JPH11142014A - Heat-harnessed system utilizing alloy for hydrogen storage - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate uneven transmission of heat as generated from an alloy for hydrogen storage by increasing the degree of heat transmission between the alloy for hydrogen storage and a container for housing the alloy for hydrogen storage to improve a heat exchange efficiency between the alloy for hydrogen storage and a heat medium. SOLUTION: Square wave-shaped offset fins F are inserted into upper, medium and lower flat container S1, S2 and S3 charged with an alloy for hydrogen storage and are joined inside the containers. The heat transfer area in which a transfer of heat occurs between a heat medium and the alloy for hydrogen storage is increased by the offset fins F in the container while the joint by a surface contact between the offset fins F and the upper, medium and lower containers S1, S2 and S3 achieves an increase in the degree of heat transmission as compared with a foaming metal.

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 which repeatedly absorbs and releases hydrogen and obtains cold heat by utilizing an endothermic effect generated when hydrogen is released, or a heat radiating effect generated when storing hydrogen. The present invention relates to a heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy that obtains warmth by utilizing heat.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy includes a plurality of containers that are filled with a hydrogen storage alloy and are connected to each other through a hydrogen passage, and are brought into contact with the hydrogen storage alloy in the container. By exchanging heat with the heat medium,
In this method, hydrogen is transferred from a container to another container, and an endothermic effect generated when hydrogen is released and a heat radiation effect generated when hydrogen is absorbed are used. If the inside of the container is filled only with the hydrogen storage alloy, the heat generated inside the container reaches the container through the powdered hydrogen storage alloy and exchanges heat with the heat medium.
Poor heat conductivity and therefore low heat exchange rate. Therefore, a technique has been used in which a foamed metal made of a highly heat-conductive metal such as aluminum is inserted into a container and then filled with a hydrogen storage alloy to improve the heat exchange rate. With this technology,
Since the heat generated from the hydrogen storage alloy is transmitted to the container via the foamed metal, the heat transfer rate of the hydrogen storage alloy has been doubled.

[0003]

However, since the foam metal and the container are almost in point contact, the heat transfer capacity is limited. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of a technique for more efficiently transmitting heat generated from a hydrogen storage alloy to a container and improving the efficiency of heat exchange with a heat medium. In addition, since the metal foam was only inserted into the container, there was a variation in the manner of contact between the metal foam and the container, and there was also a problem of lack of reliability.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to increase the amount of heat transfer between a hydrogen storage alloy and a container for storing the hydrogen storage alloy so that the hydrogen storage alloy and the heat storage alloy can be heated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat utilization system that uses a highly reliable hydrogen storage alloy that does not cause uneven transfer of heat generated from the hydrogen storage alloy while improving the heat exchange efficiency with a medium.

[0005]

The heat utilization system using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention employs the following technical means to achieve the above object. (Means of Claim 1) A heat utilization system utilizing a hydrogen storage alloy is a heat utilization system utilizing a hydrogen storage alloy utilizing the heat absorption of the hydrogen storage alloy at the time of releasing hydrogen or the heat absorption at the time of hydrogen absorption of the hydrogen storage alloy. In a utilization system, a fin formed of a metal plate having a high thermal conductivity is joined and arranged on an inner surface of a container for enclosing a hydrogen storage alloy by joining means such as brazing or welding.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the heat utilization system using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the first aspect, the fins include:
It is a corrugated fin formed in a meandering manner or an offset fin formed with a fin pitch shifted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the heat utilization system using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the second aspect, the corrugated fins or the offset fins are provided in a square wave shape.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a fin formed by a metal thin plate having a high thermal conductivity is provided on the inner surface of the container for enclosing the hydrogen storage alloy. The heat generated from the hydrogen storage alloy is transmitted to the container through the fins in contact with the hydrogen storage alloy,
The area of the heat transfer member that transfers heat between the heat medium and the hydrogen storage alloy is equal to the area of the container plus the area of the fins. Further, since the fin and the container are securely joined in a linear or planar manner, the amount of heat transferred from the hydrogen storage alloy to the container is increased as compared with the conventional foamed metal. As a result,
The heat exchange efficiency between the hydrogen storage alloy and the heat medium is improved.

(Function and Effect of Claim 2) By using corrugated fins or offset fins, the fins can be integrally formed, the workability of the fins is improved, and the mounting and joining work in the container can be easily performed. .
Further, since the fin pitch and shape can be arbitrarily created, the heat exchange efficiency in the container can be controlled.

