Hydrogen generators for fuel cells

US 7,074,509 B2
Filed: 11/13/2001
Issued: 07/11/2006
Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2001
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. An electric power generator comprising:

a fuel cell including a fuel cell anode and a fuel cell cathode separated by at least one proton exchange membrane; and

a hydrogen generator operative to provide molecular hydrogen to said fuel cell anode, said hydrogen generator comprising a catalyst and employing a water-based fuel including one of salts, bases and acids, as well as at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum,wherein the extent of availability of said catalyst is controllable.

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Abstract

An electric power generator including a fuel cell, which includes a fuel cell anode and a fuel cell cathode separated by at least one proton exchange membrane and a hydrogen generator operative to provide molecular hydrogen to the fuel cell anode. The hydrogen generator includes a catalyst and employing a water-based fuel including one of salts, bases and acids, as well as at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum.

A method for electrical power generation using a fuel cell is also disclosed.

Citations

114 Claims

1. An electric power generator comprising:
- a fuel cell including a fuel cell anode and a fuel cell cathode separated by at least one proton exchange membrane; and
  
  a hydrogen generator operative to provide molecular hydrogen to said fuel cell anode, said hydrogen generator comprising a catalyst and employing a water-based fuel including one of salts, bases and acids, as well as at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum,wherein the extent of availability of said catalyst is controllable.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
- - 2. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein said catalyst includes at least one of metal belonging to the platinum metal group, metal belonging to the transition metal group, metal oxide belonging to the platinum metal group and metal oxide belonging to the transition metal group.
  - 3. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one of hydroxide of potassium, sodium and lithium.
  - 4. An electric power generator according to claim 3 and wherein said at least one of hydroxide of potassium, sodium and lithium is provided in solution in water.
  - 5. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein said water based fuel includes at least one of sulfuric acid and citric acid.
  - 6. An electric power generator according to claim 5 and wherein said at least one of sulfuric acid and citric acid is provided in solution in water.
  - 7. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and said water-based fuel includes zinc and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said zinc.
  - 8. An electric power generator according to claim 7 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 9. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and said water-based fuel includes aluminum and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said aluminum.
  - 10. An electric power generator according to claim 9 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 11. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and said water-based fuel includes magnesium and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said magnesium.
  - 12. An electric power generator according to claim 11 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 13. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein said catalyst is formed onto an element which is selectably introducible into said fuel.
  - 14. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein said catalyst is selectably introducible into said fuel.
  - 15. An electric power generator according to claim 14 and also comprising a catalyst displacer which is operative to selectably mechanically introduce said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 16. An electric power generator according to claim 15 and also comprising a catalyst displacement controller which is operative to control the extent of introduction of said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 17. An electric power generator according to claim 16 and wherein said catalyst displacement controller employs feedback functionality.
  - 18. An electric power generator according to claim 14 wherein said catalyst is selectably introduced into said fuel in liquid form.
  - 19. An electric power generator according to claim 18 and also comprising a liquid catalyst introduction controller which is operative to control the extent of introduction of said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 20. An electric power generator according to claim 19 and wherein said liquid catalyst introduction controller employs feedback functionality.
  - 21. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein:
    - said catalyst defines a hydrogen generator cathode;
      
      said at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum defines a hydrogen generator anode; and
      
      said hydrogen generator anode and said hydrogen generator cathode are electrically interconnected across a resistor.
  - 22. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein:
    - said catalyst defines a hydrogen generator cathode;
      
      said at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum defines a hydrogen generator anode; and
      
      said hydrogen generator anode and said hydrogen generator cathode are electrically interconnected across a variable resistor.
  - 23. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein:
    - said catalyst defines a hydrogen generator cathode;
      
      said at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum defines a hydrogen generator anode; and
      
      said hydrogen generator anode and said hydrogen generator cathode are electrically interconnected across a current controller.
  - 24. An electric power generator according to claim 23 and wherein said current controller is a variable resistance and wherein varying the resistance varies the output of said hydrogen generator.
  - 25. An electric power generator according to claim 21 and wherein said hydrogen generator produces electrical power which is supplied together with electrical power from said fuel cell.
  - 26. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, acid salts, chromate, stannate, perchlorate and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 27. An electric power generator according to claim 2 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, acid salts, chromate, stannate, perchlorate and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 28. An electric power generator according to claim 7 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, acid salts, chromate, stannate, perchlorate and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 29. An electric power generator according to claim 9 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, acid salts, chromate, stannate, perchlorate and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 30. An electric power generator according to claim 11 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, acid salts, chromate, stannate, perchlorate and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 31. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, acid salts, chromate, stannate, perchlorate and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 32. An electric power generator according to claim 13 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, acid salts, chromate, stannate, perchlorate and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 33. An electric power generator according to claim 2 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, acid salts, chromate, stannate, perchlorate and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 34. An electric power generator according to claim 14 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, chromate, stannate, perchlorate acid, salts and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 35. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein the extent of availability of said water-based fuel is controllable.
  - 36. An electric power generator according to claim 35 and wherein availability of said water-based fuel is controllable by selectable introduction of water to a matrix comprising:
    - at least one of salts, bases and acids;
      
      at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum and alloys thereof; and
      
      said catalyst.
  - 37. An electric power generator according to claim 1 and wherein said electric power generator is fitted inside at least one of mobile electronic apparatus and portable electronic apparatus.

38. An electric power generator comprising:
- an anode and a cathode separated by at least one proton exchange membrane; and
  
  a hydrogen generator operative to provide molecular hydrogen to said anode, said hydrogen generator comprising a catalyst and employing a water-based fuel, wherein the extent of availability of said catalyst is controllable.
- View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
- - 39. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and wherein said catalyst is selectably introducible into said fuel.
  - 40. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and wherein said catalyst includes at least one of metal belonging to a group consisting of the platinum metal group, metal belonging to the transition metal group, metal oxide belonging to a group consisting of the platinum metal group and metal oxide belonging to the transition metal group.
  - 41. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and said water-based fuel includes zinc and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said zinc.
  - 42. An electric power generator according to claim 41 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 43. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and said water-based fuel includes aluminum and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said aluminum.
  - 44. An electric power generator according to claim 43 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 45. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and said water-based fuel includes magnesium and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said magnesium.
  - 46. An electric power generator according to claim 44 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 47. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one of hydroxide of potassium, sodium and lithium.
  - 48. An electric power generator according to claim 47 and wherein said at least one of hydroxide of potassium, sodium and lithium is provided in solution in water.
  - 49. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one of sulfuric acid and citric acid.
  - 50. An electric power generator according to claim 49 and wherein said at least one of sulfuric acid and citric acid is provided in solution in water.
  - 51. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and wherein said catalyst is formed onto an element which is selectably introducible into said fuel.
  - 52. An electric power generator according to claim 51 and also comprising a catalyst displacer which is operative to selectably mechanically introduce said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 53. An electric power generator according to claim 52 and also comprising a catalyst displacement controller which is operative to control the extent of introduction of said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 54. An electric power generator according to claim 53 and wherein said catalyst displacement controller employs feedback functionality.
  - 55. An electric power generator according to claim 51 wherein said catalyst is selectably introduced into said fuel in liquid form.
  - 56. An electric power generator according to claim 55 and also comprising a liquid catalyst introduction controller which is operative to control the extent of introduction of said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 57. An electric power generator according to claim 56 and wherein said liquid catalyst introduction controller employs feedback functionality.
  - 58. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and wherein:
    - said catalyst defines a hydrogen generator cathode;
      
      said water-based fuel includes at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum defining a hydrogen generator anode; and
      
      said hydrogen generator anode and said hydrogen generator cathode are electrically interconnected across a current controller.
  - 59. An electric power generator according to claim 58 and wherein said current controller is a variable resistance and wherein varying the resistance varies the output of said hydrogen generator.
  - 60. An electric power generator according to claim 58 and wherein said hydrogen generator produces electrical power which is supplied together with electrical power from said electrical power generator.
  - 61. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and wherein the extent of availability of said water-based fuel is controllable.
  - 62. An electric power generator according to claim 61 and wherein availability of said water-based fuel is controllable by selectable introduction of water to a matrix comprising:
    - at least one of salts, bases and acids;
      
      at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron, aluminum, tin, calcium, sodium, lithium, metal hydrides based on at least one of nickel, titanium, rare earth metals and alloys thereof; and
      
      said catalyst.
  - 63. An electric power generator according to claim 38 and wherein said electric power generator is fitted inside at least one of mobile electronic apparatus and portable electronic apparatus.

64. An electronic shelf label comprising:
- a display; and
  
  an electrical power generator for said display, said electrical power generator comprising;
  
  a fuel cell including a fuel cell anode and a fuel cell cathode separated by at least one proton exchange membrane; and
  
  a hydrogen generator operative to provide molecular hydrogen to said fuel cell anode,said hydrogen generator comprising a catalyst and employing a water-based fuel including one of salts, bases and acids, as well as at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminums,wherein the extent of availability of said catalyst in controllable.
- View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89)
- - 65. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and wherein said catalyst includes at least one of metal belonging to the platinum metal group, metal belonging to the transition metal group, metal oxide belonging to the platinum metal group and metal oxide belonging to the transition metal group.
  - 66. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and said water-based fuel includes zinc and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said zinc.
  - 67. An electronic shelf label according to claim 66 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 68. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and said water-based fuel includes aluminum and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said aluminum.
  - 69. An electronic shelf label according to claim 68 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 70. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and said water-based fuel includes magnesium and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said magnesium.
  - 71. An electronic shelf label according to claim 70 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 72. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one of hydroxide of potassium, sodium and lithium.
  - 73. An electronic shelf label according to claim 72 and wherein said at least one of hydroxide of potassium, sodium and lithium is provided in solution in water.
  - 74. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one of sulfuric acid and citric acid.
  - 75. An electronic shelf label according to claim 74 and wherein said at least one of sulfuric acid and citric acid is provided in solution in water.
  - 76. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and wherein said catalyst is formed onto an element which is selectably introducible into said fuel.
  - 77. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and wherein said catalyst is selectably introducible into said fuel.
  - 78. An electronic shelf label according to claim 77 and also comprising a catalyst displacer which is operative to selectably mechanically introduce said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 79. An electronic shelf label according to claim 78 and also comprising a catalyst displacement controller which is operative to control the extent of introduction of said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 80. An electronic shelf label according to claim 79 and wherein said catalyst displacement controller employs feedback functionality.
  - 81. An electronic shelf label according to claim 77 wherein said catalyst is selectably introduced into said fuel in liquid form.
  - 82. An electronic shelf label according to claim 81 and also comprising a liquid catalyst introduction controller which is operative to control the extent of introduction of said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 83. An electronic shelf label according to claim 82 and wherein said liquid catalyst introduction controller employs feedback functionality.
  - 84. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and wherein:
    - said catalyst defines a hydrogen generator cathode;
      
      said at least one of zinc, magnesium iron and aluminum defines a hydrogen generator anode; and
      
      said hydrogen generator anode and said hydrogen generator cathode are electrically interconnected across a current controller.
  - 85. An electronic shelf label according to claim 84 and wherein said current controller is a variable resistance and wherein varying the resistance varies the output of said hydrogen generator.
  - 86. An electronic shelf label according to claim 85 and wherein said hydrogen generator produces electrical power which is supplied together with electrical power from said fuel cell.
  - 87. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one salt selected from a group consisting of halides, trihalides, acetates, sulfates, nitrates, borates, chromate, stannate, perchlorate acid, salts and basic salts of Group I metals, ammonium, Group II metals and Group III metals.
  - 88. An electronic shelf label according to claim 64 and wherein the extent of availability of said water-based fuel is controllable.
  - 89. An electronic shelf label according to claim 88 and wherein availability of said water-based fuel is controllable by selectable introduction of water to a matrix comprising:
    - at least one of salts, bases and acids;
      
      at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron, aluminum, tin, calcium, sodium, lithium, metal hydrides based on at least one of nickel, titanium, rare earth metals and alloys thereof; and
      
      said catalyst.

