Horizontal solid hydrogen storage device

Abstract

The application discloses a horizontal solid hydrogen storage device, which comprises a horizontal tank body and a conical hydrogen storage cylinder, the hydrogen storage cylinder is closed and fixed on the cylinder wall of the horizontal tank body through a distribution plate and a collecting plate, the distribution plate and the collecting plate divide the horizontal tank body into a heat exchange medium inlet box, a hydrogen charging and discharging cavity and a heat exchange medium outlet box, the heat exchange medium inlet box and the heat exchange medium outlet box are communicated through a heat exchange pipe, the hydrogen storage cylinder is filled with solid hydrogen storage material, the heat exchange pipe is embedded in the solid hydrogen storage material, the horizontal tank body is provided with a hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet, the distribution plate and the collecting plate between the outermost heat exchange pipe in the hydrogen storage cylinder and the inner wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder are provided with expansion rings, the distribution plate and the collecting plate in the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity are also provided with expansion rings, the hydrogen storage cylinder is provided with a hydrogen storage material inlet pipe and a hydrogen storage material outlet pipe, the hydrogen storage cylinder is provided with a hydrogen hole and more than two shrink rings on the cylinder wall, and the application simultaneously solves the heat and volume compensation problems in the hydrogen charging and discharging process and improves the reliability of the device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of hydrogen storage, and particularly relates to a horizontal solid hydrogen storage device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hydrogen is considered as one of the most clean and efficient energy because it does not release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide during combustion process and has high combustion heat value. The utilization of hydrogen is inseparable from the storage of hydrogen. At present, hydrogen storage generally has three modes of gaseous hydrogen storage, liquid hydrogen storage and solid hydrogen storage. Solid hydrogen storage is to store hydrogen in a solid hydrogen storage alloy material (such as a rare earth compound (LaNi5) and the like) lattice, and to realize the physical reversible hydrogenation and dehydrogenation process by changing the temperature and pressure under certain temperature and pressure conditions. Compared with gaseous hydrogen storage and liquid hydrogen storage, the solid hydrogen storage process does not need to consume too much energy, has the advantages of larger volume hydrogen storage density, safety, efficiency, stable dehydrogenation rate and the like, and has become a promising hydrogen storage technology.

[0003] Because the solid hydrogen storage material generally expands in volume when absorbing hydrogen and shrinks in volume when releasing hydrogen, in addition, a large amount of heat is released when absorbing hydrogen and a large amount of heat needs to be supplemented when releasing hydrogen, and the temperature has a great influence on the hydrogen absorption and release rate of the hydrogen storage material, therefore, in order to ensure the long-term use of the hydrogen storage material and the rapid and efficient hydrogen absorption and release, the changes of heat and volume during the hydrogen absorption and release process must be handled well, and a hydrogen storage device with high efficient heat exchange performance and volume compensation must be designed. Otherwise, the hydrogen absorption and release efficiency of the solid hydrogen storage will be reduced, and with the hydrogen charging and discharging cycle, the expansion and extrusion of the solid hydrogen storage alloy material will cause the lattice to deform, and its capacity will rapidly decay. In addition, the expansion of the solid hydrogen storage material causes the storage shell to bear a large stress, and there is a risk of bulging and rupture. Solving the problems of heat absorption and release and volume change during the hydrogen absorption and release process of the solid hydrogen storage is the key to ensuring a high hydrogen absorption and release rate, and also directly affects the cost and safety of the hydrogen storage device.

[0004] Patent CN117307953A discloses a hydrogen storage and release device convenient for replacing hydrogen storage material. After the hydrogen charging and discharging capacity of the hydrogen storage alloy decays, new hydrogen storage alloy is poured into the device through the jacket inlet to replace the original hydrogen storage alloy without moving the whole device, which is convenient to operate and low in cost. However, the volume expansion absorption of the hydrogen storage alloy during the hydrogen charging and discharging process is poor, and the capacity of the solid hydrogen storage material may rapidly decay; patent CN103883874B discloses a hydrogen storage tank with an external heat exchange structure, which has simple structure, easy manufacturing and processing, low cost, excellent heat exchange effect and excellent dehydrogenation performance. However, the hydrogen storage tank only has heat exchange effect and cannot absorb the volume expansion of the solid hydrogen storage material during the hydrogen absorption and release process, so it cannot solve the problems of volume expansion and heat release at the same time, and the tank body has a risk of bulging and rupture. SUMMARY

[0005] In order to solve the technical problems of poor absorption effect of volume expansion in the process of hydrogen charging and discharging, and unable to solve the problems of volume expansion and heat release simultaneously in the existing solid hydrogen storage device, the application provides a horizontal solid hydrogen storage device, which solves the problems of volume expansion and heat release in the process of solid hydrogen storage.

