Hydrogen generator cartridge

• US 20060059778A1
• Filed: 11/12/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molly Alonso
• Original Assignee: Trulife Incorporated (Trulife)
• Inventors: Ladd, Eric J., Anderson, J. Howard, Shurtleff, James Kevin, Brydon, Chris A., Patton, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,438,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 48/61
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 7/02 by wet methods
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/065 from a hydride
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 11/005 for hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04216 characterised by the choice for a specific material, e.g. carbon, hydride, absorbent
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/065 by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cartridge for a hydrogen generating system having a cartridge containing a substantially anhydrous chemical hydride reactant. A plurality of liquid conduits extends into the cartridge and each of the liquid conduits has a length and a plurality of liquid distribution apertures formed along the length. The liquid distribution apertures have a diameter of less than approximately 1 mm. The chemical hydride reactant forms a bed and the liquid conduits extend along at least half of a length of the bed.

Claims

1. A hydrogen generation system comprising:

a. at least one cartridge comprising at least one liquid inlet port and at least one gas outlet port and containing a substantially anhydrous hydride reactant;

b. at least one liquid conduit extending into said cartridge, said liquid conduit having at least one liquid distribution aperture formed thereon;

c. a cartridge receiver removably engaging said cartridge, said cartridge receiver comprising passages corresponding to said gas outlet port and said liquid inlet port on said cartridge; and

d. a liquid reactant injection control system operatively connected to said cartridge receiver, said control system reading at least one reaction parameter and adjusting an amount of liquid reactant injected from said distribution aperture based upon said at least one reactant parameter.

2. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of distribution apertures formed along said liquid conduit, said liquid distribution apertures having a diameter between about 50 and about 1000 microns.

3. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 1, wherein said reaction parameter comprises a hydrogen pressure within said cartridge.

4. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 2, wherein each of said liquid conduits has a separate control valve.

5. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 1, wherein said reaction parameter comprises a temperature of said cartridge and said control system activates a cooling system based upon said temperature.

6. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 1, wherein said hydride is enclosed in a fabric pouch having a substantially greater area than thickness, said pouch being divided into a plurality of sections.

7. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 1, wherein said hydride reactant is lithium aluminum hydride and the amount of liquid reactant exiting a distribution aperture does not exceed about 50 uL per injection cycle and the cartridge temperature does not exceed 80 C.

8. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 1, further including an acid reservoir and a water reservoir, wherein acid and water are mixed prior to being injected from said distribution aperture.

9. The hydrogen generation system according to claim 1, wherein a sealing device is positioned between said ports of said cartridge and said cartridge receiver and a holding assembly brings said cartridge and said cartridge receiver together with sufficient force to form an effective seal.

10. A fuel cartridge for a hydrogen generating system, said cartridge comprising:

a. a cartridge comprising an end cap and containing a bed of substantially anhydrous hydride reactant;

b. at least one liquid conduit fixed to said end cap and extending into said bed, said liquid conduit having at least one liquid distribution aperture formed thereon, said liquid distribution aperture having a diameter of between about 50 microns and about 1000 microns such that liquid reactant may pass in liquid form into said bed of hydride reactant;

c. wherein said end cap comprises a liquid inlet port communicating with said liquid conduit and a gas outlet port, both said liquid inlet port and said gas outlet port being adapted to seal with a cartridge receiver.

11. The fuel cartridge according to claim 10, wherein said hydride reactant comprises sodium borohydride and an anhydrous activating agent.

12. The fuel cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said hydride reactant comprises about 20 percent by weight to about 60 percent by weight of activating agent.

13. The fuel cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said activating agent comprises at least one salt of the group alkaline earth metals, alkali metals, or halides.

14. The fuel cartridge according to claim 13, wherein said activating agent is water soluble.

15. The fuel cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said activating agent is at least one chosen from BeF₂, BeCl₂, BeBr₂, BeI₂, MgF₂, MgBr₂, MgCl₂, MgI₂, CaF₂, CaCl₂, CaBr₂, CaI₂, LiF, LiCl, LiBr, LiI, NaF, NaCl, NaBr, NaI, KF, KCl, KBr, KI, Li₂S, or Li₂Se.

16. The fuel cartridge according to claim 13, wherein said activating agent is chosen from at least one of MgCl₂, BeCl₂, CuCl₂, LiCl, NaCl, or KCl.

17. The fuel cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said activating agent is chosen from at least one of Cu, Co, Ni, Pt, Pd, Fe, Ru, Mn, or Cr.

18. The fuel cartridge according to claim 17, wherein said activating agent is at least one chosen from Cu, Ru, or Ni.

19. The fuel cartridge according to claim 10, wherein said hydride comprises lithium aluminum hydride and said liquid conduit is surrounded by a fabric sleeve.

20. The fuel cartridge according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of liquid conduits, wherein said plurality of liquid conduits are spaced radially from a center point in a nonuniform configuration.

21. A fuel cartridge for a hydrogen generating system, said cartridge comprising:

a. a cartridge comprising an end cap and containing a substantially anhydrous hydride reactant;

b. a plurality of liquid conduits fixed to said end cap and extending into said cartridge, each of said liquid conduits having a length and at least one liquid distribution aperture, said plurality of liquid conduits configured to distribute liquid reactant at different locations within said cartridge; and

c. wherein said hydride reactant forms a bed and said liquid conduits extend into said bed.