Segmented Steel Hydrogen Vessel for High-Pressure Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage systems face challenges in efficiently storing large amounts of hydrogen at high pressures while maintaining cost-effectiveness, handling, and compliance with safety regulations, particularly due to structural constraints and complex monitoring requirements.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen pressure vessel designed with a shell composed of multiple longitudinally extending segments made of steel with a yield strength of at least 355 MPa, allowing for adjustable storage capacity and simplified manufacturing, using a combination of welds and threaded connections to form a single system that meets safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the storage cylinder size is increased to hold more hydrogen, then the storage capacity is improved, but the vessel becomes too big and heavy to handle and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure vessel is divided into multiple segments that can be connected end-to-end to form a longer vessel. Each segment is manufactured separately with manageable dimensions and weight, then assembled into a complete storage system. This allows the storage capacity to be increased by adding segments while keeping individual component weights manageable for handling and transport.
2Strength
If a weld extends along the entire length of the cylinder to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a continuous longitudinal weld along the entire cylinder length, the vessel is segmented into multiple sections. Each segment can be manufactured separately with shorter welds or alternative joining methods, reducing the overall welding complexity and cost while maintaining structural integrity through the segmented design.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple independent cylinders are used to increase storage capacity, then the storage capacity is improved, but the monitoring and safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple segments are connected to form a single integrated pressure vessel system rather than separate independent cylinders. This unified design allows for centralized monitoring and control systems, reducing the overall complexity of safety monitoring compared to managing multiple independent vessels, while still providing the required storage capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Hydrogen pressure vessel, comprising a shell with an internal volume; wherein:the pressure vessel is arranged for storing compressed hydrogen at a pressure greater than 200 bar;the shell is made of a steel having a yield strength (Sy) of at least 355 MPa; andsaid shell is formed by a multitude of longitudinally extending segments, wherein each longitudinally extending segment has a circumferential wall, with a wall thickness (WT), defining an internal diameter (ID1), the multitude of longitudinally extending segments together forming the internal volume of the shell.