Hydrogen Membrane Seal Collar for Expansion-Induced Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for joining and sealing vanadium-based hydrogen separation membranes to metallic connectors fail to account for the significant linear and volumetric expansion of these membranes when hydrogenated, leading to potential leaks and contamination of high-purity hydrogen production.
Innovation Solution
A constriction collar with an expansion section is used to join and seal the membrane, featuring a transition from a constriction diameter to an expanded diameter, allowing the membrane to expand gradually and reducing stress concentrations at the connection interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid connection is used to join the membrane to the connector, then the connection strength is improved, but the membrane expansion is constrained causing seal failure and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The connection transitions from a rigid fixed state to a flexible variable state, allowing the membrane to expand and contract with hydrogenation cycles while maintaining seal integrity. The flexible connection adapts its parameters (position, shape) to accommodate membrane volume changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection is designed to be dynamic rather than static, enabling it to adjust and move with the membrane's expansion and contraction. This dynamic capability prevents seal failure while maintaining connection strength throughout hydrogenation cycles.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the membrane is allowed to expand freely, then the membrane integrity is maintained, but connection failure and leaks occur at the joining interface
Solution Approach 1:
The connection parameters (position, orientation, shape) are designed to change in response to membrane expansion, allowing the membrane to maintain its integrity while the connection adapts to accommodate the volume changes without failing.
3Device complexity
If a simple connection design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but stress concentrations cause seal failure during hydrogenation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is divided into multiple functional segments (flexible section, transition zone, anchor points) that work together to distribute stress and accommodate membrane expansion, preventing stress concentration while maintaining relatively simple overall design.
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 constriction collar effectively constrains the membrane's expansion, maintaining the seal integrity during hydrogenation cycles, ensuring high-purity hydrogen production by preventing leaks and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
Vanadium-based hydrogen separation membrane tubes can have a linear (dimensional) expansion in the order of up to +5% and can have a volumetric expansion in the order of up to +15% when hydrogenated at conventional operating temperatures/pressures
Implementation Method 2
a membrane is a near two-dimensional structure which is selectively permeable to one species. In the context of gas separation, a membrane allows one species to selectively permeate (H2), while blocking other species
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a joining and sealing arrangement for joining and sealing together a hydrogen separation membrane to a metallic connector comprising:a metallic hydrogen separation membrane mounted on or against a connector formation of the connector about a longitudinal axis, the connector being formed of a different metal to the hydrogen separation membrane, the hydrogen separation membrane having an outer diameter (D) about the longitudinal axis, the hydrogen separation membrane and the connector formation contacting at a connection interface in which an end face of the hydrogen separation membrane is proximate to, substantially abuts or overlaps an adjoining face of the connector formation;a connection that connects the hydrogen separation membrane and the connector formation about the connection interface; anda constriction collar configured to extend from at least the connection interface and extend axially over the hydrogen separation membrane relative to the longitudinal axis, the constriction collar comprising: an expansion section configured to axially extend over the hydrogen separation membrane relative to the longitudinal axis from a constriction end to an expanded diameter, the constriction end being configured to extend around the hydrogen separation membrane at or proximate the connection interface relative to the longitudinal axis and having an inner surface defining a constriction diameter (C) that is configured to extend around the outer surface of the hydrogen separation membrane, wherein the expansion section includes a transition section extending from the constriction end and comprises a curved surface having a transition radius of at least 0.1 D; and wherein the expansion section comprises an angled or curved section in which the diameter of the constriction collar expands from the constriction diameter C to the expanded diameter comprising at least 1.01 D.