Flexible solid hydrogen storage device and packaging method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of solid hydrogen storage, and particularly discloses a flexible solid hydrogen storage device and a packaging method, and the flexible solid hydrogen storage device comprises a sealing element and a flexible solid hydrogen storage unit. The sealing mode mainly comprises three different designs of clamping sleeve sealing, inner cementing sealing and outer cementing sealing, and the flexible solid hydrogen storage unit is filled with a solid hydrogen storage material packaged by porous foamed nickel. According to the solid hydrogen storage device, the solid hydrogen storage material packaged by the porous foamed nickel is filled with the flexible material, so that compared with other hydrogen storage devices, the solid hydrogen storage device has the beneficial effects of light weight, flexibility and low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of solid-state hydrogen storage technology, and specifically discloses a flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device and its packaging method. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional solid-state hydrogen storage containers use solid materials such as metal alloys and coordination hydrides to store hydrogen, and are typically encapsulated in rigid metal containers (such as stainless steel tanks). While these containers offer lower pressure and relatively higher safety, they have the following drawbacks: Rigidity limits its shape, making it unsuitable for irregular spaces or applications requiring bending or twisting (such as portable devices or fuel cell systems with specific spatial layouts).

[0003] Thermal management is challenging. The hydrogen absorption / desorption process of solid hydrogen storage materials is accompanied by significant thermal effects (hydrogen absorption releases heat, hydrogen desorption absorbs heat). The heat conduction path inside the rigid container is limited, which can easily lead to uneven temperature distribution in the material bed, affecting the hydrogen absorption / desorption kinetics and cycle life.

[0004] When rigid containers are subjected to impact or vibration, the internal particulate hydrogen storage material may shift, rub, or even pulverize, affecting performance.

[0005] Furthermore, conventional sealing methods in flexible hydrogen storage units are prone to failure due to repeated material expansion and contraction. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an innovative solution that combines flexible hydrogen storage units with multiple sealing structures to address the technical challenges of lightweight design, fatigue resistance, and dynamic sealing. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems existing in the prior art, and to propose a solid hydrogen storage device and its packaging method based on a flexible material and a porous nickel foam composite structure, especially for the flexible design of the hydrogen storage unit and the innovative protection of three sealing structures.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: The present invention provides a flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device, comprising: The flexible tube is made of polymer material and sealed at the bottom with a plug. The solid hydrogen storage alloy is located inside the flexible tube. Porous nickel foam is filled between the flexible tube and the solid hydrogen storage alloy, and the porous nickel foam is wrapped around the solid hydrogen storage alloy. A sealing joint is attached to the upper end of the flexible tube and has a built-in filter screen. The sealing joint and the upper end of the flexible tube are sealed together.

[0008] As a further preferred option, the sealing joint is a ferrule sealing structure, including a threaded to ferrule joint, a ferrule, and a tapered core; The conical core has a gradually changing outer diameter and a uniform inner diameter. It is fitted onto the upper end of the flexible tube, with the upper part having a smaller outer diameter than the lower part. The threaded ferrule (hollow structure) is inserted into the upper part of the flexible tube. The through hole inside the threaded ferrule is connected to the opening at the upper end of the flexible tube. The filter screen is located in the through hole inside the threaded ferrule. The upper part of the conical core is inserted between the lower part of the threaded ferrule and the flexible tube. The outer ring of the lower part of the threaded ferrule is threaded. The ferrule is fitted onto the upper end of the flexible tube, and its inner ring is threaded to mate with the threaded ferrule fitting. The lower end of the ferrule has a step that abuts against the lower part of the conical core.

[0009] As a further preferred option, the sealing joint is an internal adhesive sealing structure, including an inner connector, the upper part of which is a head body located at the upper end of the flexible tube and a plug body placed inside the flexible tube. The outer diameter of the head body is larger than that of the flexible tube body, and the outer diameter of the plug body is the same as that of the flexible tube body (or in an interference fit). The head body and the plug body have interconnected through holes (integral through holes) that are connected to the flexible tube body. The filter screen is located in the through hole at the bottom of the plug body. The outer ring of the plug has an inner annular groove, which forms an adhesive injection space between the inner annular groove and the inner wall of the flexible tube. The plug in the inner annular groove area has an inner glue injection hole.

