Effects of Environmental Variables on Hydrogen Generation from Alkaline Solutions using used Aluminum Cans

Abstract

This study examined the effect of environmental variables, such as the NaOH concentration and solution temperature, on the rate of hydrogen generation from NaOH solutions through the corrosion of used aluminum cans as a potential candidate material for the safe and economic production of hydrogen. Corrosion of the used aluminum cans was promoted by increasing the NaOH concentration and solution temperature because of the loss of aluminum passivity. The measured rate of hydrogen generation from the NaOH solutions increased with increasing NaOH concentration due to the catalytic activity of NaOH in the hydrolysis process. However, at higher solution temperatures, the rate of hydrogen generation rate was less affected by the NaOH concentration than that at lower temperature.