Producing and using hydrogen gas

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for producing hydrogen gas suitable for use as a fuel, the apparatus (100) comprising a mineral manipulation chamber (8) having an inlet arranged to receive a supply of water, the m

Description

[0001] PRODUCING AND USING HYDROGEN GAS

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to an apparatus for producing hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is suitable for use as a fuel. The application further relates to a vehicle (e.g. watercraft), an electricity generator and a vehicle fuelling and / or charging apparatus which include the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas. The application also relates to a method of producing hydrogen gas, a method of operating a vehicle (e.g. watercraft), a method of generating electricity and a method of suppling hydrogen gas or electrical energy to one or more vehicles. The application also relates to use of hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus or method for powering a vehicle and / or generating electricity.

[0004] Background

[0005] There are about 55,000 merchant ships that trade internationally (2022), including: 15,106 general cargo ships, 12,258 bulk cargo carriers, 7,350 crude oil tankers, 7,027 ro-ro passenger ships, 5,664 chemical tankers, 5,307 container ships, and 2,031 liquefied natural gas tankers. The global shipping container market is estimated at $ 11.33bn in 2021. On the other hand, there are 430 cruise ships globally (2021). It is expected that cruise ship travel to return to its pre-pandemic levels in 2022 (i.e. ~$27bn in revenues and 30m passengers). In the UK, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) indicated that there are about 80,000 powered boats across the waterways of England, Scotland and Wales.

[0006] Unfortunately, the size of the global watercraft fleet and the critical reliance of cargo shipping as the central method for goods transportation come at a damaging cost for the environment. For instance, the global merchant ships burn approximately 300 metric tons of dirty fossil fuels each year, emitting roughly Ibn metric tons of carbon dioxide in the process. That is roughly equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of Japan (2021).

[0007] To further elucidate the shipping’s impact on the environment, between 2012 and 2018, the merchant ship fleet’s emissions rose by 10%. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN body that regulates shipping, predicts that by 2050, the industry’s emissions could be 30% higher than they were in 2008. However, the shipping industry will have to eliminate those carbon emissions by 2050 in order to stay in line with the Paris climate agreement’s 1.5°C global heating target. Thus, there is a need to develop a new generation of engines that work on cleaner sources of energy.

[0008] Recently, the global marine engine market size was $12.49bn in 2019. The market is projected to grow from $10.54 bn in 2020 to $14.51 billion in 2027. The most common type of marine engine used by watercrafts is the internal combustion engines that use Compression Ignition (CI) technology to burn fossil fuels (i.e. Diesel), which represents about 25% of the global marine engine market (by 2019). Thus, there is a need for the development of a new generation of watercraft engines that use clean energy sources to meet the legislative and market needs. There is also a need to use clean energy to power other vehicles and to produce electricity.

[0009] Summary

[0010] According to first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for producing hydrogen gas suitable for use as a fuel, the apparatus comprising a mineral manipulation chamber having an inlet arranged to receive a supply of water, the mineral manipulation chamber containing, in use, a body of water and a solid particulate or granular material comprising one or more elementary metals or oxides thereof capable of producing hydrogen gas by interaction with the body of water.

[0011] Currently, most hydrogen engines use water electrolysis to produce hydrogen gas. However, in a previous application, the applicant disclosed innovative, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective method of producing alkaline water, the method being termed the Natralysis Process or Activated Enhancement System (AES). As described in WO2019243759A1 owned by the applicant, pure alkaline water is produced by manipulating up to 17 elementary metals and / or their oxides with water (which is optionally purified by reverse osmosis (RO)) inside a mineral manipulation chamber. However, the inventors have determined that the methods disclosed in WO2019243759A1 could be modified for the production of hydrogen gas which could be utilised for a variety of useful purposes. Taken into consideration that the only by-product, in this case, is pure water the inventors have determined that this could be provide an ultimate answer to the energy needs for the global shipping fleet if applied to watercraft while meeting both legislative and market demands.

[0012] The hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus of the first aspect may be used for a range of different purposes, including, but not limited to powering a combustion engine (e.g. in a vehicle), generating electricity, supplying hydrogen powered vehicles with fuel and generating electricity to charge electric vehicles.

[0013] The supply of water may be a supply of sea water.

[0014] The apparatus of the first aspect may comprise a treatment apparatus arranged to treat the supply of water before it is provided to the mineral manipulation chamber.

[0015] The treatment apparatus may be arranged to treat the supply of water using a gas or gas decrystallisation method in which gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2), are solubilised with water by admixing or cavitation to remove water salts, solids, salts, and / or other contaminants.

[0016] Other treatment processes may be used, such as reverse osmosis, filtration, ion exchange, coagulation, activated carbon or others known in the art. The mineral manipulation chamber may comprise means, located within the chamber and connected to the water inlet, for causing circulatory motion of water entering the chamber sufficient to suspend the solid particulate or granular material within the body of water during passage of water through the chamber, whereby hydrogen gas is produced.

[0017] The means for causing circulatory motion may be configured to manipulate the flow rate of water entering the chamber.

[0018] The means for causing circulatory motion may comprise a venturi effect inducing device.

[0019] The means for causing circulatory motion may comprise a pipe extending within the chamber, the pipe being connected to the venturi effect inducing device to provide water thereto from the inlet of the chamber.

[0020] The solid particulate or granular material may comprise at least 17 metals and / or their oxides. This may include combinations of metals and metal oxides (e.g. there may be one or more metals and one or more metal oxides (of the same or different element)).

[0021] The solid particulate or granular material may comprise at least any one or more of the following elementary metals and / or their oxides: calcium, potassium, sodium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, germanium, iron, lithium, copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, boron, vanadium, molybdenum and selenium. The particulate or granular material may comprise any other elementary mineral and / or their oxides.

[0022] The apparatus may comprise a plurality of mineral manipulation chambers.

[0023] The apparatus may comprise one or more modules each comprising a respective mineral manipulation chamber. Each module may further comprise any one or more of: an external tank for inlet feed water, a manual butterfly valve, an external pump for inlet feed water, an automatic butterfly valve, a control panel, a field control box, a modular diaphragmatic valve, a tank for outlet water, an external pump for outlet water, an external mounting framework, a media exchange box, and a filtration cartridge.

[0024] Each module may be provided with a plurality of probes. The plurality of probes may include: performance probes; hydrogen gas volume and / or quality probes; and / or water quality probes. The probes may send data / information to the control panel via the field control box. The control panel may be provided with an interface that enables an operator to view the data / information. The interface may be a touch screen display screen.

[0025] The control panel may be provided with a programmable logic controller and software that is programmed with an algorithm that controls, maintains and adjusts the reaction conditions within the chamber by computing data / information from the plurality of probes. The data / information may further include any one or more of: the amount of the solid particulate or granular material used; the chemical and physical properties of the elements within the solid particulate or granular material; chemical and physical properties of produced water; volume and quality of produced hydrogen gas; and target desirable chemical and physical properties of the produced hydrogen gas as required by the operator.

[0026] The control panel may provide wireless information to one or more remote stations. The information may be provided via a wireless network.

[0027] The apparatus of the first aspect may further comprise a storage device arranged to store the hydrogen gas. The storage device may comprise a physical or material-based storage. Preferably an ambient pressure storage may be used.

[0028] The interaction with the solid particulate or granular material may further produce alkaline water. The alkaline water may have a pH level which lies anywhere between 7 and 14, and preferably between 8 and 14. More preferably, the pH may be in the range of 8 to 11.

[0029] According to a second aspect, there is provided a vehicle, comprising: the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas of the first aspect; and a hydrogen powered combustion engine arranged to power the vehicle, wherein hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus is provided to the combustion engine.

[0030] According to a third aspect, there is provided an electricity generator, comprising: the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas of the first aspect; and a hydrogen powered generator, wherein hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus is provided to the hydrogen powered generator to generate electricity.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a vehicle fuelling and / or charging station, comprising the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas of the first aspect and one or both of: a hydrogen gas powered generator arranged to generate electrical power using hydrogen provided by the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas, and a charging device arranged to provide the generated electrical energy to one or more electrically powered vehicles; and a hydrogen filling apparatus configured to fill one or more hydrogen powered vehicles with hydrogen provided by the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas for use as fuel.

[0032] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of producing hydrogen gas suitable for use as a fuel, the method comprising interacting a body of water with solid particulate or granular material in a mineral manipulation chamber, the solid particulate or granular material comprising one or more elementary metals or oxides thereof capable of producing hydrogen gas by interaction with the body of water.

[0033] The water may be sea water. The method may further comprise treating a supply of water before providing it to the mineral manipulation chamber to form the body of water and before interaction with the solid particulate or granular material.

[0034] Treating the water may comprise using a gas or gas decrystallisation method in which gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2), are solubilised with water by admixing or cavitation to remove water salts, solids, salts, and / or other contaminants. Treating the water may also comprise using any of the water treatment methods known to those in the art including, but not limited to, reverse osmosis, filtration, activated carbon, coagulation, or others.

[0035] The method may comprise causing circulatory motion of water within the mineral manipulation chamber sufficient to suspend the solid particulate or granular material within the body of the supply water during passage of water through the chamber, whereby hydrogen gas is produced.

[0036] The circulatory motion may be produced using a venturi effect inducing device.

[0037] The solid particulate or granular material may comprise at least 17 metals and / or their oxides.

[0038] The solid particulate or granular material may comprise any one or more of the following elementary metals and / or their oxides: calcium, potassium, sodium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, germanium, iron, lithium, copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, boron, vanadium, molybdenum and selenium. The particulate or granular material may comprise any other elementary mineral and / or their oxides.

[0039] The method may further comprise storing the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas may be stored using a physical or material based storage method. Preferably an ambient pressure storage method may be used.

[0040] The method may further comprise producing alkaline water by the interaction between the body of water and the solid particulate or granular material. The alkaline water may have a pH level which lies anywhere between 7 and 14, and preferably between 8 and 14. More preferably, the pH may be in the range of 8 to 11.

[0041] The method may further comprise discharging the alkaline water into a body of water including but not limited to an ocean, sea, river or lake. This method may contribute to solving water or ocean acidification problems.

[0042] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of operating a vehicle, the method comprising: producing hydrogen gas using the apparatus of the first aspect or the method of the fifth aspect; and combusting the hydrogen gas within a combustion engine of the vehicle. According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a method of generating electricity, the method comprising: producing hydrogen gas using the apparatus of the first aspect or the method of the fifth aspect; and combusting the hydrogen gas to power a generator to generate electricity.

[0043] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a method of supplying hydrogen gas or electrical energy to one or more vehicles, the method comprising: producing hydrogen gas using the apparatus of the first aspect or the method of the fifth aspect; and providing the hydrogen gas to one or more hydrogen powered vehicles and / or generating electrical energy from the hydrogen gas and providing the electrical energy to one or more electrically powered vehicles.

[0044] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided use of the hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus of the first aspect or the method of the fifth aspect for powering a vehicle and / or generating electricity.

[0045] Aspects of the present invention may provide an apparatus, method and formulation for the production of hydrogen gas to be utilised inside a combustion engine to power watercrafts and other vehicles.

[0046] The following statements may apply to any of the above aspects or embodiment disclosed herein:

[0047] Sea water and other types of water may be used to produce hydrogen gas which is utilised by the combustion engine to power watercrafts and other vehicles.

[0048] Sea water or other types of water may be treated by any method known to those in the art including reverse osmosis, filtration, coagulation, activated carbon, a gas or gas decrystallisation method in which gases of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen (N2) and inert gases are solubilised with water by admixing or cavitation to remove water salts, solids, salts, and / or other contaminants prior to entry into a hydrogen gas production process such as water electrolysis or others.

[0049] Treated or untreated sea water and other types of water may be caused to flow into a mineral manipulation chamber by means for feeding water, the chamber containing a body of water and a solid particulate or granular material comprising one or more elementary metals or oxides thereof capable of producing hydrogen gas, and means, located within the chamber and connected to the water inlet, for causing circulatory motion of water entering the chamber sufficient to suspend the solid material within the body of water during passage of water through the vessel, whereby hydrogen gas is produced.

[0050] The means for causing circulatory motion may manipulate the flow rate of water entering the chamber. The means for causing circulatory motion may comprises a venturi effect inducing device. The means for causing circulatory motion may further comprises a pipe extending within the chamber. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of the chambers as described in any preceding statement.

[0051] The solid particulate or granular material may comprise at least 17 metals and / or their oxides. The elementary metals and / or their oxides may include one or more of the following elements or their oxides: calcium, potassium, sodium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, germanium, iron, Lithium, copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, boron, vanadium, molybdenum and selenium. The particulate or granular material may comprise any other elementary mineral and / or their oxides.

[0052] The apparatus may comprise one or more modules, each comprising one or more of: an external tank for inlet feed water, a manual butterfly valve, an external pump for inlet feed water, an automatic butterfly valve, a mineral manipulation chamber as defined in preceding statement, a control panel, a filed control box, a modular diaphragmatic valve, a tank for outlet water, an external pump for outlet water, an external mounting framework, a media exchange box, and a filtration cartridge.

[0053] Each module may be provided with a plurality of performance probes, hydrogen gas volume and quality probes and water quality probes which may send data information by cables connected to a control panel via a field control box provided by a touch screen display screen that enables an operator to view the data information.

[0054] The control panel may be provided by PLC and software that is programmed with an algorithm that may control, maintain and adjust the reaction conditions within the module by computing data information from the plurality of hydrogen gas probes and water quality probes as well as optionally one or more of the amount of the propriety media used, the chemical and physical properties of the elements within the propriety media, target desirable chemical and physical properties of the produced hydrogen gas as required by the combustion engine demands, water quality and volume produced and other variables that influence the reaction of the water inside the mineral manipulation chambre.

[0055] The control panel may provide wireless feed to remote stations.

[0056] The hydrogen gas produced by the mineral manipulation chamber may be stored by physical devices or a material-based approach.

[0057] The produced or the stored hydrogen gas may be caused to flow or may be injected into a combustion engine chambers or cylinders where it ignites or is mixed with air prior to ignition.

[0058] The hydrogen engine may produce alkaline water as a by-product.

[0059] The alkaline water may be produced and then poured into a water body to combat ocean acidification. The method for the production of hydrogen gas to be utilised inside a combustion engine to power watercrafts and other vehicles of the invention may comprise: receiving sea or raw water; purifying or treating the received sea or raw water; producing hydrogen gas and water or alkaline water from the raw or purified or treated water by non-magnetic suspension agitation process (n-MSAP); storing the hydrogen gas produced by the n-MSAP; ignition of hydrogen gas produced by the n-MSAP; and utilisation of hydrogen gas produced by n-MSAP in a combustion engine to propel watercrafts and / or other vehicles.

[0060] The method may be performed by the apparatus of any aspect or embodiment described herein.

[0061] In the formulation for the production of hydrogen gas according to the above aspect at least one or more of any of 17 elementary metals and / or their oxides including calcium, potassium, sodium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, germanium, iron, Lithium, copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, boron, vanadium, molybdenum and selenium may be used for the production of hydrogen gas which is utilised inside combustion engine to power watercraft and / or other vehicles. The particulate or granular material may comprise any other elementary mineral and / or their oxides.

[0062] Any features described above in connection with one aspect or statement may be used, unless where mutually exclusive, in combination with any other aspect or statement.

[0063] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0064] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0065] Figure 1 illustrates a method of producing hydrogen gas;

[0066] Figure 2 illustrates a method of operating a vehicle which includes a method of producing hydrogen gas;

[0067] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for producing hydrogen gas;

[0068] Figure 4 shows an alkalisation apparatus provided in the apparatus of Figure 3;

[0069] Figure 5a shows a cross-sectional view through a mineral manipulation chamber of the alkalisation apparatus shown in Figure 4;

[0070] Figure 5b shows a cross-sectional view through a venturi device provided in the mineral manipulation chamber shown in Figure 5a;

[0071] Figure 5c shows a cross-sectional view through another venturi device that may be provided in the mineral manipulation chamber shown in Figure 5a;

[0072] Figure 6 shows a schematic view of a vehicle which includes the apparatus of Figure 3;

[0073] Figure 7 shows a method of generating electricity;

[0074] Figure 8 shows a schematic view of an electricity generator;

[0075] Figure 9 shows a method of suppling hydrogen gas and / or electrical energy to one or more vehicles; and Figure 10 shows vehicle fuelling and / or charging station.

[0076] Detailed Description

[0077] In this application, the inventors provide methods, apparatuses and formulations for hydrogen gas production in which the hydrogen gas is then utilised in a combustion engine to power watercrafts and other vehicles. The embodiments of methods, apparatuses and formulations of hydrogen gas production in this present application include methods, apparatuses, formulations, exemplary procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, are specifically incorporated herein by reference to patent with assigned publication numbers W02019 / 243759A1. This patent describes a process termed as Natralysis Process (NP).

[0078] As described in patent WO2019 / 243759A1, the Natralysis Process treats water, at large volumes, by nonmagnetic suspended agitation process (n-MSAP) inside the Activated Enhancement System (AES) whereby alkaline water with pH ranging from pH 8-11 is produced.

[0079] Referring to Figure 1, in this present application, the Natralysis Process A may be modified to produce hydrogen gas.

[0080] The modification(s) may include, but not limited to:

[0081] Modifications to the chemical and physical properties of the inlet water going (e.g. flowing or pumping) into the AES system. In WO2019 / 243759A1, only reverse osmosis quality of water is used. However, in this present application, other types of raw water may be used including, but not limited to, sea-water.

[0082] Sea-water or any other raw water may be treated prior to entry into the AES system by gas and / or gas decrystallisation process method apparatus in which salts and solids in water may be removed. The gas and / or gas decrystallisation process method apparatus solubilises gases of Carbon dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen (N2), and inert gases into sea or raw water by admixing and / or cavitation which results in removal of solids, salts, minerals, limestones, microbial colonies, and other contaminants from the water. - Sea water or any type of raw water may be treated prior to entry into the AES system by any of the water treatment methods known to those in the art including, but not limited to, reverse osmosis, filtration, coagulation, activated carbon, ion exchange, and others.

[0083] Modifications to the parameters for the reaction taking place within the AES system including, but not limited to, modifications to the composition of the elementary metals and / or their oxides used within the NP, water flow rate, TDS, pH, temperature, and any other reaction parameters.

[0084] Modifications to the dimensions and the componentry inside of the mineral manipulation chambre module of the AES system.

[0085] As described in Figure 1 of the accompanying figures, sea-water or any raw water is purified and treated by reverse osmosis or decrystallisation or any other water purification / treatment method. Then, the purified / treated water is caused to flow or pump into the AES system whereby it is treated to the nonmagnetic suspended agitation process (n-MSAP) process inside a mineral manipulation chamber module (i.e. of Natralysis Process A), as described in WO2019 / 243759A1. The chamber containing a body of water and a solid particulate or granular material comprising one or more elementary metals or oxides thereof capable of producing hydrogen gas, and means, located within the chamber and connected to the water inlet, for causing circulatory motion of water entering the chamber sufficient to suspend the solid material within the body of water during passage of water through the vessel, whereby hydrogen gas is produced. The means for causing circulatory motion manipulate the flow rate of water entering the chambre and comprises a venturi effect inducing device and a pipe extending to within the chamber.

