[cimon9999]

Hi,

I'm doing some research on whether aluminium is suited to producing hydrogen which would then be used in a fuel cell to power a car. I want to know the energy potential of 1 kg of aluminium.

The reaction to evlove hydrogen from aluminium is given by:

1.      2Al + 3H₂0 --> 2Al(OH)₃ + 3H₂ -199.6kcal

The hydrogen is then passed through a fuel cell. The net reaction is:

2.      2H₂ + O₂ --> 2H₂O
Gibbs Free Energy = ΔG = ΔH - TΔS = -285.83 kJ + 48.7 kJ = -237.1 kJ /mole H₂

Molar mass Al = 26.981g --> (1000g/26.981g)= 37moles. From equation 1, 37moles Al gives 55.6moles H₂. From Equation 2, 55.6moles H₂ has the electrical energy potential of (55.6*237.1kj)= 13MJ. The fuel cell is 55% efficient. So that gives a grand total of 7MJ useful energy per kg Aluminium.

Can someone kindly look over these calculations?

Thanks,
Eamon