How should hydrogen be stored?
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2025 5:05 am
The first fundamental challenge is the storage of hydrogen, because it has a low volumetric energy density compared to other fuels - so it needs a lot of space to store a small amount of energy. Under normal conditions, one liter of gaseous hydrogen contains an energy quantity of just 0.75 kilowatts per hour (kWh), whereas one liter of gasoline or diesel can store more than ten times as much energy. Even in a liquefied state, one liter of liquefied hydrogen (LH2) can only store about a quarter of the energy quantity of one liter of diesel. In addition, the LH2 must be cooled to about -253 °C to maintain the liquid state.
To achieve the same volumetric energy density as natural gas, hydrogen requires either a higher compression or a higher volume by a factor of three. In addition, hydrogen diffuses through many materials, placing greater strain on conventional gas tanks and pipelines.
Possible solutions include the use of separate materials in the storage media and, in particular, continuous monitoring.
How can hydrogen be safely stored and transported?
Another safety-related challenge of hydrogen during transport and storage is belgium consumer email list its flammability or the formation of explosive gas mixtures. These can detonate as soon as the hydrogen mixes with pure oxygen (or air). Consequently, stricter safety precautions during the storage and transport of hydrogen are of great importance for the safe use of the gas.
Furthermore, the storage of gases under high pressure represents a potential hazard. Therefore, the pressure vessels, each screw connection and each valve must be constantly checked to prevent potential gas leaks or pressure releases in enclosed spaces.
Although such security concepts are technically easy to implement, they usually involve high costs and effort.
What is the required infrastructure for hydrogen?
Another technical challenge in the use of hydrogen is the infrastructural difficulties: Of central importance here is the construction and expansion of a large-scale hydrogen transport network in order to be able to transport even large quantities of the gas effectively and efficiently. However, the pipeline-based transport of hydrogen, especially over longer distances, is technically complex and energy-intensive, because pumps and safety systems must be constantly supplied with large amounts of electricity.
To achieve the same volumetric energy density as natural gas, hydrogen requires either a higher compression or a higher volume by a factor of three. In addition, hydrogen diffuses through many materials, placing greater strain on conventional gas tanks and pipelines.
Possible solutions include the use of separate materials in the storage media and, in particular, continuous monitoring.
How can hydrogen be safely stored and transported?
Another safety-related challenge of hydrogen during transport and storage is belgium consumer email list its flammability or the formation of explosive gas mixtures. These can detonate as soon as the hydrogen mixes with pure oxygen (or air). Consequently, stricter safety precautions during the storage and transport of hydrogen are of great importance for the safe use of the gas.
Furthermore, the storage of gases under high pressure represents a potential hazard. Therefore, the pressure vessels, each screw connection and each valve must be constantly checked to prevent potential gas leaks or pressure releases in enclosed spaces.
Although such security concepts are technically easy to implement, they usually involve high costs and effort.
What is the required infrastructure for hydrogen?
Another technical challenge in the use of hydrogen is the infrastructural difficulties: Of central importance here is the construction and expansion of a large-scale hydrogen transport network in order to be able to transport even large quantities of the gas effectively and efficiently. However, the pipeline-based transport of hydrogen, especially over longer distances, is technically complex and energy-intensive, because pumps and safety systems must be constantly supplied with large amounts of electricity.