초록 ▼

A compact hydrogen generator is coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. Hydrogen is produced via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in oxidant-free environment. The apparatus can utilize a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, includin

A compact hydrogen generator is coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. Hydrogen is produced via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in oxidant-free environment. The apparatus can utilize a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, including natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, crude oil (including sulfurous fuels). The hydrogen-rich gas produced is free of carbon oxides or other reactive impurities, so it could be directly fed to any type of a fuel cell. The catalysts for hydrogen production in the apparatus are carbon-based or metal-based materials and doped, if necessary, with a sulfur-capturing agent. Additionally disclosed are two novel processes for the production of two types of carbon filaments, and a novel filamentous carbon product. The hydrogen generator can be conveniently integrated with high temperature fuel cells to produce an efficient and self-contained source of electrical power.

대표청구항 ▼

A compact hydrogen generator is coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. Hydrogen is produced via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in oxidant-free environment. The apparatus can utilize a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, includin

A compact hydrogen generator is coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. Hydrogen is produced via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in oxidant-free environment. The apparatus can utilize a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, including natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, crude oil (including sulfurous fuels). The hydrogen-rich gas produced is free of carbon oxides or other reactive impurities, so it could be directly fed to any type of a fuel cell. The catalysts for hydrogen production in the apparatus are carbon-based or metal-based materials and doped, if necessary, with a sulfur-capturing agent. Additionally disclosed are two novel processes for the production of two types of carbon filaments, and a novel filamentous carbon product. The hydrogen generator can be conveniently integrated with high temperature fuel cells to produce an efficient and self-contained source of electrical power. claim 7, wherein a thickness adjuster made of a magnetic material is laminated on said stationary magnet to make its thickness substantially equal to the thickness of said stationary holder. 10. A magnet unit according to claim 7, wherein said outer frame varies the leakage flux amount by changing at least one of factors among thickness, magnitude, or the number of said outer frames to be disposed so that the magnetic force of said stationary magnet to said movable magnet can be adjusted. 11. A magnet unit according to claim 7, further comprising: a slide member structured and arranged to slidably contact one of said movable member and said stationary member when said movable member moves said slide member being provided on at least on one of said movable member and said stationary member. 12. A magnet unit according to claim 11, wherein said slide member is made of a magnetic material. 13. A magnet unit according to claim 11, wherein said slide member is made of a non-magnetic material. 14. A magnet unit according to claim 7, wherein said stationary member includes first and second opposed members arranged at a distance from one another, and said movable member is arranged between said first and second opposed members, and wherein said movable member moves in a first direction along the opposed faces of said first and second opposed members and along a second direction that is substantially at right angles to said opposed faces of said first and second opposed members. 15. A magnet unit according to claim 7, wherein said stationary member includes three or more of opposed members arranged at a distance from each other, and said movable member disposed between adjacent ones of said opposed members, wherein said movable member moves in a first direction along the opposed faces of said adjacent ones of said opposed members and along a second direction that is substantially at right angles to said opposed faces of said adjacent ones of said opposed members. 16. A magnet unit composing a magnetic spring device comprising: a movable member disposed in a relatively movable state to a stationary member; a stationary magnet supported by a stationary holder; and a movable magnet supported by a movable holder, wherein said stationary holder and said movable holder are made of a non-magnetic material, at least one of said stationary magnet and said movable magnet being integrally incorporated into said respective stationary holder and movable holder made of a non-magnetic material when said respective holder is molded, and by selecting at least one of the factors among thickness, magnitude, or the number of the outer frames to be disposed, made of a magnetic material, laminated on said stationary magnet, and at least one portion thereof functioning as a yoke, a leakage flux amount is varied so that the magnetic force of said stationary magnet to said movable magnet can be adjusted, thereby the spring characteristics of said magnetic spring device can be adjusted at will. 17. A magnet unit composing a magnetic spring device comprising: a movable member disposed in a relatively movable state to a stationary member; a stationary magnet supported by a stationary holder; and a movable magnet supported by a movable holder; wherein said stationary holder and said movable holder are made of a non-magnetic material, at least one of said stationary magnet and said movable magnet being integrally incorporated into said respective stationary holder and said movable holder made of a non-magnetic material when said respective holder is molded, wherein said stationary member comprises a plurality of opposed members arranged at a distance from each other, said movable member is disposed between adjacent ones of said opposed members and is relatively movable in a direction along the opposed faces of said adjacent ones of said opposed members, and a spring characteristic of said magnet unit can be adjusted at will by adjusting the num