Method and apparatus for generating hydrogen gas on demand from water with recovery of water and complete recycling of consumable material

Abstract

A hydrogen gas generation system for vehicles and stationary power applications comprises a trio of rigid, cylindrical high pressure reservoir tanks interconnected with suitable fittings and pipelines. A water holding tank alternatively stores hydroxide solution, or transfers it to an adjacent gas generating tank, containing a plurality of tubular, aluminum fuel rods. When the holding tank is suitably pressurized, hydroxide solution is transferred into the generating tank to start a reaction with a plurality of elongated, tubular aluminum rods disposed therewithin. Conversely, the liquid contents of the generating tank can be forcibly pressured back into the holding tank to stop the gas generation reaction. High pressure hydrogen gas is humidified in the third tank prior to combustion as fuel. Humidified hydrogen is transferred via control valves to the application.

1 . A hydrogen gas generation and collection system comprising: 
 a holding tank providing a reservoir of hydroxide solution;    a gas generating tank in fluid flow communication with said reservoir, said generating tank comprising a plurality of metallic fuel rods;    means for pressurizing the holding tank;    means for transferring hydroxide solution into the gas generating tank from said holding tank in response to pressure to start a gas generating reaction in said generating tank;    means for selectively pressurizing said generating tank to return hydroxide solution within the gas generating tank back into said holding tank to stop said reaction;    a humidifier tank in fluid flow communication with said generating tank for receiving hydrogen gas from said generating tank and for humidifying it; and,    means for delivering humidified hydrogen from said humidifier tank to an application.    
   
   
       2 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 1  wherein said fuel rods are tubular.  
   
   
       3 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 2  wherein said fuel rods are aluminum.  
   
   
       4 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 1  wherein the hydroxide solution comprises potassium hydroxide.  
   
   
       5 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 4  wherein the hydroxide solution comprises approximately 25% potassium hydroxide by weight.  
   
   
       6 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 1  wherein said holding tank comprises means for heating the hydroxide solution.  
   
   
       7 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 6  wherein the temperature of the holding tank hydroxide solution is approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       8 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 7  wherein said fuel rods are tubular.  
   
   
       9 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 8  wherein the hydroxide solution comprises approximately 25% potassium hydroxide by weight.  
   
   
       10 . A hydrogen gas generation and collection system comprising: 
 a holding tank providing a reservoir of hydroxide solution, said holding tank comprising means for heating the hydroxide solution;    a gas generating tank in fluid flow communication with said reservoir, said generating tank comprising a plurality of internal metallic fuel rods;    means for pressurizing the holding tank to transfer hydroxide solution into the gas generating tank from said holding tank thereby generating gas in said generating tank;    means for selectively pressurizing said generating tank to return hydroxide solution within the gas generating tank back into said holding tank to stop gas generation;    a humidifier tank in fluid flow communication with said generating tank for receiving hydrogen gas from said generating tank and for humidifying it;    means for delivering humidified hydrogen gas from said humidifier tank to an application for powering the application, the application producing exhaust;    a condenser for receiving said exhaust and producing condensate; and,    means for delivering said condensate into said holding tank.    
   
   
       11 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 10  wherein the application comprises an engine or fuel cell.  
   
   
       12 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 11  wherein said metallic fuel rods are  
   
   
       13 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 10  wherein the hydroxide solution comprises approximately 25% potassium hydroxide by weight.  
   
   
       14 . The gas generation and collection system of  claim 13  wherein the temperature of the holding tank hydroxide solution is approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit.