Abstract: The present invention relates to the reaction of hydrogen gas with alloys having body-centered cubic phase structure at a temperature of less than 100.degree. C. which comprise titanium and a second metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, rhenium, manganese, and iron, and further comprising when the second metal is zirconium or rhenium, at least about 1 atom percent of a third metal selected from the group of aluminum, cobalt, chromium, iron, manganese, nickel, copper, silicon, germanium, gallium and mixtures thereof. The alloys of this invention react with hydrogen at a reaction rate much faster than prior art materials.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for separating heavy isotopes of hydrogen. The process uses multiple protium-deuterium, protium-tritium or deuterium-tritium exchange reactions between a metal protide and gaseous hydrogen alternately depleted and enriched in at least one heavy isotope of hydrogen. The apparatus for performing the process comprises two multistage reaction zones, one for forming a metal hydride enriched in at least one heavy isotope and one for converting the enriched hydride to a depleted hydride and enriched hydrogen gas. The apparatus is simple in design and the process is much less energy intensive than existing prior art processes.

Abstract: Solid solutions of titanium, a second metal such as niobium, vanadium, and molybdenum and a third metal such as cobalt, germanium, or iron, wherein the second metal is niobium or vanadium and optionally when the second metal is molybdenum, react rapidly at room temperature obviating the need for a high temperature induction period. Solid solutions having formula (Ti.sub.1-x Nb.sub.x).sub.1-y M.sub.y wherein 0.25.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.95 and wherein y varies from at least about 0.01 to the solubility limit of M such as cobalt, germanium, or iron in said solution, are also disclosed. Hydrides of solid solution alloys of Ti/Mo/M, Ti/Nb/M and Ti/V/M are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a vanadium-based metal hydride which comprises reacting hydrogen gas at a temperature between about 0.degree. and 100.degree. C. with a vanadium-based binary solid solution alloy having a body-centered cubic structure and having a formula V.sub.1-x M.sub.x, wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, chromium, cobalt, iron, nickel and mixtures thereof and wherein x varies from at least about 2 atom percent up to the solubility limit of cobalt, iron and nickel and up to about 20 mol % of manganese and up to about 40 mol % of chromium in said solid solution alloy is disclosed.

Abstract: Solid solution of niobium or tantalum and a second metal react rapidly with hydrogen under mild conditions, eliminating the need for a high temperature induction process. Suitable second metals include Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Cu, V, Si, Ge and Ga.

Abstract: Thermal energy storage systems employing metal hydrides are useful for storing thermal energy produced, for example, by solar radiation. The metal hydrides, examples of which include FeTiH and the VH-VH.sub.2 reaction system, evidence ease of reversibility of the metal-hydrogen reaction and have relatively high heats of formation. An additional advantage of the metal hydrides over other thermal storage materials is that the metal hydrides permit a greater degree of control to be exercised over the rate of heat evolution when needed.