A system for distribution of hydrogen gas in a metal hydride reactor is disclosed. The system comprises a hydrogen distribution conduit positioned within a metal tube so as to define an annular space between the hydrogen distribution conduit and the outer metal tube. The hydrogen distribution conduit provides a flow passage for the hydrogen gas. A metal sponge matrix containing hydrogen-storing metal powder or hydrogen-storing alloy powder is filled in the annular space. The system provides a more uniform distribution of hydrogen across the particles of the hydrogen-storing metal/alloy powder, provides mechanical support to the hydrogen distribution conduit, improves the thermal conductivity of the powdered metal/alloy bed and reduces the size and production cost of the reactor.

A thin film getter is provided. The thin film getter comprises a substrate and an absorption layer on the substrate, wherein the absorption layer comprises a getter material for absorbing target gas and an auxiliary material for providing a moving path of the target gas, and the getter material can be divided into a plurality of getter regions by the auxiliary material.

A hydrogen release and storage system (100) of the present invention includes a first hydrogen release and storage unit (100A) composed of a first hydrogen compound member (101A), a first container (102A) that accommodates the first hydrogen compound member (101A), a first heating apparatus (103A) configured to heat an inside of the first container (102A), a first cooling apparatus (104A) configured to cool the inside of the first container (102A), a first water supply apparatus (105A) configured to supply water to the first container (102A), a second hydrogen release and storage unit (100B) composed of a second hydrogen compound member (101B), a second container (102B) that accommodates the second hydrogen compound member (101B), a second heating apparatus (103B) configured to heat an inside of the second container (102B), a second cooling apparatus (104B) configured to cool the inside of the second container (102B) and a second water supply apparatus (105B) configured to supply water to the second container (102B).

An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a hydrogen supply system including a water electrolysis stack configured to produce hydrogen by electrochemically decomposing water, and a metal hydride compressor connected to the water electrolysis stack and configured to treat the hydrogen before supplying the hydrogen to a supply destination, thereby obtaining an advantageous effect of simplifying a structure and improving spatial utilization and a degree of design freedom.

A continuous thermal hydrogen compression system, and methods of thermally compressing hydrogen, are disclosed. A hydrogenation module accepts a hydrogen gas stream to be absorbed or adsorbed to a lean carrier stream through heat removal, thereby producing a heat output and a rich carrier stream containing absorbed or adsorbed hydrogen. A pump, connected to an output of the hydrogenation module, increases the pressure of the rich carrier stream to produce a pressurized rich carrier stream. A dehydrogenation module separates, via an addition of heat, a pressurized hydrogen gas stream from the pressurized rich carrier stream to produce a lean carrier stream. A pressure reducing device reduces the pressure of the lean carrier stream before it is returned to the hydrogenation module. The carrier stream is cycled continuously between the hydrogenation module and the dehydrogenation module.

A hydrogen generator, a fuel pellet assembly for use in the hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system are disclosed. The hydrogen generator includes a housing having a lid pivotally connected to a base and a strip having a plurality of heaters on one side and a second plurality of heaters on the opposite side. A first cartridge is disposed on one side of the strip and a second cartridge is disposed on the opposite side. Each of the first and second cartridges has a plurality of fuel pellets, each including a hydrogen-containing material that will release hydrogen gas when heated. The heaters are selectively activated to heat one or more fuel pellets to initiate the release of hydrogen gas.

A dehydrogenation reaction apparatus is disclosed. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a dehydrogenation reaction apparatus, including: a dehydrogenation reactor that includes a reaction vessel configured to store a chemical hydride, and at least one partition wall partitioning an inner space of the reaction vessel into a plurality of reaction chambers; and a buffer tank configured to temporarily store hydrogen generated in the dehydrogenation reactor and then supply the hydrogen to the fuel cell.

A hydrogen storage assembly includes at least one wafer formed of a substrate material that produces metal hydride when exposed to a hydrogen-rich carrier fluid. The wafer can be supported by a housing and arranged so that the hydrogen-rich carrier fluid can flow over a reaction surface of the wafer. At least one heating element can be arranged to transfer heat to the wafer to attain an operating temperature suitable for hydrogen charging on the reaction surface. A de-activation material may be provided on the reaction surface for inhibiting formation of surface oxide that impedes hydrogen absorption during charging and hydrogen desorption during discharging. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic plate wafers spaced apart about a central axis of the assembly. The at least one wafer can include a plurality of monolithic disc wafers in at least one stacked arrangement.

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.

Disclosed are a hydrogen generator and a method of producing hydrogen gas therefrom. A fuel unit containing a fuel that releases hydrogen gas when heated is removably disposed in a cavity within a housing having a door. A heater assembly for heating the fuel unit is disposed in the hydrogen generator. A mechanism retracts the heater assembly from the fuel unit when the door is opened and extends the heater assembly to contact the fuel unit when the door is closed. When the heater assembly is retracted, more space is available into which the fuel unit can be inserted to prevent damage to the heater assembly and the fuel unit, and when the heater assembly is extended, good contact is provided between the heater assembly and the fuel unit for efficient heating. A cam bar can move the heater assembly normal to the lateral motion of the cam bar.