Systems and methods for hydrogen fuel storage and hydrogen powered vehicles

Abstract

A storage system for storing hydrogen and providing controlled release of hydrogen gas includes a container having an outer wall defining an interior. The interior is configured to contain liquid lithium hydride, and a portion of the outer wall includes a thermally insulating layer. The storage system also includes a temperature control system configured to maintain the interior at a temperature such that the lithium hydride decomposes to produce hydrogen gas at a substantially equilibrium state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of storing hydrogen for use in a power generation system, comprising:
 providing a storage container comprising an outer wall defining an interior;   providing an amount of lithium hydride within the interior;   heating the lithium hydride such that the lithium hydride decomposes to produce hydrogen gas; and   selectively releasing the hydrogen gas from the interior for use in the power generation system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall includes a thermally insulating layer, the thermally insulating layer comprising multiple layers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall includes a thermally insulating layer, the thermally insulating layer comprising an aerogel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising releasing the produced hydrogen gas from the interior via control of a valve. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a plurality of encapsulating members configured to encapsulate the lithium hydride, a portion of each of the plurality of encapsulating members being permeable to the hydrogen gas. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a temperature control system for heating the lithium hydride; and
 reconfiguring the temperature control system between a thermally conductive relationship with the lithium hydride and a thermally insulated relationship with the lithium hydride.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing at least one cooling port fluidly connecting an interior of the storage container with an exterior environment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a substantially constant amount of heat to the interior. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising varying the amount of heat provided to the interior of the container. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an energy dissipation system coupled to the container. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the hydrogen gas to a combustion engine. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the hydrogen gas to a hydrogen fuel cell. 
     
     
         13 . An energy conversion system comprising:
 a fuel system configured to store liquid lithium hydride and produce hydrogen gas; and   a hydrogen gas powered energy conversion mechanism coupled to the fuel system and configured to receive hydrogen gas from the fuel system;   wherein at least a portion of heat generated by the energy conversion mechanism is transferred back to the fuel system and to the lithium hydride.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a fuel line fluidly coupling the fuel system and the energy conversion mechanism, 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fuel system comprises a super-insulated container configured to contain the liquid lithium hydride. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fuel system comprises a container coupled to a pressure control system, the container configured to contain the liquid lithium hydride, and the pressure control system configured to control the pressure of the liquid lithium hydride. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fuel system comprises a container coupled to a temperature control system, the container configured to contain the liquid lithium hydride, and the temperature control system programmed to control the temperature of the liquid lithium hydride. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the temperature control system comprises a heating member extending into an interior of the container and configured to provide heat to the liquid lithium hydride. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the temperature control system comprises a passivation system configured to passivate at least one of the liquid lithium hydride, liquid lithium, and hydrogen gas. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the container comprises an energy absorbing material. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the energy conversion mechanism is usable to propel a vehicle. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the energy conversion mechanism comprises a combustion engine. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the energy conversion mechanism comprises a gas turbine. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the energy conversion mechanism comprises a hydrogen fuel cell. 
     
     
         25 . A storage system for storing hydrogen and providing controlled release of hydrogen gas, comprising:
 a first container configured to contain lithium hydride;   a second container fluidly coupled to the first container and configured to receive lithium hydride from the first container, the second container including an outlet port configured to enable removal of hydrogen gas from the second container; and   a temperature control system programmed to maintain the interior of the second container at a temperature sufficient for the lithium hydride within the second container to decompose to produce the hydrogen gas.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the temperature control system is configured to supply heat to the second container. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the interior of the second container is maintained at a higher temperature than the interior of the first container. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the volume of the interior of the second container is less than the volume of the interior of the first container. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the lithium hydride decomposes to further produce liquid lithium, and wherein the second container comprises an outlet configured to enable removal of the liquid lithium from the second container. 
     
     
         30 . A method of storing hydrogen for use in a power generation system, comprising:
 storing an amount of lithium hydride within a first container;   transferring a portion of the lithium hydride from the first container to a second container;   heating the lithium hydride such that the lithium hydride within the second container decomposes to produce hydrogen gas; and   selectively releasing the hydrogen gas from the second container.