METAL METAL HYDROGEN HYDROGEN STORAGE STORAGE SYSTEMSSYSTEMS

Andrew CraftAndrew Craft

University of HartfordUniversity of Hartford

Department of ChemistryDepartment of Chemistry

Energy SourcesEnergy Sources

Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels– CoalCoal– PetroleumPetroleum– Natural GasNatural Gas

Alternative EnergiesAlternative Energies– SolarSolar– NuclearNuclear– HydrogenHydrogen– Others - E85, Wind, Hydroelectric, Others - E85, Wind, Hydroelectric,

GeothermalGeothermal

Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

Very DirtyVery Dirty– HealthHealth– EnvironmentalEnvironmental

Limited SupplyLimited Supply– 2030?2030?– 2050?2050?– Tomorrow?Tomorrow?

Why Hydrogen?Why Hydrogen?

Most energetic non-nuclear fuel.Most energetic non-nuclear fuel.– 2.5x as energetic as Natural Gas (methane) per 2.5x as energetic as Natural Gas (methane) per

gram.gram.

Burns cleanBurns clean– 2H2H22 + O + O22 2H 2H22OO

Abundant as water.Abundant as water.– 2H2H22O O 2H 2H22 + O + O22

Only basic technological changes needed.Only basic technological changes needed.

Why not Hydrogen as Fuel ?Why not Hydrogen as Fuel ?

Little, if any, net useful energyLittle, if any, net useful energy

Flammability

metal hydrogen systems may be a solution

Metal-Hydrogen Systems!Metal-Hydrogen Systems!

What is a Metal-Hydrogen System?What is a Metal-Hydrogen System?– a.k.a. Metal-Hydridea.k.a. Metal-Hydride

As the name implies, a metal As the name implies, a metal hydrogen system results from the hydrogen system results from the

absorption of hydrogen by a metal.absorption of hydrogen by a metal.

Once absorbed, the hydrogen is not flammable!!

Why Metal-Hydrides?Why Metal-Hydrides?

Pacification of hydrogen = Not Pacification of hydrogen = Not flammable!flammable!

Things to worry about with Things to worry about with Hydrogen Storage in MetalsHydrogen Storage in Metals

High storage capacityHigh storage capacity Fast charging & dischargingFast charging & discharging Cost (Cost (Who Killed The Electric Car?Who Killed The Electric Car?)) Non-extreme plateau pressuresNon-extreme plateau pressures Long service lifeLong service life

– cycling effects/ embrittlementcycling effects/ embrittlement– poisoningpoisoning

ActivationActivation

Possible Applications of Possible Applications of Metal Hydrogen SystemsMetal Hydrogen Systems

Fuel storage Fuel storage Fuel CellsFuel Cells BatteriesBatteries Refrigerators & heat pumpsRefrigerators & heat pumps Isotopic separation & hydrogen Isotopic separation & hydrogen

purificationpurification Window/Mirror technology ?Window/Mirror technology ?

HICE CarsHICE Cars

FORD

BMW

MAZDA

CADILLAC

FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY

Courtesy of Louisiana Tech University

HONDA CLARITYHONDA CLARITY

The Governor Pumping UpThe Governor Pumping Up

California Hydrogen California Hydrogen HighwayHighway

Courtesy of California Fuel Cell Partnership

We’re almost We’re almost Famous!Famous!

http://www.wfsb.com/video/19http://www.wfsb.com/video/19142859/142859/

) )

The EndThe EndAcknowledgment: Acknowledgment:

Petroleum Research Petroleum Research FundFund

Thank You !Thank You !