JP2025004798A - Material supply system and material container - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a structure capable of preventing a substance container from being opened or closed by anyone.
[Solution] A fuel supply system 1000 includes a fuel container (substance container) 101 that contains fuel, and a hydrogen generation device 201 that is connected to the fuel container 101 and receives a supply of fuel from the fuel container 101. The fuel container 101 has an RFID tag 104 that stores information relating to the identification of the fuel container 101, a solenoid valve 105, and a solenoid valve controller 108 that controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 105. The hydrogen generation device 201 has an RFID reader 204 that can read information from the RFID tag 104. The solenoid valve controller 108 operates the solenoid valve 105 to an open state when the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generation device 201 and the information read by the RFID reader 204 satisfies a predetermined condition.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a material supply system that supplies a material from a material container to a material receiving section, or supplies a material from a material supply section to a material container, and to a material container in which a material is stored.

One proposed hydrogen generating device is equipped with a removable fuel cartridge and a fuel cartridge with a memory section that stores the amount of water supplied or the remaining amount of hydrogen that can be generated (Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2010/026945

Here, substances such as fuel used in hydrogen generation devices are stored and transported in substance containers such as fuel cartridges. In this case, if the stored substance is fuel, it may be undesirable from a safety standpoint if the substance container can be opened and closed by anyone. Furthermore, if the substance stored in the substance container is not fuel but has trade value, there is a risk that the substance inside may be stolen if the container can be opened and closed by anyone.

The present invention aims to provide a configuration that can prevent a substance container from being opened or closed by anyone.

The material supply system of the present invention is a material supply system comprising a material container in which a material is stored, and a material receiving unit connected to the material container to receive a supply of material from the material container, the material container comprising a storage unit in which the material is stored, a first material passageway connecting the storage unit with the outside and through which the material passes, an opening/closing unit provided in the first material passageway and electrically operable between a closed state in which the first material passageway is blocked and an open state in which the first material passageway is opened, a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from the outside and supplying power to the opening/closing unit, a control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the opening/closing unit, and information relating to the identification of the material container. The substance receiving unit has a second substance passage connected to the first substance passage, a supplied unit to which substance is supplied from the second substance passage, a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the power receiving unit, and a reading unit capable of reading information from the memory unit, and the control unit is characterized in that when the substance container is connected to the substance receiving unit and the information stored in the memory unit read by the reading unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state, or issues a signal to permit the opening/closing unit to operate from the closed state to the open state.

The material supply system of the present invention is a material supply system including a material container in which a material is stored, and a material supply unit connected to the material container and supplying the material to the material container, the material container including a first storage unit in which the material is stored, a first material passageway connecting the first storage unit with the outside and through which the material passes, an opening/closing unit provided in the first material passageway and electrically operable between a closed state in which the first material passageway is blocked and an open state in which the first material passageway is opened, a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from the outside and supplying power to the opening/closing unit, a control unit for controlling the opening/closing of the opening/closing unit, and information regarding the identification of the material container stored therein. The substance supply unit has a second container in which the substance is contained, a second substance passage that connects the second container with the outside, through which the substance passes and that is connected to the first substance passage, a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the power receiving unit, and a reading unit capable of reading information from the memory unit, and the control unit is characterized in that when the substance container is connected to the substance supply unit and the information stored in the memory unit read by the reading unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state, or issues a signal permitting the opening/closing unit to operate from the closed state to the open state.

The substance container of the present invention is a substance container that contains a substance, and includes a container in which the substance is contained, a substance passage that connects the container with the outside and through which the substance passes, an opening/closing unit that is provided in the substance passage and can be electrically operated between a closed state that blocks the substance passage and an open state that opens the substance passage, a power receiving unit that can receive power from the outside and supply power to the opening/closing unit, a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the opening/closing unit, and a memory unit that stores information related to the identification of the substance container and can read the information from the outside, and the control unit is characterized in that when information stored in the memory unit read from the outside satisfies a predetermined condition, it operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state, or issues a signal that allows the opening/closing unit to operate from the closed state to the open state.

The present invention makes it possible to prevent anyone from opening and closing a substance container.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fuel supply system according to a first embodiment in a disconnected state; FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connection state of the fuel supply system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the fuel supply system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a fuel supply system according to another example of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a fuel supply system according to a second embodiment in a disconnected state; FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connection state of a fuel supply system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a fuel supply system according to a second embodiment.

First Embodiment
A first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. First, hydrogen has been attracting attention as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels. This is because, unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen does not generate carbon dioxide, a type of greenhouse gas that leads to global warming, when burned. One of the systems that use hydrogen as an energy source that has been put into practical use is a fuel cell vehicle. A fuel cell vehicle is a vehicle that generates electricity using hydrogen as a raw material and runs by driving an electric motor with the generated electricity. In many fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen, which is an energy source, is stored in a hydrogen tank, and hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen tank is fed into a fuel cell to generate electricity. The hydrogen tank stores hydrogen by compressing it at a high pressure, for example, 70 MPa (700 times atmospheric pressure).

One of the issues with hydrogen as an energy source is its low energy density. The volumetric energy density of hydrogen is about 1/3000 of that of gasoline, so even if a 70 MPa hydrogen tank is used, only about 1/5 of the energy of gasoline can be extracted from the same volume. For this reason, fuel cell vehicles that use hydrogen tanks generally require more frequent energy refueling than cars that use gasoline.

For this reason, various substances that can transport hydrogen at a higher energy density than hydrogen tanks (i.e., hydrogen carriers) are being considered. For example, borohydrides such as ammonia, methylcyclohexane, and sodium borohydride are known as hydrogen carriers, and hydrogen carriers are transported instead of hydrogen itself, and hydrogen is extracted from the hydrogen carrier when it is used.

Substances such as fuel containing such hydrogen carriers are transported in containers, but as mentioned above, it may be undesirable from a safety standpoint if anyone is able to open and close the container. For this reason, in this embodiment, as described below, a fuel supply system 1000 is configured with a fuel container 101 and a hydrogen generating device 201. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the substance contained in the fuel container 101 is a hydrogen carrier, and the device receiving the supply of the substance is the hydrogen generating device 201. First, the hydrogen carrier will be described.

[Hydrogen Carrier]
Among hydrogen carriers, metal hydrides such as sodium borohydride are widely known, from which hydrogen can be easily extracted by adding water. As a method for obtaining hydrogen by hydrolysis of sodium borohydride, a method for dissolving sodium borohydride in water and using it as an aqueous solution is known. However, in this method, a larger amount of water than the theoretically required amount shown in the reaction formula is required, which is problematic in that the actual volumetric energy density decreases. Therefore, in this embodiment, a solid hydrogen carrier is supplied to a hydrogen generating device from a fuel container 101 described later, and a liquid containing water is added to the hydrogen carrier in the hydrogen generating device 201 (specifically, a liquid containing water is poured onto the hydrogen carrier) to generate hydrogen.

Examples of hydrogen carriers that generate hydrogen when a liquid containing water is added include the following. For example, one or a mixture of solid metal hydrides such as sodium borohydride, potassium borohydride, lithium borohydride, zinc borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium aluminum hydride, magnesium aluminum hydride, calcium aluminum hydride, magnesium hydride, lithium hydride, sodium hydride, and calcium hydride, and metal powders such as aluminum, zinc, calcium, and magnesium can be used. The substance contained in the substance container may contain additives such as a reaction accelerator and a desiccant in addition to the hydrogen carrier.

The hydrogen carrier of this embodiment is preferably a solid. As a solid hydrogen carrier, a solid such as a powder or granule is preferable, but a solid such as a sheet, pellet, or paste can also be used. As a powder, a particle size of about 10 μm to 10 mm can be used, and a particle size of about 10 μm to 3 mm, and further, a particle size of about 10 μm to 100 μm are more preferable. When using a sheet or pellet, it is preferable to increase the surface area and the contact area with the water-containing liquid by performing surface roughening or porous treatment, etc., from the viewpoint of increasing the reactivity with the water-containing liquid.

In this embodiment, sodium borohydride powder is used as the solid hydrogen carrier. The powdered sodium borohydride reacts with water to generate hydrogen. The reacted sodium borohydride changes into sodium metaborate, which is a by-product. This reaction is expressed by the following chemical formula.
_NaBH4 (sodium borohydride) + _2H2O (water)
→ _NaBO2 (sodium metaborate) + _4H2 (hydrogen) ... (1)

There are no particular limitations on the water-containing liquid, so long as it reacts with the hydrogen carrier when applied and generates hydrogen. The water-containing liquid may be water alone, or may contain water and a substance such as a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, a water-soluble acidic substance, a water-soluble basic substance, or a buffer solution.

Note that there are various types of hydrogen generating devices that generate hydrogen from sodium borohydride powder by causing the above-mentioned reaction, but the hydrogen generating device 201 in this embodiment may be configured in any way as long as it causes this reaction to generate hydrogen.

[Fuel supply system]
The fuel supply system 1000 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fuel container 101 is not connected to the hydrogen generation device 201, and Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generation device 201. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the fuel supply system 1000, with arrows indicating transmission and reception of electrical signals in each device, supply and reception of power between the fuel container 101 and the hydrogen generation device 201, and transmission and reception of electrical signals.

The fuel supply system 1000 as a material supply system includes a fuel container 101 as a material container and a hydrogen generator 201 as a material receiving section. The fuel container 101 contains a material (a solid hydrogen carrier in this embodiment). The material contained in the fuel container 101 may be a liquid hydrogen carrier such as an aqueous solution of sodium borohydride dissolved in water, but as described above, in this embodiment, the material is a solid hydrogen carrier. The hydrogen generator 201 is connected to the fuel container 101 and receives a supply of material from the fuel container 101, and generates hydrogen by adding a liquid containing hydrogen carrier water supplied from the fuel container 101. The material receiving section is not limited to the hydrogen generator 201, and may be a tank that stores a hydrogen carrier and does not have a function of generating hydrogen.

[Fuel container]
The fuel container 101 as a substance container is used to store powdered sodium borohydride as a fuel. The fuel container 101 has a fuel storage section 102 as a storage section and a first storage section, a fuel passage 103 as a substance passage and a first substance passage, an electromagnetic valve 105 as an opening/closing section and a first opening/closing section, a power receiving section 106, an electromagnetic valve controller 108 as a control section and a first control section, an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag 104 as a memory section, and a signal receiving section 107.

The fuel storage section 102 contains a hydrogen carrier (powdered sodium borohydride in this embodiment), which is a substance (fuel in this embodiment). The fuel passage 103 connects the fuel storage section 102 to the outside, and is a passage through which the powdered sodium borohydride passes. In other words, the powdered sodium borohydride can enter and exit the fuel storage section 102 via the fuel passage 103.

The solenoid valve 105 is provided in the fuel passage 103 and is electrically operable between a closed state in which the fuel passage 103 is blocked and an open state in which the fuel passage 103 is opened. When not energized, the solenoid valve 105 is in a closed state in which the fuel passage 103 is blocked, and is configured to open when energized by a command from the solenoid valve controller 108. The power receiving unit 106 can receive power from the outside and supply power to the solenoid valve 105. The solenoid valve controller 108 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 105.

The RFID tag 104 stores information related to the identification of the fuel container 101, and is equipped with a ROM that can only read information and cannot write information. The RFID tag 104 is wirelessly connected to an external information reading device. In other words, the RFID tag 104 can read information from outside. The signal receiving unit 107 can receive signals, and is connected by wire to an external signal transmitting device. In this embodiment, the signal receiving unit 107 is in physical contact with the signal transmitting unit 207 of the hydrogen generating device 201 described later, and receives an electrical signal.

The information relating to the identification of the fuel container 101 stored in the RFID tag 104 includes information relating to the business that manufactured the fuel container 101, and the RFID tag 104 does not allow the information relating to this business to be rewritten. The RFID tag 104 may also store other information relating to the identification of the fuel container 101, such as the type of container and information about the substance contained in the container. The reason why the information relating to the identification of the fuel container 101 includes information about the business that manufactured the fuel container 101 is as follows.

