Cylindrical metal hydride battery

CN122907685APending Publication Date: 2026-10-13SHANGHAI CHONGSU ENERGY TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202611268401.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2026-08-20
Publication Date
2026-10-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

前者废弃后含有锰、汞、锌等重金属,存在严重的环境污染问题;后者虽可循环使用,但单体能量密度受限(锂离子电池体积能量密度约500~700Wh/L),且存在热失控等安全隐患,充电基础设施需求高

Benefits of technology

[0015]本发明提供的圆柱形金属储氢电池,通过将圆柱形壳体内部沿轴向依次划分为储氢段、发电段和空气管理段,使储氢段占据电池主体的主要空间并以氢气透过件与发电段分隔,同时在发电段内采用MEA单元沿圆周方向布置、阳极侧朝向中心氢气分配流道而阴极侧朝向外周的径向阵列结构,并在空气管理段设置空气进气结构,由此实现了储氢空间的最大化利用,在相同外形尺寸下大幅提升了储氢量和体积能量密度;径向MEA阵列布局使发电面积不再受限于轴向长度,在有限的端部空间内即可获得足够的发电功率,同时中心氢气分配流道确保了各MEA单元阳极侧的均匀供氢,空气管理段则为阴极侧提供了稳定的空气供给,从而在兼容标准圆柱电池外形的前提下实现了高功率密度输出;此外,储氢段与发电段通过氢气透过件实现气固分离,有效防止合金粉末对MEA造成污染,而储氢合金放氢的平台压力特性与MEA耗氢速率之间的自匹配关系,使得氢气释放速率能够自动适应功率需求变化,无需额外设置压力传感器和调节阀,简化了系统结构并提升了可靠性。

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Abstract

The application discloses a cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery, which comprises a cylindrical shell, the inside of the cylindrical shell is sequentially divided into a hydrogen storage section, a power generation section and an air management section along the axial direction; the hydrogen storage section is filled with hydrogen storage alloy powder; the hydrogen storage section is provided with a negative electrode end cover at one end away from the power generation section, and the negative electrode end cover constitutes a negative electrode output end of the battery; the hydrogen storage section and the power generation section are provided with a hydrogen permeation piece; the power generation section is provided with an MEA power generation unit array, the MEA power generation unit array comprises a plurality of MEA units arranged along the circumferential direction, the anode side of each MEA unit faces a central area of the cylindrical shell, and the cathode side faces a peripheral area of the cylindrical shell; the power generation section is further provided with a hydrogen distribution flow channel located in the central area, which is used for distributing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage section to the anode side of each MEA unit; the air management section is provided with an air inlet structure for guiding air to the cathode side of each MEA unit; and the air management section is provided with a positive electrode end cover at one end away from the power generation section to constitute a positive electrode output end of the battery.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrochemical power generation technology, and in particular to a cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, consumer electronics, portable power supplies, and specialized equipment generally rely on disposable alkaline dry batteries or lithium-ion rechargeable batteries as their power source. The former contains heavy metals such as manganese, mercury, and zinc after disposal, posing a serious environmental pollution problem; the latter, while recyclable, has limited single-cell energy density (lithium-ion batteries have a volumetric energy density of approximately 500-700 Wh / L) and poses safety hazards such as thermal runaway, resulting in high demands for charging infrastructure. Fuel cells, as a clean and efficient power generation device, have a theoretical energy density far exceeding that of chemical batteries; however, due to technological limitations, fuel cell technology has not yet effectively entered the mass consumer power market.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a technical solution to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery to meet the demand for a portable power source with high energy density, safety, and environmental friendliness.

[0005] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery, comprising a cylindrical shell, wherein the interior of the cylindrical shell is sequentially divided along the axial direction into a hydrogen storage section, a power generation section, and an air management section; The hydrogen storage section forms a hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity, which is filled with hydrogen storage alloy powder. The end of the hydrogen storage section away from the power generation section is provided with a negative terminal cap, which constitutes the negative terminal output of the battery. A hydrogen permeable element is provided between the hydrogen storage section and the power generation section to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy powder from entering the power generation section while allowing hydrogen to pass through. The power generation section is equipped with an MEA power generation unit array, which includes multiple MEA units arranged in a circumferential direction. The anode side of each MEA unit faces the central region of the cylindrical shell, and the cathode side faces the outer peripheral region of the cylindrical shell. The power generation section is also equipped with a hydrogen distribution channel located in the central region for distributing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage section to the anode side of each MEA unit. The air management section is provided with an air intake structure for introducing outside air into the cathode side of each MEA unit; the end of the air management section away from the power generation section is provided with a positive terminal cover, which constitutes the positive output terminal of the battery.

[0006] As a further improved technical solution, the cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery has the same dimensions as one of the standard cylindrical batteries of type AAA, type AA, type 18650, or type 21700.

[0007] As a further improved technical solution, a heat-conducting rod extending axially along the cylindrical shell is provided inside the hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity. One end of the heat-conducting rod extends to the power generation section. The thermal conductivity of the heat-conducting rod is greater than that of the hydrogen storage alloy powder to enhance the conduction of heat in the hydrogen storage section.

[0008] As a further improved technical solution, the surface of the heat-conducting rod is provided with multiple heat-conducting fins extending radially outward, and the heat-conducting fins contact the inner wall of the cylindrical shell to divide the hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity into multiple fan-shaped regions.

[0009] As a further improved technical solution, the hydrogen permeation element includes a sintered porous plate and a microporous filter membrane disposed on the side of the sintered porous plate facing the hydrogen storage section. The pore size of the sintered porous plate is 5μm~20μm, and the pore size of the microporous filter membrane is 0.5μm~2μm.

[0010] As a further improved technical solution, a bottom filter is also provided at the end of the hydrogen storage section away from the power generation section. The bottom filter includes a stainless steel wire mesh stacked structure to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy powder from migrating to the negative end cap.

[0011] As a further improved technical solution, each MEA unit includes an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode catalyst layer, a proton exchange membrane, a cathode catalyst layer, and a cathode gas diffusion layer stacked sequentially. Each MEA unit is connected in series. The power generation section is also provided with an anode current collector and a cathode current collector. The anode current collector is electrically connected to the anode side of the MEA unit and the negative terminal cover, and the cathode current collector is electrically connected to the cathode side of the MEA unit and the positive terminal cover.

[0012] As a further improved technical solution, the power generation section is also equipped with a power management circuit, which is electrically connected to the MEA power generation unit array. The power management circuit includes a DC-DC converter circuit for converting the DC power output from the MEA power generation unit array into a stable voltage output. The output voltage of the power management circuit is selected from any one or more of 1.5V, 3.7V, and 5.0V.

[0013] As a further improved technical solution, the air intake structure includes multiple honeycomb holes, and the axis of the honeycomb holes is inclined relative to the radial direction of the battery to form a louver-like shield. And / or, the air management section has a filter layer and a hydrophobic diffusion layer arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the battery. The filter layer includes an activated carbon nonwoven filter layer for filtering impurity gases and dust in the air, and the hydrophobic diffusion layer includes a PTFE-treated carbon paper layer for allowing gas to pass through and blocking liquid water from back-permeating. And / or, the air management section is provided with a water collection and self-driving drainage mechanism, which includes: multiple micro water collection tanks for collecting liquid water generated by the cathode using capillary action; a water guide channel arranged radially along the battery and communicating with each of the micro water collection tanks; a central drain hole located in the central area of ​​the air management section and communicating with the water guide channel; and a hydrophilic porous element located at the central drain hole for continuously exporting product water to the outside of the battery through capillary force.

[0014] As a further improved technical solution, the hydrogen storage section accounts for 70% to 80% of the total volume of the cylindrical shell, the power generation section accounts for 15% to 25%, and the air management section accounts for 5% to 10%.

