Polymeric Liners for Underground Hydrogen Storage in Lined Rock Caverns: Towards Safe and Sustainable Energy Systems

The aim of this project is to develop novel PFAS-free polymeric and composite liners for underground hydrogen storage that can withstand the extreme pressure and temperature conditions required for hydrogen storage. PFAS, such as PTFE, are still widely used in many applications, but they are highly persistent in the environment, difficult to degrade, and linked to serious health problems. The project will explore how these materials behave under hydrogen exposure, identify failure mechanisms, and design sustainable alternatives with self-lubricating properties.

Supervisor: Nazanin Emami, Professor, Machine Elements, TVM

Subject description

The research subject Machine Elements has world-leading research expertise in the field of tribology - that is, lubrication, wear and friction.

Co-supervisor: Richard Olosson, Professor, Fiber and Polymer Technology, KTH

Project description

The project is designed as a multidisciplinary effort combining materials engineering, tribology, hydrogen technology, mining and rock-engineering together with other related areas such as green energy production, fossil-free steel production, partner companies LKAB and Vattenfall AB.

1. Material Development - design of PFAS-free polymeric and composite liners using 2D materials and hybrid fillers.
2. Tribological Testing - evaluation of friction, wear, and gas permeability under simulated hydrogen environments at varying pressures (0.1–100 MPa) and temperatures (−250 to +200 °C).
3. Aging and Durability Studies - long-term exposure tests to identify degradation mechanisms.
4. Modeling and Socio-economic evaluation - integration of technical results with environmental, legal, and economic aspects in collaboration with the research and technical development on Storskalig Underjordisk Vatgaslagringssystem inom gruvomraden (SUV) research environment.