via Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
Recycled metal alloys allow circular economy for solid-state hydrogen storage
Not only the production of green hydrogen, but also its safe and compact storage is a major challenge for the energy transition. Metal hydrides could be a good solution – they can store large quantities of hydrogen in a small space. However, the mining and production of the up to now required high-purity materials emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. Researchers of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon now demonstrated, that hydrogen storage materials can also be produced from recycled industrial waste. The result: a significantly more climate-friendly production of hydrogen storage materials.
Whether it is cars, energy or mobile phones: modern society is built on metals and our future strongly depends on these materials, too. To store hydrogen in a safe, compact and still environmentally friendly way is still a major challenge. Metal hydrides could be an appealing solution, especially for those applications where the volume and safety of the storage system is an issue – for example, in stationary storages, in hydrogen refueling stations or ships – as they can provide a very high storage density. High-purity metals are commonly used to produce these storage materials. Despite their advantages, the mining and large-scale production of these materials is a heavy burden on the environment as they emit large amounts of greenhouse gases, not to speak of the impact of mining of the raw materials on the landscape itself. Researchers at the Hereon Institute of Hydrogen Technology have now shown that high-quality hydrogen storage materials can also be produced from less pure industrial metal wastes. These findings allow for the first time to use a circular economy strategy to produce metal hydrides. As a result, their production is much more environmentally friendly.
“The utilization of circular economy approaches to the production of hydrogen storage materials allows us to tackle the energy challenges that modern times pose to our society in a more sustainable manner, “says Dr Claudio Pistidda, scientist at the Hereon Institute of Hydrogen Technology.
Millions of tons of metal waste are generated each year. The recycling of these materials is crucial to mitigating the threat that the ever-increasing demand for metal poses to the economic growth of many countries. Although for most of the metal alloys used in industry, successful recycling methodologies are in place, a significant quantity of them are still lost. Producing metal hydrides from otherwise non-recyclable materials could capture large amounts of this industrial waste, as was shown by the Hereon scientists. Metal hydrides seem to be rather insensible to the exact alloy composition in contrast to metallic alloys, e.g. for high performance construction purposes.
“Our research opens up a new avenue for developing environmentally friendly materials for high-performance hydrogen storage applications,” says Dr Claudio Pistidda.
Background
Compared to common pressurized or liquid hydrogen tanks, metal hydrides are an appealing solution for storing hydrogen at low pressures and moderate temperatures in a safe and compact way. The metal compounds ground into fine powders have a high affinity for hydrogen. Once they are exposed to it, the high affinity leads to the break of the bonds between the two hydrogen atoms of the hydrogen molecule (H2). After that, the metals bond with the single hydrogen atoms resulting in hydride species. This process can easily be reversed by decreasing the before applied hydrogen pressure to create the metal hydrides or by increasing the temperature. So just like a sponge with water, the metal hydrides can bind hydrogen in astounding quantities and release it again quickly. At the Hereon Institute of Hydrogen Technology, scientists are creating nanostructured materials for hydrogen storage, looking into sustainable large-scale production methods, and evaluating these materials in real-world settings.
Original Article: Hydrogen storage materials from industrial waste
More from: Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Solid-state hydrogen storage
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries begins testing solid oxide electrolyzer cell for hydrogen production
The SOEC test module includes multiple cartridges of 500 cell stacks bundled together. MHI said results will be used to support higher output and capacity.
- Significant Improvement in Vanadium Grade in Phase 1 Sizing Metallurgical Testwork
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 25, 2024 / (TSXV:VLX) ("Velox" or "the Company") is pleased to provide an update on results received from its Phase 1 metallurgical testwork program completed on ...
- EQS-News: SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES Develops new Solutions for the Production of Solid-State Batteries
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES Develops new Solutions for the Production of Solid-State Batteries. Kahl am Main, April 25, 2024 - SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES has received a develo ...
- MHI Begins Operation of SOEC Test Module the Next-Generation High-Efficiency Hydrogen Production Technology at Takasago Hydrogen Park
TOKYO, Apr 25, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has started operation of a test module of the Solid Oxide Electrolysis ... areas according to functions for hydrogen ...
- Plug Continues to Make Substantial Advancement in Hydrogen Generation Buildout
Having already achieved nameplate capacity at Georgia and Tennessee with Louisiana on track to achieve mechanical completion by end of Q3 2024 Recalibrated hydrogen pricing continues to make solid ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Solid-state hydrogen storage
[google_news title=”” keyword=”solid-state hydrogen storage” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
High-performance hydrogen storage
- Really Cold Hydrogen Could Bring Driving Range Parity with Diesel
The time it takes to fuel a hydrogen-powered fuel cell truck is already on par with diesel. But there is still a yawning gap when it comes to comparable driving range.
- 6 Best Green Hydrogen Stocks and ETFs to Watch
Green hydrogen is made with renewably generated electricity used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen using a tool called an electrolyzer. Fuel cells essentially perform the reverse operation to ...
- ITRI Net Zero Day 2024 Showcases Hydrogen Innovation and Green Financing Solutions
The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) convened the 2024 ITRI Net Zero Day in Taipei, accelerating industry's transition to net-zero emissions. The event highlighted key innovations and ...
- 220 MW/440 MWh Nevada battery storage system now online at former coal site
Built on the site of a decommissioned coal-fired electric generating facility, the 220MW/440MWh grid-tied BESS, is a two-hour energy storage system.
- Hyliion and BayoTech Partner to Provide Sustainable Power with Hydrogen Hubs and the KARNO™ Generator
Hyliion Holdings Corp. (NYSE: HYLN) ("Hyliion"), a developer of sustainable electricity-producing technology, and BayoTech, an innovator in hydrogen production, transportation and storage solutions, ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
High-performance hydrogen storage
[google_news title=”” keyword=”high-performance hydrogen storage” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]