Methods and Devices for Storage and Release of Hydrogen
AssigneesYissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Energystoredge LTD.
InventorsYoel Sasson, Judith Toubiana, Ariel Givant, Sorel Rothschild
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Abstract
The invention relates to a process for generating hydrogen, comprising decomposing in a reaction vessel aqueous alkali formate in the presence of a transition metal-containing catalyst system dissolved in one or more organic solvent(s), characterized in that said organic solvent(s) comprise at least one solvent which is water-immiscible, thereby releasing hydrogen and forming bicarbonate in the aqueous phase, and separating the catalyst-containing organic solvent(s) from said bicarbonate. Also disclosed are apparatuses for carrying out hydrogen generation.
Claims27
1) A process for generating hydrogen, comprising decomposing in a reaction vessel aqueous alkali formate in the presence of a transition metal-containing catalyst system dissolved in one or more organic solvent(s), characterized in that said organic solvent(s) comprise at least one solvent which is water-immiscible, thereby releasing hydrogen and forming bicarbonate in the aqueous phase, and separating the catalyst-containing organic solvent(s) from said bicarbonate.
7) A process according 6, wherein the catalyst system is dissolved in a mixture of solvents comprising at least a first solvent and a second solvent, characterized in that the first solvent is an aliphatic or cyclic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of C6-C10 alkanes, C6-C10 alkenes, cycloalkanes and cycloalkenes, and the second solvent is selected from the group consisting of C2-05 alkanols.
8) A process according 6, wherein the catalyst system is dissolved in a mixture of solvents comprising at least a first solvent and a second solvent, characterized in that the first solvent is an aromatic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of alkyl-substituted benzenes, and the second solvent is selected from the group consisting of C2-05 alkanols.
9) A process according 6, wherein the catalyst system is dissolved in a mixture of solvents comprising at least a first solvent and a second solvent, characterized in that the first solvent is a halogenated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of halogenated C1-C3 alkanes, C2-C3 alkenes, halogen-substituted cyclic hydrocarbons and halogen-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, and the second solvent is selected from the group consisting of C2-05 alkanols.
10) A process according 6, wherein the catalyst system is dissolved in a mixture of solvents comprising at least a first solvent and a second solvent, characterized in that the first solvent is selected from the group consisting of water -immiscible esters, water-immiscible ethers, water-immiscible ketones and water-immiscible alkanols having not less than 6 carbon atoms, and the second solvent is selected from the group consisting of C2-05 alkanols.
11) A process according 6, wherein the catalyst system is dissolved in a mixture of solvents comprising at least a first solvent and a second solvent, characterized in that the first solvent is a carbonate liquid selected from the group consisting of (R1)n—X—C(O)—X—(R2)n where X indicates oxygen, R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, are C1-C3 alkyl groups and n is 1, and the second solvent is selected from the group consisting of C2-05 alkanols.
23) A power system comprising at least one fuel cell a hydrogen-generating unit for delivering hydrogen to the fuel cell, wherein said hydrogen-generating unit comprises a tank for holding an aqueous MHCO2 solution, a tank for holding an organic solution having one or more catalyst components, said tanks and being connected by mens feed lines and to at least one reactor provided with a discharge line having downstream processing devices including separation units coupled to a storage container, wherein recycle line existing separation unit is connected to an inlet opening in said reactor, to recycle liquid stream from said separation unit to said reactor, and wherein said reactor is optionally provided with one or more hydrogen-collecting means in fluid communication with said fuel cell.
24) A power system comprising at least one fuel cell and a hydrogen-generating unit for delivering hydrogen to the fuel cell, wherein said hydrogen-generating unit comprises a tank for holding an aqueous MHCO2 solution, a tank for holding an organic solution having one or more catalyst components, said tanks and being connected by feed lines and to at least a first reactor and a second reactor each of which is provided with discharge lines and having downstream processing devices including separation units and coupled to storage containers and respectively, wherein recycle lines, existing separation units, respectively, are connected to inlet openings in said reactors and to recycle liquid streams from said separation units to said reactors, and wherein said reactors and are optionally provided with one or more hydrogen-collecting means in fluid communication with said fuel cell, wherein an array of valves is further incorporated into the apparatus, to control the flow of feed streams to either reactor or.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.