If you want to see a pressure-composition isotherm and a pressure-temperature van't Hoff plot for each alloy, click the link for the alloy of interest: Alloy A or Alloys L, M, H . Alloy A contains iron and titanium. Alloys L, M and H contain rare earth metals and nickel. Alloy A is less expensive than Alloys L, M or H. This makes no difference in prices of smaller containers because assembly labor cost dominates production costs. On larger containers, we must charge extra because of higher alloy costs.

ORDERING SOLID-H

The prefix of the part number indicates the container material. BL indicates a stainless steel container, except the BL-18, which is carbon steel. CL indicates an aluminum industrial gas cylinder. Standard quick connects and relief valves are made of brass.

The part number specifies the hydrogen capacity in “standard” liters (1 atmosphere absolute pressure at 0 ℃ ). CL-370A means 370 standard liters of hydrogen capacity from Alloy A, the standard alloy for this container.

The alloy choice is added to the part number, for example BL-30M or CL-370A. CONTACT US to place an order.

INTRODUCTION TO METAL HYDRIDES

SOLID-H™ hydrogen storage containers are filled with metal powders that absorb and release hydrogen (metal hydrides). You may already be using metal hydrides in your laptop computer (nickel-metal hydride batteries).

The most popular SOLID-H containers supply a few atmospheres of hydrogen gas pressure at room temperature. This is the safest method known for storing flammable hydrogen gas. If your hydrogen system develops a leak, SOLID-H immediately releases a small fraction of its stored hydrogen. The remainder will be released over a period of hours. If you want to know more about metal hydride chemistry, please click Chemistry .

Typical uses for SOLID-H include hydrogen supplies for gas chromatographs and fuel storage for hydrogen engines or fuel cells. A typical SOLID-H container is shown below.

Metal hydrides are the most compact way to store hydrogen (more dense than liquid hydrogen). The internal volume of the CL-370A is less than 0.7 liters. 370 liters of hydrogen capacity is more than 500 times the size of the container!

Standard SOLID-H BL-series containers hold 18, 20, 30, 120, 220 or 740 standard liters of hydrogen gas. These are on the shelf or available on short delivery schedules.

We recently introduced the lower cost SOLID-H CL-series containers, including CL-370 and CL-910, based on aluminum industrial gas cylinders. These two containers hold 370 and 910 liters of hydrogen respectively. The aluminum cylinders used to make the CL-series are rated for very high pressures. This makes them heavier than equivalent thin walled stainless steel BL-series containers of comparable capacity.

If you need a different capacity or special pressure-temperature specifications, just email your specifications. HCI has built custom metal hydride systems since 1978 with up to 300,000 liters of hydrogen capacity.

USING SOLID-H™

A SOLID-H™ container is coupled to your system by a fitting that you specify when you order. This is usually a quick connect for convenience of installation and removal. Unless you specify a different fitting we will install a Swagelok QM series female quick connect on the container. We also supply a mating male quick connect that adapts to 1/8 th inch tubing.

The hydrogen pressure when charging or discharging a SOLID-H™ container is something you select when you order. Four standard pressure ranges are offered; Alloy A (1-10 bar at room temperature), Alloy L (2-3 bar at room temperature), Alloy M (4-5 bar at room temperature) and Alloy H (8-12 bar at room temperature).

Alloy A is an iron-titanium alloy that may be shipped void of hydrogen as non-hazardous material. Alloys L, M and H are rare earth-nickel alloys. After activation (activation means "charged for the 1st time") they must be shipped void of hydrogen as a flammable solid. The expense of hazardous shipping may be avoided if you order unactivated SOLID-H™ containers. HCI will send activation instructions.

Recharge your SOLID-H™ container by connecting it to a source of clean dry hydrogen gas at the pressure specified in your SOLID-H™ manual. The container will get warm to the touch. When it is cool again, recharging is complete.

Reduce the pressure to the value indicated for your alloy in the SOLID-H TM manual before disconnecting it from your hydrogen source. Failure to do so may lead to venting through the pressure relief in hot environments (pressure increases rapidly with temperature).

PRESSURE REGULATOR

Pressure Regulator, PR-50, sets the outlet pressure from 0-50 psig (0-3.4 bar gauge). Maximum inlet pressure is 300 psig (20 bar gauge). The outlet connection on the regulator has 1/8 NPT female pipe threads.

OTHER CONNECTION REQUIREMENTS