Conical Solid Hydrogen Reactor for Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen storage systems face challenges in efficiently liberating hydrogen gas at high pressures, requiring robust components and low temperatures for liquid storage, and are prone to leaks and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A solid hydrogen reaction system with a conical reactor having an increasing cross-sectional area, where hydrogen storage solids react with heat or liquid reactants to liberate hydrogen gas, minimizing pressure and temperature requirements and preventing over-pressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored at high pressures near 700 bar, then adequate quantities of hydrogen can be stored for extended energy consumption, but more robust components are required and system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen from gaseous (stored at 700 bar) to solid (metal hydride form), allowing storage at near-ambient pressures. This parameter change eliminates the need for high-pressure containment systems and their associated heavy robust components, directly resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and system weight.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in liquid form, then adequate quantities can be stored, but very low temperatures are required to maintain liquid form and appropriate pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid to solid (metal hydride), which allows storage at near-ambient temperatures rather than the very low temperatures required for liquid hydrogen. This eliminates the need for complex cryogenic temperature maintenance systems.
3Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored at high pressures, then adequate quantities can be stored, but the system is prone to leaks and maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
By changing hydrogen from gaseous high-pressure storage to solid metal hydride storage at near-ambient conditions, the patent eliminates the primary causes of leaks and maintenance issues associated with high-pressure systems, thereby improving reliability.
4Reliability
If a conical reactor with increasing cross-sectional area is used, then controlled hydrogen liberation is achieved and over-pressurization is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric conical geometry with increasing cross-sectional area to naturally control the reaction front propagation and prevent over-pressurization. This geometric asymmetry provides passive safety without requiring complex active control systems.
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 system enables controlled hydrogen liberation with reduced safety concerns, lower system weight, and lower maintenance needs, eliminating high-pressure storage risks and infrastructure costs, while maintaining high hydrogen yields and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
receive a reactant or heat introduced at the inlet to the reaction chamber to begin a chemical reaction to liberate hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage solid
Data Source
AI summary
A solid hydrogen reaction system and method of liberating hydrogen gas includes the utilization of a reactor having a body that defines a reaction chamber, having a first narrow end and a second wider end such that the reactor has an increasing cross-sectional area from the first end toward the second end, for facilitating a reaction to liberate hydrogen gas stored in a hydrogen storage solid located within the reaction chamber.