Method for loading and storing gas in nano-valved sorbents

A method for storing and releasing gas, comprising the steps of:

• providing loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets including a nano-porous outer layer and loaded with gas, the nano-porous outer layer including nano-valves capable of being opened and closed on demand;
• storing the loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets with the nano-valves being closed;
• and
• opening the nano-valves to release the gas.

A system for on-board storage of gas, comprising:

• a storage tank including a plurality of zones;
• loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets including a nano-porous outer layer in the zones, the nano-porous outer layer including nano-valves capable of being opened and closed on demand;
• gas stored in loaded the nano-valved adsorbent pellets in one or more of the plurality of zones, the nano-valves on the loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets being maintained in a closed position;
• and
• a thermal management system capable of independently heating each of the plurality of zones to open the nano-valves and release gas from the loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets in the zone.

A method for loading and storing gas, comprising the steps of:

• providing adsorbent pellets coated with a nano-porous outer layer, the nano-porous outer layer including nano-valves capable of being opened and closed on demand;
• storing the adsorbent pellets in one or more cartridge-type tanks, each tank containing a plurality of the adsorbent pellets;
• loading the adsorbent pellets in the cartridges with gas at a loading pressure when the nano-valves are opened, forming loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets in the cartridges;
• closing the nano-valves in the loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets;
• and
• storing the cartridges containing the loaded nano-valved adsorbent pellets at a storage pressure that is lower than the loading pressure.