Hydrogen leakage monitoring device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a hydrogen leakage monitoring device for hydrogen storage, transportation environment hydrogen leakage monitoring, at least includes: insulating substrate, the upper surface is seted up first recess, fills low temperature hydrogen storage alloy in this first recess, is used for adsorbing the hydrogen gas that leaks in hydrogen storage, transportation environment, separates the membrane, is covered on the first recess, and only allows the hydrogen gas that leaks in environment to pass through and contacts, adsorbs on hydrogen storage alloy, metal electrode, the number is two and is inserted in the both ends in first recess, makes two metal electrodes respectively with the hydrogen storage alloy of both ends in first recess contact, two metal electrodes are connected with conductivity meter or resistance measuring instrument through wire respectively, is used for judging hydrogen leakage situation in environment through the conductivity or resistance change situation of hydrogen storage alloy before and after adsorbing hydrogen. The scheme fills low temperature hydrogen storage alloy in the recess seted up on the insulating substrate, and measures the conductivity change of hydrogen storage alloy after adsorbing hydrogen to monitor hydrogen leakage, and the device structure is simple, and other gas is not easy to be interfered, and the monitoring sensitivity is higher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen detection and monitoring technology, and in particular to a hydrogen leak monitoring device. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen is flammable and explosive. Its explosive limits in air are very wide, ranging from 4.0% to 75.6% (volume fraction). If high-pressure hydrogen leaks, it will rapidly diffuse into the surrounding environment, mixing with air and easily causing an explosion. Therefore, efficient and safe hydrogen leak detection and monitoring are crucial.

[0003] Hydrogen detection and monitoring methods mainly fall into two categories: color-changing tape methods and hydrogen sensors. The color-changing tape method works by using hydrogen to react with a specific material, causing the tape to change color. Hydrogen sensor monitoring methods are generally based on the internal sensing material of the instrument undergoing a specific physicochemical reaction with hydrogen; when the state parameter reaches a certain threshold, an alarm is triggered. Mainstream hydrogen sensors include semiconductor sensors, thermal conductivity sensors, catalytic combustion sensors (i.e., thermochemical sensors), electrochemical sensors, and fiber optic sensors. Due to factors such as the sensitivity, detection range, and usage limitations of various built-in sensors, different types of hydrogen detectors are suitable for different operational scenarios.

[0004] For example, Chinese patent CN221350403U discloses an integrated visual and olfactory hydrogen leak detector and device, relating to the field of hydrogen leak monitoring. This detector is composed of an H2 sensor, a flexible RFID electronic tag, and hydrogen color-changing tape stacked together. The flexible RFID electronic tag is attached to the hydrogen color-changing tape. The H2 sensor is electrically connected to the flexible RFID electronic tag, and the H2 sensor has a vent that does not contact the flexible RFID electronic tag. The H2 sensor is used to detect and collect hydrogen concentration information at the leak detection point, and the flexible RFID electronic tag facilitates energy transfer and information collection. This solution can improve the timeliness and reliability of hydrogen leak detection.

[0005] For example, Chinese patent application CN115436441A discloses a flexible thin-film hydrogen sensor and a hydrogen leak monitoring and protection system. The flexible thin-film hydrogen sensor includes a proton exchange membrane and several hydrogen-sensitive sensing elements arranged in an array on the proton exchange membrane. Each hydrogen-sensitive sensing element consists of a counter electrode and a sensing electrode correspondingly disposed on both sides of the proton exchange membrane. A catalytic layer is coated on the proton exchange membrane. The hydrogen leak monitoring and protection system includes the aforementioned flexible thin-film hydrogen sensor. The flexible thin-film hydrogen sensor is an array of electrochemical hydrogen-sensitive sensing elements, with the spacing and number of sensing elements determined according to the required positioning accuracy. When hydrogen leaks, rapid and accurate positioning of the leak is achieved based on the voltage data of the sensing elements and the time data of voltage generation. This scheme utilizes the principle of electrochemical reaction to catalyze the hydrogen to be detected to generate an electrical signal. The electrical signal measurement response time is less than milliseconds, achieving rapid response to hydrogen leaks at low concentrations.

