U.S. patent application number 13/206076 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for solid hydrogen fuel with initial heating.
This patent application is currently assigned to INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Invention is credited to Cheng-Yen CHEN, Yih-Hang CHEN, Chan-Li HSUEH, Jie-Ren KU, Yu-Wen LU, Shing-Fen TSAI, Fanghei TSAU, Chung-Ching TU, Chia-Cheng WU.
Application Number | 20120240455 13/206076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44741207 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120240455 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KU; Jie-Ren ; et
al. |
September 27, 2012 |
SOLID HYDROGEN FUEL WITH INITIAL HEATING
Abstract
An embodiment of the invention provides a solid hydrogen fuel
with an initial heating mechanism, including: a solid hydrogen
fuel; and a heating promoter disposed on at least one surface of
the solid hydrogen fuel, wherein the heating promoter proceeds with
an exothermal reaction when contacted with water. Another
embodiment of the invention provides: a solid hydrogen fuel with an
initial heating mechanism, including a solid hydrogen fuel; and an
electrical heating element in contact with the solid hydrogen
fuel.
Inventors: |
KU; Jie-Ren; (Kaohsiung
City, TW) ; TSAI; Shing-Fen; (Tainan City, TW)
; HSUEH; Chan-Li; (Kaohsiung City, TW) ; CHEN;
Cheng-Yen; (Tainan City, TW) ; LU; Yu-Wen;
(Tainan City, TW) ; TSAU; Fanghei; (Kaohsiung
City, TW) ; TU; Chung-Ching; (Tainan City, TW)
; WU; Chia-Cheng; (Kaohsiung City, TW) ; CHEN;
Yih-Hang; (New Taipei City, TW) |
Assignee: |
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
INSTITUTE
Chutung
TW
|
Family ID: |
44741207 |
Appl. No.: |
13/206076 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
44/542 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C01B 2203/0838 20130101;
Y02E 50/30 20130101; C01B 2203/1604 20130101; Y02E 60/362 20130101;
Y02E 60/36 20130101; C01B 2203/085 20130101; C01B 3/065
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
44/542 |
International
Class: |
C10L 11/04 20060101
C10L011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 25, 2011 |
TW |
100110318 |
Claims
1. A solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism,
comprising a solid hydrogen fuel; and a heating promoter disposed
on at least one surface of the solid hydrogen fuel, wherein the
heating promoter proceeds with an exothermal reaction when
contacted with water.
2. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating promoter comprises a film
coated on the solid hydrogen fuel, and the heating promoter is
different from the solid hydrogen fuel.
3. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating promoter comprises
particles which are adhered to the solid hydrogen fuel.
4. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 3, wherein a particle size of the heating promoter
is between 0.1 .mu.m and 1000 .mu.m.
5. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the solid hydrogen fuel comprises metal
boron hydride, metal hydride, boron nitrogen hydride, or
combinations thereof.
6. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating promoter has a higher
reactivity with water than the solid hydrogen fuel.
7. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating promoter exhibits larger
reaction heat with water than the solid hydrogen fuel.
8. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating promoter releases hydrogen
when reacting with water.
9. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 8, wherein the heating promoter comprises Li,
LiAlH.sub.4, LiBH.sub.4, Na, NaAlH.sub.4, K, KAlH.sub.4, KBH.sub.4,
NH.sub.3BH.sub.3, NaSi, or combinations thereof.
10. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating promoter releases no
hydrogen when reacting with water.
11. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 10, wherein the heating promoter comprises Mg,
MgO, Al, CaO, or combinations thereof.
12. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the solid hydrogen fuel with an initial
heating mechanism comprises 1 to 500 parts by weight of the heating
promoter, based on 100 parts by weight of the solid hydrogen
fuel.
13. A solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism,
comprising a solid hydrogen fuel; and a heating promoter disposed
outside of the solid hydrogen fuel, wherein the heating promoter
proceeds with an exothermal reaction when contacted with water to
serve as a heating source.
14. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 13, wherein the solid hydrogen fuel comprises
metal boron hydride, metal hydride, boron nitrogen hydride, or
combinations thereof.
15. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 13, wherein the heating promoter has a higher
reactivity with water than the solid hydrogen fuel.
16. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating promoter exhibits larger
reaction heat with water than the solid hydrogen fuel.
17. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 13, wherein the heating promoter comprises Li,
LiAlH.sub.4, LiBH.sub.4, Na, NaAlH.sub.4, K, KAlH.sub.4, KBH.sub.4,
NH.sub.3BH.sub.3, NaSi, or combinations thereof.
18. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 13, wherein the solid hydrogen fuel with an
initial heating mechanism comprises 1 to 500 parts by weight of the
heating promoter, based on 100 parts by weight of the solid
hydrogen fuel.
19. A solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism,
comprising a solid hydrogen fuel; and an electrical heating element
in contact with the solid hydrogen fuel.
20. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 19, wherein the solid hydrogen fuel comprises
metal boron hydride, metal hydride, boron nitrogen hydride, or
combinations thereof.
21. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 19, wherein the electrical heating element
comprises metal meshes, heating resistors, heating plates, heating
chips, or combinations thereof.
22. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 19, wherein the electrical heating element is
embedded within the solid hydrogen fuel.
23. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 19, wherein the electrical heating element covers
at least one surface of the solid hydrogen fuel.
24. The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism as
claimed in claim 19, wherein the electrical heating element covers
a top surface and a bottom surface of the solid hydrogen fuel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent
Application No. 100110318, filed on Mar. 25, 2011, the entirety of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a solid hydrogen fuel, and
in particular relates to a solid hydrogen fuel with an initial
heating mechanism.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In recent years, power sources for portable devices, such as
personal computers, cameras, or other kinds of digital devices,
have been required to be cheap, long-lasting, light in weight, and
suitable for use in all kinds of environments. Although fuel cells
are cheap and long-lasting, their applications are limited by the
supply of hydrogen fuel. Therefore, fuel cells can not be broadly
applied to all kinds of portable devices, and it is desired to
solve this problem. Hydrogen fuel is required to be cheap,
long-lasting, and light in weight, and have a stable hydrogen
releasing rate. An advantage of using chemical hydrogen storage
materials as a hydrogen source is that chemical hydrogen storage
materials provide high density of hydrogen storage. As a result,
there is a trend to develop solid hydrogen fuel materials.
[0006] For solid hydrogen fuels, hydrides are subjected to a
hydrolysis reaction to release hydrogen and heat after contact with
water. During reaction, temperature of the solid hydrogen fuel
increases, which in turn, increases the hydrogen releasing rate of
the hydrogen supplying device. However, although the hydrolysis
reaction is an exothermal reaction, it takes some time for the
solid hydrogen fuel to reach a temperature that is high enough for
a desirable hydrogen releasing rate. In other words, a conventional
hydrogen supply source using solid hydrogen fuels requires a
"turn-on" time to reach a desired power. Therefore, the
conventional hydrogen fuel is not suitable for use as power sources
for electronic devices.
[0007] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a hydrogen supply
source which can reach a desired hydrogen releasing rate in a
shorter period of time.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An embodiment of the invention provides a solid hydrogen
fuel with an initial heating mechanism, comprising: a solid
hydrogen fuel; and a heating promoter disposed on at least one
surface of the solid hydrogen fuel, wherein the heating promoter
proceeds with an exothermal reaction when contacted with water.
[0009] Another embodiment of the invention provides a solid
hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism, comprising: a
solid hydrogen fuel; and a heating promoter disposed outside of the
solid hydrogen fuel, wherein the heating promoter proceeds with an
exothermal reaction when contacted with water to serve as a heating
source.
[0010] Still another embodiment of the invention provides a solid
hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism, comprising: a
solid hydrogen fuel; and an electrical heating element in contact
with the solid hydrogen fuel.
[0011] A detailed description is given in the following embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention can be more fully understood by
reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with
references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIGS. 1-3 are solid hydrogen fuels having heating promoters
according to several embodiments of the invention.
[0014] FIGS. 4-5 are solid hydrogen fuels having electrical heating
elements according to several embodiments of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is the reaction temperature of a solid hydrogen fuel
according to an example and a comparative example of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is the hydrogen releasing rate of solid hydrogen
fuels according to an example and a comparative example of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is the hydrogen releasing rate of a solid hydrogen
fuel according to a comparative example of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 is the reaction temperature of a solid hydrogen fuel
according to another example and a comparative example of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 is the hydrogen releasing rate of a solid hydrogen
fuel according to another example and a comparative example of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The following description is of the best-contemplated mode
of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and
should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention
is best determined by reference to the appended claims.
