1. A boiler is provided with: a heating element; a container in which the heating element is provided and which can be filled with a gas having a higher specific heat than air; and a circulation path which is a path for circulating the gas and includes an interior of the container as a part thereof, the boiler being characterized in that,

and a boiler controller that monitors a circulation amount in the circulation path and a concentration of the gas when performing a filling operation for filling the circulation path with the gas.

2. The boiler according to claim 1,

the boiler is provided with a device for discharging gas from the circulation path, and the gas is supplied to the circulation path while the gas is discharged as the full-filling operation,

the controller stops the exhaust when the circulation amount and the concentration satisfy a predetermined condition.

3. The boiler according to claim 1 or 2,

the controller monitors the circulation amount based on a pressure difference between a downstream side and an upstream side of the heating element in the circulation path or a gas flow meter provided in the circulation path.

4. The boiler according to any of claims 1 to 3,

the gas is a hydrogen-based gas,

the heating element is a reaction body which is provided with metal nanoparticles composed of hydrogen storage metals on the surface and generates waste heat by absorbing hydrogen atoms in the metal nanoparticles.

5. The boiler according to claim 4,

the controller fills the circulation path with purge gas before the filling operation is performed.

6. The boiler according to any of claims 1 to 5,

the controller controls the amount of heat generation of the heating element based on the pressure of the vapor supplied to the outside after the execution of the filling operation.

Background

Conventionally, boilers have been widely used for various applications including industrial and commercial applications. The boiler is provided with a heat generating device for heating, and as one embodiment of the heat generating device, there is a structure in which a heat generating body is provided inside a container.

In addition, as an example of a specific embodiment of such a heat generating device, patent document 1 discloses a structure in which a heat generating body (reaction body) having a plurality of metal nanoparticles made of a hydrogen storage metal or a hydrogen storage alloy formed on the surface thereof is provided inside a container as a heat generating system. Patent document 1 describes the following: in this heat generation system, hydrogen-based gas contributing to heat generation is supplied into the container, whereby hydrogen atoms are adsorbed in the metal nanoparticles to generate residual heat.

Patent document 1 also discloses the following contents as described below: a heating element made of palladium is provided inside the container, and the inside of the container is heated while supplying deuterium gas to the inside of the container, thereby causing a heating reaction. Further, regarding the exothermic phenomenon in which residual heat (output enthalpy higher than input enthalpy) is generated by the hydrogen storage metal or the hydrogen storage alloy, the details of the mechanism of generating residual heat are discussed among researchers in various countries, and the occurrence of the exothermic phenomenon is reported.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 6448074

Patent document 2: specification of U.S. Pat. No. 9,182,365

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In a boiler that performs heating by using a heat generating device in which a heat generating body is provided inside a container, for example, for the purpose of promoting heat transfer by activating the movement of gas in the container, it is effective to fill a circulation path including a part of the container with the gas and circulate the gas. In particular, when the reactant is used as a heat generating element, it is important to fill the circulation path with a hydrogen-based gas and circulate the hydrogen-based gas through the circulation path, from the viewpoint of promoting the reaction that generates residual heat.

As an operation for filling the circulation path with a necessary gas (hydrogen-based gas in the above example), for example, an operation for opening a purge valve provided in the circulation path in advance and supplying the necessary gas to the circulation path while circulating the gas in the circulation path is given. This allows the gas present in the circulation path to be gradually replaced with a desired gas, thereby filling the circulation path with the desired gas.

In the case of performing such an operation, it is necessary to monitor the degree of filling of the circulation path with the gas in advance, and to continue the operation until the circulation path is appropriately filled with the gas. However, if there is a problem in the monitoring, it is difficult to fill the gas appropriately. For example, if the operation is stopped at a stage when the supply of the required gas is not sufficient, the gas cannot be appropriately filled. On the other hand, if this operation is continued until the supply becomes excessive, the supply is wasted, and the boiler start-up time may be prolonged more than necessary.

In view of the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a boiler that is heated by a heat generating device having a heat generating body provided in a container and that can appropriately fill a circulation path including a part of the container with a necessary gas.

Means for solving the problems

The boiler of the present invention is configured to include: a heating element; a container in which the heating element is provided and which can be filled with a gas having a higher specific heat than air; and a circulation path that is a path through which the gas circulates and that includes a part of the container, wherein a controller (control device) monitors a circulation amount and a concentration of the gas in the circulation path when performing a filling operation for filling the circulation path with the gas in the boiler.

According to this configuration, heating is performed by the heat generating device having the heat generating body provided in the container, and the circulation path including the container as a part can be appropriately filled with the necessary gas. The "circulation amount" herein refers to a flow rate at which the gas (a mixed gas of a plurality of gases when the gases are mixed) in the circulation path circulates.

In the above configuration, more specifically, the controller may be configured to include a device for discharging the gas from the circulation path, to supply the gas to the circulation path while discharging the gas as the filling operation, and to stop the discharging when the circulation amount and the concentration satisfy predetermined conditions. The "means for performing exhaust" may correspond to, for example, a purge valve, a vacuum pump, or the like.

In the above configuration, more specifically, the controller may be configured to monitor the circulation amount based on a pressure difference between a downstream side and an upstream side of the heating element in the circulation path or a gas flow meter provided in the circulation path.

