Determination of permeation properties of hydrogen gas in sealing rubbers using thermal desorption analysis gas chromatography

Abstract

Permeation properties of hydrogen gas (H2) into nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and fluoroelastomer (FKM) which are the strong candidates for sealing material in H2 energy infrastructures, was quantified using a thermal desorption analysis gas chromatography (TDA GC) and a self-developed diffusion-analysis program. The samples were charged with H2 in a high-pressure chamber for 24 h then decompressed into atmosphere, and the mass of H2 released from the sample was measured as a function of elapsed time after decompression. The developed program calculated the total charging amount C0 and diffusivity D, which were then used to calculate the H2 solubility S and permeability P for variation of pressure. The samples were polymerized with and without carbon black (CB) filler in cylindrical shapes with different diameters. There was no appreciable pressure up to 12 MPa or diameter dependence investigated in this study on D, S and P. NBR and EPDM showed dual hydrogen diffusion with fast and slow diffusion behaviors caused by CB, whereas FKM showed a single diffusion behavior. The determined D are Dfast, NBR = (1.55 ± 0.28) × 10–10 m2/s, Dslow, NBR = (3.1 ± 0.5) × 10–11 m2/s, Dfast, EPDM = (3.65 ± 0.66) × 10–10 m2/s, Dslow, EPDM = (3.3 ± 0.5) × 10–11 m2/s, DFKM = (7.7 ± 0.8) × 10–11 m2/s. It appeared that the filler contributes to increase S and decrease D. The uncertainty analysis against the evaluated data was carried out, too, in order that the method could be applicable as a standard test for the permeation properties of various polymer membranes.

Investigation of Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Rubber Materials Exposed to High-Pressure Hydrogen

“…Nishimura et al also found that the volume of NBR with a carbon black filler exposed to high-pressure hydrogen could be recovered after decompression but the hydrogen was still present inside the material [ 39 ]. For hydrogen desorption from the rubber materials with a carbon black filler, the hydrogen adsorbed to the matrix and to the filler exhibited different desorption behavior, and the hydrogen adsorbed onto the carbon black filler was very slowly desorbed [ 40 ]. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5 , the rapid decrease in the early stage indicates the mechanism by which hydrogen desorbs from the matrix, afterwards, the moderate decrease is attributed to desorption from the fillers.…”

“…This result is consistent with the results of the permeability test. It has been demonstrated that the desorption behavior of hydrogen is closely related to the permeation behavior [ 40 ]. However, the relationship between volume recovery and the permeation behavior is unclear.…”

Challenges of Green Transition in Polymer Production: Applications in Zero Energy Innovations and Hydrogen Storage

“…However, despite the promising advancements, several challenges hinder the practical implementation of sustainable polymers for hydrogen storage. Limited hydrogen uptake capacities, the slow kinetics of hydrogen adsorption/desorption, and the stability under operating conditions are among the key challenges to address [43][44][45][46][47][48]. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness, scalability, and recyclability of sustainable polymer-based storage systems require optimization to compete with conventional storage technologies.…”

Effect of the High-Pressure Hydrogen Gas Exposure in the Silica-Filled EPDM Sealing Composites with Different Silica Content

“…For example, the sealing devices made of FKM rubber are used for devices of FCVs and HFSs such as hydrogen compressors, which require an excellent resistance for hydrogen gas with high temperature and pressure. Because FKM exhibits excellent thermal and chemical resistance and gas barrier properties and the service temperature range of FKM is from −40 to 225 °C, which is much higher than that of other rubber materials [ 8 ], a few studies have investigated the effect of high-pressure hydrogen gas on the physical and mechanical properties of FKM composites and the long-term durability of FKM O-rings [ 9 , 10 ]. Furthermore, NBR is also widely used for seals and fuel hoses in FCVs and HFSs due to its excellent thermal and oil resistance.…”