Reactive Packed Bed Safety: Experimental Evaluation of Surface Passivation of Metal Hydrides with TiCl4

Santos, Jonathan; Greally, Alexander; Maloney, Gavin; Tagayun, Adrianna

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Reactive Packed Bed Safety: Experimental Evaluation of Surface Passivation of Metal Hydrides with TiCl4

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The goal of this study is to evaluate volatile liquid TiCl4 as a passivation method for hydrogen generation using metal hydrides. A hydrogen fuel cell is advantageous in its efficiency, long-term storage, zero emissions, and quiet process in engines. However, operation and transport processes encompass safety concerns as the fuel cell’s primary reaction—LiAlH4 hydrolysis—may undergo undesired thermolysis due to high reactivity. Ex-situ characterization of (spent and unspent) fuel properties was performed along with batch and flow experiments to determine the effectiveness of TiCl4 passivation. SEM-EDX imaging revealed titanium and chlorine deposited onto the surface of TiCl4 treated spent fuel, particularly when subjected to the PBR process. DRIFTS characterization revealed potential reactivity hazards, as evidenced by the retention of half of the water content in the samples even at temperatures exceeding 250°C. Further testing is needed for improving coating extent as well as determining its effectiveness as a passivation layer around spent fuel and LiAlH4 metal hydride.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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