A modular solid-state hydrogen storage tank based on a hierarchical structure

Abstract

This invention discloses a modular solid-state hydrogen storage tank based on a hierarchical structure, comprising a tank body including an outer tank body and multiple inner tank bodies. The inner tank bodies are installed inside the outer tank body, and are connected to the outer tank body via a sliding groove. Each inner tank body includes an inner tank wall and an alloy powder chamber. The alloy powder chamber is composed of the inner tank wall, metal heat-conducting fins, and a hydrogen passage pipe wall. The hydrogen passage pipe wall is located at the center of the inner tank body, and its upper end is threadedly connected to a threaded hole in a top cover plate. The top cover plate is located at the upper end of the inner tank body. This invention facilitates the filling and transportation of powder materials; simultaneously, it solves the problem of powder displacement caused by pulverization during hydrogen absorption and desorption expansion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of solid-state hydrogen storage technology, and in particular to a modular solid-state hydrogen storage tank based on a hierarchical structure. Background Technology

[0002] With the progress of modern society and economic development, the demand for energy is increasing day by day. Traditional fossil fuels, represented by oil, coal, and natural gas, are non-renewable energy sources and face the dilemma of gradual depletion. Hydrogen energy, due to its high calorific value, zero emissions, and ability to serve as a carrier for high-density energy storage, offers a solution. Solid-state hydrogen storage materials, represented by metal hydrides, not only generate heat when absorbing or releasing hydrogen but also undergo expansion and contraction. The stress can impact the internal structure of the tank. Therefore, if the hydrogen storage material is not uniformly distributed, stress concentration can damage the internal structure of the tank. Technically, there are already various solid-state hydrogen storage solutions available.

[0003] For example, a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank (CN105387341A) uses a support frame and porous metal as partitions. The tank needs to be filled layer by layer. The bottom-up filling method results in low filling efficiency, which affects large-scale production. The tank has no special heat exchange structure. The heat exchange channel between the hydrogen storage alloy powder and the outside world is only through the self-heat exchange of the powder bed, which results in low heat exchange efficiency.

[0004] The hydrogen storage device (CN100549492C) adopts a dense honeycomb structure for heat conduction and powder flow. However, the honeycomb structure has an obstructive effect on the filling of alloy powder, resulting in low filling efficiency and high structural cost. Barrier components need to be added between the double honeycomb structures to prevent powder flow. In actual tank filling, it is necessary to fill in layers and gradually, which affects the filling efficiency.

[0005] A solid-state hydrogen storage device (CN111188988B) and a hydrogen storage tank (CN114440122A) with high heat exchange characteristics use an open-top cavity as a single hydrogen storage unit. This requires additional structural components inside the tank for support (snap-fitting and support structures, increasing the difficulty of manufacturing the hydrogen storage tank); the presence of the support structure between the outer wall of the tank and the inner cavity wastes the effective volume of the tank and affects the heat exchange efficiency inside the tank; the open-top cavity requires a high powder filling rate, and the alloy expansion and powdering can easily overflow the cavity, causing powder loss and accumulation, resulting in powder flow and direct action on the gaps, causing stress concentration.

[0006] The technical objective of this invention is to design a modular solid hydrogen storage tank based on a hierarchical structure to solve the aforementioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a modular solid-state hydrogen storage tank based on a hierarchical structure to solve the problems mentioned in the background art. The hierarchical structure design divides the tank into two stages: a daughter tank for powder filling and enhanced heat exchange, and a mother tank for pressure bearing. During assembly, the two stages are slightly squeezed to form a tight fit, ensuring a continuous heat exchange path and preventing powder leakage into gaps. The independent hierarchical structure facilitates tank processing and hydrogen storage alloy powder filling, improving tank filling efficiency and reducing tank processing costs.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] A modular solid-state hydrogen storage tank based on a hierarchical structure includes a tank body comprising an outer tank body and multiple inner tank bodies. The inner tank bodies are installed inside the outer tank body and connected to the outer tank body via a sliding body. Each inner tank body includes an inner tank wall and multiple alloy powder chambers. The alloy powder chambers are composed of the inner tank wall, metal heat-conducting fins, and hydrogen passage pipes. The hydrogen passage pipes are located at the center of the inner tank body, and their upper ends are threadedly connected to threaded holes in an upper cover plate. The upper cover plate is located at the upper end of the inner tank body, and the multiple metal heat-conducting fins are connected to the wall of the hydrogen passage pipe.

