2063 results about "Hydrogen fuel cell" patented technology

Carbon nanotubes are grown directly on metal substrates using chemical vapor deposition. Metal substrates are comprised of catalysts which facilitate or promote the growth of carbon nanotubes. The nanotube coated metal substrates have applications including, but not limited to, heat transfer and thermal control, hydrogen storage, fuel cell catalytic reformers, electronics and semiconductors, implantable medical devices or prostheses, and tribological wear and protective coatings.

Carbon nanotubes are grown directly on metal substrates using chemical vapor deposition. Metal substrates are comprised of catalysts which facilitate or promote the growth of carbon nanotubes. The nanotube coated metal substrates have applications including, but not limited to, heat transfer and thermal control, hydrogen storage, fuel cell catalytic reformers, electronics and semiconductors, implantable medical devices or prostheses, and tribological wear and protective coatings.

The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus and various pressure regulators or pressure-regulating valves. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The transportation of a first fuel component to a second fuel component to generate of hydrogen occurs automatically depending on the pressure of a reaction chamber within the gas-generating apparatus. The pressure regulators and flow orifices are provided to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuation in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell. Connecting valves to connect the gas-generating apparatus to the fuel cell are also provided.

Metal-N-based or metalloid-N-based materials absorb a substantial amount hydrogen and are useful as hydrogen storage materials for various applications such as hydrogen fuel cell technology.

This application relates to a method and system for controlling the supply of fuel to a dead-ended hydrogen fuel cell. The invention may be utilized, for example, to more efficiently integrate the operation of a hydrogen fuel cell and a hydrogen generator, such as a reformer coupled with a hydrogen separation unit. The invention ensures that the production and consumption of hydrogen are effectively balanced to avoid negative feed line pressure fluctuations. The fuel supply control subsystem and hydrogen consumption control subsystems are, however, “decoupled” and hence independently operable. The invention may include an accumulator disposed in a flow path between the hydrogen generator and the fuel cell for storing hydrogen under pressure. The accumulator is sufficiently large in volume such that the pressure of hydrogen in the flow path does not deviate substantially from a target pressure, even during the waste purging sessions. The system enables the use of low-cost pressure transducers in place of mass flow meters. In one aspect of the invention raffinate flow from the hydrogen separator can be controllably adjusted to regulate the temperature or other operating parameters of the reformer.

A power generation and supply system utilizing one or more solar cells to produce electricity and hydrogen. The power generation and supply system includes an electrolyzer powered by the one or more solar cells for producing hydrogen, a hydrogen distribution system for distributing the hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer, a rechargeable battery for storing electricity produced by the solar cells, and an electricity distribution. The power generation and supply system according may further comprise a hydrogen fueled fuel cell which receives hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer and produces electricity as needed to recharge the rechargeable battery and / or power one or more electrical devices.

A surveillance system provides a plurality of monitoring units placed in remote locations without access to electrical power. Each monitoring unit includes a self-powering source including at least one of batteries, solar cells, a hydroelectric generator, a wind generator and a hydrogen fuel cell. The power source provides power to surveillance components such as cameras, lights, infrared illuminators, DVRs, and transmitters. The power source also provides power to other components in the housing of the monitoring units such as temperature control, keycard access, and excess power made available at an outlet at the housing. Each monitoring unit wirelessly transmits video signals from each of the cameras to a hub or receiver that directs the images to the internet. An internet user with the proper access code can access the video surveillance and remotely control the cameras and other components of the monitoring units.

There is described a combined heat and power, or cogeneration, system combining a fuel cell for generating electrical power with a thermal power source, the system comprising: a fuel processor for converting a hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen in an output stream, the hydrogen rich output stream containing a low content of carbon monoxide; a high temperature hydrogen fuel cell system tolerant to low content of carbon monoxide of up to 5% receiving the output stream and an oxidant fluid stream; and a heat exchange system having a first module associated with the fuel processor and a second module associated with the fuel cell system connected at least in part in series to provide a thermal output.

A personal refueling station for a personal-sized electric vehicle has a polygonal base structure housing a refueling system and a plurality of flat panels hinged thereto which open to form a flat surface and close up to an upright pyramid for storage. The flat panels have solar PV arrays mounted on their inside surfaces which generate electricity from sunlight in the open position. The electricity is used to generate hydrogen for hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles, or is stored for recharging non-hydrogen electric vehicles. Alternatively, hydrogen or electricity may be provided from an external renewable power source. The station can also have utility hookups to provide excess hydrogen or electricity to an external energy usage, such as a home, business, or other station. The personal refueling station has a compact design that can be installed at home or business locations. It is designed to accommodate a personal-use electric vehicle such as an electric car or cart or a personal VTOL hovercraft. It can be used in a stationary location or transported for remote use, as well as operated by remote control.

A composition useful in electrodes provides higher power capability through the use of nanoparticle catalysts present in the composition. Nanoparticles of transition metals are preferred such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, palladium, ruthenium, gold, silver, and lead, as well as alloys thereof, and respective oxides. These nanoparticle catalysts can substantially replace or eliminate platinum as a catalyst for certain electrochemical reactions. Electrodes, used as anodes, cathodes, or both, using such catalysts have applications relating to metal-air batteries, hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), direct oxidation fuel cells (DOFCs), and other air or oxygen breathing electrochemical systems as well as some liquid diffusion electrodes.

This application relates to a method and system for controlling the supply of fuel to a dead-ended hydrogen fuel cell. The invention may be utilized, for example, to more efficiently integrate the operation of a hydrogen fuel cell and a hydrogen generator, such as a reformer coupled with a hydrogen separation unit. The invention ensures that the production and consumption of hydrogen are effectively balanced to avoid negative feed line pressure fluctuations. The fuel supply control subsystem and hydrogen consumption control subsystems are, however, "decoupled" and hence independently operable. The invention may include an accumulator disposed in a flow path between the hydrogen generator and the fuel cell for storing hydrogen under pressure. The accumulator is sufficiently large in volume such that the pressure of hydrogen in the flow path does not deviate substantially from a target pressure, even during the waste purging sessions. The system enables the use of low-cost pressure transducers in place of mass flow meters. In one aspect of the invention raffinate flow from the hydrogen separator can be controllably adjusted to regulate the temperature or other operating parameters of the reformer.

An apparatus removes carbon monoxide (CO) from a hydrogen-rich gas stream in a hydrogen fuel cell system. CO fouls costly catalytic particles in the membrane electrode assemblies of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. A vessel houses a carbon monoxide adsorbent. The vessel may be a rotating pressure swing adsorber. A water gas shift reactor is upstream of the rotating pressure swing adsorber. The water gas shift reactor may include a second adsorbent adapted to adsorb carbon monoxide at low temperatures and to desorb carbon monoxide at high temperatures. The apparatus advantageously eliminates the use of a preferential oxidation (PROX) reactor, by providing an apparatus which incorporates CO adsorption in the place of the PROX reactor. This cleans up carbon monoxide without hydrogen consumption and the concomitant, undesirable excess low grade heat generation. The present invention reduces start-up duration, and improves overall fuel processor efficiency during normal operation.

The invention provides a method for separating and preparing hydrogen by decomposing water in a fuel cell through photocatalysis according to the inverse principle of the hydrogen fuel cell, aiming to avoiding the current separation problem of hydrogen and oxygen prepared by decomposing water through solar energy photocatalysis. The method adopts the inverse principle of the hydrogen fuel cell and uses photocatalyst as raw material for a photoanode, and platinum, nickel or carbon electrode as a cathode; an ion film is used between the two electrodes to transfer protons or hydroxyl ions, circuit is formed by connecting the photoanode and the cathode with a lead; sunlight or simulated sunlight is used as a light source, the light directly shines down upon the photoanode; and hydrogen is generated on the cathode and an oxidation reaction is performed on the anode so as to realize the aim of separating and preparing hydrogen by decomposing water through photocatalysis. In the method of the invention, no sacrifice agent or inhibitor is needed to add for adjusting the pH value of the electrolyte solution, an external power source can be added as additional bias so as to directly separate and prepare hydrogen by decomposing water through photocatalysis, and the separation problem of hydrogen and oxygen in practical technology development for decomposing water through solar energy photocatalysis is successfully solved.

