CA2600920A1 - Hydrogen generation system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

Fuel containers and hydrogen gas generation systems and methods are provided which comprise a fuel storage chamber and a hydrogen storage region separated by a partition including a gas permeable membrane to transport hydrogen to the hydrogen storage region. A hydrogen separation chamber and a volume-exchange configuration for the storage of a fuel solution and product material may be incorporated. Methods also are provided for regulating transfer of fuel solution to a reaction chamber and transfer of hydrogen and product to the hydrogen separation chamber, while maintaining a positive pressure differential from the fuel storage chamber to the hydrogen storage region.

Description

HYDROGEN GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This invention claims priority to United States Provisional Application Serial Number 60/647,392, filed January 28, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] This invention was made with Government support under Technology Investment Agreement FA8650-04-3-2411 awarded by the United States Air Force.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to generating hydrogen gas using fuel solutions of borohydride compounds. More particularly, the invention relates to a fuel cartridge and hydrogen generation apparatus having a volume-exchange configuration for the storage of fuel solution, hydrogen gas, and a hydrogen separation region.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Hydrogen is the fuel of choice for fuel cells; however, its widespread use is complicated by the difficulties in storing the gas. Many hydrogen carriers, including hydrocarbons, metal hydrides, and chemical hydrides are being considered as hydrogen storage and supply systems. In each case, specific systems need to be developed in order to release the hydrogen from its carrier, either by reformation as in the case of hydrocarbons, desorption from metal hydrides, or catalyzed hydrolysis of chemical hydrides.

[0005] One of the more promising systems for hydrogen storage and generation utilizes borohydride compounds as the hydrogen storage media. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is of particular interest because it can be dissolved in alkaline water solutions with virtually no reaction; in this case, the stabilized alkaline solution of sodium borohydride is referred to as fuel. Furthermore, the aqueous borohydride fuel solutions are non-volatile and will not burn. These traits impart handling and transport ease both in the bulk sense and within the hydrogen generator itself.

[0006] Various hydrogen generation systems have been developed for the production of hydrogen gas from aqueous sodium borohydride fuel solutions.
Such generators typically require chambers to store fuel, borate product, and a catalyst or other reagent to promote hydrolysis of the borohydride. Hydrogen generation systems can also incorporate additional components such as hydrogen ballast tanks, heat exchangers, condensers, and gas-liquid separators.

[0007] The development of fuel cells as replacements for batteries is dependent on finding a convenient and safe hydrogen source. A fuel cell power system for small applications needs to be compact and lightweight, have a high gravimetric hydrogen storage density, and preferably be operable in any orientation. Additionally, it should be easy to match the control of the system's hydrogen flow rate and pressure to the operating demands of the fuel cell.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention relates to apparatus and methods for generating hydrogen gas using a catalyst or reagent and a boron hydride compound.

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention provides a hydrogen gas generator with a housing having a fuel storage chamber, a hydrogen storage chamber, and a hydrogen separation chamber wherein both of the hydrogen separation and fuel storage chambers include at least one gas permeable membrane to transport hydrogen out of the respective chambers. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a volume exchanging configuration having a fuel storage chamber enclosed within both a hydrogen storage chamber and a hydrogen separation chamber, wherein both the hydrogen separation and fuel storage chambers have at least one gas permeable membrane located therein.

[0010] Another embodiment provides a hydrogen generator capable of forming hydrogen gas, comprising a fuel storage chamber; a hydrogen storage region;
and a pump for removing fuel from the fuel storage chamber; wherein the fuel storage chamber comprises a fuel outlet for removing the fuel and at least one gas permeable membrane to allow hydrogen gas generated by the fuel to pass through the gas permeable membrane to the hydrogen storage region; and a hydrogen outlet to allow hydrogen gas to pass from the hydrogen storage region to outside of the system.

