US3993577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for production of heat and hydrogen gas
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-12-08
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Granted: 1976-11-23
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Expires: 1995-12-08
Abstract
Abstract Micro electrochemical cells which utilize an intimate mixture of active and passive metals are reacted with seawater for producing heat and hydrogen gas for use as a heat source, energy source, or buoyancy generator for use in remote areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley A. Black
- 👤 James F. Jenkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/06; H01M8/0606; H01M8/065; B; B01; B01J; B01J7/00; B01J7/02; C; C01; C01B; C01B3/00; C01B3/02; C01B3/06; C01B3/061; C01B3/08; C01B3/10; C25; C25B; C25B1/00; C25B1/01; C25B1/02; C25B1/04; F; F24; F24V; F24V30/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/36; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
The method of rapidly producing heat and hydrogen gas, comprising: a. producing a composite powdered material consisting of an intimate mixture of magnesium and iron particles by placing finely divided magnesium and iron particles which range in size up to 590 microns in diameter and up to equal part by weight of iron particles to magnesium particles in a ball mill with an inert solvent and grinding the particles together until a substantial portion of the iron particles become embedded on the magnesium particles to form miniature shunted electrochemical cells and to increase the area of iron particles in contact with the magnesium particles, and removal of the solvent following the grinding; b. adding seawater electrolyte to said composite material at a controlled rate for closely controlling the resulting exothermic reaction and thus the generation of heat and hydrogen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
The method of rapidly producing heat and hydrogen gas, comprising: a. producing a composite powdered material consisting of an intimate mixture of magnesium and iron particles by placing finely divided magnesium and iron particles which range in size up to 590 microns in diameter and up to equal part by weight of iron particles to magnesium particles in a ball mill with an inert solvent and grinding the particles together until a substantial portion of the iron particles become embedded on the magnesium particles to form miniature shunted electrochemical cells and to increase the area of iron particles in contact with the magnesium particles, and removal of the solvent following the grinding; b. adding seawater electrolyte to said composite material at a controlled rate for closely controlling the resulting exothermic reaction and thus the generation of heat and hydrogen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said composite powdered material is compressed and formed into a rigid article of desired shape and dimensions prior to adding electrolyte thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein NaC1 particles are mixed with said composite powdered material prior to compressing into a rigid article such that only the addition of water is needed to dissolve the NaC1 and start electrochemical reaction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said powdered metal particles are compressed together under a pressure of 37,500 psi to produce pelletized ironized magnesium which reacts with the electrolyte at a more uniform rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the ratio of active to passive metal particles by weight is 1 to 1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said magnesium metal particles range in size up to 590 microns in diameter and said iron particles range in size up to 74 microns in diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein a slurry of composite powdered material is metered into a reactive chamber to produce a variable controlled reaction rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein binders are also intimately mixed with said composite powdered material prior to compressing into a rigid article.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein a trace element of mercury is added to the mixture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein a trace element of mercury is added to the mixture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3325316A
Cited
US3745077A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-23 | 1980-05-24 | 1980-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-23 | 1984-05-24 | 1984-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-23 | 1988-05-24 | 1988-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |