Hydrogen Storage

An application-specific issue.

Hydrogen Storage Overview

Physical storage of H2
Compressed Cryogenically liquified Metal Hydride (sponge) Carbon nanofibers

Chemical storage of hydrogen

Sodium borohydride Ammonia Methanol Alkali metal hydrides Solar Zinc production Alkali metal hydride slurry

New emerging methods

Amminex tablets DADB (predicted)

Compressed

Volumetrically and Gravimetrically inefficient, but the technology is simple, so by far the most common in small to medium sized applications. 3500, 5000, 10,000 psi variants.

Liquid (Cryogenic)

Compressed, chilled, filtered, condensed Boils at 22K (-251 C). Gravimetrically and volumetrically efficient Slow waste evaporation but very costly to compress Kept at 1 atm or just slightly over.

Metal Hydrides (sponge)

Sold by Interpower in Germany Filled with HYDRALLOY E60/0 (TiFeH2) Technically a chemical reaction, but acts like a physical storage method Hydrogen is absorbed like in a sponge. Operates at 3-30 atm, much lower than 200-700 for compressed gas tanks Comparatively very heavy, but with good volumetric efficiency, good for small storage, or where weight doesnt matter

Carbon Nanofibers

Complex structure presents a large surface area for hydrogen to dissolve into Early claim set the standard of 65 kgH2/m2 and 6.5 % by weight as a goal to beat The claim turned out not to be repeatable Research continues

Methanol

Broken down by reformer, yields CO, CO2, and H2 gas. Very common hydrogen transport method Distribution infrastructure exists same as gasoline

Ammonia

Slightly higher volumetric efficiency than methanol Must be catalyzed at 800-900 deg. C for hydrogen release Toxic Usually transported as a liquid, at 8 atm. Some Ammonia remains in the catalyzed hydrogen stream, forming salts in PEM cells that destroy the cells Many drawbacks, thus Methanol considered to be a better solution

Alkali Metal Hydrides

Powerball company, makes small (3 mm) coated NaH spheres. Spheres cut and exposed to water as needed H2 gas released Produces hydroxide solution waste

Sodium Borohydrate

Sodium Borohydrate is the most popular of many hydrate solutions Solution passed through a catalyst to release H2 Commonly a one-way process (sodium metaborate must be returned if recycling is desired.) Some alternative hydrates are too expensive or toxic The Millennium Cell company uses Sodium Borohydrate technology

Amminex

Essentially an Ammonia storage method Ammonia stored in a salt matrix, very stable Ammonia separated & catalyzed for use Likely to have non-catalyzed ammonia in hydrogen stream Ammonia poisoning contraindicates use with PEM fuel cells, but compatible with alkaline fuel cells.

Amminex

High density, but relies on ammonia production for fuel. Represents an improvement on ammonia storage, which still must be catalyzed. Ammonia process still problematic.

Diammoniate of Diborane (DADB)

So far, just a computer simulation. Compound discovered via exploration of Nitrogen/Boron/Hydrogen compounds (i.e. similar to Ammonia Borane) Thermodynamic properties point towards spontaneous hydrogen re-uptake would make DADB reusable (vs. other borohydrates)

Solar Zinc production

Isreli research effort utilizes solar furnace to produce pure Zinc Zinc powder can be easily transported Zinc can be combined with water to produce H2 Alternatively could be made into Zinc-Air batteries (at higher energy efficiency)

Alkaline metal hydride slurry

SafeHydrogen, LLC Concept proven with Lithium Hydride, now working on magnesium hydride slurry Like a PowerBall slurry Hydroxide slurry to be re-collected to be recycled Competitive efficiency to Liquid H2

Storage Method Comparison

Sodium Hydride slurry DADB Amminex Zinc powder

.9 .1 - .2 9.1

1.0 .09-.1 .081

Must reclaim used slurry (numbers for plain diboraneand sodium borohydride, should be similar)

unsure

US DOE goal

9.0

.081

Early Adoption of inefficient system

Compressed Hydrogen is one of the least efficient both volumetrically and gravimetrically, but is currently the most common (because its a simple solution).

Credits

http://psych.ucsc.edu/faculty/kg/H2Spirit/images2.htm http://www.photos.gov.ca.gov/essay20.html http://www.amminex.com/index_files/Page344.htm http://www.h2interpower.de/deutsch/produkte/zubehoer.html#mhs20 http://www.pnl.gov/news/notes/transportation05.stm http://www.safehydrogen.com/technology.html http://www.isracast.com/tech_news/090905_tech.htm http://www.h2fc.com/industry/infra/storage.shtml Fuel Cell Systems Explained, by James Larminie and Andrew Dicks