Safety container for storing and dispensing hydrogen

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for using a safety container for storing and dispensing hydrogen, characterised in that storage is by means of a cylindrical container for storing helium, which surrounds another cylindrical container that has a smaller diameter and height and is intended to store hydrogen, wherein the cylindrical helium container has a filling / emptying valve on one side for filling with / emptying helium, wherein one of the bases of the cylindrical helium container comprises a filling / emptying valve that introduces helium at a pressure of 700 bars (always greater than the container of hydrogen) into a cylindrical tank, and wherein, by means of a safety tube that passes through a safety valve, hydrogen is introduced at a pressure of 500 bars, always less than the pressure of the inert gas, into the inner cylindrical tank, converting same into a leaktight container.

Description

[0001] SAFETY CONTAINER FOR THE STORAGE AND DISPENSING OF HYDROGEN.

[0002] DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention, as expressed in the statement of this descriptive memorandum, refers to a safety container for the storage and dispensing of hydrogen consisting of a double-walled container with special characteristics for the storage of hydrogen in liquid or gaseous phase due to the special characteristics represented by the storage of hydrogen in liquid phase.

[0004] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The field of the invention corresponds to the auxiliary industry of industrial gases and their handling and at this time also closely linked to the automotive sector in general, being applied, thanks to the safety of this container, to use in the home, which applied to fuel cells can serve as an auxiliary to the electrical network.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] There are several early precedents regarding safety containers for hydrogen storage.

[0008] The following have been studied as background information.

[0009] -Patent US11101475 for “System for hydrogen liquid carrier storage”

[0010] The invention relates to a fuel tank for storing a liquid hydrogen carrier and a spent liquid hydrogen carrier. The tank includes a substantially rigid outer wall comprising a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is disconnected from the second chamber, and the second chamber includes a dynamically expandable and contractable envelope, the envelope being configured to define a dynamic boundary between the liquid hydrogen carrier and the spent liquid hydrogen carrier.

[0011] The enclosure is configured to define a dynamic boundary between the liquid hydrogen carrier and the spent liquid hydrogen carrier.

[0012] The fuel tank also includes a first channel in communication with one of the two chambers and a second channel in flow communication with the other of the

[0013] of the first camera or the second camera, in which the first

[0014] The first and second channels are connected such that a flow through one of the first or second channels is returned to the other, and that during the flow, the dynamic boundary changes position causing a

[0015] change in a volume of the second camera.

[0016] As can be seen in this description, this storage differs from the proposed invention in the type of tank, which does not have at least one of the main elements of the new invention, such as the use of an inert gas to guarantee the watertightness of the container.

[0017] -US Patent 20210269301 filed on 29.02 2021 for “Gaseous hydrogen storage system with cryogenic supply”

[0018] The object of this patent is to provide a gaseous hydrogen storage and distribution system with a cryogenic supply and a method for the cryogenic conversion of liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen at high pressure.

[0019] The gaseous hydrogen storage and distribution system includes pressurizing liquid hydrogen from a cryogenic tank using a low-pressure liquid pump before vaporizing it in a relatively small vaporizer. The resulting high-pressure gaseous hydrogen is then transferred to multiple ambient-temperature storage tanks according to a desired filling sequence. The high-pressure gaseous hydrogen is subsequently distributed from the storage tanks via a hydrogen dispenser according to a desired dispensing sequence. This system and method provides improvements in operational safety, eliminates the need for high-pressure gas compressors, and minimizes boiling and venting losses at a reduced cost compared to existing thermal compression storage systems.

[0020] As can be seen in this description, this storage differs from the proposed invention in the type of tank that does not have at least one of the main elements of the new invention, such as the use of an inert gas to guarantee the watertightness of the container, using cryonics techniques, a technology totally different from that used with inert gases in the proposed patent.

[0021] The inventor is unaware of any similar device to the proposed invention that could be considered a noteworthy precedent. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The device that the invention proposes to incorporate incorporates a plurality of novel features in relation to other elements used within the sector and solves problems that had not been raised until now.

[0023] The overall objective of the invention is to obtain a watertight container for storing and dispensing hydrogen.

