WO2011110633A1

WO2011110633A1 - Method for dispensing hydrogen

Info

Publication number: WO2011110633A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/053628
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Schnitzeler
Original assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V.
Priority date: 2010-03-12
Filing date: 2011-03-10
Publication date: 2011-09-15

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for dispensing hydrogen at two or more hydrogen-dispensing locations, comprising: a) providing at a first location for dispensing hydrogen a storage vessel comprising liquid hydrogen and comprising gaseous hydrogen; b) withdrawing liquid hydrogen from the storage vessel, evaporating the liquid hydrogen to obtain further gaseous hydrogen and providing at least part of the further gaseous hydrogen to a hydrogen dispenser; and c} withdrawing gaseous hydrogen from the storage vessel and providing the gaseous hydrogen to a second or further location for dispensing hydrogen. The present invention also provides a hydrogen- dispensing station and a network of hydrogen-dispensing stations.

Description

METHOD FOR DISPENSING HYDROGEN

The present invention provides a method for

dispensing hydrogen at two or more hydrogen-dispensing locations, a hydrogen-dispensing station and a network of hydrogen-dispensing stations.

In recent years, the use of hydrogen as automotive fuel has gained much interest. Several hybrid or even solely hydrogen-propelled engines and vehicles have been developed, based on the use of high pressure gaseous hydrogen as fuel. However, the application of these vehicles is limited due to the limited range and absence of sufficient hydrogen-dispensing stations. Although, a limited number of hydrogen-dispensing stations have been provided in recent years, many of these stations are part of demonstration projects covering only a small

geographical area.

Reasons preventing the creation of a more extensive hydrogen distribution network are at least twofold. One reason is connected to the distribution of hydrogen from a hydrogen production site to a hydrogen-dispensing station. It currently expected that hydrogen will be dispensed at the hydrogen-dispensing station as high pressure gaseous hydrogen rather than in its liquid form. Eventually, it is believed that supplying a large network of hydrogen-dispensing stations would require an

extensive pipe network for transporting gaseous hydrogen.

In the absence of such a pipeline network, it is

preferred to transport hydrogen from the production facility in gaseous or liquid form. It is preferred to transport and store the hydrogen as liquid hydrogen due to its significantly higher energy density compared to gaseous hydrogen even when the latter is transported and stored at high pressure.

However, the use of liquid hydrogen requires highly insulated storage facilities, which are expensive and therefore have a negative impact on the station

economics, especially in the early years of refuelling station network development when the throughput at the station is low. Additionally, in the case of low

throughput, the storage of liquid hydrogen and the station operation is associated with boil-off gas losses.

These boil-off gases need to be vented or turned into lower value electricity at the site to remain below the design pressure of the storage vessel when the boil-off gas cannot be dispensed at the site.

Transport to and storage of gaseous hydrogen at a site does not suffer from boil-off losses and is

therefore considered more suited for stations with lower throughput in the initial phase of hydrogen dispensing (refuelling) infrastructure build-up. Due to its

significantly lower density, the transport of pressurised hydrogen over longer distances from a central hydrogen production site is, however, very expensive compared to liquid hydrogen transport, with typical truck loads being in the range of 250-300 kg for gaseous hydrogen and 3500 kg for liquid hydrogen.

An example of a hydrogen-dispensing station with a liquid hydrogen storage facility is shown in EP1360084.

The high cost of storing liquid hydrogen are a barrier to creation of a large network of hydrogen- dispensing stations. As a result use of hydrogen- propelled vehicles remains low.

Another problem is the limited hydrogen demand due to the low number of hydrogen-propelled vehicles at the onset of hydrogen-propelled vehicle commercialisation. As mentioned before, when storing liquid hydrogen,

inevitably boil-off hydrogen gas is created in the storage tank.

During periods of low hydrogen demand, insufficient hydrogen can be dispensed and undesirable amounts of boil-off hydrogen are formed in the gas head of the liquid hydrogen storage vessel. As a result the pressure in the liquid hydrogen storage vessel increases to unacceptable levels exceeding design levels.

