Hydrogen storage device based on three-period minimal curved surface and implementation method

Abstract

The invention discloses a hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal curved surface. The core body comprises a three-period tiny curved surface structure and a hydrogen storage device shell which are integrally formed, the three-period tiny curved surface structure is arranged in the hydrogen storage device shell, the three-period tiny curved surface structure divides the internal space of the hydrogen storage device shell into a fluid channel and a hydrogen storage area which are crossed with each other, and the fluid channel and the hydrogen storage area are not communicated with each other. The TPMS strict periodic minimum curved surface structure (such as Gyandroid and Diamond) adopted by the hydrogen storage device based on the three-period minimum curved surface structure provides uniform and highly communicated pore distribution, a hydrogen diffusion path is optimized, mass transfer resistance is reduced, and the phenomenon of local adsorption saturation or desorption lag easily occurring under the working condition of high pressure or rapid hydrogen charging and discharging is prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of solid-state hydrogen storage material technology, and relates to a hydrogen storage device and its implementation method based on a three-period minimal surface. Background Technology

[0002] Solid-state hydrogen storage technology is considered one of the core solutions in the field of hydrogen energy storage and transportation due to its high safety, high energy density, and environmental friendliness. However, existing technologies still face the following key bottlenecks in practical applications: Structural design limitations: Traditional hydrogen storage devices often employ simple porous structures with random pore distribution and poor connectivity, resulting in insufficient utilization of the effective specific surface area. Redundant hydrogen diffusion paths, especially under high pressure or rapid hydrogen charging / discharging conditions, easily lead to local adsorption saturation and desorption hysteresis. Furthermore, such structures can experience framework collapse due to stress concentration during cycling, significantly shortening the device's lifespan. Low thermal management efficiency: The intense thermal effects generated during hydrogen charging (exothermic reaction, ΔH≈-75kJ / mol) and decharging (endothermic reaction, ΔH≈+75kJ / mol) of hydrogen storage materials are limited by the thermal conductivity of traditional porous structures, preventing rapid heat transfer. Experimental data shows that internal temperature differences can reach 30-50℃. Local overheating can trigger irreversible phase transitions in the hydrogen storage medium, while undercooling leads to stagnation of desorption kinetics, reducing overall hydrogen storage efficiency.

[0003] Three-period minimal surface (TPMS) structures (such as Gyroid, Diamond, and Primitive) are mathematically rigorously defined continuous minimal surfaces. They possess high specific surface area (2-3 times higher than traditional porous structures), infinite periodic extensibility, and excellent mechanical properties, providing a new approach to solving the aforementioned problems.

[0004] In existing solid-state hydrogen storage devices, heat is difficult to conduct quickly during hydrogen charging (exothermic) and hydrogen release (endothermic) processes, resulting in uneven temperature distribution inside the material, causing local overheating or undercooling, reducing hydrogen storage efficiency and accelerating material aging. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a hydrogen storage device and its implementation method based on a three-period minimal surface, aiming to solve the technical problems of structural design and thermal management of traditional hydrogen storage devices. The hydrogen storage device provided by this invention has the advantages of high compactness, lightweight, good printability, and resistance to high temperature and high pressure. It achieves a synergistic breakthrough in hydrogen storage efficiency, thermal management capability and structural stability, and provides an innovative solution for high-speed hydrogen storage scenarios.

[0006] A hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface includes a core, which comprises an integrally formed three-period minimal surface structure and a hydrogen storage device shell. The three-period minimal surface structure is disposed inside the hydrogen storage device shell, and the three-period minimal surface structure divides the internal space of the hydrogen storage device shell into intersecting fluid channels and hydrogen storage regions, which are not interconnected.

[0007] The hydrogen storage material is attached to the hydrogen storage region of the three-period minimal curved surface structure, ensuring that the heat generated by the hydrogen storage material can be quickly carried away or provided during rapid reactions.

[0008] The hydrogen storage device housing has inlet and outlet sections corresponding to the fluid channels, with a fluid inlet and outlet respectively. The hydrogen storage device housing also has a hydrogen filling / discharging port corresponding to the hydrogen storage area. The housing is mainly responsible for fixing the internal hydrogen storage material and other related components, providing overall support and sealing functions.

[0009] This invention integrates a top water tank for storing coolant.

[0010] When the device is in the hydrogen release state, the coolant in the water tank is heated to the required temperature and then introduced into the hydrogen storage device to ensure that the hydrogen storage material receives the necessary heat supply during the hydrogen release process and promotes hydrogen release.

[0011] During hydrogen charging, the coolant in the top water tank enters the hydrogen storage tank, effectively removing the heat generated by the hydrogen absorption reaction of the hydrogen storage material, thus preventing excessive temperature from affecting hydrogen storage efficiency and safety.

[0012] A three-period minimal surface structure comprises multiple interconnected three-period minimal surface unit cells, which are connected in an array to form the three-period minimal surface structure. Three-period minimal surface unit cells include types such as Gyriod structure, I-WP structure, Diamond structure, Neovius structure, Primitive structure, Fischer-KochS structure, F-DR structure, and PMY structure.

[0013] Gyriod structure, I-WP structure, Diamond structure, Neovius structure, Primitive structure, Fischer-KochS structure, F-DR structure, and PMY structure are different structures in existing technologies.

[0014] A method for implementing a hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface includes the following steps:

[0015] Step 1: Connect the water storage tank pipeline to the fluid inlet using a connector, and connect the hydrogen delivery pipeline to the hydrogen charging port of the hydrogen storage area using a connector.

[0016] Step 2: Cooling fluid is transported from the water tank through the pipeline to the fluid channel of the core through the fluid inlet, and hydrogen is transported through the hydrogen pipeline to the hydrogen storage area of ​​the core through the hydrogen charging and discharging port;

[0017] Step 3: After the fluid and hydrogen enter their respective channels, the fluid region and the hydrogen storage region exchange heat within the framework of the three-period minimal surface structure, and the fluid generates spiral flow under the guidance of the three-period minimal surface structure.

[0018] Step 4: After heat exchange is completed, the fluid flows out of the hydrogen storage device shell through the fluid outlet, and the hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage area of ​​the hydrogen storage device.

[0019] Compared with traditional hydrogen storage devices, the present invention has the following technical advantages:

[0020] (1) The hydrogen storage device based on the three-period minimal surface structure provided by the present invention uses the strictly periodic minimal surface structure of TPMS (such as Gyroid, Diamond) to provide a uniform and highly interconnected pore distribution, optimize the hydrogen diffusion path, reduce mass transfer resistance, and prevent local adsorption saturation or desorption lag under high pressure or rapid hydrogen charging and discharging conditions.

[0021] (2) The hydrogen storage device based on the three-period minimal surface structure in this invention utilizes the continuous surface characteristics of the TPMS structure to achieve rapid heat diffusion or replenishment, prevent uneven temperature distribution inside the material, avoid local overheating or overcooling, reduce hydrogen storage efficiency and accelerate material aging.

[0022] (3) The three-period minimal surface structure used in the hydrogen storage device based on the three-period minimal surface structure provided by the present invention is different from other enhanced heat exchange structures. Its minimal surface is a direct result of natural force distribution, and its potential energy is naturally minimal. It has excellent mechanical properties, large compactness, and high temperature and high pressure resistance.

[0023] (4) The three-period minimal surface unit cell in this invention specifically uses a three-period minimal surface structure, which is the minimum energy state under finite boundary conditions and has a very stable structure. Since the average curvature of each point of the minimal surface is zero, it has characteristics such as a smooth surface and a uniform radius of curvature. Under load, the stress distribution of this structure is uniform, and it has more outstanding mechanical load-bearing performance, making it suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure applications of solid hydrogen storage. At the same time, each separate channel inside the three-period minimal surface is interconnected in all directions, allowing the internal fluid to flow freely with lower flow resistance and pressure drop, resulting in better overall heat transfer performance and improved thermal management capabilities.

[0024] (5) The three-period minimal surface in this invention naturally divides a three-dimensional region into two independent channels and provides a large surface area-volume ratio. Moreover, the three-period minimal surface can induce complex flow patterns such as spirals in the internal fluid, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.

[0025] (6) The three periodic minimal surfaces in this invention are all controlled by simple implicit functions. Through computer-aided design, the surface structure parameters can be adjusted, and the compactness and volume fraction can also change with the spatial position, making it more suitable for high cooling load-bearing performance requirements and specific mechanical scenarios in complex environments.

[0026] (7) The hydrogen storage device core of the present invention is manufactured by 3D printing as an integral molding process, which solves the problem of poor reliability caused by manufacturing each component separately and then assembling or welding them in traditional hydrogen storage devices. This makes the hydrogen storage device less prone to leakage and enables it to be better applied to high-pressure fields.

[0027] (8) The hydrogen storage device in this invention monitors pressure, temperature and hydrogen saturation in real time by embedding micro sensors on a minimal three-period curved surface structure, and dynamically optimizes the hydrogen charging and discharging strategy by combining an adaptive control algorithm, so as to ensure the stable operation of the device in a variable environment.

[0028] The cooling design of the device of the present invention not only solves the problems of uneven heat dissipation and low cooling efficiency of traditional hydrogen storage devices, but also significantly improves the stability and safety of hydrogen storage devices by combining intelligent temperature control system with zoned cooling, providing a new solution for the development of miniaturized and mobile hydrogen storage devices. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. As shown in the figures:

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the hydrogen storage device of the present invention, including a fluid region, a hydrogen storage region, and a wall surface.

[0031] Figure 2 This refers to the hydrogen storage area within the internal structure of the hydrogen storage device of this invention.

[0032] Figure 3 This refers to the fluid region within the internal structure of the hydrogen storage device of this invention.

[0033] Figure 4 This refers to the wall portion within the internal structure of the hydrogen storage device of this invention.

[0034] Figure 5 The solid model of a single unit of a three-period minimal surface is provided for the implementation method of the three-period minimal surface structure provided by the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 The three-period minimal surface single-unit solid model, Diamond structure, is provided for the implementation method of the three-period minimal surface structure provided by the present invention.

[0036] Figure 7 The solid model of a single unit of a three-period minimal surface, I-WP structure, is provided by the present invention for the implementation method of the three-period minimal surface structure.

[0037] Figure 8 The Primitive structure is a single-unit solid model of a three-period minimal surface, which is the basis for the implementation method of the three-period minimal surface structure provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] Example 1: As Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, a hydrogen storage device based on Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) utilizes the high specific surface area to achieve rapid heat transfer during hydrogen charging and discharging, adapting to the thermal management requirements of the hydrogen storage device under different operating conditions, thereby improving hydrogen release efficiency and enhancing system stability.

[0040] A hydrogen storage device and its implementation method based on a three-period minimal surface are proposed. By combining the TPMS geometry with porous topology optimization and thermal conduction path control, the adsorption / desorption efficiency and thermal management performance of the hydrogen storage material are significantly improved.

[0041] A hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface is proposed, in which the flow channels of the TPMS structure are arranged to increase the heat exchange area and achieve efficient heat management.

[0042] The hydrogen storage device consists of two parts: a shell and an internal core. The shell is mainly responsible for fixing the internal hydrogen storage material and other related components, and provides overall support and sealing.

[0043] The hydrogen storage material is attached to the outside of a three-period minimal surface structure generated by implicit functions, ensuring that the heat generated by the hydrogen storage material can be quickly carried away or provided during rapid reactions. Furthermore, the flow channel of the TPMS structure provides a uniform and highly interconnected pore distribution, optimizes the hydrogen diffusion path, and reduces mass transfer resistance.

[0044] On the other side of the hydrogen storage material is the cooling water that is introduced. Due to the complex and continuous geometry of the three-period minimal surface structure, its surface area is significantly increased compared to the traditional structure, providing a wider contact interface for heat transfer between the fluid and the solid. It can also effectively enhance turbulent mixing, thereby achieving higher heat transfer efficiency in a smaller volume. Furthermore, high thermal conductivity materials are embedded in the TPMS skeleton to form a biomimetic heat conduction network.

[0045] This invention integrates a top water tank for storing coolant. When the device is in hydrogen release mode, the coolant in the tank is heated to the required temperature and then introduced into the hydrogen storage tank to ensure the hydrogen storage material receives the necessary heat supply during hydrogen release, promoting hydrogen release. In hydrogen charging mode, the coolant in the top water tank enters the hydrogen storage tank, effectively removing the heat generated by the hydrogen absorption reaction of the storage material, preventing excessively high temperatures from affecting hydrogen storage efficiency and safety.

