Flexible Hydrogen Storage Pipe Using Composite Thermoplastic Tapes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for storing hydrogen gas are expensive, inefficient, and pose safety risks due to the need for high-pressure vessels, which are costly and require extensive carbon fiber materials, and hydrogen embrittlement issues with metallic components.
Innovation Solution
A flexible fluid storage pipe with an inner fluid retaining layer, an outer sheath, and composite reinforcement layers made of helically wound fibre reinforced thermoplastic tapes, allowing for hydrogen storage at a lower pressure (around 1500 PSI) in a large volume, reducing the need for high-pressure vessels and minimizing embrittlement risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-pressure vessels (350-700 bar) are used to store hydrogen gas, then hydrogen density increases and storage container size reduces, but manufacturing cost increases significantly due to expensive carbon fiber materials and complex composite structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from conventional high pressure (350-700 bar) to a lower pressure range (150-350 bar), specifically around 200 bar. This parameter change allows the use of simpler, less expensive materials while maintaining acceptable storage density, directly addressing the contradiction between hydrogen density and manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of an inner liner (metallic or polymeric) combined with an outer protective layer. This composite structure provides both the necessary containment at lower pressures and protection against hydrogen embrittlement, achieving cost-effective storage without requiring expensive carbon fiber wound vessels
2Strength
If metallic container components are used for hydrogen storage, then structural strength is provided, but hydrogen embrittlement occurs causing component weakening and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inner liner as an intermediary barrier between the hydrogen gas and the metallic structural components. This liner prevents direct contact between hydrogen and metal, eliminating the hydrogen embrittlement mechanism while allowing the metallic structure to provide its strength function, thus resolving the contradiction between structural strength and component reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure with an inner liner (metallic or polymeric) and an outer protective layer. This composite design provides both structural strength and protection against hydrogen embrittlement, achieving reliable long-term storage by combining materials with complementary properties
3Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored as liquid to increase density, then storage volume is reduced, but cryogenic temperatures (-252.8°C) are required causing boil-off losses and increased system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage temperature parameter from cryogenic temperatures (-252.8°C for liquid) to ambient or near-ambient temperatures. This parameter change maintains hydrogen in gaseous form but allows for simpler, less complex storage systems without requiring cryogenic insulation and temperature control infrastructure, directly addressing the contradiction between hydrogen density and device complexity
4Quantity of substance
If large volume containers are used to store hydrogen at atmospheric pressure, then storage capacity increases, but container size becomes commercially unfeasible (12300 L for 1 kg)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from atmospheric pressure (1 bar) to elevated pressure (150-350 bar). This parameter change increases hydrogen density by a factor of 150-350 times, reducing the required container volume from 12300 L at atmospheric pressure to a commercially feasible size at 200 bar, directly addressing the contradiction between storage capacity and container volume
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 flexible pipe design enables safe, cost-effective storage of a larger volume of hydrogen gas at lower pressures, reducing the reliance on carbon fiber and minimizing space requirements, while maintaining hydrogen in a stable condition for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
at least one permeation resistant region of the flexible pipe limits permeation of a desired fluid that is to be stored from the inner bore region radially towards the outer sheath
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for storing at least one fluid, and a flexible fluid storage pipe are disclosed. The method comprises: via a production device, providing a desired quantity of at least one fluid to be stored; transporting the quantity of fluid from the production device into at least one flexible pipe member via at least one fluid import region of the flexible pipe member, the flexible pipe member being windable around a spool element and comprising an inner fluid retaining layer that defines a bore region of the flexible pipe member, an outer sheath disposed over and coaxial with the inner fluid retaining layer and at least one composite reinforcement layer comprising helically wound fibre reinforced thermoplastic tapes that is disposed between the inner fluid retaining layer and the outer sheath; closing the fluid import region of the flexible pipe member to thereby retain the quantity of fluid in the bore region of the flexible pipe member; and storing the quantity of fluid at a first pressure in the bore region.