Electrochemical cells

Abstract

An electrochemical cell includes a hydrogen generator and a hydrogen fuel cell.

1 . An electrochemical hydrogen generator comprising: 
 a housing including a hydrogen outlet;    an anode in the housing including an oxidizable material;    a cathode in the housing including a hydrogen generation catalyst; and    an ionically conductive, electrically insulative separator layer between the anode and the cathode.    
   
   
       2 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 1 , further comprising an aqueous ionic electrolyte within the housing.  
   
   
       3 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizable material comprises a metal.  
   
   
       4 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 3 , wherein the oxidizable material comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group Ia metal, a Group Ib metal, a Group IIIa metal, a Group IIb metal, iron, tin, manganese, titanium, zirconium and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 1 , wherein the separator comprises a non-woven fibrous polymer fabric.  
   
   
       6 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 5 , wherein the non-woven fibrous polymer fabric is laminated to cellophane.  
   
   
       7 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 6 , wherein the non-woven fibrous polymer fabric comprises polyvinyl alcohol fibers.  
   
   
       8 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode further comprises a binder containing the catalyst.  
   
   
       9 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 8 , wherein the binder comprises a member selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene.  
   
   
       10 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen outlet includes a hydrophobic membrane arranged to prevent leakage of a liquid from the housing.  
   
   
       11 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizable material comprises a metal hydride selected from the group consisting of titanium hydride, zirconium hydride, reversible hydrides of nickel or lanthanum, and misch metal alloys.  
   
   
       12 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizable material comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, and tin.  
   
   
       13 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 1 , further comprising an alkaline electrolyte disposed in the housing.  
   
   
       14 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 13 , wherein the alkaline electrolyte comprises a member selected from the group consisting of aqueous sodium hydroxide and aqueous potassium hydroxide.  
   
   
       15 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 1 , wherein the anode and the cathode are connected by an electronic conductor, and the electronic conductor comprises a switch.  
   
   
       16 . The hydrogen generator of  claim 15 , wherein the hydrogen generates on its own power, when the switch is closed.