Since the corrugated fins or offset fins are provided in a square wave shape, the contact area between the corrugated fins or offset fins and the inner wall of the container increases, and the heat of the hydrogen storage alloy increases. Of heat transferred to the container increases.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples and modifications. [Configuration of First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, a heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention is applied to a cooling device for indoor air conditioning, and this first embodiment is shown in FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

(Schematic Description of Cooling Apparatus 1) A schematic configuration of the cooling apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a heat pump cycle 2 using a hydrogen storage alloy was performed.
As an example, a two-stage cycle was used.

The cooling apparatus 1 to which the present embodiment is applied is roughly divided into a heat pump cycle 2 using a hydrogen storage alloy.
And a combustion device 3 for producing heated water (corresponding to a heating medium for heating, water in this embodiment) for heating the hydrogen storage alloy;
Facility water cooling means 4 for cooling the hydrogen storage alloy by cooling the facility water (corresponding to a heat medium for heat dissipation, water in this embodiment) for cooling the hydrogen storage alloy, and cooling by the heat absorption generated by the hydrogen releasing action of the hydrogen storage alloy. An indoor air conditioner 5 for air-conditioning the room with cold heat output water (corresponding to a heat medium for cold heat output, in this embodiment, water), and a control device 6 for controlling each mounted electric functional component. .

The heat pump cycle 2, the combustion device 3, the facility water cooling means 4 and the control device 6 are installed outdoors as an outdoor unit 7, and an indoor air conditioner 5 is disposed indoors. The cooling device 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called multi-air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor air conditioners 5 can be connected to one outdoor unit 7.

(Explanation of Heat Pump Cycle 2) The heat pump cycle 2 of this embodiment uses a two-stage cycle as described above, and as shown in FIG. 5, an upper vessel S1 in which a hydrogen storage alloy is sealed. A middle vessel S2 which communicates with the upper vessel S1 through a hydrogen passage S4 and in which a hydrogen storage alloy is sealed, and a lower vessel which communicates with the middle vessel S2 via a hydrogen passage S4 and in which the hydrogen storage alloy is sealed. A plurality of cells S having S3 are used. In this embodiment, 12 to
Eighteen cells S were used.

The hydrogen storage alloys have different hydrogen equilibrium pressures.
A high-temperature hydrogen storage alloy having the highest hydrogen equilibrium temperature at the same equilibrium hydrogen pressure in the upper vessel S1
High-temperature alloy HM) powder is sealed in the middle vessel S2, and a medium-temperature hydrogen storage alloy (hereinafter, medium-temperature alloy MM) powder is sealed in the middle vessel S2. Low-temperature low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy (hereinafter, low-temperature alloy LM)
Is sealed. This will be described with reference to the PT refrigeration cycle diagram of FIG. 7. The characteristics of the hydrogen storage alloy are on the relatively high temperature side (left side in the figure).
M, the low temperature alloy LM is on the low temperature side, and the intermediate temperature alloy MM is between them.

One cell S is made of a metal having no hydrogen permeability, such as stainless steel or copper, and is connected to the upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2, S3 by a joining method such as vacuum brazing or welding.
Are formed in the middle of a flat container, and these are joined by a rod-shaped connecting portion S5 in which a hydrogen passage S4 is formed.
The insides of the upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2 and S3 are filled with a powdery hydrogen-absorbing alloy, evacuated, activated, treated with high-pressure hydrogen and covered with a metal lid at the opening. And sealed by welding.

The interior of each of the upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2 and S3 has offset fins F as shown in FIG.
Is inserted, and the offset surface and the offset fin F are joined by brazing. As shown in FIG. 1B, the offset fins F are formed with a fin pitch shift of, for example, 1/4 pitch, and the fins are provided in a square wave shape. The offset fin F is formed by pressing a thin plate made of a metal having excellent thermal conductivity (eg, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.). It was brazed together.

Offset fins F are inserted into and joined to the inner surfaces of the upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2 and S3 to increase the amount of heat transferred from the hydrogen storage alloy to the vessels.
Further, the offset fin F is made of a material having a high tensile and compressive stress (eg, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), and is disposed between the inner facing surfaces of the container. Because they are joined, they perform evacuation and high-pressure filling with hydrogen to apply hydrogen to the hydrogen storage alloy sealed inside each container. Even if the inside rises, the offset fins F keep the distance between the opposed surfaces of the container constant, so that deformation of the container is suppressed.

The upper, middle, and lower containers S1, S2, S3 each having a flat shape are provided so as to be wound around the rotating shaft 8. Therefore, one surface of each container is curved in a convex shape, and the other opposing surface is curved in a concave shape. In this manner, by providing the facing surfaces of the containers in the same direction, the containers face each other under a low pressure at the time of evacuation, and at a high hydrogen equilibrium pressure at the time of hydrogen filling and high pressure during the cycle operation. A tensile stress and a compressive stress are applied to the surface, and from this result, the deformation of each container is suppressed to a small value. In each of the plurality of cells S, each connecting portion S5 of the plurality of cells S is fixed around a rotation shaft 8 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The rotating shaft 8 is driven to rotate by cell moving means (not shown). The cell moving means rotates a plurality of cells S slowly and continuously by, for example, a motor (for example, in one hour). 20 laps).

The upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2 and S3 are:
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is covered by a divider 9. The divider 9 reduces heat dissipation loss of the heat medium by flowing the heat medium along each container, and rectifies the flow of the heat medium to increase the flow rate and increase the heat exchange efficiency, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency. Further, it is possible to avoid a problem in which the opposite surface of the container touches a different heating medium at a boundary where the cell S moves from a hydrogen driving unit α to a first cooling and heating output unit β to a second cooling and heating output unit γ, which will be described later. This improves the heat exchange efficiency. This divider 9
Cover the upper, middle and lower containers S1, S2 and S3, respectively, and are made of a resin material or the like having excellent heat insulating properties. On the inner surface of the divider 9, a heat medium passage 9a for flowing the heat medium along the container is formed. The heat medium passage 9a is provided in a substantially groove shape and is provided shallowly in order to rectify the flow of the heat medium and increase the flow velocity. In addition, a supply / discharge port 9b for supplying the heat medium to the heat medium passage 9a and discharging the heat medium passing through the heat medium passage 9a is provided at the outer end and the upper portion on the center side of the divider 9. In this embodiment, the supply / discharge port 9b at the outer end is a supply port for supplying the heat medium to the heat medium passage 9a, and the supply / discharge port 9b on the center side transfers the heat medium passing through the heat medium passage 9a to the outside. This is the outlet for discharging.

Heat pump cycle 2 of two-stage cycle
As shown in FIG. 5, a hydrogen driver α for forcibly moving the hydrogen in the upper vessel S1 into the lower vessel S3, and a first cooling device for moving the hydrogen in the lower vessel S3 to the middle vessel S2. An output section β, and a second cooling output section γ for moving the hydrogen moved into the middle vessel S2 to the upper vessel S1.
The hydrogen drive section α, the first cooling output section β, and the second cooling output section γ are provided at intervals of approximately 120 °, and are defined by the arrangement of concave portions M1 and M2 described later.

The hydrogen driving section α has a heating zone α 1 to which heated water (for example, about 80 ° C.) which comes into contact with the upper vessel S 1 is supplied.
Middle-stage pressurized region α2 to which pressurized water (for example, about 56 ° C.) contacting with middle container S2 is supplied, and lower-stage heat-dissipating region α3 to which facility water (for example, approximately 28 ° C.) to be contacted with lower container S3 is supplied.
Is provided. The first cooling / heat output section β is provided with an upper boosting region β1 to which pressurized water (for example, at about 58 ° C.) that comes into contact with the upper vessel S1, and a middle stage to be supplied with facility water (for example, at about 28 ° C.) that comes into contact with the middle vessel S2 A heat radiation region β2 and a lower cooling power output region β3 for outputting cooling water (for example, about 13 ° C.) in contact with the lower container S3 are provided. The second cooling output section γ outputs the upper heat radiation area γ1 to which the facility water (for example, about 28 ° C.) that comes into contact with the upper vessel S1 and the cold output water (for example, about 13 ° C.) that contacts the middle vessel S2. Middle cooling power output area γ
2 is provided. The temperature of the heat medium that comes into contact with the lower vessel S3 in the second cooling / heating output section γ is irrelevant, and this portion is referred to as an unquestionable area γ3.

When the rotating shaft 8 is rotated by a cell moving means (not shown), the group of upper vessels S1 circulates in a heating zone α1, an upper boosting zone β1, and an upper heat radiation area γ1. The group circulates in the middle step-up area α2 → middle heat radiation area β2 → middle cooling output area γ2,
The group of lower vessels S3 is lower heat radiation area α3 → lower heat output area β
3 → circulates in the unquestioned area γ3.