[0011] In a further embodiment the invention provides a hydrogen gas generator, comprising a hydrogen separation chamber; a hydrogen storage chamber; a fuel storage chamber at least partially enclosed within the hydrogen storage chamber; a first conduit for conveying a fuel solution from the fuel storage chamber to a reaction chamber to promote reaction of the fuel solution to produce hydrogen and product material, and a second conduit for conveying the hydrogen and product material from the reaction chamber to the hydrogen separation chamber; a hydrogen gas outlet for discharging hydrogen from the hydrogen separation chamber; and at least one gas permeable membrane in contact with each of the fuel storage chamber and the hydrogen separation chamber to allow hydrogen gas to pass through the gas permeable membrane while substantially preventing solid and liquid materials from passing through the gas permeable membrane.

[0012] The present invention further provides methods for hydrogen gas generation, comprising providing a fuel storage chamber, a fuel solution, a hydrogen storage chamber, and a hydrogen separation chamber. The fuel chamber is located at least partially within the hydrogen storage chamber, and the hydrogen storage chamber is located at least partially within the hydrogen separation chamber. At least a first gas permeable membrane is provided in contact with the fuel solution storage chamber, and at least a second gas permeable membrane in contact with the hydrogen separation chamber, to allow hydrogen to pass through the first and second gas permeable membranes. The fuel solution is conveyed from the fuel solution storage chamber to a reaction chamber for generating hydrogen gas and a product material. The product material and hydrogen gas are conveyed from the reaction chamber to the hydrogen separation chamber. During operation of the preferred method, the hydrogen storage chamber is maintained at a lower pressure than the fuel solution chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description, in which:

[0014] Figures 1A and 1B are schematic illustrations of a fuel container for a hydrogen gas generation system in accordance with the invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an alternative configuration of a fuel container for a hydrogen gas generation system in accordance with the invention;

[0016] Figures 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of an arrangement for a fuel cartridge for a hydrogen gas generation system in accordance with the invention;

[0017] Figures 4A and 4B are schematic illustrations of an alternative arrangement for a fuel cartridge for a hydrogen gas generation system; and [0018] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement for a preferred hydrogen gas generation system in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/359,104 entitled "Hydrogen Gas Generation System," the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, a hydrogen gas generation system is described that comprises a housing that includes a volume exchanging configuration having a fuel storage chamber containing a first flexible bag and a hydrogen separation chamber containing a second flexible bag where either or both of these flexible bags may have a gas permeable membrane located therein.

[0020] Such systems meter the flow of the hydrogen generation fuel primarily through a passive pressure system, wherein applied mechanical pressure from a spring or the like or applied gas pressureforces the fuel through a valve into a reaction chamber. Control of hydrogen generation is imparted by pressure regulation.
The liquid hydrogen generation fuel is stable (i.e., little to no hydrogen generation is observed) at temperatures below about 40 C, but hydrogen can evolve as the temperature increases. In such a system, hydrogen gas that is produced spontaneously from the fuel solution in the fuel storage chamber can be driven though the membranes in the fuel storage chamber and into the main body of the housing by the same pressure differential that is used to push the fuel through the control valve to the reaction chamber.

[0021] While passive systems are useful, it may often be desirable to include a pump for the ability to variably control fuel delivery. Pumps are often smaller volumetrically and gravimetrically than a spring mechanism, and pumps offer the potential to reverse fuel flow to actively withdraw fuel from the reaction chamber. However, if a pump were to be incorporated in the same system to transport the fuel to the reaction chamber, no pressure differential would be available to remove hydrogen gas from the fuel solution and the fuel storage chamber. The presence of gas bubbles in the fuel solution is undesirable; for instance, bubbles can cause the pump to cavitate.
In addition, any hydrogen trapped in the fuel solution is potentially unavailable for delivery to the hydrogen device or for conversion to electrical power by a fuel cell.

[0022] In one aspect of the present invention, a system and method is provided to create a pressure differential in a pumped system in order to remove hydrogen from the hydrogen generation fuel solution and the fuel storage chamber.

