Metal and sodium hydr(oxide) composite powder for hydrogen generation

摘要

A composite material is used for the generation of hydrogen gas from water in an exothermic reaction. The composite material is a powder form of a metal, such as aluminium, along with sodium oxide or sodium hydroxide. The composite material powder is exposed to an acidic gas, such as hydrogen chloride or sulphur dioxide. The acidic gas allows the alkali component of the composite material powder to be coated with a layer of salt, which salt is inert to aluminium and soluble in water. Once the composite material is exposed to water and the soluble layer of salt is dissolved, the exothermic reaction between the composite material and the water allows for the generation of low pressure hydrogen gas. A hydrogen generator adapted to use a composite material and water to generate hydrogen comprises a reaction chamber and preferably a thermal engine, a fuel cell and a cartridge system to contain the composite material.