Storage tank

Abstract

A storage tank of an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a liner configured to define a storage space in the storage tank, wherein the storage space is configured to contain a fluid; a composite material surrounding an outer side of the liner; and a catalyst disposed in the composite material, where the catalyst is configured to decompose hydrogen molecules when the fluid is hydrogen.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0057933, filed on April 30, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure pertains to storage tanks. Background Technology

[0004] Hydrogen storage tanks for storing hydrogen can be categorized into various types based on the materials used. Among these, the Type 4 hydrogen storage tank comprises a nozzle made of metal, a lining made of plastic, and a reinforcing composite material configured to surround the lining. The Type 4 hydrogen storage tank is noteworthy because it offers excellent durability and weight reduction, and its disposal and manufacturing processes are relatively simple.

[0005] However, when using linings made of plastic materials, hydrogen stored in the tank often leaks to the outside. When hydrogen permeates through the lining and accumulates locally at the interface between the lining and the composite material, the permeated hydrogen sometimes cannot escape to the outside. In this situation, if hydrogen is rapidly released from the storage tank or if external vibrations are applied to the tank, there is a risk that the permeated hydrogen may escape along the interface, potentially leading to fire and buckling phenomena that cause the lining to deform and separate from the composite material. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention relates to a storage tank. A particular embodiment relates to a storage tank capable of storing cryogenic fluids such as hydrogen.

[0007] Embodiments of this disclosure can prevent hydrogen gas that permeates through the tank lining from causing a fire or bending the lining.

[0008] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a storage tank having a storage space capable of containing fluid therein, and the storage tank includes: a liner configured to form the storage space; a composite material disposed around the outside of the liner; and a catalyst disposed in the composite material or on one side of the liner, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst capable of decomposing hydrogen molecules.

[0009] The catalyst can be dispersed in the composite material.

[0010] The storage tank may include a coating applied between the lining and the composite material, wherein the catalyst is disposed in the coating.

[0011] The composite material and the coating may each include epoxy resin.

[0012] The first side of the coating section can be configured to face the composite material, and the second side of the coating section opposite to the first side can be configured to face the lining.

[0013] The storage tank may further include a protective component disposed between the coated portion and the composite material.

[0014] The protective components can be configured to move relative to the lining.

[0015] One side of the coating area can be configured to face the protective component.

[0016] The protective component may include a membrane component or a fiber winding.

[0017] The storage tank may include a cylindrical region having a cylindrical shape and a dome region connected to two opposite sides of the cylindrical region, wherein the catalyst is disposed in the region of the storage tank that excludes the dome region.

[0018] The storage tank may include a cylindrical region having a cylindrical shape and a dome region connected to two opposite sides of the cylindrical region, wherein the catalyst is disposed in the cylindrical region and the dome region of the storage tank.

[0019] The catalyst can be a metal catalyst.

[0020] The catalyst may include at least one of palladium, platinum, platinum alloys, nickel, nickel alloys, and ruthenium.

[0021] The particle size of the catalyst can be 0.01 micrometers or larger and 50 micrometers or smaller.

[0022] The porosity of the composite material can be 8% or lower.

[0023] According to embodiments of this disclosure, it is possible to prevent hydrogen gas that permeates through the lining of the storage tank from causing a fire or bending the lining. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a storage tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank before it is filled with hydrogen.

[0026] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank immediately after it has been filled with hydrogen.

[0027] Figure 4This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of hydrogen molecules permeating through the lining and decomposing in the composite material after the storage tank is filled with hydrogen gas.

[0028] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank before it is filled with hydrogen.

[0029] Figure 6 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank immediately after it has been filled with hydrogen.

[0030] Figure 7 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of hydrogen molecules permeating through the lining and decomposing in the coating section after the storage tank is filled with hydrogen gas.

[0031] Figure 8 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank before it is filled with hydrogen.

[0032] Figure 9 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank immediately after it has been filled with hydrogen.

[0033] Figure 10 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of a storage tank according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, showing the state of hydrogen molecules permeating through the lining and decomposing in the coating section after the storage tank is filled with hydrogen gas. Detailed Implementation

[0034] In the following description, a storage tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a storage tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] The storage tank 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a storage space S capable of containing fluid. For example, the storage tank 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a storage tank for storing hydrogen.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 The storage tank 10 may include a liner 100 configured to form a storage space S and a composite material 200 configured to surround the outer side of the liner 100. For example, the liner 100 may be a liner made of a plastic material. The composite material 200 may have a structure in which a substrate comprising carbon fibers and polymers and provided in the form of a strip is wound around the outer side of the liner 100.

