WO2001030471A2

WO2001030471A2 - A system for collecting and utilizing atmospheric hydrogen gas

Info

Publication number: WO2001030471A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/029531
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elwood G. Norris; Igor Alexeff
Original assignee: Syzygy Licensing, Llc
Priority date: 1999-10-26
Filing date: 2000-10-26
Publication date: 2001-05-03
Also published as: AU1346101A; WO2001030471A8; WO2001030471A3

Abstract

The present invention is drawn toward systems and methods of extracting hydrogen gas from an ambient (14) or conditioned atmosphere (34), preferably for use in a hydrogen fuel cell. The hydrogen collection system is defined by walls (12) that are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas. Further, the walls (12) are preferably extensively folded to increase the surface area through which hydrogen gas can pass. In order to facilitate the passing of hydrogen gas through the walls (12) of the hydrogen collection system, a pumping device (20) coupled to the system can be provided. Once the hydrogen gas has been collected, it can be reacted with oxygen or otherwise used in the collection chamber (10) or transported to a different chamber (46) through a conduit (28) where it can be stored or used.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING AND UTILIZING ATMOSPHERIC HYDROGEN GAS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is drawn to a hydrogen fuel cell wherein the hydrogen gas is provided by either an ambient or conditioned atmosphere. A hydrogen collection chamber having folded walls that are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas are used to collect the hydrogen gas for immediate combustion and/or storage and combustion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Though the first hydrogen fuel cell was built in 1839, serious interest in the fuel cell as a practical generator did not begin until the 1960's when the U.S. space program chose fuel cells over riskier nuclear power and more expensive solar energy. In fact, fuel cells have furnished power for the Gemini and Apollo spacecraft, and provide electricity and water for the space shuttle today.

There are several advantages of using fuel cells over other known sources of energy. First, fuel cells promote a transition to renewable energy sources. In particular, hydrogen is the most abundant element on Earth and can be used directly in fuel cell technology. Though hydrogen fuel cells have environmental advantages, fuel cells have also been designed that utilize methanol, ethanol, natural gas, and even gasoline or diesel fuel. However, using these fuels which merely contain hydrogen generally requires a "fuel reformer" that extracts the hydrogen.

A fuel cell may generally be defined as an electrochemical device which can continuously convert the chemical energy of a fuel and an oxidant to electrical energy. The fuel and the oxidant are typically stored outside of the cell and transferred into the cell where the reactants are consumed or combusted, i.e., the rapid oxidation of fuel gases accompanied by the production of energy. In the case of a typical hydrogen fuel cell, a hydrogen fuel stream and an oxidizer (oxygen) stream both pass through separate porous metal plates separated by an electrolyte bath. The plates have a single electrical connection to each other which is outside of the electrolyte bath. The hydrogen plate operates as an anode converting the hydrogen molecules into hydrogen ions and electrons. The electrons flow along the wire connected to the cathode plate and the ions migrate into the electrolyte bath. On the cathode side oxygen molecules are separated into oxygen atoms and they combine with the hydrogen ions and anode electrons to create H₂0 and heat. Electricity can be captured from the anode/cathode circuit and put to useful work. Water and heat are expelled from the electrolyte bath as steam which can be utilized separately or recycled into the fuel and oxidizer streams.

According to published estimates, the amount of free hydrogen in the air is about one part in two million. Thus, there is about one half a cubic centimeter of hydrogen per cubic meter of air. Thus, there is a great deal of free hydrogen in the air which can be harnessed for use if one can provide an efficient way to collect it.

However, when collecting hydrogen as a gas, there is a serious concern of the dangers associated with the storing of hydrogen gas in large quantities. As such, it would be useful to provide a system and accompanying methods of extracting hydrogen from either an ambient or conditioned atmosphere such that the hydrogen may be utilized immediately. Applications for such immediate use can be fuel cells, heat sources, light sources, turbines, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn toward devices and methods of extracting hydrogen gas from an ambient or conditioned atmosphere. The hydrogen collection chamber of the system described herein can preferably be defined by walls that are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas over other gases reactive with hydrogen gas. Further, the walls are preferably extensively folded to increase the surface area through which hydrogen gas may pass. In order to facilitate the passing of hydrogen gas through the walls of the hydrogen collection chamber, a pumping device coupled to the chamber can be provided. The pumping device can be in the form of a positive pressure pump, e.g., a fan forcing hydrogen gas in an atmosphere to contact the hydrogen collection chamber walls, and/or a negative pressure pump, e.g., a vacuum pumping hydrogen gas from an atmosphere into the hydrogen collection chamber.

