By Direct Decomposition Of Binary Compound; E.g., Chemical Storage, Etc. Patents (Class 423/658.2)
  • Patent number: 8460634
    Abstract: A system and process are provided for extracting a substance from a molecular combination. The process comprises heating the molecular combination to dissociate the molecular combination into cations and anions, moving the cations and anions through a magnetic field to separate cations and anions, and isolating cations from anions with a barrier. The system comprises a non-conductive conduit for guiding an ionized particle stream, a magnetic field source for creating a magnetic field through which the ionized particle stream moves, and a barrier located in the conduit. The ionized particle stream has a velocity relative to the conduit, and the magnetic field source is oriented relative to the velocity of the ionized particle stream so that cations are separated from anions as the ionized particle stream moves through the magnetic field. The barrier is oriented in the conduit so that cations are isolated from anions after separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Elementary Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy O. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8449861
    Abstract: In a process for photochemical and thermochemical generation of hydrogen and/or oxygen, water is contacted with at least one Si-containing compound selected from silicides, silicide-like compositions, and oxides of the silicides and silicide-like compositions. The Si-containing compound is selected from metallosilicides and non-metallic silicides of the formula RSixOy wherein R represents an organic, metallic, organometallic, biochemically derived and/or inorganic residue, wherein Si is silicon. The compound is preferably a silicide moiety with X>zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: H2 Solar GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Demuth, Peter Ritterskamp
  • Patent number: 8435476
    Abstract: Process for supplying a fuel cell with hydrogen, which includes the steps:—intermediate storage of (poly)silanes or (poly)silane solutions—transfer of the (poly)silanes to a reaction chamber—reaction or hydrolysis of the silanes or silane solutions in the reaction chamber with an aqueous solution to liberate H2,—removal of the solid and/or liquid reaction products from the reaction chamber,—transfer of the H2 formed to the fuel cell. The invention also relates to a hydrogen generator for fuel cells based on silanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: SPAWNT Private S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Julius Pretterebner
  • Patent number: 8394738
    Abstract: A mixed powder of AlH3 and MgH2 is ball-milled in a hydrogen atmosphere while applying force of 5 G through 30 G (in which G is gravitational acceleration), and the thus-obtained milled product is dehydrogenated to produce a hydrogen storage material. The hydrogen storage material comprises an amorphous phase containing an Al—Mg alloy as a mother phase, and a crystalline Al phase having a maximum length of 100 nm or less, the crystalline Al phase being distributed as a dispersed phase in the mother phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuya Hosoe, Izuru Kanoya, Terumi Furuta, Hiroshi Sakai
  • Publication number: 20130058862
    Abstract: It is provided that the catalyst shows a high activity in an ammonia decomposition reaction and can efficiently decompose ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. The catalyst for decomposing ammonia of the present invention comprises at least one element (component (A)) selected from the elements of groups 6 to 10 of the long-form periodic table, and an oxide and/or complex oxide of at least one element (component (B)) selected from the elements of groups 2 to 5 and groups 12 to 15 of the long-form periodic table, wherein the calculated specific surface area (S2) of the component (A) is 20 m2/g or larger, and the ratio (S2/S1) of the calculated specific surface area (S2) of the component (A) to the specific surface area (S1) of the catalyst per se is 0.15 to 0.85.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Junji Okamura, Toshitaka Horiuchi, Hideaki Tsuneki, Masanori Yoshimune, Masami Ichinose
  • Publication number: 20130059217
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for generating hydrogen, containing a composite metal of iron and nickel, the catalyst used in a decomposition reaction of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and hydrates thereof; and a method for generating hydrogen, including contacting the catalyst for generating hydrogen with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and hydrates thereof. According to the invention, hydrogen can be efficiently generated with improved selectivity in the method for generating hydrogen that utilizes the decomposition reaction of hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOLOGY
    Inventors: Qiang Xu, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Ashish Kumar Singh
  • Publication number: 20130047789
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for extracting hydrogen from lithium hydride. The apparatus includes a container for melting lithium hydride and a vacuum source for extracting hydrogen from the molten lithium hydride. A source of hydrogen may be provided to re-hydride the lithium metal, such that the apparatus provides a rechargeable source of hydrogen. A method of producing high purity lithium metal is also provided, where gaseous-phase lithium metal is extracted from lithium hydride and condensed to form solid high purity lithium metal. The high purity lithium metal may be hydrided to provide high purity lithium hydride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL SERVICES Y-12, LLC
    Inventors: Sam W. Brown, Larry S. Spencer, Michael R. Phillips, G. Louis Powell, Peggy J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8372371
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making alkali metal silicide compositions, and the compositions resulting from the method, comprising mixing an alkali metal with silicon and heating the resulting mixture to a temperature below about 475° C. The resulting compositions do not react with dry O2. Also, the invention relates to sodium silicide compositions having a powder X-ray diffraction pattern comprising at least three peaks with 2Theta angles selected from about 18.2, 28.5, 29.5, 33.7, 41.2, 47.4, and 56.2 and a solid state 23Na MAS NMR spectra peak at about 18 ppm. Moreover, the invention relates to methods of removing a volatile or flammable substance in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the alkali metal silicide compositions of the invention react with water to produce hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Signa Chemistry, Inc., Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Michael Lefenfeld, James L. Dye
  • Patent number: 8372184
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8372947
    Abstract: Reversible, high density hydrogen storage that provides a mechanism for reversible uptake/storage/release of hydrogen fuel in response to combination of thermal, mechanical, magnetic, electrical, optical or chemical stimuli. Exemplary media are based on natural and/or synthetic composite materials, and potentially can achieve the highest possible storage density, while using a simple, fast and energy-efficient means for hydrogen uptake and release when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventor: Andrei G. Fedorov
  • Publication number: 20130004413
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage material comprises an oxide and a hydride that can react with each other reversibly to produce hydrogen gas. A solid state hydrogen storage device and process of producing and storing hydrogen are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John J. Vajo, Ping Liu
  • Patent number: 8337807
    Abstract: A solid mixture of fullerene and titanium hydride, a method of its formation, and a method of its use to rapidly produce a gaseous mixture of molecular hydrogen and fullerene on demand. The solid mixture may be resistively heated by discharge of a high power electrical current from a capacitor bank through the mixture to produce the mixture of hydrogen and fullerene within a few tens of microseconds. The resulting gaseous mixture of hydrogen and fullerene may be ionized and accelerated for the purpose of mitigating electromagnetic disruptions in a magnetically confined plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: FAR-TECH, Inc.
    Inventor: Ioan-Niculae Bogatu
  • Patent number: 8337806
    Abstract: A hydrogen producing fuel comprises a chemical hydride and metal hydride. In one embodiment the chemical hydride evolves hydrogen spontaneously upon exposure to water vapor, and the metal hydride reversibly absorbs/desorbs hydrogen based on temperature and pressure. The hydrogen producing substance may be formed in the shape of a pellet and may be contained within a hydrogen and water vapor permeable, liquid water impermeable membrane. The hydrogen producing substance may further be soaked in a hydrophobic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20120288440
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pulverulent materials suitable for storing hydrogen, and more particularly to a method of preparing such a material, in which: (A) a composite metallic material having a specific granular structure is prepared by co-melting the following mixtures: a first metallic mixture (m1), which is an alloy (a1) of body-centred cubic crystal structure, based on titanium, vanadium, chromium and/or manganese, or a mixture of these metals in the proportions of the alloy (a1); and a second mixture (m2), which is an alloy (a2), comprising 38 to 42% zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum and/or tungsten and 56 to 60 mol % of nickel and/or copper, or else a mixture of these metals in the proportions of the alloy (a2), with a mass ratio (m2)/(m1+m2) ranging from 0.1 wt % to 20 wt %; and (B) the composite metallic material thus obtained is hydrogenated, whereby the composite material is fragmented (hydrogen decrepitation).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: Jean Charbonnier, Patricia De Rango, Daniel Fruchart, Salvatore Miraglia, Sophie Rivoirard, Natalia Skryabina
  • Publication number: 20120275981
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing nonpassivated silicon, which process comprises providing a sample of silicon and, under inert conditions, reducing the mean particle size in the sample by applying a mechanical force to the sample. The invention also provides nonpassivated silicon which is obtainable by such a process, and compositions which comprise the nonpassivated silicon. Further provided is a process for producing hydrogen, which process comprises contacting water with nonpassivated silicon, thereby producing hydrogen by hydrolysis of said silicon. The invention also provides a pellet for generating hydrogen, the pellet comprising nonpassivated silicon encapsulated within an organic coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: John Stuart Foord, Sobia Ashraf
  • Publication number: 20120266863
    Abstract: The invention is using a hydrogen-containing solid as an energy storage material for naval and stationary uses. The system is designed and analyzed optimally for producing thermal energy necessary to dissociate magnesium hydride which in turn produces the needed hydrogen to operate a fuel-cell and meet the electricity demand. The collected hydrogen is used to power the various energy needs of the Navy as well as of homes. In addition, the solar thermal system may also be used to provide heat to hot water, and other heating needs. The system has an overall energy efficiency between 20% and 30% with both thermal and hydrogen storage capability for overall energy storage and provides smooth energy needs of a building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Surendra Saxena, Yong X. Tao
  • Patent number: 8287838
    Abstract: A thermochemical water-splitting process all reactions of which operate at relatively low temperatures and high efficiencies, and in which relatively inexpensive materials and processing methods are made possible. This invention involves the decomposition of a metal halide compound, i.e., one which is capable of being reduced from a higher oxidation state to lower oxidation state, e.g. vanadium chloride III?vanadium dichloride. The process is cyclic and regenerative, and the only net inputs are water and heat; and the only net outputs are hydrogen and oxygen. The process makes it possible to utilize a wide variety of available heat, including solar, sources for the energy input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Amendola
  • Patent number: 8258077
    Abstract: A crystalline Al phase and a crystalline TiH2 phase each having a maximum length of 200 nm or less are dispersed in an amorphous phase containing an Al—Mg alloy to obtain a hydrogen storage material capable of reversibly storing and releasing hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuya Hosoe, Izuru Kanoya, Hiroshi Sakai, Terumi Furuta
  • Publication number: 20120156576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a continuous flow of hydrogen by catalyzed hydrolysis of a complex hydride, which comprises at least adding continuously and at constant rate a fuel solution to a reactor comprising a complex hydride stabilized on a hydroxide on a cobalt boride catalyst that is added in excess inside said reactor. Sodium borohydride is preferably used, the hydroxide is sodium hydroxide and the catalyst is supported on nickel foam. Parameters and optimal conditions to achieve continuous production of hydrogen have been determined, which is essential in the operation of fuel cells. A facility comprising a semi continuous reactor designed to perform the above process, which needs no refrigeration is also an object of the present invention, as well as a washing and reactivation process of a catalyst of the type used in the process mentioned above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: María de los Ángeles JIMÉNEZ DOMÍNGUEZ, María del Mar Jiménez Vega, Belén Sarmiento Marrón, Asunción Fernández Camacho, Gisela Mariana Arzac De Calvo, Enrique Jiménez Roca
  • Publication number: 20120148925
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems reside in the decomposition of ammonia into a hydrogen gas mixture. An ammonia-rich gaseous mixture containing ammonia and oxygen enters into a conduit within which combustion and decomposition of the mixture is initiated, thereby liberating hydrogen. A mixture of gaseous products resulting from the reaction is expelled from the outlet of the conduit, the mixture including non-combusted hydrogen gas, which may then be used for other purposes. In the preferred embodiment, the incoming reactants including ammonia and oxygen are heat exchanged with the outgoing product mixture containing non-combusted hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Shawn Grannell, Donald E. Gillespie
  • Publication number: 20120141369
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fluid enclosure including a structural filler and an outer enclosure wall conformably coupled to the structural filler. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to a method of manufacturing a fluid enclosure. The method includes conformably coupling an outer enclosure wall to a structural filler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Societe BIC
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8187348
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a container with multiple concentric hollow cylinders of chemical hydride fuel disposed within the container. A water vapor source is disposed within the container and operable to deliver water vapor to the cylinders of chemical hydride fuel. Generated hydrogen is provided via a hydrogen output port formed in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Eickhoff, Chunbo Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120128578
    Abstract: A system and process are provided for extracting a substance from a molecular combination. The process comprises heating the molecular combination to dissociate the molecular combination into cations and anions, moving the cations and anions through a magnetic field to separate cations and anions, and isolating cations from anions with a barrier. The system comprises a non-conductive conduit for guiding an ionized particle stream, a magnetic field source for creating a magnetic field through which the ionized particle stream moves, and a barrier located in the conduit. The ionized particle stream has a velocity relative to the conduit, and the magnetic field source is oriented relative to the velocity of the ionized particle stream so that cations are separated from anions as the ionized particle stream moves through the magnetic field. The barrier is oriented in the conduit so that cations are isolated from anions after separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy O. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8172912
    Abstract: A self-regulating gas generator that, in response to gas demand, supplies and automatically adjusts the amount of gas (e.g., hydrogen or oxygen) catalytically generated in a chemical supply chamber from an appropriate chemical supply, such as a chemical solution, gas dissolved in liquid, or mixture. The gas generator may employ a piston, rotating rod, or other element(s) to expose the chemical supply to the catalyst in controlled amounts. The gas generator may be used to provide gas for various gas consuming devices, such as a fuel cell, torch, or oxygen respiratory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Encite, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen A. Marsh, Donald M. Parker, Peter N. Pintauro
  • Patent number: 8147788
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for directly preparing an alkaline earth metal borohydride, i.e. Mg(BH4)2, from the alkaline earth metal boride MgB2 by hydrogenating the MgB2 at an elevated temperature and pressure. The boride may also be doped with small amounts of a metal chloride catalyst such as TiCl3 and/or NiCl2. The process provides for charging MgB2 with high pressure hydrogen above at least 70 MPa while simultaneously heating the material to about 350° C. to about 400° C. The method is relatively simple and inexpensive and provides a reversible hydride compound having a hydrogen capacity of at least 11 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Ewa Carin Ellinor Rönnebro, Godwin Severa, Craig M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20120040261
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus for effectively generating hydrogen from ammonia and relates to the hydrogen generating apparatus for generating hydrogen from ammonia. The apparatus comprises an ammonia oxidation part having ammonia oxidation catalysts which oxidizes ammonia, and an ammonia decomposition part having an ammonia decomposition catalyst which decomposes ammonia to generate nitrogen and hydrogen. The decomposition part is located downstream of the oxidation part in a direction of feed gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Hidekazu Arikawa, Susumu Hikazudani, Chikashi Inazumi, Sadao Araki, Takuma Mori
  • Patent number: 8110175
    Abstract: A system and process are provided for extracting a substance from a molecular combination. The process comprises heating the molecular combination to dissociate the molecular combination into cations and anions, moving the cations and anions through a magnetic field to separate cations and anions, and isolating cations from anions with a barrier. The system comprises a non-conductive conduit for guiding an ionized particle stream, a magnetic field source for creating a magnetic field through which the ionized particle stream moves, and a barrier located in the conduit. The ionized particle stream has a velocity relative to the conduit, and the magnetic field source is oriented relative to the velocity of the ionized particle stream so that cations are separated from anions as the ionized particle stream moves through the magnetic field. The barrier is oriented in the conduit so that cations are isolated from anions after separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy O. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20120016041
    Abstract: A method of adapting an axial flow reaction vessel having opposed ports to an opposed axial flow reaction vessel includes installing a process fluid collection system within the body of the vessel in fluid communication with one or more of the ports; providing the vessel with a bed of particulate catalyst or sorbent containing a layer of inert particulate material around the process fluid collection system; and adapting the feed to the vessel through one or more of the ports such that a process fluid fed to the vessel is passed axially and in the opposite direction through the fixed bed of catalyst or sorbent and is collected by the process fluid collection system disposed centrally within the bed and in fluid communication with one or more of the ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventors: Charles William Hooper, Michael Peter Roberts
  • Publication number: 20120015802
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst which can be used in the process for producing hydrogen by decomposing ammonia, can generate heat efficiently in the interior of a reactor without requiring excessive heating the reactor externally, and can decompose ammonia efficiently and steadily by utilizing the heat to produce hydrogen. Also disclosed is a technique for producing hydrogen by decomposing ammonia efficiently utilizing the catalyst. Specifically disclosed is a catalyst for use in the production of hydrogen, which is characterized by comprising an ammonia-combusting catalytic component and an ammonia-decomposing catalytic component. Also specifically disclosed is a catalyst for use in the production of hydrogen, which is characterized by comprising at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, nickel and molybdenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Junji Okamura, Masanori Yoshimune, Masaru Kirishiki, Hideaki Tsuneki, Shinya Kitaguchi
  • Patent number: 8097235
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is disclosed a process of forming a hydrogen material including the steps of providing a metal hydride material, providing a Bronsted acid material, combining the metal hydride material and Bronsted acid material, and pyrolyzing the combined material forming a hydrogen storage material having a hydrogen release temperature less than the metal hydride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Rana F. Mohtadi
  • Patent number: 8097234
    Abstract: A capsule having a hydrogen gas permeable shell with solid-state hydride material, such as hydrogen rich LiAlH4, Li3AlH6, and/or AlH3 encapsulated therein. The hydrogen gas permeable shell has pores that are between about 1 nm to about 150 ?m in diameter to allow hydrogen gas to be extracted from the capsule. After passing the capsule through a hydrogen extraction zone, the capsule containing the spent solid-state hydride material is removed and is sent to recycling, wherein the capsule is opened to remove the spent solid-state hydride material, and the spent solid-state hydride material is rehydrogenated and repacked in a hydrogen gas permeable shell. The shell of the spent solid-state hydride material can be recycled and reused to make new shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: John J. Vajo, Tina T. Salguero
  • Patent number: 8093175
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition capable of trapping hydrogen comprising: (a) at least one mineral compound of formula (I) below: MX(OH)??(I) in which: M represents a divalent transition element; O represents an oxygen atom; X represents an atom chosen from S, Se, Te, Po; and H represents a hydrogen atom; and (b) at least one nitrate salt of formula (II) below: ZNO3??(II) in which Z is a monovalent cation. Use of these compositions either in pulverulent form for trapping gaseous hydrogen by direct interaction, or in the form of an adjuvant in a containment material for, for example, trapping hydrogen released by radiolysis in radioactive waste packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Chantal Riglet-Martial
  • Publication number: 20110300065
    Abstract: An apparatus and method purify hydrogen from a mixed fluid containing gaseous hydrogen, gaseous oxygen, and liquid water. The apparatus has a mixed fluid channel through which the mixed fluid flows; a first gas channel through which a mixed gas containing gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen flows; a second gas channel through which gaseous hydrogen or oxygen flows; a gas-liquid separating membrane forming a wall between the mixed fluid channel and the first gas channel, separating the mixed gas from the mixed fluid of the mixed fluid channel, and providing the separated mixed gas to the first gas channel; and a hydrogen or oxygen separating membrane forming a wall between the first gas channel and the second gas channel, separating gaseous hydrogen or oxygen from the mixed gas of the first gas channel, and providing the separated gaseous hydrogen or oxygen to the second gas channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruyuki NAKANISHI, Norihiko NAKAMURA, Hidekazu ARIKAWA, Hirofumi FUJIWARA, Hidehito KUBO, Keiji TOH, Akiko KUMANO, Shohei MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20110293510
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems reside in the decomposition of ammonia into a hydrogen gas mixture. A premixed, ammonia-rich gaseous mixture of anhydrous ammonia and air enters into a conduit within which combustion and decomposition of a portion of the mixture is initiated, thereby liberating heat and hydrogen. The hydrogen mixes with the bulk of the gas mixture and the liberated heat drives the combustion reaction to completion, including portions of the gas not associated with the initial combustion and decomposition process. A mixture of gaseous products resulting from the reaction is expelled from the outlet of the conduit, the mixture including non-combusted hydrogen gas, which may then be used for other purposes. In the preferred embodiment, combustion and decomposition of a portion of the mixture is initiated with a heating element disposed within the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Shawn Grannell, Donald E. Gillespie
  • Publication number: 20110286913
    Abstract: A method and a device for generating of hydrogen are provided with which an instantaneous release of hydrogen in considerable amounts is possible. The method comprises a one or two step mixing including injecting the fuel and an activator fluid into a reaction chamber. The device is adapted to be operated with such a method. Further, a fuel suitable for the use with such a method is provided, the fuel being based on a dry metal hydride or a dry metal borohydride being dispersed in a non-aqueous dispersion medium. Moreover, a method for (re-) fuelling the hydrogen generating device at a service station and a method for supplying a service station with fuel are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: H2FUEL-SYSTEMS B.V.
    Inventor: Gerardus Wilhelmus Lugtigheid
  • Patent number: 8062624
    Abstract: Hydrogen is stored by adsorbing the hydrogen to a carbon nanomaterial that includes carbon nanospheres. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow carbon nanostructures with a maximum diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm. The nanospheres have an irregular outer surface with graphitic defects and an aspect ratio of less than 3:1. The carbon nanospheres can store hydrogen in quantities of at least 1.0% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Headwaters Technology Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Bing Zhou, Cheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8052959
    Abstract: A hydrogen supply device and a method of supplying hydrogen are provided in which a hydrogen gas odorized with the odor agent is supplied by applying heat to a granular mixture of hydrogen storage glass beads and odor agent encapsulating capsules using irradiation with infrared light emitted from a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Oshikawa
  • Patent number: 8052784
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for storing and releasing hydrogen using packed-bed hydrogen storage elements in conjunction with elements such as optical or thermal energy for stimulating the release of stored hydrogen. The hydrogen storage system may include valves, piping, and other fixtures for ease of filling and emptying the unit. The system may also serve as a portable self-contained means of safe hydrogen storage that may be transported between the filling or generation site and the site of hydrogen release or use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Leslie A. Field
  • Publication number: 20110257275
    Abstract: System and method for sustainable economic development which includes hydrogen extracted from substances, for example, sea water, industrial waste water, agricultural waste water, sewage, and landfill waste water. The hydrogen extraction is accomplished by thermal dissociation, electrical dissociation, optical dissociation, and magnetic dissociation. The hydrogen extraction further includes operation in conjunction with energy addition from renewable resources, for example, solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, or biomass resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20110256052
    Abstract: A system and method for producing a hydrogen fuel gas is provided. In particular, a hydrogen fuel product is produced from steam exposed to a heated catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the hydrogen fuel product produced is used in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: THOMAS MERRITT
  • Patent number: 8029602
    Abstract: A fuel cell and a method for chemically storing hydrogen. Embodiments of the fuel cell include a mixture having at least one boron-nitrogen-hydrogen compound and a reactive hydride where the mixture has more than about 10 wt % hydrogen density and a hydrogen storage density of about 0.1 kg H21?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Thomas J. Groshens
  • Patent number: 8021606
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy containing a phase of a chemical composition defined by a general formula A5·xB1+xC24: wherein in the general formula A5·xB1+xC24, A denotes one or more element(s) selected from rare earth elements; B denotes one or more element(s) selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; C denotes one or more element(s) selected from a group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Si, Sn, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, and Hf; and x denotes a numeral in a range from ?0.1 to 0.8: and the phase has a crystal structure belonging to a space group of R-3m and having a length ratio of the c-axis to the a-axis of the lattice constant in a range of 11.5 to 12.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignees: GS Yuasa International Ltd., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ozaki, Tetsuo Sakai, Manabu Kanemoto, Minoru Kuzuhara, Tadashi Kakeya, Masaharu Watada
  • Publication number: 20110223101
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydrogen generating and regenerating system which supplies combustion gas and steam pressure from water to produce inexpensive energy. The system comprising of the process to supply hydrogen and oxygen over a porous metallic catalyst bed in a combustion chamber and igniting producing heat for boiler water to provide steam to turn a steam turbine. Then catalytically reforming steam over porous material producing hydrogen in a converter reactor zone and subsequently also producing combustion gas pressure in the combustion chamber that flow through the converter to turn a gas turbine, a compressor and a generator. The system passes a second catalytic promoter through the converter reactor zone to reactivate porous material by to produce additional hydrogen without using hydrogen generated. The gas combustion pressure passes through the turbine and heat exchangers preheating recycled water providing optimum efficiency and creating clean cheap electrons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: William Timothy Williams, Caley Timothy Williams
  • Publication number: 20110206593