In EP1360084, it is suggested to provide additional storage for high pressure gaseous hydrogen. However, with continuous overproduction of hydrogen during the periods of low demand, such additional storage can only

temporally solve the problem. Eventually, the excess hydrogen gas must be vented or for instance converted into low-value electricity.

In DE102008004467A1, it is suggested to resolve the low hydrogen demand by not only refuelling vehicles with hydrogen at the hydrogen dispensing station, but also by providing hydrogen for non-automotive purposes, such as laptops, backup electricity generators and

telecommunication antennas. However, hydrogen-powered laptops, backup electricity generators and

telecommunication antennas are not used in significant numbers and it is not expected that their numbers will increase significantly in the near future. In addition, the hydrogen demand for other non-automotive purposes is also low. It is therefore unlikely that providing

hydrogen for non-automotive purposes will resolve the problem.

To break this vicious circle, a method for

dispensing hydrogen is needed that can provide a hydrogen distribution network covering a large geographical area, while minimising hydrogen losses and reducing capital investment and logistic cost.

It has now been found that the vicious circle can be broken by a method for dispensing hydrogen according to the present invention by providing gaseous hydrogen from a centrally located hydrogen-dispensing location,

comprising a liquid hydrogen storage, to one or more further hydrogen-dispensing locations.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for dispensing hydrogen at two or more hydrogen- dispensing locations, comprising

a) providing at a first location for dispensing

hydrogen a storage vessel comprising liquid hydrogen and gaseous hydrogen;

b) withdrawing liquid hydrogen from the storage

vessel, evaporating the liquid hydrogen to obtain further gaseous hydrogen and providing at least part of the further gaseous hydrogen to a hydrogen dispenser; and

c) withdrawing gaseous hydrogen from the storage

vessel and providing the gaseous hydrogen to a second or further location for dispensing hydrogen, where a hydrogen-dispensing substation is situated at the second or further location for dispensing hydrogen.

Reference herein to a hydrogen dispenser is to a device suitable for dispensing gaseous hydrogen to e.g. (re) fuel a vehicle.

An advantage of the present invention is that a single liquid hydrogen storage facility can be used to supply hydrogen at several other locations, without the need to build more liquid hydrogen storage facilities. In addition, rather than converting the excess gaseous hydrogen into low-value electricity it can be used to supply a larger network of hydrogen-dispensing stations. This provides a larger geographical coverage of the hydrogen distribution network. Consequently, the range of the hydrogen-propelled vehicles is increased and with that the functionality of such vehicles.

The method for dispensing hydrogen according to the present invention allows for the dispensing of hydrogen at two or more locations. Reference herein to two or more locations is to two or more different locations separated geographically. Preferably, the two or more locations are separated geographically by at least 100 meters, as measured by a straight line. In the method according to the invention, a first location for dispensing hydrogen is provided with a liquid hydrogen storage vessel

suitable for storing liquid hydrogen. The first location for dispensing hydrogen is further also referred to as the first location. Preferably, such a first location is located centrally with respect to the other locations, in particular taking into account the road network in the area covering all locations. Preferably, a hydrogen- dispensing station is situated at the first location.

The liquid hydrogen storage vessel (also referred to as storage vessel) comprises liquid hydrogen and

additionally gaseous hydrogen. The liquid hydrogen forms a liquid phase in the lower part of the storage vessel, while the gaseous hydrogen is concentrated in a gas head on top of the liquid hydrogen. Reference herein to a gas head is to a volume of gas typically located on top of the liquid volume in the storage vessel. The gaseous hydrogen in the gas head is also referred to as gas head gaseous hydrogen. The temperature of the liquid hydrogen and gaseous hydrogen in the storage vessel is preferably in the range of from -258.15 to -252.15°C (15 to 21 K) , while the pressure is sufficient to maintain the hydrogen in its liquid form, preferably in the range of from 1 to 10 bar absolute (bara) , preferably in the range of from 5 to 8 bar absolute (bara) . The storage vessel preferably has a volume of in the range of from 10 to 50 cubic meter and may hold in the range of from 0 to 3500 kg of liquid hydrogen.

