Passive purification in metal hydride storage apparatus
US6508866B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S420/90
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Heat exchangers, hydrogen gas compressors, hydrogen gas storage devices, hydrogen gas purifiers and metal hydride air conditioners utilizing a flow of a hydrogen gas stream which is absorbed and desorbed by a metal hydride causes disproportionation and “poisoning” of the metal hydrides by introduction of impurities such as water vapor, oxygen and carbon monoxide. Use of a noble metal in powder form, when introduced in the metal hydride particles has been found to act as a catalyst and to delay absorption of the impurities in the metal hydride, and further permits the more efficient and longer use of such devices by inhibiting the undesirable disproportionation and poisoning. In another embodiment, a vent is provided in the initial stage of a hydrogen compressor to vent out the impurities before these result in decreasing efficiency of the devices due to disproportionation, poisoning and increased vapor pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.