Hydrogen storage and purification device and hydrogen storage method thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of hydrogen storage technology, specifically to a hydrogen storage and purification device and its hydrogen storage method. The device includes a tank and multiple elastic tubes. A hydrogen inlet unit is installed inside the tank, and an impurity gas outlet is located at the top of the tank. The hydrogen inlet unit is opposite to the impurity gas outlet, and its inlet end extends to the outside of the tank. The multiple elastic tubes are arranged in the same direction as the hydrogen inlet unit. By installing multiple elastic tubes in the tank, and filling the outside of the elastic tubes with hydrogen storage alloy material during use, the expansion of the hydrogen storage alloy material during hydrogen storage is offset by compressing the elastic tubes. This reduces the lateral compressive force on the tank during expansion, improves the tank's service life, and enhances the safety and reliability of hydrogen storage, meeting practical application requirements. During hydrogen storage, impurity gas is discharged through the impurity gas outlet, increasing the purity of the hydrogen inside the tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydrogen storage technology, specifically to a hydrogen storage and purification device and a hydrogen storage method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, hydrogen demand is mainly driven by the chemical industry. However, with the rapid development of fuel cell and hydrogen storage and transportation technologies in the future, demand from the transportation sector will increase significantly. The demand for high-quality hydrogen is growing rapidly, making the efficient and low-cost acquisition of high-quality hydrogen a crucial factor.

[0003] Currently, the main methods for hydrogen purification include pressure swing adsorption (PSA), cryogenic separation and purification, membrane separation, and metal hydride separation and purification (MHHP). Among these, PSA systems have low safety and are difficult to target for impurity removal.

[0004] Cryogenic separation technology is energy-intensive, requires pretreatment of the feed gas, and results in low product purity. Membrane separation technology is costly, has a small processing capacity, and low recovery rate. Due to the limitations of PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption), cryogenic separation, and membrane separation technologies, metal hydride separation and purification technology (MHHP) has gained widespread attention. It achieves the separation and purification of hydrogen-containing gases through the selective adsorption and desorption of hydrogen using hydrogen storage alloy materials. MHHP, with its mild operating conditions, high hydrogen purity, high recovery rate, and ability to simultaneously purify and store hydrogen, is an important means for large-scale purification and production of high-purity hydrogen in the future.

[0005] However, the hydrogen absorption and desorption process of hydrogen storage alloy materials is a strongly endothermic process. The materials themselves have poor thermal conductivity, resulting in a slow hydrogen absorption and desorption rate. At the same time, during the hydrogen absorption and desorption process, hydrogen atoms continuously enter and exit the alloy lattice, causing repeated expansion and contraction of the lattice. The device is constantly subjected to alternating loads, and after multiple cycles, the hydrogen storage alloy material will pulverize, generating localized stress and leading to device deformation and failure.

[0006] For example, Chinese invention patent application CN109780434B discloses a device with a stress buffer structure, which divides the internal space of the tank into multiple elastic spaces by using a partition. However, this method is only suitable for small devices. When the outer diameter of the device is large, it cannot effectively solve the problem of lateral stress concentration. Therefore, when storing hydrogen in large-sized tanks, there is still the problem of excessive deformation of the tank, which leads to a reduction in the tank's lifespan and a decrease in the safety and reliability of hydrogen storage, and it cannot meet the actual use requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a hydrogen storage and purification device and a hydrogen storage method thereof, which solves the problem that the hydrogen storage device is prone to deformation due to the shrinkage and expansion of the hydrogen storage alloy material during use.

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

[0009] A hydrogen storage and purification device includes a tank and multiple flexible tubes. A hydrogen inlet unit is provided inside the tank. An impurity gas outlet is provided at the top of the tank. The hydrogen inlet unit is opposite to the impurity gas outlet. The inlet end of the hydrogen inlet unit extends to the outside of the tank. The multiple flexible tubes are arranged in the same direction as the hydrogen inlet unit.

[0010] Further defined, the hydrogen intake unit includes an intake main pipe and an intake port. The intake main pipe is arranged along the axis of the tank body, and the intake port is located on the outside of the tank body. The intake port is connected to the bottom end of the intake main pipe, and a plurality of the elastic tubes are arranged at intervals around the axis of the intake main pipe.

[0011] Further specifying, the hydrogen intake unit also includes an intake sub-pipe and an intake manifold connected to the intake port. The intake manifold is located inside the tank. Both the main intake pipe and the intake sub-pipe are connected to the intake manifold. There are multiple intake sub-pipes, which are spaced apart around the axis of the main intake pipe. The elastic tube is spaced apart from the intake sub-pipes.

[0012] Furthermore, both the main intake pipe and the secondary intake pipe are provided with multiple diffuser holes.

[0013] Furthermore, the hydrogen storage and purification device also includes a heat exchange unit, which includes a heat exchange inlet pipe, a tube heat exchange outlet pipe, and multiple heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange inlet pipe is connected to the tube heat exchange outlet pipe through the multiple heat exchange tubes. The multiple heat exchange tubes are arranged at equal intervals around the axis of the main inlet pipe inside the tank. The elastic tube and the secondary inlet pipe are both located between the heat exchange tubes.

[0014] Further defined, the plurality of heat exchange tubes include a plurality of first heat exchange tubes and a plurality of second heat exchange tubes, the first heat exchange tubes being located outside the second heat exchange tubes, and the elastic tube and the inlet auxiliary tube being located between the plurality of second heat exchange tubes and the plurality of first heat exchange tubes.

[0015] Further specifying, the heat exchange unit also includes a plurality of first heat exchange fins and a plurality of second heat exchange fins, wherein the first heat exchange fins are disposed between the intake sub-pipe and the first heat exchange tube, and the second heat exchange fins are disposed between the intake sub-pipe and the second heat exchange tube; the plurality of first heat exchange fins and the plurality of second heat exchange fins are all arranged vertically at intervals along the axis of the intake main pipe.

[0016] Further specified, the first heat exchange fins and the second heat exchange fins are staggered in the vertical direction.

[0017] Further specified, the tank body is provided with a loading and unloading port at the bottom, the impurity gas outlet is provided with a back pressure valve, the impurity gas outlet is connected to the top of the tank body through a sealing flange, and a sealing head is provided inside the tank body, the sealing head being located between the loading and unloading port and the main gas inlet.

[0018] A method for disassembling and assembling a hydrogen storage and purification device, based on the aforementioned hydrogen storage and purification device, wherein the hydrogen storage method of the hydrogen storage and purification device includes the following steps:

[0019] Prepare the tank, connect the outlet of the impurity gas to the end of the tank through the sealing flange, and set the operating pressure of the back pressure valve.

[0020] Open the loading and unloading port, and install the elastic tube, hydrogen inlet unit and heat exchange unit in the tank through the loading and unloading port. Then, load the hydrogen storage alloy material into the tank through the loading and unloading port. Support the hydrogen storage alloy material through the first heat exchange fin and the second heat exchange fin. After the loading is completed, close the loading and unloading port through the sealing head.

[0021] The low-temperature heat exchange medium is connected to the heat exchange unit, and the low-temperature heat exchange medium cools the hydrogen storage alloy material in the tank through the heat exchange tube, the first heat exchange fin and the second heat exchange fin.

[0022] Connect the hydrogen source to the hydrogen intake unit. The hydrogen diffuses upwards from the bottom of the hydrogen storage alloy material through the intake manifold, along the main intake pipe and the secondary intake pipe, until hydrogen storage is complete. After storing hydrogen, the hydrogen storage alloy material is squeezed to provide expansion space for the elastic tube.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0024] 1. This invention incorporates multiple elastic tubes within the tank. During use, hydrogen storage alloy material is filled onto the outer side of these elastic tubes. This allows the expansion of the hydrogen storage alloy material during hydrogen storage to be offset by compressing the elastic tubes, thereby reducing the lateral compressive force on the tank during expansion, improving the tank's service life, and enhancing the safety and reliability of hydrogen storage, thus meeting practical application requirements. Simultaneously, during hydrogen storage, impurity gases are discharged through the impurity gas outlet, increasing the purity of the hydrogen within the tank.

[0025] 2. This invention, by setting up a main intake pipe and a secondary intake pipe, and opening diffusion holes on the main intake pipe and the secondary intake pipe, allows hydrogen to diffuse uniformly from bottom to top in the hydrogen storage alloy material inside the tank. On the one hand, this reduces the hydrogen permeation distance, increases the hydrogen partial pressure, and improves the hydrogen absorption and desorption rate of the hydrogen storage alloy material, thereby improving the hydrogen storage efficiency. On the other hand, hydrogen is introduced from the bottom of the tank, causing the hydrogen storage alloy material at the bottom to react and expand first when in contact with the hydrogen. This effectively avoids the situation where small hydrogen storage alloy material particles that have not yet reacted are crushed by large particles that have already absorbed hydrogen and expanded under the influence of gravity, thus ensuring the stability and reliability of hydrogen storage.

[0026] 3. This invention increases the contact area between the heat exchange unit and the hydrogen storage alloy material by connecting both the first and second heat exchange fins to the heat exchange tube, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency and further enhancing hydrogen absorption and desorption efficiency. Simultaneously, the first and second heat exchange fins provide support for the hydrogen storage alloy material, preventing the pulverized alloy from accumulating at the bottom of the tank and creating a self-compacting effect. This avoids pulverization and deposition of the alloy, provides compression space, and reduces internal expansion stress after multiple hydrogen absorption and desorption cycles, effectively improving heat exchange performance, reducing manufacturing costs, and extending equipment lifespan. It also improves hydrogen storage reliability by staggering the first and second heat exchange fins vertically, reducing gas flow resistance within the tank.

[0027] 4. This invention ensures uniform distribution of the hydrogen storage alloy material within the tank and on the transverse fins by tilting the feeding device. The transverse fins support the hydrogen storage alloy material and enhance heat transfer, reducing stress concentration after multiple cycles and improving the hydrogen absorption and desorption reaction kinetics of the hydrogen storage alloy material. In addition, the inserted rubber tube is compressed as the hydrogen storage alloy expands, reducing the compressive stress on the tank. This invention not only achieves a faster hydrogen absorption and desorption rate but also reduces stress concentration inside the tank, alleviates the self-compacting effect caused by the pulverization of the hydrogen storage alloy material after multiple cycles, and improves the service life and safety performance of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the hydrogen storage and purification device of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the tank body of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first heat exchange fin structure of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second heat exchange fin structure of the present invention;

[0032] In the diagram: 10-Tank body; 11-Impurity gas outlet; 12-Back pressure valve; 13-Sealing flange; 14-Sealing head; 20-Elastic tube; 30-Hydrogen inlet unit; 31-Main inlet pipe; 32-Inlet port; 33-Sub-inlet pipe; 34-Inlet manifold; 35-Gas pressure regulating device; 40-Heat exchange unit; 41-Heat exchange inlet pipe; 42-Heat exchange outlet pipe; 43-Heat exchange tube; 44-First heat exchange fin; 45-Second heat exchange fin; 46-Bottom manifold of heat exchange tube; 47-Top manifold of heat exchange tube; 50-Loading / unloading port; 60-First heat exchange tube connection hole; 61-Second heat exchange tube connection hole; 62-Sub-inlet pipe connection hole; 63-Elastic tube connection hole; 70-Awl support; a-First heat exchange tube; b-Second heat exchange tube. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] refer to Figure 1 This embodiment provides a hydrogen storage and purification device, including a tank 10 and multiple elastic tubes 20. A lug-type support 70 is optionally provided on the outside of the tank 10 to facilitate support during placement. The tank 10 can be made of 304 stainless steel, with a length of 3400mm, an outer diameter of 310mm, and a wall thickness of 30mm, forming a tubular structure. The yield stress of the tank 10 is 200MPa. The elastic tubes 20 can be made of elastic silicone rubber tubing. Multiple elastic tubes 20 are arranged along the axis of the tank 10 inside the tank 10. During use, the tank 10 needs to be filled with... The hydrogen storage alloy material fills the outer periphery of all the elastic tubes 20. When the hydrogen storage alloy material absorbs hydrogen and expands, it can compress the elastic tubes 20 in the lateral direction, thereby avoiding deformation of the tank 10 caused by the lateral compression of the hydrogen storage alloy material. The length of the elastic tube 20 can be selected as 3000mm, the outer diameter can be selected as 10mm, the wall thickness can be selected as 1mm, and the number can be selected as eight. The elastic tubes 20 can still recover after withstanding more than 1000 cycles of compression, and can maintain their physicochemical properties at 200℃.

[0036] The tank 10 has an impurity gas outlet 11 at the top, and a back pressure valve 12 is installed on the impurity gas outlet 11 to ensure that the partial pressure of hydrogen in the device reaches a preset value. The tank 10 is also equipped with a hydrogen inlet unit 30. The inlet end of the hydrogen inlet unit 30 extends from the inside of the tank 10 to the outside of the tank 10. When storing hydrogen, the hydrogen is connected to the inlet end of the hydrogen inlet unit 30, and the hydrogen can be stored in the hydrogen storage alloy material in the tank 10 through the hydrogen inlet unit 30. At the same time, it can also ensure that the tank 10 is stable and does not deform, thereby achieving the safe and reliable hydrogen storage requirements.

[0037] Further explanation: The hydrogen intake unit 30 includes an intake main pipe 31 and an intake port 32. The intake main pipe 31 is preferably arranged along the axis of the tank 10 to ensure more uniform hydrogen diffusion. The intake port 32 is connected to one end of the intake main pipe 31, extending through the tank 10 to the outside of the tank 10. Preferably, the intake port 32 is connected to the bottom end of the intake main pipe 31. The intake main pipe 31 can be made of stainless steel. The length of the intake main pipe 31 is less than the length of the tank 10, for example, 1200 mm. The outer diameter of the intake main pipe 31 can be 27 mm, and the wall thickness is 2 mm. The intake main pipe 31 has openings... Multiple diffusion holes, with a pore size of 0.5–1 μm, allow hydrogen to be stored layer by layer in the hydrogen storage alloy material from bottom to top. This also prevents the hydrogen storage alloy material from clogging the diffusion holes or entering the main gas inlet pipe 31. The bottom-up hydrogen intake ensures that the hydrogen storage alloy material at the bottom reacts and expands first, effectively preventing small alloy particles that have not yet reacted from being crushed by larger particles that have absorbed hydrogen and expanded under the influence of gravity. The multiple diffusion holes also allow the hydrogen-containing gas to diffuse evenly inside the tank, reducing the hydrogen permeation distance, increasing the hydrogen partial pressure, and improving the hydrogen absorption and desorption rate of the hydrogen storage alloy material.

