Power generator with additional hydrogen storage
First Claim
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1. A power generator comprising:
- a hydrogen producing fuel comprising a chemical hydride, an alkali intermetallic compound, or a combination thereof that generates hydrogen when exposed to water vapor;
a fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane separating the hydrogen producing fuel from ambient; and
a metal hydride hydrogen storage element, that absorbs and desorbs hydrogen;
wherein a hydrogen permeable particulate filter is disposed between the chemical hydride alkali intermetallic compound, or combination thereof hydrogen producing fuel and the metal hydride hydrogen storage element; and
wherein the electrical power generator is waterless such that the water molecules produced at the fuel cell as a byproduct of the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen are passively diffused from the fuel cell as water vapor to a fuel chamber that contains the chemical hydride, alkali intermetallic compound, or combination thereof hydrogen producing fuel where the water vapor reacts with the hydrogen producing fuel to generate hydrogen.
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Abstract
A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel and a hydrogen storage element. A fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane separates the hydrogen producing fuel from ambient. A valve is positioned between the hydrogen storage element and the hydrogen producing fuel and the fuel cell. Hydrogen is provided to the fuel cell from the hydrogen storage element if demand for electricity exceeds the hydrogen producing capacity of the hydrogen producing fuel.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A power generator comprising:
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a hydrogen producing fuel comprising a chemical hydride, an alkali intermetallic compound, or a combination thereof that generates hydrogen when exposed to water vapor; a fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane separating the hydrogen producing fuel from ambient; and a metal hydride hydrogen storage element, that absorbs and desorbs hydrogen; wherein a hydrogen permeable particulate filter is disposed between the chemical hydride alkali intermetallic compound, or combination thereof hydrogen producing fuel and the metal hydride hydrogen storage element; and wherein the electrical power generator is waterless such that the water molecules produced at the fuel cell as a byproduct of the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen are passively diffused from the fuel cell as water vapor to a fuel chamber that contains the chemical hydride, alkali intermetallic compound, or combination thereof hydrogen producing fuel where the water vapor reacts with the hydrogen producing fuel to generate hydrogen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification