172, respectively. It is mounted along the longitudinal direction.

At this time, the hydrogen storage alloy (M) charged in each of the first and second reaction chambers (162, 164) may be the same or different, Mg system such as Mg ₂ Cu, Mg ₂ Ni, LaNi ₅ , Rare earth metals represented by MmNi ₅ and TiFe, TiCo, TiMn, TiCr ₂ Ti, ZrMn ₂ Zr-based hydrogen storage alloys, etc. can be appropriately selected, but preferably has a large hydrogen storage amount and a small slope of the hydrogen flat section Kinds can be used, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the heat pump according to the invention.

In addition, the circulation means includes an electric motor 90 exerting a rotational force with external power and a fan 80 installed in the rotary shaft thereof to circulate the gas in a predetermined direction in the gaseous environment path 152 of the chamber 150. . At this time, the fan 80 is available in all kinds to enable a high-speed gas circulation in the gas circulation environment furnace, for example, an axial flow fan or a siroco (siroco) crossflow fan may be used. In addition, the fan 80 may be freely controlled in the rotational direction and speed by adjusting the rotational direction and the rotational speed of the electric motor 90.

As a result, when the fan 80 rotates, a high velocity gas circulation appears in the gas circulation path 152 of the chamber 150. During this process, the inlets 164 and 174 of the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 The first and second airfoils 166 and 176 mounted along the edges respectively induce exothermic reactions in the former case by relatively increasing or decreasing the pressure in the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172. Induces endothermic reaction.

Air foils 166 and 176 for this purpose refer to metal pins having a plate or sheet shape, and as shown in the drawing, the first air foil 166 may be formed based on a direction in which the gas is circulated. 1 is mounted along the trailing side edge of the first inlet 164 of the reaction chamber 162 and the second airfoil 176 is mounted along the leading edge of the second inlet 174 of the second reaction chamber 172. Can be. Therefore, since a relatively high pressure is applied to the first reaction chamber 162 and a relatively low pressure is applied to the second reaction chamber 172 due to the circulation of the gas, hydrogen is introduced into the first reaction chamber 162 due to a high pressure. As a result, vigorous exothermic reaction proceeds, and hydrogen extraction by low pressure occurs from the second reaction chamber 172, resulting in vigorous endothermic reaction.

In this case, the reason why the high pressure and the low pressure are applied to the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 by the first and second air foils 166 and 176 may be explained through Bernoulli's theorem.

In other words, Bernoulli's theorem can be expressed as Equation 1 below. The faster the flow velocity in the fluid flow, the lower the static pressure, and the slower the flow rate, the higher the static pressure.

<Equation 1>

ρgh + P + ρV² / 2 = constant (v: fluid velocity, ρ: density, g: gravitational acceleration h: height in any horizontal plane, P: hydrostatic pressure)

When applied to the heat pump according to the present invention, the gas circulated at a high speed in the gaseous environment path 152 of the chamber 150 is made by the first air foil 166 of the first reaction chamber 162. 1 Increase the internal pressure of the first reaction chamber 162 including the inlet 164 and relatively close to the second inlet 174 during the process of passing over the second air foil 176 of the second reaction chamber 172. As the flow rate increases, the internal pressure of the second reaction chamber 172 including the second inlet 174 is lowered.

Meanwhile, in the above description, the gas filled in the gaseous environment furnace 152 includes hydrogen, and preferably, hydrogen or an inert gas including hydrogen may be used. In the latter case, when the inert gas reacts with the hydrogen storage alloy (M) for a predetermined amount or more, the gas density in the gaseous environment furnace 152 is lowered, so that the hydrogen suction power of the hydrogen storage alloy is lowered as the dynamic pressure defined in Bernoulli's theorem decreases. It is to prevent that.

In this case, the first and second air foils 166 and 176 may be arranged obliquely with respect to the gas circulation direction so as to be more faithful to the corresponding role.

In other words, as can be seen in the figure, the first air foil 166 mounted along the trailing edge of the first inlet 164 of the first reaction chamber 162 is disposed obliquely to cross the gas circulation direction. A relatively high pressure can be applied to the first reaction chamber 162, and the second air foil 176 mounted along the leading edge of the second inlet 174 of the second reaction chamber 172 is a It may be disposed obliquely to face the circulation direction to impart a relatively low pressure to the second reaction chamber 172.

Therefore, when the fan 80 rotates as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 2, the hydrogen storage alloy of the first reaction chamber 162 releases heat through absorption / storage of hydrogen, Hydrogen storage alloys absorb heat through the release / use of hydrogen. On the other hand, when the rotation direction of the fan 80 is switched in the opposite direction as shown by the dotted arrow, the pressure in the first reaction chamber 162 is lowered and the pressure in the second reaction chamber 172 is increased, so that the first reaction chamber 162 is rotated. In the endothermic reaction occurs, the exothermic reaction occurs in the second reaction chamber (172).

In this case, the time to change the rotation direction of the fan 80 may be a time point at which the reaction between the hydrogen storage alloy (M) charged in each reaction chamber 162 and 164 and hydrogen is saturated to lower the exothermic and endothermic reaction. When the rotation direction of the fan 80 is switched, endothermic and exothermic reactions in the reaction chambers 162 and 172 may be alternately repeated. In this case, the same effect can be obtained by changing the mounting direction of the first and second air foils 166 and 176 instead of changing the rotation direction of the fan 80. The heat pump according to the present invention has the first and second air foils. A separate additional element may be provided to selectively detach / bond or switch / place 166,176 at either edge of the first and second inlets 164,174 of the first and second reaction chambers 162,172, respectively. have.

Accordingly, the heat pump according to the present invention can be applied to the freezer / cooler and the heating / heater by using the exothermic reaction of the first reaction chamber 162 and the endothermic reaction of the second reaction chamber 172, although the drawings Although not shown on the screen, the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 respectively pass through or contact heat transfer means such as a heat pipe, or use a separate fan to transfer heat to suit the purpose. It can be used for / cooler or heating / heater.

In addition, since hydrogen storage alloys M inside the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 may be lost due to rapid circulation of gases during the operation of the heat pump according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2 Separate the hydrogen storage alloy (M) powder from the gaseous pure environment to allow gas to move to the first and second inlets (164,174) of the reaction chambers (162,172), respectively, to prevent loss of the hydrogen storage alloy (M). It is also possible to cover the first or second mesh (mesh screen: 168, 178) or the metal sintering filter of the metal material to be described, Figure 4 is an exploded view of any reaction chamber (162, 172) to illustrate this.

On the other hand, the heat pump according to the present invention as described above can be variously modified in a specific shape. That is, additional reaction chambers other than the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 may be provided, and air foils may be mounted at respective inlets at appropriate positions and angles in consideration of the circulation direction of the gas so that a desired exothermic and endothermic reaction occurs. Of course, the number of reaction chambers is virtually unlimited. This can be easily estimated by those skilled in the art without further description.

Furthermore, the heat pump according to the present invention may also be free of the shape of the chamber 50. FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views showing some examples of modifications of the heat pump according to the present invention. For convenience, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts, which play the same roles as the foregoing, to avoid duplication of description.

First, FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the chamber 150 has a donut shape, and the gaseous environment path 152 therein also has an annular shape such as a donut.

In this case, the fan 80 of the circulation means may be provided at at least one point on the gas movement path 152 that is inside the chamber 150 to induce an annular gas circulation along the gas movement path 152.

In addition, the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 may be provided on the inner surface or the outer surface of the chamber 150 corresponding to the outside of the gas flow path 152, respectively, and the first and second inlets 164 and 174 may be provided in the chamber 150, respectively. ) And the first air foil 166 is mounted along the rear end of the first inlet 164 of the first reaction chamber 162 with respect to the gas circulation direction. While imparting a relatively high pressure to the chamber 162, the second air foil 176 is mounted along the tip of the second inlet 174 of the second reaction chamber 172 with respect to the direction of gas circulation, thereby providing a second reaction. It is possible to apply a relatively low pressure to the seal 172. Furthermore, the first air foil 166 may be disposed obliquely from the rear end of the first inlet 164 of the first reaction chamber 162 so as to counter the circulating direction of the gas, and the second air foil 176 may be gas Of course, it can be arranged obliquely from the tip of the second inlet 164 of the second reaction chamber 162 to follow the circulation direction of.

