Metal Hydride Hydrogen Storage With Pressure-Based Release Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current energy storage solutions for vehicles, particularly UAVs, are limited by the weight and recharging times of batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells face challenges with bulky and safety-concerning high-pressure storage vessels and challenging low-temperature liquid phase storage.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogen fuel cell system utilizing a solid hydrogen storage material, such as a metal hydride, with a fuel vessel, hydrogen storage tank, pressure sensor, and heater controller to manage hydrogen release efficiently, providing hydrogen to a fuel cell for powering electric motors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels are used, then hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but weight and safety concerns worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage capacityVSAvoidstorage vessel weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of hydrogen from gas phase (requiring high pressure) to solid phase (metal hydride), fundamentally altering storage parameters. This allows hydrogen to be stored at atmospheric pressure in a solid form, eliminating the need for heavy high-pressure vessels while maintaining storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Metal hydride serves as an intermediary material that absorbs and releases hydrogen reversibly. The metal hydride acts as a mediator between the hydrogen source and the fuel cell, enabling safe storage and controlled delivery without requiring extreme pressure or temperature conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels are used, then hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but safety concerns worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage capacityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By changing hydrogen from high-pressure gas to solid metal hydride form, the system eliminates pressure-related safety hazards. The solid hydride stores hydrogen at atmospheric pressure, removing the risk of explosive decompression while maintaining equivalent or superior storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful high-pressure gas storage into a safe solid-state storage system. The metal hydride material inherently provides safe containment, and the reversible absorption/desorption process offers controlled hydrogen release, turning a safety risk into a safety feature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Use of energy by moving object

If lithium-ion batteries are used, then energy storage is improved, but flight time and payload are limited due to weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storageVSAvoidbattery weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy storage medium from lithium-ion batteries to hydrogen fuel cell with metal hydride storage. This fundamental parameter change enables higher energy density and extended flight time while reducing the weight penalty associated with recharging infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If liquid phase hydrogen storage is used, then specific energy is improved, but insulation and boil-off management become challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific energyVSAvoidinsulation and boil-off management

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes hydrogen storage from liquid phase (requiring cryogenic temperatures) to solid phase (metal hydride at ambient or moderate temperatures). This eliminates the need for complex thermal insulation and boil-off management systems while maintaining high specific energy

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 offers improved volumetric storage density and safety, extending flight times for UAVs by providing more than three times the hydrogen in a compact form, with efficient hydrogen release and control, enhancing power density and reducing weight.

Implementation Method 1

A heater can be included in the fuel vessel and the heater can be heated by the heater to a temperature sufficient to cause the solid structure to release hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

A fuel cell can be in fluid communication with the hydrogen tank and the electric motor can be in electrical communication with the fuel cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical conversion: Fuel Cell

Data Source

PatentUS20230402629A1Metal Hydride Fuel Sources For Vehicle Operation and Pressure-Based Control Systems and Methods

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 BATTELLE SAVANNAH RIVER ALLIANCE LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are systems and methods that utilize a solid hydrogen storage material, e.g., a metal hydride as a fuel source for operating a vehicle. Disclosed systems utilize the pressure of a hydrogen storage tank as a controlling factor for release of hydrogen from a solid hydrogen storage material. Disclosed systems are particularly beneficial for use with unmanned aerial vehicles.