Storage, generation, and use of hydrogen

Abstract

A composition comprising a carrier liquid; a dispersant; and a chemical hydride. The composition can be used in a hydrogen generator to generate hydrogen for use, e.g., as a fuel. A regenerator recovers elemental metal from byproducts of the hydrogen generation process.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus comprising: 
 a reservoir containing a chemical hydride, and    a mechanism configured to introduce a reactant to selected different portions of the chemical hydride to effect hydrogen generating reactions at different locations within the reservoir.    
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the reservoir comprises a canister.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the reservoir includes chambers that contain chemical hydride.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the mechanism comprises conduits that have open delivery ends arranged to introduce the reactant to respective selected portions of the chemical hydride.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the conduits are arranged in parallel.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  in which the conduits are located at different distances along an axis of the reservoir.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the mechanism is configured to be movable relative to the chemical hydride contained in the reservoir.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of claim  16  in which the conduits comprise needles.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the mechanism includes a valving system that controls the introduction of the reactant to the different portions.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the reservoir includes an exit for hydrogen generated in the reaction.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the chemical hydride is dispersed in a carrier liquid at a concentration of about 40-75% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the carrier liquid comprises an organic liquid.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the chemical hydride comprises a light metal hydride.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35  in which the light metal hydride is selected from the group consisting of lithium hydride, lithium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium hydride, sodium borohydride, sodium aluminum hydride, magnesium hydride, and calcium hydride.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 33  also including a triglyceride acting as a dispersant.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which chemical hydride comprises lithium hydride.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which chemical hydride comprises magnesium hydride.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 23  in which the reactant comprises water.  
     
     
         41 - 62 . (canceled)