Hyrdrogen generator for fuel cells

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydrogen generator for fuel cells based on silanes. A process for supplying a fuel cell with hydrogen includes the steps: intermediate storage of (poly)silanes or (poly)silane solutions; transfer of the (poly)silanes to a reaction chamber; reaction or hydrolysis of the silanes or silane solutions in the reaction chamber with an aqueous solution to liberate H2; removal of the solid and/or liquid reaction products from the reaction chamber; transfer of the H2 formed to the fuel cell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydrogen generator for fuel cells comprising:
 an intermediate storage facility for solutions selected from the group consisting of fluid silanes, silane solutions and polysilane solutions;   an intermediate storage facility for an aqueous solution;   a reaction chamber having at least two fluid inlet pipes coming from the intermediate storage facilities; and   a separating device for separating H 2  gas from conversion products.   
     
     
         2 . The hydrogen generator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the reaction chamber contains a device for mixing a solution selected from the group consisting of fluid silane or silane solution with the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrogen generator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the intermediate storage facility has an inlet pipe for the water which is generated as conversion water in the fuel cell.