[0010] As a further preferred option, the sealing joint is an external adhesive sealing structure, including an external connector, the upper part of which consists of a head body located at the upper end of the flexible tube and a sleeve body located around the upper end of the flexible tube. The outer diameter of the head is larger than that of the flexible tube, and the inner diameter is smaller than that of the flexible tube. The outer diameter of the sleeve is the same as that of the flexible tube (or in an interference fit). The head and sleeve have interconnected through holes (integral through holes). The through holes are connected to the upper end of the flexible tube, and the filter screen is located inside the through holes. The inner ring of the sleeve has an outer annular groove, which forms an adhesive injection space between the outer annular groove and the inner wall of the flexible tube. An external glue injection hole is provided on the sleeve in the area of ​​the outer annular groove.

[0011] As a further preferred option, the polymer material of the flexible tube is selected from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), nylon (PA), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); the solid hydrogen storage alloy is a rare earth-based hydrogen storage alloy or a titanium-based low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy.

[0012] As a further preferred option, the porous nickel foam has a porosity of 92%-98% and a pore size of 0.1-1.0 mm; the solid hydrogen storage alloy has a filling rate of 55%-75% of the tube's internal volume.

[0013] As a further preferred option, the compression force of the ferrule is 20-30 N·m; the threaded to ferrule adapter conforms to ISO 8434-1 standard.

[0014] As a further preferred option, the axial length of the inner annular groove is 15-25mm and the depth is 1.5-2.5mm; the diameter of the inner injection hole is 0.5-1.5mm, and the distance between its center and the end face of the inner annular groove is ≤1mm.

[0015] As a further preferred option, the depth-to-width ratio of the outer annular groove is 1:8 to 1:12; the interference fit between the sleeve and the flexible tube is 0.05-0.4mm.

[0016] The present invention provides a packaging method for a flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device, comprising the following steps: Step S1: Seal the lower end of the flexible tube with a plug; Step S2: Fill the flexible tube with a solid hydrogen storage alloy encapsulated by porous nickel foam; Step S3: Perform one of the following operations based on the selected sealing structure: When a ferrule sealing structure is used, the upper end of the flexible tube is fitted into the ferrule, and the ferrule is deformed by mechanical pressing to achieve a seal. The mechanical pressing adopts a staged pressurization method, and the final pressure value is 25±5 N·m.

[0017] When using an internal adhesive sealing structure, the inner connector is press-fitted into the upper end of the flexible tube, and adhesive is injected into the inner annular groove through the inner glue injection hole and cured. When using an external adhesive sealing structure, the upper end of the flexible tube is inserted into the external connector with an interference fit, and adhesive is injected into the outer annular groove through the external glue injection hole and cured. The adhesive curing conditions are: cure at room temperature for 24-48 hours.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. Lightweight and Flexible: By replacing the traditional rigid metal container with a flexible polymer tube, the device achieves significant weight reduction (≥40%) and excellent bendability. This allows the device to adapt to irregular spaces, complex layouts, or applications requiring bending or winding (such as portable devices and fuel cell systems with specific spatial layouts), breaking through the limitations of the fixed shape of traditional rigid containers.

[0019] 2. Excellent thermal management and performance stability: The high-porosity porous nickel foam (92%-98% porosity) filling the space between the hydrogen storage alloy and the flexible tube not only serves as a supporting framework but also constitutes a highly efficient three-dimensional thermally conductive network. This structure effectively promotes the rapid diffusion and uniform distribution of reaction heat during hydrogen absorption / desorption, significantly improving the temperature uniformity of the material bed, thereby enhancing hydrogen absorption / desorption kinetics and extending cycle life. It also solves the problem of uneven temperature field caused by limited heat conduction paths inside rigid containers.

[0020] 3. Enhanced vibration and pulverization resistance: Porous foamed nickel effectively encapsulates and constrains the granular solid hydrogen storage alloy, which can buffer external impacts and vibrations, prevent alloy particles from shifting, rubbing and excessively pulverizing under dynamic working conditions, and ensure the long-term structural integrity and performance stability of the hydrogen storage material.

