Low Cost Mg-Ni-based Alloy for Hydrogen Storage

  • Matthew Greaves, Hydrexia Pty Ltd, Australia
  • Mr Jordan Pierce, Australia
  • Mr Sean Ockert, Australia
  • Dr Kazuhiro Nogita, Australia
  • Hydrexia Pty Ltd has developed a low cost Mg-Ni-based alloy for hydrogen storage applications. The Hydrexia storage alloy is produced using conventional casting techniques followed by a limited amount of chipping, without the need for energy-intensive mechanical ball milling. By controlling the Ni level, trace element doping and casting conditions, the hydrogen absorption kinetics can be greatly improved. The material is capable of reversibly cycling 6.5-7wt% H2 with fast kinetics and yet is robust enough to handle in air. The low production cost of the Hydrexia storage alloy has allowed Hydrexia to target development of bulk hydrogen storage systems for industrial applications that deliver to user operating requirements and are cost competitive compared to existing storage technologies. Development activities have focused on the bulk scale-up of the production of the hydride material and the design of a number of high-temperature hydrogen storage systems. Hydrexia has recently developed a pair of vessels to reversibly cycle 5kg of this metal hydride with hydrogen, operating at 300°C and at pressures between 0.2 and 1.5MPa. This paper presents an overview of the Hydrexia Hydrogen storage alloy from production to hydrogen cycling properties, along with an overview of the testing rigs and prototype storage systems that have been developed.