Hydrogen supplies and related methods
A hydrogen source comprises a first hydrogen reservoir for containing hydrogen in a first form and a second hydrogen reservoir for containing hydrogen in a second form different from the first form. The hydrogen source comprises a means for converting hydrogen from the first form to hydrogen gas and transferring the hydrogen gas from the first hydrogen reservoir to the second hydrogen reservoir. An interface is provided for transferring hydrogen from the second hydrogen reservoir to a hydrogen reservoir in a portable device. The interface comprises a fluidic coupling. The hydrogen source may be used to provide hydrogen fuel to a wide range of portable devices.
1. A hydrogen supply system comprising:
a first hydrogen reservoir for containing hydrogen in a first form;
a converter adapted to convert the first form of hydrogen to hydrogen gas, wherein the converter includes a hydrolysis reactor, a galvanic cell, or a heater;
a second hydrogen reservoir wherein the second hydrogen reservoir includes a hydrogen occluding material;
a hydrogen transfer interface that is in fluid communication with the second hydrogen reservoir and includes a portable device fluidic coupling; and
a portable electronic device removably attached to the portable device fluidic coupling, wherein the portable electronic device includes a hydrogen storing material within a fuel reservoir and wherein the system is adapted to fill the fuel reservoir with hydrogen gas from the second hydrogen reservoir and wherein the hydrogen transfer interface includes a thermally-conductive pathway between the hydrogen occluding material of the second reservoir and the hydrogen storing material in the hydrogen storing reservoir of the portable device; and
wherein the system is devoid of compressors for compressing hydrogen.
2. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the first form of hydrogen comprises sodium borohydride, sodium silicide, potassium borohydride, lithium borohydride, lithium alanate, sodium alanate, borazane, ammonium chloride, ammonium fluoride, magnesium hydride, titanium hydride, iron magnesium hydride, ammonia, hydrazine, silanes, hydrocarbons, water, chemical hydrides or combinations thereof.
3. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the first form of hydrogen comprises a metal or metal alloy.
4. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , further comprising a port through which the hydrogen in the first form can be introduced into the first reservoir, the port comprising a closure.
5. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 4 , comprising a lockout mechanism, the lockout mechanism preventing opening of the closure whenever the second reservoir contains more than a threshold amount of hydrogen.
6. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , further including a lockout mechanism actuatable by expansion of the hydrogen occluding material.
7. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the converter comprises a reformer, a catalyst, or combinations thereof.
8. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , further comprising a catalyst.
9. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , further comprising a source of water.
10. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein, in the first form, the hydrogen comprises hydrogen in a hydrogen-containing solid material and the converter is a heater disposed to heat the solid material to release the hydrogen gas.
11. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the system includes a plurality of interchangeable adaptors for the hydrogen transfer interface, each of the adaptors configured to couple with a different kind of portable device.
12. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises a removable hydrogen reservoir, a satellite cartridge, a replaceable fuel cartridge or combinations thereof.
13. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the converter is a separate and distinct component from the first hydrogen reservoir and wherein the system is adapted to direct hydrogen in its first form out of the first hydrogen reservoir and into the converter.
14. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 13 , wherein the converter is a chamber intermediate between the first hydrogen reservoir and the second hydrogen reservoir, wherein the chamber can be placed in fluid communication with the first hydrogen reservoir by way of a first valve and wherein the chamber can be placed in fluid communication with the second hydrogen reservoir by way of a second valve.
15. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 14 , wherein the system is adapted to open the first and second valves in alternation to allow transfer of hydrogen into the second hydrogen reservoir while keeping a pressure within the second hydrogen reservoir lower than a pressure within the first hydrogen reservoir.
16. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 13 , wherein the first hydrogen reservoir has a single valve that controls both refilling of the first hydrogen reservoir and a flow of hydrogen to the converter.
17. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 13 , wherein the converter includes a source of water or energy.
18. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the system further includes a regulator configured to regulate the pressure of hydrogen flowing from the second hydrogen reservoir to the portable device fluidic coupling.
19. A hydrogen supply system according to claim 10 , wherein the first form of hydrogen comprises sodium borohydride, sodium silicide, potassium borohydride, lithium borohydride, lithium alanate, sodium alanate, borazane, ammonium chloride, ammonium fluoride, magnesium hydride, titanium hydride, iron magnesium hydride, ammonia, hydrazine, silanes, hydrocarbons, water, chemical hydrides or combinations thereof.
20. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 10 , wherein the system further includes a regulator configured to regulate the pressure of hydrogen flowing from the second hydrogen reservoir to the portable device fluidic coupling.
21. A hydrogen supply system comprising:
a first hydrogen reservoir for containing hydrogen in a first form and adapted to convert the first form of hydrogen to a hydrogen gas;
a second hydrogen reservoir for containing hydrogen in a second form different from the first form, wherein the second hydrogen reservoir is in fluid communication with the first hydrogen reservoir;
a hydrogen transfer interface that is in fluid communication with the second hydrogen reservoir and includes a portable device fluidic coupling; and
a portable electronic device removably attached to the portable device fluidic coupling, wherein the portable electronic device includes a fuel reservoir and wherein the system is adapted to fill the fuel reservoir with hydrogen gas from the second hydrogen reservoir;
wherein the system is devoid of compressors for compressing hydrogen and wherein the first hydrogen reservoir includes a lid that can be opened to insert the first form and wherein the system is configured to transfer hydrogen to the hydrogen reservoir of the portable device without transferring additional hydrogen from the first hydrogen reservoir to the second hydrogen reservoir.
22. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 21 , wherein the system further includes a regulator configured to regulate the pressure of hydrogen flowing from the second hydrogen reservoir to the portable device fluidic coupling.