[0006] The application provides a horizontal solid hydrogen storage device, which comprises a cylindrical horizontal tank body and a hydrogen storage cylinder coaxially arranged in the horizontal tank body; the hydrogen storage cylinder is a conical cylinder with a small left end and a large right end, the left end of the hydrogen storage cylinder is closed and fixed by a distribution plate fixed on the outer edge of the tank wall of the horizontal tank body, the right end of the hydrogen storage cylinder is closed and fixed by a collection plate fixed on the outer edge of the tank wall of the horizontal tank body, the distribution plate and the collection plate divide the internal space of the horizontal tank body into three parts, namely a heat exchange medium inlet box on the left side, an annular hydrogen charging and discharging cavity between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder and the inner wall of the horizontal tank body in the middle, and a heat exchange medium outlet box on the right side; the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity is not communicated with the heat exchange medium inlet box and the heat exchange medium outlet box, the heat exchange medium inlet box and the heat exchange medium outlet box are communicated through a heat exchange pipe penetrating the internal space of the hydrogen storage cylinder and fixed on the distribution plate and the collection plate; the hydrogen storage cylinder is filled with solid hydrogen storage material, the heat exchange pipe is embedded in the solid hydrogen storage material, and the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity is provided with a hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet on the tank wall of the horizontal tank body;

[0007] The part of the distribution plate and the part of the collection plate between the outermost heat exchange pipe in the hydrogen storage cylinder and the inner wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder are provided as expansion rings, and the part of the distribution plate and the part of the collection plate located in the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity are also provided as expansion rings;

[0008] The upper part of the left end of the hydrogen storage cylinder is provided with a hydrogen storage material inlet pipe, the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe penetrates the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity and the tank wall of the horizontal tank body and extends to the outside of the horizontal tank body, a sliding seal moving along the axial direction of the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe is arranged between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe and the tank wall of the horizontal tank body, the lower part of the right end of the hydrogen storage cylinder is provided with a hydrogen storage material outlet pipe, the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe penetrates the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity and the tank wall of the horizontal tank body and extends to the outside of the horizontal tank body, a sliding seal moving along the axial direction of the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe is arranged between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe and the tank wall of the horizontal tank body, a plurality of hydrogen holes and corrugated shrink rings are uniformly arranged on the conical wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder, the length direction of the shrink ring extends along the axial direction of the hydrogen storage cylinder and is equal to the length of the hydrogen storage cylinder, the left end of the shrink ring is in a disconnected state with the distribution plate, the right end of the shrink ring is in a disconnected state with the collection plate, the diameter of the hydrogen hole is smaller than the minimum particle size of the solid hydrogen storage material, and the hydrogen storage cylinder is communicated with the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity through the hydrogen hole;

[0009] The heat exchange medium inlet box is provided with a heat exchange medium inlet, and the heat exchange medium outlet box is provided with a heat exchange medium outlet; the heat exchange medium inlet, the heat exchange medium inlet box, the heat exchange pipe, the heat exchange medium outlet box and the heat exchange medium outlet form a closed and communicated cavity, and the heat exchange medium takes away or supplements heat from or to the solid hydrogen storage material filled in the hydrogen storage cylinder.

[0010] The sliding seal between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe, the outer wall of the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe and the tank wall of the horizontal tank is a packing seal, which ensures the sealing of the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe and the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe during the expansion and contraction of the hydrogen storage cylinder.

[0011] The distribution plate and the collection plate are circular plates with the same diameter as the horizontal tank and are sealingly connected to the inner wall of the horizontal tank. The part of the distribution plate and the collection plate located in the internal area of the hydrogen storage cylinder is provided with an opening, and the heat exchange pipe is open at both ends, one end being connected to the opening on the distribution plate and the other end being connected to the opening on the collection plate.

[0012] The heat exchange pipes are arranged in a ring shape, an equilateral triangle shape or a square shape on the cross section of the hydrogen storage cylinder to ensure that the heat in the hydrogen storage cylinder can be uniformly removed or supplemented. The heat exchange pipes are preferably circular pipes with an outer diameter of 19-80 mm. When the heat exchange pipes are arranged in a ring shape, the spacing between the heat exchange pipes in the circumferential direction is preferably 30-100 mm, and the spacing in the radial direction is preferably 40-150 mm. When the heat exchange pipes are arranged in an equilateral triangle shape, the side length of the equilateral triangle is preferably 25-150 mm. When the heat exchange pipes are arranged in a square shape, the side length of the square is preferably 30-150 mm.

[0013] The hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet are respectively the passage for hydrogen entering the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity and the passage for hydrogen leaving the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity. Of course, the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet can be combined into one hydrogen inlet and outlet, which serves as both the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet.

[0014] The hydrogen holes are used for the hydrogen to enter and exit the hydrogen storage cylinder. In order to make the solid hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder uniformly absorb and release hydrogen, the hydrogen holes are uniformly distributed on the cylinder wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder with a spacing of 20-100 mm. The hydrogen holes are preferably circular holes with a diameter smaller than the minimum particle size of the solid hydrogen storage material, preferably 30%-80% of the minimum particle size of the solid hydrogen storage material. Smaller hydrogen holes prevent the solid hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder from entering the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity from the hydrogen holes.

[0015] When loading the solid hydrogen storage material, the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe is closed and the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe is opened. Under the action of gravity, the hydrogen storage material enters the hydrogen storage cylinder from the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe and is stored in the hydrogen storage cylinder. When the hydrogen storage material needs to be replaced due to the attenuation of the service life, the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe is opened, and under the action of gravity, the hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder exits the hydrogen storage device from the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe. The hydrogen storage material inlet pipe and the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe are preferably cylindrical with a diameter of 50-400 mm.

[0016] According to different needs of hydrogen charging and discharging, when hydrogen is charged, low-temperature heat exchange medium enters the heat exchange medium inlet box from the heat exchange medium inlet, enters the heat exchange tube through the distribution of the heat exchange medium inlet box, absorbs the heat released from the hydrogen storage cylinder due to the absorption of hydrogen by the solid hydrogen storage material, and then converges to the heat exchange medium outlet box, and then leaves the hydrogen storage device through the heat exchange medium outlet, so that the temperature of the solid hydrogen storage material is reduced; when hydrogen needs to be released from the solid hydrogen storage material, high-temperature heat exchange medium enters the heat exchange medium inlet box from the heat exchange medium inlet, enters the heat exchange tube through the distribution of the heat exchange medium inlet box, provides heat to the solid hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder, so that the solid hydrogen storage material absorbs heat and releases hydrogen, and the heat exchange medium after releasing heat converges to the heat exchange medium outlet box, and then leaves the hydrogen storage device through the heat exchange medium outlet. The heat exchange medium withdraws heat from the hydrogen storage device or supplements heat to the hydrogen storage device, so that the hydrogen absorption and release process can be carried out at a high rate. The heat exchange medium can be selected from water, nitrogen, air and the like.

[0017] When the hydrogen storage cylinder needs to increase in diameter due to the volume expansion of the solid hydrogen storage material, the expansion ring between the outermost heat exchange tube in the hydrogen storage cylinder and the inner wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder will be stretched to increase the diameter of the hydrogen storage cylinder. At this time, the expansion ring located in the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity will be compressed to compensate for the increased volume inside the hydrogen storage cylinder; when the hydrogen storage cylinder is no longer expanded due to the volume reduction of the hydrogen storage material, the compressed expansion ring located in the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity will rebound and restore, and prepare for the next contraction, and at the same time, the expansion ring between the outermost heat exchange tube in the hydrogen storage cylinder and the inner wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder will be stretched to reduce the diameter of the hydrogen storage cylinder. The expansion ring can be stretched or contracted in the radial direction of the distribution plate or the collection plate to change the diameter of the hydrogen storage cylinder connected with the distribution plate and the collection plate, so as to adjust the storage volume of the hydrogen storage cylinder and adapt to the volume change of the solid hydrogen storage material during the hydrogen charging and discharging process. When the expansion ring is made of a single layer, it is appropriate to use an elastic alloy to make the expansion ring have good rebound performance. The elastic alloy can be a copper-based high-elasticity alloy, an iron-based high-elasticity alloy, a nickel-based high-elasticity alloy, etc. By virtue of its low elastic modulus and high elastic limit, the expansion ring has high rebound characteristics; when the expansion ring is made of multiple layers by stamping and compounding, the pressure bearing layer and the rebound layer can be arranged separately, and the pressure bearing layer bears the pressure of the hydrogen storage system and the rebound layer provides rebound performance. The rebound layer is preferably made of an elastic alloy layer. In summary, the purpose is to make the expansion ring have small rigidity, be easy to deform, and have certain rebound performance.

[0018] The diameter of the hydrogen storage cylinder is preferably 0.6-0.9 times the diameter of the horizontal tank body, and the hydrogen storage cylinder is filled with solid hydrogen storage material; a hydrogen hole is formed on the wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder for hydrogen to enter and exit the hydrogen storage cylinder, and the diameter of the hydrogen hole is smaller than the minimum particle size of the solid hydrogen storage material; in order to better add and remove the solid hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder, the large end diameter of the hydrogen storage cylinder is preferably 1.2-2 times the small end diameter, the small end of the conical cylinder is connected with the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe, and the large end is connected with the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe, so that the solid hydrogen storage material flows to the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe under the action of gravity along the inclined wall. The wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder is provided with two or more contraction rings, the length of the contraction ring is consistent with the length of the hydrogen storage cylinder, the contraction ring is corrugated, when the diameter of the hydrogen storage cylinder needs to be increased or the state of the increased diameter needs to be maintained, the contraction ring will be stretched to increase the circumference of the hydrogen storage cylinder, so as to expand the diameter of the hydrogen storage cylinder; when the diameter of the hydrogen storage cylinder does not need to be increased, the contraction ring will be contracted to reduce the circumference of the hydrogen storage cylinder, so as to prepare for the next need of diameter increase. The volume of the hydrogen storage cylinder is adjusted by stretching or contracting the contraction ring. When the contraction ring is made of a single layer, an elastic alloy is preferably used to make the contraction ring have good resilience, and the elastic alloy can be a copper-based high-elasticity alloy, an iron-based high-elasticity alloy, a nickel-based high-elasticity alloy, etc., which has a low elastic modulus and a high elastic limit, so that the contraction ring has high resilience characteristics; when the contraction ring is made of multiple layers by stamping and compounding, the contraction ring can be made by separating the pressure bearing layer and the resilience layer, and the pressure bearing layer bears the pressure of the hydrogen storage system and the resilience layer provides resilience, and the resilience layer is preferably made of an elastic alloy layer, so that the material of the resilience layer maintains a certain tensile stress after stamping and forming, and forms a spring-like effect to make the contraction ring have the ability to maintain the original shape and the function of rebounding after the external force is removed; when the contraction ring is made of multiple layers, a spring or the like can also be added between the layers to make the contraction ring have resilience. In short, the purpose is to make the contraction ring have a certain resilience. When multiple contraction rings are arranged on the wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder, the multiple contraction rings are uniformly distributed around the center line of the hydrogen storage cylinder to ensure that the contraction rings can uniformly contract or stretch in the circumferential direction. The left end of the contraction ring arranged on the wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder is disconnected from the distribution plate, and the right end of the contraction ring is disconnected from the collection plate, so that the contraction ring can freely compress and stretch due to the expansion and contraction of the solid hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder, and is not limited by the distribution plate and the collection plate.

[0019] As a preferred solution, packing seals can be arranged outside the shrink ring at the position where the shrink ring is disconnected from the distribution plate and outside the shrink ring at the position where the shrink ring is disconnected from the collection plate. The packing seals can be compressed and rebound. One end of the packing seal is tightly attached to the distribution plate or the collection plate, and the other end is tightly attached to the outer wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder, forming a sealing effect on the internal solid hydrogen storage material. The circumferential length of the packing seal is preferably greater than 1.2 times the length of the straightened shrink ring, and the radial thickness is preferably greater than 1.1 times the expandable length of the hydrogen storage cylinder diameter. The packing seal can prevent the solid hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder from leaking out of the hydrogen storage cylinder during expansion and contraction. The packing seal can be installed in a concave packing fixing block, which serves to install the packing seal and also serves as a limit for the expansion of the hydrogen storage cylinder.

[0020] As another optional solution for the packing seal, a groove can be formed at the position where the distribution plate is disconnected from the shrink ring, and a packing seal is installed in the groove. The packing seal can be compressed and rebound. The packing seal tightly attaches to the groove of the distribution plate and the end of the hydrogen storage cylinder, forming a sealing effect on the internal solid hydrogen storage material. The packing seal at one end of the collection plate also adopts the same method.

[0021] As a preferred solution, a filter screen such as a wire mesh can be arranged on the hydrogen gas hole to prevent small particles of broken solid hydrogen storage material from entering the hydrogen gas charging and discharging cavity. The pore size of the filter screen is preferably 10% to 30% of the minimum particle size of the solid hydrogen storage material. To reduce the damage that may be caused by the addition and discharge of solid hydrogen storage material to the filter screen, the filter screen is preferably arranged on the outside of the hydrogen storage cylinder, i.e., in the hydrogen gas charging and discharging cavity.

[0022] As a preferred solution, since the small end of the hydrogen storage cylinder has a small diameter and a small volume increase rate after expansion, and the large end has a large diameter and a large volume increase rate after expansion, to allow more hydrogen to be absorbed or released from the large end, the diameter of the hydrogen gas hole increases from the small end to the large end of the hydrogen storage cylinder, i.e., the hydrogen gas hole at the small end of the hydrogen storage cylinder has a small diameter, and the hydrogen gas hole at the large end of the hydrogen storage cylinder has a large diameter, allowing more hydrogen to enter or exit from the large end of the hydrogen storage cylinder, thereby better completing the hydrogen charging and discharging operation through the change in the volume of the hydrogen storage cylinder.

[0023] As a preferred solution, to ensure that all solid hydrogen storage material is filled within an expandable hydrogen storage cylinder and to prevent the solid hydrogen storage material from expanding and clogging the outlet pipe during hydrogen filling, a hydrogen storage material outlet plug can be installed inside the outlet pipe. The outlet plug consists of a baffle, a packing seal, a baffle cylinder, a handle, and an installation ring. The baffle cylinder is a cylindrical tube with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet pipe, typically 4-10 mm smaller. One end of the baffle cylinder is closed by the baffle, while the other end is open. The baffle end is inserted into the outlet pipe to prevent solid hydrogen storage material from entering the outlet pipe during non-discharge operations. The baffle has the same shape as the bottom of the hydrogen storage cylinder. A handle, which can be made of round steel or angle steel, is provided at the open end for easy installation and removal of the outlet plug. Plug; The gap between the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe and the hydrogen storage material outlet plug is sealed with filler such as ceramic fiber rope to prevent solid hydrogen storage material from entering the gap between them. The diameter of the ceramic fiber rope should be 5-11mm. To ensure that the hydrogen storage material outlet plug is fixed inside the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe, an installation ring is set at the open end. The installation ring is a circular ring that is fitted over the baffle. A circular hole is made on the installation ring, and a threaded hole is made at the same position on the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe so that the installation ring can be fixed to the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe with screws.