[0038] The storage tank 10 can be divided into multiple areas according to its shape. That is, referring to... Figure 1 The storage tank 10 may include: a cylindrical region 50 having a cylindrical shape; two opposite sides (opposite sides) connected to the cylindrical region 50 along its length and each having a dome shape; and a nozzle region 70 inserted into the dome region 60 along its length. More specifically, a liner 100 and a composite material 200 may be disposed in the cylindrical region 50 and the dome region 60.

[0039] Additionally, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the storage tank 10 may include a catalyst 300 capable of decomposing the molecular structure of the fluid contained in the storage space S of the storage tank 10. More specifically, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the catalyst 300 may be disposed in the composite material 200 or disposed on one side of the liner 100. As described above, the storage tank 10 according to embodiments of this disclosure can be used to store hydrogen. In this case, the catalyst 300 may be a catalyst capable of decomposing hydrogen molecules.

[0040] Catalyst 300 can be configured to decompose gas molecules that have permeated through the lining 100 of tank 10. For example, in the case where tank 10 stores hydrogen, a portion of the hydrogen in tank 10 permeates through the lining 100 and reaches the area between the lining 100 and the composite material 200. "Permeated hydrogen molecules" may remain in the area between the lining 100 and the composite material 200.

[0041] As described above, catalyst 300 can decompose permeated hydrogen molecules in the area between lining 100 and composite material 200, thereby preventing fire or explosion when permeated hydrogen molecules leak along the area between lining 100 and composite material 200.

[0042] However, the catalyst 300 can be disposed in the storage tank 10 as described above in a manner that decomposes only the hydrogen molecules that have permeated through the liner 100. That is, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the catalyst 300 can be disposed at a location where the catalyst 300 can decompose the hydrogen molecules that have permeated through the liner 100 without decomposing the hydrogen molecules stored in the storage space S of the storage tank 10. Hereinafter, the catalyst 300 disposed in the storage tank 10 according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0043] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the catalyst 300 disposed in the storage tank 10 can be a catalyst that decomposes hydrogen molecules into hydrogen atoms, or a catalyst that decomposes hydrogen molecules into hydrogen ions and electrons. For example, the catalyst 300 can be a metal catalyst. For example, the catalyst 300 may include at least one of palladium, platinum, platinum alloys, nickel, nickel alloys, and ruthenium. Among these materials, platinum or palladium can not only effectively decompose hydrogen molecules, but also store hydrogen ions decomposed from hydrogen molecules in the metal, thereby preventing buckling of the lining 100 that occurs during the rapid emission of locally accumulated hydrogen gas.

[0044] That is, when hydrogen is introduced into storage tank 10, and hydrogen molecules are generated due to the increased pressure in storage tank 10, these hydrogen molecules can be decomposed into hydrogen ions by catalyst 300. In this case, because the conversion of hydrogen ions into hydrogen molecules requires a significant amount of time, it is possible to prevent the rapid leakage of hydrogen molecules to the outside during subsequent pressure reduction in storage tank 10 and the return of components of storage tank 10, such as lining 100 and composite material 200, to their original state. Since palladium is relatively more effective at storing hydrogen ions than platinum, palladium is the most preferred catalyst.

[0045] Figure 2 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the storage tank according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank before it is filled with hydrogen. Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank immediately after it has been filled with hydrogen. Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of hydrogen molecules permeating through the lining and decomposing in the composite material after the storage tank is filled with hydrogen gas.

[0046] refer to Figures 2 to 4 According to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the catalyst 300 disposed in the storage tank 10 is dispersed in the composite material 200. That is, according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the catalyst 300 can be integrated with the composite material 200. For example, the composite material 200 and the catalyst 300 can be physically mixed and integrally manufactured during the manufacturing process, and then the composite material 200 and the catalyst 300 can be wound around the outside of the liner 100.

[0047] When the catalyst 300 is dispersed in the composite material 200 as shown in the first embodiment of this disclosure, hydrogen molecules reaching the surface or interior of the composite material 200 can be decomposed by the catalyst 300. That is, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, this is the state of the storage tank 10 when it is filled with hydrogen, compared to the state before the hydrogen was stored in the tank (see...). Figure 2In contrast, due to the pressure of hydrogen, liner 100 is subjected to external force, the thickness of liner 100 decreases, and liner 100 pushes composite material 200 outward (see...). Figure 3 In this case, such as Figure 4 As shown, a portion of the hydrogen in the storage tank 10 permeates through the lining 100, reaching the area (or boundary) between the lining 100 and the composite material 200, or reaching the interior of the composite material 200. In this case, according to the embodiments of this disclosure, because the catalyst 300 is present in the composite material 200, the catalyst 300 decomposes the hydrogen molecules. Therefore, it is possible to prevent hydrogen molecules from leaking to the outside as they flow along the area between the lining 100 and the composite material 200, or to delay the leakage of hydrogen molecules to the outside as they flow along the area between the lining 100 and the composite material 200. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the local concentration of hydrogen molecules in the area between the lining 100 and the composite material 200 and the bending of the lining 100.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, because the catalyst 300 is dispersed in the composite material 200, the physical stiffness and strength of the composite material are improved compared to composite materials made only of non-metallic materials such as carbon fiber or epoxy resin. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, when the catalyst 300 is a metallic catalyst, the high thermal conductivity of metal allows heat in the storage tank 10 to be effectively dissipated to the outside. Therefore, even during the process of charging hydrogen into the storage tank 10, when the temperature of the storage tank 10 rises due to the pressure of the hydrogen, the heat energy in the storage tank 10 can be effectively dissipated by the metallic catalyst, which can improve the charging rate and charging volume of hydrogen into the storage tank 10.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the porosity of the composite material 200 can be set within a predetermined range, thereby effectively delaying the time for hydrogen ions decomposed by the catalyst 300 to convert into hydrogen molecules and release hydrogen molecules. For example, the porosity of the composite material 200 can be higher than 0% and equal to or lower than 8%.

[0050] In addition, the storage tank 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure can be manufactured by: i) providing a liner 100, ii) winding a composite material 200 mixed with catalyst 300 such that the composite material 200 surrounds the outside of the liner 100, and iii) curing the composite material 200.

[0051] Figure 5 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the storage tank according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank before it is filled with hydrogen. Figure 6 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank immediately after it has been filled with hydrogen. Figure 7 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the state of hydrogen molecules permeating through the lining and decomposing in the coating section after the storage tank is filled with hydrogen gas.

[0052] Similar to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the catalyst 300 can be disposed in the storage tank 10 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. However, the second embodiment of this disclosure differs from the first embodiment in that the catalyst 300 is not dispersed in the composite material 200.

[0053] That is, reference Figures 5 to 7 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage tank 10 may further include a coating portion 400 applied between the lining 100 and the composite material 200. A first surface of the coating portion 400 may be configured to face the composite material 200, and a second surface of the coating portion 400 opposite to the first surface may be configured to face the lining 100. For example, the first surface of the coating portion 400 may be configured to directly contact the composite material 200, and the second surface of the coating portion 400 may be configured to directly contact the lining 100.

[0054] Furthermore, according to a second embodiment of this disclosure, the catalyst 300 may be disposed in the coating portion 400. More specifically, the catalyst 300 may be distributed in the coating portion 400. For example, the coating portion 400 may be manufactured by physically mixing epoxy resin and catalyst 300. In this case, according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, the polymer resin in the composite material 200 and the polymer resin in the coating portion 400 may be the same material. For example, the composite material 200 and the coating portion 400 may each comprise epoxy resin. When the polymer resin in the composite material 200 and the polymer resin in the coating portion 400 are the same material, problems that may arise due to differences in physical properties between the composite material 200 and the coating portion 400 can be prevented. In other embodiments, the composite material 200 and the coating portion 400 may be made of different materials. For example, the composite material 200 may include epoxy resin and be configured to retain a microstructure therein. The coating portion 400 may include epoxy resin without retaining the internal microstructure.

