JP2002160901A - Hydrogen storage alloy activation device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen storage alloy activation device capable of quickly and inexpensively activating a hydrogen storage alloy. A hydrogen recovery device (41) and a hydrogen supply device (42) filled with a hydrogen storage alloy, a container (10) holding a hydrogen storage alloy (C) to be activated, and a container (20).
A hydrogen storage alloy activation device having a heating device 31 and a cooling device 32, a first heat exchange means for exchanging heat between the heat generated from the hydrogen recovery device 41 and the heat absorption generated from the hydrogen supply device 42, and It is characterized by having at least one of the second heat exchange means for exchanging heat between the high heat and the cold heat remaining when the containers 10 and 20 are switched between heating and cooling. That is, by preparing a hydrogen storage alloy for hydrogen supply / recovery, hydrogen supply / recovery can be performed regardless of the state of the hydrogen storage alloy to be processed. And a first heat exchange means and a second heat exchange means.
The heat can be effectively used by the heat exchange means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy activating device for activating a hydrogen storage alloy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a hydrogen storage alloy can exhibit its hydrogen storage ability by having an active surface (activation).
As a method for activating the hydrogen storage alloy, it is general to perform the method of repeatedly causing the hydrogen storage alloy to store and release hydrogen.

Conventionally, as an activation device for activating a hydrogen storage alloy, a step of pressurizing hydrogen to the hydrogen storage alloy by supplying hydrogen from a hydrogen cylinder to store the hydrogen, and then depressurizing the hydrogen storage alloy to dehydrogenate the same. Is repeated to activate the hydrogenation reaction and activate the hydrogen storage alloy. In this case, the hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage alloy is discharged into the atmosphere, and new hydrogen is introduced from the cylinder. Further, since the hydrogen storage reaction of the hydrogen storage alloy is an exothermic reaction and the dehydrogenation reaction is an endothermic reaction, it is necessary to repeat heating and cooling of the hydrogen storage alloy in accordance with the storage and dehydrogenation of hydrogen.

Here, a large amount of hydrogen is required for activating the hydrogen storage alloy because hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen storage alloy from a cylinder and the discharged hydrogen is released into the atmosphere and is not effectively used. .

[0005] Therefore, there has been a method (apparatus) for exchanging hydrogen gas between two containers filled with a hydrogen storage alloy to reduce hydrogen consumption. In other words, when one container releases hydrogen, the other container stores the hydrogen, and on the other hand, when one container stores hydrogen, the other container releases the hydrogen.

A method of dividing one vessel into two and exchanging hydrogen between the divided sections is disclosed in
No. 13080.

[0007]

However, in the method of exchanging hydrogen between two containers, the method of transferring hydrogen depends on the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy filled in both containers. The change in the equilibrium pressure of hydrogen dissociation due to the temperature change of the hydrogen storage alloy due to the increase and decrease of hydrogen and the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy caused by the heat absorption and desorption during storage and dehydrogenation directly affects the hydrogen transfer rate. There was an inconvenience that supply and hydrogen recovery were difficult. as a result,
By absorbing the hydrogen released from one container into the other, some reduction in hydrogen consumption can be achieved,
The overall hydrogen recycling rate was poor. Also, it has been difficult to quickly activate the hydrogen storage alloy.

When the degree of activation of the hydrogen storage alloy is different between the two containers, the hydrogen released from the hydrogen storage alloy in the more activated container delays the progress of the activation. With the hydrogen storage alloy in the container, excess hydrogen cannot be completely absorbed and the surplus hydrogen must be released to the atmosphere. In the reverse process, on the other hand, the amount of hydrogen supplied to the activated vessel is insufficient, and it becomes necessary to supply new hydrogen from the cylinder.

[0009] In addition, in a device that divides the same container into two parts, it is not always possible to effectively use hydrogen as described above, and in addition, since the respective sections are communicated in the container, impurities from the hydrogen storage alloy are contaminated. There is a disadvantage that sufficient vacuum degassing cannot be performed at a stage where a large amount of methane is generated, and that the activation cannot proceed quickly.

Further, since it is necessary to separately heat and cool the hydrogen storage alloy between each of the divided sections, the structure must be complicated as compared with a normal container, and the number of containers is reduced. It is doubtful whether running costs can be sufficiently reduced, and it is not suitable for mass production.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen storage alloy activating device capable of activating a hydrogen storage alloy quickly and at low cost.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that the capacity of hydrogen storage / dehydrogenation for supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen storage alloy to be processed and recovering hydrogen is greater than that of the hydrogen storage alloy to be processed. By using a large hydrogen storage alloy, a method for supplying and recovering hydrogen without being influenced by the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy to be activated and the progress of the activation has been conceived. In addition, the present inventors have conceived a method capable of effectively utilizing not only the effective use of hydrogen but also the energy at the time of heating and cooling of the hydrogen storage alloy to be treated.

That is, the hydrogen storage alloy activating device of the present invention comprises a hydrogen recovery device holding a hydrogen storage alloy A for storing hydrogen, a hydrogen supply device holding a hydrogen storage alloy B for releasing hydrogen, and a hydrogen storage device. And the first holding the treated hydrogen storage alloy C activated by performing dehydrogenation, respectively.
A hydrogen storage alloy activating device having an activating device and a second activating device, and a heating device and a cooling device for heating, cooling, and then cooling and heating the first activating device and the second activating device, respectively. A heat exchange between the heat generated by the hydrogen storage alloy A of the hydrogen recovery device storing hydrogen and the heat absorption generated by dehydrogenation of the hydrogen storage alloy B of the hydrogen supply device. 1 heat exchange means, and at least one of second heat exchange means for exchanging heat between high heat and cold heat remaining when switching between heating and cooling of the first activating device and the second activating device. I do.

That is, apart from the hydrogen storage alloy to be treated,
By preparing a hydrogen storage alloy for supplying and recovering hydrogen and storing and releasing hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy, hydrogen can be supplied and recovered independently of the state of the hydrogen storage alloy to be treated. Heat generation and heat absorption progress in opposite directions between the hydrogen storage alloys A and B, and between the first activation device and the second activation device. Can be effectively used. As described above, after the heating and cooling are performed by the first activation device and the second activation device, the heat is exchanged and leveled, and the heat is exchanged between the hydrogen recovery device and the hydrogen supply device. As a result, the necessity of externally heating and cooling is reduced, and energy can be effectively used.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A hydrogen storage alloy activating device according to the present invention will be described below based on embodiments.

The hydrogen storage alloy activating device according to the present embodiment comprises:
It has a hydrogen recovery device, a hydrogen supply device, a first activation device, a second activation device, a heating device, a cooling device, and at least one of a first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit.

In this apparatus, the first heat exchange means or the second heat exchange means
By having at least one of the heat exchange means, effective use of energy is achieved.

The first heat exchange means exchanges high heat and cold heat of the first activation device and the second activation device to equalize the temperatures of the first activation device and the second activation device, thereby achieving effective utilization of energy.
In the present apparatus, the first activation device and the second activation device that respectively hold the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated activated by performing hydrogen storage and dehydrogenation are alternately heated and cooled by a heating device and a cooling device, respectively. The hydrogen storage alloy C to be processed is activated by repeating cooling and then cooling and heating. However, focusing on the first or second activation device, heating and cooling are repeatedly performed. A lot of energy is required when heating, cooling, and cooling to heating. In order to save this energy, heat is exchanged with the other activation device, and the heat energy of the other activation device is reused.

Further, the second heat exchange means achieves effective use of energy by performing heat exchange between the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen recovery device. The hydrogen supply device holds a hydrogen storage alloy B for releasing hydrogen, and the hydrogen recovery device holds a hydrogen storage alloy A for storing hydrogen. The hydrogen storage alloy B requires heating to continuously supply hydrogen (dehydrogenation: endothermic reaction), and the hydrogen storage alloy A requires cooling to continuously recover hydrogen (hydrogen storage: exothermic reaction). is necessary. Therefore, by supplying the heat generated by the hydrogen storage alloy A to the hydrogen storage alloy B, the reaction between the two can be advanced while minimizing external heating and cooling.

The first heat exchange means includes a heat exchanger K provided in the hydrogen recovery device, a heat exchanger L provided in the hydrogen supply device, and a first heat exchanger K circulating between the heat exchangers K and L.
And a heat medium circuit. The second heat exchange means includes a heat exchanger M provided in the first activation device, a heat exchanger N provided in the second heat exchange device, and a second heat exchanger circulating between the heat exchangers M and N. And two heat medium circuits. The heating medium is not particularly limited, but may be a medium that transports heat by changing its own temperature, for example, a gas, a liquid, a granular material, or the like, or may convert heat energy into another energy such as electricity converted by a thermoelectric element. It may be a medium that is converted into a form and transported. In addition, the first heat exchange means and the second heat exchange means can not only perform heat exchange but also communicate with each other to share heat. Further, when excess or deficiency of heat as a whole occurs,
For example, heat may be exchanged with a heating device or a cooling device.

The hydrogen recovery device is a device for holding a hydrogen storage alloy A for storing hydrogen. Retained hydrogen storage alloy A
Is preferably such that it can absorb all of the hydrogen released when activating the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated in the first activation device and the second activation device. It preferably has an occlusion ability.

The hydrogen supply device is a device for holding a hydrogen storage alloy B for releasing hydrogen. Retained hydrogen storage alloy B
Is preferably such that it can supply all of the hydrogen absorbed when activating the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated in the first activation device and the second activation device. It preferably has an occlusion ability. Before performing the activation operation, a necessary amount of hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage alloy B in advance.

The hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy A at a predetermined temperature is lower than the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy C heated by the heating device, and the hydrogen storage alloy B at the predetermined temperature. Is preferably higher than the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated cooled by the cooling device. With such a relationship, the second heat exchange means has a simple configuration in which the temperatures of the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen recovery device are simply leveled and maintained at a predetermined temperature, and both devices perform their respective functions (hydrogen supply and hydrogen recovery). Can be achieved.

Further, the inside of the hydrogen recovery apparatus is set to a pressure lower than the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy A.
It is preferable to have a hydrogen transfer means for introducing hydrogen dehydrogenated from the hydrogen storage device into the hydrogen supply device at a pressure higher than the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy B, and storing the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy B. Since the hydrogen recovery capacity of the hydrogen storage alloys A and B held by the hydrogen recovery apparatus and the hydrogen supply apparatus are both determined by the hydrogen storage capacity, it is necessary to recover (supply) hydrogen more than the capacity. In this case, it is necessary to regenerate the retained hydrogen storage alloys A and B. At this time, it is preferable to move the hydrogen recovered by the hydrogen recovery device to the hydrogen supply device so that the hydrogen is not wasted.

As a method of reducing the pressure inside the hydrogen recovery device to a pressure lower than the equilibrium pressure of hydrogen dissociation of the hydrogen storage alloy A, there are a method of reducing the pressure inside the device by a pump or the like, a method of heating the hydrogen storage alloy A, and the like. Conversely, as a method of introducing the hydrogen into the hydrogen supply device as a pressure higher than the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy B, a method of similarly pressurizing by a pump,
There is a method of cooling the hydrogen storage alloy B, and the like.

The first activating device and the second activating device are devices for holding the hydrogen storage alloy C to be processed which is activated by performing hydrogen storage and dehydrogenation. First
The configurations of the activation device and the second activation device are not particularly limited. For example, a plurality of (single) containers filled with the hydrogen storage alloy C to be processed can be exemplified as the first activation device and the second activation device. It is preferable that the amounts of the hydrogen storage alloys C to be treated held in the first activation device and the second activation device are substantially equal from the viewpoint of equalizing the activation rates of both.

The heating device and the cooling device are devices for heating and cooling the first activation device and the second activation device, respectively, and then cooling and heating. Here, when the heating device is heating the first activation device, the cooling device cools the second activation device, and when the heating device heats the second activation device, the cooling device cools the first activation device. I do. In other words, it is not always necessary to heat or cool either the first activation device or the second activation device, but it is not preferable that both are simultaneously heated (or cooled). Further, the heating device and the cooling device do not need to uniformly heat or cool the entire first activation device or the second activation device, and may partially heat or cool.