90. An electronic shelf label comprising:
- a display; and
  
  an electrical power generator for said display, said electrical power generator comprising;
  
  a fuel cell including a fuel cell anode and a fuel cell cathode separated by at least one proton exchange membrane; and
  
  a hydrogen generator operative to provide molecular hydrogen to said fuel cell anode,said hydrogen generator comprising a catalyst and employing a water-based fuel, wherein the extent of availability of said catalyst is controllable.
- View Dependent Claims (91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114)
- - 91. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and wherein said catalyst is selectably introducible into said fuel.
  - 92. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and wherein said catalyst includes at least one of metal belonging to the platinum metal group, metal belonging to the transition metal group, metal oxide belonging to the platinum metal group and metal oxide belonging to the transition metal group.
  - 93. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and said water-based fuel includes zinc and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said zinc.
  - 94. An electronic shelf label according to claim 93 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 95. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and wherein said water-based fuel includes aluminum and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said aluminum.
  - 96. An electronic shelf label according to claim 95 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 97. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and said water-based fuel includes magnesium and said catalyst comprises an impurity in said magnesium.
  - 98. An electronic shelf label according to claim 97 and wherein said impurity comprises a transition metal.
  - 99. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one of hydroxide of potassium, sodium and lithium.
  - 100. An electronic shelf label according to claim 99 and wherein said at least one of hydroxide of potassium, sodium and lithium is provided in solution in water.
  - 101. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and wherein said water-based fuel includes at least one of sulfuric acid and citric acid.
  - 102. An electronic shelf label according to claim 101 and wherein said at least one of sulfuric acid and citric acid is provided in solution in water.
  - 103. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and wherein said catalyst is formed onto an element which is selectably introducible into said fuel.
  - 104. An electronic shelf label according to claim 103 and also comprising a catalyst displacer which is operative to selectably mechanically introduce said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 105. An electronic shelf label according to claim 104 and also comprising a catalyst displacement controller which is operative to control the extent of introduction of said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 106. An electronic shelf label according to claim 105 and wherein said catalyst displacement controller employs feedback functionality.
  - 107. An electronic shelf label according to claim 103 wherein said catalyst is selectably introduced into said fuel in liquid form.
  - 108. An electronic shelf label according to claim 107 and also comprising a liquid catalyst introduction controller which is operative to control the extent of introduction of said catalyst into said fuel.
  - 109. An electronic shelf label according to claim 108 and wherein said liquid catalyst introduction controller employs feedback functionality.
  - 110. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and wherein:
    - said catalyst defines a hydrogen generator cathode;
      
      said water-based fuel includes at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum defining a hydrogen generator anode; and
      
      said hydrogen generator anode and said hydrogen generator cathode are electrically interconnected across a current controller.
  - 111. An electronic shelf label according to claim 110 and wherein said current controller is a variable resistance and wherein varying the resistance varies the output of said hydrogen generator.
  - 112. An electronic shelf label according to claim 110 and wherein said hydrogen generator produces electrical power which is supplied together with electrical power from said fuel cell.
  - 113. An electronic shelf label according to claim 90 and wherein the extent of availability of said water-based fuel is controllable.
  - 114. An electronic shelf label according to claim 113 and wherein availability of said water-based fuel is controllable by selectable introduction of water to a matrix comprising:
    - at least one of salts, bases and acids;
      
      at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron, aluminum, tin, calcium, sodium, lithium, metal hydrides based on at least one of nickel, titanium, rare earth metals and alloys thereof; and
      
      said catalyst.

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Current Assignee
Zn2h2 Incorporated
Original Assignee
Eldat Communication, Ltd. (Pricer AB)
Inventors
Goldstein, Jonathan Russell, Rosenfeld, Oren
Primary Examiner(s)
Kalafut, Stephen J.

Application Number

US10/014,327
Publication Number

US 20030091878A1
Time in Patent Office

1,701 Days
Field of Search

429/19, 429/20, 429/21, 429/22, 429/23, 429/24, 429/25, 422/105, 422/108, 422/110, 422/111, 48/61
US Class Current

429/421
CPC Class Codes

C01B 3/08   with metals

H01M 8/065   by dissolution of metals or...

Y02E 60/36   Hydrogen production from no...

Y02E 60/50   Fuel cells

Hydrogen generators for fuel cells

First Claim

4 Assignments

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Abstract

Citations

114 Claims

Specification

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Hydrogen generators for fuel cells

First Claim

4 Assignments

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

Citations

114 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links