Metal Hydrides for Fuel Cell Storage

Enhancing and controlling deuterium loading reactions in metals like palladium for applications like hydrogen storage, fuel cells, and nuclear fusion. The technique involves a two-stage loading process with a barrier to increase reaction rates. In the first stage, deuterons are loaded into the metal cathode from an anode at high efficiency. Then, in the second stage, a barrier is added to obstruct isotopic fuel flow. This triggers a sudden, rapid release of hydrogen within the metal due to catastrophic desaturation of the lattice. The barrier prevents loss of the loaded cathode. The technique improves reaction rates, reduces charging times, and enables higher concentrations compared to traditional loading methods.

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Integrated hydrogen energy storage and distribution system that uses thermal coupling between the electrolyzer, metal hydride storage, and fuel cell modules to improve efficiency by utilizing and reusing thermal energy. The modules are connected so that heat released during exothermic reactions can be used to supplement heating needs during endothermic reactions. This avoids wasting heat and enables more efficient overall operation. The system is coordinated by a computer that balances hydrogen storage, production, and consumption based on demands.

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A magnesium-based composite material for hydrogen storage applications with improved reversible hydrogen storage capacity, hydrogen absorption rate, and hydrogen desorption rate compared to pure magnesium. The composite consists of a magnesium-based solid solution with catalytic metals like aluminum, zinc, zirconium, etc. and carbon nanotubes, mixed with an amorphous additive containing catalytic metals like zirconium, nickel, etc. and carbon nanotubes. The composite is formed by casting, severe plastic deformation, and high-energy ball milling. The composite has a higher reversible hydrogen storage capacity, faster hydrogen absorption and desorption rates, and lower working temperature than pure magnesium.

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A reversible hydrogen storage and production system for fuel cells that allows efficient storage and release of hydrogen produced by the cell. The system uses two storage devices, one with a material that absorbs hydrogen at low pressure and another with a material that absorbs hydrogen at higher pressure. When the fuel cell operates in the hydrogen production mode, it transfers heat to the lower pressure storage device to absorb more hydrogen. This higher pressure hydrogen is then transferred to the fuel cell. The lower pressure storage device is recharged by releasing hydrogen at lower pressure. This allows maximizing hydrogen storage capacity while keeping the fuel cell operating at optimal conditions.

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High-capacity, easily activated hydrogen storage alloy and a preparation method for it. The alloy is a 46FF552L81-based composition with specific atomic ratios: 71.15% yYxPryFe0.75Mn0.352mzrzBim, where x, y, z, m are atomic ratios with values 0.01WxW0.04, 0.01WyW0.04, 0.05WzW0.20, 0.01WmW0.04. The alloy has a nanocrystalline structure with a grain size of 40-60nm and high defect density. The alloy contains both TiFe and ZrMn phases for improved hydrogen storage capacity and activation.

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Hydrogen storage system for fuel cell vehicles that improves energy density compared to traditional hydrogen storage methods. The system uses a reactor to convert metal powder into hydrogen gas and metal oxide using steam generated from the fuel cell's exhaust water. The metal powder is heated to melt, then mixed with steam in the reactor to react and produce hydrogen. This allows storing more hydrogen by using the metal as an intermediate instead of pure hydrogen. The metal oxide can be stored separately.

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A metal hydride alloy for storing hydrogen with high capacity and low hysteresis suitable for combined hydrogen storage and compression applications. The alloy has a specific composition of 1.8-2.2% yttrium (Y), 0.1-0.2% cerium (Ce), and the balance zirconium (Zr) and nickel (Ni). The alloy is prepared by rapid solidification in rotating roll tempering melt to form flakes. The alloy has improved hydrogen absorption and desorption properties compared to conventional AB2 alloys, with lower hysteresis and higher reversibility. The rotating roll tempering melt method allows for controlled segregation of the elements during solidification to optimize the alloy structure for hydrogen storage.

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Hydrogen storage materials for use in low temperature environments like -20°C that have high hydrogen storage capacity, small hysteresis, and favorable plateau flatness. The materials are rare earth-transition metal alloys like LaCeSmNiMnCoAl with compositions optimized for low temperature performance. They have large hydrogen absorption and desorption capacities, small hysteresis between absorption and desorption isotherms, and square-shaped isotherms for easy hydrogen release. The materials are suitable for hydrogen storage tanks in cold areas and hydrogen compressors where high desorption pressures are needed at low temperatures.

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Hydrogen storage arrangement for vehicles to increase range by reducing hydrogen loss and weight. It uses two storage containers - a first for liquid/cryo hydrogen and a second for metal hydride. Boil-off from the first container goes to the second. A valve releases excess boil-off to atmosphere if the second is full. This prevents hydrogen loss compared to just liquid storage. The metal hydride reduces weight compared to just metal hydride storage.

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Power plant with fuel cells using hydrogen storage devices containing intermetallic alloys, cooled during absorption with liquid hydrogen-containing fuel and heated during desorption with reaction water from the fuel cells. The power plant has multiple hydrogen storage tanks, each alternating between absorption and desorption. This allows simultaneous hydrogen absorption and desorption without needing separate tanks for each process. The cooling and heating sources are provided by the liquid hydrogen fuel and reaction water respectively, improving safety and efficiency compared to external cooling/heating.

