Grantee Research Project Results

2003 Progress Report: Accelerated Hydrogen Diffusion Through Glass Microspheres: An Enabling Technology for a Hydrogen Economy

EPA Grant Number: R830420C001
Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R830420
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER)
Center Director: Earl, David A.
Title: Accelerated Hydrogen Diffusion Through Glass Microspheres: An Enabling Technology for a Hydrogen Economy
Investigators: Shelby, James , Rapp, Douglas B.
Current Investigators: Shelby, James , Hall, Matthew M.
Institution: Alfred University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: August 1, 2002 through February 28, 2004
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 1, 2002 through February 28, 2003
RFA: Targeted Research Center (2002) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Congressionally Mandated Center , Targeted Research

Objective:

This is one of the subprojects conducted by the Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER).  The objectives of this research project are to: (1) provide data needed to demonstrate that hydrogen storage in hollow glass microspheres combined with our recent discovery of photo-enhanced diffusion can produce hydrogen supply rates sufficient for commercial applications; (2) optimize experimental parameters (wavelength of radiation, base glass composition, glass dopants) to provide a highly efficient combination of material and photon source; (3) demonstrate that the glasses developed can be formed into microspheres; and (4) determine the mechanism causing this previously unsuspected phenomenon.

Progress Summary:

The accomplishments during the past year include:

• Demonstrated that photo-induced outgassing of dissolved hydrogen from glass occurs at much faster rates than thermally induced outgassing from identical samples.

• Determined that the onset of hydrogen outgassing is immediate on photon-exposure for all doped glasses, regardless of dopant, as compared to undoped, colorless glasses.

• Determined that iron oxide is the most efficient dopant for instantaneous onset time, but a combination of iron and cobalt oxides may provide for more total outgassing of the sample.

• Determined that a commercial borosilicate glass, designated as CGW-7070, is the most efficient glass for our purpose. This glass is closely followed by CGW-7740 borosilicate glass, which is commonly known as Pyrex^®.

• Determined that only a portion of the hydrogen is released by photo-induction, suggesting that this phenomenon occurs in the near-surface of the glass.  It is probable that all of the radiation is absorbed within a specific distance from the surface of the sample. This effect should not be detrimental to the intended purpose.

• Determined that the outgassing rate is linearly proportional to light intensity, after a minimum intensity required for effect occurs.

• Determined that an aging effect occurs for the iron-doped glasses, which may actually improve their performance with repeated cycles of saturation-outgassing.

• Determined that preliminary results indicate that this process is enhanced by increases in absorption, specifically in the infrared region of the spectrum.

Future Activities:

We plan to:  (1) continue examination of dopant effects and hydrogen reaction kinetics; (2) use optical filters with current light source to define optimum radiation wavelength; (3) investigate alternative light sources; (4) continue optimization of base glass composition; and (5) demonstrate ability to fabricate microspheres from these glasses.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 3 publications for this subproject

Supplemental Keywords:

sustainable industry/business, technology for sustainable environment, clean technologies, environmental materials, glass technology, energy, environmental engineering, alternative energy source, ceramic materials, clean energy, renewable energy, green building design, hydrogen, diffusion, hollow glass microspheres, photo-enhanced hydrogen diffusion,, Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, TREATMENT/CONTROL, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Engineering, Technology, Energy, energy technology, emissions control, energy conservation, NOx reduction, polymer fuel cell, sustainable development, reaction kinetics, cleaner production, energy efficiency, environmentally conscious design, clean technologies, clean manufacturing, environmental conscious construction, clean energy

Relevant Websites:

http://ceer.alfred.edu/ Exit
 http://ceer.alfred.edu/Research/glassspheres.html Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

Final Report

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R830420    Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER)

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R828737C001 Environmental Impact of Fuel Cell Power Generation Systems
R828737C002 Regional Economic and Material Flows
R828737C003 Visualizing Growth and Sustainability of Water Resources
R828737C004 Vibratory Residual Stress Relief and Modifications in Metals to Conserve Resources and Prevent Pollution
R828737C005 Detecting and Quantifying the Evolution of Hazardous Air Pollutants Produced During High Temperature Manufacturing: A Focus on Batching of Nitrate Containing Glasses
R828737C006 Sulfate and Nitrate Dynamics in the Canacadea Watershed
R828737C007 Variations in Subsurface Denitrifying and Sulfate-Reducing Microbial Populations as a Result of Acid Precipitation
R828737C008 Recycling Glass-Reinforced Thermoset Polymer Composite Materials
R828737C009 Correlating Clay Mineralogy with Performance: Reducing Manufacturing Waste Through Improved Understanding
R830420C001 Accelerated Hydrogen Diffusion Through Glass Microspheres: An Enabling Technology for a Hydrogen Economy
R830420C002 Utilization of Paper Mill Waste in Ceramic Products
R830420C003 Development of Passive Humidity-Control Materials
R830420C004 Microarray System for Contaminated Water Analysis
R830420C005 Material and Environmental Sustainability in Ceramic Processing
R830420C006 Interaction of Sealing Glasses with Metallic Interconnects in Solid Oxide and Polymer Fuel Cells
R830420C007 Preparation of Ceramic Glaze Waste for Recycling using Froth Flotation
R830420C008 Elimination of Lead from Ceramic Glazes by Refractive Index Tailoring
R830420C010 Nanostructured C₆B: A Novel Boron Rich Carbon for H₂ Storage