Metal Hydride Composite Thermal Interface for Hydrogen Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enhancing heat transfer between metal hydride materials and heat exchangers are inefficient, limiting the speed and scalability of hydrogen absorption and desorption processes in hydrogen storage and compression systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a metal hydride composite material secured to a heat exchanger element with a thermally conductive layer, such as a thermally conductive adhesive or solder, to enhance thermal contact conductance, combined with optional securing methods like expanded metal sheaths or flexible wires, to facilitate faster and more efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heat exchanger designs are used with metal hydride materials, then the system structure is simple, but the heat transfer rate is slow limiting hydrogen absorption and desorption speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metal hydride particles with a matrix material (such as graphite or metal foam) to create a composite filling material. This composite structure enhances thermal conductivity while maintaining hydrogen storage capacity, directly resolving the contradiction between simple structure and fast heat transfer by integrating multiple functions into a single composite material system.
2Productivity
If metal foam or particles are embedded in metal hydride to improve heat transfer, then heat transfer rate increases, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous materials such as metal foam or graphite structures as the matrix in the composite filling material. These porous materials provide high surface area and thermal conductivity while allowing metal hydride particles to be embedded within them. The porous structure enables straightforward manufacturing processes where metal hydride particles can be infiltrated into the pre-formed matrix, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving enhanced heat transfer rates.
3Loss of time
If thermal contact conductance between heat exchanger and metal hydride is increased, then hydrogen storage and compression speed increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchanger function with the filling material by creating a composite filling material that directly contacts the heat exchanger surface. The composite structure integrates thermal management and hydrogen storage functions into a single component that fills the heat exchanger, eliminating the need for separate thermal contact enhancement structures and reducing overall system complexity while minimizing hydrogen storage and compression time.
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 approach significantly increases the rate of heat transfer between the heat exchanger and the metal hydride composite, enabling faster and more scalable hydrogen storage and compression, while being cost-effective and easily mass producible.
Implementation Method 1
The metal hydride composite material is secured to the outer surface of the element by a thermally conductive layer between the metal hydride composite material and the element
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger element is adapted to contain a heat exchange fluid therein
Implementation Method 3
Metal hydrides are solid materials known for their ability to absorb and desorb gaseous hydrogen in response to the removal or addition of heat to the metal hydride
Implementation Method 4
Metal hydrides are solid materials known for their ability to absorb and desorb gaseous hydrogen in response to the removal or addition of heat to the metal hydride
Data Source
AI summary
Processes and systems are provided to enhance the rates of absorption and desorption of hydrogen into and out of a metal hydride composite material as part of a system for storing and/or compressing hydrogen. The rates of absorption and desorption are enhanced by techniques that enhance heat transfer between metal hydride composite material and a heat exchanger. Embodiments include the use of thermally conductive adhesive, grease or solder between the metal hydride composite material and heat exchanger element, snugly wrapping the metal hydride-heat exchanger element assembly with an expanded metal sheath or a flexible wire, and combinations thereof.