    Abstract: A process has been developed to selectively dissociate target molecules into component products compositionally distinct from the target molecule, wherein the bonds of the target molecule do not reform because the components are no longer reactive with each other. Dissociation is affected by treating the target molecule with light at a frequency and intensity, alone or in combination with a catalyst in an amount effective to selectively break bonds within the target molecule. Dissociation does not result in re-association into the target molecule by the reverse process, and does not produce component products which have a change in oxidation number or state incorporated oxygen or other additives because the process does not proceed via a typical reduction-oxidation mechanism. Target molecules include ammonia for waste reclamation and treatment, PCB remediation, and targeted drug delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Richard W. Fahs, II, Matthew D.W. Fahs
  • Publication number: 20110176988
    Abstract: The ammonia decomposition catalyst of the present invention is a catalyst for decomposing ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen, including a catalytically active component containing at least one kind of transition metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, and nickel, preferably including: (I) a catalytically active component containing: at least one kind selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium; (II) a catalytically active component containing a nitride of at least one kind of transition metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, and nickel; or (III) a catalytically active component containing at least one kind of iron group metal selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel, and at least one metal oxide, thereby making it possible to effectively decompose ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen at relatively low temperatures and at
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Junji Okamura, Masaru Kirishiki, Masanori Yoshimune, Hideaki Tsuneki
  • Patent number: 7981168
    Abstract: Ceramic materials that are highly resistant to strong acids such as concentrated sulfuric acid and halides such as hydrogen iodide are employed to make block elements through which a large number of circular ingress channels extend in perpendicular directions and which are joined and piled in the heat exchanging medium section to provide a compact heat exchanger that excels not only in corrosion resistance but also in high-temperature strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignees: Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shintaro Ishiyama, Shigeki Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20110165061
    Abstract: A system for reversibly storing hydrogen includes a storage tank with an internal volume with a thermally conducting composite material situated within the storage tank and having a three-dimensional and interconnected framework of a conductive metal within the internal volume of the storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Donald J. Siegel, Andrea Pulskamp, Andrew Robert Drews, Shinichi Hirano, Christopher Mark Wolverton
  • Patent number: 7968078
    Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing hydrogen using an amino acid. The method of preparing hydrogen using an amino acid includes: (a) mixing a metal borohydride and a zwitterionic material; (b) adding a solvent thereto to dissolve the mixture; and (c) generating hydrogen from the solution. The provided method of preparing hydrogen using an amino acid can reduce manufacturing costs, reduce a heating value of hydrogen during hydrolysis, increase a hydrogen generation rate, and allow a hydrogen generating apparatus to be small in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myong Hoon Lim, Jae-Hun Rho, Tae Hee Park, Jae Hoi Gu, Yong Ho Yu
  • Publication number: 20110150756
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with optimized startup times, as well as to hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same, and methods of operating the same. Startup and shutdown methods for a PSA assembly, and optionally an associated fuel processing system, are disclosed to provide for shortened startup times. The PSA assemblies may be in fluid communication with a hydrogen source that may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to purge the PSA adsorbent columns of adsorbents during startup and/or shutdown procedures, the hydrogen source additionally or alternatively may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to charge the columns with hydrogen for idling in a pressurized state. The use of this hydrogen source, together with specific startup and shutdown methodologies, provides for reducing the startup time of the PSA assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: IDATECH, LLC
    Inventors: Patton M. Adams, James A. Givens, Arne Laven, Sudha Rani Laven, Curtiss Renn
  • Patent number: 7959896
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for methods of producing and releasing hydrogen from hydrogen storage compositions having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such a composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. A first reaction is conducted between a portion of the hydride and water to generate heat sufficient to cause a second hydrogen production reaction between a remaining portion of the hydride and the hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Florian O Mertens, Scott W Jorgensen, John J Vajo