阅读说明：本技术 氢气储存装置 (hydrogen storage device ) 是由 迈克尔·弗朗西斯·莱维 乔恩·奥伯拉姆 卡斯滕·波尔曼 J-B·德芒东 于 2018-02-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种氢气储存装置(100),包括：第一材料(111),用于通过吸着来亚稳态地储存氢气；以及,第二材料(121),用于通过吸着来可逆地储存氢气；该装置包括所述第一材料(111)于其内的腔室(110),且所述第二材料与所述第一材料流体连通,所述流体连通是直接的或通过流体连通构件来实现,使得所述第二材料可逆地储存由所述第一材料解吸的氢气。(A hydrogen storage device (100) comprising: a first material (111) for metastable storage of hydrogen by sorption; and a second material (121) for reversibly storing hydrogen by sorption; the device comprises a chamber (110) within which said first material (111) is located, and said second material is in fluid communication with said first material, said fluid communication being either direct or via fluid communication means, such that said second material reversibly stores hydrogen desorbed from said first material.)

1. A hydrogen storage device (100) comprising:

A first material (111) for metastable storage of hydrogen by sorption; and

A second material (121) for reversibly storing hydrogen gas by sorption,

The device comprises a chamber (110) within which the first material (111) is placed, and the second material is in fluid communication with the first material, either directly or through a fluid communication means, such that the second material reversibly stores hydrogen desorbed from the first material.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that hydrogen stored in the second material can be released when the apparatus supplies hydrogen.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first material (111) and the second material (121) are permanently kept in fluid communication.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a second chamber within which the second material (121) is arranged.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first material (111) and the second material (121) are suitable for supplying a hydrogen flow sufficient for operating a hydrogen utilization unit, in particular with an input pressure of the unit greater than or equal to 1.5 bar, in particular 2.5 bar, in particular 5 bar, in particular 10 bar.

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second material (121) is adapted to form a metal hydride, preferably LaNi₅FeTi, TiCr, TiV, TiZr and/or TiMn₂Metal hydrides.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first material (111) is adapted to form a hydride, preferably a metal hydride, such as an alane, such as at least an alane phase, such as an alpha alane, such as alpha prime alane and/or ammonia borane and/or 1, 2-diamine borane, and/or lithium hydride and/or lithium aluminum hydride.

8. The device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an overpressure valve adapted to allow gas to escape.

9. A hydrogen gas storage and/or supply system comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims; and a hydrogen gas utilization unit.

10. The system according to the preceding claim, comprising control means (270) adapted to control the device (100).

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the system according to claim 9 or 10, comprising means (113) for heating the first material (111) and/or the second material (121).

12. Device or system according to the preceding claim, wherein the first material (111) is closer to the heating member (113) than the second material (121).

13. A method for operating the device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, 11 and 12 or the system according to claim 9 or 10.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage device. The invention also relates to related systems and methods.

Background

There are various devices for storing hydrogen gas. These devices may include hydrogen storage materials. The hydrogen storage material may be a metastable material. This material stores a considerable amount of hydrogen. But such materials must be heated to provide significant storage rates during use. Furthermore, even when stored, the metastable material always releases small amounts of hydrogen over time.

These devices must comply with multiple restrictions related to their intended use, such as the particular conditions of use in motor vehicles and/or storage or use in applications where electrical power is supplied to a fuel cell.

Therefore, sufficient storage capacity and storage rate are required to ensure the intended use. Storing large quantities of hydrogen, however, poses safety concerns, especially when the device must be used at high temperatures or stored for extended periods of time. It is possible to design a device that: by reinforcing the walls of the device so that they can withstand, for example, high temperatures. This creates problems of excessive manufacturing cost and weight of the device, while still presenting a safety risk.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage device for solving at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

It is an object of the invention, inter alia, to provide a safe and efficient system.

To achieve the object, there is provided a hydrogen storage device comprising:

A first material for metastable storage of hydrogen by sorption; and

a second material for reversibly storing hydrogen gas by sorption,

The device comprises a chamber (referred to as a first chamber) within which the first material is placed, and the second material is in fluid communication with the first material, either directly or through a fluid communication means, such that the second material reversibly stores hydrogen desorbed from the first material.

