Hydrogen and aluminum salt production via aluminum-water reaction

Abstract

The systems, compositions, and methods herein provide hydrogen and aluminum salt production through the reaction of aluminum with water, using anion donor chemicals and a corrosion agent, which eliminates the need for pre-activating aluminum and avoids the formation of water-insoluble aluminum hydroxide. Water can be combined with dissolved anion donor chemicals, a corrosion agent, and aluminum in a reaction vessel. The corrosion agent corrodes an aluminum oxide layer on the aluminum, exposing raw aluminum (Al0) to water, and initiating a reaction that produces hydrogen gas, heat, and water-soluble aluminum salts. The evolved hydrogen can be captured for immediate use or storage. The produced aluminum salts can be removed and purified for use as a precursor chemical in various industrial applications. Related apparatus, techniques, and articles are also described.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.