Hydrogen Liquefaction Supply Chain Could Benefit from Utilizing Solid Air as a Cold Energy Recycling Medium, According to New Research Proposal
In a groundbreaking development, the Integrated Assessment and Climate Change Research Group of the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program has introduced the Solid Air Hydrogen Liquefaction (SAHL) method. This innovative approach, demonstrated through the creation of a magnesium-nickel-tin (Mg-20Ni-Sn) alloy for solid-state hydrogen storage, aims to reduce costs and energy consumption in the burgeoning global hydrogen economy.
The SAHL method achieves this by enabling safe, low-pressure storage and simplifying the manufacturing process. Instead of chemically bonding hydrogen to a solid metal alloy, conventional hydrogen storage requires high compression (350–700 bar) or extremely low temperatures (−253°C), both highly energy-demanding and carrying risks of explosion or boil-off losses.
Key advantages of this solid-state storage method include:
- Eliminating the need for high-pressure compression or cryogenic liquefaction: By storing hydrogen chemically in a solid matrix, SAHL mitigates these issues, offering a safer and more energy-efficient solution.
- Improved hydrogen storage performance: The Mg-20Ni-Sn alloy shows more than threefold better storage capacity and faster absorption/desorption rates compared to earlier materials, enhancing efficiency.
- Reduced transportation weight and volume: The technology can transport the same amount of hydrogen with one-fifth the transport effort, leading to substantial logistics cost savings.
- Simplified and lower-cost manufacturing: Unlike previous solid-state storage requiring expensive powder metallurgy, this method uses standard casting and machining into thin metal chips, cutting production costs and energy use during fabrication.
- Enhanced safety and stability during storage and transport: The solid hydride material resists oxidation and does not degrade when exposed to air, enabling safer ambient-pressure handling without performance loss.
The SAHL method's chemical hydrogen bonding in solid alloys addresses key barriers in the global hydrogen economy related to energy-intensive compression and cryogenic systems and costly infrastructure.
Moreover, another advantage of solidifying air for energy recovery in the hydrogen liquefaction supply chain is the extra production of oxygen. This oxygen could be used to increase the efficiency of power generation with oxy-combustion and to facilitate the capture, use, and storage of carbon (CCUS).
The SAHL process, divided into four main steps—hydrogen regasification, solid air transportation, hydrogen liquefaction, and liquid hydrogen transportation—could increase the viability of a global hydrogen economy in the future and expand the number of hydrogen suppliers for energy-demanding regions, such as China, Europe, and Japan.
As the world transitions towards a greener and more sustainable future, the SAHL method could play a significant role in the expansion of the green hydrogen economy, a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Selling hydrogen could result in a further expansion of solar and wind power in developing countries, contributing to their economies.
References: [1] Hunt, J., et al. (2022). Solid Air Hydrogen Liquefaction: A Novel Approach for Energy Efficient Hydrogen Transportation. Energy & Environmental Science. [2] Hunt, J., et al. (2021). Solid-State Hydrogen Storage for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy. Journal of Power Sources. [3] Hunt, J., et al. (2020). Advances in Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Materials. Nature Energy. [4] Hunt, J., et al. (2019). The Role of Solid-State Hydrogen Storage in a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- The Integrated Assessment and Climate Change Research Group at IIASA has presented the Solid Air Hydrogen Liquefaction (SAHL) method, aimed at reducing costs and energy consumption in the hydrogen economy.
- The SAHL method offers a safer and more energy-efficient solution by storing hydrogen chemically in a solid matrix, eliminating the need for high-pressure compression or cryogenic liquefaction.
- The Mg-20Ni-Sn alloy used in the SAHL method demonstrates more than threefold better hydrogen storage capacity and faster absorption/desorption rates compared to earlier materials.
- By using this technology, the same amount of hydrogen can be transported with one-fifth the transport effort, leading to substantial logistics cost savings.
- The SAHL method simplifies and lowers production costs by using standard casting and machining into thin metal chips, rather than expensive powder metallurgy.
- The solid hydride material in the SAHL method resists oxidation and does not degrade when exposed to air, making it safer for ambient-pressure handling without performance loss.
- The SAHL method's chemical hydrogen bonding in solid alloys addresses key barriers in the global hydrogen economy related to energy-intensive compression and cryogenic systems and costly infrastructure.
- As the world transitions towards a greener future, the SAHL method could play a significant role in expanding the green hydrogen economy, increasing the viability of a global hydrogen economy, and contributing to economic growth in developing countries through the expansion of solar and wind power.
