Chemical Hydrogen Storage The term "chemical hydrogen storage"
is used to describe storage technologies in which hydrogen is
generated through a chemical reaction. Common reactions involve
chemical hydrides with water or alcohols. Typically, these
reactions are not easily reversible on-board a vehicle. Hence,
the "spent fuel" and/or byproducts must be removed from the
vehicle and regenerated off-board. Hydrolysis reactions involve
the oxidation reaction of chemical hydrides with water to
produce hydrogen. The reaction of sodium borohydride has been
the most studied to date. This reaction is: NaBH4 + 2H2O = NaBO2
+ 4H2 In the first embodiment, a slurry of an inert stabilizing
liquid protects the hydride from contact with moisture and makes
the hydride pumpable. At the point of use, the slurry is mixed
with water, and the consequent reaction produces high-purity
hydrogen. The reaction can be controlled in an aqueous medium
via pH and the use of a catalyst. While the material hydrogen
capacity can be high and th