Metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress

Abstract

The utility model discloses a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress, which comprises a tank body and a hydrogen storage bed body unit arranged in the tank body, and the hydrogen storage bed body unit comprises a hydrogen storage alloy layer, an expanded graphite plate and a metal plate which are sequentially arranged along the axial direction of the tank body, according to the hydrogen storage tank, the elastic buffer assembly used for buffering stress generated during hydrogen absorption and desorption is arranged in the hydrogen storage bed body unit, and the hydrogen storage buffer structure formed by the hydrogen storage bed body unit and the elastic buffer assembly is used for buffering axial stress generated during hydrogen absorption expansion of the hydrogen storage alloy layer, so that the use safety of the hydrogen storage tank is improved, and the service life of the hydrogen storage tank is prolonged. And meanwhile, the elastic buffer assembly plays a role in fixing the hydrogen storage bed body unit, so that the stability of the hydrogen storage bed body structure can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen storage technology, and in particular to a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen storage technologies mainly include high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage, cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage, and metal hydride hydrogen storage.

[0003] Solid metal hydride hydrogen storage technology, which uses metal alloys as the hydrogen storage medium, has advantages such as low operating pressure, high safety, high volumetric hydrogen storage density, and mild operating conditions. It is an important development direction for hydrogen storage technology. However, during the cyclic absorption and release of hydrogen, the hydrogen storage medium of metal hydride hydrogen storage will continuously pulverize into fine powder particles, which are prone to accumulate in the hydrogen storage container under the action of gravity. These accumulated fine powders will expand during the hydrogen absorption process, generating large stress on the wall of the hydrogen storage container. In severe cases, deformation or even rupture may occur, ultimately causing a safety accident. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress. This tank can buffer the axial stress generated during hydrogen absorption and desorption, thereby improving the safety of the hydrogen storage tank.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] This utility model provides a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress, including a tank body and a hydrogen storage bed unit disposed in the tank body. The hydrogen storage bed unit includes a hydrogen storage alloy layer, an expanded graphite disk and a metal disk arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the tank body. The hydrogen storage bed unit is provided with an elastic buffer component for buffering the stress generated during hydrogen absorption and desorption.

[0007] Furthermore, the hydrogen storage bed unit has at least two layers; each layer of the hydrogen storage bed unit has at least one elastic buffer assembly; the elastic buffer assembly includes an elastic column and a spring movably sleeved on the elastic column, the elastic column passes through the hydrogen storage alloy layer, the expanded graphite disk and the metal disk of the hydrogen storage bed unit, and is connected to the adjacent elastic column or the inner wall of the tank.

[0008] Furthermore, at least one end of the elastic column is fitted with a tray for connecting to an adjacent elastic column.

[0009] Furthermore, the elastic column is a silicone column.

[0010] Furthermore, each hydrogen storage bed unit is equipped with three elastic buffer components, and the elastic buffer components in two adjacent hydrogen storage bed units correspond one-to-one, forming a stable triangular support structure.

[0011] Furthermore, a gas guide pipe is provided inside the tank, and the gas guide pipe passes through the center of the multi-layer hydrogen storage bed unit.

[0012] Furthermore, the outer wall of the tank is fitted with a valve for connecting the gas guide pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, the thickness of the expanded graphite disk is 1-2 mm.

[0014] Furthermore, the metal disk is an aluminum metal disk, an aluminum alloy disk, a copper metal disk, or a copper alloy disk, and its thickness is 0.3 to 0.5 mm; the metal disk has multiple air holes.

[0015] Furthermore, the pores are configured to be equidistantly distributed along the circumference of the metal disk, and their diameter is 2-5 mm.

[0016] The technical solution provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] The hydrogen storage buffer structure, consisting of the hydrogen storage bed unit and the elastic buffer component, buffers the axial stress generated when the hydrogen storage alloy layer expands during hydrogen absorption, thereby improving the safety of the hydrogen storage tank. At the same time, the elastic buffer component fixes the hydrogen storage bed unit, thus improving the stability of the hydrogen storage bed structure. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 The figure shown is a first-position cross-sectional view of the metal hydride hydrogen storage tank used to buffer hydrogen absorption and desorption stress in the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 The figure shown is a cross-sectional view of the metal hydride hydrogen storage tank used to buffer hydrogen absorption and desorption stress in the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 3 The diagram shown is an assembly schematic of the elastic buffer component and the hydrogen storage bed unit in the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To further illustrate the various embodiments, the present invention provides accompanying drawings. These drawings are part of the disclosure of the present invention and are mainly used to illustrate the embodiments, and can be used in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification to explain the operating principles of the embodiments. With reference to these drawings, those skilled in the art should be able to understand other possible implementations and the advantages of the present invention. The components in the drawings are not drawn to scale, and similar component symbols are generally used to represent similar components.

