Activating aluminium for oxidation and hydrogen release : overcoming the passivation barrier with superheated steam

Van de Velde, Nigel Willy (avtor), Drinčić, Ana (avtor), Grom, Matic (avtor), Likozar, Blaž (avtor), Genorio, Boštjan (avtor), Haller, Michel (avtor), Jerman, Ivan (avtor)

Aluminium has considerable potential for use in seasonal energy storage, as it is energy dense and stable and can be recycled sustainably. However, a dense alumina barrier prevents energy extraction. In this work, aluminium is activated, and energy is extracted by oxidation using pressurized superheated steam. The activation of aluminium by penetrating the dense passivation layer requires the right feed material and reaction conditions. The onset mechanism is studied for low-yield reactions up to 2 %. In combination with pressures above 10 barG, microcracks form at temperatures above 500 °C. The diffusion of superheated steam through microcracks into the core of the aluminium results in oxidation past the passivation barrier and the evolution of H$_2$. This concept is further proven by the detection of Al$_2$O$_3$. This alternative reaction route in a dry oxidizing environment broadens the application range of aluminium as a metal fuel for long-term chemical energy storage.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: aluminium, oxidation, superheated steam, hydrogen, seasonal energy storage
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FKKT - Fakulteta za kemijo in kemijsko tehnologijo
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 16 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 205, art. 153183
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-184299
• UDK: 66
• ISSN pri članku: 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.153183
• COBISS.SI-ID: 282446339
• Datum objave v RUL: 03.07.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: International journal of hydrogen energy
• Založnik: Elsevier, Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC
• ISSN: 1879-3487
• COBISS.SI-ID: 23007749

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva-Nekomercialno 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: Licenca Creative Commons, ki prepoveduje komercialno uporabo, vendar uporabniki ne rabijo upravljati materialnih avtorskih pravic na izpeljanih delih z enako licenco.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: kemijska tehnologija, oksidacija, aluminij, vodik, shranjevanje energije

Projekti

• Financer: EC - European Commission
• Program financ.: HE
• Številka projekta: 101069492
• Naslov: Revolutionary energy storage cycle with carbon free aluminium
• Akronim: REVEAL

• Financer: SERI - State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation
• Akronim: REVEAL