Heat Generating Material Using Composite Metals for Hydrogen Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen absorption materials for high temperatures suffer from reduced hydrogen absorption performance and heat generation when hydrogen is released, leading to decreased efficiency at night when sunlight is not available.
Innovation Solution
A heat generating material is developed by combining two types of metals with predetermined properties, where at least one metal has a hydrogen solubility greater than silver and a hydride with a standard enthalpy of formation equal to or more than that of CaH2, allowing for efficient hydrogen absorption and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydrogen absorption materials are used at high temperatures, then hydrogen can be absorbed, but the particles aggregate causing reduced hydrogen absorption performance and heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of a first metal (melting point 230°C or more) and a second metal (melting point higher than the first metal). This composite structure prevents particle aggregation while maintaining high hydrogen absorption performance and heat generation capability at elevated temperatures. The specific combination of metals with different melting points creates a material that remains stable and effective in the high-temperature environment required for night-time heat generation.
2Loss of energy
If the amount of heat generation is increased at night, then sunlight efficiency is improved, but material stability at high temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the metals used: the first metal must have a melting point of 230°C or more, and the second metal must have a melting point higher than the first metal. These parameter constraints ensure that the material remains stable at the operating temperatures required for effective hydrogen absorption and heat generation at night, while still achieving high sunlight utilization efficiency.
3Power
If hydrogen is released from the material, then heat is generated, but the material particles aggregate reducing future absorption performance
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of the first metal and second metal with different melting points prevents particle aggregation during the hydrogen release process. The specific metal combination creates a material that can undergo repeated hydrogen absorption and release cycles without deteriorating its physical structure, thereby maintaining both high heat generation rate and reliable hydrogen absorption performance over time.
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 material effectively suppresses the decrease in hydrogen absorption performance and heat generation at high temperatures, enhancing physical properties and achieving a large amount of heat generation when exposed to hydrogen gas.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first metal and the second metal has a hydrogen solubility greater than silver at a temperature less than the melting point of the second metal
Implementation Method 2
a hydride of at least one of the first metal and the second metal has a standard enthalpy of formation equal to or more than a standard enthalpy of formation of CaH2
Implementation Method 3
heat is generated when the first metal and the second metal come into contact with hydrogen gas at a temperature less than the melting point of the second metal
Data Source
AI summary
A method of supplying heat includes: providing a heat generating material including: a first metal having a melting point of 230° C. or more, and a second metal having a melting point higher than the melting point of the first metal; and heating the heat generating material in the presence of hydrogen gas to a temperature that is equal to or more than a melting point of the first metal, thereby causing the heat generating material to generate excess heat.