A method of synthesizing fuel from an aqueous solution includes pumping the aqueous solution, containing dissolved inorganic carbon, from a body of water into a carbon extraction unit. The method further includes extracting the dissolved inorganic carbon from the aqueous solution to create CO.sub.2 by changing a pH of the aqueous solution in the carbon extraction unit. The CO.sub.2 derived in the carbon extraction unit is received by a fuel synthesis unit, and the CO.sub.2 is converted into fuel including at least one of a hydrocarbon, an ether, or an alcohol using the fuel synthesis unit.

A high-temperature fuel cell system includes a fuel cell that includes an anode and a cathode and that generates power by using a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a fuel-gas path along which the fuel gas flows, an oxidant-gas path along which the oxidant gas flows, an anode-off-gas path along which an anode off-gas flows, a cathode-off-gas path along which a cathode off-gas flows, a combustion space in communication with the anode-off-gas path and the cathode-off-gas path and in which the anode off-gas and the cathode off-gas are burned, a flue-gas path along which a flue gas flows, a cathode-off-gas branch portion disposed on the cathode-off-gas path between the combustion space and the cathode and at which some of the cathode off-gas is branched from the cathode-off-gas path, and a first heat exchanger that enables heat exchange between the oxidant gas, the flue gas, and the cathode off-gas.

The present invention is generally directed to a reactor for the production of low-carbon syngas from captured carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen. The hydrogen is generated from water using an electrolyzer powered by renewable electricity or from any other method of low-carbon hydrogen production. The improved catalytic reactor is energy efficient and robust when operating at temperatures up to 1800° F. Carbon dioxide conversion efficiencies are greater than 75% with carbon monoxide selectivity of greater than 98%. The catalytic reactor is constructed of materials that are physically and chemically robust up to 1800° F. As a result, these materials are not reactive with the mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide or the carbon monoxide and steam products. The reactor materials do not have catalytic activity or modify the physical and chemical composition of the conversion catalyst. Electrical resistive heating elements are integrated into the catalytic bed of the reactor so that the internal temperature decreases by no more than 100° F. from the entrance at any point within the reactor. The catalytic process exhibits a reduction in performance of less than 0.5% per 1000 operational hours.

The present invention is generally directed to a reactor for the production of low-carbon syngas from captured carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen. The hydrogen is generated from water using an electrolyzer powered by renewable electricity or from any other method of low-carbon hydrogen production. The improved catalytic reactor is energy efficient and robust when operating at temperatures up to 1800° F. Carbon dioxide conversion efficiencies are greater than 75% with carbon monoxide selectivity of greater than 98%. The catalytic reactor is constructed of materials that are physically and chemically robust up to 1800° F. As a result, these materials are not reactive with the mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide or the carbon monoxide and steam products. The reactor materials do not have catalytic activity or modify the physical and chemical composition of the conversion catalyst. Electrical resistive heating elements are integrated into the catalytic bed of the reactor so that the internal temperature decreases by no more than 100° F. from the entrance at any point within the reactor. The catalytic process exhibits a reduction in performance of less than 0.5% per 1000 operational hours.

The present invention proves a hydrogen injection apparatus that is good in terms of work efficiency and sanitation at the time of maintenance and that is capable of generating hydrogen water the hydrogen content of which is flexibly adjustable. The hydrogen injection apparatus according to the present invention includes a reference vessel, on the bottom of which a particle having a material for reacting with water to generate hydrogen formed on the surface thereof is placed, the reference vessel being configured to store water for reaction with hydrogen, a communication means for fluidly connecting the interior of the upper side of the reference vessel to the storage water for drinking in the state in which the reference vessel is sealed, and an auxiliary means for increasing injection of hydrogen into the storage water for drinking from the reference vessel through the communication means.

A method of generating electricity with a fuel cell includes a phase in which the cell is primed; and a phase in which the cell functions at a stable rate, during which the cell, fed with a hydrogenated gas, generates electricity and heat. In order to prime the cell, it is fed with a hydrogenated gas including at least 70 vol. % hydrogen, generated by self-sustaining combustion of at least one hydrogenated gas-generating solid pyrotechnic charge; and while it is operating at a stable rate, the cell is fed with a hydrogenated gas containing at least 85 vol. % hydrogen, generated by thermal decomposition of at least one hydrogenated gas-generating solid pyrotechnic charge; a portion of the heat produced by the operating cell being transferred to the at least one solid charge in order to start and maintain the thermal decomposition thereof.

Various embodiments disclosed related to hydrogen-generating compositions for a fuel cell. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a hydrogen-generating composition comprising a hydride and a Lewis acid. Various embodiments provide methods of using a hydrogen fuel cell including generating hydrogen gas using the composition, fuel cell systems including the composition, and methods of making the composition.

Various embodiments disclosed related to hydrogen-generating compositions for a fuel cell. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a hydrogen-generating composition comprising a hydride and a Lewis acid. Various embodiments provide methods of using a hydrogen fuel cell including generating hydrogen gas using the composition, fuel cell systems including the composition, and methods of making the composition.

In aspects of the disclosure, a fuel cartridge wherein the fuel is in a powdered form is admixed with inert materials such as alumina or other ceramics to improve thermal conductivity. Said cartridge having fuel zones, heating zones, and controllers to selectively heat fuel zones and thereby generate hydrogen via decomposition of fuel is disclosed.

Disclosed is a hydrogen generator with a door that can be opened to replace a fuel unit and closed to seal the door. A lock responds directly to pressure within the chamber to prevent opening when the pressure exceeds a threshold value. The lock includes a locking member with a lug that engages a retainer to seal the door when the door is locked and is disengaged from the retainer when the door is unlocked. An opening mechanism moves the locking member to lock and unlock the door. A movable key is engaged with the opening mechanism and the locking member when the pressure in the chamber is at or below the threshold value and disengaged from one of the opening mechanism and the locking member by an actuator (e.g., a flexible diaphragm) so the door cannot be unlocked and opened when the pressure is above the threshold value.