Abstract:
A system and method for removing a by-product from a chemical hydride solution is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) withdrawing the chemical hydride solution at a first temperature from the reactor; (b) cooling the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature, wherein a precipitate is formed from a portion of the by-product; (c) removing the precipitate from the chemical hydride solution; (d) heating the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature above the second temperature, to dissolve the remaining precipitate; and (e) delivering the chemical hydride solution back to the reactor. The system is a circuit which includes: (a) a hydrogen reactor; (b) a pump for withdrawing the chemical hydride solution from the reactor and returning the chemical hydride solution to the reactor; (c) a cooling element for cooling the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature; (d) a separator for removing the precipitate from the chemical hydride solution; and (e) a heater for heating the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a hydrogen generation system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for by-product removal from a chemical hydride hydrogen generation system.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Fuel cells are seen as a promising alternative to traditional power generation technologies due to their low emissions, high efficiency and ease of operation. Fuel cells operate to convert chemical energy to electrical energy. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells comprise an anode (oxidizing electrode), a cathode (reducing electrode), and a selective electrolytic membrane disposed between the two electrodes. In a catalyzed reaction, a fuel such as hydrogen, is oxidized at the anode to form cations (protons) and electrons. The ion exchange membrane facilitates the migration of protons from the anode to the cathode. The electrons cannot pass through the membrane, and are forced to flow through an external circuit, thus providing electrical current. At the cathode, oxygen reacts at the catalyst layer, with electrons returned from the electrical circuit, to form anions. The anions formed at the cathode react with the protons that have crossed the membrane to form liquid water as the reaction product. Additionally, since the reactions are exothermic, heat is generated within the fuel cell. The half-cell reactions at the two electrodes are as follows: 
           H2→2H + +2e −   (1) 
           ½O 2 +2H + +2e − →H 2 O+HEAT  (2) 
           [0003]    Various types of fuel cells have been developed employing a broad range of reactants. For example, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are one of the most promising replacements for traditional power generation systems. PEM fuel cells comprise an anode, a cathode, and a proton exchange membrane disposed between the two electrodes. Preferably, PEM fuel cells are fuelled by pure hydrogen gas, as it is electrochemically reactive and the by-products of the reaction are water and heat. However, these fuel cells require external supply and storage devices for the hydrogen. Hydrogen can be difficult to store and handle, particularly in non-stationary applications. Conventional methods of storing hydrogen include liquid hydrogen, compressed gas cylinders, dehydrogenation of compounds, chemical adsorption into metal alloys, and chemical storage as hydrides. However, such storage systems tend to be hazardous, dangerous, expensive and bulky.  
           [0004]    Other types of fuels have been proposed, including hydrogen-containing materials such as methanol. In some conventional systems, external reformers are employed to liberate hydrogen from the hydrogen-containing materials. The liberated hydrogen is then introduced into the fuel cell. However, the use of external reformers complicates the construction of the system, and results in a substantial loss in system efficiency. In other conventional systems, hydrogen-containing fuels may be supplied directly to the fuel cells, i.e. supplied unreformed to the fuel cell anodes. Once inside the fuel cell, the hydrogen-containing fuel may be directly oxidized or internally reformed, and subsequently oxidized to generate electricity. This occurs in some high temperature fuel cells, such as solid oxide fuel cells. These systems do not require a separate external reformer, and utilize fuels that are easier to handle than hydrogen. However, pure hydrogen typically offers better performance, and is generally more environmentally friendly than most hydrogen-containing fuels. Moreover, high temperature fuel cells operate at a minimum temperature of 600° C. These high temperatures are required to reform the hydrogen-containing materials prior to carrying out the fuel cell reactions. As such, hydrogen-containing materials are generally unsuitable for conventional PEM fuel cells that typically operate around 80° C.  
           [0005]    Another method of generating and storing hydrogen has been recently proposed. This method uses a chemical hydride solution, such as NaBH 4 , as a hydrogen storage medium. Generally, chemical hydride reacts with water in the presence of a catalyst to generate hydrogen, as shown in the equation below: 
           NaBH 4 +2H 2 O→4H 2 +NaBO 2 +HEAT  (3) 
           [0006]    The chemical hydride solution acts as both the hydrogen carrier and the storage medium. Ruthenium, cobalt, platinum or any alloys thereof may be used to catalyze the above reaction. It is noted that hydrogen is liberated from both the sodium borohydride solution and the water. The sodium borohydride solution is relatively cheap, and is much easier and safer to handle and transport than liquid or pressurized hydrogen. As a result, there are some advantages associated with using sodium borohydride as a method of storing hydrogen as a fuel for use in fuel cells.  
