High Bulk-Density, Large Capacity Activated Carbons for Small-Scale Natural Gas Storage

Natural gas provides a clean and environmentally friendly fuel for electric power generation; however, the distribution network, and especially the storage system, is ill-suited for the projected gowth of natural gas for use in electical energy generation. This project will develop a natural gas (methane) storage system based on an innovative, high-bulk-density activated carbon that is especially designed with high adsorption capacity for methane. This adsorptive storage system would be well suited for small-scale residential and commercial users who currently use diesel generators as their backup, and for small- to mid-size electrical power generators that require some natural gas storage to meet peak electrical demands. Phase I demonstrated the feasibility of using a high bulk density activated carbon, synthesized with an appropriate distribution of micropores, to adsorb natural gas (methane) at ambient temperature and relatively low pressures. It was shown that a system based on this technology can store methane at a weight and volume that is comparable to a high-pressure cylinder, but at a fraction of the pressure. Phase II will continue the development of methane storage materials, develop primary material packaging, fabricate a prototype adsorbed-natural-gas storage system, and perform a pilot test of the prototype device Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The carbon-based natural gas storage system should allow residential, commercial, or small-scale power generators to store natural gas easily, without resorting to high-pressure designs. The storage system could be filled (or refilled) from a pipeline supplied by a single-stage compressor. Unlike liquefied natural gas storage systems, there would be no evaporative losses, and unlike liquefied natural gas and methane hydrate storage systems, the adsorptive storage does not require refrigeration, so there is no energy cost for storing the fuel. A highly-distributed natural gas storage network would improve the security and reliability of the natural gas supply. Finally, the room temperature and low-pressure system would provide inherent safety advantages