[0021] Moreover, the formation of a first feature over and on a
second feature in the description that follows may include
embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in
direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which
additional features may be formed between the first and second
features, such that the first and second features may not be in
direct contact.
[0022] In the invention, solid hydrogen fuels with an initial
heating mechanism are provided. The additional initial heating
mechanism can rapidly increase the reaction temperature of the
solid hydrogen fuels, such that hydrogen releasing rate is
improved. The initial heating mechanism may include a heating
promoter disposed on the solid hydrogen fuel, a heating promoter
disposed outside of the solid hydrogen fuel, or an electrical
heating element in contact with the solid hydrogen fuel.
[0023] In one embodiment, a heating promoter is disposed on at
least one surface of the solid hydrogen fuel to increase the
initial hydrogen releasing rate of a hydrogen supplying device. The
heating promoter releases a great amount of heat when contacting
water, to rapidly increase the temperature of the solid hydrogen
fuel. Therefore, the hydrogen releasing rate of solid hydrogen fuel
also speeds up.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a heating promoter 104 disposed on a
solid hydrogen fuel 102. First, the solid hydrogen fuel 102 is
formed. Then, the heating promoter 104 is disposed on the solid
hydrogen fuel 102. The heating promoter 104 is a thin film, and
formed of a material different from that of the solid hydrogen fuel
102. In addition, the heating promoter 104 has a higher reactivity
or higher reaction heat with water than the solid hydrogen fuel
102. The heating promoter 104 may be integrally formed on the solid
hydrogen fuel 102 or attached to the solid hydrogen fuel 102 by
adhesive or compression strength means.
[0025] In one embodiment, the heating promoter 104 releases
hydrogen when reacting with water. For example, the heating
promoter 104 may include Li, LiAlH.sub.4, LiBH.sub.4, Na,
NaAlH.sub.4, K, KAlH.sub.4, KBH.sub.4, NH.sub.3BH.sub.3, NaSi, or
combinations thereof. The advantage of the heating promoter 104
described previously is that it can not only increase the
temperature of the solid hydrogen fuel 102 but also increase the
hydrogen releasing amount of the hydrogen supplying device. In
another embodiment, the heating promoter 104 releases no hydrogen
when reacting with water but simply increases the temperature of
the hydrogen supplying device. For example, the heating promoter
104 may include Mg, MgO, Al, CaO, or combinations thereof. In one
embodiment, the solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating
mechanism includes 1 to 500 parts by weight of the heating promoter
104, based on 100 parts by weight of the solid hydrogen fuel 102.
However, the amount of the heating promoter 104 may be varied
according to the required temperature and hydrogen releasing
rate.
[0026] The solid hydrogen fuel may include metal boron hydride,
metal hydride, boron nitrogen hydride, or combinations thereof. The
metal boron hydride may be such as NaBH.sub.4, LiBH.sub.4,
Ca(BH.sub.4).sub.2, Mg(BH.sub.4).sub.2, KBH.sub.4,
Al(BH.sub.4).sub.3, or combinations thereof. The metal hydride may
be such as LiH, NaH, or CaH. The boron nitrogen hydride may be such
as ammonia borane, diborane, diamino diborane,
H.sub.2B(NH.sub.3).sub.2BH.sub.4, poly(amino borane), borazine,
borane-morpholine complex, borane-tetrahydrofuran complex, or
combinations thereof. The boron nitrogen hydride may be such as
B.sub.xN.sub.yH.sub.z compounds including H.sub.3BNH.sub.3,
H.sub.2B(NH.sub.3).sub.2BH.sub.4, polyamine borane,
B.sub.3N.sub.3H.sub.6, borane-tetrahydrofuran complex, ethylborane
(B.sub.2H.sub.6), or combinations thereof. In a preferred
embodiment, the solid hydrogen fuel includes a solid catalyst with
or without a polymeric elastomer. The solid catalyst may be such as
Ru, Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment,
the solid catalyst may be powder of Ru/resin, Co/resin, Ni/resin,
Cu/resin, or Fe/resin. The hydrophobic polymeric elastomer may be
such as silicone, rubber, or silicone rubber.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a heating promoter 204 disposed on the
solid hydrogen fuel 102 according to another embodiment of the
invention. First, the solid hydrogen fuel 102 is formed. Then,
before the solid hydrogen fuel 102 is dried, the heating promoter
204, in a form of particles, are adhered to the solid hydrogen fuel
102. The solid hydrogen fuel 102 with the heating promoter 204
adhered thereon is then oven dried. A particle size of the heating
promoter 204 is between 0.1 .mu.m and 1000 .mu.m. In addition, the
heating promoter 204 can be adhered to the solid hydrogen fuel 102
by rolling the undried solid hydrogen fuel 102 on the heating
promoter particles. In another embodiment, an adhesive can be used
so that the heating promoter 204 is adhered to the solid hydrogen
fuel 102. For example, the adhesive may be resin, clay, glue,
silicone, rubber, or silicone rubber.
[0028] In one embodiment, the heating promoter 204 releases
hydrogen when reacting with water. For example, the heating
promoter 204 may include Li, LiAlH.sub.4, LiBH.sub.4, Na,
NaAlH.sub.4, K, KAlH.sub.4, KBH.sub.4, NH.sub.3BH.sub.3, NaSi, or
combinations thereof. The advantage of the heating promoter 204
described previously is that it can not only increase the
temperature of the solid hydrogen fuel but also increase the
hydrogen releasing amount of the hydrogen supplying device. In
another embodiment, the heating promoter 204 releases no hydrogen
when reacting with water but simply increases the temperature of
the solid hydrogen fuel. For example, the heating promoter 204 may
include Mg, MgO, Al, CaO, or combinations thereof. In one
embodiment, the heating promoter 204 and the solid hydrogen fuel
are made of the same material. In another embodiment, the heating
promoter 204 and the solid hydrogen fuel are made of different
materials, and the heating promoter 204 has a higher reactivity or
reaction heat with water than the solid hydrogen fuel 102.
[0029] In one embodiment, the solid hydrogen fuel with an initial
heating mechanism includes 1 to 500 parts by weight of the heating
promoter 104, based on 100 parts by weight of the solid hydrogen
fuel 102. However, the amount of the heating promoter 104 may be
varied according to the required temperature and hydrogen releasing
rate.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a heating promoter 304 disposed outside
of the solid hydrogen fuel 102 according to a further embodiment of
the invention. First, the solid hydrogen fuel 102 is formed. Then,
the solid hydrogen fuel 102 is disposed in a reaction region 306
with water 310 therein. Alternatively, the heating promoter 304 is
disposed in a heating region 308 with water 312 therein. A particle
size of the heating promoter 304 is between 0.1 .mu.m and 1000
.mu.m.
[0031] In one embodiment, the heating promoter 304 releases
hydrogen when reacting with water. For example, the heating
promoter 304 may include Li, LiAlH.sub.4, LiBH.sub.4, Na,
NaAlH.sub.4, K, KAlH.sub.4, KBH.sub.4, NH.sub.3BH.sub.3, NaSi, or
combinations thereof. The advantage of the heating promoter 304
described previously is that it can not only increase the
temperature of a hydrogen supplying device but also increase the
hydrogen releasing amount of the hydrogen supplying device. In
another embodiment, the heating promoter 304 releases no hydrogen
when reacting with water. For example, the heating promoter 304 may
include Mg, MgO, Al, CaO, or combinations thereof. In one
embodiment, the heating promoter 304 and the solid hydrogen fuel
are made of the same material. In another embodiment, the heating
promoter 304 and the solid hydrogen fuel are made of different
material, and the heating promoter 304 has a higher reactivity or
reaction heat with water than the solid hydrogen fuel 102.
[0032] In one embodiment, the solid hydrogen fuel with an initial
heating mechanism includes 1 to 500 parts by weight of the heating
promoter 104, based on 100 parts by weight of the solid hydrogen
fuel 102. However, the amount of the heating promoter 104 may be
varied according to the required temperature and hydrogen releasing
rate.