           [0007]    Known hydrogen generation systems typically employ a reactor to react chemical hydride with water in the presence of a catalyst to generate hydrogen. However, the by-product, in this example NaBO 2 , is less soluble then the reactant NaBH 4 . Specifically, NaBO 2  is only approximately 20% soluble, whereas NaBH 4  is approximately 40% soluble. Therefore, as hydrogen is generated, the concentration of NaBO 2  in the solution increases until it reaches the solubility limit of NaBO 2 . If the reaction continues beyond this solubility limit, NaBO 2  will precipitate out of the solution. The solid NaBO 2  may clog the inlet and outlet ports of the reactor, thus impeding or blocking the flow of fluid through the reactor. In such instances, the hydrogen generation rate decreases significantly, and an insufficient amount of hydrogen is produced.  
           [0008]    In some known systems, this problem is overcome by keeping the initial NaBH 4  concentration lower than the solubility of NaBO 2 , that is, below 20%. However, this concentration is considerably lower than the solubility of NaBH 4 , and results in a limited hydrogen storage density. As such, these systems are generally not capable of responding in real time to the fuel (hydrogen) needs of the fuel cell. This ability is referred to as load following ability.  
           [0009]    In other conventional systems, this problem is overcome by periodically replenishing the chemical hydride solution when the concentration of NaBO 2  exceeds the solubility limit. However, this method is costly, wasteful, and environmentally unfriendly.  
           [0010]    There remains a need for a chemical hydride hydrogen generation system that is adapted to reduce build-up of by-product in the chemical hydride solution. More particularly, there is a need for a chemical hydride hydrogen generation system in combination with a by-product removal system which is capable of responding in real time to the fuel (hydrogen) needs of the fuel cell.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for improved by-product removal in a hydrogen generation system.  
           [0012]    In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a method for removing a by-product from a chemical hydride solution is provided, where the by-product is produced in a reactor configured to contact the chemical hydride solution with a catalyst. The method comprising the steps of:  
           [0013]    a) withdrawing at least a portion of the chemical hydride solution at a first temperature from the reactor;  
           [0014]    b) cooling the portion of the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature, wherein a precipitate is formed from at least a portion of the by-product;  
           [0015]    c) removing at least a portion of the precipitate from the portion of the chemical hydride solution;  
           [0016]    d) heating the portion of the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature above the second temperature, wherein a remaining portion of the precipitate is dissolved in the portion of the chemical hydride solution; and  
           [0017]    e) delivering the portion of the chemical hydride solution back to the reactor.  
           [0018]    In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a system for removing a by-product from a chemical hydride solution is provided. The system comprises a circuit including:  
           [0019]    a) a reactor including a catalyst for catalyzing reaction of the chemical hydride solution to generate hydrogen;  
           [0020]    b) a pump for withdrawing at least a portion of the chemical hydride solution at a first temperature from the reactor and returning the portion of the chemical hydride solution to the reactor;  
           [0021]    c) a cooling means for cooling the portion of the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature, wherein a precipitate is formed from at least a portion of the by-product, the cooling means being located in the circuit downstream of the reactor;  
           [0022]    d) a separating means for removing at least a portion of the precipitate from the portion of the chemical hydride solution, the separating means being located in the circuit downstream of the cooling means; and  
           [0023]    e) a heating means for heating the portion of the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature above the second temperature, wherein a remaining portion of the precipitate is dissolved in the portion of the chemical hydride solution, the heating means being located in the circuit downstream from the separating means.  
           [0024]    Preferably, at least a part of the cooling means and at least a part of the heating means are provided by a heat exchanger, where the heat exchanger has one side located in the circuit downstream of the separating means and another side located in the circuit downstream of the reactor, thereby to transfer heat from the chemical hydride solution leaving the reactor to the chemical hydride solution flowing toward the reactor.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, which show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and in which:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 shows a schematic flow diagram of a fuel cell system comprising a chemical hydride hydrogen generation system and a by-product removal system according one aspect to the present invention; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of a chemical hydride generation system and a by-product removal system according to an alternative aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]    The features and advantage of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof.  
