Solid hydrogen storage tank

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of solid hydrogen storage, and particularly relates to a solid hydrogen storage tank. The solid hydrogen storage tank comprises a tank body, a hydrogen outlet is formed in the top of the tank body, a storage area for storing a hydrogen storage material is arranged in the tank body, and the storage area is filled with the hydrogen storage material; the lower half section of the tank body is of a funnel structure, and a hydrogen inlet is formed in the lower end of the funnel structure; and a blocking part for preventing the hydrogen storage material in the storage area from flowing out is arranged at the hydrogen outlet end of the hydrogen inlet. According to the invention, the hydrogen storage material can be moved in the hydrogen feeding process, whether the hydrogen storage material has magnetism or not does not need to be considered, and the hydrogen storage material is not limited by a magnetic field environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of solid-state hydrogen storage, and in particular relates to a solid-state hydrogen storage tank. Background Art

[0002] As an efficient and clean energy carrier, hydrogen energy storage technology has become the key to the energy field. Hydrogen storage methods include high-pressure gas storage, low-temperature liquid storage and solid hydrogen storage; solid hydrogen storage is the use of physical or chemical reactions between hydrogen and hydrogen storage materials to convert hydrogen into a solid solution or hydride for hydrogen storage.

[0003] In existing solid-state hydrogen storage technologies, the performance of hydrogen storage materials gradually decreases with time and usage conditions, resulting in a complex, time-consuming and costly replacement process for hydrogen storage materials after storage efficiency decreases, which limits the widespread application of hydrogen storage systems. In addition, when hydrogen is adsorbed and stored, it cannot be evenly distributed when added, resulting in a low adsorption rate.

[0004] In response to the above problems, an inventor has designed a hydrogen storage device and method for preventing alloy pulverization and caking called dynamic magnetically controlled coupled electromagnetic rapid heating. Its application number is 202411326003.4. This technology mainly places a magnetic hydrogen storage material (also called a hydrogen absorbing material in the industry) into a magnetic field space, so that the hydrogen storage material particles are suspended. The suspended hydrogen storage material has a high specific surface area, which is conducive to the adsorption and dissociation of hydrogen. When this technology is applied, a magnetic hydrogen storage material is required to achieve suspension. If it is a non-magnetic hydrogen storage material, it is necessary to dope it with magnetic materials, alloy it or pre-magnetize it to make it magnetic and provide a magnetic field environment, which limits its industrial application. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above deficiencies in the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a solid-state hydrogen storage tank that can move the hydrogen storage material during the hydrogen intake process, without considering whether the hydrogen storage material is magnetic or not, and is not restricted by the magnetic field environment.

[0006] The solid-state hydrogen storage tank comprises a tank body, a hydrogen outlet is provided on the top of the tank body, the tank body comprises a storage area for storing hydrogen storage materials, and the storage area is filled with hydrogen storage materials; The lower half of the tank body is in a funnel structure, and the lower end of the funnel structure is a hydrogen inlet; A blocking portion is arranged at the hydrogen outlet end of the hydrogen inlet to prevent the hydrogen storage material in the storage area from flowing out.

[0007] Furthermore, the hydrogen storage material is in granular form.

[0008] When the hydrogen storage material is in granular form, it is convenient for it to suspend, float or move during the hydrogen storage process, and it is also convenient for loading and unloading. When loading, it can be fed in from the hydrogen outlet; when unloading, the blocking part can be removed and it can be discharged from the hydrogen inlet.

[0009] The blocking portion is preferably in the following two forms: Method 1: The blocking part includes a hydrogen inlet pipe, which is detachably sealed and installed in the hydrogen inlet port, and the size of the hydrogen outlet of the hydrogen inlet pipe is smaller than the hydrogen storage material.

[0010] The technical design of the hydrogen inlet pipe can be connected to the external hydrogen pipeline to transport hydrogen into the tank, and can also be used as a barrier to effectively prevent the hydrogen storage material from entering the hydrogen inlet pipe or flowing out of the tank during movement.

