Hydrogen Store Composite Volume Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydrogen storage means experience reduced lifetime due to repeated expansion and contraction of hydrogenatable materials, leading to increased mechanical stresses that can destroy the materials.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogen storage system with a hydrogenatable material intercalated in an expandable material composite, comprising a carrier material and a polymer, which compensates for volume changes during hydrogen absorption and release, using a material composite with elastic properties and a heat-conduction layer to manage thermal effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hydrogenatable material is used for hydrogen storage, then hydrogen storage capacity is achieved, but volume change and mechanical stress increase leading to reduced lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage capacityVSAvoidlifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material consisting of a polymer matrix and an expandable material (such as foam or aerogel) in which the hydrogenatable material is distributed. This composite structure allows the expandable material to compensate for volume changes during hydrogen absorption and release, reducing mechanical stresses on the hydrogenatable material and extending the system's lifetime while maintaining hydrogen storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If hydrogenatable material undergoes repeated expansion and contraction, then hydrogen absorption and release cycles are enabled, but mechanical stresses increase destroying the material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen cycling rateVSAvoidmaterial integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable material (foam or aerogel) embedded in the polymer matrix acts as a cushioning element that anticipates and absorbs the volume changes occurring during hydrogen absorption and release. This pre-positioned cushioning material reduces mechanical stresses on the hydrogenatable material during cycling, preventing material destruction and maintaining structural integrity over repeated cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure of polymer matrix combined with expandable material provides both mechanical support and volume compensation capability. The polymer matrix maintains structural integrity while the expandable material accommodates volume changes, together enabling high cycling rates without compromising material strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If conventional hydrogen storage means are used, then hydrogen storage is achieved, but thermal management is insufficient leading to reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage capacityVSAvoidthermal management

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous materials (foam or aerogel) with high surface area and interconnected pore structures that facilitate efficient heat transfer. These porous materials provide thermal pathways for heat generated during hydrogen absorption and release, improving thermal management and preventing temperature buildup that would reduce storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 system extends the lifetime of hydrogen storage means by mitigating mechanical stresses through volume compensation and efficient heat management, maintaining hydrogen storage capacity and stability over multiple cycles.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrogen storage means having an increased lifetime compared to the prior art, comprising a hydrogenatable material, with the hydrogenatable material intercalated in an expandable material composite for compensation at least for a change in volume, especially an expansion, preferably also a contraction, due to the absorption and release of hydrogen by the hydrogenatable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity