ABSTRACT
Hydrogen is considered a key fuel for the future, but the problems related to its storage is a major concern in further development. In fact, hydrogen storage is the key enabling technology that must be signifi cantly advanced in terms of performance and cost-effectiveness, if hydrogen is to become an important part of the world’s energy economy. Signifi cant research and development activities are being carried out to increase the effi ciency of hydrogen-storage systems to make them competitive with the current fossil fuels for transportation and stationary applications [1-31]. To develop and demonstrate viable hydrogen-storage technologies, a set of objectives have been proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) based on a driving range of 500 km (see Chapter 9). These objectives fi x a target of 2 kWh/kg (6 wt%) and $4/kWh for 2010, and of 3 kWh/kg (9 wt%) and $2/kWh for 2015 [7]. Possible current approaches to vehicular hydrogen storage include (a) physical storage via compression or liquefaction, (b) chemical storage in irreversible hydrogen carriers, (c) reversible metal and chemical hydrides, and (d) gas-on
solid adsorption. Although each storage method possesses some desirable attributes, no approach satisfi es all of the effi ciency, size, weight, cost, and safety requirements for automobile applications. Volumetric and mass performances of various storage methods are shown in Figure 12.1 [31].
