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US 5,512,145 AGranted
Energy conversion system
AssigneeThe Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
InventorJoel W. Hollenberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for converting energy to hydrogen gas using an electrolyzer and a metal alloy hydride tank for hydrogen storage, wherein a passive load matching device between the energy source and the electrolyzer maximizes hydrogen output, and the electrolyzer and the metal alloy hydride tank operate at mutually low pressure, near ambient, such that pressurization of the system is not required.
Claims61
An apparatus for converting energy to hydrogen, comprising:
- an electrical energy source for supplying a voltage;
- an electrically operated electrolyzer operable at an optimum operating voltage to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen;
- and
- a passive load matching means electrically connecting the energy source to the electrolyzer for converting any voltage supplied by said energy sources in excess of said optimum operating voltage into current, such that water conversion within the electrolyzer is increased.
1 more element
An apparatus for converting energy to hydrogen, comprising:
- an electrical energy source;
- an electrically operated electrolyzer electrically driven by said energy source to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen at pressures produced by said electrolyzer;
- and
- means coupled to said electrolyzer and containing metal hydrides for storing hydrogen gas converted by said electrolyzer at only those pressures which are produced by said electrolyzer.
1 more element
An apparatus for converting energy to hydrogen, comprising:
- an electrical energy source for supplying voltage;
- an electrically operated electrolyzer operable at an optimum operating voltage to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen at pressures between about 0 to 100 psig;
- passive load matching means electrically connecting the energy source to the electrolyzer for converting any voltage supplied by said energy source in excess of said optimum operating voltage into current, such that water conversion within the electrolyzer is increased;
- means coupled to said electrolyzer for storing hydrogen gas converted thereby and comprising a vessel containing a mischmetal-nickel aluminum hydriding alloy having a chemical composition of Mn.sub.0.97 Ni.sub.4.5 Al.sub.0.5 which operates to store hydrogen within pressures which are generated by the electrolyzer;
- means for regulating the vessel temperature within a predetermined range, said range including a predetermined temperature for absorption of hydrogen to the mischmetal-nickel aluminum hydriding alloy and a predetermined temperature for desorption of hydrogen from the mischmetal-nickel aluminum hydriding alloy;
- and
- hydrogen consumption means coupled to said hydrogen gas storing means for generating energy.
4 more elements
A method for converting electrical energy to hydrogen, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an electrical energy source;
- (b) providing an electrically operated electrolyzer operable at an optimum operating voltage to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen;
- and
- (c) transferring electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the electrolyzer by a passive load matching means to convert any voltage from the energy source in excess of the optimum operating voltage into current, such that water conversion within the electrolyzer is increased.
1 more element
A method for converting electrical energy to hydrogen, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an electrical energy source;
- (b) using said electrical energy from the electrical energy source to drive an electrically operated electrolyzer operable to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen at pressures produced by said electrolyzer;
- and
- (c) storing hydrogen gas converted by said electrolyzer in a hydrogen storing means containing metal hydrides which operates to store said hydrogen gas at only those pressures which are produced by the electrolyzer.
1 more element
A method for converting electrical energy to hydrogen, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an electrical energy source;
- (b) driving an electrically operated electrolyzer with electrical energy from said energy source at an optimum operating voltage to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen;
- (c) converting any voltage from said energy source in excess of the optimum operating voltage into current, such that water conversion within the electrolyzer is increased;
- (d) storing hydrogen gas generated from the electrolyzer in a vessel containing a mischmetal-nickel aluminum hydriding alloy having a chemical composition of Mn.sub.0.97 Ni.sub.4.5 Al.sub.0.5 at a storage pressure in the range from about 0 to 100 psig, and wherein the electrolyzer operates at a pressure within the range from about 0 to 100 psig;
- (e) regulating the vessel temperature within a predetermined temperature range by a water jacket surrounding the vessel, said temperature range including a predetermined temperature for absorption of hydrogen to the metal hydride and a predetermined temperature for desorption of hydrogen from the metal hydride;
- and
- (f) consuming the stored hydrogen gas to generate energy.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.