The heating device has a high-temperature heat medium, the cooling device has a low-temperature heat medium, and the high-temperature heat medium and the low-temperature heat medium are heat exchangers M provided in the respective activation devices.
And N are preferably switched and supplied as appropriate.
In addition to using the heat exchangers M and N for the first heat exchange means,
By sharing the heating device and the cooling device, the cost can be reduced.

[0029]

[Embodiment 1] (Construction) As shown in FIG. 1, a hydrogen storage alloy activating device of this embodiment includes a container 10 as a first activating device and a container 20 as a second activating device. And heating device 31 and cooling device 3
2, a hydrogen recovery device 41, a hydrogen supply device 42, heat exchangers M and N provided in each of the containers 10 and 20 as first heat exchange means, and a first heat medium circuit 7 connectable therebetween.
1 (omitted in FIG. 1), heat exchangers K and L provided in a hydrogen recovery device 41 and a hydrogen supply device 42 as second heat exchange means, respectively, and a second heat exchanger connectable therebetween. It comprises a medium circuit 72, a hydrogen cylinder 91, a vacuum pump 92, and pipes 61, 62 and switching valves 51, 52, 53, 54 that can properly connect between them.

The container 10 and the container 20 have substantially the same configuration, and have a hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated held therein, and can be connected to the first heat medium circuit 71, the heating device 31 and the cooling device 32. And a hydrogen supply device 42 and a hydrogen recovery device 41 via a valve section V.
Are connected to the pipes 61 and 62 connected to the pipe.

The heating device 31 stores hot water therein.
The hot water is supplied to the heat exchangers K and L of the necessary devices (containers 10 and 20, hydrogen recovery device 41 or hydrogen supply device 42).
This is a device for heating by appropriately switching to M and N and flowing. The cooling device 32 stores cold water therein, and switches the cold water to the heat exchangers K, L, M, and N of the necessary devices (containers 10, 20, the hydrogen recovery device 41, or the hydrogen supply device 42) as appropriate. This is a device that performs cooling.

The first heat medium circuit suitably connects the heat exchangers M and N to circulate a heat medium such as water.

The hydrogen recovery device 41 has a hydrogen storage alloy A therein.
, And has a heat exchanger K inside. The internal hydrogen storage alloy A is filled in an amount sufficient to store the hydrogen released before the activation of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated filled in the containers 10 and 20 is completed.

The hydrogen supply device 42 has a hydrogen storage alloy B therein.
, And has a heat exchanger L inside. The internal hydrogen storage alloy B is filled in an amount sufficient to supply the hydrogen to be stored before the activation of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated filled in the containers 10 and 20 is completed.
Before the activation operation, this hydrogen storage alloy B
To store the required amount of hydrogen.

The hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy A at a predetermined temperature is lower than the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated heated by the heating device 31, and the hydrogen storage alloy B at a predetermined temperature. Hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of cooling device 3
2 is higher than the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated cooled in Step 2. Specifically, the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy A is near atmospheric pressure at room temperature, and for example, a CaNi-based alloy can be used. The hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy B is about 1.1 MPa at room temperature, and for example, an MmNi-based alloy can be used. In this case, the predetermined temperature is about 30 to 40 ° C.

The second heat medium circuit suitably connects the heat exchangers K and L to circulate a heat medium such as water.

The hydrogen cylinder 91 supplies hydrogen to be stored in the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen supply device 42. The vacuum pump 92 discharges the gas in the containers 10 and 20 so that a gas containing a large amount of impurities such as air does not flow into the hydrogen recovery device 41 at the beginning of the activation operation.

