Hydrogen storage and supply system

• US 20050183424A1
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nanomix Incorporated (CJY Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Nanomix Incorporated (CJY Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bradley, Keith, Wyatt, Jeff, Gruner, George, Jhi, Seung-Hoon, Gabriel, Jean-Christophe, Kwon, Young-Kyun
• Granted Patent: US 7,036,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/46.100
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 11/005 for hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/45 Hydrogen technologies in production processes

Abstract

This invention provides for an apparatus and a method for operation of a cryogenic hydrogen storage system that contains a porous medium configured to adsorb hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and supply system includes a hydrogen source apparatus and a cryosorptive storage apparatus. Methods and devices that allow for an energy efficient filling of the cryosorptive apparatus from the hydrogen source apparatus are described. The cryosorptive hydrogen storage apparatus is filled with cold, pressurized hydrogen. During the course of filling, heat is generated in the cryosorptive storage device by the process of hydrogen adsorption on to the host medium. Methods and devices are provided for the removal the generated heat and the warm hydrogen. Further provided are devices and methods for the capture and recycle of escaped hydrogen within the hydrogen source apparatus.

Claims

1. A hydrogen storage and supply system comprising:

a first hydrogen storage tank;

a second hydrogen storage tank comprising an inlet configured to receive hydrogen from the source tank;

a porous medium contained by the second hydrogen storage tank, the medium having a surface area of at least about 900 m²/g; and

an outlet on the second hydrogen storage tank configured to release hydrogen.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a return line extending from the outlet on the second hydrogen tank to an inlet on the first hydrogen tank.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the medium is comprises activated carbon and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Li, Be, B, N, O, and F.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the first hydrogen storage tank and the second hydrogen storage tank are mounted on separate platforms.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first hydrogen storage tank and the second hydrogen storage tank are mounted on a common platform.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising

a delivery line configured to convey hydrogen from the first hydrogen storage tank to the second hydrogen storage tank.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the hydrogen delivered from the first tank is cold pressurized hydrogen.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the hydrogen delivered from the first tank is liquid hydrogen.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising a hydrogen purification unit situated within the line configured to convey hydrogen from the first hydrogen storage tank to the second hydrogen storage tank.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the hydrogen purification unit comprises a palladium membrane purifier.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the hydrogen purification unit comprises a packed column of activated carbon.

20. The system of claim 12, further comprising a refrigerating unit and a compressing unit through which hydrogen flows prior to entry into the first hydrogen storage tank.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the porous medium further comprises a system of interconnected passages configured for efficient hydrogen flow.

4. (canceled)

7. A hydrogen storage and supply system comprising:

a hydrogen source tank;

a recipient hydrogen storage tank containing a high surface area porous medium, the tank configured to receive hydrogen from the source tank; and

an outlet on the recipient hydrogen storage tank configured to release warm hydrogen.

8. The hydrogen storage and supply system of claim 7, wherein the warm hydrogen is returned to the hydrogen source tank.

9. The hydrogen storage and supply system of claim 7, wherein the warm hydrogen is removed from the system.

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

18-19. -19. (canceled)

21-22. -22. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. A method for filling a cryosorptive hydrogen storage system including the steps of:

flowing cold, pressurized hydrogen from a hydrogen source apparatus;

receiving the cold pressurized hydrogen from the hydrogen source apparatus into a cryosorptive storage tank containing a porous medium;

adsorbing a least some of the cold hydrogen onto the porous medium; and

returning overflow hydrogen from the cryosorptive tank back to the hydrogen source.

26. The method of claim 25, further including the steps of:

cooling and compressing the hydrogen returned to the hydrogen storage apparatus; and

storing the cooled and compressed hydrogen in a hydrogen storage tank within the hydrogen source apparatus.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the returning step further comprises

returning a mixture of unabsorbed overflow hydrogen and warm hydrogen generated within the cryosorptive tank from the cryosorptive tank back to the hydrogen source apparatus.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the adsorbing step further comprises adsorbing onto the medium comprising carbon and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Li. Be, B, N, O, and F.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the flowing step further comprises flowing the cold, pressurized hydrogen in a liquid state.

28. (canceled)

31-33. -33. (canceled)