Fundamental problems of hydrogen and renewable energy and fuel all technologies

Development of aluminum- and magnesium-based energy-storage substances that can evolve hydrogen from water to supply hydrogen to fuel cells

Principal scheme of hydrogen evolution from water using ESSs and its utilization for supplying the battery of hydrogen-air fuel cells: 1 - ESS storage, 2 - compressed hydrogen cylinder, 3 - valves, 4 - reactor vessel, 5 - induction mixer magnetic core, 6 - receiver and accumulator of sludge, 7 - water steam condenser, 8 - filter, 9 - air supply line, 10 - fuel cell battery, 11 - withdrawal lines for formed water, 12 – water collector, 13 - pump, 14 - boiler-evaporator, 15 - sludge removal line.

Area of applications

Aluminum- and magnesium-based energy-storage substances (ESSs) can be used to evolve hydrogen from water and supply hydrogen to fuel cells that are used in transport, power, space, defense and other industries.

Brief description

The developed aluminum- and magnesium-based ESSs are highly active materials, which can evolve hydrogen from water at room temperature and close to room temperatures. The generation of hydrogen from water by means of such ESSs is a promising method for the production of hydrogen for feeding a wide range of fuel cells.

Results

The method for activation of aluminum and magnesium by alloying with low-melting metals of II-V groups of the Periodic system of elements is developed. This method allows obtaining ESSs capable of evolving hydrogen from water at temperatures close to room temperature. The kinetics of the interaction of prepared alloys with water has been investigated, and the optimal compositions of aluminum- and magnesium-based ESSs have been determined for the generation of hydrogen from water and supply it to fuel cells.

Advantages

The aluminum- and magnesium-based ESSs are characterized by high specific energy characteristics. According to these characteristics they are significantly superior to lithium-ion batteries. Electric power generation in fuel cells using hydrogen produced by means of ESSs is an environmentally friendly process. The production of hydrogen from water by means of developed ESSs directly at the place of its utilization eliminates significant problems caused by the necessity of transportation, accumulation and storage of hydrogen.

Competitors

Companies concerned with the development of fuel cells and fuel supply systems for them: International Fuel Cells (USA + Japan), Elenko (Belgium + Netherlands), Siemens (Germany), Fiat (Italy), Jonson Metju (England), etc.

State of project development

The methodology of aluminum- and magnesium-based ESSs manufacturing in laboratory conditions by doping them with low-melting metal-activators has been developed. The ESS samples reacting with water at a temperature of 25°C and above have been prepared and studies of the kinetics of their interaction with water have been conducted. The results obtained made it possible to determine the optimal composition of the ESSs for use in hydrogen generators of a hydrolytic type of different productivity.

Contact information

Executing : V.I. Vernadskii Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Ukrainian NAS

Project 3 «Development of aluminum- and magnesium-based energy-storage substances that can evolve hydrogen from water to supply hydrogen to fuel cells».

Project leader:

Senior Researcher
PhD in Chemistry

Manilevych Fedir