Next, FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the chamber 150 has a donut shape and the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 are separated from the chamber 150.

In this case, the fan 80 of the circulation means may be provided at at least one point on the gas movement path 152 that is inside the chamber 150 to induce an annular gas circulation along the gas movement path 152.

In addition, the first and second reaction chambers 162 and 172 may be connected to the gas movement path 152 inside the chamber 150 through separate first and second communication tubes 169 and 179, respectively. By providing the first and second air foils 166 and 176 at the first and second inlets 164 and 174 of the first and second communication pipes 169 and 179 exposed toward each other, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

In addition, not all introduced for convenience, but as described above, the heat pump according to the present invention can be modified in various ways, all of which are included in the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, all modifications satisfying the technical spirit of the present invention should be interpreted as being within the technical spirit of the present invention, which can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following claims.

The heat pump using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention has the effect of inducing stable hydrogen absorption and release of the hydrogen storage alloy while eliminating the use of a compressor.

Therefore, by eliminating the compressor having the disadvantages of low efficiency, high load, and high noise, it is possible to reduce the volume and simplify the structure, as well as to omit complicated valves and connectors. Nevertheless, the heat pump using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention can repeatedly perform the exothermic and endothermic reactions of the hydrogen storage alloy alternately with a simple operation of changing the mounting position of the air foil or the rotation direction of the fan. Speed can be controlled to achieve optimal high efficiency. During this process, the driving means mobilized in the heat pump using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention is limited to the electrothermal motor, showing a more reliable low noise and high efficiency effect.

Lastly, the heat pump using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention has a simple structure and is easy to commercialize, and thus can be used in all kinds of heat exchange fields such as cooling and heating, cooling of electronic and electric devices, cooling of various devices of automobiles, and the like. There is an advantage that can be applied universally.

Claims (8)

Heat pump using hydrogen storage alloy, A chamber providing an independent internal gaseous environment path; At least one reaction chamber provided outside the gaseous pure environment furnace to mount the hydrogen storage alloy and having an inlet exposed on the gaseous pure environment furnace; Circulating means for circulating gas in one direction along the gas circulating environment path; Respectively, the gas is provided at the rear end of the inlet of the reaction chamber to provide a relatively high pressure in the reaction chamber or at the inlet end of the reaction chamber to provide a relatively low pressure in the reaction chamber. Air foil Including, the heat pump using the hydrogen storage alloy induces an exothermic or endothermic reaction in the reaction chamber according to the mounting position of the air foil. The method of claim 1, The inlet is a heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy whose opening direction is perpendicular to the circulation direction of the gas. The method of claim 1, The air foil is disposed obliquely from the rear end of the inlet of the reaction chamber to cross the circulation direction to impart a relatively high pressure to the reaction chamber or the circulation to impart a relatively low pressure to the reaction chamber. Heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy disposed obliquely from the inlet end of the reaction chamber to face the direction. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The reaction chamber is divided into one or more first and second reaction chambers, Each of the air foils is provided at a rear end of the inlet of the first reaction chamber to impart a relatively high pressure in the first reaction chamber, and is provided at the inlet tip of the second reaction chamber and the second of the second reaction chamber. Heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy is divided into a second air foil inducing a relatively low pressure in the reaction chamber, the exothermic reaction is induced in the first reaction chamber, the endothermic reaction is induced in the second reaction chamber . The method of claim 1, The gas circulation means, An electric motor; A fan rotated by the electric motor in the gaseous environment furnace Heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy comprising a. The method of claim 1, Heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy having a cylindrical or donut shape as the gaseous environment. The method of claim 1, A heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy is installed to seal the inlet further comprises a metal sintering filter or a grid mesh to separate the hydrogen storage alloy from the gaseous environment. The method of claim 1, The gas is a heat pump using a hydrogen storage alloy that is hydrogen or an inert gas containing hydrogen.

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