Patents Assigned to Millennium Cell, Inc.
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Patent number: 7540892Abstract: A system for generating hydrogen gas utilizes a volume exchange housing for the storage of a fuel material that reacts to generate hydrogen gas and a hydrogen separation chamber. The system includes a gas permeable membrane or membranes that allow hydrogen gas to pass through the membrane while preventing aqueous solutions from passing therethrough. The system is orientation independent. A throttle valve is also used to self regulate the reaction generating the hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Millennium Cell Inc.Inventors: Michael Strizki, Richard M. Mohring
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Patent number: 7530931Abstract: A hydrogen generation system includes a fuel container, a spent fuel container, a catalyst system and a control system for generating hydrogen in a manner which provides for a compact and efficient construction while producing hydrogen from a reaction involving a hydride solution such as sodium borohydride.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Amendola, Phillip J. Petillo, Stephen C. Petillo, Richard M. Mohring
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Patent number: 7323148Abstract: A hydrogen generator capable of operating in any orientation and having no moving parts includes a catalyst retaining structure. The catalyst retaining structure is disposed in a housing and serves to separate the housing into a fuel holding portion and a hydrogen chamber. The catalyst retaining structure also includes one or more pores, each pore being in communication with the fuel holding and hydrogen chambers. A catalyst, that promotes the generation of hydrogen gas upon contact with the fuel, is disposed within the pores. The fuel enters the pores and thereupon generates hydrogen gas which passes into the hydrogen chamber. Contact of the fuel with the catalyst in the pores may be controlled and the position of the fuel-hydrogen interface within the pore may be moved so as to regulate the generation of hydrogen. The catalyst retaining structure can take different forms, including one or more hollow elongated members or plates, and may further incorporate hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic membranes.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Shailesh A. Shah, Michael T. Kelly
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Patent number: 7316718Abstract: An arrangement for generating hydrogen gas utilizes differential pressure to transport fuel and spent fuel components without requiring an electrically powered fuel delivery pump.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Amendola, Richard M. Mohring, Phillip J. Petillo, Keith A. Fennimore, Stephen C. Petillo
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Patent number: 7282073Abstract: Hydrogen is generated through the use of a fuel solution that is prepared using solid fuel component, e.g., a metal borohydride, and a liquid fuel component, e.g. water. Both of these components are dispensed in response to control signals. The solid fuel component can take different forms, including but not limited to granules, pellets and powder. Various devices, which operate in response to control signals, are disclosed for dispensing predetermined amounts of the solid and liquid components. Advantageously, this solution can be prepared, as needed, so as to obviate the need for storing and disposing of large amounts of highly alkaline fuel and discharged fuel solutions.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Phillip J. Petillo, Stephen C. Petillo
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Patent number: 7220290Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method for storage and controlled release of hydrogen. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of borohydride based solutions as a hydrogen storage source and a catalyst system to release hydrogen therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Amendola, Michael Binder, Stefanie L. Sharp-Goldman, Michael T. Kelly, Phillip J. Petillo
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Patent number: 7214439Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of triborohydride salts as hydrogen storage materials. The present invention also relates to a system of using triborohydride salts to generate hydrogen gas for use in a fuel cell or other hydrogen-consuming device. A novel method of preparing triborohydride salts is also disclosed, wherein gaseous diborane is reacted with a carbonate suspended in a non-aqueous solvent in a suitable vessel with agitation. The process is typically carried out utilizing sodium carbonate to form sodium triborohydride. Other triborohydride salts can then be formed by cationic exchange. Hydrogen generating fuels according to the present invention include aqueous or hydroalcoholic solutions or slurries of a triborohydride salt, which may additionally contain a borohydride salt to provide operation over a broader temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey V. Ortega, Michael T. Kelly, Jonathan L. Snover, Jason C. Brady, Ying Wu
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Patent number: 7108777Abstract: A process and electrolytic cell for reducing in an ionic alkali metal compound, the cell containing anode and cathode electrodes, by supplying an electrolyte containing the alkali metal compound to the cell, applying an electric voltage to the cell to reduce said alkali metal compound at the cathode, and passing hydrogen or a hydrogen containing gas to at least one electrode while the compound is reduced at the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignees: Millennium Cell, Inc., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Jianguo Xu, Michael Kelly, Guido Pez, Ying Wu, Stefanie Sharp-Goldman
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Patent number: 7105033Abstract: A system for generating hydrogen gas utilizes a volume exchange housing for the storage of a fuel material that reacts to generate hydrogen gas and a hydrogen separation chamber. The system includes a gas permeable membrane or membranes that allow hydrogen gas to pass through the membrane while preventing aqueous solutions from passing therethrough. The system is orientation independent. A throttle valve is also used to self regulate the reaction generating the hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Michael Strizki, Richard M. Mohring
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Patent number: 7083657Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in a system for the generation of hydrogen by contacting an aqueous solution of a metal hydride salt with a hydrogen generation catalyst. In particular, the present invention relates to the incorporation within the system of a recycle line of water condensed from the fluid product to the feed line to be contacted with the catalyst. the internal recycle line permits the use of a more concentrated solution of metal hydride as it is diluted by the recycle line prior to contact with the catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Richard M. Mohring, Michael Strizki
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Patent number: 7019105Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and processes for producing borohydride compounds. In particular, the present invention provides efficient processes and compositions for the large-scale production of borohydride compounds.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Amendola, Michael T. Kelly
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Patent number: 6939529Abstract: A hydrogen generating system regulates its rate of hydrogen generation by monitoring one or more parameters of the hydrogen generation process and then providing relative movement between the fuel tank and the catalyst chamber so as to increase or decrease the rate of hydrogen generation. In the disclosed embodiments, the catalyst chamber is disposed in a tank containing the fuel. The relative movement provided moves the catalyst chamber toward the fuel solution so as to increase the rate of hydrogen generation and moves the catalyst chamber away from the fuel solution to decrease such generation. Advantageously, such self-regulation can be provided without an external power source and can be varied to meet the requirements of different commercial applications. The overall system can be readily fabricated using commercially available parts.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Michael Strizki, Shailesh Shah
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Patent number: 6932847Abstract: A hydrogen generation system includes a fuel container, a spent fuel container, a catalyst system and a control system for generating hydrogen in a manner which provides for a compact and efficient construction while producing hydrogen from a reaction involving a hydride solution such as sodium borohydride.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Amendola, Phillip J. Petillo, Stephen C. Petillo, Richard M. Mohring
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Patent number: 6706909Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in the recovery of boron values from a mixture of alkali metal borate and alkali metal hydroxide representing discharged fuel from a hydrogen generator apparatus. The mixture is reacted with carbon dioxide and a lower alcohol to form trialkyl borate, alkali bicarbonate and water. A porous water-absorbing material is added to the reaction mixture to absorb water as it forms thereby improving the yield of trialkyl borate. The trialkyl borate is converted to alkali borohydride that is used in the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignees: Millennium Cell, Inc., US BoraxInventors: Jonathan Snover, Ying Wu
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Patent number: 6683025Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method for storage and controlled release of hydrogen. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of borohydride based solutions as a hydrogen storage source and a catalyst system to release hydrogen therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Amendola, Michael Binder, Stefanie L. Sharp-Goldman, Michael T. Kelly, Phillip J. Petillo
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Publication number: 20040011662Abstract: A process and electrolytic cell for reducing in an ionic alkali metal compound, the cell containing anode and cathode electrodes, by supplying an electrolyte containing the alkali metal compound to the cell, applying an electric voltage to the cell to reduce said alkali metal compound at the cathode, and passing hydrogen or a hydrogen containing gas to at least one electrode while the compound is reduced at the cathode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Jianguo Xu, Michael Kelly, Guido Pez, Ying Wu, Stefanie Sharp-Goldman
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Patent number: 6670444Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing borohydride compounds. In particular, the present invention provides efficient processes and compositions for the large-scale production of borohydride compounds of the formula YBH4 by the reaction of a boron-containing compound represented by the formula BX3 with hydrogen or an aldehyde to obtain diborane and HX, and reacting the diborane with a Y-containing base selected from those represented by the formula Y2O, YOH and Y2CO3 to obtain YBH4 and YBO2. Y is selected from the group consisting of the alkali metals, pseudo-alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, an ammonium ion, and quaternary amines of the formula NR4+, wherein each R is independently selected from hydrogen and a straight- or branched-chain C1-4 alkyl group, and X is selected from the group consisting of halide ions, —OH, —R′ and —OR′ groups, chalcogens, and chalcogenides, wherein R′ is a straight- or branched-chain C1-4 alkyl group.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Amendola, Michael T. Kelly, Jeffrey V. Ortega, Ying Wu
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Patent number: 6586563Abstract: Processes for synthesizing borohydride compounds with reduced energy requirements and high efficiency are disclosed. The processes include the reaction of a base with a borane complex or diborane to produce a borohydride compound of formula YBH4, where Y is a monovalent cationic moiety.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey V. Ortega, Ying Wu, Steven C. Amendola, Michael T. Kelly
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Patent number: 6544679Abstract: The present invention provides for an electrochemical system, which includes electrochemical cells and a manifold system for receiving and interconnecting the cells in a manner which facilitates the removal and replacement of cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Phillip J. Petillo, Steven Amendola, Stephen C. Petillo
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Patent number: 6534033Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method for storage and controlled release of hydrogen. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of borohydride based solutions as a hydrogen storage source and a catalyst system to release hydrogen therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Millennium Cell, Inc.Inventors: Steven C. Amendola, Michael Binder, Stefanie L. Sharp-Goldman, Michael T. Kelly, Phillip J. Petillo