The object of the invention is the coupling of a hydrogen fuel cell to an enzymatic process for the production of electricity and the transformation and sequestration of CO2. Gaseous CO2 emissions from processes such as hydrocarbon reforming are transformed into carbonate or bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions by the enzymatic system in order to prevent their contribution to the greenhouse effect. The hydrogen ions resulting from the enzymatic process are recovered and combined in order to supply the hydrogen fuel cell. Finally, water, a by-product of the oxidizing reaction of the hydrogen fuel cell, is recovered and recycled back into the aqueous enzymatic system.

A system and method that optimizes use of renewable energy sources using modern satellites and telemetry to reduce the impact of renewable energy limitations. Location data corresponding to the device is retrieved using GPS technology and a GPS receiver which is located proximate to the device. Renewable energy generators are identified and include generation parameters that indicate the efficiency and output of the devices. Environmental energy factors are retrieved based upon the location data. The amount of available renewable energy is calculated based upon the environmental factors and the renewable energy generation parameters corresponding to each of the renewable energy generators. A travel plan that contains the user's travel intentions can be used. The travel plan indicates future location data as well as device idle time. Collected energy can fuel batteries and can also be used to provide hydrogen to a hydrogen fuel cell.

A hydrogen hybrid locomotive including traction motors for moving the locomotive along a set of tracks, a set of batteries for providing electrical power to the traction motors, a hydrogen fuel cell power plant for charging the set of batteries, an air system having a variable speed compressor for providing air flow to the power plant, and a DC to DC converter for managing power distribution from the hydrogen fuel cell power plant to the batteries. A controller determines an amount of current required from the power plant to produce a selected amount of power, determines a stoic operating setpoint for the power plant based on the current required, sets the speed of a compressor within the air system to provide a selected amount of air flow to the power plant for the determined stoic operating setpoint, determines from a resulting actual air flow to the power module available power, and sets an operating setpoint of the DC to DC converter from the determined an available power.

The present invention belongs to the field of the new energy micro-grid power. The present invention provides two different simulation platforms HYPERISM and eMEGAsim based on the same RT-LAB hardware device in the OPRL-RT company, a distribution network system is built through the HYPERSIM, the micro source such as PV, energy storage, hydrogen cells and the like is built through eMEGAsim, and the output quantity of each micro source is collected in a real micro grid and is taken as the input quantity of an eMEGAsim model to allow a simulation system to have a real micro-grid operation characteristic. The real micro-grid operation dynamic simulation test platform based on the RT-LAB fully considers the defect of digital simulation, provides a mode of combining digits and physics, and allow the operation characteristic of the real micro-grid power to lead in a simulator to realize the realization of the operation characteristic of the whole micro grid and provide more real environment for the test and the simulation analysis of a device.

A fuel system for an aircraft is disclosed. The fuel system comprises a fuel tank and a fuel reformer for receiving fuel from the fuel tank. The system includes a hydrogen fuel cell array for receiving hydrogen from the fuel reformer. The system further includes mechanism for providing an inerting gas from the fuel system to the fuel tank.

This invention uses nanoparticle mixtures to broaden the range of economic materials, improve performance across this broader range, and thereby lower costs of hydride and other storage systems. Nanoparticles can have dramatically different mechanical, chemical, electrical, thermodynamic, and / or other properties than their parent (precursor) materials. Because of this fundamental characteristic, nanophase materials can greatly improve the range of possibilities of materials selection, performance, cost, and practicality for hydride storage systems, advancing the early commerciality of such systems for hydrogen fuel cells or other applications. Among such hydrogen storage improvements are cheaper and better-performing metals, alloys, and / or compounds; lower weight; and reduced storage volumes.

Disclosed is a self-regulating hydrogen gas generator for a hydrogen fuel cell. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator includes a fuel tank, defining an inner space having a designated volume, provided with a hydrogen outlet communicating the inner space, a fuel solution, containing a hydrogen storing material, stored in the fuel tank, and a catalyst contacting the fuel solution for generating hydrogen gas, wherein the catalyst fills a catalytic reactor, provided with a closed portion for interrupting the contact between the catalyst and the fuel solution, and an opened portion contacting the fuel solution, so that the generation and interruption of hydrogen gas are actively regulated based on the increase and decrease of the pressure of the fuel tank.

