Abstract:
A method of producing a high pressure gas is disclosed and which includes providing a container; supplying the container with a liquid; increasing the pressure of the liquid within the container; supplying a reactant composition to the liquid under pressure in the container and which chemically reacts with the liquid to produce a resulting high pressure gas; and drawing the resulting high pressure gas from the container.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a method and a reactor for generating hydrogen from a metal hydride. The method includes the steps of: providing a fuel containing a metal hydride and water; catalyzing a reaction of the hydride and water by using a functional membrane system; and thereby generating hydrogen. The reactor for generating hydrogen includes a vessel, and a functional membrane system disposed within the vessel. The functional membrane system compartmentalizes the vessel into two chambers. One of the two chambers is a fuel chamber, and the other chamber is a hydrogen chamber. Fuel, containing a metal hydride and water, is introduced to the fuel chamber, where it undergoes a catalytic reaction to generate hydrogen. The generated hydrogen then passes through the functional membrane system into the hydrogen chamber, and exits the reactor via the hydrogen outlets. The functional membrane system includes a membrane and a catalyst. The catalyst is adapted to promote the removal of hydrogen from a metal hydride.
Abstract:
A method is provided that generates hydrogen to power a hydrogen consuming device. Hydrogen is stored on-board a vehicle in dry lithium and/or sodium borohydride particles. Upon demand from the hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, a portion of the borohydride is conveyed to an axial flow reactor. Water is then injected into the reactor in controlled amounts to hydrolyze the borohydride particles thus, producing hydrogen gas and solid-phase by-products. The reactor includes parallel, closely spanned, counter rotating augers to mix and convey the borohydride particles and solid by-products through the reactor. A separate grinding mechanism can be used to further crush and grind large by-product particles to increase packing efficiencies in a by-products storage vessel, where reaction products will later be stored. Hydrogen gas produced in the reaction is delivered to either a hydrogen buffer container for temporary storage or to the hydrogen consuming device.
Abstract:
An apparatus and methods for chlorine dioxide generation. The chlorine dioxide apparatus may comprise a plurality of metering pumps for delivering a plurality of reactant chemicals. The reactant chemicals are preferably delivered to a reaction column through inlet ports where the reactants are mixed to form the desired reactants. A synchronizer may control the metering pump action to provide synchronized delivery of the plurality of reactant chemicals to the reaction column.
Abstract:
A gas/liquid phase separator includes a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and first and second valves disposed in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. Both valves are controllable in response to a system pressure and a fluid level in the gas/liquid phase separator. Both valves are further disposed in parallel fluid communication with each other. A method of controlling a liquid level in the phase separator includes sensing an amount of liquid in the phase separator, sensing a system pressure, and selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with the phase separator to drain the liquid.
Abstract:
A self-starting, self-sustaining hydrogen generator comprises a reactor packed with a mass of mixed catalyst, containing supported copper and palladium. A feedstock, of e.g. methanol and an oxygen source such as air, is injected at high velocity into the mass of catalyst through a multipoint entry such as a tube of porous ceramic. The mass of catalyst is preferably configured concentrically around the tube injector, so that the fluid-flow follows a radial path through the reactor. The product gas is high in hydrogen and can be used as a feed for a fuel cell.
Abstract:
Gamma rays are applied to a suspension which includes water and a catalyst having an element of platinum group metal carried on a semiconductor, thereby decomposing the water so as to produce hydrogen. The energy of gamma rays emitted from a nuclear reactor can be utilized to achieve a high-efficient generation of hydrogen.
Abstract:
We disclose apparatus and methods for delivering for patient infusion or other use two or more fluids either sequentially or simultaneously. The apparatus has a fluid delivery compartment containing a first infusion fluid, a flexible membrane, and an openable bag containing a second infusion fluid. An attached gas reaction compartment contains chemical reactants which, when combined, react to evolve gas. The gas expands a gas expansion chamber causing the membrane to move into the fluid delivery compartment, displacing the first infusion fluid. The membrane eventually contacts and compresses the openable bag. Pressure from the membrane causes the bag to open and discharge its contents out of the infusion device.
Abstract:
Phosphine is generated by the reaction of water with a metal phosphide formulation. In one embodiment, the formulation is within a housing closed by a membrane which is permeable to water and phosphine. A water-containing gas flows across the membrane and water from the gas permeates into the housing to react with the phosphide, producing phosphine which also permeates through the membrane to enter the gas flow. Two membranes may be used to close the housing, one permeable to water, the other permeable to phosphine. A blanking plate and phosphine absorber may be included to control the phosphine production. In a second embodiment, pellets of a phosphide formulation are transferred, periodically, from a hopper to a chamber containing water. The transfer is effected by a disc member mounted below the hopper and above the chamber. The disc member has at least one aperture in it, within which pellets are transported from the hopper outlet to an inlet port of the chamber. Control of the phosphine production is supplemented by varying the water temperature and by using a safety arrangement adapted to supply a purge gas to the generator. The safety arrangement utilises a reservoir of the purge gas (usually dry air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide) at high pressure, established prior to the operation of the phosphine generator. If the electrical power supply to the generator fails, or if the gas pressure or the phosphine concentration in the generator is too high, a valve opens to let the purge gas flow from the reservoir into the generator.
Abstract:
A liquid dispensing device and the method of dispensing liquid are disclosed. The device is uniquely suited to meet the requirements of hospitals and other institutions for long shelf life in inert-condition and ready activation when needed. The device includes a hollow gas- and liquid-tight casing (preferably spherical or cylindrical), a flexible gas- and liquid-tight membrane disposed entirely across the casing interior dividing the interior into a propellant chamber and a liquid chamber; an outlet port from the liquid chamber; two mutually reactive chemicals in the propellant chamber but separated by a barrier; and a member to breach the barrier and permit the chemicals to come into contact; the two chemicals being reactive upon contact to form a propellant gas. The propellant gas thereupon expands against the membrane, moves the membrane to enlarge the propellant chamber, decrease the liquid chamber, and expel the contained liquid from the liquid chamber through the outlet port. The barrier may be breached in any convenient manner, as by breaking a frangible barrier or perforating a perforable one. Preferably at least one of the chemicals is in liquid form, and one is a Group I or II metal carbonate or bicarbonate while the other is an acid, acid anhydride or acid salt; the most preferred combination is sodium carbonate and citric acid.