[0015] The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery provided by this invention divides the interior of the cylindrical casing into a hydrogen storage section, a power generation section, and an air management section along the axial direction. The hydrogen storage section occupies the main space of the battery body and is separated from the power generation section by a hydrogen permeable element. Simultaneously, within the power generation section, a radial array structure is employed with MEA cells arranged circumferentially, the anode side facing the central hydrogen distribution channel and the cathode side facing the outer periphery. An air intake structure is also provided in the air management section. This maximizes the utilization of the hydrogen storage space, significantly increasing the hydrogen storage capacity and volumetric energy density within the same external dimensions. The radial MEA array layout frees the power generation area from being limited by the axial length, allowing for efficient use of the limited end space. Sufficient power generation can be obtained within the space, while the central hydrogen distribution channel ensures uniform hydrogen supply to the anode side of each MEA unit, and the air management section provides a stable air supply to the cathode side, thus achieving high power density output while being compatible with the standard cylindrical battery shape. In addition, the hydrogen storage section and the power generation section achieve gas-solid separation through hydrogen permeation elements, effectively preventing alloy powder from contaminating the MEA. The self-matching relationship between the hydrogen release plateau pressure characteristics of the hydrogen storage alloy and the hydrogen consumption rate of the MEA allows the hydrogen release rate to automatically adapt to changes in power demand without the need for additional pressure sensors and regulating valves, simplifying the system structure and improving reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a module of an embodiment of the cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the radial cross-section of the hydrogen storage section in one embodiment of the cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the radial cross-section of the power generation section in one embodiment of the cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals: 1. Cylindrical shell; 11. Hydrogen storage section; 110. Hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity; 111. Negative end cap; 112. Heat-conducting rod; 112. Heat-conducting fins; 12. Power generation section; 121. Hydrogen distribution channel; 13. Air management section; 131. Air intake structure; 132. Positive end cap; 2. Hydrogen storage alloy powder; 3. MEA unit; 31. Anode side; 32. Cathode side. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] 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. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention provides a cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery, including a cylindrical casing 1. The interior of the cylindrical casing 1 is divided axially into a hydrogen storage section 11, a power generation section 12, and an air management section 13. The cylindrical casing 1 is cylindrical in shape, and its external dimensions can be the same as one of the standard cylindrical batteries of type AAA, type AA, type 18650, or type 21700, thus it can directly replace existing standard cylindrical batteries without the need for adapters or modifications. Preferably, the hydrogen storage section 11 occupies 70% to 80% of the total volume of the cylindrical casing 1, the power generation section 12 occupies 15% to 25%, and the air management section 13 occupies 5% to 10%. By setting the hydrogen storage section 11 to occupy the main space of the battery body, the filling amount of hydrogen storage alloy can be maximized, thereby significantly improving the volumetric energy density of the battery. Specifically, taking the 18650 type as an example, the axial lengths of the hydrogen storage section 11, the power generation section 12, and the air management section 13 can be 48.8 mm, 11 mm, and 5.2 mm, respectively; for the AAA type, they are 32.0 mm, 8.9 mm, and 3.6 mm, respectively; for the AA type, they are 37.4 mm, 9.1 mm, and 4.0 mm, respectively; and for the 21700 type, they are 53.2 mm, 11.2 mm, and 5.6 mm, respectively.

[0023] A hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity 110 is formed within the hydrogen storage section 11, and the hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity 110 is filled with hydrogen storage alloy powder 2. The hydrogen storage alloy powder 2 can be a TiMn2-based Laves phase hydrogen storage alloy, specifically Ti0.9Zr. 0.1 Mn 1.5 V 0.3 Ti 0.95 Zr 0.05 Mn 1.5 Cr 0.2 V 0.2 or Ti 0.9 Zr 0.1 Mn 1.2 Cr 0.3 V 0.2 Ni 0.1 The aforementioned alloys possess advantages such as low cost, wide compositional tunability, ease of forming a single Laves phase structure, and excellent room-temperature kinetics. The room-temperature reversible hydrogen storage capacity can reach over 1.75 wt%, and the hydrogen release plateau pressure can be controlled within the range of 0.2 MPa to 2.6 MPa. The particle size of the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2 can be 50 μm to 150 μm, and the specific surface area can be 0.15 m² / g to 0.30 m² / g. This particle size range is beneficial for ensuring the filling density of the alloy powder and the unobstructed hydrogen diffusion channels. Before use, the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2 can undergo 2-3 activation cycles to eliminate the surface oxide layer and stabilize cycle performance. A negative electrode cap 111 is provided at the end of the hydrogen storage section 11 furthest from the power generation section 12. The negative electrode cap 111 constitutes the negative output terminal of the battery. The negative electrode cap 111 can adopt a planar design and be made of nickel-plated stainless steel or copper alloy, consistent with the negative electrode form of a standard cylindrical battery.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, a heat-conducting rod 112 extending axially along the cylindrical shell 1 is provided inside the hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity 110, with one end of the heat-conducting rod 112 extending to the power generation section 12. The thermal conductivity of the heat-conducting rod 112 is greater than that of the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2, thereby enhancing the heat conduction within the hydrogen storage section 11. Since the hydrogen release of metal hydrides is an endothermic reaction, heat needs to be absorbed from the outside to maintain a stable hydrogen release rate during the hydrogen release process. However, the thermal conductivity of the alloy powder itself is low, making it difficult for heat to be effectively transferred from the shell through the alloy powder layer to the interior. By setting the heat-conducting rod 112, the heat conduction path of the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2 can be changed from the traditional radial heat conduction to the central axial heat conduction. The heat-conducting rod 112 extends to the power generation section 12, which can conduct the heat generated during the power generation process of the power generation section 12 to the hydrogen storage section 11, facilitating the hydrogen release of the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2. The heat-conducting rod 112 can be made of pure copper, with a thermal conductivity of approximately 400 W / m·K, which can improve the heat transfer efficiency by 5 to 10 times. This ensures that the metal hydride can absorb heat in a timely manner during the hydrogen exothermic and endothermic process to maintain a stable hydrogen exothermic rate. The diameter of the heat-conducting rod 112 can be 2 mm to 4 mm. Multiple radially extending heat-conducting fins 113 can be further provided on the surface of the heat-conducting rod 112. The heat-conducting fins 113 contact the inner wall of the cylindrical shell 1, thereby dividing the hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity 110 into multiple fan-shaped regions. The thickness of the heat-conducting fins 113 can be 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, and the number can be 4 to 8. The surface of the heat-conducting fins 113 can be anodized to prevent hydrogen embrittlement. This structure can further enhance the heat conduction effect and limit the axial migration of alloy powder within the cavity, avoiding uneven powder distribution due to gravity or vibration. The heat-conducting fins 113 can be made of copper or aluminum alloy.

[0025] A hydrogen permeation element is provided between the hydrogen storage section 11 and the power generation section 12 to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2 from entering the power generation section 12 while allowing hydrogen to pass through. The hydrogen permeation element may include a sintered porous plate and a microporous filter membrane disposed on the side of the sintered porous plate facing the hydrogen storage section 11. The sintered porous plate may be made of stainless steel, with a pore size of 5μm to 20μm and a thickness of 1mm to 2mm. This pore size range ensures uniform hydrogen permeation while effectively blocking most of the alloy powder. The microporous filter membrane may be made of PTFE, with a pore size of 0.5μm to 2μm, which further prevents fine powder from penetrating into the power generation section 12 and avoids contamination and poisoning of the MEA unit by the alloy powder. A bottom filter may also be provided at the end of the hydrogen storage section 11 away from the power generation section 12. The bottom filter may include a stainless steel wire mesh laminate structure, such as a 100-200 mesh stainless steel wire mesh laminate, to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2 from migrating towards the negative end cap 111 under gravity.

