Development of a high-storage-density hydrogen generator using solid-state NaBH4 as a hydrogen source for unmanned aerial vehicles

Soon-mo Kwon, Myoung Jin Kim, Shinuang Kang and Taegyu Kim

Applied Energy, 2019, vol. 251, issue C, -

Abstract: A hydrogen generator using solid-state sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as a hydrogen source was proposed as part of a high-energy-density fuel-cell system for unmanned aerial vehicles. In this study, solid-state NaBH4 was used in order to overcome problems of a hydrogen generator using catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH4 aqueous solution such as low hydrogen yield and unstable hydrogen generation due to catalyst degradation. An agent solution, hydrochloric acid, was injected on to the NaBH4 to generate hydrogen. In addition, all of the balance-of-plant systems and components were integrated to develop a lightweight, commercially-viable, high-density hydrogen generator. The developed hydrogen generator was evaluated in terms of stable hydrogen generation and restartability for the entire operation time in order to validate the possibility of commercialization. From the performance evaluation, the gravimetric and volumetric specific energy densities of the hydrogen generator were found to be 739.1 W hr/kg and 272.8 W hr/L, respectively. In addition, the hydrogen storage density was 5.1 wt%, which was 1.44 times higher in comparison of a typical hydrogen generator using NaBH4 aqueous solution.

Keywords: Sodium borohydride; Hydrogen storage; High storage density; High energy density; Unmanned aerial vehicle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113331

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