Patent · US Expired

Portable hydrogen generator

US5702491A · kind A · utility

74Cited by
13References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 20, 1996
Grant dateDec 30, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 20, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/36
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A hydrogen generator employs substantially adiabatic hydrolysis and thermal decomposition of chemical hydrides to provide a controllable generation of hydrogen from a small, lightweight container. The hydrogen generator includes a thermally isolated container for containing a chemical hydride, a preheater to heat the chemical hydride to a predetermined temperature before the chemical hydride is hydrolyzed, a water supply controlled to maintain substantially adiabatic and controlled generation of hydrogen from said chemical hydride, and a buffer to supply an initial flow of hydrogen during generator start-up, absorb excess hydrogen during generator shut-down, and to smooth the hydrogen flow due to changing loads.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.