Metal Hydride-PCM Composite for Hydrogen Storage Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen storage systems based on metal hydrides face inefficiencies in heat transfer during hydrogen absorption and desorption, leading to complex and costly systems with ineffective use of phase changing materials (PCMs).
Innovation Solution
A composite material comprising encapsulated phase changing materials (EPCMs) homogeneously dispersed within metal hydride powders or pellets, which store and release heat to manage thermal energy, eliminating the need for separate vessels and piping by using encapsulated or microencapsulated PCMs with tailored melting temperatures matching the hydride's desorption and absorption temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If separate vessels and piping are used for phase changing materials (PCMs), then thermal energy storage is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the PCM and metal hydride into a single composite material system, eliminating the need for separate vessels and piping. The PCM is dispersed within the metal hydride matrix, creating an integrated structure that performs both hydrogen storage and thermal energy storage functions in one component, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining thermal energy storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The composite material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a hydrogen storage medium (metal hydride) and a thermal energy storage medium (PCM). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, reducing overall system complexity and component count
2Temperature
If PCMs are used for thermal management, then heat transfer is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material by dispersing PCM particles within the metal hydride matrix. This composite structure enables effective heat transfer management through the PCM's phase change properties while avoiding the high costs associated with separate PCM vessels, piping, and associated infrastructure. The composite approach integrates thermal management functionality directly into the storage material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selects PCMs with specific melting temperatures matched to the metal hydride's desorption and absorption temperature ranges. By optimizing the PCM's thermal parameters (melting point, latent heat) to match the operational temperature profile of the metal hydride, effective thermal management is achieved at lower system costs compared to using PCMs with mismatched parameters that would require additional thermal management infrastructure
3Temperature
If PCMs are dispersed within metal hydride, then heat transfer efficiency is enhanced, but material homogeneity becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs local dispersion of PCM particles within the metal hydride matrix, creating regions with optimized local thermal properties. The PCM is distributed at appropriate concentrations and spatial arrangements within the matrix, ensuring sufficient heat transfer efficiency at local levels while maintaining overall material stability and compositional consistency throughout the bulk material
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
This solution enhances heat transfer efficiency between the hydride and PCM, simplifies the system design, reduces costs, and improves the overall performance of hydrogen storage by effectively managing thermal energy without additional structural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a composite material comprising a powder or pellets of a hydride and a phase changing material (PCM), wherein the PCM is an encapsulated phase changing material (EPCM) which is homogeneously dispersed within the powder or pellets of the hydride
Implementation Method 2
the phase changing material (PCM) is selected so as to have a melting area ΔTf between the hydrogen desorption temperature (T1) at the operating desorption pressure and the hydrogen absorption temperature (T2) at the operating absorption pressure
Implementation Method 3
the hydrogenation, i.e. the absorption of hydrogen in the hydride storage, is an exothermic reaction, where heat is created
Implementation Method 4
the dehydrogenation, i.e. the release of hydrogen from the hydride, is an endothermic reaction, where heat is needed
Implementation Method 5
This solution enhances heat transfer efficiency between the hydride and PCM
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a composite material for hydrogen storage based on metal hydrides and to a method of operating a hydrogen storage system based on metal hydrides capable of releasing and absorbing hydrogen. Such hydrogen storage systems based on metal hydrides may be applicable as a fuel source for a fuel cell. The composite material for hydrogen storage comprises a powder or pellets of a hydride and a phase changing material (PCM), wherein the PCM is an encapsulated phase changing material (EPCM) which is homogeneously dispersed within the powder or pellets of the hydride.