[0021] 4. Low cost and simple process: The use of flexible polymer materials not only reduces raw material costs (expected to be reduced by 30%), but also simplifies the encapsulation methods (such as pressing and injection) compared to the complex manufacturing processes of metal containers (such as welding and precision machining), which is conducive to improving production efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the ferrule sealing structure in this invention, wherein (a) is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ferrule sealing structure, and (b) is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the ferrule sealing structure. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the internal adhesive sealing structure in this invention, wherein (a) is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the internal adhesive sealing structure, and (b) is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the internal adhesive sealing structure. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the external adhesive sealing structure in this invention, wherein (a) is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the external adhesive sealing structure, and (b) is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the external adhesive sealing structure. Figure 4 Diagram of the ferrule sealing structure; Figure 5 This is a diagram of the internal adhesive sealing structure; Figure 6 This is a diagram of the external adhesive sealing structure; Wherein: 100-plug, 110-filter screen, 120-threaded to ferrule connector, 121-ferrule, 122-conical core, 130-inner connector, 131-inner annular groove, 132-inner glue injection hole, 140-outer connector, 141-outer annular groove, 142-outer glue injection hole, 200-flexible tube, 210-porous foamed nickel, 220-solid hydrogen storage alloy. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0024] A flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device according to the present invention includes the following components: The flexible tube 200 is made of polymer material and one end is sealed by a plug 100. Its inner cavity is filled with a solid hydrogen storage alloy 220 wrapped with porous foam nickel 210. The sealing joints are connected to the upper end of the flexible tube 200 and all include a built-in filter 110 and one of the following three sealing structures: a) Compression sealing structure: including threaded ferrule adapter 120 and ferrule 121 pressed against the upper end of flexible tube body 200; b) Internal adhesive sealing structure: an inner connector 130 including an inner annular groove 131 and an inner glue injection hole 132, wherein the inner connector 130 is interference-fitted with the inner wall of the flexible tube 200; c) External adhesive sealing structure: an external connector 140 including an outer annular groove 141 and an external glue injection hole 142, wherein the external connector 140 is interference-fitted with the outer wall of the flexible tube 200. like Figure 1 As shown, the solid hydrogen storage device features a ferrule-sealed structure. At the top is a threaded-to-ferrule connector 120, inside which is a filter screen 110 to filter powder. Below this is a flexible tube 200, serving as the outermost layer of the flexible hydrogen storage unit, wrapped with porous nickel foam 210. The porous nickel foam 210 encapsulates a solid hydrogen storage alloy 220. The upper end of the flexible solid hydrogen storage unit connects to the threaded-to-ferrule connector 120, which is connected and sealed via a ferrule 121. The flexible tube 200 is made of TPU, nylon, or polytetrafluoroethylene. The solid hydrogen storage material is a rare-earth or titanium-based low-temperature metal hydrogen storage alloy. The lower end of the flexible solid hydrogen storage unit is sealed by a plug 100. This encapsulation method involves filling the flexible tube 200 with solid hydrogen storage alloy 220 packaged with porous nickel foam 210. The flexible solid hydrogen storage unit connects and seals with the ferrule 121 of the threaded-to-ferrule connector 120.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the solid hydrogen storage device features an internally sealed structure. At the top is a threaded internal connector 130, with a filter screen 110 at its lower end to filter powder. The internal connector 130 is a tubular structure with its outer diameter interlocked with the inner diameter of the flexible tube 200. The internal connector 130 is 3cm long, and its outer wall has a 2cm long and 2mm deep annular groove 131. A 1mm diameter injection hole 132 is drilled along the upper edge of the 2mm annular groove 131. The lower end of the flexible tube 200 is sealed with a plug 100. The encapsulation method of this structure is as follows...Figure 2 As shown, firstly, solid hydrogen storage alloy 220 packaged with porous nickel foam 210 is filled into the flexible tube 200. One end of the threaded internal connector 130 is inserted into the upper end of the flexible tube 200, and a preliminary connection is achieved through interference fit. Then, adhesive is injected into the sealed area formed by the inner annular groove 131 and the inner wall of the flexible tube 200 through the 1mm diameter inner glue injection hole 132 on the internal connector 130. The adhesive type is a reactive adhesive such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, or acrylic ester. After the bonding time limit, the encapsulation is completed.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the solid hydrogen storage device features an externally sealed structure with a threaded external connector at the top. A filter screen 110 is installed at the upper end of the external connector 140 to filter powder. The external connector 140 is characterized by a tubular structure, with its inner diameter interlocking with the outer diameter of the flexible tube 200. The external connector 140 is 3cm long, and its inner wall has a 2cm long and 2mm deep annular groove 141. A 1mm diameter external glue injection hole 142 is punched along the upper edge of the 2mm annular groove 141. The lower end of the flexible tube 200 is sealed with a plug 100. The encapsulation method of this structure is as follows... Figure 3 As shown, firstly, solid hydrogen storage material 220 packaged with porous nickel foam 210 is filled into the flexible tube 200. The upper end of the flexible tube 200 is inserted into one end of the connector of the threaded external connector 140, and a preliminary connection is achieved through interference fit. Then, adhesive is injected into the sealed area formed by the outer annular groove 141 and the outer wall of the flexible tube 140 through the external glue injection hole 142 with a diameter of 1 mm on the external connector 140. The adhesive type is a reactive adhesive such as epoxy resin, polyurethane, or acrylic ester. After the bonding time limit, the encapsulation is completed.

