Highly Efficient Hydrogen Storage and Separation of Hydrogen from Blended Methane-Hydrogen mixtures in Pipelines

Background

Hydrogen energy storage is emerging as a clean solution to substitute carbon energy and other renewable energy sources. It allows vast quantities of green energy to be stored for long durations of time without degradation, as opposed to batteries which face discharge. However, the storage of hydrogen is an obstacle due to its need to be stored at a low temperature or high pressure, causing storage and transportation to be expensive. A major complication in the development of a hydrogen economy is the lack of infrastructure for hydrogen storage and distribution. A potential solution to this hurdle involves the use of existing natural gas infrastructure. Hydrogen could be injected and mixed with natural gas at the point of production or transported through the pipeline. The hydrogen would then have to be separated from the hydrogen‑methane blend for application. However, the low‑cost separation of hydrogen from natural gas at the point of use is a key issue.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University have proposed a method of extracting hydrogen from hydrogen‑methane blends that allows for fast and convenient separation and long‑term storage of hydrogen without any loss or degradation. The technology utilizes a low‑cost metal hydride material that is capable of discriminating hydrogen from a blend with methane. The process involves operation at low temperature (50‑70°C), low pressure (50‑1000 psig), and fast kinetics, enabling a system that requires less energy than traditional storage methods. Additionally, hydrogen is yielded in extremely high purity (>99%) after separation.