JPH0610568B2 - Heat pump device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a heat pump device using a metal hydride.

<Prior Art> A metal hydride called a hydrogen storage (occlusion) alloy or metal hydride (Metal Hydride) based on rare earths, titanium, magnesium, and other metals rapidly initiates a hydrogenation reaction. It is known that hydrogen is exothermically occluded and that the metal hydride reversibly causes a dehydrogenation reaction to endothermically release hydrogen.

This chemical reaction formula is shown by the following formula.

M + n / 2H ₂ MH _n + ΔH M: Hydrogen storage (storage) alloy ΔH: Heat of reaction MH _n : Metal hydride However, once the hydrogenation reaction occurs to form a metal hydride, it should be completely restored to its original state. May be represented by the following equation because it is very difficult.

MH _{(m + n)} MH _m + n / 2H ₂ ± ΔH That is, m always represents a hydrogen atom that is bound to a hydrogen storage (storage) alloy to form a metal hydride, and n is practically a metal hydride. Represents the hydrogen that can be extracted from the alloy.

In the present specification, the above-mentioned M, MH _n , MH
₍ M _{+ n)} and MH _m are collectively referred to as a metal hydride and are simply represented by the symbol M.

The hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure P of these metal hydrides is generally a function of the temperature T as shown in FIG. 15, and the higher the temperature, the higher the hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure. By utilizing such a property, low-pressure hydrogen is occluded in a metal hydride at a relatively low temperature, and then hydrogen is released from the metal hydride at a high temperature to obtain high-pressure hydrogen. Hydrogen compressors are being considered.

It is also possible to cause such metal hydrides to exothermically absorb high-pressure hydrogen at high temperatures and to endothermicly release hydrogen from the metal hydrides in a low-temperature low-pressure hydrogen atmosphere. Heat pumps are also being considered.

Further, there is disclosed a device combining a hydrogen compression device utilizing a metal hydride as described above and a heat pump device.
It is described in Japanese Patent No. 0154. This device has at least three tapes, each carrying metal hydrides having different hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristics, in the form of a rotating belt, and is provided between the low pressure chamber and the medium pressure chamber filled with hydrogen gas having different pressures. And a high pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, respectively, and a structure in which the high temperature heat medium chamber, the medium temperature heat medium chamber or the low temperature heat medium chamber and the tape are thermally connected so as to exchange heat with each other. have. When the tape is in the low pressure chamber, the medium pressure chamber, or the high pressure chamber, the tape is heated or cooled by the heat medium chambers at appropriate temperatures, respectively, and at that time, the metal hydride carried on the tape absorbs or releases hydrogen. Do. As a result, the low-pressure hydrogen is compressed into high-pressure hydrogen, and the resulting high-pressure hydrogen is exothermicly occluded and heat-pumped by the low-pressure hydrogen is released endlessly, and the low-pressure hydrogen can be further circulated to the compression operation. .

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the above-mentioned conventional device, it is difficult to carry the metal hydride on the tape, and the pressure between the low pressure chamber and the medium pressure chamber needs to be shut off. Since the tape carrying the metal hydride must be run between the medium-pressure chamber and the high-pressure chamber, and further between the high-pressure chamber and the low-pressure chamber, there is a problem in the sealing property for pressure cutoff.

Therefore, the present invention is an apparatus capable of performing a hydrogen compression operation and a heat pump operation by utilizing a metal hydride according to the same principle as that of the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, and solves the above-mentioned problem of the sealing property of pressure cutoff. The present invention is made for the purpose of providing a heat pump device having a structure capable of achieving the above.

<Means for Solving Problems> That is, the heat pump device of the present invention includes a rotating body in which a plurality of closed containers filled with a metal hydride are arranged in a radial direction with respect to a rotating shaft, and the rotating body. The first heating medium chamber and the second heating medium chamber arranged around the rotating body so that each closed container alternately and sequentially passes through the first heating medium chamber and the second heating medium chamber having different temperatures as the rotor rotates. And a hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet provided in the vicinity of the rotating body, each closed container and a hydrogen conduit connected to the hydrogen inlet or the hydrogen outlet, and each hydrogen conduit and the hydrogen inlet or the hydrogen. The connection with the outlet is such that when one closed container is in the first heat transfer medium chamber, the hydrogen conduit extending from this closed container communicates only with the hydrogen inlet, and when this closed container is in the second heat transfer medium chamber. The hydrogen conduit that extends from the closed container communicates only with the hydrogen outlet. Thus, at least three metal hydride units are used in which each hydrogen conduit is connected or shut off sequentially with the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet as the rotor rotates.

In the first invention of the present invention, the first heat medium chamber and the second heat medium chamber of the first unit are a low temperature medium chamber and a medium temperature medium chamber, respectively, and the first heat medium chamber and the first unit of the second unit are The two heat transfer medium chambers are the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber and the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber, respectively, the first heat transfer medium chamber and the second heat transfer medium chamber of the third unit are the high temperature heat transfer medium chamber and the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber, respectively, and the hydrogen of the second unit is The outlet is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the first unit,
The hydrogen outlet of the unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the third unit, and the hydrogen outlet of the third unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the second unit. The metal hydride _{M 1} and hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristics of the metal hydride _{M 2} and the third unit metal hydride _{M 3} of the second unit of the first unit has _{M 3} than _M 2, _{M 2} than _{M 1} hot Choose to be in the area.
As a result, the hydrogen stored in the metal hydride M ₂ in the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber of the second unit is released as medium pressure hydrogen in the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber, and this medium pressure hydrogen is transferred to the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber of the first unit. Metal hydride M ₁ and then released as high-pressure hydrogen in the medium temperature heating medium chamber, and this high-pressure hydrogen is exothermicly stored in metal hydride M ₃ in the high temperature heating medium chamber of the third unit. Endothermic release in the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber causes heat transfer from the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber in the third unit to the high temperature heat transfer medium chamber, and the hydrogen released in the third unit is converted to the metal hydride M ₂ in the second unit. Can be occluded.

Furthermore, in the second aspect of the present invention, at least three metal hydride units having the same configuration as described above are used, and the first heating medium chamber and the second heating medium chamber of the first unit are respectively the medium temperature heating medium chamber and the second heating medium chamber. A high temperature heat transfer medium chamber, a first heat transfer medium chamber and a second heat transfer medium chamber of the second unit are a medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber and a high temperature heat transfer medium chamber, respectively, and a first heat transfer medium chamber and a second heat transfer medium chamber of the third unit are A medium temperature heat medium chamber and a low temperature heat medium chamber are provided, respectively.
Further, the hydrogen outlet of the first unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the second unit, the hydrogen outlet of the second unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the third unit, and the hydrogen outlet of the third unit is connected to the first unit. Connect with the hydrogen inlet of the unit. Also, the first
The hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristics of the metal hydride M ₁ of the unit, the metal hydride M ₂ of the second unit, and the metal hydride M ₃ of the third unit are such that M _{2 is} higher than M _{1 and} M ₃ is lower than M ₂ . To be selected. As a result, the hydrogen stored in the metal hydride M ₁ in the medium temperature heating medium chamber of the first unit is released as medium pressure hydrogen in the high temperature heating medium chamber, and this medium pressure hydrogen is fed to the medium temperature heating medium chamber of the second unit. is released as a high-pressure hydrogen at high temperature medium chamber mixture was allowed occluded in metal hydride M ₂ Te, metal hydride M ₃ the high-pressure hydrogen at temperature heat medium chamber in the third unit
First, the hydrogen is released exothermically in the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber and is transferred to the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber from the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber of the third unit, and the hydrogen released in the third unit is transferred to the first unit. It can be occluded in the metal hydride M ₁ of the unit.

<Examples> The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing one embodiment of a metal hydride unit that constitutes the heat pump device of the present invention, in which three disk-shaped rotating bodies 1a, 1b, 1c are attached to the rotating shaft 2. It is fixed, and this rotating shaft is supported by the bearing 3,
The rotating body can also rotate as the rotating shaft 2 rotates. Although three rotating bodies are used in this embodiment,
Even one rotating body can function as a metal hydride unit.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 2, each rotary body 1 is divided into four parts by a partition wall 4 and annular walls 5 and 5 arranged in the radial direction, and each chamber is sealed by one. The container 6 is formed. The number of closed containers 6 formed in each rotating body 1 does not necessarily have to be four, and a plurality, preferably three or more, of any number can be formed.

If the partition wall 4 of each closed container 6 is a heat insulating wall using a heat insulating material, the influence of heat transfer between the closed containers 6 can be prevented, which is preferable. Furthermore, the technology of the conventional rotary heat exchanger such as a means for enlarging a heat transfer surface such as a heat transfer fin and a heat transfer means such as a heat pipe is provided on the inside and outside of each closed container for this invention. be able to.

Each of the metal hydrides M is contained in the closed container 6 on each rotating body.
Is filled. Further, a hydrogen conduit 7 is drawn out from each of the hermetically sealed containers 6, and the three hydrogen conduits of the hermetically sealed containers located at the same position in the radial direction of each of the rotating bodies 1a, 1b, 1c are combined into one hydrogen. It becomes the conduit 8 and extends to one end of the rotating shaft. Although only two coalesced hydrogen conduits are shown in FIG. 1, since there are four sealed containers 6 provided in each rotor, a total of four coalesced hydrogen conduits extend to one end of the rotary shaft. ing. The metal hydride M filled in the closed container 6 is preferably the same kind of metal hydride M in the closed containers 6 communicating with each other via the combined hydrogen conduit 8, but is hydrogenated at a predetermined temperature. It does not have to be the same kind as long as it causes a reaction or a dehydrogenation reaction. Further, the metal hydride M may be finely divided by repeating the hydrogenation reaction and the dehydrogenation reaction. In such a case, a filter (not shown) such as a laminated wire mesh may be attached to the opening of the hydrogen conduit in the closed container 6 so that the fine particles of the metal hydride do not flow into the hydrogen conduit 7. Also,
The combined hydrogen conduit 8 can be extended along the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, but the rotating shaft 2 can be hollow as shown in the drawing and the combined hydrogen conduit can be passed through the inside.

At one end of the rotary shaft 2, there are a hydrogen inlet 9 and a hydrogen outlet 10 which individually communicate with or shut off from the respective closed containers 6 via the hydrogen conduit 7 and the combined hydrogen conduit 8 as the rotary shaft 2 rotates. It is provided.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B), the tip of the hollow rotating shaft 2 is closed by the end plate 20, and the hollow portion of the rotating shaft is attached by the flange 21 in the vicinity of this end. Two
It is partitioned by 2, and each coalesced hydrogen conduit 8 is opened at the tube sheet 22. Rotating shaft peripheral wall 2 between the end plate 20 and the tube plate 22
An annular member 24 having a hydrogen inlet 9 and a hydrogen outlet 10 opened is fixed at a predetermined position around the circumference of 3, and a solid portion is provided in the hollow portion of the rotary shaft 2 between the end plate 20 and the tube plate 22. A central shaft 25 is provided. The central shaft 25 and the rotary shaft peripheral wall 23
In the annular space formed between and, the four cavities 27 corresponding to the four closed containers 6 of each rotating body 1 are provided by the four partition members 26 arranged in the radial direction from the central axis 25. And the combined hydrogen conduit 8 from each closed container communicates with each cavity 27 at the opening of the tube sheet 22. Further, the rotary shaft peripheral wall 23 is formed with an opening 28 communicating with each cavity 27. Reference numeral 29 is one member constituting the annular member 24, and the time when each combined hydrogen conduit 8 communicates with each inlet / outlet of the hydrogen inlet 9 and the hydrogen outlet 10 through the cavity 27 and the opening 28, and It adjusts the timing. Thus, as the rotary shaft 2 rotates, its peripheral wall 23 is
9 slides and rotates on the inner peripheral surface, and
And, the cycle of communication with the hydrogen inflow port 9 through the opening 28 and interruption; and communication with the hydrogen outflow port 10 and interruption is repeated.

Note that reference numeral 24a indicates the rotary shaft peripheral wall 23 and the annular member 24.
The sealing material provided on the sliding edge portion of and.

The rotating bodies 1a, 1 integrally assembled as described above
As shown in FIG. 1, b and 1c and the rotary shaft 2 are surrounded by an outer duct 12, and the inside of the outer duct is divided into two duct parts by a partition wall 13 that extends with the rotary shaft 2 interposed therebetween. .

The partition wall 13 is provided with a slight gap therebetween so as not to hinder the rotation of the rotating shaft 2 and the rotating bodies 1a, 1b, 1c. In this case, if the rotating shaft 2 is hollow as shown in the drawing and the hydrogen conduit 7 and the combined hydrogen conduit 8 are passed through the rotating shaft, the gap between the rotating shaft 2 and the partition wall 13 can be made small, and the ducts of the respective duct parts can be reduced. The sealing property between them can be improved. Thus, by flowing the heat mediums having different temperatures in the respective duct portions, the first heat medium chamber 14 is formed on one side, for example, the upper side of the rotary shaft 2, and the second heat medium is formed on the other side, for example, the lower side of the rotary shaft 2. A chamber 15 is formed. With such a configuration, as the rotating shaft 2 is rotated by the external drive source (not shown), the closed container 6 of each rotating body causes the first heat medium chamber 14 and the second heat medium chamber 14 to move.
The heat medium chambers 15 can be alternately and sequentially passed.

The type of the heat medium flowing in each of the heat medium chambers 14 and 15 is not particularly limited as long as it is a fluid, but in general, gas can be preferably used. Further, when the fluid heat medium is supplied to the heat medium chambers at substantially the same pressure, it is not necessary to strictly seal the heat medium chambers.

As described above, each closed container 6 of the rotor and the hydrogen inlet 9
The hydrogen outlet 10 and the hydrogen outlet 10 are communicated and disconnected via the hydrogen conduit 7 and the combined hydrogen conduit 8. However, these hydrogen conduits 7 and 8 do not necessarily have to be formed in a tubular shape separate from the rotating shaft 2. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a cross-shaped partition member 40 extending in the longitudinal direction inside the hollow rotary shaft 2.
It is also possible to use the four flow paths 41 defined by the partition member 40 and the rotary shaft peripheral wall 23 as hydrogen conduits. In this case, each flow path 41 has a conduit 42
To communicate with each closed container 6. Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the hydrogen inlet 9 and the hydrogen outlet 10 may be arranged at one end of the rotary shaft 2 in substantially the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. it can. In FIGS. 4 to 6, the same members as those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The metal hydride unit used in the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, a large number of partition walls 13 may be extended from the rotary shaft 2 in the radial direction, and the first heat generating unit may be provided around the rotary shaft. A plurality of sets may be provided as a pair of the medium chamber and the second heating medium chamber. Further, the rotating body does not necessarily have to be disc-shaped, but may be spherical or polygonal. Further, the plurality of closed containers filled with metal hydride do not need to have an integrated structure like the illustrated rotating bodies 1a, 1b, 1c, and are scattered radially in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft to rotate together with the rotating shaft. It should be arranged so that it can be done.

The heat pump device of the present invention is configured by combining at least three metal hydride units having the above structure. FIG. 7 shows a basic device configuration suitable for using the heat pump device of the present invention as a heating mode of a heating device or the like, and includes a first unit U ₁ and a second unit U.
₂ functions as a hydrogen compressor, and the third unit U ₃ functions as a heat pump.

In the first unit U _1, the metal hydride M ₁ is filled in the sealed container of the rotating body D _1, the rotary member D ₁ is the first Netsunakadachishitsu (low temperature heat medium chamber) temperatures T _L and temperature rotates between the second Netsunakadachishitsu of T _M (medium temperature heat medium chamber). Second unit U
In _2, the rotary body metal hydride M ₂ hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristic in the sealed container of D ₂ is in the high temperature range than M ₁
Are filled with, and the rotating body D ₂ has a first heat medium chamber (low temperature medium chamber) having a temperature T _{L and} a second heat medium chamber (medium temperature medium medium) having a temperature T _M.
Rotate between and. In the third unit U _3, the metal hydride M ₃ hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristics in the high temperature region than M ₂ is filled in each sealed container of the rotary member D _3, the rotary member D ₃ is the temperature T _H Of the first heat medium chamber (high temperature heat medium chamber) and the second heat medium chamber of temperature T _M (medium temperature heat medium chamber). Further, the hydrogen outlet of the second unit U ₂ is connected to the first unit U ₁
To the hydrogen inlet of the first unit U ₁ to the third hydrogen outlet.
To the hydrogen inlet of the unit U _3, also respectively connected by pipes hydrogen outlet of the third unit U ₃ to the second unit U ₂ hydrogen inlet. In this case, the temperature of the heat medium flowing in each heat medium chamber should be T _L <T _M <T _H.
M does not necessarily have to be the same temperature.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure will be described with reference to the counterclockwise cycle diagram shown in FIG. Now rotator D ₂ in the low temperature heat medium chamber temperature T _L of the second unit U ₂
The airtight container is a hydrogen conduit 7, a combined hydrogen conduit 8 and a cavity 2.
It communicates with the hydrogen inlet 9 via 7 (see FIG. 3). At this time, the inflowing low-pressure hydrogen is cooled and stored in the metal hydride M ₂ (point A in FIG. 8). When the metal hydride M ₂ that has occluded hydrogen rotates together with the rotating body D ₂ and comes into the medium temperature heating medium chamber, the metal hydride M ₂ is heated to the temperature T _M , and at a relatively high equilibrium decomposition pressure at this temperature Is released endothermically (point B), and is taken out as medium-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen outlet of the second unit U ₂ communicating at this rotational position. This medium-pressure hydrogen is cooled to the temperature T _L in the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber from the hydrogen inlet of the first unit U ₁ by the rotating body D ₁
Of the metal hydride M ₁ (point C). When this metal hydride M ₁ rotates together with the rotating body D ₁ into the medium temperature heating medium chamber, the metal hydride M ₁ is heated to the temperature T
_When heated to _M , it releases hydrogen endothermically at a relatively high equilibrium decomposition pressure at this temperature (point D), and is taken out as high-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen outlet of the first unit U ₁ communicating at this rotational position. . In this way the second unit U ₂
The low-pressure hydrogen that has flowed into the first unit U ₁ can be continuously taken out as high-pressure hydrogen, and thus the second unit U ₂
And the first unit U ₁ functions as a hydrogen compressor.

The high-pressure hydrogen released from the first unit U ₁ is sent to the third unit U ₃ , and the high-temperature heat transfer medium chamber has an equilibrium decomposition pressure slightly lower than the equilibrium decomposition pressure of M ₁ in the closed container of the rotating body D _3. At the temperature T _{H of the above} , the metal hydride M ₃ is exothermicly occluded (point E). The exothermic reaction heat at this time is output to the high temperature heating medium chamber. When the hydrogen occluded metal hydride M ₃ rotates with the rotating body D ₃ into the medium temperature heating medium chamber T _M , the closed container communicates with the hydrogen outlet through the hydrogen conduit, the combined hydrogen conduit and the cavity, and the low pressure. The atmosphere becomes hydrogen, and M ₃ is endothermicly released hydrogen while being heated to the temperature T _M by the medium temperature heating medium chamber.
This hydrogen then (back to point A) and are inserted in the metal hydride M ₂ at a temperature T _L of the low temperature heat medium chamber is circulated to the second unit U _2. Thus, the third unit U ₃ functions as a heat pump that transfers heat from the medium temperature heating medium chamber to the high temperature heating medium chamber.

As can be seen from the above description of the operation of the device of the present invention, since the present invention does not have a device structure for moving and moving metal hydrides in spaces having different pressures, each rotating body D ₁
It is possible to securely hold the appropriate pressure for each metal hydride M ₁ ~M ₃ in a closed container ~D _3.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the first unit U ₁ and the second unit U ₂ functioning as the hydrogen compressor shown in FIG. 7 may be arranged in multiple stages in series as shown in FIG. in this case,
A metal hydride unit having n stages of rotating bodies D _A1 , D _A2 , ..., D _An is arranged in order from the high-pressure hydrogen outflow side to the low-pressure hydrogen inflow side, and each rotating body has a metal hydride M _A1 , respectively. M _A2 , ..., M _An are filled. That metal hydride M _Ai in each sealed container of the rotating body D _Ai is filled. At this time, each metal hydride has a hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristic of M _A1 , M _A2 ... M _{A (i-1)} , M _Ai , M.
_{A (i + 1)} ... M _An are selected in this order so as to be in the high temperature region. Also, when the closed container of each rotating body communicates with the hydrogen inlet through the hydrogen conduit, the combined hydrogen conduit and the cavity, this closed container is in the heat medium chamber of the low temperature _TL , and when it communicates with the hydrogen outlet, the medium temperature T The first heat medium chamber and the second heat medium chamber of each unit are defined so as to be in the heat medium chamber of _M. In this case, the temperatures T _M and T _L of each unit may not be the same temperature. By doing this, A → B in the cycle diagram of FIG.
The number of zigzag steps for increasing the pressure of hydrogen from → C → D is increased, and higher pressure hydrogen can be released from the metal hydride M _A1 .

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, the third unit U ₃ functioning as the heat pump shown in FIG. 7 may be arranged in multiple stages in parallel as shown in FIG. In this case, from the low-pressure hydrogen outflow side to the high-pressure hydrogen inflow side, m stages of rotating bodies D are sequentially arranged.
_The metal hydride units having _B1 , D _B2 , ... D _Bm are arranged in parallel, and each rotating body is filled with the metal hydrides M _B1 , M _B2 , ... M _Bm , and the same type of metal is used for each unit. Filled with hydride. In addition, the rotating body D in the i-th unit from the low-pressure hydrogen outflow side
_When the closed container of _Bi communicates with the hydrogen outlet through the hydrogen conduit, the combined hydrogen conduit and the cavity, the closed container exchanges heat in the heat medium chamber of medium temperature T _Mi , and when the closed container communicates with the high pressure hydrogen inlet, the high temperature T The first heat medium chamber and the second heat medium chamber of each unit are determined so that heat is exchanged in the _Hi heat medium chamber. The temperature relationship at this time is T _Mi <T _{M (i + 1)} , T _Hi <T
_{H (i + 1)} and T _Mi <T _Hi , and T _{M of} D _A1
<T _H1 and T _{L of} D _An <T _M1 , and
The hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristic of each metal hydride is M _{B (i + 1)}
Is in a higher temperature region than M _Bi , and M _B1 is selected to be in a higher temperature region than M _A1 .

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the first rotary body D _B1 on the heat pump function side is provided on the low-pressure hydrogen outflow side with the medium-temperature heat transfer medium chamber and the temperature T for simplification and effective use of heat energy.
_While exchanging heat with _M1 , heat exchanging the m-th rotating body D _Bm with the high-temperature heat transfer medium chamber at the temperature _TH m on the high-pressure hydrogen inflow side,
The i-th (1 ≦ i ≦ m−1) rotating body D _Bi on the high-pressure hydrogen inflow side and the (i + 1) -th (1 ≦ i ≦ m−1) rotating body D _{B (i + 1)} on the low-pressure hydrogen outflow side. And are commonly connected to each other so that they can exchange heat with each other, and are thermally connected to each other via the heating medium chamber which is enclosed in the heating medium chamber and is flowing by an appropriate means such as stirring.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invention when the metal hydride units are arranged in multiple stages as described above will be described. However, in order to simplify the explanation, as shown in FIG. 10, the unit that functions as a hydrogen compressor is the same as that in FIG. 7, and the units that function as a heat pump are arranged in two stages of rotating bodies D _B1 and D _B2. Then, the medium temperature heating medium chamber is set to one temperature T _M. Figure 11 is a counterclockwise cycle diagram of the device of Fig. 10, a metal hydride M ₂ of the rotating member D ₂ is the temperature of the low pressure hydrogen T _L
The metal hydride M1 of the rotating body D ₁ releases high-pressure hydrogen at the temperature T _M (point D). Temperature _{T H1} in each high-pressure hydrogen rotator _{D B1} and _{D B2}
And T _H2 are exothermicly occluded by the metal hydrides M _B1 and M _B2 in the closed container communicating with the hydrogen inlet (points E and G). At this time, the heat generation of M _B1 of the rotating body D _B1 is transmitted to the M _B2 of the rotating body D _{B2 in} the same heat medium chamber, while the heat generation of the M _B2 of the rotating body D _B2 is the temperature T.
_{It is applied to} the high temperature heat transfer chamber of _H2 . These metal hydrides M
_{When B1} and M _B2 rotate from the above positions and enter the heat medium chamber of the adjacent chamber, the temperatures T _M1 (= T _M ) and T _M , respectively.
Hydrogen is endothermically released while being heated and held at _M2 (= _TH1 ) (points F and H).

Thus, according to the apparatus of FIG. 10, by using the metal hydrides M ₁ and M ₂ arranged in series, it is possible to obtain high-pressure hydrogen by utilizing a relatively small temperature difference, and further, A high temperature output can be obtained from the third unit arranged in parallel.

In the heating mode such as the heating device shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, the high-temperature heat transfer medium chamber is used as the heating load,
Waste heat, solar heat or the like can be used as a heat source in the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber, and air or the like can be used as the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a structure suitable for using the heat pump device of the present invention as a freezing (cooling down) mode of a cooling device or the like, and hydrogen compression as in the case of the heating mode of FIG. Units U ₄ and U ₅ functioning as aircraft
And a unit U ₆ functioning as a heat pump.

In the unit U _4, the metal hydride M ₄ is filled in the sealed container of the rotating body D _4, the rotary member D ₄ is the temperature T
Rotates between the first Netsunakadachishitsu of _M (the middle-temperature heat medium chamber) and the second Netsunakadachishitsu (high temperature heat medium chamber) temperature T _H. In the unit U _5, the metal hydride M ₅ hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristic is in the lower temperature region than M ₄ is filled in the sealed container of the rotating body D _5, the rotary member D ₅ is a temperature T _M 1 Netsunakadachishitsu (medium temperature heat medium chamber) and rotates between the second Netsunakadachishitsu (high temperature heat medium chamber) temperature T _H. Further, in the unit U ₆ , the rotating body formed of a closed container filled with a metal hydride having a hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristic in a temperature range lower than that of M ₅ rotates between the low temperature heat medium chamber and the medium temperature heat medium chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the unit U ₆
The two rotating bodies D _D1 and D _{D2, which} are closed containers filled with metal hydrides M _D1 and M _D2 , are arranged in parallel. The rotating body D _D1 can exchange heat with the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber at the temperature T _{L1 and} the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber at the temperature T _M , respectively. Rotating body D _D2 consisting of a closed container filled with metal hydride M _D2 whose hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure is in a lower temperature region than M _D1 is arranged in parallel with rotating body D _D1 to form a low temperature heat medium chamber and a medium temperature heat medium chamber. It is rotated between, but preferably, the heating medium chamber is sharedly connected so that heat can be exchanged between the closed container in the medium temperature heating medium chamber of the rotating body D _D2 and the closed container in the low temperature heating medium chamber of the rotating body D _D1. And, the temperature is maintained at the temperature T _L1 by being thermally connected by the heating medium which is enclosed in the heating medium chamber and is flowing by appropriate means such as stirring.
The closed container in the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber of the rotating body D _D2 exchanges heat with the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber at the temperature T _L2 . Furthermore, the hydrogen outlet of the unit U ₄ to the hydrogen inlet of the unit U _5, each hydrogen inlet of the rotary member D _D1 and D _D2 of the unit U ₆ hydrogen outlet of the unit U _5, the rotating body D _D1 and Each hydrogen outlet of D _D2 is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the unit U ₄ by piping. In this case, the temperature of the heat medium flowing into each heat medium chamber is T _L2 <T _L1 <T _M <T
_Set to _H.

The operation of the apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to the clockwise cycle diagram of FIG. First unit U ₄
The hydrogen flowing in from the hydrogen inlet of the rotating body D ₄ is exothermicly stored in the metal hydride M ₄ in the medium temperature heating medium chamber at the temperature T _M (point A). The exothermic reaction heat at this time is removed by the medium-temperature heating medium as a refrigerant. When M ₄ that absorb hydrogen comes rotates together with the rotary member D ₄ to the high temperature heat medium chamber, M ₄ is heated to a temperature T _H to release hydrogen (B point), the rotary body D
It is taken out as a medium-pressure hydrogen from the ₄ hydrogen outlet. This medium-pressure hydrogen flows in from the hydrogen inlet of the rotating body D ₅ of the unit U ₅ , and the metal hydride M ₅ in the closed container in the medium temperature heating medium chamber.
Is exothermically occluded at temperature T _M (point C). M ₅ When the M ₅ is rotated together with the rotary body D ₅ to the high temperature heat medium chamber is heated to a temperature T _H, the hydrogen at a relatively high equilibrium decomposition pressure at this temperature was endothermically release (D point), the rotation It is taken out as high-pressure hydrogen from the hydrogen outlet of the body D ₅ .

The high-pressure hydrogen from unit U ₅ is the rotating body of unit U ₆ .
Sent to the closed vessel in each of heat medium chamber side of D _D1 and the rotating body D _D2, metal hydride M _D1 of the rotating body D _D1 temperature T _M
In, also a metal hydride M _D2 of the rotating body D _D2 is occluded, respectively exothermic hydrogen at a temperature T _L1 (E point and F point). When the hydrogen occluded metal hydrides M _D1 and M _D2 rotate together with the rotating body and each closed container communicates with the hydrogen outlet and becomes a low-pressure hydrogen atmosphere, M _D1 is temperature T _L1 and M _D2 is temperature T _L2 releases hydrogen endothermically (point G and point H). At this time, the heating of M _D1 is given by the exothermic reaction heat when M _D2 on the high-pressure hydrogen inflow side (medium temperature heating medium chamber) of the rotating body D _D2 absorbs hydrogen, and M _D2 is the low temperature heat of temperature T _L2 . It is heated by receiving heat from the medium chamber. The hydrogen released from M _D1 and M _D2 is sent to the hydrogen inlet of the rotating body D ₄ of the unit U ₄ , and the temperature T
And inserted in the metal hydride _{M 4} in _M (back to point A).

Thus, for example, if a heating medium chamber of boiler heat, various waste heat, solar heat, etc. is used as the high temperature heating medium chamber and air is used as the medium temperature heating medium chamber, cold heat output can be obtained from the low temperature heating medium chamber as cooling or refrigerating load. You can The above-mentioned temperature-decreasing mode device can also be used as a heat-amplifying mode device for obtaining a heat output at an intermediate temperature T _M from a heat supply source having a high temperature T _H and a low temperature T _L such as the atmosphere and using it for heating or the like. .

Also in the temperature-decreasing mode device, as in the temperature-increasing mode device shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of rotating bodies of the units U ₄ and U ₅ can be arranged in series in multiple stages, and the unit U 4 _{As a} matter of course, a plurality of rotating bodies of ₆ can be arranged in parallel in multiple stages.

The above description is about the embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications can be made. For example, in the unit having the heat pump function in the apparatus shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 12, the heat medium chambers are connected in common so that the rotating bodies can exchange heat, but the heat medium chambers are not shared. Independently of each other, the respective heat medium chambers may be thermally connected by means such as a heat pipe.

Further, the plurality of units acting as the hydrogen compressors in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 7, 9, 10 and 12 are examples in which they are simply arranged in a plane. It is also possible to stack them along the flow direction of No. 1, and further, the rotating shafts of the respective rotating bodies may be one in common, and the hydrogen inflow port and the outflow port may be arranged in the heat medium chamber.
In the case of the stacking arrangement, since it is sufficient to provide two elongated heat medium chambers, the whole device can be made compact.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the rotating bodies of each unit rotate synchronously so that the heat pump cycles coincide with each other, but if a hydrogen buffer tank is installed between the hydrogen pipes between the units, the cycle process of each rotating body may be slightly different from each other. There is no problem even if it shifts, and it is particularly convenient when the reaction rate differs depending on the characteristics of each metal hydride. Further, by changing the size of each rotating body, that is, the size of the closed container, it is possible to absorb the difference in the amount of stored or released hydrogen depending on the type of metal hydride.

As described above, the rotating body of each unit can be rotated by rotating the rotating shaft with an external drive source (not shown). However, in general, a metal hydride that has undergone a hydrogenation reaction to occlude hydrogen is slightly heavier than a metal hydride that has undergone a dehydrogenation reaction to release hydrogen. It is also possible to apply a rotational force to the body. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the hydrogen storage reaction of the metal hydride occurs in the closed container 6 of the rotating body 1 located at the position, and the hydrogen of the metal hydride is stored in the closed container located at a position 180 ° apart from this. By determining the positions of the first heat medium chamber 14 and the second heat medium chamber 15 and the positions of the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet so that the release reaction occurs,
A weight difference is generated between the weight of the hydride metal hydride at the position and the weight of the dehydrogenation metal hydride at the position, and this weight difference can constantly apply a rotational force as indicated by an arrow in the figure to the rotating body. it can. As a result, the external drive source of the rotary shaft can be eliminated, or the external power for rotating the rotary shaft can be reduced.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the heat pump device of the present invention, the sealed container filled with the metal hydride is rotated around the rotation axis without traveling the metal hydride in the spaces having different pressures. As a result, the appropriate pressure can be reliably retained for each metal hydride, and the problem of sealability for pressure cutoff can be solved.