[0022] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] Reference Figures 1 to 3 This embodiment provides a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank (hereinafter referred to as a hydrogen storage tank) for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress, for storing hydrogen.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the hydrogen storage tank in this embodiment includes a tank body 1, a gas guide pipe 4 and a multi-layer hydrogen storage bed unit 5 disposed in the tank body 1. The gas guide pipe 4 passes through the center of the multi-layer hydrogen storage bed unit 5. A valve 2 for connecting the gas guide pipe 4 is installed on the outer wall of the tank body 1. A filter head 3 is installed between the valve 2 and the gas guide pipe 4.

[0025] like Figure 3 As shown, each hydrogen storage bed unit 5 includes a hydrogen storage alloy layer 52, an expanded graphite disk 51, and a metal disk 53 arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the tank 1.

[0026] Each hydrogen storage bed unit 5 is equipped with three elastic buffer components 6 to buffer the stress generated during hydrogen absorption and desorption. The elastic buffer components 6 in adjacent hydrogen storage bed units 5 correspond one-to-one and form a structure as follows: Figure 2 The robust triangular support structure shown ensures the structural stability of the hydrogen storage bed unit 5.

[0027] In this embodiment, the tank 1 adopts an aluminum alloy seamless tube structure or a stainless steel seamless tube structure. The outer diameter of the tank 1 is 60mm, its height is 400mm, and its wall thickness is 4mm. The multi-layer hydrogen storage bed unit 5 is sequentially filled inside the tank 1. In addition, the gas guide pipe 4 is a stainless steel porous pipe with a diameter of 4mm.

[0028] More specifically, the hydrogen storage alloy layer 52 is made of titanium-based AB2 type hydrogen storage alloy material, and the particle size range of its hydrogen storage alloy powder is 0.1 to 1 mm.

[0029] The metal disk 53 is a copper metal disk with a thickness of 0.3 mm and has multiple pores to facilitate the flow of hydrogen gas.

[0030] The expanded graphite disk 51 is made of expanded graphite worms and has a thickness of 1 mm. This not only ensures good heat and mass transfer, but also provides good buffering effect and can absorb some of the stress generated by the expansion of hydrogen storage alloy powder due to hydrogen absorption.

[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, each elastic buffer assembly 6 includes an elastic post 61 and a spring 62 movably sleeved on the elastic post 61. Specifically, the elastic post 61 is a silicone post, and one end of the elastic post 61 is equipped with a tray for connecting to the adjacent elastic post 61.

[0032] During installation, the three elastic columns 61 of one of the middle hydrogen storage bed units 5, located away from their trays, are respectively provided with through holes in the hydrogen storage alloy layer 52, the expanded graphite disk 51, and the metal disk 53 of the same layer, and are in contact with and attached to the tray on the adjacent elastic column 61. This can prevent the elastic buffer component 6 from being misaligned due to collision and compression of the hydrogen storage alloy layer 52 during the hydrogen absorption and release process.

[0033] The ends of the elastic columns 61 of the uppermost and lowermost hydrogen storage bed units 5 abut against the top and bottom walls of the tank 1, respectively.

[0034] In this embodiment, the hydrogen storage tank relies on the fixing effect of the elastic column 61, which not only improves the structural stability of the entire hydrogen storage bed, but also prevents the spring 62 from falling off due to external forces during the hydrogen absorption and release process.

[0035] In this embodiment, the hydrogen storage alloy layer 52, the expanded graphite disk 51, and the metal disk 53 are sequentially and cyclically filled into the tank 1. This can effectively prevent the absorption and release rate of hydrogen from slowing down due to the compaction of the hydrogen storage alloy powder in the tank 1, and can also ensure rapid heat conduction, thereby improving the hydrogen absorption and release efficiency of the hydrogen storage tank.