These features are advantageously supplemented by the following features, alone or in any technically possible combination thereof:

The device is configured such that hydrogen stored in the second material can be released when the device supplies hydrogen;

The first material and the second material are permanently held in fluid communication;

A second chamber within which the second material is disposed;

The first material and the second material are suitable for supplying a hydrogen flow sufficient for operating a hydrogen utilization unit, in particular with an input pressure of the unit greater than or equal to 1.5 bar, in particular 2.5 bar, in particular 5 bar, in particular 10 bar;

The second material is suitable for forming a metal hydride, preferably LaNi₅FeTi, TiCr, TiV, TiZr and/or TiMn₂Metal hydrides of the class;

The first material is suitable for forming a hydride, preferably a metal hydride, such as an alane, e.g. at least an alane phase, such as an alpha alane, e.g. alpha prime alane and/or ammonia borane and/or 1, 2-diamine borane, and/or lithium hydride and/or lithium aluminum hydride;

An overpressure valve adapted to allow gas to escape, preferably above a certain pressure, preferably above 5 to 90 bar;

Means for heating the first material and/or the second material.

The invention also relates to a hydrogen storage and/or supply system comprising such a device and a hydrogen utilization unit.

These features are advantageously supplemented by the following features, alone or in any technically possible combination thereof:

A control member adapted to control the device;

Means for heating the first material and/or the second material.

the invention also relates to a method for operating the device or the system.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of an embodiment. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows in the form of a graph the desorption behavior of a device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 graphically illustrates pressure as a function of time, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows an example of the difference in behavior between a reversible storage material and a metastable storage material.

Detailed Description

Hydrogen storage device

general description of the invention

Referring to fig. 1, a hydrogen storage device 100 is depicted.

the apparatus 100 is, for example, adapted to supply hydrogen gas to a hydrogen gas utilization unit described below. The apparatus 100 is, for example, configured to form part of a system described below. The apparatus 100 is configured, for example, as an interchangeable and/or detachable apparatus from a system as described below. The device forms, for example, a cartridge.

First material

The apparatus 100 includes a first hydrogen storage material 111. The first material 111 is, for example, a hydrogen storage material that stores hydrogen by sorption.

Sorption (sorption) refers to the process by which a substance is adsorbed or absorbed on or in another substance. Absorption (adsorption) refers to the ability of a material to hold molecules in its volume. Adsorption (adsorption) refers to the ability of a material to hold molecules on its surface.

The first material 111 may be a solid material or in the form of a gel. The first material 111 may be an adsorbent and/or absorbent storage material. The first material 111 may be a hydrogenated and/or dehydrogenated storage material.

The first material 111 comprises or is a hydrogen storage material, e.g. to form a hydride, preferably a metal hydride, e.g. an alane, e.g. at least an alane phase, e.g. an alpha alane, e.g. alpha prime alane, and/or Borazane (BH) boron nitride₆N) and/or 1, 2-diamine boranes (also known as EDAB, BH)₃NH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂BH₃) And/or lithium hydride (LiH) and/or lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH)₄)。

The first material is a metastable hydrogen storage material.

Metastable refers to a material that is always in a hydrogen desorption state in a standard pressure field (i.e., less than 200 bar).

FIG. 6 thus shows the interaction between a metastable material such as alane and e.g. TiMn₂The difference between the reversible materials of the class (non-metastable). The figure shows an absorption or adsorption or desorption equilibrium curve, i.e. a curve representing the absorption, adsorption or desorption equilibrium pressure, in this case the natural logarithm of which (logarithme n éien) varies as a function of the hydrogen concentration, for example expressed in weight percentage, within the material at a given temperature, for example 80 ℃. Above this curve, the material is in the fill region and therefore captures hydrogen. Below this curve, the material is in the discharge zone and therefore releases hydrogen. It should be noted that the figure is a schematic and in fact the absorption or adsorption curve and the desorption curve do not necessarily merge but maintain similar profiles and similar orders of magnitude.

The equilibrium curve of the reversible storage material is generally dependent on temperature: the higher the temperature, the higher the equilibrium pressure and the larger the discharge area. The curve has: a first section where the low pressure is increased; a second segment of substantially steady or slight increase in average pressure; and a third stage where the high voltage is increased again. This second section is typically much lower than 200 bar.

The equilibrium curve for this metastable storage material has: a first section where the low pressure is increased; a second segment of substantially steady or slight increase in average pressure; and also a third stage that increases the high pressure. This second segment is typically much larger than the reversible storage material, for example much larger than 200 bar, for example in the order of several kilobars. Thus, under ordinary or operating conditions, the metastable storage material is typically in the process of desorbing hydrogen without trapping hydrogen.

The first material 111 has a porosity, for example, less than or equal to 70%, preferably less than or equal to 50%, preferably less than or equal to 30% by volume. The smaller porosity allows for better storage capacity because the larger volume of the first material 111 will effectively allow for the storage of hydrogen in a dense form.

Unless stated otherwise, the terms first, second, and other ordinal numbers are used only to enumerate elements, and do not emphasize the order between these elements.

The first chamber

the apparatus includes a first chamber 110. The first material 111 is for example arranged within the first chamber 110.

The first chamber 110 may include one or more walls and/or sections. The first chamber 110 may form one or more compartments.

A second material

The apparatus 100 includes a second hydrogen storage material 121. The second material is, for example, a storage material that reversibly stores hydrogen gas by sorption.

The second material may be a solid material or in the form of a gel. The second material may be an adsorbent and/or absorbent storage material. The second material may be a hydrogenated and/or dehydrogenated storage material.

Reversible means that a material that is initially filled and has been at least partially released can be at least partially refilled with a medium in which the material is placed (e.g. a medium consisting of gaseous hydrogen).

Partial refilling may be conventionally defined as refilling at a pressure less than or equal to 200 bar, within a temperature range suitable for refilling the material at the pressure in question, e.g. at an optimal temperature for refilling the material, e.g. so as to obtain a predetermined filling rate (e.g. 50%), e.g. so as to increase the filling rate by a given percentage, e.g. by at least 10%.

The second material 121 comprises or is, for example, a hydrogen storage material suitable for reversibly forming a hydride, for example, at a temperature in the range of-10 ℃ to 100 ℃. The device can be operated under a wide range of storage conditions.

the second material 121 comprises or is a hydrogen storage material suitable for forming a hydride, e.g., a metal hydride, e.g., at ambient temperatures, e.g., in a temperature range of-50 c to 100 c.

The second material 121 is, for example, suitable for storing hydrogen gas, which is supplied to the second material at ambient temperature, for example at 20 ℃, for example at a pressure which is less than the maximum pressure of the device 100, for example at a pressure of about 4 bar.

The maximum pressure of the device is, for example, the pressure when the device is put into operation without the device being destroyed. The maximum pressure of the device is for example less than or equal to 300 bar, for example equal to 300 bar; for example less than or equal to 100 bar, for example equal to 100 bar; for example less than or equal to 20 bar, for example equal to 20 bar.

The second material 121 comprises or is, for example, a metal alloy suitable for forming hydrides, for example at ambient temperature, for example in a temperature range of-10 ℃ to 100 ℃.

The second material 121 includes, for example, powder.

The second material 121 may comprise or consist of a metal alloy, such as A_nB_mIntermetallic compounds of the type, e.g. AB_mTypes, e.g. AB₂Or AB₅E.g. A_nType B, e.g. A₂B, for example AB type, wherein A and B are metal chemical elements, and n and m are natural numbers greater than or equal to 1.

The second material 121 may comprise or consist of a metal alloy, such as an intermetallic compound, for example comprising iron and/or vanadium and/or titanium and/or zirconium and/or magnesium. The second material 121 may include or consist of an alloy of at least one of: LaNi₅And/or FeTi and/or TiCr and/or TiV and/or TiZr and/or TiMn₂and/or the corresponding hydrides. The second material 121 may also include or consist of at least one hydride of: NaAlH₄And/or LiNH₂And/or LiBH₄Type, and corresponding dehydrogenated form. The second material 121 may include or consist of Ti_(1–y)Zr_y(MnVFe)₂Alloys of the type wherein y is greater than or equal to 0 and y is less than or equal to 1.

Specifically, the second material 121 may include or consist of an alloy of: the second material 121 has a zirconium mass fraction of between 1% and 15%, such as between 3% and 10%, for example substantially equal to 6%. The use of such a mass fraction is particularly suitable for applications relating to fuel cells of vehicles.

the second material 121 has a porosity, for example, less than or equal to 70%, preferably less than or equal to 60%, preferably less than or equal to 50%, by volume.