The pipes 61 and 62 include a hydrogen recovery line 61 connecting the containers 10 and 20 to the hydrogen recovery device 41 or the vacuum pump 92 and a hydrogen supply line 62 connecting the containers 10 and 20 to the hydrogen supply device 42. , Switching valve 51,
52, 53, and 54 are switching valves 51 that connect the hydrogen recovery line 61 to the hydrogen recovery device 41 or the vacuum pump 92.
A switching valve 52 for connecting the hydrogen supply device 42 to the hydrogen supply line 62 or the hydrogen cylinder 91;
Are connected to a hydrogen recovery line 61 or a hydrogen supply line 62, respectively. The pipes 61 and 62 and the switching valves 51, 52, 53 and 54 are combined to properly connect the containers 10, 20, the hydrogen recovery device 41, the hydrogen supply device 42, the hydrogen cylinder 91 and the vacuum pump 92. is there.

(Operation and Effect) The procedure for activating the hydrogen storage alloy C to be processed by the hydrogen storage alloy activation apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

Step 1 As shown in FIG. 2, the switching valve 51 is switched to the vacuum pump 92, the switching valves 53 and 54 are switched to the hydrogen recovery line 61, and the switching valve 52 is switched to the hydrogen cylinder 91 to operate the vacuum pump 92. Let it. Then, each of the heat exchangers M and N is connected to the heating device 31.
And the second heat medium circuit connecting the heat exchangers M and N is stopped.

When the vacuum pump 92 operates, the container 1
The gas in 0, 20 is exhausted to the atmosphere. First container 1
This is because the gas in 0 and 20 contains many impurities other than hydrogen, and if introduced directly into the hydrogen recovery device 41, the hydrogen storage alloy in the hydrogen recovery device 41 may be poisoned.

Step 2 As shown in FIG. 3, the switching valve 51 is connected to the hydrogen recovery device 41 side,
The switching valve 54 is switched to the hydrogen supply line 62 side, the switching valve 53 is switched to the hydrogen recovery line 61 side, and the switching valve 52 is switched to the hydrogen supply line 62 side. Then, cold water from the cooling device 32 is circulated to the heat exchanger M, and warm water from the heating device 31 is circulated to the heat exchanger N, and the second heat medium circuit is operated.

The hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated in the container 10 is cooled to lower the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure and store hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply line 62. The hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated in the container 20 is heated to increase the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure, and the dehydrogenated hydrogen is recovered from the hydrogen recovery line 61.

Since the second heat medium circuit is operating, the hydrogen storage alloy B is heated by the heat generated by the hydrogen storage of the hydrogen storage alloy A, and the hydrogen storage alloy B performs the dehydrogenation reaction and the hydrogen storage alloy A performs the hydrogen storage reaction. Can proceed respectively. At this time, if the temperature of the heat medium circulating in the second heat medium circuit deviates from a predetermined temperature range, the heating device 31 or the cooling device 3
2 and the second heat medium circuit can be connected to adjust the temperature of the heat medium.

Step 3 As shown in FIG. 4, the switching valves 54 and 53 are closed, and the first heat medium circuit 71 connecting the heat exchangers M and N is operated.

As a result, the heat of the heated container 20 moves to the container 10, and the temperatures of the two are leveled, so that the energy required for heating (cooling) the container 10 (20) in the next step can be saved.

Step 4 As shown in FIG. 5, the switching valve 51 is connected to the hydrogen recovery device 41 side.
The switching valve 54 is switched to the hydrogen recovery line 61 side, the switching valve 53 is switched to the hydrogen supply line 62 side, and the switching valve 52 is switched to the hydrogen supply line 62 side. Then, hot water from the heating device 31 is circulated through the heat exchanger M, and cold water from the cooling device 32 is circulated through the heat exchanger N, and the second heat medium circuit is operated.

Therefore, the same operation as in step 2 can be obtained except that the container 10 and the container 20 are interchanged.

Step 5 As in step 3, as shown in FIG.
And a first heat medium circuit 71 connecting the heat exchangers M and N
Activate

Therefore, the same operation as in step 3 is obtained.

Hereinafter, Steps 2 to 5 are performed by treating the hydrogen storage alloy C
Until the required activity is obtained.

Step 6 By the way, the hydrogen storage alloy A in the hydrogen recovery device 41 becomes unable to store hydrogen any more, or the hydrogen supply device 4
When the hydrogen storage alloy B in 2 cannot be dehydrogenated anymore, it is necessary to regenerate the hydrogen storage alloy A or B.