[0024] As a preferred solution, to avoid problems such as caking or poor flowability of the solid hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder, which may cause difficulties in unloading, a loosening air inlet can be installed on the lower right side wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder. During the unloading process of the solid hydrogen storage material, inert gases such as high-pressure nitrogen and carbon dioxide can be introduced to facilitate the smoother discharge of the solid hydrogen storage material.

[0025] When filling the hydrogen storage device with solid hydrogen storage material, open the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe and close the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe to fill the hydrogen storage cylinder with the solid hydrogen storage material. Keep both the hydrogen storage material inlet and outlet pipes closed during the charging and discharging process. When unloading the solid hydrogen storage material from the hydrogen storage device, open the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe to unload the solid hydrogen storage material from the hydrogen storage cylinder. When unloading the solid hydrogen storage material, the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe can also be opened as a vent. The purpose of opening the inlet pipe is to maintain pressure balance within the hydrogen storage cylinder and prevent negative pressure from forming inside the cylinder during rapid unloading of the solid hydrogen storage material, which would make it difficult to unload the solid hydrogen storage material or cause the cylinder to collapse due to negative pressure. If the solid hydrogen storage material has poor flowability and cannot be unloaded due to caking, compression, or other reasons, the loosening air inlet can be opened and inert gases such as nitrogen can be introduced to loosen the solid hydrogen storage material, allowing it to be unloaded more smoothly from the hydrogen storage cylinder.

[0026] The horizontal solid hydrogen storage device is opened when hydrogen is filled, the hydrogen inlet is closed, and a closed cavity is formed in the hydrogen storage cylinder. Hydrogen enters the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity from the hydrogen inlet, and enters the hydrogen storage cylinder from the hydrogen hole opened on the hydrogen storage cylinder. Under the action of pressure, hydrogen is stored in the solid hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder. During the hydrogen filling process, the volume of the solid hydrogen storage material increases, the contraction ring on the wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder and the expansion ring between the outermost heat exchange tube in the hydrogen storage cylinder and the inner wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder are stretched, and the expansion ring in the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity is compressed. The volume of the hydrogen storage cylinder increases, which compensates for the increase in the volume of the solid hydrogen storage material, and the hydrogen storage cylinder avoids the risk of bulging. Since the solid hydrogen storage material releases heat during the hydrogen absorption process, when the heat released during the hydrogen filling reaches a certain level, the temperature in the hydrogen storage cylinder rises. At this time, the low-temperature medium is input into the heat exchange medium inlet box from the heat exchange medium inlet, and then enters the heat exchange tube from the heat exchange medium inlet box. The heat released during the hydrogen filling process is absorbed through the heat exchange tube, the temperature of the solid hydrogen storage material is reduced, the temperature of the low-temperature medium is increased, and the low-temperature medium is collected to the heat exchange medium outlet box through the heat exchange tube, and then leaves the hydrogen storage device through the heat exchange medium outlet.

[0027] When the hydrogen is discharged, the hydrogen outlet is opened and the hydrogen inlet is closed, so that a closed cavity that cannot enter and can only exit is formed in the hydrogen storage cylinder. After the hydrogen is released from the solid hydrogen storage material, it leaves the hydrogen storage cylinder through the hydrogen hole and fills the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity, and then leaves the hydrogen storage device through the hydrogen outlet to supply downstream devices or external equipment. After the solid hydrogen storage material releases hydrogen, the volume decreases, the expansion ring in the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity rebounds, the contraction ring on the wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder and the expansion ring between the outermost heat exchange tube in the hydrogen storage cylinder and the inner wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder are restored to the initial state under the rebounding effect, so that the hydrogen storage cylinder returns to the state before hydrogen charging. Since the solid hydrogen storage material needs to absorb heat to release the hydrogen stored inside, at this time, the high-temperature heat-conducting medium enters the heat exchange medium inlet box through the heat exchange medium inlet, and then enters the heat exchange tube from the heat exchange medium inlet box. The heat is input into the solid hydrogen storage material in the hydrogen storage cylinder through the heat exchange tube, so that the solid hydrogen storage material absorbs heat and releases hydrogen. After the high-temperature heat-conducting medium releases heat, it is collected to the heat exchange medium outlet box and then leaves the solid hydrogen storage device through the heat exchange medium outlet.

[0028] The same medium can be used during the hydrogen charging and discharging process. By setting a heater or cooler outside, the heat exchange medium can be cooled during the hydrogen charging process and heated during the hydrogen discharging process, achieving the purpose of recycling.

[0029] The present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] 1) By storing hydrogen in solid hydrogen storage material, there is no need for harsh conditions such as high pressure or low temperature, and the hydrogen storage process does not require excessive energy consumption, which is safe, efficient and has a stable hydrogen release rate.

[0031] 2) By setting the expansion ring, shrinkage ring and other expansion elements and heat conducting elements, the volume and heat compensation problems in the process of hydrogen charging and discharging are solved, so that the hydrogen charging and discharging is carried out at a high speed; the expansion element makes the solid hydrogen storage alloy material expand and extrude each other less, the internal crystal lattice of the solid hydrogen storage alloy material can still maintain a good form after more hydrogen charging and discharging cycles, the hydrogen storage capacity decays more slowly, and the service life of the solid hydrogen storage material is longer;

[0032] 3) The stress applied to the hydrogen storage shell caused by the volume expansion is greatly reduced by forming the internal volume change through the expansion element, the risk of solid hydrogen storage shell bulging, cracking and the like is avoided, the safety and reliability of the solid hydrogen storage are improved, and the cost of the solid hydrogen storage is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of the horizontal solid hydrogen storage device of the present application;

[0034] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a structural schematic view of the distribution plate or the collection plate in the present application;

[0035] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a structural schematic view of the shrinkage ring provided on the hydrogen storage cylinder wall in the present application;

[0036] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a structural schematic view of the hydrogen storage material outlet plug in the present application.

[0037] In the figure: 1-hydrogen storage material inlet pipe, 2-horizontal tank body, 3-sliding seal, 4-expansion ring, 5-expansion ring, 6-heat exchange medium inlet, 7-heat exchange medium inlet box, 8-distribution plate, 9-hydrogen inlet, 10-hydrogen charging and discharging cavity, 11-hydrogen hole, 12-loose air inlet, 13-sliding seal, 14-hydrogen storage material outlet pipe, 15-hydrogen storage material outlet plug, 16-collection plate, 17-heat exchange medium outlet box, 18-heat exchange medium outlet, 19-heat exchange pipe, 20-hydrogen outlet, 21-hydrogen storage cylinder, 22-solid hydrogen storage material, 23-shrinkage ring, 24-baffle, 25-packing seal, 26-block cylinder, 27-handle, 28-mounting ring, 29-packing seal, 30-packing fixing block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figures 1-3An embodiment of the horizontal solid hydrogen storage device is provided. The horizontal solid hydrogen storage device comprises a cylindrical horizontal tank body 2, a hydrogen storage cylinder 21 coaxially arranged in the horizontal tank body 2; the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 is a conical cylinder with a small left end and a large right end, the left end of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 is closed and fixed by a distribution plate 8 fixed on the tank wall of the horizontal tank body 2 through the outer edge, the right end of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 is closed and fixed by a collection plate 16 fixed on the tank wall of the horizontal tank body 2 through the outer edge, the distribution plate 8 and the collection plate 16 divide the internal space of the horizontal tank body 2 into three parts, i.e. a heat exchange medium inlet box 7 on the left side, an annular hydrogen charging and discharging cavity 10 between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 and the inner wall of the horizontal tank body 2 in the middle, and a heat exchange medium outlet box 17 on the right side; the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity 10 is not communicated with the heat exchange medium inlet box 7 and the heat exchange medium outlet box 17, the heat exchange medium inlet box 7 and the heat exchange medium outlet box 17 are communicated through heat exchange pipes 19 penetrating the internal space of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 and fixed on the distribution plate 8 and the collection plate 16; the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 is filled with solid hydrogen storage material 22, the heat exchange pipes 19 are embedded in the solid hydrogen storage material 22, and the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity 10 is provided with a hydrogen inlet 9 and a hydrogen outlet 20 on the corresponding tank wall of the horizontal tank body 2.

[0040] The part of the distribution plate 8 and the part of the collection plate 16 between the outermost heat exchange pipe 19 in the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 and the inner wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 are provided as expansion rings 5, and the part of the distribution plate 8 and the part of the collection plate 16 located in the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity 10 are provided as expansion rings 4.

[0041] The upper left end of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 is provided with a hydrogen storage material inlet pipe 1, the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe 1 penetrates the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity 10 and the tank wall of the horizontal tank body 2 to extend to the outside of the horizontal tank body, a sliding seal 3 moving axially along the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe 1 is arranged between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe 1 and the tank wall of the horizontal tank body 2, the lower right end of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 is provided with a hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14, the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 penetrates the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity 10 and the tank wall of the horizontal tank body 2 to extend to the outside of the horizontal tank body, a sliding seal 13 moving axially along the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 is arranged between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 and the tank wall of the horizontal tank body 2, the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 is uniformly provided with hydrogen holes 11 and six corrugated contraction rings 23 on the conical cylinder wall, the length direction of the contraction ring 23 extends axially along the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 and is equal in length to the hydrogen storage cylinder 21, the left end of the contraction ring 23 is in a disconnected state with the distribution plate 8, the right end of the contraction ring 23 is in a disconnected state with the collection plate 16, a packing seal 29 is arranged outside the contraction ring at the disconnected position of the contraction ring 23 and the distribution plate 8, and a packing seal 29 is also arranged outside the contraction ring at the disconnected position of the contraction ring 23 and the collection plate 16, the packing seal 29 is installed in a concave packing fixing block 30, the hydrogen hole 11 has a smaller diameter than the minimum particle size of the solid hydrogen storage material 22, the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 is communicated with the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity 10 through the hydrogen hole 11, and the right end of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 is provided with a loose air inlet 12.

