Solid hydrogen storage device

Abstract

The invention discloses a solid hydrogen storage device which comprises a shell, a plurality of hydrogen storage units and a heat exchange unit. The hydrogen storage unit comprises a supporting disc and a hydrogen storage material filled on the supporting disc; the supporting disc is filled with a heat conduction material. The heat exchange unit comprises a main liquid guide pipe and a plurality of micro liquid guide pipe networks; the main liquid guide pipe extends into the shell, and the multiple layers of hydrogen storage units are arranged in the extending direction of the main liquid guide pipe at intervals. A micro liquid guide pipe network extends out of the two surfaces, intersected with the supporting disc, of the main liquid guide pipe; the ends, away from the main liquid guide pipe, of the miniature liquid guide pipe networks located on the two faces of the supporting disc are communicated with one another to form a liquid guide loop. The micro liquid guide pipe network adopts a capillary-shaped fractal structure; flow guide grooves are formed in the surfaces of the two sides of the supporting disc, and the micro liquid guide pipe network is embedded into the flow guide grooves. According to the device, the response speed and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange unit are remarkably improved through the embedded bionic micro liquid guide pipe network, so that the hydrogen storage material has better working performance and longer service life.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Solid-state hydrogen storage technology, a key development direction for hydrogen energy storage, faces a core challenge: achieving efficient synergy between hydrogen storage materials and thermal management systems. Hydrogen storage materials release large amounts of heat during hydrogen absorption and require continuous heat supply to maintain the reaction during hydrogen release. Failure to transfer heat in a timely manner not only reduces hydrogen storage efficiency but also easily leads to material failure due to local overheating or condensation agglomeration. Traditional hydrogen storage devices often utilize internal heat exchange pipes or fin structures. For example, serpentine or linear microchannels are arranged parallel between hydrogen storage units, or fins are added to the surface of the support structure to expand the heat exchange area. These heat exchange structures have the following limitations: The heat transfer loop is not continuous or direct, which can easily lead to flow dead zones. Furthermore, the heat transfer medium is prone to eddy currents at bends, resulting in reduced response speed and heat transfer efficiency. The contact between the heat exchange structure and the hydrogen storage material is often a planar mechanical bond, resulting in high interfacial thermal resistance. This is especially true when the hydrogen storage material deforms due to volume expansion, which can easily lead to contact surface separation, forming heat transfer blind spots.

[0003] In recent years, some studies have attempted to optimize heat transfer performance through fractal flow channel design, such as etching tree stump microchannels on the surface of hydrogen storage units. However, these approaches are limited to two-dimensional shallow fractals and cannot form a continuous heat conduction network. Technological breakthroughs are still needed to build solid-state hydrogen storage devices that combine efficient heat transfer with long-term stability. This paper addresses these technical issues by proposing an innovative solution based on the fusion of biomimetic microchannels and embedded structures to overcome the shortcomings of traditional thermal management systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a solid-state hydrogen storage device to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the hydrogen storage material.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a solid-state hydrogen storage device, comprising a housing, a plurality of hydrogen storage units and a heat exchange unit;

[0006] The hydrogen storage unit includes a support plate and a hydrogen storage material loaded on the support plate; the interior of the support plate is filled with a heat-conducting material;

[0007] The heat exchange unit includes a main liquid pipe and a plurality of micro liquid pipe networks; the main liquid pipe extends into the housing, and the plurality of hydrogen storage units are spaced apart in the extension direction of the main liquid pipe; the main liquid pipe extends into micro liquid pipe networks on two surfaces intersecting with the support plate; the micro liquid pipe networks located on two surfaces of the support plate are interconnected at one end away from the main liquid pipe to form a liquid conduction circuit;

[0008] The micro-liquid conduit network adopts a capillary-shaped fractal structure;

[0009] The support plate is provided with guide grooves on both side surfaces, and the micro-liquid guide pipe network is embedded in the guide grooves.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen unit further comprises partitions arranged on both sides of the support plate; the partitions are provided with a vent group at positions corresponding to the hydrogen storage material, and the vent group comprises a plurality of clearance holes.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the support frame adopts a honeycomb-shaped porous structure, and is penetrated with a plurality of cavities along the thickness direction for filling the hydrogen storage material.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, a buffer layer is provided on the side wall of the clearance cavity.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the micro-catheter network is configured to be arc-shaped at the branches.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the main drainage tube adopts a U-shaped structure, including an inlet drainage tube and an outlet drainage tube; the inlet drainage tube and the outlet drainage tube vertically pass through the support plate, and the micro drainage tube network extends from both sides of the support plate.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the device further includes a liquid guide valve for controlling a liquid guide circuit; the liquid guide valve is connected to the main liquid guide pipe and is sealed on the housing.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the device further includes a hydrogen valve for controlling the inflow and outflow of hydrogen; the hydrogen valve is sealed on the housing.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a sensor group disposed inside the housing; the sensor group comprises a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the support plate is made of carbon fiber material.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The device provided by the present invention innovatively constructs a densely packed biomimetic microfluidic network on the surface of the hydrogen storage unit, allowing the heat transfer medium to evenly penetrate each hydrogen storage material like blood, significantly expanding the heat exchange area and achieving a uniform heat exchange distribution. Furthermore, the microfluidic network connects to form a fluid circuit, systematically eliminating local dead zones, enabling high-speed flow of the heat transfer medium, and significantly improving heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, the microfluidic network, resembling the integration of "roots" and soil, is tightly embedded in the flow channels on the surface of the support plate. This three-dimensional design not only enhances structural stability but also establishes a "heat conduction highway" from the main fluid pipe to the hydrogen storage material through the heat transfer medium within the support plate, ensuring efficient heat exchange during hydrogen absorption and desorption. Consequently, this embedded biomimetic structure significantly improves the response speed and heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange unit, timely regulating the operating temperature of the hydrogen storage material within the ideal range. This not only improves the working performance of the hydrogen storage material but also effectively mitigates the damage and pulverization caused by excessive expansion during hydrogen absorption and desorption, thereby extending its service life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a solid-state hydrogen storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the solid-state hydrogen storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the connection between the hydrogen storage unit and the heat exchange unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a planar schematic diagram of the connection between the support plate and the heat exchange unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the heat exchange unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a plan view of the end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Marked in the figure: 1-shell, 2-hydrogen storage unit, 21-support plate, 211-storage chamber, 212-guide groove, 3-heat exchange unit, 31-main liquid pipe, 311-inlet liquid pipe, 312-outlet liquid pipe, 32-micro liquid pipe network, 321-first micro liquid pipe network, 322-second micro liquid pipe network, 4-partition, 41-vent group, 5-liquid valve, 6-hydrogen valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention; it is obvious that the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "top / bottom," and the like, indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly stipulated and limited, the terms "installed", "provided with", "set / connected", "connected", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a wall-mounted connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. It can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. It can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. It can be the internal connection of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a solid-state hydrogen storage device, comprising a housing 1, a hydrogen storage unit 2, and a heat exchange unit 3. Specifically, the hydrogen storage unit 2 comprises a honeycomb-shaped support plate 21 and a hydrogen storage material filled on the support plate 21; the heat exchange unit 3 comprises a main liquid pipe 31 and several groups of micro liquid pipe networks 32. In general, the main liquid pipe 31 extends axially into the capsule-shaped housing 1 to serve as a primary heat exchange channel. Several layers of the hydrogen storage units 2 are spaced apart in the extension direction of the main liquid pipe 31 and are fixedly connected to the main liquid pipe 31 vertically. At least two groups of micro liquid pipe networks 32 extend from the main liquid pipe 31 and wrap around both sides of the support plate 21. It should be understood that the micro liquid pipe network is interconnected with the main liquid pipe 31. The two groups of micro liquid pipe networks 32 are connected at the end and form a liquid conduction circuit together with the main liquid pipe 31. The heat transfer medium circulates at high speed within the liquid conduction circuit, exchanging heat with the hydrogen storage material during hydrogen absorption and desorption via the heat transfer medium filled within the support plate 21. The following diagrams further illustrate the structure and connection of the various components of the solid-state hydrogen storage unit 2.

