Optimization of a catalyzed reactor utilizing sodium borohydride for hydrogen generation

FUEL 104

Jeffrey V. Ortega, jortega@millenniumcell.com1, Yiing Wu1, Xiaolei Sun1, Qinglin Zhang1, and Dave Rector2. (1) Millennium Cell Inc, 1 Industrial Way West, Eatontown, NJ 07724, (2) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352
The objective of this research project is to develop critical reactor technology by reducing (or increasing the efficiency of) the heat, cost, volume, and weight requirements leading to a hydrogen fuel system that will meet the DOE system-based storage capacity targets. A modeling tool was developed for a hydrogen generation reactor. After constructing a reactor packing sub-module, microscopic modeling of reactant flow in the reactor was performed which then established a macroscopic reactor model. The model was then validated by comparing the results with experimental data for parameters such as: sodium borohydride conversion, axial temperature, overall pressure drop, and hydrogen flow rate. Then other unobservable parameters were simulated, they included: borate concentration, vapor flow, hydrogen distribution, and void fraction. Then a conceptual design was developed based on the parameter optimization of: fuel space velocity, total volume, diameter-to-length ratio, geometry, pressure, heat removal, fuel concentration, and catalyst packing density.