JPS57179533A - Production of heat source - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a highly efficient heat source by a method wherein a heat radiating-heat adsorbing cycle is formed by combining more than three kinds of metal hydrides having different hydrogen equilibrium pressure characteristics. CONSTITUTION:Three kinds of metal hydrides M1H, M1'H and M1''H are put into pressure resistant vessels 1-3 to the full, respectively, through valves 8-10 and valves 5-7 are provided in pipes connecting the vessels 1-3 to one another. In operation, only valves 5 and 8 are operated first and the metal hydride M1''H which has the lowest hydrogen equilibrium pressure is pyrolyzed. Then the resultant hydrogen is introduced into the vessel 1 so as to make the hydrogen react thermally against the metal hydride M1H having the highest hydrogen equilibrium pressure to thereby supply heat to a service system 11. After the termination of the above mentioned reaction, the valves 6 and 9 are opened after the valves 5 and 8 are closed and the metal hydride M1'H is subjected to a thermal reaction in the vessel 2 to thereby supply heat to another service system 12. Further, after the termination of the above mentioned thermal reaction, the valves 7 and 10 are opened after the valves 6 and 9 are closed and the metal hydride M1''H is subjected to a thermal reaction in the vessel 3 to thereby supply heat to a still another service system 13.