METAL HYDROGEN STORAGE SYSTEMS Andrew Craft University of Hartford Department of Chemistry

Energy Sources Fossil Fuels Fossil Fuels –Coal –Petroleum –Natural Gas Alternative Energies Alternative Energies –Solar –Nuclear –Hydrogen –Others - E85, Wind, Hydroelectric, Geothermal

Fossil Fuels Very Dirty Very Dirty –Health –Environmental Limited Supply Limited Supply –2030? –2050? –Tomorrow?

Why Hydrogen? Most energetic non-nuclear fuel. Most energetic non-nuclear fuel. –2.5x as energetic as Natural Gas (methane) per gram. Burns clean Burns clean –2H 2 + O 2  2H 2 O Abundant as water. Abundant as water. –2H 2 O  2H 2 + O 2 Only basic technological changes needed. Only basic technological changes needed.

Why not Hydrogen as Fuel ? Little, if any, net useful energy Little, if any, net useful energy Flammability

metal hydrogen systems may be a solution

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

As the name implies, a metal hydrogen system results from the absorption of hydrogen by a metal. Once absorbed, the hydrogen is not flammable!!

Why Metal-Hydrides? Pacification of hydrogen = Not flammable! Pacification of hydrogen = Not flammable!

Things to worry about with Hydrogen Storage in Metals High storage capacity High storage capacity Fast charging & discharging Fast charging & discharging Cost (Who Killed The Electric Car?) Cost (Who Killed The Electric Car?) Non-extreme plateau pressures Non-extreme plateau pressures Long service life Long service life –cycling effects/ embrittlement –poisoning Activation Activation

Possible Applications of Metal Hydrogen Systems Fuel storage Fuel storage Fuel Cells Fuel Cells Batteries Batteries Refrigerators & heat pumps Refrigerators & heat pumps Isotopic separation & hydrogen purification Isotopic separation & hydrogen purification Window/Mirror technology ? Window/Mirror technology ?

HICE Cars FORD BMW

MAZDA CADILLAC

FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY Courtesy of Louisiana Tech University

HONDA CLARITY

The Governor Pumping Up

California Hydrogen Highway Courtesy of California Fuel Cell Partnership

We’re almost Famous! / 2859/ ) /

The End Acknowledgment: Petroleum Research Fund Thank You !