By Electrochemical Means Patents (Class 429/422)
  • Patent number: 8852821
    Abstract: An energy unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application stores at least water and hydrogen. The energy unit includes an electrolysis component operable to provide hydrogen from the water, a hydrogen storage component operable to safely and stably store hydrogen in solid form and a fuel cell component operable to produce electricity from the hydrogen. The energy unit may be grouped with other like energy units to provide constant power for desired applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Twisted Sun Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicolas Kernene
  • Publication number: 20140261253
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is powered on or using a mix of a liquid fuel and hydrogen, to produce energy that is converted into electricity using an alternator, which is subsequently used to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen is produced through the use of hydrogen generating cells which breaks down water using electrolysis and outputs hydrogen. The cell uses anode rods inserted into a tank containing cathode tubes. Additionally, the tank itself also acts as the cathode as the tank is connected to the negative end of a circuit. A current passes from the anode rods to the cathode through water to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen is off gassed and stored in a reservoir to be used in an internal combustion engine as fuel. The energy needed to perform electrolysis is garnered from an alternator and a turbine that is part of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Clean Power Providers LLC
    Inventor: Magnus L. Wold
  • Publication number: 20140234734
    Abstract: A reversible fuel cell includes a positive electrode containing manganese dioxide, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage material, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte. Each of the negative electrode and the positive electrode is an electrode for power generation and is also an electrode that applies electrolysis to the electrolyte using electric current to be fed from the outside. This cell is capable of storing electric energy to be supplied at the time of overcharge by converting the electric energy into gas, and is also capable of reconverting the gas into electric energy in order to utilize the electric energy. Accordingly, there are provided a reversible fuel cell and a reversible fuel cell system each of which is excellent in energy utilization efficiency, energy density and load following capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Atsushi Tsutsumi, Kaduo Tsutsumi
  • Publication number: 20140234735
    Abstract: A fuel cell system (10) basically containing an energy storage subunit (14) which receives feed fuel (17) or recirculated fuel (23) both containing H2 where either fuel is contacted with a metal in the energy storage subunit (14) to provide a H2 rich fuel (18) to a fuel cell power generator (20) that is completely separated from all other components such as possible reformers (13), thermal energy sources (16) and storage media subunits (24, 35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Gong Zhang, Arun K. S. Iyengar
  • Publication number: 20140227617
    Abstract: A system and method for managing water produced by fuel cells where this waste water is captured and used for agricultural, industrial or community purposes along with electricity generated by the fuel cells. Water from a coastal (or lake coast) region can be converted by electricity into hydrogen and oxygen gas or hydrogen and chlorine gas with the hydrogen gas being piped to remote regions for conversion into fresh water and electricity by fuel cells. The oxygen or chlorine can be optionally recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Vasilios Dossas, Clifford H. Kraft, Laura Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8802307
    Abstract: A process for the production of dihydrogen from hydrogenated silicon by bringing the hydrogenated silicon into contact with an alkaline solution. Devices of the fuel cell type using this hydrogen production method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.), Universite de Franche-Comte
    Inventor: Bernard Gauthier-Manuel
  • Patent number: 8765312
    Abstract: A load variation detecting section determines whether or not the actual load variation falls below a load variation threshold stored in a memory. If a load variation detecting section determines that a specific time period (for example, one minute) has elapsed since the actual load variation fell below a load variation threshold, a power supply section applies same power to reactors for the respective phases. On the other hand, a heat dissipation property calculating section measures temperature-rise rates of the elements for the respective phases, ranks the rates in order from the one having a higher heat dissipation property, and notifies the priority drive phase determining section of the result. A priority drive phase determining section chooses a phase having the highest heat dissipation property as a priority drive phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Osada, Takahiko Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8753781
    Abstract: The fuel provision system uses hydrogen and oxygen from a hydrogen container and an oxygen container as energy source for a power unit to deliver work and for a fuel cell to produce electricity. In the mean time, the water resulted from the power unit and the fuel cell is stored in a water tank and then electrolyzed in an electrolytic tank to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen are separated by an exchange membrane and recycled to the hydrogen and oxygen containers. The power unit is one of combustion engine accompanied by a generator and a battery, a furnace or an industrial cutting/welding device with a fuel tank, and an electrothermal device. The water tank is capable of adjusting the volume of output water flow and overflowing excessive water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Wen-Lo Chen
  • Publication number: 20140162154
    Abstract: A thermally integrated system for producing electricity from a feedstock fuel is disclosed. The system utilizes a reformer that includes a plasma zone to receive a pre-heated mixture of reactants and ionize the reactants by applying an electrical potential thereto. A first thermally conductive surface surrounds the plasma zone and is configured to transfer heat from an external heat source into the plasma zone. The reformer further includes a reaction zone to chemically transform the ionized reactants into synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A second thermally conductive surface surrounds the reaction zone and is configured to transfer heat from the external heat source into the reaction zone. The first thermally conductive surface and second thermally conductive surface are both directly exposed to the external heat source. A corresponding method and apparatus are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hartvigsen, S. Elangovan, Piotr Czernichowski, Michele Hollist
  • Publication number: 20140154597
    Abstract: Anodes utilizing precise energy separation are provided. The anodes can be used to generate electrical energy from a feedstock via precise energy separation. The anodes include an energy source that supplies the promoter energy to target molecules in a feedstock to dissociate one or more target bonds in one or more target molecules. Generally, the energy is provided in an effective amount, intensity, and frequency of energy to specifically dissociate one or more target bonds in one or more target molecule present in the feedstock, releasing electrons. These electrons are accepted by an electrode that is electrically connected to an electron sink. Fuel cells containing anodes utilizing precise energy separation are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Fahs Stagemyer LLC
    Inventor: Richard W. Fahs, II
  • Patent number: 8735008
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack for generating electrical energy by reacting oxidant and mixed fuel, and for discharging non-reacted fuel, oxidant, moisture, and carbon dioxide; a mixer for preparing the mixed fuel by mixing at least a portion of the non-reacted fuel, oxidant and moisture with concentrated fuel and for supplying the mixed fuel to the fuel cell stack; a fuel supply unit for supplying the concentrated fuel to the mixer; an oxidant supply unit for supplying the oxidant to the fuel cell stack; a first heat exchanger between an outlet of the fuel cell stack and the mixer; and a second heat exchanger between the mixer and an inlet of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Kee Yoon, Young-Soo Joung, Jung-Kurn Park, Hye-Jung Cho, In-Seob Song
  • Publication number: 20140141347
    Abstract: A device for producing and storing dioxygen and/or dihydrogen is provided. The device includes a source of dioxygen and dihydrogen, and a high pressure tank to store the dioxygen, respectively dihydrogen, at high pressure, in fluid communication with the source. The device further includes a bypass line connecting an outlet of dioxygen, respectively of dihydrogen, of the source with an outlet of dioxygen, respectively of dihydrogen, of the production and storage device, bypassing the high pressure tank, the bypass line being fed through a pressure regulator to reduce the pressure in the bypass line; and a device for measuring the concentration of dihydrogen, respectively of dioxygen, in the dioxygen respectively in the dihydrogen produced by the source, the measuring device being arranged on the bypass line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: AREVA Stockage d'Energie
    Inventor: Olivier Verdu
  • Publication number: 20140093799
    Abstract: Electrochemical devices for converting carbon dioxide to useful reaction products include a solid or a liquid with a specific pH and/or water content. Chemical processes using the devices are also disclosed, including processes to produce CO, HCO?, H2CO, (HCO2), H2CO2, CH3OH, CH4, C2H4, CH3CH2OH, CH3COO?, CH3COOH, C2H6, (COOH)2, (COO?)2, acrylic acid, diphenyl carbonate, other carbonates, other organic acids and synthetic fuels. The electrochemical device can be a CO2 sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Richard I. Masel, Brian A. Rosen, Wei Zhu
  • Patent number: 8673511
    Abstract: A sodium chloride electrolysis cell (9) receives a portion of its electrical power (47, 48: 50, 51) from a phosphoric acid fuel cell (44) which receives fuel at its anode inlet (43) from a water cooled catalytic reactor (26) that converts oxygen in the byproduct output (19) of the sodium chlorate electrolysis cell to hydrogen and water. A utility grid (53) may provide through a converter (55) power to support the electrochemical process in the sodium chlorate electrolysis cell. Temperature of the water cooled catalytic reactor is determined by the vaporization of pressurized hot water, the pressure of which may be adjusted by a controller (36) and a valve (38) in response to temperature (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio M. Vincitore, Peter F. Foley, Derek W. Hildreth, John L. Preston
  • Publication number: 20140072890
    Abstract: This instant disclosure provides a fuel cell power generation system including a PSA (pressure swing adsorption) oxygen generator, an hydrogen device and a fuel cell device. The PSA oxygen generator has an oxygen storing unit for storing oxygen, and the PSA oxygen generator is for generating oxygen. The hydrogen device has a hydrogen storing unit for storing hydrogen, and the electrolysis and catalysis is for generating hydrogen. The fuel cell device is connected to the PSA oxygen generator and the hydrogen device to make electrochemical reaction of oxygen generated from the PSA oxygen generator and the hydrogen generated from the hydrogen device for outputting electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: YUAN ZE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: YUAN ZE UNIVERSITY
  • Publication number: 20140072836
    Abstract: An electrochemical power system is provided that generates an electromotive force (EMF) from the catalytic reaction of hydrogen to lower energy (hydrino) states providing direct conversion of the energy released from the hydrino reaction into electricity, the system comprising at least two components chosen from: H2O catalyst or a source of H2O catalyst; atomic hydrogen or a source of atomic hydrogen; reactants to form the H2O catalyst or source of H2O catalyst and atomic hydrogen or source of atomic hydrogen; and one or more reactants to initiate the catalysis of atomic hydrogen. The electrochemical power system for forming hydrinos and electricity can further comprise a cathode compartment comprising a cathode, an anode compartment comprising an anode, optionally a salt bridge, reactants that constitute hydrino reactants during cell operation with separate electron flow and ion mass transport, and a source of hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: BLACKLIGHT POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Randell Lee Mills
  • Publication number: 20140072891
    Abstract: A hydrogen producing cell of the present invention is provided with an electrolyte supply hole, an electrolyte discharge hole, a first hydrogen circulation hole and a second hydrogen circulation hole respectively penetrating a housing. In disposing the hydrogen producing cell, the electrolyte supply hole is arranged on a vertically upper side than the electrolyte discharge hole, the first hydrogen circulation hole is arranged on a vertically upper side than the electrolyte supply hole, and the second hydrogen circulation hole is arranged on a vertically upper side than the electrolyte discharge hole. By this configuration, it is possible to considerably reduce the length of a pipe and the number of manifolds concerning the electrolyte and hydrogen, and to link the hydrogen producing cells with one another simply and rationally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hato, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Satoru Tamura
  • Publication number: 20140008237
    Abstract: A method of producing a hydrocarbon comprises providing electrical energy to a first fuel cell comprising an anode, cathode, and polymer electrolyte membrane; electrocatalytically oxidizing a hydrogen source by a first catalyst disposed on the anode to produce protons; and electrocatalytically reducing a hydrocarbonaceous source by the protons and a second catalyst disposed on the cathode to produce a hydrocarbon fuel composition, wherein the first and second catalysts are each a solid catalyst, and the anode and cathode are separated by the polymer electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Inventors: George W. Huber, Geoffrey A. Tompsett, Sara K. Green, Won Bae Kim, Hyung Ju Kim
  • Publication number: 20140004435
