Self-regulating hydrogen generator

• US 6,939,529 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2002
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Protonex Technology Corporation (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Millennium Cell Inc.
• Inventors: Shah, Shailesh, Strizki, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Silverman, Stanley S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEDINA SANABRIA, MARIBEL
• Application Number:
  US10/264,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20040067195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 48/67, 422/198, 422/204, 422/211, 422/108, 423/648.1, 423/658, 423/658.2
• US Class Current: 423/658.2
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 16/005 in the presence of catalytically active bodies, e.g. porous plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2208/00548 Flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 7/02 by wet methods
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 8/082 Controlling processes
• 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

A hydrogen generating system regulates its rate of hydrogen generation by monitoring one or more parameters of the hydrogen generation process and then providing relative movement between the fuel tank and the catalyst chamber so as to increase or decrease the rate of hydrogen generation.

In the disclosed embodiments, the catalyst chamber is disposed in a tank containing the fuel. The relative movement provided moves the catalyst chamber toward the fuel solution so as to increase the rate of hydrogen generation and moves the catalyst chamber away from the fuel solution to decrease such generation. Advantageously, such self-regulation can be provided without an external power source and can be varied to meet the requirements of different commercial applications. The overall system can be readily fabricated using commercially available parts.

Claims

1. A method for generating hydrogen comprising the steps of:

providing a chamber holding a fuel solution, said fuel solution generating hydrogen and a discharged fuel solution via a chemical reaction as part of a hydrogen generation process;

providing a catalyst chamber containing a catalyst that accelerates the generation of hydrogen when in contact with said fuel solution, said catalyst chamber being disposed within said chamber; and

monitoring at least one parameter of said hydrogen generation process; and

providing relative movement between said catalyst chamber and said chamber so as to vary the rate of hydrogen generation by bringing more or less of said catalyst in said catalyst chamber into contact with said fuel solution.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a spring.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a motor.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a pump.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said chamber is double-walled and includes a material with a high specific heat between the walls.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said chamber includes fins for enhancing heat dissipation from said chamber.

8. The system of claim 1 further including outlet apparatus for conducting the generated hydrogen from said chamber, said outlet apparatus including a separator which removes moisture from said generated hydrogen.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said catalyst chamber provides a linear change in the rate of hydrogen generation as more of said catalyst chamber is exposed to said fuel solution.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said catalyst chamber has a cylindrical shape.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said catalyst chamber has a rectilinear shape.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said catalyst chamber is cube-shaped.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said catalyst chamber is a disk.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said catalyst chamber provides a nonlinear change in the rate of hydrogen generation as more of said catalyst chamber is exposed to said fuel solution.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said catalyst chamber has a frusto-conical shape.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said catalyst chamber is cone-shaped.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said catalyst chamber is pyramid-shaped.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said catalyst chamber is triangular prism-shaped.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein said actuator spins a selected one of said catalyst chamber and said chamber as it provides the relative movement.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein said actuator can be locked so as to keep said catalyst chamber and said fuel solution away from one another.

2. A system for generating hydrogen comprising:

a chamber for holding a fuel solution, said fuel solution generating hydrogen via a chemical reaction as part of a hydrogen generation process;

a catalyst chamber containing a catalyst that accelerates the generation of hydrogen when in contact with said fuel solution, said catalyst chamber being disposed within said chamber; and

an actuator responsive to at least one parameter of the hydrogen generation process for providing movement of one of said catalyst chamber and said chamber relative to the other one of said catalyst chamber and said chamber, so as to vary the rate of hydrogen generation.