Solid Hydrogen Storage Pellets with Graphite Stress Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen storage technologies face challenges such as high energy consumption, mechanical stress leading to tank rupture, and explosion risks due to hydride decrepitation, with slow absorption/desorption times and complex, costly designs.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen storage pellet design featuring a peripheral ring of expanded natural graphite surrounding a compacted metal hydride wafer, separated by thermally conductive disks, allowing for efficient heat transfer and stress absorption, reducing mechanical stress on the tank walls and enhancing charging speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single large volume of hydride is used in the tank, then the tank structure is simple, but the hydrogen absorption/desorption time is too long for usability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large volume of hydride into multiple smaller hydride pellets or blocks arranged in series within the tank. This segmentation increases the total surface area available for hydrogen absorption and desorption, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining a relatively simple tank structure. Each pellet acts as an independent reaction unit, allowing parallel hydrogen uptake and release processes.
2Use of energy by moving object
If light metal hydrides are used for hydrogen storage, then the energy input to initiate absorption is moderate, but the reaction generates significant heat requiring precise thermal management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermally conductive matrix material as an intermediary between the light metal hydride particles and the tank wall. This matrix (such as graphite or metal foam) acts as a heat transfer medium, efficiently conducting heat away from the exothermic absorption reaction sites while allowing the reaction to proceed at moderate temperatures. The matrix creates thermal pathways that prevent heat accumulation without requiring complex active cooling systems.
3Reliability
If compacted metal hydride powder is stored in solid form, then storage safety is improved and energy costs are reduced, but the hydride decrepitates and crumbles after significant cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where compacted metal hydride powder is embedded within a mechanically robust matrix material. This composite design provides several benefits: the matrix holds the hydride particles together preventing crumbling and decrepitation over cycles, maintains structural integrity during volume changes, and continues to provide thermal conduction. The composite material combines the high hydrogen capacity of the hydride with the mechanical stability of the matrix.
4Strength
If the tank walls are made rigid to withstand mechanical stress, then structural integrity is maintained, but the thermal management efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places a thermally conductive matrix material between the rigid tank walls and the hydride pellets as an intermediary thermal management layer. This matrix serves dual functions: it maintains thermal contact with the rigid walls for efficient heat conduction while accommodating the volume changes of the hydride without transmitting excessive mechanical stress to the tank walls. The matrix decouples the thermal and mechanical functions, allowing each to be optimized independently.
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 design provides safe, compact, and modular hydrogen storage with rapid charging/discharging capabilities, minimizing explosion risks and mechanical stress, while maintaining efficient energy use.
Implementation Method 1
a peripheral ring of expanded natural graphite surrounding a wafer of metal hydride in the form of compacted powder
Implementation Method 2
separated by thermally conductive disks, allowing for efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
Some metals or alloys are able to reversibly incorporate hydrogen atoms in the crystal lattice. The hydrogen is absorbed/desorbed by these materials as a function of the temperature and pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 4
The hydrogen is absorbed/desorbed by these materials as a function of the temperature and pressure conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydrogen storage pellet enabling the production of compact, modular, safe and energy-efficient hydrogen reservoirs. The pellet according to the invention comprises a peripheral ring (4) having an outer diameter of expanded natural graphite (ENG) of a determined height, surrounding a wafer of a metal hydride (5) in the form of compacted powder.