Hydrogen compressor with metal hydride
The invention relates to a hydrogen compressor with metal hydride comprising: a pressure chamber, comprising an inner space, defined by a first inner surface; a shell with a thickness E, the shell comprising a first outer surface facing the first inner surface, the shell comprising an insulating material with first thermal conductivity; and a hydrogen storage element, contained in the shell, comprising a storage material suitable for storing or releasing hydrogen as a function of a temperature that is imposed on same, and having a second thermal conductivity higher than the first thermal conductivity.
1. A metal hydride hydrogen compressor comprising:
a pressure chamber, comprising an internal volume, delimited by a first internal surface, wherein the pressure chamber extends along a longitudinal axis of the compressor,
a casing with a thickness E, the casing comprising a first external surface opposite the first internal surface, the casing comprising an insulating material with a first thermal conductivity, and
a hydrogen storage element, contained in the casing, comprising a storage material suitable for storing or releasing hydrogen according to a temperature that is imposed thereon, and having a second thermal conductivity greater than the first thermal conductivity,
wherein a region of the first internal surface of the pressure chamber is in contact with a region of the first external surface of the casing, and
the hydrogen compressor further comprising, between the pressure chamber and the casing, channels extending along the longitudinal axis and allowing a circulation of hydrogen between a zone of the first internal surface and a zone of the first external surface.
2. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the casing further comprises a passage adapted for hydrogen passing through the thickness E of the casing.
3. The compressor according to claim 2 , wherein the casing comprises an open porosity, as the passage, allowing the passage of hydrogen through the thickness E of said casing.
4. The compressor according to claim 2 , wherein the casing comprises at least one piercing, as the passage, allowing the passage of hydrogen through the thickness E of said casing.
5. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the thickness E of the casing is from 1 mm to 20 mm.
6. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises at least one of the materials selected from the group consisting of PTFE, a polyamide, a polyurethane, a polyethylene, PEEK and polypropylene.
7. The compressor according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen compressor further comprises a heat exchanger able to provide an exchange of heat directly with the storage element.
8. The compressor according to claim 7 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a second external surface made from a material with a third thermal conductivity, a heat-transfer fluid passes the heat exchanger through the pressure chamber through a first opening, the compressor further comprises a connector comprising an annular-shaped section, the annular-shaped section providing a sealed connection between the heat exchanger and the pressure chamber, and preventing a contact between the heat exchanger and the pressure chamber, the connector comprising a material with a fourth thermal conductivity lower than one tenth of the third thermal conductivity so as to thermally insulate the heat exchanger from the pressure chamber.
9. The compressor according to claim 8 , wherein the pressure chamber comprises a cylindrical barrel extending along the longitudinal axis, comprising a first end at which the first opening is formed, the annular-shaped section of the connector being in abutment against a stop formed at the first internal surface, the stop comprising a shoulder formed at the first internal surface.
10. The compressor according to claim 9 , wherein the connector is held against the stop by a clamping plug comprising a passage through which the heat exchanger fluid passes.
11. The compressor according to claim 10 , wherein an antifriction washer is interposed between the clamping plug and the connector.
12. The compressor according to claim 9 , wherein the connector is provided with first seals providing a sealed connection between the pressure chamber and the heat exchanger.
13. The compressor according to claim 9 , wherein the heat exchanger fluid passes through the pressure chamber through a second opening, wherein the compressor comprises second seals providing a seal between the heat exchanger and the pressure chamber at the second opening.
14. A metal hydride hydrogen compressor comprising:
a pressure chamber, comprising an internal volume, delimited by a first internal surface,
a casing with a thickness E, the casing comprising a first external surface opposite the first internal surface, the casing comprising an insulating material with a first thermal conductivity, and
a hydrogen storage element, contained in the casing, comprising a storage material suitable for storing or releasing hydrogen according to a temperature that is imposed thereon, and having a second thermal conductivity greater than the first thermal conductivity,
wherein the casing comprises at least one piercing, as a passage, allowing the passage of hydrogen through the thickness E of said casing.
15. A metal hydride hydrogen compressor comprising:
a pressure chamber, comprising an internal volume, delimited by a first internal surface,
a casing with a thickness E, the casing comprising a first external surface opposite the first internal surface, the casing comprising an insulating material with a first thermal conductivity,
a hydrogen storage element, contained in the casing, comprising a storage material suitable for storing or releasing hydrogen according to a temperature that is imposed thereon, and having a second thermal conductivity greater than the first thermal conductivity, and
a heat exchanger able to provide an exchange of heat directly with the storage element,
wherein the heat exchanger comprises a second external surface made from a material with a third thermal conductivity, a heat-transfer fluid passes the heat exchanger through the pressure chamber through a first opening, the compressor further comprises a connector comprising an annular-shaped section, the annular-shaped section providing a sealed connection between the heat exchanger and the pressure chamber, and preventing a contact between the heat exchanger and the pressure chamber, the connector comprising a material with a fourth thermal conductivity lower than one tenth of the third thermal conductivity so as to thermally insulate the heat exchanger from the pressure chamber.