Thermal and Kinetic Studies of Micro/Nano Aluminum Particles and Their Applications for Hydrogen Production

Abstract

The aim of this research was to enhance hydrogen generation rate in aluminum water reaction by improving the activity of aluminum particles using various modifiers. In present work, Al-H2O reactions were investigated for hydrogen yield at various temperatures (25oC, 35oC, 45oC and 55oC) and in aqueous solution of NaCl, KCl, NaOH, KOH, TiO2 (Nanoparticles) and MgO (Nanoparticles) (Aluminum to modifier weight ratio, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4). The results showed that aluminum powder easily reacted with degassed water in the presence of modifiers and hydrogen generation took place. Aluminum as received was characterized on SEM and particle size analyzer and reaction end products were confirmed by XRD. Initial results showed a linear relationship between the temperature and yield however the yield at 25oC depicted that aluminum merely reacted with water at this temperature. Rate of reaction was increased in presence of chlorides and hydroxides and allowed aluminum to react with water at mild temperatures. The higher the water temperature the higher was the hydrogen generation rate and shorter was the induction time. Besides gaseous hydrogen, only solid aluminum hydroxides were formed as the reaction end products, opening up the possibility of recycling of the system.