Although, the storage vessel is typically highly insulated, liquid hydrogen evaporates at a constant rate inside the storage vessel, causing the temperature to remain low, forming a certain amount gaseous hydrogen, while the bulk of the hydrogen is retained in its liquid state. Typically, between 0.1 to 2wt%, based on the total capacity of the liquid hydrogen storage vessel, of hydrogen evaporates per day inside a typical insulted liquid hydrogen storage vessel. As a result a gas head is created inside the storage vessel, which comprises predominately gaseous hydrogen, typically the gas head consist of gaseous hydrogen. Due to the constant

evaporation of liquid hydrogen, the pressure in the gas head increases and thus the pressure in the storage vessel increases. Preferably, the pressure in the liquid hydrogen storage vessel is maintained below design pressure, typically no more than 10 bara, by withdrawing gas head gaseous hydrogen from the liquid hydrogen storage vessel.

Gaseous hydrogen is dispensed to vehicles for refuelling purposes. In order to provide sufficient high pressure gaseous hydrogen at sufficiently high flow rates during times of high hydrogen demand, liquid hydrogen is withdrawn from the storage vessel and evaporated to obtain gaseous hydrogen, this gaseous hydrogen obtained by purposely evaporating liquid hydrogen is also referred to as further gaseous hydrogen. Preferably, the liquid hydrogen is evaporated in a heat exchanger and heated to a temperature suitable for dispensing hydrogen e.g. to a hydrogen tank in a propelled vehicle. Preferably, the further gaseous hydrogen is dispensed having a

temperature in the range of from -40 to 30°C, preferably of from -40 to 0°C. Preferably, the temperature is low, however the minimum temperature is constrained by the technical limitation of the hydrogen dispenser.

Preferably, the hydrogen is dispensed at a pressure in the range of from 300 to 900 bar, more preferably, of from 400 to 750 bar.

By purposely evaporating liquid hydrogen to respond to the hydrogen demand, it is possible to directly provide sufficient high pressure gaseous hydrogen at flexible flow rates at any time.

In the method according to the invention gas head gaseous hydrogen is provided to a second or further location for dispensing hydrogen. A hydrogen-dispensing substation is situated at the second or further location for dispensing hydrogen. Reference herein to a hydrogen- dispensing substation is to hydrogen-dispensing station that is suitable to dispense high pressure gaseous hydrogen, preferably to refuel hydrogen-propelled

vehicles and that does not comprise significant liquid hydrogen storage facilities, but rather relies on gaseous hydrogen provided from the first location. Reference herein to significant liquid hydrogen storage facilities is to facilities allowing for the storage of more than, 5 cubic meter, preferably 1 cubic meter, more preferably 0.5 cubic meter of liquid hydrogen. As mentioned herein before, significant amounts of gas head gaseous hydrogen are formed by liquid hydrogen evaporation inside the liquid hydrogen storage vessel. In the method according to present invention the gas head gaseous hydrogen is withdrawn from the liquid hydrogen storage vessel and provided, preferably in the form of high pressure gaseous hydrogen, to a second or further location for dispensing hydrogen, also referred to as sub-location (s) . The gaseous hydrogen withdrawn from the liquid hydrogen storage vessel typically has a

temperature in the range of from -258.15 to -173.15°C (15 to 100 K) and has a pressure below 10 bara. Preferably, the gaseous hydrogen is pressurised and heated to a temperature in the range of from -50 to 30°C, preferably of from -10 to 20°C. Preferably, the pressure is

increased to a pressure in the range of from 50 to 250 bar, more preferably, of from 150 to 250 bar. Although higher pressures would allow to transport a higher mass of hydrogen, regulatory constrains may limit the upper pressure for road transport to 250 bar. In case higher pressures would be allowed, the upper pressure limit may be as high as 500 bar or even 700 bar. Such high

pressures allow for a more efficient transport to the sub-locatio (s) .

As mention wherein above, liquid hydrogen is

purposely evaporated to provide further gaseous hydrogen to a hydrogen dispenser to provide, preferably high pressure, gaseous hydrogen to satisfy a hydrogen demand at the first location, e.g. for dispensing gaseous hydrogen to hydrogen-propelled vehicles. An excess of gaseous hydrogen may result when satisfying the hydrogen demand at the first station, including but not limited to hydrogen resulting from pressure relieving the system when the dispensing of hydrogen is halted or when filling up the liquid hydrogen storage vessel from a truck. This gaseous hydrogen is further referred to as excess gaseous hydrogen. Preferably, the excess gaseous hydrogen is also provided to a sub-location. Preferably, this excess gaseous hydrogen is provided to the sub-location (s) together with the gas head gaseous hydrogen withdrawn from the liquid hydrogen storage vessel.

In case the hydrogen demand from the sub-location (s) exceeds the quantity of gaseous hydrogen available at the first location, i.e. gas head gaseous hydrogen withdrawn from the liquid hydrogen storage vessel and excess gaseous hydrogen, additional gaseous hydrogen may be generated by purposely evaporating liquid hydrogen. This gaseous hydrogen generated by purposely evaporating hydrogen, which is, as mentioned herein above, referred to as further gaseous hydrogen, may then the provided to the sub-location (s) . Preferably, the generated further gaseous hydrogen is provided to the sub-location (s) together with the gas head gaseous hydrogen withdrawn from the liquid hydrogen storage vessel and, optionally, the excess gaseous hydrogen.

In case, liquid hydrogen is evaporated to provide further gaseous hydrogen for dispensing purposes and for providing hydrogen for a second or further sub-location simultaneously, at least part of the further hydrogen is provided to the sub-locatio (s) and another part, preferably the remainder, of the further gaseous hydrogen is provided to a hydrogen dispenser for refuelling purposes.

By purposely evaporating liquid hydrogen to supply additional further gaseous hydrogen to the sub- location (s) it is possible to fulfil the total hydrogen demand at such sub-location (s) from a single central liquid hydrogen storage. Thereby, the need to provide separate liquid hydrogen storage facilities at the sub- location (s) is removed.

Preferably, gaseous hydrogen is provided to the sub- location (s) at elevated pressure, preferably a pressure in the range of from 50 to 250 bar, more preferably, of from 150 to 250 bar. If needed, the gaseous hydrogen can be further pressurised at the sub-location (s) to

pressures required for dispensing the gaseous hydrogen to vehicles for refuelling purposes. Preferably, the

hydrogen is pressurised and dispensed at the sub- location (s) at a pressure in the range of from 300 to 900 bar, more preferably, of from 400 to 750 bar. The

hydrogen may be provided to the sub-location at higher pressures, omitting at least partly the need to

pressurise the gaseous hydrogen at the sub-location, However, this may be subject to regulatory constraints.

The gaseous hydrogen may .be provided to the sub- location (s) for dispensing hydrogen by any suitable means, including pipelines or trucks.

Preferably, the gaseous hydrogen is provided to the sub-location (s) by trucks. This has the advantage that the gaseous hydrogen can be transported using the

existing infrastructure and there is no need for provide a separate pipe network.

Preferably, the gaseous hydrogen is provided to the sub-location (s) using one or more containers suitable for storing hydrogen. More preferably, such containers are detachable. Such containers do not include the hydrogen fuel tanks in hydrogen powered vehicles, that contain the hydrogen used to power the vehicle. By allowing a detachable container to be attached and filled at the first location of dispensing hydrogen, detaching the filled container and transporting the container to a sub- location, gaseous hydrogen may be provided to a sub- location. Preferably, the detachable container

additionally serves as hydrogen storage vessel for the sub-location. Upon depletion of the hydrogen in the detachable container, the detachable container may be returned to the first location and be replaced by a further full container, optionally the same detachable container after a refill.

