Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Ighor K Uzhinsky

Gary K Lund

Anthony Gus Castrogiovanni

Florin Girlea

Jason S Tyll

John C Leylegian

Lawrence G Piper

Wallace Chinitz

Fernando Aguirre

Marten Byl

Methods and systems of providing a source of hydrogen and oxygen with high volumetric energy density, as well as a power systems useful in non-air breathing engines such as those in, for example, submersible vehicles, is disclosed. A hydride reactor may be utilized in forming hydrogen from a metal hydride and a peroxide reactor may be utilized in forming oxygen from hydrogen peroxide. The high temperature hydrogen and oxygen may be converted to water using a solid oxide fuel cell, which serves as a power source. The power generation system may have an increased energy density in comparison to conventional batteries. Heat produced by exothermic reactions in the hydride reactor and the peroxide reactor may be transferred and utilized in other aspects of the power generation system. High temperature water produced during by the peroxide reactor may be used to fuel the hydride reactor.

Methods and systems of producing hydrogen and oxygen for power generation, and power source

Provided herein are methods and systems of producing hydrogen using ammonia borane, which has a high hydrogen density while being stable and easily stored. Ammonia borane may be exothermically reacted with a strong oxidizer, such as a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. The reaction between ammonia borane and the strong oxidizer may occur spontaneously and may produce heat. Unreacted ammonia borane may be exposed to and thermally decomposed using the heat produced during the exothermic reaction between ammonia borane and the strong oxidizer. The heat may be retained by performing the reactions in a vessel or reactor including a material capable of retaining the heat. A high gravimetric hydrogen yield is obtained from the reaction of ammonia borane with hydrogen peroxide and the thermal decomposition of unreacted ammonia borane. Hydrogen production using the methods and systems may yield a high gravimetric hydrogen content of at least about 10%.

Methods and systems for producing hydrogen and system for producing power

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Springfield, VA, United States of America

Ighor K Uzhinsky