[0086] The AES system apparatus comprises one or more modules, each comprising an external tank for inlet feed water, a manual butterfly valve, an external pump for inlet feed water, an automatic butterfly valve, a mineral manipulation chamber as described previously, a control panel, a field control box, a modular diaphragmatic valve, a tank for outlet water, an external pump for outlet water, an external mounting framework, a media exchange box, and a filtration cartridge.

[0087] Each module of the AES system is provided with a plurality of performance probes, hydrogen gas volume and quality probes, and water quality probes which send data information by cables connected to a control panel via a field control box provided by a touch screen display screen that enables an operator to view the data information.

[0088] The control panel is provided by PLC and software that is programmed with an algorithm that controls, maintains and adjusts the reaction conditions within the module by computing data information from the plurality of the hydrogen gas probes and water quality probes as well as the amount of the propriety media used, the chemical and physical properties of the elements within the propriety media, target desirable chemical and physical properties of the produced hydrogen gas as required by the combustion engine demands. The control panel provides wireless feed to remote stations.

[0089] Pure (alkaline) water may be produced as a by-product of the NP (i.e. the AES of the Natralysis Process A) and thus maybe dumped into the sea as a clean waste. Alternatively, alkaline water may be produced as a by-product of the NP and thus maybe dumped into the sea as waste (i.e. as by-product). This could help eradicate the global crisis of water / ocean acidification.

[0090] The hydrogen gas produced by the Natralysis Process A can then be stored B by using a hydrogen gas storage method including, but not limited to, physical-based methods (e.g. gas compression, cold or cryo compression, gas liquidation, etc) and / or material-based storage (e.g. use of absorbent, liquid organic, interstitial hybride, complex hybride, chemical hydrogen, etc). The stored hydrogen may then be caused to flow into a combustion engine compartment C where it ignites to power the watercraft or the vehicle.

[0091] Alternatively, the hydrogen gas produced by the Natralysis Process 1 may be caused to flow directly into the combustion engine compartment C without storage. Then the gas ignites in C to power the watercraft or vehicle. The combustion engine compartment C comprises a combustion engine that is modified to facilitate safe combustion of hydrogen gas including, but not limited to, modifications to the combustion chambre within the engine:

[0092] - Hydrogen gas pre-mixed with air and the caused to flow through a manifold into the cylinder for to combust.

[0093] - High pressure hydrogen gas is injected into the cylinder where it gets mixed with air coming from manifold.

[0094] - Direct injection of hydrogen gas (not mixed) into the cylinder.

[0095] The combustion engine, in this application, is connected to propeller componentry to provide motion for the watercraft.

[0096] A method 1000 of producing hydrogen gas is shown in Figure 2. The hydrogen gas is suitable for use as a fuel. In Figure 2 the method 1000 is incorporated into a method 1100 of operating a vehicle, but it may be used separately. The vehicle is a watercraft such as a ship. In other embodiments, the vehicle may be any other type of vehicle including land and air vehicles. This may include cars, lorries, trains, aircraft etc.

[0097] The method 1000 begins with obtaining or receiving 1 a supply of raw water. In the present embodiment, the raw water is sea water pumped from the water on which the watercraft is floating. In other embodiments, the raw water may be any other type of water. It may be obtained from a water tank onboard the vehicle.

[0098] The method 1000 (and hence the method 1100) comprises treating 2 the supply of raw water. The water supply is treated to purify the water from contaminants or any chemicals and items which could inhibit hydrogen gas production by mineral manipulation introduced above. The water treatment 2 methods may include, but are not limited to, reverse osmosis, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, gas decrystalisation, activated carbon treatement or others.

[0099] Treating the water 2 may comprise using a gas or gas decrystallisation method in which gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) are solubilised with water by admixing or cavitation to remove water salts, solids, salts, and / or other contaminants. Treating the water may be particularly important where sea water is being used. In some embodiments, other treatment methods including reverse osmosis, filtration, ion exchange, coagulation, activated carbon or others known in the art may be used. The treatment step may be absent in some embodiments.

[0100] Once the water is treated 2, the method 1000 comprises using 3 the water in the modified alkalisation process described elsewhere herein (i.e. using the AES or Natralysis process introduced above) in order to produce hydrogen gas and alkalised water 4. The method 1000 comprises interacting (i.e. bringing into contact) the supply of water with solid particulate or granular material comprising one or more elementary metals or oxides thereof capable of producing hydrogen gas 4 and alkaline water. The alkaline water may have a pH level which lies anywhere between 7 and 14, and preferably between 8 and 14. More preferably, the pH may be in the range of 8 to 11.

[0101] The solid particulate or granular material may comprise at least 17 metals and / or their oxides. The solid particulate or granular material may comprise any one or more of the following elementary metals and / or their oxides: calcium, potassium, sodium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, germanium, iron, lithium, copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, boron, vanadium, molybdenum and selenium. The particulate or granular material may comprise any other elementary metals and / or their oxides in some embodiments.

[0102] To allow interaction between the reacting material and water supply, the method 1000 comprises causing circulatory motion of water within a mineral manipulation chamber 3 described in more detail below. The circulatory motion may be sufficient to suspend the solid particulate or granular material within a body of the supply water during passage of water through the chamber, whereby hydrogen gas is produced 4. The circulatory motion is produced using a venturi effect inducing device as described in more detail below.

[0103] Once hydrogen gas is produced 4, the method 1100 of operating a vehicle comprises storing 5 the hydrogen gas using a physical and / or material-based storage method. The hydrogen gas may be stored in a suitable gas storage facility or tank. The physical-based storage methods may include gas compression, cold or cryo compression, gas liquidation, etc. The material-based storage may include absorbent storage, liquid organic storage, interstitial hydride storage, complex hydride storage, chemical hydrogen storage, etc. The hydrogen gas may be stored at ambient low pressure storage conditions.

[0104] The method 1100 further comprises combusting 6 the hydrogen gas in a combustion engine of the vehicle. The hydrogen gas is thus converted to energy to propel the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the combustion engine may comprise a gas turbine engine or the like having a combustion chamber in which the hydrogen is combusted. The combustion engine may be connected to a propellor or other drive system to propel the vehicle. In other embodiments, the combustion engine may be used to power a generator used to generate electricity. That electricity can then be used to power an electric motor used to propel the vehicle. In other embodiments, the produced hydrogen gas can be used inside a hydrogen gas fuel cell arranged to produce electricity.