In this embodiment, a business model is assumed in which equipment manufacturers and fuel container manufacturers that use powdered sodium borohydride as fuel form an alliance. In such a model, it is necessary to identify whether a manufacturer is part of the alliance, so the information stored in the RFID tag 104 is the business information. Storing business information in this way can prevent businesses that are not members of the alliance from making fuel containers without permission. The information related to the identification of the fuel container 101 may be, for example, a serial number, in which case the first few digits of the serial number may be used as business information.

[Hydrogen generation device]
Hydrogen generation device 201 as a material receiving section reacts sodium borohydride in powder form supplied from fuel container 101 with water to generate hydrogen. Such hydrogen generation device 201 has a fuel passage 203 as a second material passage, a hydrogen generation section 202 as a supplied section, a power supply section 206, an RFID reader 204 as a reading section, a signal transmission section 207, a control section 208 as a second control section, an electromagnetic valve 205 as a second opening/closing section, and a hydrogen passage 209.

The fuel passage 203 is a passage that is connected to the fuel passage 103 of the fuel container 101. The hydrogen generating unit 202 is supplied with powdered sodium borohydride as fuel from the fuel passage 203. In the case of this embodiment, a liquid containing water is stored in advance inside the hydrogen generating unit 202, and the hydrogen generating unit 202 reacts this water-containing liquid with the sodium borohydride supplied from the fuel passage 203 to generate hydrogen.

The hydrogen generating unit 202 may be configured to be capable of supplying a liquid containing water from the outside, and may be configured to supply a liquid containing water from the outside and react it with the sodium borohydride supplied from the fuel passage 203. The hydrogen generating unit 202 may also be configured to have an internal transport unit such as a screw conveyor or transport belt that transports powdered sodium borohydride, and to supply a liquid containing water to the sodium borohydride transported by the transport unit.

The power supply unit 206 can supply power to the power receiving unit 106 of the fuel container 101. Specifically, the hydrogen generation device 201 is supplied with power from a power source such as a building in which the device is installed. Then, as described below, when the hydrogen generation device 201 and the fuel container 101 are connected, the power supply unit 206 and the power receiving unit 106 are physically connected, and power is supplied from the power supply unit 206 to the power receiving unit 106.

The RFID reader 204 can read information from the RFID tag 104 of the fuel container 101. In this embodiment, when the hydrogen generation device 201 and the fuel container 101 are connected, the RFID reader 204 wirelessly reads out the information stored in the RFID tag 104. The signal transmission unit 207 can transmit a signal to the signal receiving unit 107 of the fuel container 101. Specifically, the signal transmission unit 207 transmits a signal to the signal receiving unit 107 to control the fuel supply in response to a command from the control unit 208. The signal transmission unit 207 is also physically connected to the signal receiving unit 107 and transmits a signal when the hydrogen generation device 201 and the fuel container 101 are connected.

As described above, in this embodiment, information relating to the identification of the fuel container 101 is communicated wirelessly using the RFID tag 104 and the RFID reader 204. On the other hand, control signals are communicated wired by physically connecting the signal transmitting unit 207 and the signal receiving unit 107. This is because the information relating to the identification of the fuel container 101 is stored in the RFID tag 104 so that it can be read by a commonly used RFID reader, improving convenience, while the control signals are communicated when connected to the hydrogen generation device 201, improving safety.

By wirelessly communicating information related to the identification of the fuel container 101, the information can be easily checked not only when connected to the hydrogen generation device 201, but also during other processes, such as during transportation. On the other hand, as for the control signal, as described below, a signal to open and close the solenoid valve is transmitted, so that the control signal can be sent when connected to a specific device, such as when connected to the hydrogen generation device 201, by wired communication.

In addition, information regarding the identification of the fuel container 101 may be communicated by wire. For example, similar to the relationship between the signal transmitting unit 207 and the signal receiving unit 107, when the hydrogen generating device 201 and the fuel container 101 are connected, they are physically connected, making it possible to transmit information regarding the identification of the fuel container 101. In other words, the storage unit and the reading unit are not limited to an RFID tag and an RFID reader, but may be other general memories and general devices that read the memories. In addition, the control signals may be communicated wirelessly. For example, the control signals may be communicated by wireless communication units provided in both the hydrogen generating device 201 and the fuel container 101.

The solenoid valve 205 is provided in the fuel passage 203 and is electrically operable between a closed state in which the fuel passage 203 is blocked and an open state in which the fuel passage 203 is opened. When not energized, the solenoid valve 205 is in a closed state in which the fuel passage 203 is blocked, and is configured to open when energized by a command from the control unit 208. The control unit 208 controls the entire fuel supply system 1000. For example, the control unit 208 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 205. In addition, when the information read by the RFID reader 204 satisfies a predetermined condition described later, the control unit 208 causes the signal transmission unit 207 to transmit a signal regarding opening the solenoid valve 105 of the fuel container 101. The hydrogen passage 209 is a path for supplying hydrogen generated in the hydrogen generation unit 202 to the outside.

[Connection of fuel container and hydrogen generator]
In the fuel supply system 1000 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, when the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generation unit 202 and the information stored in the RFID tag 104 read by the RFID reader 204 satisfies a predetermined condition, the solenoid valve controller 108 issues a signal to operate the solenoid valve 105 from a closed state to an open state, or to permit the solenoid valve 105 to be operated from a closed state to an open state.

A more detailed explanation will be given. First, the tip 101a of the fuel container 101, where the opening 103a to the outside of the fuel passage 103 is formed, is provided with an RFID tag 104, a power receiving unit 106, and a signal receiving unit 107. Meanwhile, the hydrogen generating device 201 has a recess 201a formed at its vertical upper end in the installed state, into which the tip 101a of the fuel container 101 can be fitted. An RFID reader 204, a power supply unit 206, and a signal transmitting unit 207 are provided in the recess 201a.

2, when the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generator 201, the tip 101a of the fuel container 101 fits into the recess 201a of the hydrogen generator 201. At this time, the opening 103a of the fuel passage 103 of the fuel container 101 is connected to the opening 203a to the outside of the fuel passage 203 of the hydrogen generator 201. Also, at this time, the RFID tag 104 comes close to the RFID reader 204, the power receiving unit 106 is physically connected to the power supply unit 206, and the signal receiving unit 107 is physically connected to the signal transmitting unit 207. This allows sodium borohydride to pass between the fuel passage 103 and the fuel passage 203. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the information in the RFID tag 104 can be read by the RFID reader 204, power can be supplied from the power supply unit 206 to the power receiving unit 106, and a signal can be transmitted from the signal transmitting unit 207 to the signal receiving unit 107.