Once the hydrogen gas has been collected, it may be reacted with oxygen, utilized to create energy by other known methods, or transported to a use chamber, e.g., combustion chamber, through a conduit. However, it is preferred that the hydrogen gas be utilized, e.g., combusted, quickly after it is collected and/or transported to avoid the dangers of hydrogen gas storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a hydrogen collection system for collecting or combusting hydrogen gas;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a system for collecting and storing or combusting hydrogen gas;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a system for collecting and storing or combusting hydrogen gas coupled to a container which contains a conditioned atmosphere having elevated levels of hydrogen gas as well as other inert gases;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 showing an embodiment having a cascade of barriers;

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a system for collecting and storing or otherwise immediately utilizing hydrogen gas; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment where hydrogen gas may be collected in accordance with the principles of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps and materials disclosed herein as these may vary to some degree. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting as the scope of the present invention. The invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, singular forms of "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a hydrogen collection chamber 10 is shown having walls 12 which are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and less permeable or impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas. The hydrogen collection chamber 10 is surrounded by the ambient or natural atmosphere 14. The ambient atmosphere 14 is comprised of hydrogen gas, nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, and helium gas among other gases. In the present embodiment, only hydrogen gas (H₂) is shown permeate the walls 12 of the hydrogen collection chamber 10, though it is not required that the walls 12 be completely impermeable to other gases. Additionally, gases non-reactive with hydrogen gas can be allowed to permeate the walls 12 of the hydrogen collection chamber 10, e.g., helium.

A first pumping device 16 creates positive pressure 18 on the walls 12 of the hydrogen collection chamber 10. A second pumping device 20 creates negative pressure 22 on the walls 12 of the hydrogen collection chamber 10. Though this embodiment shows both first pumping device 16 and second pumping device 20 acting in concert, either device can be used exclusively to create a pressure differential.

If the hydrogen collection chamber 10 is to be used for combustion purposes, an injector mechanism 24 may be used to inject oxygen gas into the hydrogen collection chamber 10 to be reacted with the collected hydrogen gas. Additionally, a reactant outlet 26 may be included to allow the release of reactant products such as water.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a hydrogen collection chamber 10 is shown having walls 12 which are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and less permeable or impermeable to gases, particularly those gases reactive with hydrogen gas. The hydrogen collection chamber 10 is surrounded by the ambient or natural atmosphere 14. Again, a first pumping device 16 creates positive pressure 18 on the walls 12 of the hydrogen collection chamber 10. However, the second pumping device 20 is now positioned on a conduit 28 and creates negative pressure 22 on the walls 12 of the hydrogen collection chamber 10.

In this configuration, the hydrogen gas collected by the hydrogen collection chamber 10 is transported through a conduit 28 to a hydrogen storage/combustion chamber 30. If used for storage, the storage/combustion chamber 30 is sealed by a material impermeable or highly resistant to the flow of hydrogen gas. If used for a combustion chamber, the storage/combustion chamber 30 is equipped with an injector mechanism 24 which may be used to inject oxygen gas into the storage/combustion chamber 30 to be reacted with the collected hydrogen gas. Additionally, a reactant outlet 26 may be included to allow the release of reactant products such as water. Referring now to FIG. 3, all of the same features are present as are found in

FIG. 2 except that a container 32 filled with a conditioned atmosphere 34 surrounds the hydrogen collection chamber 10. This allows for the use of a conditioned atmosphere 34 having elevated levels of hydrogen gas. Additionally, gases less reactive or non-reactive with hydrogen gas can be present in the conditioned atmosphere to avoid the dangers of inadvertent combustion. Section 36 is also shown which has been expanded for viewing in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the walls 12 are shown. In this embodiment, multiple walls that are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas are shown. Specifically, an outer wall 40 and an inner wall 38 are configured to leave a small space 42. As air passes through the outer wall 40, hydrogen gas is concentrated. Then, as the air having concentrated hydrogen gas pass through the inner wall 38, the hydrogen gas is concentrated further. Thus, by cascading a group of walls in series, hydrogen gas can be concentrated to a desired level. From 1 to 10 walls cascaded in series can be used, depending on the material used to construct the walls and the desired hydrogen gas concentration.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 2 is schematically depicted with the exception that rather than sending the hydrogen gas collected to a hydrogen storage or combustion chamber, the hydrogen gas is sent to a hydrogen apparatus 46 that utilizes the hydrogen for energy. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows that the collected hydrogen can be used for applications other than for combustion energy. For example, the collected hydrogen can be used for various applications such as for light sources, heat sources, turbines, to name a few. Additionally, the hydrogen gas can be used either after collecting a specific amount, or it can be used as it is collected in order to avoid the dangers of hydrogen gas storage. A screen 44, is also shown which acts to insulate the hydrogen gas collected in the hydrogen collection chamber and the conduit from any combustion that may occur in the hydrogen using apparatus 46.

In FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of a system is shown wherein hydrogen can be collected. An air inlet 50 is shown where air from an atmosphere enters the system. A compressor 52 is used to create a positive pressure through an air inlet conduit 54 and into a diffusion chamber 56. The diffusion chamber 56 contains a series of folded walls 58 that are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas over other gasses. As the hydrogen passes through the walls 58, hydrogen gas can be collected and sent through a hydrogen outlet 60 for immediate use or storage. Hydrogen gas is sent through the walls 58 by diffusion or osmosis as the pressure created from the compressor 52 is greater than the pressure at or near the hydrogen outlet 60. The pressure is released though an air outlet conduit 62 which leads to an air outlet 66. On the air outlet conduit 62 is an air motor 64 that acts to recover energy and maintain a predetermined amount of pressure in the system. Thus, some of the work involved in the gas compression is recoverable by way of pressure and heat recovery. The air motor 64 on the air outlet conduit 62 recovers some pressure. Additionally, heat is recovered in a counterflow heat exchanger that transfers heat from the air input conduit 54 to the air output conduit 62.

With these figures in mind, the present invention is drawn to a hydrogen fuel cell that has the ability to extract hydrogen gas from either an ambient or conditioned atmosphere such that little or no concentrated hydrogen gas is required to be stored prior to use, e.g., combustion. Not only can the hydrogen collection system described herein be used to power various apparatuses, e.g., fuel cells, this system can also be used to demonstrate scientific principles in an educational setting.

In a first embodiment, a hydrogen collection system is disclosed which is configured for collecting hydrogen from an atmosphere. This system comprises walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber, wherein the walls are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas, and wherein the walls are configured so that a pressure differential between the atmosphere and the hydrogen collection chamber causes the hydrogen gas to leave the atmosphere, travel through the walls by diffusion, and enter the hydrogen collection chamber. Preferably, the walls are extensively folded to create an increased amount of surface area compared to the volume of the chamber. What is meant by extensively folded is that the walls can be configured such that a large surface area can be condensed into a relatively small volume. For example, accordion type folds can be implemented to condense a polygonal structure into a small cuboidal area. As an example at the other end of the spectrum, products such as AEROGEL™ are known to provide nearly a square mile of surface area in about a cubic inch of volume. With the extensive folding described herein in conjunction with the porous nature of the walls, a great deal of surface area over a relatively small volume can be effectuated. As the surface area increases, more hydrogen can be collected. In addition to the surface area variable, an optional pumping device can coupled to the hydrogen collection chamber for pumping the hydrogen gas from an atmosphere, through the walls, and into the hydrogen collection chamber.

The material used for the walls can be any porous barrier. Examples of suitable porous barriers can be selected from the group consisting of hot palladium, hot nickel, and ceramic material. These materials can be used because they are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and impermeable to other gases reactive with hydrogen gas including oxygen. The pumping device may either create negative pressure in the interior of the hydrogen collection chamber and/or create positive pressure on the exterior of the hydrogen collection chamber. Though specific porous barriers have been described, any barrier that can be used to concentrate hydrogen gas can be used with the present invention. Hot palladium, hot nickel, and ceramic material are specifically mentioned as examples of materials that are functional. Porous ceramic, for example, has been used to separate uranium 235 from uranium 238. However, in separating these two isotopes of uranium from one another, many stages are required because the mass difference is so close by percentage. In the case of hydrogen gas, since hydrogen gas has a molecular mass of 2, and nitrogen and other air molecules are typically much greater than this, e.g., nitrogen gas is 28 and oxygen gas is 32, the mass difference enables the separation of hydrogen gas by many less stages. For example, in one embodiment, about 10 barriers configured in cascade (or stages depending on the embodiment) can provide a 50% hydrogen gas in air. With as little as two additional barriers or stages, an almost pure hydrogen gas atmosphere can be effectuated. With respect to hot nickel and hot palladium, hydrogen gas can dissolve and flow freely though these hot metals, while most other gases do not. When using these, or other comparable barriers or walls, the air (containing hydrogen gas) can be flowed through the barrier in such a way that no waiting time is required for the hydrogen gas to be collected because the flow through the barrier does not trap the hydrogen gas within the barrier. Thus, a waiting period is not required for the hydrogen gas to diffuse to the barrier surface. The hydrogen gas simply flows through the barrier with the air, though the hydrogen gas is at a higher concentration in the air upon emergence through the barrier. Any number of barriers can be used to effectuate a desired hydrogen gas concentration in the hydrogen collection chamber. A preferred number of barriers can be from about 1 to 10. However, it is preferred that each barrier be relatively thin. For example, a thickness of less than about 1 mm is preferred, as long as the barrier is functional for concentrating hydrogen gas. If multiple barriers are used, then the space between the barriers can be within the order of magnitude of the thickness of the barriers, i.e, less than 1 mm.

If there is any hydrogen gas storage involved with any embodiment, there is some concern about the unwanted combustion of the hydrogen gas at an intermediate stage. Such a concern can be reduced or eliminated by filling the potential storage volume or protecting any flame or potential spark with a fine wire mesh. This will minimize the risk of unwanted combustion because a flame will not pass through a properly configured wire mesh. A fine wire mesh having openings of less than 1/32 of an inch are exemplary for reducing the risk of unwanted combustion.

If it is desired to react the hydrogen gas present in the hydrogen collection chamber with a reactive gas, such as oxygen, an injection mechanism can be coupled with the hydrogen collection chamber to inject oxygen into contact with the collected hydrogen gas. Any reactive mechanism know in the art, such as a spark, may be used to react the oxygen gas with the hydrogen gas. Further, if the hydrogen collection chamber is used to react oxygen and hydrogen gas, it is preferred that there be an outlet coupled to the hydrogen collection chamber for removing reactants. In a second embodiment of the invention, a system for collecting, storing, and combusting hydrogen gas from an atmosphere is disclosed. This hydrogen collection system operates similarly as disclosed above with the added modification of a storage or combustion chamber coupled by a conduit to the hydrogen collection chamber. In this embodiment, the pumping device is preferably coupled to both the hydrogen collection chamber and the storage or combustion chamber and has the dual purpose of extracting hydrogen gas from the selected atmosphere into the hydrogen collection chamber and transporting the hydrogen gas through a conduit from the hydrogen collection chamber and into the storage and combustion chamber. Alternatively, two separate pumps may be designed that function similarly. Another difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that any reaction between the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas will take place in the storage/combustion chamber rather than the hydrogen collection chamber. Therefore, the injector mechanism and the reactant outlet is coupled to the storage/combustion chamber rather than the hydrogen collection chamber.

In any embodiment, the atmosphere described may either be an ambient/natural atmosphere or a conditioned atmosphere where increased levels of hydrogen gas are present. There are several advantages for using a conditioned atmosphere. First, because of an increased concentration of hydrogen gas, a lower amount of pump energy, less wall surface area, and/or a lower number of cascaded walls or barriers can be used to cause an effective amount of hydrogen gas to pass through the permeable walls. Thus, the system can be more efficient. Second, though a conditioned atmosphere may have increased levels of hydrogen gas, the levels may be modulated so that the other inert gases present act to buffer the volatility of the hydrogen gas present. Examples of conditioning gases include helium, nitrogen, and other inert gases. On the other hand, by utilizing the natural or ambient atmosphere, energy can be harnessed without any expense as hydrogen gas is an abundant atmospheric gas.

A method of extracting hydrogen gas from an atmosphere is also disclosed which comprises pumping hydrogen gas into a hydrogen collection system having folded walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber and wherein the walls are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas. Additionally, a method of extracting and retaining hydrogen gas from an atmosphere is disclosed which comprises a similar pumping method described above followed by further pumping the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen collection chamber and into a storage chamber through a conduit. If the objective is to store hydrogen gas, the storage chamber may be constructed of glass or other known substances that are impermeable or highly resistant to the flow hydrogen gas. Alternatively, rather than pumping the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen collection chamber to a storage chamber, the hydrogen gas could be reacted with injected oxygen in the hydrogen collection chamber or pumped to a combustion chamber where oxygen is injected into the combustion chamber. Again, it is preferred that the combustion occurs soon after collection to avoid the difficulties and danger associated with hydrogen gas storage.

A method of providing cyclical combustion of hydrogen gas in a hydrogen cell is also disclosed. This method comprise (a) pumping hydrogen gas into a hydrogen collection system having folded walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber and wherein the walls are permeable to hydrogen gas and impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas; (b) allowing the hydrogen gas to reach a predetermined volume; (c) injecting oxygen into the collection chamber; (d) reacting the hydrogen gas and the oxygen; (e) removing reaction products; and (f) repeating steps (a) to (e). However, this method may also be modified by pumping hydrogen gas to a combustion chamber though a conduit prior to entering the combustion cycle, i.e., injection of oxygen into the combustion chamber to react with the hydrogen gas transported to the combustion chamber.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, changes, omissions, and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS We Claim:

1. A hydrogen collection system configured for collecting hydrogen from an atmosphere comprising walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber, said walls being preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas, and wherein said walls are configured so that a pressure differential between the atmosphere and the hydrogen collection chamber causes the hydrogen gas to leave the atmosphere, travel through the walls by diffusion, and enter the hydrogen collection chamber.

2. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 1 further comprising a pumping device coupled to the hydrogen collection system, said pumping device configured for pumping hydrogen gas from an atmosphere, through the walls, and into the hydrogen collection chamber.

3. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 1 further comprising an energy conversion device connected in line with the collection system wherein the hydrogen gas is utilized as it is collected.

4. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 1 wherein the walls are extensively folded.

5. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 1 wherein the walls comprise a porous barrier.

6. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 5 wherein said porous barrier comprises a material selected from the group consisting of hot nickel, hot palladium, ceramic material, and combinations thereof.

7. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 2 wherein said pumping device creates negative pressure in the hydrogen collection chamber.

8. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 2 wherein said pumping device creates positive pressure on the exterior of the walls, such that the hydrogen gas is pumped into the hydrogen collection chamber.

9. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 2 wherein said pumping device creates negative pressure in the hydrogen collection chamber and positive pressure on the walls.

10. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 1 wherein said atmosphere is an ambient or natural atmosphere.

11. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 1 wherein said atmosphere is a conditioned atmosphere having increased levels of hydrogen gas over the ambient or natural atmosphere.

12. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 1 further comprising an injection mechanism for injecting oxygen into the hydrogen collection chamber such that the hydrogen gas and the oxygen react.

13. A hydrogen collection system according to claim 12 further comprising a reactant outlet for removing reactants from the hydrogen collection chamber.