[0046] The hydrogen storage device based on TPMS porous structure of the present invention comprises the following main components and structures:

[0047] 1.1 TPMS Porous Framework Structure

[0048] A Gyroid-type TPMS structure was selected, and a porous network with high specific surface area and high connectivity was constructed by adjusting the size and wall thickness of its periodic units to achieve efficient adsorption and rapid diffusion of hydrogen.

[0049] Hierarchical pore integration: Mesoporous (2–50 nm) and microporous (<2 nm) hydrogen storage materials are embedded in the TPMS framework to form a three-level hydrogen storage channel of "macropore-mesopore-micropore", which improves hydrogen storage capacity and kinetic performance.

[0050] 1.2 Hydrogen storage material loading

[0051] Hydrogen storage medium was uniformly coated on the surface of the TPMS framework, and the interfacial bonding strength was enhanced by plasma activation treatment.

[0052] 1.3 Thermal Coordination

[0053] Bionic heat conduction network: Graphene sheets or carbon nanotubes are embedded in the TPMS structure to form a directional heat conduction path, which can quickly remove the heat of reaction when hydrogen is charged and precisely replenish the heat through an external heat source when hydrogen is released.

[0054] 1.4 Intelligent Detection

[0055] Temperature and pressure sensors are embedded at the TPMS node to monitor the hydrogen storage status in real time. The data is transmitted to the control terminal via a wireless module. Based on the analysis of the sensor data, the hydrogen charging and discharging pressure, temperature and coolant flow rate are optimized to avoid local overheating or overcooling.

[0056] 2. Workflow Example

[0057] Hydrogen charging process:

[0058] In the initial state, the coolant in the water tank is not heated. It flows into the flow channel of the TPMS structure through the valve port and carries away the heat generated by the hydrogen charging reaction of the hydrogen storage material through thermally conductive materials such as graphene.

[0059] Hydrogen release process:

[0060] In the initial state, the controller controls the heating wire to heat the coolant in the water tank, which flows into the TPMS structure channel to transfer the heat required for the hydrogen release reaction to the hydrogen storage material.

[0061] The TPMS structure is described below:

[0062] TPMS is characterized by implicit surface functions. It is formed by the periodic repetition of minimal surface units with an average curvature of 0 at any point in three-dimensional space along the X, Y, and Z directions. Thickening the surface or filling the interior with a solid structure yields a porous TPMS structure. The general representation of TPMS is...

[0063]

[0064] In the formula, A k Let λ be the amplitude of the function. k Used to adjust the function period, P k The function represents the phase shift, where C is the distance constant, r is the position vector in Euclidean space, and h is the position vector. k Let be the k-th lattice vector. Unless otherwise specified, C is 0. φ(r) represents the mathematical expression of the three-period minimum surface, and n is the number of terms in the summation of multiple terms.

[0065] Table 1.1 lists some common TPMS functions. The first three are the original functions before optimization. By changing the distance constant C, the degree of inner and outer offset of the surface can be adjusted, thereby controlling the volume fraction of the TPMS porous structure.

[0066] When C is 0, the minimum surface defined by the TPMS function divides the space into two identical parts, so the volume fraction of the porous structure is 50% at this time. When the value of C is increased, the surface is offset outward by a certain distance, and the volume fraction of the porous structure decreases accordingly. Conversely, when the value of C is decreased, the surface is offset inward, and the corresponding volume fraction of the porous structure increases accordingly.

[0067] However, the value of C cannot be arbitrarily chosen; it has a specific range. If the value of C is not within this range, it will cause interference or discontinuity in the surface generated by the function. There is no explicit rule for the range of the value of C; it is sufficient to ensure that there is no interference on the entire surface.

[0068] The last four in the table are optimized functions. By adding a control term coefficient k to the original function, the shape of the porous structure nodes is adjusted, thereby improving the controllability of the geometry of the TPMS porous structure.

[0069] Table 1.1 Original TPMS function and optimized TPMS function

[0070]

[0071]

[0072] like Figure 5 As shown, the implementation method of the three-period minimal surface structure provided by this invention provides a single-element solid model of the three-period minimal surface, a Gyroid structure, and the basic governing equations of the Gyroid surface are as follows:

[0073]

[0074] In the equation, the variables x, y, and z are spatial coordinates, and L and C are adjustable parameters, where L represents the unit cell size and C represents the offset distance, which directly affects the relative density of the unit cell.

