Method of Generating Hydrogen Gas

Abstract

Methods for generating hydrogen gas and related systems are disclosed. Aspects of methods include providing a solid reactant component to an expandable reactant zone within an expandable reaction chamber, providing a liquid reactant component to a collapsible receptacle, controllably transporting the liquid reactant component in the collapsible receptacle to the expandable reaction chamber, and reacting the liquid reactant component with the solid reactant component. In some instances, components are configured for volume exchange among the expandable reaction chamber, the expandable reactant zone, and the collapsible receptacle.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of generating hydrogen gas, the method comprising:
 providing a solid reactant component to an expandable reactant zone within an expandable reaction chamber within a housing having a fixed interior volume, said expandable reaction chamber comprising a moveable partition defining the expandable reactant zone;   providing a liquid reactant component to a collapsible receptacle within the housing;   controllably transporting the liquid reactant component in the collapsible receptacle to the expandable reaction chamber, the controllably transporting comprising;
 forcing liquid reactant component through a fluid path configured to flow liquid reactant from the collapsible receptacle to the reactant zone of the reactant chamber;
 wherein the fluid path is coupled to the moveable partition between the collapsible receptacle and the expandable reaction chamber; 
 
 moving the moveable partition to move a fluid path outlet within the expandable reaction zone from a distal portion toward a proximal portion of the expandable reactant zone relative to the moveable partition; and 
   reacting the liquid reactant component with the solid reactant component.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid path comprises a plurality of tubular members attached to the collapsible receptacle, each member having a free end extending into the expandable reactant zone of the expandable reaction chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the free ends of the tubular members are movable with the collapsible receptacle to transport liquid reactant component to unreacted solid reactant component within the reactant zone. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the controllably transporting the liquid reactant component comprises using a valve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , the controllably transporting the liquid reactant component further comprises using a pressure regulator attached to the valve. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein pressure regulator is positioned within the collapsible receptacle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the moveable partition comprises a porous material. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the solid reactant component comprises a chemical hydride and the liquid reactant component comprises water. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the chemical hydride comprises sodium borohydride. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the solid reactant component comprises sodium silicide and the liquid reactant component comprises water. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the moveable partition is a slidable partition that slides within the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the reaction chamber is in a volume exchanging relationship with the collapsible receptacle such that the reaction chamber is able to expand into a volume previously occupied by the liquid reactant component in the collapsible receptacle. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the moveable partition is an intermediate component between the collapsible receptacle and the expandable reaction chamber; 
     
     
         26 . A method of controlled reaction of a sold reactant in an expandable reaction container reacting with a fluid to generate hydrogen gas, the method comprising:
 having a solid reactant component in an expandable reactant zone within an expandable reaction chamber within a housing with a fixed interior volume, said expandable reaction chamber comprising at least a moveable partition defining the expandable reactant zone;   providing a liquid reactant component to a collapsible receptacle within the housing;   controllably transporting the liquid reactant component from the collapsible receptacle to the expandable reaction chamber, the controllably transporting comprising;
 forcing liquid reactant component through a fluid path configured to flow liquid reactant from the collapsible receptacle to the reactant zone of the reactant chamber;
 wherein the fluid path is coupled to one of the moveable partition and an intermediate component between the collapsible receptacle and the expandable reaction chamber; 
 
 moving the moveable partition or the intermediate component to move a fluid path outlet within the expandable reaction zone from a distal portion toward a proximal portion of the expandable reactant zone relative to the moveable partition; and 
   producing hydrogen via reacting the liquid reactant component with the solid reactant component.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the fluid path comprises a plurality of tubular members attached to the collapsible receptacle, each member having a free end extending into the expandable reactant zone of the expandable reaction chamber. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the free ends of the tubular members are movable with the collapsible receptacle or intermediate component to transport liquid reactant component to unreacted solid reactant component within the reactant zone. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the controllably transporting the liquid reactant component comprises using a valve. 
     
     
         30 . he method of  claim 29 , the controllably transporting the liquid reactant component further comprises using a pressure regulator attached to the valve. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein pressure regulator is positioned within the collapsible receptacle or intermediate component.