Solid compositions generating hydrogen by combustion, comprising an alkali metal borohydride and an ammonium salt
First Claim
1. Solid composition that can decompose generating hydrogen in a self-sustaining combustion reaction after this reaction has been initiated by an appropriate heat source, the said composition comprising an alkali metal borohydride and an oxidizing mineral ammonium salt, characterized in that the said salt satisfies the general formula NH4Y in which Y represents a group consisting only of nitrogen and oxygen, and in that the ratio of the weight content of alkali metal borohydride to the weight content of the salt of general formula NH4Y is between 1 and 4.
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Abstract
The invention relates to solid compositions that can decompose generating hydrogen in a self-sustaining combustion reaction after this reaction has been initiated by an appropriate heat source. These compositions comprise an alkali metal borohydride and an oxidizing mineral ammonium salt of formula NH4Y, in which Y represents a group consisting only of nitrogen and oxygen. The ratio of the weight content of alkali metal borohydride to the weight content of the salt of general formula NH4Y is between 1 and 4. Thus, high hydrogen mass yields are obtained, of around 8 to 14%, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and the weight of the hydrogen generators used in certain systems, especially in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. Solid composition that can decompose generating hydrogen in a self-sustaining combustion reaction after this reaction has been initiated by an appropriate heat source, the said composition comprising an alkali metal borohydride and an oxidizing mineral ammonium salt, characterized in that the said salt satisfies the general formula NH4Y in which Y represents a group consisting only of nitrogen and oxygen, and in that the ratio of the weight content of alkali metal borohydride to the weight content of the salt of general formula NH4Y is between 1 and 4.
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9. Process for generating hydrogen by self-sustaining combustion of a solid composition comprising an alkali metal borohydride and an oxidizing mineral ammonium salt, characterized in that:
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a homogenous, pulverulent or granular, solid composition comprising an alkali metal borohydride and an ammonium salt of general formula NH4Y, in which Y represents a group consisting only of nitrogen and oxygen, the ratio of the weight content of alkali metal borohydride to the weight content of the salt of general formula NH4Y being between 1 and 4, is produced;
next, this composition is agglomerated using appropriate means so as to form a compact material;
the compact material is placed in a combustion chamber; and
the combustion of the compact material is initiated using an appropriate heat source, which causes the self-sustaining combustion of the material with generation of hydrogen until the end of combustion.
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Specification