System for improved hydrogen distribution in a metal hydride reactor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal hydride reactors face issues with non-uniform hydrogen gas distribution, limited miniaturization, mechanical instability, and high production costs due to sintered tubes and low thermal conductivity of the metal/alloy powder bed.
Innovation Solution
A system with a metal wire mesh hydrogen distribution conduit within a metal tube, surrounded by a thermally conductive metal sponge matrix, allowing uniform hydrogen distribution and improved thermal conductivity, while maintaining mechanical stability and reducing reactor size and material requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sintered tubes are used for hydrogen distribution, then hydrogen gas distribution is achieved, but miniaturization is restrained and reactor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces solid sintered tubes with a porous metal foam structure that allows hydrogen gas to permeate through its cellular structure. This porous material provides distribution functionality without the thickness constraints of sintered tubes, enabling smaller reactor diameters while maintaining effective hydrogen delivery to the metal hydride bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining metal foam with traditional sintered powder bed. The metal foam acts as a distribution matrix that integrates both structural support and gas distribution functions, eliminating the need for separate thick-walled sintered tubes and enabling miniaturization.
2Strength
If sintered tubes with minimum thickness are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but weight reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The metal foam's cellular structure provides high strength-to-weight ratio, maintaining structural integrity through its three-dimensional network while significantly reducing material volume and weight compared to solid sintered tubes. The porous structure distributes mechanical loads effectively across its framework.
3Ease of manufacture
If sintered tubes are used for hydrogen distribution, then gas distribution is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Metal foam can be manufactured through cost-effective processes such as foam replication or direct foaming, eliminating the need for expensive sintering of thick-walled tubes. The material usage is optimized as the porous structure provides distribution functionality with minimal material volume, reducing both raw material costs and manufacturing expenses.
4Volume of moving object
If small diameter tubes are used, then reactor size is reduced, but mechanical stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal foam's three-dimensional cellular network provides exceptional mechanical stability despite its small overall dimensions. The interconnected struts and cells distribute stresses uniformly throughout the structure, preventing the sagging and deformation issues that plague thin-walled small diameter tubes while maintaining the reduced reactor size.
5Quantity of substance
If metal/alloy powder bed with low thermal conductivity is used, then material requirements are met, but heat and mass transfer performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal foam serves as a thermally conductive matrix that surrounds and contacts the metal hydride powder particles, creating a composite structure where the foam provides thermal pathways through its metallic continuity. This enhances heat transfer from the reaction sites without requiring additional metal/alloy powder, improving productivity while maintaining material efficiency.
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
Enhances hydrogen sorption rates, reduces reactor size and production costs, and improves mechanical stability by ensuring uniform hydrogen distribution and increased thermal conductivity within the metal hydride reactor.
Implementation Method 1
The contact between the hydrogen distribution conduit and the metal sponge matrix is such that it provides for optimal hydrogen flow between them. The metal sponge matrix improves the thermal conductivity of the metal/alloy powder bed.
Implementation Method 2
metals or alloys react with hydrogen exothermically to form metal hydrides
Implementation Method 3
the metal hydrides reversibly release hydrogen gas endothermically
Implementation Method 4
metals or alloys react with hydrogen exothermically to form metal hydrides
Implementation Method 5
the metal hydrides reversibly release hydrogen gas endothermically
Data Source
AI summary
A system for distribution of hydrogen gas in a metal hydride reactor is disclosed. The system comprises a hydrogen distribution conduit positioned within a metal tube so as to define an annular space between the hydrogen distribution conduit and the outer metal tube. The hydrogen distribution conduit provides a flow passage for the hydrogen gas. A metal sponge matrix containing hydrogen-storing metal powder or hydrogen-storing alloy powder is filled in the annular space. The system provides a more uniform distribution of hydrogen across the particles of the hydrogen-storing metal/alloy powder, provides mechanical support to the hydrogen distribution conduit, improves the thermal conductivity of the powdered metal/alloy bed and reduces the size and production cost of the reactor.