In the above configuration, more specifically, the gas may be a hydrogen-based gas, and the heating element may be a reaction body having metal nanoparticles made of a hydrogen-storing metal provided on a surface thereof and generating residual heat by adsorbing hydrogen atoms in the metal nanoparticles. The hydrogen-based gas in the present application is deuterium gas, protium gas, or a mixed gas of these gases. The "hydrogen storage metals" in the present application mean hydrogen storage metals such as Pd, Ni, Pt, and Ti, or hydrogen storage alloys containing 1 or more of these hydrogen storage metals.

In the above configuration, more specifically, the controller may fill the circulation path with purge gas before the filling operation is performed. According to this configuration, the hydrogen-based gas can be safely supplied into the circulation path.

In the above configuration, more specifically, the controller may control the amount of heat generation of the heating element based on the pressure of the vapor supplied to the outside after the filling operation is performed.

Effects of the invention

According to the boiler of the present invention, the boiler is heated by the heat generating device having the heat generating element provided in the container, and the circulation path including the container as a part thereof can be appropriately filled with the necessary gas.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a boiler 1 according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram relating to the traveling route of water passing through the heat transfer pipe of the boiler 1.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart associated with a run start action.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart relating to the operation stop action.

Fig. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the boiler 2 according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a boiler 1a that causes a heat medium to flow to a heat medium path.

Fig. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a boiler 1b provided with a heat exchanger outside.

Description of reference numerals:

1. 1a, 1b, 2 boiler

11 container

11a side wall

11b upper bottom

11c lower bottom

12 reaction body

12a heating element

13 heating device

14 gas path

14a flame arrester

15a purge gas correspondence valve

15b hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve

16 air pump

17 gas filter

18 air release valve

21 separator

22 water path

22a heat transfer tube

23 water receiving part

24 water pump

25 Detector

30 separator pressure sensor

31 first pressure sensor

32 second pressure sensor

33 heat exchanger pressure sensor

40 path of thermal medium

40a heat transfer tube

41 first temperature sensor

42 second temperature sensor

50 controller

60 heat exchanger.

Detailed Description

The boiler according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. First embodiment

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a boiler 1 according to a first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the boiler 1 includes a vessel 11, a reactant 12, a heater 13, a gas passage 14, a flame arrester 14a, a purge gas corresponding valve 15a, a hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15b, a gas pump 16, a gas filter 17, a purge valve 18, and a controller 50. In the boiler 1, the separator pressure sensor 30, the first pressure sensor 31, and the second pressure sensor 32 are provided as sensors for detecting pressure, and the first temperature sensor 41 and the second temperature sensor 42 are provided as sensors for detecting temperature.

Note that, the container 11 and the inside thereof in fig. 1 (the same applies to fig. 5, 6, and 7 described later) are schematically illustrated in a cross-sectional view taken along a plane that substantially divides the container 11 into two parts, and the vertical direction (the vertical direction coincides with the vertical direction) is as illustrated in this figure. The arrangement of the heat transfer tubes 22a is schematically shown by a one-dot chain line in fig. 1 (the same applies to fig. 5, 6, and 7).

The container 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape having the upper and lower axial directions and the bottom at both the upper and lower ends in the entire view, and is formed so as to be capable of sealing the gas inside. More specifically, the container 11 has a cylindrical side wall 11a formed by a heat transfer pipe 22a described later, and the upper side of the side wall 11a is closed by an upper bottom portion 11b, and the lower side of the side wall 11a is closed by a lower bottom portion 11 c. In the present embodiment, the side wall 11a of the container 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape as an example, but may be formed in another cylindrical shape. Further, a tank cover may be provided on the outer periphery of the side wall 11a, and a heat insulator may be provided between the side wall 11a and the tank cover.

The reaction body 12 is configured by providing a plurality of metal nanoparticles on the surface of a carrier which is formed into a fine mesh shape as a whole. The carrier is formed in a cylindrical shape having the upper and lower sides in the axial direction and having bottoms at both the upper and lower ends, using a hydrogen storage alloy (hydrogen storage metal or hydrogen storage alloy) as a raw material. The upper surface of the reaction body 12 is connected to the gas passage 14, and the gas flowing into the reaction body 12 through the mesh-like gaps of the reaction body 12 can be sent into the gas passage 14.

In the example of the present embodiment, 3 reaction bodies 12 are arranged in the left-right direction in the container 11. Since the carrier is formed in a mesh shape, the reaction body 12 has a plurality of holes (mesh-shaped gaps in the example of the present embodiment) through which gas can pass.

The heater 13 is spirally wound around a side surface of the reaction body 12 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is formed to generate heat using supplied electric power. As the heater 13, for example, a ceramic heater can be used. The heater 13 heats the reactant 12 by generating heat, and thereby the temperature of the reactant 12 can be raised to a predetermined reaction temperature at which a reaction for generating residual heat described later is likely to occur. The controller 50 can adjust the temperature of the heater 13 by controlling the supply of electric power to the heater 13.

The controller 50 may control the power supply to the heater 13 so that the temperature of the heater 13 approaches a target value. For example, the controller 50 may detect the temperature of the heater 13, increase the power supply to the heater 13 when the detected value is lower than the target value, and decrease the power supply to the heater 13 when the detected value is higher than the target value.