[0055] As shown in the second embodiment of this disclosure, when the catalyst 300 is disposed between the liner 100 and the composite material 200 using the coating section 400, hydrogen molecules that have permeated through the liner 100 can be decomposed by the catalyst 300 before reaching the composite material 200. That is, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, this is the state of the storage tank 10 when it is filled with hydrogen, compared to the state before the hydrogen was stored in the storage tank 10 (see Figure 10). Figure 5In contrast, due to the pressure of hydrogen, liner 100 is subjected to external force, the thickness of liner 100 decreases, and liner 100 pushes composite material 200 outward (see...). Figure 6 In this case, such as Figure 7 As shown, a portion of the hydrogen gas in the storage tank 10 permeates through the lining 100 and reaches the coating section 400. In this case, according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, because the catalyst 300 is present in the coating section 400, the catalyst 300 decomposes the hydrogen molecules. Therefore, it is possible to prevent hydrogen molecules from leaking to the outside as they flow along the area between the lining 100 and the composite material 200, or to delay the leakage of hydrogen molecules to the outside as they flow along the area between the lining 100 and the composite material 200. Therefore, as with the first embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to effectively prevent the local concentration of hydrogen molecules in the area between the lining 100 and the composite material 200 and to prevent the lining 100 from bending.

[0056] In addition, the storage tank 10 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure can be manufactured by: i) providing a liner 100, ii) applying a coating portion 400 mixed with catalyst 300 to the outside of the liner 100, iii) winding the composite material 200 such that the composite material 200 surrounds the outside of the coating portion 400, and iv) curing the coating portion 400 and the composite material 200.

[0057] Figure 8 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the storage tank according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank before it is filled with hydrogen. Figure 9 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of the storage tank according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, showing the state of the storage tank immediately after it has been filled with hydrogen. Figure 10 This is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional structure of a storage tank according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, showing the state of hydrogen molecules permeating through the lining and decomposing in the coating section after the storage tank is filled with hydrogen gas.

[0058] Similar to the first and second embodiments of this disclosure, the catalyst 300 can be disposed in the storage tank 10 in the third embodiment of this disclosure. However, the third embodiment of this disclosure differs from the first and second embodiments in that, in addition to the catalyst 300, a protective member 500 may be additionally disposed in the storage tank 10.

[0059] That is, reference Figures 8 to 10 According to a third embodiment of this disclosure, the storage tank 10 may further include a protective member 500 disposed between the coating portion 400 and the composite material 200.

[0060] For example, refer to Figures 8 to 10The protective member 500 can be joined to the composite material 200 and configured to be movable relative to the liner 100. For example, a curing process can be performed during the manufacture of the storage tank 10. The protective member 500 and the composite material 200 can be joined to each other during the curing process. However, unlike the above configuration, the protective member 500 can also be configured to be movable relative to the liner 100 without being joined to the composite material 200.

[0061] In this case, according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, the coating portion 400 including the catalyst 300 can be disposed between the liner 100 and the composite material 200. More specifically, one surface of the coating portion 400 can be configured to face the protective member 500. That is, the protective member 500 can be configured to face both the coating portion 400 and the composite material 200.

[0062] According to the third embodiment of this disclosure, the coating portion 400 can be configured to prevent the composite material 200 from being damaged when the storage tank 10 deforms due to pressure. That is, during the process of filling and discharging hydrogen into and from the storage tank 10, the internal pressure of the storage tank 10 changes. When the pressure in the storage tank 10 changes, components such as the liner 100 and the coating portion 400 repeatedly undergo shape deformation.

[0063] In this case, according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, the protective member 500 can be configured to prevent the surface of the composite material 200 from being scratched by forces applied to the surface of the composite material 200 when the coating portion 400 deforms. That is, according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, the force applied when the shape of the coating portion 400 is deformed is applied to the coating portion 400 instead of the composite material 200, thereby effectively protecting the composite material 200.

[0064] Alternatively, the protective member 500 can be a sheet-like membrane member. However, the protective member 500 can also be a wound member provided in the form of a strip wound around the outer side of the liner 100 and the outer side of the coating portion 400. For example, the protective member 500 can be a fiber wound portion.

[0065] In addition, the storage tank 10 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure can be manufactured by: i) providing a liner 100, ii) applying a coating portion 400 mixed with catalyst 300 to the outside of the liner 100, iv) providing a protective member 500 to the outside of the coating portion 400, v) winding the composite material 200 such that the composite material 200 surrounds the outside of the protective member, and vi) curing the coating portion 400, the protective member 500 and the composite material 200.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the first to third embodiments of this disclosure, the catalyst 300 may be disposed at least in the cylindrical region 50 of the storage tank 10. This is because permeated hydrogen molecules may be relatively concentrated in the cylindrical region 50 rather than the dome region 60. That is, components such as the liner 100, which deform due to the pressure of hydrogen in the storage tank 10, deform relatively more in the cylindrical region 50 than in the dome region 60, and the liner 100 bends significantly in the cylindrical region 50 due to deformation. Therefore, the catalyst 300 according to the embodiments of this disclosure may be disposed at least in the cylindrical region 50.

