Hydrogen Generator

Abstract

A hydrogen generator includes a solid hydrogen source.

1 . A method of generating hydrogen comprising contacting a fluid including a proton source and a dissolved transition metal salt with a solid hydrogen source disposed within a housing having an outlet configured to deliver the hydrogen to a hydrogen fuel cell.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein contacting the fluid and the solid hydrogen source includes introducing the fluid into a hydrogen generator, the hydrogen generator comprising: 
 the housing;    the solid hydrogen source; and    an inlet configured to guide the fluid to contact the solid hydrogen source.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the solid hydrogen source includes a solid hydride.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the solid hydride is a pellet, tablet, cylinder, layer, or tube.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the solid hydride is sodium borohydride.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid hydrogen source includes a solid hydride combined with a wicking material.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the wicking material includes a hydrophilic material.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising passing the fluid through the inlet to a hydrophilic material.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising controlling the amount of fluid reaching the solid hydrogen source.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein controlling the amount of fluid reaching the solid hydrogen source includes determining an amount of hydrogen exiting generator.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid includes water.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein controlling the amount of fluid reaching the solid hydrogen source includes delivering water vapor to the solid hydrogen source.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transition metal salt includes a ruthenium salt.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transition metal salt includes a cobalt salt.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transition metal salt includes an iron salt.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transition metal salt includes a transition metal chloride.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transition metal salt dissolves in the fluid as the fluid contacts or passes into the solid hydrogen source.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the solid hydrogen source includes a wicking material.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the transition metal salt is distributed on, dissolved in, or coated on the wicking material.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises the dissolved transition metal salt before the fluid contacts the solid hydrogen source.