Controlling the flow of hydrogen and ammonia from a hydrogen generator during a breakthrough with hydrated copper (II) chloride trap
US7364912B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/22
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Gas flow is controlled to a feed gas consuming device depending on whether a contaminant gas is present. In one embodiment, hydrogen gas flow from a hydrogen gas generator to a hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, gas chromatograph or a flame ionization detector, is terminated when there is chemical contaminant breakthrough in the hydrogen gas flow. The apparatus relates to the use of a sensor for detecting a predetermined concentration of a chemical contaminant such as ammonia. In one embodiment the apparatus terminates the gas flow when a concentration of ammonia in the gas flow corresponds to a breakthrough (e.g., approximately in the range of 2.0% or greater). The apparatus prevents the ammonia-contaminated hydrogen from disabling such a hydrogen consuming device that would have otherwise received the contaminated gas flow. The apparatus terminates such a hydrogen contaminated gas flow by exposing a breakthrough detection material to the gas flow, wherein this material is substantially only reactive to concentrations of a predetermined contaminant (e.g., ammonia) for terminating the gas flow when such concentrations are indicative of a breakthrough of the contaminant…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.