[0036] Meanwhile, the stress generated by the expansion of hydrogen storage alloy powder due to hydrogen absorption can be fully absorbed by the expanded graphite disk 51 and the elastic buffer component 6, so as to avoid damage to the tank body 1 caused by the self-compacting effect of the expansion of hydrogen storage alloy powder due to hydrogen absorption and repeated hydrogen absorption and release, thereby improving the safety of hydrogen storage tank use.

[0037] In summary, the hydrogen storage buffer structure composed of the hydrogen storage bed unit 5 and the elastic buffer component 6 can buffer the axial stress generated by the hydrogen storage alloy layer 52 when it absorbs hydrogen and expands, thereby improving the safety of the hydrogen storage tank. At the same time, the elastic buffer component 6 plays a fixing role for the hydrogen storage bed unit 5, which can improve the stability of the hydrogen storage bed structure. Moreover, the hydrogen storage tank in this embodiment has a simple structure and is easy to industrialize.

[0038] Of course, in other embodiments, the number of elastic buffer components 6 may be one, two, or more than four, and the specific number is not limited to this.

[0039] The metal disc 53 can also be an aluminum metal disc, an aluminum alloy disc, or a copper alloy disc, and its thickness can be selected in the range of 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

[0040] Furthermore, the elastic column 61 can also be made of other elastic materials such as rubber columns.

[0041] In another preferred embodiment, the pores on the metal disk 53 are arranged at equal intervals along its circumference, and their diameter is 5 mm. This effectively improves the heat transfer efficiency within the hydrogen storage tank, thereby increasing the hydrogen absorption and desorption rates and its utilization efficiency. Of course, in other embodiments, the pore diameter on the metal disk 53 can also be selected in the range of 2 to 5 mm.

[0042] In addition, the filter head 3 in this embodiment is a metal tubular structure processed by powder metallurgy, with a diameter of 8 to 15 mm and a porosity of 1 to 5 μm. This enables the rapid input and output of hydrogen, as well as the filtering effect of the hydrogen storage alloy powder, and prevents the hydrogen storage alloy powder from flowing out with the gas flow when releasing hydrogen, thus reducing the hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage tank.

[0043] Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes in form and detail may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims, and all such changes shall be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress, comprising a tank body and a hydrogen storage bed unit arranged in the tank body, characterized in that: The hydrogen storage bed unit comprises a hydrogen storage alloy layer, an expanded graphite disc and a metal disc arranged along the axial direction of the tank body in sequence, and an elastic buffer assembly for buffering the stress generated during hydrogen absorption and release is arranged in the hydrogen storage bed unit.

2. The metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the hydrogen storage bed units is at least two, and at least one elastic buffer assembly is arranged in each hydrogen storage bed unit; the elastic buffer assembly comprises an elastic column and a spring movably sleeved on the elastic column, the elastic column penetrates the hydrogen storage alloy layer, the expanded graphite disc and the metal disc of the hydrogen storage bed unit, and is connected with the adjacent elastic column or the inner wall of the tank body.

3. The metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress according to claim 2, characterized in that: At least one end of the elastic column is provided with a tray for connecting with the adjacent elastic column.

4. The metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The elastic column is a silica gel column.

5. The metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering the stress of hydrogen absorption and desorption according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: Three elastic buffer assemblies are arranged in each hydrogen storage bed unit, and the elastic buffer assemblies in the adjacent two hydrogen storage bed units correspond to each other and form a stable triangular support structure.

6. The metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress according to claim 5, characterized in that: A gas guide pipe is arranged in the tank body, and the gas guide pipe penetrates the center of the multiple hydrogen storage bed units.

7. The metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress according to claim 6, characterized in that: A valve for connecting the gas guide pipe is arranged on the outer wall of the tank body.

8. The metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering the stress of hydrogen absorption and desorption according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The thickness of the expanded graphite disc is 1-2 mm.

9. The metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering the stress of hydrogen absorption and desorption according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The metal disc is an aluminum metal disc, an aluminum alloy disc, a copper metal disc or a copper alloy disc, and the thickness of the metal disc is 0.3-0.5 mm; a plurality of air holes are formed in the metal disc.

10. The metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for buffering hydrogen absorption and desorption stress according to claim 9, characterized in that: The air holes are equidistantly distributed along the circumferential direction of the metal disc, and the diameter of the air holes is 2-5 mm.

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