HYDRIDE4MOBILITY: An EU project on hydrogen powered forklift using metal hydrides for hydrogen storage and H2 compression

The EU Horizon2020 RISE project 778,307 “Hydrogen fuelled utility and their support systems utilising metal hydrides” (HYDRIDE4MOBILITY) worked on the commercialization of hydrogen powered forklifts using metal hydride (MH) based hydrogen stores. The project consortium joined forces of 9 academic and industrial partners from 4 countries. The work program included a) Development of the materials for hydrogen storage and compression; b) Theoretical modelling and optimisation of the materials performance and system integration; c) Advanced fibre reinforced composite cylinder systems for H 2 storage and compression; d) System validation. Materials development was focused on i) Zr/Ti-based Laves type high entropy alloys; ii) Mg-rich composite materials; iii) REMNiSn intermetallics; iv) Mg based materials for the hydrolysis process; v) Cost-efficient alloys. For the optimized AB 2±x alloys the Zr/Ti content was optimized at A = Zr 78-88 Ti 12 – 22 while B=Ni 10 Mn 5.83 VFe. These alloys provided a) Low hysteresis of hydrogen absorption-desorption; b) Excellent kinetics of charge and discharge; c) Tailored thermodynamics; d) Long cycle life. Zr 0.85 Ti 0.15 TM 2 alloy provided a reversible H storage and electrochemical capacity of 1.6 wt% H and 450 mAh/g. The tanks development targeted: i) High efficiency of heat and hydrogen exchange; ii) Reduction of the weight and increasing the working H 2 pressure; iii) Modelling, testing and optimizing the H 2 stores with fast performance. The system for power generation was validated at the Implats plant in a fuel cell powered forklift with on-board MH hydrogen storage and on-site H 2 refuelling. The outcome on the HYDRIDE4MOBILITY project (2017–2024) ( http://hydride4mobility.fesb.unist.hr ) was presented in 58 publications. • Metal hydrides based hydrogen storage system for an H-powered forklift • Carbon fibre-reinforced 700 bar composite H 2 tank for a metal hydride hydrogen compressor • Zr/Ti Laves type alloys with V/Mn/Fe/Ni for H storage, MH compression and MH anodes • Advanced metal hydride anodes with discharge capacities exceeding 420 mAh/g • Horizon2020 RISE MSCA staff exchange project HYDRIDE4MOBILITY