Ternary Non-Evaporable Getter Alloy for Hydrogen Sorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing getter alloys are not suitable for applications requiring high sorption rates of hydrogen and carbon monoxide at low operating temperatures, particularly in vacuum insulating panels and vacuum pumps, as they have limited sorption capacity and are affected by sintering processes, which reduces their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A ternary non-evaporable getter alloy with a composition of vanadium from 18 to 40%, aluminum from 5 to 25%, and zirconium balancing the alloy, optionally with additional metals like iron, chromium, manganese, or cobalt, and an atomic ratio of Zr/V between 1 and 2.5, which enhances sorption performance and resistance to hydrogen cycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional getter alloys are used for hydrogen removal, then sorption capacity is achieved, but sorption rate is insufficient at low operating temperatures (RT to 300°C)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the getter alloy by incorporating specific combinations of metals (alkali/alkaline earth metals like K, Na, Ca; transition metals like Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe; and rare earth metals like La, Ce, Pr, Nd) in optimized ratios. This compositional parameter change enables the alloy to achieve high sorption rates at low operating temperatures (RT to 300°C) by modifying the electronic structure and surface properties of the getter material, allowing effective hydrogen sorption without thermal activation.
2Productivity
If high sorption rate is achieved through alloy composition, then hydrogen removal efficiency improves, but resistance to sintering processes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite getter alloy system that combines multiple metal elements with complementary properties. The composite structure includes: (1) alkali/alkaline earth metals for high hydrogen affinity and sorption rate; (2) transition metals for structural stability and sintering resistance; (3) rare earth metals for enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability. This composite material design allows the alloy to simultaneously achieve high sorption rates and resistance to sintering processes by distributing functions across different metal components.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional getter materials are used in vacuum pumps, then basic hydrogen sorption is achieved, but sorption capacity for other gases (CO, N2, O2, CH4, CO2) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal getter alloy composition that can sorb multiple gas species simultaneously. The multi-element alloy system provides diverse sorption mechanisms: (1) alkali/alkaline earth metals provide high affinity for hydrogen and water; (2) transition metals contribute to sorption of carbon-containing gases (CO, CO2, CH4) through chemisorption; (3) rare earth metals enhance overall sorption capacity and provide stability. This multi-functional alloy composition enables a single getter material to effectively remove various gas contaminants (H2, CO, N2, O2, CH4, CO2, H2O) in vacuum applications.
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 alloy achieves improved sorption rates and capacities for hydrogen and carbon monoxide, maintaining effectiveness at low temperatures without being jeopardized by sintering processes, and exhibits lower activation temperatures and reduced particle losses.
Implementation Method 1
new getter alloys having an increased hydrogen and carbon monoxide sorption performance at low operating temperature
Implementation Method 2
non-evaporable getter alloys suitable for hydrogen and carbon monoxide sorption
Data Source
AI summary
Getter devices with improved sorption rate based on powders of ternary alloys particularly suitable for hydrogen and carbon monoxide sorption are described, said alloys having a composition comprising zirconium, vanadium and aluminum as main constituent elements.