AB5-type alloy
Using special vacuum technology from rare-earth and transition metals can be melted alloys, which are able to absorb hydrogen from the gas phase. These alloys, at room temperature and under certain hydrogen pressure, are absorbing extremely large quantities of hydrogen by forming solid metal hydrides. The chemical reaction of hydride formation is accompanied with release of heat into environment. The hydrogen absorption process can be reversed if the hydrogen pressure is lowered below some certain value.In this case, desorption of hydrogen gas is accompanied with heat absorption from environment.
The hydrogen storage alloys, based on rare-earth metals, Ti, Zr, Fe, et. al, are extensively studied. However, only rare-earth based so called AB5-type and transition metal based AB2-type alloys has reached the stage of mass production and commercialization. At the same time, as a reversible gas storage material, only AB5-type alloys can operate at moderate temperatures (from -20°C up to +60°C), while the AB2-type ones require additional heating.
Developed by H Bank in 2000, the patented alloy compositions are able to absorb hydrogen as high as 1.65wt.%, whereas the maximum values for commercial AB5-type alloy is below 1.5wt.% so far. The alloy outperforms any existing AB5-type alloy.
In 2004, H Bank devoted in putting the solid state hydrogen storage idea into the market. H Bank has developed a big variety of hydrogen storage tanks and containers with amount of stored hydrogen from 10 up to 100,000 litters. All H Bank’s rights on these products are protected with corresponding patents. H Bank will devote every effort to replace dangerous high-pressure hydrogen cylinders with safe metal-hydride based storages.
Patents
Certificate of Patent, Taiwan, R. O. C.
Number of patent：Di-196342
Name of patent：Prescription of Hydrogen-absorbing alloy
Owner of patent：Mr. Shih, Chih-Kang
Inventers：Mr. Shih, Chih-Kang
Beginning date of patent：Feb. 1, 2004
Expiry date of patent：Oct. 1, 2020
Certificate of Patent, China
Serial Number：Di-122728
Patent Number：ZL 00 1 29765 1
International Patent Main Category Number：C22C 19/03
Name of patent：Prescription, Manufacturing method and process of
Hydrogen-absorbing alloy.
Owner of patent：Mr. Shih, Chih-Kang
Inventers：Mr. Shih, Chih-Kang
Authorization Date of Announcement：Sep. 10, 2003
Period：20 years
Certificate of Patent, Taiwan, R. O. C.
Number of patent：Di-196342
Name of patent：Prescription of Hydrogen-absorbing alloy
Owner of patent：Mr. Shih, Chih-Kang
Inventers：Mr. Shih, Chih-Kang
Beginning date of patent：Feb. 1, 2004
Expiry date of patent：Oct. 1, 2020
Certificate of Patent, Taiwan, R. O. C.
Number of patent：Di-267605
Name of patent：Hydrogen Storage Apparatus
Owner of patent：H Bank Technology Inc.
Inventers：Mr. Shih, Mr. Huang, Dr. Vahan Beibutian
Beginning date of patent：Dec. 1, 2006
Expiry date patent：Dec. 30, 2024
Certificate of Patent, Taiwan, R. O. C.
Number of patent：Di-271487
Name of patent：Portable Hydrogen Supply System
Owner of patent：H Bank Technology Inc.
Inventers：Mr. Shih, Mr. Huang, Ms. An
Beginning date of patent：Jan. 21, 2007
Expiry date patent：Sep. 14, 2029
Certificate of Patent, USA
Number of patent：US 007320726 B2
Name of patent：Hydrogen Storage Apparatus
Owner of patent：H Bank Technology Inc.
Inventers：Mr. Shih, Mr. Huang, Dr. Vahan Beibutian
Certificate of Patent, China
Patent Number：ZL 2004 1 0012030.0
Name of patent：Portable Hydrogen Supply System
Owner of patent：H Bank Technology Inc.
Inventers：Mr. Shih, Mr. Huang, Ms. An
Authorization Date of Announcement：Sep. 28, 2004
Period：20 years
Certificate of Patent, China
Patent Number：L 2005 1 0062992.1
Name of patent：Hydrogen storage alloy
Owner of patent：Mr. Shih, Chih-Kang
Inventers：Mr. Shih, Chih-Kang
Authorization Date of Announcement：Apr. 4, 2005
Period：20 years