Hydrogen supply method

Claim 1

A process of supplying hydrogen from a hydrogen storage system including a storage means for containing hydrogen; said storage means including at least one hydrogen withdrawal conduit connected to said storage means for discharging said hydrogen from said storage means, a first compartment means, a second compartment means and a connecting means for connecting said first compartment means to said second compartment means, a microcavity hydrogen storage means located in said first compartment, said microcavity hydrogen storage means including a porous structure having a plurality of microcavities defined by closed pores surrounded by hydrogen permeable walls, said microcavities containing hydrogen under pressure encapsulated within the interior of their walls, said microcavities upon being heated capable of releasing the pressurized hydrogen encapsulated within their interiors; a quantity of a composition capable of forming at least one metal hydride when exposed to hydrogen located in said second compartment means, said metal hydride capable of releasing hydrogen when heated and absorbing hydrogen when cooled in the presence of hydrogen which comprises: heating said microcavities to cause said pressurized hydrogen to diffuse through said permeable walls from the interior of said microcavities to the exterior of said microcavities; allowing hydrogen to transfer between said first and said second compartments through said connecting means; regulating the temperature of said composition in accordance with the pressure of said hydrogen in said second compartment means so that the pressure of hydrogen within said second compartment means remains substantially constant; withdrawing hydrogen through said hydrogen withdrawal conduit for use external said hydrogen storage system.