EP1858827A4 - Concentre de carburant stable durant le stockage - Google Patents

Concentre de carburant stable durant le stockage

Info

Publication number
EP1858827A4
EP1858827A4 EP05738611A EP05738611A EP1858827A4 EP 1858827 A4 EP1858827 A4 EP 1858827A4 EP 05738611 A EP05738611 A EP 05738611A EP 05738611 A EP05738611 A EP 05738611A EP 1858827 A4 EP1858827 A4 EP 1858827A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
concentrate
metal hydride
per liter
container
moles per
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05738611A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1858827A1 (fr
Inventor
Gennadi Finkelshtain
Alexander Silberman
Yuri Katsman
Mark Estrin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
More Energy Ltd
Original Assignee
More Energy Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by More Energy Ltd filed Critical More Energy Ltd
Publication of EP1858827A1 publication Critical patent/EP1858827A1/fr
Publication of EP1858827A4 publication Critical patent/EP1858827A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
    • C01B3/02—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C01B3/06—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of inorganic compounds containing electro-positively bound hydrogen, e.g. water, acids, bases, ammonia, with inorganic reducing agents
    • C01B3/065—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by reaction of inorganic compounds containing electro-positively bound hydrogen, e.g. water, acids, bases, ammonia, with inorganic reducing agents from a hydride
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04201—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
    • H01M8/04216—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes characterised by the choice for a specific material, e.g. carbon, hydride, absorbent
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
    • H01M8/0606—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/065—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants by dissolution of metals or alloys; by dehydriding metallic substances
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/36—Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a storage-stable concentrate for use with a fuel cell and a method of preventing or reducing the decomposition of a fuel for a liquid fuel cell during the storage thereof.
  • Fuel cells are electrochemical power sources wherein electrocatalytic oxidation of a fuel (e.g., molecular hydrogen or methanol) at an anode and electrocatalytic reduction of an oxidant (often molecular oxygen) at a cathode take place simultaneously.
  • a fuel e.g., molecular hydrogen or methanol
  • an oxidant often molecular oxygen
  • Conventional fuels such as hydrogen and methanol pose several storage and transportation problems, in particular, for portable fuel cells (e.g., for use with portable electric and electronic devices such as laptops, cell phones, and the like).
  • the above decomposition reaction results in not only an undesirable decrease of the specific energy capacity of the borohydride fuel, but also causes storage and transportation problems due to, in particular, the generation of (highly flammable) hydrogen gas, which may also lead to a dangerous increase of the pressure inside a fuel reservoir.
  • One of the factors which has a strong influence on the decomposition rate of a borohydride fuel and other metal hydride fuels is the temperature. With increasing temperature, the decomposition rate increases exponentially. Also, the presence of catalytic impurities (salts of Ni, Fe, Co, Mg, Ca, etc.) may significantly affect (increase) the fuel decomposition rate.
  • the present invention provides a storage-stable liquid concentrate for use with a fuel cell.
  • the concentrate comprises at least one metal hydride compound, a solvent which comprises one or more polar solvent components, and at least one hydroxide ion providing compound. After storage of the concentrate for 4 weeks at about 25 0 C, not more than about 2 % of the at least one metal hydride compound will have decomposed.
  • the metal hydride compound may be capable of undergoing anodic oxidation in a liquid fuel cell and/or decomposition with generation of hydrogen gas under conditions which promote a hydrolysis thereof.
  • the at least one metal hydride compound comprises a hydride, borohydride and/or aluminum hydride of an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal.
  • the at least one metal hydride compound may comprise at least one of NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , LiBH 4 , Be(BKO 2 , Ca(BHU) 2 , Mg(BH 4 ) 2 , (CHs) 3 NHBH 3 , NaCNBH 3 , LiH, NaH, KH, CaH 2 , BeH 2 , MgH 2 , NaAlH 4 , LiAlH 4 , and KAlH 4 , preferably, at least one Of NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , LiBH 4 , LiH, NaH, and KH, e.g., NaBH 4 and/or KBH 4 .
  • the concentrate may have a hydroxide ion concentration of at least about 7.5 moles per liter, e.g., at least about 8 moles per liter, and/or the concentrate may contain the at least one metal hydride compound in a concentration of at least about 3 moles per liter.
  • the at least one hydroxide ion providing compound may comprise at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and/or ammonium hydroxide.
  • the at least one hydroxide ion providing compound may comprise at least one of LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH, Ca(OH) 2 , Mg(OH) 2 , Ba(OH) 2 , and NH 4 OH, preferably, NaOH and/or KOH.
  • the solvent may comprise water, an aliphatic alcohol having up to about 6 carbon atoms and up to about 4 hydroxy groups, a C 2-4 alkylene glycol, a di(C 2- 4 alkylene) glycol, a mono-Ci -4 -alkyl ether of a C 2-4 alkylene glycol or di(C 2-4 alkylene) glycol, a di-Ci -4 -alkyl ether of a C 2-4 alkylene glycol or di(C 2 - 4 alkylene) glycol, an aliphatic ether having up to about 6 carbon atoms, an aliphatic ketone having up to about 6 carbon atoms, and/or a Ci -3 alkyl ester of a Ci -3 alkanoic acid.
  • the solvent may comprise one or more of water, methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, glycerol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, dioxan, tetrahydrofuran, diglyme and triglyme.
  • the solvent may often comprise at least water.
  • the concentrate may comprise at least one OfNaBH 4 and KBH 4 in a total concentration of at least about 4 moles per liter, water and NaOH and/or KOH.
  • the concentrate may essentially consist of NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , LiBH 4 , (CHs) 3 NHBH 3 , and/or NaCNBH 3 , a solvent which comprises water, and NaOH and/or KOH, and may have a hydroxide ion concentration of at least about 8 moles per liter.
  • the concentrate upon dilution thereof to a hydroxide ion concentration of not higher than about 6 moles per liter, may contain a sufficient amount of the metal hydride compound to be utilizable as a liquid fuel and/or a hydrogen generator for a fuel cell.
  • the concentrate when diluted to a hydroxide ion concentration of about 6 moles per liter, may contain the metal hydride compound in a concentration of at least about 2 moles per liter, e.g., at least about 3 moles per liter.
  • the concentrate may be substantially free of any fuel additives which adversely affect the stability of the metal hydride compound.
  • it may be substantially free of plasticizers, detergents and antifreeze and/or it may be substantially free of stabilizers for the metal hydride compound.
  • not more than about 5 %, preferably not more than about 3 %, even more preferred, not more than about 2 % of the metal hydride compound will have decomposed after the concentrate has been kept for 1 year at about 25 0 C.
  • the present invention also provides a process for preparing a metal hydride containing liquid for use in a fuel cell from a storage-stable concentrate.
  • This process comprises combining a concentrate and a solvent in an amount of at least about 15 % by volume of the concentrate.
  • the concentrate comprises at least one metal hydride compound and a polar solvent and has a hydroxide ion concentration of at least about 7 moles per liter.
  • not more than about 2 % of the metal hydride compound decomposes when the concentrate is kept for 4 weeks at about 25 0 C.
  • the combination of the concentrate and the solvent preferably affords a hydroxide ion concentration of the resultant mixture of not higher than about 6 moles per liter.
  • the hydroxide ion concentration in the concentrate may be at least about 7.5 moles per liter, e.g., at least about 8 moles per liter, and/or the concentration of the at least one metal hydride compound is at least about 3 moles per liter.
  • the metal hydride compound may comprise at least one of NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , LiBH 4 , Be(BH 4 ) 2 , Ca(BH 4 ) 2 , Mg(BHLt) 2 , (CH 3 ) 3 NHBH 3 ,
  • NaCNBH 3 LiH, NaH, KH, CaH 2 , BeH 2 , MgH 2 , NaAlH 4 , LiAlH 4 , and KAlH 4 , preferably
  • the concentrate may further comprise LiOH, NaOH, KOH,
  • the solvent may comprise at least one of water, methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, glycerol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, dioxan, tetrahydrofuran, diglyme and triglyme.
  • the concentrate preferably comprises NaBH 4 and/or KBH 4 , water and NaOH and/or KOH.
  • a dilution of the concentrate to a hydroxide ion concentration of about 6 moles per liter will preferably result in a concentration of at least about 2 moles per liter of the at least one metal hydride compound.
  • the present invention also provides a process for providing a storage-stable packaged metal hydride containing liquid for use with a fuel cell.
  • the liquid comprises at least one metal hydride compound and a polar solvent comprising a first portion and at least one second portion, and has a hydroxide ion concentration of not higher than about 7 moles per liter.
  • the process comprises providing a container having a first compartment and at least one second compartment, partially or completely filling the first compartment with a concentrate which differs from the liquid (at least) in that it comprises only the first portion of the polar solvent and in that it has a hydroxide ion concentration of at least about 8 moles per liter, and partially or completely filling the at least one second compartment with the at least one second portion of the polar solvent.
  • combining the contents of the first compartment with the contents of the at least one second compartment will preferably result in a hydroxide ion concentration of the combination of not higher than about 6 moles per liter.
  • preferably not more than about 1 % of the at least one metal hydride compound will decompose when the concentrate is kept for 4 weeks at about 25 0 C.
  • the concentrate contains the at least one metal hydride compound in a concentration of at least about 3 moles per liter.
  • the metal hydride compound may comprise at least one of NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , LiBH 4 , Be(BH 4 ) 2 , Ca(BH 4 H Mg(BH 4 H (CH 3 ) 3 NHBH 3 ,
  • NaCNBH 3 LiH, NaH, KH, CaH 2 , BeH 25 MgH 2 , NaAlH 4 , LiAlH 4 , and KAlH 4 .
  • the concentrate may further comprise at least one of LiOH, NaOH,
  • the concentrate comprises NaBH 4 and/or KBH 4 , water, and
  • the concentrate when diluted to a hydroxide ion concentration of about 6 moles per liter, preferably contains at least about 2 moles per liter of the at least one metal hydride compound.
  • the container may be designed to allow a (i.e., at least some) mixing of the concentrate and the at least one second component of the polar solvent inside the container.
  • the present invention also provides a storage-stable packaged metal hydride containing liquid which is obtainable by the above process, including the various aspects thereof.
  • the present invention also provides a container that is filled with a metal hydride containing liquid.
  • the container comprises a first compartment and at least one second compartment.
  • the first compartment contains a concentrate which comprises at least one metal hydride compound and a polar solvent and has a hydroxide ion concentration of at least about 8 moles per liter.
  • the at least one second compartment contains a solvent in an amount that is sufficient to result in a hydroxide ion concentration of not higher than about 7 moles per liter for the mixture of the solvent in the at least one second compartment and the concentrate in the first compartment.
  • the container may be sealed and allow a mixing of the concentrate and the at least one second component of the polar solvent before discharging same from the container.
  • the container may even be associated with instructions to allow the concentrate and the at least one second component of the polar solvent to mix before discharging same from the container.
  • the container may comprise an internal partition which defines the first compartment and the at least one second compartment.
  • the first compartment may be surrounded, at least partially, by the at least one second compartment, or the at least one second compartment may be at least partially surrounded by the first compartment.
  • the amount of the solvent in the at least one second compartment may be sufficient to result in a hydroxide ion concentration of not higher than about 6 moles per liter for the mixture of the solvent in the at least one second compartment and the concentrate in the first compartment.
  • the concentrate may contain the at least one metal hydride compound in a concentration of at least about 3 moles per liter.
  • the metal hydride compound may comprise at least one of
  • the concentrate may further comprises at least one of LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH, Ca(OH) 2 , Mg(OH) 2 ,
  • the concentrate may comprise
  • the concentrate when diluted to afford a hydroxide ion concentration of about 6 moles per liter, may contain the metal hydride compound in a concentration of at least about 2 moles per liter, e.g., at least about 3 moles per liter.
