Abstract: A hydrogen generator is provided for generating hydrogen gas for a fuel cell stack. The hydrogen generator includes a container, and a liquid reactant storage area configured to contain a liquid including a first reactant. The hydrogen generator also includes a reaction area within the container, and a solid containing a second reactant within the reaction area and having a concentration gradient that varies along an axis such as length of the solid. The hydrogen generator further includes a liquid delivery member for delivering the liquid to the solid in the reaction area to generate hydrogen. The concentration gradient controls a reaction rate of the first and second reactants.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator, a fuel pellet assembly for use in the hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system are disclosed. The hydrogen generator includes a housing having a lid pivotally connected to a base and a strip having a plurality of heaters on one side and a second plurality of heaters on the opposite side. A first cartridge is disposed on one side of the strip and a second cartridge is disposed on the opposite side. Each of the first and second cartridges has a plurality of fuel pellets, each including a hydrogen-containing material that will release hydrogen gas when heated. The heaters are selectively activated to heat one or more fuel pellets to initiate the release of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming ?-alane. The method includes reacting a tetraalkyl ammonium alanate solution in toluene with an alkyl halide or other proton source such as HCl or H2SO4.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen using fuel cell off gases, the method feeding hydrocarbon fuel to a sulfur adsorbent to produce a desulfurized fuel and a spent sulfur adsorbent; feeding said desulfurized fuel and water to an adsorption enhanced reformer that comprises of a plurality of reforming chambers or compartments; reforming said desulfurized fuel in the presence of a one or more of a reforming catalyst and one or more of a CO2 adsorbent to produce hydrogen and a spent CO2 adsorbent; feeding said hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell; regenerating said spent CO2 adsorbents using the fuel cell cathode off-gases, producing a flow of hydrogen by cycling between said plurality of reforming chambers or compartments in a predetermined timing sequence; and, replacing the spent sulfur adsorbent with a fresh sulfur adsorbent at a predetermined time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel unit for a gas generator such as a hydrogen gas generator that can supply gas to a gas consuming system such as a fuel cell system. The fuel unit includes a housing containing a solid fuel composition and a heat producing material. The fuel composition contains gas releasing solid material that reacts to release gas when heated. The heat producing material reacts exothermically to produce heat. A plurality of quantities of the heat producing material are in thermal communication with corresponding portions of an unsegregated quantity the fuel composition such that, following initiation of a reaction of each quantity of the heat producing material, the quantity of heat producing material will heat the corresponding portion of the unsegregated quantity of the fuel composition, and the corresponding portion of the unsegregated quantity of the fuel composition will react to release a quantity of the gas.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator, a fuel cell for use in the hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system are disclosed. The hydrogen generator includes a housing and a plurality of fuel pellets disposed in the housing. Each fuel pellet includes a hydrogen-containing reactant that will react to release hydrogen gas when heated. The hydrogen generator also includes a plurality of heating elements extending into the plurality of fuel pellets to generate heat to selectively heat one or more fuel pellets to initiate a reaction to produce hydrogen gas. The hydrogen generator further includes a plurality of electrical contacts operatively coupled to the plurality of heating elements to selectively supply electrical power to the plurality of heating elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to mixed metal borohydrides used for solid hydrogen storage. The mixed metal borohydrides are synthesized through solution synthesis using multiple metal borohydrides. First and second precursor solutions are prepared and combined to create a mixture in which the mixed metal borohydride is formed. The solvent is removed, leaving the mixed metal borohydride. The first precursor solution consisting essentially of lithium borohydride, and the second precursor solution consisting essentially of a borohydride compound containing one or more metal cations selected from the group of metals consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium and titanium.

Abstract: A fuel cartridge and a hydrogen generator are provided for supplying hydrogen gas to a hydrogen gas device. The fuel cartridge includes a fuel composition disposed in a container and a multi-layer package material, such as a laminate, enclosing the fuel composition therein. The laminate includes a polymer layer distal the fuel composition and a conductor layer proximate the fuel composition and including a preformed portion. The hydrogen generator includes a punch thermally coupled to a heater assembly and is configured to move between a retracted state and a puncture state. When the fuel cartridge is disposed in the hydrogen generating apparatus, the punch is configured to puncture the polymer layer and bring the coined portion into contact with the fuel composition. Heat is applied to a hydrogen containing material in the fuel composition through the punch and preformed portion to release hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator is provided for generating hydrogen gas for a fuel cell stack. The hydrogen generator includes a container, and a liquid reactant storage area configured to contain a liquid including a first reactant. The hydrogen generator also includes a reaction area within the container, and a solid containing a second reactant within the reaction area and having a concentration gradient that varies along an axis such as length of the solid. The hydrogen generator further includes a liquid delivery member for delivering the liquid to the solid in the reaction area to generate hydrogen. The concentration gradient controls a reaction rate of the first and second reactants.

Abstract: A simple, compact process for cleansing hydrocarbon fuel such as jet fuel is disclosed. This process involves subjecting the fuel to an oxidative desulfurization process in a desulfurization reactor followed by passing the fuel through an adsorption bed. The cleansed desulfurized fuel may then be utilized directly in generation of hydrogen for fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator system and a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator system are disclosed. The hydrogen generator system includes a replaceable cartridge that is removably contained within the system, and an external pump disposed outside the cartridge housing and configured to pump a fluid. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a liquid reservoir disposed within the cartridge housing and configured to contain a liquid including a reactant, a reaction area disposed within the cartridge housing and within which the reactant reacts to produce hydrogen gas, a liquid flow path disposed within the cartridge housing and through which the reactant liquid can flow from the liquid reservoir to the reaction area, and an internal pump disposed within the cartridge housing that can be operated by the external pump and is configured to transport the reactant liquid through the liquid flow path.

