NaBH4 for solid-state green hydrogen export

August 21st, 2023

R&D Focus Areas:
Hydrides, Energy systems integration

Lead Organisation:
Curtin University

Funding:
Future Energy Exports CRC (PhD Project)

Status:
Active

Start date:
2023

Completion date:
2025

Project summary description:
The aim of this PhD project is to investigate new methods of regenerating NaBH4 (sodium borohydride) after undergoing hydrolysis or methanolysis. Another aim is to use Na8H4 hydrolysis as a chemical hydrogen compression method to reach pressures suitable for refuelling hydrogen vehicles.

The following steps are proposed.

  1. Synthesise a cobalt based catalyst for Na8H4 hydrolysis reactions.
  2. Construction of a hydrogen flow measurement system to conduct measurements on the rate of hydrogen generation for the hydrolysis and methanolysis of sodium borohydride using different reaction conditions.
  3. Construction of a high-pressure hydrolysis system for hydrogen compression above 1000 bar. Conduct hydrogen pressure measurements for the compression of hydrogen using hydrolysis and methanolysis of sodium borohydride.
  4. Regenerate NaBH4 from NaB(OH)4 and NaB(OCH3)4 through ball milling and thermochemical methods.
  5. Produce NaH from NaOH by thermal reactions in an autoclave reactor, as well as producing other alkali metal hydrides from their associated metal hydroxides.
  6. Analyse samples to determine the production and yield of Na8H4, as well as determining which by-products are produced, and to determine the temperature of reaction events. This can be achieved through a combination of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermogravimetric Analysis (DSC/TGA).

Further information:
https://www.fenex.org.au/connect/

 

September 2024