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Title:
NOVEL ALLOY AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING SAME
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/009105
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a novel alloy comprising magnesium, calcium, sodium, and/or potassium and a method of making and using same. The alloy of the present invention may be used as an activator, specifically as an activator in a hydrogen generation system comprising electrodes made of an alloy activator, and an electrolyte, which permits the efficient decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen gases for use as an energy source. The hydrogen generating device may comprise multiple electrodes and/or expand the surface area of the electrodes to increase contact between the electrodes and the electrolyte to increase the production of hydrogen and oxygen. The purity of the hydrogen and oxygen generated is high enough to provide a PEM fuel cell with clean fuel so that the life of a PEM is extended.

Inventors:
WOODWARD LLOYD HAROLD (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2010/042367
Publication Date:
January 20, 2011
Filing Date:
July 16, 2010
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
WOODWARD BEWLEY TECHNOLOGY DEV LLC (US)
WOODWARD LLOYD HAROLD (US)
International Classes:
C22C23/00
Foreign References:
US20050069488A12005-03-31
US3980495A1976-09-14
US20060249393A12006-11-09
US20040113130A12004-06-17
US5868914A1999-02-09
US20060133948A12006-06-22
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
POULIQUEN, Corinne, Marie (Sater Seymour And Pease LLP,1909 K Street, Nw,Ninth Floo, Washington DC, US)
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Claims:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. An alloy comprising magnesium, calcium and sodium.

2. The alloy of claim 1, wherein the alloy comprises about 60-80% magnesium, about 20- 40% calcium and about 3-10% sodium.

3. The alloy of claim 2, wherein the alloy comprises about 68% magnesium, about 22% calcium and about 10% sodium.

4. The alloy of claim 1, wherein the alloy comprises about 60-80% calcium, about 20-40% magnesium and about 3-10% sodium.

5. The alloy of claim 4, wherein the alloy comprises about 68% calcium, about 22% magnesium and about 10% sodium.

6. The alloy of claim 1, wherein the alloy further comprises at least one of copper, nickel, silicon, tin, zinc, and aluminum.

7. The alloy of claim 1, wherein the alloy further comprises potassium.

8. The alloy of claim 7, wherein the alloy comprises about 20-40% potassium.

9. The alloy of claim 1, wherein the alloy further comprises nano-particles of silicon iron doped with nitrogen.

10. An alloy comprising magnesium, calcium and potassium.

11. The alloy of claim 10 wherein the alloy comprises about 60-80% magnesium, about 20- 40% calcium and about 3-10% potassium.

12. An alloy comprising magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

13. The alloy of claim 12 wherein the alloy comprises about 60-80% magnesium, about 20- 40% potassium and about 3-10% sodium.

14. A method of making an alloy comprising the steps of: a. Alloying magnesium with about half the total amount of calcium to be used in the alloy to obtain a first alloy; b. Alloying the remaining calcium with sodium to obtain a second alloy; and c. Alloying the first and second alloy into the alloy comprising about 60-80% magnesium, about 20-40% calcium, and about 3-20% sodium.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of alloying nickel, silicon, tin and zinc to obtain a third alloy and alloying the first, second and third alloy into a final alloy comprising about 60-80% magnesium, about 20-40% calcium, about 3-20% sodium, about 1-5% nickel, about 0.5-1.5% silicon, about 0.5-1.5% tin, and about 0.5-1.5% zinc.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of alloying the alloy with about 5-10% silicon iron nano-particles and about 2-5% rhodium.

17. A method of making an alloy comprising the steps of: a. Alloying potassium with calcium in an amount of about 10-15% of it's weight to obtain a first alloy; b. Alloying magnesium with about half the total amount of the first alloy to be used in the alloy to obtain a second alloy; c. Alloying the remaining amount of the first alloy with sodium to obtain a third alloy; and d. Alloying the second and third alloy into the alloy comprising about 60-80% magnesium, about 20-40% potassium, and about 3-20% sodium.

18. A hydrogen generating device comprising an energy source and electrodes, wherein the electrodes comprise an alloy activator.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the energy source is a solar cell or a battery.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the alloy comprises magnesium, calcium and sodium.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the alloy comprises about 68% magnesium, about 22% calcium and about 10% sodium.