    Abstract: A photoelectrode (100) of the present invention includes a conductive layer (12) and a photocatalytic layer (13) provided on the conductive layer (12). The conductive layer (12) is made of a metal nitride. The photocatalytic layer (13) is made of at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitride semiconductor and an oxynitride semiconductor. When the photocatalytic layer (13) is made of a n-type semiconductor, the energy difference between the vacuum level and the Fermi level of the conductive layer (12) is smaller than the energy difference between the vacuum level and the Fermi level of the photocatalytic layer (13). When the photocatalytic layer (13) is made of a p-type semiconductor, the energy difference between the vacuum level and the Fermi level of the conductive layer (12) is larger than the energy difference between the vacuum level and the Fermi level of the photocatalytic layer (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Tamura, Takaiki Nomura, Takahiro Suzuki, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Noboru Taniguchi, Kazuhito Hato, Nobuhiro Miyata
  • Patent number: 8617477
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon feed includes a cell having two compartments and a membrane separating the compartments, wherein one compartment is communicated with a hydrogen source and the other compartment is communicated with the hydrocarbon feed to be treated, wherein the membrane comprises a palladium membrane which is modified to have an additional amount of a mix of palladium and other metals (Ni, Ag, Co and Au) between about 4.62*10?3 and 1.62*10?2 g/cm2; and a power source connected across the hydrogen source compartment to generate a current across same, whereby atomic hydrogen is formed from the hydrogen source at a surface of the membrane and diffuses across the membrane to react with the hydrocarbon feed. A process using this apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Intevap, S.A.
    Inventors: Victor Báez, Luiz Felipe D'Elia, Gaudy Rodriguez, Yolimar Gandica
  • Patent number: 8603685
    Abstract: There is provided a method for the activation of a fuel cell. An exemplary method comprises operating the fuel cell entirely or partially at least briefly in an electrolysis regimen during galvanic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Rheinisch-Westfälisch-Technische Hochschule Aachen
    Inventors: Klaus Wippermann, Heinz Schmitz, Jürgen Mergel, Andrei Kulikovsky, Dirk Uwe Sauer, Birger Fricke, Tilman Sanders
  • Publication number: 20130288144
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for hydrogen production from water, known as a photoelectrochemical system. The system integrates a semiconductor material and a water electrolyzing material inside a monolithic design, to produce hydrogen directly from water. Natural or synthetic light is used as the main or sole source of energy. The water electrolyzing material is melanins, melanin precursors or melanin derivatives, melanin variants, melanin analogues, natural or synthetic, pure or mixed with organic or inorganic compounds, metals, ions, drugs. The system or light absorbing compound generates enough energy to start, lead and complete the photoelectrolysis reaction. The system can generate hydrogen, oxygen and high energy electrons, and can synthesize water from the union of hydrogen and oxygen, thereby generating electricity. The system can also be coupled to other processes, generating a multiplication effect, and can be used for the reduction of carbon dioxide, nitrates, sulphates and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Arturo SOLIS HERRERA
  • Publication number: 20130288143
    Abstract: Provided are a fuel cell system using waste hydrogen from a seawater electrolyzer, a method for producing caustic soda using the fuel cell system and the seawater electrolyzer, a method for producing PVC using chlorine from the seawater electrolyzer, methods for producing ammonia and urea using hydrogen from the seawater electrolyzer, and an integrated system thereof. According to the integrated system, power generation by the fuel cell is combined with a seawater electrolysis process using a membrane, such as a Nafion membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: XFC Inc
    Inventor: Ju-Hyung Lee
  • Publication number: 20130273446
    Abstract: An electrode comprises an acid treated, cathodically cycled carbon-comprising film or body. The carbon consists of single walled nanotubes (SWNTs), pyrolytic graphite, microcrystalline graphitic, any carbon that consists of more than 99% sp2 hybridized carbons, or any combination thereof. The electrode can be used in an electrochemical device functioning as an electrolyser for evolution of hydrogen or as a fuel cell for oxidation of hydrogen. The electrochemical device can be coupled as a secondary energy generator into a system with a primary energy generator that naturally undergoes generation fluctuations. During periods of high energy output, the primary source can power the electrochemical device to store energy as hydrogen, which can be consumed to generate electricity as the secondary source during low energy output by the primary source. Solar cells, wind turbines and water turbines can act as the primary energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Gabriel Rinzler, Rajib Kumar Das, Wang Yan, Hai-Ping Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130252120
