Importance

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Abstract

The new iron material and catalyst admixture of this invention feature a method for operating an automotive vehicle that is designed to internally combust hydrogen generated in situ aboard the vehicle. The method of the invention utilizes hydrogen from an onboard reactor to power an automotive vehicle. Hydrogen from the onboard reactor is generated by a bed of iron that is made to react with H.sub.2 O in the presence of an alkali hydroxide catalyst at temperatures not exceeding approximately 250.degree. C. The preferred alkali hydroxide is the hydroxide of potassium in a range of concentrations between 50 to 60 percent by weight, with the preferred concentration being about 53%. The iron materials of this invention may comprise in situ freshly-ground particulates as an added enhancement for the reactivity between the iron and H.sub.2 O. The particles range in diameter size from approximately 25 to 1,200 .mu.m, with an average-sized distribution having at least twenty percent (20%) of the particles less than 300 .mu.m in diameter. It is preferable that at least 50% are less than 300 .mu.m in diameter. The average particle density ranges from approximately 1 to 7.8 g/cc, with a non-compressed packed particle density ranging from about 1.5 to 3.5 g/cc. The particles have a surface area greater than approximately 0.001 meters.sup.2 /g.

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First Claim