Low temperature hydrogen generator
A hydrogen generator having a hydrogen generating reaction between a chemical hydride and vapor from a liquid having a freezing point below 0° C. The liquid is selected from alcohols such as ethanol and methanol used pure or diluted with distilled water, and distilled water that has had a non-reactive salt such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride dissolved therein.
1. In a hydrogen generator system having a hydrogen generating reaction between water vapor from stored distilled water and a chemical hydride, the improvement comprising:
said distilled water comprising a temperature lowering salt dissolved therein to provide a liquid having a freezing point less than 0° C. to produce a vapor for said reaction;
whereby the hydrogen generating reaction continues to function at ambient temperatures below 0° C.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said temperature lowering salt comprises calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said liquid has a freezing point below −15° C.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said liquid has a freezing point below −30° C.
5. A method of generating hydrogen comprising the steps of:
charging a hydrogen generator with a chemical hydride;
charging said generator with a liquid having a freezing point below 0° C., the liquid comprising water and a temperature lowering salt dissolved in the water; and
reacting said chemical hydride and a vapor formed from said liquid to produce hydrogen when said liquid is stored at ambient temperatures lower than 9° C.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said temperature lowering salt comprises calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein said liquid has a freezing point below −15° C.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein said liquid has a freezing point below −30° C.
9. A hydrogen generator system comprising:
a reaction chamber;
a chemical hydride reaction agent;
a liquid having a freezing point less than 0° C. and capable of reacting with said chemical hydride when converted to vapor to produce hydrogen, the liquid comprising water and a temperature lowering salt dissolved in the water;
whereby the hydrogen generating reaction continues to function when said liquid is stored at ambient temperatures below 0° C.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein said temperature lowering salt comprises calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein said liquid has a freezing point below −15° C.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein said liquid has a freezing point below −30° C.