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US 10,646,821 B2Granted
Hydrogen sensing and separation
AssigneeAlliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
InventorGregory C. Glatzmaier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques for hydrogen sensing and mitigation are provided. As one example, a device includes a chamber and a membrane that is permeable to a first gas and is impermeable to a second gas. The membrane separates the chamber from a gas mixture that contains the first gas, such that the first gas in the gas mixture can only enter the chamber via the membrane. The device also includes a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure within the chamber.
Claims18
A device comprising:
- a chamber;
- a membrane that is permeable to a first gas and is impermeable to a second gas, wherein the membrane separates the chamber from a gas mixture that contains the first gas, such that the first gas in the gas mixture can only enter the chamber via the membrane;
- a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure within the chamber;
- a vacuum pump coupled to the chamber to pump the first gas in the chamber out of the chamber via an outlet other than through the membrane;
- and
- a valve coupled to the chamber and disposed between the chamber and the vacuum pump, the valve being operable to allow or disallow the first gas in the chamber to flow out of the chamber via the outlet.
3 more elements
A device comprising:
- a cylindrical housing comprising:
- a gas mixture inlet at a first end of the cylindrical housing configured to receive an input of gas mixture that comprises a first gas and a second gas;
- a mixture chamber;
- and
- a gas mixture outlet near a second end of the cylindrical housing configured to output the gas mixture;
- a cylindrical membrane comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being closed and the second end being open, wherein:
- the cylindrical membrane is disposed in the mixture chamber, coaxially to the cylindrical housing, such that the second end of the cylindrical membrane contacts the second end of the cylindrical housing, thereby forming a permeate chamber such that the first gas in the gas mixture can only enter the permeate chamber through the membrane, and
- the cylindrical membrane is permeable to the first gas and impermeable to the second gas,
- wherein the cylindrical housing further comprises a permeate gas outlet at the second end of the cylindrical housing, configured to output the first gas from the permeate chamber;
- a first pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure within the permeate chamber;
- a second pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure within the mixture chamber;
- a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the first gas within the permeate chamber;
- a vacuum pump coupled to the permeate gas outlet, operable to draw the first gas in the permeate chamber out through the permeate gas outlet;
- and
- a valve operable to allow or disallow the first gas in the permeate chamber to flow out of the permeate chamber via the permeate gas outlet.
12 more elements
A system comprising:
- a generator configured to:
- receive a heat transfer fluid (HTF);
- and
- convert heat energy contained in the HTF into electrical energy;
- an expansion tank configured to receive, from the generator, the HTF;
- a flow loop comprising a plurality of heat collection units and a hydrogen monitoring unit, the flow loop being configured to:
- receive, from the expansion tank, the HTF;
- and
- output, to the generator, the HTF,
- wherein each of the plurality of heat collection units comprises:
- a first receiver tube that is configured to receive the HTF and heat the HTF using solar energy;
- a first annulus that substantially surrounds the first receiver tube, wherein the first receiver tube is coated with a hydrogen barrier coating that reduces the ability of hydrogen gas to permeate from the receiver tube into the first annulus;
- and
- getter material, disposed within the first annulus, configured to absorb hydrogen gas in the first annulus, and
- wherein the hydrogen monitoring unit comprises:
- a second receiver tube that is configured to receive the HTF and heat the HTF using solar energy;
- a second annulus that substantially surrounds the second receiver tube, wherein the second receiver tube is not coated with the hydrogen barrier coating and wherein the second annulus does not contain the getter material;
- and
- a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the second annulus.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.