[0038] The length of the intake pipe 31 is less than the height of the hydrogen storage alloy material to prevent hydrogen from being discharged directly through the impurity gas outlet 11 without fully and effectively reacting with the hydrogen storage alloy material, thus reducing the hydrogen recovery efficiency.

[0039] At this time, multiple elastic tubes 20 are arranged at intervals around the main inlet pipe 31 to ensure that the compression of the elastic tubes 20 by the hydrogen storage alloy material is more uniform, the tank 10 is subjected to uniform force, and its service life is improved. In actual use, it is necessary to ensure that the height of the elastic tubes 20 is higher than the filling height of the hydrogen storage alloy material. The filling height of the hydrogen storage alloy material can be selected as 1500mm, which is lower than the height of the elastic tubes 20. The purpose is to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy material from entering the elastic tubes 20 and reducing the performance of the elastic tubes 20. At the same time, it can also ensure that when the hydrogen storage alloy material expands after hydrogen storage, there is a space for deformation of the hydrogen storage alloy material in the length direction of the tank 10, which improves the safety of hydrogen storage and avoids stress concentration.

[0040] After hydrogen is injected into the tank 10 through the hydrogen inlet unit 30, the operating pressure of the back pressure valve 12 is set to ensure the gas pressure inside the tank 10. At the same time, when the internal pressure of the tank 10 increases, the impurity gas inside the tank 10 is discharged from the tank 10 through the impurity gas outlet 11, thereby purifying the hydrogen inside the tank 10.

[0041] Among them, hydrogen storage alloy materials can be selected from rare earth-based AB5 type and its derivatives, titanium-based AB type and its derivatives, titanium-based AB2 type and its derivatives, magnesium-based alloys and their derivatives, or zirconium-based solid solutions and their derivatives, etc.; for example, a hydrogen storage alloy material can be selected from LaNi4.7Al0.3 after surface fluorination treatment. This material has strong resistance to impurity poisoning and good cycle performance; its density is 8400 kg / m³. 3 The test temperature was 373K, the test pressure was 2MPa, the mass hydrogen storage density was 1.4wt%, and when the filling amount was 200kg and the filling porosity was 50%, the hydrogen storage capacity was 2.8kg.

[0042] Experiments show that when the tank 10 is made of 304 stainless steel, with an inner diameter of 250mm and a wall thickness of 30mm, it will break when the internal pressure of the tank 10 is greater than 45MPa. When the tank 10 of this size is used as the above-mentioned hydrogen storage and purification device, its internal pressure is less than 45MPa, so that the tank 10 can avoid deformation when storing hydrogen and ensure safe use.

[0043] To further explain, the top of the tank 10 is connected to the impurity gas outlet 11 via a sealing flange 13. The bottom of the tank 10 has a loading and unloading port 50, and the tank 10 also has a sealing head 14 inside. During use, it is convenient to fill and discharge the hydrogen storage alloy material into the tank 10 through the loading and unloading port 50, and to install the elastic tube 20 and the hydrogen inlet unit 30 through the loading and unloading port 50. During use, the top of the tank 10 can be opened through the sealing flange 13 to pour out the hydrogen storage alloy material. The sealing head 14 is located at the bottom inside the tank 10 to seal the bottom of the tank 10 and prevent material leakage.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] refer to Figure 2 Unlike Embodiment 1, the hydrogen intake unit provided in this embodiment also includes an intake sub-pipe 33 and an intake manifold 34. There are multiple intake sub-pipes 33, and all multiple intake sub-pipes 33 and the main intake pipe 31 are connected to the intake port 32 through the intake manifold 34. The multiple intake sub-pipes 33 are arranged at intervals around the main intake pipe 31, so that the contact area between hydrogen and hydrogen storage alloy material is larger when hydrogen enters the tank 10, and the hydrogen storage efficiency is higher. A gas pressure regulating device 35 is set on the intake port 32 to regulate the pressure of the incoming hydrogen and achieve efficient hydrogen storage.

[0046] At this time, the intake manifold 34 can be a circular structure, and multiple intake auxiliary pipes 33 are arranged in a circle along the outer wall of the intake manifold 34. The intake main pipe 31 is located at the center of the intake manifold 34. The bottom of the intake main pipe 31 is connected to the intake manifold 34 through one, two or more branch pipes, thereby ensuring that the intake main pipe 31 and multiple intake auxiliary pipes 33 are evenly ventilated, improving hydrogen storage efficiency while maintaining uniform hydrogen storage and improving hydrogen storage quality.

[0047] Similarly, multiple diffuser holes are also provided on the intake manifold 33. The inner diameter of the diffuser holes is 0.5 to 1 μm. The materials of the intake manifold 33 and the intake manifold 34 can both be stainless steel. The difference is that the outer diameter of the intake manifold 33 is smaller than the outer diameter of the intake main pipe 31. The outer diameter of the intake manifold 33 can be 19 mm, the wall thickness is 2 mm, and the number of intake manifolds 33 can be four.

[0048] Since both the intake sub-pipe 33 and the flexible tube 20 are located on the outside of the intake main pipe 31, the distance between the intake sub-pipe 33 and the intake main pipe 31 can be less than, equal to, or greater than the distance between the flexible tube 20 and the intake main pipe 31. Preferably, the distance between the intake sub-pipe 33 and the intake main pipe 31 is equal to the distance between the flexible tube 20 and the intake main pipe 31, that is, the center of the flexible tube 20 and the center of the intake sub-pipe 33 are located on the same circular edge. The number of intake sub-pipes 33 can be four. At this time, eight flexible tubes 20 are evenly arranged between the four intake sub-pipes 33, that is, two flexible tubes 20 are arranged between two intake sub-pipes 33.

[0049] Furthermore, the hydrogen storage and purification device provided in this embodiment also includes a heat exchange unit 40, which is installed inside the tank 10. A heat exchange medium is introduced into the heat exchange unit 40 to heat or cool the hydrogen storage alloy material during hydrogen absorption and desorption, thereby improving the efficiency of hydrogen absorption and desorption and improving working efficiency.

[0050] Specifically, the heat exchange unit 40 includes a heat exchange inlet pipe 41, a heat exchange outlet pipe 42, and multiple heat exchange tubes 43. All heat exchange tubes 43 are housed within the tank body 10. The heat exchange inlet pipe 41 is connected to the top of all heat exchange tubes 43 via a top manifold 47, and the heat exchange outlet pipe 42 is connected to the bottom of all heat exchange tubes 43 via a bottom manifold 46. Both the heat exchange inlet pipe 41 and the heat exchange outlet pipe 42 are located outside the tank body 10. During use, a heat exchange medium is injected into the heat exchange inlet pipe 41. This medium passes through the tank body 10 and contacts the hydrogen storage alloy material outside the heat exchange tubes 43, thereby heating or cooling the hydrogen storage alloy material. The heat exchange medium then flows out through the heat exchange outlet pipe 42, achieving heat exchange. The heat exchange unit 40, the hydrogen inlet unit 30, and the elastic tube 20 are all located between the sealing flange 13 and the sealing head 14.

[0051] The heat exchange medium can be thermal oil, air, or water. Different hydrogen absorption and desorption temperatures can be controlled by injecting different temperatures of the heat exchange medium. The choice of heat exchange medium should also be related to the reactor size. For laboratory-scale reactors, where the operating temperature and inlet pressure are not high, water or air can be used directly as the heat exchange medium. However, for medium and large-scale reactors, thermal oil is typically used as the heat exchange medium to adapt to industrial applications. For example, THERMINOL 62 thermal oil with a density of 951.1 kg / m³ can be selected as the heat exchange medium. 3 The heat transfer coefficient is 0.1224 W / m·K, the specific heat capacity is 1.96 KJ / kg·K, and the viscosity is 17.5 mPa·s.

[0052] To further explain, the heat exchange tube 43 can be made of copper, the length of the heat exchange tube 43 can be 2500mm, the outer diameter of the heat exchange tube 43 is 19mm, the wall thickness is 3mm, and the quantity can be 36. The 36 heat exchange tubes 43 are arranged at equal intervals around the axis of the intake main pipe 31, and the heat exchange tubes 43 are located on the periphery of the intake main pipe 31.

[0053] To improve heat exchange efficiency and ensure uniform heating of the hydrogen storage alloy material, the heat exchange tubes 43 are divided into a first heat exchange tube a and a second heat exchange tube b according to their proximity to the main inlet pipe 31. The first heat exchange tube a is located outside the second heat exchange tube b. The number of first heat exchange tubes a can be selected as 24, and the number of second heat exchange tubes b can be selected as 12. The secondary inlet pipe 33 can be located between the first heat exchange tube a and the second heat exchange tube b, or between the second heat exchange tube b and the main inlet pipe 31. To ensure uniform heating of the hydrogen storage alloy material and uniform hydrogen storage, the secondary inlet pipe 33 is preferably located between the first heat exchange tube a and the second heat exchange tube b. The circle formed by the center of the first heat exchange tube a and the second heat exchange tube b, i.e., the center of the inlet auxiliary tube 33, is located outside the circle formed by the center of the second heat exchange tube b. The circle formed by the center of the first heat exchange tube a is located outside the circle formed by the center of the inlet auxiliary tube 33. The center of the inlet auxiliary tube 33 and the center of the elastic tube 20 are located on the same circle. The distance between the first heat exchange tube a and the inlet auxiliary tube 33 is equal to the distance between the inlet auxiliary tube 33 and the second heat exchange tube b, and both can be selected as 28mm. The distance between the second heat exchange tube b and the main inlet tube 31 is 50mm, thereby improving the hydrogen absorption and desorption efficiency and improving the working efficiency.

[0054] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4To further explain, in order to increase the contact area between the heat exchange unit 40 and the hydrogen storage alloy material and improve the heat exchange efficiency, the heat exchange unit 40 also includes a first heat exchange fin 44 and a second heat exchange fin 45. The first heat exchange fin 44 and the second heat exchange fin 45 are transverse fins. The first heat exchange fin 44 is welded to the first heat exchange tube a by single-sided laser continuous welding. The first heat exchange fin 44 is connected between the first heat exchange tube a and the inlet sub-pipe 33. At this time, the outer ring of the first heat exchange fin 44 has 24 openings corresponding to the 24 first heat exchange tubes a one-to-one. A first heat exchange tube connection hole 60 is used to fit the outside of the first heat exchange tube a and weld it. The inner ring of the first heat exchange fin 44 has an air inlet secondary pipe connection hole 62 that contacts the air inlet secondary pipe 33 and an elastic tube connection hole 63 that contacts the elastic tube 20. There are multiple first heat exchange fins 44. For example, the number of first heat exchange fins 44 and the number of second heat exchange fins 45 can both be selected as 20. At this time, the 20 first heat exchange fins 44 and the 20 second heat exchange fins 45 are arranged alternately at equal intervals in the vertical direction.

[0055] The second heat exchange fin 45 is installed between the intake sub-pipe 33 and the second heat exchange tube b. At this time, the outer ring of the second heat exchange fin 45 is provided with an intake sub-pipe connection hole 62 that contacts the intake sub-pipe 33 and an elastic tube connection hole 63 that contacts the elastic tube 20. The inner ring of the second heat exchange fin 45 is provided with a second heat exchange tube connection hole 61 that is welded to the second heat exchange tube b. In use, the second heat exchange tube connection hole 61 is sleeved on the outside of the second heat exchange tube b and welded. The number of second heat exchange fins 45 is also set to multiple. The multiple second heat exchange fins 45 are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction. Preferably, the second heat exchange fins 45 and the first heat exchange fins 44 are staggered, that is, the vertical distance between two adjacent second heat exchange fins 45 and the first heat exchange fins 44 located between the two second heat exchange fins 45 is 50mm.

[0056] By setting the first heat exchange fin 44 and the second heat exchange fin 45, the contact area between the heat exchange unit 40 and the hydrogen storage alloy material is increased, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency and enabling timely provision or removal of heat during hydrogen absorption and desorption. On the other hand, the first heat exchange fin 44 and the second heat exchange fin 45 provide support for the hydrogen storage alloy material, alleviating the self-compacting effect caused by the pulverization and accumulation of the hydrogen storage alloy material, reserving compression space, reducing the internal expansion stress of the device after multiple hydrogen absorption and desorption cycles, effectively improving the heat exchange effect, reducing the manufacturing cost of the equipment, and extending the service life of the equipment.

[0057] Example 3

[0058] Based on Example 2, this embodiment provides a hydrogen storage and purification device method for hydrogen storage, including the following steps:

[0059] Prepare tank 10, connect impurity gas outlet 11 to the end of tank 10 through sealing flange 13, and open back pressure valve 12 on impurity gas outlet 11.

[0060] Open the loading and unloading port 50, and install the elastic tube 20, hydrogen inlet unit 30 and heat exchange unit 40 in the tank 10 through the loading and unloading port 50. Then, load the hydrogen storage alloy material into the tank 10 through the loading and unloading port 50. After the loading is completed, close the loading and unloading port 50.

[0061] The low-temperature heat exchange medium is connected to the heat exchange unit 40, and the low-temperature heat exchange medium cools the hydrogen storage alloy material in the tank 10 through the heat exchange tube 43, the first heat exchange fin 44 and the second heat exchange fin 45.

