Hydrogen Storage-Compression System with Direct Fluidic Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen storage-compression systems using metal hydrides face challenges in achieving efficient, compact, safe, and cost-effective hydrogen storage and compression, particularly due to complexities in heat transfer and temperature control during absorption and desorption reactions.
Innovation Solution
The hydrogen storage-compression system comprises a casing with interconnected storage-compression containers filled with metal hydrides, a vacuum system for leak testing and heat management, and a heating and cooling system using electric heating elements and thermal fluids to maintain optimal temperature and pressure conditions for efficient hydrogen absorption and desorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional hydrogen storage-compression systems use multiple interconnected containers with valve mechanisms for heat management, then the temperature control during absorption and desorption is improved, but the system complexity and reliability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hydrogen storage-compression function into multiple independent containers (first container for storage, second container for compression) that can operate semi-independently. Each container has its own metal hydride bed and heat management capabilities, allowing simplified individual design while achieving overall system functionality through direct fluidic connection without complex valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the storage and compression functions into a directly connected dual-container configuration where the first container serves both storage and compression roles through direct fluidic connection to the second container. This eliminates the need for separate valve mechanisms and complex interconnection systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining temperature control capabilities.
2Temperature
If conventional systems use complex valve mechanisms and interconnected containers for heat management, then the temperature control during reactions is improved, but the reliability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the valve mechanisms from the system by using direct fluidic connection between containers. The containers are designed to operate with natural pressure equalization through their direct connection, removing the reliability-critical valve components while maintaining the necessary temperature control during hydrogen absorption and desorption reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system design anticipates pressure and temperature variations during hydrogen reactions by providing direct fluidic connection between containers that allows automatic pressure equalization. This pre-designed pressure balancing pathway cushions against pressure spikes and temperature fluctuations without requiring active valve control, thereby improving reliability.
3Quantity of substance
If metal hydride storage tanks are designed for high capacity, then the hydrogen storage amount is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency during heating phase is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses heat transfer limitations in large-capacity storage by transitioning from a single large container to a multi-container configuration. The first storage container is divided into multiple smaller containers connected in parallel, increasing the surface-area-to-volume ratio and improving heat transfer efficiency during the heating phase while maintaining high overall hydrogen storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The large-scale hydrogen storage is segmented into multiple smaller containers within the first storage unit. This segmentation allows each container to have efficient heat transfer characteristics while the aggregate system achieves high hydrogen storage capacity. The direct fluidic connection between these segmented containers ensures uniform pressure distribution.
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
This system enables efficient, compact, and cost-effective hydrogen storage and compression, maintaining minimal temperature change and constant pressure during desorption, thus enhancing the reliability and safety of hydrogen supply.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrogen absorption reaction in the material is typically exothermic (producing heat)
Implementation Method 2
the hydrogen desorption reaction is conversely endothermic (absorbing heat)
Implementation Method 3
the heating system comprises electric heating elements mounted on the hydrogen storage-compression containers
Implementation Method 4
the cooling system comprises a cooling fluid inlet to the casing configured for injection of a cooling fluid into the chamber of the casing
Implementation Method 5
the vacuum pump may be configured for generating a vacuum inside the casing chamber during operation of the hydrogen storage-compression system
Data Source
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AI summary
Hydrogen storage system (1) comprising a casing (2), a plurality of storage-compression containers (6) forming at least one multi-container unit (4), and a metal hydride (MH) configured for hydrogen storage contained within each of the storage-compression containers, the plurality of storage-compression containers of said at least one multi-container unit being interconnected by gas flow tubes in a direct fluidic connection ensuring that the gas pressure within the containers are substantially the same. The plurality of storage-compression containers are mounted inside a chamber (16) of the casing, the casing configured to sustain a vacuum in said chamber to test leakage of said at least one multi-container unit.