[0011] Method 2: The blocking part includes a hydrogen inlet pipe, which is detachably sealed and installed in the hydrogen inlet port. A blind plate is installed at the hydrogen outlet of the hydrogen inlet pipe, and a plurality of hydrogen outlet holes are opened on the blind plate. The hydrogen inlet pipe is connected to the storage area through the hydrogen outlet holes, and the size of the hydrogen outlet holes is smaller than the hydrogen storage material.

[0012] The hydrogen inlet pipe with a blind plate can be connected to an external hydrogen pipeline when in use to transport hydrogen into the tank. Since the blind plate is used to block the hydrogen storage material, it is more convenient to process than the technical design in which the hydrogen outlet size of the hydrogen inlet pipe is smaller than the hydrogen storage material. When hydrogen is discharged through the hydrogen outlet hole opened on the blind plate, when the hydrogen flow rate is appropriate, it is possible to increase the unit hydrogen transmission area while preventing the hydrogen storage material from entering the hydrogen inlet pipe or flowing out of the tank during movement.

[0013] Furthermore, the blind plate is a spherical structure. The spherical structure design allows hydrogen to be dispersed along the hydrogen outlet holes when it is blown out, which is conducive to more hydrogen storage materials to quickly contact with hydrogen; at the same time, it can also ensure that even if part of the hydrogen storage material falls to the bottom due to too low a hydrogen flow rate, it can still be in a mobile state, thereby facilitating hydrogen adsorption.

[0014] Furthermore, the funnel structure portion of the lower half of the tank body is a storage area for the hydrogen storage material, and the tank body above the funnel structure portion is an expansion area for the hydrogen storage material when absorbing hydrogen. Such a design helps the hydrogen storage particles originally located in the storage area to move to the expansion area during the hydrogen absorption process, fully increasing the moving space and further promoting the adsorption of hydrogen.

[0015] Furthermore, the volume ratio of the expansion area to the storage area is 1:4 to 1:3.

[0016] Furthermore, a detachable hydrogen outlet pipe is installed on the hydrogen outlet. The design of the hydrogen outlet pipe at the tank body hydrogen outlet can also refer to the design of the hydrogen inlet pipe at the tank body hydrogen inlet, so that even if the hydrogen flow rate is too high and rushes to the top hydrogen outlet, it can be prevented from rushing out of the tank body, thereby facilitating hydrogen adsorption of the hydrogen storage material during high-speed movement.

[0017] Furthermore, the hydrogen storage material is magnesium-based hydride.

[0018] The use of magnesium-based hydrides, due to their light weight, can be easily suspended, floated or moved, which helps to further improve the movement mode and promote the adsorption of hydrogen.

[0019] Furthermore, inductive sensors for sensing the position of hydrogen storage materials are installed at the top and middle of the tank body, and a regulating valve is installed on the hydrogen inlet pipe. The regulating valve and the sensing sensor are connected by a single-chip microcomputer. The single-chip microcomputer is used to receive the sensing sensor signal, and then process and output a control signal to the regulating valve to control the opening of the regulating valve, thereby adjusting the appropriate hydrogen flow rate according to the position of the hydrogen storage material, so that the hydrogen storage material is located at a suitable position of the tank body during the movement to fully contact and adsorb hydrogen.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. The present invention can move the hydrogen storage material during the hydrogen intake process. There is no need to consider whether the hydrogen storage material is magnetic or not, and it is not restricted by the magnetic field environment. At the same time, the hydrogen storage material sometimes rotates during movement, which effectively increases the contact area between the hydrogen storage material and hydrogen, and has high hydrogen absorption efficiency. At the same time, the hydrogen storage material in motion can quickly transfer the heat in the middle of the tank body to the tank body, and the tank body can be used for heat exchange treatment in the subsequent sequence. In addition, due to the funnel-structured tank body design, when hydrogen is introduced, the hydrogen will blow upward the hydrogen storage material that can be blown to the middle part of the funnel, thereby moving the blown hydrogen storage material upward. At this time, the surrounding hydrogen storage materials will move toward the hydrogen inlet by their own weight, and will be blown up again when encountering the blowing force of hydrogen, and will circulate in sequence, thereby realizing the cyclic movement of the hydrogen storage material when absorbing hydrogen.

[0021] 2. This design adopts a detachable hydrogen outlet pipe technology design. It is convenient to discharge hydrogen when it is needed; when the hydrogen storage material needs to be replaced, it is convenient to add the hydrogen storage material, achieving the purpose of dual use and reducing the possible leakage points of the tank. Similarly, this design also adopts a detachable hydrogen inlet pipe technology design, which is convenient for hydrogen intake and discharge of hydrogen storage materials in the tank.

[0022] 3. The present invention also distinguishes the storage area and the expansion area of ​​the tank body, which facilitates the replacement of hydrogen storage materials. At the same time, the storage area is the funnel structure part of the lower half, which can further ensure the movement of the hydrogen storage material. When in use, the volume ratio of the expansion area to the storage area can be accurately obtained according to the expansion of different hydrogen storage materials, and the hydrogen absorption process is simpler and clearer.

[0023] 4. When controlling the flow rate of hydrogen input, the present invention is also designed to control the opening of the regulating valve by sensing the different positions of the hydrogen storage material in the tank, thereby achieving the purpose of intelligently controlling the flow rate of hydrogen input. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a top view structure; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention after partial cross-section in three-dimensional view; Figure 4 It is an exploded view of the present invention.

[0025] Figure numerals: 1. hydrogen inlet pipe; 2. support assembly; 3. jacket; 4. tank body; 4.1. tank body; 4.2. tank cover; 5. safety valve; 6. pressure gauge; 7. thermometer; 8. hydrogen outlet pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention is further described below through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] Example 1 A solid-state hydrogen storage tank described in this embodiment includes a tank body 4, a hydrogen outlet is opened on the top of the tank body 4, the interior of the tank body 4 is a storage area for storing hydrogen storage materials, and the storage area is filled with hydrogen storage materials.

[0028] The hydrogen storage material in this embodiment is a granular magnesium-based hydride, which has a low density, a light weight, and is easy to move.

[0029] Tank 4 adopts Figures 1 to 4The funnel structure is preferably a funnel structure in the lower half of the tank body 4, the lower end of the funnel structure is a hydrogen inlet, and a detachable hydrogen outlet pipe 8 is installed on the hydrogen outlet. In specific production, the funnel structure part is preferably used as the storage area of ​​the hydrogen storage material, and the part above the funnel can be used as the expansion area after the hydrogen storage material absorbs hydrogen. In this embodiment, the volume ratio of the expansion area to the storage area is 1:4. In actual application, the volume ratio can also be determined according to the expansion conditions of different hydrogen storage materials, such as 1:3 or other ratios between 1:4 and 1:3.

[0030] In order to prevent the hydrogen storage material from flowing out of the hydrogen inlet, a blocking part is required to be provided at the hydrogen outlet end of the hydrogen inlet to prevent the hydrogen storage material in the storage area from flowing out. In this embodiment, the tank body 4 with a funnel structure is combined, and the blocking part is selected to be a hydrogen inlet pipe 1, which is detachably sealed and installed in the hydrogen inlet, and the size of the hydrogen outlet of the hydrogen inlet pipe 1 is smaller than the size of the smallest hydrogen storage material.

[0031] In order to facilitate the placement of the tank body 4, a support assembly 2 for support is provided on the outside of the tank body 4. The support assembly 2 adopts common support leg technology, and generally the number of support legs is 3 to 4. This embodiment adopts 4, such as Figure 4 As shown, they are evenly distributed on the outer side wall of the lower end of the tank body 4. This support leg technology is very common in the design of chemical reaction tanks and can be used as a reference during specific design.

[0032] In order to facilitate manufacturing, the tank body 4 adopts a common structural method in the chemical industry, and is composed of a tank body 4.1 and a tank cover 4.2.