The group of upper vessels S1 is covered by an upper water tank K1 and has a heating zone α1, an upper boost zone β1, and an upper heat radiation zone γ.
1 is provided. The group of middle vessels S2 is covered with a middle water tank K2, and is provided with a middle pressure rising area α2, a middle heat radiation area β2, and a middle cooling power output area γ2. further,
The group of lower vessels S3 is covered by a lower water tank K3, and has a lower heat radiation area α3, a lower cooling / heat output area β3, and a non-interest area γ3.

Upper tank K1, middle tank K2, lower tank K
3 is a water tank K (for example, a container made of resin) provided continuously and connected to the water tank K, as shown in FIG.
Sixteen heat medium pipes 10 for supplying and discharging the heat medium are connected to the upper, middle, and lower water tanks K1, K2, and K3. Specifically, six heating medium pipes 10 are connected to the upper water tank K1 for the heating zone α1, the upper boosting zone β1, and the upper heat dissipation zone γ1, and the middle water tank K2 is connected to the middle boosting zone α2 and the middle heat dissipation zone. β2
, 6 heat medium pipes 10 for the middle cooling power output area γ2
Are connected to the lower water tank K3, and four heat medium pipes 10 for a lower heat radiation area α3 and a lower cooling power output area β3 are connected.

The upper, middle and lower water tanks K1, K2 and K3 are provided with:
The heating medium supplied by the heating medium pipe 10 is supplied to the hydrogen driving unit α, the first cooling output unit β, the second cooling output unit γ,
A concave portion M1 is provided to lead to the supply / discharge port 9b at the outer end of the divider 9 in each lower region, and a concave portion M2 for collecting the heat medium discharged from the central supply / discharge port 9b is provided. , M2 depending on the arrangement and length.
The hydrogen driving unit α, the first cooling / cooling output unit β, and the second cooling / cooling output unit γ at 0 ° intervals are determined. The supply / drain port 9b provided in each divider 9 is provided with a water tank K having no concave portions M1, M2.
Rotating in contact with or close to the inner wall of the
The inner wall of the water tank K in which 2 is not provided serves as a partition between the hydrogen driving section α, the first cooling output section β, and the second cooling output section γ. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an example is shown in which the heat medium flows from the outer supply / discharge port 9b → the heat medium passage 9a → the center supply / discharge port 9b. You may shed.

(Explanation of other components in heat pump cycle 2) Reference numeral 11 shown in FIG. 4 denotes a pressurized water circulation path for circulating pressurized water in the upper pressure step region β1 and the middle pressure step region α2, and is provided in the middle. Pressurized water is circulated by the pressurized water circulation pump P1 '. Note that the pressurized water is supplied to the heating area α1
The temperature of the pressurized water in the upper pressurized region β1 is, for example, about 58 ° C. during the operation of the heat pump cycle 2, and the temperature of the pressurized water is about 58 ° C. The temperature of the pressurized water in the pressurized region α2 is, for example, about 56 ° C.

(Explanation of Combustion Apparatus 3) The combustion apparatus 3 of this embodiment uses a gas combustion apparatus that generates heat by burning gas as a fuel and heats heated water by the generated heat. A gas burner 12 for burning gas, a gas supply circuit 15 including a gas amount control valve 13 and a gas on-off valve 14 for supplying gas to the gas burner 12, a gas burner 12
It comprises a combustion fan 16 for supplying combustion air to the heat exchanger, a heat exchanger 17 for exchanging heat between gas combustion heat and heating water, and the like. Then, the heating water is heated to, for example, about 80 ° C. by the heat obtained by the gas combustion of the gas burner 12, and the heated heating water is supplied to the heating zone α1 via the heating water circulation path 18 provided with the heating water circulation pump P1. Is what you do. The heated water circulation pump P1 of this embodiment is the same as the pressurized water circulation pump P1 '
Is a tandem pump driven by a dual-purpose motor. Therefore, when the heating water is supplied from the combustion device 3 to the heat pump cycle 2, the pressurized water is also provided so as to circulate.

(Explanation of the indoor air conditioner 5)
As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 19 is provided inside the indoor heat exchanger 19, and the cold output water supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 19 and the indoor air are forcibly exchanged heat, and the air after the heat exchange Indoor fan 20 for blowing air into the room. The indoor heat exchanger 19 is connected to a cold output water circulation path 21 for circulating the cold output water supplied from the lower cooling output area β3 and the middle cooling output area γ2. (Inside) is provided with a chilled water output pump P2 for circulating chilled output water.

(Explanation of the facility water cooling means 4) The facility water cooling means 4 is a water cooling open type cooling tower, and the facility water cooled by the facility water cooling means 4 is a facility water circulation pump P
3, the lower heat radiation area α3,
The heat is supplied to the middle heat radiation area β2 and the upper heat radiation area γ1. The facility water cooling means 4 allows the facility water flowing through the lower heat radiation area α3, the middle heat radiation area β2, and the upper heat radiation area γ1 to flow downward from above,
While exchanging heat with the outside air during the flow to radiate heat, it also partially evaporates during the flow, deprives the radiating water flowing during evaporation of heat of vaporization, and cools the flowing radiating water. . The radiating water cooling means 4 includes a radiating fan (not shown), and is provided so as to promote evaporation and cooling of the radiating water by an air flow generated by the radiating fan. In this embodiment, a water-cooled open-type cooling tower is shown as the facility water cooling means 4. However, a water-cooled hermetic type or an air-cooled hermetic type in which facility water (heat medium for heat radiation) exchanges heat without contacting air. Cooling means may be used.

Here, the above-mentioned heated water circulation path 18, cold heat output water circulation path 21 and facility water circulation path 22 are provided with cisterns T1, T2 and T3, respectively, and the water levels in the cisterns T1, T2 and T3 are at predetermined water levels. When it falls below, the water supply valves T4, T5, T6 provided respectively.
Is opened to supply tap water supplied from the water supply pipe 23 into the cisterns T1, T2, and T3.
A drain pan P is provided at the lower part of the heat pump cycle 2.
Is disposed to drain the drain water generated in the heat pump cycle 2 from the drain pipe 24. The water overflowing from the facility water cooling means 4 is also drained from the drain pipe 24.

(Explanation of the control device 6) The control device 6 responds to an operation instruction from a controller (not shown) provided in the indoor air conditioner 5 and an input signal of each of a plurality of sensors to perform the above-described heating. Water circulating pump P1 (Pressurized water circulating pump P1 '), cold / hot water pump P2, facility water circulating pump P
3, electric function parts such as water supply valves T4, T5, T6, heat radiation fan of facility water cooling means 4, and electric function parts of combustion device 3 (combustion fan 16, gas amount control valve 13, gas on-off valve 14, not shown) In addition to controlling the ignition device, the operation instruction of the indoor fan 20 is given to the indoor air conditioner 5.

(Explanation of Cooling Operation) The cooling device 1 described above
The operation of the cooling operation according to the above will be described with reference to the PT refrigeration cycle diagram of FIG. When the cooling operation is instructed by the controller of the indoor air conditioner 5, the control device 6 controls the combustion device 3, the cell moving means, the radiating fan and the heated water circulating pump P1 (pressurized water circulating pump P1 '), the cooling water output water pump P2, and the radiating heat. When the water circulation pump P3 operates,
The indoor fan 20 of the indoor air conditioner 5 for which cooling is instructed is turned on.

The plurality of cells S are slowly and continuously rotated by the cell moving means. As a result, the plurality of cells S move in the order of the hydrogen drive unit α → the first cold output unit β → the second cold output unit γ. That is, each upper vessel S1 moves in the order of the heating zone α1, the upper pressure boosting area β1, and the upper heat radiation area γ1, and each middle vessel S2 moves in the middle pressure boosting area α2 → the middle heat radiation area β2.
→ Movement in the order of the middle cooling power output area γ2, and each lower vessel S3 moves in the order of the lower heat radiation area α3 → the lower cooling power output area β3 → the unrelated area γ3.

In the cell S that has entered the hydrogen driving unit α, the upper vessel S1 contacts heated water, the middle vessel S2 contacts pressurized water,
The lower container S3 comes into contact with the facility water. When the upper vessel S1 comes into contact with heated water (80 ° C.), the internal pressure of the upper vessel S1 increases, and the high-temperature alloy HM releases hydrogen. Middle container S2
Comes into contact with the pressurized water (56 ° C), the middle vessel S2
Is increased to a pressure at which the intermediate temperature alloy MM does not absorb hydrogen. When the lower vessel S3 comes into contact with facility water (28 ° C.), the internal pressure of the lower vessel S3 decreases, and the low-temperature alloy LM absorbs hydrogen.

