HYDROGEN GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus and method comprising supporting water within a housing (52) and disposing material (60) in the housing (52) to contact the water and thereby chemically dissociate the water into vapors including hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen. Specific dissociating materials comprise an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury, and aluminum.

Description: HYDROGEN GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 902,705, entitled -MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING HYDROGEN BY DISSOCIATION OF WATER, filed on May 4, 1978; of application . Serial No. 902,708, entitled ATERIAL AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN BY DISSOCIATION OF WATER, filed on May 4, 1978; of application Serial No. 068,749, entitled MATERIAL AND ETHOD FOR OBTAINING HYDROGEN BY DISSOCIATION OF WATER, filed on August 23, 1979; and of an application having attorney's indicia AE-109, entitled MATERIAL AND METHOD TO DISSOCIATE WATER AT CONTROLLED RATES, filed coincidently herewith; and is related to application Serial No. 06/056,994, entitled FUEL SYSTEM AND METHOD, filed on July 12, 1979. BACKGROUND AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is well known that hydrogen has many uses in¬ cluding hydrogenolysis, hydrogenation, as a reducing agent, and as a fuel. When used as afuel, hydrogen is especially good because -when burned the by-product is mainly, if not entirely, high temperature water vapor or low pressure steam. Hydrogen generating apparatus and processes, however, are normally complicated and expensive to operate, which means that hydrogen is not normally used as a fuel. Further, hydrogen is, when obtained, extremely difficult and dangerous to handle. Thus, the fuels normally used in- furnaces, stoves, boilers, hot water tanks and similar devices is solid com¬ bustible matter, such as coal, wood or paper; is an atomized fuel, such as gasoline or fuel oil, or is a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas, propane and butane. In addition to the fact that these conventional fuels provide pollutants when burned, the solid fuels are not readily used in situations requiring rapid or flowing movement, such as occurs in downhole burner. apparatus, as described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,456,721, or in other situations requiring rapid or flowing move¬ ment of fuel, such as those occurences described in U, S. Pat. No. 3,101,592; in Pat. No. 3,459,953; and in U. S. Pat. No. 3,980,137. Recently, materials and methods have been developed relating to the dissociation of water to obtain hydrogen, hydrogen and oxygen, or to obtain these vapors at controlled rates, as described in application Serial Nos. 902,705; 902,708; 068,749; and the application having attorney's indicia AE-109, filed coincidently herewith, which are to be incor¬ porated in this application by reference. Thus, hydrogen is now readily obtainable for all of these uses and, specifically for use as a fuel to provide heat, either directly, as in a space heater, or in¬ directly, as in heatinga working fluid within a boiler or still and transferringthe fluid to a re¬ mote location. Further, the by-product of the burn¬ ing hydrogen is mostly, if not entirely, high tempera- ture water vapor or low pressure steam which may be used as a heat source or condensed to provide purified water. The material and methods described in U. S. patent applications Serial Nos. 902,705; 902,708; and 068,749, generally speaking, chemically dissociate water into vapors including hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen. Further, C P " the material is an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1. More specifically, the dis¬ sociating material includes an alloy of platinum and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin. Further, it is important that the dissociation temperature be maintained below the auto-ignition temperature of hydrogen to prevent an explosive re¬ action. In certain situations, such as when the hydro¬ gen is being used in a space heater, it is .desirable that the material dissociate water at a temperature below the boiling point of water. The water vapor thus added to the enclosed environment is the -by¬ product of the burning hydrogen and not from water being> boiled during the chemical dissociation reaction. In other situations, however, it is important to pro¬ duce hydrogen at a more rapid rate, such as in water purification systems and when using the by-product as a heat source in boilers. In these situations, the hydrogen is more rapidly generated when the reaction temperature is greater than the boiling temperature of water, but less than the specified auto-ignition temperature of approximately 1,075° F. It is pre¬ ferred that in this latter situation the temperature be maintained from about 300° F to about 975° F and, more specifically, from about 500° F to about 800° F. The U. S. patent application having attorne l s indicia AE-109, generally speaking teaches that the rate of dissociation of the water may be regulated by using an extender metal in combination with the amalgam and platinum alloys. The extender metal is chosen to be inactive with the amalgam and water at the point of C ΓI dissociation and in an amount effective to control the rate of dissociation. This extender metal may include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, thallium,_ titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickle, rhod¬ ium, iron, palladium, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, valadium, gold, antimony, zirconium and bismuth and chosen in amounts from about 0.1 wt. % to about 97.3 wt. % of the dissociating material. Accordingly, it is an object of the present in¬ vention to provide a hydrogen generating apparatus and method that is simple and relatively inexpensive -to use. Further, it is an object of the present inven- tion to provide apparatus and method that generates hydrogen from water. Further, it is -an object of the present inven¬ tion to provide a hydrogen generating-burning appar¬ atus and method which is portable and useable in areas remote from conventional areas, such as occur when hiking, fishing, and hunting. Further, it is an object of the present inven¬ tion to provide a hydrogen generating-burning appar¬ atus and method which may be used to purify water. Further, it is an object of the present inven¬ tion to provide an apparatus and method that -generates hydrogen near to a location where it is to be used as a fuel. Further, it is an object of the present inven- tion to provide a hydrogen generating apparatus and method which dissociates water into vapors at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of hydrogen to inhibit the possibility of an explosion and associated hazards. Further, it is an object of the present inven¬ tion to provide a hydrogen generating-burning appar¬ atus and method which dissociates water into vapors including hydrogen for use as a fuel with the temp¬ erature of the dissociation being below the boiling temperature of water so that the water vapor added to a closed environment being directly heated is mainly supplied as a by-product of the burning hydrogen. Further, it is an object of the present inven¬ tion to provide a hydrogen generating-burning appar¬ atus and method which dissociates water into vapors at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of hydrogen while being above the boiling temperature of water so that hydrogen is produced at an acceler¬ ated rate. Further, it is an object of the present inven¬ tion to provide a hydrogen generating-burning appar- atus and method which uses a material adapted to dissociate water into vapors including hydrogen for use as a fuel. In accordance with the invention, a hydrogen gen¬ erating apparatus comprises a housing for supporting a quantity of water and a material provided in the housing for chemically dissociating the water into vapors which include hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen. Further, in accordance with the invention, a method of generating hydrogen comprises mounting a material adapted to chemically dissociate water into vapors which include hydrogen at a ' temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen with a container. Water is then supplied into the housing to contact the material which generates the hydrogen. Further, in accordance with the invention, a method of generating hydrogen comprises providing a material adapted to chemically dissociate water into vapors which include hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen. The material is then contacted with water to generate the hydrogen. O PI Further, in accordance with the invention, a method of generating and burning hydrogen comprises chemically dissociating water at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of hydrogen to provide vapors which include hydrogen. The hydrogen thus generated is then ignited to provide a flame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following de- tailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which like reference characters are used through¬ out to designate like parts: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodi¬ ment of a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 taken in the direction of arrows 2-2; FIG. 3 is an elevational view, in section, of a second embodiment of a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is an elevational view, in section of a third embodiment of a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is an elevational view, in section, of a fourth embodiment of a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is an elevational view, in section, of a fifth embodiment of a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a sixth embodiment of a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an apparatus incorporating a hydrogen generator and burner con- structed according to the present invention; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a seventh em¬ bodiment of a hydrogen generator which might be used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 8.; O FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an eighth embodi¬ ment of a hydrogen generator which might be used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of appar- atus incorporating a ninth embodiment of a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 12 is a schematic- representation of appar¬ atus incorporating the ninth embodiment of a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of appar¬ atus incorporating a tenth embodiment of a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 14 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the ninth embodiment of the invention which may be used in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 11 and 12; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the embodi- ment of the invention shown in FIG. 14, taken in the direction of arrows 15-15; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the embodi¬ ment of the invention shown in FIG. 14, taken in the direction of arrows 16-16; FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the embodi¬ ment of the invention shown in FIG. 14, taken in the direction of arrows 17-17; FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the embodi¬ ment of the invention shown in FIG. 14, taken in the direction of arrows 18-18; and FIG. 19 is an elevational view of the tenth embodiment of the invention which may be used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment 50 of a hydrogen generating device constructed according to the present invention. This 0-v-?I_ ; embodiment comprises a housing 52 having a bottom 54, side walls 56 joined to and extending upwardly from bottom 54, angled walls 58 tapering toward one another and joined to top 60 which lies substantially parallel to bottom 54. A water inlet port 62 is provided through one side wall 56 near bottom 54 and openings 64 are provided through top 60 to permit fluid communi¬ cation between the interior of housing 52 and the ambient atmosphere. * A block of material 66 which will chemically dis¬ sociate water into vapors including hydrogen at a temperature.below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen, as previously described, is mounted within housing 52 by use of outwardly extending flanges 68 resting on support frame 70 which is attached within housing 52 to side walls 56 intermediate of bottom 54 and the junction where side walls 56 join angled walls 58. A hose, pipe or other conventional apparatus 72 is connected to side wall 56 of container 52 for supplying water through port 62 into housing 52. Thus, as water flows into housing 52, it contacts the block of material 66 and is dissociated into vapors which include hydrogen. To increase the surface area for water contact, passageways 74 through block 66 extend downwardly toward bottom 54. Since it is preferred that the first embodiment be used as a hydrogen generator and burner, it is desirable to provide an apparatus 76 for igniting the generated hydrogen within housing 52 so that the heat produced by the flames may be carried through openings 64 in top 60 into the ambient atmosphere. Igniting apparatus 76 comprises a sparking device 78, such as a spark plug, connected to housing 52 with its electrode above the water level within the housing and electrical conductors 80 mounted with sparking device 78 to carry the necessary power to initiate sparking within housing 52. In operation, block 66 is mounted on support frame 70 and water supplied through hose 72 and 62 into housing 52. As the water contacts the block of material 66, hydrogen is dissociated and begins flowing upwardly toward top 60 and through openings or vents 64 into the ambient atmosphere surrounding housing 52. Although the flow of water into housing 52 may be continuous, it is preferred that the flow be terminated after a quantity has been stored within the housing. Since it is preferred that first em¬ bodiment 50 be used as a space heater, igniting apparatus 76 is activated after the hydrogen is pro¬ duced so that a spark is provided within housing 52 to ignite the generated hydrogen. The heat then passes through openings or vents 64 into the ambient atmosphere as represented by the arrows in FIG. 2. The heater will continue operation until the water no longer contacts block 66 oru til the dissociation material no longer functions. Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a second embodiment 100 of a hydrogen generator device constructed according to the present invention. This embodiment includes a tubular housing 102 having a bottom 104 and side walls 106 joined to and extending upwardly from bottom 104. A top or cap 108 is threadedly joined to the upper edges of side walls 106. An opening or vent 110 is provided concentrically within top 108 and a screen 112 for preventing foreign matter from dropping through opening 110 into housing 102 is supported within housing 102 by the lower sur¬ face of top 108 acting through screen 112 against a shoulder 114 provided in the upper interior surface of side walls 106. A block of material 116, as previously described, for chemically dissociating water is mounted within housing 102 adjacent to bottom 104 and a side wall 106. An upper bracket 118 and lower bracket 120 are provided to prevent movement of the material within housing 102 and the material 116 has a surface 122 which is substantially aligned between the two brackets. Water is carried into housing 102 by use of a pipe, hose or similar apparatus 124. A nozzle 126 is connected to a side wall 106 at an elevation above the block of material 116 and has an outlet which generally faces surface 122 of material 116. The hose 124 is connected to nozzle 126 so that water flowing there- through is sprayed by nozzle 126 onto material 116. As the water contacts material 116 it is dissociated into vapors including hydrogen which pass upwardly toward top or cap 108. It is preferred that the water flow rate into housing 102 is just sufficient to become entirely dissociated upon contact with material 116 so as to prevent accumulation within the housing. Again, it is preferred that second embodiment 100 be used as a hydrogen generator and burner. According¬ ly, apparatus 130 is provided to ignite the hydrogen - dissociated from the water. Igniting•apparatus 130 includes a sparking device 132 connected to a side wall 106 at an elevation above the elevation of nozzle 126 and an electrical conductor 134 mounted with sparking device 132 so as initiate sparking from a remote location. In operation, water is supplied through hose 124 to nozzle 126 wherein it is sprayed from outlet 128 onto material 116 for dissociation into vapors including hydrogen. The hydrogen may then pass up- wardly to top 108 and outwardly through opening 110 into a closure for storage and from there be used as previously described. However, when used as a space heater, apparatus 130 is activated so that a spark is generated from sparking device 132 and the hydrogen dissociated from the water is ignited which causes heat to pass upwardly and outwardly through opening 110 into the ambient atmosphere surrounding housing 102. Turning now to FIG. 4, a third embodiment 150 is illustrated of a hydrogen generator constructed according to the present invention. This embodiment includes a housing 152, having a base 154 and side walls. 156 extending vertically upwardly from and joined to base 154. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the third embodiment includes a top or cap 158 which is threadedly connected to the upper edges of side walls 156. An opening 160 is disposed concentri- cally within cap 158 and a screen 162 is provided to prevent foreign objects from dropping into housing 152 by being disposed between a shoulder provided on the in¬ terior of cap 158 and the upper edge of side walls 156. A block of dissociating material 164, as prev- iously described, is mounted within a support cap 166 threadedly joined to side wall 156 intermediate of the * upper edge of the side wall and base 154. On approximately the same elevation as. material 164, a hose 168 for carrying water into housing 152 is " connected to a nozzle 170, which is threadedly joined to a side wall 156 approximately diametrically opposed to the location where material 164 is mounted. Thus, as water flows through hose 168, it is sprayed out of nozzle 170 against material 164 to become dis- sociated into vapors which include hydrogen. The hydrogen then may pass upwardly and outwardly of hous¬ ing 152 into an enclosed space for storage and eventual use as previously described. .It is preferred, however, that third embodiment 150 be used as a hydrogen generator and burner. There¬ fore, apparatus 172 is mounted with housing 152 to ignite the hydrogen prior to passage out of housing 152. Igniting apparatus 172 includes a spark generating device 174 mounted above material 164 to discharge a spark into the interior of housing 152 and thereby initiate burning of the generated hydrogen. Since sparking device 174 is preferably electrically _OMPI activated, electrical conductor 176 is mounted with such sparking device to provide sufficient power to generate such spark. In operation, water is supplied through hose 168 and nozzle 170 for spray upon material 164 held within support cap 166. As the water contacts the material, it is dissociated into vapors including hydrogen. If not all of the water is dissociated, it may be drained from housing 102 by removal of drain plug 178. How- ever, it is preferred that the flow rate be just adequate to permit complete dissociation of all water being sprayed against material 164. After the hydrogen has been dissociated from the water, it may then be burned by activating igniting apparatus 172 so that a spark is generated within housing 152. Heat will then be emitted into the ambient atmosphere surrounding housing 152 until water supplied through hose 168 is discontinued or the dissociating material 164 is ex¬ pended. Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown a fourth embodiment 200 of a hydrogen generator constructed according to the present invention. This embodiment includes a housing 202 having a bottom 204 and up¬ wardly extending side walls 206 joined to the bottom. A material 208, as previously described, for chemically dissociating water into vapors including hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen is mounted within a re¬ placeable mounting cap 210. Mounting cap 210 is threadedly connected in side wall 206 near the junction of the side wall with the bottom 204. A nozzle 212 is mounted in a side wall 206 which is opposed to the side wall in which mounting cap 210 is positioned. Water is supplied by any conventional device through nozzle 212 and sprayed onto material 208. cu As the water contacts material 208, it is dissoc¬ iated into vapors including hydrogen and pass upward¬ ly from housing 202. Preferably, the flow of water is just sufficient tp become entirely dissociated as it contacts material 208 to prevent accumulation with¬ in housing 202. However, a plug 214 is provided in base 204 to drain any accumulated water. Again, it is preferred that fourth embodiment 200 be used as a hydrogen generator and burner, space heater. Thus, apparatus 216 is mounted with housing 202 to ignite the hydrogen so that heat will flow upwardly and outwardly of the housing into the ambient environment. It is preferred that igniting apparatus 216 include a spark generating device 218, such as a spark plug, connected to side walls 206 at an elevation above the elevation of dissociating material 208 and further vating signal to such spark generating device. If desired, a heat sensing apparatus 222, such as a thermocouple, is mounted to side wall 206 of housing 202 to extend into the interior of such housing. Conductors 224 are then mounted with heat sensing device 222 to a control system (not shown) for auto¬ matically generating a spark from device 218 within housing 202 when a predetermined temperature is sensed. A screen 226 may be disposed between igniting apparatus 216 and dissociating material so as to pre¬ vent foreign matter from falling within the dissociat¬ ing portion of housing 202 as well as for dispersing the dissociated hydrogen across the chamber formed within housing 202. As the hydrogen is burned, the screen acts as a burn surface to aid in providing a substantially uniform heat flow out of housing 202. Fins 228 may also be mounted on the exterior of housing 202 to enhance heat transfer into the ambient atmosphere surrounding housing 202. Further, if necessary, draft ports- 230 may be provided through side walls 206 above screen 226 to provide additional oxygen to the burning hydrogen. The operation of fourth embodiment 200 is similar to that described for third embodiment 150 except for the addition of heat sensing device 222 which auto¬ matically activates igniting apparatus 216 to generate heat within the closed environment. Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown a fifth embodiment 250 of a hydrogen generator constructed according to the present invention. As shown, this embodiment includes a housing 252 having a base plate 254 and vertically disposed and segmented side walls 256 joined to base 254. A material 258, as previously described, for chemically dissociating water into vapors including hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen is mounted within housing 252 adjacent base 254. Although housing 252 may be in the form or a square or rectangular box, i is preferred that such housing be in a tubular arrangement with, base 254 closing off one end and material 258 has a cylindrical portion 260 which is closed by conical end 262. A ring 264 to prevent movement of material 258 within housing 252 is mounted to side walls. 256 and engages the shoulder formed at the juncture between tubular portion 260 and conical portion 262 of the material. Water is sprayed onto several portions of material 258 by use of a water injector 266 disposed into one or more passageways 268, which are angularly dis¬ posed through side walls 256 of housing 252. Prefer¬ ably f four openings 268 are provided for receiving four water injectors 266 so that the spray slightly overlaps when impinging dissociating material 258. Water is supplied to each injector by use of conven¬ tional apparatus 270, such as a hose and each, injector includes a valve 272 to regulate the flow of water into housing 252 and a nozzle 274 to spray the water across a substantial surface area of material 258. It is preferred that the fifth embodiment 250 be used to burn the generated hydrogen to heat the water in a water heater 276 which has a flue 1 278 extending through a tank 280 and a base 282. Base plate 254 is mounted by nuts and bolts 284 to water heater base 282 and the upper ends of side walls 256 are abutted against the hot water tank annularly around flue 278. A system 286 is mounted with housing -252 to ignite the hydrogen and includes a spark generating, apparatus 288, such as a spark plug, and a conductor 290 mounted with the spark generating device to carry ^ electricity thereto. Also included within igniting system 286 is a heat sensing apparatus 292, such as a thermocouple, mounted with side wall 256 to determine whether the hydrogen vapors are being burned. Such heat sensing apparatus 292 is connected through conductors 294 to a control arrangement (not shown) to enable automatic spark generation should the hydrogen not be burning. If desired, ports 296 are provided through side walls 256 of housing 252 to permit air to be drafted into the burning zone of hydrogen to aid in its burning. Further, if desired, heat distributing grill 298 may be disposed between a dispersing screen 299 and hot water tank flue 278 so as to distribute the heat evenly for flow into such flue. Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown a sixth embodiment 300 of a hydrogen generator constructed according to the present invention. This embodiment includes a housing 302 having a bottom 304 and verti¬ cally extending side walls 306 joined to the bottom. A block of material 308, as previously described, for chemically dissociating water into vapors includ¬ ing hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition te perature of the hydrogen is bolted to a screen 310 which rests upon lips 312 extending interiorly of side walls 306 in housing 302. Hydrogen is generated by contacting block 308 with water which is supplied through inlet port 314 which extends through side wall 306. A water level port 316 extending through side walls 306 at an elevation upwardly of inlet port 314.is provided so that a quantity of water is stored within housing 302. Any impurities carried by the water flowing into housing 302 may thus be carried out of the housing through water level port 316. It is preferred, however, that a water outlet port 318 be provided near base 304 to remove excess water and these impurities. A check valve 320 is mounted in fluid communication with outlet port 318 to regulate this water flow out of housing 302. A dump port 322 is provided through base 304 to expeditiously remove the water and quickly terminate generation of