The fuel container 101 and the hydrogen generator 201 are connected by a convex-concave fit as described above, but a concave part may be provided at the tip of the fuel container 101 and a convex part may be provided at the upper end of the hydrogen generator 201 to allow for the convex-concave fit. In addition to or not limited to the convex-concave fit, they may be connected to each other by magnetic force or may be connected using hooks or the like. In any case, when the fuel container 101 and the hydrogen generator 201 are connected, it is sufficient that the fuel passage 103 is connected to the fuel passage 203, the RFID tag 104 is close to the RFID reader 204, the power receiving unit 106 is physically connected to the power supply unit 206, and the signal receiving unit 107 is physically connected to the signal transmitting unit 207.

When the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generation device 201, power is supplied from the power supply unit 206 to the power receiving unit 106. In addition, the information stored in the RFID tag 104 is read by the RFID reader 204. Specifically, when the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generation unit 202, the RFID reader 204 reads the information stored in the RFID tag 104. In this embodiment, the RFID reader 204 reads information about the company that manufactured the fuel container 101 and information about the type of fuel container 101.

When both pieces of information satisfy preset conditions (predetermined conditions), the control unit 208 of the hydrogen generation device 201 sends a signal to start fuel supply from the signal transmission unit 207, and simultaneously opens the closed solenoid valve 205. That is, when the control unit 208 determines that the information read by the RFID reader 204 satisfies the predetermined conditions, it sends a control signal (a signal to open the solenoid valve 105) to the signal receiving unit 107 via the signal transmission unit 207. At the same time, the control unit 208 operates the solenoid valve 205 of the hydrogen generation device 201 from a closed state to an open state.

Incidentally, the information read by the RFID reader 204 satisfies a predetermined condition when, for example, it is confirmed from the read information about the business that the business is a member of the alliance, and when it is confirmed that the type of fuel container 101 is a type that is compatible with the hydrogen generation device 201.

When the signal receiving unit 107 receives a control signal from the signal transmitting unit 207, the solenoid valve controller 108 operates the solenoid valve 105 of the fuel container 101 from a closed state to an open state. When the solenoid valve 105 is opened, sodium borohydride stored in the fuel storage unit 102 of the fuel container 101 is introduced into the hydrogen generating unit 202 of the hydrogen generating device 201 through the fuel passages 103 and 203. When sodium borohydride is introduced into the hydrogen generating unit 202, it reacts with the liquid containing water stored in the hydrogen generating unit 202 to generate hydrogen. The generated hydrogen is supplied to the outside through the hydrogen passage 209. For example, a hydrogen storage unit or a device that uses hydrogen (not shown) is connected to the outlet of the hydrogen passage 209, and the hydrogen generated in the hydrogen generating unit 202 is supplied to these devices.

In this embodiment, the fuel container 101 can be prevented from being opened or closed by anyone. That is, in this embodiment, when the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generating device 201, the RFID reader 204 reads the information stored in the RFID tag 104, and opens the solenoid valve 105 of the fuel container 101 if the read information satisfies a predetermined condition. That is, the fuel container 101 opens the solenoid valve 105 when the information stored in the RFID tag 104 read from the outside satisfies a predetermined condition, and the solenoid valve 105 is not opened by the fuel container 101 alone. Therefore, the solenoid valve 105 of the fuel container 101 can be prevented from being opened by anyone during transportation of the fuel container 101, and safety can be ensured.

In addition, when the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generator 201 and certain conditions are met, the solenoid valve 105 opens, preventing the solenoid valve 105 from opening before the connection, and allowing fuel to be safely supplied from the fuel container 101 to the hydrogen generator 201.

[Another example of the first embodiment]
1 to 3, when the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generating device 201, if the information read by the RFID reader 204 satisfies a predetermined condition, the solenoid valves 105, 205 are opened. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the fuel supply system 1000A may have an operation unit 110. That is, in the fuel supply system 1000A according to another example, the fuel container 101A has a control unit 109 and an operation unit 110. The control unit 109 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 105, and issues a signal permitting the solenoid valve 105 to be operated from a closed state to an open state when the information read by the RFID reader 204 satisfies a predetermined condition. Note that FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the fuel supply system 1000A, similar to FIG. 3.

The operation unit 110 is, for example, a button (i.e., a start button) that is provided outside the fuel container 101 and can be operated by a user. The operation unit 110 is operable when the control unit 109 issues a signal that permits the solenoid valve 105 to be operated from a closed state to an open state. That is, when the information read by the RFID reader 204 satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit 208 of the hydrogen generation device 201 sends a control signal (a signal related to opening the solenoid valve 105) to the signal receiving unit 107 via the signal transmitting unit 207. When the signal receiving unit 107 receives a control signal from the signal transmitting unit 207, the control unit 109 issues a signal (permission signal) that permits the solenoid valve 105 to be operated from a closed state to an open state. When the permission signal is not issued, the operation unit 110 is in an inoperable state, for example, a state in which the button does not respond when pressed, or a state in which the button is locked and cannot be pressed, and when the control unit 109 issues a permission signal, the operation unit 110 becomes operable.

When the operation unit 110 is operated, the control unit 109 operates the solenoid valve 105 from a closed state to an open state. That is, in this example, when the information stored in the RFID tag 104 satisfies a predetermined condition and the operation unit 110 is operated, the solenoid valve 105 is opened. As a result, when a user operates the operation unit 110, sodium borohydride is supplied from the fuel container 101 to the hydrogen generation device 201, and hydrogen is generated in the hydrogen generation device 201. Note that the operation unit 110 may be provided on the hydrogen generation device 201 side. Also, the solenoid valve 205 of the hydrogen generation device 201 may be opened when the operation unit 110 is operated.

In this example as well, the fuel container 101 can be prevented from being opened or closed by anyone. Furthermore, fuel can be safely supplied from the fuel container 101 to the hydrogen generation device 201. In particular, in this example, the solenoid valve 105 opens when the information read by the RFID reader 204 satisfies a predetermined condition and when the operation unit 110 is operated, so that, for example, after the fuel container 101 is connected to the hydrogen generation device 201, fuel supply to the hydrogen generation device 201 can be started at any timing.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a fuel supply system that supplies fuel from a fuel container 101 to a hydrogen generating device 201 has been described. In contrast, in this embodiment, a material supply system 2000 that supplies a material such as fuel to a fuel container 101 from a material supply device 301 as a material supply unit will be described. Note that in the material supply system 2000 of this example, the configuration of the fuel container 101 is similar to that of the first embodiment. For this reason, the same reference numerals are used for similar configurations, and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the following description will focus on the points that are different from the first embodiment.

The material supply system 2000 includes a fuel container 101 as a material container, and a material supply device 301 as a material supply section. The fuel container 101 contains a material (a solid hydrogen carrier in this embodiment), and has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment. The material supply device 301 is connected to the fuel container 101 and supplies a material to the fuel container 101. In the material supply system 2000 of this embodiment, an empty fuel container 101 is filled with fuel (sodium borohydride in this embodiment) by the material supply device 301 as a material supply section.

Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the material supply device 301 is not connected to the fuel container 101, and Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the material supply device 301 is connected to the fuel container 101. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the material supply system 2000, with each arrow indicating the transmission and reception of electrical signals in each device, the supply and reception of power between the fuel container 101 and the material supply device 301, and the transmission and reception of electrical signals.

[Fuel supply system]
The material supply device 301 has a fuel storage section 302 as a second container section, a fuel passage 303 as a second material passage, a power supply section 306, an RFID reader 304 as a reading section, a signal transmission section 307, a control section 308 as a second control section, an electromagnetic valve 305 as a second opening/closing section, and a remaining amount sensor 309.

The fuel storage section 302 contains powdered sodium borohydride as a substance. The fuel passage 303 connects the fuel storage section 302 to the outside, through which the powdered sodium borohydride passes, and is connected to the fuel passage 103 of the fuel container 101. The power supply section 306 is capable of supplying power to the power receiving section 106 of the fuel container 101. Specifically, the material supply device 301 is supplied with power from a power source such as a building in which the device is installed. Then, as described below, when the material supply device 301 and the fuel container 101 are connected, the power supply section 306 and the power receiving section 106 are physically connected, and power is supplied from the power supply section 306 to the power receiving section 106.

The RFID reader 304 can read information from the RFID tag 104 of the fuel container 101. In this embodiment, when the material supply device 301 and the fuel container 101 are connected, the RFID reader 304 wirelessly reads out the information stored in the RFID tag 104. The signal transmission unit 307 can transmit a signal to the signal receiving unit 107 of the fuel container 101. Specifically, the signal transmission unit 307 transmits a signal to control the fuel supply to the signal receiving unit 107 in response to a command from the control unit 308. The signal transmission unit 307 is also physically connected to the signal receiving unit 107 and transmits a signal when the material supply device 301 and the fuel container 101 are connected.

The solenoid valve 305 is provided in the fuel passage 303 and is electrically operable between a closed state in which the fuel passage 303 is blocked and an open state in which the fuel passage 303 is opened. When not energized, the solenoid valve 305 is in a closed state in which the fuel passage 303 is blocked, and is configured to open when energized by a command from the control unit 308. The control unit 308 controls the entire material supply system 2000. For example, the control unit 308 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 305. In addition, when the information read by the RFID reader 304 satisfies a predetermined condition described later, the control unit 308 causes the signal transmission unit 307 to transmit a signal regarding opening the solenoid valve 105 of the fuel container 101. The remaining amount sensor 309 is used to grasp the remaining amount of fuel stored in the fuel storage unit 302. In this embodiment, the remaining amount sensor 309 is configured with an ultrasonic sensor.

[Connection between fuel supply device and fuel container]
In the material supply system 2000 configured in this manner, as shown in FIG. 6, when the material supply device 301 is connected to the fuel container 101 and the information stored in the RFID tag 104 read by the RFID reader 304 satisfies a predetermined condition, the solenoid valve controller 108 issues a signal to operate the solenoid valve 105 from a closed state to an open state, or to permit the solenoid valve 105 to be operated from a closed state to an open state.

A more detailed explanation will be given. First, an RFID tag 104, a power receiving unit 106, and a signal receiving unit 107 are arranged at the tip 101a where an opening 103a to the outside of the fuel passage 103 of the fuel container 101 is formed. Meanwhile, a recess 301a is formed at the vertical upper end of the material supply device 301 in the installed state, into which the tip 101a of the fuel container 101 can fit. An RFID reader 304, a power supply unit 306, and a signal transmitting unit 307 are arranged in the recess 301a.

6, when the material supply device 301 is connected to the fuel container 101, the tip 101a of the fuel container 101 fits into the recess 201a of the material supply device 301. At this time, the opening 103a of the fuel passage 103 of the fuel container 101 is connected to the opening 303a to the outside of the fuel passage 303 of the material supply device 301. Also, at this time, the RFID tag 104 is close to the RFID reader 304, the power receiving unit 106 is physically connected to the power supply unit 306, and the signal receiving unit 107 is physically connected to the signal transmitting unit 307. This allows sodium borohydride to pass between the fuel passage 103 and the fuel passage 303. As shown in FIG. 7, information on the RFID tag 104 can be read by the RFID reader 304, power can be supplied from the power supply unit 306 to the power receiving unit 106, and a signal can be transmitted from the signal transmitting unit 307 to the signal receiving unit 107. Note that, similar to the connection between the fuel container 101 and the hydrogen generating device 201, other connection methods may also be used for the connection between the fuel container 101 and the material supplying device 301.

When the material supplying device 301 is connected to the fuel container 101, power is supplied from the power supply unit 306 to the power receiving unit 106. In addition, the information stored in the RFID tag 104 is read by the RFID reader 304. Specifically, when the material supplying device 301 is connected to the fuel container 101, the RFID reader 304 reads the information stored in the RFID tag 104. In this embodiment, the RFID reader 304 reads information about the business that manufactured the fuel container 101 and information about the type of fuel container 101.

