Method for enhancing volumetric capacity in gas storage and release systems

1. A method of storing natural gas, the method comprising:

contacting natural gas with a gaseous storage system comprising a porous gas sorbent material having:

<about 100 cc/L-M volume in pores smaller than about 9 Å size;

>about 200 cc/L-M volume in pores about 9-27 Å size; and

>about 50 cc/L-M volume in pores about 27-490 Å size.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the volumetric capacity is equal to or less than 30 L/GGE.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the porous gas sorbent material comprises a gas adsorbing material and a non-aqueous binder.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the non-aqueous binder is at least one of a fluoropolymer, a polyamide, a polyimide, fibrillated cellulose, a high-performance plastic, a copolymer with a fluoropolymer, a copolymer with a polyamide, a copolymer with a polyimide, a copolymer with a high-performance plastic, and a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the fluoropolymer is at least one of poly(vinylidene difluoride), polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, perfluoroalkoxy alkane, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the polyamide is at least one of Nylon-6,6′, Nylon-6, Nylon 6, 12, or a combination thereof.

7. The method of any of claim 3 , wherein at least one of:

the non-aqueous binder is present in an amount of no greater than 10 wt %;

the gas sorbent material is present in an amount of at least 90 wt %;

the non-aqueous binder is a dispersion of about 50 wt % to about 70 wt % of the binder; or

a combination thereof.

8. The method of any of claim 3 , wherein at least one of:

the non-aqueous binder is present in an amount of about 2.5 wt % to about 7 wt %;

the gas sorbent material is present in an amount of at least 93 wt %;

the non-aqueous binder is a dispersion of about 55 wt % to about 65 wt % of the binder; or

a combination thereof.

9. The method of any of claim 1 , wherein the gas sorbent material is at least one of activated carbon, zeolite, silica, metal organic framework, covalent organic framework, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the activated carbon is derived from wood, peat moss, coconut shell, coal, walnut shell, synthetic polymers, and/or natural polymers.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the activated carbon is thermally activated, chemically activated, or a combination thereof.

12. An adsorbed natural gas storage system comprising:

a container having a natural gas inlet and an outlet; and

a porous gas sorbent material disposed therein, wherein the porous gas sorbent material includes:

<about 100 cc/L-M volume in pores smaller than about 9 Å size;

>about 200 cc/L-M volume in pores about 9-27 Å size; and

>about 50 cc/L-M volume in pores about 27-490 Å size.

13. The adsorbed natural gas storage system of claim 12 , wherein the porous gas sorbent material further comprises a non-aqueous binder.

14. The adsorbed natural gas storage system of claim 13 , wherein the porous gas sorbent material has at least one of the following:

(i) the non-aqueous binder is at least one of a fluoropolymer, a polyamide, a polyimide, fibrillated cellulose, a high-performance plastic, a copolymer with a fluoropolymer, a copolymer with a polyamide, a copolymer with a polyimide, a copolymer with a high-performance plastic, or a combination thereof;

(ii) the gas sorbent material is at least one of activated carbon, a zeolite, a silica, a metal organic framework, covalent organic framework, or a combination thereof; or

(iii) a combination thereof.

15. The adsorbed natural gas storage system of claim 12 , wherein the porous gas sorbent material has at least one of the following:

the gas adsorbing material is present in an amount of at least 90 wt %;

the non-aqueous binder is present in an amount no greater than 10 wt %;

the non-aqueous binder is a dispersion of about 50 wt % to about 70 wt % of the binder;

or

a combination thereof.

16. The adsorbed natural gas storage system of claim 12 , wherein the porous gas sorbent material has at least one of the following:

a working gravimetric capacity of ≤40 lbs/GGE;

a volumetric capacity of <35 L/GGE;

the gas sorbent material is present in an amount of at least 93 wt %;

the non-aqueous binder is present in an amount no greater than 7 wt %;

the non-aqueous binder is a dispersion of about 55 wt % to about 65 wt % of the binder;

or

a combination thereof.

17. The adsorbed natural gas storage system of claim 12 , wherein the container is configured to withstand at least 1,000 psi.