A system for controlled on demand in situ hydrogen generation using a recyclable liquid metal reagent, and method used in the system

Abstract

A hydrogen generating system and a method of in situ hydrogen generation controlled on demand capable of reacting an aluminum-free metal reagent selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, alkali metal alloys and blends consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metal alloys and blends consisting of alkaline earth metals and metal alloys consisting of at least one alkali metal and at least one alkaline earth metal, with water to obtain hydrogen and a residual reaction product comprising metal hydroxide selected from alkali hydroxides and alkaline earth hydroxide; and separating hydrogen from the residual reaction product; liquefying the metal reagent by heating to obtain liquid metal reagent under vacuum conditions; injecting the liquid metal reagent into a reactor (3) by metal reagent injecting means (7,8) and simultaneously injecting, by water injection system (13, 14, 15), a stoichiometric amount of water with respect to the amount of the liquid metal reagent being injected into the reactor (3) such that a controlled metal reagent / water ratio is maintained in the reactor (3); transferring hydrogen and the residual reaction product from the reactor (3) to separation means (4, 18); separating hydrogen from the residual reaction product; transferring separated hydrogen to hydrogen receiving means (5) and transferring the residual reaction product to metal hydroxide receiving means (6), keeping the metal reagent injecting means (7,8) water injection system (13, 14, 15), the reactor (3), the separating means (4, 18) and the hydrogen receiving means (5) free of oxygen by selectively providing a vacuum in the system.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of the chemical generation of hydrogen using alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and the recovery of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals from the corresponding hydroxides. [0002] The invention is particularly useful in controllable hydrogen generation in amounts corresponding to variable demands, such as vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines, turbines or hydrogen batteries, such as vehicles for land, air or water sports, and any vehicle used for Any other device that requires on-demand hydrogen generation. Background technique [0003] Hydrogen can be used as a polluting fuel in fuel cells, internal combustion engines or turbines, and any other system that uses gaseous hydrogen as fuel. Obviously, a power generation system using hydrogen as fuel requires hydrogen to be produced through a generation process. Generally, the hydrogen produced by this generation process is stored in a st...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0016] Most conventional hydrogen generation systems require catalysts and / or ignition systems which are expensive in terms of refueling or use highly toxic substances

Although most of these systems can be installed on motor vehicles, they are technically complex or involve technical, economical or environmental deficiencies in providing sufficient hydrogen flow generation accuracy and sensitivity for instantaneous response to power demand. performance (for example, as required for direct injection into internal combustion engines or turbines) and especially in terms of recycling spent fuel

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