Preferably, the detachable container is provided in the form of a truck equipped with a container suitable for storing hydrogen.

Preferably, the container for storing hydrogen is a high pressure container suitable for storing gaseous hydrogen.

Equally, preferred the container for storing hydrogen is a container comprising a metal or metal alloy material capable of reversibly reacting with hydrogen to form a metal hydride, thereby storing the hydrogen in solid state, i.e. in the form of a metal hydride. Such metal or metal alloy materials capable of reversibly reacting with hydrogen to form a metal hydride are known in the art. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, magnesium and magnesium based alloys, sodium

aluminium based alloys, boron and boron based alloys. The advantage of the use of such materials capable of

reversibly reacting with hydrogen to form a metal hydride is that typically they do not require the hydrogen to be provided at high pressure. As a consequent there is less or even no need to pre-pressurise the gaseous hydrogen withdrawn from the liquid hydrogen storage vessel. In addition, no means for storing or transporting high pressure hydrogen, thus reducing the need to provided means for storing or transporting high pressure gaseous hydrogen. As the hydrogen is stored as a so

relatively low pressure, it can also be conveniently use to provide hydrogen for domestic use rather than for transportation .

In another aspect, the present invention provides a hydrogen-dispensing station, comprising:

a liquid hydrogen storage vessel ;

a heat exchanger for heating liquid and/or gaseous hydrogen to obtain gaseous hydrogen;

means for providing liquid hydrogen from the storage vessel to the heat exchanger; and

a hydrogen dispenser for dispensing gaseous

hydrogen,

wherein the hydrogen-dispensing station further comprises means suitable to transport gaseous hydrogen to a second or further hydrogen-dispensing substation and means to provide gaseous hydrogen from the liquid hydrogen storage vessel to the means suitable to transport gaseous

hydrogen .

The means suitable to transport gaseous hydrogen may include but are not limited to a pipeline interconnecting the hydrogen-dispensing station with one or more

hydrogen-dispensing substations or may be a detachable container suitable to store hydrogen that may be

transported to a hydrogen-dispensing substation. Such containers do not include the hydrogen fuel tanks in hydrogen powered vehicles, that contain the hydrogen used to power the vehicle. Preferably, the means suitable to transport gaseous hydrogen are provided in the form of a detachable container. Such a detachable container does not require the capital investment nor infrastructural upset of a pipeline. Preferably, the detachable container is a truck-mounted container or any other self-propelled container.

Preferably, the detachable container is a high pressure container suitable for storing gaseous hydrogen.

Optionally, the detachable container is a container comprising materials capable of reversibly reacting with hydrogen .

The means for providing liquid hydrogen from the storage vessel to the heat exchanger may be any suitable means, including but not limited to a conduit, optionally in combination with a pump or compressor. The pressure in the liquid hydrogen storage vessel may provide sufficient driving force to provide liquid hydrogen from the storage vessel to the heat exchanger. If additional driving force is needed a pump or compressor may be used. In case the hydrogen is still liquid when it arrives at the heat exchanger the heat exchanger may serve as an evaporator of the liquid hydrogen to gaseous hydrogen. Typically, part or all of the liquid hydrogen retrieved from the storage vessel will have undergone a phase transition to fluid hydrogen before reaching the heat exchanger.

Preferably, the hydrogen-dispensing station

comprises means to provide gaseous hydrogen to the detachable container at a pressure in the range of from

50 to 250 bar. Preferable, such means comprise a pump and/or a compressor. Although higher pressures would allow to transport a higher mass of hydrogen, regulatory constrains may limit the upper pressure for road

transport to 250 bar. In case higher pressures would be allowed, the upper pressure limit may be as high as 500 bar or even 700 bar. Preferably, the detachable container has a volume sufficient to contain in the range of from 50 to 300 kg of hydrogen at a pressure in the range of from 50 to 250 bar at a temperature in the range of from of -50 to 85°C, preferably -40 to 50°C. Assuming, that the hydrogen demand per vehicle per is approximately between 5 and 7 kg of hydrogen, such a container would provide sufficient hydrogen to refuel up to 60 vehicles. Although higher pressures would allow to transport a higher mass of hydrogen, regulatory constrains may limit the upper pressure for road transport to 250 bar. In case higher pressures would be allowed, the upper pressure limit may be as high as 500 bar or even 700 bar.

Preferably, the detachable container is suitable to be used as a hydrogen storage vessel at a second or further hydrogen-dispensing substation

In case the detachable container is a high pressure container, the detachable high pressure container may be an insulated or non-insulated container. The detachable high pressure container may be preferably be constructed from steel, aluminium, a composite material or a

combination thereof. Composite materials suitable for use the detachable high pressure container are known in the

3. t .

Examples of suitable containers include but are not limited to:

Metal containers

Approximate maximum pressure:

Aluminium: 175 bar;

Steel: 200 bar.

Metal containers with filament windings like glass fiber/aramid or carbon fiber around a metal cylinder: Approximate maximum pressure: Aluminium with glass fiber: 263 bar;

Steel with carbon/aramide fiber: 299 bar;

Composite material containers from fibreglass, aramid or carbon fiber with a metal liner (aluminium or steel) :

Approximate maximum pressure:

aluminium/glass fiber: 305 bar;

aluminium/aramide fiber: 438 bar.

Composite material containers such as carbon fiber with a thermoplastic polymer liner:

Approximate maximum pressure:

Thermoplastic polymer/carbon fiber: 661 bar and higher.

Preferably, a composite material based container is provided as these can withstand higher pressures.

However, metal based containers are significantly cheaper and therefore reduce the capital cost involved.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a network of hydrogen-dispensing stations, comprising a first hydrogen-dispensing station according to the invention and one or more further hydrogen-dispensing stations suitable for:

i) receiving detachable containers comprising gaseous hydrogen and/or metal hydrides;

ii) withdrawing gaseous hydrogen from the detachable container; and

iii) dispensing such gaseous hydrogen.

This network of hydrogen-dispensing stations

comprises at least one, preferably a single, first hydrogen-dispensing station, preferably a hydrogen- dispensing station according to the invention. The first hydrogen-dispensing station comprises a liquid hydrogen storage vessel and means to provide gaseous hydrogen to a further hydrogen-dispensing substation, preferably by use of a detachable high pressure container. In addition, the network comprises one or more further hydrogen-dispensing substations. These further hydrogen-dispensing stations do not comprise a liquid hydrogen storage vessel, but are suitable for receiving gaseous hydrogen from the first hydrogen-dispensing station, preferably via a detachable container for storing hydrogen. The further hydrogen- dispensing substation (s) are suitable to withdraw

hydrogen from the detachable container comprising high pressure gaseous hydrogen and/or a metal hydride.

Optionally, the hydrogen that is withdrawn from the detachable container is temporarily stored in a storage vessel for gaseous hydrogen. The further hydrogen- dispensing substation (s) are suitable to dispense high pressure gaseous hydrogen, preferably to refuel hydrogen- propelled vehicles. Preferably, the hydrogen storage vessel at the hydrogen-dispensing substation is a

detachable container suitable for storing hydrogen.

Preferably, the one or more further hydrogen- dispensing substations are located at a distance of more than 1500 meters, preferably more than 5000 meters from the first hydrogen-dispensing station. Reference herein to the distance as measure by a straight line. This is particularly preferred when the hydrogen-dispensing substations are located at and in the vicinity of a highway. However, in an urban environment the one or more further hydrogen-dispensing substations may located much closer to the first hydrogen-dispensing station,

preferably at a distance of more than 1000 meters.

Preferably, the one or more further hydrogen-dispensing stations are located at a distance of more than 1500 meters, preferably more than 5000 meters from the first hydrogen-dispensing station, wherein the distance is defined as the shortest possible route following the existing road infrastructure. Herein, it is assumed that the distance as defined by a straight line is always shorter that the distance as defined by the shortest possible route following the existing road

infrastructure.

Preferably, the network comprises of at least 3, preferably at least 5, more preferably at least 10 further hydrogen-dispensing substations and a single first hydrogen-dispensing station.

Preferably, the network is comprised of hydrogen- dispensing substations distributed around a centrally located first hydrogen-dispensing station. This has the advantage that the distance to the furthest hydrogen- dispensing substations is kept to a minimum.

An advantage of the present invention is that the transport of high pressure gaseous hydrogen is limited to relative short distances between the centrally located first hydrogen-dispensing station and the hydrogen- dispensing substation in its distribution network.

Hydrogen is transported from the hydrogen production site to. the centrally located first hydrogen-dispensing stations as liquid hydrogen allowing for a more efficient transport and distribution and limiting the pressure on the road infrastructure around the hydrogen production site. In addition, only as single liquid hydrogen storage facility needs to be constructed in order to supply hydrogen to a larger network of hydrogen-dispensing stations, which significantly reduces capital investment.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A method for dispensing hydrogen at two or more hydrogen-dispensing locations, comprising:

a) providing at a first location for dispensing

hydrogen a storage vessel comprising liquid hydrogen and comprising gaseous hydrogen; b) withdrawing liquid hydrogen from the storage

c) withdrawing gaseous hydrogen from the storage vessel and providing the gaseous hydrogen to a second or further location for dispensing hydrogen, where a hydrogen-dispensing substation is situated at the second or further location for dispensing hydrogen.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the gaseous hydrogen withdrawn from the storage vessel is provided to the second or further location for dispensing hydrogen using one or more detachable containers suitable for storing hydrogen.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the gaseous hydrogen withdrawn from the storage vessel is provided to the second or further location for dispensing hydrogen using one or more detachable high pressure containers suitable for storing gaseous hydrogen.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the gaseous hydrogen withdrawn from the storage vessel is provided to the second or further location for dispensing hydrogen using one or more detachable containers suitable for storing hydrogen in the form of metal hydrides comprising a metal or metal alloy material capable of reversibly reacting with hydrogen to form a metal hydride.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein part of the further gaseous hydrogen obtained in step b) is provided to the second or further location for dispensing hydrogen.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second or further location for dispensing hydrogen is located more than 1000 meters, preferably more than 5000 meters from the first location for dispensing hydrogen, as measured in a straight line.

7. A hydrogen-dispensing station, comprising:

a liquid hydrogen storage vessel;

a heat exchanger for heating the liquid and/or gaseous hydrogen;

a means for providing liquid hydrogen from the storage vessel and to the heat exchanger; and

a hydrogen dispenser for dispensing gaseous hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen-dispensing station further comprises a detachable container suitable for storing hydrogen and means to provide gaseous hydrogen from the liquid

hydrogen storage vessel to the detachable container.

8. A hydrogen-dispensing station according to claim 7, wherein the detachable container for storing hydrogen is a detachable high pressure container for storing gaseous hydrogen .

9. A hydrogen-dispensing station according to claim 7, wherein the detachable container for storing hydrogen is a detachable container comprising a material capable of reversibly reacting with hydrogen of from a metal hydride or the detachable container comprising a material capable of reversibly reacting with hydrogen of from a metal hydride .

10. A hydrogen-dispensing station according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein means are provided to provided gaseous hydrogen from the heat exchanger to the

detachable container.

11. A network of hydrogen-dispensing stations, comprising a first hydrogen-dispensing station according to any one of claims 7 to 10 and one or more further hydrogen- dispensing stations suitable for:

ii) withdrawing gaseous hydrogen from the detachable container; and

iii) dispensing such gaseous hydrogen.

12. A network according to claim 11, wherein one or more further hydrogen-dispensing stations are located at a distance of more than 1000 meters, preferably more than 5000 meters from the first hydrogen-dispensing station, as measured in a straight line.