[0075] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface, characterized in that, It includes a core, which comprises an integrally formed three-period minimal surface structure and a hydrogen storage device shell. The three-period minimal surface structure is located inside the hydrogen storage device shell, dividing the internal space of the hydrogen storage device shell into intersecting fluid channels and hydrogen storage areas, which are not interconnected.

2. The hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen storage device housing has inlet and outlet sections corresponding to the fluid channels, with a fluid inlet and outlet respectively. The hydrogen storage device housing also has a hydrogen filling / discharging port corresponding to the hydrogen storage area. The housing is mainly responsible for fixing the internal hydrogen storage materials and other related components, providing overall support and sealing functions.

3. A hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen storage material is attached to the hydrogen storage region of the three-period minimal curved surface structure. During rapid reactions, the heat generated by the hydrogen storage material can be quickly carried away or provided.

4. A hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen storage device is filled with flow channels of Triple Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) structure. The hydrogen storage material is attached to the outer wall of the TPMS structure. The heat generated by the hydrogen storage material can be quickly carried away or provided. Furthermore, the application of TPMS structure flow channels provides a uniform and highly interconnected pore distribution, optimizes the hydrogen diffusion path, and reduces mass transfer resistance.

5. A hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen storage material is located on one side of the three-period minimal surface, and the other side of the hydrogen storage material is the cooling water that is introduced. The three-period minimal surface structure has a complex and continuous geometric shape.

6. A hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface according to claim 4, characterized in that, The three-period minimal surface structure contains multiple interconnected three-period minimal surface unit cells, which are connected in an array to form the three-period minimal surface structure.

7. A hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface according to claim 4, characterized in that, The three-period minimal surface unit cell structure can be any one of the following: Gyriod structure, I-WP structure, Diamond structure, Neovius structure, Primitive structure, Fischer-Koch S structure, F-DR structure, or PMY structure.

8. A hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimal surface according to claim 4, characterized in that, TPMS Structure: TPMS is characterized by implicit surface functions. It is formed by the periodic repetition of minimal surface units with an average curvature of 0 at any point in three-dimensional space along the X, Y, and Z directions. By thickening the surface or filling the interior with a solid structure, a porous TPMS structure can be obtained. The general representation of TPMS is as follows: In the formula, Ak is the amplitude of the function, λk is used to adjust the period of the function, Pk represents the phase shift of the function, φ(r) represents the mathematical expression of the three-period minimum surface, n is the number of terms in the summation of multiple terms, r is the position vector in Euclidean space, and h k Let C be the k-th lattice vector constant, and C be the distance constant. Unless otherwise specified, C is 0.

9. A method for implementing a hydrogen storage device based on a three-period minimum surface, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Connect the water storage tank pipeline to the fluid inlet using a connector, and connect the hydrogen delivery pipeline to the hydrogen charging port of the hydrogen storage area using a connector. Step 2: Cooling fluid is transported from the water tank through the pipeline to the fluid channel of the core through the fluid inlet, and hydrogen is transported through the hydrogen pipeline to the hydrogen storage area of ​​the core through the hydrogen charging and discharging port; Step 3: After the fluid and hydrogen enter their respective channels, the fluid region and the hydrogen storage region exchange heat within the framework of the three-period minimal surface structure, and the fluid generates spiral flow under the guidance of the three-period minimal surface structure. Step 4: After heat exchange is completed, the fluid flows out of the hydrogen storage device shell through the fluid outlet, and the hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage area of ​​the hydrogen storage device.

10. The implementation method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: A top water tank stores coolant. When the device is in hydrogen release mode, the coolant in the tank is heated to the required temperature and then introduced into the hydrogen storage tank to ensure that the hydrogen storage material receives the necessary heat supply during the hydrogen release process, promoting hydrogen release. During hydrogen charging mode, the coolant in the top water tank enters the hydrogen storage tank, effectively removing the heat generated by the hydrogen absorption reaction of the hydrogen storage material, preventing excessively high temperatures from affecting hydrogen storage efficiency and safety.

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