    Abstract: An improved system of hardware and controls, known as a Hyper Hub, that absorbs electric power from any source, including hydropower, wind, solar, and other renewable energy resources, chemically stores the power in hydrogen-dense anhydrous ammonia, then reshapes the stored energy to the power grid with zero emissions by using anhydrous ammonia to fuel diesel-type, spark-ignited internal combustion, combustion turbine, fuel cell or other electric power generators, and for other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: John S. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20130252121
    Abstract: A system includes a photoelectrolysis system having a solar collector configured to collect and concentrate solar radiation to heat water, generate electricity, or both. The system also includes an electrolysis unit configured to electrolyze the heated water using at least the generated electricity to produce a first gas mixture and a second gas mixture. The first gas mixture includes oxygen and steam and the second gas mixture includes hydrogen and steam. The system further includes a first device configured to receive and use the first gas mixture as well as a hydrogen membrane configured to receive and separate the hydrogen and steam mixture into a hydrogen component and a steam component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Judith Pauline Oppenheim
  • Patent number: 8529709
    Abstract: A method of reducing the formation of electrically resistive scale on a an article comprising a silicon-containing ferritic stainless subjected to oxidizing conditions in service includes, prior to placing the article in service, subjecting the article to conditions under which silica, which includes silicon derived from the steel, forms on a surface of the steel. Optionally, at least a portion of the silica is removed from the surface to placing the article in service. A ferritic stainless steel alloy having a reduced tendency to form silica on at least a surface thereof also is provided. The steel includes a near-surface region that has been depleted of silicon relative to a remainder of the steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Rakowski
  • Publication number: 20130183597
    Abstract: System and method for energy storage and recovery is described. More particularly, system and method using tungsten based materials to electrochemically store and recover energy is described. In certain embodiments, the system includes a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell (RSOEC) having a porous cathode, a porous anode, and an electrolyte capable of transporting oxygen ion. The system further includes a reactor comprising tungsten, tungsten oxide, or combinations thereof. To store the energy, the RSOEC is capable of receiving electricity to electrolyze H2O to generate H2 and O2 and the reactor is operably connected to the RSOEC to receive the generated H2 and convert tungsten oxide to tungsten thereby storing electrical energy. To recover the energy, reactor is capable of receiving H2O to convert tungsten to tungsten oxide and generate H2 and the RSOEC is operably connected to the reactor to receive the generated H2 and generate electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Uday B. Pal, Srikanth Gopalan
  • Publication number: 20130157156
    Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell comprising an anode in an anode region of the cell and a cathode in a cathode region of the cell, the anode being separated from the cathode by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane, the anode region of the cell being supplied in use thereof with an alcoholic fuel, the cathode region of the cell being supplied in use thereof with an oxidant, the cell being provided with means for generating an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode and with a non-volatile redox couple in solution in flowing fluid communication with the cathode in the cathode region of the cell, the redox couple being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially regenerated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ACAL ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventor: ACAL ENERGY LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8455146
    Abstract: A fuel cell power plant (10) includes a power supply (58) that directs a direct current to catalysts (24), (26) of a fuel cell (22) after terminating flow of electricity to a primary load (52), and after flow of an oxidant adjacent the cathode catalyst (26) is terminated, and while a reformate fuel is directed adjacent the anode catalyst (24). Pure hydrogen fuel generated thereby at the cathode catalyst (26) is directed into a hydrogen storage tank (62). Upon start-up of the power plant (10), the stored hydrogen gas is directed from the tank (62) to flow adjacent the anode catalyst (24) while a reformer (12) is being warmed up for operation, to provide virtually instantaneous start-up of the plant (10). Optionally, the stored hydrogen may be used occasionally during operation with the reformate fuel to meet an increased demand for electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Perry
  • Patent number: 8455145
    Abstract: The invention essentially consists in the use of melanins, melanin precursors or melanin derivatives, melanin variants, melanin analogues, natural or synthetic, pure or mixed with organic or inorganic compounds, metals, ions, drugs; as water electrolyzing material, using as sole or main source of energy, natural or synthetic light, coherent or not; in the systems of hydrogen production from water, known as photoelectrochemical systems. These systems integrate as semiconductor material and a water electrolyzer inside a monolithic design, to produce hydrogen directly from water, using light (between 200 to 900 nm) as the main or sole source of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Arturo Solis Herrera
  • Publication number: 20130115534
    Abstract: A wind power and hydrogen power complex generating device includes a fan assembly having a blade unit and a demultiplexer connected to the blade unit. A heating unit is connected to a first output end of the demultiplexer. A pump is connected to a second output end of the demultiplexer. The pump pressurizes liquid water. A heating assembly is connected to the pump and the heating unit. The heating assembly heats the liquid water into a critical state. An electrolyzing unit includes an input end, a hydrogen output end, and an oxygen output end. The input end is connected to the heating assembly. The electrolyzing unit electrolyzes the liquid water in the critical state into gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen. A fuel cell unit includes an anode passage connected to the hydrogen output end and a cathode passage connected to the oxygen output end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Chang-Hsien TAI, JR-Ming MIAO, Yao-Nan WANG
  • Publication number: 20130115535
    Abstract: A system is provided for producing hydrogen and oxygen based on decomposition of sodium chlorate (NaClO3). In a service station, NaClO3 is produced by a sodium chloride (NaCl) electrolyser. The service station is supplied with water (H2O), NaCl, and energy in order to carry out an electrolysis reaction in the electroyser, to produce NaClO3 and gaseous hydrogen (H2). The NaClO3 and H2 are supplied to vehicles. Each vehicle includes a reactor for decomposing the NaClO3 and producing reaction products of NaCl and oxygen, with the oxygen being supplied to a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventor: Antonio Delfino
  • Publication number: 20130108939
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for storing and restoring electrical energy comprising a chamber (100) in which water electrolysis means (110), a fuel cell (120), and monitoring/control means (130) for monitoring the operation of said device (10) in the fuel cell mode or the electrolyzer mode are arranged. Connection means (141) enable said chamber (110) to be connected to storage means (210) for storing dihydrogen (H2), which are outside of said chamber (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: HELION
    Inventors: Serge Besse, Ewen Raugel, Valéry Chaudron, Patrick Bouchard, Lucile Voiron, Jean-Daniel Reber, Lucas Jean Bertrand, Jean-Christophe Hoguet
  • Patent number: 8431287
    Abstract: In a solid electrolyte obtained by sintering a powder, high ionic conductivity and remarkably low moisture permeation applicable to a lithium ion secondary battery or a lithium primary battery are realized. A method for producing a solid electrolyte including the steps of preparing a green sheet containing a lithium ion conductive inorganic material powder; and firing the green sheet, wherein in the step of firing the green sheet, at least one surface of the green sheet is covered by a setter having a porosity of not more than 10% by volume, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ohara Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Teramoto
  • Publication number: 20130101911
    Abstract: A hydrogen fuel cell comprising: an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte; means for supplying a hydrogen-containing fuel to the fuel cell; and means for supplying an oxidant to the fuel cell; wherein the anode and, optionally, the cathode includes a catalyst comprising an alloy of the formula (I): PdxBiyMz (I) wherein: M is one or more metals; x is 0.2 to 0.4; y is 0.6 to 0.8; z is not greater than 0.1; and x+y+z=1; is described. Catalysts and electrodes for hydrogen fuel cells comprising the alloy and electrochemical methods using the alloy catalysts are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Alexandros Anastasopoulos, Brian Elliott Hayden
  • Patent number: 8426072
    Abstract: A hydrogen circulation type fuel cell system equipped with an electrochemical cell executes discharging an anode off-gas with impurities being condensed toward the outside of the system at a proper timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sho Usami, Yasushi Araki
  • Publication number: 20130095400
