Patent ID: 6686076
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
An electrochemical conversion system comprising:a first mass of hydrogen absorbent material; a second mass of hydrogen absorbent material spaced from said first mass of hydrogen absorbent material; a first electrode; a second electrode; a proton conductive membrane positioned between said first electrode and said second electrode, said first electrode, second electrode and said proton conductive membrane being operably between said first mass of hydrogen absorbent material and said second mass of hydrogen absorbent material; a housing containing said first mass of hydrogen absorbent material, said second mass of hydrogen absorbent material, said first electrode, said second electrode and said proton conductive membrane, said housing having a first portion containing said first mass of hydrogen absorbent material and being configured to be implanted into the ground and to thermally transfer heat from said first mass of hydrogen absorbent material to the ground, said housing also having a second portion containing said second mass of hydrogen absorbent material; and a supply of hydrogen, whereby the first and second masses of hydrogen absorbent material are in fluid communication with each other through the first and second electrodes and through the proton conductive membrane and whereby the hydrogen may be desorbed by one mass of hydrogen absorbent material and absorbed by the other mass of hydrogen absorbent material while passing past and reacting with the electrodes and the proton conductive membrane so as to cause an electric potential difference between the first and second electrodes.