Abstract: Methods for generating hydrogen gas and power and related systems, including a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge, a housing with a cavity to removably contain the cartridge, and an initiation system. The cartridge includes a casing; a plurality of pellets including a hydrogen containing material; a plurality of solid heat transfer members in contact with but not penetrating the casing; a hydrogen outlet in the casing; and a hydrogen flow path from each pellet to the hydrogen outlet. A plurality of heating elements is disposed inside the housing. Each heating element is disposed so heat can be conducted from the heating element through the casing to corresponding heat transfer member to initiate the release of hydrogen gas. The initiation system can selectively heat one or more pellets. Hydrogen gas can be provided to a fuel cell battery to generate power.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator including an initiator assembly having one or more contact members within a compressible member, and a removable fuel unit adjacent a surface of the compressible member. The fuel unit contains a hydrogen containing material that can release hydrogen gas when heated and an exothermic mixture that can react exothermically upon initiation by the initiator assembly. When no fuel unit is in the hydrogen generator, the compressible member is uncompressed and the contact members are at or below its surface, and when a fuel unit is disposed in the hydrogen generator, the compressible member is compressed so the contact members extend beyond the surface to make thermal contact with the fuel unit. Energy from the initiator assembly is conducted by the contact members to corresponding quantities of the exothermic mixture to initiate an exothermic reaction, providing heat for the release of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen containing material.

Abstract: Methods for generating hydrogen gas and related systems are disclosed. Aspects of methods include providing a solid reactant component to an expandable reactant zone within an expandable reaction chamber, providing a liquid reactant component to a collapsible receptacle, controllably transporting the liquid reactant component in the collapsible receptacle to the expandable reaction chamber, and reacting the liquid reactant component with the solid reactant component. In some instances, components are configured for volume exchange among the expandable reaction chamber, the expandable reactant zone, and the collapsible receptacle.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a housing, a pellet strip with a plurality of pellets disposed on a flexible carrier, the pellets including a hydrogen containing material that will release hydrogen gas when heated. A feed system feeds the pellet strip to sequentially position one or more pellets in proximity to a heater that heats the pellets to release hydrogen gas. The pellet strip can be folded or wound on a reel, stored in a compartment in the hydrogen generator or in a user-replaceable container. The hydrogen generator can be part of a fuel cell system that includes the hydrogen generator and a fuel cell battery.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery and the hydrogen generator. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge, a housing with a cavity to removably contain the cartridge, and an initiation system. The cartridge includes a casing; a plurality of pellets including a hydrogen containing material; a plurality of solid heat transfer members in contact with but not penetrating the casing; a hydrogen outlet in the casing; and a hydrogen flow path from each pellet to the hydrogen outlet. A plurality of heating elements is disposed inside the housing. When the cartridge is in the cavity, each heating element is disposed so heat can be conducted from the heating element and through the casing and corresponding heat transfer member to initiate the release of hydrogen gas. The initiation system can selectively heat one or more pellets to release hydrogen gas as needed.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas generating apparatus for providing hydrogen gas to a fuel cell stack is provided. The apparatus includes an expandable reaction chamber containing a solid reactant component and a collapsible receptacle containing a liquid reactant component with a housing. The reaction chamber includes an expandable reactant zone defined by a moveable partition that retains the reactants and reaction products within the reaction chamber. The apparatus also includes a liquid transport control system and a fluid path for transporting the liquid reactant component from the collapsible receptacle to the reactant zone in the reaction chamber, where the liquid and solid reactant components react to generate hydrogen gas. The receptacle collapses with a corresponding expansion of the reaction chamber as liquid reactant component is used, and the reactant zone expands within the reaction chamber in response to pressure from the increasing volume of reaction products on the moveable partition.

Abstract: A system for producing an auxiliary fuel stream containing a low concentration of sulfur compounds from a primary fuel stream includes a first separation stage to separate a portion of a primary fuel stream into a first vapor permeate stream and a first retentate stream, a first separation stage partial condenser connected to the first vapor permeate stream condensing a portion of the first vapor permeate stream into a first liquid stage stream and a first vapor stage stream, and a second separation stage partial condenser condensing a portion of the first vapor stage stream into a second liquid stage. The stream may then be processed through a sorbent bed to effectively remove the sulfur compounds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generation of hydrogen. The apparatus includes a hydrogen reactor chamber (99) and a plurality of catalysts within the chamber (99) forming distinct zones or portions (200, 202, and 204), each zone or portion comprising a distinct catalyst or combination thereof. The plurality of catalysts include at least one of a high-activity steam reformation catalyst, coke resistant steam reformation catalyst and steam reformation catalyst that promotes a water gas shift reaction.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation system is disclosed that includes an integrated steam reforming reactor. The reactor has an overall cylindrical shape, receives a reformate and separately receiving a combustion gas mixture. The reactor includes a plurality of reforming stages arranged in a stacked series of disc shaped stage configuration, wherein each reforming stage has a disc shaped combustion portion adjacent a disc shaped catalyst pack through which the reformate passes, wherein the reformate is directed axially between stages and radially within each stage; and the combustion mixture is directed radially between groups of stages and circumferentially within each stage.