1. Hydrogen Storage Technology Thao T. Dang ChE 379 Dr. Edgar 9/28/05

2. The Energy Situation Oil is not an infinite resource Oil is not an infinite resource Energy demands to double within next 50 years Energy demands to double within next 50 years Alternative energy needed to help meet future demand Alternative energy needed to help meet future demand US government set goal to have 30% of petroleum fuel replaced by alternative energy sources by 2010 US government set goal to have 30% of petroleum fuel replaced by alternative energy sources by 2010

3. Promise in Hydrogen Energy Policy Act of 2005 supports hydrogen fuel technology Energy Policy Act of 2005 supports hydrogen fuel technology Some fuel cell technologies have potential to replace combustion power plants Some fuel cell technologies have potential to replace combustion power plants Fuel cells efficient and non-polluting Fuel cells efficient and non-polluting Roadblock to hydrogen economy is effective and safe hydrogen storage Roadblock to hydrogen economy is effective and safe hydrogen storage

4. Storage Background Compressed hydrogen dangerous; low energy density Compressed hydrogen dangerous; low energy density Liquefied hydrogen expensive; cooling and compressing results in loss of 30% of stored energy Liquefied hydrogen expensive; cooling and compressing results in loss of 30% of stored energy Metal hydrides deliver hydrogen safely at constant pressure; sensitive to impurities; store only up to 7 % of its weight Metal hydrides deliver hydrogen safely at constant pressure; sensitive to impurities; store only up to 7 % of its weight Liquid carrier storage uses fossil fuels as source of hydrogen; defeats purpose of using alternative energy Liquid carrier storage uses fossil fuels as source of hydrogen; defeats purpose of using alternative energy

5. Chemically Stored Hydrogen Chemical compounds are utilized as hydrogen storage units Chemical compounds are utilized as hydrogen storage units Techniques include ammonia cracking, partial oxidation, methanol cracking, etc. Techniques include ammonia cracking, partial oxidation, methanol cracking, etc. Eliminates the need for a storage unit for the hydrogen produced Eliminates the need for a storage unit for the hydrogen produced

6. Carbon Nanotubes Stores hydrogen in pores of microscopic tubes and within tube structures Stores hydrogen in pores of microscopic tubes and within tube structures Similar storage mechanism as metal hydrides Similar storage mechanism as metal hydrides Capable of storing 4.2% to 65% of their own weight in hydrogen Capable of storing 4.2% to 65% of their own weight in hydrogen

7. Economic Feasibility Researchers at OU developed cost effective process for large-scale production of carbon nanotubes called CoMoCAT Researchers at OU developed cost effective process for large-scale production of carbon nanotubes called CoMoCAT Danish researchers at DTU say tablets are safe and cheap Danish researchers at DTU say tablets are safe and cheap No data available on cost of storage because many methods are in research and development or testing stages No data available on cost of storage because many methods are in research and development or testing stages

8. Government Issues Infrastructure is another obstacle on way to hydrogen economy Infrastructure is another obstacle on way to hydrogen economy Existing hydrogen fuel stations few and far between; only 73 worldwide Existing hydrogen fuel stations few and far between; only 73 worldwide Energy Act offers tax incentives for those who purchase energy efficient vehicles Energy Act offers tax incentives for those who purchase energy efficient vehicles -Fuel-Cell Vehicles: up to $12,000 income tax credit up to $12,000 income tax credit -Alternative-Fuel Vehicles: up to $4,000 income tax credit up to $4,000 income tax credit

9. Conclusions Safe storage of hydrogen possible Safe storage of hydrogen possible Hydrogen economy still far from realization Hydrogen economy still far from realization Recent events and breakthroughs may act as catalysts to shift away from fossil fuels Recent events and breakthroughs may act as catalysts to shift away from fossil fuels

10. Questions ??

11. References Fuel Cells 2000- Hydrogen Fueling Stations Worldwide Fuel Cells 2000- Hydrogen Fueling Stations Worldwidehttp://www.fuelcells.org/info/charts/h2fuelingstations.pdf Fuel Cell Store- Hydrogen Storage Fuel Cell Store- Hydrogen Storagehttp://www.fuelcellstore.com/information/hydrogen_storage.html Science Daily- Danish Researchers Reveal New Hydrogen Storage Technology Science Daily- Danish Researchers Reveal New Hydrogen Storage Technologyhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050907102549.htm Smart Money- What the New Energy Bill Means For You Smart Money- What the New Energy Bill Means For Youhttp://smartmoney.com/taxmatters/index.cfm?story=20050818 The Nanotube Site- OU: Large Scale Production of Single Walled Nanotubes The Nanotube Site- OU: Large Scale Production of Single Walled Nanotubeshttp://www.pa.msu.edu/cmp/csc/nanotube.html