As described above, the upper vessel S1 touches the heating water in the heating area α1, the middle vessel S2 touches the pressurized water in the middle pressure increasing area α2, and the lower vessel S3 touches the radiating water in the lower heat radiation area α3. 80 ° C: 1.0MP in the upper vessel S1
a, the temperature in the middle vessel S2 is 56 ° C .: 1.0 MPa, the temperature in the lower vessel S3 is 28 ° C .: 0.9 MPa, the high-temperature alloy HM in the upper vessel S1 releases hydrogen (FIG. 7), and the lower vessel S
The low temperature alloy LM of No. 3 absorbs hydrogen (of FIG. 7). The middle vessel S2 is heated by the pressurized water and has a high internal pressure, and the middle temperature alloy MM does not occlude hydrogen. Then, the cell S that has passed through the hydrogen driving unit α moves to the first cooling / heating unit β.

In the cell S which has entered the first cold output section β, the upper vessel S1 contacts the pressurized water, the middle vessel S2 contacts the facility water, and the lower vessel S3 contacts the cold output water. Upper container S1
Comes into contact with the pressurized water (58 ° C), so that the upper vessel S1
Is increased to a pressure at which the high-temperature alloy HM does not absorb hydrogen. When the middle vessel S2 comes into contact with facility water (28 ° C.), the internal pressure of the middle vessel S2 decreases, the middle temperature alloy MM absorbs hydrogen, and the low temperature alloy LM of the lower vessel S3 releases hydrogen. Since the low-temperature alloy LM releases hydrogen, the lower vessel S
Heat is absorbed in 3 and the cold output water that contacts the lower vessel S3 is cooled to, for example, 13 ° C. The low-temperature alloy LM is provided so that the internal pressure of the lower vessel S3 is higher than the internal pressure of the middle vessel S2 when the cooling output water is about 13 ° C.

As described above, the upper vessel S1 is placed in the upper pressure step-up region β.
1 touches the pressurized water, the middle vessel S2 touches the facility water in the middle heat radiation area β2, and the lower vessel S3 touches the cold output water in the lower cold output area β3, so that the inside of the upper vessel S1 is 58 ° C .:
0.5MPa, 28 ℃ in the middle container S2: 0.4MP
a, The temperature in the lower vessel S3 is 13 ° C .: 0.5 MPa, the low-temperature alloy LM in the lower vessel S3 releases hydrogen (FIG. 7), and the medium-temperature alloy MM in the middle vessel S2 absorbs hydrogen (FIG. 7). . When the low-temperature alloy LM in the lower vessel S3 releases hydrogen, heat is taken from the cold output water that contacts the lower vessel S3 by an endothermic action to lower the temperature of the cold output water. The upper vessel S1 is heated by pressurized water and has a high internal pressure, and the high-temperature alloy HM does not occlude hydrogen. And
The cell S that has passed through the first cooling output unit β moves to the second cooling output unit γ.

In the cell S that has entered the second cold output section γ, the upper container S1 contacts the facility water, the middle container S2 contacts the cold output water, and the lower container S3 contacts the unrequited water. Upper container S1
Comes into contact with facility water (28 ° C), causing the upper vessel S1
, The high temperature alloy HM absorbs hydrogen, and the medium temperature alloy MM in the middle vessel S2 releases hydrogen. Medium temperature alloy MM
Releases hydrogen, so that heat is absorbed in the middle vessel S2,
The cold output water touching the middle vessel S2 is cooled to, for example, 13 ° C. The medium-temperature alloy MM is provided so that the internal pressure of the middle vessel S2 becomes higher than the internal pressure of the upper vessel S1 when the cooling output water is about 13 ° C.

As described above, the upper vessel S1 is provided with the upper heat radiation area γ.
By contacting the facility water with 1, the inside of the upper container S1
° C: 0.1MPa, 13 ° C in the middle vessel S2: 0.2M
Pa, the interior of the lower container S3 is in the unquestioned state,
The middle temperature alloy MM releases hydrogen (FIG. 7), and the high temperature alloy HM of the upper vessel S1 stores hydrogen (FIG. 7). When the middle temperature alloy MM in the middle vessel S2 releases hydrogen, heat is taken from the cold output water that touches the middle vessel S2 by the endothermic action to lower the temperature of the cold output water. The temperature of the lower vessel S3 is irrelevant, and the low-temperature alloy LM of the lower vessel S3 does not occlude hydrogen. Then, the cell S that has passed through the second cooling output unit γ moves to the hydrogen driving unit α.

The low-temperature chilled water whose heat has been removed in the lower chilled heat output region β3 and the middle chilled heat output region γ2 of the heat pump cycle 2 is transferred to the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor air conditioner 5 through the chilled heat output water circulation path 21. The heat is exchanged with the air blown into the room, and the room is cooled.