hydrogen. I.t. is preferred that a sole¬ noid controlled valve 324 be mounted in fluid communi¬ cation with . dump port 322 so that the water stored within ' housing ' 302 may be removed upon activation of valve 324 from a remote location. If desired, a heat sensing device 326, such as a thermocouple, is mounted in heat transfer relation to the water stored within container 302 and through the conductor 328 to a control mechanism which may regu¬ late the flow of water into housing 302 or regulate solenoid controlled valve 324 and dump the water to terminate the dissociation reaction. Although the hydrogen generated by this device may be used in any known fashion, it is preferred that the hydrogen is burned in housing 302 with the heat transferred from such burning hydrogen to a hot water tank 330 with the heated water being used in a building or for heating a closed space at a O Λ. Vv'I remote location. The hydrogen is automatically ignited by an igniting system 332 having an sparking device 334, such as a spark plug, attached to a side wall of housing 302 ,at an elevation above the level of water. A conductor 336 extends from sparking device 334 to a heat sensing device 338, such as a thermocouple, and a conductor 340 is mounted with heat sensing device 338 to carry an electrical charge to spark generating device 334 when the temperature in the water supported within tank 330 drops below a chosen amount, at which time a spark is emitted within housing 302 so that the hydrogen generated by the dissociation of water is burned. When the water within tank 330 reaches a chosen temperature as sensed by device 338, a signal from the control cir¬ cuit ( . not shown) opens valve 324 to dump the water in housing 302 and terminate hydrogen generation, which in turn terminates burning. When the tempera¬ ture goes below another chosen temperature, water is supplied to container 302 to begin generation of the hydrogen and to then activate system 332 which generates a spark to burn the generated hydrogen and heat the water in tank 330. A dispersing screen 342 is preferably mounted on lips 344 disposed between spark generating device 334 and water level port 216. Turning now to FIG. 8, there is shown an appara¬ tus 350 incorporating a hydrogen generator and burner constructed according to the present invention. This apparatus includes a housing 352 having a base 354, upwardly extending side walls 356 joined to the base and roof halves 358 extending toward one another, a chimney 360 being disposed in the roof to- permit fluid communication between the interior of housing 302 with the ambient atmosphere surrounding said housing. A fluid, such as water, represented by arrows 362, is passed through housing 352 to have heat _ " OMPI Λ„. IPO transferred thereto by burning the hydrogen within housing 352. As the fluid leaves housing 352 it is transferred to another location and used such as for heating a building, -turning a steam generator, and associated uses. A pipe 364 is disposed through base 354 for carrying water from a remote location to a header 366. The water is then carried through pipes 368 to a num¬ ber of hydrogen generators 370 constructed according to the present invention. As best shown in FIG. 9, a hydrogen generator 370 may include a plurality of U-shaped housings 372 with each housing having a base 374 and upwardly ex¬ tending side walls 376 joined to the base. A block of material 376, as previously described, is supported on base 374 and includes generally curved sides with each, side facing a side wall 376. A plurality of nozz " les 380 are disposed along each side wall 376 of housing 372. The water supplied through pipes 368 into nozzles 380 is then sprayed onto the curved sides of block 378. Nozzles 380 are displaced from one another along each side wall 376 by a distance suf¬ ficient to enable the water sprayed onto the sides of the block of dissociating material to contact or slightly overlap one another. Another hydrogen generator 370 is shown in FIG. 10. As illustrated, pipe 364 carries water into header 366 and outwardly therefrom through pipes 368 for use in U-shaped housing 372. In this modificat- ion, a block of material 382 for each side wall 376 is supported by base 374, each block extending along each side walls 376. Water is sprayed onto each block 382 by use of a pipe 384 which is disposed with¬ in housing 372 to extend along the housing length. Nozzles 386 with outlets facing each block are positioned along the length of pipe 384 and disposed from one another by a distance permitting the spray -x9- from each nozzle to contact or slightly overlap the spray from adjacent nozzles. As shown in both FIGS. 9 and 10, both hyd. generators 370 include a screen 388 to prevent matter from dropping into housing 372 as well as viding a burn surface mounted on a lip 390 extend interiorly of housing 372 along the upper edge of side wall 376. As shown in FIG. 8, apparatus 390 is provided above each housing 372 of hydrogen generator 370 ignite the hydrogen and thereby generate heat which iι absorbed by the fluid 362 within housing 350. Turning now to FIG. 11, there is shown an appar¬ atus 400 incorporating a hydrogen generating and bum- ing device constructed according to the present inven¬ tion. As illustrated, water, as represented by arrow 402, is pumped by a pump 404 through a line 406 into a header 408. A first valve 410 has an inlet mounted in fluid communication with header 408 and an outlet mounted in fluid communication through line 412 to an inlet of a first hydrogen generating and burning device 414. A second valve 416 has an inlet mounted in fluid communication through line 418 with an outlet of hydrogen generating and burning device 414 and an outlet mounted in fluid communication through lines 420 and 422 to a heat transfer apparatus 424, such as a boiler. A third valve 426 has an inlet mounted in fluid communication with header 408 and an outlet in fluid communication through line 428 to an inlet of a second hydrogen generating and burning device 430. A fourth valve has an inlet mounted in fluid communi¬ cation with the outlet of second hydrogen generating and burning device 430 and an outlet in fluid communi¬ cation through lines 436 and 422 to heat transfer apparatus 424. Thus, as the material is used up with¬ in one or the other of the hydrogen generating and burning devices, the Other hydrogen generating and burning device may be activated to provide a continu¬ ous heat flow into heat transfer apparatus 424. A fluid passing through coils 438 of heat transfer dι vice 424 is continuqusly heated and the heat trans- ferred to a remote location wherein it may be used a the working fluid in turning a turbine or heating a remote area 440. Further, an outlet 442 is provided in heat trans¬ fer apparatus 424 so that the by-products of burned hydrogen, namely high temperature low pressure steam, may be stored in a container 444 upon condensation. The water, thus stored in container 444, should have a purity equivalent to distilled water. Turning now to FIGS. 14-18, there is shown a hydrogen generating and burning device 450 which may be used for hydrogen generating and burning device 414 and 430. As shown, the generator-burner 450 in¬ cludes a housing 452 connected to a pipe 454. Housing 452 includes a tubular sleeve 456 threadedly connected to an end member 458 which has a passage 460 extending axially therethrough. A tubular projection 462 extends from end cap 458 into tubular sleeve-456 to terminate at a closed distal end 464. Ports 466 extend through the side walls of tubular projection 462 to permit fluid communication with passageway 460 with a dissociating material support chamber, which receives a tubular insert 468 of dissociating material. A conical counterbore leading into passage 460 is provided in the side of cap 458 opposite the tubular projection side. A cross-member 472 extends across conical counterbore 470 to provide a seat for a coil spring 474 which urges a ball element 476 into a sealing engagement with shoulder 478 provided on housing 452. A check valve is thus provided into hydrogen generating and burning device 450 to permit water to flow toward material insert 468 while pre¬ venting flow of water away from the dissociating -21- material insert. A measured orifice 480 in the in¬ let of housing 452 is provided such that when a con¬ stant pressure of water is provided thereto, a measured rate of water flow is provided.The water pressure and orifice are constructed such that all of the water that impinges on material 468 is dissociated prior to passing out of the dissociating material receiving chamber in housing 452. A burn chamber 482 is disposed in the other end of housing 452 and in fluid communication with the dis¬ sociating material chamber below distal end 464 of tubular projection 462. Outlet ports 484 extend from burn chamber 482 to the periphery of housing 452 to permit the by-products of the burning hydrogen to pass into line 418 or line 434 of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 11. An access port 486 extends from outside of housing 452 into burn chamber 482 so that