Al-Mg Alloy Hydrogen Storage via Direct Enrichment and Rapid Solidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen storage methods, such as pressurized tanks and cryogenic containers, are inefficient and unsuitable for mobile applications due to high weight, hydrogen leaks, and energy requirements, while metal hydride storage faces challenges with hydrogen diffusion and hydride layer growth.
Innovation Solution
A method involving direct hydrogen enrichment of Al—Mg alloys or pure Al/Mg metals in a molten state, followed by rapid solidification to form metal hydrides, using plasma reactors and controlled hydrogen supply to increase hydrogen content and prevent leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in pressurized tanks or cryogenic containers, then hydrogen storage capacity is achieved, but weight and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen from gaseous (pressurized) or liquid (cryogenic) to solid metal hydride form. This phase transition enables high hydrogen density (up to 7.5 wt% for AlH3) while eliminating the need for heavy pressurized tanks and cryogenic refrigeration systems, directly reducing storage system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite metal hydride materials (such as Al-Mg alloys forming hydrides) to store hydrogen. These composite materials provide high hydrogen capacity while maintaining structural integrity and enabling mobile applications, replacing traditional separate storage tank and refrigeration systems.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in pressurized tanks or cryogenic containers, then hydrogen storage capacity is achieved, but system complexity and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions hydrogen storage from requiring complex pressurization systems and cryogenic refrigeration to simple metal hydride formation. The hydrogen is absorbed into metal hydrides at relatively low temperatures and pressures, eliminating complex mechanical and thermal control systems while maintaining high storage capacity.
3Weight of moving object
If solid metal hydrides are used for hydrogen storage, then weight is reduced, but hydrogen diffusion becomes difficult due to hydride layer growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a porous coating layer on the metal surface before hydrogen absorption. This porous layer (with porosity of 10-70%) is created in advance to facilitate hydrogen diffusion into the metal bulk, preventing the formation of dense hydride layers that would block further hydrogen absorption and maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses porous coating materials on the metal surface to enable hydrogen diffusion. The porous structure (with controlled porosity of 10-70%) provides pathways for hydrogen to penetrate into the metal bulk while maintaining the weight advantages of solid hydride storage, directly addressing the diffusion barrier problem.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional hydrogen storage methods are used, then hydrogen can be stored, but reliability is reduced due to hydrogen leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes hydrogen from a free gas or liquid to a chemically bound state in metal hydrides. This fundamental parameter change eliminates hydrogen leaks because the hydrogen is stored as stable metal-hydrogen bonds within the solid material, providing inherent leak resistance while maintaining storage capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances hydrogen storage efficiency by forming stable metal hydrides with high hydrogen content, reducing weight and energy consumption, and enabling effective hydrogen release for various applications, including mobile systems.
Implementation Method 1
the respective metal, in the solid state, is brought into contact with hydrogen so that the latter can diffuse into the metal
Implementation Method 2
rapid, preferably ultra-rapid, cooling of the melt in order to solidify the melt
Data Source
AI summary
A method for storing hydrogen in a metallic base material is disclosed along with material which can be obtained according to the method, and to the use of said material for providing hydrogen by releasing the hydrogen from the material. The method prevents disadvantages of conventional methods for storing H2. This is achieved in that hydrogen is stored by means of direct hydrogen enrichment of a metallic base material provided in the liquid or gaseous state and subsequent rapid solidification. An Al—Mg alloy or Al or Mg is used as the metallic base material. The material enriched with hydrogen contains hydrogen in the form of metal hydrides as well as in the dissolved form and as pores.