JP4163541B2 - Method for manufacturing gas storage tank - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas storage tank for storing gas and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various gas storage tanks for storing gas have been proposed. As one of the methods for storing gas, a method for storing and adsorbing gas in a predetermined storage / adsorption material is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hydrogen storage tank including a hydrogen storage alloy therein. The hydrogen storage tank disclosed in Patent Document 1 is filled with a hydrogen storage alloy in a cylindrical container, and the end of the cylindrical container is fastened by a flange.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-55300 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-170998 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When storing gas using an occlusion / adsorption material, by increasing the gas supply pressure to the gas storage tank, the occlusion / adsorption material can be occluded / adsorbed in addition to compressed gas in the space inside the gas storage tank. As a result, gas can be stored. When the pressure in the gas storage tank becomes higher as described above, the flange is fixed at the opening of the container end as described above, or the airtightness in the tank is secured by using a gasket. The configuration can be difficult to adopt. However, sufficient studies have not been made on a method of manufacturing a gas storage tank that can fill a tank with a gas storage / adsorption material and store a higher-pressure gas.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and provides a technique for manufacturing a gas storage tank capable of storing a higher pressure gas while maintaining the performance of a gas storage / adsorption material. The purpose is to do.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a gas storage tank for storing gas,
(A) preparing a hollow filling portion and a metal outer wall material capable of accommodating the filling portion therein;
(B) filling the filling portion with an occlusion / adsorption material that occludes and / or adsorbs the gas; and
(C) By attaching a detachable lid, the opening portion of the filling portion filled with the occlusion / adsorption material is closed, and the filling portion filled with the occlusion / adsorption material is provided in the outer wall material. Storing in the outer wall material from the opened opening,
(D) drawing the vicinity of the opening of the outer wall material containing the filling portion;
(E) performing a heat treatment with water cooling on the outer wall material drawn in the step (d);
(F) After the step (e), the lid is removed from the filling portion housed in the outer wall material, and the gas can be supplied to and discharged from the storage / adsorption material. Communicating the inside of the filling portion and the outside of the outer wall material through the drawn openings.
It is a summary to provide.
[0007]
According to the method for manufacturing a gas storage tank of the present invention configured as described above, the opening of the filling portion filled with the occlusion / adsorbent is closed by attaching a removable lid prior to the heat treatment. Therefore, when the water cooling is performed together with the heat treatment, the occlusion / adsorbent filled in the filling portion can be prevented from becoming wet. If the occlusion / adsorption material becomes wet after filling the filling part, it is very difficult to dry it. Depending on the type of occlusion / adsorption material used, once it becomes wet, gas is occluded / adsorption. In some cases, the performance will be greatly reduced. Such inconvenience can be prevented by attaching a detachable lid in advance as in the present invention. In addition, by removing the attached lid after performing heat treatment with water cooling, it is possible to secure a gas passage for supplying and discharging gas to and from the occlusion / adsorbent filled in the filling portion.
[0008]
Furthermore, according to the method for manufacturing a gas storage tank of the present invention, after the filling portion is stored in the outer wall material, the opening portion of the outer wall material is drawn, so that when the filling portion is stored, the storing operation is performed. It is possible to ensure the size of the opening of the outer wall material so that there is no hindrance, and when storing the gas, the outer wall should be easy to ensure the tightness of the tank while withstanding the internal gas pressure. The size of the opening of the material can be made sufficiently small. Further, since the filling portion is filled with the occlusion / adsorption material before the filling portion is accommodated in the outer wall material and the outer wall material is drawn, the operation of filling the occlusion / adsorption material can be easily performed. Furthermore, the strength of the outer wall material can be improved by performing heat treatment with water cooling on the outer wall material. Moreover, since this heat treatment is performed after the drawing process, the effect of the heat treatment is not impaired by performing the drawing process.
[0009]
In the method for producing a gas storage tank of the present invention,
The gas storage tank is a tank for storing hydrogen,
The storage / adsorption material includes at least a hydrogen storage alloy,
The outer wall material may be formed of a metal containing aluminum.
[0010]
Aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity and is lightweight, and even when high-pressure hydrogen is stored inside an aluminum (aluminum alloy) container, hydrogen molecules do not leak to the outside and constitute a hydrogen storage tank. It is an excellent material for outer wall materials. And when forming an outer wall material with the metal containing such aluminum, the fatigue strength of an outer wall material can be improved by performing the heat processing accompanying water cooling.
