Novel large-volume high-pressure hydrogen storage container

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of hydrogen storage, in particular to a novel large-volume hydrogen storage container and a development method thereof. The container comprises a middle cylinder, a hemispherical upper / right seal head and a hemispherical lower / left seal head, is welded to form a cylindrical container with a single-layer plate structure, can be vertically or horizontally mounted and is provided with a skirt or a saddle. The container is provided with various pipe openings, a specific connecting and sealing mode is adopted, a pressure-bearing welding seam is of a full penetration welding butt welding structure, a main body material is low-temperature carbon steel, the container is suitable for a certain temperature, pressure and diameter range, and the sealing performance is ensured through a helium leak detection test. According to the development method, design, material selection and performance verification and welding process verification are subjected to integrated coupling iteration, and the intrinsic safety of the container is guaranteed through the steps of preliminary design, performance testing, optimization design, manufacturing and machining, test piece testing and the like. The hydrogen storage container is simple in structure, low in cost and wide in application range, the defects of an existing hydrogen storage container can be effectively overcome, and the large-scale hydrogen storage requirement is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hydrogen storage, in particular to a new type of 25MPa grade large-volume gas storage container. Background Art

[0002] Currently, hydrogen storage vessels are primarily categorized as low-pressure and high-pressure. Low-pressure hydrogen storage vessels, primarily spherical tanks with pressures below 3 MPa, are suitable for hydrogen storage in hydrogen production plants. Spherical tanks are typically manufactured on-site and require advanced welding techniques. High-pressure hydrogen storage vessels are primarily used in hydrogen refueling stations and mobile transportation. Common structures include spun cylinders, multi-layer wrapped containers, and staggered steel strip containers.

[0003] Although the existing hydrogen storage containers have met the needs of hydrogen storage to a certain extent, there are still the following shortcomings: 1. The existing gaseous hydrogen storage containers are mainly spun cylinders, spherical tanks, multi-layer wrapping, and steel strip winding structures. The spun cylinders have high pressure and small single-unit volume (about 1-1.5m3). The manufacturing requires spinning equipment, winding machines, etc., and are mostly used for hydrogen storage or mobile transportation in hydrogen refueling stations; spherical tanks are large in volume and suitable for hydrogen storage in hydrogen production plants, but the hydrogen storage pressure is low (3MPa), and on-site welding manufacturing has high requirements; multi-layer wrapping and steel strip winding containers can be used in hydrogen production plants, but the structure is complex and there are many welds. They require special equipment such as layer wrapping machines and steel strip winding machines. There are relatively few domestic factories with manufacturing capabilities.

[0004] 2. Existing hydrogen storage containers, such as layer wrapping, steel belt winding, and spherical tank liner materials are mostly 316L stainless steel, the outer shell is Q345R or equivalent grade CS, and the spinning cylinder container material is mostly 35CrMo, and the outer surface may be wrapped with fiber and other materials.

[0005] 3. Separation of Design and Manufacturing: Existing hydrogen storage container development methods typically involve designers designing based on operating conditions, and manufacturers manufacturing according to design documents. This separation of design and manufacturing requires communication with the designers to resolve technical issues encountered during the manufacturing process, increasing manufacturing time and costs. Furthermore, the relatively independent design and manufacturing of hydrogen storage containers makes it difficult to effectively evaluate the performance of materials in hydrogen environments, resulting in inadequate safety assurance and potential safety risks. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Existing hydrogen storage vessels face challenges in large-scale engineering applications, including hydrogen storage pressure, integrated design and manufacturing, and hydrogen damage. This invention aims to provide a new, 25MPa-grade, large-volume, high-pressure hydrogen storage vessel. Through an integrated, coupled and iterative approach to design, material selection, material performance testing, and welding process verification, this vessel ensures its inherent safety and can meet the large-scale hydrogen storage needs of most regions across China.