Further, since the metal hydride only has to be filled in the closed container, there is no technical difficulty as in the case of supporting the metal hydride on a tape or the like, and the hydrogen storage and release characteristics of the metal hydride can be effectively achieved. Can be expressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a metal hydride unit constituting a heat pump device of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of a rotating body in FIG. 1; ) And (B) are sectional views of the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet in FIG. 1;
The figure is an explanatory view showing still another embodiment of the metal hydride unit; FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 4; Explanatory drawing showing an embodiment of the heat pump device of the present invention suitable for use as a temperature mode; FIG. 8 is a cycle diagram showing the operation of the device of FIG. 7;
9 and 10 are explanatory views showing an embodiment of a multi-stage heat pump device suitable for use as a temperature raising mode;
1 is a cycle diagram showing the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 10;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a heat pump device of the present invention suitable for use as a temperature lowering mode; FIG.
FIG. 14 is a cycle diagram showing the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 2; FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the closed container and the heat medium chamber when a rotational force due to a weight difference is applied to the rotating body; and FIG. 3 is a graph showing hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristics of various metal hydrides. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotating body, 2 ... Rotating shaft, 6 ... Airtight container, 7 ... Hydrogen conduit, 8 ... Combined hydrogen conduit, 9 ... Hydrogen inlet, 10 ... Hydrogen outlet, 12 ... Outer duct, 13 ... Partition wall, 14 ... first Netsunakadachishitsu, 15 ... second _{Netsunakadachishitsu,} D _{1, D} 2 to D m _... rotating body,
M ₁ , M _{2 to} M ... Metal hydride, U ₁ , U _{2 to} U ₆ ... Metal hydride unit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A rotating body comprising a plurality of closed containers filled with a metal hydride in a radial direction with respect to a rotation axis, and the closed containers having different temperatures according to the rotation of the rotating body. A first heat medium chamber and a second heat medium chamber arranged around the rotating body so as to alternately and sequentially pass through the heat medium chamber and the second heat medium chamber, and a hydrogen inlet provided near the rotor. And a hydrogen outlet,
Each sealed vessel and a hydrogen conduit connected to the hydrogen inlet or the hydrogen outlet, and the connection between each hydrogen conduit and the hydrogen inlet or the hydrogen outlet is such that one sealed vessel is connected to the first heat transfer medium chamber. Each hydrogen is such that the hydrogen conduit extending from this closed container communicates only with the hydrogen inlet when the closed container is in the second heat transfer medium chamber and the hydrogen conduit that extends from this closed container only communicates with the hydrogen outlet only. The first heat transfer medium chamber and the second heat transfer chamber of the first unit are provided using at least three metal hydride units whose conduits are sequentially connected to or blocked from the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet as the rotor rotates. The medium chambers are a low temperature medium chamber and a medium temperature medium chamber, respectively, and the first and second medium chambers of the second unit are a low temperature medium chamber and a medium temperature medium chamber, respectively. Each of the medium chamber and the second heat medium chamber And high-temperature heat medium chamber and medium-temperature heat medium chamber,
The hydrogen outlet of the second unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the first unit, the hydrogen outlet of the first unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the third unit, and the hydrogen outlet of the third unit is connected to the second unit.
Connected to the hydrogen inlet of the unit, the metal hydride M ₁ of the first unit with the metal hydride M ₂ of the second unit hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristics of the third unit metal hydride M ₃ are M ₂ than M _1, Select so that M ₃ is in a high temperature range from M ₂ ,
As a result, the hydrogen stored in the metal hydride M ₂ in the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber of the second unit is released as medium pressure hydrogen in the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber, and this medium pressure hydrogen is transferred to the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber of the first unit. Metal hydride M ₁ and then released as high-pressure hydrogen in the medium temperature heating medium chamber, and this high-pressure hydrogen is exothermicly stored in metal hydride M ₃ in the high temperature heating medium chamber of the third unit. Endothermic release in the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber causes heat transfer from the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber in the third unit to the high temperature heat transfer medium chamber, and the hydrogen released in the third unit is converted to the metal hydride M ₂ in the second unit. A heat pump device characterized by being occluded. 2. A hydrogen inlet or a hydrogen outlet provided at one end of the rotary shaft, wherein the rotary shaft is hollow and a hydrogen conduit from each closed container is extended through the inside of the rotary shaft to one end of the rotary shaft. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is connected to the device. 3. A rotating body comprising a plurality of closed containers filled with a metal hydride in a radial direction with respect to a rotation axis, and the closed containers having different temperatures according to the rotation of the rotating body. A first heat medium chamber and a second heat medium chamber arranged around the rotating body so as to alternately and sequentially pass through the heat medium chamber and the second heat medium chamber, and a hydrogen inlet provided near the rotor. And a hydrogen outlet,
Each sealed vessel and a hydrogen conduit connected to the hydrogen inlet or the hydrogen outlet, and the connection between each hydrogen conduit and the hydrogen inlet or the hydrogen outlet is such that one sealed vessel is connected to the first heat transfer medium chamber. Each hydrogen is such that the hydrogen conduit extending from this closed container communicates only with the hydrogen inlet when the closed container is in the second heat transfer medium chamber and the hydrogen conduit that extends from this closed container only communicates with the hydrogen outlet only. The first heat transfer medium chamber and the second heat transfer chamber of the first unit are provided using at least three metal hydride units whose conduits are sequentially connected to or blocked from the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet as the rotor rotates. The medium chambers are the medium temperature heating medium chamber and the high temperature heating medium chamber, the first heating medium chamber and the second heating medium chamber of the second unit are the medium temperature heating medium chamber and the high temperature heating medium chamber, respectively, and the first heat of the third unit is heated. Each of the medium chamber and the second heat medium chamber And medium-temperature heat medium chamber and the low-temperature heat medium chamber,
The hydrogen outlet of the first unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the second unit, the hydrogen outlet of the second unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the third unit, and the hydrogen outlet of the third unit is connected to the first unit.
Connected to the hydrogen inlet of the unit, the metal hydride M ₁ of the first unit with the metal hydride M ₂ of the second unit hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure characteristics of the third unit metal hydride M ₃ are M ₂ than M _1, Select so that M ₃ is in the low temperature range from M ₂ ,
As a result, the hydrogen stored in the metal hydride M ₁ in the medium temperature heating medium chamber of the first unit is released as medium pressure hydrogen in the high temperature heating medium chamber, and this medium pressure hydrogen is fed to the medium temperature heating medium chamber of the second unit. After was released as a high pressure hydrogen, the high pressure hydrogen is exothermically occluded in metal hydride M ₃ at heat medium chamber in the third unit Te at high temperature medium chamber mixture was allowed occluded in metal hydride M ₂ Endothermic release in the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber causes heat transfer from the low temperature heat transfer medium chamber of the third unit to the medium temperature heat transfer medium chamber, and the hydrogen released in the third unit is converted to the metal hydride M ₁ of the first unit. A heat pump device characterized by being occluded. 4. A hydrogen inlet or hydrogen outlet provided at one end of the rotary shaft, wherein the rotary shaft is hollow, and a hydrogen conduit from each hermetic container extends through the inside of the rotary shaft to one end of the rotary shaft. The device according to claim 3, wherein the device is connected to the device.