System for generating hydrogen from a chemical hydride

An apparatus to generate hydrogen, the apparatus comprising:

• a water reservoir comprising liquid water;
• one or more pumps in fluid communication with the water reservoir, the pumps configured to pump the liquid water at a liquid injection rate;
• a water permeable pouch comprising one or more cavities, each cavity configured to at least partially enclose a solid anhydrous chemical hydride and an anhydrous activating agent, each cavity comprising liquid permeable material configured to permit passage of a liquid from one side of the liquid permeable material to the other side, the anhydrous activating agent comprising a salt having a metal selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals and alkali metals;
• a fuel cartridge comprising a heat and pressure resistant material, the fuel cartridge configured to receive the water permeable pouch and the liquid water;
• an end cap seated within an opening in the fuel cartridge, the end cap comprising one or more water injection tubes and a gas outlet port, the one or more water injection tubes in fluid communication with the one or more pumps, the one or more water injection tubes configured to introduce the liquid water into the fuel cartridge at the liquid injection rate such that the liquid water contacts at least a portion of the water permeable pouch, and the gas outlet port configured to release hydrogen gas produced by a reaction comprising the solid anhydrous chemical hydride, the anhydrous activating agent, and the liquid water;
• a hydrogen output regulator configured to control the amount of hydrogen gas that the gas outlet port releases;
• and
• one or more fuel cartridge alignment features configured to ensure that the fuel cartridge is disposed in a predetermined position and alignment relative to one or more receiving alignment features of a cartridge receiver.