Occluded Hydrogen Estimation via Corrosion Rate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for estimating occluded hydrogen content in metals, such as thermal desorption analyzers and hydrogen permeation tests, require destructive processing of the metal, leading to inaccurate measurements due to hydrogen desorption.

Innovation Solution

A non-destructive and non-processing method for estimating occluded hydrogen content in metals, utilizing an occluded hydrogen content estimation device that calculates the hydrogen content based on occluded hydrogen unit content, environmental humidity changes, and meteorological data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods (thermal desorption analyzer or hydrogen permeation test) are used to measure hydrogen content, then measurement capability is achieved, but the metal structure must be destroyed and processed which causes hydrogen desorption and measurement inaccuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen content measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical/chemical measurement methods (thermal desorption, permeation tests requiring sample processing) with an electrochemical measurement method using a corrosion rate measurement device. This substitution allows non-destructive measurement of hydrogen content through corrosion rate correlation, eliminating the need for destructive sampling and maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces corrosion rate as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure hydrogen content. Instead of directly measuring hydrogen (which requires destruction), the system measures corrosion rate which correlates with hydrogen content, serving as a reliable proxy that preserves the integrity of the metal structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If destructive processing is performed to enable measurement, then sample preparation is achieved, but hydrogen desorbs during processing leading to incorrect measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample preparation capabilityVSAvoidhydrogen content accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/thermal processing methods with an electrochemical measurement approach that requires no sample preparation. The corrosion rate measurement device can measure hydrogen content in-situ without any processing, thereby preventing hydrogen desorption and maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If the sample space is small (as in thermal desorption analyzer), then device compactness is achieved, but only small samples can be measured requiring destruction of the metal structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample space volumeVSAvoidnon-destructive measurement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical containment approach (small sample space requiring destruction) with an electrochemical field-based measurement method. This allows the measurement of hydrogen content in large metal structures without physical contact or destruction, effectively making the measurable volume unlimited while maintaining device compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

Enables accurate estimation of occluded hydrogen content in metals without destructive processing, ensuring reliable assessment of hydrogen embrittlement risk in metal structures.

Implementation Method 1

Metal structures located outdoors, such as infrastructure facilities, are corroded through exposure to the wind and rain. Hydrogen generated by corrosion reactions is absorbed in a metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrosion:

Data Source

PatentUS12216106B2Storage hydrogen amount estimation method and device

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

An occluded hydrogen content estimation method implemented by an occluded hydrogen content estimation device performs an occluded hydrogen content estimation step in which, based on an occluded hydrogen unit content which is a content of hydrogen occluded in a metal due to a change in humidity from a wet state to a dry state, a period after the metal is placed, and meteorological data corresponding to the period for an area where the metal is located, a content of occluded hydrogen that is absorbed in the metal for the period after the metal is placed is estimated. In the occluded hydrogen content estimation step, the occluded hydrogen content is estimated by multiplying the number of rainfalls in the meteorological data by the occluded hydrogen unit content.