[0007] In order to achieve the above objectives, this solution specifically adopts the following technical means:

[0008] A new type of large-volume high-pressure hydrogen storage container, comprising:

[0009] an intermediate cylinder;

[0010] and a hemispherical upper / right head and a hemispherical lower / left head, wherein the intermediate cylinder is connected to the hemispherical upper / right head and the hemispherical lower / left head by welding to form a cylindrical container with a single-layer plate structure;

[0011] The gas storage container can be configured as a vertical structure or a horizontal structure. The vertical structure is configured with a skirt, and the horizontal structure is configured with a saddle.

[0012] Furthermore, a manhole is provided on the hemispherical lower / left head, a hydrogen inlet is centrally provided on the hemispherical upper / right head, and a hydrogen outlet, an instrument port, a safety valve port and a drain port are arranged;

[0013] The instrument port adopts a threaded connection structure, the surface roughness of the thread end face is not greater than Ra1.6μm, and is equipped with a copper gasket;

[0014] The hydrogen outlet, safety valve port, drain port and manhole are connected to the head by flanges, and the flange sealing surface adopts a stainless steel octagonal gasket sealing surface.

[0015] Furthermore, the pressure-bearing welds of the gas storage container include a longitudinal weld of the cylinder, a circumferential weld of the cylinder, a weld between the cylinder and the head, and a pipe weld, and the pressure-bearing welds adopt a full-penetration butt welding structure.

[0016] Furthermore, the main material of the gas storage container is 09MnNiDR / 09MnNiD low-temperature carbon steel, and the operating temperature range is -50°C to 70°C; the diameter range of the gas storage container is 900mm to 4000mm, and the applicable pressure level is 0~25MPa.

[0017] Furthermore, the inner surface of the gas storage container is ground, and the inner surface roughness is less than Ra6.3μm; the surface of the flange sealing surface 11 is machined, and the machining accuracy is less than Ra0.8μm, and the bottom chamfer has a smooth transition.

[0018] Furthermore, the gas storage container is tested for tightness by a helium leak test, and the leak rate index is less than 1×10 -7 Pa·m 3 / s; During the manufacturing process of the hydrogen storage container, product samples are provided for performance re-inspection under hydrogen working conditions.

[0019] Correspondingly, the present invention also provides a method for preparing a novel large-volume high-pressure hydrogen storage container, comprising the following steps:

[0020] Receive external design input and carry out preliminary design of hydrogen storage vessels in accordance with JB4732 standard, including structural design, material selection, fatigue analysis design, determination of key welding structures and welding process qualification requirements;

[0021] Based on the preliminary designed materials and welding structures, research on material welding processes and performance tests of materials in high-pressure hydrogen and air environments were carried out to obtain data on changes in the mechanical properties of the base material and welds in hydrogen environments;

[0022] Feedback performance test data to the design process to optimize and determine the final design scheme, structure, calculation parameters and welding process parameters, and complete the welding process assessment;

[0023] Based on the determined design and welding process, material procurement and container manufacturing and processing are carried out. The manufacturing process includes head stamping, cylinder rolling, pipe processing, and container assembly welding. Subsequently, nondestructive testing, heat treatment, final machining, water pressure testing, helium leak detection, and internal and external surface cleaning processes are carried out in sequence. During the container manufacturing process, typical structural specimens are selected, and performance tests of the container specimens under hydrogen conditions are carried out simultaneously. Based on the test results, the manufacturing process is verified and adjusted to ensure the inherent safety of the container. The product is completed after meeting the manufacturing technology and inspection requirements and leaving the factory for acceptance.

[0024] Furthermore: the welding process uses narrow gap groove welding and automatic argon arc welding; the sealing surface is an octagonal pad, the sealing surface machining accuracy is less than Ra0.8um and the bottom chamfer has a smooth transition; the inner surface of the container is ground to a roughness less than Ra6.3um; the helium leak test uses one or more of the sniffing method, shield method, and tracer probe method, and the leakage rate index is less than 1x10 -7 Pa·m 3 / s.

[0025] The present invention has the following technical effects:

[0026] The new large-volume hydrogen storage container of the present invention is a single-layer welded container, mainly composed of a spherical head, a cylindrical body, a support, and a connecting pipe. It has a simple structure and is suitable for manufacturing and promotion in most manufacturers. The volume can be increased according to demand, and the 25MPa pressure level covers the 3MPa level of hydrogen after hydrogen production in the electrolyzer, the 15MPa level of hydrogen as raw material for ammonia synthesis, the 10MPa level of hydrogen as raw material for methanol synthesis, and the 20MPa level of hydrogen for downstream long-tube trailers, etc., which are most industrial application needs.

[0027] The novel large-volume hydrogen storage container of the present invention is made of low-temperature carbon steel 09MnNiD, which is cheap and easy to obtain, can withstand the lowest ambient temperature of -70°C, and is applicable to most areas of the country.

[0028] The novel large-volume, high-pressure hydrogen storage container of the present invention takes design, material selection, performance verification, and welding process verification as the precursors to container manufacturing, conducts integrated coupled iterations, comprehensively evaluates the reliability of design, materials, and manufacturing, and manufactures the hydrogen storage container after determining the design and welding process. Key technologies are verified by sampling test pieces during the manufacturing process to ensure the inherent safety of the hydrogen storage container.

[0029] The new large-volume hydrogen storage container of the present invention integrates design into manufacturing for integrated coupling iteration, conducts hydrogen performance tests on the base material and weld structure, evaluates the reliability of the design, materials, and welding process, and optimizes the design and manufacturing process as a whole.

[0030] The new large-volume hydrogen storage container of the present invention will undergo strength and sealing tests through water pressure tests and helium leak tests. During the manufacturing and processing process, product witness pieces will be set up and hydrogen performance tests will be repeated to ensure the reliability of the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 This is a technical implementation route for a new type of large-volume gas storage container with a 25MPa grade, which is a specific implementation of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 It is a new type of large volume vertical structure with a 25MPa grade according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 It is a new type of large volume horizontal structure with a 25MPa grade according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a diagram of the main nozzle layout of a new type of large-volume 25MPa grade vessel according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Numbers in the figure:

[0036] 1. Intermediate cylinder; 2. Hemispherical lower / left head; 3. Hemispherical upper / right head; 4. Manhole; 5. Hydrogen inlet; 6. Hydrogen outlet; 7. Instrument port; 8. Safety valve port; 9. Drain port; 10. Threaded connection structure; 11. Octagonal gasket sealing surface; 12. Pressure-bearing weld. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following describes the implementation of the invention patent through specific examples. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. The details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the invention. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0038] Among them, the accompanying drawings are only used for illustrative purposes and represent only schematic diagrams rather than actual pictures, and should not be understood as limiting the invention; in order to better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, certain parts of the accompanying drawings may be omitted, enlarged or reduced, and do not represent the dimensions of actual products; for those skilled in the art, the omission of certain well-known structures and their descriptions in the accompanying drawings is understandable.

[0039] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is the technical implementation route for the new 25MPa grade large-volume gas storage container of the present invention. The present invention provides a new large-volume high-pressure hydrogen storage container, and its development method includes the following steps: First, receive external design input and carry out preliminary design of the hydrogen storage container in accordance with the JB4732 standard, including structural design, material selection, fatigue analysis design, determination of key welding structures and welding process assessment requirements. Then, for the materials and welding structures of the preliminary design, carry out material welding process research, and perform performance tests of the materials in high-pressure hydrogen environment and air environment respectively, and obtain data on changes in the mechanical properties of the base material and weld in the hydrogen environment. Subsequently, the performance test data is fed back to the design link to optimize and determine the final design scheme, structure, calculation parameters and welding process parameters, and complete the welding process assessment. Finally, according to the determined design and welding process, material procurement and container manufacturing and processing are carried out. The manufacturing process includes head stamping, cylinder rolling, pipe processing, and container assembly welding. Subsequently, flaw detection, heat treatment, final machining, water pressure test, helium leak detection, and internal and external surface cleaning processes are carried out in sequence. During the container manufacturing process, typical structural specimens are selected, and performance tests of the container specimens under hydrogen conditions are carried out simultaneously. The manufacturing process is verified and adjusted based on the test results to ensure the inherent safety of the container. The product is completed after meeting the manufacturing technology and inspection requirements and leaving the factory for acceptance.

