High pressure hydrogen electrical power generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy conversion technologies, such as photovoltaic and solar concentrators, are not economically viable for large-scale energy generation due to high costs, and existing heat engines require high temperatures to efficiently convert thermal energy into electricity.
Innovation Solution
A hydride heat engine system that utilizes solar energy to thermally power a metal hydride compressor to compress hydrogen gas to high pressure, which is then expanded through an Electro-Chemical-Expander to generate electricity, operating at low temperatures and utilizing low-cost flat plate solar collectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If photovoltaic and solar concentrator technologies are used for solar energy conversion, then electrical power can be generated, but the cost is too high for large-scale economic viability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional photovoltaic and solar concentrator systems with a thermal-based hydride heat engine system. Solar thermal energy heats a hydride material that releases hydrogen gas, which then drives a fuel cell to generate electricity. This substitution of mechanical/thermal processes for direct photovoltaic conversion aims to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining power generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using low-temperature solar thermal energy (rather than high-temperature concentrators) and operating the fuel cell at lower temperatures. This parameter change allows the use of less expensive materials and simpler manufacturing processes, addressing the cost issue while still achieving viable electrical power generation
2Power
If conventional heat engines are used to convert thermal energy into electricity, then power generation is achieved, but high temperatures are required which increases system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy conversion process into separate stages: solar thermal heating of hydride material, hydrogen release and compression, and fuel cell electricity generation. This segmentation allows each component to operate at optimized, lower temperatures rather than requiring a single high-temperature heat engine, reducing system complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces hydrogen as an intermediary substance between solar thermal energy and electricity generation. Solar heat releases hydrogen from the hydride material, and the fuel cell then converts hydrogen chemical energy to electricity. This intermediary approach decouples the thermal and electrical conversion processes, eliminating the need for high-temperature direct thermal-to-electrical conversion
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 efficiently and economically converts low-temperature solar energy into electricity at a cost competitive with current energy prices, achieving almost 100% conversion of pressurized gas energy into electrical power with minimal mass, volume, and cost, and offering a short payback period.
Implementation Method 1
utilizes solar energy to thermally power a metal hydride compressor that compresses hydrogen gas from a low pressure to a high pressure
Implementation Method 2
metal hydride compressor that compresses hydrogen gas
Implementation Method 3
Electro-Chemical-Expander that converts the pressurized gas energy directly into electrical power
Implementation Method 4
these protons are transported or move through the ionomer to the cathode side
Implementation Method 5
utilizes solar energy to thermally power a metal hydride compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A hydride heat engine produces electricity from a heat source, such as a solar heater. A plurality of metal hydride reservoirs are heated by the heating device and a working fluid comprises hydrogen is incrementally move from one metal hydride reservoir to a success metal hydride reservoir. The working fluid is passed, at a high pressure, from the last of the plurality of metal hydride reservoirs to an electro-chemical-expander. The electro-chemical-expander has an anode, a cathode, and an ionomer therebetween. The hydrogen is passed from the anode at high pressure to the cathode at lower pressure and electricity is generated. The solar heater may be a solar water heater and the hot water may heat the metal hydride reservoirs to move the hydrogen. The working fluid may move in a closed loop.