[0023] The hydrogen generation fuel useful in these and the following aspects of the present invention is preferably a boron hydride compound that is a liquid or that can be formulated as a flowable fuel. Many of the boron hydride compounds are water soluble and aqueous flowable fuel solutions may be prepared as aqueous mixtures which may contain a stabilizer component, such as a metal hydroxide having the general formula M(OH)n, wherein M is a cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations such as sodium, potassium or lithium, alkaline earth metal cations such as calcium, aluminum cation, and ammonium cation, and n is equal to the charge of the cation. Nonaqueous flowable fuels also can be prepared as dispersions or emulsions in nonaqueous solvents, for example, as dispersions in mineral oil, or as a solution in, for example, toluene, glymes, or acetonitrile.

[0024] Boron hydrides as used herein include boranes, polyhedral boranes, and anions of borohydrides or polyhedral boranes, such as those provided in co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/741,199, entitled "Fuel Blends for Hydrogen Generators," the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Suitable boron hydrides include, without intended limitation, neutral borane compounds such as decaborane(14) (BioH14); ammonia borane compounds of formula NHXBHYand NHXRBHY, wherein x and y independently = 1 to 4 and do not have to be the same, and R is a methyl or ethyl group; borazane (NH3BH3); borohydride salts M(BH4)n, triborohydride salts M(B3H8)n, decahydrodecaborate salts Mz(BioHlo)n, tridecahydrodecaborate salts M(BloHls)n, dodecahydrododecaborate salts M2(Bl2Hl2)n, and octadecahydroicosaborate salts M2(B2oHi8)n, where M is a cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, aluminum cation, zinc cation, and ammonium cation, and n is equal to the charge of the cation.
M is preferably sodium, potassium, lithium, or calcium. The boron hydride fuels may be prepared as aqueous mixtures and may contain a stabilizer component, such as a metal hydroxide having the general formula M(OH)., wherein M is a cation selected from the _group consisting of alkali metal cations such as sodium, potassium or lithium, alkaline earth metal cations such as calcium, aluminum cation, and ammonium cation, and n is equal to the charge of the cation.

[0025] The hydrogen generation fuel is preferably a stabilized metal borohydride solution such as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,534,033, entitled "A System for Hydrogen Generation," the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, from which hydrogen is produced as shown in Equation 1, where and MB(OH)4, respectively, represent an alkali metal borohydride and an alkali metal metaborate:

MBH4 + 4 H2O ---> MB(OH)4 + 4 H2+ heat Equation 1 [0026] Referring to Figure 1A, a fuel container 100 for a hydrogen gas generation system includes an outer housing 102 which can be of any suitable material as appropriate to construct a fuel cartridge of the present invention. Such materials include, but are not limited to, metals and plastics. Within the housing are a fuel storage chamber 104 separated from a hydrogen storage chamber 106 by a movable or flexible partition 108, wherein the partition includes at least one gas permeable membrane 110. Examples of suitable gas permeable membranes include materials that are more permeable to hydrogen than to a liquid, for example water, such as silicon rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, fluoropolymers or any hydrogen-permeable metal membranes such as palladium-gold alloys. Suitable gas permeable membranes may be microporous and hydrophobic and/or oleophobic. The flexible or movable nature of the partition accommodates volume expansion and reduction and thus pressure changes within the two storage regions. The terms "chamber" and "region" are used interchangeably herein.

[0027] The hydrogen storage chamber is maintained at a lower pressure than the fuel storage chamber such that a pressure differential is maintained between the two chambers. Such pressure differentials can be realized by maintaining regions within the system at different pressures. The fuel reservoir may be under pressure due to the compression of elastic walls or the application of applied force by a spring plate, for example. Hydrogen produced from the fuel solution contained within fuel storage chamber 104 can be forced though the gas permeable membrane into the hydrogen storage chamber by the higher pressure in the fuel storage chamber. The pressure differential between the two chambers can be maintained by the removal of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage chamber, such as via a pressure relieve valve that vents at a preset pressure below the pressure in the fuel storage chamber, or the consumption of hydrogen by a hydrogen device or removal of hydrogen from chamber 106 via hydrogen outlet 112. For example, when a fuel cell is coupled to the hydrogen storage chamber of the fuel container, a region of lower pressure may be created by the operation of the fuel cell to help ensure the pressure differential. This arrangement allows chamber 106 to be vented to a lower pressure to create the pressure differential needed for efficient removal of hydrogen from the fuel solution.

[0028] The hydrogen storage chamber can be vented directly to the atmosphere through hydrogen outlet 112 which can include a check valve to prevent the backflow of air. Preferably, hydrogen outlet 112 can be connected to a hydrogen outlet line 120 downstream from the pressure drop in order to capture the off-gassed hydrogen gas for delivery to the hydrogen device, such as a power module. An illustrative example of such a connection is shown in Figure 1B, wherein hydrogen outlet 112 is connected to hydrogen line 120 downstream of regulator 124, which receives hydrogen generated from the reaction of the hydrogen generation fuel in reaction chamber 116. The regulator 124 may be replaced by the use of an orifice or other flow restrictor that would impart a pressure drop in line 120 One or more pressure relief valves that vent to a lower pressure such as the atmosphere may be incorporated in the system to remove accumulated hydrogen gas for those instances when the system is inactive for extended periods.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1B, a fuel regulator controller 122 such as a fuel pump causes the fuel solution to be transported from the fuel storage chamber 104 through fuel conduit 114 to a reaction chamber 116 which contains a catalyst to enhance the reaction of the fuel solution to produce hydrogen gas as shown in Equation 1 for borohydrides. The product stream comprising a boron product material and hydrogen gas is transported to a hydrogen separation chamber 118 to separate the gas from liquid and solid components of the product stream and deliver the gas. The gas may be delivered for use by a power module comprising a fuel cell or hydrogen-burning engine for conversion to energy, or any other hydrogen device, including balloons or hydrogen storage devices such as a hydrogen cylinders or metal hydrides. At least one pressure relief valve may be included in chamber 118 or in the conduit line 120 to vent hydrogen.

[0030] The reaction chamber used with this embodiment preferably contains a reagent, such as a catalyst metal supported on a substrate. The preparation of such supported catalysts is taught, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,534,033 entitled "System for Hydrogen Generation." Other suitable catalysts or reagents that are known to promote the reaction of boron hydride compounds such as unsupported metals, acids, or heat can alternatively be present in the reaction chamber. These catalysts and reagents can be combined to work in concert for the production of hydrogen;
for example, heat may be used with a supported metal catalyst system.

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates another configuration of a fuel container in accordance with the present invention, wherein features that are the same as those shown in Figure 1 have like numbering. In this configuration, the fuel storage chamber 104 is a flexible liquid-tight material, such as, but not limited to: nylon; polyurethane;
polyvinylchloride (PVC); polyethylene polymers, including such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA); natural rubber; synthetic rubber;
metal foil or other material, and which contains at least one gas permeable membrane. The gas permeable membrane is preferably substantially impermeable to liquids and solids, and substantially prevents solid and liquid materials from passing through the gas permeable membrane while allowing gas flow. By "substantially" in this context what is meant is preferentially allowing passage of gases relative to the passage of solids and/or liquids or, in preferred cases, allowing passage only of gases. The flexible fuel storage chamber 104 is contained within the outer housing as illustrated in Figure 2; the region bounded by and between the outer housing and the fuel chamber comprises the hydrogen storage chamber 106. The flexible walls of the fuel chamber accommodate the pressure changes of the two storage regions.

[0032] In hydrogen generation systems of the present invention, it may be preferable to design the hydrogen separation chamber and the fuel storage chamber within one outer housing to provide advantages such as minimizing the overall system volume.
Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, wherein features that are the same as those shown in previous figures have like numbering, a hydrogen gas generation system 300 includes an outer housing 102, which contains a flexible fuel storage chamber 104 enclosed within a flexible hydrogen storage chamber 106, and a hydrogen separation chamber 302. The hydrogen separation chamber 302 may be the interior of the housing as shown in Figure 3A, or may be a separate flexible chamber as shown in Figure 3B. One or more of the various chambers may be comprised of a flexible, liquid-tight material, such as nylon; polyurethane; polyvinylchloride; polyethylene polymers including, such as, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA);
natural rubber; synthetic rubber; metal foil or other material, or may be comprised of a non-flexible or rigid material, such as metal or plastic, which contains one or more movable partitions telescopically or otherwise to provide for a volume exchanging configuration.
The fuel storage chamber 104 contains at least one gas permeable membrane.

[0033] The hydrogen generation reaction results in the generation of hydrogen gas and a boron product material which are transported to the hydrogen separation chamber 302 via conduit 304. For example, in the hydrolysis reaction shown in Equation 1 for borohydride compounds, a borate salt is included in the product material.

[0034] In the configuration shown in Figure 3A, the hydrogen and product materials collect in the interior of the housing, i.e., the hydrogen separation chamber 302, and the hydrogen is delivered through at least one hydrogen separation membrane 110 present in the inlet of hydrogen line 120 while maintaining any solid and liquid components of the product mixture within the hydrogen separation chamber 302. The hydrogen can be delivered for use by a power module, comprising a fuel cell or hydrogen-burning engine for conversion to energy, or other hydrogen device.

[0035] Referring now to Figure 3B, the hydrogen and boron product materials collect in the flexible hydrogen separation chamber 302. The hydrogen is delivered through a hydrogen separation membrane 110 present in the wall of chamber 302 while maintaining any solid and liquid components of the product mixture within the hydrogen separation chamber 302. The hydrogen collects in the interior of the housing and can be drawn off through hydrogen gas outlet 306 for use by a power module, comprising a fuel cell or hydrogen-burning engine for conversion to energy, or other hydrogen device.

[0036] The hydrogen generation system of Figures 3A and 3B are preferably operated in a volume exchanging manner, such that initially a full fuel storage chamber surrounded by the hydrogen storage bag occupies the majority of the housing's interior volume. As fuel is fed to the reaction chamber the hydrogen gas and boron reaction products such as borate compounds are transferred to the hydrogen separation chamber 302. The reaction products will occupy the volume once occupied by fuel.
When all fuel is consumed, the hydrogen separation chamber or bag may constitute a majority of the interior volume.

[0037] In another embodiment illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, the hydrogen separation chamber 302 encloses the fuel storage chamber and hydrogen storage chamber, wherein features that are the same as those shown in previous figures have like numbering. Such a system maximizes volumetric efficiency, operates in a volume exchanging manner, and can be operated in an orientation independent manner.
The hydrogen separation chamber may wholly, as shown in Figure 4A, or partially, as shown in Figure 4B, enclose the fuel storage and hydrogen storage chambers.

[0038] A complete system for generating hydrogen gas using the fuel container of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 5, wherein features that are the same as those shown in previous figures have like numbering. Fuel pump 502 conveys fuel from the fuel storage chamber 104 via fuel conduit 114 to reaction chamber 504. The product stream, comprising hydrogen gas and boron reaction products such as borate compounds, is transported from the outlet of the reaction chamber to hydrogen separation chamber 302 via conduit 304. The hydrogen delivered through a hydrogen separation membrane 110 iin the wall of chamber 302 and collected in the interior of the housing and can be drawn off through hydrogen gas outlet 306 for use by a power module comprising a fuel cell or hydrogen-burning engine for conversion to energy or a hydrogen device. Alternatively, hydrogen gas outlet 306 could be connected directly to the hydrogen separation chamber 302, and at least one hydrogen separation membrane 110 present in the inlet of the gas line 306 would maintain any solid and liquid components of the product mixture within the hydrogen separation chamber 302.

[0039] Any accumulated hydrogen in the hydrogen storage chamber 106 can be provided to the device or power module via an optional regulator 506 which connects hydrogen conduits 112 and 306, or it may simply be vented from the system.
Preferably, the hydrogen is withdrawn from both hydrogen storage chamber 106 and hydrogen separation chamber 302 at the same time; that is, both regions feed the hydrogen consuming device at once. Alternatively, hydrogen may be variably withdrawn from first one region and then the other.

[0040] The following example further describes and demonstrates features of the hydrogen generation system according to the present invention. The example is given solely for illustration purposes and is not to be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Example [0041] The fuel container system of Figure 4 was constructed from a set of three bags that were constructed of 2 mil polyurethane (Stevens Urethane P/N ST-1522F3).
The fuel storage chamber 104 and hydrogen separation chamber 302 each contained 19.2 cmz of polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (Gore, Inc.) capable of allowing the passage of hydrogen while providing a barrier to solids and liquids. The three bags were contained within a copper-plated aluminum housing 102 that was hermetically sealed and fitted with a hydrogen outlet and pressure relief valves.

[0042] The inner bag 104 was charged with a solution of 20% by weight sodium borohydride and 3% by weight sodium hydroxide in water (the fuel solution).
The hydrogen storage bag surrounding the inner fuel bag was connected to atmospheric pressure. The solution was pumped through a reaction chamber containing a hydrogen generation catalyst to produce a product stream comprising borate compounds, water, and hydrogen. The product stream was transferred into outer hydrogen separation chamber 302 while the hydrogen generation system was held at a pressure between 5 to 7 psig.

[0043] Hydrogen was separated from the liquid and solid products by allowing the gas to pass through the membrane in bag 302 into the interior of the aluminum housing. Due to the exothermicity of the hydrogen generation reaction, the product stream is at a higher temperature than the fuel solution. As the product stream filled bag 302, heat was transferred to the fuel solution in bag 104, and, as the fuel solution warmed, a portion of the fuel underwent hydrolysis, releasing hydrogen into inner bag 104. This hydrogen passed from the bag 104 through its membrane to hydrogen storage bag 106 and vented from the box at atmospheric pressure via outlet 112. The hydrogen produced through reaction with the hydrogen generation catalyst in the reaction chamber was monitored with a mass flow controller external to the hydrogen generation system. From 800 mL of fuel solution, 425 cc/min of hydrogen were produced over continuous operation of the system for 17 hours.

[0044] While the present invention has been described with respect to particular disclosed embodiments, it should be understood that numerous other embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. For example, while the preceding figures and embodiments have shown the reaction chamber as external to the housing, the reaction chamber may be incorporated within the outer housing; in such cases, the appropriate fuel and product conduit lines would not exit the outer housing.
Additional components of the exemplary hydrogen generation systems such as regulators and fuel pumps may also be incorporated within the outer housing.
The outer rigid housing 102 can be replaced with a flexible housing to eliminate the weight of an outer container, and increase the energy density of the system. Elements such as pistons or springs that apply pressure mechanically may be incorporated into some aspects to push against one or both of chambers 104 and 106 to assist in maintaining a pressure differential and/or drive the fuel into the reactor.

Claims (59)

1. A hydrogen generation apparatus capable of forming hydrogen gas and product material, comprising:

a fuel storage chamber having a first internal pressure;

a hydrogen storage region having a second internal pressure;

a pump adapted for transferring fuel from the fuel storage chamber to a reaction chamber; and a means for maintaining the second internal pressure at a lower level than the first internal pressure;

wherein the fuel storage chamber comprises at least one gas permeable membrane to allow hydrogen gas generated by the fuel to pass through the gas permeable membrane to the hydrogen storage region.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fuel storage chamber and the hydrogen storage region are moveably disposed with respect to each other in a volume exchanging configuration.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fuel storage chamber is capable of expansion and contraction.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fuel storage chamber is comprised of a flexible material.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the fuel storage chamber is disposed within the housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hydrogen outlet to allow hydrogen gas to pass from the hydrogen storage region to outside of said region.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fuel storage chamber is at least partially disposed within the hydrogen storage region.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a hydrogen separation region adapted to receive hydrogen and product material from the reaction chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a first conduit for conveying fuel from the fuel storage chamber to the reaction chamber to promote reaction of the fuel to produce hydrogen and product material, and a second conduit for conveying the hydrogen and product material from the reaction chamber to the hydrogen separation chamber; and a hydrogen gas outlet for discharging hydrogen from the hydrogen separation chamber.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one gas permeable membrane in contact with the fuel storage chamber and at least one gas permeable membrane in contact with the hydrogen separation chamber to allow hydrogen gas to pass through the gas permeable membranes while substantially preventing solid and liquid materials from passing through.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the hydrogen storage chamber is at least partially enclosed within the hydrogen separation region.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the hydrogen storage region has an interior pressure less than the interior pressure of the separation chamber.

13. A hydrogen gas generation apparatus, comprising:

a housing containing a hydrogen separation region and a hydrogen storage region, a fuel storage chamber at least partially enclosed within the hydrogen storage region, the fuel storage chamber containing a fuel solution;

a pump adapted to transfer the fuel solution from the fuel storage chamber to a chamber containing a reagent to promote the reaction of the fuel solution to generate hydrogen and product material;

at least one gas permeable means in each of the fuel storage chamber and the hydrogen separation region to allow the hydrogen gas to pass through the chamber and region; and wherein the fuel storage chamber and the hydrogen storage region are moveably disposed with respect to each other in a volume exchanging configuration.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said fuel storage chamber is at least partially enclosed within said hydrogen separation chamber.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said housing is rigid.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said housing is flexible.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least two of the hydrogen separation region, the hydrogen storage region, and the fuel storage chamber are located at least partially within another of the hydrogen separation region, the hydrogen storage region, and the fuel storage chamber.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one gas permeable membrane is in contact with the fuel storage chamber and the hydrogen storage region, and at least another gas permeable membrane is in contact with the hydrogen separation region.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the fuel storage chamber is fully enclosed within the hydrogen separation region.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the hydrogen storage region is fully enclosed within the hydrogen separation region.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the hydrogen storage region, the hydrogen separation region, and the fuel storage chamber comprises a flexible material.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least two of the hydrogen storage region, the hydrogen separation region, and the fuel storage chamber comprise a flexible material.

23. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the hydrogen separation region and the fuel storage chamber comprise a flexible material.

24. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the hydrogen storage region, the hydrogen separation region, and the fuel storage chamber are disposed in a volume exchanging configuration.

25. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a hydrogen gas outlet in communication with the hydrogen storage region.

26. A method for hydrogen gas generation, comprising:
providing a fuel solution storage chamber;

providing a fuel solution;

providing a hydrogen storage chamber;
providing a hydrogen separation chamber;

wherein the fuel chamber is located at least partially within the hydrogen storage chamber;

providing at least a first gas permeable membrane in contact with the fuel solution storage chamber, and at least a second gas permeable membrane in contact with the hydrogen separation chamber, to allow hydrogen to pass through the first and second gas permeable membranes;

pumping the fuel solution from the fuel solution storage chamber to a reaction chamber to generate hydrogen gas and a product material; and conveying the product material and hydrogen gas from the reaction chamber to the hydrogen separation chamber while creating a pressure differential such that the hydrogen storage chamber is at a lower pressure than the fuel solution chamber.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising drawing hydrogen gas out of the hydrogen storage chamber.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising drawing hydrogen gas out of the hydrogen separation chamber.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the fuel storage, hydrogen storage, and hydrogen separation chambers are enclosed within a housing.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the fuel storage and hydrogen separation chambers are disposed in a volume exchanging configuration.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the hydrogen separation chamber is located at least partially within the hydrogen storage chamber.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein the pressure differential is created at least in part by releasing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage region.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein the pressure differential is created at least in part by compression of elastic walls or a spring against the fuel solution storage chamber.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the pressure differential is created at least in part by removing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage region.

35. The method of claim 26, wherein the pressure differential is created at least in part by drawing a vacuum on the hydrogen storage region.

36. The method of claim 26, further comprising producing hydrogen in the fuel solution storage region.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising combining the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage region with hydrogen from the hydrogen separator region.

38. The method of claim 26, wherein the pressure differential is simultaneously maintained at all times while pumping fuel solution to the reaction chamber.

39. A method for hydrogen gas generation, comprising:
providing a fuel solution in a fuel storage chamber;

providing a hydrogen storage chamber and a hydrogen separation chamber so that the fuel storage chamber is located at least partially within the hydrogen storage chamber, and the hydrogen storage chamber is located at least partially within the hydrogen separation chamber;

providing at least one gas permeable membrane in contact with the fuel storage chamber; and subjecting at least a part of the fuel solution to thermal hydrolysis and releasing hydrogen from the fuel storage chamber through the at least one gas permeable membrane and into the hydrogen storage chamber.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein subjecting at least a part of the fuel solution to thermal hydrolysis comprises transferring heat from the hydrogen separation chamber to the fuel storage chamber.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising causing the hydrogen storage chamber be at a lower pressure than the fuel storage chamber.

42. The method of claim 39, further comprising creating a pressure differential between the fuel storage chamber and the hydrogen storage chamber to allow hydrogen gas generated by the fuel to pass through the gas permeable membrane and into the hydrogen storage chamber.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the pressure differential is created at least in part by removing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage chamber.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the pressure differential is created at least in part by coupling a fuel cell to the hydrogen storage chamber.

45. The method of claim 39, wherein the pressure differential is created at least in part by compression of elastic walls or a spring against the fuel storage chamber.

46. The method of claim 39, wherein each of the fuel storage, hydrogen storage, and hydrogen separation chambers are mutually disposed in a volume exchanging configuration.

47. The method of claim 39, wherein the fuel storage and hydrogen separation chambers are disposed in a volume exchanging configuration.

48. The method of claim 39, further comprising pumping the fuel solution to a catalyst chamber to produce hydrogen and a product material.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising conveying the hydrogen and product material from the catalyst chamber to a hydrogen separation chamber.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising combining the thermal hydrolysis produced hydrogen from the hydrogen storage region with hydrogen from the hydrogen separation chamber.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the pressure differential is maintained at all times while pumping fuel solution to the reaction chamber.

52. A fuel cartridge for a hydrogen generation apparatus capable of forming hydrogen gas and product material, comprising:

a fuel storage chamber having a first internal pressure;

a hydrogen storage region having a second internal pressure;

a means for maintaining the second internal pressure at a lower level than the first internal pressure;

wherein the fuel storage chamber comprises at least one gas permeable membrane to allow hydrogen gas generated by the fuel to pass through the gas permeable membrane to the hydrogen storage region.

53. The fuel cartridge according to claim 52, further comprising a pump adapted for transferring fuel from the fuel storage chamber to a reaction chamber; and

54. The fuel cartridge according to claim 52, wherein the fuel storage chamber and the hydrogen storage region are moveably disposed with respect to each other in a volume exchanging configuration.

55. The fuel cartridge according to claim 52, wherein the fuel storage chamber is capable of expansion and contraction.

56. The fuel cartridge according to claim 52, wherein the fuel storage chamber is comprised of a flexible material.

57. The fuel cartridge according to claim 52, further comprising a housing, wherein the fuel storage chamber is disposed within the housing.

58. The fuel cartridge of claim 52, further comprising a hydrogen outlet to allow hydrogen gas to pass from the hydrogen storage region to outside of said region.

59. The fuel cartridge according to claim 52, wherein the fuel storage chamber is at least partially disposed within the hydrogen storage region.