When both pieces of information satisfy the preset conditions (predetermined conditions), the control unit 308 of the material supply device 301 sends a signal to start fuel supply from the signal transmission unit 307, and simultaneously opens the closed solenoid valve 305. That is, when the control unit 308 determines that the information read by the RFID reader 304 satisfies the predetermined conditions, it sends a control signal (a signal to open the solenoid valve 105) to the signal receiving unit 107 via the signal transmission unit 307. At the same time, the control unit 308 operates the solenoid valve 305 of the material supply device 301 from a closed state to an open state. The predetermined conditions are the same as those in the first embodiment.

When the signal receiving unit 107 receives a control signal from the signal transmitting unit 307, the solenoid valve controller 108 operates the solenoid valve 105 of the fuel container 101 from a closed state to an open state. When the solenoid valve 105 is opened, the sodium borohydride stored in the fuel storage unit 302 of the material supply device 301 is supplied to the fuel storage unit 102 of the fuel container 101 through the fuel passages 303 and 103. Then, when the remaining amount sensor 309 reads the value when a sufficient amount of fuel has been supplied to the fuel container 101, the control unit 308 sends a control signal (a fuel supply stop signal, a signal related to closing the solenoid valve 105) from the signal transmitting unit 307 to the signal receiving unit 107 of the fuel container 101, and at the same time operates the solenoid valve 305 of the material supply device 301 from an open state to a closed state. When the signal receiving unit 107 receives the control signal from the signal transmitting unit 307, the solenoid valve controller 108 operates the solenoid valve 105 of the fuel container 101 from an open state to a closed state.

In this embodiment, too, the fuel container 101 can be prevented from being opened or closed by just anyone. That is, in this embodiment, when the fuel container 101 is connected to the material supply device 301, the RFID reader 304 reads the information stored in the RFID tag 104, and if the read information meets a predetermined condition, the solenoid valve 105 of the fuel container 101 is opened. This makes it possible to prevent the solenoid valve 105 of the fuel container 101 from being opened by just anyone, for example, during transportation of the fuel container 101, thereby ensuring safety.

Furthermore, by using the material supply system 2000 of this embodiment for the fuel container 101 that has been emptied after fuel has been supplied to the hydrogen generating device 201 in the first embodiment, it is possible to safely supply fuel to the fuel container 101.

In this embodiment, the material supply system may also be configured to include an operation unit 110, as in the alternative example of the first embodiment described above in FIG. 4. Similarly, the operation unit 110 may be provided in either the fuel container 101 or the material supply device 301.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described second embodiment, a system in which sodium borohydride is stored in the material supply device 301 and supplied to the fuel container 101 has been described. However, the material stored in the material supply device 301 may be a by-product produced when hydrogen is generated by adding a liquid containing water to a hydrogen carrier. Here, when sodium borohydride is reacted with water, sodium metaborate is produced as a by-product. For this reason, sodium metaborate (e.g., a solution of water and sodium metaborate) may be stored in the material supply device 301, and sodium metaborate may be supplied to an empty fuel container 101 using the above-described material supply system 2000.

In this case, the information related to the identification of the fuel container 101 stored in the RFID tag 104 may include information about the substance contained in the fuel container 101. The information about the substance stored in the RFID tag 104 may be rewritable. This makes it possible to write, for example, information to the effect that if the fuel container 101 contains sodium borohydride, and information to the effect that if the fuel container 101 contains sodium metaborate, to the RFID tag 104.

Specifically, fuel is supplied from the fuel container 101 containing sodium borohydride to the hydrogen generating device 201, and after the fuel container 101 becomes empty, when sodium metaborate is supplied from the material supply device 301 to the empty fuel container 101, the material information stored in the RFID tag 104 is rewritten from sodium borohydride to sodium metaborate. In addition, a condition that the material information stored in the RFID tag 104 is sodium borohydride is added to the predetermined conditions for opening the solenoid valve 105 when the fuel container 101 and the hydrogen generating device 201 are connected.

As a result, if a fuel container 101 containing sodium metaborate is mistakenly connected to a hydrogen generating device 201, the substance information stored in the RFID tag 104 is sodium metaborate, which does not satisfy the specified conditions, and it is possible to prevent sodium metaborate from being mistakenly supplied from the fuel container 101 to the hydrogen generating device 201. In this way, in the first and second embodiments, the information stored in the RFID tag 104 is not limited to information about the company that manufactured the fuel container 101 or information about the type of fuel container 101, but may be other information such as information about the substance contained in the fuel container 101.

In the first and second embodiments, the substance is sodium borohydride, but the substance used in the substance supply system of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any substance that can be used as a fuel may be used, such as liquid kerosene or gasoline. In addition, the substance may be the above-mentioned by-products or other substances that require careful handling.

The disclosure of this embodiment also includes the following configuration.
(Configuration 1)
A material supply system including a material container in which a material is stored, and a material receiving unit connected to the material container to receive a supply of a material from the material container,
The substance container comprises:
A container in which a substance is contained;
A first substance passage that connects the container with the outside and through which a substance passes;
an opening/closing unit provided in the first substance passage and electrically operable between a closed state for blocking the first substance passage and an open state for opening the first substance passage;
a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from an external source and supplying the power to the opening/closing unit;
A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing unit;
A storage unit in which information relating to the identification of the substance container is stored,
The material receiving section includes:
a second substance passage connected to the first substance passage;
a supply portion to which a substance is supplied from the second substance passage;
a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the power receiving unit;
A reading unit capable of reading information from the storage unit,
The control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state, or issues a signal to permit the opening/closing unit to be operated from the closed state to the open state, when the substance container is connected to the substance receiving unit and information stored in the memory unit read by the reading unit satisfies a predetermined condition.
(Configuration 2)
The substance supply system according to configuration 1, wherein the memory unit and the reading unit are wirelessly connected.
(Configuration 3)
The control unit is a first control unit,
The substance container has a signal receiving unit capable of receiving a signal,
The material receiving unit has a signal transmitting unit capable of transmitting a signal to the signal receiving unit, and a second control unit that causes the signal transmitting unit to transmit a signal regarding opening and closing the opening/closing unit when the information read by the reading unit satisfies the predetermined condition,
The material supply system of configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the first control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the signal receiving unit receives a signal regarding opening the opening/closing unit.
(Configuration 4)
The substance supply system according to configuration 3, wherein the signal receiving unit and the signal transmitting unit are connected by wire.
(Configuration 5)
The opening/closing unit is a first opening/closing unit,
the material receiving section has a second opening/closing section that is provided in the second material passage and is electrically operable between a closed state that blocks the second material passage and an open state that opens the second material passage,
The material supply system according to configuration 3 or 4, characterized in that the second control unit operates the second opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the information read by the reading unit satisfies the predetermined condition.
(Configuration 6)
The control unit further includes an operation unit that can be operated when the control unit outputs a signal permitting the opening/closing unit to be operated from the closed state to the open state,
The material supply system according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the operating unit is operated.
(Configuration 7)
The information relating to the identification of the substance container includes information about a substance contained in the substance container;
7. The substance supply system according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the information about the substance stored in the memory unit is rewritable.
(Configuration 8)
The information relating to the identity of the substance container includes information relating to a business entity that manufactured the substance container;
8. The material supply system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the information about the business entity stored in the memory unit is non-rewritable.
(Configuration 9)
9. The material supply system according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the material contained in the material container is a hydrogen carrier that generates hydrogen when a liquid containing water is added thereto.
(Configuration 10)
The substance supply system according to configuration 9, wherein the hydrogen carrier is a solid.
(Configuration 11)
The material supply system according to configuration 9 or 10, wherein the material receiving unit is a hydrogen generating device that generates hydrogen by applying a liquid containing water to the hydrogen carrier supplied from the material container.
(Configuration 12)
A substance supply system including a substance container in which a substance is stored, and a substance supply unit connected to the substance container and supplying a substance to the substance container,
The substance container comprises:
A first container in which a substance is contained;
a first substance passage that connects the first container with the outside and through which a substance passes;
an opening/closing unit provided in the first substance passage and electrically operable between a closed state for blocking the first substance passage and an open state for opening the first substance passage;
a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from an external source and supplying the power to the opening/closing unit;
A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing unit;
A storage unit in which information relating to the identification of the substance container is stored,
The material supply unit includes:
a second container in which a substance is contained;
a second substance passage that connects the second container with the outside, through which a substance passes, and that is connected to the first substance passage;
a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the power receiving unit;
A reading unit capable of reading information from the storage unit,
The control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state, or issues a signal to permit the opening/closing unit to be operated from the closed state to the open state, when the substance container is connected to the substance supply unit and information read by the reading unit and stored in the memory unit satisfies a predetermined condition.
(Configuration 13)
The material supply system according to configuration 12, wherein the memory unit and the reading unit are wirelessly connected.
(Configuration 14)
The control unit is a first control unit,
The substance container has a signal receiving unit capable of receiving a signal,
the substance supply unit has a signal transmission unit capable of transmitting a signal to the signal receiving unit, and a second control unit that causes the signal transmission unit to transmit a signal related to opening and closing the opening/closing unit when the information read by the reading unit satisfies the predetermined condition,
The material supply system of configuration 12 or 13, characterized in that the first control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the signal receiving unit receives a signal regarding opening the opening/closing unit.
(Configuration 15)
The substance supply system according to configuration 14, wherein the signal receiving unit and the signal transmitting unit are connected by wire.
(Configuration 16)
The opening/closing unit is a first opening/closing unit,
the substance supply unit has a second opening/closing unit that is provided in the second substance passage and is electrically operable between a closed state in which the second substance passage is blocked and an open state in which the second substance passage is opened;
The material supply system according to configuration 14 or 15, wherein the second control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the information read by the reading unit satisfies the predetermined condition.
(Configuration 17)
The information relating to the identification of the substance container includes information about a substance contained in the substance container;
17. The substance supply system according to any one of configurations 12 to 16, wherein the information about the substance stored in the memory unit is rewritable.
(Configuration 18)
The information relating to the identity of the substance container includes information relating to a business entity that manufactured the substance container;
18. The material supply system according to any one of configurations 12 to 17, wherein the information about the business entity stored in the memory unit is non-rewritable.
(Configuration 19)
19. The material supply system according to any one of configurations 12 to 18, wherein the material contained in the material supply unit is a hydrogen carrier that generates hydrogen when a liquid containing water is added thereto.
(Configuration 20)
20. The material supply system of claim 19, wherein the hydrogen carrier is a solid.
(Configuration 21)
19. The material supply system according to any one of configurations 12 to 18, wherein the material contained in the material supply unit is a by-product produced when hydrogen is generated by adding a liquid containing water to a hydrogen carrier.
(Configuration 22)
A substance container in which a substance is contained,
A container in which a substance is contained;
A substance passage that connects the storage portion with the outside and through which a substance passes;
An opening/closing unit that is provided in the substance passage and is electrically operable between a closed state that blocks the substance passage and an open state that opens the substance passage;
a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from an external source and supplying the power to the opening/closing unit;
A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing unit;
A storage unit in which information regarding the identification of the substance container is stored and the information can be read from an external device,
The control unit is characterized in that, when information stored in the memory unit read from the outside satisfies a predetermined condition, it operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state, or issues a signal to permit the opening/closing unit to operate from the closed state to the open state.

101...Fuel container (substance container)
102...Fuel storage section (storage section, first storage section)
103...Fuel passage (material passage, first substance passage)
104...RFID tag (storage unit)
105...Solenoid valve (opening/closing unit, first opening/closing unit)
106: Power receiving unit 107: Signal receiving unit 108: Solenoid valve controller (control unit, first control unit)
109: Control unit (first control unit)
110: Operation unit 201: Hydrogen generation device (material receiving unit)
202...Hydrogen generating section (supplied section)
203...Fuel passage (second material passage)
204...RFID reader (reading unit)
205...Solenoid valve (second opening/closing part)
206: Power supply unit 207: Signal transmission unit 208: Control unit (second control unit)
301...Matter supply device (substance supply section)
302: Fuel storage section (second storage section)
303...Fuel passage (second material passage)
304...RFID reader (reading unit)
305...Solenoid valve (second opening/closing part)
306: Power supply unit 307: Signal transmission unit 308: Control unit (second control unit)
1000, 1000A...Fuel supply system (material supply system)
2000...Material supply system

Claims (22)

A material supply system including a material container in which a material is stored, and a material receiving unit connected to the material container to receive a supply of a material from the material container,
The substance container comprises:
A container in which a substance is contained;
A first substance passage that connects the container with the outside and through which a substance passes;
an opening/closing unit provided in the first substance passage and electrically operable between a closed state for blocking the first substance passage and an open state for opening the first substance passage;
a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from an external source and supplying the power to the opening/closing unit;
A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing unit;
A storage unit in which information relating to the identification of the substance container is stored,
The material receiving section includes:
a second substance passage connected to the first substance passage;
a supply portion to which a substance is supplied from the second substance passage;
a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the power receiving unit;
A reading unit capable of reading information from the storage unit,
The control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state, or issues a signal to permit the opening/closing unit to be operated from the closed state to the open state, when the substance container is connected to the substance receiving unit and information stored in the memory unit read by the reading unit satisfies a predetermined condition. The substance supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the memory unit and the reading unit are wirelessly connected. The control unit is a first control unit,
The substance container has a signal receiving unit capable of receiving a signal,
The material receiving unit has a signal transmitting unit capable of transmitting a signal to the signal receiving unit, and a second control unit that causes the signal transmitting unit to transmit a signal regarding opening and closing the opening/closing unit when the information read by the reading unit satisfies the predetermined condition,
The material supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the signal receiving unit receives a signal regarding opening the opening/closing unit. The substance supply system according to claim 3 , wherein the signal receiving unit and the signal transmitting unit are connected by a wire. The opening/closing unit is a first opening/closing unit,
the material receiving section has a second opening/closing section that is provided in the second material passage and is electrically operable between a closed state that blocks the second material passage and an open state that opens the second material passage,
The substance supply system according to claim 3 , wherein the second control unit operates the second opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the information read by the reading unit satisfies the predetermined condition. The control unit further includes an operation unit that can be operated when the control unit outputs a signal permitting the opening/closing unit to be operated from the closed state to the open state,
The substance supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the operating unit is operated. The information relating to the identification of the substance container includes information about a substance contained in the substance container;
2. The substance supply system according to claim 1, wherein the substance information stored in the storage unit is rewritable. The information relating to the identity of the substance container includes information relating to a business entity that manufactured the substance container;
2. The material supply system according to claim 1, wherein the information about the business entity stored in the memory unit is non-rewritable. 2. The material supply system according to claim 1, wherein the material contained in the material container is a hydrogen carrier that generates hydrogen when a liquid containing water is added thereto. The substance supply system according to claim 9 , wherein the hydrogen carrier is a solid. 11. The material supply system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the material receiving unit is a hydrogen generating device that generates hydrogen by adding a liquid containing water to the hydrogen carrier supplied from the material container. A substance supply system including a substance container in which a substance is stored, and a substance supply unit connected to the substance container and supplying a substance to the substance container,
The substance container comprises:
A first container in which a substance is contained;
a first substance passage that connects the first container with the outside and through which a substance passes;
an opening/closing unit provided in the first substance passage and electrically operable between a closed state for blocking the first substance passage and an open state for opening the first substance passage;
a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from an external source and supplying the power to the opening/closing unit;
A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing unit;
A storage unit in which information relating to the identification of the substance container is stored,
The material supply unit includes:
a second container in which a substance is contained;
a second substance passage that connects the second container with the outside, through which a substance passes, and that is connected to the first substance passage;
a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the power receiving unit;
A reading unit capable of reading information from the storage unit,
The control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state, or issues a signal to permit the opening/closing unit to be operated from the closed state to the open state, when the substance container is connected to the substance supply unit and information read by the reading unit and stored in the memory unit satisfies a predetermined condition. The substance supply system according to claim 12 , wherein the memory unit and the reading unit are wirelessly connected. The control unit is a first control unit,
The substance container has a signal receiving unit capable of receiving a signal,
the substance supply unit has a signal transmission unit capable of transmitting a signal to the signal receiving unit, and a second control unit that causes the signal transmission unit to transmit a signal related to opening and closing the opening/closing unit when the information read by the reading unit satisfies the predetermined condition,
The material supply system according to claim 12, characterized in that the first control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the signal receiving unit receives a signal regarding opening the opening/closing unit. The substance supply system according to claim 14 , wherein the signal receiving unit and the signal transmitting unit are connected by a wire. The opening/closing unit is a first opening/closing unit,
the substance supply unit has a second opening/closing unit that is provided in the second substance passage and is electrically operable between a closed state in which the second substance passage is blocked and an open state in which the second substance passage is opened;
The substance supply system according to claim 14 , wherein the second control unit operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state when the information read by the reading unit satisfies the predetermined condition. The information relating to the identification of the substance container includes information about a substance contained in the substance container;
The substance supply system according to claim 12 , wherein the substance information stored in the storage unit is rewritable. The information relating to the identity of the substance container includes information relating to a business entity that manufactured the substance container;
The material supply system according to claim 12, characterized in that the information about the business entity stored in the memory unit is non-rewritable. 13. The material supply system according to claim 12, wherein the material contained in the material supply unit is a hydrogen carrier that generates hydrogen when a liquid containing water is applied thereto. 20. The material supply system of claim 19, wherein the hydrogen carrier is a solid. The material supply system according to claim 12, wherein the material contained in the material supply unit is a by-product produced when hydrogen is generated by applying a liquid containing water to a hydrogen carrier. A substance container in which a substance is contained,
A container in which a substance is contained;
A substance passage that connects the storage portion with the outside and through which a substance passes;
An opening/closing unit that is provided in the substance passage and is electrically operable between a closed state that blocks the substance passage and an open state that opens the substance passage;
a power receiving unit capable of receiving power from an external source and supplying the power to the opening/closing unit;
A control unit that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing unit;
A storage unit in which information regarding the identification of the substance container is stored and the information can be read from an external device,
The control unit is characterized in that, when information stored in the memory unit read from the outside satisfies a predetermined condition, it operates the opening/closing unit from the closed state to the open state, or issues a signal to permit the opening/closing unit to operate from the closed state to the open state.

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