Fuels for Fuel Cells

Abstract

A hydrogen generation system comprising a solid fuel that reacts with an aqueous liquid to generate hydrogen is disclosed. The solid fuel comprises first metallic particles coated by smaller second metallic particles, such that multiple galvanic cells are formed on a surface of the first metallic particles between the metals in the first metallic particles and the second metallic particles. The first metallic particles can be further covered by smaller third particles. An example of the solid fuel is hybrid particles formed by larger magnesium particles coated by smaller iron and silicon particles. The solid fuel may also include salt such as sodium chloride and/or a fire retardant such as potassium chloride. The salt may be added to the aqueous liquid instead. The solid fuel can be formed into fuel pellets, or can be suspended in a suspension agent to form slurries or gels.

1 . A hydrogen generation system comprising a solid fuel that reacts with an aqueous liquid to generate hydrogen, wherein the solid fuel comprises first metallic particles coated by smaller second metallic particles, such that multiple galvanic cells are formed on a surface of the first metallic particles between the metals in the first metallic particles and the second metallic particles. 
     
     
         2 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fuel comprises magnesium particles coated by smaller iron particles. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 2 , wherein multiple galvanic cells are formed on the surface of the magnesium particles between magnesium and iron. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the first metallic particles are further covered by smaller third particles, wherein the third particles reacts with a product of the reaction between the solid fuel and the aqueous liquid at pH above 7 to produce hydrogen. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 2 , wherein silicon particles further coat the magnesium particles. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fuel comprises a fire retardant. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fuel are formed into fuel pellets. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 6 , wherein the fire retardant comprises potassium chloride. 
     
     
         9 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fuel comprises a salt. 
     
     
         10 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fuel expands when reacting with the aqueous liquid. 
     
     
         11 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fuel is suspended in a non-hygroscopic suspension agent. 
     
     
         12 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 11 , wherein the non-hygroscopic suspension agent is a mineral oil or an acrylic based dispersant. 
     
     
         13 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous liquid comprises an electrolyte. 
     
     
         14 . The hydrogen generation system of  claim 13 , wherein the electrolyte comprises a brine solution.