Gas storage media, containers, and battery employing the media

a technology of gas storage media and media, applied in the direction of cell components, electrochemical generators, packaging goods types, etc., can solve the problems of reducing the volumetric density, reducing the storage capacity of such containers, and characterized by a relatively low energy density of hydrogen filled gas cylinders

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-02-17
KELLEY RONALD JAMES +3
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the required wall thickness required for a gas cylinder for storing a given pressure of hydrogen is such that hydrogen filled gas cylinders are characterized by a relatively low energy density (either in terms of mass or volume).
Unfortunately, after repeated charging and discharging, metal hydride forming materials tend to disintegrate into a powder that is relatively impermeable to hydrogen, and consequently the storage capacity of such containers dramatically decreases with use.
The disordered arrangement tends to decrease the volumetric density of the nanotubes and nanofibers, leaving a large amount of unutilized space.

Method used

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  • Gas storage media, containers, and battery employing the media
  • Gas storage media, containers, and battery employing the media
  • Gas storage media, containers, and battery employing the media

Examples

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embodiment 500

[0040]FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view of a filament 500 that is used in the hydrogen storage devices shown in FIGS. 1,2,7,8 and the battery shown in FIG. 10 according to a second alternative embodiment of the invention. The filament of the second alternative embodiment 500 includes carbon nanofibers and / or carbon nanontubes 502 embedded in a polymeric matrix 504. The polymeric matrix 504 preferably comprises a highly hydrogen permeable polymer. In particular, the polymeric matrix 504 preferably comprises silicone. Silicone has the added advantage that it is compliant and thus suitable for making a flexible fabric hydrogen storage medium. Compliance also allows the matrix 504 to accommodate dimensional changes of the carbon nanofibers and / or nanotubes that occur when hydrogen is taken up and released. The filament 500 is suitably formed by dry spinning or wet spinning using a suspension of carbon nanofibers and / or carbon nanotubes in a solution of the polymer of which the matr...

embodiment 600

[0042]FIG. 6 is a sectional perspective view of a filament 600 that is used in the hydrogen storage devices shown in FIGS. 1,2,7,8 and the battery shown in FIG. 10 according to a third alternative embodiment of the invention. The filament 600 of the second alternative embodiment 600 includes metal hydride particles and / or metal hydride forming metal particles 602 in a polymeric matrix 604. Examples of metal hydrides that are suitable for use as particles 602 include Lanthanum-Pentanickel Hydride, Vanadium Hydride, Magnesium-Nickel Hydride, and Iron-Titanium Hydride.

[0043] The third alternative embodiment filament 600 is preferably formed by electrospinning from a mass of hydrogen permeable polymer (which forms the matrix 604) in which the particles 602 are dispersed.

[0044] The fabrics 124, 704 (FIG. 7), 1004 (FIG. 10) alternatively comprises the filaments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0045]FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a hydrogen storage device 700 according to a fourt...

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Abstract

An improved hydrogen storage medium in the form of a fabric (124, 504, 704) comprises a yarn (300, 400) that includes carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes (302, 404) and elastomeric fibers (304, 402). The fabric (124, 504, 704) is a volume efficient arrangement of the carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes (302, 404) and is consequently characterized as a high density energy storage medium. According to a preferred embodiment a hydrogen storage device (100) comprises a flexible container (104) that includes the fabric (124). The flexibility of the container (104) in combination with the flexibility of the fabric (124) allows the hydrogen storage device 100 to be accommodated in irregularly shaped spaces. According to an embodiment of the invention a battery (700) uses the fabric (704) as a hydrogen storing anode.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 298,084, filed Nov. 15, 2002, and assigned to Motorola, Inc.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates in general to high density storage of gases. The present invention is applicable to high density storage of hydrogen for fuel cell applications. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Recently there has been increased attention to renewable energy sources. With this, has come an increased interest in fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells in particular have been identified as a very promising technology. Hydrogen fuel cells convert chemical energy yielded by the reaction of hydrogen with an oxidant into electric power. [0006] In as much as oxygen is readily available in the atmosphere, the only reactant that must be stored for use in terrestrial based hydrogen type fuel cells is hydrogen. A figure of merit that ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B32B1/08B65D1/00B65D85/00C01B31/00D01D5/28D02G3/04D03D15/56H01MH01M4/24H01M4/58H01M4/62H01M6/00H01M8/04H01M8/18
CPCB82Y30/00H01M4/242H01M8/04208Y10T428/1338Y02E60/124Y02E60/50Y10T428/139H01M8/04216Y02E60/10
InventorKELLEY, RONALD JAMESPRATT, STEVEN DUANEMUTHUSWAMY, SIVAKUMARPENNISI, ROBERT W.
OwnerKELLEY RONALD JAMES