Abstract: Hydrogen is combusted in Oxygen to generate extremely high temperature steam. By feeding the combustion generated steam directly into a steam turbine, unprecedented high conversion efficiency to electricity is achieved.

Abstract: Oxygen and water impurities are cleaned from hydrogen, which is to be stored in tanks containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy, using a novel, self-cleaning filter system. The impurity-containing hydrogen gas is first passed through a catalyst bed comprising a catalyst which is adapted to convert oxygen in the presence of hydrogen to water. The gas then passes through an adsorbent capable of adsorbing water from the gas stream, thereby substantially removing water impurities from the hydrogen gas. The purified hydrogen gas is charged into a storage tank containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy which absorbs the hydrogen by reacting therewith to form hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride. When the storage tank is to be discharged, the hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride in the tank is treated to release hydrogen gas therefrom. The released gas is passed back through the adsorbent, thereby cleaning the adsorbent of water impurities deposited therein when the tank was being charged with hydrogen.

Abstract: A metal material, which is capable of reacting with hydrogen to form a metal hydride, is simultaneously granulated and conditioned with hydrogen to activate the metal material to a state in which it is capable of readily reacting with and absorbing hydrogen. The granulation and activation are achieved by heating the metal material to a temperature of at least about 200.degree. F. and treating the heated metal material with hydrogen, while concurrently subjecting the metal material to mechanical impact to reduce the average particle size thereof to less than about 1 centimeter.

Abstract: Oxygen and water impurities are cleaned from hydrogen, which is to be stored in tanks containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy, using a novel, self-cleaning filter system. The impurity-containing hydrogen gas is first passed through a catalyst bed comprising a catalyst which is adapted to convert oxygen in the presence of hydrogen to water. The gas then passes through an adsorbent capable of adsorbing water from the gas stream, thereby substantially removing water impurities from the hydrogen gas. The purified hydrogen gas is charged into a storage tank containing a hydride-forming metallic alloy which absorbs the hydrogen by reacting therewith to form hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride. When the storage tank is to be discharged, the hydrogen-loaded metallic hydride in the tank is treated to release hydrogen gas therefrom. The released gas is passed back through the adsorbent, thereby cleaning the adsorbent of water impurities deposited therein when the tank was being charged with hydrogen.

Abstract: Electrolysis apparatus and electrode structure comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a porous cathode plate, and a porous anode plate which is electrochemically compatible with the cathode, so that the anode plate and cathode plate are substantially immune from galvanic corrosion. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is disposed between the anode plate and cathode plate, and means are provided for holding the anode and cathode plates in firm contact with the opposite sides, respectively, of the membrane. In an embodiment employing a plurality of sets of electrode structures means are provided for securing the anode plate, solid polymer electrolyte membranes, and cathode plate of each electrode structure in side-by-side relationship and to secure the respective electrode structures in spaced series arrangement, with a spacer plate positioned between the individual sets of spaced electrode structures. A series of grooves is provided between the anode plate and the plate in contact therewith.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing increased thermal conductivity and heat capacity to a pressure vessel containing a hydride-forming metal material which is capable of absorbing and storing relatively large amounts of hydrogen gas. An elongate pressure vessel, having an opening therein for charging and discharging hydrogen therefrom and valve means in combination with the opening for controlling flow of hydrogen gas to and from the container, is provided with a plurality of elongate, aluminum magnesium, or copper tubes as a tube bundle, with the longitudinal axis of the tubes being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The tubes are packed in the vessel so that tubes are in firm contact with adjacent tubes, and the outer tubes of the bundle are in firm contact with the longitudinal inside surfaces of the vessel as well as with adjacent tubes in the bundle. Particulate, hydride-forming, metal material substantially fills the otherwise void spaces within the tube-containing vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring heat to or from metal hydrides contained in storage containers as hydrogen gas is being charged to or withdrawn from the storage containers, wherein the hydrogen gas being charged to or withdrawn from the storage containers functions as a convective energy carrier. A plurality of the containers are connected together in flow communication in series, so that when a pressure differential is established across the series of containers, hydrogen gas associated with the metal hydride will flow from one container to the next container in the direction of the lower pressure. A pressure differential is created across the series of containers by charging hydrogen to either the first or last container in the series, or by withdrawing hydrogen from either the first or last container in a series of containers that has been previously charged with hydrogen.

Abstract: A fuel supply system is provided for engines which are adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel and which utilize a fuel tank containing a metal hydride for the storage of hydrogen. The system provides for high pressure operation when the hydride in the fuel tank is fully charged with hydrogen, as well as for operation at low pressures to allow maximum utilization of the hydrogen stored in the hydride. A supply conduit, which can supply the hydrogen needed during normal operation of the engine with minimal pressure drop, connects the storage tank to the fuel intake of the engine. A bypass conduit is provided having one end thereof connected to the supply conduit and its other end reconnected to the supply conduit downstream of the first connection. Valve means are adapted to direct the flow of hydrogen either directly through the supply conduit or to divert the flow of hydrogen from the supply conduit through the bypass conduit and back to the supply conduit downstream from the valve means.

