Composite Hydrogen Storage Material Binder Immobilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional metal hydride powders for hydrogen storage face issues such as unstable particle beds, inefficient heat transfer, safety concerns due to pyrophoric materials, and reduced volumetric storage density due to strain and compaction during the hydriding/dehydriding cycle.

Innovation Solution

A composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder that immobilizes the particles to maintain relative spatial relationships, reducing particle bed instability and strain, while enhancing thermal conductivity and structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If metal hydride powders are used for hydrogen storage, then hydrogen storage capacity is achieved, but particle bed stability deteriorates due to strain during hydriding/dehydriding cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage capacityVSAvoidparticle bed stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining metal hydride particles with a binder material to form a stable composite structure. The binder material holds the metal hydride particles together, preventing particle bed instability and maintaining structural integrity during repeated hydriding and dehydriding cycles, while still allowing the metal hydride particles to store hydrogen effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If traditional metal hydride powders are used, then hydrogen storage is enabled, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storageVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The composite material structure with binder and particle arrangement improves thermal conductivity pathways throughout the hydrogen storage medium, enabling more efficient heat transfer during the exothermic hydriding and endothermic dehydriding reactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If metal hydride powders are used, then hydrogen storage capacity is achieved, but safety deteriorates due to pyrophoric properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage capacityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The binder material in the composite structure acts as a protective matrix that reduces the direct exposure of metal hydride particles to oxygen and other environmental factors, thereby mitigating pyrophoric hazards while maintaining hydrogen storage functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Quantity of substance

If metal hydride powders are used, then hydrogen storage is achieved, but device complexity increases due to required filtration systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storageVSAvoidfiltration system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The composite material with binder-bound particles creates a structurally stable hydrogen storage medium that prevents particle breakdown and contamination of the hydrogen stream, eliminating the need for complex filtration systems while maintaining effective hydrogen storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

5Stability of the object's composition

If expansion room is designed into storage vessel, then strain accommodation is enabled, but volumetric storage density deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrain accommodationVSAvoidvolumetric storage density

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The binder material in the composite structure provides internal flexibility and strain accommodation capability, allowing the hydrogen storage medium to expand and contract during cycling without requiring additional expansion space in the vessel, thereby maintaining high volumetric storage density.

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 composite material allows for efficient hydrogen occlusion and desorption with reduced strain, improved safety, and increased volumetric energy storage density, eliminating the need for complex vessel designs and filtration systems.

Implementation Method 1

a binder that immobilizes the particles to maintain relative spatial relationships

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImmobilization:

Implementation Method 2

enhancing thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

efficient hydrogen occlusion and desorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

efficient hydrogen occlusion and desorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS8734576B2Composite hydrogen storage material and methods related thereto

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 INTELLIGENT ENERGY LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles.