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Calcium hydride has shown great potential as a hydrogen storage material and as a thermochemical energy storage material. To date, its high operating temperature (above 800 °C) has not only hindered its opportunity for technological application but also prevented detailed determination of its thermodynamics of hydrogen sorption. In addition, calcium metal suffers from high volatility, high corrosivity from Ca (and CaH 2), slow kinetics of hydrogen sorption, and the solubility of Ca in CaH 2. In this work, a literature review of the wide-ranging thermodynamic properties of CaH 2 is provided along with a detailed experimental investigation into the thermodynamic properties of molten and solid CaH 2. The thermodynamic values of hydrogen release from both molten and solid CaH 2 were determined as Δ H des (molten CaH 2) = 216 ± 10 kJ mol−1.H 2 , Δ S des (molten CaH 2) = 177 ± 9 J K−1 mol−1.H 2, which equates to a 1 bar hydrogen equilibrium temperature for molten CaH 2 of 947 ± 65 °C. Similarly, in the solid-state: Δ H des (solid CaH 2) = 172 ± 12 kJ mol−1.H 2 , Δ S des (solid CaH 2) = 144 ± 10 J K−1 mol−1.H 2. Moreover, the activation energy of hydrogen release from CaH 2 was also calculated using DSC analysis as E a = 203 ± 12 kJ mol−1. This study provides the first thermodynamics for the Ca–H system in over 60 years, providing more accurate data on this emerging energy storage material. • The thermodynamics for hydrogen desorption of calcium hydride were determined. • This is the first study in over 60 years to determine the thermal properties. • The kinetics of hydrogen release were measured using the Kissinger method. • The melting point of CaH 2 was measured under a hydrogen atmosphere. • A literature review of previous thermodynamic studies on CaH 2 is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aluminum hydride (alane; AlH3) has been identified as a leading hydrogen storage material by the US Department of Energy. With a high gravimetric hydrogen capacity of 10.1 wt.%, and a hydrogen density of 1.48 g/cm3, AlH3 decomposes cleanly to its elements above 60 °C with no side reactions. This study explores in detail the thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties of AlH3; in particular the α, α′ and γ polymorphs, of which α′-AlH3 is reported for the first time, free from traces of other polymorphs or side products. Thermal analysis of α-, α′-, and γ-AlH3 has been conducted, using DSC and TGA methods, and the results obtained compared with each other and with literature data. All three polymorphs were investigated by 1H MAS-NMR spectroscopy for the first time, and their 27Al MAS-NMR spectra were also measured and compared with literature values. AlH3·nEt2O has also been studied by 1H and 27Al MAS-NMR spectroscopy and DSC and TGA methods, and an accurate decomposition pathway has been established for this adduct. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hydrogen and ammonia are both potential energy carriers being considered for large scale energy transport. Sodium borohydride (NaBH 4) has been widely applied as a potential solid-state hydrogen storage material. It can produce hydrogen gas and sodium metaborate (NaBO 2) after hydrolysis with water at room temperature. The regeneration of NaBH 4 from NaBO 2 could significantly reduce the cost of NaBH 4 and enable its wide-spread industrial use. In this work, we demonstrate a simple method for regenerating NaBH 4 from NaBO 2 ·4H 2 O using Mg 2 N 3 , which combines NaBH 4 production with NH 3 gas production in a single step at room temperature. NaBH 4 is successfully synthesized from NaBO 2 ·4H 2 O using the Mg 3 N 2 reducing agent via ball milling under a hydrogen atmosphere. NaBH 4 is formed at a 76.6% yield by planetary ball milling at 600 rpm under 40 bar hydrogen for 12 h. NH 3 gas is also formed, which can be easily separated from the solid products. Therefore, this one-step process could produce two different types of carbon-free hydrogen carriers suitable for energy export from renewable sources. • One step process to store hydrogen in NaBH 4 and NH 3. • Lower cost for NaBH 4 regeneration. • Mg 3 N 2 can be considered as a promising reductant for simultaneous synthesis of NaBH 4 and NH 3. • The hydrogen pressure have a effect on the ball milling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal hydrides are regarded as one of the most attractive options for thermal energy storage (TES) materials for concentrated solar thermal applications. Improved thermal performance of such systems is vitally determined by the effectiveness of heat exchange between the metal hydride and the heat transfer fluid (HTF). This paper presents a numerical study supported by experimental validation on a magnesium hydride reactor fitted with a helical coil heat exchanger for enhanced thermal performance. The model incorporates hydrogen absorption kinetics of ball-milled magnesium hydride, with titanium boride and expanded natural graphite additives obtained by Sievert's apparatus measurements and considers thermal diffusion within the reactor to the heat transfer fluid for a realistic representation of its operation. A detailed parametric analysis is carried out, and the outcomes are discussed, examining the ramifications of hydrogen supply pressure and its flow rate. The study identifies that the enhancement of thermal conductivity in magnesium hydride has an insignificant impact on current reactor performance. • 3-D validation of MgH 2 reactor with a helical coil heat exchanger was performed. • Reaction kinetics was found out by using Sievert's apparatus. • Effect of operating parameters on MH reactor performance was studied. • Addition of 20% ENG into MH reactor, under the study, proved ineffective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In solid-state hydrogen storage in light metal hydrides, nanoconfinement and the use of catalysts represent promising solutions to overcoming limitations such as poor reversibility and slow kinetics. In this work, the morphology and hydrogen desorption kinetics of NaAlH 4 melt-infiltrated into a previously developed Ti-based doped porous Al scaffold is analysed. Small-angle X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy analysis of low NaAlH 4 loading in the porous Al scaffold has revealed that mesopores and small macropores are filled first, leaving the larger macropores/voids empty. Temperature-programmed desorption experiments have shown that NaAlH 4 -infiltrated porous Al scaffolds show a higher relative H 2 release, with respect to NaAlH 4 + TiCl 3 , in the temperature range 148–220 °C, with the temperature of H 2 desorption trending to bulk NaAlH 4 with increasing scaffold loading. The Ti-based catalytic effect is reproduced when the dopant is present in the scaffold. Further work is required to increase the mesoporous volume in order to enhance the nanoconfinement effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]