[0026] like Figure 3As shown, the power generation section 12 is equipped with an MEA power generation unit array, which includes multiple MEA units 3 arranged circumferentially. The anode side 31 of each MEA unit 3 faces the central region of the cylindrical shell 1, and the cathode side 32 faces the outer peripheral region of the cylindrical shell 1. The power generation section 12 is also equipped with a hydrogen distribution channel 121 located in the central region, which is used to distribute hydrogen from the hydrogen storage section 11 to the anode side 31 of each MEA unit 3. This MEA array layout changes the axial stacking arrangement of MEA units 3 from the traditional fuel cell stack to a radial radial arrangement, so that the power generation area is no longer limited by the axial length. A large number of MEA units 3 can be arranged in a limited axial space, thereby realizing multi-unit series power generation in a very short power generation section 12 space. Each MEA unit 3 can be in the form of a flat fan shape or a rectangular sheet, including an anode gas diffusion layer (GDL), an anode catalyst layer (Pt / C), a proton exchange membrane, a cathode catalyst layer (Pt / C), and a cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL) stacked in sequence. The proton exchange membrane can be a Nafion membrane with a thickness of 10μm to 20μm. The anode and cathode gas diffusion layers are used to achieve uniform gas diffusion and current conduction, while the anode and cathode catalytic layers are used to catalyze the electrochemical reaction. Each MEA unit 3 is connected in series along the circumferential direction. Electrical connections between units can be achieved using printed circuit board (PCB) technology or conductive foil. The total output voltage after series connection is the sum of the voltages of each MEA unit, with a single unit operating voltage of approximately 0.60V to 0.65V. The power generation section 12 also includes an anode current collector and a cathode current collector. The anode current collector is electrically connected to the anode side 31 and negative terminal cover 111 of the MEA unit 3, while the cathode current collector is electrically connected to the cathode side 32 and positive terminal cover 132 of the MEA unit 3. The anode current collector can be a gold-plated nickel mesh or a titanium mesh, and the cathode current collector can be a gold-plated nickel mesh or a stainless steel mesh. The current collector mesh also serves as a structural support to fix the MEA unit 3. The diameter of the hydrogen distribution channel 121 can be 3mm to 5mm. Micro-guide vanes can be installed inside the channel to ensure that hydrogen is evenly distributed to the anode side 31 of all MEA units 3. PEEK or polyimide end plates can be installed on both sides (hydrogen side and air side) of the MEA array, respectively. Hydrogen distribution grooves and air channels are engraved on the end plates. A double sealing structure of PTFE gasket and silicone rubber O-ring can be used between the end plates and the inner wall of the cylindrical shell 1 to ensure airtightness.

[0027] The power generation section 12 also includes a power management circuit, which is electrically connected to the MEA power generation unit array. This circuit includes a DC-DC converter circuit to convert the DC power output from the MEA power generation unit array into a stable voltage output. Since the output voltage of the MEA units 3 connected in series fluctuates with load changes, the power management circuit enables voltage regulation. The output voltage of the power management circuit can be selected from any one or more of 1.5V, 3.7V, and 5.0V to meet the needs of different electrical devices. The power management circuit can employ a flexible PCB design, fitting snugly against the inner wall of the cylindrical housing 1, achieving a conversion efficiency of over 90% and standby power consumption below 10μW.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the air management section 13 is equipped with an air intake structure 131 for introducing outside air into the cathode side 32 of each MEA unit 3. The air intake structure 131 may include multiple honeycomb holes, which may be hexagonal with a diameter of 0.5mm to 1.5mm and an opening ratio of 35% to 55% to maximize the air intake area. The axis of the honeycomb holes may be inclined relative to the radial direction of the battery at an angle of 15° to 20° to form a louver-like shield, using gravity to prevent liquid water backflow while allowing air to enter freely. The air management section 13 also has a filter layer and a hydrophobic diffusion layer arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the battery. The filter layer may include an activated carbon nonwoven fabric filter layer with a thickness of 2mm to 3mm, used to effectively remove impurities such as CO, SO2, NOx, VOCs, and dust from the air, protecting the membrane electrode catalyst from poisoning. The filter layer may adopt a snap-on modular design for easy replacement. The hydrophobic diffusion layer may include a PTFE-treated carbon paper layer with a thickness of 0.2mm to 0.4mm. It possesses the characteristic of being "breathable but waterproof," allowing gaseous oxygen and water vapor to pass through while blocking reverse penetration of liquid water to prevent flooding of the cathode. The air management section 13 is also equipped with a water collection and self-driving drainage mechanism. This mechanism includes multiple micro water collection tanks, a water guide channel, a central drain hole, and hydrophilic porous components. The micro water collection tanks can be disposed on the surface of the end plate of the air management section 13, collecting liquid water generated by the cathode using capillary action. Each micro water collection tank has a width of 0.5mm to 1.0mm and a depth of 0.3mm to 0.5mm, extending radially and spaced circumferentially. The water guide channel is arranged radially along the battery and communicates with each micro water collection tank. The central drain hole is located in the central area of ​​the air management section 13 and communicates with the water guide channel. A hydrophilic porous component is positioned at the central drain hole to continuously drain the product water to the outside of the battery via capillary force. The hydrophilic porous component can be a micro-hydrophilic sponge or a sintered metal porous plug. In its normal operating position, with the positive end pointing downwards or horizontally, the product water can be automatically drained without external intervention.

