Systems and methods for hydrogen generation from solid hydrides

A method of producing and controlling the production of hydrogen, comprising:

• providing a solid borohydride of formula M(BH4)n, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, aluminum cation, zinc cation, and ammonium cation, and n corresponds to the charge of the selected M cation;
• contacting the solid borohydride with an aqueous acidic reagent solution in a reaction chamber to generate hydrogen;
• and
• regulating the rate or concentration of the acidic reagent solution contacting the solid borohydride, to control the rate of hydrogen generation.

A hydrogen gas generation system, comprising:

• a first region for containing a solid borohydride;
• a second region for containing a reagent solution having a pH of less than about 7;
• and
• at least one gas permeable membrane in contact with the first region, wherein the membrane is capable of allowing hydrogen to pass through the membrane while preventing solid and liquid materials from passing through the membrane.

A hydrogen gas generation system comprising:

• a fuel chamber for storing a solid borohydride having formula M(BH4)n, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, aluminum cation, zinc cation, and ammonium cation, and n corresponds to the charge of the selected M cation;
• a reagent chamber for storing an acidic reagent solution;
• at least one gas permeable membrane provided in contact with the fuel chamber to allow hydrogen to pass through the gas permeable membrane while preventing solid and liquid materials from passing through the gas permeable membrane;
• a fuel conduit for conveying the acidic reagent solution from the reagent chamber to the fuel chamber;
• and
• a control mechanism for regulating the flow of acidic reagent solution from the reagent chamber to the fuel chamber.

A hydrogen gas generation system, comprising:

• a first chamber for storing solid sodium borohydride;
• a second chamber for storing a hydrochloric acid solution;
• and
• a control means for regulating the rate of contact between the solid sodium borohydride and the hydrochloric acid solution to allow conversion of the sodium borohydride to generate hydrogen gas.