Hydrogen Storage Hydrogen Storage TechnologyTechnology

Thao T. DangThao T. DangChE 379 ChE 379 Dr. EdgarDr. Edgar9/28/059/28/05

The Energy SituationThe Energy Situation

• Oil is not an infinite resourceOil is not an infinite resource• Energy demands to double within Energy demands to double within

next 50 yearsnext 50 years• Alternative energy needed to help Alternative energy needed to help

meet future demandmeet future demand• US government set goal to have 30% US government set goal to have 30%

of petroleum fuel replaced by of petroleum fuel replaced by alternative energy sources by 2010alternative energy sources by 2010

Promise in HydrogenPromise in Hydrogen

• Energy Policy Act of 2005 supports Energy Policy Act of 2005 supports hydrogen fuel technologyhydrogen fuel technology

• Some fuel cell technologies have Some fuel cell technologies have potential to replace combustion power potential to replace combustion power plantsplants

• Fuel cells efficient and non-pollutingFuel cells efficient and non-polluting

• Roadblock to hydrogen economy is Roadblock to hydrogen economy is effective and safe hydrogen storage effective and safe hydrogen storage

Storage BackgroundStorage Background

• Compressed hydrogen dangerous; low Compressed hydrogen dangerous; low energy densityenergy density

• Liquefied hydrogen expensive; cooling and Liquefied hydrogen expensive; cooling and compressing results in loss of 30% of compressing results in loss of 30% of stored energystored energy

• Metal hydrides deliver hydrogen safely at Metal hydrides deliver hydrogen safely at constant pressure; sensitive to impurities; constant pressure; sensitive to impurities; store only up to 7 % of its weightstore only up to 7 % of its weight

• Liquid carrier storage uses fossil fuels as Liquid carrier storage uses fossil fuels as source of hydrogen; defeats purpose of source of hydrogen; defeats purpose of using alternative energyusing alternative energy

Chemically Stored HydrogenChemically Stored Hydrogen

• Chemical compounds Chemical compounds are utilized as are utilized as hydrogen storage unitshydrogen storage units

• Techniques include Techniques include ammonia cracking, ammonia cracking, partial oxidation, partial oxidation, methanol cracking, methanol cracking, etc. etc.

• Eliminates the need for Eliminates the need for a storage unit for the a storage unit for the hydrogen producedhydrogen produced

Carbon NanotubesCarbon Nanotubes

• Stores hydrogen in Stores hydrogen in pores of microscopic pores of microscopic tubes and within tube tubes and within tube structuresstructures

• Similar storage Similar storage mechanism as metal mechanism as metal hydrideshydrides

• Capable of storing Capable of storing 4.2% to 65% of their 4.2% to 65% of their own weight in own weight in hydrogenhydrogen

Economic FeasibilityEconomic Feasibility

• Researchers at OU developed cost Researchers at OU developed cost effective process for large-scale effective process for large-scale production of carbon nanotubes called production of carbon nanotubes called CoMoCATCoMoCAT

• Danish researchers at DTU say tablets are Danish researchers at DTU say tablets are safe and cheapsafe and cheap

• No data available on cost of storage No data available on cost of storage because many methods are in research because many methods are in research and development or testing stagesand development or testing stages

Government IssuesGovernment Issues

• Infrastructure is another obstacle on way Infrastructure is another obstacle on way to hydrogen economyto hydrogen economy

• Existing hydrogen fuel stations few and far Existing hydrogen fuel stations few and far between; only 73 worldwidebetween; only 73 worldwide

• Energy Act offers tax incentives for those Energy Act offers tax incentives for those who purchase energy efficient vehicleswho purchase energy efficient vehicles

-Fuel-Cell Vehicles: -Fuel-Cell Vehicles: up to $12,000 income tax creditup to $12,000 income tax credit-Alternative-Fuel Vehicles:-Alternative-Fuel Vehicles: up to $4,000 income tax creditup to $4,000 income tax credit

ConclusionsConclusions

• Safe storage of hydrogen possibleSafe storage of hydrogen possible

• Hydrogen economy still far from Hydrogen economy still far from realizationrealization

• Recent events and breakthroughs Recent events and breakthroughs may act as catalysts to shift away may act as catalysts to shift away from fossil fuelsfrom fossil fuels

Questions ??Questions ??

ReferencesReferences

• Fuel Cells 2000- Hydrogen Fueling Stations WorldwideFuel Cells 2000- Hydrogen Fueling Stations Worldwidehttp://www.fuelcells.org/info/charts/h2fuelingstations.pdfhttp://www.fuelcells.org/info/charts/h2fuelingstations.pdf

• Fuel Cell Store- Hydrogen StorageFuel Cell Store- Hydrogen Storagehttp://www.fuelcellstore.com/information/hydrogen_storage.html http://www.fuelcellstore.com/information/hydrogen_storage.html

• Science Daily- Danish Researchers Reveal New Hydrogen Storage Science Daily- Danish Researchers Reveal New Hydrogen Storage Technology Technology http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050907102549.htmhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050907102549.htm

• Smart Money- What the New Energy Bill Means For YouSmart Money- What the New Energy Bill Means For Youhttp://smartmoney.com/taxmatters/index.cfm?story=20050818http://smartmoney.com/taxmatters/index.cfm?story=20050818

• The Nanotube Site- OU: Large Scale Production of Single Walled The Nanotube Site- OU: Large Scale Production of Single Walled Nanotubes Nanotubes http://www.pa.msu.edu/cmp/csc/nanotube.htmlhttp://www.pa.msu.edu/cmp/csc/nanotube.html