[0006] The existing technologies for hydrogen leak monitoring, such as the color-changing tape method and the hydrogen sensor method, use devices with complex structures that are easily interfered with by other gases and have low sensitivity.

[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a hydrogen leak monitoring device with a simple structure that is not affected by other gases and can ensure high sensitivity.

[0008] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this utility model and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a hydrogen leakage monitoring device. The device monitors hydrogen leakage by filling a low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy into a groove on an insulating substrate and measuring the change in conductivity of the hydrogen storage alloy after it adsorbs hydrogen. The device has a simple structure, is not easily interfered with by other gases, and has high monitoring sensitivity.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a hydrogen leakage monitoring device for monitoring hydrogen leakage in hydrogen storage and transportation environments. It includes at least: an insulating substrate with a first groove on its upper surface, the groove being filled with a low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy for adsorbing leaked hydrogen in the storage and transportation environment; a separation membrane covering the first groove, allowing only leaked hydrogen from the environment to pass through and contact the hydrogen storage alloy, adsorbing onto it; and two metal electrodes inserted into the two ends of the first groove, respectively contacting the hydrogen storage alloy at both ends of the first groove. The two metal electrodes are connected to a conductivity meter or a resistance meter via wires, respectively, to determine the hydrogen leakage situation in the environment by measuring the changes in conductivity or resistance of the hydrogen storage alloy before and after hydrogen adsorption.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above technical solution, the insulating substrate can be made of insulating materials such as glass or resin.

[0012] Furthermore, in the above technical solution, the separation membrane can be an inorganic membrane or an organic membrane.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above technical solution, two second grooves can be provided at a distance of 1-5mm on both sides of the first groove; the second groove is arranged parallel to the first groove and a heater is embedded in the second groove, which is used to heat the hydrogen storage alloy in the first groove to 20℃-80℃ after hydrogen leakage is detected, so as to desorb the hydrogen adsorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above technical solution, the hydrogen storage alloy is preferably one or a mixture of several of LaNi5, TiTe, ZrV2, TiMn2 or V-Ti-Cr.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above technical solution, the length of both the first groove and the second groove can be 5mm-500mm, the depth can be 1mm-10mm, and the width can be 1mm-10mm.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1) By opening a first groove on an insulating substrate and filling it with a low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy, this utility model can take advantage of the characteristic that the conductivity of the low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy changes after adsorbing hydrogen. By measuring the changes in conductivity or resistance of the hydrogen storage alloy before and after adsorbing hydrogen, the hydrogen leakage situation in the environment can be quickly determined.

[0018] 2) By setting up a separation membrane and combining it with the selective adsorption characteristics of hydrogen by the low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy, this utility model can avoid interference from other gases in the environment and achieve efficient detection and monitoring of hydrogen leakage in hydrogen-related environments.

[0019] 3) By opening a second groove on the insulating substrate and embedding a heater, this utility model can restore the hydrogen storage alloy to its state and initial conductivity value before monitoring when hydrogen leakage is detected after leakage monitoring (i.e., hydrogen is adsorbed on the hydrogen storage alloy). This allows for repeated monitoring in different areas or the same area.

[0020] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model and to implement it according to the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, technical features and advantages of this utility model easier to understand, one or more preferred embodiments are listed below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the hydrogen leak monitoring device of this utility model.

[0022] 1-Insulating substrate, 11-First groove, 111-Low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy, 12-Second groove, 121-Heater, 2-Separation membrane, 3A-First metal electrode, 3B-Second metal electrode, 4A-First wire, 4B-Second wire, 5-Conductivity meter or resistance meter. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the scope of protection of this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments.

[0024] Unless otherwise expressly stated, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprising" or its variations such as "including" or "comprises" shall be understood to include the stated elements or components without excluding other elements or other components.

[0025] In this document, for ease of description, spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “down,” “above,” “above,” “upper,” etc., are used to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of an object in use or operation, in addition to those depicted in the figures. For example, if an object in the figure is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” another element or feature would be oriented “above” that element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both the downward and upward orientations. An object may also have other orientations (rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatial relative terms used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0026] In this document, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish two different elements or parts, and are not used to define specific positions or relative relationships. In other words, in some embodiments, the terms "first," "second," etc., can also be used interchangeably.

[0027] like Figure 1As shown, this utility model provides a hydrogen leakage monitoring device for monitoring hydrogen leakage in hydrogen storage and transportation environments, such as hydrogen pipelines, hydrogen storage containers, or other hydrogen storage and transportation environments. It includes at least an insulating substrate 1, a separation membrane 2, and a metal electrode. A first groove 11 is formed on the upper surface of the insulating substrate 1, and the first groove 11 is filled with a low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy 111 to adsorb leaked hydrogen in the hydrogen storage and transportation environment. Preferably, but not limitingly, the insulating substrate 1 can be made of a non-conductive insulating material such as glass or resin. The hydrogen storage alloy 111 is preferably one or a mixture of several of LaNi5, TiTe, ZrV2, TiMn2, or V-Ti-Cr, these existing low-temperature hydrogen storage materials can absorb hydrogen at room temperature and pressure. Further, the length of the first groove 11 can range from 5mm to 500mm, the depth can range from 1mm to 10mm, and the width can range from 1mm to 10mm.

[0028] Further as Figure 1 As shown, the separation membrane 2 covers the first groove 11. The separation membrane 2 allows only leaked hydrogen from the environment to pass through and contact the hydrogen storage alloy 111, where it is adsorbed onto the hydrogen storage alloy. Other gases cannot penetrate it, effectively preventing interference from other gases in the environment to hydrogen monitoring. The separation membrane can be either an inorganic membrane or an organic membrane.

[0029] Further as Figure 1 As shown, there are two metal electrodes (reference). Figure 1 The first metal electrode 3A and the second metal electrode 3B are respectively inserted into the two ends of the first groove 11, so that the two metal electrodes can contact the hydrogen storage alloy 111 at both ends of the first groove 11. The first metal electrode 3A is connected to a conductivity meter or resistance meter 5 through a first wire 4A, and the second metal electrode 3B is also connected to a conductivity meter or resistance meter 5 through a second wire 4B. It is used to determine the hydrogen leakage situation in the environment by measuring the change in conductivity or resistance of the hydrogen storage alloy 111 before and after hydrogen adsorption.

[0030] The above-mentioned technical solution of this utility model, by creating grooves on an insulating substrate and filling them with a low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy, can take advantage of the characteristic that the conductivity of the low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy changes after adsorbing hydrogen. By measuring the changes in conductivity or resistance of the hydrogen storage alloy before and after hydrogen adsorption, the hydrogen leakage situation in the environment can be quickly determined. By setting up a separation membrane, combined with the selective adsorption characteristics of the low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy used in this utility model for hydrogen, interference from other gases in the environment can be avoided, achieving efficient detection and monitoring of hydrogen leakage in hydrogen-related environments.

[0031] Further as Figure 1As shown, preferably but not limitingly, two second grooves 12 can be respectively provided at a distance of 1-5mm on both sides of the first groove 11; the second grooves 12 are arranged parallel to the first groove and a heater 121 is embedded in the second groove, which can be used to heat the hydrogen storage alloy in the first groove 11 to 20℃-80℃ after hydrogen leakage is detected, so as to desorb the hydrogen adsorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy. With this arrangement, when hydrogen leakage is detected after leakage monitoring, that is, when hydrogen is adsorbed on the hydrogen storage alloy, after the current round of monitoring is completed, the state of the hydrogen storage alloy and the initial value of conductivity before monitoring can be restored, so as to allow repeated monitoring in different areas or the same area. Furthermore, the length of the second groove 12 can also be in the range of 5mm-500mm, the depth can also be in the range of 1mm-10mm, and the width can also be in the range of 1mm-10mm.

[0032] The following is a specific example illustrating the construction and monitoring testing process of this utility model device:

[0033] 1) A first groove 11 with a length of 100 mm, a width of 2 mm and a depth of 2 mm is etched on the insulating substrate 1 of the glass;

[0034] 2) A certain amount of hydrogen storage alloy LaNi5 is uniformly filled into the first groove 11 to ensure that the LaNi5 filling in the first groove is appropriately loose;

[0035] 3) A selective hydrogen separation membrane 2 is covered above the first groove 11 for selectively permeating hydrogen from the environment;

[0036] 4) Insert and fix two metal electrodes at both ends of the first groove 11 so that the first metal electrode 3A and the second metal electrode 3B can be in close contact with the hydrogen storage alloy 111 in the first groove 11 to achieve conductivity. Then connect the first metal electrode 3A and the second metal electrode 3B to the conductivity meter 5 through the first wire 4A and the second wire 4B respectively.

[0037] 5) At a distance of 1-5 mm on both sides of the first groove 11 filled with hydrogen storage material 111, a second groove 12 with a length of 100 mm, a width of 2 mm and a depth of 2 mm is engraved; a heating heater 121 is embedded in the second groove 12;

[0038] 6) Place the insulating substrate 1 constructed in the above manner near the valve of the hydrogen storage container, turn on the conductivity meter 5 switch, detect the conductivity at both ends of the hydrogen storage alloy 111 in the first groove 11, and open the valve of the hydrogen storage container to release a certain amount of hydrogen into the environment where the insulating substrate 1 is located.

[0039] 7) Measure the change in conductivity to determine the hydrogen leakage situation: When the conductivity decreases by more than 1%, it is determined that hydrogen leakage has occurred in the environment (this utility model can define this limit between 1% and 5% according to the selection of different hydrogen storage materials). Based on the decrease in conductivity, the amount of hydrogen leakage in the environment can be determined.

[0040] 8) Start the heater 121 to heat the hydrogen storage alloy 111 in the first groove 11 to 50°C and desorb the hydrogen adsorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy.

[0041] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention is for illustrative and explanatory purposes. These descriptions are not intended to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it will be apparent that many changes and variations can be made in accordance with the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the specific principles of the present invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to implement and utilize various different exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various different choices and variations. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the foregoing exemplary embodiments should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogen leak monitoring device, characterized in that, Hydrogen leak monitoring in hydrogen storage and transportation environments includes: An insulating substrate has a first groove on its upper surface, which is filled with a low-temperature hydrogen storage alloy to adsorb hydrogen gas leaking from the hydrogen storage and transportation environment. A separation membrane is provided, which covers the first groove and allows only hydrogen leaking from the environment to pass through and come into contact with the hydrogen storage alloy and be adsorbed onto the hydrogen storage alloy. Two metal electrodes are inserted into the two ends of the first groove, so that the two metal electrodes are in contact with the hydrogen storage alloy at both ends of the first groove. The two metal electrodes are connected to a conductivity meter or a resistance meter through wires, respectively, to determine the hydrogen leakage in the environment by measuring the change in conductivity or resistance of the hydrogen storage alloy before and after adsorbing hydrogen.

2. The hydrogen leak monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulating substrate is made of glass or resin.

3. The hydrogen leak monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The separation membrane is an inorganic membrane or an organic membrane.

4. The hydrogen leak monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two second grooves are provided at a distance of 1-5mm on both sides of the first groove; the second grooves are arranged parallel to the first grooves and a heater is embedded in the second grooves, which is used to heat the hydrogen storage alloy in the first groove to 20℃-80℃ after hydrogen leakage is detected, so as to desorb the hydrogen adsorbed in the hydrogen storage alloy.

5. The hydrogen leak monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen storage alloy is made of one or a mixture of several of the following: LaNi5, TiTe, ZrV2, TiMn2, or V-Ti-Cr.

6. The hydrogen leak monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the first groove ranges from 5mm to 500mm, the depth ranges from 1mm to 10mm, and the width ranges from 1mm to 10mm.

7. The hydrogen leak monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The length of the second groove ranges from 5mm to 500mm, the depth ranges from 1mm to 10mm, and the width ranges from 1mm to 10mm.

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