[0033] The solid hydrogen fuel in FIG. 1 is preferably used when
only a single surface of the solid hydrogen fuel is to be contacted
with water in a hydrogen supplying device. The solid hydrogen fuel
in FIG. 2 is preferably used when all surfaces of the solid
hydrogen fuel is to be contacted with water in a hydrogen supplying
device. The solid hydrogen fuel in FIG. 3 is preferably used when
the solid hydrogen fuel may be affected by the heating promoter
that may result in a decrease of the original hydrogen releasing
rate of the solid hydrogen fuel.
[0034] In general, in a hydrogen supplying device, a solid hydrogen
fuel contacts with water resulting in a hydrolysis reaction to
release hydrogen and heat. The released heat then raises the
temperature of the solid hydrogen fuel and results in an increase
of the hydrogen releasing rate. In other words, a conventional
hydrogen supplying device needs a certain period of time to reach a
desired temperature. However, in the above described embodiments of
the invention, the hydrogen supplying device includes the solid
hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism. The solid hydrogen
fuel with an initial heating mechanism includes a heating promoter
that can proceed with an exothermal reaction when reacting with
water. Therefore, when the hydrogen supplying device is turned on,
the temperature of the solid hydrogen fuel can increase rapidly to
reach a desired hydrogen releasing rate, thereby considerably
reducing the turn-on time.
[0035] In another embodiment, a solid hydrogen fuel of a hydrogen
supplying device is in contact with an electrical heating element
to increase the initial hydrogen releasing rate of the hydrogen
supplying device. The electrical heating element may be metal
meshes, heating resistors, heating plates, heating chips, or
combinations thereof.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates an electrical heating metal mesh 406
embedded within a solid hydrogen fuel 102 according to one
embodiment of the invention. That is, the electrical heating metal
mesh 406 is embedded in the solid hydrogen fuel 102 during its
formation. The electrical heating metal mesh 406 may be a nickel
chromium wire mesh. The material and the operating current of the
electrical heating metal mesh 406 can be adjusted by those skilled
in the art according to required turn-on time and hydrogen
releasing rate.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates an electrical heating metal mesh 406
which covers a top surface and a bottom surface of a solid hydrogen
fuel 102 according to one embodiment of the invention. In another
embodiment, the electrical heating metal mesh 406 covers only one
surface of the solid hydrogen fuel. The electrical heating metal
mesh 406 may be a nickel chromium wire mesh.
[0038] The solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism of
the invention can be applied to any existing or future developed
hydrogen supplying device. For example, references of hydrogen
supplying devices can be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,737,184,
7,763,388, or U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,518.
[0039] Compared to conventional hydrogen supplying devices, the
hydrogen supplying device including the electrical heating element
is not limited by the initial reaction rate between the solid
hydrogen fuel and water. Instead, the reaction temperature can be
rapidly increased by electrical heating, such that the time
required for reaching a desired hydrogen releasing rate is
reduced.
[0040] The hydrogen supplying device of the invention includes a
solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating mechanism. Whether a
heating promoter or an electrical heating element is used, the
required time for achieving a desired power rate is reduced. In a
preferred embodiment, the solid hydrogen fuel with an initial
heating mechanism can achieve a desired hydrogen releasing rate,
such as 40 sccm, in 1 minute. The amount of the heating promoter
used in the hydrogen supplying device can be adjusted according to
product demands. In addition, the solid hydrogen fuel of the
invention is also applicable in a low temperature environment, and
applications of hydrogen supplying devices may be accordingly
broadened.
EXAMPLE 1
[0041] The solid hydrogen fuel 102 was formed by the following
steps:
[0042] 1. 1 g of NaBH.sub.4 and 0.015 g of Ru--Al.sub.2O.sub.3
catalyst powder were placed in an agate mortar and mixed
evenly.
[0043] 2. The fuel powder from step 1 was placed into a mold and
pressed (2 tons force) by an oil hydraulic press for 1 minute. A
cylinder fuel tablet was then obtained.
[0044] 3. 9 g of DI water was added into a reaction flask, and the
fuel tablet was also added into the reaction flask. The reaction
flask was placed in a plastic sealed box to perform a hydrogen
releasing reaction.
[0045] 4. A gas mass flow controller and a K type thermocouple were
used to measure and record the gas flow and liquid temperature
during the experiment.
[0046] 5. The experiment continued until no further hydrogen was
released.