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Integrated system for purifying, storing, and pressurizing hydrogen using metal hydride reactors. The system has multiple metal hydride reactors with different pressure ratings connected in stages. Hydrogen purification, storage, and pressurization is achieved by cycling between absorption and desorption reactions in the reactors using a common heat source. The reactors are heated to absorb hydrogen, then cooled to desorb it at higher pressure. Impurity tail gas is purged between stages using hydrogen from the storage tank. The multi-stage setup allows continuous purification and pressurization of hydrogen at different levels without separate filling stations.

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Efficiently powering electric vehicles like drones using hydrogen fuel cells with solid hydrogen storage materials. The system uses a metal hydride in a container as the hydrogen source. A heater heats the metal hydride to release hydrogen into a storage tank. A pressure sensor monitors tank pressure and the heater controller powers the heater based on the sensor. This ensures optimal hydrogen flow to the fuel cell without overpressure. The fuel cell powers the vehicle motor using the hydrogen from the tank. The solid hydrogen storage allows higher hydrogen density compared to compressed gas for longer range.

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Hydrogen fuel cell system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that uses solid-state hydrogen storage instead of compressed gas cylinders to significantly increase flight times. The system includes a metal hydride fuel vessel, a hydrogen tank, a pressure sensor, a heater, and a fuel cell. The heater is controlled based on tank pressure to release hydrogen from the solid storage. This enables efficient hydrogen supply from the metal hydride without the bulk and safety concerns of compressed gas. A pressure sensor monitors the tank, and a controller powers the heater when needed to provide hydrogen to the fuel cell.

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A system to efficiently provide hydrogen for solid oxide fuel cells using waste heat from the cells themselves. The system involves a magnesium-based solid-state hydrogen storage device that can release hydrogen at high temperatures. The hydrogen storage device is integrated with the fuel cell system, allowing the cells' exhaust gas to heat the storage material and release hydrogen. Diverters, pumps, and heat exchangers are used to circulate the hot exhaust gas and transfer heat to the storage device. This provides a self-sufficient hydrogen supply using the fuel cell's waste heat.

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A method for solid-state hydrogen storage at normal temperature and pressure using materials that can reversibly absorb and release hydrogen without compression. The method involves using materials like rare earth metals, magnesium, and certain alloys that can store hydrogen at ambient conditions. The hydrogen is absorbed into the material's lattice structure at low hydrogen pressures, and can be released by heating or reducing the pressure. This allows safe and convenient storage and transportation of hydrogen without the need for high-pressure tanks.

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A hydrogen storage tank for a fuel cell system that provides a high capacity hydrogen storage solution with reduced metal hydride leakage compared to existing tanks. The tank has a pressure-resistant container with a metal hydride inside that absorbs and releases hydrogen. The metal hydride is fixed within a porous matrix material. This prevents metal hydride particles from dislodging and leaking out of the tank.

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An integrated hydrogen storage alloy hydrogen fuel cell system that uses the heat released during hydrogen absorption by the storage alloy to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption compared to traditional fuel cell systems. The system has a fuel cell stack, hydrogen storage tank, hydrogen supply device, air supply device, heat exchange cycle device, and control device. The hydrogen storage tank contains a hydrogen-absorbing alloy. During dehydrogenation, an electric heater at the tank outlet heats the alloy to increase hydrogen desorption. The heat exchange cycle transfers heat between the tank and stack. During hydrogenation, the tank releases heat to the stack. This avoids the need for bulky radiators and allows using the tank as a heat sink.

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Hydrogen storage materials with improved hydrogen storage properties for hydrogen storage applications. The materials have compositions containing specific rare earth elements and transition metals like La, Ce, Sm, Ni, Mn, Co, and have low hysteresis between absorption and desorption pressure-composition isotherms. This provides good squareness in the desorption isotherm, large hydrogen storage capacity, and stable desorption pressure. The materials are suitable for hydrogen storage at moderate temperatures and can be prepared by casting methods.

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Pressure regulating hydrogen storage system for efficient hydrogen transportation and supply at industrial applications. The system has a pressure regulating hydrogen storage device with multiple tanks filled with metal hydrides. The tanks are connected in series along a hydrogen pipeline. The tank group with lower hydrogen storage capacity operates at lower pressure. This allows high pressure hydrogen from the pipeline to be efficiently transferred to the load without needing high pressure storage. The tanks can be cooled for better hydrogen absorption. The system has control to manage tank filling, discharging, and temperature regulation. It also has a purification unit for pipeline hydrogen. This enables matching pipeline hydrogen pressure to loads, reducing energy consumption compared to high pressure storage.

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A hydrogen storage system using hydrogen storage alloys that can quickly and efficiently store and supply hydrogen for fuel cells. The system uses refrigerant or heat to cool or heat the hydrogen storage alloy, allowing rapid hydrogen uptake and release. This allows hydrogen storage capacity to be increased compared to just using the alloy at ambient temperature. The alloy is embedded in multiple tanks with a main storage tank and sub-storage tanks. A refrigerant circulates through the tanks to cool/heat the alloy. This allows quick hydrogen charging and discharging with consistent hydrogen pressure.

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