[0029] The air management section 13, located away from the power generation section 12, has a positive terminal cover 132, which constitutes the positive output terminal of the battery. A positive protrusion may be provided on the positive terminal cover 132, with a height of 0.5mm to 1.0mm and a diameter of 3mm to 5mm, consistent with the positive terminal form of a standard cylindrical battery. A positive current collector may be provided on the positive terminal cover 132, which may be made of gold-plated copper and is electrically connected to the cathode current collector of the MEA unit 3.

[0030] In operation, the cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery of this invention releases hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2 at room temperature. The hydrogen gas enters the hydrogen distribution channel 121 of the power generation section 12 through the hydrogen permeator, and is then evenly distributed to the anode side 31 of each MEA unit 3. Simultaneously, outside air enters the air management section 13 through the air intake structure 131, and after being filtered by the filter layer and the hydrophobic diffusion layer, reaches the cathode side 32 of each MEA unit 3. Hydrogen gas undergoes an oxidation reaction in the anode catalyst layer, while oxygen in the air undergoes a reduction reaction in the cathode catalyst layer. Electrons flow through the external circuit to generate electrical energy. The water produced by the reaction is automatically discharged outside the battery through a water collection and self-driven drainage mechanism. Due to the plateau pressure-temperature characteristics of the TiMn2 alloy, its hydrogen release plateau pressure can be self-matched with the hydrogen consumption rate of the PEMFC. The hydrogen release rate can automatically adapt to changes in the power demand of the fuel cell, eliminating the need for an external hydrogen circulation pump or pressure regulating valve, thereby simplifying the system structure and improving reliability.

[0031] After the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2 has been completely released, hydrogen can be replenished through the hydrogen charging port located on the negative end cap 111 or the side wall of the cylindrical shell 1. The hydrogen charging port can be a one-way hydrogen charging valve, supporting direct hydrogen charging of the hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity 110 by an external hydrogen source at a pressure of 1MPa to 3MPa. A microporous filter can be installed at the inlet of the hydrogen charging port to prevent impurity gases from entering and poisoning the alloy. Of course, as an alternative, the cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery of the present invention can also adopt a disposable design with factory-pre-charged hydrogen, and be replaced as a whole after the fuel is exhausted.

[0032] All modules of the cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery of this invention can be manufactured using environmentally friendly materials. The cylindrical shell 1 can be made of recyclable aluminum alloy or food-grade stainless steel; the hydrogen storage alloy powder 2 can be regenerated by melting at the end of its lifespan, with an alloy element recovery rate of over 95%; the platinum metal recovery rate in the MEA unit 3 can reach over 98%; the battery does not contain harmful heavy metal elements such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, has zero carbon emissions throughout its entire life cycle, and the only product is pure water.

