A solid hydrogen storage bottle integrated with spiral heat exchange pipe and a thermal management system

Abstract

The application relates to a solid-state hydrogen storage bottle integrated with a spiral heat exchange pipeline and a heat management system, and relates to the field of hydrogen energy fuel cells.The solid-state hydrogen storage bottle is internally fixedly provided with the spiral heat exchange pipeline, the spiral heat exchange pipeline is coaxial with a bottle body of the solid-state hydrogen storage bottle, the spiral heat exchange pipeline comprises a first interface and a second interface, the first interface and the second interface both extend to the outside of the solid-state hydrogen storage bottle, and the height of the first interface is higher than the height of the second interface; a bottle mouth valve is installed at a bottle mouth of the solid-state hydrogen storage bottle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of hydrogen fuel cells, and in particular to a solid hydrogen storage cylinder with an integrated spiral heat exchange pipe. Background Technology

[0002] Solid-state hydrogen storage utilizes reversible reactions between hydrogen and materials such as metal hydrides and chemical hydrides to store and release hydrogen, offering advantages such as high volumetric hydrogen storage density, good safety, and low pressure. However, both the hydrogen filling (absorption) and hydrogen release (release) processes are accompanied by significant thermal effects: hydrogen filling is an exothermic reaction, while hydrogen release is an endothermic reaction. If the heat inside the cylinder cannot be dissipated in time during hydrogen filling, the filling efficiency will be greatly affected. Conversely, if the temperature inside the cylinder is too low during hydrogen release, the release efficiency will be significantly affected.

[0003] In existing technologies, common solid-state hydrogen storage devices mainly employ external jacketed heat exchangers. These typically involve placing a water jacket around the solid-state hydrogen storage cylinder for heat exchange. This method suffers from a long heat exchange path, high thermal resistance, and low efficiency. Consequently, during hydrogen filling, internal heat cannot be dissipated in a timely manner, causing the bed temperature to rise and inhibiting the hydrogen absorption reaction. Conversely, during hydrogen release, insufficient heating leads to a drop in bed temperature and reaction stagnation. Some designs utilize internal fins, but these suffer from low heat transfer efficiency and affect the filling of internal hydrogen absorption materials, impacting the overall utilization rate of the hydrogen storage material. Furthermore, the thermal management system of the solid-state hydrogen storage cylinder is independent of the fuel cell, requiring additional heating or cooling devices, increasing system complexity, weight, and energy consumption.

[0004] The aforementioned problems severely restrict the performance of solid-state hydrogen storage devices in rapidly charging and discharging hydrogen, limiting their promotion in dynamic application scenarios such as vehicle fuel cells. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a high-efficiency, compact thermal management solution for solid-state hydrogen storage cylinders that can be deeply integrated with fuel cell systems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The solid hydrogen storage cylinder and thermal management system with integrated spiral heat exchange pipeline provided in this application adopt the following technical solution: A solid hydrogen storage cylinder with an integrated spiral heat exchange pipe includes a solid hydrogen storage cylinder, in which a spiral heat exchange pipe is fixedly installed. The spiral heat exchange pipe is coaxial with the cylinder body. The spiral heat exchange pipe includes a first interface and a second interface, both of which extend to the outside of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder, and the height of the first interface is higher than the height of the second interface. A valve is installed at the mouth of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder.

[0006] By adopting the above technical solution, during the hydrogen release process, the high-temperature coolant generated in the fuel cell stack flows through the spiral heat exchange pipe. The high-temperature coolant provides the heat required for hydrogen dissociation, prevents the bed from becoming too cold, and ensures continuous and stable hydrogen release. During the hydrogen charging process, hydrogen enters the cylinder, and the lower-temperature coolant flows through the spiral heat exchange pipe. As the coolant circulates within the spiral heat exchange pipe, it absorbs the reaction heat released by the hydrogen storage material in the cylinder during the charging process, achieving efficient cooling of the hydrogen storage material and promoting a rapid and complete hydrogen charging reaction. By incorporating spiral heat exchange pipes, the embedded heat exchange area of ​​the heat exchange tubes can be significantly increased. Since the spiral heat exchange pipes are in direct contact with the hydrogen storage material, they have the advantages of short heat conduction paths and low thermal resistance, enabling rapid and efficient transfer of reaction heat or supply of heat. The spiral heat exchange pipes are evenly coiled in the hydrogen storage material, which reduces heat exchange dead zones and makes the temperature distribution of the entire hydrogen storage material bed more uniform, avoiding local overheating or undercooling of the hydrogen storage material, while also improving the utilization rate of the hydrogen storage material. Incorporating spiral heat exchange pipes for heat exchange in solid hydrogen storage cylinders allows for a more compact structure of the solid hydrogen storage cylinders, which is beneficial for the miniaturization and weight reduction of the equipment.

