Electrochemical Hydrogen Compression for Dry Metal Hydride Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vapor compression heat pump systems face limitations in efficiency due to the need for humidified hydrogen, which accelerates the aging of metal hydrides and causes corrosion, leading to high operational costs and environmental concerns related to refrigerants.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical compressor-driven metal hydride heat pump system utilizing a dry hydrogen gas and a phosphoric acid-functionalized polybenzimidazole/polytetrafluoroethylene composite membrane, allowing for efficient hydrogen compression without desiccation, and incorporating specific metal hydride systems for high efficiency and eco-friendliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional vapor compression heat pump systems use humidified hydrogen, then hydrogen compression can be achieved, but metal hydride aging accelerates and corrosion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetal hydride durabilityVSAvoidcorrosion and aging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes moisture from the hydrogen stream by replacing the conventional humidified hydrogen approach with a solid oxide electrolyzer that produces dry hydrogen directly, eliminating the source of corrosion and aging problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The solid oxide electrolyzer acts as an intermediary device that generates dry hydrogen as a mediator between the power source and the metal hydride system, preventing direct contact between humidified hydrogen and the metal hydride components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If conventional vapor compression systems use mechanical compressors, then hydrogen compression is achieved, but system complexity and refrigerant environmental concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen compression capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical compressor with an electrochemical solid oxide electrolyzer that uses electrical energy to drive hydrogen production and compression, eliminating moving parts and mechanical complexity while maintaining compression capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters by using high-temperature electrochemical processes to generate and compress hydrogen in a single integrated step, rather than using conventional low-temperature mechanical compression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If conventional heat pumps use Freon refrigerants, then heat transfer efficiency is maintained, but environmental concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates an inert hydrogen atmosphere to replace Freon refrigerants, using hydrogen's chemical properties to achieve heat transfer while eliminating the environmental harm associated with conventional refrigerants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potential harm of hydrogen (flammability) into a benefit by using it as an environmentally friendly refrigerant alternative that eliminates Freon while providing efficient heat transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 achieves high coefficients of performance, eliminates the need for Freon, and provides noiseless, vibration-free operation, overcoming the limitations of previous compressor-driven metal hydride heat pumps by using dry hydrogen and advanced membrane technology.

Implementation Method 1

a phosphoric acid-functionalized polybenzimidazole/polytetrafluoroethylene composite membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProton conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

an electrochemical compressor-driven metal hydride heat pump system utilizing a dry hydrogen gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical compression:

Implementation Method 3

metal hydride heat pump system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

metal hydride heat pump system utilizing an electrochemical hydrogen compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentUS11268738B2Advanced metal hydride heat transfer system utilizing an electrochemical hydrogen compressor

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 USA FORTESCUE IP INC

AI summary

An electrochemical heat transfer device for a hot water tank utilizes an electrochemical hydrogen compressor to pump hydrogen into and out of a tank having a metal hydride forming alloy therein. The absorption of hydrogen by the metal hydride forming alloy is exothermic, produces heat, and the desorption of the hydrogen from the metal hydride forming alloy is endothermic and draws heat in. An electrochemical hydrogen compressor may be configured between to tanks and pump hydrogen back and forth to form a heat transfer device, such as a hot water heater. A heat transfer device may be coupled with the tank or may comprise the outer surface of the tank to transfer heat to an object or to the surroundings. A closed loop may be configured having two tanks and one or two electrochemical hydrogen compressors to pump the hydrogen in a loop around the system.