Methods and devices for hydrogen generation

Abstract

Systems and methods for hydrogen generation based on the hydrolysis of a solid fuel are disclosed. The hydrogen generator comprises a fuel chamber for storing a solid chemical hydride and a chamber for storing a liquid reagent, and a liquid outlet disposed within the fuel chamber. The contact between the solid chemical hydride and the liquid reagent produces a substantially fluid nongaseous product and hydrogen gas. The fuel chamber is configured for movement relative to the outlet within the fuel chamber, thereby causing relative movement between the liquid outlet and unreacted solid fuel.

1 . A hydrogen gas generating system comprising:
 a reaction chamber configured to contain a solid chemical hydride;   at least one liquid reagent storage chamber for containing an aqueous reagent;   a liquid reagent conduit line for conveying the aqueous reagent from the at least one liquid reagent storage chamber to the reaction chamber, wherein said liquid reagent conduit line includes at least one liquid outlet within said reaction chamber;   an actuator configured to move the reaction chamber relative to said at least one liquid outlet within said reaction chamber;   a liquid reagent regulator; and   a hydrogen gas outlet,   wherein reaction of said chemical hydride and said aqueous reagent generates hydrogen and a nongaseous product.   
   
   
       2 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction chamber and the liquid reagent storage chamber are arranged in a volume exchanging configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid reagent storage chamber comprises an inner container. 
   
   
       4 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , wherein said reaction chamber comprises an inner container. 
   
   
       5 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a moveable wall or a flexible wall separating said fuel chamber and said liquid reagent storage chamber. 
   
   
       6 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , further comprising an acid adsorbent separating said fuel chamber and said liquid reagent storage chamber 
   
   
       7 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 6 , wherein said acid adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid polymers, silicates, carbons, and metal hydroxide salts. 
   
   
       8 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one gas permeable membrane in contact with the reaction chamber, wherein the membrane is configured to allow hydrogen to pass through the membrane while preventing solid and liquid materials from passing through the membrane. 
   
   
       9 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator configured to move the reaction chamber comprises a spring. 
   
   
       10 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 9 , wherein said spring is configured to pull or push the reaction chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , wherein said chemical hydride is a boron hydride. 
   
   
       12 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous reagent comprises water or an acidic solution. 
   
   
       13 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 12 , wherein said acidic solution is selected from the group consisting of solutions of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid. 
   
   
       14 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 12 , wherein said acidic solution is selected from the group consisting of solutions of formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and maleic acid. 
   
   
       15 . The hydrogen gas generating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery to power a liquid reagent regulator. 
   
   
       16 . A hydrogen fuel cartridge comprising:
 a reaction chamber and a liquid fuel storage chamber contained within a housing, wherein said reaction chamber and said liquid fuel storage chamber are arranged in volume exchanging configuration;   a liquid reagent conduit line for conveying the aqueous reagent from the liquid reagent storage chamber, wherein said liquid reagent conduit line terminates in at least one fixed liquid outlet within said reaction chamber;   an actuator configured to move the reaction chamber relative to said at least one fixed liquid outlet within said reaction chamber;   at least one hydrogen separator; and   a hydrogen outlet.   
   
   
       17 . The hydrogen fuel cartridge of  claim 16  further comprising a liquid reagent regulator. 
   
   
       18 . The hydrogen fuel cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein said liquid reagent regulator is selected from the group consisting of a peristaltic pump, a piezoelectric pump, a piston pump, a diaphragm pump, a centrifugal pump, and an axial flow pump. 
   
   
       19 . The hydrogen fuel cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein said liquid reagent regulator is selected from the group consisting of a solenoid valve, a ball valve, a pinch valve, and a diaphragm valve. 
   
   
       20 . The hydrogen fuel cartridge of  claim 16 , further comprising a mixing element in fluid communication with the liquid reagent conduit line. 
   
   
       21 . A method of generating hydrogen comprising:
 providing a solid chemical hydride in a reaction chamber;   providing an aqueous reagent;   conveying the aqueous reagent through a distribution point to contact the chemical hydride in the reaction chamber and to produce hydrogen gas and a nongaseous product; and   moving the reaction chamber relative to the aqueous reagent distribution point within said reaction chamber.   
   
   
       22 . The method of generating hydrogen of  claim 21 , further comprising transporting said hydrogen to a hydrogen device selected from the group consisting of a fuel cell, a hydrogen-burning engine, and a hydrogen storage device. 
   
   
       23 . The method of generating hydrogen of  claim 22 , wherein the hydrogen device is a fuel cell that generates electricity by oxidizing hydrogen. 
   
   
       24 . The method of generating hydrogen of  claim 21 , wherein the aqueous reagent is water and wherein the method further comprises transporting water from the fuel cell to the reaction chamber. 
   
   
       25 . The method of generating hydrogen of  claim 21 , wherein the aqueous reagent is water and wherein the method further comprises transporting water from the fuel cell to a chamber for storing the aqueous reagent or to a mixing element.