         [0029]    The present invention relates to a chemical hydride hydrogen generation system coupled with a by-product removal system that is adapted to maintain the by-product concentration below the by-product solubility limit. The chemical hydride hydrogen generation system may be used to supply hydrogen to a fuel cell or any other hydrogen consuming device known in the art, such as, for example, a hydrogen internal combustion engine.  
         [0030]    It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the chemical hydride solution referred to herein could utilize any suitable solvent known in the art. The chemical hydride is in the form of MB x H y , in which M is a metal. Preferably, the chemical hydride is one or a combination of: NaBH 4 , LiBH 4 , KBH 4 , or RbH 4 . Alternatively, the chemical hydride can comprise NH 3 BH 3 . While a variety of chemical hydride solutions could be used in the specific embodiments described herein, the preferred chemical hydride solution, as discussed below, is water and sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) which produces NaBO 2  as the by-product.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a fuel cell system  100 , which includes a fuel cell stack  110 . The fuel cell is described as a fuel cell stack composed of individual fuel cell units (not shown individually) as is known in the art. It will be understood that, in its simplest form, the fuel cell stack  110  could be just a single fuel cell. Preferably, the individual fuel cell units are proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells that include an anode (oxidizing electrode), a cathode (reducing electrode), and a selective electrolytic membrane disposed between the two electrodes. The fuel cell stack  110  operates to convert chemical energy to electrical energy. In a catalyzed reaction, a fuel such as hydrogen, is introduced into the anode inlet of the fuel cell stack  110  via a line  120 , and is oxidized at the anode to form cations (protons) and electrons. The anode exhaust is removed from the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack  110  via a line  122 . The ion exchange membrane facilitates the migration of protons from the anode to the cathode. The electrons cannot pass through the membrane, and are forced to flow through an external circuit (not shown), thus providing electrical current. In a catalyzed reaction, an oxidant such as oxygen, is introduced into the cathode inlet of the fuel cell stack  110  via a line  124 , and is reduced at the cathode with electrons returned from the electrical circuit, to form anions. The cathode exhaust is removed from the cathode outlet of the fuel cell stack  110  via a line  126 . The anions formed at the cathode react with the protons that have crossed the membrane to form liquid water as the reaction product. Additionally, since the reactions are exothermic, heat is generated within the fuel cell stack  110 .  
         [0032]    Referring again to FIG. 1, the fuel cell system  100  includes a reactor  112 , which generates the hydrogen gas from the chemical hydride solution for consumption by the fuel cell stack  110 . A catalyst (not shown) is provided in the reactor  112  to catalyze the chemical hydride reaction to produce hydrogen, a by-product, and heat. The catalyst is one or a combination of: ruthenium, cobalt, platinum, or any other elements that can serve as catalysts, their compounds or their alloys. Preferably, the catalyst is in the form of a foam. Foam catalysts maximize the surface area available for chemical reactions, thus achieving a fast rate of reaction. Alternatively, the catalyst may be supplied in the form of a number of small pellets having a high surface area to volume ratio. The reactor  112  may take the form disclosed in the applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. patent application No. 09/900,469 with additional ports for connection to the by-product removal system described below. Alternatively, the reactor  112  may be in the form of a gas-liquid separator. When hydrogen gas is required, it is removed from the reactor  112  via the line  120  and delivered to anode inlet of the fuel cell  110 .  
         [0033]    Fresh chemical hydride solution is stored in a container  128 , and is delivered to the reactor  112  via a line  130  by means of a first pump  132  as required.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 1, a coolant loop  114  provides coolant flow to the fuel cell stack  110  and the reactor  112  via lines  134  and  138 . Both the fuel cell stack  110  and the reactor  112  produce heat while in operation. Thus, the purpose of the coolant loop  114  is to dissipate this excess waste heat to the environment as required. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the coolant could be any known heat exchange fluid, including but not limited to water, deionized water, oil, ethylene glycol, and/or propylene glycol. While a variety of coolants could be used for the specific embodiments described herein, the preferred coolant is deionized water.  
         [0035]    The coolant loop  114  includes a heat exchange unit, such as a first radiator  142  and a first cooling fan  144 . The first radiator  142  and first cooling fan  144  may be placed in any location in the coolant loop  114 . The first radiator  142  functions as a heat exchange unit with a flow path for the coolant. The first cooling fan  144  is driven to produce a blast of air colder than the coolant temperature, which passes over the flow path of the coolant. Thus, the heat is effectively removed from the coolant through convection. The fuel cell stack  110  is provided with a coolant channel (not shown) to provide a flow path for the coolant along the length of the fuel cell stack  110 .  
         [0036]    Similarly, the reactor  112  is provided with cooling tubes (not shown) to provide a flow path for the coolant along the length of the reactor  112 .  
         [0037]    Referring again to FIG. 1, the coolant enters the coolant channel (not shown) in the fuel cell  110  via line  134  by means of a second pump  136 . As the coolant travels along the length of the fuel cell stack  110 , the excess heat is absorbed and removed. The coolant exits the fuel cell stack  110  via line  138 . Temperature sensor  140  is disposed within line  138 , and monitors the coolant outlet temperature of the fuel cell stack  110 . This coolant outlet temperature can be directly related to the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack  110 . The coolant then travels past the first radiator  142  and the first cooling fan  144 , which may be controlled to dissipate the waste heat to the environment. Next, the coolant enters the cooling tubes (not shown) in the reactor  112  via line  138 . As the coolant travels along the length of the reactor  112  and exits via line  134 , the excess heat is absorbed and removed.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIG. 1, a first feedback control system is shown generally at  116 . The feedback control system  116  includes a control unit  146 , the temperature sensor  140 , and the cooling fan  144 . The control unit  146  is electrically connected to the temperature sensor  140  and the cooling fan  144  via wires  148  and  150 , respectively. The temperature sensor  140  monitors the cooling outlet temperature of the fuel cell stack  110 , and sends electronic signals to the control unit  146  via wire  148 . The control unit  146  is programmed to maintain a pre-set operating temperature of the fuel cell stack  110 .  
         [0039]    Preferably, the pre-set operating temperature of the fuel cell stack  110  is 80° C., although the temperature may be set at any temperature within the range of 60° C. to 100° C. Thus, if the coolant outlet temperature is above the pre-set operating temperature, the control unit  146  will send electronic signals via wire  150  to the cooling fan  144  to turn it on. On the other hand, if the coolant outlet temperature is below the pre-set operating temperature, the control unit  146  will send electronic signals via wire  150  to the cooling fan  144  to turn it off. Thus, the first feedback control system  116  maintains a constant operating temperature of the fuel cell stack  110 , and a constant operating temperature of the reactor  112  during steady state operation.  
         [0040]    Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the by-product removal system is shown generally at  118 . It will be understood that a person skilled in the art can readily identify commercially available conventional devices that can be used for the components described in FIG. 1. The by-product removal system  118  includes a first heat exchanger  154 , a cooling means such as a second radiator  158  in combination with second fan  160 , and a third pump  170 . The by-product removal system  118  also includes a separating means  164  for removing the by-product from the chemical hydride solution. The separating means  164  is preferably a combination of a gravity separator vessel followed by a cross-flow filtration element to ensure a more complete removal of solid by-product that may be entrained in the supernatant solution leaving the settling vessel. Alternatively, the separating means  164  may be any other conventional component or a combination of conventional components suitable for separating the by-product precipitate from the hydride solution. For example, the separating means could be a gravity settling tank, a filter, or a combination of the two. Suitable filters include a cross-flow filter, a plate and frame filter, a leaf filter, and a belt filter. Alternatively, a centrifuge may be employed to perform the separation step. The purpose of the separation means is to separate and remove the by-product from the system, thus producing a by-product lean solution.  
         [0041]    The by-product rich solution is withdrawn from the reactor  112  at a first temperature (discussed in detail below) via line  152  by a pump  170 , and enters a first heat exchanger  154  where it is cooled down to an intermediate temperature (discussed in detail below). The by-product rich solution exits the first heat exchanger  154  via line  156 , and passes into the second radiator  158  coupled to a second cooling fan  160 , where it is cooled down further to a second temperature (discussed in detail below). The purpose of the second radiator  158  and the second cooling fan  160  is to cool the by-product rich solution to the second temperature sufficient to cause precipitation and preferably crystallization of at least a portion of the by-product. The solution exits the second radiator  158  via line  162 , and enters into the separating means  164  which separates and remove the portion of the precipitated by-product NaBO 2 . At least a portion of the solid by-product precipitate is removed from the separating means  164  via line  166 . The solid by-product can be reprocessed in a separate reprocessing system (not shown). Alternatively, the NaBO 2  by-product can be sold as borax. The by-product lean solution exits the separating means  164  via line  168 , and enters the first heat exchanger  154  where it is heated to a third temperature. The by-product lean solution is the supplied back to the reactor  112  via line  172 . This by-product removal system  118  provides the advantage of reducing the build-up of by-product in the reactor  112  by maintaining the concentration of the by-product below the solubility limit.  