[0010] Preferably, the multiple inner tanks are connected by a series of threads along the direction of the outer tank, and the multiple inner tanks are connected and linked by a hydrogen passage pipe.

[0011] Preferably, the inner tank is installed inside the outer tank, and a gap of 0.45-1.5mm is provided between the inner tank and the outer tank.

[0012] Preferably, the inner tank is a semi-closed structure, the hydrogen passage pipe is connected to the alloy powder chamber, and the upper cover plate is sealed to multiple alloy powder chambers.

[0013] Preferably, each inner tank is an independent structure, and at least one inner tank can be placed inside the outer tank.

[0014] Preferably, the assembly stage between each of the inner tanks is achieved by extrusion.

[0015] Preferably, the outer wall of the hydrogen passage pipe is provided with a plurality of wall grooves, the wall grooves being slidably connected to the metal heat-conducting fins, and the inner wall of the inner tank is provided with an inner wall sliding groove, the inner wall sliding groove being slidably connected to the metal heat-conducting fins.

[0016] Preferably, the inner wall groove is provided with a plurality of fixing teeth, the fixing teeth are slidably connected to a sliding cross post at one end of the metal heat-conducting fin, the sliding cross post is connected to the metal heat-conducting fin, the sliding cross post is inserted into the fixing teeth from top to bottom, and the other end of the metal heat-conducting fin is inserted into the wall groove.

[0017] Preferably, the length of the metal heat-conducting fins is greater than the distance between the hydrogen passage pipe and the inner tank.

[0018] Preferably, the sliding body is symmetrically arranged on the inner wall of the outer tank. The sliding body includes a sliding block and a sliding seat. The sliding seat is arranged on the inner wall of the outer tank, and the sliding block is slidably connected to the sliding seat. The sliding block is in the shape of a "┣".

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0020] (1) The hierarchical structure design is adopted, which divides the tank into two levels: the sub-tank is used for powder filling and heat exchange enhancement, and the mother tank is used for pressure bearing; the two-level structure forms a compression fit through slight extrusion during the assembly stage, so that the heat exchange path is continuous and powder is prevented from leaking into the gaps.

[0021] (2) The graded structures are independent of each other, which facilitates tank processing and hydrogen storage alloy powder filling, improves tank filling efficiency and reduces tank processing cost;

[0022] (3) The neutron tank in the graded structure adopts a semi-closed design: except for the central through hole for gas exchange, the rest adopts a closed design. The top cover is fixed with threads, which facilitates the filling and transportation of powder. At the same time, the problem of powder displacement caused by powder pulverization during hydrogen absorption and desorption expansion is also solved.

[0023] (4) The sub-tank is equipped with a heat exchange fin structure. The number of the structure can be increased or decreased according to the actual powder filling amount and heat conduction requirements to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the powder bed.

[0024] (5) The sub-tank can be processed and filled independently of the mother tank. For tanks with different specifications, the sub-tank can be used as a separate module. By changing the size of the mother tank, a single module can be stacked to meet the needs of different hydrogen storage scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the modular solid-state hydrogen storage tank based on the hierarchical structure of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the inner tank structure of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of the fixed tooth structure of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding body structure principle of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen passage pipe wall groove structure of the present invention.

[0030] Reference numerals: 1. Tank body, 2. Outer tank body, 3. Inner tank body, 4. Sliding body, 5. Inner tank wall, 6. Alloy powder chamber, 7. Metal heat-conducting fins, 8. Hydrogen passage pipe, 9. Top cover plate, 10. Wall groove, 11. Inner wall sliding groove, 12. Fixed tooth, 13. Sliding crossbar, 14. Sliding block, 15. Sliding seat. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provides a detailed account of specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] A modular solid-state hydrogen storage tank based on a hierarchical structure includes a tank body 1, which includes an outer tank body 2 and multiple inner tank bodies 3. The inner tank bodies 3 are installed inside the outer tank body 2, and the inner tank bodies 3 are connected to the outer tank body 2 by a sliding body 4. The inner tank body 3 includes an inner tank body wall 5 and multiple alloy powder chambers 6. The alloy powder chambers 6 are composed of the inner tank body wall 5, metal heat-conducting fins 7, and hydrogen passage pipes 8. The hydrogen passage pipes 8 are located at the center of the inner tank body 6, and the upper end of the hydrogen passage pipes 8 is threadedly connected to a threaded hole in an upper cover plate 9. The upper cover plate 9 is located at the upper end of the inner tank body 3, and the multiple metal heat-conducting fins 7 are connected to the pipe wall of the hydrogen passage pipes 8.

[0033] The independent hierarchical structure facilitates tank processing and hydrogen storage alloy powder filling, improves tank filling efficiency, and reduces tank processing costs. The hierarchical structure design divides the tank into two levels: the inner tank (daughter tank) is used for powder filling and heat exchange enhancement, while the outer tank (mother tank) is used for pressure bearing. The two levels are fitted together by slight compression during assembly, ensuring a continuous heat exchange path and preventing powder leakage into gaps.

[0034] The multiple inner tanks 3 are connected in stages along the direction of the outer tank 2 by threads, and the multiple inner tanks 3 are connected and connected by hydrogen passage pipes 8; the sub-tanks in the staged structure adopt a semi-closed design: except for the central through hole for gas exchange, the rest are all closed, and the top cover is fixed by threads, which facilitates the filling and transportation of powder; at the same time, the problem of powder displacement caused by pulverization during the expansion of powder by absorbing and releasing hydrogen is also solved.

[0035] The inner tank 3 is installed inside the outer tank 2, and a gap of 0.45-1.5mm is provided between the inner tank 3 and the outer tank 2.

[0036] The inner tank 3 is a semi-closed structure, the hydrogen passage pipe 8 is connected to the alloy powder chamber 6, and the upper cover plate 9 is sealed to multiple alloy powder chambers 6.

[0037] Each inner tank 3 is an independent structure, and the outer tank 2 can hold at least one inner tank 3. The sub-tank can be processed and filled independently of the mother tank. For tanks with different specifications, the sub-tank can be used as a separate module. By changing the size of the mother tank, a single module can be stacked to meet the needs of different hydrogen storage scenarios.

[0038] The assembly stage between each of the inner tanks 3 is achieved by extrusion connection.

[0039] The outer wall of the hydrogen passage pipe 9 is provided with a plurality of wall grooves 10, which are slidably connected to the metal heat-conducting fins 7. The inner wall of the inner tank 3 is provided with an inner wall sliding groove 11, which is slidably connected to the metal heat-conducting fins 7.

[0040] The inner wall groove 11 is provided with a plurality of fixing teeth 12. The fixing teeth 12 are slidably connected to one end of the sliding cross post 13 of the metal heat-conducting fin 7. The sliding cross post 13 is connected to the metal heat-conducting fin 7. The sliding cross post 13 is inserted into the fixing teeth 12 from top to bottom. The other end of the metal heat-conducting fin 7 is inserted into the wall groove 10.

[0041] The length of the metal heat-conducting fins 7 is greater than the distance between the hydrogen passage pipe 9 and the inner tank 3; the sub-tank is equipped with a heat exchange fin structure, the number of which can be increased or decreased according to the actual powder filling amount and heat conduction requirements to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the powder bed. The length of the heat exchange fins is greater than the inner diameter of the inner tank 3. This is mainly because when heat diffusion occurs, the pressure in the inner tank 3 is too high. To ensure the safety of the tank, the metal heat-conducting fins 7 are designed in an arched shape within the alloy powder chamber 6. During the heat release process, the arched shape is compressed by pressure to move forward. During the forward movement, the sliding crossbar moves within multiple fixed teeth to consume the pressure generated by the heat. After the heat is consumed, it returns to its original position, thus solving the pressure impact of heat expansion on the tank.

