Thermochemical recycling of hydrolyzed NaBH4. Part II: Systematical study of parameters dependencies

This paper focuses on the yields of both main product NaBH4and byproduct MgH2of the thermochemical process. The influence of parameters such as i) the isothermal reaction temperature in the range 480 Ce660 C, ii) the stoichiometric ratio of solid reactants NaBO2:Mg prepared from 1:2 to 1:8, iii) H2pressure supplied from 2 to 31 bars and iv) the reaction time kept at isotherm from 0 to 16 h have been systematically investigated. The yields are estimated by in-situ and ex-situ evaluations. Two temperature regimes for MgH2 and NaBH4formation are recognized from 370 C to 450 C and above 500 C respectively. With regard to NaBH4regeneration, temperature is the most important factor that positively accelerates the apparent reaction rate between 500 C and 650 C providing a sufficient H2 pressure. To efficiently obtain high NaBH4 yield mixtures with molar stoichiometric ratio between solid reactants not less than 1:4 is suggested. Experimental results also reveal that at 12 bars of H2pressure high NaBH4yield is obtained. Hence, more efficient way to improve mass transfer of solid reactants (e.g. advance reactor enhances mobility of reactants) rather than increasing H2 pressures is advised. Under optimized condition, 100% conversion of NaBO2can be achieved within 1.5 h.