22. The device of claim 18, wherein the electrodes are spiral shaped or plate shaped.

23. The device of claim 18, wherein the electrodes are placed parallel to one another.

24. The device of claim 18, wherein the electrodes are placed with edges facing one another.

25. The device of claim 18, wherein the electrodes comprise at least one anode and one cathode.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the electrodes comprise multiple anodes and cathodes and magnets are placed on each cathode.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the magnets are neodymium magnets.

28. The device of claim 18, wherein the electrodes comprise arms extending to the exterior of the device and on opposite ends of the device.

29. The device of claim 18, wherein the electrodes are suspended from the top of the device.

30. The device of claim 18, wherein the electrodes drilled, pebbled or sandblasted.

31. The device of claim 18, further comprising an electrolyte.

32. The device of claim 31 , wherein the electrolyte is acidic.

33. The device of claim 31 , wherein the electrolyte comprises at least one of sodium chloride and citric acid; potassium chloride and citric acid; sodium nitrate; hydrogen peroxide; sodium acetate and acetic acid; and mixtures thereof.

Description:
NOVEL ALLOY AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial Nos. 61/226,054 entitled NOVEL ALLY AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME and 61/226,077 entitled HYDROGEN GENERATING DEVICE, both of which were filed July 16, 2009, and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a novel alloy and a method of making and using same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel alloy that may be used as an activator, and more specifically, as an activator in a hydrogen generation system for the rapid decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen generation system uses the activator to produce large amounts of gases with small amounts of energy to sustain the reaction to provide clean energy derived from water. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-anode, multi-cathode device that can be used to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen diatomic gases, preferably to be fed into a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell to generate electricity using an electro-chemical reaction and activator to reduce the energy required to produce the reaction. The result is a method to provide clean energy that is derived from water.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] There is a need for a renewable, clean energy source to replace petro-chemicals. Global warming has increased the desire to find an alternative to oil and its by-products. Since the 1950's scientists have been looking for a system that could fulfill the promise of the hydrogen fuel cell and provide a clean source of energy. Scientists agree that hydrogen fueled fuel cells, wherein the hydrogen has been produced from water, is the most favored solution.

[0004] Most scientists have classically used HEP (High Energy Physics) to explore and to discover the laws of nature as they apply to the basic constituents of matter, including the natural forces in existence between them. Scientists have also used the brute force of HEP to rip apart the constituents of matter, including overcoming bonding, to observe how they were originally joined. However, investigations of elementary particles and their interactions can also be readily observed and understood using LESP (Low Energy Shell Physics).

[0005] Scientists learned after the fact when they pursued HF, VHF and UHF radio waves for radar (BMEWS project) and other applications (including radio, communications and TV) that the concepts involved in their thinking were limited. For example, application of antenna systems within the LF, VLF and ULF range eventually used the discovery that these radio waves blanketed the earth, followed its contours, were able to reach far beneath the water to the deepest trenches and were able to survive nuclear events, to create a matrix that allowed anything penetrating that matrix to be sensed.

[0006] LESP as derived from reactive metals research allows scientific investigation and exploration without the use of Large Hadron Colliders, Linear Colliders or other very expensive HEP gear. In this regard, scientists have been searching for a catalyst to make the electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen economically feasible as a source of clean energy. However, that search has largely been unsuccessful. Without a catalyst, the process requires a large expenditure of energy to decompose water into its gas components and generate hydrogen that can be used as fuel.

[0007] Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on projects to find an economically viable method or system for generating hydrogen as a fuel. Despite grants such as the $500 million UC Berkley alternative energy center grant involving BP America, Inc., progress has been slow. While hydrogen energy fuels have been costly to generate and the systems for home energy supplements have been something that only the very wealthy can afford, research and development has remained focused on electrolysis of water as being the answer for clean, affordable energy for the world.

[0008] The desirability of having a hydrogen generation system that can effectively power both mobile and static power generation has been recognized by the Department of Energy, DOD, National Science Foundation, healthcare and other industries. The ability to successfully combine an activator with a low cost electrolyte for high quality, high volume hydrogen gas production is without equal in the current state of common technological (and theoretical) capability. Thus, there is an identifiable need for a catalyst or activator capable of facilitating the production of massive amounts of clean hydrogen fuel without expending large amounts of energy to generate it.

[0009] The present invention addresses this issue by providing a novel alloy activator that reduces the energy required to produce hydrogen in an advanced kinetic chemical reaction hydrogen generating system, which brings hydrogen generation a quantum leap ahead of the current state-of-the-art. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of this invention to provide a novel alloy comprising magnesium, calcium and sodium, including a method of making same.

[0011] It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel alloy comprising magnesium, potassium and sodium, including a method of making same.

[0012] It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel alloy comprising magnesium, calcium, and potassium, including a method of making same.

[0013] It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel alloy comprising magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium, including a method of making same.

[0014] It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel alloy that can be used, among other things, as an activator.

[0015] It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel alloy that can be used as an activator for the generation of hydrogen.

[0016] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydrogen generating device that uses an activator to accelerate a kinetic chemical reaction to produce hydrogen.

[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydrogen generating device comprising an alloy for the electrodes, wherein the alloy is an activator.

[0018] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydrogen generating device comprising an alloy for the anode and cathode and to shape the anode and cathode to adjust the amount of surface contact with the electrolyte so as to manipulate the rate of reaction and thereby manipulate the rate of production of hydrogen and oxygen. [0019] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydrogen generating device comprising an alloy for the anode and cathode and to install additional or multiple anodes and cathodes to further manipulate the rate of production of hydrogen and oxygen.

[0020] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydrogen generating device that decomposes water and is scalable so that it can fuel any size PEM fuel cell to provide energy for just about anything, including commercial use, household appliances, toys, cars and home energy.

[0021] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hydrogen generating device comprising a single hydrogen generating device feeding several PEMs hydrogen through multiple connections, such as a "Y" tube connection, to proportionally increase the output of electricity generated.

[0022] It is a further object of the invention to provide inexpensive hydrogen and oxygen gas for any type of application or industry known to one of ordinary skill in the art to use hydrogen and/or oxygen, including bottling for use at a later date.

[0023] It is a further object of this invention to provide pure water from the water vapor produced by a PEM fuel cell.

[0024] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described further hereinafter.

[0025] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0026] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may be readily utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, are included in the present invention.

[0027] For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the aims attained by its uses, references should be had to the accompanying description that illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an overview of an embodiment of the hydrogen generating device of the present invention;

[0029] Figs. 2A and 2B are schematics showing the shape of an anode and/or cathode according to preferred embodiments of the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the hydrogen generating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig. 4 is a schematic top view of the hydrogen generating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0032] Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the hydrogen generating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Fig. 6 is a schematic end view of the hydrogen generating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Fig. 7 is a schematic showing the arrangement of anodes and cathodes according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Fig. 8 is a schematic showing the arrangement of anodes and cathodes when a magnetic field is inducted around each cathode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the hydrogen generating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Fig. 10 is a schematic top view of the hydrogen generating device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Fig. 11 is a schematic showing a molecular sieve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0039] Fig. 12 is a schematic showing a vapor cylinder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the alloy comprises about 60-80%, preferably about 65-70%, more preferably about 68% magnesium, about 20-40%, preferably about 20-30%, more preferably about 22% calcium and about 3-20%, preferably about 3-10%, more preferably about 10% sodium. [0041] According to another preferred embodiment, the alloy comprises about 60-80%, preferably about 65-70%, more preferably about 68% calcium and about 20-40%, preferably about 20-30%, more preferably about 22% magnesium and about 3-20%, preferably about 3-

10%, more preferably about 10% sodium.

[0042] According to a further preferred embodiment, the alloy further comprises potassium, or alternatively, potassium could replace the sodium and/or magnesium partially or entirely.

Preferably, the alloy comprises 20-40% potassium. More preferably, the alloy comprises about

60-80% magnesium, about 20-40% calcium and about 3-10% potassium.

[0043] According to another preferred embodiment, some of the calcium may be reduced and replaced with potassium, or alternatively, the calcium could be replaced by potassium.

Preferably, the alloy comprises about 60-80% magnesium, about 20-40% potassium and about 3-

10% sodium.

[0044] According to a further preferred embodiment, the percentage of calcium in the alloy can be reduced and replaced with various conducting metals or similar suitable elements.

[0045] According to a further preferred embodiment, the alloy further comprises about 1-5%, preferably about 3% copper, about 1-5%, preferably about 3% nickel, about 0.5-1.5%, preferably about 1% silicon, about 0.5-1.5%, preferably about 1% tin, about 0.5-1.5%, preferably about 1% zinc, and about 0.5-1%, preferably about 0.6% aluminum. According to a further preferred embodiment, the copper, nickel and silicon can be replaced with nano-particles of silicon iron doped with nitrogen. According to another preferred embodiment, the alloy may further comprise about 1-10%, preferably about 2-8% nano-particles of zinc, copper, tin or nickel. According to a further preferred embodiment, the alloy may further comprise about 5-10% silicon iron nano-particles and about 2-5% rhodium.

[0046] According to another preferred embodiment, any of the silicon, rhodium, zinc, copper, tin or nickel could be substituted with any other conducting metal or suitable element as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0047] According to a further embodiment, the alloy may further comprise silver, gold or platinum, preferably in low percentages.

[0048] According to a further preferred embodiment, the alloy may further comprise trace amounts of cadmium, iron, manganese and zirconium.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the alloy is compounded by first alloying the magnesium with about half the calcium (alloy 1), then alloying the remaining calcium with the sodium (alloy 2) and then finally alloying alloys 1 and 2 together into the final alloy.

[0050] According to a further preferred embodiment, the alloy is compounded by first alloying the magnesium with about half the calcium (alloy 1), then alloying the remaining calcium with the sodium (alloy 2) and then alloying together the nickel, silicon, tin and zinc (alloy 3) and finally alloying alloys 1, 2 and 3 together into the final alloy.

[0051] According to a further preferred embodiment, the alloy is compounded by first alloying the potassium and sodium with the calcium (alloy 1), then alloying alloy 1 and the magnesium together into the final alloy.

[0052] According to a further preferred embodiment, the alloy is compounded by first alloying the potassium with half the calcium (alloy 1), then alloying the sodium with the remaining calcium (alloy 2), then alloying alloys 1 and 2 together (alloy 3), and then alloying alloy 3 and the magnesium together into the final alloy.

[0053] According to a further preferred embodiment, the alloy is compounded by first alloying the potassium with calcium (alloy 1), and then alloying alloy 1 and the magnesium together into the final alloy.

[0054] According to a further preferred embodiment, the alloy is compounded by first alloying potassium with half the magnesium (alloy 1), then alloying the remaining magnesium with the sodium (alloy 2), and then alloying alloys 1 and 2 together into the final alloy.

[0055] According to a further preferred embodiment, these alloys can be compounded using various alloying methods whereby the more reactive metals are first mixed with about 30-100%, preferably about 50-100% of the less reactive metals.

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment, the alloy of the present invention can be used as an activator, preferably as an activator in a hydrogen generation system, wherein the cathode alloy electrode can be enhanced by inducing a magnetic field surrounding the cathode alloy and interacting with the electrical field of the anode alloy. However, the alloy of the present invention may also be used to form and explore elementary particle reactions to help explore magnetic fields, magnetic bottles and energy field manipulation using LESP.

[0057] Referring to the figures, Figs. 1 to 6 show various views of the hydrogen generating device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment. Fig. 1 is a block diagram that provides an overview of the hydrogen generating device of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment, and shows the product paths and system architecture for a typical power generation system. Fig. 1 shows the primary interface between a low energy source such as a solar source 1, a small battery 2, or other means for powering a hydrogen generating device 3, which starts and sustains the decomposition of water. According to a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen generating device 3 may be powered with 1.5 volts at 440 mA to sustain the electrolysis reaction or as little as 1.5 volts at 100 mA. According to a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen generating device 3 generates hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O), which feed directly into a PEM stack 4. The PEM 4 in turn generates pure water 5 and electricity 6 (energy). Within the context of the present invention, the pure water generated by the hydrogen generating device is free of all types of contaminants, including bacteria, such that it is potable and could even be used for medical applications.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen generating device 3 is scalable to fuel a PEM stack 4 as small as a 25 watt (24-membrane stack) all the way up to a 65,000-watt PEM stack.

[0059] Figs. 2A and 2B are schematics showing possible shapes for the anode and/or cathode according to preferred embodiments of the hydrogen generating device of the present invention. The anode and cathode of the present invention would be placed into the hydrogen generating device 3. The anode and/or cathode may be spiral shaped (see Fig. 2A) or plate shaped (see Fig. 2B). However, any other shape for the anode and/or cathode is contemplated by the present invention, preferably a shape that maximizes the contact between the anode and/or cathode and the electrolyte solute in the hydrogen generating device. As can be seen in Fig. 2B, the anode and/or cathode plate 7 is preferably about 1/4" thick, has an arm 8 that extends to the exterior of the hydrogen generating device 3 and holes 9, preferably about 1/8" in diameter, such as to increase the contact area between the anode and/or cathode and the electrolyte to increase the reaction rate of the decomposition of water in the hydrogen generating device 3. According to another preferred embodiment, the electrodes may be pebbled and/or sandblasted to increase surface area exposed to the electrolyte solute.

[0060] Fig. 3 is a side view of a single anode and single cathode hydrogen generating device 3 according to a preferred embodiment. As seen in Fig. 3, the hydrogen generating device 3 is comprised of a box 10, preferably made of 1/4" thick acrylic plastic, which has been welded together at all joining surfaces with solvent to melt the pieces of acrylic plastic into a water-tight box 10. The hydrogen generating device 3 has a cathode output nipple 11 for the hydrogen, preferably joined with solvent to weld the nipple 11 to the box 10, an anode output nipple 12 for the oxygen or ethane, also joined with solvent to weld the nipple 12 to the box 10, a dividing plate 13 that separates the anode 16 from the cathode 15, preferably separating about 1/3 of the volume of the box 10 for the cathode 15 and 2/3 for the anode 16. The dividing plate 13 is preferably welded from the top of the box 10 to about 7/8 of the total distance from the top of the box to the bottom using solvent, with about 1/8 of the height at the bottom being left open as a slot underneath the dividing plate 13. The box 10 also preferably contains an electrolyte input nipple 14, also welded to the box 10 with a solvent, through which electrolyte is fed into the box 10 of the hydrogen generating device 3. According to a preferred embodiment, the box 10 and the nipples, 11, 12, could also be made of polypropylene sulfate (PPS), cast with an interlocking top using a polymer gasket made of a material such as fluoroelastomers, foamed neoprene, nitrile, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) or silicone. According to another preferred embodiment, the box 10 could also be made by cutting pieces of a plastic and gluing them together with non-reactive glues. Other materials may also be used for the box and nipples, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0061] Fig. 4 is a top view of the box 10 of the hydrogen generating device 3 showing the placement of the electrolyte input nipple 14 and the cathode output nipple 11 and anode output nipple 12. According to a preferred embodiment, as seen in Fig. 4, the cathode output nipple 11 releases hydrogen produced by the reaction inside the box, and the anode output nipple 12 releases oxygen produced by the reaction inside the box 10. Dividing plate 13 separates the anode 16 and cathode 15 of the hydrogen generating device 3. The electrolyte input nipple 14 for the hydrogen generating device 3 is located at the base of the box 10 and is on the anode side 16.

[0062] Fig. 5 is a side view of the hydrogen generating device 3 showing the mounting of an anode/cathode in the hydrogen generating device box 10. As seen in Fig. 5, a plate shaped anode and/or cathode 7 is placed inside the box 10, and the arm 8 extends outside the box 10 for an electrical connection. The arm 8 is preferably sealed to the box 10 with a propylene gasket. Fig. 5 also shows the cathode output nipple 11 and the dividing plate 13, which divides the top 7/8 of the box 10 and leaves the lower 1/8 of the box 10 open. The electrolyte input nipple 14 is also seen from the side.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the anode and cathode are placed parallel to one another. According to another preferred embodiment, there are multiple electrodes that are placed with edges facing one another as seen in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an end view of the hydrogen generating device 3 according to a preferred embodiment showing the mounting of anodes and cathodes in the box 10, when there are multiple anodes and cathodes. The arms 8 of both anode 16 and cathode 15 extend outside the box 10 for electrical connection; positive for anode 16 and ground/negative for the cathode 15, each arm being preferably sealed with a propylene gasket. The cathode output nipple 11 and the anode output nipple 12 are placed in the end of the box 10, the dividing plate 13 is seen coming from the top of the box 10 and ending 1/8 above the bottom of the box 10, and the electrolyte input nipple 14 is seen towards the bottom of the box 10.

[0064] According to another preferred embodiment, there are multiple anodes 16, divider plates 13, and cathodes 15, placed parallel to one another in a repeating pattern as seen in Fig. 7 so that the formation of hydrogen can occur on both sides of the cathodes 15. In this embodiment, the distance between the electrodes (either an anode 16 or cathode 15) and the divider plates 13 is preferably about 1.2 to 2.0 mm, preferably about 1.6 to 1.8 mm.

[0065] Fig. 9 is a side view of the hydrogen generating device 3 according to a preferred embodiment showing multiple anodes 16, multiple cathodes 15, and multiple divider plates 13 in the box 10. The dividing plates 13 are seen coming from the top of the box 10 and ending 1/8 above the bottom of the box 10. Fig. 10 is a top view of the box 10 of the hydrogen generating device 3 according to a preferred embodiment showing multiple anodes 16, multiple cathodes 15, and multiple divider plates 13 in the box 10.

[0066] According to another preferred embodiment, magnets are placed on the cathodes. Permanent magnets 18, preferably neodymium magnets or other rare earth magnets such as samarium-cobalt, are adhered by an epoxy or other suitable adhesive known in the art to the cathode so that overlapping parallel magnetic fields 19 are induced around each cathode 15 to speed the flow of hydrogen ions from the anodes 16 to the cathodes 15 as seen in Fig. 8. According to an alternative embodiment, the divider plates 13 can be removed to produce gas more quickly, which results in a combination of oxygen and hydrogen being released by the reaction inside the box 10. Such a configuration is desirable, for example, in applications where the goal is to produce hydrogen and/or oxygen gas.

[0067] Combining both magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and convective diffusion theory (CDT) allows a flow generated at horizontal conducting surfaces in parallel magnetic/electric fields 19 to propagate according to a snowballing sequence, which starts at a small local area on the surface, where the electric current is slightly non-uniform at the onset of the reaction. The interaction of these currents with the magnetic fields gives rise to non-uniform flow, which becomes increasingly pronounced with time. This mode of flow propagation, which in fluid mechanics is called "anisotropic", is useful in accelerating hydrogen ion flow.

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen generating device 3 comprises an electrolyte that is acid based, preferably an electrolyte that has a pH of about 3 to 4 when initially mixed and a pH of 12 when reacted inside the hydrogen generating device 3. More specifically, the electrolyte may comprise about 40-180 g, preferably about 40-80 g, more preferably about 63.3 g of sodium chloride in 500 ml of water (13% by volume) and about 1-10 g, more preferably about 3.3 g of citric acid in 500 ml of water. According to another preferred embodiment, the electrolyte may comprise about 8-40% by volume potassium chloride, preferably about 13% by volume, instead of sodium chloride. According to another preferred embodiment, the electrolyte may be sodium nitrate. According to another preferred embodiment, the electrolyte may be hydrogen peroxide.

[0069] According to another preferred embodiment, the electrolyte may comprise about 40-180 g, preferably about 40-80 g, more preferably about 54 g of sodium acetate in 500 ml of water and about 1-4 g, more preferably about 2 g of acetic acid in 500 ml of water. According to another preferred embodiment, the hydrogen generating device 3 uses an electrolyte which comprises about 38 g sodium acetate and about 3 mg acetic acid per 500 ml water. This solute will produce hydrogen at the cathode 15 and ethane at the anode 16. The ethane is filtered through a molecular sieve 20, as shown in Fig. 11, to remove the carbon leaving the hydrogen. More specifically, the ethane is produced at the anode 16 and passes from the anode output nipple 12 into the side input nipple 24 of a vapor cylinder 23 as shown in Fig. 12, then leaves the vapor cylinder 23 through output nipple 25, and then passes into the bottom input nipple 21 of the molecular sieve 20 as shown in Fig. 11. Depending on the density of the packed molecular sieve 20, the ethane gas may be channeled through multiple molecular sieves. Typically, suitable Tygon® flexible tubing, or other similar tubing as would be known in the art, may be used to connect between each of the various input and/or output nipples of the hydrogen generating device 3, the vapor cylinder 23, and the molecular sieve 20.