[0024] Fluid communication tests have been conducted in a new hydrogen container, transferring the hydrogen from a large-capacity inner chamber to a smaller, high-pressure outer chamber containing an inert gas such as helium. The hydrogen container consists of two concentric chambers, one inside the other. It can be circular, like a fire extinguisher, or sized for large vessels to accommodate the compartments containing the gases to be transported.

[0025] In all of them, whatever their shape or size, the outer chambers must have a smaller capacity: 10+10 mm in diameter, with a pressure of 700 bar or more, and where their contents can be helium, nitrogen... For now we will use helium.

[0026] The inner container can be filled with hydrogen at 500 bar, with a much larger capacity (thousands of liters), but at a lower pressure in bars than the outer container, which contains helium. We have two concentric containers: one inside the other. The outer container holds helium at a pressure of 700 bar (for example), while the inner one contains hydrogen at a pressure of 500 bar. We will explore the differences between these two gases and their behavior within each container.

[0027] Atomic Structure:

[0028] Hydrogen is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe, composed of a single proton and electron.

[0029] Helium, on the other hand, has two protons, two neutrons, and two electrons in its atomic nucleus.

[0030] Abundance:

[0031] Although both elements are common in the Universe, hydrogen is more abundant, making up approximately 75% of the mass of the visible universe. However, helium constitutes only about 25%.

[0032] Physical Properties:

[0033] Boiling and Melting Points: Hydrogen has a freezing point of -259.14 °C and a boiling point of -252.87 °C.

[0034] Helium has a melting point of -272.2 °C and a boiling point of -268.9 °C.

[0035] Density and Solubility: Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, and very light gas, with a density of 0.0899 g / cm³ 3 at 0 °C and 1 atm. It is highly flammable.

[0036] Helium has a density of 0.1785 g / cm³ 3 at 0 °C and 1 atm. It is an inert gas and dissolves even less in water.

[0037] Since hydrogen is heavier than helium, it is not expected that hydrogen will transfer to the helium container. The difference in density and solubility between these two gases means there is no significant migration of hydrogen to the outer container. Therefore, the hydrogen would remain in its inner container.

[0038] To check if helium is transferred from the outer container to the inner one, as in the previous case, we must again consider the properties of these two gases: Atomic Structure:

[0039] Density and Solubility:

[0040] Material: high impermeability category (1) steel

[0041] Therefore, just as the transfer of hydrogen to the helium chamber is impossible due to various pressure and molecular factors, and despite helium being lighter than hydrogen and having greater expansion capacity due to its higher pressure (measured in bars), which covers and seals the permeability defects in the steel grain (especially effective if the steel cools quickly and the grain size is smaller), for these reasons and because of the surrounding material, helium is not expected to transfer to the hydrogen container. The difference in density and solubility between these two gases prevents significant helium migration into the inner container. Therefore, the helium should remain in its outer container.

[0042] This means that the container keeps the helium and hydrogen, each in its own chamber, without significant losses.

[0043] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a sheet of drawings is attached to this descriptive report as an integral part thereof, in which identical elements are indicated with identical references and where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: FIGURE No. 1.

[0045] Diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a safety container for the storage and dispensing of hydrogen.

[0046] And in these figures, the same elements are identified with identical numbering:

[0047] (1). - hydrogen inlet pipe,

[0048] (2), - hydrogen inlet safety valve,

[0049] (3). - internal hydrogen tank,

[0050] (4). - external inert gas tank,

[0051] (5). - hydrogen outlet valve,

[0052] (6). - hydrogen outlet pipe,

[0053] (7). - Hydrogen depressurization and outlet valve,

[0054] (8). - immediate use hydrogen storage,

[0055] (9). - Ready-to-use hydrogen outlet valve,

[0056] (10). - inert gas,

[0057] (11).- inert gas loading / unloading valve,

[0058] (12).- hydrogen outlet pipe,

[0059] (13).- hydrogen

[0060] (14).- carbon fiber layer.

[0061] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0062] The device proposed by the invention incorporates novel features in relation to other elements used within the sector and solves problems that until now were difficult to solve.