In this step, as shown in FIG. 6, the hot water from the heating device 31 is circulated through the heat exchanger K, and the cold water from the cooling device 32 is circulated through the heat exchanger L. Can be stored in the hydrogen storage alloy B, and the hydrogen storage alloys A and B can be regenerated.

As described above, according to the present apparatus, there is an effect that hydrogen and heat can be effectively used in activating the hydrogen storage alloy.

[Modification 1] An apparatus having the same configuration as that of the hydrogen storage alloy activating apparatus of the first embodiment is used, and in step 6, the hydrogen recovery unit 41 and the hydrogen supply unit 42 are simply connected by heating and cooling. Alternatively or additionally, a pump (not shown) may be used to convert the hydrogen recovery device 41 to the hydrogen storage alloy A.
The hydrogen can be moved by reducing the pressure from the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure and pressurizing the hydrogen supply device 42 from the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy B.

[Modification 2] (Configuration) The hydrogen storage alloy activating device of Modification 2 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
And a third heat medium circuit 73. The vessels 11 and 21 have substantially the same configuration as the vessels 10 and 20, and include a heat exchanger that holds the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated and can be connected to the third heat medium circuit 73, the heating device 31 and the cooling device 32. A pipe 6 having M ′ and N ′, respectively, and connected to a hydrogen supply device 42 and a hydrogen recovery device 41 via a valve unit.
1 and 62.

The third heat medium circuit is a circuit for appropriately connecting the heat exchangers M ′ and N ′ and circulating a heat medium such as water.

(Effects) The hydrogen storage alloy activating device of the second modification has the following effects because it has the above-described configuration.

That is, since the containers 11 and 21 are provided, in the steps 3 and 5 of the first embodiment, a further activation operation of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated is performed until the equilibrium between the containers 10 and 20 is achieved. However, in this modified example 2, by operating the containers 11 and 21 independently of the containers 10 and 20, the effect of reducing the time waste of activation of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated is reduced. There is. By further increasing the number of containers, it is possible to further improve the activation rate of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated.

[Modification 3] A normal temperature negative pressure (Pe = 0.01 to 0.05 MPa) is applied to the hydrogen storage alloy A of the hydrogen recovery unit 41.
Type alloy, for example, TiZrMn-based alloy, MmNiAl
By using an Fe-based alloy, the container 10, 2
It becomes possible to reduce the pressure inside 0, and the amount of recoverable hydrogen increases.

[Modification 4] The hydrogen recovery device 41 and the hydrogen supply device 42 are substantially the same as the device of the first embodiment except that the same hydrogen storage alloy is filled.

That is, it is possible to freely change the hydrogen recovery device and the hydrogen supply device depending on the temperature of the heat medium circulated through the heat exchangers K and L, and one of them can store more hydrogen due to saturation or the like. Even if dehydrogenation cannot be performed, the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen recovery device can be easily replaced.

[Modification 5] A gas storage container (not shown) is added to the hydrogen storage alloy activating device of the first embodiment. The gas storage container is connected to the hydrogen recovery line 61 and stores the high-pressure hydrogen released from the containers 10 and 20 at the beginning of the steps 2 and 4.

The hydrogen stored in the gas storage container can be used when the equilibrium pressure at the start of hydrogen storage of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be treated is low. Unlike the hydrogen recovery device 41, the gas storage container does not need to be filled with the hydrogen storage alloy A, so that the cost can be reduced.

[0065]

As described above, the hydrogen storage alloy activating device of the present invention is divided into an activation device for heating and an activation device for cooling when activating the hydrogen storage alloy. By leveling the heat, it is possible to effectively use the heat energy. Further, hydrogen used for activating the hydrogen storage alloy can be stored in the hydrogen storage alloy and reused.

Therefore, the present invention has an effect that it is possible to provide a hydrogen storage alloy activating device capable of quickly and inexpensively activating the hydrogen storage alloy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a hydrogen storage alloy activating device of Example 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state (step 1) of the hydrogen storage alloy activating device of Example 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an operation state (step 2) of the hydrogen storage alloy activating device of Example 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state (steps 3 and 5) of the hydrogen storage alloy activating device of Example 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state (step 4) of the hydrogen storage alloy activating device of Example 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an operation state (step 6) of the hydrogen storage alloy activating device of Example 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a hydrogen storage alloy activating device of a second modification.

