New storage method could save space on hydrogen buses

Hydrogen storage on buses could become cheaper and more efficient thanks to a new research project.

Led by a team at London South Bank University (LSBU), the study aims to replace high-pressure cylinders with hydride. The material could absorb, store and release hydrogen in a more space-efficient way, potentially saving up to 75% of the space currently taken up by cylinders.

Thanks to reduced storage pressure, the new system could also cut associated energy consumption. “The hydrogen charge will maintain the same range,” said LSBU Professor Yunting Ge to Professional Engineering. “Energy consumption will be saved at hydrogen refuelling stations for the new technology, since the hydrogen storage pressure onboard is greatly reduced.”  

The researcher also said the new storage method could offer improved safety over high-pressure cylinders. Hydrogen is already considered safer than petrol or diesel, however, as it disperses rapidly in the event of a leak and quickly burns out if there is a fire. Petrol, on the other hand, can pool on the ground and burn for a long time.

LSBU has been awarded £60,000 of government funding for the project. The team will work with thermal management experts at Ricardo on design and analysis. They then hope to develop a prototype in the second phase.

Professor Ge said: “Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce very low carbon emissions and no air pollution which makes them vital to cleaning our air and tackling climate change... our LSBU project aims to develop a safer and cheaper way of storing hydrogen, which takes up less space than the large high-pressure hydrogen tanks that are used in buses today. This is another example of LSBU’s ground-breaking research work to curb climate change, cut carbon emissions and clean our air.”

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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.