Fuel cell stack with an integral ejector for reactant gas recirculation
US3982961A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1975 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A stack of fuel cells operating on gaseous reactants includes an ejector in integral heat exchange relationship with the stack for recirculating one of the reactant gases through the cells of the stack. The recirculating reactant is continuously heated by waste heat from the cells as it recirculates thereby preventing condensation of water from the recirculating reactant gas and thereby maintaining the dew point constant from the time the reactant gas leaves the cells until it is mixed with fresh reactant in the ejector. The fresh reactant gas is preheated prior to being introduced to the ejector so that there is no condensation throughout the entire loop. The recirculation rate relative to the amount of fresh reactant can be controlled to regulate the dew point at the entrance to the cells to best advantage. By this invention flooding of the electrodes or drying of the electrodes does not occur.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.