[0105] As can be seen in Figure 2, the hydrogen gas is stored 5 before being used for combustion. The hydrogen gas may additionally be provided directly for combustion without any intermediate storage. The balance of hydrogen stored or used directly may be set according to the need for combustion. In some embodiments, the storage step 5 may be absent. In yet other embodiments, the direct connection may be absent, with all the hydrogen being stored for at least some time before it is used for combustion.

[0106] As discussed above, the production of hydrogen produces alkaline water as a byproduct. The method 1100 may further comprise discharging the alkaline water into a body of water. The body of water may include the water that the vehicle is floating on, sure as an ocean, sea, river or lake. This may help to combat water acidification of such bodies of water (e.g. to combat ocean acidification). In other embodiments, the alkaline water may be used for other purposes on board the vehicle. For example, the water may be used as drinking water on board the vehicle or for other similar purposes. In some embodiments, the water may be stored before discharge or other use on board the vehicle.

[0107] Referring now to Figure 3, an apparatus 100 for producing hydrogen gas suitable for use as a fuel is illustrated schematically. The apparatus 100 may be used to carry out the method 1000 described above. The apparatus 100 makes use of the non-magnetic suspended agitation process (n-MSAP) or Natralysis Process described in the applicant’s earlier application WO2019 / 243759A1, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In this application, methods and apparatuses of WO2019 / 243759A1 are modified to produce hydrogen gas.

[0108] The apparatus 100 comprises an alkalisation apparatus 50 (which may be referred to as a module) which is configured to produce alkaline water and hydrogen gas from an inlet water supply. The hydrogen may be used as described elsewhere herein. The alkalisation module / apparatus 50 (which will be described in further detail later) comprises a mineral manipulation chamber 8 as introduced above arranged to receive a supply of water. The mineral manipulation chamber 8 contains, in use, a body of water and a solid particulate or granular material comprising one or more elementary metals or oxides thereof capable of producing hydrogen gas and alkaline water by interaction with the body of water. The apparatus 100 may be supplied with sea water or any other type of water. The alkaline water may have a pH in the range of 7 to 14, preferably 8 to 14. In other embodiments, the pH may be 8 to 11.

[0109] The elementary metals and / or their oxides in the mineral manipulation chamber 8 may comprise at least 17 elementary metals and / or their oxides. This may include calcium, potassium, sodium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, germanium, iron, lithium, copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, boron, vanadium, molybdenum and selenium. Additionally, or alternatively, other elementary metals and / or their oxides may be used in some embodiments.

[0110] The apparatus 100 further comprising a treatment / purification apparatus 110 arranged to treat or purify the supply of water before it is provided to the mineral manipulation chamber 8. The treatment apparatus 110 may be arranged to treat the supply of water by a gas or gas decrystallisation method in which gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) are solubilised with water by admixing or cavitation to remove water salts, solids, salts, and / or other contaminants. In other embodiments, the treatment / purification apparatus may use reverse osmosis, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, activated carbon treatment or any other process.

[0111] Referring to Figure 4, the alkalisation module / apparatus 50 is shown in further detail. The alkalisation module / apparatus 50 comprises the mineral manipulation chamber 8 along with various supporting components. The alkalisation apparatus 50 (i.e. as disclosed in WO2019 / 243759A1) may be modified to produce hydrogen gas. The modification may include, but not limited to:

[0112] - Modifications to the chemical and physical properties of the inlet water going into the mineral manipulation chamber 8. In WO2019 / 243759A1, only reverse osmosis quality of water is used. However, in the present application, other types of water including raw water may be used including, but not limited to, sea-water or water treated by other water treatment process including, but not limited to, filtration, ion exchange process, coagulation, activated carbon, or any other water treatment process.

[0113] - Sea-water or any other raw water may be treated prior to entry into the mineral manipulation chamber 8 by method such as a gas and / or gas decrystallisation process in which salts and solids in water may be removed. The gas and / or gas decrystallisation process solubilises gases of Carbon dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen (N2), and inert gases into sea or raw water by admixing and / or cavitation which results in removal of solids, salts, minerals, limestones, microbial colonies, and other contaminants from the water.

[0114] - Modifications to the parameters for the reaction taking place within the mineral manipulation chamber 8. This may include, but is not limited to, modifications to the composition of the elementary metals and / or their oxides used within the mineral manipulation chamber 8, water flow rate, TDS, pH, temperature, and any other reaction parameters.

[0115] - Modifications to the dimensions and the componentry inside of the mineral manipulation chamber 8.

[0116] The alkalisation module / apparatus 50 comprises means (i.e. a device) for causing circulatory motion of water entering the chamber 8 sufficient to suspend the solid particulate or granular material within the body of water during passage of water through the chamber thereby producing alkaline water and hydrogen gas.

[0117] The mineral manipulation chamber 8 is shown in more detail in Figure 5a, where the means for causing circulator motion is indicated by reference number 30. The means 30 for causing circulatory motion is configured to manipulate the flow rate of water entering the chamber 8 and is located within a space 29 within (i.e. defined by) the chamber 8. The means 30 for causing circulator motion comprises a venturi effect inducing device 32. The means 30 continuously pumps the inlet flowing water into the mineral manipulation chamber 8, causing the inlet water to move in a circulatory motion and suspends the solid particulate or granular material within the circulatory moving inlet water. This is to ensure effective suspension of the reaction medium in the circulating inlet water and to maintain intimate contact with the suspended reaction media inside the chamber 8. The solid particulate or granular material may be poured manually into the chamber 8 through its upper lid via a tube 27b.

[0118] The means 30 for causing circulator motion sufficient to suspend the solid material comprises two parts: an inlet pipe 31 and the venturi effect inducing device 32 (referred to simply as a venturi device). The means 30 is connected to the external inlet feed water pump through pipework.

[0119] Further details of the venturi device are shown in Figure 5b. The venturi device 32 is welded to the end of the pipe 31. The venturi device 32 comprises a discharge orifice component 33 and a venturi section component 34. The venturi device 32 is arranged to draw in surrounding fluid as water passes through it which results in, typically, the amount of water being set in motion within the chamber 8 being five times that of the water actually entering the chamber (i.e. at any given time the amount of water moving around the chamber is five times greater than that entering the chamber).

[0120] The discharge orifice 33 comprises a male projection section 35 and a nozzle 36. The male projection section connects the discharge orifice 36 into the inlet pipe 31 and facilitates delivery of pumped inlet water under the influence of the pressure of an external inlet water pump. It may be connected using other methods or components in some embodiments. For example, the venturi section 34 may be connected directly to the end of the pipe 31 such that a separate orifice component 33 is absent.

