A scanning electron microscopy image (300X) shows the size of spheres produced. From poster "Photo-Induced Hydrogen Outgassing of Glass," given at the American Ceramics Society Fall Glass and Optical Materials Division Meeting held October 12-15, 2003 in Corning, NY
Energy Research
Accelerated Hydrogen Diffusion Through Glass Microspheres: An Enabling Technology for a Hydrogen Economy
Investigators: Dr. James Shelby and Douglas B. Rapp
Industrial Collaborator: Praxair
Project Period: July 1, 2002 — December 31, 2003
Related Research
Objectives of Study
(A) Provide data needed to demonstrate that the combination of hydrogen storage in hollow glass microspheres with our recent discovery of photo-enhanced diffusion can produce hydrogen supply rates sufficient for commercial applications
(B) Optimize the various experimental parameters (wavelength of radiation, glass composition, glass dopants) to provide a highly efficient combination of material and photon source
(C) Demonstrate that the glasses developed here can be formed into microspheres and
(D) Determine the mechanism causing this previously unsuspected phenomenon.
Experimental Approach
Use saturation/outgassing and permeation methods to study photo-enhanced diffusion of hydrogen and other gases in glasses. Produce and study glasses of different compositions, containing different potential activating dopants in varying concentrations. Vary light wavelight and intensity to determine optimum combination for producing photo-enhanced diffusion of hydrogen. Use results of study to determine optimal materials for production of hollow glass microspheres for hydrogen storage/supply systems.
Expected Results
Results of this study will provide us with the information needed to determine the feasibility for application of photo-enhanced diffusion for the commercialization of hydrogen storage in hollow glass microspheres. Replacement of fossil fuels with hydrogen can lead to a major reduction in the generation of pollutants and provide a path by whichcurrent non-renewable fuels can be replaced by a renewable one. Since hydrogen can be produced from water, and the combustion of hydrogen produces water, the use of hydrogen as a fuel results in a water-hydrogen-water cycle which is the ultimate in a renewable energy source. The results of this study will aid in both the advancement of energy technology and in improving the market for a renewable energy source. The use of hydrogen either directly for combustion, completely replacing gasoline, or in fuel cells has the potential to drastically alter the transportation industry, radically reduce smog, and save hundreds of billions of dollars in cost of imported oil.
Interim Report: April 28, 2003
Progress Summary/Accomplishments
(A) Demonstrated that photo-induced outgassing of dissolved hydrogen from glass occurs at much faster rates than thermally-induced outgassing from identical samples.
(B) 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.
(C) 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.
(D) 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®.
(E) 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.
(F) Determined that the outgassing rate is linearly proportional to light intensity, after a minimum intensity required before any effect occurs.
(G) Determined that an aging effect occurs for the iron-doped glasses which may actually improve their performance with repeated cycles of saturation-outgassing.
(H) Preliminary indications are that this process is enhanced by increases in absorption specifically in the infrared region of the spectrum.
Publications and Presentations
An oral presentation, "Hydrogen Reaction Kinetics in Iron-Doped Borosilicate Glass," and a poster presentation, "Photo-Induced Hydrogen Outgassing of Glass," were given at the American Ceramics Society Fall Glass and Optical Materials Division Meeting held October 12-15th in Corning, NY.
An oral presentation was given at the 16th University Conf. on Glass
Science: Glasses for High Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
Troy, NY, Aug. 13-15, 2003. Proceedings of this conference will be published
as a special issue of J. Non-Cryst. Solids.
Future Activities:
(A) Continue examination of dopant effects and hydrogen reaction kinetics
(B) Use optical filters with current light source to define optimum radiation wavelength
(C) Investigate alternative light sources
(D) Continue optimization of base glass composition
(E) Demonstrate ability to fabricate microspheres from these glasses.
CEER is funded
in large part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
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