Elastomer-Coated Textile Membrane for Hydrogen Gas Storage Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas storage membranes, particularly those used in hydrogen storage, suffer from inadequate barrier properties, leading to significant hydrogen leakage, which is economically unsustainable for large-scale applications like steel production, where complex high-pressure tank systems are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A gas storage membrane with a textile reinforcement layer and at least one elastomer layer made of butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber, or nitrile rubber, optionally enhanced with an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) barrier, providing improved hydrogen barrier properties and stretchability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional PVC-based membranes are used for gas storage, then the membrane structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the hydrogen barrier properties are insufficient leading to significant hydrogen leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining textile reinforcement layers with elastomer coatings (butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber, or nitrile rubber) to create a multi-layer membrane structure. This composite approach provides both mechanical strength from the textile and superior hydrogen barrier properties from the elastomer layers, achieving six-fold reduction in hydrogen permeability compared to conventional PVC membranes.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane structure employs a nested configuration where elastomer layers are coated onto textile reinforcement layers, creating a multi-layer composite. The textile sheet serves as the base layer providing structural integrity, while the elastomer layers are nested on top to provide the hydrogen barrier function, with each layer contributing its specific properties to the overall system.
2Reliability
If membrane thickness is increased to improve barrier properties, then hydrogen leakage is reduced, but the membrane loses stretchability and becomes less suitable for gas storage applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible thin film structures where elastomer layers are coated onto textile reinforcement. The textile substrate provides dimensional stability and tensile strength, allowing the membrane to maintain stretchability and flexibility despite the presence of barrier layers. The elastomer coating thickness is optimized to provide sufficient hydrogen barrier properties while maintaining the overall flexibility needed for gas storage applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of textile reinforcement combined with elastomer coating creates a material that exhibits both the barrier properties of the elastomer and the mechanical flexibility of the textile. This composite approach allows the membrane to achieve high hydrogen barrier performance without sacrificing the stretchability required for dynamic gas storage operations.
3Reliability
If elastomer layers are added to improve barrier properties, then hydrogen permeability is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness and composition parameters of the elastomer layers to achieve the desired hydrogen barrier properties. By carefully controlling the elastomer layer thickness and selecting appropriate elastomer types (butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber, or nitrile rubber), the membrane achieves six-fold reduction in hydrogen permeability while maintaining manufacturability through established coating processes.
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 membrane achieves a six-fold reduction in hydrogen permeability compared to conventional PVC-based membranes, ensuring effective sealing and reducing hydrogen loss, making it suitable for large-scale hydrogen storage applications.
Implementation Method 1
textiles coated with butyl rubber, such as a fabric, can achieve a significant reduction in hydrogen diffusion
Implementation Method 2
Additional improvement can be achieved by incorporating an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) barrier
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The use of a gas storage membrane for sealing a gas storage facility, in particular a hydrogen gas storage facility, is described, wherein the gas storage membrane has a layer of a textile sheet as a reinforcing element and at least one elastomer layer, wherein the elastomer layer is made of butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber or nitrile rubber, with the proviso that, if the at least one elastomer layer is made of chloroprene rubber or nitrile rubber and the gas storage facility is not a hydrogen gas storage facility, the gas storage membrane includes an additional barrier.