Hydrogen storage container

Abstract

A container configured for containing at least metallic particles, the metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen such that the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen, the container including an inner surface, comprising: a liner disposed within the container such that a void space is provided between the liner and the inner surface, wherein the liner engages the inner surface to substantially prevent ingress of metallic particles, when the metallic particles are contained in the container, into the void space. A method of assembling a container for containing metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen is provided and comprises a container including an inlet and an inner surface defining a container space, rolling a magnetically responsive liner about a mandrel so that the liner assumes a spiral configuration about the mandrel, when the liner is rolled about the mandrel inserting the liner into the container space through the inlet, releasing the liner from the mandrel, removing the mandrel from the container space through the inlet, applying a magnetic force sufficient to urge the liner against the inner surface of the container, when the magnetic force is acting on the liner, inserting a plurality of tubes into the container space through the inlet so as to urge the liner into engagement with the inner surface so as to define (i) a storage space configured to contain the metallic particles and (ii) a void space configured to contract as the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen, terminating the application of the magnetic force, and inserting a plurality of metallic particles into the storage space.

1 . A container configured for containing at least metallic particles, the metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen such that the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen, the container including an inner surface, comprising: 
 a liner disposed within the container such that a void space is provided between the liner and the inner surface;    wherein the liner engages the inner surface to substantially prevent ingress of metallic particles, when the metallic particles are contained in the container, into the void space.    
   
   
       2 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the liner is sufficiently flexible to deform in response to the expansion of the metallic particles.  
   
   
       3 . The container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the liner is shaped to define (i) a storage space configured to contain metallic particles and (ii) the void space, wherein the void space is configured to contract as the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of the hydrogen.  
   
   
       4 . The container as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the liner bears against the wall to substantially prevent ingress of the metallic particles into the void space from the storage space when the storage space contains the metallic particles.  
   
   
       5 . The container as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the liner abuts the wall to substantially prevent ingress of the metallic particles into the void space from the storage space when the storage space contains the metallic particles.  
   
   
       6 . The container as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the liner is urged against the wall to substantially prevent ingress of the metallic particles into the void space from the storage space when the storage space contains the metallic particles.  
   
   
       7 . The container as claimed in any of claims  4 ,  5 , or  6 , wherein the liner is sufficiently resilient such that the liner has a tendency to reverse at least a portion of the deformation in response to discharging of hydrogen from the metallic particles.  
   
   
       8 . The container as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the container includes a sidewall and an axis, the sidewall defining at least a portion of the inner surface and being spaced apart from and extending 360° about the axis in a plane, and wherein at least a portion of the liner is disposed between the sidewall and the axis and extends 360° about the axis in the plane.  
   
   
       9 . The container as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the at least a portion of the liner opposes the sidewall.  
   
   
       10 . The container as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the void space is disposed between the sidewall and the at least a portion of the liner.  
   
   
       11 . The container as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein each of the sidewall and the liner is substantially tubular.  
   
   
       12 . The container as claimed in claims  10  or  11 , wherein the liner includes corrugations defined by alternating ridges and grooves, each of the ridges and grooves extending transversely relative to the plane.  
   
   
       13 . The container as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the ridges is configured to contact the sidewall when the metallic particles are contained in the storage space.  
   
   
       14 . The container as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising a thermally conductive structure disposed in the storage space and in contact with the liner and configured for effecting heat transfer between the metallic particles and the liner.  
   
   
       15 . The container as claimed in any of claims  4 ,  5 , or  6 , wherein the liner includes corrugations defined by alternating ridges and grooves.  
   
   
       16 . The container as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the ridges contacts the sidewall.  
   
   
       17 . The container as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising a thermally conductive structure disposed in the storage space and in contact with the liner and configured for effecting heat transfer between the metallic particles and the liner.  
   
   
       18 . The container as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the thermally conductive structure urges the liner against the wall.  
   
   
       19 . The container as claimed in any of claims  4 ,  5  or  6 , further comprising a thermally conductive structure disposed in the storage space and in contact with the liner and configured for effecting heat transfer between the metallic particles and the liner.  
   
   
       20 . The container as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the thermally conductive structure urges the liner against the wall and effects the engagement of the liner with, or abutment or bearing of the liner against, the inner surface.  
   
