Nanomix, Inc.

Jeff Wyatt

Keith Bradley

George Gruner

Young-Kyun Kwon

Seung-Hoon Jhi

Jean Christophe Gabriel

Jean-Christophe P Gabriel

This invention provides for an apparatus and a method for operation of a cryogenic hydrogen storage system that contains a porous medium configured to adsorb hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and supply system includes a hydrogen source apparatus and a cryosorptive storage apparatus. Methods and devices that allow for an energy efficient filling of the cryosorptive apparatus from the hydrogen source apparatus are described. The cryosorptive hydrogen storage apparatus is filled with cold, pressurized hydrogen. During the course of filling, heat is generated in the cryosorptive storage device by the process of hydrogen adsorption on to the host medium. Methods and devices are provided for the removal the generated heat and the warm hydrogen. Further provided are devices and methods for the capture and recycle of escaped hydrogen within the hydrogen source apparatus.

Hydrogen storage and supply system

This invention provides for an apparatus and a method for operation of a cryogenic hydrogen storage system that contains a porous medium configured to adsorb hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and supply system includes a hydrogen source apparatus, a cryosorptive storage apparatus, and a fuel recycle loop. Methods and devices that allow for an energy efficient release of hydrogen from the cryosorptive apparatus are described. At the outset of a fuel release, the cryosorptive hydrogen storage apparatus contains cold, pressurized hydrogen. Release of hydrogen from the storage apparatus is a process that consumes heat, thereby drawing down both the temperature and pressure. Heat can be provided to the cryosorptive storage apparatus by various direct approaches, or through the influx of warm, recycled hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and release apparatus contains a recycle loop, which warms a portion of the effluxing hydrogen, and returns it to the storage apparatus, thereby maintaining pressure and temperature conditions that support continued hydrogen desorption from the storage medium.

Operation of a hydrogen storage and supply system

A hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is described. The apparatus has a container that includes a cold enclosure. A porous material capable of occluding hydrogen pervades the cold enclosure. The porous material contains a plurality of light elements including Be, B, C, N, O, F, Mg, P, S, Li, Na, Al, Si and Cl. The cold enclosure can have a temperature in a range between about 30K and 270K and can withstand pressures up to about 50 bara. The container can have a layered wall structure with at least two walls, and there can be a cavity between the walls, which can provide thermal insulation. A hydrogen-consuming system is described in which the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is used to provide hydrogen to a hydrogen-fueled device. A hydrogen production and distribution system, which used the hydrogen storage and supply apparatuses is described. Methods of storing, supplying and using hydrogen are also described.

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Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Jeff Wyatt