Aluminum Alloy Releases Hydrogen From Water

mdsolar writes "PhysOrg is reporting on a method of releasing hydrogen from water by oxidizing aluminum in an alloy with gallium. In the presence of water the aluminum oxidizes, leaving aluminum oxide, gallium, and hydrogen gas. The Purdue scientists who discovered the effect think this could help to overcome difficulties with hydrogen storage. Quoting: 'On its own, aluminum will not react with water because it forms a protective skin [of aluminum oxide] when exposed to oxygen. Adding gallium keeps the film from forming, allowing the aluminum to react with oxygen in the water.'"

Comments

Once again ignoring the energy needed for aluminum

[plasmacutter]

The aluminum smelting process requires vast amounts of electricity.

quoting a random googled page : "On average, around the world, it takes some 15.7 kWh of electricity to produce one kilogram of aluminium from alumina. Design and process improvements have progressively reduced this figure from about 21kWh in the 1950's."

so it doesnt matter that it produces hydrogen. It's almost assured coal equivalent to or greater than the tank of gas it replaces was burned somewhere to get the aluminum.

Re:The Beauty Of Closed Systems

[tajmorton]

It's not a closed system because it requires energy to recycle the aluminum and gallium. Also, it's still not terribly efficient, since it requires 1 lb of aluminum per mile you drive.