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown, to provide an optimal permeation path for hydrogen, the support disc 21 in this embodiment utilizes a honeycomb-like porous structure with several cavities extending through its thickness. The hydrogen storage material, a granular material, is filled within the cavities and, together with the support disc 21, forms a hydrogen storage package structure resembling the surface of a lotus pod. Functionally, these cavities will hereinafter be referred to as storage chambers 211. Preferably, a buffer layer is provided on the sidewalls of the storage chamber 211 to elastically secure the hydrogen storage material, absorbing the stress generated by its expansion upon hydrogen absorption and preventing structural damage. In this embodiment, the support disc 21 is a hollow structure made of carbon fiber material, ensuring sufficient thermal conductivity and structural strength while also being lightweight. The support disc 21 is filled with thermally conductive materials such as graphene and metal foam to serve as a heat transfer medium between the micro-liquid conduit network 32 and the storage chamber 211.

[0033] The micro-conduit network 32 utilizes a fractal structure, extending radially from the main conduit and wrapping around the surface of the support plate 21. In this embodiment, the fractal structure of the micro-conduit network 32 adopts a capillary-like multi-stage branching structure, with arc-shaped branches to reduce the flow resistance of the heat transfer medium within the micro-conduit network 32. Unlike existing heat exchange microchannels, the support plate 21 has diversion grooves 212 on both sides of the surface that match the micro-conduit network 32. The micro-conduit network 32 is embedded in these diversion grooves 212 and fixed, further increasing the effective heat exchange area between the heat transfer medium and the heat transfer medium within the support plate 21.

[0034] like Figures 3 to 5As shown, the main liquid conduit 31 adopts a U-shaped structure. From the perspective of the flow direction of the heat transfer medium within the tube, its straight section includes an inlet conduit 311 and an outlet conduit 312. Taking the inlet conduit 311 as an example, it vertically passes through the multiple layers of support discs 21 and radially extends outward from both sides of the support disc 21 to form a first micro-conduit network 321 and a second micro-conduit network 322. The starting point of the first micro-conduit network 321 is located upstream of the second micro-conduit network 322. Similar to the transition between arterial capillaries and venous capillaries in a biological organism, the first and second micro-conduit networks 321 and 322 are connected one by one on the outer periphery of the support disc 21, away from one end of the inlet conduit 311, thereby forming a complete liquid conduit circuit on the surface of the support disc 21 on this side. Similarly, on the other side of the support plate 21, the outlet conduit 312 also extends from two interconnected micro-conduit networks 32 on both sides of the support plate 21, forming another conduit loop. Compared to existing fractal microchannels, the micro-conduit network 32 provided in this embodiment of the present invention significantly increases the heat exchange coverage and improves heat transfer uniformity by constructing a dense "capillary network" covering the surface of the support plate 21. The loop design not only avoids the existence of fluid dead zones, but also effectively reduces the pressure drop in the conduit loop and increases the flow rate of the heat transfer medium.

[0035] like Figure 3 、 Figure 6 As shown, the hydrogen storage unit 2 also includes a separator 4. Two separators 4 are positioned on either side of the support plate 21 to help secure the micro-conduit network 32, the support plate 21, and the hydrogen storage material. At locations corresponding to the storage chamber 211, the separators 4 are provided with vent groups 41, each of which includes several clearance holes. This ensures that the separators 4 serve both as a flow channel and as a containment mechanism, preventing the hydrogen storage material from pulverizing and scattering within the device.

[0036] Like conventional solid-state hydrogen storage devices, the device also includes a liquid guide valve 5, a hydrogen valve 6 and a sensor group. The liquid guide valve 5 is connected to the main liquid guide pipe 31 and is sealed and fixed to one end of the capsule-shaped shell 1, and is used to switch the type of heat-conducting medium in the main liquid guide pipe 31 and control the on-off of the liquid guide circuit. The hydrogen valve 6 is sealed and arranged on the end of the shell 1 relative to the liquid guide valve 5, and is used to control the inflow and outflow of hydrogen. The sensor group includes a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor, which are arranged on the side of the shell 1 close to the hydrogen valve 6 to monitor the thermodynamic state inside the device in real time.

[0037] In summary, the device provided by the embodiment of the present invention innovatively constructs a densely covered bionic micro-liquid conduit network 32 on the surface of the hydrogen storage unit 2, allowing the heat-conducting medium to penetrate evenly into each hydrogen storage material like blood, significantly expanding the heat exchange area and achieving a uniform layout of heat exchange; at the same time, the micro-liquid conduit network 32 is connected to form a liquid conduit loop, systematically eliminating local flow dead zones, achieving high-speed flow of the heat-conducting medium, and greatly improving heat exchange efficiency. Secondly, shaped like a combination of "roots" and soil, the micro-liquid conduit network 32 is tightly fitted into the guide groove 212 on the surface of the support plate 21 through precision machining. This three-dimensional interlocking design not only enhances structural stability, but also establishes a "heat conduction highway" from the main liquid conduit 31 to the hydrogen storage material through the heat-conducting medium inside the support plate 21, ensuring efficient heat exchange during the hydrogen absorption and desorption process. Therefore, this innovative structure significantly improves the response speed and heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange unit 3, and timely controls the working environment temperature of the hydrogen storage material within the ideal range. This not only improves the working performance of the hydrogen storage material, but also effectively alleviates the phenomenon of excessive expansion, damage, and pulverization during hydrogen absorption and desorption, thereby extending its service life.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any technical equivalent transformation made using the contents of the present invention specification shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A solid-state hydrogen storage device, characterized in that: It includes a shell, several hydrogen storage units and a heat exchange unit; The hydrogen storage unit includes a support plate and a hydrogen storage material loaded on the support plate; the interior of the support plate is filled with a heat-conducting material; The heat exchange unit includes a main liquid pipe and a plurality of micro liquid pipe networks; the main liquid pipe extends into the housing, and the plurality of hydrogen storage units are spaced apart in the extension direction of the main liquid pipe; the main liquid pipe extends into micro liquid pipe networks on two surfaces intersecting with the support plate; the micro liquid pipe networks located on two surfaces of the support plate are interconnected at one end away from the main liquid pipe to form a liquid conduction circuit; The micro-liquid conduit network adopts a capillary-shaped fractal structure; The support plate is provided with a guide groove on its surface, and the micro-liquid guide pipe network is embedded in the guide groove.

2. A solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydrogen unit further comprises partitions arranged on both sides of the support plate; the partitions are provided with a vent hole group at positions corresponding to the hydrogen storage material, and the vent hole group comprises a plurality of clearance holes.

3. A solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support frame adopts a honeycomb-shaped porous structure and is penetrated with a plurality of cavities along the thickness direction for filling the hydrogen storage material.

4. A solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A buffer layer is provided on the side wall of the clearance cavity.

5. A solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The micro-catheter network is configured in an arc shape at the branching portion.

6. A solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main drainage pipe adopts a U-shaped structure, including an inlet drainage pipe and an outlet drainage pipe; the inlet drainage pipe and the outlet drainage pipe vertically pass through the support plate, and the micro drainage pipe network extends from two surfaces of the support plate.

7. A solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a liquid guide valve for controlling the liquid guide circuit; the liquid guide valve is connected to the main liquid guide pipe and is sealed on the shell.

8. The solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a hydrogen valve for controlling the inlet and outlet of hydrogen; the hydrogen valve is sealed on the shell.

9. The solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a sensor group arranged inside the shell; the sensor group includes a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.

10. The solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supporting plate is made of carbon fiber material.

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