Hydrogen Generator with Improved Volume Efficiency

A hydrogen generator comprising:

• a container;
• a first reactant storage area within the container, the first reactant storage area comprising a flexible enclosure having a volume configured to contain a fluid comprising a first reactant;
• a reaction area within the container, the reaction area comprising a flexible enclosure having a volume;
• a fluid passage from the first reactant storage area enclosure to the reaction area enclosure;
• an effluent storage area within the container, the effluent storage area comprising a flexible enclosure having a volume configured to store hydrogen gas and an effluent produced by a reaction of the first reactant within the reaction area;
• an effluent passage from the reaction area enclosure to the effluent storage area enclosure;
• an initially compressed filter within the effluent storage area enclosure;
• a liquid impermeable, gas permeable component in fluid communication with the effluent storage area;
• and
• a hydrogen outlet;
• wherein:
• the initially compressed filter is configured to expand to contain a portion of the effluent, the effluent storage area enclosure volume is configured to increased, and at least one of the first reactant storage area enclosure volume and the reaction area enclosure volume is configured to decrease during operation of the hydrogen generator;
• the flexible effluent enclosure separates the effluent storage area from at least one of the first reactant storage area and the reaction area;
• a portion of the filter is attached to a portion of the flexible effluent storage area enclosure;
• and
• the first reactant can react to produce hydrogen gas, and all of the hydrogen gas must pass through a portion of the effluent storage area to reach the hydrogen outlet.