[0063] More precisely, the patented relates to a safety container for the storage and dispensing of hydrogen consisting of a cylindrical container (4) surrounding another cylindrical container (3) of smaller diameter and height, and where the outer cylindrical container is coated with a layer of carbon fiber (14)

[0064] The cylindrical container (3) intended to store hydrogen and the container (4) intended to store an inert gas (10) in this case helium.

[0065] The cylindrical container (4) has a loading / unloading valve (11) on one side for loading / unloading the inert gas (10), in this case helium. A hydrogen inlet safety valve (2) is visible on one of the ends of the cylindrical container (3), which will supply hydrogen (13) via a safety pipe (1).

[0066] On the other end of the cylindrical container (3), a hydrogen outlet valve (5) is visible. Hydrogen is dispensed via an outlet pipe (6) located inside another inert gas outlet pipe (12), concentric to the first, through which the inert gas (10), in this case helium, circulates. The hydrogen (13) is temporarily stored in a tank (8) from where it will be supplied to the necessary equipment via the safety valve (9).

[0067] The operating procedure is as follows:

[0068] Storage is carried out by means of a loading and unloading valve (11) that introduces helium at 700 bar pressure into the cylindrical tank (4).

[0069] Hydrogen (13) is introduced into the inner cylindrical tank (3) through a safety pipe (1) via the safety valve (2) at a pressure of 500 bar.

[0070] The cylindrical container (3) thus configured becomes watertight, which is the goal sought in this invention, which is not achieved with other technologies, nor with more sophisticated systems as explained above.

[0071] Although helium (10) is lighter than hydrogen (13) and has greater expansion power due to the higher pressure in bars at which it is stored, it covers and seals the grain permeability defects of the steel of the cylindrical container (3) and therefore keeps the hydrogen tank (3) watertight

[0072] The difference in density and solubility between these two gases helium (10) and hydrogen (13) means that there is no significant migration of helium into the inner container, with the helium (10) remaining in its outer container.

[0073] The hydrogen (13) thus stored in the cylindrical container (3), when needed, is momentarily deposited into an immediate use tank (8) by means of the outlet valve (5), the outlet pipe (12) and the depressurization and outlet safety valve (7) from where it will be supplied to media that require it by means of the safety valve (9).

[0074] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, as well as the manner of carrying it out, it should be noted that the provisions indicated above and represented in the attached drawings are subject to detailed modifications as long as they do not alter their fundamental principles, established in the preceding paragraphs and summarized in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS Claim 1. A safety container for the storage and dispensing of hydrogen, characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical container (4) for the storage of helium, its exterior covered by a layer of carbon fiber (14) that surrounds another cylindrical container (3) of smaller diameter and height intended to store hydrogen, and wherein the cylindrical container (4) has on one of its sides a loading / unloading valve (11) for the loading / unloading of helium (10), and wherein on one of the bases of the cylindrical container (3) there is a hydrogen inlet safety valve (2) that will supply hydrogen (13) by means of a safety pipe (1), and on the other base of the cylindrical container (3) there is a hydrogen outlet valve (5) that does so by means of an outlet pipe (6) located inside another outlet pipe of the inert gas (12) concentric to the previous one through which the helium (10) circulates.and where a depressurization and outlet valve (7) is located, a momentary storage tank (8) with a built-in hydrogen outlet valve (9), Claim 2. Method of using a safety container for the storage and dispensing of hydrogen characterized in that the storage is carried out by means of a cylindrical container (4) for the storage of helium, covered by a layer of carbon fiber;surrounding another cylindrical container (3) of smaller diameter and height intended to store hydrogen (13), where the cylindrical container (4) has on one of its sides a loading / unloading valve (11) for loading / unloading helium (10), and where on one of the bases of the cylindrical container there is a loading / unloading valve that introduces helium at least at 700 bar pressure into the cylindrical tank (4), and where by means of a safety pipe (1) through the safety valve (2) hydrogen (13) is introduced at a pressure of at least 500 bar into the inner cylindrical tank (3), which makes it airtight, and where when hydrogen (13) is demanded it is momentarily deposited in an immediate use tank (8) by means of the outlet valve (5), the outlet pipe (12) and the outlet safety valve (7), from where it will be supplied to means that require it by means of the safety valve (9).

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