Heat storage and release unit, chemical heat pump, and non-electrified cooling unit

Abstract

A heat storage and release unit includes a reactant formed body for reacting with a reaction medium to store and release heat; a reaction vessel for accommodating the reactant formed body and exchanging heat with the reactant formed body; a reaction medium flow path structure, connected to the reaction vessel, for supplying the reaction medium to the reaction vessel or discharging the reaction medium from the reaction vessel. The reactant formed body includes a plate-like heat transfer plate that contacts the reaction vessel, heat transfer elements extending from a surface of the heat transfer plate at substantially right angles, and a reactant formed unit that encloses the heat transfer elements in such a way that the heat transfer elements are partially exposed from the reactant formed unit, and the reaction vessel can change form by a pressure difference between the outside and the inside of the reaction vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat storage and release unit comprising:
 a reactant formed body configured to react with a reaction medium to store and release heat;   a reaction vessel configured to accommodate the reactant formed body and exchange heat with the reactant formed body;   a reaction medium flow path structure, connected to the reaction vessel, configured to supply the reaction medium to the reaction vessel or discharge the reaction medium from the reaction vessel,   wherein the reactant formed body includes a plate-like heat transfer plate that contacts the reaction vessel, heat transfer elements extending from a surface of the heat transfer plate at substantially right angles, and a reactant formed unit that encloses the heat transfer elements in such a way that the heat transfer elements are partially exposed, and   wherein the reaction vessel is capable of changing form by a pressure difference between the outside and the inside of the reaction vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The heat storage and release unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the reaction vessel is formed by a sheet-like member.   
     
     
         3 . The heat storage and release unit according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the sheet-like member is a metal foil or a plastic sheet.   
     
     
         4 . The heat storage and release unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the heat transfer elements have a pin-like shape or a plate-like shape.   
     
     
         5 . The heat storage and release unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the reactant formed unit is formed by molding and solidifying a reactant.   
     
     
         6 . The heat storage and release unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the heat transfer elements include exposed areas that are exposed from a first surface of the reactant formed unit, the first surface being on the side opposite from where the heat transfer plate is disposed.   
     
     
         7 . The heat storage and release unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the heat transfer elements include exposed areas that are exposed from a second surface of the reactant formed unit, the second surface being on the side where the heat transfer plate is disposed.   
     
     
         8 . The heat storage and release unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the heat transfer elements are integrally formed with the heat transfer plate and formed by having parts of the heat transfer plate folded at substantially right angles with respect to the surface of the heat transfer plate.   
     
     
         9 . The heat storage and release unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the heat transfer plate and the heat transfer elements include aluminum or copper.   
     
     
         10 . A chemical heat pump comprising:
 the heat storage and release unit according to  claim 1 ;   a heat transfer medium configured to be thermally connected to the reaction vessel;   a reaction medium flow path piping configured to be connected to the reaction medium flow path structure in the reaction vessel;   a condenser configured to be connected to the reaction medium flow path piping via an opening and closing mechanism; and   an evaporator configured to be connected to the reaction medium flow path piping via the opening and closing mechanism.   
     
     
         11 . A non-electrified cooling unit comprising:
 the heat storage and release unit according to  claim 1 ;   a reaction medium flow path piping configured to be connected to the reaction medium flow path structure of the heat storage and release unit; and   a cooling panel configured to be connected to the reaction medium flow path piping via an opening and closing mechanism.