HyPoCrete: Hydrogen storage using an innovative concrete composite system

May 3rd, 2023

R&D Focus Areas:
Compressed gas, Computational modelling, Materials modelling

Lead Organisation:
University of Melbourne

Partners:
Hazprotect, M Modular, Bestech

Status:
Active

Start date:
October 2022

Completion date:
October 2025

Key contacts:
Lead Investigator Professor Tuan Ngo – dtngo@unimelb.edu.au

Funding:
AUD$485,000 – Australian Research Council

Project total cost:
Australian Research Council cash funding plus unspecified in-kind contributions

Project summary description:
The HyPoCrete project aims to enhance the cost-effectiveness, performance and resilience of hydrogen storage tanks by developing an innovative polymer-concrete composite system (H2PC), which will revolutionise the hydrogen storage sector through the following benefits:

  • The proposed H2PC system, which is developed by using a new class of polymer-concrete composite in this project, has the potential to shape the way hydrogen is stored and transported in the future. The project focuses on the development of the H2PC tank for stationary, bulk hydrogen storage but the knowledge created will be generalised for transporting hydrogen (e.g. H2PC pipelines).
  • The high performance of concrete material, together with utilising the polymer material as the hydrogen impermeable barrier, will enhance the storage capacity and performance of the proposed H2PC. The affordability, accessibility and maturity of concrete technology will facilitate the widespread adaptation of H2PC systems in the hydrogen ecosystem.
  • The rigorous experimental and numerical modelling developed in this project will enhance the efficient design and operation of the proposed H2PC. In addition, the integrated sensing system will enhance the safety of the system by continuously monitoring the health and condition of H2PC throughout service life. The high performance and resilience of concrete layer will protect the H2PC against blast/impact accidents, thereby improving its safety.

Related publications and key links:
Tran, N. P., Nguyen, T. N., & Ngo, T. D. (2022). The role of organic polymer modifiers in cementitious systems towards durable and resilient infrastructures: A systematic review. Construction and Building Materials, 360, 129562.

Le, S. T., Nguyen, T. N., Linforth, S., & Ngo, T. D. (2023). Safety investigation of hydrogen energy storage systems using quantitative risk assessment. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 48(7), 2861-2875.

Le, T. S., Nguyen, T. N., Bui, D. K., & Ngo, T. D. (2023). Optimal sizing of renewable energy storage: A techno-economic analysis of hydrogen, battery and hybrid systems considering degradation and seasonal storage. Applied Energy, 336, 120817.

Higher degree studies supported:
This work will support two PhD students and four Masters students throughout the duration of the research.

 

May 2023