Metal Hydride Hydrogen Storage Predictive Tempering Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling metal hydride hydrogen storage systems are inefficient in predicting and managing future hydrogen flow profiles, leading to undesirable temperature and pressure fluctuations outside predefined working ranges.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a controller that uses a model predictive control system to determine optimal state variables for a tempering fluid based on a neural-network model, which is updated and linearized to accurately predict future hydrogen flow profiles, minimizing energy consumption and ensuring precise hydrogen flow management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional PID controller is used to control the tempering circuit, then the control system is simple to implement, but the system cannot accurately predict and manage future hydrogen flow profiles, leading to temperature and pressure fluctuations outside predefined working ranges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprediction accuracy of hydrogen flow profileVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The neural network model predicts future hydrogen flow profiles in advance, allowing the tempering circuit to be pre-adjusted before actual flow changes occur. This predictive capability enables the system to maintain temperature and pressure within working ranges by preparing control actions beforehand, rather than reacting to deviations after they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional PID controller is replaced with a neural network-based predictive control system. This substitution transitions from a simple feedback mechanism to an intelligent system that can learn patterns and predict future states, significantly improving prediction accuracy while managing complexity through software-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the tempering circuit is heavily adjusted to maintain temperature and pressure within working ranges, then the stability of hydrogen flow is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of hydrogen flowVSAvoidenergy consumption of tempering circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By predicting future hydrogen flow profiles using the neural network model, the system can make minimal, targeted adjustments to the tempering circuit in advance. This prevents large fluctuations that would require heavy corrective adjustments, thereby maintaining stability while minimizing energy consumption through proactive rather than reactive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a feedback loop where the neural network continuously receives actual hydrogen flow data, compares it with predicted values, and adjusts the tempering circuit accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures stability while optimizing energy usage by making adjustments only when and where needed based on real-time deviations from the predicted profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively pre-conditions the metal hydride hydrogen storage to meet future hydrogen demands with high accuracy, preventing unintended temperature and pressure deviations, optimizing energy use and hydrogen flow.

Implementation Method 1

During storage, heat may be released by the hydrogen storage component, as absorption of the hydrogen by the hydrogen storage component may be an exothermic reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

During release of the hydrogen, heat may be added to the hydrogen storage component as desorption of hydrogen by the hydrogen storage component may be an endothermic reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEndothermic reaction: Endothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

The tempering circuit may be configured for heating and/or cooling the metal hydride hydrogen storage component. Via piping, the tempering fluid may be conducted to and from the metal hydride hydrogen storage component for tempering the latter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4656591A1Controlling a metal hydride hydrogen storage

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 GKN HYDROGEN GMBH

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Figure 3~4

AI summary

A method for controlling a metal hydride hydrogen storage (100) is described. The method comprising providing (S1) a model (1) of the metal hydride hydrogen storage (100), assessing (S2) a future hydrogen flow profile (2) of the metal hydride hydrogen storage (100), determining (S3) a state variable (7) of the tempering fluid of the tempering circuit (54) based on the provided model (1) and the assessed future hydrogen flow profile (2), and controlling (S4) the tempering circuit (54) based on the determined state variable (7) of the tempering fluid. Furthermore, a controller (50) which is configured for executing steps of this method is described. Furthermore, a metal hydride hydrogen storage (100) comprising a metal hydride hydrogen storage component (14) for storing and releasing hydrogen, a tempering circuit (54) for tempering the metal hydride hydrogen storage component (14) with a tempering fluid and this controller (50) is described.