[0027] For ease of understanding, further explanations and descriptions will be provided below with reference to specific embodiments, and these embodiments do not constitute a limitation on the present invention. Example

[0028] Take a TPU tube and heat-seal the lower end of the tube; fill it with TiFe hydrogen storage alloy wrapped in nickel foam; attach a 316L stainless steel ferrule to the upper end and tighten it to 25 N·m with a torque wrench. Example

[0029] The lower end of the nylon tube is heat-sealed and filled with LaNi5 alloy wrapped in nickel foam; the inner connector with an annular groove (0.2mm interference) is pressed into the tube; epoxy resin is injected through the Φ1mm injection hole; and cured at room temperature for 24 hours.

[0030] The adhesive injected into the inner annular groove 131 and the outer annular groove 141 is a reactive adhesive that forms a sealing layer after curing; the adhesive is selected from epoxy resin, polyurethane or acrylic resin.

[0031] A packaging method for a flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device, applied to the aforementioned device, includes the following steps: Step S1: The plug 100 seals the lower end of the flexible tube 200; Step S2: Fill the flexible tube 200 with a solid hydrogen storage alloy 220 wrapped with porous nickel foam 210; Step S3: Perform one of the following operations based on the selected sealing structure: When a ferrule sealing structure is used, the upper end of the flexible tube 200 is fitted into the ferrule 121, and the ferrule 121 is deformed by mechanical pressing to achieve a seal. When an internal adhesive sealing structure is used, the inner connector 130 is press-fitted into the upper end of the flexible tube 200, and adhesive is injected into the inner annular groove 131 through the inner glue injection hole 132 and cured. When an external adhesive sealing structure is used, the upper end of the flexible tube 200 is inserted into the external connector 140 with an interference fit, and adhesive is injected into the outer annular groove 141 through the external adhesive injection hole 142 and cured.

[0032] The mechanical crimping described in step S3 adopts a graded pressurization method, with a final pressure value of 25±5 N·m; The curing conditions for the adhesive in step S3 are: curing at room temperature for 24-48 hours.

[0033] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device, characterized in that, include: The flexible tube (200) is made of polymer material and its lower end is sealed by a plug (100). The solid hydrogen storage alloy (220) is located inside the flexible tube (200). Porous foam nickel (210) is filled between the flexible tube (200) and the solid hydrogen storage alloy (220), and the porous foam nickel (210) is wrapped in the solid hydrogen storage alloy (220). A sealing joint is connected to the upper end of the flexible tube (200), with a built-in filter screen (110), and the sealing joint is sealed to the upper end of the flexible tube (200).

