Hydrogen generation from water by means of activated aluminum

An important part of the hydrogen energy problems is the search of hydrogen sources for feeding hydrogen air fuel cells. One of the most convenient methods for hydrogen generation is based on oxidation of aluminum by water. In this paper the method of aluminum activation based on the application of gallium alloys (gallams) is suggested. In this work the activated aluminum powders made of commercially available aluminum wires are investigated. The kinetic parameters of the reaction of activated aluminum with water (hydrogen generation rate and hydrogen yield) depending on the gallam's amount and composition, powder particle sizes and reaction temperature are studied. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.