  • the present invention also provides a refilling device for a liquid fuel cell.
  • This device comprises the container of the present invention, including the various aspects thereof.
  • the device may be designed to be capable of accommodating a spent liquid from a liquid fuel cell.
  • the present invention also provides a packaged combination for providing a metal hydride containing liquid for use with a fuel cell.
  • the combination comprises a first container and at least one second container.
  • the first container contains a concentrate which comprises at least one metal hydride compound, a polar solvent, and at least one hydroxide ion providing compound, and has a hydroxide ion concentration of at least about 8 moles per liter.
  • the at least one second container contains a solvent in an amount sufficient to result in a hydroxide ion concentration of not higher than about 7 moles per liter for a mixture of the solvent in the at least one second container and the concentrate in the first container.
  • the combination may be associated with instructions to combine the concentrate in the first container with at least a part of the solvent from the second container.
  • the concentrate may comprise NaBH 4 and/or KBH 4 , water, and NaOH and/or KOH.
  • the solvent in the at least one second container may contain an additive for the fuel which is preferably selected from plasticizers, detergents, stabilizers for the at least one metal hydride compound (e.g., an aliphatic or aromatic amine) and/or antifreeze.
  • an additive for the fuel which is preferably selected from plasticizers, detergents, stabilizers for the at least one metal hydride compound (e.g., an aliphatic or aromatic amine) and/or antifreeze.
  • the present invention also provides a method of reducing the decomposition of a fuel for a liquid fuel cell during storage of the fuel.
  • This method comprises keeping the fuel in the form of the above-discussed concentrate, including the various aspects thereof, and diluting the concentrate to prepare the fuel only shortly before the use of the fuel in a fuel cell.
  • the storage-stable liquid concentrate of the present invention comprises several components.
  • these components herein and in the appended claims must not be construed to mean that these components are necessarily present as such in the concentrate. Rather, those of skill in the art will understand that these components may have been starting materials in the preparation of the concentrate and may have reacted to form new species by reaction and/or interaction with other starting materials and/or components of the concentrate.
  • the metal hydride compound for use in the concentrate of the present invention preferably is a compound which can be oxidized as such at the anode of a fuel cell to provide electrons and/or can (at least) be used as a generator of molecular hydrogen which in turn is usable as a fuel in a fuel cell, e.g., by hydrolysis of the metal hydride compound.
  • metal hydride compound as used in the present specification and the appended claims is used in a broad sense and encompasses, in particular, compounds which are "simple" hydrides, such as, e.g., NaH, KH, etc.
  • Non-limiting examples of metal hydride compounds for use in the present invention include hydrides, borohydrides, including cyanoborohydrides, and aluminum hydrides of alkali metals such as, e.g., Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs, and alkaline earth metals such as, e.g., Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, but also of organic cations such as, e.g., mono-, di-, tri- and tetraalkylammonium ions.
  • Corresponding specific compounds include, but are not limited to, LiBH 4 , NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , Be(BH 4 ) 2 , Ca(BH 4 ) 2 , Mg(BH 4 ),, (CH 3 ) 3 NHBH 3 , NaCNBH 3 , LiH, NaH, KH, CaH 2 , BeH 2 , MgH 2 , NaAlH 4 , LiAlH 4 , and KAlH 4 .
  • Borohydrides and, in particular, NaBH 4 and KBH 4 are preferred for the purposes of the present invention.
  • the solvent which constitutes another component of the concentrate of the present invention comprises one or more polar (protic and/or aprotic) solvent components. If the solvent is a pure solvent, i.e., there is only one solvent component, it must be polar. If the solvent is a solvent mixture, i.e., comprises one or more (e.g., two, three, four, or even more) individual solvents, at least one of the components of the mixture must be polar. Preferably, all or at least substantially all of the solvent components are polar.
  • Solvents and solvent mixtures for use in the present invention preferably are liquid at room temperature and are preferably present in an amount which is sufficient to dissolve at least a part (and preferably, all) of the metal hydride compound(s) and the hydroxide ion providing compound(s).