    Abstract: An electrochemically operable actuator (20), includes a support structure, a flexible membrane sealed against the support structure to form a compartment (108), electrochemical element (101) adapted to generate hydrogen or oxygen gas and to deliver the gas to the inside of the compartment, the electrochemical element including an ion conducting membrane having an electrode on opposing sides thereof, and terminal element for connecting a voltage source to enable applying a potential across the electrodes. The electrochemical element can be a hydrogen pump (101) or an electrolyzer or both. A fuel cell assembly (100) incorporating a valve (V) with an actuator is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: MYFC AB
    Inventors: Anders Lundblad, Mahsa Mashoof, Daniel Karlsson, Magnus Lindblom, Raphael Poulain
  • Publication number: 20130084509
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for controlling fuel cell operating conditions. The apparatus includes a set of sensors for monitoring the fuel cell operating conditions and a processing unit, in communication with the set of sensors for determining when the fuel cell operating conditions are outside of an acceptable range. When it is determined that the fuel cell operating conditions are outside of the acceptable range, an electrolyser is activated to electrolyse waste liquid water or water vapour to assist in controlling the fuel cell operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: David Gerard RICH, Taha Shabbir Husain SUTARWALA
  • Publication number: 20130065142
    Abstract: A system adapted to generate hydrogen and oxygen for use in hydrogen-based fuel cells is described. The system includes a power source, a first conducting element connected to a positive terminal of the power source, a second conducting element connect to a negative terminal of the power source, and a conducting medium adapted to electrically connect the first conducting element to the second conducting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hines
  • Patent number: 8394543
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrical power storage system using hydrogen includes a power generation unit generating power using hydrogen and oxidant gas and an electrolysis unit electrolyzing steam. The electrical power storage system includes a hydrogen storage unit storing hydrogen generated by the electrolysis and supplying the hydrogen to the power generation unit during power generation, a high-temperature heat storage unit storing high temperature heat generated accompanying the power generation and supplying the heat to the electrolysis unit during the electrolysis, and a low-temperature heat storage unit storing low-temperature heat, which is exchanged in the high-temperature heat storage unit and generating with this heat the steam supplied to the electrolysis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shoko Suyama, Yoshiyasu Ito, Shigeo Kasai, Yasuo Takagi, Tsuneji Kameda, Kentaro Matsunaga, Masato Yoshino, Daisuke Horikawa, Kazuya Yamada
  • Publication number: 20130059218
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric power generator comprising a plurality of fuel cells stacked in a stack and configured to supply an electric load, the generator comprising means for generating a gas fuel to be supplied to the stack, and means for removing at least part of a heat flow generated in the stack as a consequence of the consumption of said gas fuel; characterized in that it comprises heating means configured to maintain said means for generating gas fuel within a predetermined temperature range and comprising means for transferring at least part of said removed part of the heat flow generated in the stack from said removing means to said means for generating gas fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Electro Power Systems S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pierpaolo Cherchi, Giuseppe Gianolio, Cristina Pullara, Luca Baldini, Simone Silvini
  • Patent number: 8384342
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell system including a fuel cell configured to cause reactant gas to be electrochemically reacted to generate electrical power when the reactant gas is supplied to the fuel cell, power consuming equipment such as a reactant gas supply apparatus and a heating device operable to consume electrical power generated by the fuel cell, and a controller for controlling operation of the fuel cell system. During a warm-up operation, the controller causes the reactant gas supply apparatus to start a flow of the reactant gas and to increase the flow of the reactant gas over time, such that the reactant gas supply device starts to consume power and consumes increased power over time. After starting the flow of the reactant gas, the controller causes the heating device to start heating the coolant such that the heating device consumes power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8372551
