Solid Hydride Flow Reactor for On-Demand Hydrogen Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen storage methods for hydrogen fuel cell systems, such as high-pressure carbon fiber tanks, are inefficient at medium and small scales due to weight and space constraints, limiting design flexibility and scalability for future electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A solid hydride flow reactor system that converts metastable hydride fuels like lithium aluminum hydride into hydrogen gas on demand, using a tubular member, auger, and heater to achieve continuous and variable hydrogen production without high-pressure storage, with a filter to prevent particle discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high-pressure carbon fiber hydrogen tanks are used for hydrogen storage, then hydrogen storage capacity is achieved, but weight and space requirements increase significantly at medium and small scales
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of hydrogen from compressed gas to solid hydride form, fundamentally altering storage parameters. Solid hydrides store hydrogen at much higher density without requiring high pressure, thereby reducing the weight of containment systems while maintaining or improving hydrogen storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition between solid hydride and gaseous hydrogen through thermal control. By heating the solid hydride, hydrogen is released as gas for fuel cell use, and the spent hydride can be regenerated. This phase transition enables storage without high-pressure tanks, reducing system weight.
2Quantity of substance
If high-pressure carbon fiber hydrogen tanks are used for hydrogen storage, then hydrogen storage capacity is achieved, but space requirements increase at medium and small scales
Solution Approach 1:
Changing hydrogen from gaseous to solid hydride form dramatically increases volumetric energy density. Solid hydrides achieve hydrogen material densities of 30-200 kg/m³ compared to much lower densities in compressed gas tanks, thereby reducing the volume required for equivalent hydrogen storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite solid hydride materials that combine metal hydrides with supporting matrices or catalysts. These composite structures maximize hydrogen density while minimizing the volume of non-hydrogen materials, optimizing the volumetric efficiency of the storage system.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solid hydride flow reactor is used for on-demand hydrogen production, then specific energy density increases up to 1500 Wh/kg, but system complexity increases with tubular member, auger, and heater components
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor is segmented into functional modules: a tubular member for containing the hydride, an auger for transport, and a heater for decomposition. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates maintenance and scalability, managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular member serves multiple functions: containing the solid hydride, providing thermal contact with the heater, and serving as a reaction chamber. The auger both transports the hydride and distributes heat uniformly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components, managing system complexity.
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
The system enables efficient, on-demand hydrogen production with high specific energy density, reducing weight and space requirements, and achieving specific energies up to 1500 Wh/kg, suitable for medium and small-scale applications.
Implementation Method 1
The reactor also includes a heater positioned at least partially around the tubular member and the transporter. The heater is configured to heat the hydride fuel in the tubular member to convert the hydride fuel into hydrogen gas and a reacted byproduct.
Implementation Method 2
The reactor also includes an auger positioned within the tubular member. The reactor also includes a motor configured to rotate the auger, which moves the metastable hydride fuel through the tubular member.
Implementation Method 3
The outlet includes a filter that is configured to prevent particles entrained in the hydrogen gas from being discharged through the outlet.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydride flow reactor includes a tank configured to receive a hydride fuel. The reactor also includes a tubular member coupled to the tank and configured to receive the hydride fuel from the tank. The reactor also includes a transporter positioned at least partially within the tubular member and configured to transport the hydride fuel through the tubular member. The reactor also includes a heater positioned at least partially around the tubular member and the transporter. The heater is configured to heat the hydride fuel in the tubular member to convert the hydride fuel into hydrogen gas and a reacted byproduct.