Importance

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Abstract

The catalyzed method of this invention features a method for operating an electrical automotive vehicle. The method of the invention utilizes a hydrogen-air fuel cell to power an electrical automotive vehicle having electrical drive motors. Hydrogen to fuel the fuel cell is supplied onboard by a bed of iron that is made to react with H.sub.2 O in the presence of an alkaline 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 hydrogen for fueling the fuel cell is generated onboard the automobile, in situ, by using a storage compartment containing iron materials. The hydrogen is generated by passing heated water over freshly ground iron, which then becomes iron oxide. The vehicle's operator obtains a fresh charge of the new iron materials from an iron fuel station for placement in a compartment of the vehicle. The iron materials of this invention may comprise in situ freshly-ground particulates. The particles range in diameter size from approximately 25 to 1,200 .mu.m, with an average-sized distribution having at least twenty per cent (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 approximately from about 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