Throughout this literature research report, the influence of operational conditions during bulk storage on the mechanical characteristics of various inorganic, crystalline, day-to-day salts has been investigated, in order to make a prediction on the effect of operational conditions on the mechanical characteristics of sodium borohydride. Firstly, an analysis and selection of the various mechanical characteristics has been conducted. Secondly, an analysis of the chemical properties helped to select a list of materials that are chemically similar to sodium borohydride. Thirdly, an effort was made to compare these materials to sodium borohydride using the selected mechanical characteristics. Using the particle sizes, bulk densities and angles of repose, sodium borohydride could to a certain extent be linked to calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, potassium carbonate and silicon dioxide. Lastly, an analysis on the effect of operational conditions on the mechanical characteristics of the materials has been conducted. No definitive conclusions could be drawn about the effect of the operational conditions on the mechanical characteristics of sodium borohydride.

Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is a potential material-based hydrogen storage solution. However, a lack of information regarding its bulk material properties poses a challenge in designing storage and handling equipment. This report addresses this gap by conducting a series of tests to analyse the bulk material properties of NaBH4 powder and granules, with a specific interest in how these properties change under varying humidity conditions.
Since humidity does not have a direct effect on material properties, but moisture content does, the report first investigates the effect of humidity on moisture content in the material. The second set of experiments is then designed to determine the bulk material properties with varying moisture content, establishing a link between humidity and bulk material properties.
The findings reveal that prolonged exposure to ambient humidity negatively affects the cohesion and flowability of NaBH4. This effect is more pronounced in powdered NaBH4 compared to its granulated form. However, these adverse effects can be mitigated by storing the material in a closed environment. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of a closed storage environment and the need for further research on NaBH4’s behaviour under a wider range of conditions for its storage and handling.