Apparatus, system, and method for generating hydrogen

• US 20030228252A1
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molly Alonso
• Original Assignee: Trulife Incorporated (Trulife)
• Inventors: Shurtleff, James Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,393,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 423/657
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/2475 Membrane reactors
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/2485 Monolithic reactors
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00164 controlling the flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 7/02 by wet methods
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/065 from a hydride
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method generate hydrogen through a controlled chemical reaction between water and a chemical hydride. The invention includes a chemical hydride isolated from water by a water-selective membrane. A fluid containing water is brought into contact with the water-selective membrane. The water diffuses through the water-selective membrane and reacts with the chemical hydride. The water diffuses through the membrane at a predetermined rate based on a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane. The water-selective membrane is substantially impermeable to elements and molecules other than water. Hydrogen generated within the chemical hydride is collected and used in various applications.

Claims

1. A hydrogen generator, comprising:

a chemical hydride disposed within a water-selective membrane;

an outlet port connected to the water-selective membrane and configured to allow hydrogen to exit the water-selective membrane; and

wherein the water-selective membrane is configured to selectively diffuse water from a fluid to the chemical hydride.

2. The hydrogen generator of claim 1, wherein a rate of diffusion of water through the water-selective membrane is determined by a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane.

3. The hydrogen generator of claim 1, wherein the water-selective membrane is substantially impermeable to hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and metallic oxides.

4. The hydrogen generator of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a water vapor.

5. The hydrogen generator of claim 1, wherein the outlet port comprises a filter configured to retain chemical hydride within the water-selective membrane.

6. The hydrogen generator of claim 1, wherein the outlet port comprises a check valve configured to prevent hydrogen from flowing back into the water-selective membrane.

7. The hydrogen generator of claim 1, further comprising a collection conduit connected to the outlet port configured to transport hydrogen to the outlet port.

8. A hydrogen generator, comprising:

a chemical hydride disposed within a housing;

a check valve connected to the housing and configured to allow hydrogen to exit the housing; and

a water-selective membrane configured to separate a fluid comprising

water from the chemical hydride, the water-selective membrane selectively diffusing water from the fluid into the chemical hydride to react with the chemical hydride.

9. The hydrogen generator of claim 8, further comprising a perforated support tube connected to the water-selective membrane to support the water-selective membrane.

10. The hydrogen generator of claim 8, further comprising a filter connected to the check valve to retain chemical hydride within the housing.

11. The hydrogen generator of claim 8, wherein a rate of diffusion of water through the water-selective membrane is determined by a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane.

12. The hydrogen generator of claim 8, wherein the water-selective membrane is tubular with a cross-section diameter of at least 0.025 inches.

13. The hydrogen generator of claim 8, wherein the fluid comprises water vapor.

14. The hydrogen generator of claim 8, further comprising a collection conduit connected to the check valve configured to transport hydrogen inside the housing to the check valve.

15. A method for generating hydrogen through a controlled chemical reaction between water and a chemical hydride, the method comprising:

providing a chemical hydride;

isolating the chemical hydride from exposure to water by way of a water-selective membrane having an internal surface and an external surface; and

introducing a fluid comprising water to the external surface of the water-selective membrane such that the water-selective membrane selectively diffuses water in the fluid through the water-selective membrane at a constant rate to chemically react with the chemical hydride.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising collecting hydrogen produced as a result of the chemical reaction between the chemical hydride and the water.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein a rate of diffusion of water through the water-selective membrane is determined by a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the water-selective membrane is substantially impermeable to hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and metallic oxides.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid is a gas mixture comprising water vapor.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising transporting hydrogen from inside the chemical hydride by way of a collection conduit to a hydrogen storage device.