The invention is a method for coproducing Hydrogen and certain metals by reducing a metal oxide(s) with MgH.sub.2 or with metal and water, wherein the non-water oxides used in the method include SiO.sub.2, Cr.sub.2O.sub.3, TiO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2, CuO, ZnO, WO.sub.3, Ta.sub.2O.sub.5, Cs.sub.2Cr.sub.2O.sub.7 or CsOH. The method reacts the MgH.sub.2 with a metal oxide or directly uses metal and water instead of a hydride, and initiates a reaction with the metal oxide. The reaction releases Hydrogen and reduces the subject oxide to metal.

Disclosed herein are aluminum oxide aerogels and methods of making and use thereof. The methods of making the aluminum oxide aerogel include contacting a solid comprising aluminum with a Ga-based liquid alloy to dissolve at least a portion of the aluminum from the solid, thereby forming an aluminum-alloy mixture; and contacting the aluminum-alloy mixture with a fluid comprising water, thereby forming the aluminum oxide aerogel. In some examples, the methods can further comprise capturing and converting carbon dioxide to a syngas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

A method for storing and delivering hydrogen gas is described. The method includes reacting a chemical hydride with water in the presence of a synergist. The synergist advances the extent of reaction of the chemical hydride with water to increase the yield of hydrogen production. The synergist reacts with byproducts formed in the reaction of the chemical hydride with water that would otherwise inhibit progress of the reaction. As a result, a greater fraction of hydrogen available from a chemical hydride is released as hydrogen gas.

A method for storing and delivering hydrogen gas is described. The method includes reacting a chemical hydride with water in the presence of a synergist. The synergist advances the extent of reaction of the chemical hydride with water to increase the yield of hydrogen production. The synergist reacts with byproducts formed in the reaction of the chemical hydride with water that would otherwise inhibit progress of the reaction. As a result, a greater fraction of hydrogen available from a chemical hydride is released as hydrogen gas.

The present invention discloses hydrogen generation systems and methods of using the same. More particularly, hydrogen is generated on demand by injecting liquid feedstock onto a solid aluminum alloy containing a catalyst. The hydrogen may then be stored or used as fuel for various types of energy conversion, such as internal combustion engines or fuel cells. The hydrogen generation reaction oxidizes the alloy to alumina, which can recycled back into the original alloy using conventional smelting methods.

A system and method for cleaning dirty water is disclosed. The systems and methods may include two heat exchangers, including a high temperature/high pressure (HT/HP) heat exchanger that receives superheated steam and hydrogen gas and a low temperature/low pressure (LT/LP) that receives steam at a reduced temperature and pressure. The LT/LP heat exchanger provides first stage heating to dirty water that is input into the system for cleansing. The LT/LP heat exchanger has a first coil and a second coil. The first coil carries the dirty water to be cleaned. The HT/HP heat exchanger provides a second stage of heating to the dirty water that is output from the LT/LP heat exchanger. A first coil of the HT/HP heat exchanger carries the superheated steam and hydrogen gas. A second coil carries the preheated dirty water that is output from the LT/LP heat exchanger.

A power source includes a container, a fuel cell stack disposed within the container, the fuel cell stack having an anode side and a cathode side, a. hydrogen producing fuel disposed within the container arid positioned to provide hydrogen to anode side of the fuel cell stack, and a pump disposed within the hydrogen producing fuel to circulate water vapor through the hydrogen producing fuel. A capacitor may be coupled to receive electricity generated by the fuel cell stack.

A power source includes a container, a fuel cell stack disposed within the container, the fuel cell stack having an anode side and a cathode side, a. hydrogen producing fuel disposed within the container arid positioned to provide hydrogen to anode side of the fuel cell stack, and a pump disposed within the hydrogen producing fuel to circulate water vapor through the hydrogen producing fuel. A capacitor may be coupled to receive electricity generated by the fuel cell stack.

The invention relates to a fuel generator (12) for a fuel cell based charger system, and a system containing a charger (10) and a fuel generator. The generator comprises a compartment (20) containing aluminium, means (18, 20, 21, FW) for providing a solution of water and a water soluble compound capable of reacting with aluminium to generate hydrogen gas, when dissolved in water and brought into contact with the aluminium, and means (FS) for passing said solution into the compartment containing aluminium. The invention also provides a method of operating the system. It comprises providing a fuel generator and a hydrogen driven fuel cell based charger device having means for accommodating the generator. The generator and charger having a common interface cooperative for providing fluid communication between the generator and the charger. The system is primed by inserting the generator into the charger whereby the interface opens up fluid communication between selected parts of the system. A flow of reaction solution is initiated so as to bring it into contact with the aluminium whereby hydrogen begins to be produced, the hydrogen is fed to the fuel cells in the fuel cell assembly whereby electricity is produced.

The invention relates to a fuel generator (12) for a fuel cell based charger system, and a system containing a charger (10) and a fuel generator. The generator comprises a compartment (20) containing aluminium, means (18, 20, 21, FW) for providing a solution of water and a water soluble compound capable of reacting with aluminium to generate hydrogen gas, when dissolved in water and brought into contact with the aluminium, and means (FS) for passing said solution into the compartment containing aluminium. The invention also provides a method of operating the system. It comprises providing a fuel generator and a hydrogen driven fuel cell based charger device having means for accommodating the generator. The generator and charger having a common interface cooperative for providing fluid communication between the generator and the charger. The system is primed by inserting the generator into the charger whereby the interface opens up fluid communication between selected parts of the system. A flow of reaction solution is initiated so as to bring it into contact with the aluminium whereby hydrogen begins to be produced, the hydrogen is fed to the fuel cells in the fuel cell assembly whereby electricity is produced.