Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Systems and the Relevance of a Gender Perspective

Abstract

This paper aims at addressing the exploitation of solid-state carriers for hydrogen storage, with attention paid both to the technical aspects, through a wide review of the available integrated systems, and to the social aspects, through a preliminary overview of the connected impacts from a gender perspective. As for the technical perspective, carriers to be used for solid-state hydrogen storage for various applications can be classified into two classes: metal and complex hydrides. Related crystal structures and corresponding hydrogen sorption properties are reviewed and discussed. Fundamentals of thermodynamics of hydrogen sorption evidence the key role of the enthalpy of reaction, which determines the operating conditions (i.e., temperatures and pressures). In addition, it rules the heat to be removed from the tank during hydrogen absorption and to be delivered to the tank during hydrogen desorption. Suitable values for the enthalpy of hydrogen sorption reaction for operating conditions close to ambient (i.e., room temperature and 1–10 bar of hydrogen) are close to 30 kJ·molH2−1. The kinetics of the hydrogen sorption reaction is strongly related to the microstructure and to the morphology (i.e., loose powder or pellets) of the carriers. Usually, the kinetics of the hydrogen sorption reaction is rather fast, and the thermal management of the tank is the rate-determining step of the processes. As for the social perspective, the paper arguments that, as it occurs with the exploitation of other renewable innovative technologies, a wide consideration of the social factors connected to these processes is needed to reach a twofold objective: To assess the extent to which a specific innovation might produce positive or negative impacts in the recipient socioeconomic system and, from a sociotechnical perspective, to explore the potential role of the social components and dynamics in fostering the diffusion of the innovation itself. Within the social domain, attention has been paid to address the underexplored relationship between the gender perspective and the enhancement of hydrogen-related energy storage systems. This relationship is taken into account both in terms of the role of women in triggering the exploitation of hydrogen-based storage playing as experimenter and promoter, and in terms of the intertwined impact of this innovation in their current conditions, at work, and in daily life.

Magnesium- and intermetallic alloys-based hydrides for energy storage: modelling, synthesis and properties

“…In another example, the thermodynamics of hydriding-dehydriding in simple hydrides (NaH, AlH 3 and CaH 2 ) has been included in CALPHAD assessments, providing evidence for either the formation or hindering of a stable hydride-fluoride solid solution that enables a reversible hydriding reaction [31,32]. Moreover, CALPHAD assessments are able to support further thermo-fluid-dynamic modelling of H absorption and desorption in a LaNi 4.8 Al 0.2 material for application in a hydride bed [33,34].…”

Hydrogen storage in liquid hydrogen carriers: recent activities and new trends

“…This would require effective heat management [14,15]. Intensive studies have been dedicated to interstitial hydrides, complex metal hydrides such as metal borohydrides or metal aluminum hydrides, imides and amides as solid-state hydrogen storage materials [16][17][18][19][20]. For most of these compounds, the limiting factors for successful reversible hydrogen storage under acceptable operating conditions are kinetic issues and the irreversibility of dehydrogenation.…”

Hydrogen storage materials for vehicular applications

“…Thus, material‐based hydrogen storage technologies have a wider scope for improvement. At present, all hydrogen storage materials may be divided into four major categories 1,10 . These are described in the following. Conventional metal hydrides: Conventional metal hydrides are AB, AB 2 , A 2 B, and AB 5 types of alloys.…”

“…In the world, during 2019, per capita total energy supply, electricity consumption, and CO 2 emission were 79.1 GJ, 3265 kWh, and 4.39 t, respectively. [1][2][3] At present, 25% of energy demand comes from the transport sector, while 20% of greenhouse gases are produced from the transport sector at the global level. In this energy scenario, the world must move from the exhaustive use of fossil fuels.…”

“…At present, all hydrogen storage materials may be divided into four major categories. 1,10 These are described in the following. A comparison of the hydrogenation characteristics of these hydrogen storage systems relevant for vehicular application is presented in Table 3.…”