UCLA

Nowadays, the framework of the hydrogen economy is been considered by many stakeholders as a way to improve the security, cost, and environmental concerns of the fuels and technologies used in vehicles. Therefore, this work aims to provide novel solutions in the refueling of hydrogen gas into fuel cell vehicles, as well as green production of hydrogen from sun power via thermochemical cycles. First, a novel methodology for the fill-up of hydrogen is developed, which yields strategies that significantly reduce the fill-up time and cooling needs while satisfying safety concerns. Then, the methodology is applied to the case of methane and compressed natural gas, leading to similar results as in the case of hydrogen. Finally, a novel water-splitting thermochemical cycle, powered by concentrated solar power, is studied at a fundamental level in order to provide operating conditions for its reactions.