The gas path 14 is provided outside the container 11, and forms a circulation path (hereinafter, referred to as "circulation path S") for gas including the inside of the container 11 as a part, and one end of the gas path 14 is connected to the upper surface of each reaction body 12, and the other end is connected to the inside of the container 11. More specifically, the gas paths 14 connected to the upper surfaces of the respective reaction bodies 12 join together in a single path in the container 11 and pass through the upper bottom 11b, and then pass through the lower bottom 11c sequentially via the gas pump 16 and the gas filter 17 to be connected to the inside of the container 11.

The air pump 16 controls the rotation speed, for example, by inverter control, and causes the gas in the gas path 14 to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side (i.e., in the direction indicated by the broken-line arrow in fig. 1) at a flow rate corresponding to the rotation speed. The controller 50 can adjust the circulation amount (circulation flow rate) of the gas in the circulation path S by controlling the rotation speed of the air pump 16.

The control of the rotation speed by the controller 50 may be performed so that the circulation amount of the gas in the circulation path S is close to a target value. For example, the controller 50 may detect the circulation amount, increase the circulation amount by increasing the rotation speed of the air pump 16 when the detected value is lower than the target value, and decrease the rotation speed of the air pump 16 to decrease the circulation amount when the detected value is higher than the target value.

The gas filter 17 removes impurities contained in the gas passage 14 (particularly impurities that become an important factor of inhibiting a reaction of generating residual heat in the reaction body 12). The separator 21 receives steam generated by heating water when the water passes through the heat transfer pipe 22a, and performs steam-water separation (separation of drain water contained in the steam) on the steam. The steam from which steam-water separation has been performed in the separator 21 may be supplied to the outside of the boiler 1.

The water path 22 is a path of water from the water receiving portion 23 to the separator 21. A part of the water path 22 becomes the heat transfer pipe 22a forming the side wall 11a described above. Further, a water pump 24 is disposed in the middle of the water passage 22 at a position near the downstream side of the water receiving portion 23. In the water path 22, liquid water supplied from the water receiving portion 23 flows through a path on the upstream side of the heat transfer tubes 22a, and water (steam) heated and vaporized by the heat transfer tubes 22a flows through a path on the downstream side of the heat transfer tubes 22a (between the vessel 11 and the separator 21).

The water receiving unit 23 receives supply of water serving as a steam source from the outside as appropriate, and allows the supplied water to flow into the water passage 22. The water pump 24 causes water in the water path 22 to flow from the upstream side toward the downstream side (i.e., in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in fig. 1).

The heat transfer pipe 22a extends spirally from the lower bottom portion 11c toward the upper bottom portion 11b to form a cylindrical side wall 11a of the container 11. That is, the heat transfer tubes 22a extend spirally so as to advance in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the cylindrical side wall 11a so that no gap is formed between portions of the heat transfer tubes 22a adjacent vertically. In the example of the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the inner wall of the heat transfer pipe 22a is a quadrangle, but may be a circle or another shape.

The detector 25 can detect the presence or absence of a flame, an ignition source, and other important risk factors in the container 11, and can detect the concentrations of various gases (at least a purge gas and a hydrogen-based gas) in the container 11.

At a predetermined position on the upstream side of the gas pump 16 in the gas path 14 (a position on the downstream side of the second pressure sensor 32), the purge gas corresponding valve 15a and the hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15b are connected in parallel via the flame arrestor 14 a. In the example shown in fig. 1, only 1 purge gas corresponding valve 15a and only 1 hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15b are arranged, but a plurality of purge gas corresponding valves may be arranged in series for safety improvement or the like. The purge gas (nitrogen gas in the example of the present embodiment) is supplied from an external supply source to the upstream side of the purge gas corresponding valve 15 a. For example, when the purge gas is supplied from a tank in which the purge gas is stored in advance, the tank serves as a supply source of the purge gas.

On the other hand, the hydrogen-based gas (deuterium gas, protium gas, or a mixed gas thereof) is supplied from an external supply source to the upstream side of the hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15 b. For example, when a hydrogen-based gas is supplied from a tank in which the hydrogen-based gas is stored in advance, the tank serves as a supply source of the hydrogen-based gas.

The opening and closing of the purge gas corresponding valve 15a and the hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15b are controlled by the controller 50. When the purge gas corresponding valve 15a is in an open state, the purge gas is supplied to the gas passage 14 via the purge gas corresponding valve 15a and the flame arrestor 14a, and when the purge gas corresponding valve 15a is in a closed state, the purge gas is not supplied. On the other hand, when the hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15b is in the open state, the hydrogen-based gas is supplied to the gas passage 14 through the hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15b and the flame arrester 14a, and when the hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15b is in the closed state, the hydrogen-based gas is not supplied.

A purge valve 18 is connected to a predetermined position on the downstream side of the gas filter 17 in the gas passage 14. The opening and closing of the purge valve 18 is controlled by the controller 50. When the purge valve 18 is in the open state, the gas in the gas passage 14 is exhausted, and the exhaust is stopped when the purge valve 18 is in the closed state. When the pressure in the gas path 14 is made lower than the atmospheric pressure, a vacuum pump or a vacuum valve may be used instead of the purge valve 18. The purge valve, the vacuum pump, and the vacuum valve are examples of devices capable of exhausting gas from the circulation path S.

