U.S. patent application number 10/550723 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for hydrogen gas generator.
Invention is credited to Seung Sik Cha, Jeong Gun Park.
Application Number | 20060185242 10/550723 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36911112 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060185242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cha; Seung Sik ; et
al. |
August 24, 2006 |
Hydrogen gas generator
Abstract
Disclosed is a self-regulating hydrogen gas generator for a
hydrogen fuel cell. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator
includes a fuel tank, defining an inner space having a designated
volume, provided with a hydrogen outlet communicating the inner
space, a fuel solution, containing a hydrogen storing material,
stored in the fuel tank, and a catalyst contacting the fuel
solution for generating hydrogen gas, wherein the catalyst fills a
catalytic reactor, provided with a closed portion for interrupting
the contact between the catalyst and the fuel solution, and an
opened portion contacting the fuel solution, so that the generation
and interruption of hydrogen gas are actively regulated based on
the increase and decrease of the pressure of the fuel tank.
Inventors: |
Cha; Seung Sik; (Daejeon,
KR) ; Park; Jeong Gun; (Daejeon, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IPLA P.A.
3580 WILSHIRE BLVD.
17TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90010
US
|
Family ID: |
36911112 |
Appl. No.: |
10/550723 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 25, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR04/00675 |
371 Date: |
September 26, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
48/77 ; 422/211;
48/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 60/32 20130101;
B01J 7/02 20130101; C01B 3/065 20130101; B01J 14/005 20130101; B01J
2219/00162 20130101; H01M 8/04216 20130101; B01J 2219/00164
20130101; H01M 8/065 20130101; C01B 3/06 20130101; Y02E 60/50
20130101; F17C 11/005 20130101; H01M 8/04208 20130101; Y02E 60/36
20130101; B01J 2219/0027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
048/077 ;
048/061; 422/211 |
International
Class: |
C10J 3/68 20060101
C10J003/68 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 28, 2003 |
KR |
10-2003-0019557 |
Mar 15, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0017413 |
Claims
1. A self-regulating hydrogen gas generator, for a hydrogen fuel
cell, comprising: a fuel tank, defining an inner space having a
designated volume, provided with a hydrogen outlet communicating
the inner space; a fuel solution, containing a hydrogen storing
material, stored in the fuel tank; and a catalyst contacting the
fuel solution for generating hydrogen gas, wherein the catalyst
fills a catalytic reactor, provided with a closed portion for
interrupting the contact between the catalyst and the fuel solution
to stop the generation of hydrogen gas in case that a pressure of
the fuel tank increases due to the generation of hydrogen gas by
the contact between the catalyst and the fuel solution, and an
opened portion contacting the fuel solution for generating hydrogen
gas in case that the pressure of the fuel tank decreases due to the
use of the generated hydrogen gas by the fuel cell, so that the
generation and interruption of hydrogen gas are actively regulated
based on the increase and decrease of the pressure of the fuel
tank.
2. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in claim
1, wherein the catalytic reactor includes elastic means having a
designated compressing and restoring force for moving the catalyst
toward the closed or opened portion, based on the increase and
decrease of the pressure of the fuel tank due to the generation of
hydrogen gas, to regulate the generation of hydrogen gas.
3. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in claim
2, wherein a catalyst-fixing member, provided with the catalyst
connected thereto, which is movable in the catalytic reactor, is
connected to one end of the elastic means.
4. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in claim
3, wherein fuel solution interception members, for preventing the
fuel solution from being introduced into the catalytic reactor
through the opened portion when the catalyst-fixing member moves
toward the closed portion due to the increase of the pressure of
the fuel tank, are positioned at either of inner circumferences of
the catalyst-fixing member and the catalytic reactor.
5. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in claim
3, wherein fuel solution interception members, for preventing the
fuel solution from being introduced into the catalytic reactor
through the opened portion when the catalyst-fixing member moves
toward the closed portion due to the increase of the pressure of
the fuel tank, are positioned between the catalyst-fixing member
and the elastic means.
6. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in claim
3, wherein the fuel tank includes gas-liquid separating means for
separating the generated hydrogen gas from the fuel solution in a
liquid state and exhausting the separated hydrogen gas to the
outside.
7. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in claim
6, wherein: an installation groove, into which the catalytic
reactor from the outside is detachably inserted, is formed at a
designated position of the fuel tank; and the installation groove
includes: a through hole for allowing the catalyst of the catalytic
reactor to contact the fuel solution of the fuel tank to generate
hydrogen gas; elastic means positioned on the bottom of the
installation groove; a through hole sealing member combined with
the elastic means for sealing the through hole and pushing the
catalyst-fixing member of the catalytic reactor connected thereto
due to the increase of the pressure of the fuel tank to the through
hole when the catalytic reactor is separated from the installation
groove; and a hydrogen generation regulating hole formed through
the bottom of the installation groove defining a closed space by
the through hole sealing member for allowing the hydrogen gas
generated in the fuel tank to enter into and leave the installation
groove.
8. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in claim
7, wherein a gas-liquid separating film is installed in the fuel
tank provided with the hydrogen generation regulating hole, and
fixing means for fixing the catalytic reactor to the fuel tank is
positioned at the end of the catalytic reactor and the entrance of
the installation groove.
9. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in claim
8, wherein a catalyst exposure regulating portion for defining a
sealed space is extended from the end of the catalytic reactor at
the outer surface of the catalyst-fixing member, and another
hydrogen generation regulating hole, which coincides with the
hydrogen generation regulating hole when the catalytic reactor is
inserted into the installation groove and regulates the generation
of hydrogen gas by moving the catalyst-fixing member based on the
increase and decrease of the pressure of the fuel tank, is formed
through a designated position of the catalyst exposure regulating
portion.
10. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 9, wherein the gas-liquid separating means is a gas-liquid
separating film having various shapes fixedly installed in the fuel
tank so that a designated space between the inner hole of the
outlet and the fuel solution is defined to easily exhaust the
hydrogen gas through the outlet.
11. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 10, wherein an implant member provided with air holes, for
preventing the movement of the gas-liquid separating film and
efficiently exhausting hydrogen when the pressure in the fuel tank
increases due to the generation of the hydrogen gas or the fuel
tank moves, is interposed between the inner surface of the fuel
tank and the gas-liquid separating film.
12. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 11, wherein the gas-liquid separating film is a completely
sealed type, which includes the catalytic reactor and the fuel
solution and separates the outer surface thereof from the inner
wall of the fuel tank by a designated interval.
13. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 6, wherein the gas-liquid separating means includes a
collector floating on the fuel solution filling a designated level
of the fuel tank, a collection hole protruded from the collector
and exposed to the upper surface of the fuel solution for
introducing the hydrogen gas generated in the fuel tank to the
collector therethrough, and a drain hose connecting the other side
of the collector, opposite to the collection hole, and the outlet,
for exhausting the hydrogen gas collected by the collector.
14. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 3, wherein the catalyst-fixing member includes: both wings,
formed at both ends thereof, sliding on the inner surface of a
tube; and a catalyst-fixing section interposed between the wings
for fixing the catalyst.
15. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 14, wherein a permanent magnet is attached to the
catalyst-fixing section so that the catalyst made of metal is
attached to the catalyst-fixing section using the permanent magnet
without any separate process.
16. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 14, wherein the catalyst-fixing section is divided into
plural pieces for increasing a contact area between the catalyst
and the fuel solution to generate a great amount of hydrogen
gas.
17. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 10, wherein the fuel tank includes hydrogen gas retaining
means for converting hydrogen gas in a fine foam state, generated
by the contact of the fuel solution and the catalyst, into
large-sized hydrogen gas bubbles and allowing the obtained
large-sized gas bubbles to pass through the gas-liquid separating
means.
18. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 10, wherein the catalytic reactor is provided inside the
hydrogen gas retaining means provided with a plurality of holes for
converting hydrogen gas in a fine foam state, generated by the
contact of the fuel solution and the catalyst, into large-sized
hydrogen gas bubbles and allowing the obtained large-sized gas
bubbles to pass through the gas-liquid separating means.
19. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 10, wherein at least one collision member for preventing
hydrogen gas in a fine foam state, generated in the fuel tank,
containing moisture, from directly contacting the gas-liquid
separating film, is interposed between the fuel solution and the
gas-liquid separating film.
20. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 10, wherein the fuel tank includes a hole for exhausting the
waste fuel solution or its by-products from the fuel tank
therethrough and for filling the fuel tank with a new fuel solution
therethrough.
21. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 10, wherein the fuel tank includes a vent hole for preventing
the overpressure of the fuel tank.
22. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 14, wherein the catalyst, which is made of Raney Ni, is
attached to a net or substrate in distilled water or general water
using an adhesive agent, which is solidified in the water without
using a separate dry or surface oxidation process, and is then
combined with the catalyst-fixing section.
23. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 2, wherein the elastic means includes a compressed coil
spring.
24. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 2, wherein the elastic means includes compressible gas.
25. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 10, wherein, in case that a plurality of spaces not-filled
with the fuel solution are divisionally obtained by respectively
installing a plurality of the gas-liquid separating films at left,
right, upper and lower portions, of the inside of the fuel tank
filled with the fuel solution, a connection pipe connects the
divided spaces, not-filled with the fuel solution, in the fuel
tank.
26. The self-regulating hydrogen gas generator as set forth in
claim 1, wherein a heating medium for generating heat is installed
in at least one of the fuel tank, the catalytic reactor and the
catalyst-fixing member.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a self-regulating hydrogen
gas generator, and more particularly to a hydrogen gas generator
for actively regulating the generation of hydrogen gas due to
variation in pressure of a fuel tank based on the amount of
hydrogen gas generated in the fuel tank regardless of any external
force.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Recently, industrial development has improved quality of
life, but the rapid increase of energy demand causes serious
problems such as environmental pollution and exhaustion of fossil
fuels.
[0003] All the countries of the world put forth great effort into
the development of alternative energy sources to protect against
possible exhaustion of fossil fuels, including petroleum.
Particularly, the conventional use of fossil fuels causes serious
environmental (air) pollution, thereby accelerating global warming
and the destruction of environment. It is known that the main
factors contaminating the atmosphere are nitric oxides,
hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide exhausted from factories or
vehicles. These exhaust gases destroy the ozone layer, thereby
causing various natural hazards, such as the direct transmission of
harmful rays of the sun to the surface of the earth and the
generation of climatic change, the destruction of the ecosystem,
and various diseases.
[0004] In order to reduce the air pollution generated due to the
use of fossil fuels, development of clean-burning fuels has been
accelerated. Particularly, the development of alternative clean
energy using hydrogen as an energy source is suggested. Hydrogen,
which an abundant earth resource, reacts with oxygen to generate a
great deal of energy and only water as a by-product, thus being the
only measure for simultaneously solving the problems of the
exhaustion of energy resources and environmental pollution.
[0005] However, in order to use hydrogen as an energy resource,
technical problems caused by the generation of hydrogen and the
safe storage and carriage of the generated hydrogen must be solved.
Particularly, in case that hydrogen is used as the fuel for mobile
equipment such as a hydrogen engine or hydrogen fuel cell applied
to a vehicle, or a hydrogen fuel cell applied to small-sized IT
(Information Technology) electronic devices, since the amount of
fuel stored in the equipment is restricted, a technique of
minimizing the volume and weight of a fuel tank for maintaining a
high energy density is essentially required.
[0006] Particularly, in case that hydrogen is used as fuel of the
hydrogen fuel cell for vehicles and IT electronic devices, the
performances of the vehicles and IT electronic devices are
influenced by the storage method of the fuel and the capacity of
the fuel tank. Thus, the generation and storage methods of hydrogen
are considered as leading techniques. A liquid hydrogen storage
method, a gaseous hydrogen storage method and a solid hydrogen
storage method are used as the hydrogen storage methods, which are
suggested now.
[0007] The liquid hydrogen storage method is advantageous in that
hydrogen is liquefied by maintaining cryotemperatures to greatly
increase the stored density of hydrogen. However, natural loss of
the liquefied hydrogen must be reduced and energy loss due to the
cryogenic cooling must be considered.
[0008] In the gaseous hydrogen storage method, high pressure is
applied to hydrogen and the compressed hydrogen is then stored. In
order to obtain an energy density suitable for mobile equipment,
several hundreds of atmospheres must be applied to the hydrogen,
thus increasing energy consumption and requiring a safe storage
method for the super high-pressure hydrogen.
[0009] The solid hydrogen storage method is advantageous in that it
is usable at room-temperature and low-pressure and is excellent in
terms of safety and reduces energy loss, but is disadvantageous in
that it has a low energy density per unit weight due to the high
density of a hydrogen storing material. For example, a hydrogen
fuel cell vehicles, which command public attention recently, use
hydrogen instead of gasoline or light gas oil as fuel. In order to
use hydrogen as the fuel of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, a large
amount of hydrogen must be stored in a storage container. In case
that the conventional solid hydrogen storage method is applied to
the above hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the hydrogen fuel cell
vehicle has a travel range half of that of a vehicle using gasoline
as its fuel source, thus causing a difficulty in commercially using
the conventional solid hydrogen storage method. In accordance with
one solid hydrogen storage method for solving of the above problem,
a catalyst contacts a fuel solution obtained by dissolving a
hydrogen storing material, thus generating hydrogen. Since it is
possible to store hydrogen in a liquid state at approximately
atmospheric pressure, this method has high stability and high
hydrogen storing capacity, thus being capable of being applied to
mobile equipment.
[0010] The above method generates hydrogen by means of the reaction
between the fuel solution and the catalyst. Accordingly, in order
to start or stop the generation of hydrogen, the method requires a
process for bringing the catalyst into contact with the fuel
solution or separating the catalyst from the fuel solution by
supplying the fuel solution to the catalyst or preventing the
supply of the fuel solution using a pump, or by moving the catalyst
to the fuel solution or separating the catalyst from the fuel
solution using a motor. Particularly, in case that the above method
is used in mobile equipment provided with a hydrogen fuel cell,
when an amount of hydrogen exceeding the requirements of the mobile
equipment is generated, hydrogen is accumulated in the hydrogen
fuel cell and increases the pressure in the system. In this case,
in order to maintain the pressure in the system below a designated
value, apparatuses, for exhausting the accumulated hydrogen,
measuring the pressure and the supplied amount of hydrogen using a
sensor, regulating the reacting amount of the catalyst by
separating the catalyst from the fuel solution using external
mechanical energy, and/or variably regulating the supplied amount
of the fuel solution containing the hydrogen storing material, are
additionally installed in the system, thereby complicating the
structure of the system and increasing the volume of the system.
Thus, the use of the system is restricted.
[0011] In order to solve the above-described problems and since an
embodiment for increasing a contact area between a fuel solution
and a catalyst attached to a catalyst-fixing portion is
insufficient, the development of various embodiments is required.
Further, technical solution and means, for preventing moisture
contained in hydrogen gas in a foam state from closing fine air
holes of a gas-liquid separating film, when the hydrogen gas
containing fine moisture particles generated in the fuel tank
collides with the gas-liquid separating film, are required.
Further, technical means, for preventing moisture contained in
hydrogen gas in the foam state from closing fine air holes of the
gas-liquid separating film, in case that hydrogen gas flowing out
of the fuel solution, which contains fine moisture particles,
collides with the gas-liquid separating film, and improving
performance of an apparatus, is required.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a self-regulating hydrogen gas generator, which is actively
self-operated at an initial stage without an external energy
source, and generates and supplies hydrogen gas serving as an
energy source, thereby allowing the hydrogen gas to be used as
clean alternative energy, preventing environmental pollution and
increasing the utility of the hydrogen gas.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
self-regulating hydrogen gas generator, which has a simple
structure and a minimal volume, thereby commercially applying
hydrogen gas to apparatuses, systems and mobile equipment using
hydrogen as fuel.
[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a self-regulating hydrogen gas generator, in which a
catalyst-fixing member, provided with a catalyst attached thereto,
contacting a fuel solution to generate hydrogen gas has various
shapes for generating a large amount of hydrogen gas, and a fixed
fuel tank, mobile and portable equipment has a structure such that
hydrogen gas generated in the fuel tank is efficiently exhausted
and passes through a gas-liquid separating film, thus having an
improved performance.
[0015] In accordance with the present invention, the above and
other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a
self-regulating hydrogen gas generator, for a hydrogen fuel cell,
comprising: a fuel tank, defining an inner space having a
designated volume, provided with a hydrogen outlet communicating
the inner space; a fuel solution, containing a hydrogen storing
material, stored in the fuel tank; and a catalyst contacting the
fuel solution for generating hydrogen gas, wherein the catalyst
fills a catalytic reactor, provided with a closed portion for
interrupting the contact between the catalyst and the fuel solution
to stop the generation of hydrogen gas in case that a pressure of
the fuel tank increases due to the generation of hydrogen gas by
the contact between the catalyst and the fuel solution, and an
opened portion contacting the fuel solution for generating hydrogen
gas in case that the pressure of the fuel tank decreases due to the
use of the generated hydrogen gas by the fuel cell, so that the
generation and interruption of hydrogen gas are actively regulated
based on the increase and decrease of the pressure of the fuel
tank.
[0016] Preferably, the catalytic reactor may include elastic means
having a designated compressing and restoring force for moving the
catalyst toward the closed or opened portion, based on the increase
and decrease of the pressure of the fuel tank due to the generation
of hydrogen gas, to regulate the generation of hydrogen gas, and
the catalyst may be combined with a catalyst-fixing member, which
is movable in the catalytic reactor.
[0017] Further, preferably, the fuel tank may include gas-liquid
separating means for separating the generated hydrogen gas from the
fuel solution in a liquid state and exhausting the separated
hydrogen gas to the outside. More preferably, the gas-liquid
separating means may be a gas-liquid separating film having various
shapes fixedly installed in the fuel tank so that a designated
space between the inner hole of the outlet and the fuel solution is
defined to easily exhaust the hydrogen gas through the outlet.
[0018] Preferably, the gas-liquid separating means may include a
collector floating on the fuel solution filling a designated level
of the fuel tank, a collection hole protruded from the collector
and exposed to the upper surface of the fuel solution for
introducing the hydrogen gas generated in the fuel tank to the
collector therethrough, and a drain hose connecting the other side
of the collector, opposite to the collection hole, and the outlet,
for exhausting the hydrogen gas collected by the collector.
Further, preferably, the fuel tank may include hydrogen gas
retaining means for converting hydrogen gas in a fine foam state,
generated by the contact of the fuel solution and the catalyst,
into large-sized hydrogen gas bubbles and allowing the obtained
large-sized gas bubbles to pass through the gas-liquid separating
means. Moreover, preferably, at least one collision member for
preventing hydrogen gas in a fine foam state, generated in the fuel
tank, containing moisture, from directly contacting the gas-liquid
separating film, may be interposed between the fuel solution and
the gas-liquid separating film.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a
hydrogen gas generator in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 2 and 3 are partially exploded perspective views
illustrating the operation of a catalytic reactor applied to the
hydrogen gas generator in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the catalytic
reactor of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0023] FIGS. 5 and 6 are partially exploded perspective views of
another catalytic reactor having a shape differing from that of the
catalytic reactor of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0024] FIGS. 7 to 13 illustrate various embodiments of a
catalyst-fixing member, to which a catalyst is connected;
[0025] FIGS. 14 to 18 illustrate various embodiments of gas-liquid
separating means provided in a fuel tank;
[0026] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate hydrogen gas retaining means
formed on the external surface of the catalytic reactor filled with
a fuel solution;
[0027] FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a collision member interposed
between the fuel solution of the fuel tank and a gas-liquid
separating film;
[0028] FIGS. 23 to 28 are each schematic views of hydrogen gas
generators in accordance with second, third and fourth embodiments
of the present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 29 is a schematic view of the hydrogen gas generator of
the present invention used as a fuel feed system of a portable
telephone.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0030] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.
Hereinafter, the description of conventional peripheral devices of
a hydrogen gas generator will be omitted.
[0031] A hydrogen gas generator (H) of the present invention is
characterized in that the generation of hydrogen gas and the
interception of the hydrogen gas are repeatedly performed without
using external energy.
[0032] More specifically, the hydrogen gas generator (H) of the
present invention comprises a fuel tank 10 having a designated size
for maintaining a hermetically sealed space, a hydrogen storing
material fuel solution 17 contained in the fuel tank 10, and a
catalyst 21 contacting the hydrogen storing material fuel solution
17 for generating hydrogen gas. The catalyst 21 fills a catalyst
reactor 20 having a designated shape. FIG. 1 is a perspective view
of the hydrogen gas generator, in which the fuel tank 10 is
partially exploded in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel tank 10 has the designated size
for containing the fuel solution having a certain volume, and the
size and shape of the fuel tank 10 vary according to the purpose
and kind of the fuel tank 10. An outlet 12 for discharging hydrogen
generated in the fuel tank 10 is formed in one side surface of the
fuel tank 10, and a valve, such as a quick connector 15, is
installed on the outlet 12 and is combined with a hydrogen fuel
cell.
[0034] The fuel tank is filled with the hydrogen storing material
fuel solution 17 having a certain volume, when the fuel tank 10 is
initially manufactured, and is then hermetically sealed so that the
fuel tank cannot be recharged and discharged. Alternately, a hole
14 is formed through one side of the fuel tank 10 so that the fuel
solution 17, after use, is discharged from the fuel tank 10 through
the hole 14 and new fuel solution 17 fills the fuel tank 10 through
the hole 14, and a vent hole 13 serving as a safety measure is
formed through one side of the fuel tank 10 so that hydrogen is
discharged from the inside of the fuel tank 10 to the outside.
[0035] The hydrogen storing material fuel solution 17 applied to
the embodiment of the present invention contains NaBH.sub.4 20%,
KOH 8% and H.sub.2O 72%. The catalyst 21 is made of a material,
which efficiently generates hydrogen by contact with the fuel
solution 17. In the present invention, the catalyst 21 is made of
Raney Ni.
[0036] FIGS. 2 and 3 are partially exploded perspective views
illustrating the operation of the catalytic reactor 20 applied to
the hydrogen gas generator (H) in accordance with the first
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded
perspective view of the catalytic reactor 20 of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0037] The catalytic reactor 20 of the hydrogen gas generator (H)
of the present invention has a structure such that the contact or
isolation between the catalyst 21 and the fuel solution 17 of the
fuel tank 10 is automatically controlled by the pressure of
hydrogen generated in the fuel tank 10. In this embodiment of the
present invention, the catalytic reactor 20 is positioned at the
inside of the fuel tank 10 such that hydrogen is generated due to
the contact between the fuel solution 17 and the catalyst 21 under
the condition that the catalytic reactor 20 is dipped in the fuel
solution 10. In other embodiments of the present invention, the
catalytic reactor 20 is positioned at the outside of the fuel tank
1, and will be described in brief later.
[0038] That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 4, it is
preferable that the catalytic reactor 20 is a tube including a main
body 29 provided with an opened portion 28 positioned at one end
thereof and communicated with the outside and a closed portion 27
positioned at the other end thereof. The opened portion 28 is
obtained by opening one end of the main body 29 or forming a
cutting portion at the side surface of one end of the main body 29,
and has a structure such that the catalyst 21 is exposed to the
outside through the opened portion 28 and contacts the fuel
solution 17.
[0039] Further, elastic means 24 having an excellent restoring
force is positioned at the inside of the closed portion 27 formed
at the end of the main body 29, and the catalyst 21 is attached to
a catalyst-fixing member 22 reciprocating in the closed portion 27.
In case that the pressure in the fuel tank 10 increases, the
catalyst-fixing member 22 moves toward the closed portion 27 so as
to prevent the catalyst 21 from contacting the fuel solution 17,
and in case that the pressure in the fuel tank 10 decreases, the
catalyst-fixing member 22 moved toward the closed portion 27 is
returned to an initial position toward the opened portion 28 by the
elastic means 24 so as to cause the catalyst 21 to contact the fuel
solution 17 through the opened portion 28 to generate hydrogen.
