Hydrogen generator having reactant pellet with concentration gradient

摘要

A hydrogen generator is provided for generating hydrogen gas for a fuel cell stack. The hydrogen generator includes a container, and a liquid reactant storage area configured to contain a liquid including a first reactant. The hydrogen generator also includes a reaction area within the container, and a solid containing a second reactant within the reaction area and having a concentration gradient that varies along an axis such as length of the solid. The hydrogen generator further includes a liquid delivery member for delivering the liquid to the solid in the reaction area to generate hydrogen. The concentration gradient controls a reaction rate of the first and second reactants.

主权项

1. A hydrogen generator comprising:
a container; a liquid reactant storage area configured to contain a liquid comprising a first reactant; a reaction area within the container; a solid containing a second reactant within the reaction area and comprising a concentration gradient that varies along an axis of the solid; and a liquid delivery member for delivering the liquid to the solid in the reaction area to generate hydrogen, wherein the concentration gradient controls a reaction rate of the first and second reactants, wherein the liquid delivery member comprises a liquid distribution portion having a plurality of liquid outlets, and wherein the liquid distribution portion has first and second ends, and a liquid flow outlet greater at the first end than the second end, wherein the concentration gradient has a reactant concentration that is lowest at the first end and higher at the second end.