igniting ' apparatus, such as a spark plug, to be disposed in burn chamber 482 to initiate burning of said hydrogen. Turning now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated apparatus 50Q incorporating a hydrogen generating and burning device constructed according to the present invention. As shown, the apparatus is used to inject high temperature, low pressure steam into an injection well 5Q2 which extends from the earth's surface 504 down into an oil bearing strata of the earth 506. Water is carried by a pump 508 having an inlet connected to pipe 510 leading to water tank 520 and an outlet mounted in fluid communication with pipe 514, through, valve 516 and into pipe 518 leading down into injection well 502 to a hydrogen generator-burner 520, such as that shown in FIGS. 14 - 18. A packer 522 is mounted at an elevation above the oil bearing strata 506 so as to prevent high temperature, low pressure steam from flowing up the annulus between pipe 518 and casing 524 of well 502. As the products of the hydrogen being burned within chamber 482 passes out of housing 452, they flow through the openings in casing 524 into the strata and force oil to other wells, which is commonly known as secondary or ter- serary production. Turning now to FIG. 13, there is shown a apparatus incorporating another hydrogen generating and burning device constructed according to the present invention. This apparatus uses a constant pressure pump 552 having an inlet for receiving water through pipe 554 and an outlet for delivering the water through pipe 556 to a three-way valve 558. Valve 558 has a first outlet per¬ mitting fluid communication between pipe 556 and a first inlet pipe 560 and a second outlet permitting fluid communication between pipe 556 and second inlet pipe 562. The water supplied through first inlet pipe 560 passes through a first hydrogen generator-burner 564 with the by-products of the burned hydrogen passing through pipe 566 to a first inlet of a second three- way valve 568. . The water from second inlet pipe 562 flows into a second hydrogen generator-burner 570 with the by-products of the burned hydrogen passing through pipe 572 to a second inlet of three-way valve 568. The outlet of valve 568 leads into a line 574 which passes through cooling coils 576 of condensing apparatus 578 for storage in container 584. A cooling fluid 580 for cooling the by-products of the hydrogen being burned, namely water, flows into condensing apparatus 578 and from there into container 582. As readily apparent, this apparatus is designed for a water purification system and permits continuous use by flowing water through valve 558 into first hydro¬ gen generator-burner 564 for continuous hydrogen generation and burning the by-products of the burned hydrogen then flowing through valve 568 and coils 576 of condensing apparatus 578 for eventual storage in container 584. When the dissociating material OM ' within first hydrogen generator-burner apparatus 564 is used up, valves 558 and 568 are changed so that water flow passes through second hydrogen generator- burner and the by-products of the hydrogen are carried through condensation apparatus 578 and storage within container 584. This operation may then continue until the dissociating material within the second hydrogen generator-burner 570 is expended, at which time, the material in the first hydrogen generator- burner unit 564 has been replaced. The valves are again adjusted to provide a flow of water through first hydrogen generator-burner 564. Turning now to FIG. 19, there is shown another hydrogen generating and burning device 600 con- structed according to the present invention which may be used with the apparatus shown in FIG. 13. This embodiment includes a housing 602 having a bottom 604, a top 605 and vertically extending side walls 606 joined to the bottom and top. A block of material 608, as previously described, for chemically dissociating water into vapors includ¬ ing hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen is bolted to a screen 610 which rests upon lips 612 extending interiorly of side walls 606 in housing 602. Hydrogen is generated by contacting block 608 with water which is supplied through inlet port 614 which extends through side wall 606. A water level port 616 extending through side walls 606 at an ele- vation upwardly of inlet port 614 is provided so that a quantity of water is stored within housing 602. Any impurities carried by the water flowing into housing 602 may thus be carried out of the housing through water level port 616. It is preferred, how- ever, that a water outlet port 618 be provided near base 604 to remove excess water and these impurities. A check valve (not shown) may be mounted in fluid _ OMPI _ communication with outlet port 618 to regulate this water flow out of housing 602. A dump port 620 is provided through base 604 to expeditiously remove _ the water and quickly terminate generation of hydrogen. It is preferred that a sole¬ noid controlled valve (not shown) be mounted in fluid communication with dump port 620 so that the water stored within housing 602 may be removed upon acti¬ vation of the valve from a remote location. If desired, a heat sensing device 622, such as a thermocouple, is mounted in heat transfer relation to the water stored within container 602 and through a conductor 624 to a control mechanism (not shown) which may regulate the flow of water into housing 602 or regulate the solenoid controlled vaϊve to dump the water in the housing. A system 626 is provided -to automatically ignite the hydrogen and has a sparking device 628, such as a spark plug, and a conductor 630 connected to device 628 to carry an electrical charge thereto for initiat- ing the spark. Sparking device 628 is connected to housing 602 above outlet port 616 and above a dispers¬ ing screen 632 acting to provide a burn surface. A burned hydrogen by-products outlet port 634 is provided near top 605 of housing 602 so that the high temperature, low pressure steam (water vapor) may flow into pipe 566 or 572 of the water purifi¬ cation apparatus shown in FIG. 13. To incorporate the hydrogen generator-burner 600 into the apparatus shown in FIG. 13, water flows from either pipe 560 or 562 through inlet port 614 into " housing 602. A quantity of the water is stored in housing 602 with a level no higher than outlet port 616. If water flows outlet port 616, it flows through pipe 586 into stor- age container 588. Water flows out of housing or container 60.2 through outlet port 618 and pipe 590 for storage in container 592 to remove the impurities O ? from housing 602 as the water is dissociated. In case of emergency, the water may be dumped from hous¬ ing 602 by activating a valve (not shown) which allows the water to flow through exhaust port 620 into pipe 594 for storage in tank 596. After the generated hydrogen is burned, it passes through outlet port 634 into either pipe 566 or 572 and through cooling coil 576 of condensing apparatus 578 for storage in tank 584. From the foregoing, it will be seen that this in¬ vention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed with reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims: Th e invention having been described, what is claimed is : 1. Hydrogen generating apparatus comprising: a housing for supporting a quantity of water; and a material disposed in said housing for chemically dissociating the water into vapors including hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of the hydrogen. 2. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said dissociating material includes an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1. 3. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said dissociating material includes an alloy of plati¬ num and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin. ΓU-R O 4. ' An apparatus as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth. 5. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, . wherein said housing includes a base and side walls extending upwardly from the base; and wherein said dissociating means includes a material supported in said housing near the base so that the vapors flow upwardly from the base. 6. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 5, includ¬ ing means for supplying water to said housing to con- tact the dissociating material. 7. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said water supplying means includes a nozzle supported in a side wall of said housing having an outlet facing interiorly of said housing to direct a flow of water onto the dissociating material. 8. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said housing includes a wall intermediate the side walls; and wherein said water supplying means includes a nozzle supported in the intermediate wall of said housing with an outlet facing a side wall to direct a flow of water onto the dissociating material which is disposed near the side wall. 9. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said housing includes a base and upwardly extending side walls to support a quantity of water; wherein said dissociating means includes a material; and including 5 a frame disposed within said housing to support the dissociating material in contact with the quantity of water. 10. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 9, wherein the side walls of said housing includes an inlet port for receiving water and a dumping port for discharging the quantity of water supported by said housing; and 5 wherein said frame is disposed between the inlet port and the dumping port. 11. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 10, includ¬ ing means for supplying water to the water inlet port of said housing; and wherein the side walls of said housing further include a water level port to limit 5 the quantity of water supported within said housing to a chosen amount. 12. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said housing includes a base and a pair of side walls disposed on the base to face one another; wherein said . dissociating material includes a block of dissociating 5. material extending between the pair of side walls; and including means for supplying water into said housing to contact said dissociating material having a plurality of nozzles disposed in each side wall to face said material and positioned from one another 0 along each wall to be in spray contacting relationship along the block. O 13. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said housing includes a base, and a pair of side walls disposed on the base to face one another; wherein said dissociating material includes a pair of blocks of dissociating material with one of the blocks being disposed adjacen each side wall; and including means for supplying water into said housing to contact the block of said dissociating material having a plurality of- nozzles disposed to face the blocks of material and positioned from one another along the intermediate wall to be in spray contacting relationship along each block. 14. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said housing includes a base and side walls extending upwardly from the base; and including means for supplying water into said housing to contact said dis- sociating material having a nozzle for spraying the water onto said dissociating material which, is dis¬ posed adjacent a side wall of said housing. 15. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said housing includes a water inlet port and a material supporting chamber in fluid communication with the water inlet port. 16. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 15, wherein said housing includes a tubular outer wall with each end being partially closed to form the material support¬ ing chamber, a water passageway extending through one of the closed ends to place the material supporting chamber in fluid communication with the water inlet port. 17. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 16, ' where¬ in the housing includes a tubular projection extending from the water passageway end into the material sup¬ porting chamber to terminate at a closed distal end and ports being disposed in the walls of the tubular projection to place said material disposed in the material supporting chamber in fluid communication with the pipe carrying water to said housing. 18. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 17, in¬ cluding a check valve mounted with said housing to permit flow of water through the water passageway toward said material while preventing flow of water through the water passageway away from said material. 19. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 1, in¬ cluding means connected to said housing for igniting the hydrogen dissociated from the water. 20. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding means disposed within said housing between said dissociating material and said igniting means for dispersing the dissociated vapors and thereby create a burn surface for the hydrogen. 21. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding a temperature sensing device disposed in heat transfer relation with said housing to indicate when the flame is or is not burning. 22. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding a container disposed in heat transfer relation with said housing for supporting a fluid to be heated by the burning hydrogen. -31- 23. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 22, in¬ cluding a heat sensing device disposed to sense the temperature of the water supported within the con¬ tainer for activating said igniting means when the temperature of the water supported within said con¬ tainer falls below a chosen temperature. 24. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding a device mounted in heat transfer relation with said housing for heating a fluid. 25. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding means for directing a flow of products pro¬ duced from buring the hydrogen into a boiler to heat water. 26. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding means for directing a flow of products pro¬ duced from burning the hydrogen into a system to heat a fluid which is used to transfer heat to another location. 27. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding means for directing a flow of products pro¬ duced from burning the hydrogen through a still to heat a fluid. 28. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding means for directing a flow of products pro¬ duced from burning the hydrogen through condensing apparatus to provide distilled water from the vapor- ized water in the burned products. 29. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding means for directing a flow of products pro- duced from burning the hydrogen into an earth strata. 30. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 29, where¬ in said housing is sized to be lowered into an in¬ jection well and has an outlet for directing the flow of the products produced from burning the hydrogen into the earth strata. 31. An apparatus as set forth i-n Claim 29, where¬ in said housing is sized to be mounted with an in¬ jection well casing and has an outlet for directing the flow of the products produced from burning the hydrogen into the casing. 32. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, where¬ in said dissociating material includes an effective amount of an extender metal to maintain the reaction temperature during the dissociation of water at a temperature below the boiling temperature of the water. 33. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, where¬ in said dissociating material includes an effective amount of an extender metal to control the dissociat¬ ion reaction -temperature to greater than the boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto**-ignition temperature. 34. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 33, where¬ in the reaction temperature is from about 300° F to about 975° F. 35. An apparatus as- set forth in Claim 34 , where¬ in the reaction temperature is from about 500 ° F to about 800 ° F. O 36. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, where¬ in said dissociating material includes an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1. 37. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 36, where¬ in said dissociating material includes an alloy of platinum and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin. 38. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 37, where¬ in said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist.*-'- . ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to maintain the reaction heat during the dissociation of water at a temperature below the boiling temperature of the water. 39. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 37, where¬ in said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to control the dissociation reaction temperature to greater than the boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto-ignition temperature. 40. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, where¬ in said housing includes a base and side walls extend¬ ing upwardly from the base; wherein said dissociating material is a bar of'such material supported in said housing near the base so that the vapors flow upwardly from the base; and wherein said igniting means is dis¬ posed upwardly of said dissociating material. 41. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 40, in¬ cluding means disposed in said housing upwardly of said dissociating material for dispersing the upwardly flowing vapors to create a burn surface for the hydro- gen. 42. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 40, in¬ cluding means for supplying water to said housing to contact said dissociating material. 43. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 42, where¬ in said water supplying means includes a nozzle sup¬ ported in a side wall of said housing having an outlet facing interiorly of said housing to direct a flow of water onto said dissociating material. 44. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 42, where¬ in said water supplying means includes a nozzle with an outlet facing a side wall to direct a flow of water onto said dissociating material which is dis- posed near the side wall of said housing. fuR _. O Y.