[0033] In order to observe the hydrogen absorption effect and check the temperature, pressure, etc., an observation window can be installed on the tank body 4.1, and a pressure gauge 6 and a thermometer 7 are installed on the top of the tank cover 4.2 in sequence. At the same time, for safety, a safety valve 5 is installed on the top of the tank cover 4.2. When the pressure gauge 6 shows that the pressure is too high, the pressure can be reduced by reducing the amount of hydrogen entering the hydrogen inlet; when the thermometer 7 is too high, it is necessary to increase the heat exchange rate, such as reducing the temperature of the heat exchange medium in the jacket 3 or speeding up the flow rate; the safety valve 5 is also called a pressure relief valve in the reaction tank in the chemical industry. When the pressure in the tank body 4 is too high, if it is not handled in time, the safety valve 5 will automatically open to relieve the pressure. These technologies are very common in the chemical industry and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] When in use, add hydrogen storage material into the tank body 4, connect the hydrogen inlet pipe 1 to the existing hydrogen input pipeline, and then pass hydrogen to the storage area. When passing hydrogen, the flow rate of hydrogen can be determined according to the quality of the hydrogen storage material, as long as it can satisfy the requirement of blowing the hydrogen storage material. When adjusting the hydrogen flow rate, the main consideration is that the hydrogen storage material can move within the storage area. For example, when the hydrogen storage material is blown to the top of the tank body, the flow rate of hydrogen needs to be reduced; when the hydrogen storage material is not blown up at the bottom of the tank body, the flow rate of hydrogen needs to be increased.

[0035] When absorbing hydrogen, the hydrogen outlet pipe 8 is closed. Since heat is released when absorbing hydrogen, when the temperature inside the tank body 4 rises and needs to be cooled, the temperature can be cooled by changing the outer temperature of the tank body 4, such as blowing cold air to the tank body 4. When releasing hydrogen, the hydrogen inlet pipe 1 is closed, and the temperature inside the tank body 4 is increased by heating the outer side of the tank body 4, such as electric heating, gas heating, etc.

[0036] Example 2 This embodiment is based on the embodiment 1 and illustrates the technical solution of another blocking part. The other structures are the same as those of the embodiment 1.

[0037] The blocking part used in this embodiment is a hydrogen inlet pipe 1, which is detachably sealed and installed in the hydrogen inlet port. A blind plate (not shown in the figure) is installed at the hydrogen outlet of the hydrogen inlet pipe 1. A plurality of hydrogen outlet holes are opened on the blind plate, and the hydrogen inlet pipe 1 is connected to the storage area through the hydrogen outlet holes. The size of the hydrogen outlet hole is smaller than the size of the minimum hydrogen storage material.

[0038] In this embodiment, the blind plate preferably has a spherical structure. When hydrogen is blown out of the blind plate with a spherical structure, the hydrogen is released along the hydrogen outlet holes, which is conducive to more hydrogen storage materials coming into contact with hydrogen quickly.

[0039] When in use, as in embodiment 1, hydrogen storage material is added into the tank body 4, the hydrogen inlet pipe 1 is connected to the existing hydrogen input pipeline, and then hydrogen is passed into the storage area. When passing hydrogen, the flow rate of hydrogen can be determined according to the quality of the hydrogen storage material, as long as it can satisfy the blowing of the hydrogen storage material. When adjusting the hydrogen flow rate, the hydrogen storage material is mainly moved in the storage area.

[0040] Example 3 This embodiment is a technical improvement based on Implementation 1. In order to improve the degree of automation, induction sensors for sensing the position of hydrogen storage materials are installed at the top and middle of the tank body 4. The induction sensors are existing known technologies, and common ones include displacement sensors, etc., which are not shown in the figure.

[0041] A regulating valve is installed on the hydrogen inlet pipe 1. The regulating valve and the inductive sensor are connected by a single chip microcomputer. The single chip microcomputer is used to receive the inductive sensor signal, and then process and output a control signal to the regulating valve to control the opening of the regulating valve.

[0042] The specific control method is: when the induction sensor at the middle position does not sense the hydrogen storage material, it sends a signal to the single-chip microcomputer, which then sends a control signal to the regulating valve to increase the opening of the regulating valve; when the induction sensor at the top position does not sense the hydrogen storage material, but the induction sensor at the middle position senses the hydrogen storage material, the regulating valve is maintained; when the induction sensor at the top position senses the hydrogen storage material, it sends a signal to the single-chip microcomputer, which then sends a control signal to the regulating valve to reduce the opening of the regulating valve.

[0043] Example 4 This embodiment further makes technical improvements on the basis of the above three embodiments. This embodiment is mainly for facilitating heat exchange during the hydrogen storage process. Heat exchange technology is very common in the prior art, especially in the chemical industry, where many reaction tanks or reactors have heat exchange.

[0044] The heat exchange technology used in this embodiment is a jacket heat exchange technology that is very mature in the chemical industry, specifically: a jacket 3 is mounted on the outside of the tank body 4, and the jacket 3 and the tank body 4 form a sealed heat exchange chamber, and a heat exchange medium outlet communicating with the heat exchange chamber is installed at the upper end of the jacket 3, and a heat exchange medium inlet communicating with the heat exchange chamber is installed at the lower end of the jacket 3. The heat exchange medium can be a heat exchange medium well known to those skilled in the art.

[0045] When absorbing hydrogen, the hydrogen outlet pipe 8 is closed. Since heat needs to be released during hydrogen absorption, external cooling water enters the heat exchange cavity from the heat exchange medium inlet, and the cooling water after heat exchange flows into the external cooling water return pipeline from the heat exchange medium outlet. When releasing hydrogen, the hydrogen inlet pipe 1 is closed, and heated heat exchange medium is added to the heat exchange cavity, also from the heat exchange medium inlet and then out from the heat exchange medium outlet. Commonly used heating media include steam, etc.

[0046] When this design is used, a cooling circulation system can be established at the place where hydrogen is absorbed, and a heating circulation system can be established at the place where hydrogen is discharged or on the transport vehicle. The cooling system and the heating system can refer to the technology in the chemical industry. Of course, other existing heating or cooling methods can also be used for heat exchange, such as air cooling or air heating. For example, the above set of equipment like an air conditioner directly applies the heating and cold air blowing principles of the air conditioner to this technical solution.

Claims

1. A solid hydrogen storage tank, comprising a tank body (4), wherein a hydrogen outlet is provided at the top of the tank body (4), and characterized in that: The tank body (4) includes a storage area for storing hydrogen storage materials, and the storage area is filled with hydrogen storage materials; The lower half of the tank body (4) is in a funnel structure, and the lower end of the funnel structure is a hydrogen inlet; A blocking portion is arranged at the hydrogen outlet end of the hydrogen inlet to prevent the hydrogen storage material in the storage area from flowing out.

2. The solid-state hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydrogen storage material is in granular form.

3. The solid-state hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The blocking portion comprises a hydrogen inlet pipe (1), which is detachably sealed and inserted into the hydrogen inlet port, and the size of the hydrogen outlet port of the hydrogen inlet pipe (1) is smaller than the size of the smallest hydrogen storage material.

4. The solid-state hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The blocking portion comprises a hydrogen inlet pipe (1), which is detachably sealed and inserted into the hydrogen inlet port. A blind plate is installed at the hydrogen outlet of the hydrogen inlet pipe (1), and a plurality of hydrogen outlet holes are formed on the blind plate. The hydrogen inlet pipe (1) communicates with the storage area through the hydrogen outlet holes, and the size of the hydrogen outlet holes is smaller than the size of the smallest hydrogen storage material.

5. The solid-state hydrogen storage tank according to claim 4, characterized in that: The blind plate is a spherical structure.

6. The solid-state hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The funnel structure portion of the lower half of the tank body (4) is a storage area for storing hydrogen storage materials, and the tank body (4) above the funnel structure portion is an expansion area for the hydrogen storage material when absorbing hydrogen.

7. The solid-state hydrogen storage tank according to claim 6, characterized in that: The volume ratio of the expansion area to the storage area is 1:4 to 1:

3.

8. The solid-state hydrogen storage tank according to claim 3, characterized in that: A detachable hydrogen outlet pipe (8) is installed on the hydrogen outlet.

9. The solid-state hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydrogen storage material is magnesium-based hydride.

10. The solid-state hydrogen storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: Inductive sensors for sensing the position of the hydrogen storage material are installed at the top and middle of the tank body (4), and a regulating valve is installed on the hydrogen inlet pipe (1). The regulating valve and the sensing sensor are connected by a single chip microcomputer. The single chip microcomputer is used to receive the sensing sensor signal, and then process and output a control signal to the regulating valve to control the opening of the regulating valve.

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