[0121] The venturi section 34 has a semi-rectangular shaped body with an upper vent 37 and a lower vent 38. The venturi section is connected to the discharge orifice component via connecting ribs 39-41. In the presently described embodiment, the venturi device 32 is 20-24 cm in height and has a maximum width of 9.8 cm. The diameter of the lower vent 38 may be of 5.5 cm. Other sizes are possible with these being only one example.

[0122] The inlet water is pumped through the discharge orifice 36, under the influence of the external inlet water pump pressure, and into the venturi section 34. After filling the mineral manipulation chamber 8 with inlet flowing water, the inlet water continues to pump through the discharge orifice 33 and into the venturi section 34. The jet of pumped water enters the venturi section 34 taking additional water from the surrounding body of water inside the mineral manipulation chamber 8 via the upper vent 37 and moving it through the venturi. A discharge plume of combined water pumped from the discharge nozzle 36 and water taken from the mineral manipulation chamber exits the venturi through the lower vent 38 which causes the body of water to move in a circulatory motion. This enables effective and continuous suspension of the elementary metals and / or their oxides within the body of the inlet water while maintaining intimate contact between the inlet flowing water with the elementary metals and / or their oxides. Alternatively, an eductor nozzle 147 may be fitted to a radially inwardly directed end of inlet pipe 146 as illustrated in Figure 3c. The water flow is indicted by arrows in this diagram showing the circulatory flow.

[0123] Referring again to Figure 4, the alkalisation apparatus / module (AES system) 50 comprises an external tank 7 for inlet feed water, manual butterfly valves 9, an external pump for inlet feed water 10, an automatic butterfly valve 11, a mineral manipulation chamber 8 as described previously, a control panel 12, a field control box 13, a modular diaphragmatic valve 14, a tank for outlet water 15 and, an external pump 16 for outlet water, an external mounting framework, a media exchange box 17, and a filtration cartridge 18. The mineral manipulation chamber 8 is provided with means 20 for extraction of the produced hydrogen gas which is connected to a gas pipeline to cause the hydrogen gas to flow into a storage facility or directly into a combustion engine as described above. The components of the alkalisation apparatus are provided in the fluidic flow sequence shown in Figure 4. The inlet water therefore flows into the external tank 7 for storage, then through the mineral manipulation chamber 8 where the alkalisation and hydrogen production occurs, through the tank 15 for outlet water, through the media exchange box 17 and finally through the filtration cartridge 18. The resulting alkaline water is used as described elsewhere herein. The flow of water through the apparatus 100 is driven by the pumps and controlled by the valves as shown. The components shown in Figure 4 are exemplary, and any components in addition to the chamber 8 may be omitted.

[0124] The produced alkaline water is suitable for human consumption and could be used by a watercraft crew or any member of the general population, particularly when the apparatus 100 is used to generate electricity inside power plants for an urban community. Additionally, the produced alkaline water may be caused to drain or be pumped out of a watercraft or powerplant and into the sea or other body of water. This drained alkaline could help combat water acidification or ocean acidification.

[0125] The apparatus / module 50 is provided with a plurality probes 19. The probes may include performance probes, hydrogen gas volume and / or quality probes, water quality probes and / or other hydrogen gas probes which send data / information (e.g. by cables) to the control panel 12 via the field control box 13. The control panel is provided with a touch screen display (or other interface) that enables an operator to view the data / information.

[0126] The probes 19 may include one or more probes including, but not limited to, hydrogen gas volume probes, hydrogen gas quality probes, pH level probes, water pressure probes, water flow probes, water conductivity probes, water level probes, water presence probes, water temperature probes and others. The plurality of probes 19 may be located at suitable positions along the water flow path through the apparatus 100. The number and location of probes shown in Figure 4 is an illustrative example only.

[0127] The control panel 12 is provided with a programmable logic controller (PLC) and software that is programmed with an algorithm that controls, maintains and adjusts the reaction conditions within the system (e.g. within the chamber 8) by computing data / information from the plurality of probes 19. The data / information computed by the algorithm may also include any one or more of: the amount of the solid particulate or granular material used within the chamber 8; the chemical and physical properties of the elements within the solid particulate or granular material; and target desirable chemical and physical properties of the produced hydrogen gas or alkaline water as required by the operator. The control panel 12 may further provide wireless information to one or more remote stations to provide a wireless feed. This may be done using a wireless network.

[0128] In some embodiments, the alkalisation apparatus / module 50 may comprise a plurality of mineral manipulation chambers 8. These may be arranged in parallel to increase the amount of hydrogen gas and alkaline water produced.

[0129] The alkalisation apparatus 50 may comprise one or more modules each comprising a respective mineral manipulation chamber 8 and its associated equipment shown in Figure 4. In other words, the alkalisation apparatus 50 may comprise one or more modules each comprising the components shown in Figure 4. Each module may therefore further comprise any one or more of: an external tank for inlet feed water 7, manual butterfly valves 9, an external pump 10 for inlet feed water, an automatic butterfly valve 11, a control panel 12, a filed control box 13, a modular diaphragmatic valve 14, a (external) tank for outlet water 15, an external pump 16 for outlet water, an external mounting framework, a media exchange box 17, and a filtration cartridge 18.

[0130] In some examples, some of the components shown in Figure 4 may be shared between the modules or some of the modules. For example, a single control panel 12 and field control box 13 may be provided to control the operation of a plurality of modules.

[0131] Figure 6 shows a vehicle 300 that is powered using hydrogen gas produced by any of the apparatuses and method described herein. The vehicle may be a watercraft such as a ship or the like, or may be any other land or air vehicle such as a train, car, lorry, aircraft etc.

[0132] The vehicle 300 comprises the apparatus 100 for generating hydrogen as defined above. The inlet water supplied to the apparatus 100 may be sea water where the vehicle is a watercraft. In some embodiments, other sources of water may be used, and a tank may be provided onboard the vehicle to store the water before use.

[0133] The vehicle 300 further comprises a hydrogen powered combustion engine 350 arranged to power the vehicle. The hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus is provided to the combustion engine 350 directly as shown in Figure 300. In other embodiments, hydrogen storage may additionally or alternatively be provided onboard the vehicle to store hydrogen before it is supplied to the engine 350.

