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Title: Systems Modeling of Chemical Hydride Hydrogen Storage Materials for Fuel Cell Applications

Journal Article · · Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4004477· OSTI ID:1027164

A fixed bed reactor was designed, modeled and simulated for hydrogen storage on-board the vehicle for PEM fuel cell applications. Ammonia Borane (AB) was selected by DOE's Hydrogen Storage Engineering Center of Excellence (HSECoE) as the initial chemical hydride of study because of its high hydrogen storage capacity (up to {approx}16% by weight for the release of {approx}2.5 molar equivalents of hydrogen gas) and its stability under typical ambient conditions. The design evaluated consisted of a tank with 8 thermally isolated sections in which H2 flows freely between sections to provide ballast. Heating elements are used to initiate reactions in each section when pressure drops below a specified level in the tank. Reactor models in Excel and COMSOL were developed to demonstrate the proof-of-concept, which was then used to develop systems models in Matlab/Simulink. Experiments and drive cycle simulations showed that the storage system meets thirteen 2010 DOE targets in entirety and the remaining four at greater than 60% of the target.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1027164
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-78538; EB4202000; TRN: US201121%%331
Journal Information:
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology, Vol. 8, Issue 6; ISSN 1550-624X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English