Hydrogen storage tank

The tank is of the type including a container (4) for housing hydrogen, and metallic hydride placed inside the container. According to one aspect of the invention, it includes at least one solid body (6) formed of a compacted material including metallic hydride and a matrix. Application in particular for tanks for internal combustion engines or for fuel cells, in particular for motor vehicles, as well as for any stationary or mobile application using hydrogen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage tank for hydrogen in the form of a metallic hydride, of the type comprising a container for housing hydrogen, and metallic hydride placed inside the container.

A tank of the aforesaid type may be used for supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell or a heat engine.

2. Description of the Related Art

WO 2007/011476A2 describes a hydrogen storage tank comprising a tubular container inside which cells are arranged, each cell being composed of a plurality of small, sector-shaped receptacles, each receptacle containing metallic hydride powder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the invention to provide a storage tank for hydrogen in the form of metallic hydride which permits the storage of a large volume of hydrogen, with satisfactory charging and discharging speeds.

To this end, the invention proposes a hydrogen storage tank of the aforesaid type, characterized in that it comprises at least one solid body formed of a compacted material comprising metallic hydride and a matrix.

According to other embodiments, the tank comprises one or more of the following features, taken singly or in all the technically possible combinations:the matrix is formed of expanded graphite, preferably of expanded natural graphite;the metallic hydride is a hydride of magnesium or of magnesium alloy;the tank comprises a plurality of solid bodies stacked inside the container in a stacking direction;the or each solid body is in the shape of a pellet and is held inside the container in such a way as to create an annular space between the lateral inner surface of the container and the or each solid body;the tank comprises a heat exchanger having at least one duct for a heat exchange fluid, extending inside the container;the duct extends through solid bodies;the tank comprises metal plates threaded onto the duct alternately with the solid bodies;the tank comprises annular spacers threaded onto the duct alternately with the metal plates, the or each solid body being threaded onto a spacer;the duct comprises a feed pipe and a discharge pipe for a heat exchange fluid which are substantially coaxial;the duct comprises an outer tube and an inner tube extending inside the outer tube, the inner tube defining one of the feed pipe and the discharge pipe for the heat exchange fluid, and the outer tube defining with the inner tube the other of the feed pipe and the discharge pipe;the feed pipe communicates with the discharge pipe via openings distributed along the inner tube;the discharge pipe is annular and surrounds the feed pipe;the tank comprises heating elements for the solid bodies;each heating element extends through several solid bodies; andthe heating elements are electrical resistances;the solid bodies are held spaced apart from one another along the stacking axis, with a gas circulation space between them;the or each solid body comprises between 15% and 25% by mass of expanded graphite, in particular around 20% by mass of expanded graphite; andthe or each solid body comprises between 1 and 10% by mass of expanded graphite, in particular between 5% and 10% by mass of expanded graphite.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1illustrates a tank2according to the invention for hydrogen storage in the form of metallic hydride.

The tank2comprises a container4for hydrogen, defining an internal volume5, and a plurality of pellets6for hydrogen storage in the form of metallic hydride, which are arranged inside the container4.

The container4is tubular. It comprises a tube8with longitudinal axis L, closed at one longitudinal end by a fixed cap10, welded onto the tube8, and at the opposite longitudinal end by a removable cap12. The tube8has a circular transverse section.

The removable cap12is for example screwed onto a fixing ring14welded to the end of the tube8and extending the tube8radially towards the outside. The ring14is equipped with openings16for the passage of fixing members, such as bolts18. The container4comprises a plurality of bolts18distributed about the axis L.

The tank2comprises a hydrogen circulation pipe20passing through the removable cap12in a leaktight manner. It enables the volume5to be connected to a hydrogen supply source, or to a hydrogen consumption unit, such as a fuel cell or a heat engine.

Each pellet6is in the form of a solid body made of a compacted composite material comprising magnesium hydride and a matrix formed of expanded graphite, preferably of expanded natural graphite (ENG). The composite material and its method of preparation will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Each pellet6has a peripheral contour corresponding substantially to the cross-section of the tube8, circular in this case. The pellets6are aligned and stacked along the axis L within the tank4.

Each pellet6has an outside diameter substantially smaller than the inside diameter of the tube8. The result is that the tank2has an annular space22created between the pellets6and the lateral inner surface23of the tube8, and extending along the axis L over the length of the stack of pellets6.

The tank2comprises a heat exchanger24extending inside the container4, for heating and/or cooling the pellets6by heat exchange with a heat exchange fluid circulating within the heat exchanger24.

The heat exchanger24comprises a duct25for heat exchange fluid extending axially in the centre of the container4, along the axis L.

The duct25comprises an outer tube26and an inner tube28which are coaxial. The inner tube28defines a central pipe30for channelling the heat exchange fluid. The outer tube26surrounds the inner tube28and with the latter defines an annular pipe31for channelling the heat exchange fluid surrounding the central pipe30.

The wall of the inner tube28comprises openings32(FIG. 2) distributed along the inner tube28for the circulation of the heat exchange fluid between the annular pipe31and the central pipe30.

The duct25comprises at one end a plug33(FIG. 1) for closing the outer tube26and the inner tube28.

The opposite end of the duct25passes through the removable cap12in a sealed manner, and is equipped with an end-piece34for connecting the central pipe30and the annular pipe31to a circuit (not shown) for heat exchange fluid.

The central pipe30and the annular pipe31are connected to the circuit in such a way that the central pipe30is a feed pipe and the annular pipe31is a discharge pipe. As a variant, the direction of circulation of the heat exchange fluid is reversed.

The pellets6are pierced at their centre. They are threaded onto the outer tube26, being stacked along the axis L. Thus, the duct25holds the pellets6inside the container4.

The plug33comprises a threaded pin36. The tank2comprises a support washer37and a clamping screw38screwed onto the pin36to hold the pellets6along the axis L on the duct25.

As shown inFIG. 2, the heat exchanger24comprises plates40inserted alternately between the pellets6.

Each plate40is in the shape of a disc having an outer contour substantially identical to that of the pellets6, and pierced at its centre. Each plate40is threaded onto the outer tube26.

Each plate40is in contact by its inner edge with the outer tube26, and in contact by its opposite surfaces with the pellets6.

The heat exchanger24comprises annular spacers42inserted between the plates40to maintain their spacing. Each pellet6is threaded onto a spacer42which is itself threaded onto the outer tube26.

The plates40are intended to improve the heat exchanges between the outer tube26and the pellets6by conducting the heat between the outer tube26and the periphery of the pellets6. They are for example metallic, preferably made of copper.

The plates40and the duct25form a supporting framework for the pellets6. The framework comprises a plurality of annular gaps, each gap being defined between two plates40, and opening out radially towards the outside in the space22.

The tank2comprises heating elements44extending through the pellets6.

Each heating element44is in the form of a metal rod extending through the pellets6. Each heating element44passes through the removable cap12in a sealed manner for its connection to an electrical supply circuit (not shown) for the production of heat inside the container4by heat dissipation by the Joule effect.

In a method of manufacture of the tank2, a plurality of pellets6are produced, the duct25and the heating elements44are fixed onto the removable cap12, the pellets6, the spacers42and the plates40are threaded onto the outer tube26of the duct25, the whole is inserted inside the tube8, then the removable cap12is fixed onto the ring16.

The tank2thus obtained initially contains hydrogen in the form of magnesium hydride.

As indicated previously, each pellet6is in the form of a solid body formed of a compacted composite material comprising magnesium hydride and a matrix (or “skeleton”) formed of expanded graphite, preferably of expanded natural graphite (ENG).

The material is qualified as “composite” owing to the combined use of a metallic hydride and a matrix, here made of ENG.

The composite material is intended to store hydrogen by absorption in the form of magnesium hydride and to release hydrogen by desorption. The desorption of hydrogen results in the appearance of non-hydrogenated magnesium in the composite material. In the continuation of the description, for reasons of simplicity, “magnesium hydride” designates magnesium hydride and any fraction of non-hydrogenated magnesium of composite material.

Within the framework of the invention, “compacted” designates a material in which the density is significantly higher than that of the respective divided raw materials of which it is composed, in this case magnesium hydride and ENG. The density of the composite material is 100% greater, and may be 400% greater, than that of the divided raw materials.

According to a method for preparing the pellets6, the composite material is obtained by compaction of a mixture of magnesium hydride powder (MgH2) and of particles of ENG.

The magnesium hydride powder preferably has a grain size of between 1 and 10 μm.

The mixture of powders is produced in a conventional manner, for example in a mixer, at ambient temperature and at atmospheric pressure.

The compaction of the mixture of powders is carried out preferably by uniaxial compression, for example in a pelleting machine.

Preferably, mixing and compaction are carried out under a controlled atmosphere, in particular in order to avoid oxidation of the magnesium hydride powder, which is pyrophoric.

The pressure exerted during compaction is selected in particular according to the porosity desired in the composite material. By way of example, a pressure of the order of 1 t/cm2(108Pa) has proved suitable for obtaining pellets having a porosity of the order of 0.3.

The graph ofFIG. 3illustrates the density and the porosity of pellets of compacted composite material obtained according to the invention, for different compaction pressures.

Compaction increases the volume density of metallic hydride, and therefore the hydrogen storage volume capacity. Compaction also increases the thermal conductivity by reducing the voids within the material.

ENG is a form of graphite modified by chemical and thermal treatments. ENG is a good conductor of heat and consequently improves the thermal conductivity of the composite material. Its presence and its structure facilitate the cohesion of the composite material. The result is that the composite material has a very high mechanical strength, permitting machining of the pellets, and facilitating their handling for loading them into the tank.

In addition, and surprisingly, unlike a metallic hydride powder, the composite material is not pyrophoric, thereby making it safer to handle and facilitating in particular the charging of the tanks.

Advantageously, the magnesium hydride powder used for the mixture includes less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 5% by weight, of non-hydrogenated magnesium. The more perfectly the magnesium hydride is hydrogenated, the more stable the powder will be with respect to air.

Preferably, before the mixing step, the magnesium hydride powder is activated, in order to have more favourable kinetics of absorption and desorption of hydrogen. This activation step is carried out for example by co-grinding of the magnesium hydride with a transition metal or an alloy of transition metals, or a transition metal oxide, introduced in proportions of between 1 and 10% atomic relative to the mixture.

The term “transition metal” as used here relates to chemical elements having in the atomic state a partially filled sub-layer d and which form at least one ion with a sub-layer d and partially filled. Those particularly referred to are the transition metals V, Nb, Ti, Cr and Mn.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the magnesium hydride powder is activated according to the teaching of the French patent application filed under No. FR 06 51478 and published under No. FR 2 900 401 or that of the corresponding international application published under No. WO 2007/125253A1, by co-grinding with an alloy of centred cubic structure comprising titanium, vanadium and either chromium or manganese, introduced in proportions of between 1 and 10% atomic relative to the mixture.

The particles of ENG are advantageously in the form of elongate vermicules, with a diameter of the order of 500 μm and a length of a few millimetres.

As a result of the effect of uniaxial compaction, the vermicules are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the compression axis. This imparts to the composite material a strongly anisotropic thermal behaviour, and facilitates the conduction of heat perpendicularly to the compression axis.

Advantageously, the pellets6are obtained by uniaxial compaction along their axis. The result is that the vermicules are oriented perpendicularly to the axis of each pellet6, and the radial thermal conductivity of the pellets6is improved.

The thermal conductivity of the composite material depends on the proportion of ENG in the composite material.

Measurements were carried out on pellets prepared with different contents of ENG. The measurements were carried out on a conventional continuous duty measuring bench based on the principle of the divided bar, as illustrated inFIG. 4.

According to this principle, a sample50is positioned between two standard parts52a,52band disposed between two layers53of thermal insulation, the whole being in contact on either side with a hot plate54and a cold plate55. Thermocouples56are inserted into the standards and the sample in order to take the temperature at different places distributed between the plates54,55.

Samples were cut out from the pellets, along the axis of the pellet and perpendicularly to the axis, in order to measure the axial and radial thermal conductivity of each pellet.

Three compositions of composite material comprising 0%, 5% and 10% by weight of ENG were tested.

The graph ofFIG. 6illustrates the measurements of axial conductivity (dashed lines) and radial conductivity (solid lines), according to the proportion by weight of ENG. The average temperature of the samples during the measurements was of the order of 30° C.

The thermal conductivity is substantially proportional to the proportion of ENG. The radial thermal conductivity increases more rapidly with the ENG content than the axial thermal conductivity.

The capacity by mass of hydrogen absorption of the composite material depends on the proportion of magnesium in the composite material, ENG absorbing a priori no hydrogen.

The proportion of ENG is not particularly limited. It is selected according to a compromise between the thermal conductivity and the capacity by mass of hydrogen absorption.

A low content of ENG, of the order of from 1 to 10% by weight relative to the final composition, already makes it possible to increase the thermal conductivity significantly. Therefore, the composite material preferably comprises from 5 to 10% by weight of ENG.

The kinetics of absorption and desorption of hydrogen are not significantly affected by the shaping of the material.

It is assumed that the material contains very few or no compounds resulting from a chemical reaction between the activated magnesium hydride and the ENG.

The composite material is easy to manufacture. It uses available raw materials, is inexpensive and does not require sophisticated equipment for its production and its shaping into pellets.

In operation, the hydrogen is discharged from the tank2by desorption of the hydrogen from the composite material in suitable pressure and temperature conditions, and the hydrogen is charged into the tank2by absorption of hydrogen by the magnesium of the composite material in suitable pressure and temperature conditions.

The desorption of hydrogen from the composite material leads to the formation of metallic magnesium, available for subsequent absorption of hydrogen.

The graph ofFIG. 6illustrates the curve of equilibrium between magnesium (Mg) and magnesium hydride (MgH2) according to the temperature and the pressure.

The desorption of the hydrogen by the magnesium hydride is endothermic, and is interrupted spontaneously in the absence of the application of heat. The absorption of hydrogen by magnesium is exothermic, and it is advisable to evacuate the heat in order to charge the hydrogen in a reasonable period of time, preventing the reaction from being interrupted spontaneously.

In order to charge the tank2with hydrogen or to extract hydrogen from it, the hydrogen pressure within the container4and the temperature of the pellets6are maintained within suitable ranges.

The temperature of the pellets6is adjusted by means of the heating elements44and the heat exchanger24. The heating elements44are used principally for applying heat to the pellets. The heat exchanger24is used principally for evacuating heat, by circulating within the heat exchanger24a fluid at a low temperature. The heat exchanger24may also be used for applying heat by circulating within the heat exchanger24a fluid at a raised temperature.

During charging and discharging, the hydrogen emerges from or penetrates into the pellets6through porosities in the composite material.

The exchange surface area between the hydrogen and the pellets6is large, owing to the fact that it is located at the large diameter periphery of the pellets6. In a variant, in order to increase this exchange surface area, there is axial play between each pellet6and each plate40, so that the gaseous exchanges take place equally via the opposed surfaces of the pellets6.

Comparative tests, the results of which are shown inFIGS. 7 to 10, were carried out in order to illustrate the improvement in performance obtained with a tank according to the invention.

A first hydrogen charging test was carried out on a tank such as that inFIGS. 1 and 2, comprising a container of 270 cm3, but devoid of heat exchanger and heating elements, filled with 110 g of magnesium hydride powder. The tank was equipped with a flow meter and with temperature probes.

A second test was carried out with the same tank, this time filled with pellets of 7 cm outside diameter, each pellet comprising 5% by mass of ENG, and 95% of magnesium hydride powders, the whole of the pellets representing a total weight of 250 g and still devoid of heat exchanger and internal heating elements.

The two tests were carried out after complete dehydrogenation of the magnesium hydride contained in the tank, by arranging the tank in an oven in order to heat the tank to an initial temperature of 300° C., then placing the tank under hydrogen pressure of 0.8 MPa.

The graphs ofFIGS. 7 and 8illustrate the volume of hydrogen charged, the temperature at the centre and the temperature at the periphery of the tank for the first test (FIG. 7) and the second test (FIG. 8).

The volume of hydrogen absorbed by the pellets is greater than that absorbed by the powder: 170 NL against 65 NL (Normo Litres).

This is due to the fact that the compaction of the pellets increases the volume density of metallic hydride, and therefore the hydrogen storage volume capacity.

The hydrogen charging speed is greater with the pellets, and this although the mass of magnesium and therefore the amount of heat to be evacuated is multiplied by a factor of more than 2.

Comparison of the temperatures taken at the centre and at the periphery of the container shows that the temperature is more homogeneous in the pellets than in the powder.

These results show that the compacted composite material makes it possible to improve the thermal conductivity and the hydrogen storage volume capacity.

FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate the third and fourth tests carried out by means of the same tank, equipped this time with the heat exchanger and heating elements. The tank thus conforms to that ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

The third and fourth tests were carried out starting from different conditions. The initial conditions of the third test (FIG. 9) are: temperature 300° C., and pressure 1 MPa. The initial conditions of the fourth test (FIG. 10) are temperature 220° C., and pressure 1.6 MPa.

Charging is more rapid starting from 220° C.

Compared with the second test, it is noted in addition that charging is much more rapid with the heat exchanger. This is due to the fact that the reaction of hydrogenation of magnesium is very exothermic, and that in the absence of effective evacuation of the heat, the states of equilibrium are reached very rapidly. The reaction kinetics become very slow and lead to a very long charging time. The reaction may even be interrupted spontaneously in the parts of the tank which are least well cooled.

Comparison of the first test with the third and fourth tests shows a greater absorption volume in the second test. This is due solely to the fact that the amount of magnesium hydride was greater in the second test owing to the absence of a heat exchanger which occupies part of the volume of the tank.

The improved thermal conductivity of the pellets6facilitates the adjustment of the temperature of the pellets6, thereby enabling the pellets to be maintained in temperature conditions favourable to rapid charging and discharging of hydrogen.

In addition, the presence of the heat exchanger facilitates the maintenance of the pellets in conditions that are more favourable for the charging of the tank with hydrogen.

Moreover, the arrangement of the pellets6in the tank2permits effective wetting. The annular space22between the pellets6permits good circulation and good distribution of the hydrogen, with a large contact surface area with the pellets6. The annular clearance which is produced between the pellets6and the lateral inner surface of the container4permits expansion of the pellets during successive charging and discharging of the tank.

The high mechanical strength of the pellets6is not altered by the repetition of cycles of charging and discharging of the tank2.

FIG. 11is a view analogous to that ofFIG. 2, illustrating a tank according to another embodiment. The reference numbers for elements similar to those of the first embodiment have been retained.

The tank2of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the heat exchanger24is devoid of metal plates inserted between the pellets6.

The pellets6are threaded directly onto the outer tube26of the duct25of the heat exchanger24, being kept spaced apart from one another by tubular spacers60inserted between the pellets6and enabling an annular space62to be kept free for the circulation of the gases between each pair of adjacent pellets6.

The pellets6have an ENG content of about 20% by weight relative to the final composition.

The increase in the ENG content to about 20% makes it possible to increase the thermal conductivity of the pellets6, and thus to compensate for the absence of metal heat exchange plates inserted between the pellets6.

The omission of the metal plates makes it possible to limit the cost of the tank and its weight. This also makes it possible to avoid reaction of the metal forming the plates with the magnesium. The copper of plates made of copper could in time react with the magnesium to form a MgCu compound.

The tank ofFIG. 11has a gravimetric hydrogen capacity, i.e. the mass of hydrogen storable in the tank compared with the weight of the pellets6, increased with respect to that of the tank ofFIG. 2, i.e. the mass of hydrogen storable in the tank compared with the weight of the pellets6added to that of the metal plates.

Measurements carried out on the tanks ofFIGS. 2 and 11showed a gravimetric capacity of 2.9% by mass of hydrogen for the tank ofFIG. 2, against a gravimetric capacity of 4.88% by mass of hydrogen for the tank ofFIG. 11.

Maintaining a spacing between the pellets6enables a large exchange surface area to be obtained between the pellets6and the hydrogen, which makes it possible to obtain satisfactory hydrogen charging/discharging speeds.

Measurements carried out in a similar manner to that of the fourth test showed that a tank configuration without metal plates but with a proportion of ENG increased to about 20% by weight in the pellets6makes it possible to obtain hydrogen charging/discharging speeds and an amount of hydrogen stored of the same order as for the tank of the first embodiment, with metal plates, and with a proportion of ENG of about 5% by weight in the pellets6.

The proportion of ENG of the pellets6is between 15% and 25%, in particular about 20%, to permit significant hydrogen storage while facilitating the thermal exchanges.

In a variant, the pellets6are not spaced apart, or are replaced by a single one-piece solid body.

The invention applies in particular to tanks for internal combustion engines or for fuel cells, in particular in motor vehicles, and more generally for any stationary or mobile application.