Hydrogen Tank Explosion Containment via Composite Floor Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety systems for compressed hydrogen gas lack an effective method to contain and redirect explosions while maintaining a low weight and size profile, posing risks due to hydrogen's combustible nature and high ignition temperature.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a cover and floor plate with multiple layers (Kevlar, aluminum, and carbon fiber) and tanks to create a lightweight, compact, and rigid enclosure that can contain or redirect explosions and shrapnel downward through the floor plate, using sensors and valves for safety control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid enclosure is used to contain explosions, then explosion containment capability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure utilizes a composite structure consisting of multiple layers including Kevlar®, aluminum, and carbon fiber. This composite material approach provides high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling the enclosure to withstand explosion forces while maintaining a lightweight profile suitable for portable hydrogen storage systems.
2Quantity of substance
If high pressure tanks are used to store hydrogen, then hydrogen storage density is improved, but risk of explosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a pressure relief valve that is pre-configured to release pressure at predetermined thresholds. This preventive measure allows controlled pressure release before dangerous pressure levels can develop, cushioning against potential explosion scenarios while enabling high-pressure hydrogen storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve system converts the potential harmful effect of over-pressurization into a beneficial controlled pressure release mechanism. By designing the system to intentionally allow controlled venting, the harmful explosion risk is transformed into a manageable pressure regulation feature.
3Reliability
If multiple layers of protective material are used, then temperature resistance and explosion containment are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure employs a multi-layer composite structure where each layer serves a specific function: Kevlar® for tensile strength and tear resistance, aluminum for thermal conductivity and barrier properties, and carbon fiber for structural rigidity and thermal resistance. This functional differentiation within the composite structure achieves high temperature resistance without excessive overall complexity.
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 effectively contains and redirects explosions, providing a safety precaution by using a lightweight and compact design that can withstand high temperatures and pressures, ensuring safety in emergency situations with hydrogen storage.
Implementation Method 1
contain and redirect any explosion caused by the combustible gas
Implementation Method 2
redirect the explosion and resultant shrapnel downward and through the floor plate
Implementation Method 3
extremely rigid and temperature-resistant enclosure
Implementation Method 4
withstand high temperatures and pressures
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system configured to contain and redirect any explosion caused by the combustible gas as a safety precaution. This is accomplished through a cover, a floor plate, and one or a plurality of tanks adapted to retain high pressure combustible gas. The cover and floor plate will create an extremely rigid and temperature-resistant enclosure, while the tanks are positioned inside said enclosure. These components work in conjunction to provide a lightweight and compact system configured to contain an explosion, and alternatively, to redirect the explosion and resultant shrapnel downward and through the floor plate if the explosion cannot be contained.