-I 45. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, where¬ in said housing includes a base and upwardly extending side walls to support the quantity of water; and in¬ cluding a frame disposed within• said housing to sup- port said dissociating material in contact with the quantity of water. 46. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 45, where¬ in the side walls of said housing includes an inlet port for receiving water and a dumping port for dis¬ charging the quantity of water supported by said housing; and wherein said frame is disposed between the inlet port and the dumping port. 47. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 46, in¬ cluding means for supplying water to the water inlet port of said housing; and wherein said housing further includes a water level port to ' limit the quantity of water supported "within said housing to a chosen amount. 48. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 47, in¬ cluding means disposed within said housing between the water level port and said igniting means for dis¬ persing the dissociated vapors to create a burn sur- face for the hydrogen. 49. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 48, in¬ cluding a temperature sensing device disposed in the water supported by said housing to indicate when said dissociating material is dissociating the water. _0-V- I_ 50. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, where¬ in said housing includes a base and a pair of side walls disposed on the base to face one another; where¬ in said dissociating. aterial includes a bar of dis- sociating material extending between the ' pair of side walls; and including means for supplying water into said housing to contact the dissociating material having a plurality of nozzles and positioned from one another along each wall to be in spray contacting relationship along the block. 51. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, where¬ in said housing includes a base, and a pair of side walls disposed on the base to face one another; where¬ in said dissociating material includes a pair of blocks of dissociating material with one of the blocks being disposed adjacent each side wall; and including means for supplying water into said housing to contact the blocks of dissociating material having a plurality of nozzles disposed to face the blocks of material and positioned from one another along the intermediate wall to be in spray contacting relationship along each block. 52. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, where¬ in said housing includes a base and side walls ex¬ tending from the base; and including means for supply¬ ing water into said housing to contact said dissociat- ing material having a nozzle for spraying the water onto the dissociating material which is disposed adjacent a side wall of said housing. 53. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, where¬ in said a housing includes a water inlet port, a material supporting chamber in fluid communication with the water inlet 'port, and a hydrogen burning chamber in fluid communication with the material supporting chamber; and wherein said igniting means includes a sparking device disposed to provide a spark in said hydrogen burning chamber. 54. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 53, where¬ in said housing includes a tubular outer wall with each end being partially closed to form a material supporting chamber, a water passageway extending through one of the partially closed ends to place the material supporting chamber in fluid communication with the water inlet port, and a vapor passageway extending through the other partially closed end to place the material supporting chamber in fluid communi- cation with the hydrogen burning chamber. 55. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 54, where¬ in the housing includes a tubular projection extending from the water passageway end into the material support¬ ing chamber to terminate at a closed distal end and ports being disposed in the walls of the tubular pro¬ jection to place said material disposed in the material supporting chamber in fluid communication with the water inlet port. 56. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 55, in¬ cluding a check valve mounted with said housing to permit flow of water through the water passageway toward said material while preventing flow of water through the water passageway away from said material. 57. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 19, in¬ cluding means for supplying water into said housing to contact said dissociating material. 58. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 57, where¬ in said dissociating material includes an effective amount of an extender material to maintain the react¬ ion heat during the dissociation of water at a temper- ature below the boiling temperature of the water. 59. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 57, where¬ in said dissociating material includes an effective amount of an extender metal to control the dissociat¬ ion reaction temperature to greater than the boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto-ignition temperature. 60.. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 57, where¬ in said dissociating material includes an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury- and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1. 61. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 60, where¬ in said dissociating material includes an alloy of platinum and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin. OM •- * IF 62. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 61, where¬ in said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, " 5 molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to maintain the reaction heat during the dissociation of water at a 0 temperature below the boiling temperature of the water. 63. An apparatus as set forth in Claim 62, where¬ in said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, 5 molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to control the dissociation reaction temperature to greater than the 0 boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto—ignition temperature. 64. A method of generating hydrogen, comprising: mounting a material adapted to chemically dissociate water into vapors including hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of hydrogen with a 5 container; and supplying water into the container to contact the material which generates the hydrogen. ' 65. A method as. set forth in Claim 64, including maintaining the heat of the dissociating reaction at 3 a temperature below the boiling temperature of water. 66. A method as set forth in Claim 64, including maintaining the dissociation reaction temperature greater than the boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto-ignition temperature. - 67. A method as set forth in Claim 66, wherein the reaction temperature is from about 300° F to about 975° F. 68. A method as set forth in Claim 67, wherein the reaction temperature is from about 500° F to about 800° F. 69. A method as set forth in Claim 64-, including immersing a quantity of the material in the water supported in the container. 70. A method as set forth in Claim 64, wherein the dissociating material includes an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1. 71. A method as set forth in Claim 70, wherein said dissociating material includes an alloy of plat¬ inum and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gailium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth,lead, zinc and tin. OIylP 72. A method as set forth in Claim 71, wherein said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, 5 molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to maintain the reaction heat during the dissociation of water at a 0 temperature below the boiling temperature of the water. 73. A method as set forth in Claim 71, wherein said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, 5 molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold,, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to control the dissociation reaction temperature to greater than the Q boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto-ignition temperature. 74. A method as set forth in Claim 64, including supplying water to the dissociating material in a container to dissociate the water. 75. A method as set forth in Claim 74, including maintaining the heat of the dissociating reaction at 3 a temperature below the boiling temperature of water. OMPl 76. A method as set forth in Claim 74, in¬ cluding maintaining the dissociation reaction of temperature greater than the boiling temperature of water and less than the specified auto-ignition tem- perature. 77. A method as set forth in Claim 64, including igniting the hydrogen to burn the hydrogen. 78. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including maintaining the heat of the dissociating reaction at a temperature below the boiling temperature of water. 79. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including maintaining the dissociation reaction temperature greater than the boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto-ignition temperature. 80. A method as set forth in Claim 79, wherein the reaction temperature is maintained from about 300° F to bout 975° F. 81. A method as set forth in Claim 80, wherein the reaction temperature is maintained from about 500° F to about 800° F. 82. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including mounting the burning hydrogen in heat transfer relation to apparatus carrying a fluid used in heating a closed environment. 83. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including immersing a quantity of the material in water supported in the housing. OM 84. A method as set forth in Claim 77,- including mounting the burning hydrogen in heat transfer relation with a container supporting a quantity of water to be used in a hot water system of a building. 85. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including directing a flow of products produced from burning the hydrogen into a boiler to heat water. 86. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including directing a flow of products produced from burning the hydrogen into a system to heat fluid which is used to transfer heat to another location. 87. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including directing a flow of products produced from burning the hydrogen through a still to heat a fluid. 88. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including directing a flow of products produced from -burning the hydrogen through condensing apparatus to provide distilled water from the high temperature vaporized water in the products. 89. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including directing a flow of products produced from burning the hydrogen into an earth strata. 90. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including lowering the container into an injection well; de¬ livering the water to the housing in the well to pro¬ duce the vapors to be burned; and directing the pro- ducts of the burned hydrogen into an earth strata. 91. A method as set forth in Claim 77, including mounting the container with the casing of an injection well; delivering water to the housing for producing the vapors to be burned; and directing the resultant products of the burned hydrogen into an earth strata. 92. A method as set forth in Claim 77, wherein the dissociating material includes an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1. 93. A method as set forth in Claim 92, wherein said dissociating material includes an alloy of plat¬ inum and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin. 94. A method as set forth in Claim 93, wherein said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to maintain the reaction heat during the dissociation of water at a temperature below the boiling temperature of the water. 95. A method as set forth in Claim 93, wherein said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to control the dissociation- reaction temperature to greater than the boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto-ignition temperature. 96. A hydrogen generating method, comprising: providing a material adapted to chemically. dissociate water into vapors including hydrogen at a temperature below the auto-ignition temperature of hydrogen; and contacting the material with water to generate the hydrogen. 97. The hydrogen generating method of Claim 96, including: burning the hydrogen to provide heat. 98. The hydrogen generating method of Claim 97, including mounting the burning hydrogen in heat trans¬ fer relation to apparatus carrying a fluid used in heating a closed environment, 99. The hydrogen generating method of Claim 96, wherein the temperature of dissociation is below the boiling temperature of water. 10Q. The hydrogen generating method of Claim 96, wherein the temperature of dissociation is higher than the boiling temperature of water. 101. The hydrogen generating method of Claim 96, including immersing a quantity of the material in 3 water supported in the housing. 102. The hydrogen generating method of Claim 97, wherein the material includes an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to 5 about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1. 103. The hydrogen generating method of Claim 102, wherein said dissociating material includes an alloy of platinum and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, 5 thallium, indium, cadmi.um, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin. 104. The. hydrogen generating method of Claim 103, wherein sai dissociating material further includes at least one non—reactive metal, selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, 5 magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth, and in an amount chosen to maintain the reaction heat during the dissociation of 10. water at a temperature below the boiling temperature of the water. 105. The hydrogen generating method of Claim 103, wherein said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to con¬ trol the dissociation reaction temperature to greater than the boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto-ignition temperature. 106. A method of generating and burning hydrogen, ' comprising: chemically dissociating water at a tem¬ perature below the auto-ignition temperature of hydrogen to provide vapors including hydrogen; and igniting the hydrogen in the vapors caused by the dissociation of the water to provide a flame. . 107. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing immersing a quantity of the material in a quantity of water supported in a housing. 108. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing maintaining the heat of the dissociating reaction at a temperature below the boiling temperature of water. 109. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing maintaining the heat of the dissociating reaction at a temperature above the boiling temperature of water. 110. A method as set forth in Claim 109, wherein the reaction temperature is from about 300° F to about 975° F, 111. A method as set forth in Claim 110, wherein the reaction temperature is from about 500° F to about 800° F. 112. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing mounting the flames from the ignited hydrogen in heat transfer relation to apparatus carrying a fluid used for heating another closed environment. 113. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing mounting the flame from the ignited hydrogen in heat -transfer relation with a container supporting a quantity of water to be used in a hot water system of a building. 114. A method as set forth in Claim 106, wherein the dissociating material includes an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum wherein the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to mercury is from about 3:1 to about 1:1.5 and the atomic weight ratio of alkali metal to aluminum is from about 1:1 to about 3:1. 115. A method as set forth in Claim 114, wherein said dissociating material includes an alloy of plat¬ inum and at least one element selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin. U o_ 116. A method as set forth in Claim 115, wherein said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to maintain the reaction heat during the dissociation of water at a temperature below the boiling temperature of the water. 117. A method as set forth in Claim 115, wherein said dissociating material further includes at least one non-reactive metal selected from the group consist¬ ing of silver, copper, thallium, titanium, magnesium, molybdenum, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, rhodium, iron, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, tin, iridium, lead, gallium, vanadium, gold, antimony, zirconium, and bismuth and in an amount chosen to control the dissociation reaction temperature to greater than the boiling temperature of water and less than the specified hydrogen auto-ignition temperature. 118. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing directing a flow of the products produced from burning the hydrogen into a boiler to heat water. 119. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing directing a flow of the products produced from burning the hydrogen into a system to heat a fluid which is used to transfer heat to another location. 120. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing directing a flow of the products produced from burning the hydrogen through a still to heat a fluid. O FI IPO 121. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing directing a flow of the products produced from burning the hydrogen through condensing apparatus to provide distilled water from the vaporized water in the products. 122. A method as set forth in Claim 106, includ¬ ing directing a flow of the products produced from burning the hydrogen into earth strata. ,U

Inventors: ANDERSON E
Applicants: HORIZON MFG CORP
Application year: 1980
Main classification: C01B13
IPC codes: B01J7, C01B3, C01B13