Hydrogen for a global application to road transport

In this paper all the issues regarding hydrogen use in cars were studied, with a special focus on technical solutions for a possible hydrogen refueling station (safety was considered paramount due to the unjustified negative public perception of hydrogen). The innovative technique of hydrogen storage through chemical hydrides was studied: NaH powder is enclosed in small plastic spheres immersed in water which are sliced to produce the required gaseous hydrogen. To address the economical and the technical feasibility of this storing concept experimental tests were made to evaluate the range of plastic materials employable and their recycling potentials. The results show that polypropylene and low density polyethylene are technically the best materials, as they can be easily recycled in the process; polypropylene is the best choice overall due to its lower commercial price. This technology is suitable for H2 refueling stations due to its high modularity and safety.