[0033] This invention has been illustrated through several specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent substitutions can be made to this invention without departing from its scope. Furthermore, various modifications can be made to this invention for specific situations or circumstances without departing from its scope. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but should include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery, characterized in that, It includes a cylindrical shell, the interior of which is divided into a hydrogen storage section, a power generation section and an air management section along the axial direction; The hydrogen storage section forms a hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity, which is filled with hydrogen storage alloy powder. The end of the hydrogen storage section away from the power generation section is provided with a negative terminal cap, which constitutes the negative terminal output of the battery. A hydrogen permeable element is provided between the hydrogen storage section and the power generation section to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy powder from entering the power generation section while allowing hydrogen to pass through. The power generation section is equipped with an MEA power generation unit array, which includes multiple MEA units arranged in a circumferential direction. The anode side of each MEA unit faces the central region of the cylindrical shell, and the cathode side faces the outer peripheral region of the cylindrical shell. The power generation section is also equipped with a hydrogen distribution channel located in the central region for distributing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage section to the anode side of each MEA unit. The air management section is provided with an air intake structure for introducing outside air into the cathode side of each MEA unit; the end of the air management section away from the power generation section is provided with a positive terminal cover, which constitutes the positive output terminal of the battery.

2. The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery has the same dimensions as one of the standard cylindrical batteries of type AAA, type AA, type 18650, or type 21700.

3. The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity is provided with a heat-conducting rod extending axially along the cylindrical shell. One end of the heat-conducting rod extends to the power generation section. The thermal conductivity of the heat-conducting rod is greater than that of the hydrogen storage alloy powder to enhance the conduction of heat in the hydrogen storage section.

4. The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The surface of the heat-conducting rod is provided with multiple heat-conducting fins extending radially outward. The heat-conducting fins contact the inner wall of the cylindrical shell to divide the hydrogen storage alloy filling cavity into multiple fan-shaped regions.

5. The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen permeation element includes a sintered porous plate and a microporous filter membrane disposed on the side of the sintered porous plate facing the hydrogen storage section. The pore size of the sintered porous plate is 5μm~20μm, and the pore size of the microporous filter membrane is 0.5μm~2μm.

6. The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen storage section is also provided with a bottom filter at the end away from the power generation section. The bottom filter includes a stainless steel wire mesh stacked structure to prevent the hydrogen storage alloy powder from migrating to the negative end cap.

7. The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each MEA unit includes an anode gas diffusion layer, an anode catalyst layer, a proton exchange membrane, a cathode catalyst layer, and a cathode gas diffusion layer stacked sequentially. The MEA units are connected in series. The power generation section is also provided with an anode current collector and a cathode current collector. The anode current collector is electrically connected to the anode side of the MEA unit and the negative terminal cover, and the cathode current collector is electrically connected to the cathode side of the MEA unit and the positive terminal cover.

8. The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The power generation section is also equipped with a power management circuit, which is electrically connected to the MEA power generation unit array. The power management circuit includes a DC-DC converter circuit for converting the DC power output from the MEA power generation unit array into a stable voltage output. The output voltage of the power management circuit is selected from any one or more of 1.5V, 3.7V, and 5.0V.

9. The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The air intake structure includes multiple honeycomb holes, the axis of which is inclined relative to the radial direction of the battery to form a louver-like shield. And / or, the air management section has a filter layer and a hydrophobic diffusion layer arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside along the radial direction of the battery. The filter layer includes an activated carbon nonwoven filter layer for filtering impurity gases and dust in the air, and the hydrophobic diffusion layer includes a PTFE-treated carbon paper layer for allowing gas to pass through and blocking liquid water from back-permeating. And / or, the air management section is provided with a water collection and self-driving drainage mechanism, which includes: multiple micro water collection tanks that collect liquid water generated by the cathode using capillary action; A water guide channel is arranged radially along the battery and is connected to each of the micro water collection channels; a central drain hole is located in the central area of ​​the air management section and is connected to the water guide channel; a hydrophilic porous component is located at the central drain hole and is used to continuously export product water to the outside of the battery through capillary force.

10. The cylindrical metal hydrogen storage battery according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The hydrogen storage section accounts for 70% to 80% of the total volume of the cylindrical shell, the power generation section accounts for 15% to 25%, and the air management section accounts for 5% to 10%.