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Fuels for Fuel Cells

a fuel cell and fuel technology, applied in the field of fuel cell systems, can solve the problems of general unsatisfactory reaction rate(s) and total hydrogen recovery, and consume non-pure hydrogen fuel

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-02-21
INTELLIGENT ENERGY LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a system for generating hydrogen using a solid fuel that reacts with water. The solid fuel contains metal particles that react with an electrolyte to produce hydrogen. The solid fuel is coated with smaller metal particles, which results in multiple layers of galvanic cells. The system also includes salts, fire retardants, and a suspension agent. The patent also describes methods for operating the fuel cell system. The technical effects of the invention include an efficient and effective way to produce hydrogen using a solid fuel and a simple, low-cost process.

Problems solved by technology

Fuel cells generally run on hydrogen (H2) fuel, and they can also consume non pure hydrogen fuel.
However, these reactions are generally unsatisfactory in terms of hydrogen production rate(s) and total hydrogen recovery.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

example 1

[0152]

MaterialsPurityParticle SizesMagnesium99%between 40 to 100 mesh(422 microns to 152 micron holes)Iron98%Diameter (microns)4 ≦ 10%10 90% ≦ 45Silicon98%325 mesh (44 micron holes)

In one preferred embodiment, magnesium particles are first sifted through the coarser mesh, e.g., 40 mesh, to remove the larger particles, and then sifted through the finer mesh, e.g., 100 mesh, to remove the smaller particles leaving behind particles in the range between the holes in the coarser mesh and the holes in the finer mesh. Solid fuels were prepared from 100 parts Mg, 25 parts Fe and 15 parts Si by weight. This mixture was milled in an Attritor mill using ⅜ inch carbon steel sphere grinding media. The milling step was conducted in a nitrogen atmosphere for 15 minutes with a 15 minutes discharge. The milling temperature was less than 38° C. (100° F.) and the nominal particle size is about 110 microns. The resulting particles are hybrid or composite particles of magnesium covered by a fine dispers...

example 2

Compositional Affects on Flammability

[0187]FIG. 15 illustrates a bar graph comparing burn rates of some embodiments of the invention. Fuel pellets of the invention were created using various compositions as well as varying amounts of pressure during the pressing process, as indicated along the X-axis. For example, the first composition (furthest to the left on the X-axis) contained 9 parts of a first homogeneous mixture to 1 part secondary material (sodium chloride) and was press formed using a compressive force of thirty thousand pounds. The term “FB500” refers to FIREBRAKE 500, a commercial chemical composition used as a fire retardant material available from U.S. Borax, Inc. of Greenwood Village, Colo. “Blend 1,”“Blend 2,” and “Blend 3” refers to comparable fuel material blends, using magnesium powder. More specifically, Blend 1 comprises magnesium particles in the range of about 175 to about 300 microns, and Blend 2 comprises magnesium particles in the range of about 175 to abou...

example 3

Forming Pellets from Exemplary Chemical Hydride

[0191]A sample fuel pellet was formed comprising calcium hydride and optional silicon. Calcium hydride powder and silicon powder were combined in a turbular mixer in a ratio of about 1 part calcium hydride to 0.28 parts silicon (by weight). The calcium hydride powder was fine enough to pass through a 2 millimeter sieve. The silicon powder had a mesh size of about 325 and a purity of at least 98%. The mixing time was about 30 minutes, the mixing batch size was about 366 grams, and the mixing was conducted at about room temperature. After mixing was complete, the resulting second mixture was pressed into pellets weighing about 2.25 grams using about 35,000 pounds force of pressure. The pellets had a diameter of about 6.6 millimeters.

[0192]In another embodiment of the present invention, solid precursor 18 can be suspended in a suspension agent and formed into slurries or gels and the like. The suspension agent can act as a protective coati...

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Abstract

A hydrogen generation system comprising a solid fuel that reacts with an aqueous liquid to generate hydrogen is disclosed. The solid fuel comprises first metallic particles coated by smaller second metallic particles, such that multiple galvanic cells are formed on a surface of the first metallic particles between the metals in the first metallic particles and the second metallic particles. The first metallic particles can be further covered by smaller third particles. An example of the solid fuel is hybrid particles formed by larger magnesium particles coated by smaller iron and silicon particles. The solid fuel may also include salt such as sodium chloride and / or a fire retardant such as potassium chloride. The salt may be added to the aqueous liquid instead. The solid fuel can be formed into fuel pellets, or can be suspended in a suspension agent to form slurries or gels.

Description

[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application entitled “Fuel Pellet for Use in Hydrogen Generation Systems” bearing Ser. No. 61 / 442,104 and filed on 11 Feb. 2011.[0002]The present invention is also a continuation-in-part of international patent application Ser. No. 13 / 389,577 entitled “Hydrogen Generation Using Compositions Including Magnesium and Silicon” filed 8 Feb. 2012.[0003]The present invention is also a continuation-in-part of international patent application serial number PCT / CA 2010 / 001231 entitled “Hydrogen Generation Using Compositions Including Magnesium and Silicon” filed on 12 Aug. 2010, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 233,408 and filed no 12 Aug. 2009.[0004]All parent patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0005]This invention generally relates to a fuel cell system and in particular a system comprising a fuel cell and a hydrogen...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C25B9/16C25B1/04C25B9/18C25B1/02
CPCC25B1/04C25B9/16Y02E60/366C25B11/02C25B11/0405C25B9/18C25B9/40C25B9/70C25B11/051Y02E60/36
Inventor GILL, LAURASCHROOTEN, JEREMYGURIN, MIKHAILSEAMAN, SALLYZIMMERMANN, JOERGWANG, TAOSKRIVAN, WILL
Owner INTELLIGENT ENERGY LTD
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