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 and 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 and 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 generator is described that provides at least one of electrical and thermal power comprising (i) at least one reaction cell for reactions involving atomic hydrogen hydrogen products identifiable by unique analytical and spectroscopic signatures, (ii) a molten metal injection system comprising at least one pump such as an electromagnetic pump that provides a molten metal stream to the reaction cell and at least one reservoir that receives the molten metal stream, and (iii) an ignition system comprising an electrical power source that provides low-voltage, high-current electrical energy to the at least one steam of molten metal to ignite a plasma to initiate rapid kinetics of the reaction and an energy gain. In some embodiments, the power generator may comprise: (v) a source of H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 supplied to the plasma, (vi) a molten metal recovery system, and (vii) a power converter capable of (a) converting the high-power light output from a blackbody radiator of the cell into electricity using concentrator thermophotovoltaic cells or (b) converting the energetic plasma into electricity using a magnetohydrodynamic converter.

A hydrogen-developing body of an apparatus for producing hydrogen from an electrolyte solution is disclosed. The hydrogen-developing body is formed from magnesium (Mg) or zinc (Zn) or the like, or an alloy thereof, or has an electrolyte-contacting surface which is formed from magnesium (Mg) or zinc (Zn) or the like, or an alloy thereof. The electrolyte-contacting surface has regions formed from iron (Fe) or a Fe alloy, or the like, which are pellet-shaped and stochastically embedded into the surface such that the Fe/Fe alloy pellets are exposed to the environment of the body.

A method of generating hydrogen involving contacting an aqueous solution with an activated aluminum composite including aluminum, AlN, γ-Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and optionally a carbonaceous material. The activated aluminum composite can safely be stored and can be used for safe on demand hydrogen generation in water.

A method of generating hydrogen involving contacting an aqueous solution with an activated aluminum composite including aluminum, AlN, γ-Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and optionally a carbonaceous material. The activated aluminum composite can safely be stored and can be used for safe on demand hydrogen generation in water.

A process for generating thermal energy and basic chemicals having the following steps: a) producing aluminum metal by fused-salt electrolysis in a fused-salt electrolysis plant, b) using aluminum metal for the generation of thermal energy and of chemical basic materials selected from the group carbon monoxide or hydrogen, by bringing carbon dioxide and/or water or a mixture containing a compound containing nitrogen and hydrogen and carbon dioxide and/or water into contact with the aluminum metal and converting it in an aluminothermic reaction to aluminum oxide and carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen, c) storage or chemical conversion of the carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen produced thereby, d) storage of the thermal energy generated in the process or conversion into other forms of energy, and e) recycling the aluminum oxide obtained in the process to the fused-salt electrolysis.

The process allows fused-salt electrolysis plants for aluminum production to be operated with regenerative energies of fluctuating output over time without having to shut down these plants. The process also allows energy generation to be coupled with the provision of basic chemicals that can be used in a closed-loop process.

Power device based on alkali-water reaction, having a reaction chamber to carry out a chemical reaction between water and alkali element, having an exhaust nozzle to exhaust the reaction products generated in the reaction chamber, with a siphon tube connected to the exhaust nozzle, a nozzle shutter plate sealing the exhaust nozzle, and an external pressure inlet. The device has a water reservoir to store transfer water to the reaction chamber and an alkali reservoir to store and transfer an alkali element to the reaction chamber, and transfer device connecting the reaction chamber to both reservoirs to transmit the pressure generated in reaction chamber by part of the reaction products to the reservoirs, providing the transfer of water and alkali element from both reservoirs to the reaction chamber.

A hydrogen generating element of an electrochemical apparatus may include a compacted homogenous body of an alloy-like material which contains at least 60 wt.-%, preferably more than 75 wt.-%, of Mg or a Mg alloy, 5 to 20 wt.-% Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, and 5 to 20 wt.-% of an electrolyte precursor material.

The invention is a power generation system which involves a water-splitting reaction employing metal feedstock to generate heat, hydrogen and metal hydroxide. The heat produced by the power generation system supplies a Heating-Ventilation-Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for heating and cooling building structures, such as homes, kiosks, commercial buildings and greenhouses. The hydrogen gas component produced by the invention is sufficient to fuel a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) and a fuel cell, which provides electricity to an associated building structure. The invention can be located on-site with a building structure and provides a readily available FCV fueling station associated with the building structure where an FCV is located.