Abstract: Electrolysis of water is accomplished by positioning a lead dioxide anode and a cathode in spaced relationship to each other, with an electrically conducting medium maintained in contact with the anode and cathode to provide a conduction path therebetween. An electric current is then passed through the conducting medium from the anode to the cathode, thereby generating hydrogen gas at the cathode.

Abstract: A method of purifying and storing hydrogen or otherwise separating hydrogen gas from a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen is disclosed. A mixture of hydrogen and other gaseous components is applied under pressure to a hydride container holding a hydride forming material adapted to adsorb at least hydrogen from the gaseous mixture. Cooling of the hydride forming material facilitates adsorption of hydrogen and other gases from the gas mixture. By selectively heating the hydride forming material, following the adsorption step, hydrogen and the other adsorbed gases are selectively released and can, thus, be separated from each other. If hydrogen is the only gaseous component of the gas mixture which is adsorbed during the adsorption step, then substantially pure hydrogen is obtained by heating the hydrogen-loaded hydride material sufficiently to release the purified hydrogen therefrom.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine designed to operate with hydrogen fuel, comprises means for mixing water in the form of droplets, spray, or mist with gaseous hydrogen. The water-containing hydrogen gas is then introduced along with air in proportion for practical internal combustion and efficient power output to the cylinders or combustion chambers of the engine for combustion. In one embodiment of the invention, water vapor is condensed from the exhaust gases from the engine, and the condensed water is used as the source of water to be mixed with hydrogen fuel so as to provide a continuing, self-supporting system. The resulting exhaust emissions from the engine are very low in oxides of nitrogen, and, in addition, engine backfiring is eliminated while the efficiency and power output of the engine is improved.

Abstract: A hydride storage and heat exchanger system includes a container having a generally circular cross-section for holding a hydride material, apparatus for introducing hydrogen gas into and receiving hydrogen gas from the container, and apparatus for conveying a heat exchange medium into contact with the container to enable exchange of heat between the hydride material and the medium. The conveying apparatus is adapted to apply the heat exchange medium to the container in such a manner that any material disposed at a certain radial distance and cross-section in the container will be substantially the same distance from the heat exchange medium as any other hydride material disposed at that same radial distance and cross-section in the container. The container may be generally cylindrical or frusto-conical in shape and the conveying apparatus may be either a housing surrounding the container, a conduit extending through the container, or both.

Abstract: A hydrogen purification and storage system includes a hydride container holding hydride forming material adapted to adsorb hydrogen and gaseous impurities exposed to the material. A mixture of hydrogen and impurities is applied under pressure to the hydride container and there adsorbed by the hydride forming material. Application of a cooling fluid to the container into proximity with the hydride forming material facilitates the adsorption of hydrogen and impurities by the material. After adsorption of the hydrogen and impurities, the temperature of the hydride forming material in the container is increased to a point where hydrogen will be released from the material but where the impurities will generally not be released. The hydrogen so released is then conveyed to a hydrogen utilization unit connected in the series with the container.

Abstract: A method of producing ferrotitanium alloy from sponge titanium includes placing sponge titanium in a receptacle and pouring molten iron or steel onto the titanium so that the molten metal flows downwardly and outwardly through the titanium to melt the titanium and mix therewith. While the molten iron or steel is being poured onto the titanium, an inert gas in introduced into the receptacle to prevent oxidation of the titanium. After the molten iron or steel has melted the titanium, the mixture is stirred to eliminate porosity in the resulting alloy.

Abstract: An intake/exhaust system adapted for use in rotary engines having a rotatable cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders radially arranged in the block. A plurality of passages are defined in the cylinder block to extend between the cylinders and a plurality of cylinder ports for enabling communication with the cylinders. The cylinder ports are arranged to travel in a circular path as the cylinder block is rotated. Also included are a plurality of poppet valves, each positioned in a different one of the passages to allow or inhibit communication between each of the cylinder ports and the corresponding cylinder. Manifold apparatus includes an intake port and an exhaust port spaced apart and positioned adjacent to the path traversed by the cylinder ports such that the intake port and exhaust port are each aligned with successive ones of the cylinder ports as the cylinder unit is rotated.

Abstract: A method of electroplating porous substrates includes the steps of disposing a porous substrate to be electroplated in an electrolyte solution, disposing an anode in the solution spaced apart from the substrate, with the anode being composed of the material to be deposited on the substrate, applying a gas to the substrate to flow therethrough, and applying a positive voltage to the anode and a negative voltage to the substrate while gas is flowing through the substrate.