Gas storage

Abstract

The continuous increase of energy demands based on fossil fuels in the last years have lead to an increase of greenhouse gases (GHG) emission which strongly contribute to global warming. The main strategies to limit this phenomenon are related to the efficient capture of these gases and to the development of renewable energies sources with limited environmental impact. Particularly, carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are the main constituents of greenhouse gases while hydrogen (H2) is considered an alternative clean energy source to fossil fuels. Therefore, tremendous research to store these gases has been reported by several approaches and among them the physisorption on activated carbons (AC) have received significant attention. Their abundance, low cost and tunable porous structure and chemical functionalities with an existing wide range of precursors that includes bio-wastes make them ideal candidates for gas applications. This chapter presents the recent developments on CH4, CO2 and H2 storage by activated carbons with focus on biomass as precursor materials. An analysis of the main carbon properties affecting the AC's adsorption capacity (i.e. specific surface area, pore size and surface chemistry) is discussed in detail herein.

Characterization of Activated Carbons Prepared from Almond Shells and Their Hydrogen Storage Properties

“…The amount of hydrogen that can be stored in an adsorption process is determined by the nature of the adsorbent and the operating conditions of the storage system . Activated carbons have a wide area of research as gas storage materials because they are easily prepared compared to nanostructured carbons . Activated carbon consisting of hydrophobic and hydrophilic sites is a carbon-based material with an amorphous and highly porous structure.…”

“…43 Activated carbons have a wide area of research as gas storage materials because they are easily prepared compared to nanostructured carbons. 44 Activated carbon consisting of hydrophobic and hydrophilic sites is a carbon-based material with an amorphous and highly porous structure. Hydrophobic graphene planes are of great importance in the adsorption of neutral species and hydrophilic oxygen functional groups.…”