Shared Pressure Vessel Metal-Hydrogen Battery Pressure Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage systems, such as pumped-hydroelectric storage, compressed air, and flywheel energy storage, face challenges in cost, efficiency, and environmental impact, necessitating the development of more reliable and cost-effective large-scale energy storage solutions, particularly for renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
Innovation Solution
A shared pressure vessel configuration for metal-hydrogen batteries, where multiple pressure vessels are coupled to a central storage tank via a manifold and control device, allowing for efficient hydrogen gas supply and regulation, reducing operating pressures and enabling the use of lighter, less expensive materials while minimizing charge leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high pressure vessels are used to store hydrogen, then hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but safety and material cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides hydrogen storage into two separate functions: a high-pressure storage tank (208) that stores large quantities of hydrogen safely at high pressure, and multiple low-pressure vessels (202) that operate at low pressure for battery operation. This segmentation allows the high-pressure storage to be isolated from the battery components, improving safety while maintaining storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
A manifold system (218) with control devices (206) acts as an intermediary between the high-pressure storage tank and low-pressure battery vessels. This intermediary regulates hydrogen flow and pressure transformation, enabling safe pressure reduction while maintaining system reliability and preventing direct high-pressure contact with battery components.
2Quantity of substance
If high pressure vessels are used to store hydrogen, then hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but material cost and weight worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the heavy high-pressure storage function from the lightweight low-pressure battery operation. The high-pressure tank (208) can be optimized for weight efficiency at high pressure, while the battery vessels (202) operate at low pressure allowing use of lighter materials, reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically: hydrogen is stored at high pressure in the storage tank (208) for compact, weight-efficient storage, then regulated to low pressure for battery operation. This parameter change allows optimization of each component for its specific pressure requirement, reducing total system weight.
3Quantity of substance
If high pressure vessels are used to store hydrogen, then hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pressure management function, allowing the high-pressure storage tank (208) to be manufactured once and reused, while the low-pressure battery vessels (202) can use simpler, less expensive materials and manufacturing processes, reducing overall manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold system (218) with pressure regulation capability serves as an intermediary that decouples the expensive high-pressure storage component from the battery vessels. This allows the battery vessels to be manufactured more cheaply at low pressure while still accessing high-pressure hydrogen storage capacity.
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 configuration enhances the reliability and cost-effectiveness of metal-hydrogen batteries by maintaining low operating pressures, reducing material costs, and minimizing self-discharge, thus addressing the limitations of existing energy storage technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a manifold coupled to the fill tube of each of the one or more pressure vessels, the manifold including a control device; and a storage vessel coupled to the control device, wherein hydrogen gas stored in the storage vessel is supplied to the one or more pressure vessels through the manifold and the control device
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with embodiments of this disclosure a shared pressure vessel metal hydrogen battery is disclosed. A metal hydrogen battery according to some embodiments includes one or more pressure vessels, each of the one or more pressure vessels including one or more electrode stacks, and each of the one or more pressure vessels including a fill tube; a manifold coupled to the fill tube of each of the one or more pressure vessels, the manifold including a control device; and a storage vessel coupled to the control device, wherein hydrogen gas stored in the storage vessel is supplied to the one or more pressure vessels through the manifold and the control device.