Calcium Copper Oxide Getter for High-Temperature Hydrogen Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional getter compositions are ineffective at elevated temperatures above 80 °C for gettering hydrogen and moisture due to the desorption of water by zeolites and the decreased hydrogen absorption capacity of palladium-based getters at higher temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A getter composition comprising calcium oxide and copper oxide, activated at temperatures above 500 °C, is used to effectively getter hydrogen and moisture at temperatures ranging from 80 °C to 500 °C, without the inclusion of palladium compounds, which are not necessary for high-temperature performance and can reduce the effectiveness of the getter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional moisture getters such as zeolites are used, then moisture gettering is effective at room temperature, but they start to desorb water rapidly above about 80 °C and become unsuitable for high-temperature applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating temperatureVSAvoidgettering capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the getter material from conventional zeolites to a specific composite containing calcium oxide (5-50 wt%), copper oxide (45-90 wt%), and optional palladium oxide (0.1-5 wt%). This compositional parameter change enables the getter to maintain stable moisture and hydrogen gettering capacity at temperatures up to 500°C, resolving the temperature-dependent reliability issue of conventional zeolites

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite material system combining calcium oxide, copper oxide, and optionally palladium oxide in specific ratios. This composite structure synergistically combines the high-temperature stability of calcium oxide, the hydrogen gettering capability of copper oxide, and the enhanced performance from palladium oxide, achieving reliable gettering performance across a wide temperature range from room temperature to 500°C

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If palladium oxide-based hydrogen getters are used, then hydrogen gettering is effective at room temperature, but the capacity of palladium metal to absorb hydrogen decreases at higher temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating temperatureVSAvoidhydrogen absorption capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the palladium oxide content parameter within a specific range (0.1-5 wt%) in the composite getter formulation. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient hydrogen gettering capacity at room temperature while preventing excessive hydrogen absorption at high temperatures that would reduce effectiveness, thereby maintaining stable hydrogen removal capability across the full operating temperature range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates palladium oxide (0.1-5 wt%) with calcium oxide and copper oxide in a composite structure. The copper oxide component provides alternative hydrogen gettering mechanisms that are less temperature-sensitive, compensating for the temperature-dependent capacity reduction of palladium metal and maintaining overall hydrogen absorption capacity at elevated temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The calcium oxide and copper oxide composition maintains high gettering capacity for hydrogen and moisture across the specified temperature range, avoiding the limitations of palladium-based getters and ensuring effective gas removal in high-temperature applications.

Implementation Method 1

Calcium oxide reacts with ambient water to form calcium hydroxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

copper oxide and wherein the getter composition is essentially free of palladium or a palladium compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentEP3027306B1Method to getter hydrogen and moisture
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC

AI summary

A getter composition for gettering hydrogen and water at temperatures greater than 80°C comprises at least one alkaline earth metal oxide or a precursor thereof and at least one transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of copper oxide, nickel oxide and cobalt oxide or a precursor of said transition metal oxide.