Hydride Tank Sliding Base for Sealing Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen storage tanks face safety concerns due to high pressure and mechanical shock resistance issues, particularly with liquid hydrogen storage, which has low efficiency and is not suitable for long-term storage, and hydride storage faces temperature regulation challenges.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen storage tank design featuring a sliding connection between the container and base without screws, allowing for improved sealing and adaptability to pressure variations, using a hybrid shell with a polymer internal shell and composite external shell, and incorporating a heat exchanger for efficient hydrogen absorption and desorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in compressed form at high pressures (350-700 bar), then storage density is improved, but safety concerns increase due to tank vulnerability to impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is divided into multiple compartments separated by absorbent material layers. This segmentation allows the structure to absorb impact energy through deformation of individual compartments rather than catastrophic failure, while maintaining hydrogen containment and density.
Solution Approach 2:
Absorbent material is pre-installed between the inner and outer tanks to provide cushioning against impacts before they occur. This material absorbs shock energy during mechanical impacts, protecting the hydrogen storage system and improving safety under impact conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in liquid form, then storage efficiency is improved, but resistance to mechanical shocks decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Absorbent material is placed between the inner and outer tanks to provide pre-configured cushioning that protects the liquid hydrogen from mechanical shocks. This material absorbs impact energy, maintaining shock resistance while preserving the high storage efficiency of liquid hydrogen.
3Temperature
If a heat exchanger is integrated into the hydrogen storage tank using screws, then temperature regulation is improved, but sealing problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical screw connection system is replaced with an adhesive bonding system. The adhesive layer provides both mechanical attachment and sealing functions, eliminating leakage issues associated with screw connections while maintaining effective heat exchanger integration for temperature regulation.
4Quantity of substance
If hydrogen storage material is used, then volumetric storage density is improved, but temperature control becomes challenging due to exothermic absorption reaction
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary system between the hydrogen storage material and the external environment. This heat exchanger facilitates controlled heat transfer, allowing the exothermic absorption reaction to proceed while maintaining safe operating temperatures through regulated thermal exchange.
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 design enhances safety and efficiency by maintaining sealing integrity, accommodating pressure changes, and increasing storage volume density while allowing for hydrogen availability at low temperatures, overcoming the limitations of traditional high-pressure hydride tanks.
Implementation Method 1
the first fixing element and at least one element of the container called the 'second fixing element' cooperate so as to form a sliding link, the sliding link is configured so that when filling the container with hydrogen, the first fixing element is able to move relative to the second fixing element to allow the container and the base to move away from each other
Implementation Method 2
certain materials, and in particular certain metals, have the ability to absorb hydrogen to form a hydride; this reaction is called absorption
Implementation Method 3
a metal powder is brought into contact with hydrogen; an absorption phenomenon occurs and a metal hydride is formed
Implementation Method 4
The hydride formed can again produce hydrogen gas and a metal. This reaction is called desorption
Implementation Method 5
Document US20040251007 A1, for example, provides for a tank with a heat exchanger that is assembled to a tank base by means of screws
Implementation Method 6
A hydrogen storage tank design featuring a sliding connection between the container and base without screws, allowing for improved sealing and adaptability to pressure variations, using a hybrid shell with a polymer internal shell and composite external shell
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
Implementation of a tank for storing hydrogen by absorption in a hydrogen storage material, comprising: - a casing (7-8) delimiting a cavity, - a container (13) integrated inside the cavity, the container containing a hydrogen storage material, - at least one base (9a, 9b) attached to the casing and provided with at least one access channel making it possible to establish a fluid connection between the inside of the cavity and the outside of the casing, the base (9a, 9b) and the container (13) being configured such that at least one element (190b, 19a) of the base, referred to as the "first attachment element" and at least one element (180b, 18'a) of the container, referred to as the "second attachment element" engage so as to form a sliding link.