[0047] The heating promoter 104 (e.g. NaSi tablet) was formed by
the following steps:
[0048] 1. 1 g of NaBH.sub.4 and 0.015 g of Ru--Al.sub.2O.sub.3
catalyst powder were placed in an agate mortar and mixed
evenly.
[0049] 2. The fuel powder from step 1 was placed into a mold and
pressed (2 tons force) by an oil hydraulic press for 1 minute. A
cylinder fuel tablet was then obtained.
[0050] 3. 1.35 g of NaSi was placed into a mold and pressed (2 tons
force) by an oil hydraulic press for 1 minute. A cylinder NaSi
tablet was then obtained.
[0051] 4. The NaSi tablet and the fuel tablet were stacked in a
reaction flask (as shown in FIG. 1). Then, 9 g of DI water was
added into the reaction flask. The reaction flask was placed in a
plastic sealed box to perform a hydrogen releasing reaction.
[0052] 5. A gas mass flow controller and a K type thermocouple were
used to measure and record the gas flow and liquid temperature
during the experiment.
[0053] 6. The experiment continued until no further hydrogen was
released.
EXAMPLE 2
[0054] The solid hydrogen fuel 102 was formed by the following
steps:
[0055] 1. 1 g of NaBH.sub.4 and 0.015 g of Ru--Al.sub.2O.sub.3
catalyst powder were placed in an agate mortar and mixed
evenly.
[0056] 2. The fuel powder from step 1 was placed into a mold and
pressed (2 tons force) by an oil hydraulic press for 1 minute. A
cylinder fuel tablet was then obtained.
[0057] 3. 9 g of DI water was added into a reaction flask, and the
fuel tablet was also added into the reaction flask. The reaction
flask was placed in a plastic sealed box to perform a hydrogen
releasing reaction.
[0058] 4. A gas mass flow controller and a K type thermocouple were
used to measure and record the gas flow and liquid temperature
during the experiment.
[0059] 5. The experiment continued until no further hydrogen was
released.
[0060] The heating promoter 104 (e.g. NaSi tablet) was formed (by
coating) by the following steps:
[0061] 1. 1 g of NaBH.sub.4 and 0.015 g of Ru--Al.sub.2O.sub.3
catalyst powder were placed in an agate mortar and mixed
evenly.
[0062] 2. The fuel powder from step 1 was placed into a mold and
pressed (2 tons force) by an oil hydraulic press for 1 minute. A
cylinder fuel tablet was then obtained.
[0063] 3. 1.35 g of NaSi was weighted.
[0064] 4. The fuel tablet was placed into a reaction flask. The
NaSi particles were then coated onto the fuel tablet, such that the
NaSi particles were distributed around and on the top surface of
the fuel tablet (as shown in FIG. 2). Then, 9 g of DI water was
added into the reaction flask. The reaction flask was placed in a
plastic sealed box to perform a hydrogen releasing reaction.
[0065] 5. A gas mass flow controller and a K type thermocouple were
used to measure and record the gas flow and liquid temperature
during the experiment.
[0066] 6. The experiment continued until no further hydrogen was
released.
[0067] FIG. 6 illustrates the temperature of the solid hydrogen
fuel with or without having the heating promoters thereon according
to Example 1 and Example 2. Referring to FIG. 6, the initial
temperature of the solid hydrogen fuel having the heating promoters
thereon increased remarkably. Therefore, the solid hydrogen fuel
having the heating promoters thereon had higher initial hydrogen
releasing rate than the conventional one.
EXAMPLE 3
[0068] In this example, solid hydrogen fuel of a hydrogen supplying
device was in contact with an electrical heating element to
increase the initial hydrogen releasing rate of the hydrogen
supplying device, wherein the electrical heating element was a
heating metal mesh. The experiment was proceeded by the following
steps:
[0069] 1. 0.91 g of NaBH.sub.4, 0.13 g of Co/resin catalyst, and
0.45 g of silicone were mixed, ball-milled, and then pressed to
form a fuel tablet.
[0070] 2. A heating resistor was placed on one side of the fuel
tablet, and two absorbent cotton films were used to cover two sides
of the fuel tablet. Then, an iron grid was disposed on the
absorbent cotton films as a support. Next, a heat shrinkable film
was placed to encapsulate the entire fuel tablet.
[0071] 3. The encapsulated fuel tablet was disposed to a fixture
and a heating electrical power source was connected thereto. A
thermometer was used to measure the temperature of the fuel
tablet.
[0072] 4. 3 mL of water was added into the fixture. The fuel tablet
released hydrogen when contacting with water.
[0073] 5. The power was turned off after the hydrogen was released
for 300 secs.
[0074] 6. The hydrogen releasing rate of the hydrogen supplying
device was recorded during the process.
[0075] FIG. 7 illustrates the hydrogen releasing rate of the solid
hydrogen fuel with or without having the electrical heating element
at an environment temperature of 15.degree. C. Referring to FIG. 7,
the initial hydrogen releasing rate of the solid hydrogen fuel
having the electrical heating element was remarkably higher than
the conventional one.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1
[0076] 1. 0.91 g of NaBH.sub.4, 0.13 g of Co/resin catalyst, and
0.45 g of silicone were mixed, ball-milled, and then pressed to
form a fuel tablet.
[0077] 2. Two absorbent cotton films were used to cover two sides
of the fuel tablet. Then, an iron grid was disposed on the
absorbent cotton films as a support. Next, a plastic film was used
to encapsulate the entire fuel tablet.
[0078] 3. The encapsulated fuel tablet was disposed to a fixture
and placed into a constant temperature cabinet for 30 min to reach
a desired temperature.
[0079] 4. 3 mL of water was at a desired constant temperature.
[0080] 5. 3 mL of the water was added into the fixture at the
desired temperature. The fuel tablet released hydrogen when
contacting with water. The hydrogen releasing rate and time were
recorded during the process.
[0081] 6. The steps described previously was repeated, wherein the
desired temperature was set to be 15.degree. C., 25.degree. C., and
35.degree. C. respectively.
[0082] FIG. 8 illustrates the hydrogen releasing rate of the
conventional hydrogen supplying device at the environment
temperature of 15.degree. C., 25.degree. C., and 35.degree. C.
respectively. Referring to FIG. 8, the dotted line 500 represents
an ideal hydrogen releasing rate. As shown in FIG. 8, when the
environment temperature was below 35.degree. C., the initial
hydrogen releasing rate of the conventional hydrogen supplying
device was too slow because its hydrogen releasing rate relied on
the heat released by itself. Therefore, before the first 600 sec,
the hydrogen releasing rate was lower that 40 sccm, which would not
meet industrial requirements.
[0083] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the solid hydrogen fuel having
the electrical heating element provided a peak value at the
beginning of the hydrogen releasing process. That is, when the
reaction began, the solid hydrogen fuel with an initial heating
mechanism provided a larger pressure to the hydrogen supplying
device that could also purge impure gas out of the system.
EXAMPLE 4
[0084] The heating promoter (e.g. NaSi tablet) was formed in a
region outside of the original reaction region by the following
steps:
[0085] 1. 1 g of NaBH.sub.4 and 0.015 g of Ru--Al.sub.2O.sub.3
catalyst powder were placed in an agate mortar and mixed
evenly.
[0086] 2. The fuel powder from step 1 was placed into a mold and
pressed (2 tons force) by an oil hydraulic press for 1 minute. A
cylinder fuel tablet was then obtained.
[0087] 3. 1 g of NaSi was weighted.
[0088] 4. A reaction flask was placed in a 50 mL beaker. 9 g of
water was added into the reaction flask and the beaker
respectively.
[0089] 5. The fuel tablet was added into the reaction flask, and
the NaSi was added into the beaker (that is, heat was provided to
the reaction region from the outside, as shown in FIG. 3). The
beaker was disposed inside a plastic sealed box for a hydrogen
releasing reaction.
[0090] 6. A gas mass flow controller and a K type thermocouple were
used to measure and record the gas flow and liquid temperature
during the experiment.
[0091] 7. The experiment continued until no further hydrogen was
released.
[0092] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the temperature and the hydrogen
releasing rate of the solid hydrogen fuel with or without having
the heating promoter. Referring to FIG. 9, the initial temperature
of the solid hydrogen fuel having the heating promoter increased
rapidly. Therefore, referring to FIG. 10, the initial hydrogen
releasing rate of the solid hydrogen fuel having the heating
promoter was much higher than the conventional one.
[0093] While the invention has been described by way of example and
in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the
contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar
arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art).
Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and similar arrangements.
* * * * *