Solid-state hydrogen storage systems

• US 7,279,222 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Limnia
• Original Assignee: Fuelsell Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Redmond, Scott D., Hearley, Andrew K.
• Primary Examiner(s): King; Roy
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAI, NGOCLAN THI
• Application Number:
  US10/851,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20040213998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 428/402, 428/403, 501/96.4, 501/133, 420/900, 429/218.2, 423/646
• US Class Current: 428/403
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 1/054 Nanosized particles
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 2202/13 Use of plasma
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 2998/00 Supplementary information concerning processes or compositions relating to powder metallurgy
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 2999/00 Aspects linked to processes or compositions used in powder metallurgy
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 3/1208 Containers or coating used therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 9/082 atomising using a fluid using centrifugal force B22F9/10
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/0078 Composite solid storage mediums, i.e. coherent or loose mixtures of different solid constituents, chemically or structurally heterogeneous solid masses, coated solids or solids having a chemically modified surface region
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/64 Nanometer sized, i.e. from 1-100 nanometer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 420/90 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2982 Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2991 Coated

Abstract

Improved hydrogen storage materials are disclosed. A first material comprises a hydrogen storage nanomaterial that contains nanoparticles or nanoparticle clusters of a metal that is capable of combining with hydrogen to form a metal hydride. The nanomaterials may be formed using a thermal spray process. A second material comprises a micro-sized support that contains a hydrogen storage material deposited thereon. The hydrogen storage material may comprise a thermal spray deposit formed on a fly ash particle. A third material comprises a hydrogen permeable container having a hydrogen storage material therein. The container may comprise a microparticle having an internal void (e.g., a fly ash cenosphere or glass microsphere) containing a hydrogen storage material that has been permeated therein. Alternatively, the container may comprise an enclosing layer formed over a hydrogen storage material. The enclosing layer may be a deposited protective layer formed over a particle of a hydrogen storage material.

Claims

1. A composition comprising a micro-sized support having a hydrogen storage material deposited thereon, wherein:

(i) the hydrogen storage material deposited on the support comprises a thermal spray deposit;

(ii) the hydrogen storage material comprises a metal that is capable of combining with hydrogen to form a metal hydride;

(iii) the thermal spray deposit comprises a plasma spray deposit; and

(iv) the support comprises a fly ash particle having a substantial internal void.

2. A composition comprising a micro-sized hydrogen permeable container having a hydrogen storage material contained therein, wherein the container comprises an enclosing layer containing a protective material selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, boron nitride, and a combination thereof, formed over a particle containing a metal hydrogen storage material that is capable of combining with hydrogen to form a metal hydride.

3. A method comprising forming a hydrogen storage material witbin a micro-sized hydrogen permeable container by permeating the hydrogen storage material into the container, wherein forming comprises permeating lithium into a substantial internal void of a fly ash particle.

4. A composition comprising a micro-sized hydrogen permeable container containing a hydrogen storage material formed therein by the method of claim 3.

5. A method comprising forming a hydrogen storage material within a micro-sized hydrogen permeable container by enclosing a particle containing the hydrogen storage material with a layer that is permeable to hydrogen when heated, wherein enclosing the particle comprises condensing a thermal spray over a surface of the particle.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising forming the particle from a thermal spray.