Hydrogen Carrier Material Storage Reactor Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing hydrogen gas in chemically bound form on hydrogen carrier materials are not robust or economically feasible, lacking efficiency and reliability in hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pre-heating, cooling, and conditioning of at least partially dehydrogenated hydrogen carrier materials using a hydrogenation reactor with a catalyst and a transport container, allowing for efficient hydrogenation and dehydrogenation, with catalysts like platinum and palladium, and process conditions between 30 bar and 60 bar and 200°C to 350°C, ensuring reliable and economic storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen gas is stored in chemically bound form on hydrogen carrier material, then storage density and safety are improved, but process complexity and economic feasibility deteriorate due to required pre-heating, cooling, and conditioning steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pre-heating, hydrogenation, cooling, and conditioning operations into an integrated process sequence using the same reactor system. The reactor serves multiple functions: pre-heating the hydrogen carrier material, performing hydrogenation with catalyst, cooling the hydrogenated material, and conditioning it for storage. This merging of operations reduces equipment complexity while maintaining high storage density.
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilizes controlled changes in temperature and pressure parameters to achieve different operational stages. Pre-heating raises temperature to enable hydrogenation, then cooling reduces temperature for safe storage. Pressure is controlled within 30-60 bar range. These parameter changes allow the same system to perform multiple functions without additional complex equipment.
2Productivity
If complete dehydrogenation of hydrogen carrier material is achieved, then hydrogen release capacity is improved, but energy consumption and process time worsen due to extensive pre-heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial hydrogenation rather than complete hydrogenation of the hydrogen carrier material. The charging degree is optimized to balance storage capacity with process efficiency. By not requiring complete dehydrogenation for storage, the pre-heating time and energy consumption are reduced while maintaining sufficient hydrogen release capacity when needed.
3Productivity
If high charging degree of hydrogen carrier material is achieved, then storage efficiency is improved, but risk of impurity accumulation and explosive atmospheres worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of excess hydrogen and impurities into a benefit through controlled conditioning processes. The cooling and conditioning steps after hydrogenation serve to remove excess hydrogen gas and condense impurities, transforming potential safety hazards into manageable byproducts. The process conditions are optimized to prevent explosive atmospheres while achieving high charging degrees.
Solution Approach 2:
The process incorporates conditioning steps that monitor and adjust the state of hydrogenated material. By controlling temperature, pressure, and gas flow during and after hydrogenation, the system feedback-manages impurity levels and hydrogen saturation. This ensures high charging efficiency while maintaining safety through continuous process control.
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 method enables efficient and reliable storage of hydrogen gas in chemically bound form, increasing the hydrogen carrier material's charging degree from less than 20% to over 95%, facilitating decentralized, flexible, and economically viable hydrogen storage and handling, with reduced risk of impurity accumulation and explosive atmospheres.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst with a catalyst material in solid state, i.e. a solid material, liquid hydrogen carrier material and hydrogen gas are used for charging the hydrogen material
Implementation Method 2
the pre-heating of the at least partially dehydrogenated hydrogen carrier material is energy-efficient for the entire process
Implementation Method 3
cooling and conditioning of the at least partially hydrogenated hydrogen carrier material
Data Source
AI summary
A method for storing hydrogen gas includes the process steps pre-heating of an at least partially dehydrogenated hydrogen carrier material, storing the hydrogen gas in chemically bound form on the hydrogen carrier material as well as cooling and conditioning of the at least partially hydrogenated hydrogen carrier material.