  • Non- limiting examples of suitable solvents include water, mono- and polyhydric alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, and glycerol) and mono- and polyalkylene glycols (such as, e.g., ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and dipropylene glycol), aliphatic esters of mono- and polycarboxylic acids (e.g., ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethyl formiate, and diethyloxalate), aliphatic ketones (such as, e.g., acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and diethylketone) and (cyclo)aliphatic ethers (such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and partial or complete alkyl esters of mono- and polyhydric alcohols and mono- and polyalkylene glycols).
  • a preferred solvent component is water, at least as long as the metal hydride compound does not react to any substantial extent with protic solvents.
  • Other preferred solvent components include monohydric and polyhydric aliphatic and cycloaliphatic alcohols such as methanol and ethanol.
  • the hydroxide ion providing compound for use in the concentrate of the present invention may be any compound which is capable of providing hydroxide ions in the concentrate, e.g., by dissociation, decomposition, or by (in situ) reaction or interaction with any other compound that may be present in the concentrate. It will be understood that these compounds must not interfere to any significant extent with the operation of the fuel cell and, in particular, the electrochemical reactions that take place therein.
  • the hydroxide ion providing compound will include at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and/or ammonium hydroxide.
  • Non-limiting specific examples of suitable compounds are LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH, Ca(OH) 2 , Mg(OH) 2 , Ba(OH) 2 , and NH 4 OH.
  • the corresponding oxides, carbonates and bicarbonates are non-limiting examples of further compounds which may serve as hydroxide ion providing compounds. Often, NaOH and/or KOH will be employed. The amount of the hydroxide ion providing compound(s) is apparently dependent on the desired hydroxide ion concentration in the concentrate.
  • the concentrate of the present invention is storage-stable, i.e., after storing the concentrate for 4 weeks at about 25 0 C, not more than about 2 mole-%, preferably not more than about 1 %, e.g., not more than about 0.5 %, not more than about 0.25 %, or not more than about 0.1 % of the metal hydride compound will have decomposed.
  • the concentrate for 1 year at about 25 0 C preferably not more than about 5 %, e.g., not more than about 3 %, e.g., not more than about 2 %, not more than about 1 %, or even not more than about 0.5 % of the metal hydride compound(s) will have decomposed (calculated on a molar basis).
  • the hydroxide ion concentration in the concentrate that will provide the desired stability depends, inter alia, on the specific metal hydride compound(s), the solvent(s) and the amounts thereof, and the presence or absence of fuel additives and the like that may have an adverse effect on the stability of the metal hydride compound(s).
  • the hydroxide ion concentration in the concentrate will usually be higher than about 6 moles per liter, but will usually not be higher than about 14 moles per liter, preferably, not higher than about 12 moles per liter.
  • the hydroxide ion concentration in the concentrate will be at least about 7 moles per liter, preferably at least about 7.5 moles per liter, even more preferred at least about 8 moles per liter, e.g., at least about 8.5 moles per liter, at least about 9 moles per liter, or even at least about 10 moles per liter.
  • the desirable concentration of the metal hydride compound(s) in the concentrate of the present invention is somewhat related to the hydroxide ion concentration in the concentrate.
  • the resulting liquid should still contain a sufficient concentration of metal hydride compound(s) to be useful as fuel/hydrogen generator for a fuel cell.
  • the concentrate of the present invention will usually contain the metal hydride compound(s) in a concentration which after dilution of the concentrate to a hydroxide ion concentration of about 6 mole/liter, affords a concentration of the metal hydride compound(s) of at least about 0.5 mole/liter, preferably at least about 1 mole/liter, or at least about 2 mole/liter, e.g., at least about 3 mole/liter, at least about 4 mole/liter, or even at least about 5 mole/liter.
  • the (total) concentration of the metal hydride compound(s) in the concentrate will often be in the range of from about 4 mole/liter to about 12 mole/liter.
  • the concentrate of the present invention is preferred for the concentrate to be substantially free of any substances which adversely affect the stability of the metal hydride compound(s) contained therein.
  • additives present in the fuel/hydrogen generator for the fuel cell such as, e.g., one or more or plasticizers, detergents and antifreeze.
  • the concentrate of the present invention is preferably free of such additives or contains only minor quantities thereof (e.g., a total of less than about 0.1 % by weight, even more preferred, less than about 0.01 % by weight).
  • the concentrate it is also preferred for the concentrate to not contain any substances other than the metal hydride compound(s), the solvent or solvent components, respectively, and the hydroxide ion providing compound(s). If other substances are present, their total concentration preferably does not exceed about 5 % by weight, and preferably does not exceed 1 % by weight. Unless otherwise indicated, the weight percentages given herein are based on the total weight of the concentrate. Should it be desired for the final fuel/hydrogen generator to contain any substances which preferably are not present in the concentrate (or at least not in the desired concentrations), they may be added to the concentrate shortly before or during the dilution thereof.
  • all or a part of these desired substances may be added to the liquid (solvent) that is used for the dilution of the concentrate (i.e., the diluent). It may, in particular, be advantageous to add one or more stabilizers for the metal hydride compound(s) to the diluent, because the diluted concentrate may no longer have a sufficiently high hydroxide ion concentration to satisfactorily stabilize the metal hydride compound over extended periods of time.
  • suitable stabilizers include aromatic and aliphatic amines.
  • Non-limiting examples of other additives such as, e.g., plasticizers, detergents and antifreeze include polyhydric alcohols such as, e.g., glycerol and ethylene glycol (antifreeze).
  • polyhydric alcohols such as, e.g., glycerol and ethylene glycol (antifreeze).
  • antifreeze ethylene glycol
  • the latter compounds may as well be present as the diluent (polar solvent) or a component thereof.
  • the diluent for use with the concentrate of the present invention will usually comprise one or more of the solvent components that are present in the concentrate, in the same or a different ratio (preferably, in the same ratio) as in the concentrate.
  • the diluent may also contain at least one different solvent component, or may be composed entirely of one or more solvents which are not present in the concentrate.
  • the one or more solvents of the diluent are compatible with the one or more solvent components, the hydroxide ion providing compound(s) and, in particular, the metal hydride compound(s) of the concentrate.
  • the diluent should preferably not cause any substantial precipitation when the diluent is combined with the concentrate.
  • the diluent will usually not contain any metal hydride compound(s). Also, it will usually contain no hydroxide ion providing compound(s) or, if it does, in a concentration which is significantly lower than the hydroxide ion concentration in the concentrate. However, as already set forth above, the diluent may contain additives and other materials whose presence in the fuel is desirable but which may affect the (long-term) stability of the metal hydride compound in the concentrate. A suitable amount of diluent for its combination with the concentrate is dependent on various factors, inter alia, the hydroxide ion concentration in the concentrate and the desired hydroxide ion concentration of the diluted concentrate (i.e., the fuel/hydrogen generator).
  • the amount of diluent will be at least about 15 % by volume of the concentrate, often at least about 20 % by volume, e.g., at least about 30 % by volume, at least about 40 % by volume, or at least about 50 % by volume.
  • the combination may be provided in a single container, or in at least two separate containers, one containing the concentrate and the other one containing at least (and, preferably, exactly) the amount of diluent needed for bringing the concentrate to the desired final concentration.
  • the contents of the at least two containers may be combined outside and/or inside the fuel cell, optionally by means of a mixing device.
  • the container may have various designs.
  • the container should be capable of substantially preventing direct liquid-liquid contact between the concentrate and the diluent.
  • the container may comprise two chambers or compartments which share a partition, or the chambers or compartments may be completely separated from each other (i.e., no shared structural element). The outlets of these compartments may be connected inside the container and/or merge into a common outlet opening of the container.
  • the container may be designed to allow a substantially complete mixing of the contents of the compartments while the concentrate and the diluent are still inside the container.
  • the partition between the compartment that contains the concentrate and the compartment that contains the diluent may be movable and/or removable (preferably, while the container is still closed). Furthermore, a valve may be provided between these compartments.
  • the partition e.g., a membrane
  • the partition may be ripped open (e.g., by bending or squeezing the container) or otherwise rendered unsuitable for preventing a direct contact between the concentrate and the diluent (e.g., by piercing, use of a slide fastener, e.g., a ridge-and-charmel "zipper" of the Ziploc® variety, etc.) inside the container.
  • the concentrate once the concentrate has been diluted (i.e., combined with the diluent) it should preferably be discharged from the container without undue delay, because the stability of the diluted concentrate, in particular, the metal hydride compound(s) contained therein may no longer be suitable for long-term or intermediate-term storage.
  • Example 1 is repeated with the exception that 44.8 g of KOH and 30.24 g OfNaBH 4 are used, resulting in a solution containing 8 M KOH and 8 M NaBH 4
  • the hydrogen evolution rate is determined to be 0.053 ml/min.

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  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un concentré liquide stable durant le stockage utilisé avec une pile à combustible. Ce concentré renferme au moins un composé hybride métallique, un solvant contenant au moins un composant de solvant polaire et au moins composé de génération d'ion hydroxyde. Suite au stockage du concentré pendant 4 semaines à une température voisine de 25 °C, pas plus de 2 % d'au moins un composé hybride métallique ne se sont décomposés.
EP05738611A 2005-02-23 2005-02-23 Concentre de carburant stable durant le stockage Withdrawn EP1858827A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2005/001453 WO2006090205A1 (fr) 2005-02-23 2005-02-23 Concentre de carburant stable durant le stockage

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1858827A1 EP1858827A1 (fr) 2007-11-28
EP1858827A4 true EP1858827A4 (fr) 2008-10-29

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05738611A Withdrawn EP1858827A4 (fr) 2005-02-23 2005-02-23 Concentre de carburant stable durant le stockage

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1858827A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2008532219A (fr)
CN (1) CN101189201A (fr)
AU (1) AU2005328186A1 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0519900A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2595824A1 (fr)
EA (1) EA012914B1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2007009992A (fr)
WO (1) WO2006090205A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
MX2007011616A (es) * 2005-03-22 2007-10-18 More Energy Ltd Composicion de combustible para celdas de combustible.
CN101884129A (zh) * 2007-05-18 2010-11-10 能源燃料公司 从硼氢化物和甘油制备氢气
JP2009040677A (ja) * 2007-07-26 2009-02-26 Rohm & Haas Co 燃料電池のための水素源の調製
NL2016379B1 (en) 2015-11-06 2017-05-29 H2Fuel-Systems B V Method and Apparatus for Obtaining a Mixture for Producing H2, Corresponding Mixture, and Method and Apparatus for Producing H2.
FR3059912B1 (fr) * 2016-12-08 2021-08-27 Commissariat Energie Atomique Composition aqueuse d'hydrures

Family Cites Families (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3511710A (en) * 1965-07-28 1970-05-12 Varta Ag Method of directly converting the chemical energy of complex hydrides into electrical energy
US5804329A (en) * 1995-12-28 1998-09-08 National Patent Development Corporation Electroconversion cell
JP3846727B2 (ja) * 2002-11-05 2006-11-15 日立マクセル株式会社 液体燃料電池およびそれを用いた発電装置

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
No further relevant documents disclosed *
See also references of WO2006090205A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101189201A (zh) 2008-05-28
CA2595824A1 (fr) 2006-08-31
EA200701789A1 (ru) 2008-02-28
JP2008532219A (ja) 2008-08-14
BRPI0519900A2 (pt) 2009-08-18
EP1858827A1 (fr) 2007-11-28
AU2005328186A1 (en) 2006-08-31
WO2006090205A1 (fr) 2006-08-31
MX2007009992A (es) 2008-01-14
EA012914B1 (ru) 2010-02-26

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