   
       21 . The container as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the liner is stiffer than the container.  
   
   
       22 . A container configured for containing at least metallic particles and gaseous hydrogen, the metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen such that the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen, the container including an inner surface, comprising: 
 a liner disposed within the container such that a void space is provided between the liner and the inner surface;    wherein the liner engages the inner surface to limit ingress of metallic particles, when the metallic particles are contained in the container, into the void space.    
   
   
       23 . The container as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the liner is sufficiently flexible to deform in response to the expansion of the metallic particles.  
   
   
       24 . The container as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the liner is shaped to define (i) a storage space configured to contain metallic particles and (ii) the void space, wherein the void space is configured to contract as the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of the hydrogen.  
   
   
       25 . The container as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the liner bears against the wall to substantially prevent ingress of the metallic particles into the void space from the storage space when the storage space contains the metallic particles.  
   
   
       26 . The container as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the liner abuts the wall to substantially prevent ingress of the metallic particles into the void space from the storage space when the storage space contains the metallic particles.  
   
   
       27 . The container as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the liner is urged against the wall to substantially prevent ingress of the metallic particles into the void space from the storage space when the storage space contains the metallic particles.  
   
   
       28 . The container as claimed in any of claims  25 ,  26 , or  27 , wherein the liner is sufficiently resilient such that the liner has a tendency to reverse at least a portion of the deformation in response to discharging of hydrogen from the metallic particles.  
   
   
       29 . The container as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the container includes a sidewall and an axis, the sidewall defining at least a portion of the inner surface and being spaced apart from and extending 360° about the axis in a plane, and wherein at least a portion of the liner is disposed between the sidewall and the axis and extends 360° about the axis in the plane.  
   
   
       30 . The container as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the at least a portion of the liner opposes the sidewall.  
   
   
       31 . The container as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein at least a portion of the void space is disposed between the sidewall and the at least a portion of the liner.  
   
   
       32 . The container as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein each of the sidewall and the liner is substantially tubular.  
   
   
       33 . The container as claimed in claims  31  or  32 , wherein the liner includes corrugations defined by alternating ridges and grooves, each of the ridges and grooves extending transversely relative to the plane.  
   
   
       34 . The container as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein at least one of the ridges is configured to contact the sidewall when the metallic particles are contained in the storage space.  
   
   
       35 . The container as claimed in  claim 34 , further comprising a thermally conductive structure disposed in the storage space and in contact with the liner and configured for effecting heat transfer between the metallic particles and the liner.  
   
   
       36 . The container as claimed in any of claims  4 ,  5 , or  6 , wherein the liner includes corrugations defined by alternating ridges and grooves.  
   
   
       37 . The container as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein at least one of the ridges contacts the sidewall.  
   
   
       38 . The container as claimed in  claim 37 , further comprising a thermally conductive structure disposed in the storage space and in contact with the liner and configured for effecting heat transfer between the metallic particles and the liner.  
   
   
       39 . The container as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the thermally conductive structure urges the liner against the wall.  
   
   
       40 . The container as claimed in any of claims  25 ,  26 , or  27 , further comprising a thermally conductive structure disposed in the storage space and in contact with the liner and configured for effecting heat transfer between the metallic particles and the liner.  
   
   
       41 . The container as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the thermally conductive structure urges the liner against the wall and effects the engagement of the liner with, or abutment or bearing of the liner against, the inner surface.  
   
   
       42 . The container as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the liner is stiffer than the container.  
   
   
       43 . A container configured for containing at least metallic particles, the metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen such that the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen, the container defining a container space and including an inner surface, comprising: 
 a liner disposed within the container space and engaging the inner surface for defining (i) a storage space configured to contain the metallic particles and (ii) a void space configured to contract as the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen;    wherein, when the metallic particles are contained in the storage space, the engagement of the liner to the inner surface substantially prevents ingress of the metallic particles into the void space from the storage space.    
   
   
       44 . A container configured for containing at least gaseous hydrogen and metallic particles, the metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen such that the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen, the container defining a container space and including an inner surface, comprising: 
 a liner disposed within the container space and engaging the inner surface for defining (i) a storage space configured to contain the metallic particles and (ii) a void space configured to contract as the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen;    wherein, when the metallic particles are contained in the storage space, the engagement of the liner to the inner surface limits ingress of the metallic particles into the void space from the storage space.    
   