[0007] Preferably, the inner and outer surfaces of the spiral heat exchange pipe are provided with fins or porous structures to improve heat exchange efficiency.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, and by setting fins or porous structures on the inner and outer surfaces of the spiral heat exchange pipe, the heat exchange area between the hydrogen storage material and the spiral heat exchange pipe can be further increased, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the spiral heat exchange pipe.

[0009] A thermal management system includes a hydrogen release heat exchange module and a hydrogen filling heat exchange module. The hydrogen release heat exchange module is used to provide heat for hydrogen dissociation through waste heat generated by the fuel cell stack during the hydrogen release process of the solid hydrogen storage bottle. The hydrogen filling heat exchange module is used to remove heat from the bottle during the hydrogen filling process of the solid hydrogen storage bottle.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the waste heat generated during the operation of the fuel cell stack can be used to provide heat for the dissociation of hydrogen in the solid hydrogen storage bottle, thus combining the heat exchange between the solid hydrogen storage bottle and the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen filling heat exchange module can exchange heat with the hydrogen storage material bed during the hydrogen filling process of the solid hydrogen storage bottle, thus removing the heat of the hydrogen storage material in the bottle.

[0011] Preferably, the hydrogen release heat exchange module includes a first pipe and a second pipe. The inlet end of the first pipe is connected to the coolant outlet end of the fuel cell stack, and the outlet end of the first pipe is connected to the second interface of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder. A circulating water pump is installed on the first pipe. The inlet end of the second pipe is connected to the first interface of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder, and the outlet end of the second pipe is connected to the coolant inlet end of the fuel cell stack. A condenser and a coolant storage tank are installed on the second pipe, and the condenser and coolant storage tank are arranged sequentially along the direction of coolant output.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, during the hydrogen release process, the high-temperature coolant flowing from the fuel cell stack is pumped into a spiral heat exchange pipe by a circulating water pump. The high-temperature coolant flowing through the spiral heat exchange pipe exchanges heat with the hydrogen storage material in the solid hydrogen storage tank, providing the heat required for hydrogen dissociation in the solid hydrogen storage tank. After the coolant has been preliminarily cooled by exchanging heat with the hydrogen storage tank, it flows out of the spiral heat exchange pipe and passes through a condenser. The condenser uses a fan to cool the coolant, and the cooled coolant is stored in a coolant storage tank for subsequent fuel cell stack reaction cooling. By combining the thermal management of hydrogen release from the solid hydrogen storage tank with the waste heat management of the fuel cell stack, the high-temperature coolant flowing from the fuel cell stack is used to provide the heat required for hydrogen release from the solid hydrogen storage tank. The heat absorbed by the hydrogen release in the storage tank can be used to preliminarily cool the coolant, reducing the power consumption of the subsequent condenser. This allows for the cascade utilization of energy, eliminates the need for a separate heater, reduces heater power consumption, and lowers system energy consumption and complexity.

[0013] Preferably, a particulate filter is installed on the first pipeline, and the particulate filter is located between the outlet end of the circulating water pump and the second interface.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the particulate filter can filter out particulate impurities carried in the high-temperature coolant flowing out of the fuel cell stack, reducing the occurrence of particulate impurities adhering to the inner wall of the spiral heat exchange pipe and causing scale buildup in the pipe.

[0015] Preferably, an ion filter is installed on the second pipe, and the ion filter is located at the outlet end of the coolant storage tank.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the conductivity of the cooled liquid can be reduced through an ion filter.

[0017] Preferably, the hydrogen-filled heat exchange module includes an open water tank containing cooling water and a cooling water pump installed inside the open water tank. The outlet of the cooling water pump is connected to the first interface via a third pipe.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, during the hydrogen charging process, the cooling water pump draws cooling water from the open water tank into the spiral heat exchange pipe. The circulating cooling water can remove the reactive heat released by the hydrogen storage material in the cylinder during the hydrogen charging process, thereby achieving efficient cooling of the hydrogen storage material in the cylinder. At the same time, since the solid hydrogen storage cylinder is located in the open water tank, the outer wall of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder can also be cooled by the cooling water, which can further increase the heat exchange area and further improve the cooling efficiency of the hydrogen storage material.

[0019] In summary, the solid hydrogen storage cylinder and thermal management system with integrated spiral heat exchange pipe of this application has at least the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The embedded spiral heat exchange pipe can significantly increase the embedded heat exchange area of ​​the heat exchange tube. Since the spiral heat exchange pipe is in direct contact with the hydrogen storage material, it has the advantages of short heat conduction path and low thermal resistance, which can quickly and efficiently transfer reaction heat or supply heat. 2. The spiral heat exchange pipes are evenly coiled in the hydrogen storage material, which can reduce the heat exchange dead zone, make the temperature distribution of the entire hydrogen storage material bed more uniform, avoid local overheating or undercooling of the hydrogen storage material, and improve the utilization rate of the hydrogen storage material. 3. By incorporating the spiral heat exchange pipes used for heat exchange in the solid hydrogen storage cylinder, the structure of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder can be made more compact, which is conducive to the miniaturization and weight reduction of the equipment. 4. By combining the thermal management of hydrogen release from the solid hydrogen storage tank with the waste heat management of the fuel cell stack, the high-temperature coolant flowing out of the fuel cell stack can be used to provide the heat required for hydrogen release from the solid hydrogen storage tank. The heat absorbed by the hydrogen release in the storage tank can be used to initially cool the coolant, reducing the power consumption of the subsequent condenser. This can achieve cascaded energy utilization, eliminate the need for a separate heater, reduce heater power consumption, and lower system energy consumption and complexity. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of a solid hydrogen storage cylinder, as shown in the embodiments of this application.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of the hydrogen release heat exchange module in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of the hydrogen-filled heat exchange module in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Solid hydrogen storage cylinder; 2. Spiral heat exchange pipe; 21. First interface; 22. Second interface; 23. Bottle valve; 3. Hydrogen release heat exchange module; 31. First pipe; 32. Second pipe; 33. Circulating water pump; 34. Condenser; 35. Coolant storage tank; 36. Particulate filter; 37. Ion filter; 4. Hydrogen charging heat exchange module; 41. Open water tank; 42. Cooling water pump; 43. Third pipe; 5. Fuel cell stack. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following combination Figures 1-3 This application will be described in further detail.

[0025] Example This application discloses a solid hydrogen storage cylinder and thermal management system with an integrated spiral heat exchange pipeline. (Refer to...) Figure 1 It mainly includes a solid hydrogen storage cylinder 1, inside which a spiral heat exchange pipe 2 is fixedly installed. The spiral heat exchange pipe 2 has a diameter of 8mm and a wall thickness of 2mm, and is coaxially arranged in the middle of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 1. A cylinder valve 23 for opening or closing the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 1 is installed at the cylinder opening.

[0026] The spiral heat exchange pipe 2 includes a first interface 21 and a second interface 22. Both the first interface 21 and the second interface 22 extend to the outside of the solid hydrogen storage bottle 1, and the height of the first interface 21 is higher than the height of the second interface 22.

[0027] In this embodiment, during the hydrogen charging process, the high-temperature coolant generated in the fuel cell stack 5 flows through the spiral heat exchange pipe 2. The high-temperature coolant can provide the heat required for hydrogen dissociation, prevent the bed from becoming too cold, and ensure the continuous and stable release of hydrogen.

[0028] During the hydrogen filling process, hydrogen gas enters the bottle, and a coolant with a lower temperature flows through the spiral heat exchange pipe 2. The circulating coolant with a lower temperature can absorb the reaction heat released by the hydrogen storage material in the bottle during the hydrogen filling process, thereby achieving efficient cooling of the hydrogen storage material and promoting the rapid and complete hydrogen filling reaction.