The separator pressure sensor 30 is a sensor that detects the pressure in the separator 21, and continuously detects the pressure of the steam supplied from the separator 21 to the outside (hereinafter, referred to as "steam pressure") in a situation where the steam is generated. Note that, regarding the amount of steam (steam load) required from the outside, the detection value (value of the steam pressure) of the separator pressure sensor 30 becomes high in a situation where the supply amount of steam from the boiler 1 is large, whereas the detection value of the separator pressure sensor 30 becomes low in a situation where the supply amount of steam from the boiler 1 is small.

The first pressure sensor 31 is a sensor that detects the pressure inside the container 11, and the second pressure sensor 32 is a sensor that detects the pressure at a predetermined position (a position on the upstream side of the air pump 16) inside the gas passage 14. In the following description, the pressure value detected by the separator pressure sensor 30 is sometimes referred to as "pressure Ps", the pressure value detected by the first pressure sensor 31 is sometimes referred to as "pressure P1", and the pressure value detected by the second pressure sensor 32 is sometimes referred to as "pressure P2". The first temperature sensor 41 is disposed to detect the temperature of the reactant 12, and the second temperature sensor 42 is disposed to detect the temperature in the gas passage 14. The detected information of the pressure and temperature is sent to the controller 50.

The controller 50 includes an arithmetic processing unit and the like, acquires information such as various detection values, and appropriately controls each part of the boiler 1 based on the information. The specific control content performed by the controller 50 will be clear from the description below.

Next, the main operation of the boiler 1 will be described in order of the normal operation, the operation start operation, and the operation stop operation.

< actions of Normal operation >

First, the operation of the boiler 1 in a normal operation will be described. When the normal operation is started, an operation start operation, which will be described later, is performed in advance, and the circulation path S is filled with the hydrogen-based gas and the water path 22 is supplied with an appropriate amount of water.

The controller 50 drives the air pump 16 to circulate the hydrogen-based gas filled in the circulation path S in the direction indicated by the broken-line arrow in fig. 1. At this time, the hydrogen-based gas flows into the inside of the reaction body 12 through the mesh-like gaps (a plurality of holes) of the reaction body 12 in the container 11, and is then sent out into the gas passage 14 connected to the upper portion of the reaction body 12.

At the same time, the controller 50 drives the heater 13 to heat the heating reactant 12. When the reactant 12 is heated by the heater 13 in a state where the hydrogen-based gas is supplied into the container 11, hydrogen atoms are adsorbed in the metal nanoparticles provided in the reactant 12, and the reactant 12 generates residual heat at a temperature equal to or higher than the heating temperature of the heater 13. In this way, the reaction body 12 functions as a heat generating body by performing a reaction that generates residual heat. The principle of the reaction generating the residual heat is the same as that of the reaction generating the residual heat disclosed in patent document 1, for example.

The hydrogen-based gas in the circulation path S is purified by passing through the gas filter 17. Therefore, the high-purity hydrogen-based gas from which the impurities have been removed is continuously supplied into the container 11. Accordingly, the hydrogen-based gas having high purity can be stably supplied to the reactant 12, and the reactant 12 can be efficiently heated while maintaining a state in which the output of the residual heat is easily induced.

In addition, the controller 50 drives the water pump 24 to flow the water in the water path 22 in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in fig. 1, in conjunction with the above-described operation of generating heat in the reaction body 12. The water flowing through the water path 22 is heated by heat generated from the reactant 12 when passing through the heat transfer pipe 22a forming the side wall 11a of the container 11. That is, the heat generated by the reactant 12 is transferred to the heat transfer tube 22a by convection (heat transfer), heat conduction, and radiation by the hydrogen-based gas in the container 11, and thereby the water flowing inside the heat transfer tube 22a having a high temperature is heated.

In fig. 2, the route of water passing through the heat transfer pipe 22a is schematically shown by solid arrows. As shown in this figure, water entering the heat transfer tubes 22a from the inlet α of the heat transfer tubes 22a (the lowermost portion of the heat transfer tubes 22 a) travels along the passage in the heat transfer tubes 22a extending in a spiral shape, and is discharged as steam from the outlet β of the heat transfer tubes 22a (the uppermost portion of the heat transfer tubes 22 a) toward the separator 21. At this time, heat from the heat transfer tubes 22a (the side walls 11a of the container) heated by the heat generated from the reactant 12 is transferred, and the temperature of the water passing through the heat transfer tubes 22a rises.

In this way, the water flowing through the water path 22 is heated to increase its temperature when passing through the heat transfer pipe 22a, and finally turns into steam. The steam is sent to the separator 21, and after the dryness is improved by steam-water separation, the steam is supplied to the outside of the boiler 1.

The amount of the steam supplied from the separator 21 to the outside can be adjusted, for example, according to the amount of the steam required from the outside. The controller 50 sequentially supplies water to the water receiving portion 23 in an amount of steam to be supplied to the outside, that is, in an amount of water reduction. Thereby, the boiler 1 can continuously generate steam and supply the steam to the outside.

Here, the amount of heat generated by the reactant 12 varies depending on the temperature of the heater 13 and the circulation amount of the hydrogen-based gas. That is, the higher the temperature of the heater 13 is, the more the reaction of generating the residual heat in the reactant 12 is promoted, and the more the amount of heat generated by the reactant 12 is increased. Further, as the circulation amount of the hydrogen-based gas is increased, more hydrogen-based gas in the container 11 acts on the reactant 12, and the reaction that generates residual heat is promoted, so that the heat generation amount of the reactant 12 is increased. Further, as the amount of heat generated by the reactant 12 increases, the heating of water in the heat transfer tubes 22a is promoted, and more steam is generated, so that the steam pressure increases.

In this case, the controller 50 controls the amount of heat generation of the reactant 12 so that the vapor pressure becomes appropriate (so that the pressure Ps falls within an appropriate range set in advance). More specifically, the controller 50 continuously acquires information on the pressure Ps (detected value of the vapor pressure) and monitors whether or not the detected value is within an appropriate range. The appropriate range is desirably set appropriately in advance in accordance with the specification of the boiler 1, the steam load, and the like.

When the detected value exceeds the appropriate range, the controller 50 performs adjustment so as to lower the temperature of the heater 13 and so as to reduce the circulation amount of the hydrogen-based gas. By performing these adjustments, the amount of heat generation of the reactant 12 decreases, and the vapor pressure decreases to approach an appropriate range. On the other hand, when the detected value is lower than the appropriate range, the controller 50 performs adjustment so as to increase the temperature of the heater 13, and performs adjustment so as to increase the circulation amount of the hydrogen-based gas. By performing these adjustments, the amount of heat generation of the reactant 12 increases, and the vapor pressure rises to approach an appropriate range. By such feedback control, the vapor pressure can be maintained in an appropriate range.

Note that the temperature of the heater 13 can be adjusted by appropriately changing the power supplied to the heater 13. Further, the adjustment of the circulation amount of the hydrogen-based gas can be achieved by appropriately changing the rotation speed of the air pump 16. As described above, the controller 50 adjusts both the temperature of the heater 13 and the circulation amount of the hydrogen-based gas in accordance with the pressure Ps. This allows the amount of heat generated by the reaction body 12 to be controlled by changing both items in a balanced manner. However, in some cases, only one of the items may be adjusted instead of the two items. Further, which of these items is adjusted may be set arbitrarily.

< operation starting action >

Next, the operation start operation of the boiler 1 will be described below with reference to a flowchart shown in fig. 3.

When the operation (e.g., a predetermined switching operation) for starting the operation of the boiler 1 is completed, the controller 50 supplies water from the outside to the water receiving portion 23 and supplies water to the water path 22 until the water level reaches a predetermined value (step S1). This enables a proper amount of water to be supplied to the heat transfer tubes 22a in advance before the heat transfer tubes 22a reach a high temperature by the heat of the reactant 12.

Further, the controller 50 determines whether or not the pressure Ps is equal to or less than a predetermined standby value Z (step S2). The standby value Z is set to, for example, about 0.8MPa, and when the pressure Ps exceeds the standby value Z, steam supply from the boiler 1 to the outside is not necessary, and the operation for steam supply is in a standby state.

When the pressure Ps is equal to or lower than the standby value Z (yes in step S2), the controller 50 checks whether or not there is an abnormality in the container 11 (step S3). The presence or absence of an abnormality in the container 11 (presence or absence of an important risk factor such as a flame or an ignition source) is confirmed based on the detection information of the detector 25. If there is an abnormality, the controller 50 may temporarily stop the operation start operation and notify the abnormality to the outside (for example, a manager of the boiler 1).

If there is no abnormality in the container 11, the controller 50 then purges the circulation path S with the purge gas (step S4). More specifically, the controller 50 opens the purge gas corresponding valve 15a and supplies the purge gas into the gas passage 14.

After that, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the supply of the purge gas or when the concentration of the purge gas (the value detected by the detector 25) exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the purge is sufficiently performed, and the controller 50 closes the purge gas corresponding valve 15 a. Thereby, the purge process is completed. In this way, by filling the circulation path S with the purge gas before the operation of step S5 described later, the hydrogen-based gas can be safely supplied into the circulation path S.

Next, the controller 50 starts driving the heater 13 and supplying the hydrogen-based gas into the circulation path S (step S5). More specifically, the controller 50 supplies electric power to the heater 13, and opens the hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15b to supply hydrogen-based gas into the gas passage 14. The power supply to the heater 13 is performed to a level that maintains the heater 13 at a predetermined temperature (i.e., a temperature that is sufficiently safe and lower than that in the normal operation) until the operation of step S9, which will be described later, is performed.

Further, the controller 50 monitors whether or not the pressure P1 has reached a predetermined value or more, together with the supply of the hydrogen-based gas into the circulation path S (step S6). When the predetermined value is reached, the controller 50 opens the purge valve 18 and starts driving the air pump 16, assuming that the air pump 16 is properly usable (step S7). Thereby, the circulation of the gas in the circulation path S is promoted. By thus supplying the hydrogen-based gas to the circulation path S with the purge valve 18 open, the circulation path S can be filled with the hydrogen-based gas while gradually discharging the purge gas from the purge valve 18. This action corresponds to the full action of the present invention.

