Hydrogen Storage Tank With Segmented Hydride Beds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage tank designs in the form of vertical cylinders face mechanical stress issues due to the 'breathing' of hydrides during absorption and desorption, leading to unacceptable stress on the cylinder walls, particularly when a single deep bed of hydride powder is used, and previous solutions are complex, costly, and inefficient in managing thermal and mechanical regimes.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen storage tank design featuring a vertical cylinder with multiple shallow hydride beds and separation elements, where each separation element is sealed along its entire circumference to the cylinder, allowing for decoupling of support and sealing functions, and using seals made of durable materials like fluorocarbon rubber to prevent hydride powder from passing between beds, thereby managing mechanical stresses effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single deep bed of hydride powder is used in a vertical cylinder, then the storage capacity is improved, but the mechanical stress on the cylinder walls becomes unacceptable due to the breathing phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single deep bed of hydride powder into multiple shallow beds separated by separation elements. This segmentation reduces the depth of each individual bed, thereby reducing the mechanical stress on the cylinder walls during hydrogen absorption and desorption cycles, while maintaining the overall storage capacity through the cumulative effect of multiple beds.
2Stress or pressure
If multiple separation elements are introduced to create shallow beds, then the mechanical stress is reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separation elements in the patent serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as structural dividers to create shallow beds, provide sealing surfaces to prevent hydride powder passage between beds, and support the weighting system for maintaining sealing contact. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing joints are designed to be self-adjusting through a weighting system that automatically maintains contact between the sealing joints and the separation elements. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external actuation systems or precise manual adjustment, simplifying the overall device while ensuring reliable sealing.
3Reliability
If sealing joints are added to prevent hydride powder passage between beds, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing joints are made from elastomeric material, providing flexibility to conform to the separation elements and maintain reliable sealing contact. This flexible sealing approach is simpler to manufacture and assemble compared to rigid sealing mechanisms, as it tolerates minor dimensional variations and requires less precise assembly.
4Reliability
If a weighting system is used to maintain sealing contact, then the reliability of sealing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weighting system utilizes gravity to automatically maintain sealing contact between the sealing joints and separation elements. This passive, self-service mechanism requires no external power source, control systems, or complex actuation mechanisms, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable and consistent sealing contact throughout operation.
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 design reduces mechanical stresses by distributing the hydride powder into multiple shallow beds, allowing for easier assembly and operation, while maintaining effective sealing and preventing hydride powder from accumulating at the bottom, thus enhancing the tank's mechanical integrity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
each sealing joint extending around an entire circumference of the corresponding separation element and in contact with the cylinder, in a space formed between the separation element and the cylinder, due to a difference in largest transverse dimension
Implementation Method 2
The storage of hydrogen in a hydride is an exothermic reaction, meaning that it releases heat
Implementation Method 3
The storage of hydrogen in a hydride is an exothermic reaction, meaning that it releases heat
Implementation Method 4
the release of hydrogen is an endothermic reaction, meaning that it absorbs heat
Implementation Method 5
the release of hydrogen is an endothermic reaction, meaning that it absorbs heat
Implementation Method 6
The 'breathing' phenomenon of hydrides during hydrogen absorption and desorption—namely, the swelling and shrinking of the hydrides—causes significant stress on the cylinder walls
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The main subject of the invention is a hydrogen storage tank (1), comprising: a shell (3) of longitudinal axis (X); a hydrogen supply and collection duct (4); and a stack of a plurality of divider elements (5). Each divider element (5) forms a bottom accepting a hydrogen storage material (2). The largest transverse dimension of the divider elements (5) is less than the largest transverse dimension of the internal volume (V) of the shell (3), and the tank (1) comprises a plurality of seals (7) in the space formed between the divider element (5) and the shell (3) as a result of the difference in largest transverse dimension.