[0011]
In the method for producing a gas storage tank of the present invention,
The filling portion prepared in the step (a) may include a fin structure inside which can be brought into contact with the filled occlusion / adsorption material.
[0012]
With such a configuration, the heat transfer inside the filling section can be improved, and when heat is generated in the storage / adsorption material when storing / adsorbing gas, the efficiency of discharging this heat is increased. Thus, it is possible to promote gas occlusion / adsorption.
[0013]
In the manufacturing method of such a gas storage tank,
The filling portion prepared in the step (a) includes the fin structure formed by stacking a plurality of thin plate-like members provided with through holes,
In the step (b), the occlusion / adsorption material may be filled in a space formed between the plurality of thin plate-like members and communicated with each other by the through holes provided in each of the plurality of thin plate-like members. good.
[0014]
Thus, by providing a some thin plate-shaped member, the heat transfer inside a filling part can be improved effectively. In addition, it is possible to simplify the operation of assembling the fin structure in the filling portion. Furthermore, when performing the operation | movement which fills a filling part with an occlusion / adsorption material, the occlusion / adsorption material is filled into the space in a filling part via the through-hole with which a thin plate-shaped member is equipped. And even if the structure of the filling portion becomes more complicated in this way, the filling portion is filled with the occlusion / adsorption material before the filling portion is stored in the outer wall material, so that the filling operation can be easily performed. Can do.
[0015]
In the method for producing a gas storage tank of the present invention,
The filling unit includes a refrigerant flow path for circulating the refrigerant,
(G) After the step (e), the opening portion obtained by drawing the refrigerant channel and the outside of the outer wall material so that the refrigerant can be supplied to and discharged from the refrigerant channel. The process of communicating through
Further, it may be provided.
[0016]
By providing the refrigerant flow path in the filling portion, it is easy to cool or heat the occlusion / adsorption material, and the efficiency of gas occlusion / adsorption operation and gas extraction operation can be improved. Thus, even if the structure of the filling portion becomes more complicated, the filling operation is performed because the filling portion is filled with the occlusion / adsorption material before the filling portion is stored in the outer wall material. .
[0017]
In addition, this invention is realizable with various forms other than the above, for example, can be implement | achieved with forms, such as a hydrogen storage tank formed by the manufacturing method of the said hydrogen storage tank.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Structure of the hydrogen storage tank 10:
B. Manufacturing process of the hydrogen storage tank 10:
C. Operation of hydrogen storage and release:
D. effect:
E. Variation:
[0019]
A. Structure of the hydrogen storage tank 10:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a longitudinal section inside a hydrogen storage tank 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hydrogen storage tank 10 includes a tank container 20 and a heat exchanger 30 accommodated in the tank container 20.
[0020]
The tank container 20 is an outer wall material of the hydrogen storage tank, and is constituted by a hollow container formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the tank container 20 is formed of an aluminum alloy. The tank container 20 has connection ports 21 and 22 which are holes formed at both ends of the tank container 20 smaller than the cross section of the tank container 20. Connection portions 23 and 24 are fitted in these connection ports 21 and 22, respectively. The connection parts 23 and 24 are structures for ensuring the airtightness of the tank container 20 at the connection ports 21 and 22, thereby preventing hydrogen stored in the tank container 20 from leaking to the outside. Further, in the connection portion 23, a hydrogen supply / discharge port 23 a for supplying and discharging hydrogen gas to and from the tank container 20 is provided open to the outside. In the connecting portion 24, a refrigerant supply port 24a for supplying a predetermined refrigerant into the tank container 20 and a refrigerant discharge port 24b for discharging the refrigerant from the tank container 20 are opened to the outside. Is provided. Further, a reinforcing layer 26 is provided on the outer periphery of the tank container 20. The reinforcing layer 26 is for improving the strength of the tank container 20 that stores high-pressure hydrogen therein, and is formed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP).
[0021]
The heat exchanger 30 includes a heat exchanger case 34 that is a substantially cylindrical container having a smaller cross section than the tank container 20, and the heat exchanger case 34 is filled with a hydrogen storage alloy. A thin plate member made of an aluminum alloy is laminated in the heat exchanger case 34, and a hydrogen storage alloy is filled between the thin plate members. The detailed configuration will be described later. Further, a plurality of refrigerant flow paths 40 are formed through the inside of the heat exchanger 30 in the longitudinal direction so that heat exchange is possible between the filled hydrogen storage alloy and a predetermined refrigerant. The plurality of refrigerant flow paths 40 are connected to the refrigerant supply port 24a provided in the connection portion 24 described above. That is, the refrigerant flow path continuously extending from the refrigerant supply port 24 a into the tank container 20 branches into each of the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 40 at the end of the heat exchanger 30 on the connection port 22 side. Yes. Thereby, a refrigerant | coolant can be introduce | transduced with respect to each of the some refrigerant | coolant flow path 40 from the outside.
[0022]
Further, a substantially cylindrical filter 36 is disposed inside the heat exchanger 30 so as to penetrate substantially the center thereof in the longitudinal direction. The filter 36 is a porous body formed of sintered metal, and can hold the hydrogen storage alloy particles filled in the heat exchanger 30 without substantially entering the interior. Furthermore, a refrigerant pipe 37 that penetrates in the stacking direction of the heat exchanger 30 and forms a refrigerant flow path is disposed inside the filter 36. The plurality of refrigerant flow paths 40 described above gather at the end of the heat exchanger 30 on the connection port 21 side and are connected to the refrigerant pipe 37. The refrigerant pipe 37 extends toward the connection port 22 and opens at a refrigerant discharge port 24 b provided in the connection part 24. Therefore, the refrigerant that has passed through the plurality of refrigerant flow paths 40 gathers at the end on the connection port 21 side, changes the flow direction to the reverse direction, and passes the refrigerant pipe 37 and the refrigerant discharge port 24b to the outside. It can be discharged.
[0023]
A hydrogen filling space 33 is formed between the inner wall surface of the tank container 20 and the heat exchanger 30. The hydrogen supplied to the hydrogen storage tank 10 is stored in the hydrogen storage alloy filled in the heat exchanger 30, and also stored as compressed hydrogen in the voids of the powdered hydrogen storage alloy and the hydrogen filling space 33. Is done.
[0024]
A support member 45 is disposed between the tank container 20 and the heat exchanger 30. The support member 45 has a shape in which a thin plate of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or a clad material provided with these is folded at a predetermined interval. And the heat exchanger 30 is hold | maintained in the tank container 20, absorbing the expansion | swelling and shrinkage | contraction in the heat exchanger 30 accompanying temperature rise / fall. Further, the support member 45 ensures heat transfer between the heat exchanger 30 and the wall surface of the tank container 20. The support member 45 may have a folded structure as described above so that the entire support member 45 is an elastic body, and the heat exchanger 30 is held by the generated pressure. Further, the heat exchanger 30 may be held by joining the support member 45 to the tank container 20 and the heat exchanger 30.
[0025]
B. Manufacturing process of the hydrogen storage tank 10:
FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing a method for manufacturing the hydrogen storage tank 10. Steps S <b> 100 to S <b> 130 are steps for manufacturing the heat exchanger 30. When manufacturing the heat exchanger 30, first, the thin plate-like members are stacked and the heat exchanger 30 is assembled (step S100). Hereinafter, the assembly of the heat exchanger 30 will be described.
[0026]
The heat exchanger 30 is formed by alternately laminating flat plates 31 and concavo-convex plates 32, which are two types of thin plate-like members, in the heat exchanger case 34 described above. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a 3-3 cross section in the tank container 20 in the hydrogen storage tank 10 of FIG. However, FIG. 3 does not describe the hydrogen storage alloy filled in the heat exchanger 30. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the cross section of the flat plate 31 and the concavo-convex plate 32 constituting the heat exchanger 30, and FIG. 5 shows the heat formed by alternately laminating the flat plate 31 and the concavo-convex plate 32. It is explanatory drawing which expands and shows the mode of a part of longitudinal section of the exchanger. The flat plate 31 is a flat thin plate member, and the concavo-convex plate 32 is a thin plate member that is bent at a predetermined interval to form undulations. In FIG. 1 described above, only a thin plate member corresponding to the flat plate 31 is shown. FIG. 3 shows the concavo-convex plate 32, and the bending position is shown by a parallel straight line in the drawing. The flat plate 31 and the concavo-convex plate 32, which are substantially disk-shaped thin plate members, are provided with a plurality of refrigerant holes 53 and a plurality of storage material filling holes 54 at positions corresponding to each other (see FIG. 3).
