Hydrogen Storage Degassing via Inert Atmosphere and Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for separating hydrogen from liquid hydrogen storage mediums face challenges in safely and reliably releasing hydrogen gas while preventing ignition or explosion.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for degassing flowable fluids, utilizing a desorber with a circulation pump and vacuum pump to create negative pressure, sensors for pressure and time measurement, and a control unit to terminate the process, along with a pre-separator for initial gas separation and a gas scrubbing system for purity, ensuring safe and controlled hydrogen release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrogen is released from liquid carrier, then hydrogen gas is obtained for use, but the separated hydrogen may ignite or explode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere principle by filling the separation chamber with inert gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to create a non-flammable environment. This prevents the released hydrogen from igniting or exploding while maintaining high productivity in hydrogen release operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary inert gas medium between the liquid hydrogen carrier and the external environment. This intermediary substance acts as a protective barrier that allows hydrogen to be released and separated without direct contact with oxygen, thereby eliminating ignition risks while preserving release efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separation stages are used, then hydrogen purity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the separation process into distinct functional segments: a first separation stage for bulk hydrogen release and a second separation stage for purity enhancement. This segmentation allows achieving high hydrogen purity through multiple stages while keeping each stage relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The inert gas serves as an intermediary medium that facilitates efficient single-stage or multi-stage separation. By using this intermediary, the patent achieves high purity without requiring overly complex separation mechanisms, as the inert atmosphere naturally prevents re-contamination and simplifies the separation physics.
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 a simple, reliable, and safe separation of hydrogen gas from liquid storage mediums, preventing ignition or explosion, with a fully controllable and continuous release process, ensuring high hydrogen purity.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump (38) for generating a negative pressure in the desorber (12) while it is filled with fluid and for the discharge of the gas from the desorber (12) during the degassing process
Implementation Method 2
a circulation pump (48) for circulating the fluid during a degassing operation in the desorber (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for degassing flowable fluids, in particular liquids used for hydrogen storage, uses a device including a desorber (12) that can be filled with fluid to be degassed and through which the fluid can flow. A circulation pump (48) circulates the fluid during a degassing process in the desorber (12). A vacuum pump (38) generates a vacuum in the desorber (12) during a filling step with fluid and for discharging the gas from the desorber (12) during the degassing step. At least one sensor (44a, 44b) measures the pressure in the desorber (12) and/or a dwell time. A control unit ends the degassing process when a predefined pressure is measured by the sensor (44a, 44b) and/or when a predefined dwell time of the fluid in the desorber (12) is measured.