The Effect of A Boron Oxide Layer on Hydrogen Production by Boron Hydrolysis

Abstract

Hydrolysis of boron is investigated as a part of a boron/boron oxide solar, water-splitting, thermochemical cycle. Boron was hydrolysed and boron oxide was gasified with steam in a tubular reactor. The influence of the reactor temperature and time on hydrogen conversion was measured at furnace set point temperatures of 873, 973 and 1073 K. The hydrogen production rate was measured by inline gas chromatography. The products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The average hydrogen production efficiency of 92% was obtained for both 973 and 1073 K. The formation of a boric acid layer on the reactor walls was attributed to the gasification of the boron oxide. The X-ray analysis shows 100% conversion of the boron to boron oxide and boric acid.

Comparative reactivity of industrial metal powders with water for hydrogen production

“…Although most prior research work on metal-water reactions has used aluminum powder, some studies have also considered the use of magnesium [42e47], zinc [48e50] and boron [47,51,52] powders. Most of the previous studies have focused on the reaction of metals with water vapor rather than liquid water, or have utilized rate-enhancing additives such as metal alloys and salts.…”