[0027]
When the heat exchanger 30 is assembled, the plurality of flat plates 31 and the concavo-convex plates 32 are alternately stacked so that the positions of the refrigerant holes 53 and the occlusion material filling holes 54 of the flat plates 31 and the concavo-convex plates 32 overlap each other. To do. And in the refrigerant hole 53 provided in the position which mutually overlaps, the refrigerant | coolant pipe | tube 55 for forming the refrigerant | coolant flow path 40 is inserted so that the heat exchanger 30 may be penetrated in the lamination direction (refer FIG. 3, FIG. 5). ).
[0028]
Each flat plate 31 and concavo-convex plate 32 are formed with a circular hole at the center thereof, and when assembling the heat exchanger 30, these holes pass through the heat exchanger 30 in the stacking direction. Then, the filter 36 is inserted (see FIGS. 1 and 3). And in this filter 36, it penetrates in the lamination direction of the heat exchanger 30, and further inserts the refrigerant | coolant pipe | tube 37 (refer FIG. 1, FIG. 3).
[0029]
Further, when the heat exchanger 30 is assembled, the first manifold plate 38 is disposed at one end portion of the laminate in which the flat plate 31 and the uneven plate 32 are laminated, and the second manifold plate 39 is disposed at the other end portion. (See FIG. 1). 6 shows a state of a 6-6 cross section in the tank container 20 in the hydrogen storage tank 10 of FIG. 1, that is, when the first manifold plate 38 is laminated, the first manifold plate 38 is removed from the outer surface of the laminated body. It is explanatory drawing showing a mode that it saw. 7 shows a state of a 7-7 cross section in the tank container 20 in the hydrogen storage tank 10 of FIG. 1, that is, when the second manifold plate 39 is stacked, the second manifold plate is viewed from the inner surface of the stacked body. It is explanatory drawing showing a mode that 39 was seen.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 6, the first manifold plate 38 includes occlusion material filling holes 56 at positions corresponding to the occlusion material filling holes 54 provided in the flat plate 31 and the uneven plate 32. Further, as indicated by a broken line in the figure, a recess 52 is formed on the surface opposite to the surface shown in FIG. 6 at a position corresponding to the coolant hole 53 provided in the flat plate 31 and the uneven plate 32. . Furthermore, a distribution space 58 that is a predetermined space is provided in the vicinity of the center of the first manifold plate 38. The distribution space 58 is open as a cooling water inlet 57 on the surface near the center of the first manifold plate 38 and shown in FIG. 6 (see FIG. 1). The distribution space 58 communicates with each of the recesses 52 described above via the communication passage 59 formed in the first manifold plate 38 in the first manifold plate 38. Further, the first manifold plate 38 includes a cooling water discharge hole 60 that passes through the vicinity of the center of the first manifold plate 38 and does not communicate with the distribution space 58. When assembling the heat exchanger 30, the recesses 52 are connected to the refrigerant pipes 55 forming the refrigerant flow path 40, and the cooling water discharge holes 60 are connected to the refrigerant pipe 37. 1 Assemble the manifold plate 38. In FIG. 1, the occlusion material filling hole 56 provided in the first manifold plate 38 is omitted for easy understanding of the state of branching of the cooling water flow path.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 7, the second manifold plate 39 includes a recess 64 on the surface side shown in FIG. 7 at a position corresponding to each refrigerant hole 53 provided in the flat plate 31 and the uneven plate 32. Furthermore, a collective space 62 that is a predetermined space is provided in the vicinity of the center of the second manifold plate 39. The collective space 62 is open as a cooling water port 63 in the vicinity of the center portion of the second manifold plate 39 and on the side surface shown in FIG. The collective space 62 communicates with the above-described recesses 64 through the communication passages 65 formed in the second manifold plate 39 in the second manifold plate 39. Further, the second manifold plate 39 includes a hydrogen introduction hole 61 that penetrates the vicinity of the center portion thereof and is provided without communicating with the collective space 62. When assembling the heat exchanger 30, the second manifold is connected so that each recess 64 is connected to each refrigerant pipe 55 that forms the refrigerant flow path 40 and so that the cooling water port 63 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 37. Assemble the plate 39. As a result, the hydrogen introduction hole 61 is closed by the end of the filter 36.
[0032]
After assembling the heat exchanger 30 in this way, the heat exchanger 30 is then filled with hydrogen storage alloy powder (step S110). The hydrogen storage alloy is filled into the heat exchanger 30 through the storage material filling hole 56 provided in the first manifold plate 38. In the heat exchanger 30, as shown in FIG. 5, by alternately laminating the flat plates 31 and the concavo-convex plates 32, a space is formed between the laminated thin plate members, and these spaces are separated from each other by the flat plate 31. And the concavo-convex plate 32 communicate with each other through an occlusion material filling hole 54. When the hydrogen storage alloy is introduced into the heat exchanger 30 from the storage material filling hole 56 provided in the first manifold plate 38, the hydrogen storage alloy exchanges heat through the storage material filling hole 54 provided in the flat plate 31 and the uneven plate 32. The inside of the container 30 is filled and the space is filled.
[0033]
After filling the heat exchanger 30 with the hydrogen storage alloy, the storage material filling holes 56 provided in the first manifold plate 38 are closed, and the hydrogen introduction holes 61 of the second manifold plate 39 are closed (step S120). The occlusion material filling hole 56 does not need to be opened again after this, and therefore may be closed by welding, for example. As will be described later, the hydrogen introduction hole 61 needs to be opened prior to the completion of the hydrogen storage tank 10, and is thus detachably closed. For example, a bolt having a size corresponding to the hydrogen introduction hole 61 may be used as a lid, and the bolt may be closed by screwing the bolt into the hydrogen introduction hole 61. The operation of closing the hydrogen introduction hole 61 is not limited as long as water can be sufficiently prevented from entering the heat exchanger 30 in the heat treatment process described later. For example, an O-ring may be used to ensure sealing performance. .
[0034]
When the occlusion material filling hole 56 and the hydrogen introduction hole 61 are closed, the refrigerant flow path is connected to the heat exchanger 30 to complete the heat exchanger 30 (step S130). FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are explanatory diagrams schematically showing the steps after step S130, and FIG. 8A shows the heat exchanger 30 completed in step S130. When the heat exchanger 30 is completed in step S130, the tubular members 70, 71 formed of stainless steel or the like are respectively provided to the cooling water inlet 57 and the cooling water discharge hole 60 of the first manifold plate 38. Connecting. Thereafter, the tubular members 70 and 71 are passed through a cylindrical member 72 formed of stainless steel or the like, thereby completing the heat exchanger 30. In FIG. 8A, the cylindrical member 72 is represented by a cross section so that the tubular members 70 and 71 penetrate the cylindrical member 72.
[0035]
When the heat exchanger 30 is completed, the tank container 20 is then prepared (step S140). The tank container 20 of the present embodiment is made of an aluminum alloy, and in step S140, a cylindrical container having both ends opened is prepared. FIG. 8B shows how the tank container 20 is prepared in step S140.
[0036]
And the heat exchanger 30 completed by step S130 is accommodated in the tank container 20 prepared by step S140 (refer step S150, FIG.8 (C)). When the heat exchanger 30 is stored in the tank container 20 in step S150, the support member 45 is disposed between the tank container 20 and the heat exchanger 30 at the same time.
[0037]
Next, drawing (mouth drawing) is performed on both ends of the tank container 20 (step S160), and the openings at both ends of the tank container 20 are made smaller to form connection ports 21 and 22 (FIG. 9). (See (A)).
[0038]
Thereafter, heat treatment is performed on the tank container 20 (step S170). This heat treatment is a treatment for improving the fatigue strength of the aluminum alloy constituting the tank container 20. In the hydrogen storage tank 10, the constituent members expand and contract as the temperature rises and falls, and the internal pressure rises and falls as the hydrogen is charged and discharged. With such expansion / contraction of the constituent members and increase / decrease in internal pressure, the shape of the tank container 20 is distorted at a predetermined rate. By repeating such strain, the aluminum alloy constituting the tank container 20 gradually causes metal fatigue. The heat treatment enhances resistance to fatigue, and in this example, the well-known T6 treatment applied to the aluminum alloy was performed. In this heat treatment, for example, the aluminum alloy is solidified by heating to 515 to 550 ° C., and then rapidly cooled by water cooling. During the water cooling, water is also passed through the inside of the tank container 20 so that the cooling can be performed sufficiently rapidly.
[0039]
After the heat treatment, the lid is removed from the hydrogen introduction hole 61 of the second manifold plate 39, and the hydrogen introduction hole 61 is opened (step S180). That is, the lid attached to the hydrogen introduction hole 61 is removed through the connection port 21 formed in step S160.
[0040]
Thereafter, the connecting portion 23 is attached to the connecting port 21, and the connecting portion 24 is attached to the connecting port 22 (step S190). In this embodiment, the connecting portion 23 includes a pressure reducing valve together with an electromagnetic valve that is an on-off valve. ing. Then, by introducing high-pressure hydrogen gas into the hydrogen supply / discharge port 23a, hydrogen can be stored in the hydrogen storage tank 10, and hydrogen depressurized by the pressure reducing valve is supplied from the hydrogen storage tank 10 to the hydrogen supply tank 23a. It is possible to discharge through the discharge port 23a. Further, in the connection portion 24, a columnar member 72 is disposed so as to penetrate the inside of the connection portion 24. Since the cylindrical members 72 penetrate the tubular members 70 and 71 as described above, by arranging the cylindrical members 72 in this way, the end portions of the tubular members 70 and 71 are respectively connected to the refrigerant supply ports 24a. The refrigerant outlet 24b.
[0041]
Furthermore, the reinforcement layer 26 is formed in the outer periphery of the tank container 20 (step S200), and the hydrogen storage tank 10 is completed. The reinforcing layer 26 is formed by, for example, winding a carbon fiber impregnated with an epoxy resin or the like around the outer periphery of the tank container 20 and then curing the impregnated resin.
[0042]
C. Operation of hydrogen storage and release:
When hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage tank 10, high-pressure hydrogen is introduced into the hydrogen storage tank 10 through the hydrogen supply / discharge port 23a. The hydrogen introduced from the hydrogen supply / discharge port 23a is guided into the hydrogen filling space 33 in the hydrogen storage tank 10 through an electromagnetic valve provided in the connecting portion 23, and further passes through the hydrogen introduction hole 61 and the filter 36. Then, it is introduced into the heat exchanger 30 and inserted into the hydrogen storage alloy. The amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage alloy is determined by the hydrogen pressure and temperature, and the type of the hydrogen storage alloy. When hydrogen is supplied at a predetermined pressure, the hydrogen storage alloy is heated up while storing hydrogen until the predetermined temperature is reached.
[0043]
When hydrogen is stored in this way, the refrigerant is supplied into the hydrogen storage tank 10 through the refrigerant supply port 24a, and the refrigerant that has passed through the hydrogen storage tank 10 is supplied to the outside through the refrigerant discharge port 24b. Are discharged. The refrigerant supplied into the hydrogen storage tank 10 is distributed to the refrigerant flow paths 40 in the first manifold plate 38 described above, gathers again in the second manifold plate 39, and passes through the refrigerant pipe 37 to the outside. To be discharged. Thereby, the inside of the hydrogen storage tank 10 is cooled, and the hydrogen storage operation by the hydrogen storage alloy is promoted.
[0044]
After the temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy is increased to a predetermined temperature, the hydrogen filling space 33 is filled with hydrogen gas at a pressure corresponding to the hydrogen pressure supplied to the hydrogen storage tank 10, and the hydrogen storage tank 10. Is fully filled.
[0045]
When taking out hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank 10, hydrogen decompressed to a predetermined pressure is released from the hydrogen supply / discharge port 23a. When taking out hydrogen, it is first released from the compressed hydrogen in the hydrogen filling space 33, and then the hydrogen occluded in the hydrogen occlusion alloy is released as the pressure decreases. Since the hydrogen storage alloy absorbs heat as hydrogen is released, the operation of releasing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage alloy is continued by passing a predetermined high-temperature refrigerant through the refrigerant flow path and heating the hydrogen storage. be able to.
[0046]
In addition, when performing the operation | movement which makes hydrogen storage alloy store hydrogen or discharge | release hydrogen as mentioned above, each thin plate-shaped member laminated | stacked in the heat exchanger 30 is a hydrogen storage alloy and a refrigerant | coolant. Acts as a fin to promote heat exchange between. That is, during the hydrogen storage, the heat generated in the hydrogen storage alloy is transmitted to the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path 40 through the fins, thereby accelerating the occlusion operation. During the hydrogen release, the refrigerant flow path 40 The heat | fever of an inside refrigerant | coolant is transmitted to a hydrogen storage alloy through a fin, and the operation | movement of discharge | release is accelerated | stimulated. In addition, when hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage alloy, the heat generated in the hydrogen storage alloy during the hydrogen storage operation is caused by the thin plate member serving as the fin, the heat exchanger case 34, and the support member 45. To the tank container 20 and discharged from the tank container 20 to the outside.
[0047]
D. effect:
According to the method of manufacturing the hydrogen storage tank 10 configured as described above, after the hydrogen storage alloy is filled in the heat exchanger 30, a removable lid is attached to the heat exchanger 30, and the hydrogen storage alloy is After the filled space is closed and the heat exchanger 30 is accommodated in the tank container 20, the tank container 20 is subjected to a drawing process and further subjected to heat treatment with water cooling, and then the lid is removed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy filled in the heat exchanger 30 from becoming wet when performing water cooling with heat treatment. When the hydrogen storage alloy powder becomes wet after being filled in the heat exchanger 30, it is extremely difficult to dry the powder, and depending on the type of hydrogen storage alloy used, once it is wet, it stores hydrogen. In some cases, the performance will be greatly reduced. Such inconvenience can be prevented by attaching a detachable lid in advance as in this embodiment. In addition, by removing the lid after the heat treatment and opening the hydrogen introduction hole 61, an opening through which hydrogen passes when the hydrogen storage alloy stores and takes out hydrogen is provided on the surface of the heat exchanger 30. Can be secured.
[0048]
As described above, the fatigue strength of the aluminum alloy can be improved by heat-treating the aluminum alloy, and a higher pressure hydrogen, for example, a hydrogen having a pressure of 1 MPa or more is introduced into the hydrogen filling space 33 in the hydrogen storage tank 10. It can be stored inside. By providing the reinforcing layer 26 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to store higher pressure hydrogen, for example, it is possible to store hydrogen at a pressure of 25 MPa or more, or 35 MPa or more. Note that the aluminum alloy does not leak hydrogen molecules to the outside even when high-pressure hydrogen is stored in this way, is excellent in thermal conductivity, is lightweight, and is excellent as a material for the tank container 20. .
[0049]
Thus, when storing higher pressure hydrogen, it is necessary to make the opening of the tank container 20 as small as possible in order to sufficiently secure the airtightness of the tank while withstanding the pressure of the internal hydrogen. . Further, in order to store the heat exchanger 30 in the tank container 20, at the time of storing the heat exchanger 30, the opening of the tank container 20 has a size that allows the heat exchanger 30 to pass. It is necessary to be. Therefore, it is necessary to perform drawing processing on the tank container 20 after the heat exchanger 30 is accommodated therein as in the present embodiment. Moreover, if the heat treatment process with water cooling is performed before the drawing process, the effect of improving the fatigue strength by the heat treatment may be impaired by the drawing process. Therefore, the heat treatment with water cooling needs to be performed after drawing. As described above, the heat treatment is preferably performed after the step of housing the heat exchanger 30 in the tank container 20 and the step of drawing, but after the opening is reduced by drawing, the small opening is formed. It becomes extremely difficult to fill the internal heat exchanger 30 with the hydrogen storage alloy via the (connection ports 21 and 22). By manufacturing the hydrogen storage tank 10 by the manufacturing process shown in the present embodiment, each process is performed in a desirable order, and the operation of filling the hydrogen storage alloy without any trouble is performed, so that the hydrogen storage alloy becomes wet. Can be prevented.
[0050]
In addition, it is desirable to provide the hydrogen introduction hole 61 to which the lid is attached at a position where the removal operation can be easily performed through the opening (the connection port 21) reduced by the drawing process. For example, it may be provided near the center of the disc-shaped second manifold plate 39.
[0051]
E. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0052]
E1. Modification 1:
As a filling part filled with a hydrogen storage alloy, various deformation | transformation are possible other than the heat exchanger shown in the Example. For example, if heat transfer is sufficiently performed in the filling portion, the fin structure may not be provided in the filling portion. In addition, the refrigerant flow path may not be provided in the interior as long as the cooling during the hydrogen occlusion and the heating during the hydrogen desorption are sufficiently performed. The same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention as a method for manufacturing a storage tank in which a filling portion for filling a storage / adsorption material such as a hydrogen storage alloy is accommodated in a predetermined outer wall material.
[0053]
E2. Modification 2:
In the embodiment, the hydrogen storage alloy is filled in the heat exchanger as the filling portion, but other kinds of occlusion / adsorption materials may be used. Alternatively, another type of occlusion / adsorption material may be further provided. For example, in addition to the hydrogen storage alloy, activated carbon or carbon nanotubes may be further provided.
[0054]
E3. Modification 3:
In the embodiment, a tank container formed of an aluminum alloy is used. However, instead of such a tank container, an outer wall material formed of a different material may be used. For example, the outer wall material may be formed of stainless steel. Even when other types of metals are used, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention when adopting a manufacturing method in which heat treatment such as solid solution treatment with water cooling is employed.
[0055]
E4. Modification 4:
In the above embodiment, the hydrogen storage tank for storing hydrogen is used. However, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to manufacturing a tank for storing high-pressure gas other than hydrogen.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a longitudinal section inside a hydrogen storage tank 10 which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing a method for manufacturing the hydrogen storage tank 10. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a 3-3 cross section in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of a cross section of a flat plate 31 and an uneven plate 32. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of a part of a longitudinal section of the heat exchanger 30;
6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a 6-6 cross section in FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a 7-7 cross section in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing processes subsequent to step S130.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing processes subsequent to step S160.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Hydrogen storage tank
20 ... Tank container
21, 22 ... Connection port
23, 24 ... connection part
23a ... Hydrogen supply / discharge port
24a ... Refrigerant supply port
24b ... refrigerant outlet
26 ... Reinforcing layer
30 ... heat exchanger
31 ... Flat plate
32 ... Uneven plate
33 ... Hydrogen filling space
34 ... Heat exchanger case
36 ... Filter
37 ... Refrigerant tube
38, 138, 238 ... 1st manifold plate
39 ... Second manifold plate
40: Refrigerant flow path
45 ... Support material
52 ... concave portion
53 ... Refrigerant hole
54 ... Occlusion material filling hole
55 ... Refrigerant tube
56, 156, 256 ... occlusion material filling hole
57 ... Cooling water inlet
58 ... distribution space
59 ... Communication passage
60 ... Cooling water discharge hole
61 ... Hydrogen introduction hole
62 ... Meeting space
63 ... Cooling water inlet
64 ... recess
65 ... Communication passage
70, 71 ... tubular member
72 ... Cylinder member
180 ... partition wall plate
185 ... space
280 ... Flat plate
282 ... Uneven plate

Claims (5)

A method for manufacturing a gas storage tank for storing gas, comprising:
(A) preparing a hollow filling portion and a metal outer wall material capable of accommodating the filling portion therein;
(B) filling the filling portion with an occlusion / adsorption material that occludes and / or adsorbs the gas; and
(C) Among the openings of the filling portion, the gas introduction hole, which is the opening serving as the gas entrance / exit, closes the opening of the filling portion while attaching a detachable lid, and The filling portion filled with the occlusion / adsorbing material is opened from the opening provided in the outer wall material so that the gas introduction hole to which the lid is attached is arranged to face the opening of the outer wall material. Storing in the outer wall material;
(D) drawing the vicinity of the opening of the outer wall material containing the filling portion;
(E) performing a heat treatment with water cooling on the outer wall material drawn in the step (d);
(F) After the step (e), the lid is removed from the filling portion housed in the outer wall material, and the gas can be supplied to and discharged from the storage / adsorption material. A method of manufacturing a gas storage tank, comprising: a step of communicating the inside of the filling portion and the outside of the outer wall material through the drawn opening portion. It is a manufacturing method of the gas storage tank of Claim 1, Comprising:
The gas storage tank is a tank for storing hydrogen,
The storage / adsorption material includes at least a hydrogen storage alloy,
The said outer wall material is formed with the metal containing aluminum. The manufacturing method of the gas storage tank. A method for producing a gas storage tank according to claim 1 or 2,
The said filling part prepared at the said (a) process equips the inside with the fin structure which can contact the said occlusion / adsorption material with which it filled The manufacturing method of the gas storage tank. It is a manufacturing method of the gas storage tank according to claim 3,
The filling portion prepared in the step (a) includes the fin structure formed by stacking a plurality of thin plate-like members provided with through holes,
In the step (b), the storage / adsorption material is filled in a space formed between the plurality of thin plate members and communicated with each other by the through holes provided in each of the plurality of thin plate members. Manufacturing method. A method for producing a gas storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The filling unit includes a refrigerant flow path for circulating the refrigerant,
(G) After the step (e), the opening portion obtained by drawing the refrigerant channel and the outside of the outer wall material so that the refrigerant can be supplied to and discharged from the refrigerant channel. The manufacturing method of the gas storage tank further provided with the process made to communicate through.

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