The development of a sodium borohydride hydrogen generation system for proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Journal
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Journal Volume
41
Journal Issue
4
Pages
3038-3051
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Li S.-C.
Abstract
This paper develops an on-demand hydrogen generation system, which can produce hydrogen from sodium borohydride (NaBH4) solution, to operate proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). We first build the hydrogen generation system, which hydrolyzes NaBH4 in a batch reactor to provide a continuous supply of hydrogen to drive the PEMFC. We also discuss the impacts of solution concentration and batch volume. In addition, we develop a simulation model that evaluates the hydrogen generation and temperature responses of the system. Furthermore, we design a control strategy to adjust the batch intervals of NaBH4 solution according to the PEMFC loads. We then implement the designed control on a microcontroller and integrate it with a PEMFC for experimental verification. The results confirm that the developed on-demand hydrogen generation system can hydrolyze NaBH4 with a conversion rate of more than 90% so that it to continuously supplies hydrogen to drive a 3 kW PEMFC. © 2015 Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC.
Subjects
Chemical hydride; Hydrogen generation; Hydrogen storage; PEMFC; Sodium borohydride
SDGs
Other Subjects
Batch reactors; Fuel cells; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Hydrogen storage; Sodium; Chemical hydride; Control strategies; Experimental verification; Hydrogen generations; On-demand hydrogen; Sodium boro hydrides; Solution concentration; Temperature response; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC)
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article