Solid Hydrogen Storage Heat-Exchange Tube Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metal hydride-based solid hydrogen storage systems face inefficiencies in heat transfer due to high temperatures required for hydrogen release, leading to increased power consumption and reduced thermal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A solid hydrogen storage device is designed with heat-transfer fins and tubes having different coefficients of thermal expansion, where the heating tube expands to match the spacing clearance at the activation temperature, and the cooling tube minimizes contraction to reduce heat loss, enhancing contact properties and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat transfer efficiency is improved by reducing spacing between tubes and fins, then thermal efficiency improves, but thermal expansion causes contact loss and reliability degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal expansion by designing the heating tube with a coefficient of thermal expansion specifically selected to match the spacing clearance at activation temperature. When heated, the tube expands to eliminate gaps and achieve optimal contact with fins and hydrogen storage elements, maximizing heat transfer efficiency while maintaining reliable contact stability through controlled expansion behavior.
2Loss of energy
If heating tube material with high thermal expansion is used to improve contact at high temperature, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but cooling tube contraction causes contact loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different components: the heating tube uses a material with high thermal expansion coefficient to ensure contact at operating temperature, while the cooling tube uses a material with low thermal expansion coefficient to minimize contraction during cooling. This localized differentiation of material properties allows each component to optimize its thermal behavior for its specific function, maintaining reliable contact throughout the heating and cooling cycles.
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 improves heat-transfer efficiency by minimizing spacing distances and increasing contact areas between tubes, fins, and hydrogen storage elements, optimizing hydrogen discharge and storage processes.
Implementation Method 1
the heating tube has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the cooling tube has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, and wherein the first coefficient of the thermal expansion is different from the second coefficient of thermal expansion
Implementation Method 2
the cooling tube may be made of a material having the second coefficient of thermal expansion such that a maximum extent of thermal contraction of the cooling tube in a radial direction at an activation temperature is minimized
Implementation Method 3
a metal hydride-based solid hydrogen storage allows a reversible reaction between metal and hydrogen molecules... when heat energy is supplied whereas the hydrogen is released
Implementation Method 4
the hydrogen is combined with the metal again and stored in the metal when the hydrogen is supplied under pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A solid hydrogen storage device provides an improved heat-transfer efficiency by improving the contact properties between heat-exchange tubes and heat-transfer fins. The solid hydrogen storage device includes a heat-transfer fin including a plurality of tube through holes, a heating tube, and a cooling tube. The heating tube and the cooling tube respectively extend through the tube through holes, and the heating tube and the cooling tube have different coefficients of thermal expansion.