Hydrogen Delivery and Production; Off-Board Hydrogen Bulk Storage

The use of hydrogen as a fuel for transportation and stationary power applications has been identified as a clear path toward achieving two DOE goals: reducing the nation¿s dependence on imported petroleum and improving the environment through the reduction of fossil-fuel-related emissions. Although a safe, efficient, and low-cost hydrogen fuel infrastructure will be needed to promote widespread hydrogen use, the low density of compressed hydrogen gas and the high energy requirements for liquefaction are major roadblocks to implementing this infrastructure. This project will develop technology for the cost-effective storage and delivery of low temperature, high pressure (LTHP) hydrogen. The approach will take advantage of the density benefits of cold, compressed hydrogen without the high energy requirements of liquefied hydrogen. Additionally, the delivery of LTHP hydrogen to a hydrogen forecourt station (i.e., ¿fueling station¿) would mitigate problems associated with heat of compression during vehicle fills and thereby enable fast, safe, and cost-effective dispensing. Phase I will investigate such issues as multistage compression, low temperature refrigeration, insulated pressure tubes for a LTHP trailer, and vehicle filling compressor requirements. Then in Phase II, the cold hydrogen will be integrated with a subscale forecourt compression system and tested. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to the application to transportation, the concept also would have near-term applications for industrial hydrogen delivery (i.e. refineries, chemical plants, etc.) and government supported demonstrations (e.g., ¿H2 Power Park¿).