Analysis and Design of Novel Reactors for Hydrogen Generation

• Main Authors: Lu, Mei-Ting, 盧美廷
• Other Authors: Chen, Li-Ting
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/07141334652081371193

碩士 === 國立清華大學 === 動力機械工程學系 === 97 === This study emphasizes on developing a novel reactor for hydrogen generation. Oxide cobalt is used as catalyst to hydrolyze sodium borohydride. In order to find the factors which influence chemical efficiency and hydrogen generation amplitude, one-factor-at-a-time method is used in the experiment. This novel reactor can separate liquid and hydrogen based on the concept of air flow channel; therefore, hydrogen can be quickly removed from catalyst surface. The chance of contact between sodium borohydride and oxide cobalt can be increased, and the efficiency of chemical reaction can also be improved. Another characteristic of this novel reactor is the steady rate of hydrogen generation. Because of the upstream space of flow channel, sodium borohydride is not influenced by hydrogen generation. Thus sodium borohydride can be continuously supplied to catalyze the generation of hydrogen. According to these two characteristics, this novel reactor can improve chemical efficiency and decrease hydrogen generation amplitude. This research first discusses characteristics of a conventional reactor by experiments, and then to design a novel reactor based on the results. The effects of volumetric flow rate, catalyst position, the area and width ratio of the reactor, and also the size and angle of the reactor on chemical conversion of this novel reactor have been systematically investigated. Finally, by using multiphase flow field and the Fourier Transform, the results can be compared between the conventional reactor and the novel one. In this study, it is proved that a reactor which has air flow channel and upstream space can improve chemical efficiency and decrease hydrogen generation amplitude. This novel reactor can be applied to facilities that needed hydrogen as a power source, and it is suitable for multiphase hydrogen generation. It can reduce the problem of energy shortage and achieve environmental friendliness.