By Reacting Water Or Aqueous Solution With Metal Or Compound Thereof Patents (Class 423/657)
  • Patent number: 11939217
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnesium-recycling hydrogen generation system includes: a by-product acquisition unit that separates a by-product from a post-reaction solution, which is a solution after reacting with a hydrogen generation material containing a hydrogen-containing magnesium compound that generates hydrogen via a reaction with the solution, to acquire the by-product including more than one type of oxygen-containing magnesium compound that contains oxygen produced by the reaction, a raw material production unit that reacts the by-product with a halogen-containing substance containing halogen and other atoms than the halogen to produce a raw material containing magnesium halide, a hydrogen generation material production unit that reduces the raw material with plasma containing hydrogen to produce the hydrogen generation material, and a hydrogen generator that reacts the hydrogen generation material with the solution to generate hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takizawa, Toshihiro Oishi, Yoshiharu Sawaki, Mineo Morimoto, Yuichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11898438
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods to monitor expansion of a metallic sealant deployed in a wellbore, methods to monitor downhole fluid displacement, and downhole metallic sealant measurement systems. The method to monitor expansion of a downhole metallic sealant includes deploying a metallic sealant deployed along a section of a wellbore. The method also includes exposing the metallic sealant to a reacting fluid to initiate a galvanic reaction. The method further includes measuring a change in temperature caused by the galvanic reaction. The method further includes determining an amount of expansion of the metallic sealant based on the change in the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Stephen Michael Greci, John Todd Broome
  • Patent number: 11845660
    Abstract: Chemical looping reform methods comprising heating an oxygen carrier in the presence of a catalyst and plasma radicals to react the oxygen carrier with a fuel to provide a reduced oxygen carrier; and contacting the reduced oxygen carrier with water or carbon dioxide to produce hydrogen or carbon monoxide, respectively, and regenerate the oxygen carrier. The chemical looping reform methods are carried out at low temperatures such as from 150° C. to 1000° C., preferably from 150° C. to 500° C. Catalyst used in the chemical looping reform methods include a sintered rare earth metal oxide oxygen carrier and perovskite. Methods of preparing the catalyst are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
    Inventors: Mruthunjaya Uddi, Rajagopalan Varadarajan Ranganathan, Steven M. Fondriest
  • Patent number: 11840451
    Abstract: Materials, kits, and methods are directed to controlling reactability of activated aluminum to produce hydrogen when exposed to water. For example, a moisture-stabilized material may be treatable with one or more additives to form a water-reactive source of hydrogen. The moisture-stabilized material may include a bulk volume including aluminum, at least one activation metal disposed along the aluminum within the bulk volume, the at least one activation metal more noble than the aluminum, and a salt along at least an outer surface of the bulk volume, the salt dissolvable in water to form an ion-containing solution at a rate faster than a reaction rate of water with the aluminum of the bulk volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: LTAG SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Jonathan T. Slocum
  • Patent number: 11837764
    Abstract: Methods and devices and aspects thereof for generating power using PEM fuel cell power systems comprising a rotary bed (or rotatable) reactor for hydrogen generation are disclosed. Hydrogen is generated by the hydrolysis of fuels such as lithium aluminum hydride and mixtures thereof. Water required for hydrolysis may be captured from the fuel cell exhaust. Water is preferably fed to the reactor in the form of a mist generated by an atomizer. An exemplary 750 We-h, 400 We PEM fuel cell power system may be characterized by a specific energy of about 550 We-h/kg and a specific power of about 290 We/kg. Turbidity fixtures within the reactor increase turbidity of fuel pellets within the reactor and improve the energy density of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Stimits, Russell Barton, Douglas A. Knight, Iain M. Fraser, Hao Huang, Sandra H. Withers-Kirby, Philbert C. Spencer, Piotr Marcin Kleszyk, Hossein Ostadi
  • Patent number: 11718520
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage system includes a pressure-sealed sleeve defining an interior and having an outlet, a shaft extending through the interior of the sleeve, a set of porous chambers arranged axially along and concentric to the shaft, and a hydrogen storage, wherein at least some hydrogen gas is supplied to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Colin John Halsey, Alexander James Rainbow
  • Patent number: 11332366
    Abstract: Materials, kits, and methods are directed to controlling reactability of activated aluminum to produce hydrogen when exposed to water. For example, a moisture-stabilized material may be treatable with one or more additives to form a water-reactive source of hydrogen. The moisture-stabilized material may include a bulk volume including aluminum, at least one activation metal disposed along the aluminum within the bulk volume, the at least one activation metal more noble than the aluminum, and a salt along at least an outer surface of the bulk volume, the salt dissolvable in water to form an ion-containing solution at a rate faster than a reaction rate of water with the aluminum of the bulk volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: LTAG SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Jonathan T. Slocum
  • Patent number: 11325092
    Abstract: A device for generating hydrogen gas having two or more storages, each storage storing a reactant or mix of reactants, and each storage coupled to a means of injecting the stored reactant or mix of reactants into a reaction chamber in a controlled manner and at an optimum rate, so that a chemical reaction occurs in the reaction chamber that produces hydrogen gas efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: HYDROGEN TECH SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Chin Yang Chia, Yoke Keen Yee, Albert Kok Foo Ng
  • Patent number: 11305989
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of producing hydrogen. The method includes heating a mixture comprising a metal component exhibiting a nanostructured surface, water, and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: David K. Ryan, T. A. Mahesh Jayamanna
  • Patent number: 11135931
    Abstract: A mobile fuel cell system includes a fuel cell generator generating a stack output signal. Multiple boost converter circuits converting the stack output signal into multiple recharge signals while in a first mode. A boost converter circuit converting the stack output signal into a local signal while in a second mode. Multiple charging handles connectable to multiple electric vehicles. A switch circuit presenting the recharge signals to the charging handles, remove the recharge signals from the charging handles and present the local signal while in the second mode. An auxiliary load may be connected to the fuel cell generator and the switch circuit. A rechargeable energy storage circuit powers the auxiliary load while in the first mode and stores energy received in the local signal while in the second mode. The auxiliary load is powered with the local signal while in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan B. Martin, Matthew C. Kirklin, Margarita M. Mann, William H. Pettit, Charles E. Freese, V
  • Patent number: 10883715
    Abstract: A power-generation system having a combined heat and power plant and a fermentation plant has an electrolysis plant, which is connected by lines to both the combined heat and power plant and to the fermentation plant. This arrangement enables a method in which heat from a combined heat and power plant can be used for a fermentation plant and additionally heat from an electrolysis plant can be used for the fermentation plant, whilst the oxygen from the electrolysis plant is used for the combined heat and power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Martin GmbH fuer Umwelt- und Energietechnik
    Inventors: Robert Von Raven, Ulrich Martin, Max Josef Schoensteiner
  • Patent number: 10851452
    Abstract: A method is disclosed, which can comprise via a transonic gas jet, depositing a thin film of LiPON on a substrate via a directed vapor deposition process. The transonic gas jet transports a thermally evaporated vapor cloud comprising the LiPON, wherein, the transonic gas jet comprises one of (a) substantially entirely nitrogen (N2) gas; or (b) nitrogen (N2) gas as a dopant in a concentration greater than 10% by volume in an inert carrier gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventors: Derek Hass, Daniel Lobo, Daniel Christy
  • Patent number: 10280079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for producing compressed hydrogen, comprising a pressure-resistant reactor (1) with a reactor chamber having a metal-containing contact mass (2), wherein the reactor (1) comprises at least one feed line (3) for feeding fluids into the reactor chamber and at least one discharge line (4) for discharging fluids from the reactor chamber, wherein the at least one discharge line is provided with a device (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) for controlling or regulating the flow rate, preferably having a valve, for adjusting the pressure within the reactor chamber, wherein a conveyance means is provided on at least one feed line for introducing a water-containing medium into the reactor chamber and wherein at least one discharge line (4) protrudes into the reactor chamber or opens directly into the reactor chamber, through which the compressed hydrogen is discharged from the reactor chamber, wherein the reactor chamber exhibits at least two areas that are separate from each other and connected
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Rouge H2 Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Nestl, Viktor Hacker, Gernot Voitic
  • Patent number: 10118822
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to hydrogen production systems and methods of using same. The systems support a hydrogen production reaction that comprises aluminum and a catalyst or wool and van produce hydrogen on-demand. The hydrogen and the heat produced by the systems can be used for many applications, including to power vehicles, heat homes, or power electricity-producing power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: CLEAN WAVE ENERGY CORP
    Inventor: Gavin Macrae
  • Patent number: 10038221
    Abstract: An exterior body of a secondary battery includes an insertion portion for insertion of a third electrode including metal lithium. An injection and expelling portion through which an electrolyte solution can be replaced is further provided. Specifically, a nonaqueous secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte solution, a separator, and an exterior body covering the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the electrolyte solution. The exterior body includes a positive electrode terminal to which the positive electrode is electrically connected, a negative electrode terminal to which the negative electrode is electrically connected, and an insertion portion for insertion of a third electrode including metal lithium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9979034
    Abstract: A power generator includes a power generator cavity adapted to receive a fuel cartridge, a protrusion disposed with in the cavity to engage a check valve of the fuel cartridge, a fuel cell to convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity and to generate water vapor, and a passage to transport hydrogen from the cavity to the fuel cell and water vapor to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 9816727
    Abstract: This invention is in the field of expandable, exothermic gel-forming compositions that are predominately useful in the consumer products and medical industries. More particularly, it relates to the use of expandable particulate exothermic gel-forming compositions with efficient and long-lasting heat production for heating surfaces and objects without the need for electricity or combustible fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Forever Young International, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Young
  • Patent number: 9663362
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method for recycling alkaline waste water from a stainless steel slag treatment process wherein stainless steel slag is brought into contact with water thereby producing said waste water, which waste water contains heavy metals, including at least chromium, and has a pH of at least 12. The waste water is recycled by using it for treating an alkaline granular carbonatable material, which contains aluminum metal, in order to oxidize the aluminum metal contained therein. This material is in particular municipal waste incinerator bottom ash which can, after the treatment of the present invention, safely be used as fine or coarse aggregate in bonded applications such as concrete, mortar and asphalt. During the treatment with the alkaline waste water, hydrogen gas is produced which is captured and used to produce energy by means of a cogeneration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: RECMIX BELGIUM
    Inventors: Dirk Van Mechelen, Mieke Quaghebeur, Peter Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9617622
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas generating member includes a metal alloy having dispersed aluminum. The metal alloy includes an Al—X alloy, where X is Sn: 10.1 to 99.5% by mass, Bi: 30.1 to 99.5% by mass, In: 10.1 to 99.5% by mass, Sn +Bi: 20.1 to 99.5% by mass, Sn +In: to 10 to 99.5% by mass, Bi+In: 20.1 to 99.5% by mass, or Sn+Bi+In: 20 to 99.5% by mass. Hydrogen gas is generated by bringing the hydrogen gas generating member into contact with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Kiyohito Ishida, Ryosuke Kainuma, Ikuo Ohnuma, Toshihiro Omori, Yoshikazu Takaku, Takehito Hagisawa
  • Patent number: 9216901
    Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing hydrogen which is able to simply produce hydrogen which is clean energy without using ammonia as used in the background art and which is very high in safety. The method for preparing hydrogen of the present invention is characterized in that hydrogen is generated by introducing mayenite (Ca12Al14O33) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] into water and allowing them to react with water. Here, it is preferable that a temperature of water is from 50 to 100° C., and a molar ratio of mayenite to calcium hydroxide is 1/9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignees: Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Kyoto University
    Inventors: Susumu Hikazudani, Atsushi Wakui, Masaharu Furutera, Hitoshi Oshiro, Tetsuya Inoue, Kazuyuki Hirao
  • Patent number: 9133551
    Abstract: A hydrogen evolution device that liberates hydrogen upon passage of an electric current, wherein an amount of liberated hydrogen is proportional to an amount of the current, includes at least one hydrogen evolution cell including an electrochemically oxidizable anode, a hydrogen cathode and an electrolyte, and at least one heating resistor thermally coupled to the hydrogen cathode directly or via a solid or liquid heat conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Varta Microbattery GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Krebs
  • Patent number: 9061261
    Abstract: An aluminum-alkali hydroxide recyclable hydrogen generator is provided that enables generation of hydrogen for a consuming apparatus on demand. The hydrogen generator includes a source of aluminum, a source of a hydroxide, a source of water, and a reaction chamber, where the amount of at least one of the aluminum, sodium hydroxide, and water that is introduced into the reaction chamber is used to limit the chemical reaction to control the amount of hydrogen generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Cedar Ridge Research, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Fullerton
  • Publication number: 20150147260
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for the thermochemical generation of hydrogen from water and/or the thermochemical generation of carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide comprising a solid solution of cerium dioxide and uranium dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hicham Idriss, Ibraheam Al-Shankiti, Yong Man Choi, Fasia Mohammed Al-Otaibi
  • Publication number: 20150132214
    Abstract: A device includes a case having a surface with a perforation and a cavity. A membrane is supported by the case inside the cavity and has an impermeable valve plate positioned proximate the perforation. The membrane is water vapor permeable and gas impermeable and flexes responsive to a difference in pressure between the cavity and outside the cavity to selectively allow water vapor to pass through the perforation into the cavity as a function of the difference in pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 9011814
    Abstract: Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or “syngas”) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (“POX”) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventors: Shoou-I Wang, John Michael Repasky, Shankar Nataraj, Xiang-Dong Peng
  • Patent number: 9005572
    Abstract: A device includes a chemical hydride fuel pellet having a plurality of holes extending from a first end to a second end. A plurality of tubes formed of water vapor permeable and hydrogen impermeable material extend from the first end to the second end through the tubes. A container has an inlet for water vapor containing gas coupled to the first end of the tubes and an outlet coupled to the second end of the tubes. A hydrogen outlet is coupled to the fuel pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20150078987
    Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing hydrogen which is able to simply produce hydrogen which is clean energy without using ammonia as used in the background art and which is very high in safety. The method for preparing hydrogen of the present invention is characterized in that hydrogen is generated by introducing mayenite (Ca12Al14O33) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] into water and allowing them to react with water. Here, it is preferable that a temperature of water is from 50 to 100° C., and a molar ratio of mayenite to calcium hydroxide is 1/9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Susumu Hikazudani, Atsushi Wakui, Masaharu Furutera, Hitoshi Oshiro, Tetsuya Inoue, Kazuyuki Hirao
  • Patent number: 8974927
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen from an electrolyte solution, in particular an aqueous solution, is described. The apparatus includes a hydrogen-developing body having an electrolyte-contacting surface. The electrolyte-contacting surface of the hydrogen-developing body includes regions formed from magnesium, Mg, zinc, Zn, aluminium, Al, or alloys thereof alternating with regions formed from ferrum, Fe, or a ferrous alloy, Fe alloy. The apparatus may further include means for accumulating hydrogen which has developed on the surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: NIM Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Fertman
  • Patent number: 8974765
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing hydrogen using an aluminum-based water-split reaction, in which water is reacted with metallic aluminum, at least one-soluble inorganic salt catalyst that causes progressive pitting of the metallic aluminum, and at least one metal oxide initiator that increases temperature upon exposure to water. The solid reactant materials are differentially distributed in a matrix relative to at least one inlet for introducing water to the matrix. The differential distribution affects at least one characteristic of the reaction, such as the rate, temperature, pressure and products of the reaction, the latter comprising one or more of hydrogen, heat and steam. The water-soluble inorganic salt catalyst may be sodium chloride, potassium chloride and combinations thereof, and the metal oxide initiator may be magnesium oxide, calcium oxide and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Novofuel, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Boyle, Sean H. McIntosh, David J. Cade
  • Patent number: 8968697
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for thermochemical production of hydrogen and oxygen from water by a low temperature, multi-step, closed, cyclic copper-chlorine (Cu—Cl) process involving the reactions of copper and chlorine compounds. A method for production of hydrogen via Cu—Cl thermochemical cycle consists of four thermal reactions and one electrochemical reaction and one unit operation. The cycle involves six steps: (1) hydrogen production step; (2) copper production step; (3) drying step; (4) hydrogen chloride production step; (5) decomposition step; (6) oxygen production step. The net reaction of the sequential process is the decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen. The methods for production of copper oxide which comprises contacting copper chloride particles with superheated steam and production of oxygen comprises reaction of copper oxide with dry chlorine as a part of hydrogen production by thermochemical Copper-Chlorine (Cu—Cl) cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Institute of Chemical Technology, ONGC Energy Centre Trust Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
    Inventors: Yadav Ganapati Dadasaheb, Parhad Prakash Santoshrao, Nirukhe Ashwini Bhagavan, Parvatalu Damaraju, Bhardwaj Anil, Prabhu Bantwal Narayana, Thomas Nuzhath Joeman, Kale Dilip Madhusudan
  • Publication number: 20150056130
    Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous production method of hydrogen which is able to produce hydrogen, which is clean energy, simply and continuously without using ammonia. The invention of the continuous production method of hydrogen includes a hydrogen production step comprising introducing mayenite (Ca12Al14O33) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] into water and allowing them to react with water, thereby generating hydrogen and also forming katoite [Ca3Al2(OH)12]; a regeneration step comprising baking the formed katoite to regenerate mayenite and calcium hydroxide; and a circulation step comprising returning the regenerated mayenite and calcium hydroxide into the hydrogen production step. It is preferable that a temperature of water in the hydrogen production step is from 50 to 100° C., and a molar ratio of mayenite to calcium hydroxide is 1/9. In addition, it is preferable that a baking temperature of katoite in the regeneration step is from 300 to 500° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicants: Kyoto University, Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Hikazudani, Atsushi Wakui, Masaharu Furutera, Hitoshi Oshiro, Tetsuya Inoue, Kazuyuki Hirao
  • Patent number: 8961168
    Abstract: The present invention is a means of starting a controlled combustion reaction by introducing sodium borohydride or similar chemical to a liquid or gelatinous fuel. The present invention is also a device for transferring heat having a thermal conductor connected to a catalyst such that the thermal conductor is positioned within a liquid or gelatinous fuel held within a fuel container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Global Heating Technologies, GmbH
    Inventors: Lawrence Weber, Giampaolo Vacca, Jeff Poston, Pavlo Bagriy
  • Patent number: 8951310
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple embodiments of a hydrogen generator (10) that measures, transports or stores a single dose of a viscous fuel component from first fuel chamber (12) in storage area (38) when the internal hydrogen pressure (44, 44?) of the hydrogen generator is high, and transports this single dose to a metal hydride fuel component in second fuel chamber (14) when the internal pressure is low, so that the viscous liquid and metal hydride fuel components react together to generate more hydrogen and to restart the cycle. The viscous fuel component can be water or alcohol, such as methanol, in liquid or gel form, and the metal hydride fuel component can be sodium borohydride or other metal hydride that chemically reacts with the viscous fuel to produce hydrogen. The metal hydride fuel component can be in solid or viscous form, e.g., aqueous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Constance R. Stepan, Anthony Sgroi, Paul Spahr, Michael Curello, Alain Rosenzweig, Kurt Rath
  • Patent number: 8951312
    Abstract: A compact, chemical-mechanical apparatus, having no electrical components, for storing and generating hydrogen safely, on-demand, at the time and point of use in small or large quantities using the environmentally clean chemical reaction between sodium metal and water to generate hydrogen (H2) gas and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) byproduct is presented, for powering electricity generating fuel cells for large scale commercial and private electric motor vehicle transport. The apparatus of the present invention supports hydrogen gas generation by the controlled addition of liquid water to solid sodium metal to produce hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide using only mechanical components without electrical components that require external power and can generate sparks or short circuits, producing catastrophic failure in hydrogen systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Alvin Gabriel Stern
  • Patent number: 8951497
    Abstract: In the present invention, a method and apparatus for producing hydrogen by thermochemical water splitting are provided. The method for producing hydrogen of the present invention includes a reduction step of heating a high oxidation state redox material in an inert atmosphere to remove oxygen from the high oxidation state redox material, and thereby obtain a low oxidation state redox material and oxygen; and a hydrogen generation step of bringing water into contact with a low oxidation state redox material to oxidize the low oxidation state redox material and reduce the water, and thereby obtain a high oxidation state redox material and hydrogen. In the method for producing hydrogen of the present invention, the reduction step and the hydrogen generation step are performed switchingly in a same reaction vessel. Further, the apparatus for producing hydrogen of the present invention is used for performing the method for producing hydrogen of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Takeshima
  • Publication number: 20150030529
    Abstract: A method for converting thermal energy to chemical energy by reducing a reactive oxide substrate at a constant temperature under a first atmosphere with a lower oxygen partial pressure, and then contacting the reduced oxide at the same temperature with a second atmosphere with a higher oxygen partial pressure, during which oxygen is driven into the reduced oxide by the oxygen chemical potential difference between the two atmospheres, thereby leaving fuel behind, i.e. producing fuel. A method for preparing the reactive oxide substrate by using liquid media as a binder and pore former and heating the mixture of the reactive oxide and the liquid media, thereby forming the reactive oxide substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yong Hao, William C. Chueh, Sossina M. Haile
  • Patent number: 8940656
    Abstract: Disclosed are a photocatalyst of CoP2 loaded red phosphorus, a preparation method thereof, and a method for photocatalytic hydrogen production from water under visible light irradiation over the photocatalyst of CoP2 loaded red phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Chai Mei Jimmy Yu, Feng Wang
  • Patent number: 8940061
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating hydrogen for fuel cells is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a button, a first separating plate, a solid state reactant, and a separating membrane. The housing has an opening and a reservoir. The button connected to the housing covers the opening. The first separating plate disposed in the housing divides the reservoir into first and second sub-rooms. The opening communicates with the first sub-room and the first sub-room is suitable for storing a liquid reactant. The first separating plate has a through hole opposite to the button. The solid state reactant is disposed in the second sub-room. The separating membrane disposed on the through hole separates the first sub-room from the second sub-room. When the button is pushed, the button damages the separating membrane. Therefore, the liquid reactant flows to the second sub-room and reacts with the solid state reactant to generate hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Young Green Energy Co.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Lin, Po-Kuei Chou, Men-Chi Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8932555
    Abstract: A sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst, in particular, a sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst capable of lowering the temperature required when producing hydrogen by an S—I cycle process is disclosed. A sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst that includes a composite oxide of tungsten, vanadium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of transition metal and rare earth elements is provided. Also, a sulfur dioxide production process that includes decomposing sulfur trioxide into sulfur dioxide and oxygen by using the sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst above is provided. Furthermore, a hydrogen production process, wherein the reaction of decomposing sulfur trioxide into sulfur dioxide and oxygen by an S—I cycle process is performed by the above-described sulfur dioxide production process is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Shinichi Takeshima, Masato Machida
  • Publication number: 20150010463
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to photocatalysts with high solar-to-hydrogen overall water splitting efficiency. In an embodiment, the photocatalyst is a nanocrystalline cobalt (II) oxide (CoO) nanoparticle. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of synthesizing the photocatalysts disclosed herein. Such a method may comprise using femtosecond laser ablation of cobalt oxide micropowders. In some embodiments, such a method comprises mechanical ball milling of cobalt oxide micropowders. In an embodiment, the photocatalyst disclosed herein decomposes water under visible light without the aid of any co-catalysts or sacrificial reagents. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of splitting water to produce hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: University of Houston
    Inventors: Jiming Bao, Longb Liao
  • Patent number: 8915979
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The first fuel component is introduced into the second fuel component through a conduit which punctures a septum separating the reaction chamber and the first fuel component reservoir, and the fuel conduit introduces the first fuel component to different portions of the second fuel component to produce hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Kurt Rath
  • Publication number: 20140369923
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator that includes a solid fuel mixture, a liquid reactant, a liquid delivery medium (LDM), a movable boundary interface (MBI), a reaction zone, wherein the MBI provides constant contact between a reacting surface of the solid fuel mixture and the liquid reactant delivered by the LDM to form the reaction zone, and a product separation media, fluidly coupled to the reaction zone by a fluid junction, that degasses a product. The hydrogen generator may further include auxiliary LDMs disposed throughout the hydrogen generator, wherein said auxiliary LDMs may be operated based on a ratio of the liquid reactant flow rate to the hydrogen generation rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Matthieu Jonemann, Tibor Fabian
  • Publication number: 20140363370
    Abstract: A catalyst has a long life span and efficiently separates hydrogen from water. A first metal element (Ni, Pd, Pt) for cutting the combination of hydrogen and oxygen and a second metal element (Cr, Mo, W, Fe) for helping the function of the first metal element are melted in alkaline metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to make a mixture heated at a temperature above the melting point of the hydroxide to eject fine particles from the liquid surface, bringing steam into contact with the fine particles. Instead of this, a mixture of alkaline metal hydroxide and metal oxide is heated at a temperature above the melting point of the alkaline metal hydroxide to make metal compound in which at least two kinds of metal elements are melted, and fine particles are ejected from the surface of the metal compound to be brought into contact with steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Yasuo ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20140363369
