Fraunhofer Center for Energy and Systems ZESS
The first step in the synthesis of POWERPASTE is the hydrogenation of magnesium powder, which produces magnesium hydride powder:
Mg + H2 → MgH2
This slightly exothermic reaction takes place in a special stirred reactor at a moderate H2 pressure of approx. 6 bar according to the Goldschmidt process. The hydrogen can be produced in advance, for example, by electrolysis of water, pyrolysis of biogas, or steam reforming of natural gas. Magnesium powder is produced on an industrial scale, for example, by atomization of magnesium or separation processes.