[0042] The heat exchange medium inlet box 7 is provided with a heat exchange medium inlet 6, and the heat exchange medium outlet box 17 is provided with a heat exchange medium outlet 18; the heat exchange medium inlet 6, the heat exchange medium inlet box 7, the heat exchange tube 19, the heat exchange medium outlet box 17 and the heat exchange medium outlet 18 form a closed and connected cavity, which allows the heat exchange medium to remove heat from the solid hydrogen storage material 22 filled in the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 or to replenish heat to the solid hydrogen storage material 22.

[0043] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a structure for a hydrogen storage material outlet plug. As shown in the figure, the hydrogen storage material outlet plug includes a baffle 24, a packing seal 25, a baffle cylinder 26, a handle 27, and an installation ring 28. The baffle cylinder 26 is a cylinder with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14, typically 4-10 mm smaller. One end of the baffle cylinder 26 is closed by the baffle 24, while the other end is open. The baffle end is inserted into the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 to prevent solid hydrogen storage material from entering the outlet pipe 14 when not unloading. The shape of the baffle 24 and the bottom of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 are similar. The following are consistent features: a handle 27 is provided at the open end of the baffle 26, which can be made of round steel or angle steel, etc.; the gap between the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 and the hydrogen storage material outlet plug is filled with filler such as ceramic fiber rope and sealed 25, the diameter of the ceramic fiber rope should be 5-11mm; the mounting ring 28 is a circular ring, which is fitted outside the baffle 26, and a circular hole is opened on the mounting ring 28. A threaded hole is opened at the same position on the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 so that the mounting ring 28 can be fixed to the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 with screws.

[0044] The operation process of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0045] 1) Loading and unloading of solid hydrogen storage materials

[0046] Close the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 and open the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe 1. Under gravity, the solid hydrogen storage material 22 enters the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 from the inlet pipe 1 and is stored there. When the solid hydrogen storage material 22 needs replacement due to its deterioration, open the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14. Under gravity, the solid hydrogen storage material 22 in the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 leaves the hydrogen storage device through the outlet pipe 14. If the solid hydrogen storage material 22 has poor flowability and cannot be discharged due to caking, compression, or other reasons, the loosening air inlet 12 can be opened and inert gases such as nitrogen can be introduced to loosen the solid hydrogen storage material 22, allowing it to be discharged more smoothly from the hydrogen storage cylinder 21.

[0047] 2) Hydrogen charging of solid hydrogen storage materials

[0048] At the same time, the hydrogen outlet 20, the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe 1, the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 and the loose air inlet 12 are closed, and the hydrogen inlet 9 is opened. Hydrogen enters from the hydrogen inlet 9, fills the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity 10, then enters the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 through the hydrogen holes 11 on the cylinder wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21, and is absorbed and stored by the solid hydrogen storage material 22. During the hydrogen charging process, the low-temperature heat exchange medium enters the heat exchange medium inlet box 7 from the heat exchange medium inlet 6, enters the heat exchange pipe 19 through the distribution of the distribution plate 8, absorbs the heat released by the solid hydrogen storage material 22 in the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 due to the absorption of hydrogen, and is collected into the heat exchange medium outlet box 17 through the collection plate 16, and then leaves the hydrogen storage device through the heat exchange medium outlet 18. During the hydrogen charging process, the volume of the solid hydrogen storage material 22 increases, which causes the expansion ring 5 to stretch radially along the horizontal tank body 2, the contraction ring 4 to contract radially along the horizontal tank body 2, and the contraction ring 23 to stretch circumferentially along the hydrogen storage cylinder 21. The volume of the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 increases to compensate for the increase in the volume of the solid hydrogen storage material 22, and the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 avoids the risk of bulging.

[0049] 3) Hydrogen release of solid hydrogen storage material

[0050] At the same time, the hydrogen inlet 9, the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe 1, the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe 14 and the loose air inlet 12 are closed, and the hydrogen outlet 20 is opened. The high-temperature heat exchange medium enters the heat exchange medium inlet box 7 from the heat exchange medium inlet 6, enters the heat exchange pipe 19 through the distribution of the distribution plate 8, provides heat to the solid hydrogen storage material 22 in the hydrogen storage cylinder 21, and releases hydrogen after absorbing heat. The released hydrogen enters and fills the hydrogen charging and discharging cavity 10 through the hydrogen holes 11, and then leaves the hydrogen storage device through the hydrogen outlet 20; the heat exchange medium after releasing heat is collected into the heat exchange medium outlet box 17 through the collection plate 16, and then leaves the hydrogen storage device through the heat exchange medium outlet 18. The heat exchange medium can be selected from fluids such as water, nitrogen and air. After the hydrogen is released from the solid hydrogen storage material 22, the volume decreases, the expansion ring 5 and the contraction ring 23 contract under the action of elastic force, and the contraction ring 4 stretches radially along the horizontal tank body, so that the hydrogen storage cylinder 21 recovers to the state before hydrogen charging as much as possible.

Claims

1. A horizontal solid hydrogen storage device, characterized in that: The system includes a cylindrical horizontal tank and a hydrogen storage cylinder coaxially arranged inside the horizontal tank. The hydrogen storage cylinder is a conical cylinder with a smaller left end and a larger right end. Its left end is closed and fixed to the distribution plate on the wall of the horizontal tank through its outer edge, and its right end is closed and fixed to the collection plate on the wall of the horizontal tank through its outer edge. The distribution plate and the collection plate divide the internal space of the horizontal tank into three parts: a heat exchange medium inlet box on the left, an annular hydrogen charging and discharging chamber in the middle between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder and the inner wall of the horizontal tank, and a heat exchange medium outlet box on the right. The hydrogen charging and discharging chamber is not connected to the heat exchange medium inlet box and the heat exchange medium outlet box. The heat exchange medium inlet box and the heat exchange medium outlet box are connected by heat exchange pipes that penetrate the internal space of the hydrogen storage cylinder and are fixed to the distribution plate and the collection plate. The hydrogen storage cylinder is filled with solid hydrogen storage material, and the heat exchange pipes are buried in the solid hydrogen storage material. The horizontal tank wall corresponding to the hydrogen charging and discharging chamber is provided with a hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet. The distribution plate and the collection plate between the outermost heat exchange tube and the inner wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder are set as expansion rings, and the distribution plate and the collection plate located in the hydrogen charging and discharging chamber are also set as expansion rings. The upper left end of the hydrogen storage cylinder is equipped with a hydrogen storage material inlet pipe, which passes through the hydrogen filling and discharging chamber and the horizontal tank wall to extend to the outside of the horizontal tank. A sliding seal that moves axially between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage material inlet pipe and the horizontal tank wall is provided. The lower right end of the hydrogen storage cylinder is equipped with a hydrogen storage material outlet pipe, which passes through the hydrogen filling and discharging chamber and the horizontal tank wall to extend to the outside of the horizontal tank. A sliding seal that moves axially between the outer wall of the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe and the horizontal tank wall is provided. Hydrogen holes and two or more corrugated shrink rings are evenly arranged on the conical cylinder wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder. The shrink rings extend axially along the hydrogen storage cylinder and are the same length as the hydrogen storage cylinder. The left end of the shrink ring is disconnected from the distribution plate, and the right end of the shrink ring is disconnected from the collection plate. The diameter of the hydrogen holes is smaller than the minimum particle size of the solid hydrogen storage material. The hydrogen storage cylinder is connected to the hydrogen filling and discharging chamber through the hydrogen holes. The heat exchange medium inlet box is equipped with a heat exchange medium inlet, and the heat exchange medium outlet box is equipped with a heat exchange medium outlet; the heat exchange medium inlet, heat exchange medium inlet box, heat exchange tube, heat exchange medium outlet box and heat exchange medium outlet form a closed and connected cavity, which allows the heat exchange medium to remove heat from the solid hydrogen storage material filled in the hydrogen storage cylinder or to replenish heat to the solid hydrogen storage material.

2. The horizontal solid hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outlet pipe of the hydrogen storage material is equipped with a hydrogen storage material outlet plug.

3. The horizontal solid hydrogen storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hydrogen storage material outlet plug includes a baffle, a packing seal, a baffle cylinder and a handle; the baffle cylinder is a cylindrical tube with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe, one end of the baffle cylinder is closed by a baffle, the other end of the baffle cylinder is open, the baffle end is inserted into the inside of the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe to prevent solid hydrogen storage material from entering the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe when not unloading, and the baffle has the same shape as the bottom of the hydrogen storage cylinder. A handle, made of round steel or angle steel, is provided at the open end to facilitate the installation and removal of the hydrogen storage material outlet plug. The gap between the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe and the hydrogen storage material outlet plug is sealed with packing to prevent solid hydrogen storage material from entering the gap between them.

4. The horizontal solid hydrogen storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The baffle is provided with a mounting ring at the open end. The mounting ring is a circular ring that is fitted over the baffle. A circular hole is made on the mounting ring, and a threaded hole is made at the same position on the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe so that the mounting ring can be fixed to the hydrogen storage material outlet pipe with screws.

5. The horizontal solid hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the hydrogen pores on the conical wall of the hydrogen storage cylinder increases sequentially from the smaller end to the larger end of the cylinder.

6. The horizontal solid hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sliding seal is a packing seal.

Images