[0029] By embedding the spiral heat exchange pipe 2, the embedded heat exchange area of ​​the heat exchange tube can be significantly increased. Since the spiral heat exchange pipe 2 is in direct contact with the hydrogen storage material, it has the advantages of short heat conduction path and low thermal resistance, which can quickly and efficiently transfer reaction heat or supply heat. The spiral heat exchange pipe 2 is evenly coiled in the hydrogen storage material, which can reduce heat exchange dead zones and make the temperature distribution of the entire hydrogen storage material bed more uniform, avoiding local overheating or undercooling of the hydrogen storage material, and improving the utilization rate of the hydrogen storage material. By embedding the spiral heat exchange pipe 2 for heat exchange of the solid hydrogen storage bottle 1, the structure of the solid hydrogen storage bottle 1 can be made more compact, which is conducive to the miniaturization and weight reduction of the equipment.

[0030] To further improve the heat exchange efficiency of the spiral heat exchange pipe 2, fins or porous structures can be installed on the inner and outer surfaces of the spiral heat exchange pipe 2. The fins or porous structures can increase the heat exchange area between the hydrogen storage material and the spiral heat exchange pipe 2, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the heat exchange efficiency of the spiral heat exchange pipe 2.

[0031] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the hydrogen storage material in the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 1 is AB5 type rare earth hydrogen storage alloy, AB2 type rare earth hydrogen storage alloy or other suitable materials. The number, pitch and diameter of the spiral pipes can be adjusted according to the size and heat load of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 1. In some larger solid hydrogen storage cylinders 1, multiple sets of independent spiral heat exchange pipes 2 can be arranged in parallel to achieve more uniform temperature field control and reduce flow resistance. This will not be limited or elaborated here.

[0032] Based on the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 1 with the integrated spiral heat exchange pipe 2 described above, this application also proposes a thermal management system. It mainly includes a hydrogen release heat exchange module 3 and a hydrogen filling heat exchange module 4. The hydrogen release heat exchange module 3 is used to provide heat for hydrogen dissociation through the waste heat generated by the fuel cell stack 5 during the hydrogen release process of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 1. The hydrogen filling heat exchange module 4 is used to remove heat from the cylinder during the hydrogen filling process of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 1.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 2 In this embodiment, the hydrogen release module 3 includes a first pipe 31 and a second pipe 32. The inlet end of the first pipe 31 is connected to the coolant outlet end of the fuel cell stack 5, and the outlet end of the first pipe 31 is connected to the second interface 22 of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder 1. A circulating water pump 33 is installed on the first pipe 31.

[0034] The inlet end of the second pipe 32 is connected to the first interface 21 of the solid hydrogen storage bottle 1, and the outlet end of the second pipe 32 is connected to the coolant inlet end of the fuel cell stack 5. A condenser 34 and a coolant storage tank 35 are installed on the second pipe 32, and the condenser 34 and the coolant storage tank 35 are arranged sequentially along the direction of coolant output.

[0035] During the hydrogen release process, the high-temperature coolant flowing out of the fuel cell stack 5 is drawn into the spiral heat exchange pipe 2 by the circulating water pump 33. The high-temperature coolant (about 60-90°C) flowing through the spiral heat exchange pipe 2 exchanges heat with the hydrogen storage material in the solid hydrogen storage tank 1, providing the heat required for hydrogen dissociation in the solid hydrogen storage tank 1. After the coolant has been preliminarily cooled by exchanging heat with the hydrogen storage tank, it flows out of the spiral heat exchange pipe 2 and passes through the condenser 34. The condenser 34 uses a fan to cool the coolant. The cooled coolant is then stored in the coolant storage tank 35 for subsequent reaction cooling of the fuel cell stack 5.

[0036] By combining the thermal management of hydrogen release from the solid hydrogen storage tank 1 with the waste heat management of the fuel cell stack 5, the high-temperature coolant flowing out of the fuel cell stack 5 is used to provide the heat required for hydrogen release from the solid hydrogen storage tank 1. The heat absorbed by the hydrogen release in the storage tank can be used to initially cool the coolant, reducing the power consumption of the subsequent condenser. This enables the cascade utilization of energy and eliminates the need for a separate heater, reducing the power consumption of the heater and lowering the system's energy consumption and complexity.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 In this embodiment, a particulate filter 36 is also installed on the first pipe 31. The particulate filter 36 is located between the outlet end of the circulating water pump 33 and the second interface 22. It can filter out particulate impurities carried in the coolant flowing into the spiral heat exchange pipe 2, thereby reducing the occurrence of particulate impurities adhering to the inner wall of the spiral heat exchange pipe 2 and causing scale buildup in the spiral heat exchange pipe 2.

