Activated Aluminum Composite for On-Demand Hydrogen Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of activated aluminum as a source of hydrogen is hindered by its high cost and susceptibility to fouling by oxygen, water vapor, or contaminants, making it challenging to handle and transport effectively.
Innovation Solution
A composite object is created by coupling an aluminum alloy with a non-recrystallized grain structure and an activation metal that is corrodible to the alloy, allowing the activation metal to penetrate the alloy through heat and mechanical work, forming a stable and efficient source of hydrogen upon reaction with water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aluminum is treated to form activated aluminum that yields large amounts of hydrogen and heat when reacted with water, then hydrogen production efficiency is improved, but cost increases and handling difficulty increases due to susceptibility to fouling by oxygen and water vapor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the activated aluminum system into separate components: aluminum particles and activation metal particles. These components can be stored separately in their stable forms and only combined at the point of use, preventing fouling during transport while maintaining high hydrogen production efficiency when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The aluminum particles are pre-prepared with a non-recrystallized grain structure through cold working, which enhances their reactivity. The activation metal is also prepared in advance as separate particles. Both components are ready for immediate activation when combined, eliminating the need to handle fully activated aluminum during transport.
2Productivity
If materials are used to form activated aluminum, then hydrogen production capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and microstructure parameters of the aluminum particles by applying cold working to create a non-recrystallized grain structure. This enhances reactivity without requiring expensive chemical treatments or activation metals during the manufacturing process, reducing overall cost while maintaining high hydrogen production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite system consisting of cold-worked aluminum particles with a non-recrystallized grain structure and activation metal particles. This composite approach enables high reactivity when combined, while the separate storage of components reduces manufacturing and handling costs compared to pre-activated aluminum.
3Productivity
If activation metal is added to aluminum alloy, then water-reactivity is improved, but stability during storage deteriorates due to susceptibility to oxygen and water vapor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the reactive components by keeping aluminum particles and activation metal particles separate during storage. The aluminum particles are cold-worked to enhance reactivity but remain stable in their non-activated state. The activation metal is stored separately as stable particles. When combined at the point of use, the cold-worked aluminum rapidly reacts with water, achieving high water-reactivity without compromising storage stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach decouples the materials for long-term storage, allowing on-demand activation at the point of use, enhancing the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of hydrogen production while maintaining high yield and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the activation metal of the second portion is penetrable into the non-recrystallized grain structure of the aluminum alloy of the first portion via the addition of heat and/or mechanical work
Implementation Method 2
the activation metal may be galvanically corrodible to the aluminum alloy
Implementation Method 3
cold-working the first article and the second article together with one another to form a composite object including the aluminum alloy in a first portion and the activation metal in a second portion
Data Source
AI summary
A composite object for the production of hydrogen from water-reactive aluminum may include a first portion including an aluminum alloy having a non-recrystallized grain structure, and a second portion including an activation metal corrodible to the aluminum alloy, wherein the second portion and the first portion are coupled to one another with the activation metal of the second portion in contact with the aluminum alloy of the first portion at a plurality of points of contact stress, and the activation metal of the second portion is penetrable into the non-recrystallized grain structure of the aluminum alloy of the first portion via the addition of heat.