Leak Hydrogen Absorbing Device with Segmented Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing leaked hydrogen gas in closed environments are unsafe and inefficient, particularly in terms of cost and risk, as they either dissipate hydrogen into the open environment or require additional oxygen for combustion, leading to high temperatures and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A leak hydrogen absorbing device comprising an absorbing tank with spacers, hydrogen absorbing material, a pump, and a depressurizing portion, which rapidly absorbs hydrogen gas in a closed environment, allowing for its secondary use and reducing material costs by reusing the absorbing material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogen storage metal is used to absorb leaked hydrogen gas, then safety is improved and hydrogen leakage is prevented, but cost is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hydrogen storage function into two parts: (1) hydrogen storage metal for safe storage, and (2) a separate leak absorption device using the same metal for capturing leaked hydrogen. This segmentation allows the expensive metal to be used only where necessary (in the absorption device) rather than throughout the entire storage system, reducing overall cost while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorption device captures leaked hydrogen gas using hydrogen storage metal, converting the wasted leaked hydrogen into recoverable hydrogen that can be reused. This prevents both safety hazards from hydrogen accumulation and energy waste, addressing both safety and cost concerns.
2Productivity
If exhaust blower is used to dissipate leaked hydrogen gas to open environment, then hydrogen gas is discharged, but friction with the exhaust blower can cause fire explosion and discharge efficiency decreases with distance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using mechanical force (exhaust blower) that creates friction and explosion risks, the system uses the chemical property of hydrogen storage metal to absorb hydrogen gas passively. The harmful friction-induced ignition risk is converted into a safe chemical absorption process that eliminates the need for high-speed moving parts and reduces explosion hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical exhaust blower system is replaced with a chemical absorption system using hydrogen storage metal. This substitution eliminates the mechanical friction that causes fire explosions and provides more efficient local absorption without being affected by distance, as the metal directly contacts and absorbs hydrogen molecules in the leaked area.
3Loss of energy
If leaked hydrogen gas is burned with oxygen gas, then hydrogen is transformed into water, but additional oxygen supply is required and high temperature generation increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen storage metal in the absorption device absorbs leaked hydrogen gas through its inherent chemical property without requiring external oxygen supply or complex combustion control systems. The metal serves itself to capture and store the leaked hydrogen, converting it into a reusable form, thereby improving energy utilization efficiency while avoiding the complexity of combustion systems.
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 device safely and efficiently absorbs hydrogen gas in closed environments, preventing risks and enabling its secondary use, while reducing the need for costly hydrogen storage metals and oxygen supplies, thus improving energy utilization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the hydrogen gas contained in the hydrogen-containing gas is absorbed by the hydrogen absorbing material
Data Source
AI summary
A leak hydrogen absorbing device is provided and includes an absorbing tank, having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a spacer, disposed inside the absorbing tank, and partitioning an interior of the absorbing tank into multiple spaces; a hydrogen absorbing material, disposed in the spaces; a connecting tube, disposed on the spacer, and connecting the spaces; a pump, pumping a hydrogen-containing gas leaked in a closed environment to the absorbing tank through the gas inlet to be flowed through the spaces inside the absorbing tank, so that the hydrogen gas contained in the hydrogen-containing gas is absorbed by the hydrogen absorbing material; and a depressurizing portion, disposed at a terminal end of the absorbing tank, and storing a hydrogen-free gas passed through the hydrogen absorbing material. The hydrogen-free gas is discharged through the gas outlet when reaching a predetermined pressure.