Gas generation and management system

Abstract

A system for generating gas includes a gas source which includes a gas generator and a gas compressor. The system also includes a gas management apparatus in a flow path between the gas source and gas sink. The gas management apparatus includes a primary pressure vessel that stores gas when a gas source flow rate exceeds a gas sink flow rate, and that releases stored gas when the gas source flow rate is less than the gas sink flow rate. The gas management apparatus also includes a primary variable state material that absorbs the gas when in an absorptive state, and releases the gas in a releasing state.

1 . A hydrogen gas generator, for use with an electric source, comprising:
 a fluid reservoir;   a vessel holding an electrolyte solution;   a gas impermeable wall dividing the vessel into a hydrogen generating chamber and an oxygen generating chamber, the gas impermeable wall comprising a first opening and a second opening both disposed below an operating level of the electrolyte solution, wherein the second opening permits the electrolyte solution to traverse the gas impermeable wall;   a PEM installed in the first opening such that any fluid communication through the first opening must pass through the PEM;   an anode in the hydrogen generating chamber, disposed below the operating level of the electrolyte solution and proximate the PEM;   a nickel alloy material disposed in the hydrogen generating chamber, wherein the nickel alloy material absorbs hydrogen when below approximately 80° F., and releases hydrogen when above approximately 80° F.;   a cathode in the oxygen generating chamber, disposed below the operating level of the electrolyte solution; and   a hydrogen gas collection area within the hydrogen generating chambers comprising a port through which hydrogen can be delivered to the exterior of the vessel,   wherein the anode and cathode are connected to the electric source, and the electric source, anode, cathode, and electrolyte solution form an electric circuit.   
     
     
         2 . The hydrogen gas generator of  claim 1 , wherein the anode is comprised of the variable state material. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrogen gas generator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second gas impermeable wall comprising a second PEM disposed in the second gas impermeable wall, such that the first and second gas impermeable walls create three chambers, wherein the third chamber is an additional hydrogen generating chamber comprising an anode and a nickel alloy material, and wherein the oxygen generating chamber is disposed between the hydrogen generating chambers.   
     
     
         4 . The hydrogen gas generator of  claim 3 , wherein the anodes are comprised of the nickel alloy material. 
     
     
         5 . A method for generating hydrogen gas in a vessel comprising at least one oxygen generating chamber comprising a cathode, and at least one hydrogen generating chamber comprising an anode, wherein the chambers are separated by a gas impermeable wall comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein electrolyte solution is free to pass through the second opening, and wherein any fluid communication through the first opening must pass through a PEM, the method comprising:
 maintaining a temperature within the vessel of over 85° F. during operation;   absorbing hydrogen present in the hydrogen generating chamber when the temperature within the vessel falls below approximately 85° F. using a variable state material placed in the hydrogen chamber, wherein the variable state material absorbs hydrogen when the variable state material temperature falls below approximately 80° F.;   supplying electrolyte solution from a reservoir to the vessel;   maintaining the electrolyte solution level such that the anode, cathode, and PEM remain submerged during operation, and the PEM remains submerged even when the system is not operating;   supplying electricity from an external source such that the electrolyte solution forms part of the electric path in the vessel;   delivering any hydrogen that is generated in the hydrogen generating chamber; and   permitting any hydrogen that passes through the PEM into the oxygen generating chamber to combine with any oxygen present in the oxygen chamber.   
     
     
         6 . The method for generating hydrogen gas of  claim 5 , wherein the anode is comprised of the variable state material. 
     
     
         7 . The method for generating hydrogen gas of  claim 5 , wherein the vessel comprises two gas impermeable walls each comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the walls form two hydrogen generating chambers each comprising an anode surrounding a single oxygen generating chamber comprising a cathode. 
     
     
         8 . The method for generating hydrogen gas of  claim 7 , wherein the anodes are comprised of the variable state material.