Hydrogen generator

Abstract

A hydrogen generator capable of operating in any orientation and having no moving parts includes a catalyst retaining structure. The catalyst retaining structure is disposed in a housing and serves to separate the housing into a fuel holding portion and a hydrogen chamber. The catalyst retaining structure also includes one or more pores, each pore being in communication with the fuel holding and hydrogen chambers. A catalyst, that promotes the generation of hydrogen gas upon contact with the fuel, is disposed within the pores. The fuel enters the pores and thereupon generates hydrogen gas which passes into the hydrogen chamber. Contact of the fuel with the catalyst in the pores may be controlled and the position of the fuel-hydrogen interface within the pore may be moved so as to regulate the generation of hydrogen. The catalyst retaining structure can take different forms, including one or more hollow elongated members or plates, and may further incorporate hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic membranes.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of generating hydrogen gas comprising:
 providing a housing having a member separating the housing into a fuel holding chamber with a fuel solution disposed therein and a hydrogen chamber, the member having a first exterior surface facing the fuel storage chamber and a second exterior member facing the hydrogen chamber, the member having at least one pore communicating with the first and second exterior surface and having a catalyst disposed therein that promotes the generation of hydrogen upon contact with said fuel solution, said fuel solution in said fuel holding chamber being capable of moving to said first exterior surface without capillary action; and   allowing said fuel solution to enter into said pore and contact said catalyst so as to generate hydrogen.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of generating hydrogen gas comprising:
 providing a housing having a member separating the housing into a fuel holding chamber with a fuel solution disposed therein and a hydrogen chamber, the member having a first exterior surface facing the fuel storage chamber and a second exterior surface facing the hydrogen chamber, the member having at least one pore communicating with the first and second exterior surface and having a catalyst disposed therein that promotes the generation of hydrogen upon contact with said fuel solution, said fuel solution in said fuel holding chamber being capable of moving to said first exterior surface without capillary action; and   allowing said fuel solution to enter into said pore and contact said catalyst so as to generate hydrogen.   
     
     
         21 . A method for producing a catalyst retaining structure comprising:
 providing a member having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface, the member having at least one pore communicating with the first and second exterior surface; and   flowing a solution containing at least one transition metal ion in contact with said first exterior surface; and   flowing a reducing agent solution in contact with said second exterior surface; and   allowing said solution containing at least one transition metal ion and said reducing agent solution to enter into said pore and contact each other in order to deposit catalyst particles on the wall of said pore.   
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said transition metal is selected from the group of ruthenium, cobalt, nickel, palladium, platinum, molybdenum, manganese, iron, chromium, and zinc. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein said reducing agent is a chemical hydride. 
     
     
         24 . A method for producing a catalyst retaining structure comprising:
 providing a member having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface, the member having at least one pore communicating with the first and second exterior surface; and   flowing a solution containing at least one transition metal ion in contact with said first exterior surface;   flowing hydrogen gas in contact with said second exterior surface; and   allowing said solution containing at least one transition metal ion and hydrogen gas to enter into said pore and contact each other in order to deposit catalyst particles on the wall of said pore.   
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein said transition metal is selected from the group of ruthenium, cobalt, nickel, palladium, platinum, molybdenum, manganese, iron, chromium, and zinc. 
     
     
         26 . A method of generating hydrogen gas comprising:
 providing a housing having a member separating the housing into a fuel holding chamber with a fuel solution disposed therein and a hydrogen chamber, the member having a first surface facing the fuel storage chamber and a second surface facing the hydrogen chamber, the member having at least one pore communicating with the first and second surface and having a catalyst disposed therein that promotes the generation of hydrogen upon contact with said fuel solution, and   regulating the movement of said fuel solution into said pore.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26  in which a gas pressure in the hydrogen chamber regulates said movement of said fuel solution into said pore. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 26  in which an applied pressure in the fuel chamber regulates said movement of said fuel solution into said pore. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26  in which further comprises regulating the contact of said fuel solution with said catalyst. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 26  in which a gas pressure in the hydrogen chamber regulates said contact of said fuel solution with said catalyst. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 26  in which an applied pressure in the fuel chamber regulates said contact of said fuel solution with said catalyst. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 26  in which further comprises maintaining a thin film of said fuel solution adjacent to said first surface. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein said member comprises at least one hollow fiber. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein said member comprises at least one set of flat plates. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein said member comprises at least one asymmetric plate.