[0040] See also Figure 2 and 4 , Figure 2This is a new type of large-volume vertical structure with a 25MPa grade according to the present invention. The hydrogen storage container comprises an intermediate cylinder 1, a hemispherical upper / right head 3 and a hemispherical lower / left head 2. The intermediate cylinder 1 is connected to the hemispherical upper / right head 3 and the hemispherical lower / left head 2 by welding to form a cylindrical container with a single-layer plate structure. The gas storage container can be configured as a vertical structure, and the vertical structure is provided with a skirt. A manhole 4 is provided on the hemispherical lower / left head 2, a hydrogen inlet 5 is centrally provided on the hemispherical upper / right head 3, and a hydrogen outlet 6, an instrument port 7, a safety valve port 8 and a drain port 9 are arranged. The instrument port 7 adopts a threaded connection structure 10, the surface roughness of the thread end face is not greater than Ra1.6μm, and a copper gasket is provided. The hydrogen outlet 6, the safety valve port 8, the drain port 9 and the manhole 4 are connected to the head by flanges, and the flange sealing surface adopts a stainless steel octagonal gasket sealing surface 11.

[0041] See also Figure 3 and 4 , Figure 3 This is a new type of large-volume horizontal structure with a 25MPa grade according to the present invention. The hydrogen storage container also includes an intermediate cylinder 1, a hemispherical upper / right head 3 and a hemispherical lower / left head 2. The intermediate cylinder 1 is connected to the hemispherical upper / right head 3 and the hemispherical lower / left head 2 by welding to form a cylindrical container with a single-layer plate structure. The gas storage container can be configured as a horizontal structure, and the horizontal structure is provided with a saddle. A manhole 4 is provided on the hemispherical lower / left head 2, a hydrogen inlet 5 is centrally provided on the hemispherical upper / right head 3, and a hydrogen outlet 6, an instrument port 7, a safety valve port 8 and a drain port 9 are arranged. The instrument port 7 adopts a threaded connection structure 10, the surface roughness of the thread end face is not greater than Ra1.6μm, and a copper gasket is provided. The hydrogen outlet 6, the safety valve port 8, the drain port 9 and the manhole 4 are connected to the head by flanges, and the flange sealing surface adopts a stainless steel octagonal gasket sealing surface 11.

[0042] The pressure-bearing welds 12 of the hydrogen storage container include the longitudinal weld of the cylinder, the circumferential weld of the cylinder, the weld between the cylinder and the head, and the weld of the pipe. The pressure-bearing welds 12 adopt a full-penetration butt welding structure. The main material of the gas storage container is 09MnNiDR / 09MnNiD low-temperature carbon steel, and the operating temperature range is -50°C to 70°C; the diameter range of the gas storage container is 900mm to 4000mm, and the applicable pressure level is 0~25MPa. The inner surface of the gas storage container is ground, and the inner surface roughness is less than Ra6.3μm; the surface of the flange sealing surface 11 is machined, and the machining accuracy is less than Ra0.8μm, and the bottom chamfer has a smooth transition. The gas storage container has passed the helium leak test to verify the sealing performance, and the leakage rate index is less than 1×10 -7 Pa·m 3 / s; During the manufacturing process of hydrogen storage containers, product samples are set up for performance re-testing under hydrogen conditions.

[0043] The 25MPa-grade new large-volume high-pressure hydrogen storage container provided by the present invention is a single-layer, welded, high-pressure, large-volume fixed hydrogen storage container, which integrates design and manufacturing. Through the steps of design, material selection, material performance verification, welding process verification, feedback design finalization, etc., design and manufacturing are coupled and iteratively carried out. The hydrogen storage container is manufactured according to the determined design and welding process, and the inherent safety of the container is ensured by sampling and verification of test pieces during the manufacturing process.

Claims

1. A new type of large-volume high-pressure hydrogen storage container, characterized in that: include: an intermediate cylinder (1); and a hemispherical upper / right head (3) and a hemispherical lower / left head (2); the intermediate cylinder (1) is connected to the hemispherical upper / right head (3) and the hemispherical lower / left head (2) by welding to form a cylindrical container with a single-layer plate structure; The gas storage container can be configured as a vertical structure or a horizontal structure. The vertical structure is configured with a skirt, and the horizontal structure is configured with a saddle.

2. The novel large-volume gas storage container according to claim 1 is characterized in that: A manhole (4) is provided on the hemispherical lower / left head (2), a hydrogen inlet (5) is centrally provided on the hemispherical upper / right head (3), and a hydrogen outlet (6), an instrument port (7), a safety valve port (8) and a drain port (9) are arranged; The instrument port (7) adopts a threaded connection structure (10), the surface roughness of the thread end face is not greater than Ra1.6μm, and is equipped with a copper gasket; The hydrogen outlet (6), the safety valve port (8), the drain port (9) and the manhole (4) are connected to the head by flanges, and the flange sealing surface adopts a stainless steel octagonal gasket sealing surface (11).

3. The novel large-capacity gas storage container according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The pressure-bearing welds (12) of the gas storage container include a longitudinal weld of the cylinder, a circumferential weld of the cylinder, a weld between the cylinder and the head, and a pipe weld. The pressure-bearing welds (12) adopt a full-penetration butt welding structure.

4. The novel large-capacity gas storage container according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The main material of the gas storage container is 09MnNiDR / 09MnNiD low-temperature carbon steel, and the operating temperature range is -50°C to 70°C; the diameter range of the gas storage container is 900mm to 4000mm, and the applicable pressure level is 0~25MPa.

5. The novel large-capacity gas storage container according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The inner surface of the gas storage container is ground, and the inner surface roughness is less than Ra6.3μm; the flange sealing surface (11) is machined, and the machining accuracy is less than Ra0.8μm, and the bottom chamfer has a smooth transition.

6. The novel large-capacity gas storage container according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The gas storage container has been tested for tightness by helium leak detection, with a leakage rate of less than 1×10 -7 Pa·m 3 / s; During the manufacturing process of the hydrogen storage container, product samples are provided for performance re-inspection under hydrogen working conditions.

7. A method for developing a new type of large-volume high-pressure hydrogen storage container, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Receive external design input and carry out preliminary design of hydrogen storage vessels in accordance with JB4732 standard, including structural design, material selection, fatigue analysis design, determination of key welding structures and welding process qualification requirements; Based on the preliminary designed materials and welding structures, research on material welding processes and performance tests of materials in high-pressure hydrogen and air environments were carried out to obtain data on changes in the mechanical properties of the base material and welds in hydrogen environments; Feedback performance test data to the design process to optimize and determine the final design scheme, structure, calculation parameters and welding process parameters, and complete the welding process assessment; Based on the determined design and welding process, material procurement and vessel manufacturing and processing are carried out. The manufacturing process includes head stamping, cylinder rolling, pipe processing, and vessel assembly welding. Subsequently, flaw detection, heat treatment, final machining, hydrostatic testing, helium leak detection, and internal and external surface cleaning are carried out in sequence. During the container manufacturing process, typical structural specimens are selected, and performance tests of the container specimens under hydrogen conditions are carried out simultaneously. The manufacturing process is verified and adjusted based on the test results to ensure the inherent safety of the container. The product is completed after meeting the manufacturing technology and inspection requirements and leaving the factory for acceptance.

8. The method for developing a novel large-volume high-pressure hydrogen storage container according to claim 7, characterized in that: The welding process uses narrow gap groove welding and automatic argon arc welding; the sealing surface is an octagonal gasket with a machining accuracy of less than Ra0.8um and a smooth chamfered bottom. The inner surface of the container is ground to a roughness of less than Ra6.3um; the helium leak test uses one or more of the sniffing method, shield method, and tracer probe method, with a leak rate index of less than 1x10 -7 Pa·m 3 / s.

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