A power source and hydride reactor is provided comprising a reaction cell for the catalysis of atomic hydrogen to form hydrinos. a source of atomic hydrogen, a source of a hydrogen catalyst comprising a solid, liquid, or heterogeneous catalyst reaction mixture. The catalysis reaction is activated or initiated and propagated by one or more chemical other reactions. These reactions maintained on a electrically conductive support can be of several classes such as (i) exothermic reactions which provide the activation energy for the hydrino catalysis reaction, (ii) coupled reactions that provide for at least one of a source of catalyst or atomic hydrogen to support the hydrino catalyst reaction, (iii) free radical reactions that serve as an acceptor of electrons from the catalyst during the hydrino catalysis reaction, (iv) oxidation-reduction reactions that, in an embodiment, serve as an acceptor of electrons from the catalyst during the hydrino catalysis reaction, (v) exchange reactions such as anion exchange that facilitate the action of the catalyst to become ionized as it accepts energy from atomic hydrogen to form hydrinos, and (vi) getter, support, or matrix-assisted hydrino reaction that may provide at least one of a chemical environment for the hydrino reaction, act to transfer electrons to facilitate the H catalyst function, undergoes a reversible phase or other physical change or change in its electronic state, and binds a lower-energy hydrogen product to increase at least one of the extent or rate of the hydrino reaction. Power and chemical plants that can be operated continuously using electrolysis or thermal regeneration reactions maintained in synchrony with at least one of power and lower-energy-hydrogen chemical production.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a power management system (e.g., a power management for a fuel cell or a fuel cell system) includes a fuel cell to generate an electrical power output; a metastable hydrogen carrier to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell; a heater coupled with the metastable hydrogen carrier; and a controller coupled to the heater to control a rate of hydrogen release from the metastable hydrogen carrier. A method of operating a fuel cell system includes controlling an electrical power input to a heater utilizing a controller; heating a metastable hydrogen carrier to a temperature by the heater and to generate hydrogen to feed a fuel cell. The heater is coupled to the controller, and the controller controls the electrical power input to the heater according to a relationship between a rate of hydrogen release and the temperature and a composition of the metastable hydrogen carrier.

The invention relates to a cold start apparatus for an exothermic hydrogen consumer such as a fuel cell and also a method for operating an exothermic hydrogen consumer having a metal hydride store or hydrogen supply from a reformer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell having an efficient cold start apparatus, which can be taken into operation immediately and does not require any pressure tank. Furthermore, the cold start apparatus should be available for an unlimited number of starting operations. The object is achieved by an apparatus for operation of a fuel cell or another exothermic hydrogen consumer, which comprises at least one starter tank comprising a metal hydride having cold start properties and also at least one operating tank comprising at least one intermediate-temperature hydride or at least one reformer, wherein the starter tank is in fluidic communication with the exothermic hydrogen consumer and the operating tank or the reformer, wherein the first starter tank comprises a metal hydride which has an equilibrium pressure for desorption at a temperature of −40° C. of at least 100 kPa and further comprises a cooling device in order to be able to be reloaded with hydrogen by the operating tank or the reformer while the fuel cell is being supplied.

A method and system for releasably storing hydrogen and generating electricity including an electrochemical cell including a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, a microporous separator, an electrical connection between the cathode and the anode, an amine source, a nitrile source, a hydrogen source, and an oxygen source, wherein the electrochemical cell is configured to be operated in a hydrogen storage mode, a hydrogen release mode, and electrical generation mode. The amine/nitrile redox couple provides for full cycle electrochemical conversion of hydrogen under mild conditions.

The invention relates to a metal hydride hydrogen storage and supply arrangement integrated for use in a fuel cell utility vehicle. The storage arrangement includes a plurality of metal hydride containers suitable to be filled with a metal hydride material, the containers being connectable in parallel to a gas manifold; heat transfer means located between the metal hydride containers; and a filler body located in a space between the metal hydride containers and the heat transfer means.

An indicator is provided in a vehicle for indicating necessity of change of a fuel vapor absorber in a venting line of a vehicle tank, especially a methanol tank for fuel cell vehicles.

Aluminum can be used as a fuel source when reacted with water if its native surrounding oxide coating is penetrated with a gallium-based eutectic. When discrete aluminum objects are treated in a heated bath of eutectic, the eutectic penetrates the oxide coating. After the aluminum objects are treated, the aluminum objects can be reacted in a reactor to produce hydrogen which can, for example, react with oxygen in a fuel cell to produce electricity, for use in a variety of applications.

The present invention relates to a power supply system for underwater vehicles, in particular to a power supply system for autonomous underwater vehicles, to underwater vehicles equipped with such power supply systems and to a method of operating an underwater vehicle. The power supply system for underwater vehicles comprises a hydrogen fuel cell, which on the one hand is in fluid contact with a metal hydride storage tank, and on the other hand, with a membrane module that is capable of extracting dissolved oxygen from water. By combining the above mentioned components, the energy necessary to support the AUV operation and the operation of its sensors can be provided, replacing in an efficient and sustainable way the currently employed battery energy systems. For the operation of gliders, a weight compensating mechanism could also be implemented.

Aluminum can be used as a fuel source when reacted with water if its native surrounding oxide coating is penetrated with a gallium-based eutectic. When discrete aluminum objects are treated in a heated bath of eutectic, the eutectic penetrates the oxide coating. After the aluminum objects are treated, the aluminum objects can be reacted in a reactor to produce hydrogen which can, for example, react with oxygen in a fuel cell to produce electricity, for use in a variety of applications.

An indicator is provided in a vehicle for indicating necessity of change of a fuel vapor absorber in a venting line of a vehicle tank, especially a methanol tank for fuel cell vehicles.