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, the electrodes may comprise an alloy comprising platinum, silver or gold. According to a further preferred embodiment, the electrodes comprise the alloy of the present invention, more specifically, an alloy activator comprising magnesium, calcium and sodium, more specifically about 60-80%, preferably about 65-70%, more preferably about 68% magnesium, about 20-40%, preferably about 20-30%, more preferably about 22% calcium and about 3-20%, preferably about 3-10%, more preferably about 10% sodium. Within the context of this invention, the activator is like a catalyst in that it decreases the amount of energy required for the reaction. However, the activator of the present invention is unlike a catalyst in that it is partially consumed during the reaction. [0071] According to a further preferred embodiment, the hydrogen generating device 3 also comprises a pump (not shown), such as a water pump, to keep the electrolyte circulating. According to a further embodiment, the hydrogen generating device 3 further comprises a filter (not shown) to improve operation by removing precipitates that may choke the reaction.

[0072] Examples:

[0073] This system has been tested by supplying on board all the energy required for an unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) using an electric engine with a hybrid lithium ion battery system. More specifically, a hydrogen generating device was built and tested that operated using 1.5 volts at 440 mA, breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen, which was fed to a 25 watt PEM and produced 19.9 volts at 1.2 AMPS. The present invention permits the hydrogen generating device to provide on board decomposition of water into hydrogen for mobile requirements. However, the device may also be used for static environments. Other applications of the current invention include any application where an energy source is needed, such as powering portable electronic devices, vehicles of all types, homes and businesses, as well as military uses.

[0074] During operation, the electro-chemical reaction is actually a series of half reactions that are initiated by a low energy current being placed on the anode of the device. This causes a tipping or tripping of the edge on a highly reactive alloy plate, which releases micro amounts of the alloy that interact with the sodium or potassium solute, turning the solute almost instantly into a very strong base with the pH level going from 3 pH to 12 pH, in a very short time period. The reaction of the reactive metal ions continues as long as the low current is maintained on the anode. Upon removal of the low energy current from the anode the reaction continues as a chemical reaction for a short period of time and then gradually stops, with the pH returning to approximately 7. Micro amounts of the alloy are consumed during the reaction cycle, wherein it is anticipated that the alloy plates would need to be replaced in the device after approximately six months of continuous operation. However, the alloy plates could also last more or less time, depending on the extent the device is used.

[0075] More specifically, when a small electric current is passed between the anode and the cathode of the present device, a small exothermic reaction begins in the solute, which produces hydrogen and a colorless solution of sodium hydroxide. This initial reaction causes a secondary reaction that causes a very thin layer of magnesium hydroxide to form on the anode, which prevents hydrogen from forming at the anode. At the same time, another secondary reaction causes the release of hydrogen ions as micro amounts of sodium are consumed.

[0076] A small amount of chlorine is released into the solute, but as a reversible reaction, which creates a mixture of hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid. Light decomposes the hypochlorous acid into hydrochloric acid releasing oxygen at the anode side, which reaction can be further accelerated if the reaction occurs in bright light, such as sunlight. In turn, the hydrochloric acid reacts with the alloy deteriorating a small amount of the magnesium, while releasing hydrogen and precipitating a small amount of calcium chloride, which will cloud the solute but not affect the reaction. Citric acid in the solute is preferably used as a buffering agent to adjust the pH of the solution. When the current is stopped or removed, the reactions continue for a short while, but eventually stop when the pH is around 7. The citric acid causes the initial pH to be 3 and the half reactions raise the pH to 12, which is maintained until the reactions are stopped at which time an almost immeasurable amount of hydrogen peroxide is also precipitated. [0077] Thus, there has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, a hydrogen generating device and power generation system for mobile and static power generation. Those skilled in the art will recognize yet other embodiments defined more particularly by the claims, which follow.

[0078] Having now described a few embodiments of the present invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. Numerous modifications and other embodiments are within the scope of the invention and any equivalent thereto. It can be appreciated that variations to the present invention would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is intended to include those alternatives.

[0079] Further, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.