Hydrogen and electric energy production on-demand

Researcher:
Prof. Alon Gany | Aerospace Engineering

Categories:

Automation, Mobility and Aerospace | Sustainability and Energy

The Technology

Hydrogen storage and transportation is both inefficient and hazardous. Hydrogen production by reaction of water and activated aluminum can be done on demand and on the location where the hydrogen will be used. The weight of hydrogen produced is 11% of the weight of aluminum used for the reaction. The reaction takes place at room temperature. It doesn’t need energy and it is exothermic. The basis of the invention is a novel, thermo-chemical process for activation of powdered aluminum. Water needed for the reaction can be of low grade such as sea water or even wastewater. Applying the hydrogen produced to fuel cell, the electric energy generated (2200Wh/kg Al) is greater ay an order of magnitude than the electric energy stored by lithium batteries (200Wh/kg).

Advantages

  • High efficiency
  • Simple and safe
  • On-demand and on-board hydrogen production for for mobile and stand alone applications
  • Compact hydrogen storage – used immediately after production
  • Aluminum hydroxide residue can be reused by other industries and recycled back to aluminum

Applications and Opportunities

  • Marine surface and aerospace propulsion applications
  • Electric energy for stand alone applications
  • Battery charging
  • Emergency Power
  • Stationary energy production units. Can be coupled with a sustainable electricity source for aluminum regeneration
arrow Business Development Contacts
Shikma Litmanovitz
Director of Business Development, Physical Science