[0038] In addition, an ion filter 37 is installed on the second pipe 32, and the ion filter 37 is located at the outlet end of the coolant storage tank 35. The ion filter 37 can reduce the conductivity of the cooled coolant.

[0039] Reference Figure 3 In this embodiment, the hydrogen charging heat exchange module 4 includes an open water tank 41, which contains cooling water at a temperature of 5°C, and a cooling water pump 42 is installed in the open water tank 41. The outlet end of the cooling water pump 42 is connected to the first interface 21 through a third pipe 43.

[0040] During the hydrogen charging process, the cooling water pump 42 draws cooling water from the open water tank 41 into the spiral heat exchange pipe 2. The circulating cooling water can remove the reactive heat released by the hydrogen storage material in the bottle during the hydrogen charging process, thereby achieving efficient cooling of the hydrogen storage material in the bottle. At the same time, since the solid hydrogen storage bottle 1 is located in the open water tank 41, the outer wall of the solid hydrogen storage bottle 1 can also be cooled by the cooling water, which can further increase the heat exchange area and further improve the cooling efficiency of the hydrogen storage material.

[0041] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A solid hydrogen storage cylinder with an integrated spiral heat exchange pipe, characterized in that, The system includes a solid hydrogen storage cylinder (1), in which a spiral heat exchange pipe (2) is fixedly installed. The spiral heat exchange pipe (2) is coaxial with the body of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder (1). The spiral heat exchange pipe (2) includes a first interface (21) and a second interface (22). Both the first interface (21) and the second interface (22) extend to the outside of the solid hydrogen storage cylinder (1), and the height of the first interface (21) is higher than the height of the second interface (22). A valve (23) is installed at the mouth of the solid hydrogen storage bottle (1).

2. A solid hydrogen storage cylinder with an integrated spiral heat exchange pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner and outer surfaces of the spiral heat exchange pipe (2) are provided with fins or porous structures to improve heat exchange efficiency.

3. A thermal management system for a solid hydrogen storage cylinder with an integrated spiral heat exchange pipeline according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It includes a hydrogen release heat exchange module (3) and a hydrogen filling heat exchange module (4). The hydrogen release heat exchange module (3) is used to provide heat for hydrogen dissociation through the waste heat generated by the fuel cell stack (5) during the hydrogen release process of the solid hydrogen storage bottle (1). The hydrogen filling heat exchange module (4) is used to remove the heat inside the bottle during the hydrogen filling process of the solid hydrogen storage bottle (1).

4. The thermal management system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hydrogen heat exchange module (3) includes a first pipe (31) and a second pipe (32). The inlet end of the first pipe (31) is connected to the coolant outlet end of the fuel cell stack (5), and the outlet end of the first pipe (31) is connected to the second interface (22) of the solid hydrogen storage bottle (1). A circulating water pump (33) is installed on the first pipe (31). The inlet end of the second pipe (32) is connected to the first interface (21) of the solid hydrogen storage bottle (1), and the outlet end of the second pipe (32) is connected to the coolant inlet end of the fuel cell stack (5). A condenser (34) and a coolant storage tank (35) are installed on the second pipe (32), and the condenser (34) and the coolant storage tank (35) are arranged sequentially along the direction of coolant output.

5. The thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that, A particulate filter (36) is installed on the first pipe (31), and the particulate filter (36) is located between the outlet end of the circulating water pump (33) and the second interface (22).

6. The thermal management system according to claim 5, characterized in that, An ion filter (37) is installed on the second pipe (32), and the ion filter (37) is located at the outlet end of the coolant storage tank (35).

7. The thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The hydrogen-filled heat exchange module (4) includes an open water tank (41) containing cooling water and a cooling water pump (42) installed inside the open water tank (41). The outlet end of the cooling water pump (42) is connected to the first interface (21) through a third pipe (43).

Images