Hydrogen Storage Additives With Rapid Low-Temperature Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage technologies face challenges in achieving lightweight, high energy capacity, and rapid hydrogen release, particularly in applications requiring efficient fuel delivery, such as aviation.
Innovation Solution
The development of compositions comprising borohydrides or alkali aluminum hydrides coated with hydrazinium halides, which can generate hydrogen through exposure to temperature, light, or electrical energy, utilizing heterolytic fission to achieve rapid and controlled hydrogen release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional hydrogen storage methods are used, then hydrogen can be stored, but the weight is high and energy capacity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining borohydride substrates with hydrazinium halide coatings to create a hydrogen storage system that achieves both lightweight properties and high energy capacity. The composite structure allows the borohydride to provide high hydrogen content while the hydrazinium halide coating enables rapid release, solving the contradiction between weight and energy capacity.
2Productivity
If conventional hydrogen release methods are used, then hydrogen can be released, but the release rate is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing heterolytic fission mechanism through the hydrazinium halide coating, which dramatically increases the hydrogen release rate. This allows rapid hydrogen generation at low temperatures (as low as 25°C) without requiring high thermal energy input, thus improving productivity while maintaining low temperature operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces thermal-mechanical hydrogen release mechanisms with a chemical mechanism based on heterolytic fission. Instead of relying on high temperature thermal decomposition, the system uses the chemical interaction between the hydrazinium halide coating and borohydride substrate to generate hydrogen rapidly at low temperatures, substituting a chemical field approach for a thermal-mechanical approach.
3Quantity of substance
If high energy density is achieved, then energy capacity increases, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydrogen storage system into two functional components: the borohydride substrate that provides high energy density and the hydrazinium halide coating that enables controlled release. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving high energy density without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the coating is applied as a thin layer rather than a separate complex system.
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
These compositions enable rapid hydrogen generation at low temperatures, with desorption rates significantly higher than conventional methods, offering high energy density and purity, suitable for lightweight fuel applications.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing heterolytic fission to achieve rapid and controlled hydrogen release
Implementation Method 2
The light-absorbing material may comprise at least one of a nitride or gold. The light absorbing material may be capable of absorbing light having a wavelength between about 300 nm and about 1200 nm
Implementation Method 3
The composition may be capable of generating hydrogen (H2) when heated to a temperature and the temperature is selected from the range of 1° C. to 500° C., 50° C. to 450° C., 50° C. to 350° C., or optionally, 80° C. to 250° C.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are compositions and methods for the chemical storage and release of hydrogen gas. The described compositions may be useful as fuel additives for hydrogen consuming applications, including aviation. The provided compositions are flexible and can be tailored to be lightweight, have high energy capacity, have various methods of activation and rapidly release the stored hydrogen.