Reversibly storing the hydrogen desorbed from the first material

The second material 121 is, for example, in fluid communication with the first material 111, either directly or through a fluid communication means, such that the second material 121 reversibly stores hydrogen desorbed from the first material 111.

It is possible to compactly store the hydrogen desorbed from the first material by sorption.

The first material 111 and the second material 121 may thus be arranged such that the second material reversibly absorbs/adsorbs hydrogen released by the first material.

in fact, when the first material is metastable, it releases a small amount of hydrogen gas continuously, even at ambient temperature, causing a rise in pressure within the device over time and possibly limiting the storage time or storage conditions of the device.

Thus, devices with satisfactory storage capacity can be produced by using metastable storage materials, and there is no safety risk, in particular upon storage for a period of time and/or upon temperature rise due to the second material.

The device, e.g. the first material 111 and the second material 121, may be arranged to capture and/or reversibly store hydrogen released by the first material as hydrogen is released, e.g. when the device is not in operation, e.g. when the device is not being used to supply hydrogen, e.g. when the hydrogen input and/or output member 160 is in a closed position as described below.

The means, e.g. the first material 111 and the second material 121, may be arranged such that the second material reversibly stores hydrogen released by the first material in order to limit the pressure rise within the first chamber 110 caused by the release of hydrogen over time, e.g. during a temperature rise.

Such devices also eliminate the safety valve or at least limit its use in extreme cases. This avoids or limits the disadvantages associated with such valves, such as loss of hydrogen gas with increasing temperature, the safety risks associated with hydrogen gas emissions and the risks associated with operational defects of such valves, as well as the maintenance operations that must be performed on such valves and the risks of operational defects of such valves associated with solid material emissions at the time of hydrogen gas emissions. Such devices also eliminate the storage and transport constraints, particularly in terms of temperature and duration. This avoids or limits disadvantages associated with such limiting conditions, such as the complexity from manufacture to implementation of the conditions when the device is used; when there are many regulations in the field of application, for example in the automotive industry, such as the limitation of the high temperatures to which the device must be subjected during transport, in particular by sea or land transport, for example the additional risk of the device suddenly being subjected to very high temperatures, for example in the case of a fire, and for example the logistical possibilities for arranging the storage device and therefore the limitation of its availability.

Such devices are advantageous over containers that are specifically reinforced to provide greater stability. In fact, a substantial reduction in the weight storage capacity, a reduction in the volume storage capacity, and a reduction in the effectiveness and heat transfer caused by heating a larger amount of material without storage function can thus be avoided. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the considerable mass increase associated with the particularly reinforced container and the drawbacks it brings to the user, as well as the need to dimension the input and/or output of the device particularly against the possible conditions that can be withstood, in particular at high pressures.

It is also advantageous for such devices to produce devices having additional volume not occupied by stored material. In fact, a substantial reduction in volumetric storage capacity and a reduction in weight storage capacity can thus be avoided. This extra volume provides limited advantages for reducing the pressure due to the low density of hydrogen and therefore may present a more advantageous solution. Also, the increase in mass and volume associated with a container having a large internal volume and the disadvantages thereof to the user can be prevented.

Such a device thus allows for better resistance to high temperatures and/or longer storage times and/or better safety during storage, while maintaining an efficient hydrogen supply and filling.

the device has reduced hydrogen loss, wherein hydrogen stored by the second material 121 can be released later when the device is used. In fact, the temperature of use of the metastable storage material is proportional to the equilibrium pressure of the second material 121 so that the hydrogen stored in the second material 121 can be totally released.

Direct fluid communication between two hydrogen storage materials means, for example, that the two materials may be in contact or placed in contact, or may be arranged in the same space at a distance from each other without any obstacle to the circulation of tissue gas (e.g., hydrogen) between the two materials.

by fluid communication means between two materials is meant any structure for effecting fluid communication between two materials, wherein the fluid communication may or may not be permanent.

Conditions of use

the second material 121 is for example adapted, for example adjusted with respect to the first material 111, in order to increase the storage time of the device 100, for example to a pressure of less than or equal to 90 bar, for example less than or equal to 60 bar, for example less than or equal to 30 bar, for example less than or equal to 15 bar, for example when the device is stored.

Upon storage, the device 100 is, for example, configured such that hydrogen released by the first material 111 causes a pressure rise within the device until a sorption equilibrium pressure, for example an absorption equilibrium pressure, for example an adsorption equilibrium pressure, of the second material 121 is reached. The second material 121 then stores, e.g., absorbs or adsorbs, the hydrogen gas emitted by the first material 111, and the pressure rises according to the equilibrium pressure curve of the second material 121. As more and more hydrogen is stored in the second material, the sorption equilibrium pressure of the second material rises at an accelerated higher rate, for example until the maximum pressure of the apparatus 100 and/or the first and/or second threshold pressure as described below is reached. This can reduce the rise of the pressure in the first chamber with the change of the sorption equilibrium pressure of the second material 121.

The desorption equilibrium pressure of a material at a given temperature and a given fill rate means the minimum gas pressure exerted on the material such that there is no release of hydrogen. At very low pressures, hydrogen is released.

The absorption or adsorption equilibrium pressure of a material at a given temperature and a given filling rate means the maximum gas pressure exerted on the material so that there is no absorption or adsorption of hydrogen. At very high pressures, hydrogen is absorbed or adsorbed.

The fill rate is expressed, for example, in percentage.

The fill rate may be defined as the ratio of the mass of hydrogen introduced into the system at a given temperature to the maximum mass of hydrogen that the system can hold.

Conventionally, it may be defined to calculate the maximum mass and thus the filling rate at a reference pressure of, for example, 200 bar.

Furthermore, the second material 121 compactly stores the released hydrogen in a small volume, so that even with a small amount of second material 121, it is still possible to significantly delay the time to reach a high pressure, for example the maximum pressure of the device and/or the first or second threshold pressure as defined below.

The device is designed to balance, for example, between the additional mass due to the second material and the extended storage time of the resulting device. Specifically, at higher temperatures, the hydrogen release rate is also greater. In this manner, the device is sized according to a predetermined ratio between the first material and the second materialTemperature T₁Time t of₁And temperature T₂Time t of₂A maximum pressure to the device and/or a first or second threshold pressure described below, and t₁<t₂And T₁>T₂。

The volume of the second material 121 is for example strictly less than the volume of the first material 111, for example less than or equal to 50% of the volume of the first material 111, for example less than or equal to 25% of the volume of the first material, for example greater than or equal to 10% of the volume of the first material.

The second material 121 is for example configured such that it can absorb hydrogen released by the first material 111 in order to prolong the time for which the pressure inside the first chamber 110 exceeds the maximum pressure of the device and/or the first or second threshold pressure as described above, for example at ambient temperature, for example at the maximum temperature and/or at the first and/or second threshold pressure as described above.

The mass fraction of the second material 121 is for example less than 50%, for example 25%, for example 10% of the first material 111.

At a given pressure (e.g. 4 bar) and a given temperature (e.g. 20 ℃), for example, the second material 121 has a hydrogen storage capacity strictly less than the hydrogen storage capacity of the first material 111, for example less than or equal to 8% of the hydrogen storage capacity of the first material 111, for example less than or equal to 2% of the hydrogen storage capacity of the first material, for example greater than or equal to 1% of the hydrogen storage capacity of the first material. In this way, the storage time for the second material of low storage capacity can be greatly extended.

Heating element

The apparatus 100 may comprise a member 113 for heating the first material 111 and/or the second material 121. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be adapted to heat the first material 111 and/or the second material 121 by means of the heating member 113 of the system. The heating member 113 is, for example, adapted to heat the first material 111 and/or the second material 121 to an operating temperature of the first material 111 and/or the second material 121.

The device may include one or more materials that improve performance and/or permeability during heat transfer and/or maintenance cycles and/or other functions associated with the intended application.

The first material 111 is, for example, closer to the heating member 113 than the second material 121. The first material 111 is, for example, arranged between the heating member 113 and the second material 121. The first material 111 can be preferentially heated.

The heating means comprise, for example, a heater, such as at least one electrical resistor and/or a heat exchanger.

hydrogen output member

The device 100 may include a hydrogen output member 160, for example, for allowing hydrogen to exit the device, for example, for venting hydrogen. The hydrogen gas output member 160 includes, for example, an output valve. The hydrogen output member 160 is, for example, permanently maintained in fluid communication with the first chamber 110 and/or with the first material 111. The hydrogen output member 160 is arranged, for example, in the region of the first chamber 110 and/or in the region of the first material 111.

The hydrogen output member 160 may, for example, be movable between an activated position in which hydrogen can exit the device via the member, and a closed position in which hydrogen cannot enter and/or exit the device via the member.

First overpressure valve

The device 100 may comprise a first overpressure valve adapted to vent gas (e.g. hydrogen) from e.g. the device 100, e.g. from the first chamber 110, e.g. to the outside of the device, e.g. to the outside of an outer housing as described below, e.g. in order to e.g. limit the pressure of the device and/or prevent the device 100 from being overpressurized, e.g. exceeding a first threshold pressure, e.g. less than or equal to a maximum pressure of the device 100. The first threshold pressure is, for example, less than or equal to 90 bar, for example less than or equal to 60 bar, for example less than or equal to 30 bar, for example about 15 bar.

Positioning of the second material

The second material is, for example, at least partially disposed in the first chamber 110. The second material includes a plurality of spaced apart portions, for example, disposed in the first chamber 110, the plurality of spaced apart portions including at least two portions disposed out of contact with each other. The device has the advantage of being easy to manufacture.

The apparatus 100 may comprise a second chamber. The second material 121 is for example arranged within this second cavity. The second chamber forms, for example, a different and/or separate element from the first chamber. The device is for example more modular or allows a more modular implementation for connecting different types of first chambers with different types of second chambers.

Thus, a device can be manufactured that: the device is adapted to supply a hydrogen gas rate sufficient to operate the utilization unit, for example, via the first material, and to maintain a lower pressure via the second material during storage thereof, in the event of storage thereof for an extended period of time and/or a rise in temperature.

The volume of the second chamber is for example strictly less than the volume of the first chamber 110, for example less than or equal to 50% of the volume of the first chamber 110, for example less than or equal to 25% of the volume of the first chamber, for example greater than or equal to 10% of the volume of the first chamber.

The second chamber is for example a buffer chamber.

The second chamber is for example arranged within the first chamber 110. Alternatively, the second chamber is for example arranged continuously with respect to the first chamber 110.

Shell body

The device 100 comprises, for example, an outer housing 130 forming, for example, an outer shell of the device. The first material 111 and/or the second material 121, and/or the first chamber 110 are for example arranged within the outer casing 130. The outer shell 130 extends, for example, around the first material 111 and/or the second material 121 and/or the first chamber 110. The outer housing 130 forms, for example, a container.

The device includes, for example, a first housing 114. The first chamber 110 extends, for example, within the first housing 114. The first housing 114 extends, for example, around the first chamber 110. The first housing 114 bounds and/or defines, for example, the first chamber 110.

the device includes, for example, a second housing 124. The first chamber 110 extends, for example, within the second housing 124. The second housing 124 extends, for example, around the first chamber 110. The second housing 124 bounds and/or defines, for example, the first chamber 110.

The second housing 124 extends, for example, within the first housing 114. At least one wall of the first housing 114 is connected to at least one wall of the second housing 124, for example. Alternatively, the second housing 124 is arranged, for example, at a distance from the wall of the first housing 114, for example, within the first material 110.

The outer housing, the first housing and/or the second housing are for example metallic.

Fluid communication member

The device may include a fluid communication means between the first chamber 110 and the second chamber.

The fluid communication member 122 may allow the hydrogen gas stream to communicate from the first chamber 110 to the second chamber, and/or from the second chamber to the first chamber 110.

the fluid communication member 122 comprises, for example, at least one opening and/or a tube, such as a plurality of openings and/or tubes, connecting the first chamber 110 and the second chamber. The opening is, for example, a circular hole. At least one opening and/or tube, for example each opening and/or tube, is for example fitted with at least one filter element 123, which comprises for example one or more filters. The filter element is for example adapted to allow the passage of hydrogen and/or to prevent the passage of particles of the second material. The filter element 123 is for example adapted to prevent the passage of solid matter, for example the passage of the second material 121. The filter element 123 may comprise a porous material, such as one or more tubes with porous sections, and/or woven or non-woven fibers, and/or corrugated sheets, such as corrugated sheet metal, and/or one or more foams and/or one or more wire structures.

At least one opening is for example provided facing the first chamber 110 and/or the first material 111, for example in the region of a rigid face of the second housing 124.

The device does not require a passive or active valve system or other flow control mechanism between the first and second materials, and thus can be simply designed and more easily manufactured.

a fluid communication member 122, such as an opening and/or a tube 122, for example, is provided in the region of this second housing 124. The second housing 124 includes, for example, a fluid communication member 122.

Second overpressure valve

The device 100 may comprise a second overpressure valve adapted to allow a gas (e.g. hydrogen) to be allowed to escape, e.g. from the second chamber, e.g. in order to limit the pressure of the device and/or to prevent overpressure of the device 100, e.g. exceeding a second threshold pressure, e.g. less than or equal to a maximum pressure of the device 100.

The second threshold pressure is for example less than or equal to 90 bar, for example less than or equal to 60 bar, for example less than or equal to 30 bar, for example about 15 bar.

System for controlling a power supply

General description

Referring to fig. 4, a hydrogen gas storage and/or supply system 200 is depicted. The system includes a device 100 or a plurality of such devices 100.

The system 200 is, for example, a system for storing and/or supplying hydrogen gas to, for example, at least the hydrogen gas utilization unit 230. The system 200 is, for example, a hydrogen storage and/or supply system for a device.

The system 200 is, for example, a hydrogen storage and/or supply system for a vehicle. The vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is, for example, an electric vehicle powered by a fuel cell. The motor vehicle is for example a heat engine vehicle.

System 200 is, for example, a hydrogen storage and/or supply system for a stationary system. The stationary system is for example a power supply unit, for example a generator, for example a unit for supplying backup and/or emergency power, for example a lighting unit, for example a unit for lighting a building. The power supply unit is portable, for example.

The system is configured, for example, such that the apparatus 100 is replaceable and/or detachable.

Utilization unit

The system 200 includes, for example, at least one hydrogen utilization unit 230, such as a plurality of hydrogen utilization units.

The at least one hydrogen utilization unit 230 is or includes, for example, a hydrogen consuming unit.

the at least one hydrogen utilization unit 230 is or comprises, for example, a system for treating gas from the motor, for example in the region of the discharge line.

The at least one hydrogen gas utilization unit 230 is or includes, for example, a fuel cell, such as a proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

The at least one hydrogen gas utilization unit may comprise a fuel cell and/or an electric motor adapted to be powered by the fuel cell. The at least one hydrogen utilizing unit is or comprises, for example, a hydrogen motor, such as a heat engine, e.g. an internal combustion engine and/or a hybrid engine, adapted to be supplied with hydrogen.

The system is configured, for example, such that at least one apparatus 100 can supply hydrogen to the hydrogen gas utilizing unit 230. The system includes, for example, a fluid communication member 240 for supplying hydrogen gas to the hydrogen gas utilizing unit 230 through the apparatus 100. The fluid communication member 240 is for example provided with a blocking member 241 which is movable at least between an open position in which fluid communication is performed through the first fluid communication member 240 and a closed position in which fluid communication is not performed through the first fluid communication member 240.

The hydrogen utilization unit 230 is for example configured to at least partially supply the heating member 113, for example by means of waste heat, for example by means of heat from the hydrogen utilization unit 230.

The hydrogen utilization unit 230 has an input pressure of, for example, greater than or equal to 1.5 bar, such as 2.5 bar, such as 5 bar, such as 10 bar.

Control member

The system 200 may include a control member 270. The control means may comprise at least one processor and/or RAM and/or ROM and/or display means, such as a terminal.

The control member 270 may include one or more sensors adapted to measure and provide one or more measurements of the system state, e.g., in real time. The control means 270 may include the first temperature sensor 214 of the apparatus 100, and/or the second temperature sensor 224 of the hydrogen gas utilization unit. The control component 270 may include the first pressure sensor 214 of the apparatus 100, and/or the second pressure sensor 224 of the hydrogen utilization unit.

The control means 270 may for example control the device 200, for example control means 113 for heating the device 100 or the system 200. The control member 270 may control the hydrogen gas utilization unit 230, for example. Control member 270 may, for example, control fluid communication member 240, such as control blocking member 241.

the control means is for example configured to implement a method such as described below.

Method of producing a composite material

Referring to fig. 5, a method for implementing the apparatus 100 is described.

The method may include step 1301 for manufacturing or providing the device 100.

The method can include a step 1302 for storing and/or transporting the device 100. The device 100 may be subject to temperature changes during storage and/or transport.

The method may include a step 1303 for installing the device in an area of the system 200.

The method may include a step 1304 for utilizing the apparatus 100. This step 1304 includes supplying hydrogen, for example, by the apparatus 100. During the utilizing step 1304, the hydrogen utilizing unit 230 or another heat source is configured to at least partially supply the heating member 213, e.g., by waste heat, e.g., to heat the first material 111 and/or the second material, e.g., the first chamber 110 and/or the second chamber.

Utilizing step 1304 may include the operational steps of: in this operating step, the first material is kept at a temperature at the first chamber 110 that is sufficiently high by the heating member 213 to ensure desorption, e.g. dehydrogenation, of hydrogen of this first material 111, e.g. complete discharge of hydrogen.

step 1301 and/or step 1302 and/or step 1303 and/or step 1304 are for example repeated, for example cyclically, and for example several times, in this order. Each repetition is preceded by, for example, withdrawing the device 100 from the system 100, and removing the first material and replacing the first material in the device with the first material filled with hydrogen gas. Alternatively or additionally, the method may comprise the step 1305 of exiting the device 100 and replacing the device 100, wherein step 1301 and/or step 1302 and/or step 1303 and/or step 1304 are performed on a device 100 that has replaced a used device.

Here, the apparatus has a satisfactory storage capacity and can supply hydrogen gas at a satisfactory rate and pressure and can prolong the storage time of the apparatus 100.

For example, when first material 111 and second material 121 are, for example, permanently held in fluid communication, at least one or more steps of the method, for example step 1301 and/or step 1302 and/or step 1303 and/or 1304 and/or step 1305, are defined by the pressure of the system, which defines the fill rate of the second material, while the fill rate of the first material is, for example, defined by its heating history. In this way, the first material 111 and the second material 121 have different filling rates due to their different thermodynamic behaviors. However, a device having the first material 111 and the second material 121 may be considered a device having materials. The distribution of hydrogen gas between the two materials is performed passively.

The method may comprise the step of capturing and/or reversibly storing hydrogen released by the first material by the second material, for example when hydrogen is released, for example during storage of the device, for example when the device is not in operation, for example when the device is not being used to supply hydrogen. This capture step is performed, for example, during step 1302. The trapping step may include raising the temperature and corresponding release of hydrogen from the first material.

The method may include the step of venting through the first and/or second excess pressure valves, for example, during step 1302, e.g., after the capturing step.

During the storing step 1302, the first material 111 and the second material 121 are for example arranged such that hydrogen released by the first material 111 causes a pressure increase within the device until an equilibrium pressure of the second material 121 is reached, for example an adsorption or absorption equilibrium pressure and/or a maximum pressure of the device and/or a first threshold pressure or a second threshold pressure as described herein. The second material 121 then stores, for example absorbs or adsorbs, the hydrogen gas released by the first material 111, and the pressure rises according to the pressure equilibrium curve of the second material 121. The more the amount of hydrogen stored in the second material increases, the faster the pressure balance of the second material increases. The pressure then continues to rise until a first threshold pressure and/or a second threshold pressure is reached, at which the first and/or second excess pressure valve will release hydrogen.

The method may include one or more steps corresponding to the operation of the apparatus as previously described.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Referring to fig. 2, this figure shows an example of the behavior of the alane type first material 111 at 25 ℃. The graph shows the change in weight percent with respect to time on the ordinate. In this example, the first chamber 110 contains 100g of hydrogen initially stored in alane. The device has a total mass of less than 2 kg. The threshold pressure at which the overpressure valve is activated is 15 bar.

In the first case, shown in dashed lines, the device does not comprise any second material. The threshold pressure was reached in 0.53 years.

In the second case shown in solid lines, the device is as described herein and thus comprises a second material 121, for example 50g or 2.5 wt% of a second material, which is for example a metal alloy hydride AB₂Form (d), for example, has a hydrogen storage capacity of about 1.5 wt%. The time to reach the threshold pressure is increased by 108% or more than a factor of 2.

Fig. 3 shows the variation of the pressure (in bar) over time (in days) for the first case shown by the dashed line and for the second case shown by the solid line in fig. 2. In the presence of the second material 121, this pressure is kept at a low level for a long period of time, thus increasing safety.