Hydrogen-generating solid fuel cartridge
First Claim
1. A hydrogen-generating solid fuel cartridge for reacting a liquid reactant with a solid fuel, the cartridge comprising:
- an outer shell of the cartridge;
a mixture of the hydrogen-generating solid fuel and a catalyst contained within the outer shell, the solid fuel/catalyst mixture having a packing fraction greater than about 55 percent;
an entry port in the outer shell for introducing the liquid reactant into the cartridge, the entry port connected to a means for distributing the liquid reactant substantially evenly throughout the solid fuel/catalyst mixture within the cartridge; and
a network of hydrogen-collecting, gas permeable membranes dispersed within the solid fuel/catalyst mixture, the network of membranes communicating to at least one hydrogen exit port in the outer shell for removing the hydrogen product from the cartridge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a novel hydrogen-generating, solid fuel cartridge which may be used to provide hydrogen to a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The cartridge contains a mixture of the hydrogen-generating solid fuel and a catalyst. The solid fuel/catalyst mixture has a packing fraction greater than about 55 percent. Throughout the fuel/catalyst mixture is means for distributing the liquid reactant; there is also a network of hydrogen-collecting, gas permeable membranes for removing the hydrogen product from the cartridge. The hydrogen-generating solid fuel cartridge may further include a liquid reactant distribution plate for distributing the liquid reactant to the solid fuel/catalyst mixture in a substantially uniform manner. The distribution plate has distribution channels arranged in a fractal pattern.
30 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A hydrogen-generating solid fuel cartridge for reacting a liquid reactant with a solid fuel, the cartridge comprising:
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an outer shell of the cartridge;
a mixture of the hydrogen-generating solid fuel and a catalyst contained within the outer shell, the solid fuel/catalyst mixture having a packing fraction greater than about 55 percent;
an entry port in the outer shell for introducing the liquid reactant into the cartridge, the entry port connected to a means for distributing the liquid reactant substantially evenly throughout the solid fuel/catalyst mixture within the cartridge; and
a network of hydrogen-collecting, gas permeable membranes dispersed within the solid fuel/catalyst mixture, the network of membranes communicating to at least one hydrogen exit port in the outer shell for removing the hydrogen product from the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A portable proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell battery, comprising:
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a hydrogen-generating solid fuel cartridge comprising a mixture of the hydrogen-generating solid fuel and a catalyst, the mixture having a packing fraction greater than about 55 percent, the cartridge further including a liquid reactant input and a hydrogen gas output;
a PEM fuel cell connected to the hydrogen output of the solid fuel cartridge; and
a means for recycling water produced by the PEM fuel cell back to the solid fuel cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification