By Reacting Water Or Aqueous Solution With Metal Or Compound Thereof Patents (Class 423/657)
  • Publication number: 20030143155
    Abstract: The process for producing hydrogen gas according to the present invention consists of reacting aluminum with water in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for producing hydrogen gas, comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous solution containing between 0.26 M and 19 M NaOH in a vessel. The next step consists of reacting aluminum with water at the surface of the solution to generate a region of effervescence at the surface of the solution and a precipitate sinking from the region of effervescence to the bottom of the vessel. The region of effervescence is kept separated from the precipitate at the bottom the vessel, to prevent any precipitate from mixing with the aluminum therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Erling Reidar Andersen, Erling Jim Andersen
  • Publication number: 20030130360
    Abstract: A method for the production of a hydrogen-containing gas composition, such as a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide (H2:CO) in the synthesis gas can be well-controlled to yield a ratio that is adequate for the synthesis of useful products such as methane or methanol, without the need to remove carbon oxides from the gas stream to adjust the ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: James Kelly Kindig, Thomas E. Weyand
  • Publication number: 20030118505
    Abstract: The process for producing hydrogen gas according to the present invention consists of reacting aluminum with water in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also described. The apparatus comprises an expandable container wherein the pressure and temperature of the reaction causes the container to expand and contract to control the degree of immersion of a fuel cartridge in water and consequently to control the intensity and duration of the reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Erling Reidar Andersen, Erling Jim Andersen
  • Patent number: 6582676
    Abstract: A method of producing Hydrogen by reacting a metal selected from the group consisting of Aluminum (Al), Magnesium (Mg), Silicon (Si) and Zinc (Zn) with water in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst at a pH of between 4 and 10 to produce Hydrogen. The catalyst or other additive is selected to prevent or slow down deposition of the reaction products on the (impair reactions with the) metal that tend to passivate the metal and thereby facilitates the production of said Hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Asoke Chandra Das Chaklader
  • Patent number: 6572836
    Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for producing gaseous hydrogen by subjecting a metal or a metal hydride to a chemical reaction. In this method, the metal or metal hydride subjected to the chemical reaction is nanocrystalline. Indeed, it has been found that when, instead of using conventional metal hydrides (Mg-based or others), use is made of a metal or metal hydride that is or has been subjected to intensive mechanical deformations, such as a metastable nanocrystalline metal hydride, then the chemical reaction, especially hydrolysis, will take place much more readily, at a much higher rate and, most of the time, up to completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Robert Schulz, Jacques Huot, Guoxian Liang, Sabin Boily
  • Publication number: 20030091503
    Abstract: A hydrogen-fueled motor vehicle including at least one hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem and at least one refuelable hydrogen generator operative to supply hydrogen fuel to the hydrogen-fueled locomotion subsystem on demand. The refuelable hydrogen generator includes at least one electrochemical reactor operative to generate the hydrogen fuel from water on demand and a refueling subsystem providing at least one of water, electrolyte, hydrogen, a metal containing material and electrical power to the electrochemical reactor. A refueling method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: ELDAT COMMUNICATION LTD.
    Inventors: Oren Rosenfeld, Jonathan Russell Goldstein, Nimrod Sandlerman
  • Publication number: 20030072705
    Abstract: A method for the production of hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is formed by steam reduction using a metal/metal oxide couple to remove oxygen from water. Steam is contacted with a molten metal mixture including a first reactive metal such as iron dissolved in a diluent metal such as tin. The reactive metal oxidizes to a metal oxide, forming a hydrogen gas and the metal oxide can then be reduced back to the metal for further production of hydrogen without substantial movement of the metal or metal oxide to a second reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: James Kelly Kindig, Boyd R. Davis, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand
  • Patent number: 6517806
    Abstract: Present invention relates to a CdZnMS photocatalyst for producing hydrogen from water and a method for preparing thereof and a method for producing hydrogen by using said photocatalyst. Said photocatalyst is characterized by the following general formula VII: m(a)/CdxZnyMzS  (VII) wherein ‘m’ represents at least one doped metal element as an electron acceptor selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pt, Ru and the oxidized compound of these metals; ‘a’ represents a % by weight of m, ranging from 0.10 to 5.00; ‘M’ is a catalyst element selected from the group consisting of Mo, V, Al, Cs, Mn, Fe, Pd, Pt, P, Cu, Ag, Ir, Sb, Pb, Ga and Re. ‘z’ represents an atom % of M/(Cd+Zn+M), ranging from 0.05 to 20.00 and ‘x’ and ‘y’ represent an atom % of Cd/(Cd+Zn+M) and an atom % of Zn/(Cd+Zn+M), ranging from 10.00 to 90.00, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignees: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Chonggu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Chul Park, Jin-Ook Baeg
  • Patent number: 6506360
    Abstract: The method for producing hydrogen according to the present invention consists of reacting aluminum with water in the presence of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. The apparatus for carrying out the method uses the pressure and temperature of the reaction to control the degree of immersion of a fuel cartridge in water and consequently to control the vigor and duration of the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventors: Erling Reidar Andersen, Erling Jim Andersen
  • Patent number: 6468499
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen includes providing a feed stream comprising water; contacting at least one proton conducting membrane adapted to interact with the feed stream; splitting the water into hydrogen and oxygen at a predetermined temperature; and separating the hydrogen from the oxygen. Preferably the proton conducting membrane comprises a proton conductor and a second phase material. Preferable proton conductors suitable for use in a proton conducting membrane include a lanthanide element, a Group VIA element and a Group IA or Group IIA element such as barium, strontium, or combinations of these elements. More preferred proton conductors include yttrium. Preferable second phase materials include platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, vanadium, silver, gold, copper, rhodium, ruthenium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, and combinations of these. More preferably second phase materials suitable for use in a proton conducting membrane include nickel, palladium, and combinations of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Argonne National Laboratory
    Inventors: Uthamalingam Balachandran, Stephen E. Dorris, Arun C. Bose, Gary J. Stiegel, Tae-Hyun Lee
  • Publication number: 20020127178
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of hydrogen gas. The method includes the reduction of steam utilizing a metal species, such as iron or tin, to form pure hydrogen gas. At least two reactors are preferably utilized to continuously form additional metal for the reduction of the steam by reducing a metal oxide. No substantial transport of the non-gaseous reactants (e.g., the metal and metal oxide) is required, thereby simplifying the apparatus and reducing the overall cost of the hydrogen production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: J. Kelly Kindig, Robert R. Odle, Thomas E. Weyand, Boyd R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6440385
    Abstract: A composite material comprising a mechanical mixture of aluminum oxide(s) and/or aluminum hydroxide(s) and aluminum (Al) metal, which when submerged in water, produces hydrogen gas at or near to neutral pH. The phenomenon has been demonstrated reproducibly. The evolution of hydrogen gas is dependent on several factors, namely, temperature, pH, proportion and particle size of ingredients and mixing conditions. The water split reaction proceeds for the mass ratio of Al to the oxide or hydroxide varying in the entire range up to the 99% of additive(s). The reaction proceeds in a pH range of water, 9>pH>4, and water temperature, from about 10° C. to 90° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Asok C. D. Chaklader
  • Patent number: 6410258
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for making hydrogen with biological components including photosystem I complex from a photosynthetic organism and a hydrogenase enzyme in the absence of an intervening exogenous electron carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Hugh McTavish
  • Patent number: 6395252
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for the continuous production of hydrogen. The present method comprises reacting a metal catalyst with a degassed aqueous organic acid solution within a reaction vessel under anaerobic conditions at a constant temperature of ≦80° C. and at a pH ranging from about 4 to about 9. The reaction forms a metal oxide when the metal catalyst reacts with the water component of the organic acid solution while generating hydrogen, then the organic acid solution reduces the metal oxide thereby regenerating the metal catalyst and producing water, thus permitting the oxidation and reduction to reoccur in a continual reaction cycle. The present method also allows the continuous production of hydrogen to be sustained by feeding the reaction with a continuous supply of degassed aqueous organic acid solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Ut-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: John Paul Getty, Mark T. Orr, Jonathan Woodward
  • Publication number: 20020048548
    Abstract: A method of producing Hydrogen by reacting a metal selected from the group consisting of Aluminum (Al), Magnesium (Mg), Silicon (Si) and Zinc (Zn) with water in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst at a pH of between 4 and 10 to produce Hydrogen. The catalyst or other additive is selected to prevent or slow down deposition of the reaction products on the (impair reactions with the) metal that tend to passivate the metal and thereby facilitates the production of said Hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Asoke Chandra Das Chaklader
  • Publication number: 20020045538
    Abstract: Present invention relates to a CdZnMS photocatalyst for producing hydrogen from water and a method for preparing thereof and a method for producing hydrogen by using said photocatalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Dae-Chul Park, Jin-ook Baeg
  • Publication number: 20020037452
    Abstract: This invention provides novel chemical compositions, for use as electrode and electrolyte materials and for hydrogen production, methods for making these compositions, and methods of using these compositions in a variety of applications. The new compositions of the present invention comprise: one or more transition metal compounds; aluminum; and either at least one soluble base or at least one soluble electrolyte in contact with the aluminum. The present invention may also comprise one or more elements and/or compounds having high mobility values for electrons, in some applications. This composition is useful as novel electrode/electrolyte components in devices such as batteries, capacitors, fuel cells and similar devices, and also useful in the direct production of hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventor: David G. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6358488
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handy and efficient method for generation of hydrogen gas, in which a reaction medium prepared by dissolving a metal hydrogen complex compound such as sodium borohydride NaBH4 in an aqueous alkaline solution such as a 10% by weight aqueous solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide is brought into contact with a catalyst which is a metal such as cobalt and nickel or a so-called hydrogen-absorbing alloy such as Mg2Ni so that decomposition of the metal hydrogen complex compound proceeds even at room temperature to generate hydrogen gas. The catalytic activity of the catalyst can be increased by subjecting the catalyst to a fluorinating treatment in which the catalyst powder is immersed in an aqueous solution of potassium fluoride acidified with hydrofluoric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Seijirau Suda
  • Publication number: 20020022160
    Abstract: This invention provides new compositions, methods for making these compositions, and methods of using the compositions in a variety of energy-related applications. These compositions are useful as electrode materials in devices such as batteries, capacitors, fuel cells and similar devices as also in the direct production of hydrogen and oxygen gas. The new compositions of the present invention comprise: (A) one or more of the transition metal elements; optionally (B) aluminum; optionally (C) one or more of the group 1A alkali metal elements; (D) one or more elements and/or compounds having high mobility values for electrons; and (E) a source of ionizing radiation. Thus, components A, D and E are required ingredients of the present invention, and components B and C are both optional. Components B and C may be used independently alone, together, or not at all.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: David G. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20010053346
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for combining sodium and aluminum into a single, substantially homogeneous alloy without the need to use potentially dangerous, toxic mercury compounds. The present invention also provides a catalytic alloy that is capable of dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen, thereby allowing the hydrogen to be utilized as fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Edward W. Baldwin, Russell P. White
  • Patent number: 6322723
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of producing hydrogen gas. The method comprises the steps of: providing in a reaction container a composition including respective quantities of particulate elemental magnesium, particulate elemental iron, an additional elemental metal selected from the group consisting of particulate elemental aluminum and particulate elemental zinc at a level of from about 1-10% by weight, an alkali metal salt and water; causing said composition to react in said container to generate hydrogen gas; and recovering said evolved hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hydronics, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20010022960
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating hydrogen by hydrolyzing a complex metal hydride in the presence of water and a catalyst, wherein the catalyst includes a noble metal and one of metal oxides, metalloid oxides and carbonaceous materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Kojima, Kenichirou Suzuki, Kazuhiro Fukumoto, Megumi Sasaki, Toshio Yamamoto, Yasuaki Kawai, Hiroaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6277338
    Abstract: A system for converting light hydrocarbons to heavier hydrocarbons having a synthesis gas production unit and a hydrocarbon synthesis unit. For one application the synthesis gas production unit includes a turbine unit with a compression section, an autothermal reformer fluidly coupled to the compression section for producing synthesis gas and combusting at least a portion the gas therein, and an expansion section of the turbine unit fluidly coupled to the autothermal reformer for developing energy from the output of the autothermal reformer. A water separation unit is preferably fluidly coupled to the synthesis gas production unit for removing water from the synthesis gas. The water is directed to an oxygen/hydrogen separator to produce oxygen and hydrogen. Another water separation unit may also be coupled to the output from the hydrocarbon synthesis unit for removing water from the heavier hydrocarbons and directing the water to the oxygen/hydrogen separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Agee, Larry J. Weick
  • Patent number: 6184432
    Abstract: Methods and products for thermally degrading unwanted substances is provided which involves contacting such substances with a particulate metal composition in the presence of water and an alkali metal salt, and causing sufficient heat to be generated during such contacting to degrade the substance. The particulate metal compositions include respective quantities of particulate iron and magnesium, and optionally quantities of particulate aluminum and zinc. The compositions generate temperatures on the order of 300-550° F. during such thermal degradations, along with quantities of hydrogen gas and water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hydronics, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6143688
    Abstract: A process for making an improved bulk catalyst having a Group VIII metal, such catalyst being useful in producing H.sub.2 O.sub.2 from H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 and/or in producing H.sub.2 from water. The method incorporates the Group VIII metal within the "pillars" of the porous catalyst, without leaving a significant amount of the Group VIII metal on or near the outside surface of the catalyst, by hydrothermal incorporation of the Group VIII metal into the porous pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventors: Mark E. Thompson, Venkatesan V. Krishnan, Alexandre G. Dokoutchaev
  • Patent number: 6113806
    Abstract: Methods and products for thermally degrading unwanted substances is provided which involves contacting such substances with a particulate metal composition in the presence of water and an alkali metal salt, and causing sufficient heat to be generated during such contacting to degrade the substance. The particulate metal compositions include respective quantities of particulate iron and magnesium, and optionally quantities of particulate aluminum and zinc. The compositions generate temperatures on the order of 300-550.degree. F. during such thermal degradations, along with quantities of hydrogen gas and water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hydronics, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6077497
    Abstract: A photocatalyst, represented by Formula IIPt(a)/Zn[M(b)]S IIwherein character "a" represents a percentage by weight of Pt in the photocatalyst, ranging from 0.1 to 3.5; character "M" is an element selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Ni and P; character "b" represents a mole % of M/Zn, ranging from 0.05 to 30. It can be active in the range of the visible light, live a semi-permanent life and produce hydrogen at a high yield without using any oxygen-containing organic compound as a hydrogen-producing promotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignees: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Chunggu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Chul Park, Sang Yoon Lim
  • Patent number: 6018091
    Abstract: Methods and products for thermally degrading unwanted substances is provided which involves contacting such substances with a particulate metal composition in the presence of water and an alkali metal salt, and causing sufficient heat to be generated during such contacting to degrade the substance. The particulate metal compositions include respective quantities of particulate iron and magnesium, and optionally quantities of particulate aluminum and zinc. The compositions generate temperatures on the order of 300-550.degree. F. during such thermal degradations, along with quantities of hydrogen gas and water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Quantum Marketing Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5867978
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for generating hydrogen gas from a charge of fuel selected from the group consisting of lithium and alloys of lithium and aluminum. The charge of fuel is placed into an enclosed vessel, then heated until it is molten. A reactant consisting of water is introduced into the vessel, as by spraying from a nozzle, for reaction with the charge of fuel resulting in the production of hydrogen gas and heat which are withdrawn from the vessel. Prior to initiation of the process, an inert gas atmosphere, such as argon, may be imparted to the interior of the vessel. A sufficiently large mass flow of the reactant through the nozzle is maintained to assure that there be no diminution of flow resulting from the formation on the nozzle of fuel and chemical compounds of the fuel. Optimum charges of the fuel are application specific and the ranges of the constituents are dependent upon the particular use of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Martin Klanchar, Thomas G. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5702491
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator employs substantially adiabatic hydrolysis and thermal decomposition of chemical hydrides to provide a controllable generation of hydrogen from a small, lightweight container. The hydrogen generator includes a thermally isolated container for containing a chemical hydride, a preheater to heat the chemical hydride to a predetermined temperature before the chemical hydride is hydrolyzed, a water supply controlled to maintain substantially adiabatic and controlled generation of hydrogen from said chemical hydride, and a buffer to supply an initial flow of hydrogen during generator start-up, absorb excess hydrogen during generator shut-down, and to smooth the hydrogen flow due to changing loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Long, Jeff Schmidt, Frank Lynch
  • Patent number: 5634341
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for generating hydrogen gas from a charge of fuel selected from the group consisting of lithium and alloys of lithium and aluminum. The charge of fuel is placed into an enclosed vessel, then heated until it is molten. A reactant consisting of water is introduced into the vessel, as by spraying from a nozzle, for reaction with the charge of fuel resulting in the production of hydrogen gas and heat which are withdrawn from the vessel. Prior to initiation of the process, an inert gas atmosphere, such as argon, may be imparted to the interior of the vessel. A sufficiently large mass flow of the reactant through the nozzle is maintained to assure that there be no diminution of flow resulting from the formation on the nozzle of fuel and chemical compounds of the fuel. Optimum charges of the fuel are application specific and the ranges of the constituents are dependent upon the particular use of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Martin Klanchar, Thomas G. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5593640
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator employs substantially adiabatic hydrolysis and thermal decomposition of chemical hydrides to provide a controllable generation of hydrogen from a small, lightweight container. The hydrogen generator includes a thermally isolated container for containing a chemical hydride, a preheater to heat the chemical hydride to a predetermined temperature before the chemical hydride is hydrolyzed, a water supply controlled to maintain substantially adiabatic and controlled generation of hydrogen from said chemical hydride, and a buffer to supply an initial flow of hydrogen during generator start-up, absorb excess hydrogen during generator shut-down, and to smooth the hydrogen flow due to changing loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Long, Jeff Schmidt, Frank Lynch
  • Patent number: 5510201
    Abstract: An improved system for generating hydrogen fuel for use in an energy-producing device such as a fuel cell or heat engine is disclosed. The hydrogen is produced at a faster rate by reacting particles of an activated iron reactant with heated water in a fluidized bed-type reactor. The reaction results in an increased rate of hydrogen production along with spent metal oxide particles which are easily and cheaply regenerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: H Power Corporation
    Inventor: John Werth
  • Patent number: 5508018
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a process for regenerating sodium hydroxide (NaOH) from aqueous solutions of sodium sulfide (Na.sub.2 S) comprising heating aqueous sodium sulfide in the presence of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron and cobalt, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a metal sulfide, sodium hydroxide and molecular hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Glen Brons, Ronald D. Myers
  • Patent number: 5468446
    Abstract: The pelletisation or granulation of a material or mixture of materials the or at least one of which is reactive in a liquid to produce a gas is improved by treating the reactive material prior to final compaction to form a coating thereon of a substance which is less soluble in the liquid than the reactive material. The preferred reactive material is calcium hydride and the preferred coating is calcium carbonate with or without calcium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignees: British Aerospace PLC, BAeSEMA Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter C. Morgan, Alan D. Hart, Philip D. Morgans
  • Patent number: 5445803
    Abstract: Process and device for decomposition of tritiated water and the recovery of elemental tritium (T.sub.2) in which a metal is used which oxidizes in the presence of water according to the formulaMe+xT.sub.2 O.fwdarw.MeO.sub.x +xT.sub.2.According to the invention, said metal is placed in an enclosure, a wall of which is selectively permeable to hydrogen and its isotopes; tritiated water is injected into the enclosure and the space behind said wall is made to communicate with an absorbing device for hydrogen and its isotopes. The injection of tritiated water and the communication with the absorbing device are stopped from time to time for the purpose of regenerating the metal by supplying hydrogen or deuterium to said space and by extracting water from the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)
    Inventors: Heinz Dworschak, Giovanni Modica
  • Patent number: 5300276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing hydrogen gas from the reduction of water, and also relates to a process for determining the ratio of the masses between hydrogen isotopes in the obtained hydrogen gas. The invention provides a process of preparing hydrogen gas comprising steps of: (i) preparing zinc metal particles having a size approximately in the range of 1 mm-2 mm by dropping a mixture of a selected amount of liquified zinc metal and 10 to 10000 ppm of nickel elements into a water bath; and (ii) reacting a sample of water with zinc metal particles at a selected reaction temperature to perform the reduction reaction of the water. The invention also provides a process of determining the ratio of the masses between hydrogen isotopes, .sup.1 H and .sup.2 H, in a sample of water. This process comprises a step of preparing hydrogen gas from the sample by the novel method described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ueda, Yasuhiro Kubota, Tsutomu Araki
  • Patent number: 5292598
    Abstract: Renewable fuel cells that produce hydrogen gas, on demand, are used to power a vehicle. When the usable volume of hydrogen gas produced by the fuel cells is depleted, the magnesium anode is converted into magnesium hydroxide precipitate. The magnesium hydroxide precipitate is removed and collected for recycling and the magnesium anode and salt water electrolyte is replaced, thus easily and conveniently re-energizing the fuel cell. The magnesium hydroxide precipitate is recycled to recapture the magnesium which is then formed into new magnesium anodes. The primary power source for the recycling is derived from solar energy. The only waste product produced by the operation of the fuel cell is non-polluting water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Stuart Rosner
  • Patent number: 5286473
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention an alkali metal is reacted with an ionizable hydrogen compound selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, water or mixtures thereof to produce hydrogen and an alkali metal chloride or alkali metal hydroxide, depending upon whether hydrochloric acid or water is used to react with the alkali metal. The alkali metal chloride produced directly as a by-product of the hydrogen production step, or subsequently from the alkali metal hydroxide, is heated in the presence of aluminum to produce the alkali metal for reuse in the process and aluminum chloride. The aluminum chloride is hydrolyzed to aluminum hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. The hydrochloric acid can be recycled to produce hydrogen by reaction directly with the alkali metal or can be used to convert the alkali metal hydroxide formed during the hydrogen production step to the alkali metal chloride which can be recycled back into the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventors: Nobuyasu Hasebe, Nobukatsu Hasebe
  • Patent number: 5228529
    Abstract: Renewable fuel cells that produce hydrogen gas, on demand, are used to power a vehicle. When the usable volume of hydrogen gas produced by the fuel cells is depleted, the magnesium anode is converted into magnesium hydroxide precipitate. The magnesium hydroxide precipitate is removed and collected for recycling and the magnesium anode and salt water electrolyte is replaced, thus easily and conveniently re-energizing the fuel cell. The magnesium hydroxide precipitate is recycled to recapture the magnesium which is then formed into new magnesium anodes. The primary power source for the recycling is derived from solar energy. The only waste product produced by the operation of the fuel cell is non-polluting water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Stuart Rosner
  • Patent number: 4950460
    Abstract: A gas generating device which comprises a container within which is sealed a gas generator in the form of a water-reactive substance and structure is provided to break the seal in situ and allow water to penetrate the container and react with the substance to produce the gas. The water-reactive substance may be in the form of pellets having the same or different reactivity with water arranged in the container so as to produce the gas at uniform or varying rates of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Dowty Maritime Systems Limited
    Inventors: John C. Goodwin, Roy Kirby, Philip S. Simons, Andrew J. Carter
  • Patent number: 4882093
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an installation for the treatment of tritium-contaminated, solid organic waste. The waste is contacted with the steam in enclosure (1) for extracting the tritium in the steam and the steam is then condensed at (11 and 13) to recover the tritium from the waste in the form of tritiated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Pierre Giroux, Dominique Ochem, Jean-Claude Durand
  • Patent number: 4849155
