Case studies
Coated metal hydrides for energy storage applications
Hydrogen is accepted as an integral part of the move towards clean, sustainable energy systems. One of the main issues yet to be resolved in a commercially viable way is that of gas storage. The safest option is the use of solid hydrides that can absorb and release hydrogen on demand. However, storage systems must combine optimum gas kinetics with the practicalities of system manufacturing. This means that, while the move towards high surface to volume nano-particulates appears attractive, handling and containing these materials presents enormous difficulties.
An alternative approach was proposed and addressed successfully in a TSB TI Feasibility Study; this validated the concept that, for Mg (high T) and FeTi (low T) hydrides, coated large particles aided kinetics and required no activation. Larger particles allow good fluidisation of the beds aiding permeation and the coatings meant that they could be handled safely in air.
The proposed project aims to build on this technology by integrating other hydrides, catalysts and conducting fillers into the powders to address specific requirements (eg kinetics) by providing diffusion pathways and improved thermal conductivity. This will result in innovative advanced materials that can be tested on real systems.
There is a wide range of potential applications for the developed technology; initial applications are in static energy storage systems. It is intended to demonstrate the technology by utilising it in: (1) the exothermic-endothermic hydrogenation-dehydrogenation cycle as a heat store for concentrated solar power and (2) domestic heat stores, (3) static hydrogen storage for capturing excess electricity generation.
Other funded work includes two funded SPARK awards from the Biosciences KTN to investigate the use of Soda-Lo ® in cheese with Reeseheath College and the measurement of the activity of vitamin k2 with The University of Nottingham.