Storage Device for Sorption and Desorption of Molecular gas contained by Storage Sites of Nano-filament Laded Reticulated Aerogel

Abstract

An apparatus and method for sorption and desorption of molecular gas contained by storage sites of graphite nano-filaments randomly disposed in three-dimensional reticulated aerogel.

1 . A gas storage apparatus comprising: 
 a pressure vessel including:    a polymeric structure of interconnected particles creating open cells; and    a nanostructure grown on said polymeric structure, said polymeric structure and said nanostructure capable of sorbing a molecular gas.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said nanostructure comprises a structure taken form the group consisting of platelet carbon nano-fiber, cylindrical carbon nanostructure, ribbon carbon nano-fiber, faceted tubular carbon nano-fiber and herringbone carbon nano-fiber.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric structure of interconnected particles creating open cells comprises particles having a diameter of up to 100 Angstroms.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric structure of interconnected particles creating open cells comprises a polymeric structure formed from a solution of one of either formaldehyde-resorcinol (RF) or phenolic-furfural (PF).  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric structure of interconnected particles creating open cells comprises a carbon aerogel structure having a density of about the order of 100 mg/cc.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric structure of interconnected particles creating open cells comprises a carbon aerogel structure having a surface area in the range of between about 0.2 m 2 /gm and 3000 m 2 /gm.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said molecular gas is taken from the group consisting of hydrogen and oxygen.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric structure comprises a catalyzed carbon aerogel monolith structure.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said nanostructure comprises solid fibers or hollow tubes of carbon.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said open cells range in size up to about 1000 Angstroms.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure vessel is configured to receive said molecular gas at a temperature of between about 77° K and about 300° K.