Safe Packaging of Ammonia for Compact Hydrogen Sources (7263-470)

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to build a safe, low pressure ammonia storage and delivery system using Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as adsorption materials. MOFs are self assembled organic inorganic hybrid materials that are low density,nanoporous crystalline solids. In the Phase I effort, PSI has demonstrated that these materials can store at least 63 wt% ammonia at 100 psi (6.8 atm). This ammonia storage capacity corresponds to an energy density of 1.9 kWhe/kg for the fully chargedMOF material. In addition, these materials retain nearly 80% of the total ammonia adsorbed at pressures as low as 1 atm. Based on the data obtained in the Phase I effort, PSI will synthesize new MOF materials with expected capacities of up to 78 wt%ammonia, corresponding to an energy density of 2.3 kWhe/kg. Phase II team member Prof. Omar Yaghi, the developer of MOFs, will assist in the synthesis and characterization of new MOF materials. When combined with a lightweight storage container, theenergy density of the ammonia storage and delivery system should reach 2.1 kWhe/kg. PSI will tailor the ammonia delivery system to work with an ammonia reformer purchased from MesoFuel, IncThe major benefits of the proposed energy storage design arehigher power and specific energy densities than are attainable using batteries. Successful development of this energy storage system will find widespread use for power generation in portable tools, communication equipment, and remote and emergency powerapplications.