Stable austenitic stainless steel for hydrogen storage vessels

Abstract

An austenitic stainless steel composition is provided that is resistant to embrittlement due to hydrogen and/or low temperature. The steel composition comprises chromium (Cr) at greater than or equal to about 17% by weight; nickel (Ni) at less than or equal to about 13% by weight; nitrogen (N) at greater than 0.16% by weight. The steel is substantially free of molybdenum (Mo). In various embodiments, the steel is used to form a surface of a hydrogen storage vessel that contacts hydrogen and is resistant to hydrogen and low temperature (less than or equal to about −100° C.) embrittlement. Methods of storing hydrogen in vessels made of the hydrogen embrittlement resistant austenitic steel composition are also provided.

1 . A hydrogen storage vessel comprising a surface that comprises an austenitic stainless steel composition comprising:
 chromium (Cr) at greater than or equal to about 17% by weight;   nickel (Ni) at less than or equal to about 13% by weight; and   nitrogen (N) at greater than 0.16% by weight, wherein the steel composition is substantially free of molybdenum (Mo), and wherein the surface is in contact with hydrogen and is resistant to embrittlement to a temperature of about −100° C.   
   
   
       2 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises nitrogen (N) at greater than or equal to about 0.18% by weight. 
   
   
       3 . The vessel of  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises nickel (Ni) at less than or equal to about 10.5% by weight. 
   
   
       4 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises nitrogen (N) at greater than or equal to about 0.22% by weight. 
   
   
       5 . The vessel of  claim 4 , wherein the composition is resistant to embrittlement to a temperature of about −250° C. 
   
   
       6 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is resistant to hydrogen embrittlement at temperatures in the range of about −100° C. to about 100° C. 
   
   
       7 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is charged with a pressurized hydrogen-containing gas, and the surface is in contact with said pressurized hydrogen-containing gas. 
   
   
       8 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a high pressure storage tank. 
   
   
       9 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the surface forms a liner that contains the hydrogen. 
   
   
       10 . A vehicular power plant comprising the vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen storage vessel stores hydrogen that is provided as a fuel to the vehicular power plant. 
   
   
       11 . An austenitic steel composition that is resistant to hydrogen-embrittlement comprising:
 carbon (C) at less than or equal to about 0.07% by weight;   nickel (Ni) at less than or equal to about 10.5% by weight;   chromium (Cr) at greater than or equal to about 17% by weight;   nitrogen (N) at greater than 0.18% by weight; and   wherein said composition is substantially free of molybdenum (Mo).   
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the composition further comprises
 silicon (Si) at less than or equal to about 1.0% by weight;   manganese (Mn) at less than or equal to about 2.0% by weight;   phosphorus (P) at less than or equal to about 0.045% by weight;   sulfur (S) at less than or equal to about 0.03% by weight; and   the balance iron (Fe) and incidental impurities.   
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 11  wherein said composition comprises nitrogen (N) at greater than or equal to about 0.22% by weight. 
   
   
       14 . A method for storing hydrogen comprising:
 a. providing a storage vessel resistant to embrittlement to a temperature of at least about −100° C., said vessel having a surface comprising an austenitic stainless steel composition comprising chromium (Cr) at greater than or equal to about 17% by weight; nickel (Ni) at less than or equal to about 13% by weight; and nitrogen (N) at greater than 0.16% by weight; wherein said composition is substantially molybdenum (Mo) free;   b. transferring a hydrogen-containing stream to the vessel wherein said stream is in contact with the surface; and   c. storing said hydrogen-containing stream in said vessel, wherein the surface does not experience embrittlement.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said austenitic stainless steel composition comprises nitrogen (N) at greater than about 0.18%. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said austenitic stainless steel composition comprises nitrogen at greater than about 0.22% by weight. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said vessel is resistant to embrittlement to a temperature of at least about −250° C.