Hydrogen storage device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a hydrogen storage device. The hydrogen storage device includes a first casing, at least one hydrogen container, at least one stress buffering unit, and a second casing. The hydrogen container is set inside the first casing. The stress buffering unit is set between the hydrogen container and the first casing. The second casing surrounds the first casing forming a second space to contain heat transfer media, thereby controlling the temperature of the hydrogen container. While the hydrogen storage materials loaded in the hydrogen container absorb hydrogen gas, the stress buffering unit can eliminate the stress caused by the volume expansion of the hydrogen storage materials so as to prevent the first casing from distortion and deformation. Thus, the hydrogen gas can be stored efficiently and safely.

1 . A hydrogen storage device for storing hydrogen gas, the hydrogen storage device comprising:
 a first casing formed therein with a first space and formed thereon with a first opening that allows the first space to intercommunicate with an external environment;   at least one hydrogen container set inside the first space for receiving a hydrogen storage material, wherein the hydrogen gas is introduced from the external environment into the first space through the first opening and comes into contact with the hydrogen storage material so that the hydrogen gas is stored;   at least one stress buffering unit arranged between each said hydrogen container and the first casing for buffering a stress that is caused by the hydrogen storage material and acts on the hydrogen container; and   a second casing surrounding the first casing and together with the first casing defining a second space therebetween, the second casing having an inlet valve and an outlet valve, which allow the second space to intercommunicate with the external environment, and a flow channel being defined between the inlet valve and the outlet valve in the second space for allowing at least one heat transfer medium to flow into the second space from the external environment through the inlet valve and flow out of the second space through the outlet valve, wherein heat exchange is performed by the heat transfer medium to modulate a temperature of the hydrogen container.   
     
     
         2 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first casing includes at least one depressed portion extending inward the first space so as to make the flow channel be a curved flow channel. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 2 , wherein the depressed portion further includes at least one spoiler. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 3 , wherein the spoiler is settled on the second casing and in parallel with a lateral wall of the depressed portion. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer medium is one or a combination of any selected from the group consisting of water, gas, oil and hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen container includes at least two said hydrogen containers that are arranged in the first space with a predetermined interval between the adjacent hydrogen containers. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen containers are configured to independently receive hydrogen storage materials of different characteristics, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen storage material is a high-temperature type hydrogen storage material, a middle-temperature type hydrogen storage material or a low-temperature type hydrogen storage material. 
     
     
         9 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen storage material is hydrogen storage alloy. 
     
     
         10 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the hydrogen storage alloy is metal hydride. 
     
     
         11 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , wherein each said stress buffering unit is a spring unit, a sponge unit, a metal elastic piece or an elastomer. 
     
     
         12 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first casing and the second casing are independently made of heat transfer materials. 
     
     
         13 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat insulation layer that surrounds the second casing. 
     
     
         14 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 1 , further comprising a third casing that surrounds the second casing and define a third space with the second casing. 
     
     
         15 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 14 , further comprising a heat insulation unit set inside the third space for reducing heat transmission between the external environment and the hydrogen container. 
     
     
         16 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 14 , wherein the first casing, the second casing and the third casing are independently made of heat transfer materials. 
     
     
         17 . A hydrogen storage device for storing hydrogen gas, the hydrogen storage device comprising:
 a first casing formed therein with a first space and formed thereon with an opening that allows the first space to intercommunicate with an external environment;   at least one hydrogen container set inside the first space for receiving a hydrogen storage material, wherein the hydrogen gas is introduced from the external environment into the first space through the opening and comes into contact with the hydrogen storage material so that the hydrogen gas is stored; and   at least one stress buffering unit arranged between each said hydrogen container and the first casing for buffering a stress that is caused by the hydrogen storage material and acts on the hydrogen container.   
     
     
         18 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 17 , wherein the hydrogen container includes at least two said hydrogen containers that are arranged in the first space with a predetermined interval between the adjacent hydrogen containers. 
     
     
         19 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 17 , wherein the hydrogen containers are configured to independently receive hydrogen storage materials of different characteristics, respectively. 
     
     
         20 . The hydrogen storage device of  claim 17 , wherein the stress buffering unit is a spring unit, a sponge unit, a metal elastic piece, or an elastomer.