Hydrogen generator
First Claim
1. A gas generator for continuously producing a gas by the reaction of a solid and a liquid reactant. comprising, in combination:
- a supply of balls made from a solid reactant material;
a reaction chamber;
means for conveying said balls from said supply through said reaction chamber and back to said supply;
spray means within said reaction chamber for directing a spray of liquid reactant on to said balls passing therethrough;
means for delivering said liquid reactant from a sump, through said spray means and into contact with said balls and back to said sump; and
means for delivering gas generated by the contact of said liquid reactant and said solid reactant balls from said reaction chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gas generator in which the gas is produced by a reaction between a solid metal and a liquid reactant. The generator is operated to produce hydrogen intended as an energy source particularly for operating internal combustion engines. A solid reactant is reacted with a liquid reactant under conditions in which both reactants are moving and continuously maintained under operating conditions. The solid is in the form of metal balls which are conveyed through a reaction chamber on inclined perforate channels. The liquid reactant is sprayed over the moving balls. Waste solid reaction products are removed by the rolling action of the balls on the perforate channels and the washing action of the sprayed liquid reactant. In the production of hydrogen, aluminum metal balls are used and the liquid reactant is a solution of sodium hydroxide. Because the reaction is exothermic, excess heat is removed by cooling the liquid reactant.
24 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A gas generator for continuously producing a gas by the reaction of a solid and a liquid reactant. comprising, in combination:
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a supply of balls made from a solid reactant material; a reaction chamber; means for conveying said balls from said supply through said reaction chamber and back to said supply; spray means within said reaction chamber for directing a spray of liquid reactant on to said balls passing therethrough; means for delivering said liquid reactant from a sump, through said spray means and into contact with said balls and back to said sump; and means for delivering gas generated by the contact of said liquid reactant and said solid reactant balls from said reaction chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. The method of producing a gas by the exothermic reaction of a solid and liquid reactant wherein the solid reactant is in the form of balls, comprising the following steps, in combination:
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causing the balls to move in a continuous flow path; spraying the balls with said liquid reactant over a portion of said flow path; removing the gas formed by the reaction of said liquid reactant with the solid reactant balls; controlling the temperature by removing the excess heat generated from the exothermic reaction by heat exchange to said liquid reactant; removing solid products of reaction formed by said reaction, at least in part, by filtration of said liquid reactant. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification