STUDY ON A REACTOR DESIGN AND CATALYST FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION FROM ALKALINE SOLUTION OF SODIUM BOROHYDRIDE

摘要

Sodium borohydride has a high energy-density (in excess of 2000 W-h per kilogram) hydrogen-storage, and its aqueous alkaline solution can generate hydrogen when it passes over a catalyst. Due to these characteristics, sodium borohydride solutions have been gaining acceptance as a source of hydrogen for fuel cell particularly designed for small, portable applications. The catalyst has to be supported by a material inert in alkaline environment and resistive to hydrogen cracking. The hydrogen generation reactor is desired to be designed in such a manner that it is orientation-independent. In this study, Ti mesh was used for the catalyst support, with various means of Ru catalyst coating. Results of surface analysis and hydrogen generation rate depending on different preparation methods will be presented. Also, a schematic of the reactor design capable of producing hydrogen for 20W fuel cell will be proposed.