A Review on metal hydride based hydrogen energy storage

Abstract

Hydrogen, the most abundant chemical element on earth, is of enormous importance as a feed stock in chemical industry with a worldwide annual production of over 25 million tons currently and assumed potential for accelerated growth. Hydrogen has a great merit as an energy vector is its high gravimetric energy density (about three times more than gasoline), however, its low ambient temperature density results in a low energy per unit volume. This makes hydrogen a challenge to store therefore requiring the development of advanced storage methods that have potential for higher energy density. Particularly within the size and weight constraints. Developing safe, reliable, compact, and cost-effective hydrogen storage technologies is one of the most technically challenging barriers to the widespread use of hydrogen as a form of energy. Scientists are investigating several different kinds of materials, including metal hydrides, adsorbent materials, and chemical hydrides, in addition to identifying new materials with potential for favorable hydrogen storage attributes. Most research into hydrogen storage is focused on storing hydrogen as a lightweight, compact energy carrier for mobile applications.