Apparatus for the production of hydrogen from sodium borohydride in alkaline solution

Extended application of hydrogen as energy carrier demands an economical, safe and reliable technology for storage. In particular, chemical hydrides appear as capable and promising to overcome the issues related to hydrogen safety and handling and to be considered competitive with respect to conventional fuels. In the present work the production of hydrogen from the sodium borohydride (NaBH4) reaction has been studied by experimental bench tests. Promising results on the NaBH4 hydrolysis, catalyst performance and stability have allowed practical application of this technology in a brand new commercial device for small laboratory production of hydrogen gas. A hydrogen generator prototype was manufactured and tested by Erredue srl (Italy). Results confirm an effective operation of the device and stable behaviour of the hydrolysis catalyst material. Experimental results and modeling approach are shown here. The reduction of sodium borohydride production cost and the new recycling methods for its reaction product appear as the critical issues, and R&D targets to solve them for a widespread energy application. (C) 2007 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.