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

79763S 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 projected gowth in natural gas used for 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 new, small- to mid-size electrical power generators that require some natural gas storage to meet peak electrical demands. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of using a high bulk density activated carbon, synthesized with an appropriate distribution of micropores, to adsorb methane at ambient temperature and relatively low pressures. It will be shown that a system based on this technology can store methane at comparable weight and volume as a high-pressure cylinder, but at a fraction of the pressure. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The carbon-based methane storage system should permit a residential, commercial or small-scale power generator to store natural gas easily, without resorting to high-pressure designs. The storage system could be filled (refilled) from the users pipeline supply by a single-stage compressor. Unlike LNG storage systems, there would be no evaporative losses, and unlike both LNG and methane hydrate storage systems, the adsorptive storage would not require refrigeration, so there would be no energy cost for storing the fuel. Adsorptive systems lend themselves well to highly distributed natural gas storage. The inherent safety advantages of the room temperature and low-pressure nature adsorbent-based system, coupled with the low volume and weight, should make this the preferred technology for transportation applications.