Method for Manufacturing and Distributing Hydrogen Storage Compositions

• US 20110053016A1
• Filed: 08/25/2010
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ardica Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ardica Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Fabian, Tibor, Martin, Richard, Braithwaite, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/868,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20110053016A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/416
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04388 of anode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04589 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04753 of fuel cell reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0494 of fuel cell stacks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/065 by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The method of generating and delivering on-demand power to the consumer in a low-carbon-emitting manner comprises the steps of: generating energy from a low-carbon-emitting source, using the generated energy to generate a hydrogen storage composition, transporting the hydrogen storage composition and a reagent to the consumer, facilitating the use of the hydrogen storage composition to generate electricity, and facilitating the return of the by-products to a regeneration facility. This method is preferably used to distribute an on-demand power source to the consumer. One potential advantage of this distribution method includes low carbon emissions. By leveraging low-emission energy sources, utilizing low-emission distribution channels, and placing the energy source (H₂) and energy generation (conversion of H₂ to electricity) in the consumer'"'"'s hands, unexpected savings in environmental impact, as measured by carbon emission, can be achieved.

Claims

1. A low-carbon-emission method of manufacturing and distributing a power source to a consumer, comprising the steps of:

a) generating energy from a low-carbon-emitting source;

b) producing a hydrogen storage composition using the generated energy;

c) transporting the hydrogen storage composition and a reagent to the consumer;

d) facilitating the use of the hydrogen storage composition to generate electricity; and

e) facilitating the return of reaction by-products to a regeneration facility.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the low-carbon-emitting source is selected from a group consisting of:

wind, wave, hydro, solar, and geothermal energy.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) further comprises the step of using a reaction, wherein the reaction does not form carbon dioxide as a reaction product.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen storage composition is a metal hydride.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the hydrogen storage composition is sodium borohydride.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the reagent is an acid with a pH of 2 or less.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen storage composition is sodium silicide.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step c) further comprises the steps of:

shipping the hydrogen storage composition and reagent to a distributor; and

providing distribution instructions.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein step c) further comprises the steps of:

providing a container for the hydrogen storage composition;

providing a mailing address panel on the container;

providing postage on the container; and

placing the container in a mailbox.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein step d) further comprises the step of providing a hydrogen generator.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the hydrogen generator includes:

a reaction chamber that receives the hydrogen storage composition, the chamber having a reaction product separator impermeable to the hydrogen storage composition and a biasing mechanism that biases the reactant products against the separator;

a liquid reactant dispenser that stores a liquid reactant and fluidly coupled to the reaction chamber, such that dispensed liquid reactant reacts with the hydrogen storage composition in the reaction chamber to produce hydrogen gas and a waste product that are substantially permeable through the separator; and

a product collector coupled to the reaction chamber that collects the hydrogen gas and waste product that have passed through the separator.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein step d) further comprises the step of providing an energy generator.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the energy generator is a fuel cell.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the fuel cell is controlled by a controller that includes the following control loops:

a first control loop, wherein said first control loop is disposed to adjust a fuel cell current to regulate a hydrogen output pressure from the fuel cell to a pressure target value; and

a second control loop, wherein said second control loop is disposed to adjust a hydrogen flow rate from a hydrogen generator to match a fuel cell power output to a power target value.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein step d) further comprises the steps of:

containing the hydrogen storage composition in a hydrogen storage composition container;

containing the reagent in a reagent container;

coupling the hydrogen storage composition container, reagent container, hydrogen generator, and energy generator together, wherein the containers are capable of fluid communication with adjacent containers; and

triggering energy generation by plugging in a portable electronic device.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein step d) further comprises the step of providing an energy generator.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the energy generator is a hydrogen fuel cell.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein step d) further comprises the step of instructing the consumer to insert the hydrogen storage composition, reagent, and energy generator into a portable electronic device, wherein latent heat from operation of the device triggers hydrogen generation.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein step e) further comprises the steps of:

providing a mailing address; and

providing postage.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the regeneration facility is an energy plant.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of regenerating the hydrogen storage composition from the by-products.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the process of regenerating the hydrogen storage composition is the same as the process used in step b).

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the customer is a user of a portable electronic device.

24. A low-carbon-emission method of manufacturing and distributing a power source, comprising the steps of:

producing a hydrogen storage composition by using energy generated from a low-carbon-emitting energy source;

facilitating the transportation of the hydrogen storage composition, a reagent, a hydrogen generator and an energy generator to a portable electronic device user; and

facilitating the return of reaction by-products to a regeneration facility.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the low-carbon-emitting energy source is selected from a group consisting of:

wind, wave, water, solar, and geothermal energy.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the hydrogen generator includes:

a reaction chamber that receives the hydrogen storage composition, the chamber having a reaction product separator impermeable to the hydrogen storage composition and a biasing mechanism that biases the reactant products against the separator;

a liquid reactant dispenser that stores a liquid reactant and fluidly coupled to the reaction chamber, such that dispensed liquid reactant reacts with the hydrogen storage composition in the reaction chamber to produce hydrogen gas and a waste product that are substantially permeable through the separator; and

a product collector coupled to the reaction chamber that collects the hydrogen gas and waste product that have passed through the separator.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the energy generator includes a series of fuel cells controlled by a controller.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the by-products include:

reaction by-products, the hydrogen generator, and the energy generator.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein the hydrogen storage composition is sodium borohydride.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the reagent is an acid solution with a pH of 2 or less.

31. A low-carbon-emission method of manufacturing and distributing a power source, comprising the steps of:

using energy generated from a wind turbine to produce sodium borohydride;

placing in the mail;

i. the sodium borohydride

ii. acid

iii. a hydrogen generator including;

a reaction chamber for receiving a solid reactant, the chamber having a reaction product separator impermeable to the solid reactant and a biasing means for biasing reactant products against the separator;

a liquid reactant dispenser for storing a liquid reactant and fluidly coupled to the reaction chamber, such that dispensed liquid reactant reacts with the solid reactant in the reaction chamber to produce hydrogen gas and a waste product that are substantially permeable through the separator; and

a product collector coupled to the reaction chamber for collecting hydrogen gas and waste product that have passed through the separator;

iv. a series of fuel cells;

v. a fuel cell controller, comprising;

a first control loop, wherein said first control loop is disposed to adjust a fuel cell current to regulate a hydrogen output pressure from said fuel cell to a pressure target value; and

a second control loop, wherein said second control loop is disposed to adjust a hydrogen flow rate from a hydrogen generator to match a fuel cell power output to a power target value; and

i. instructions for energy generation; and

facilitating the return of reaction by-products, the hydrogen generator, the fuel cells and the fuel cell controller to a power plant.