Preparing a Suitable Material Designed for Methane Storage:  A Comprehensive Report

Abstract

The preparation of a suitable material designed for methane storage is addressed in the present paper. The main features of methane as an energy source are first recalled, and adsorption is recognized as one of the most efficient ways of storing it. The ideal adsorbent is described next, and it is argued that the best candidates are among microporous carbonaceous materials. Preparation of the most relevant carbon requires appropriate choice of both the precursor and its mode of activation. A discussion leads to the conclusion that anthracites chemically activated with alkaline hydroxides are especially adapted for the intended application, because the highest intrinsic molar capacities ever found so far in the open literature are obtained. However, because of their low density, only low-volume storage capacities are attained with such materials. It is then shown that simple processing allows a significant densification, and, therefore, the formerly accepted target for a viable application of methane as an alternative fuels150 V/V delivered at 25 °Csis finally met and even exceeded. Thus, the present work is a comprehensive report explaining how a recent problem was solved through a systematical approach.

No detectable aerobic methane efflux from plant material, nor from adsorption/desorption processes

“…Cell walls of plants consist of a complex network of a highly porous polysaccharide matrix with large numbers of small pores (Cheng and Huang, 2004;Celzard and Fierro, 2005). Pore sizes are typically around 5 nm (e.g.…”

Control of the pore size distribution and its spatial homogeneity in particulate activated carbon

“…For example, confining the pore size distribution (PSD) tightly around an optimal pore size is advantageous for carbons used in molecular sieving [1], natural gas storage [2], CO 2 capture [3], and supercapacitor electrodes [4]. Similarly, it is also sometimes desirable to co-develop both micro and mesopores so as to enhance transport to the micropores [5,6].…”

A [Fe(CB6)] platform for binding of small molecules: Insights from DFT calculations

“…Currently, much interest has been focused on the storage and release of methane and hydrogen at low temperature and pressure. [31][32][33] Henceforth, it may be possible to use the complex 1 to store and release these gases molecules at low temperature and pressure. [34] is feasible because there is a contribution from these small molecules to the HOMO/LUMO.…”