Apparatus, system, and method for generating hydrogen
First Claim
1. A hydrogen generator, comprising:
- a chemical hydride disposed within a nonporous water-selective membrane;
an outlet port connected to the nonporous water-selective membrane and configured to allow hydrogen to exit the nonporous water-selective membrane; and
wherein the nonporous water-selective membrane selectively diffuses water from a fluid to the chemical hydride, the fluid comprising a gas that includes water in a gas state, andwherein a rate of diffusion of the water through the water-selective membrane is determined by a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane.
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Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method generate hydrogen through a controlled chemical reaction between water and a chemical hydride. The invention includes a chemical hydride isolated from water by a water-selective membrane. A fluid containing water is brought into contact with the water-selective membrane. The water diffuses through the water-selective membrane and reacts with the chemical hydride. The water diffuses through the membrane at a predetermined rate based on a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane. The water-selective membrane is substantially impermeable to elements and molecules other than water. Hydrogen generated within the chemical hydride is collected and used in various applications.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A hydrogen generator, comprising:
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a chemical hydride disposed within a nonporous water-selective membrane; an outlet port connected to the nonporous water-selective membrane and configured to allow hydrogen to exit the nonporous water-selective membrane; and wherein the nonporous water-selective membrane selectively diffuses water from a fluid to the chemical hydride, the fluid comprising a gas that includes water in a gas state, and wherein a rate of diffusion of the water through the water-selective membrane is determined by a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hydrogen generator, comprising:
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a chemical hydride disposed within a housing; a check valve connected to the housing and configured to allow hydrogen to exit the housing; a water-selective membrane configured to separate a fluid comprising water from the chemical hydride, the water-selective membrane selectively diffusing water from the fluid into the chemical hydride to react with the chemical hydride, the fluid comprising a gas that includes water in a gas state; wherein a rate of diffusion of the water through the water-selective membrane is determined by a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane; and passages formed in the housing that extend longitudinally from one end of the housing to the other, the passages configured to receive an input stream of fluid and having support tubes that support the water-selective membrane. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification