Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Device Using Chemical Hydride Heat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid-state hydrogen storage systems based on metal hydrides require high temperatures and continuous heat supply for hydrogen release, leading to inefficiencies in fuel efficiency and weight storage capacity due to energy loss and increased system weight.

Innovation Solution

A solid-state hydrogen storage device incorporating a reactor for hydrolysis of non-reversible hydrogen storage materials, which generates heat to quickly warm reversible storage materials and includes a fuel cell stack for hydrogen utilization, improving heat and weight storage efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal hydride is used for hydrogen storage, then reversibility of hydrogen release and storage reaction is improved, but high temperature operation and continuous heat supply are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereversibility of hydrogen release and storage reactionVSAvoidoperating temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a metal hydride storage unit (providing reversible hydrogen storage) with a chemical hydride storage unit (providing exothermic hydrolysis reaction). The chemical hydride unit generates heat through hydrolysis that is transferred to the metal hydride unit, enabling hydrogen release at lower temperatures while maintaining reversibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary component that transfers heat from the chemical hydride hydrolysis reaction to the metal hydride storage unit. This mediator enables thermal coupling between the two storage systems, allowing the exothermic reaction to drive the endothermic hydrogen release process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If heat exchanger is installed to improve heat supply, then hydrogen release capability is improved, but system weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen release capabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical hydride storage unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both a hydrogen storage medium and a heat generation source through hydrolysis reaction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate heating systems, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining hydrogen release capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical hydride system provides self-heating through its exothermic hydrolysis reaction, eliminating or reducing the need for external heat sources or complex thermal management systems. The system serves itself thermally, reducing auxiliary components and overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If battery power is used to heat storage vessel, then hydrogen storage performance is improved, but fuel efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage performanceVSAvoidfuel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the chemical energy stored in chemical hydrides into useful thermal energy through controlled hydrolysis reaction. This exothermic reaction, which would otherwise be a simple chemical change, is utilized as a heat source to drive hydrogen release, transforming a chemical property into a beneficial thermal effect that improves overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy source parameter from electrical (battery power) to chemical (hydrolysis reaction). By altering the fundamental energy input mechanism from an external electrical source to an internal chemical reaction, the system achieves improved fuel efficiency while maintaining hydrogen storage performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device enhances starting performance, reduces heat consumption, and increases hydrogen storage efficiency by leveraging heat from hydrolysis reactions and utilizing high-capacity non-reversible hydrogen storage materials, while maintaining vehicle loading advantages.

Implementation Method 1

a reactor disposed in the first storage to enable a hydrolysis reaction of a non-reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material to be performed therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a fuel cell stack, wherein the non-reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material is stored in the reactor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical reaction: Fuel Cell

Data Source

PatentUS10581101B2Solid state hydrogen storage device

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A solid-state hydrogen storage device includes a first storage for storing a reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material, a reactor disposed in the first storage to enable a hydrolysis reaction of a non-reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material to be performed therein, and a fuel cell stack, wherein the non-reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material is stored in the reactor, and wherein the non-reversible solid-state hydrogen storage material releases heat when the hydrolysis is performed.