Imaging of an operating LaNi4.8Al0.2–based hydrogen storage container

In this paper the phenomena occurring inside of a hydrogen storage container (filled with LaNi4.8Al0.2 active material), in operation, are unveiled by means of high-resolution neutron radiography and tomography. Although the metallic hydride-based storage systems are commonly used and commercially available, the processes occurring inside of such devices have been derived rather on the knowledge of several external parameters (changes of H2 pressure or the container’s temperature) characterising the whole container than on a direct experimental evidence of the container’s interior. The results of neutron imaging experiments reported here show the possibility of qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics with spatial resolution of 70 μm.

► High-resolution neutron imaging of the operating M-H vessel is presented.
► Radio- and tomography gives insight into interior of the working M-H vessel.
► Hydrogen absorption profiles against time are plotted (radiography).
► 3D reconstructions of hydrogen concentration in the bed are given (tomography).