Thereafter, the controller 50 monitors whether both the circulation amount V1 in the circulation path S and the concentration V2 of the hydrogen-based gas in the circulation path S satisfy predetermined reference conditions (step S8). The circulation amount V1 is the circulation amount of the gas in the circulation path S (a mixed gas of the hydrogen-based gas and the purge gas in a mixed state), and the concentration V2 is the concentration of the hydrogen-based gas in the circulation path S and can be detected by the detector 25.

In the present embodiment, when the difference between the pressure P2 and the pressure P1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value by the first and second pressure sensors 31 and 32, it is determined that the circulation amount V1 satisfies the reference condition. The difference between the pressure P2 and the pressure P1 corresponds to the pressure difference between the downstream side (upstream side of the air pump 16) and the upstream side (downstream side of the air pump 16) of the reactant 12 in the circulation path S. The pressure difference is greatly affected by the pressure loss in the plurality of holes of the reactant 12, and the more the circulation amount in the circulation path S, the larger the pressure difference.

Since this pressure difference is closely related to the circulation amount V1, the circulation amount V1 can be monitored by monitoring this pressure difference. However, instead of the difference between the pressure P2 and the pressure P1, a gas flowmeter may be provided in the circulation path S in advance, and the circulation amount V1 may be monitored by monitoring a detection value of the gas flowmeter. In this case, it is sufficient if the circulation amount V1 is determined to satisfy the reference condition when the detection value of the gas flow meter is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The concentration V2 is determined to satisfy the reference condition when the concentration of the hydrogen-based gas detected by the detector 25 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

As described above, in the present embodiment, both the circulation amount V1 and the concentration V2 are monitored during the filling operation for filling the circulation path S with the hydrogen-based gas. Therefore, from the viewpoint of both the absolute amount and the ratio, it is possible to determine with high accuracy whether or not the circulation path S is appropriately filled with the hydrogen-based gas, and to supply the hydrogen-based gas as much as possible.

When both the circulation amount V1 and the concentration V2 are equal to or higher than the predetermined values (yes in step S8), the controller 50 closes the purge valve 18 on the assumption that the circulation path S is sufficiently filled with the hydrogen-based gas with almost no purge gas remaining therein (step S9). In this way, in the present embodiment, as the filling operation, the hydrogen-based gas is supplied to the circulation path S while the exhaust gas from the circulation path S is being discharged, and the discharge is stopped when the circulation amount V1 and the concentration V2 satisfy the reference condition. Thereby, the filling operation of filling the circulation path S with the hydrogen-based gas is completed, and thereafter, the operation of the boiler 1 in the normal operation described above is performed.

In the present embodiment, since the driving of the heater 13 is started even when the supply of the hydrogen-based gas into the circulation path S is started in the operation of step S5, the startup time of the boiler 1 can be shortened. However, if the heater 13 is driven when the hydrogen-based gas is filled, it may be difficult to ensure safety, or if the temperature of the reactant 12 can be raised sufficiently quickly by the heater 13, the heater 13 may be started after the operation of step S9.

< operation stop action >

The boiler 1 performing the normal operation is brought into a stopped state through a predetermined operation stop operation when the operation is stopped. The stop state may be, for example, a state in which the pressure Ps exceeds the standby value Z. The operation stop operation of the boiler 1 will be described below with reference to a flowchart shown in fig. 4.

The controller 50 first stops the driving of the heater 13 (step S21), and closes the hydrogen-based gas corresponding valve 15b to stop the supply of the hydrogen-based gas into the gas passage 14 (step S22). Thereafter, the controller 50 opens the purge valve 18 and performs purging in the circulation path S by the purge gas (step S23). More specifically, the controller 50 opens the purge gas corresponding valve 15a and supplies the purge gas into the gas passage 14. Thereby, the supply of the purge gas into the circulation path S and the exhaust through the purge valve 18 are performed simultaneously, and the hydrogen-based gas present in the circulation path S is gradually replaced with the purge gas.

When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the supply of the purge gas or when the concentration of the purge gas (the value detected by the detector 25) exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the purge has been sufficiently performed, and the controller 50 closes the purge gas corresponding valve 15 a. Thereby, the purge process is completed. After that, the controller 50 stops the driving of the air pump 16 (step S24), and thereby the boiler 1 is brought into a state in which the operation is stopped.

When the operation of the boiler 1 is resumed after the operation is stopped, the operation start operation may be resumed. However, in the boiler 1at this time, the purging in the circulation path S is ended by the operation stop operation in the previous time, and the water whose supply is ended remains in the water path 22, so that the operations of step S1 and step S4 in the operation start operation may be omitted.

2. Second embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. The second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment except for the form of the heating element and the related aspects thereof. In the following description, descriptions of matters different from those of the first embodiment will be focused on in some cases, and descriptions of matters common to those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

Fig. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the boiler 2 according to the second embodiment. In the boiler 1 of the first embodiment, the reaction body 12 is used as a heating element, but in the second embodiment, a general heating element 12a is used instead. The heating element 12a here is, for example, a halogen heater that generates heat by supplying electric power. For convenience, the shape and size of the heating element 12a are the same as those of the reaction body 12. In the case of applying the heat generating element 12a as a heat generating body, there is no need to generate residual heat as in the first embodiment, and a member corresponding to the heater 13 is not required, and therefore, the installation is omitted. Further, the upstream end of the gas passage 14 in the second embodiment is connected to the upper bottom portion 11b instead of being connected to the heating element 12a, and is connected to the space in the container 11.

In the boiler 2, the heat transfer tube 22a is heated by heat emitted from the heating element 12a instead of the reactant 12, and the heat from the heat transfer tube 22a (the side wall 11a of the container) is transferred to raise the temperature of the water passing through the heat transfer tube 22 a. In this embodiment, the temperature of the heating element 12a is directly controlled by power control without the aforementioned reaction for generating residual heat, so that water can be appropriately heated to generate steam.

In the boiler 2, the controller 50 can control the amount of heat generated by the heater element 12a (heating element) by adjusting the power supply to the heater element 12 a. Therefore, the controller 50 in the second embodiment controls the heat generation amount of the heat generating element 12a so that the vapor pressure is appropriate. More specifically, the controller 50 continuously acquires information on the pressure Ps (detected value of the vapor pressure) and monitors whether or not the detected value is within an appropriate range.

Then, in the case where the detected value exceeds the appropriate range, the controller 50 performs adjustment in such a manner as to lower the temperature of the heating element 12 a. By performing this adjustment, the heat generation amount of the heater element 12a is reduced, and the vapor pressure is reduced to approach the appropriate range. On the other hand, when the detected value is lower than the appropriate range, the controller 50 performs adjustment so as to increase the temperature of the heating element 12 a. By performing this adjustment, the heat generation amount of the heater element 12a increases, and the vapor pressure increases to approach the appropriate range. In this way, the amount of heat generation of the heat generating element 12a can be controlled so that the vapor pressure is appropriate.

In the second embodiment, the operation start operation (steps S1 to S9) and the operation stop operation (steps S21 to S24) equivalent to those of the first embodiment can be executed. In the second embodiment, in step S5, the driving of the heating element 12a may be started instead of starting the driving of the heater 13, and the driving of the heating element 12a may be stopped instead of performing the operation of step S21.

3. Others

The boilers 1 and 2 of the embodiments described above are provided with a heating element and a container 11 in which the heating element is provided, and generate steam by heating supplied water (an example of a fluid). Each of the boilers 1 and 2 includes a heat transfer pipe 22a, and the heat transfer pipe 22a is heated by heat generated by the heat generating element in an environment in which the inside of the container 11 is filled with a gas having a higher specific heat than air (in the example of the present embodiment, a hydrogen-based gas), so that water (water serving as a steam source) passing through the heat transfer pipe 22a is heated. Note that, for example, under the conditions of 200 ℃ and 1atm, the specific heat of air is about 1026J/Kg ℃, whereas the specific heat of hydrogen becomes about 14528J/Kg ℃, and becomes very high as compared with the specific heat of air. As the heating element, the reaction body 12 is used in the boiler 1, and the heat element 12a is used in the boiler 2.

According to the boilers 1 and 2, the boilers 1 and 2 can generate steam by heating water by the heat generating device having the heat generating element provided in the container 11, and can efficiently transfer heat generated by the heat generating element to the water. As a result, the heat generated by the heating element can be efficiently transferred to the water serving as the steam source.

Further, since the container 11 is filled with a gas having a higher specific heat than air, heat transfer is better than that in the case where ordinary air is filled, and heat generated by the heat generating element can be efficiently transferred to water serving as a vapor source. Further, since the specific heat is high, the temperature of the gas is less likely to vary, and heat can be transferred to the water more stably.

Further, since the heat transfer tube 22a forms the entire circumference of the side wall 11a formed in a cylindrical shape, heat generated by the heat generating element can be efficiently transferred to water serving as a steam source. In particular, since the heat transfer tube 22a in the present embodiment is disposed so as to surround the heating element, it is possible to transmit the heat generated by the heating element to the water serving as the steam source without wasting it as much as possible over substantially the entire circumference of the side wall 11 a. In the above embodiments, the heat transfer pipe is disposed so as to extend in a spiral shape and surround the heating element, but the heat transfer pipe is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality of heat transfer pipes extending in the vertical direction may be disposed so as to surround the heating element.

In each of the above embodiments, the side wall 11a for sealing the gas in the container 11 is formed by the heat transfer pipe 22a, but instead of this, the side wall 11a and the heat transfer pipe 22a may be provided separately, and the heat transfer pipe 22a may be provided inside the side wall 11 a. In this case, the heat transfer pipe 22a can be heated by the heat generated by the heat generating element even in an environment in which the inside of the container 11 is filled with a gas having a higher specific heat than air. In this case, the heat transfer tubes 22a do not need to function as the side walls 11a, but it is preferable that a gap be provided between portions of the heat transfer tubes 22a adjacent vertically, since heat from the heating element is more easily received.

In each of the boilers 1 and 2, the gas is circulated through a circulation path S (a circulation path formed by the inside of the container 11 and the gas path 14). This is expected to activate the movement of the gas in the container 11 and to more effectively achieve the effect of heat transfer from the gas to the side wall 11 a. Since the boiler 2 does not require a reaction for generating waste heat, a gas other than the hydrogen-based gas may be used as the gas having a higher specific heat than air.

