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

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

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Kwon, Soon-mo & Kim, Myoung Jin & Kang, Shinuang & Kim, Taegyu, 2019. "Development of a high-storage-density hydrogen generator using solid-state NaBH4 as a hydrogen source for unmanned aerial vehicles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:251:y:2019:i:c:52
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113331
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pan, Z.F. & An, L. & Wen, C.Y., 2019. "Recent advances in fuel cells based propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 473-485.
    2. Kim, Jincheol & Kim, Taegyu, 2015. "Compact PEM fuel cell system combined with all-in-one hydrogen generator using chemical hydride as a hydrogen source," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 945-953.
    3. Sim, Ju-hyeong & Kim, Taegyu, 2015. "Accelerated hydrolysis of solid-state NaBH4 by injecting NaHCO3 solution for hydrogen generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 999-1006.
    4. Kim, Taegyu, 2014. "NaBH4 (sodium borohydride) hydrogen generator with a volume-exchange fuel tank for small unmanned aerial vehicles powered by a PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 721-727.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zenan Shen & Shaoquan Liu & Wei Zhu & Daoyuan Ren & Qiang Xu & Yu Feng, 2024. "A Review on Key Technologies and Developments of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Multi-Rotor Drones," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-36, August.
    2. Park, Kilsu & Kim, Myoung-jin & Kwon, Soon-mo & Kang, Shinuang & Kim, Taegyu, 2023. "Performance evaluation of solid NaBH4-based hydrogen generator for fuel-cell-powered unmanned autonomous systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    3. Helder X. Nunes & Diogo L. Silva & Carmen M. Rangel & Alexandra M. F. R. Pinto, 2021. "Rehydrogenation of Sodium Borates to Close the NaBH 4 -H 2 Cycle: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-28, June.

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