Process and apparatus for generating hydrogen

Abstract

A solution is to be created, with a method and a device for generating hydrogen, in which silicon and/or an alloy that contains silicon is reacted in a reaction vessel ( 1 ), with an alkaline solution as a catalyst, so that the process, after starting, runs continuously and catalytically in the presence of silicon dioxide as a nucleating agent, without further addition of lye and without using higher pressures and temperatures (hydrothermal conditions). This is achieved in that the alkaline solution is used in a strongly sub-stoichiometric amount with reference to the entire reaction, whereby the silicon dioxide that is formed is precipitated onto crystallization nuclei.

1 . A device for generating hydrogen comprising a reaction vessel ( 1 ) for a reaction mixture, a charging device ( 4 ) for silicon and/or an alloy that contains silicon, a device for adding alkaline solution as a catalyst, and a device for adding crystallization nuclei. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control device for metered addition of the silicon and/or the alloy that contains silicon and/or the catalyst and/or the crystallization nuclei. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the control device is configured for time-metered addition of the catalyst and/or the silicon and/or is configured for addition of the catalyst and/or the silicon by measurement of hydrogen development. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the charging device ( 4 ) for silicon is configured so that a dry flushing gas can flow through the charging device. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a circulation pump ( 30 ) and a cooler ( 22 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a separation device for separating solids from the reaction mixture. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the separation device is configured as a filter press and/or a centrifuge. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mist separator ( 31 ). 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the mist separator ( 31 ) comprises a filler body column and/or a cyclone. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a storage vessel ( 2 ) for displacement of the solution. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the storage vessel has cooling.