Metal Hydride Compressor Alloy Composition for 550 Bar Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrogen compressing systems using metal hydrides face challenges in optimizing input and output pressures, requiring optimization of structural features and alloy compositions to achieve highly pressurized hydrogen for effective implementation in hydrogen infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

The development of a metal hydride compressing system that employs a series of tanks containing specific metal alloy materials, such as those with compositions like Ti 0.85±0.05 Zr 0.15±0.05 Cr 0.95±0.05 Fe 0.95±0.05 V 0.10±0.05, optimized for pressure differences and thermal connectivity, allowing for continuous operation and high-pressure hydrogen compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If conventional metal hydride compositions are used in hydrogen compressing systems, then the system can operate with standard materials, but the input and output pressures cannot be optimized for highly pressurized hydrogen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen pressureVSAvoidpressure optimization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing the alloy composition specifically for pressure optimization in hydrogen compressing systems. The metal alloy contains Ti (0.7-1.0 atomic ratio), Zr (0.1-0.3 atomic ratio), Cr (0.8-1.2 atomic ratio), Fe (0.9-1.1 atomic ratio), and V (0.05-0.20 atomic ratio) in precisely controlled amounts to achieve highly pressurized hydrogen output, making the material properties locally adapted to the compression function rather than using conventional standardized compositions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stress or pressure

If the metal alloy composition is optimized for high pressure compression, then hydrogen pressure can be increased to 550 bar, but the alloy composition becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen pressureVSAvoidalloy composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the atomic ratios of multiple alloying elements (Ti: 0.7-1.0, Zr: 0.1-0.3, Cr: 0.8-1.2, Fe: 0.9-1.1, V: 0.05-0.20) to achieve the desired high pressure compression capability. This systematic parameter optimization allows the complex alloy to be manufactured with controlled compositions that balance performance requirements with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system achieves efficient hydrogen compression, capable of increasing hydrogen pressure from low initial pressures to up to 550 bar, utilizing a sequential configuration of tanks with optimized metal alloy compositions, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of hydrogen compressing processes.

Implementation Method 1

When the hydrogen is bound inside the metal hydride crystal lattice, this is called bulk absorption or simply absorption. The absorption is exothermic, i.e. it releases heat (Q) and is therefore promoted by low temperatures.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The reverse reaction is called desorption. For desorption, the contrary is the case.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen desorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 3

The absorption is exothermic, i.e. it releases heat (Q) and is therefore promoted by low temperatures.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentEP4538224A1Hydrogen compressing technique
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 CYRUS SA LEFKIPPOS TECHNOLOGY PARK OF ATTICA NCSR
  • EP4538224A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4538224A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4538224A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A metal hydride compressing (MHC) system (100) for compressing hydrogen is described. The MHC system (100) comprises a plurality of metal-alloy containing tanks (10) each having at least one hydrogen port, the tanks (10) being interconnected via their hydrogen ports in a sequential configuration. The MHC system (100) further includes one or more members (14, 16) configured for at least one of heating and cooling the plurality of metal-alloy containing tanks (10). One of the sequentially arranged metal-alloy containing tanks (10) is containing a metal alloy material comprising Ti, Zr, Cr, Fe and V, wherein the content of Ti in the metal alloy material is from about 0.83/3.00 to about 0.87/3.00 based on the atomic composition of the metal alloy material and the content of V in the metal alloy material is from about 0.05/3.00 to about 0.23/3.00 based on the atomic composition of the metal alloy material.