[0062] The gas source is connected to the hydrogen inlet unit 30. Hydrogen gas diffuses from the bottom of the hydrogen storage alloy material layer by layer upwards through the inlet manifold 34 along the main inlet pipe 31 and the secondary inlet pipe 33 until hydrogen storage is completed. After the hydrogen storage alloy material stores hydrogen, the elastic tube 20 is squeezed to provide expansion space for the hydrogen storage alloy material.

[0063] First, the top manifold 47 and bottom manifold 46 of the heat exchange tubes 43 are placed inside the tank body 10. Then, the heat exchange inlet pipe 41 is connected to the top manifold 47 of the heat exchange tubes inside the tank body 10 from the outside, and the heat exchange outlet pipe 42 is connected to the bottom manifold 46 of the heat exchange tubes inside the tank body 10 from the outside. At this time, the first heat exchange fin 44 and the second heat exchange fin 45 are welded to the heat exchange tubes 43. Next, the air inlet manifold 34, which is connected to the main air inlet pipe 31 and the secondary air inlet pipe 33, is placed inside the tank body 10. Then, the air inlet port 32 is connected to the air inlet manifold 34. The secondary air inlet pipe 33 is set inside the tank body 10 along the secondary air inlet pipe connection hole 62 between the first heat exchange fin 44 and the second heat exchange fin 45. Finally, the elastic tube 20 is set inside the tank body 10 along the elastic tube connection hole 63.

[0064] In actual use, the back pressure valve 12 is set to operate at a certain pressure, and the heat exchange medium is injected into the heat exchange unit 40. The heat exchange medium is in a low-temperature state and is used to cool the hydrogen storage alloy material. The first heat exchange fin 44, the second heat exchange fin 45, the first heat exchange tube a, and the second heat exchange tube b all cool the hydrogen storage alloy material. Then, by adjusting the pressure of the gas pressure regulating device 35, hydrogen is injected into the tank 10 through the inlet 32. The hydrogen diffuses from bottom to top into the hydrogen storage alloy material through the diffusion holes on the main inlet pipe 31 and the secondary inlet pipe 33. After storing hydrogen, the hydrogen storage alloy material expands and squeezes the elastic tube 20 in the lateral direction, thereby reducing the lateral force on the tank 10. During the hydrogen storage process, the remaining impurity gases in the tank 10 are discharged through the impurity gas outlet 11. When the hydrogen storage is completed, the back pressure valve 12 is closed and hydrogen filling is stopped.

[0065] When in use, the heat exchange unit 40 replaces the heat exchange medium. At this time, the heat exchange medium is in a high temperature state and is used to heat the hydrogen storage alloy material to improve the hydrogen release efficiency. At this time, the back pressure valve 12 can be opened directly without setting, and hydrogen gas is released through the impurity gas outlet 11.

[0066] After use, the method for disassembling the hydrogen storage and purification device includes the following steps:

[0067] Emptying tank 10, heat exchange unit 40 and hydrogen inlet unit 30;

[0068] Open the loading / unloading port 50 to discharge the hydrogen storage alloy material;

[0069] After closing the loading and unloading port 50 and removing the sealing flange 13, all the remaining hydrogen storage alloy material in the tank 10 is poured out.

[0070] Remove the hydrogen inlet unit 30 and heat exchange unit 40 from the top of the tank 10.

[0071] The above are embodiments of this application. The above embodiments and specific parameters are only for clearly illustrating the verification process of the application and are not intended to limit the scope of patent protection of this application. The scope of patent protection of this application shall still be determined by its claims. Similarly, any equivalent structural changes made based on the description and drawings of this application shall also be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A hydrogen storage and purification device and a hydrogen storage method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Prepare the tank (10), connect the impurity gas outlet (11) to the end of the tank (10) through the sealing flange (13), and set the operating pressure of the back pressure valve (12); Open the loading and unloading port (50), and install the elastic tube (20), hydrogen inlet unit (30) and heat exchange unit (40) in the tank body (10) through the loading and unloading port (50). Then, load the hydrogen storage alloy material into the tank body (10) through the loading and unloading port (50). Support the hydrogen storage alloy material through the first heat exchange fin (44) and the second heat exchange fin (45). After the loading is completed, close the loading and unloading port (50) through the sealing head (14). The low-temperature heat exchange medium is connected to the heat exchange unit (40), and the low-temperature heat exchange medium cools the hydrogen storage alloy material in the tank (10) through the heat exchange tube (43), the first heat exchange fin (44), and the second heat exchange fin (45). Connect the hydrogen gas source to the hydrogen inlet unit (30). The hydrogen gas diffuses from the bottom of the hydrogen storage alloy material layer by layer upward through the inlet manifold (34) along the main inlet pipe (31) and the secondary inlet pipe (33) until the hydrogen storage is completed. After the hydrogen storage alloy material stores hydrogen, the elastic tube (20) is squeezed to provide expansion space for the hydrogen storage alloy material. The hydrogen storage and purification device corresponding to the hydrogen storage method of the hydrogen storage device includes a tank (10) and multiple elastic tubes (20). A hydrogen inlet unit (30) is provided inside the tank (10). An impurity gas outlet (11) is opened at the top of the tank (10). The hydrogen inlet unit (30) is opposite to the impurity gas outlet (11). The inlet end of the hydrogen inlet unit (30) extends to the outside of the tank (10). Multiple elastic tubes (20) are arranged in the same direction as the hydrogen inlet unit (30). Hydrogen storage alloy material is filled in the tank (10) so that the hydrogen storage alloy material fills the outer periphery of all elastic tubes (20). The height of the elastic tubes (20) is higher than the filling height of the hydrogen storage alloy material. When the hydrogen storage alloy material expands after absorbing hydrogen, it can squeeze the elastic tubes (20) in the lateral direction to avoid the deformation of the tank (10) caused by the lateral compression of the hydrogen storage alloy material. Multiple elastic tubes (20) are spaced around the main intake pipe (31) to ensure that the hydrogen storage alloy material squeezes the elastic tubes (20) more evenly and the tank body (10) is subjected to uniform force. The hydrogen storage and purification device further includes a heat exchange unit (40), which includes a heat exchange inlet pipe (41), a heat exchange outlet pipe (42), and multiple heat exchange tubes (43). The heat exchange inlet pipe (41) is connected to the heat exchange outlet pipe (42) through the multiple heat exchange tubes (43). The multiple heat exchange tubes (43) include multiple first heat exchange tubes (a) and multiple second heat exchange tubes (b). The heat exchange unit (40) also includes multiple first heat exchange fins (44) and multiple second heat exchange fins (45). The first heat exchange fins (44) are disposed in the inlet sub-pipe (33) and exchange with the first heat exchange fins. Between the tubes (a), the second heat exchange fin (45) is disposed between the intake sub-pipe (33) and the second heat exchange tube (b); multiple first heat exchange fins (44) and multiple second heat exchange fins (45) are arranged vertically at intervals along the axis of the intake main pipe (31); the first heat exchange fins (44) and the second heat exchange fins (45) can support the hydrogen storage alloy material, so that the pulverized hydrogen storage alloy material will not accumulate at the bottom of the tank (10) to generate a self-compacting effect, avoid the pulverization and deposition of the hydrogen storage alloy material, reserve compression space, and reduce the body expansion stress inside the device after multiple hydrogen absorption and desorption cycles.

2. The hydrogen storage and purification device and hydrogen storage method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen intake unit (30) includes an intake main pipe (31) and an intake port (32). The intake main pipe (31) is arranged along the axis of the tank body (10), and the intake port (32) is located on the outside of the tank body (10). The intake port (32) is connected to the bottom end of the intake main pipe (31), and a plurality of elastic tubes (20) are arranged at intervals around the axis of the intake main pipe (31).

3. The hydrogen storage and purification device and hydrogen storage method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The hydrogen intake unit (30) also includes an intake sub-pipe (33) and an intake manifold (34) connected to the intake port (32). The intake manifold (34) is located inside the tank (10). The main intake pipe (31) and the intake sub-pipe (33) are both connected to the intake manifold (34). There are multiple intake sub-pipes (33). The multiple intake sub-pipes (33) are spaced apart around the axis of the main intake pipe (31). The elastic tube (20) is spaced apart from the intake sub-pipes (33).

4. The hydrogen storage and purification device and hydrogen storage method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Both the main intake pipe (31) and the secondary intake pipe (33) are provided with multiple diffuser holes.

5. The hydrogen storage and purification device and hydrogen storage method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Multiple heat exchange tubes (43) are arranged at equal intervals around the axis of the main air intake tube (31) inside the tank (10), and the elastic tube (20) and the secondary air intake tube (33) are both located between the heat exchange tubes (43).

6. The hydrogen storage and purification device and hydrogen storage method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first heat exchange tube (a) is located outside the second heat exchange tube (b), and the elastic tube (20) and the inlet sub-pipe (33) are both located between the plurality of second heat exchange tubes (b) and the plurality of first heat exchange tubes (a).

7. The hydrogen storage and purification device and hydrogen storage method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first heat exchange fin (44) and the second heat exchange fin (45) are staggered in the vertical direction.

8. The hydrogen storage and purification device and hydrogen storage method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The tank (10) is provided with a loading and unloading port (50) at the bottom. The impurity gas outlet (11) is provided with a back pressure valve (12). The impurity gas outlet (11) is connected to the top of the tank (10) through a sealing flange (13). A sealing head (14) is provided inside the tank (10). The sealing head (14) is located between the loading and unloading port (50) and the main air inlet pipe (31).

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