14. A system for collecting, storing, and combusting hydrogen removed from an atmosphere comprising:

(a) walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber, wherein said walls are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas; (b) a storage or combustion chamber;

(c) a conduit coupled to the hydrogen collection chamber and the storage or combustion chamber, wherein said conduit is configured for fluid communication between the hydrogen collection chamber and the storage or combustion chamber; and

(d) a pumping device coupled to the hydrogen collection chamber and the storage or combustion chamber and having the dual purpose of extracting the hydrogen gas from the atmosphere into the hydrogen collection chamber and transporting the hydrogen gas through the conduit from the hydrogen collection chamber to the storage or combustion chamber.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the walls comprise a porous barrier.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the porous barrier is selected from the group consisting of hot nickel, hot palladium, ceramic material, and combinations thereof.

17. A system according to claim 14 wherein said pumping device creates negative pressure in the hydrogen collection chamber which forces the hydrogen gas into the hydrogen collection chamber, and wherein the pumping device creates positive pressure in the storage or combustion chamber which further forces the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen collection chamber, through the conduit, and into the storage or combustion chamber.

18. A system according to claim 14 wherein said pumping device is a positive pressure device that creates positive pressure on the exterior of the walls.

19. A system according to claim 14 wherein said pumping device creates negative pressure in the hydrogen collection chamber which forces the hydrogen gas into the hydrogen collection chamber, and wherein said pumping device creates positive pressure in the storage or combustion chamber which further forces the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen collection chamber, through the conduit, and into the storage or combustion chamber, and wherein said pumping device creates positive pressure on the exterior of the walls.

20. A system according to claim 14 wherein said atmosphere is an ambient or natural atmosphere.

21. A system according to claim 14 wherein said atmosphere is a conditioned atmosphere having increased levels of hydrogen gas over the ambient or natural atmosphere.

22. A system according to claim 14 further comprising an injection mechanism for injecting oxygen into the combustion chamber such that the hydrogen gas and the oxygen may be reacted.

23. A system according to claim 22 further comprising a reactant outlet for removing reactants from the combustion chamber.

24. A method of extracting hydrogen from an atmosphere comprising pumping hydrogen gas into a hydrogen collection system having walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber and wherein said walls are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas, including oxygen.

25. A method of extracting and retaining hydrogen from an atmosphere comprising:

(a) pumping hydrogen gas into a hydrogen collection system having walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber and wherein said walls are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas; and

(b) further pumping said hydrogen gas from the hydrogen collection chamber to a storage chamber through a conduit.

26. A method of extracting and combusting hydrogen collected from an atmosphere comprising:

(a) pumping hydrogen gas into a hydrogen collection system having walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber and wherein said walls are permeable to hydrogen gas and impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas;

(b) injecting oxygen into the hydrogen collection chamber; and

(c) reacting the hydrogen gas and the oxygen.

27. A method of extracting and combusting hydrogen collected from an atmosphere comprising:

(a) pumping hydrogen gas into a hydrogen collection system having walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber and wherein said walls are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas; (b) further pumping said hydrogen gas from the hydrogen collection chamber to a storage chamber through a conduit;

(c) injecting oxygen into the storage chamber; and

(d) reacting the hydrogen gas with the oxygen.

28. A method of providing cyclical combustion comprising:

(a) pumping hydrogen gas into a hydrogen collection system having walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber and wherein said walls are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas; (b) allowing the hydrogen gas to reach a predetermined volume;

(c) injecting oxygen into the collection chamber;

(d) reacting the hydrogen gas with the oxygen;

(e) removing reaction products; and (f) repeating steps (a) to (e).

29. A method of providing cyclical combustion comprising:

(a) pumping hydrogen gas into a hydrogen collection system having walls which define a hydrogen collection chamber and wherein said walls are preferentially permeable to hydrogen gas and substantially impermeable to gases reactive with hydrogen gas;

(b) further pumping the hydrogen gas from the hydrogen collection chamber to a combustion chamber through a conduit;

(c) allowing the hydrogen gas to reach a predetermined volume in the combustion chamber;

(d) injecting oxygen into the collection chamber;

(e) reacting the hydrogen gas with the oxygen;

(f) removing reaction products; and

(g) repeating steps (a) to (f).