Integration of the PEMFC with a hydrogen production device adopting sodium borohydride and metal cobalt catalyst

Abstract

Hydrolysis technology that releases hydrogen from chemical hydrogen storage materials is a method to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen storage has excellent development potential and is also one of the sources of large amounts of hydrogen. A sodium borohydride hydrogen production experiment was carried out based on steam hydrolysis technology. The system reaction tank is divided into a water-carrying bed and a catalyst bed. A mixed aqueous solution with a concentration of 1 wt% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) + 10 wt% sodium borohydride (NaBH4) was used for the hydrogen production reaction test. These experiments determined the appropriate aqueous solution and water vapor combination, and optimal parameters for hydrogen production. The hydrogen production catalyst powder, blend ratio, different steel ball ratios, and ball milling time at the steam hydrogen production end will all affect the powder's fineness and hydrogen production stability. Under catalyst temperature control, the by-products solidify at a specific temperature, which affects the gas passage and causes blockage. Increasing the hydrogen production in an aqueous solution requires a Co2+/Al2O3 catalyst, or a temperature control method to catalyze hydrogen production to obtain stable hydrogen production suitable for emergencies without hydrogen storage containers. This experiment built a hydrogen production system combined with a fuel cell for power generation testing. The test process and results indicate whether the aqueous solution and steam technology can be an effective solution when the hydrolysis hydrogen production technology is matched.