Hydrogen Storage Element With Graphite Matrix For Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage means face challenges in efficiently managing heat conduction during hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes, leading to potential overheating or excessive cooling, which can result in loss of function.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen storage element with a heat-conducting material in thermal contact with a hydrogen storage material, featuring a three-dimensional distribution that increases the surface area of thermal contact, allowing for effective heat removal and supply through a layered structure with a core-shell configuration and a polymer matrix for stability and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If metal hydride sheets are used for hydrogen storage, then hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates causing heat management problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by integrating metal hydride particles within a graphite matrix. The graphite serves as the heat-conducting continuous phase while metal hydride particles provide hydrogen storage capacity. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of high hydrogen storage density and effective thermal conductivity for heat management during hydrogenation and dehydrogenation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating regions with different material compositions optimized for specific functions. The graphite matrix provides thermal conductivity pathways throughout the structure, while localized metal hydride particle clusters provide hydrogen storage. This spatial differentiation of material properties ensures that heat management and hydrogen storage functions are both optimized in their respective locations within the composite structure.
2Temperature
If expanded graphite is mixed with metal hydride and pressed axially, then thermal conductivity transverse to pressing direction is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the pressing direction and density during manufacturing. By applying axial pressure to align graphite crystallites transverse to the pressing direction, the process optimizes thermal conductivity in the desired direction. The pressing parameters (force, direction, duration) are carefully controlled to achieve the required thermal properties while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 solution ensures stable heat management across multiple cycles, maintaining hydrogen storage capacity and preventing oxidation, thereby extending the lifespan and efficiency of the hydrogen storage means.
Implementation Method 1
these sheets must have high radial thermal conductivity in order to remove the heat that arises in the course of hydrogenation—exothermic intercalation. In the course of dehydrogenation, this heat has to be supplied again—endothermic operation.
Implementation Method 2
hydrogenation—exothermic intercalation
Implementation Method 3
dehydrogenation, this heat has to be supplied again—endothermic operation
Data Source
AI summary
A process for producing a hydrogen storage means. Separate layers comprising a hydrogen-storing material and a heat-conducting material are introduced into a press mold. The separate layers of the hydrogen-storing material and the heat-conducting material are compressed together to generate a sandwich structure. The heat-conducting material, on use of the sandwich structure as hydrogen storage means, assumes the task of conducting heat.