Hydrogen.gov | A. High-Pressure Gas-Phase Storage

A. High-Pressure Gas-Phase Storage

Goals (2010 EERE): Cost ($67/kg-H2 = $2/kWh net), System Volumetric Density (0.081 kg-H2/lit), System Gravimetric Density (9 wt%), Efficiency, Durability

1. Outer/Inner Tank
Description: 10,000 psi compressed storage tanks

a) Hydrogen-resistant liner materials
Goals: Low cost, Reduced hydrogen gas permeation, Weight, Volume, Performance

i. Metal ceramic composites

ii. Improved resins

iii. Fibers

b) Fabrication processes

c) Carbon fiber/epoxy over-wrap

i. Polymer aerogel composites

ii. Nano composite elctro-spun fibers
Description: Lightweight

iii. Carbon fiber/epoxy over-wrap

iv. Clay nanocomposites
Description: Linerless tanks
Goal: Reduce hydrogen permeability

d) Conformable tank design

i. Integral reinforcements
Description: Improves mechanical strength

2. Balance-of-Plant Components
Goal: Reduce cost, Reduce weight, Enable complete and rapid refueling within material temperature constraints

a) “Smart Tank” Sensors

i. Develop early warning sensors to predict potential failures in smart tanks.

b) Leak detectors
Goals: Increase operating temperature, Reduce size, Reduce system complexity, Eliminate electrical system

i. MEMS-based

ii. Pd alloy resistors/diodes

iii. Nano-Pd resistors

iv. Silica carbide

v. Wireless

vi. Fiber optic sensors (Bragg cells)

3. Novel Systems

a) Solid-state / compressed tank hybrid
Description: Combine compressed gas technologies and reversible, solid-state storage materials.

4. System Analysis
Description: Compare compressed tanks to cryogenic, carbon, metal hydride, and chemical hydride systems for storage of hydrogen on vehicles.

a) Technical metric

i. Fuel costs

ii. Infrastructure costs

iii. Energy efficiency

iv. Weight density

v. Volume density

vi. Charge/discharge performance

vii. Durability

b) Testing and Life-cycle analysis

i. Operational factors

ii. Failure modes

iii. Safety

5. Demonstrations

a) Fueling station Description: Incorporate promising compression and storage technologies into an integrated H2 production, building power, and fueling system, at distributed locations (see V.D.2 for a complete description).
Goal: Evaluate technology approaches, including costs, of mechanical and other methods of hydrogen compression to 10000 psi and stationary storage to support vehicle fueling.

i. Safety and security

ii. Failure modes and modeling

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