[0042] The sliding body 4 is symmetrically arranged on the inner wall of the outer tank 2. The sliding body 4 includes a sliding block 14 and a sliding seat 15. The sliding seat 15 is arranged on the inner wall of the outer tank 2, and the sliding block 14 is slidably connected to the sliding seat 15. The sliding block 14 is in the shape of a "┣". Through the design of the "┣" shape, during the installation of multiple inner tanks 3, the downward movement of the sliding block can drive each inner tank to be squeezed downward, thereby achieving compaction of each tank and ensuring that there are no gaps in the alloy powder. This achieves the sealing performance of the top cover plate except for the hydrogen gas pipe, and the compression is more thorough. At the same time, the problem of powder displacement caused by pulverization during hydrogen absorption and desorption expansion is also solved.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and substitutions without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and substitutions are all considered to be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular solid state hydrogen storage tank based on a hierarchical structure comprising a tank, characterized in that, The tank body includes an outer tank body and a plurality of inner tank bodies, the inner tank bodies are installed in the outer tank body, the inner tank bodies and the outer tank body are connected through sliding bodies, the inner tank body includes an inner tank body wall and a plurality of alloy powder chambers, the alloy powder chamber is composed of an inner tank body wall, a metal heat-conducting fin and a hydrogen passage pipe, the hydrogen passage pipe is arranged at the center position of the inner tank body, the upper end of the hydrogen passage pipe is threadedly connected with a threaded hole of an upper cover plate, the upper cover plate is arranged at the upper end of the inner tank body, a plurality of metal heat-conducting fins are connected with the pipe wall of the hydrogen passage pipe; A plurality of inner tank bodies are connected through the hydrogen passage pipe in the direction of the outer tank body; A plurality of wall grooves are arranged on the outer wall of the hydrogen passage pipe, the wall grooves are slidably connected with the metal heat-conducting fins, an inner wall sliding groove is arranged on the inner wall of the inner tank body, the inner wall sliding groove is slidably connected with the metal heat-conducting fin; A plurality of fixed teeth are arranged on the inner wall sliding groove, the fixed teeth are slidably connected with one end of the metal heat-conducting fin through a sliding horizontal column, the sliding horizontal column is connected to the metal heat-conducting fin, the sliding horizontal column is inserted into the fixed teeth from top to bottom, the other end of the metal heat-conducting fin is inserted into the wall groove; The length of the metal heat-conducting fin is greater than the distance between the hydrogen passage pipe and the inner tank body.

2. The modular solid state hydrogen storage tank based on hierarchical structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner tank body is installed in the outer tank body, a gap is arranged between the inner tank body and the outer tank body, the gap between the inner tank body and the outer tank body is 0.45-1.5mm.

3. The modular solid state hydrogen storage tank based on hierarchical structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner tank body is a semi-closed structure, the hydrogen passage pipe is connected with the alloy powder chamber, the upper cover plate is connected with a plurality of alloy powder chambers.

4. The modular solid state hydrogen storage tank based on hierarchical structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each inner tank body is an independent structure, and no less than one inner tank body can be placed in the outer tank body.

5. The modular solid state hydrogen storage tank based on hierarchical structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The assembly stage between each inner tank body is connected through extrusion.

6. The modular solid state hydrogen storage tank based on hierarchical structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding bodies are symmetrically arranged on the inner wall of the outer tank body, the sliding bodies include sliding blocks and sliding seats, the sliding seats are arranged on the inner wall of the outer tank body, the sliding blocks are slidably connected with the sliding seats, and the sliding block is in the shape of "┣".

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