CHICKEN FEATHER FIBERS FOR HYDROGEN STORAGE
Impact/Purpose:
The DOE’s 2010 and 2015 hydrogen storage targets are quite challenging in terms of gravimetric capacity (6 wt% and 9 wt% respectively), volumetric capacity (45 and 81 grams H2 per L) and storage cost ($4 and $2 per kWh respectively). In order to solve the H2 storage problem in fuel cell automobiles, various kinds of nano-structured materials have been investigated and produced, none of which could fulfill these targets entirely. Their disposal methods and degradability are still a big question mark. Additionally, the prices of these materials are extremely expensive. It is crucial that the material that will serve as a H2 adsorbent in fuel cell vehicles is cheap and is environmentally sound. The goal of this project is to develop new low cost H2 storage substrates from a waste material—chicken feathers.
Description:
Summary of Findings (Outputs/Outcomes):
A Sievert’s apparatus for measuring the H2 storage capacities of adsorbents was built. The nitrogen adsorption and H2 storage test performed on the pyrolyzed chicken feather fibers (PCFF) prepared by a previously developed two-step heat treatment method showed that the heating temperature, time, and atmosphere have a very critical impact on the pore structure of the final product, PCFF. The specific surface areas and the micropore volumes of the PCFF reached above 400 m2/g and 0.17 cm3/g STP, respectively.
PCFF demonstrated a clear H2 storage capability. The pyrolysis of the crosslinked chicken feather fibers at a temperature range of 400-450 oC for 1 h provided up to 1.5 wt% absolute and 1.2 wt% excess H2 storage at 10 bars and 77 K. The H2 storage capacities of the PCFF were greatly dependent on the time they were kept in the second step of pyrolysis. Most importantly, the density of H2 inside the PCFF pores was calculated to be higher than liquid H2 density at 77K (normal boling point of H2=22 K).
Record Details:
Record Type:PROJECT(
ABSTRACT
)
Start Date:08/15/2009
Completion Date:08/14/2010
Record ID:
249170
Keywords:
SUSTAINABILITY, CARBONIZATION, PHYSISORPTION, RENEWABLE FEEDSTOCK, BIOPOLYMERS, RECYCLED MATERIALS, MICROPOROUS MATERIALS, GREEN ENGINEERING, NATURAL POLYMERS,
Related Organizations:
Role
:OWNER
Organization Name
:UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
Citation
:Newark
State
:DE
Zip Code
:19716
Project Information:
Approach
:Every year U.S. companies spend money to dispose of 6 billion lbs of chicken feathers by burning, burying or using them as recycled animal feed. In this project instead of using highly ordered nano-structural materials, we will simply try to use chicken feather fibers as a precursor material and try to obtain high surface area carbon-nitrogen based fiber by controlled pyrolysis. When keratin based chicken feathers are heat treated by controlled pyrolysis, hollow carbon microtubes are formed with nanoporous walls. Their surface area increases substantially by the formation of fractals and micropores thus enabling more hydrogen adsorption than untreated feather fibers.
Cost
:$10,000.00
Research Component
:Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development
Approach
:Every year U.S. companies spend money to dispose of 6 billion lbs of chicken feathers by burning, burying or using them as recycled animal feed. In this project instead of using highly ordered nano-structural materials, we will simply try to use chicken feather fibers as a precursor material and try to obtain high surface area carbon-nitrogen based fiber by controlled pyrolysis. When keratin based chicken feathers are heat treated by controlled pyrolysis, hollow carbon microtubes are formed with nanoporous walls. Their surface area increases substantially by the formation of fractals and micropores thus enabling more hydrogen adsorption than untreated feather fibers.
Cost
:$10,000.00
Research Component
:P3 Challenge Area - Ecosystems
Approach
:Every year U.S. companies spend money to dispose of 6 billion lbs of chicken feathers by burning, burying or using them as recycled animal feed. In this project instead of using highly ordered nano-structural materials, we will simply try to use chicken feather fibers as a precursor material and try to obtain high surface area carbon-nitrogen based fiber by controlled pyrolysis. When keratin based chicken feathers are heat treated by controlled pyrolysis, hollow carbon microtubes are formed with nanoporous walls. Their surface area increases substantially by the formation of fractals and micropores thus enabling more hydrogen adsorption than untreated feather fibers.
Cost
:$10,000.00
Research Component
:P3 Challenge Area - Materials & Chemistry
Project IDs:
ID Code
:SU834324
Project type
:EPA Grant