Further, since each of the boilers 1 and 2 includes the controller 50 that controls the amount of heat generated by the heating element, the water can be appropriately heated according to various situations. In particular, in each of the above embodiments, since the amount of heat generation is controlled based on the vapor pressure (the pressure of the vapor supplied to the outside), it is easy to control the amount of heat generation so as to make the vapor pressure appropriate. However, the control of the amount of heat generation of the heat generating element of the present invention is not limited to the control based on the vapor pressure, and may be the control based on other various information.

In the above embodiments, the water serving as the steam source is caused to flow into the water path 22 including the heat transfer pipe 22a, but instead, the heat medium Y may be caused to flow into the heat medium path including the heat transfer pipe, and the water serving as the steam source may be heated using the heat medium Y. Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic configuration diagram of the boiler configured as described above.

In the boiler 1a shown in fig. 6, a heat medium passage 40 is provided in place of the water passage 22, and a heat exchanger 60 is provided in place of the separator 21. The heat exchanger 60 is disposed in a part of the heat medium path 40 through which the heat medium Y flows, and receives supply of water from the outside (supply of water serving as a steam source). As indicated by solid arrows in fig. 6, the heat medium Y circulates through the heat medium path 40 including the heat transfer pipe 40 a. The heat transfer pipe 40a has the same structure and arrangement as the heat transfer pipe 22a of the first embodiment. This allows the heat medium Y heated by the reaction body 12 (heating element) to be sent to the heat exchanger 60, the supplied water to be heated by the heat medium Y to generate steam, and the steam to be supplied to the outside. The heat exchanger 60 may be configured to generate warm water, in addition to the steam by heating water.

As the heat exchanger 60, for example, a plate type, shell and tube type heat exchanger may be used, or a steam generator of various types may be used. As an example of the steam generator, there is a steam generator having a storage space for storing supplied water and a tubular body disposed in the storage space and through which a heat medium passes, and configured such that heat of the heat medium is transferred to the stored water through the tubular body. In the boiler 1a shown in fig. 6, the separator pressure sensor 30 is provided in the heat exchanger 60 in advance, and the controller 50 may control the amount of heat generation of the heating element based on the vapor pressure (pressure Ps) detected in the heat exchanger 60, as in the case of the first embodiment.

In the boiler 1a, the heat exchanger 60 is provided in the heat medium path 40, but the heat exchanger 60 may be provided in the circulation path S instead of the side wall 11a of the heat transfer tube 22a in place of the heat medium path 40 including the heat transfer tube 22a, so that the water supplied to the heat exchanger 60 is heated to generate steam. Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic configuration diagram of the boiler 1b configured as described above. Note that, description of matters different from those of the boiler 1a may be emphasized, and description of common matters will be omitted.

In the boiler 1b shown in fig. 7, a cylindrical side wall 11a is provided at the side of the vessel 11, and the upper side of the side wall 11a is closed by an upper bottom 11b, and the lower side of the side wall 11a is closed by a lower bottom 11 c. In the boiler 1b, the side wall 11a of the container 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape as an example, but may be formed in another cylindrical shape. Further, a tank cover may be provided on the outer periphery of the side wall 11a, and a heat insulator may be provided between the side wall 11a and the tank cover.

The heat exchanger 60 is configured to supply water serving as a steam source while arranging a part of the gas passage 14. Thus, the heat exchanger 60 can heat the gas in the gas passage 14 by exchanging heat with the supplied water, thereby heating the water to generate steam and supplying the steam to the outside of the boiler 1 b. The heat exchanger 60 of the present embodiment is of a specification for heating water to generate steam, but may be of a specification for heating water to generate warm water instead of the specification.

In the boiler 1b, the amount of steam supplied from the heat exchanger 60 to the outside may be adjusted based on information on the detection value of the heat exchanger pressure sensor 33, and the heat exchanger pressure sensor 33 may detect the pressure (steam pressure) of the steam supplied to the outside. As for the amount of steam (steam load) required from the outside, the detection value (value of the steam pressure) of the heat exchange pressure sensor 33 becomes high in a situation where the supply amount of steam from the heat exchanger 60 is large, whereas the detection value of the heat exchange pressure sensor 33 becomes low in a situation where the supply amount of steam from the heat exchanger 60 is small. Therefore, it can be realized by: when the detection value of the heat exchanger pressure sensor 33 is smaller than the appropriate value, the amount of heat generation of the reactant 12 is increased to increase the amount of vapor generation, and when the detection value of the pressure sensor 51 is larger than the appropriate value, the amount of heat generation of the reactant 12 is decreased to decrease the amount of vapor generation.

The amount of heat generation of the reactant 12 can be controlled by adjusting the temperature of the heater 13 or the circulation amount of the gas, and the amount of heat generation of the reactant 12 can be increased as the temperature of the heater 13 is increased or as the circulation amount is increased. In the heat exchanger 60, water is sequentially supplied in an amount that the steam is supplied to the outside, that is, in an amount that the water is reduced, so that the steam can be continuously generated and supplied to the outside.

Further, the boilers 1a and 1b can also perform the operation start operation (steps S1 to S9) and the operation stop operation (steps S21 to S24) equivalent to those of the first embodiment.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. That is, the above embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the boiler of the present invention can be applied to a hot water boiler, a heat medium boiler, and the like, in addition to the boiler that generates steam as in the above-described embodiment. It should be understood that the technical scope of the present invention is not represented by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and includes all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[ Industrial Applicability ]

The present invention can be used for boilers of various applications.