    Abstract: An object is to provide a process for providing hydrogen or heavy hydrogens conveniently without the necessity of large-scale equipment and a process capable of performing hydrogenation (protiation, deuteration or tritiation) reaction conveniently without the use of an expensive reagent and a special catalyst. The production process includes a process for producing hydrogen or heavy hydrogens, containing subjecting water or heavy water to mechanochemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst metal, and a process for producing a hydrogenated (protiated, deuterated or tritiated) organic compound, containing subjecting an organic compound and water or heavy water to mechanochemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Shiono Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironao SAJIKI, Yasunari MONGUCHI, Yoshinari SAWAMA, Shinichi KONDO
  • Patent number: 8906341
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for storing hydrogen, a method for generating hydrogen, a hydrogen storing device, and a hydrogen generating device. In a disclosed method for storing hydrogen, water that is treated so as to include hydrogen ions in a state the ions can be changed into protium is prepared, and hydrogen is stored by supplying a hydrogen-containing substance or a substance that generates hydrogen, for example, Mg, into the water. Preferably, the hydrogen-containing substance is sodium borohydride (NaBH4). Preferably, the water is ionized hydrogen water treated with a metal hydride, and the metal hydride is at least one among an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a group 13 metal, and a group 14 metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: TAANE Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taneaki Oikawa
  • Publication number: 20140348742
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for thermochemical production of hydrogen and oxygen from water by a low temperature, multi-step, closed, cyclic copper-chlorine (Cu—Cl) process involving the reactions of copper and chlorine compounds. A method for production of hydrogen via Cu—Cl thermochemical cycle consists of four thermal reactions and one electrochemical reaction and one unit operation. The cycle involves six steps: (1) hydrogen production step; (2) copper production step; (3) drying step; (4) hydrogen chloride production step; (5) decomposition step; (6) oxygen production step. The net reaction of the sequential process is the decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen. The methods for production of copper oxide which comprises contacting copper chloride particles with superheated steam and production of oxygen comprises reaction of copper oxide with dry chlorine as a part of hydrogen production by thermochemical Copper-Chlorine (Cu—Cl) cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Yadav Ganapati Dadasaheb, Parhad Prakash Santoshrao, Nirukhe Ashwini Bhagavan, Parvatalu Damaraju, Bhardwaj Anil, Prabhu Bantwal Narayana, Thomas Nuzhath Joeman, Kale Dilip Madhusudan
  • Patent number: 8895204
    Abstract: A water reactive hydrogen fueled power system includes devices and methods to combine reactant fuel materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The generated hydrogen is converted in a fuel cell to provide electricity. The water reactive hydrogen fueled power system includes a fuel cell, a water feed tray, and a fuel cartridge to generate power for portable power electronics. The removable fuel cartridge is encompassed by the water feed tray and fuel cell. The water feed tray is refillable with water by a user. The water is then transferred from the water feed tray into the fuel cartridge to generate hydrogen for the fuel cell which then produces power for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Andrew P. Wallace, John M. Melack, Michael Lefenfeld
  • Patent number: 8864855
    Abstract: Portable hydrogen generators are disclosed. In the various embodiments, the generator may include a chamber configured to endothermically decompose a material positioned within the chamber to generate hydrogen gas. A heater may be in thermal communication with the material to stimulate a release of the hydrogen gas. An electrical power source may be controllably coupled to the heater, so that electrical power delivered to the heater may be controlled in response to at least one detected property of the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8865118
    Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous hydrogen production device and method thereof. The device comprises a reaction chamber, a solid raw material inlet, a liquid raw material inlet, a gas outlet, and a temperature controller. The reaction chamber contains an initiation solution, comprising a saturated aluminum hydroxide solution. The solid raw material inlet is used to add aluminum powders into the reaction chamber and the liquid raw material inlet is used to add water into the reaction chamber. The gas outlet is used to collect the produced hydrogen gas. The temperature controller is used to control the temperature of the reaction chamber within a preset reaction temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Hong-Wen Wang, Hsin-Te Teng
  • Patent number: 8864857
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas from a replaceable aluminum pack comprising an aluminum and hydride mixture encased in a breathable membrane that is raised and lowered into a fluid contained within an enclosed tank wherein contact with the fluid releases hydrogen gas from the aluminum. A pressure transducer and microprocessor chip are provided for monitoring and regulating the rate of hydrogen production by engaging and disengaging a reversible motor that raises and lowers an inner tray on which the aluminum pack resides accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Harlo Mayne