A gas diffusion cathode for electrochemical cells provides higher power capability through the use of nano-particle catalysts. The catalysts comprise nanometer-sized particles of transition metals such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, iron, palladium, ruthenium, gold, silver, and lead, as well as alloys thereof, and respective oxides. These catalysts can substantially replace or eliminate platinum as a catalyst for oxygen reduction. Cathodes using such catalysts have applications to metal-air batteries, hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), direct oxidation fuel cells (DOFCs), and other air breathing electrochemical systems.

The invention discloses a hydrogen fuel cell system. The hydrogen fuel cell system comprises an electric pile module, a cooling module and an air supply module, wherein the electric pile module is provided with a cooling liquid inlet and a cooling liquid outlet which are connected with the cooling module; the cooling module comprises a liquid storage tank, a water pump, a radiator and a thermostat; the air supply module comprises an air compressor, an intercooler and a humidifier which are connected in sequence; the humidifier is connected with the electric pile module; the outlet of the thermostat is connected with a pile inlet module; a heat dissipation pipe is arranged in the intercooler; the inlet of the heat dissipation pipe is connected with the outlet of the thermostat; and the outlet of the heat dissipation pipe is connected with the inlet of the water pump. The temperature in the electric pile module is maintained by fully utilizing the heat energy generated in the air supplymodule and the function of flexibly adjusting the flow of the thermostat, and the hydrogen fuel cell system can be quickly adapted no matter in a hot environment or a cold environment, so that the hydrogen fuel cell system has wide popularization and application values.

The invention relates to a thermal management system and control method for a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The method includes an expansion kettle, a water pump, an electronic thermostat, a fuel cell radiator, a solenoid valve, a fuel cell stack and an ion exchanger. In order to overcome the restriction that an existing fuel cell stack can not be started under the condition of too low ambient temperature, an auxiliary water heating scheme is designed in a small circulation branch to achieve the fast start-up of the fuel cell stack at low temperature and improve the adaptability of the fuel cellstack to the low temperature environment. The waste heat recovery and utilization of the fuel cell stack can be achieved by adding an auxiliary air-conditioning water heating and heat exchange systemin a water system. The electricity demand of an air heater is reduced, the electric energy of the whole vehicle is saved, and the endurance range of vehicles in winter is increased. Through the design improvement of a degassing device for the fuel cell stack, the degassing problem of the fuel cell stack water system in the process of filling and operation is solved, and the reliability of the fuel cell heat management system is improved.

Thermally primed fuel processing assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems that include the same. The thermally primed fuel processing assemblies include at least one hydrogen-producing region housed within an internal compartment of a heated containment structure. In some embodiments, the heated containment structure is an oven. In some embodiments, the compartment also contains a purification region and / or heating assembly. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to heat and maintain the internal compartment at or above a threshold temperature, which may correspond to a suitable hydrogen-producing temperature. In some embodiments, the containment structure is adapted to maintain this temperature during periods in which the fuel cell system is not producing power and / or not producing power to satisfy an applied load to the system. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system is adapted to provide backup power to a power source, which may be adapted to power the containment structure.

The invention discloses a thermal management system for a fuel cell of a commercial vehicle. The thermal management system comprises a controller, a hydrogen fuel cell system, an electric control three-way valve, an electric heater, a radiator, a variable frequency fan, a make-up water tank, a variable frequency water pump, a deionizer, a throttle valve, a particulate matter filter, a temperaturesensor I and a temperature sensor II. Due to the cell thermal management system, a coolant of the thermal management system flows through small circulation and is rapidly warmed when the vehicle is started at the low temperature, the temperature of the coolant is guaranteed to reach the optimal temperature range for the reaction of the hydrogen fuel cell within a short period of time, the reactionefficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell is improved, the small circulation of the coolant is gradually switched to large circulation through the electric control three-way valve after the temperature ofthe coolant reaches the set optimal reaction temperature range, a better cooling effect is achieved, the hydrogen fuel cell is within the optimal reaction temperature range, and the reaction efficiency is improved. The rapid warming of the thermal management system in the cold start also reduces the damage on the cell, and the service life of the cell is prolonged.

