TiCrMn Hydride Project

SEM images of TiCrMn (a) after cycling and (b) before cycling

Phase field simulation of hydride growth

Automotive hydrogen storage systems require a significant increase in the volumetric storage density of hydrogen to provide the necessary range for ordinary use. Solid storage can provide significant increases in volumetric storage capacity of hydrogen at ambient temperatures. In this multi-year collaboration with General Motors, we used TiCrMn as a representative material to investigate:

• Thermal transport restrictions in activated metal hydride powder beds
• Additives to enhance thermal conductivity
• Interactions between thermal and kinetic limitations during tank fueling cycle
• Model development of hydride bed transport phenomena
• Heat exchanger design for metal hydride systems

Metal Hydride Heat Exchangers: Tray, Coil, and Extruded (left to right)

Hydrogen Storage Material Comparisons

• High pressure (410 bar) vehicle-scale hydrogen fueling system
• Multi-kilogram scale metal hydride test facility
• Research expertise in hydrogen storage materials of a variety of types