Aluminum-Water Reaction (AWR) — How It Works

The Reaction Mechanism

ASRHÜR's patented AWR process activates aluminum powder with a proprietary catalyst, enabling a spontaneous reaction with water at ambient temperature. No external heat, no electricity, no pressure vessel required. The reaction proceeds as follows:

2Al + 6H₂O → 2Al(OH)₃ + 3H₂

For every kilogram of aluminum consumed, approximately 1.24 Nm³ of hydrogen is produced at greater than 99.9% purity — fuel cell grade. The sole byproduct, aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃), is non-toxic and commercially recoverable.

Why AWR Over Electrolysis or Compressed Hydrogen

Conventional hydrogen supply chains rely on electrolyzers (requiring stable grid power), compressed tanks (700 bar, cryogenic risk), or pipeline infrastructure. AWR eliminates all three dependencies.

• No grid connection — reaction starts on demand with water alone
• No high-pressure storage — hydrogen is generated at point of use
• No cryogenic handling — ambient temperature operation
• Portable feedstock — aluminum powder is stable, safe to transport
• Scalable output — from 1 kg/h (ReactoN 0) to industrial scale (ReactoN 40)

Verified Performance Data

ASRHÜR's AWR system has been independently validated and peer-reviewed. Core performance figures published in Chemical Papers (Springer Nature, 2025, DOI 10.1007/s11696-025-04238-7):

• Reaction efficiency: 96%
• Volumetric hydrogen capacity: 47.3 g-H₂/L (vs. ~25 g/L for compressed gas systems)
• Hydrogen purity: greater than 99.9% (fuel cell grade)
• Operating temperature: ambient (no external heating)
• Technology Readiness Level: TRL 4 (laboratory validated)

Safety and Environmental Profile

Unlike compressed hydrogen (700 bar) or liquid hydrogen (−253°C), AWR operates at ambient pressure and temperature. There are no explosion-risk pressure vessels, no cryogenic handling requirements, and no pipeline dependencies. Hydrogen is generated on demand — only what is needed, when it is needed.

Carbon emissions: zero. The process consumes aluminum and water, producing hydrogen and aluminum hydroxide. No combustion, no CO₂, no NOₓ.

Technology Readiness — TRL 4 to TRL 6 Roadmap

ASRHÜR's AWR technology is currently at TRL 4 — validated in laboratory conditions with peer-reviewed results. The current seed round funds the TRL 5 field demonstrator build (2026) and TRL 6 field validation (2027).

• TRL 4 (current): Laboratory validation — Springer Nature published
• TRL 5 (2026): Field demonstrator — funded by seed round
• TRL 6 (2027): Field validation in relevant environment