[0040] The catalyst 21 is a powder or lump type. In case that the
catalyst 21 is a powder type, the powdery catalyst 21 is introduced
into a net made of various materials, which does not pass powder
but passes the fuel solution 17 and the hydrogen gas, or is
attached to the net or a substrate using an adhesive agent, and is
then attached to the catalyst-fixing member 22. Alternately, in
this case, the powdery catalyst 21 is processed to have a
designated shape suitably for the structure of the catalyst-fixing
member 22, is sintered, and is then attached to the catalyst-fixing
member 22.
[0041] More specifically, Raney Ni used as the catalyst 21 of the
embodiment of the present invention has a large surface area, thus
being stored in distilled water, and is characterized in that Raney
Ni spontaneously combusts when exposed to air. Accordingly, in
order to use Raney Ni as the catalyst 21, only the surface of Raney
Ni is oxidized so that Raney Ni is stably used in the atmosphere.
This method reduces the hydrogen generating capacity of the
catalyst 21. Thus, in embodiments of the present invention, the
catalyst 21 is manufactured by two methods, in which the surface of
Raney Ni is not oxidized. In the first method, Raney Ni is attached
to a magnet, and is then used. That is, the magnet is attached to
the catalyst-fixing member 22 (with reference to FIG. 12), and then
Raney Ni is attached to the magnet attached to the catalyst-fixing
member 22.
[0042] In the second method, Raney Ni is attached to a net or
substrate made of various materials in an aqueous solution such as
distilled water. Since Raney Ni is stored in distilled water, when
Raney Ni stored in the distilled water is manufactured into the
catalyst 21, it is possible to prevent the reduction of the
hydrogen generating capacity of the catalyst 21 due to the surface
oxidation. In the embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst
21 is manufactured by fixing Raney Ni to a nickel mesh using
urethane foam.
[0043] As the higher the temperature is, the greater the hydrogen
generating capacity of the catalyst 21, including Raney Ni, is. In
case that a worker wants to generate a large amount of hydrogen
using a small amount of the catalyst 21, a heating medium, such as
a hot wire, for heating the catalyst 21 or the fuel by itself or by
an external power supply source is installed in at least one of the
fuel tank 10, the catalytic reactor 20 and the catalyst-fixing
member 22. The above method using the heating medium increases the
solubility of the hydrogen storing material and its by-product,
thus causing the hydrogen storing material and the by-product to
store a large amount of hydrogen.
[0044] The catalyst-fixing member 22 has a structure or shape for
allowing the catalyst 21 to be easily attached thereto and
effectively preventing the fuel solution 17 from being introduced
thereinto when the catalyst 21 enters into and leaves the inside of
the main body 29. The catalyst-fixing member 22 of the embodiment
of the present invention includes both wings 23 and 23', and a
catalyst fixing section 23c, having various shapes for receiving
the catalyst 21, interposed between the wings 23 and 23'.
[0045] When the catalyst-fixing member 22 moves toward the inside
and outside of the closed portion 27 of the main body 29, in order
to prevent the fuel solution 17 in a liquid state from being
introduced into the closed portion along the outer surface of the
catalyst-fixing member 22, fuel solution interception members 23a
and 23b are respectively and simultaneously formed between both
ends of the catalyst-fixing member 22 and the inner surface of the
main body 29 or between the catalyst-fixing member 22 and the
elastic means 24. An installation groove 25a is formed on the inner
circumference of the main body 29, and a subsidiary interception
member 25 having a ring shape is inserted into the installation
groove 25a so as to prevent the fuel solution from being introduced
into the main body 29 along the external circumference of the
catalyst-fixing member 22 when the catalyst-fixing member 22
provided with the catalyst 21 attached thereto moves. FIG. 4
illustrates the above components of the catalytic reactor 20.
[0046] FIGS. 5 and 6 are partially exploded perspective views of
another catalytic reactor 20 having a shape differing from that of
the above catalytic reactor 20. Here, the opened portion 28 is
formed at one end of the main body 29, the catalyst 21 is attached
to the catalyst fixing section 23c such that the catalyst 21
surrounds the overall external circumference of the catalyst fixing
section 23c to enlarge the contact area between the catalyst 21 and
the fuel solution, thereby increasing the amount of the generated
hydrogen. Other elements of the catalytic reactor 20 are the same
as those of the above-described catalytic reactor.
[0047] Preferably, the elastic means 24 applied to this embodiment
of the present invention is made of compressed gas and elastomer
for restoring the catalyst-fixing member 22 to an initial position
when the catalyst-fixing member 22 is forcibly introduced into the
inside of the closed portion 27 and hydrogen filling the fuel tank
10 is exhausted through the outlet 12 using a hydrogen fuel cell so
that the pressure in the fuel tank 10 decreases in case that the
exposed state of the catalyst 21 positioned on the catalyst-fixing
member 22 is maintained at the atmospheric pressure and the
pressure in the fuel tank 10 increases to higher than the
atmospheric pressure and the increased pressure is applied to one
side surface of the catalyst-fixing member 22 exposed to the opened
portion 28 of the catalytic reactor 20. In this embodiment of the
present invention, the elastic means 24 is made of a compressed
coil spring.
[0048] FIGS. 7 to 13 illustrate various embodiments of the
catalyst-fixing member 22. The various embodiments of the
catalyst-fixing member 22 serve to improve the structure of the
catalyst-fixing section 23c, to which the catalyst 21 is attached,
so as to maximally increase the contact area between the catalyst
21 and the fuel solution 17.
[0049] That is, the catalyst-fixing member 22 applied to the
embodiment of the present invention includes the wings 23 and 23'
sliding on the inner surface of the main body 29 and the
catalyst-fixing section 23c, having various shapes for receiving
the catalyst 21, interposed between the wings 23 and 23'.
Particularly, the catalyst-fixing section 23c has a multi-layered
structure comprising a plurality of stacked plates, or various
structures such as fan, conical, circular structures, etc., so that
a large amount of the catalyst 21 is attached to the surface of the
catalyst-fixing section 23c. A magnet 23d may be attached to one
side surface or both side surfaces of the catalyst-fixing section
23c so that the metallic catalyst 21 can be attached to the
catalyst-fixing section 23c without any separate process (with
reference to FIG. 12).
[0050] Hereinafter, a process for generating hydrogen by the
hydrogen gas generator (H) of the present invention will be
described in detail. The fuel solution 17 in an amount of 10 ml is
introduced into the fuel tank 10, and the catalyst 17 in an amount
of 0.1 g made of Raney Ni is introduced into the fuel tank 10.
Then, the fuel tank 10 generates hydrogen gas at the rate,
corresponding to 12SCCM (Standard Cubic Centimeter per Minute) at
room temperature or 1W of the fuel cell, for approximately 10
hours. The hydrogen gas generated in the fuel tank 10 is supplied
to an external system, such as a hydrogen engine, using hydrogen as
a fuel, or a hydrogen fuel cell, through the outlet 12 of the fuel
tank 10. In case that the amount of the hydrogen gas required by
the external system is less than 12SCCM, or the hydrogen gas is not
exhausted by cutting off the power, the generated hydrogen gas is
accumulated in the fuel tank 10 and the pressure in the fuel tank
10 increases to 1.5 atmospheres (P1).
[0051] There is generated a difference of pressures between the
fuel tank 10 and the main body 29 of the catalytic reactor 20, and
the increased pressure in the fuel tank 10 presses one end of the
opened portion 28 of the main body 29 of the catalytic reactor 20.
When the catalyst-fixing member 22 moves toward the closed portion
27 of the main body 29 of the catalytic reactor 20, the catalyst 21
exposed to the fuel solution 17 made of the hydrogen storing
material gradually enters into the main body 29 so that the contact
area between the catalyst 21 and the fuel solution 17 is reduced,
thereby reducing the generation of hydrogen gas and then stopping
the generation of hydrogen gas.
[0052] When the external system again uses hydrogen gas, the
generated hydrogen gas is exhausted from the fuel tank 10. Then,
the pressure in the fuel tank 10 is reduced, the difference of
pressures between the fuel tank 10 and the main body 29 of the
catalytic reactor 20 decreases, and the elastic means 24 positioned
in the main body 29 is returned to the initial position so that the
catalyst-fixing member 22 moves toward the opened portion 28 and
the catalyst 21 again contacts the fuel solution 17. Thereby, the
hydrogen gas generator (H) of the present invention intermittently
generates hydrogen gas.
[0053] FIGS. 14 to 18 illustrate various embodiments of gas-liquid
separating means 40 provided in the fuel tank 10.
[0054] The gas-liquid separating means 40 serves to prevent the
hydrogen in a gas state generated in the fuel tank 10 filled with
the water-soluble fuel solution 17 from being exhausted together
with the exhaustion of the fuel solution in a liquid state, and is
more usable in a mobile or portable fuel cell rather than a fixed
fuel cell.
[0055] That is, each of the gas-liquid separating means 40 shown in
FIGS. 14 to 16 includes a gas-liquid separating film 42. The
gas-liquid separating film 42 is made of hydrophobic silicon
rubber, which is more permeable to hydrogen gas than water, a
porous non-metal such as Teflon, or metal having selective
permeability to hydrogen. In FIG. 14, the gas-liquid separating
film 42 installed in the fuel tank 10 is separated from the inner
hole of the outlet 12 by a designated interval. An implant member
43 provided with air holes or hydrogen paths, for preventing the
movement of the gas-liquid separating film 42 and efficiently
exhausting hydrogen when the pressure in the fuel tank 10 increases
due to the generation of the hydrogen gas or the fuel tank 10
moves, is interposed between the inner surface of the fuel tank 10,
where the outlet 12 is positioned, and the gas-liquid separating
film 42. The gas-liquid separating film 42 may have other
structures without the implant member 43 so that the gas-liquid
separating film 42 is fixed to the inner surface of the fuel tank
10 and the generated hydrogen gas is efficiently exhausted.
[0056] In FIG. 15, the hermetically sealed type gas-liquid
separating film 42, which is positioned in the fuel tank 10, has
the same shape as that of the fuel tank 10 and a size slightly
smaller than that of the fuel tank 10, and is separated from the
inner wall of the fuel tank 10. Also, the implant member 43, for
preventing the contact of the inner wall of the fuel tank 10 and
the gas-liquid separating film 42 due to the increased pressure or
movement of the fuel tank 10 and allowing the hydrogen gas to
smoothly move, is interposed between the inner wall of the fuel
tank 10 and the gas-liquid separating film 42. In FIG. 16, the
gas-liquid separating film 42 is U-shaped, and is positioned in the
fuel tank 10 such that the central area of the gas-liquid
separating film 42 is disposed under the inner hole of the outlet
12.
[0057] In FIGS. 17 and 18, the gas-liquid separating means 40
includes a collector 44, made of a material floating on the fuel
solution 17 in the liquid state, for collecting generated gas and
then exhausting the gas to the outside. A collection hole 46 for
introducing the hydrogen gas from the fuel tank 10 thereinto is
protruded from one side of the collector 40, and a drain hose 48
for exhausting the hydrogen gas collected by the collector 44 to
the outlet 12 connects the other side of the collector 40 opposite
to the collection hole 46 and the outlet 12.
[0058] The above-described various structures of gas-liquid
separating means 40 may be properly selected based on
characteristics of equipment using hydrogen fuel, and the collector
44 may be made of any material having specific gravity lower than
that of water.
[0059] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate hydrogen gas retaining means 50
for temporarily collecting the hydrogen gas generated in the
catalytic reactor 20 filled with the fuel solution 17 in the fuel
tank 10 and for converting small-sized hydrogen bubbles in a fine
foam state into large-sized hydrogen bubbles. The hydrogen gas
retaining means 50 has various structures for indirectly cutting
off the circumference of the catalytic reactor 20, thus allowing
the hydrogen bubbles in the fine foam state to be temporarily
aggregated and then exhausted to the outside.
[0060] When the fuel solution 17 filling the fuel tank 10 contacts
the catalyst 21 of the catalytic reactor 20 to exhaust the fine
hydrogen foam, the hydrogen gas retaining means 50 serves to
collect the fine hydrogen foam and convert the foam into
large-sized hydrogen bubbles and then to allow the large-sized
hydrogen bubbles to pass through the gas-liquid separating film 42.
In case that the small-sized hydrogen bubbles in the fine foam
state directly reach the gas-liquid separating film 42, the
small-sized hydrogen bubbles in the fine foam state close fine air
holes of the gas-liquid, thus causing a difficulty of efficiently
exhausting the hydrogen gas. Accordingly, the hydrogen gas
retaining means 50 prevents the above problem.
[0061] Particularly, the hydrogen gas generator (H) of the present
invention can be applied to fixed, mobile or portable articles
using a hydrogen fuel cell. Even though the fuel tank 10 is
disposed at any position of the article, the hydrogen gas generated
in the fuel tank 10 must be efficiently exhausted. Thus, the
gas-liquid separating film 42 can be installed at any portion,
i.e., left, right, upper and lower portions, of the inside of the
fuel tank 10. In the embodiments of the present invention shown in
FIGS. 19 and 20, the gas-liquid separating means 42 are
respectively installed at the upper and lower portions of the
inside of the fuel tank 10, and a connection pipe 54 connects both
spaces obtained by the upper and lower gas-liquid separating means
42. Although the fuel tank 10 stands at any position, spaces cut
off from the fuel solution by the gas-liquid separating films 42
are connected to each other through the connection pipe 54 so that
the hydrogen gas bubbles generated in the fuel tank 10 communicate
between the spaces, thereby efficiently exhausting the hydrogen gas
bubbles to the outside through the outlet 12. The hydrogen gas
retaining means 50 is formed integrally with the fuel tank 10, or
the catalytic reactor 20 is formed integrally with the hydrogen gas
retaining means 50.
[0062] FIGS. 21 and 22 respectively illustrate embodiments, in
which a collision member 52 is interposed between the fuel solution
17 of the fuel tank 10 and the gas-liquid separating film 42. That
is, the collision member 52 serves to prevent the fine hydrogen
foam, generated in the fuel tank 10, containing moisture, from
directly contacting the gas-liquid separating film 42. When the
hydrogen gas rises and collides with the collision member 52, the
moisture contained by the hydrogen gas due to the fuel solution 17
is separated from the hydrogen gas. Thereby, only the obtained pure
hydrogen gas passes through the gas-liquid separating film 42. In
the same manner as the above-described hydrogen gas retaining means
50, the collision member 52 may have various structures based on
installation types of the fuel tank 10 or applied articles.
[0063] FIGS. 23 to 28 are each schematic views of hydrogen gas
generators in accordance with second, third and fourth embodiments
of the present invention. In these embodiments of the present
invention, the hydrogen gas generator is a fuel tank external
installation type, in which the catalytic reactor 20 is detachably
attached to the outer surface of the fuel tank 10.
[0064] That is, the catalytic reactor 20 provided with the elastic
means 24 and the catalyst-fixing member 22 positioned therein is
inserted into an installation groove 60 formed in one outer surface
of the fuel tank 10.
[0065] More specifically, in the second embodiment shown in FIGS.
23 and 24, a stopper 60a is protruded from one end of the catalytic
reactor 20, and a stopper-fixture 60b for fixing the stopper 60a is
formed in the front end of the inside of the installation groove
60. A through hole 62 communicating with the inside of the fuel
tank 10 is formed at a designated position of the inner
circumference of the installation groove 60, the elastic means 24
is positioned on the bottom of the installation groove 60 inside
the through hole 62, a through hole sealing member 26 for sealing
the through hole 62 is combined with the elastic means 24, a
hydrogen generation regulating hole 64 communicating with the
inside of the fuel tank 10 for introducing a fluid of the fuel tank
10 is formed through the bottom of the installation groove 60, and
the gas-liquid separating film 42 is installed in front of the
hydrogen generation regulating hole 64 in the fuel tank 10.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 23, before the catalytic reactor 20 is
inserted into the installation groove 60 of the fuel tank 10, the
through hole sealing member 26 positioned in the installation
groove 60 seals the through hole 62. Then, as shown in FIG. 24,
when the catalytic reactor 20 is inserted into the installation
groove 60 of the fuel tank 10, the through hole sealing member 26
presses the elastic means 24 so that the through hole 62 is exposed
to the outer circumference of the catalytic reactor 20, and when
the catalytic reactor 20 is fully inserted into the installation
groove 60 of the fuel tank 10, the through hole 62 contacts the
catalyst 21 provided on the catalytic reactor 20, thereby allowing
hydrogen gas to be generated.
[0067] When the inner pressure of the fuel tank 10 rises due to the
generation of hydrogen gas and exceeds a designated level (in case
that the hydrogen gas is not used), a part of the hydrogen gas
accumulated in the fuel tank 10 is introduced into the installation
groove 60 through the hydrogen generation regulating hole 64 formed
through the bottom of the installation groove 60, and the inner
pressure of the installation groove 60 rises. Then, the through
hole sealing member 26 pushes the catalyst-fixing member 22 of the
catalytic reactor 20, and releases its force from the elastic means
24. As the elastic means 24 is stretched, the contact area between
the catalyst 21 and the fuel solution 17 gradually decreases and
the through hole 62 is fully sealed by the through hole sealing
member 26, thereby stopping the generation of hydrogen gas. When
the external system uses the generated hydrogen gas, the pressure
of hydrogen in the fuel tank 10 is decreased and the fluid in the
installation groove 60 is directed into the fuel tank 10. Then, the
elastic means 24 positioned on the catalytic reactor 20 is
constricted and the catalyst-fixing member 22 pushes the through
hole sealing member 26 so that the catalyst 21 contacts the fuel
solution 17. By automatically achieving the generation of the
hydrogen gas and the interruption of the hydrogen gas by means of
repeating the above-described operation, the hydrogen gas generator
(H) of the present invention generates and supplies hydrogen gas
required by a hydrogen fuel cell, etc. The hydrogen generation
regulating hole 64 can be disposed at any position, which allows
the fluid of the fuel tank 10 to be introduced into the
installation groove due to the increased inner pressure of the fuel
tank 10 to push the through hole sealing member 26 or the
catalyst-fixing member 22 of the catalytic reactor 20.
[0068] In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, a catalyst
exposure regulating portion 66 having a sealed space is extended
from the end of the above-described catalytic reactor 20, i.e., the
outer surface of the catalyst-fixing member 22. A hydrogen
generation regulating hole 64', which coincides with the hydrogen
generation regulating hole 64 when the catalytic reactor 20 is
inserted into the installation groove 60 and regulates the
generation of hydrogen gas by moving the catalyst-fixing member 22
based on the increase and decrease of the inner pressure of the
fuel tank 10, is formed through a designated position of the
catalyst exposure regulating portion 66.
[0069] The hydrogen gas generator (H) of the third embodiment is
the same as the hydrogen gas generator (H) of the second embodiment
in that the generation of the hydrogen gas and the interruption of
the hydrogen gas are achieved by the increase and decrease of the
inner pressure of the fuel tank 10. However, in the third
embodiment, when the inner pressure of the fuel tank 10 increases,
the fluid in a high pressure state is introduced into the catalyst
exposure regulating portion 66 formed at the inner front end of the
catalytic reactor 20, and pushes the catalyst-fixing member 22 of
the catalytic reactor 20. On the other hand, when the inner
pressure of the fuel tank 10 decreases, the fluid having introduced
into the catalyst exposure regulating portion 66 is exhausted, and
pushes the catalyst-fixing member 22 by means of the elastic means
24 positioned in the catalytic reactor 20 so that the catalyst 21
contacts the fuel solution 17, thereby allowing hydrogen gas to be
generated.
[0070] In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, elastic
means is not provided in the catalytic reactor 20 combined with the
installation groove 60, and the catalyst-fixing member 22 is
provided only on the front end of the main body 29 of the
catalyst-fixing member 22. A stopper 61a, serving as fixing means,
is popped into and out of the outer surface of the main body 29 by
an elastic spring 67 positioned in an installation hole 65 formed
in the central area of the main body 29, and a stopper-fixture 61b
for fixing the stopper 61a to prevent the catalytic reactor 20 from
being separated from the installation groove 60 after the catalytic
reactor 20 is inserted into the installation groove 60.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 28, when the catalytic reactor 20 is
forcibly inserted into the installation groove 60, the stopper 61a
formed on the outer circumference of the catalytic reactor 20 is
caught by the stopper-fixture 61b so that the catalytic reactor 20
is fixed into the installation groove 60.
[0072] As described above, the catalyst 21 of the catalytic reactor
20 combined with the fuel tank 10 contacts the fuel solution 17
filling the fuel tank 10, thus generating hydrogen gas. When the
inner pressure of the fuel tank 10 increases more than a designated
value, the fluid at an increased pressure of the fuel tank 10 is
introduced into the installation groove 60 through the hydrogen
generation regulating hole 64 formed through the bottom of the
installation groove 60 and pushes the through hole sealing member
26. Then, the through hole sealing member 26 applies pressure to
the catalytic reactor 20 contacting the through hole sealing member
26, and the stopper 61a formed on the outer circumference of the
catalytic reactor 20 is popped into the installation hole 65 by
pressing the elastic spring 67 provided in the installation hole
65, and is then separated from the stopper-fixture 61b. Thereby,
the hydrogen gas generator (H) in accordance with this embodiment
of the present invention generates hydrogen gas by a user forcibly
inserting the catalytic reactor 20 into the installation groove
60.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 29, the hydrogen gas generator (H) of the
present invention may be used in a hydrogen fuel cell of a portable
telephone (P).
[0074] As described above, the hydrogen gas generator (H) of the
present invention actively self-regulates the generation and
interruption of hydrogen gas based on the pressure of the generated
hydrogen gas without any external force, thus having a simple
structure and reducing production costs. Further, the hydrogen gas
generator (H) of the present invention has reduced volume and
weight, thereby greatly increasing energy density per volume and
weight of a fuel cell serving as an energy source for various
equipment.
[0075] After all hydrogen gas is exhausted from the fuel solution
17, in the same manner as a conventional fuel cell, the hydrogen
gas generator (H) of the present invention exhausts the waste fuel
solution 17 through the hole 14 formed through the fuel tank 10 and
is then refilled with a new fuel solution 17. In case that the
hydrogen gas generator (H) is combined with the fuel cell through
the quick connector 15 positioned on the outlet 12 of the fuel
tank, the quick connector 15 is opened to supply the hydrogen gas
to the fuel cell, and in case that the hydrogen gas generator (H)
is separated from the fuel cell, the quick connector 15 is closed
to prevent the hydrogen gas from being exhausted to the outside so
that the pressure of the fuel tank 10 slightly increases and the
reaction between the catalyst 21 and the fuel solution 17 is
prevented, thereby stably storing the hydrogen gas below a
designated pressure.
[0076] The hydrogen gas generator (H) maximally increases a contact
area between the catalyst 21 and the fuel solution 17 by employing
the various embodiments of the catalyst-fixing member 22, thereby
generating a great amount of hydrogen gas and enlarging the usable
range of the hydrogen fuel cell. Further, the hydrogen gas
generator (H) comprises the hydrogen gas retaining means 50 having
various structures, and the collision member 52 having various
structures interposed between the fuel solution 17 and the
gas-liquid separating film 42, so that the hydrogen gas generated
in the fuel tank 10 is efficiently supplied to the outside, thereby
improving the performance of the hydrogen fuel cell. In case that
the gas-liquid separating films 42 are additionally installed in
the fuel tank 10, the hydrogen g as is smoothly circulated through
the connection pipe 54. Thus, various structures of the fuel tank
10 are applied to the hydrogen fuel cell based on applied products,
and extend the usable range of the hydrogen fuel cell, thereby
being capable of effectively using energy.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0077] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides a self-regulating hydrogen gas generator, which
is miniaturized, reduces production cost, volume and weight
thereof, thus improving energy density per unit volume and weight
and being applied to mobile or portable equipment using hydrogen as
fuel as well as a large-sized hydrogen fuel cell device using
hydrogen as fuel. Accordingly, the self-regulating hydrogen gas
generator stimulates the use of hydrogen gas as clean alternative
energy, and causes the hydrogen gas to be used as a substitute for
gradually exhausted fossil fuels, thereby preventing air pollution
and providing a clean environment.
[0078] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *