Abstract: Method for producing hydrogen comprising contacting aluminum and one or more reaction materials selected from the group consisting of reaction promoters and reaction promoter precursors in the presence of an aqueous liquid under reaction conditions sufficient to yield hydrogen gas and an aqueous product, wherein the relative amounts of the reaction materials and the aqueous liquid are selected such that the pH of the aqueous product is less than about 12.

Abstract: System for the generation of hydrogen comprising (a) a reactor vessel containing a hydrogen precursor material; (b) either (1) an inlet line adapted to introduce a reactive material and a treatment material into the reactor vessel, or (2) a first inlet line adapted to introduce a reactive material into the reactor vessel and a second inlet line adapted to introduce a treatment material into the reactor vessel; and (c) an outlet adapted to withdraw hydrogen from the reactor vessel.

Abstract: Battery charging system comprising a hydrogen source module adapted to provide gaseous hydrogen; a hydrogen fuel cell power module comprising a hydrogen fuel cell and a power delivery outlet unit adapted to transfer power generated by the fuel cell to a secondary battery for recharging the secondary battery; and coupling and transfer means adapted to connect and disconnect the hydrogen source module and the hydrogen fuel cell power module.

Abstract: A structured packing element has at least one edge adapted to intermesh with an edge of at least one other structured packing element. The structured packing elements may be used in a packed section in an exchange column which includes: a first layer of structured packing including a first structured packing element having an upper edge adapted to intermesh with a generally vertically adjacent lower edge of a second structured packing element; and a second layer of structured packing located above the first layer of structured packing, the second layer including the second structured packing element having the lower edge adapted to intermesh with the generally vertically adjacent upper edge of the first structured packing element. The upper edge of the first structured packing element intermeshes with the lower edge of the second structured packing element.

Abstract: A system and method for the generation of pressurized hydrogen gas without the use of a compressor or significant energy input, for use in for the charging of a metal hydride hydrogen storage unit. A hydrogen gas generator generates pressurized hydrogen gas from the reaction of a chemical hydride with an aqueous solution. The pressurized hydrogen gas is treated in a conditioner prior to storage in a hydrogen storage canister.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and redistributing a flow of a liquid descending in an exchange column containing a layer of structured packing and having a longitudinal axis, a cross-sectional area, and an inner wall having an inner perimeter, includes: a wall-flow collector located above the layer of structured packing, the wall-flow collector having an outer perimeter adjacent the inner perimeter of the inner wall and being adapted to collect at least a portion of the liquid descending on or near the inner wall of the exchange column; a transmission means for transmitting at least a portion of the collected liquid collected by the wall-flow collector toward the longitudinal axis a substantial distance across the cross-sectional area of the exchange column; and a dispensing means for dispensing at least a portion of the portion of the collected liquid from the transmission means to the layer of structured packing.