Hydrogen storage unit
AssigneeDenso Corporation
InventorsHisayoshi Oshima, Hidehiko Hiramatsu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydrogen storage unit is provided with a hydrogen storage container containing a hydrogen absorption material, and a filter portion for eliminating impurities contained in stored hydrogen gas. Thereby, the impurities are eliminated from the stored hydrogen gas in the hydrogen storage container, and the hydrogen absorption material is prevented from being poisoned by the impurities. The filter portion can be provided either inside or outside the hydrogen storage container. An adsorbent for adsorbing the impurities can be used in the filter portion. The filter portion is provided with a heating means for enhancing the elimination of the impurities adsorbed in the filter portion, and can be recovered during operation.
Claims13
A hydrogen storage unit for charging and discharging hydrogen gas, the hydrogen storage unit comprising:
- a hydrogen storage container containing a hydrogen absorption material, wherein the hydrogen storage unit is adapted to be supplied hydrogen from hydrogen supplying equipment and adapted to supply hydrogen to hydrogen consumption equipment;
- a filter portion including an adsorbent for adsorbing impurities contained in hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen storage unit, wherein the filter is arranged in a hydrogen flow path and wherein the hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment through the filter from the hydrogen storage unit;
- a heat supply means including heating means for heating the filter portion to enhance elimination of impurities adsorbed by the adsorbent, the heat supply means provided in the filter portion;
- and
- a gas sensor located on the hydrogen storage unit to detect the impurities eliminated from the filter part when hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen storage unit to the hydrogen consumption equipment through the filter;
- wherein the heat supply means stops heating the filter according to a level of impurities detected by the gas sensor.
A hydrogen storage unit for charging and discharging hydrogen gas, comprising:
- a hydrogen storage container containing a hydrogen absorption material, wherein the hydrogen storage unit is adapted to be supplied hydrogen from hydrogen supplying equipment and adapted to supply hydrogen to hydrogen consumption equipment;
- a filter portion including an adsorbent for adsorbing impurities contained in hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen storage unit, wherein the filter is arranged in a hydrogen flow path and wherein the hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment through the filter from the hydrogen storage unit;
- a heating and cooling unit including a heating means for heating at least the filter portion or the hydrogen storage container, said heating and cooling unit cooling at least the filter portion or the hydrogen storage container, said heating and cooling unit heating the filter portion to enhance elimination of impurities adsorbed in the adsorbent, said heating and cooling unit cooling the filter portion to enhance adsorption of impurities by the adsorbent;
- wherein the hydrogen storage container is cooled by the cooling means after the filter portion is cooled during storing hydrogen gas in the hydrogen storage container;
- and
- wherein the filter portion is heated by the heating means after the hydrogen storage container is heated during discharging hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas container;
- and
- a gas sensor located on the hydrogen storage unit to detect the impurities eliminated from the filter part when hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen storage unit to the hydrogen consumption equipment through the filter;
- wherein the heat supply means stops heating the filter according to a level of impurities detected by the gas sensor.
A storage unit for charging and discharging hydrogen gas, the storage unit comprising:
- a storage container containing an absorption material that absorbs said hydrogen gas, wherein the hydrogen storage unit is adapted to be supplied hydrogen from hydrogen supplying equipment and adapted to supply hydrogen to hydrogen consumption equipment;
- a filter including an adsorbent that adsorbs impurities from said hydrogen gas, said filter being positioned along a fluid path that fluidly connects an interior of said storage container with an external environment, wherein the hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen consumption equipment through the filter from the hydrogen storage unit;
- a heater in thermal communication with said filter;
- wherein said heater heats said filter when hydrogen gas is transferred from inside said storage container, through said filter and to said external environment;
- and
- a gas sensor located on the hydrogen storage unit to detect the impurities eliminated from the filter part when hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen storage unit to the hydrogen consumption equipment through the filter;
- wherein the heat supply means stops heating the filter according to a level of impurities detected by the gas sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.