[0134] The engine may be an engine specifically designed for the combustion of hydrogen as would be known in the art or a combustion engine modified for that purpose. The combustion engine may comprise a compartment that is modified to facilitate safe combustion of hydrogen gas including, but not limited to, modifications to a combustion chamber within the engine so that:

[0135] Hydrogen gas may be pre-mixed with air and the caused to flow through a manifold into the combustion chamber (e.g. cylinder) for combustion;

[0136] High pressure hydrogen gas may be injected into the combustion chamber (e.g. cylinder) where it is mixed with air coming from a manifold; and / or

[0137] Hydrogen gas (not mixed) may be injected directly into the combustion chamber (e.g. cylinder).

[0138] The engine 350 is operably coupled to the drive system 360 of the vehicle 300. In the present embodiment, the drive system 360 comprises a propeller componentry to provide motion. In other embodiments the drive system may include the drive train and wheels of a land vehicle etc. In other embodiments, the produced hydrogen gas may be utilised by hydrogen gas cell to power electric vehicles.

[0139] The alkaline water produced by the hydrogen gas production apparatus 100 may be fed to a water storage tank 320. It may then be used for any suitable purpose as described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the storage tank 320 may be absent and the water may be used directly or drained away. The hydrogen produced by the methods and apparatuses of the present application may be used for electricity generation using electricity generators or power plants. Such a method of generating electricity 2000 (i.e. a method of generating electrical energy) is illustrated in Figure 7.

[0140] The method of generating electricity 2000 includes the method 1000 of producing hydrogen gas described above. The method 2000 therefore includes the same steps of receiving raw water 1, treating / purifying 2 the water, and reacting 3 the water in a mineral manipulation chamber 8 to produce hydrogen gas 4 and alkaline water. As discussed above, the treatment step may be absent in some embodiments.

[0141] The method 2000 further comprises storing 5 the hydrogen gas in a storage facility or tank (e.g. using any of the storage techniques defined herein). The method 2000 further comprises generating 26 electricity. For example, the hydrogen gas may be used to power the generating apparatus of a gas power plant or the like. The resulting electricity may be used for national / regional electricity grids. In other embodiments, the hydrogen gas may be used to generate electricity on a smaller scale - the generator may be used to provide electricity to a single building or complex of buildings (e.g. a small village or town) or may be located on a vehicle (e.g. a ship).

[0142] As can be seen in Figure 7, the hydrogen gas may be stored 5 before being used for electricity generation. The hydrogen gas may additionally be provided directly to the electricity generator without storage. In some embodiments, the storage may therefore be absent. In yet other embodiments, the direct connection may be absent so all the hydrogen is stored first.

[0143] Figure 8 shows an electricity generator 400 (i.e. an electrical energy generator) configured to implement the method 2000 of Figure 7. The electricity generator 400 comprises the hydrogen gas production apparatus 100 described above and a hydrogen powered generator 450. The hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus 100 is provided to the generator 450 to generate electricity. Any suitable hydrogen gas powered generated known in the art may be used. The hydrogen gas may be provided directly to the generator 450 as shown. Additionally, or alternatively, the hydrogen may be stored before being supplied to the generator 450. The alkaline water produced by the hydrogen gas production apparatus 100 is fed to a storage tank 420. It may then be used for any suitable purpose as described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the storage tank 420 may be absent and the water used directly or drained away.

[0144] The hydrogen gas production apparatus 100 and generator 450 may be located at a single site (e.g. at a power plant). In other embodiments, the generator 450 may be located remotely from the hydrogen production apparatus 100 e.g. the hydrogen may be generated at one site and pipped to a remote power plant. The hydrogen may be stored at either or both of these locations.

[0145] With reference to Figure 9 the method 1000 of producing hydrogen gas of the present application may be used to supply hydrogen gas to fuelling stations for vehicles. The produced hydrogen gas may also be utilised by the fuelling stations to generate electricity to charge electrically powered vehicles. A method 3000 of supplying hydrogen gas and / or electrical energy to one or more vehicles is shown in Figure 9. The method 3000 includes the method 1000 of producing hydrogen described elsewhere herein. The method 3000 further comprises storing 5 the hydrogen gas in a storage facility or tank. This may be done as described elsewhere herein.

[0146] The stored hydrogen gas is provided 32 to a vehicle fuelling / charging station. There it may be provided to hydrogen powered vehicles and / or used to generate electricity which is then provided to electrically powered vehicles. As can be seen in Figure 9, the hydrogen gas may be stored 5 before being provided to the fuelling / charging station or stored at the fuelling / charging station. The hydrogen gas may additionally be provided directly to the fuelling / charging station without storage. In some embodiments, the storage may therefore be absent. In yet other embodiments, the direct connection may be absent so all the hydrogen is stored first.

[0147] Figure 10 shows a vehicle fuelling and / or charging apparatus 500 (i.e. a vehicle fuelling and / or charging station) configured to implement the method 3000 of Figure 9. The vehicle fuelling and / or charging station 500 comprises the hydrogen gas production apparatus 100 described above and a hydrogen powered generator 550. The hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus 100 is provided to the hydrogen powered generator 550 to generate electricity. Any suitable hydrogen gas powered generated known in the art may be used. The hydrogen gas may be provided directly to the generator 550 as shown. Additionally, or alternatively, it may be stored before being supplied to the generator 550. The fuelling / charging station 500 further comprises a charging device 560 configured to provide the generated electricity to one or more electrically powered vehicles (i.e. to charge an electric vehicle). The apparatus 560 may comprise an electrical energy storage device (e.g. one or more batteries) in which electrical energy is stored before being used to charge electric vehicles.

[0148] The fuelling / charging station 500 further comprises a hydrogen filling apparatus 570 configured to fill one or more hydrogen powered vehicles with hydrogen for use as fuel. The hydrogen filling apparatus 570 may comprise a hydrogen storage device to store the hydrogen until it is required by a vehicle.

[0149] The alkaline water produced by the hydrogen gas production apparatus 100 may be fed to a storage tank 520 similarly to the storage tank 420. It may then be used for any suitable purpose as described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the storage tank 520 may be absent and the water used directly or drained away.

[0150] Although the fuelling / charging station 500 includes both the hydrogen filling apparatus 570 along with the generator 550 and charging apparatus 560 one of these may be absent. In some embodiments, the fuelling / charging station may therefore be a fuelling station for providing hydrogen or a charging station for charging electric vehicles or both. The hydrogen gas production apparatus 100, generator 550, charging device 560 and filling apparatus 570 may be located at a single site (e.g. at a vehicle fuelling station). In other embodiments, the generator 550, charging device 560 and filling apparatus 570 may be located remotely from the hydrogen production apparatus 100 e.g. the hydrogen may be generated at one site and pipped to a remote vehicle fuelling station. The hydrogen may be stored at either or both of these locations.

[0151] Various modifications will be apparent to the skilled person without departing form the scope of the claims. Any feature disclosed in connection with one embodiment may be used in combination with the features of another embodiment.

[0152] Although the appended claims are directed to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

[0153] Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and / or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for producing hydrogen gas suitable for use as a fuel, the apparatus comprising a mineral manipulation chamber having an inlet arranged to receive a supply of water, the mineral manipulation chamber containing, in use, a body of water and a solid particulate or granular material comprising one or more elementary metals or oxides thereof capable of producing hydrogen gas by interaction with the body of water.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply of water is a supply of sea water.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a treatment apparatus arranged to treat the supply of water before it is provided to the mineral manipulation chamber.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the treatment apparatus is arranged to treat the supply of water using a gas or gas decrystallisation method in which gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2), are solubilised with water by admixing or cavitation to remove water salts, solids, salts, and / or other contaminants.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the mineral manipulation chamber comprises means, located within the chamber and connected to the water inlet, for causing circulatory motion of water entering the chamber sufficient to suspend the solid particulate or granular material within the body of water during passage of water through the chamber, whereby hydrogen gas is produced.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for causing circulator motion is configured to manipulate the flow rate of water entering the chamber.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the means for causing circulatory motion comprises a venturi effect inducing device.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the means for causing circulatory motion comprises a pipe extending within the chamber, the pipe being connected to the venturi effect inducing device to provide water thereto from the inlet of the chamber.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the solid particulate or granular material comprises at least 17 metals and / or their oxides or combination thereof.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the solid particulate or granular material comprises at least any one or more of the following elementary metals and / or their oxides: calcium, potassium, sodium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, germanium, iron, lithium, copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, boron, vanadium, molybdenum and selenium.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of mineral manipulation chambers.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more modules each comprising a respective mineral manipulation chamber, wherein each module further comprises any one or more of: an external tank for inlet feed water, a manual butterfly valve, an external pump for inlet feed water, an automatic butterfly valve, a control panel, a field control box, a modular diaphragmatic valve, a tank for outlet water, an external pump for outlet water, an external mounting framework, a media exchange box, and a filtration cartridge.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each module is provided with a plurality of probes, the probes including: performance probes; hydrogen gas volume and / or quality probes; and / or water quality probes, which send data / information to the control panel via the field control box, the control panel being provided with an interface, such as a touch screen display screen, that enables an operator to view the data / information.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control panel is provided with a programmable logic controller and software that is programmed with an algorithm that controls, maintains and adjusts the reaction conditions within the chamber by computing data / information from the plurality of probes as well as one or more of: the amount of the solid particulate or granular material used; the chemical and physical properties of the elements within the solid particulate or granular material; chemical and physical properties of produced water; volume and quality of produced hydrogen gas and target desirable chemical and physical properties of the produced hydrogen gas as required by the operator.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the control panel provides wireless information to one or more remote stations, preferably via a wireless network.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a storage device arranged to store the hydrogen gas, the storage device comprising a physical or material-based storage, preferably the storage comprises an ambient pressure storage.

17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the interaction with the solid particulate or granular material further produces alkaline water.

18. A vehicle, comprising: the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas of any preceding claim; and a hydrogen powered combustion engine arranged to power the vehicle, wherein the hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus is provided to the combustion engine.

19. An electricity generator, comprising: the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas of any of claims 1 to 17; and a hydrogen powered generator, wherein the hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus is provided to the hydrogen powered generator to generate electricity.

20. A vehicle fuelling and / or charging apparatus, comprising the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas of any of claims 1 to 17 and one or both of: a hydrogen gas powered generator arranged to generate electrical energy using hydrogen provided by the apparatus for producing hydrogen gas and a charging device arranged to provide the generated electrical energy to one or more electrically powered vehicles; and a hydrogen filling apparatus configured to fill one or more hydrogen powered vehicles with hydrogen for use as fuel.

21. A method of producing hydrogen gas suitable for use as a fuel, the method comprising interacting a body of water with solid particulate or granular material in a mineral manipulation chamber, the solid particulate or granular material comprising one or more elementary metals or oxides thereof capable of producing hydrogen gas by interaction with the body of water.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the water is sea water.

23. A method according to claim 21 or claim 22, further comprising treating a supply of water before providing it to the mineral manipulation chamber to form the body of water and before interaction with the solid particulate or granular material.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein treating the water comprises using a gas or gas decrystallisation method in which gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2), are solubilised with water by admixing or cavitation to remove water salts, solids, salts, and / or other contaminants.

25. A method according to any of claims 21 to 24, comprising causing circulatory motion of water within the mineral manipulation chamber sufficient to suspend the solid particulate or granular material within the body of the supply water during passage of water through the chamber, whereby hydrogen gas is produced.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the circulatory motion is produced using a venturi effect inducing device.

27. A method according to any of claims 21 to 26, wherein the solid particulate or granular material comprises at least 17 metals and / or their oxides, or a combination or combinations thereof.

28. A method according to any of claims 21 to 27, wherein the solid particulate or granular material comprises at least any one or more of the following elementary metals and / or their oxides: calcium, potassium, sodium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, germanium, iron, lithium, copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, boron, vanadium, molybdenum and selenium.

29. A method according to any of claims 21 to 28, further comprising storing the hydrogen gas using a physical or material-based storage method, wherein preferably the hydrogen is stored using an ambient pressure storage method.

30. A method according to any of claims 21 to 29, further comprising producing alkaline water by the interaction between the body of water and the solid particulate or granular material.

31. A method according to claim 30, further comprising discharging the alkaline water into a body of water including but not limited to an ocean, sea, river or lake.

32. A method of operating a vehicle, the method comprising: producing hydrogen gas using the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 17 or the method of any of claims 21 to 31; and combusting the hydrogen gas within a combustion engine of the vehicle.

33. A method of generating electricity, the method comprising: producing hydrogen gas using the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 17 or the method of any of claims 21 to 31; and combusting the hydrogen gas to power a generator to generate electricity.

34. A method of supplying hydrogen gas or electrical energy to one or more vehicles, the method comprising: producing hydrogen gas using the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 17 or the method of any of claims 21 to 31; and providing the hydrogen gas to one or more hydrogen powered vehicles and / or generating electrical energy from the hydrogen gas and providing the electrical energy to one or more electrically powered vehicles.

35. Use of the hydrogen gas produced by the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 17 or the method of any of claims 21 to 31 for powering a vehicle and / or generating electricity.

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