[Effects of the Embodiment] The upper, middle, and lower containers S1,
Since the metal offset fins F having high thermal conductivity are joined to the inner walls of S2 and S3, heat generated from the hydrogen storage alloy is transmitted to the container through the offset fins F in contact with the hydrogen storage alloy. You. In other words, the area of the heat transfer member that transfers heat between the heat medium and the hydrogen storage alloy is
This is the area obtained by adding the area of the offset fin F to the area of the container. Further, since the offset fins F and the container are securely joined in a planar manner, the amount of heat transferred from the hydrogen storage alloy to the container is increased as compared with the conventional foamed metal. As a result, the heat exchange efficiency between the hydrogen storage alloy and the heat medium is improved, and the cooling efficiency of the heat pump cycle 2 is improved.

By using the offset fins F as the fins, the fins can be integrally formed, the workability of the fins is improved, and the mounting and joining work in the container can be easily performed. In addition, since the fin pitch and shape can be arbitrarily created, the heat exchange rate in the container can be controlled. Since the fin shape of the corrugated fin or the offset fin is provided in a square wave shape, the contact area between the corrugated fin or the offset fin and the inner wall of the container increases, and the amount of heat transfer that transfers the heat of the hydrogen storage alloy to the container increases.

Further, the use of the offset fins F causes a large number of gaps a (see FIG. 1B) as a whole, so that hydrogen absorbed or released by the hydrogen storage alloy is transferred to the fins in four directions (fin pitch direction and (Fin height direction). For this reason, each of the upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2
, S3, the loss of hydrogen transfer is reduced, the heat exchange efficiency is improved, and the cooling efficiency of the heat pump cycle 2 is improved.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment in which the heat utilization system using the hydrogen storage alloy according to the present invention is applied to a cooling and heating device will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling and heating device to which the present invention is applied. Cooling and heating device 30 of the present embodiment
In addition to performing the cooling operation described in the above embodiment, during the heating operation, the heating water heated by the combustion device 3 is guided to the indoor heat exchanger 19 of the indoor air conditioner 5 to perform indoor heating.
The heating water circulation path 18 and the cooling / heating output water circulation path 21 shown in the first embodiment are connected, and three switching valves V1, V2, V3 (switching valves for cooling and heating) for switching the flow paths are provided at the connection portion. It is a thing. In addition to the indoor air conditioner 5,
It may be connected to a floor heating mat, a bathroom dryer, or the like, and provided so as to perform floor heating, bathroom heating, or the like by supplying heated water.

[Third Embodiment] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling device of a type in which the cells S are fixed. In the above embodiment, the example in which the type of the heat medium that contacts each container is switched by rotating the plurality of cells S in the water tank K, but in the third embodiment, a plurality (three in this embodiment) is used. Fix the cell S of
The divider 9 includes a rotary distributor 40 that switches and outputs a plurality of heat media by rotation, and a collector 41 that collects the distributed heat media again and returns the heat medium to the heat medium source.
The type of the heat medium is switched and supplied to the heat medium passage 9a (see FIG. 10) inside. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the upper, middle, and lower containers S1, S2 of the third embodiment
2, S3 is covered by the divider 9 and
The divider 9 is covered with a housing 42, and a heat insulating material 43 is arranged between the divider 9 and the housing 42.

[Modification] In the above embodiment, the offset fin F in the form of a square wave for joining the opposing surfaces of the container to each other is shown as an example. However, as shown in FIG. In the state where the opposed fins F (or corrugated fins) having a square wave shape are not joined to the inner surface of the container without joining the opposing surfaces of the container, the opposing surfaces of the container are not joined as shown in FIG. And the offset fins F (or corrugated fins) having a non-square wave shape are joined to the inner surface of the container, or as shown in FIG. (Or corrugated fins) may be bonded to the inner surface of the container. Instead of the offset fins F and the corrugated fins, a number of plate-like fins may be joined to the inner wall of the container. In this case, a large number of fins having a substantially U-shaped cross section may be inserted into the container to join the opposing surfaces of the container, or as shown in FIG. The fins obtained by cutting and raising the fins F ′ may be joined to the inner surface of the container.