[Description of Signs] 10, 20, 11, 21: container 31: heating device 32, cooling device 41, hydrogen recovery device 42, hydrogen supply device 51, 52, 53, 54 switching valve 61, hydrogen recovery line 62, hydrogen Supply line K: heat exchanger (hydrogen recovery unit) L: heat exchanger (hydrogen supply unit) M: heat exchanger (vessel 10) N: heat exchanger (vessel 20) M ': heat exchanger (vessel 11)
N ': heat exchanger (vessel 21) 71: first heat medium circuit 72: second heat medium circuit 73
… Third heat medium circuit 91… hydrogen cylinder 92… vacuum pump

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Aoki 41-cho, Yokomichi, Nagakute-cho, Aichi-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inside of Toyota Central Research Laboratory Co., Ltd. 41, Yokomichi, No. 1 Inside Toyota Central Research Laboratory Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsuyoshi Fujita 2-1-1 Toyota-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Industries Corporation (72) Inventor Keiji Fuji, Toyota, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture 2-1-1, Machi-cho, Toyota Industries Corporation (72) Inventor Hideto Kubo 2-1-1, Toyota-machi, Kariya-shi, Aichi F-Terminal, Toyota Industries Corporation, F-term (reference) 3E072 EA10 4G040 AA02 AA43 AA44 4G140 AA02 AA43 AA44

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A hydrogen recovery device that holds a hydrogen storage alloy A for storing hydrogen, a hydrogen supply device that holds a hydrogen storage alloy B for releasing hydrogen, and activated by performing hydrogen storage and dehydrogenation. A first activating device and a second activating device for respectively holding the hydrogen storage alloy C to be processed, a heating device and a cooling device for heating and cooling the first activating device and the second activating device, respectively, and then cooling and heating the first and second activating devices, respectively. A hydrogen storage alloy activating device, comprising: a heat generating unit that generates hydrogen when the hydrogen storage alloy A of the hydrogen recovery device stores hydrogen, and dehydrogenates the hydrogen storage alloy B of the hydrogen supply device. First heat exchanging means for exchanging heat with heat generated by the first and second heat exchangers, and high heat and cold heat remaining when the first activation device and the second activation device are switched between heating and cooling. Hydrogen storage alloy activation device, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the second heat exchange means for heat exchange. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the first heat exchange means, wherein the first heat exchange means includes a heat exchanger K provided in the hydrogen recovery device, a heat exchanger L provided in the hydrogen supply device, and the heat exchanger L. Exchanger K
The hydrogen storage alloy activating device according to claim 1, further comprising a first heat medium circuit circulating between the first and second heat transfer circuits. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second heat exchange unit, wherein the second heat exchange unit includes a heat exchanger M provided in the first activation device and a heat exchanger provided in the second heat exchange device. The hydrogen storage alloy activating apparatus according to claim 1, comprising N and a second heat medium circuit circulating between the heat exchangers M and N. 4. The heating device has a high-temperature heat medium, the cooling device has a low-temperature heat medium, and the high-temperature heat medium and the low-temperature heat medium are supplied to the heat exchangers M and N. 4. The hydrogen storage alloy activating device according to 3. 5. The hydrogen recovery device further reduces the hydrogen desorbed from the hydrogen storage alloy A to a pressure lower than the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy A, and supplies the hydrogen storage alloy B into the hydrogen supply device. 2. The hydrogen storage alloy activating device according to claim 1, further comprising a hydrogen transfer unit that is introduced at a pressure higher than a hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure and stores the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy B. 6. The hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy A at a predetermined temperature is lower than the hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be processed heated by the heating device, and the hydrogen storage alloy C at the predetermined temperature. 2. The hydrogen storage alloy activating device according to claim 1, wherein a hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy B is higher than a hydrogen dissociation equilibrium pressure of the hydrogen storage alloy C to be processed cooled by the cooling device. 3.