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus and a fuel cell power generation system are disclosed. The hydrogen generating apparatus may include an electrolyte bath, which contains an electrolyte solution; a first electrode, which is stacked on a surface inside the electrolyte bath, and which generates electrons; a moisture absorption layer, which is stacked on the first electrode, and which absorbs moisture from the electrolyte solution; and a second electrode, which is stacked on the moisture absorption layer, and which generates hydrogen using the electrons and the electrolyte solution. With this apparatus, the electrodes can be formed as thin films, whereby the number of electrodes can be increased and -the gaps between electrodes can be decreased, to increase the amount of hydrogen generation. Also, the flow of electrons can be controlled, using a control unit, in accordance to the amount of hydrogen or amount of electrical power required by the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyoung Gil, Jae-Hyuk Jang, Hong-Ryul Lee
  • Patent number: 8367272
    Abstract: A method for producing a gold fine particle-supported carrier catalyst for a fuel cell, which reduces a gold ion in a liquid phase reaction system containing a carbon carrier by means of an action of a reducing agent, to reduce the gold ion, deposit, and support a gold fine particle on the carbon carrier, wherein a reduction rate of the gold ion is set within the range of 330 to 550 mV/h, and pH is set within the range of 4.0 to 6.0 to perform the reduction of the gold ion, deposition, and support of the gold fine particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuaki Mizutani, Hiroaki Takahashi, Yousuke Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20120315558
    Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10, 200). During shut down of the plant (10, 200), hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between an anode flow path (24, 24?) and a cathode flow path (38, 38?) while a low-pressure hydrogen generator (202) selectively generates an adequate amount of hydrogen and directs flow of the low-pressure hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) downstream from a hydrogen inlet valve (52?) to maintain the fuel cell (12?) in a passive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carl A. REISER, Tommy SKIBA, Timothy W. PATTERSON, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120301802
    Abstract: The fuel provision system uses hydrogen and oxygen from a hydrogen container and an oxygen container as energy source for a power unit to deliver work and for a fuel cell to produce electricity In the mean time, the water resulted from the power unit and the fuel cell is stored in a water tank and then electrolyzed in an electrolytic tank to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen are separated by an exchange membrane and recycled to the hydrogen and oxygen containers. The power unit is one of combustion engine accompanied by a generator and a battery, a furnace or an industrial cutting/welding device with a fuel tank, and an electrothermal device. The water tank is capable of adjusting the volume of output water flow and overflowing excessive water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: WEN-LO CHEN
  • Publication number: 20120282534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell that may operate in two modes: a discharge mode (power generation) and a charge mode (electrolytic fuel production). A thermal system that utilizes a SOFB and is inclusive of selection of operating conditions that may enable roundtrip efficiencies exceeding about 80% to be realized is disclosed. Based on leverage of existing solid oxide fuel cell technology, the system concept is applicable to energy storage applications on the kW to MW scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Robert J. Braun, Robert J. Kee, Scott Barnett
  • Patent number: 8268494
    Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell 1 having a fuel gas passage 1D and an oxidizing gas passage 1E; a fuel gas feeder 2; an oxidizing gas feeder 3; a fuel gas exhaust passage 8; an oxidizing gas exhaust passage 9; a test gas feeder 20 configured to feed a test gas to either the fuel gas passage 1D or the oxidizing gas passage 1E; a flow rate detector 5 configured to detect the flow rate of the test gas; a first passage blocking device 4; and a controller 10, wherein said controller 10 controls said first passage blocking device 4 to block off the passage and controls the test gas feeder 2 to feed the test gas to said fuel cell 1, thereby obtaining a detected value from the flow rate detector 5 or an airtightness value that is numerical information into which the detected value is converted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Kasahara, Soichi Shibata, Hideo Ohara, Yoshikazu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120225362
    Abstract: An energy unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application stores at least water and hydrogen. The energy unit includes an electrolysis component operable to provide hydrogen from the water, a hydrogen storage component operable to safely and stably store hydrogen in sold form and a fuel cell component operable to produce electricity from the hydrogen. The energy unit may be grouped with other like energy units to provide constant power for desired applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Nicolas Kernene