2. The flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing joint is a ferrule sealing structure, including a threaded to ferrule joint (120), a ferrule (121) and a tapered core (122). A conical core (122) is fitted onto the upper end of a flexible tube (200), with the upper part having a smaller outer diameter than the lower part. A threaded ferrule connector (120) is inserted into the upper part of the flexible tube (200). The through hole in the threaded ferrule connector (120) is connected to the upper opening of the flexible tube (200). The filter screen (110) is located in the through hole in the threaded ferrule connector (120). The upper part of the conical core (122) is inserted between the lower part of the threaded ferrule connector (120) and the flexible tube (200). The lower outer ring of the threaded ferrule connector (120) is threaded. The ferrule (121) is fitted onto the upper end of the flexible tube (200), and its inner ring is threaded to mate with the threaded ferrule connector (120). The lower end of the ferrule (121) has a step that abuts against the lower part of the conical core (122).

3. The flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing joint is an internal adhesive sealing structure, including an inner connector (130), the upper part of which is a head body located at the upper end of the flexible tube (200) and a plug body placed inside the flexible tube (200); The outer diameter of the head body is larger than that of the flexible tube (200), the outer diameter of the plug body is the same as that of the inner diameter of the flexible tube (200), the head body and the plug body have interconnected through holes, the through holes are connected to the inside of the flexible tube (200), and the filter screen (110) is located in the through hole at the bottom of the plug body; An inner annular groove (131) is provided around the outer ring of the plug. An adhesive injection space is formed between the inner annular groove (131) and the inner wall of the flexible tube (200). An inner glue injection hole (132) is provided on the plug in the area of ​​the inner annular groove (131).

4. The flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing joint is an external adhesive sealing structure, including an external connector (140), the upper part of which is a head body located at the upper end of the flexible tube (200) and a sleeve body located at the outer periphery of the upper end of the flexible tube (200); The outer diameter of the head is larger than that of the flexible tube (200), and the inner diameter is smaller than that of the flexible tube (200). The outer diameter of the sleeve is the same as that of the flexible tube (200). The head and the sleeve have interconnected through holes. The through holes are connected to the upper end of the flexible tube (200), and the filter screen (110) is located inside the through holes. An outer annular groove (141) is provided around the inner ring of the sleeve. An adhesive injection space is formed between the outer annular groove (141) and the inner wall of the flexible tube (200). An external glue injection hole (142) is provided on the sleeve in the area of ​​the outer annular groove (141).

5. A flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: The polymer material of the flexible tube (200) is selected from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), nylon (PA) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); the solid hydrogen storage alloy (220) is a rare earth hydrogen storage alloy or a titanium-based low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy.

6. A flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: The porous nickel foam (210) has a porosity of 92%-98% and a pore size of 0.1-1.0 mm; the solid hydrogen storage alloy (220) has a filling rate of 55%-75% of the tube's internal volume.

7. A flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The crimping force of the ferrule (121) is 20-30 N·m; the threaded to ferrule adapter (120) conforms to ISO 8434-1 standard.

8. A flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The axial length of the inner annular groove (131) is 15-25mm and the depth is 1.5-2.5mm; the diameter of the inner glue injection hole (132) is 0.5-1.5mm and the distance between its center and the end face of the inner annular groove (131) is ≤1mm.

9. A flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The depth-to-width ratio of the outer annular groove (141) is 1:8 to 1:12; the interference fit between the sleeve and the flexible tube (200) is 0.05-0.4 mm.

10. A packaging method for a flexible solid-state hydrogen storage device, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S1: The plug (100) seals the lower end of the flexible tube (200); Step S2: Fill the flexible tube (200) with a solid hydrogen storage alloy (220) wrapped with porous nickel foam (210). Step S3: Perform one of the following operations based on the selected sealing structure: When a ferrule sealing structure is used, the upper end of the flexible tube (200) is fitted into the ferrule (121), and the ferrule (121) is deformed by mechanical pressing to achieve a seal. The mechanical pressing adopts a graded pressurization method, and the final pressure value is 25±5N·m. When an internal adhesive sealing structure is used, the inner connector (130) is press-fitted into the upper end of the flexible tube (200), and adhesive is injected into the inner annular groove (131) through the inner glue injection hole (132) and cured. When an external adhesive sealing structure is used, the upper end of the flexible tube (200) is inserted into the external connector (140) with an interference fit, and adhesive is injected into the outer annular groove (141) through the external injection hole (142) and cured.

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