    Abstract: Process for decontaminating exhaust gas from a fusion reactor fuel cycle of exhaust gas components containing at least one heavy hydrogen isotope selected from tritium and deuterium in compound form, in which the at least one heavy hydrogen isotope is liberated from its compound, separated out from the exhaust gas and fed back into the fuel cycle, the compound form being at least one compound which is ammonia or a hydrocarbon, comprising:(a) converting the at least one heavy hydrogen-containing compound into its elements in the exhaust gas by cracking the at least one heavy hydrogen containing compound with a cracking medium to liberate the hydrogen isotope,(b) passing the liberated hydrogen isotope through a membrane to separate out the liberated hydrogen isotope from the flow of the remaining exhaust gas, and(c) discharging the remaining decontaminated exhaust gas into the surrounding air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Kernstorschungzentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Dieter Penzhorn, Manfred Glugla, Peter Schuster
  • Patent number: 4842844
    Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a receiving vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate. A hydrogen generator reactor includes one or more sliding trays housed within a jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William G. Harris, Douglas J. Silva
  • Patent number: 4827726
    Abstract: An arrangement for and method of generating hydrogen wherein hydrogen and hydroride are generated by reacting hydrogen hydride with water. The hydrogen hydride is generated by subjecting hydroride to cryogenic temperature and subatmospheric pressure conditions. This cycle is repeated with the resulting liberation of hydrogen. The hydroride is produced initially and as needed by subjecting water to the action of light photons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Ernest Gladstone
  • Patent number: 4774065
    Abstract: Process for decontaminating an exhaust gas from a fusion reactor fuel cycle of exhaust gas components containing at least one heavy hydrogen isotope selected from tritium and deuterium in compound form, the compound form being ammonia and hydrocarbon, the exhaust gas containing CO and hydrogen isotopes and in which the at least one heavy hydrogen isotope is liberated from its compound, separated out from the exhaust gas and fed back into the fuel cycle, comprising(a) carrying out a catalytic oxidation reaction at a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 250.degree. C., to oxidize the exhaust gas components, without changing the ammonia, as follows: CO to CO.sub.2, hydrocarbon to CO.sub.2 +water, and the hydrogen isotopes to water,(b) bringing the gas admixture resulting from step (a) into contact with a metal bed at a temperature in the range of 200.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. to selectively transform the water into hydrogen isotopes and to remove O.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Kernforschungzentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Dieter Penzhorn, Manfred Glugla
  • Patent number: 4752463
    Abstract: A hydrogen-producing material comprises an aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 5 to 50% of tin and the balance being aluminum and inevitable impurities. The material may comprise a deposit composed of flat fine particles of the aluminum alloy, for example, a spray deposit formed on a base by thermal spraying with a wire of an aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 5 to 50% of tin and the balance being aluminum and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Osaka Fuji Kogyo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Nagira, Toru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 4657747
    Abstract: A method of recovering tritium from tritiated compounds comprises the steps of heating tritiated water and other co-injected tritiated compounds in a preheater to temperatures of about 600.degree. C. The mixture is injected into a reactor charged with a mixture of uranium and uranium dioxide. The injected mixture undergoes highly exothermic reactions with the uranium causing reaction temperatures to occur in excess of the melting point of uranium, and complete decomposition of the tritiated compounds to remove tritium therefrom. The uranium dioxide functions as an insulating material and heat sink preventing the reactor side walls from attaining reaction temperatures to thereby minimize tritium permeation rates. The uranium dioxide also functions as a diluent to allow for volumetric expansion of the uranium as it is converted to uranium dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: William A. Swansiger
  • Patent number: 4642125
    Abstract: Carbonaceous materials comprising major amounts of carbon, and minor amounts of hydrogen and ferrous group metal components, particularly nickel and cobalt, react with steam at low temperatures, and produce commercially attractive quantities of such gases as hydrogen, methane, carbon oxides and other light hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Maksymilian Burk, Jack L. Blumenthal
  • Patent number: 4588577
    Abstract: This invention is directed to the generation of hydrogen gas from hot water by means of a metallic catalyst such as nickel powder and a chelating agent such as EDTA. Temperature of the water should range from about 60.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. but preferably not above the boiling point of the water. The water is preferably heated by waste heat, and the hydrogen is utilized as a supplemental fuel for fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal. Increased hydrogen generation can be obtained by subjecting the water mixture to a magnetic field or to ultrasonic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Earl V. Cardinal