[0067] For example, catalyst 300 can be disposed in a region of tank 10 other than dome region 60 and nozzle region 70. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Catalyst 300 can be disposed in both cylindrical region 50 and dome region 60. Catalyst 300 can even be disposed in nozzle region 70.

[0068] Furthermore, the size of the catalyst 300 particles disposed in the storage tank 10 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be limited to a specified range. That is, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the particle size of the catalyst 300 can be 0.01 micrometers or more and 50 micrometers or less, thereby preventing the catalyst 300 from detaching from the storage tank 10 during the process of charging and discharging hydrogen from the storage tank 10, and allowing the catalyst 300 to improve the physical stiffness and strength of the composite material 200.

[0069] The invention has been described with reference to examples and accompanying drawings, but is not limited thereto. Within the scope of the technical spirit and spirit of the invention, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains can practice the invention in various forms.

[0070] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0071] 10: Storage tank

[0072] 50: Cylindrical region

[0073] 60: Dome area

[0074] 70: Nozzle area

[0075] 100: Lining

[0076] 200: Composite materials

[0077] 300: Catalyst

[0078] 400: Coating area

[0079] 500: Protective components

[0080] S: Storage space of the tank.

Claims

1. A storage tank, comprising: A liner configured to define a storage space within the tank, wherein the storage space is configured to contain fluid; Composite material, which surrounds the outer side of the lining; and A catalyst is disposed in the composite material, wherein, when the fluid is hydrogen, the catalyst is configured to decompose hydrogen molecules.

2. The storage tank according to claim 1, wherein, The catalyst is dispersed in the composite material.

3. The storage tank according to claim 1, further comprising: A cylindrical region, which has a cylindrical shape; as well as A dome region connecting the opposite sides of the cylindrical region, wherein the catalyst is disposed in the cylindrical region but not in the dome region.

4. The storage tank according to claim 1, further comprising: A cylindrical region, which has a cylindrical shape; as well as A dome region connecting opposite sides of the cylindrical region, wherein the catalyst is disposed in the cylindrical region and the dome region.

5. The storage tank according to claim 1, wherein, The catalyst includes a metal catalyst.

6. The storage tank according to claim 1, wherein, The catalyst includes palladium, platinum, platinum alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, or ruthenium.

7. The storage tank according to claim 1, wherein, The catalyst has a particle size of 0.01 micrometers or larger and 50 micrometers or smaller.

8. The storage tank according to claim 1, wherein, The porosity of the composite material is less than 8%.

9. A storage tank, comprising: A liner configured to define a storage space within the tank, wherein the storage space is configured to contain fluid; Composite material, which surrounds the outer side of the lining; and A catalyst is disposed on the outer side of the liner facing the composite material, wherein, in the case of hydrogen gas as the fluid, the catalyst is configured to decompose hydrogen molecules.

10. The storage tank according to claim 9, further comprising: A coating portion is disposed between the lining and the composite material, wherein the catalyst is disposed in the coating portion.

11. The storage tank according to claim 10, wherein, The composite material and the coated portion both comprise epoxy resin.

12. The storage tank according to claim 10, wherein, The first surface of the coating portion faces the composite material, and the second surface of the coating portion, opposite to the first surface, faces the lining.

13. The storage tank according to claim 10, further comprising: A protective member is disposed between the coated portion and the composite material.

14. The storage tank according to claim 13, wherein, The protective member is movable relative to the lining.

15. The storage tank according to claim 13, wherein, The first surface of the coating portion faces the protective member.

16. The storage tank according to claim 13, wherein, The protective component includes a membrane component or a fiber winding portion.

17. The storage tank according to claim 9, wherein, The catalyst includes a metal catalyst.

18. The storage tank according to claim 9, wherein, The catalyst includes palladium, platinum, platinum alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, or ruthenium.

19. The storage tank according to claim 9, wherein, The catalyst has a particle size of 0.01 micrometers or larger and 50 micrometers or smaller.

20. The storage tank according to claim 9, wherein, The porosity of the composite material is less than 8%.

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