In the above embodiment, the offset fins F are provided to be joined to the inner walls of the upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2, S3. Instead of the offset fins F, meandering metal thin plates are formed. The corrugated fins may be provided to be joined to the inner walls of the upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2, S3. In this case, by using a punching plate as the thin plate of the corrugated fin, like the offset fin F of the present embodiment,
The inside of the upper, middle and lower vessels S1, S2 and S3 can be freely moved, and the pressure loss can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the divider 9 is provided around each container is shown, but the divider 9 may not be used. As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 12, the upper, middle, and lower containers S1, S2, and S3 are arranged in a state of being wound around the rotation shaft 8, and
Middle and lower containers S1, S2, S3 and adjacent other upper
A gap having substantially the same width may be provided between the middle and lower vessels S1, S2, and S3 so that the heat medium flows through the gap. Thus, even if the divider 9 is abolished, since the gap is substantially the same width, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the gap becomes constant, the heat exchange loss of the heat medium is reduced, and the cooling efficiency of the heat pump cycle 2 is increased. be able to.

In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the plurality of cells S are continuously rotated by the cell moving means has been described. However, the cells S may be rotated intermittently. In the above embodiment, for ease of explanation, the upper container S1, the middle container S2, and the lower container S3 are shown as upper and lower parts in the drawing, but the upper and lower arrangement is changed or arranged horizontally. And so on. In such a case, of course, each heat medium supplied to each container is also replaced so that a heat pump cycle is established.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the heating medium (pressurized water in this embodiment) was used as the heating medium for pressurization, in which the temperature of the upper vessel S1 whose temperature was increased in the heating zone α1 was cooled to increase the temperature. Are heating means (for example, temperature rise by a combustion device,
A heat medium whose temperature has been increased by an electric heater, a temperature increase using exhaust heat, or the like may be used. In the above embodiment, an example in which a two-stage cycle is used as an example of the heat pump cycle 2 has been described. The above cycle may be used.

In the above embodiment, a multi air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor air conditioners 5 can be connected to one outdoor unit 7 has been described, but an air conditioner in which one indoor air conditioner 5 is connected to one outdoor unit 7 is shown. The present invention may be applied. In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the room is cooled by the heat medium for cooling output (cooling water in the embodiment) obtained by the heat pump cycle 2 is described. However, the refrigeration operation or the freezing operation is performed by the heating medium for cooling output. The present invention may be used as another cooling device. In the above embodiment, one heat pump unit (a unit in which a plurality of cells S are stored in one container K)
Although an example using the above is shown, the cooling capacity may be increased by mounting a plurality of heat pump units, and the heat pump unit may be used for a cooling device requiring a large cooling capacity such as a building air-conditioning system.

In the above embodiment, a gas combustion device for burning gas is used as a heating means for heating a heating heat medium (heating water in the embodiment). Other combustion devices may be used, heating means for heating the heating medium for heating by exhaust heat of the internal combustion engine, steam by a boiler, heating means using an electric heater,
Other heating means may be used. When utilizing the exhaust heat of the internal combustion engine, it can also be used for vehicles. In the above embodiment, tap water was used as an example of each heating medium.
Another liquid heat medium such as antifreeze or oil may be used, or a gas heat medium such as air may be used. In the above embodiment, the cooling device that obtains a cold output by an endothermic action when the hydrogen storage alloy releases hydrogen is described as an example, but a heating apparatus that obtains a thermal output by a heat dissipation action when the hydrogen storage alloy absorbs hydrogen is described. The present invention may be applied to a device (for example, a heating device).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the inside of a container (first embodiment).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cell provided with a divider (first embodiment).

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a cell (first embodiment).

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling device (first embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a heat pump cycle (first embodiment).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heat pump unit (first embodiment).

FIG. 7 is a PT refrigeration cycle diagram (first embodiment).

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling and heating device (second embodiment).

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cooling device (third embodiment).

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a housing (third embodiment).

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the inside of a container (modification).

FIG. 12 is a view of a plurality of cells attached to a rotating shaft as viewed from an axial direction (modification).

[Explanation of symbols]

 F Offset fin HM High temperature alloy (hydrogen storage alloy) MM Medium temperature alloy (hydrogen storage alloy) LM Low temperature alloy (hydrogen storage alloy) S1 Upper vessel S2 Middle vessel S3 Lower vessel

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy utilizing heat absorption of a hydrogen storage alloy at the time of releasing hydrogen or heat release at the time of hydrogen storage of a hydrogen storage alloy, wherein the container encloses the hydrogen storage alloy. A heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy, characterized in that fins formed of a metal plate having high thermal conductivity are joined and disposed on the inner surface by joining means such as brazing or welding. 2. The heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy according to claim 1, wherein the fins are corrugated fins formed in a meandering manner.
Alternatively, a heat utilization system using a hydrogen storage alloy, which is an offset fin formed with a fin pitch shifted. 3. The heat utilization system according to claim 2, wherein the corrugated fin or the offset fin is provided with a fin shape of a square wave. Heat utilization system.