System and method for storing hydrogen and electrical energy

• Main Authors: MINNEAR WILLIAM P, BREWER LUKE N
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.07.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES ORLIGHT-SENSITIVE DEVICES, OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE; ELECTRICITY; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

A hybrid capacitive storage system and method for storing electrical energy and hydrogen comprising at least a first dielectric layer, which dielectric layer is substantially impermeable to hydrogen. The hybrid storage system further comprises at least a first catalytic electrode layer disposed on at least a portion of a first surface of said first dielectric layer, which first catalytic electrode layer converts molecular hydrogen into atomic hydrogen, an electrode layer disposed on at least a portion of a second surface of said first dielectric layer, which electrode layer is selectively electrically connected to said first catalytic electrode layer; and at least one field generator for selectively applying a field to said storage system. Upon introduction of hydrogen to the storage system and activation of the at least one field generator, the hydrogen is converted to protons and electrons, wherein the electrons are permitted to flow through electrical connection to the electrode layer and the protons remain at the first catalytic electrode layer.