On the hydrogen storage properties and life cycle evaluation of a room temperature hydride for scale-up applications: The case of an AB2-alloy

In this work, 1.25 t of AB2-commercially available hydride-forming alloy is taken as a case study for material selection for large-scale systems. Systematic experimental characterizations, modeling, and life cycle-cost assessment at this industrial scale are performed. Based on the thermodynamic characterization, the equilibrium pressure is calculated by applying the most used Nishizaki and novel 3D representation with 2D-bilinear interpolation approaches, giving accurate values. The kinetic model is comprehensively and successfully developed in a wide range of temperatures and pressures by applying the separable variable method. Life cycle assessment shows that the CO2 emissions of these kinds of systems can be minimized by increasing the share of recycled material and by using waste heat sources for dehydrogenation. The economic analysis clarifies the influence of the components on the economic viability of large hydride-based systems for emergency power supply. Finally, guidelines are proposed for the development of hydride-based integrated renewable energy systems.