         [0042]    The first heat exchanger  154  can be any type known in the art. For example, the first heat exchanger  154  can be a plate and frame heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger  154  removes some of the heat from the solution being withdrawn from the reactor  112  in line  152 , and transfers the heat back to the solution being returned to the reactor  112  via line  172 . Thus, some of the energy is conserved within the fuel cell system  100 .  
         [0043]    Alternatively, the first heat exchanger  154  could be replaced by a heater (not shown) to provide the function of reheating the solution prior to introduction back into the gas-liquid separator  112 . However, this arrangement is not as efficient as employing the first heat exchanger  154 , since additional outside energy would have to be supplied to operate the system.  
         [0044]    The cooling means can be any type known in the art, and is not limited to a radiator  158  and cooling fan  160  arrangement. For example, the cooling means may be a conventional refrigeration unit, a heat pump, a Peltier junction, or any other known heat exchanging device. The purpose of the cooling means is to cause precipitation and preferably crystallization of at least a portion of the by-product. The solubility of the by-product is directly proportional to the temperature of the solution. Thus, as the temperature of the solution is lowered, the solubility of the by-product in the solution decreases. This causes crystallization and precipitation of the by-product from the solution.  
         [0045]    Referring to FIG. 1, the operation of the by-product removal system  118 , where a NaBH 4  solution is used to generate hydrogen will now be described.  
         [0046]    The solution is catalyzed in the reactor  112  to produce hydrogen, NaBO 2  by-product and heat. The solution is withdrawn from the reactor  112  via line  152  at the first temperature of preferably around 50° C., although the temperature could be in the range of between about 30° C. to 60° C. The temperature of the chemical hydride solution in the reactor  112  is kept relatively constant during operation by the first coolant loop  114 .  
         [0047]    The withdrawn solution in line  152  enters one side of the first heat exchanger  154 , where it is cooled down to an intermediate pre-set temperature of preferably 35° C. Again, this temperature may be in the range of 25° C. to 55° C.  
         [0048]    The solution leaves the first heat exchanger via line  156  and enters the second radiator  158 , where it is cooled down further by the second cooling fan  160  to the second temperature of, for example 20° C. Again, this temperature could be in the range of 15° C. to 45° C. The decrease in temperature causes crystallization and precipitation of at least a portion of the by-product out of the solution.  
         [0049]    The solution leaves the second radiator  158  via line  162  and enters the separating means  164 , where at least a portion of the by-product crystals are separated and removed from the solution. Preferably, the separating means  164  removes 80% of the solid by-product from the system, although the removal could be in the range of about 50% to 100%.  
         [0050]    To illustrate the quantity of by-product removal that can be expected from this invention, the temperatures specified in the above paragraphs are assumed for streams in lines  156  and  162  to be 35° C. and 25° C., respectively. The solubilities of sodium borate by-product are 360 grams per litre at 35° C., and 260 grams per litre at 20° C. For a system that produces 5 litres per minute of hydrogen gas at standard conditions, approximately 2.07 grams of NaBH 4  are consumed, according to Equation 3, above. Approximately 3.7 grams of sodium borate per minute are produced that must be removed from the reacting solution in reactor  112 . If the system operates such that the concentration of NaBO 2  by-product is maintained at 360 grams per litre, a flow rate of 46 millilitres per minute must be maintained for streams in lines  152  and  156  to ensure complete removal of all the by-product that appears in reactor  112 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the actual operating temperatures and flow rates can differ significantly from the above values, which are stated by way of illustration, in the embodiment of the invention. Other factors, such as the required heat removal rate from the system, must also be considered to optimize the actual concentrations, temperatures and flow rates in the embodiment of the invention.  
         [0051]    The solution leaves the separating means  164  via line  168  and enters the first heat exchanger  154 , where it is heated up to a third temperature of preferably 35° C. Again, for example, this temperature could be in the range of 25° C. to 55° C. At this point, the concentration of the NaBO 2  by-product in the NaBH 4  solution is well below the solubility limit at the temperature of the reactor  112 . As such, when the solution enters the reactor  112  via line  172 , there risk of localized precipitation of the by-product is reduced.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of a second embodiment of a fuel cell system  200  where components identical to those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by identical reference numbers. In this embodiment, a by-product removal system  201  also provides the function of cooling the reactor  112 . That is, the operating temperature of the reactor  112  is regulated by the operation of the by-product removal system  201 .  
         [0053]    Referring to FIG. 2, the by-product removal system  201  is identical to by-product removal system  118  (shown in FIG. 1 and described in detail above), except for the addition of a second feedback control system  203 . The second feedback control and a third temperature sensor  206 . The system  203  includes a second control unit  202 , a second temperature sensor  204 , second control unit  202  is electrically connected to the second temperature sensor  204 , second cooling fan  160 , and third temperature sensor  206  via wires  208 ,  210 , and  212 , respectively. Control unit  202  may be either a commercially available dedicated temperature/mass flow controller, a programmable logic controller, or part of a process control computer. The operation of the by-product removal system  201  remains the same as the by-product removal system  118  (shown in FIG. 1), with the exception of the second control unit  202  controlling the amount of cooling in the second radiator  158  and a mass flow controller  169  connected to the second control unit  202  by wire  159 . Both temperature sensors  204  and  206  are connected electrically to second control unit  202  which modulates the rotational speed and the duty cycle of cooling fan  160  so that the temperature difference between streams in lines  156  and  162  are maintained at an appropriate value. In addition, the flow rate of solution that is diverted into the by-product removal system  200  may be modulated by means of the mass flow controller  169  to accomplish a greater degree of heat removal from the system and by-product removal from the system. It will be appreciated that the heat removal capacity of the second radiator  158  and second cooling fan  160  is selected to allow for the appropriate temperature difference to be maintained between the two streams in lines  156  and  162  within the duty cycle and speed of the cooling fan. For example, it was assumed in the first embodiment that an appropriate temperature difference of 10° C. would be appropriate for the removal of all the NaBO 2  produced by hydrogen generation in reactor  112 , for a flow rate of 46 millilitres per minute for streams in lines  156  and  162 . A heat exchanger of suitable capacity would be selected to remove the amount of heat necessary to lower the temperature of the stream in line  156  to that desired for stream in line  162 . It will be appreciated that the scope of this invention is in no way limited to the operating parameters, or to the control configurations, stated herein to describe the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0054]    It will also be appreciated that the flow rate through streams in lines  156  and  162  can be set independently of the temperature difference between them. This is yet another feature of the present invention that will allow for better thermal control of the system, as well as by-product removal. There exist operating conditions where the temperature difference between streams in lines  156  and  162  that affect the heat removal rate of the heat of reaction in reactor  112  from stream in line  156  may not correspond to those for optimal removal of by-product NaBO 2  from the system. The heat removal rate depends both on the temperature difference between that of the stream in line  156  (the stream entering the second radiator  158 ) and that of the stream in line  162  (the stream leaving the second radiator  158 ), the heat capacity of the solution flowing through these streams, and the flow rate of the streams. The amount of by-product NaBO 2  removed from the system depends both on the change in solubility of by-product NaBO 2  through the temperature difference between streams in lines  156  and  162 , as well as the flow rate through these streams. By setting the temperature difference between streams in lines  156  and  162 , and setting the flow rate through these streams by means of mass flow controller  169 , it is possible to optimize the heat removal and by-product removal rates from reactor  112 , while at the same time optimizing the temperature for the hydrogen generation reaction that occurs in reactor  112 .  
         [0055]    This second embodiment of the invention, with independent thermal management of the hydrogen generation reactor  112 , by-product removal system  201 , and fuel cell system  200 , will also allow for optimization of the fuel cell heat removal rate, as well as its operating temperature.  
         [0056]    As shown in FIG. 2, a dedicated cooling loop  300  is provided in the fuel cell system  200  in order to control the reaction temperature in the fuel cell  110 . The dedicated cooling loop  300  includes a pump  136 , first radiator  142 , and first feedback control system  116  which operate as previously described. The pump  136  circulates the coolant through these elements of dedicated cooling loop  300  via line  301 .  
         [0057]    While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the proper scope of the accompanying claims. It will be appreciated that the shapes or models of the reactor, heat exchanger, liquid-gas separator, etc plates of the present invention do not form part of this invention and are not limited to those disclosed in the above description. In addition, the chemical hydride solution used to generate hydrogen is not limited to borohydride water solution. Rather, the hydride can comprise one hydride or a combination of different hydrides, such as NaBH 4 , LiBH 4 , KBH 4 , RbH 4 , or the like. Additionally, the number and arrangement of the components in the system might be varied, but may still fall within the scope and spirit of the claims.