The invention discloses integrated type hydrogen energy preparation, storage and cyclic utilization equipment. The integrated type hydrogen energy preparation, storage and cyclic utilization equipment mainly comprises a solar power generation light source, a water electrolysis hydrogen production device, a high-pressure hydrogen storage buffering tank, a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank and a hydrogen fuel cell device, which are connected by a multi-channel control valve and related pipelines, and a thermal medium circulating pipe system is arranged; the thermal medium circulating pipe system is provided with a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a third head exchanger, which are serially connected with one another to form a circulating loop, the first heat exchanger is arranged inside the solar power generation light source, the second heat exchanger is a arranged inside the metal hydride hydrogen storage tank, the third head exchanger is arranged inside the hydrogen fuel cell device, and a medium circulating pump and a medium electric heater are arranged on the circulating loop of the thermal medium circulating pipe system respectively. The integrated type hydrogen energy preparation, storage and cyclic utilization equipment is simple in structure, low in cost, good in hydrogen storage and desorption effect, high in hydrogen energy cyclic utilization rate and stable and safe to operate, and is particularly suitable for hydrogen fuel energy-saving automobiles and portable mobile equipment using hydrogen fuel power supply.

The invention discloses a hydrogen control system of a hydrogen fuel cell automobile. The hydrogen control system comprises a hydrogen inlet pressure sensor, an air inlet pressure sensor, a hydrogen spraying solenoid valve group and a system controller, wherein the hydrogen spraying solenoid valve group is used for introducing hydrogen to a positive inlet of a fuel cell stack module, the hydrogeninlet pressure sensor is arranged in a pipeline introducing the hydrogen into the positive inlet and is arranged between the hydrogen spraying solenoid valve group and the positive inlet, the air inlet pressure sensor is arranged in a pipeline introducing air into a negative electrode of the fuel cell stack module, and the system controller is connected with the hydrogen inlet pressure sensor, theair inlet pressure sensor and the hydrogen spraying solenoid valve group and is used for calculating pressure difference according to a first pressure signal sent from the hydrogen inlet pressure sensor and a second pressure signal sent from the air inlet pressure sensor and controlling and adjusting the opening frequency of the hydrogen spraying solenoid valve group according to the pressure different. The hydrogen demand quantity is adjusted in real time according to the pressure difference so as to form closed-loop control, the hydrogen control accuracy is improved, and the hydrogen utilization rate is improved.

The invention relates to a hydrogen and power generation module for electric energy storage. The hydrogen and power generation module for electric energy storage comprises an anti-mixing device (LXQ), a first container (L1), a second container (L2), a water filling opening, a water filling valve (F3), a first electrode (DJ1), a second electrode (DJ2), a first pipeline (GD1), a second pipeline (GD2), a first air pump (B1), a second air pump (B2), a first one-way valve (DF1), a second one-way valve (DF2), a first gas tank (Q1), a gas second (Q2), a first entrance air valve (F1), a second entrance air valve (F2), a first voltage stabilization valve (W1), a second voltage stabilization valve (W2), a hydrogen fuel battery (BAT1), a third pipeline (GD3), a fourth pipeline (GD4), a circulating valve (F4) and a gas removing container (YLG). The invention also relates to a recyclable battery and a bidirectional inverter which are provided with the hydrogen and power generation module for electric energy storage.

A non-crystal rare earth-Mg-base hydrogen bearing alloy has a chemical formula: Re2-xMxMg17-yNy, where x=0-1, y=0-4, Re is chosen from La, Ce, Re, Nd, etc, M is chosen from Ca, Ti, V and Zr, and N is chosen from Ni, Co Fe, Mn and Cu. It is prepared through smelting its crystal alloy, pulverizing, mixing with aromatic organic solvent, ball grinding and removing solvent. Its advantages are high hydrogen bearing capacity etc.

A hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system for powering a vehicle during engine-off time. The system includes a power storage and fuel cell conversion unit integrated with a high efficiency reverse cycle heat pump to provide cab comfort and auxiliary power to a vehicle when the engine is off. Hydrogen gas is generated from vehicle wasted energy during coasting, braking and at times of engine peak performance and is safely stored in metal hydride storage containers at low pressure. During engine-off time, a fuel cell draws from the stored hydrogen and works in conjunction with the heat pump to heat and cool and provide electrical power to the vehicle. The system is a green energy solution to anti-idling regulations as it produces no harmful EPA emissions as it provides air conditioning and power to the vehicle during engine-off time.