Hydrogen generation using activated aluminum/ water reaction

Abstract

The effective parameters for the Al-water reaction are studied. Salts such as sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl) and barium chloride (BaCl2) were added to Al particles and the mixture were alloyed via high-energy ball milling. It was observed that the reaction of Al/water is evolved and the reaction induction time declined significantly by the application of BaCl2 as new modifier in comparison with NaCl and KCl. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the other valuable reaction byproduct is AlOOH, which can be calcinated to gamma or alpha alumina. Microstructure of alloys were studied via FESEM and it was observed that as the time of ball milling increased the size of particles decreased. Increasing of the salt to Al powder ratio lead to increasing of hydrogen yield as well as hydrogen production rate. Effect of NaOH alkaline solution was also investigated and according to the results, solutions with higher concentration of NaOH generate higher amount of hydrogen.