Hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of hydrides for undersea vehicle fuel cell energy systems

A hydrogen generator for generation of hydrogen gas by a substantially stoichiometric hydrolysis reaction between water and hydride for use with a fuel cell, said generator comprising:

• a vessel having a chamber therein, said vessel having a sealable closure on at least one end;
• a hydride in a granular form disposed within said chamber;
• heat transfer apparatus disposed about a surface of said vessel for controlling the temperature of a hydrolysis reaction within said chamber;
• a stirring apparatus disposed within said vessel for stirring said hydride within said chamber;
• water input ports disposed at spaced intervals within said chamber for introducing water into said chamber for reaction with said hydride, whereby said hydride reacts with the water in a vicinity of the water ports to generate hydrogen gas;
• a water source in fluid communication with said water ports for supplying water to said water ports;
• an output port for removing hydrogen gas from said vessel;
• and
• a controller in communication with said heat transfer apparatus, said stirring apparatus, and said water source for introducing water at a controlled rate into said chamber for reaction with said hydride within a predetermined temperature range, whereby the rate of the hydrolysis reaction is controlled by the rate of introduction of the water into said chamber.

An energy system for an undersea vehicle comprising:

• a fuel cell for generating electrical power and water from hydrogen gas and oxygen gas;
• a connection from a source of oxygen gas to the fuel cell;
• a hydrogen generator operatively coupled to said fuel cell for generation of hydrogen gas by a substantially stoichiometric hydrolysis reaction between water and a hydride, said generator comprising:
• a vessel having a chamber therein, said vessel having a sealable closure on at least one end;
• a hydride in a granular form disposed within said chamber;
• a stirring apparatus disposed within said vessel for stirring said hydride within said chamber;
• water input ports disposed at spaced intervals within said chamber for introducing water into said chamber for reaction with said hydride in a vicinity of said water ports;
• an output port in communication with said fuel cell for removing hydrogen gas from said vessel and directing said hydrogen gas to said fuel cell along a hydrogen gas flow path;
• and
• a controller in communication with said fuel cell and said hydrogen generator for controllably introducing the water into said chamber through said water ports for reaction substantially at stoichiometry with said hydride.