   
       45 . A method of assembling a container for containing metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen comprising: 
 providing a container including an inlet and an inner surface and defining a container space;    inserting a magnetically responsive liner into the container space through the inlet; and    applying a magnetic force sufficient to urge the liner against the inner surface of the container.    
   
   
       46 . The method as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the magnetic force is generated externally of the container.  
   
   
       47 . The method as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein the liner being inserted into the container space has a spiral configuration, and the application of the magnetic force effects expansion of the liner from the spiral configuration.  
   
   
       48 . The method as claimed in  claim 47 , further comprising the step of inserting a plurality of tubes into the container space through the inlet when the magnetic force is acting on the liner.  
   
   
       49 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the magnetic force is generated externally of the container.  
   
   
       50 . The method as claimed in  claim 49 , wherein the liner being inserted into the container space has a spiral configuration, and the application of the magnetic force effects expansion of the liner from the spiral configuration.  
   
   
       51 . A method of assembling a container for containing metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen comprising: 
 providing a container including an inlet and an inner surface and defining a container space;    inserting a magnetically responsive liner into the container space through the inlet;    applying a magnetic force sufficient to urge the liner against the inner surface of the container;    when the magnetic force is acting on the liner, inserting a plurality of tubes into the container space through the inlet so as to urge the liner into engagement with the inner surface so as to define (i) a storage space configured to contain the metallic particles and (ii) a void space configured to contract as the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen:    terminating the application of the magnetic force; and    inserting a plurality of metallic particles into the storage space.    
   
   
       52 . The method as claimed in  claim 51 , wherein the magnetic force is generated externally of the container.  
   
   
       53 . The method as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein the liner being inserted into the container space has a spiral configuration, and the application of the magnetic force effects expansion of the liner from the spiral configuration.  
   
   
       54 . A method of assembling a container for containing metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen comprising: 
 providing a container including an inlet and an inner surface and defining a container space;    rolling a magnetically responsive liner about a mandrel so that the liner assumes a spiral configuration about the mandrel;    when the liner is rolled about the mandrel, inserting the liner into the container space through the inlet;    releasing the liner from the mandrel;    removing the mandrel from the container space through the inlet; and    applying a magnetic force sufficient to urge the liner against the inner surface of the container.    
   
   
       55 . The method as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the magnetic force is generated externally of the container.  
   
   
       56 . The method as claimed in  claim 55 , wherein the liner being inserted into the container space has a spiral configuration, and the application of the magnetic force effects expansion of the liner from the spiral configuration.  
   
   
       57 . The method as claimed in  claim 56 , further comprising the step of inserting a plurality of tubes into the container space through the inlet when the magnetic force is acting on the liner.  
   
   
       58 . The method as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein the liner being inserted into the container space has a spiral configuration, and the application of the magnetic force effects expansion of the liner from the spiral configuration.  
   
   
       59 . A method of assembling a container for containing metallic particles capable of absorbing hydrogen comprising: 
 providing a container including an inlet and an inner surface and defining a container space;    rolling a magnetically responsive liner about a mandrel so that the liner assumes a spiral configuration about the mandrel;    when the liner is rolled about the mandrel inserting the liner into the container space through the inlet;    releasing the liner from the mandrel;    removing the mandrel from the container space through the inlet;    applying a magnetic force sufficient to urge the liner against the inner surface of the container;    when the magnetic force is acting on the liner, inserting a plurality of tubes into the container space through the inlet so as to urge the liner into engagement with the inner surface so as to define (i) a storage space configured to contain the metallic particles and (ii) a void space configured to contract as the metallic particles expand upon the absorption of hydrogen:    terminating the application of the magnetic force; and    inserting a plurality of metallic particles into the storage space.    
   
   
       60 . The method as claimed in  claim 59 , wherein the magnetic force is generated externally of the container.  
   
   
       61 . The method as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the liner being inserted into the container space has a spiral configuration, and the application of the magnetic force effects expansion of the liner from the spiral configuration.