Fuel cell cooling using heat of reaction
US5034287A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell is cooled by circulating a stream through the cell, the stream containing a reactive material which undergoes an endothermic reaction within the fuel cell, absorbing waste heat. The material, upon leaving the fuel cell, passes through a regenerative heat exchanger where heat is removed. The reacted material then undergoes an exothermic reaction, releasing the waste heat absorbed within the fuel cell. After the exothermic reaction, the material is returned to the fuel cell to repeat the cooling cycle. Utilizing a reactive cooling system based on the heat of reaction as a means for removing waste heat allows reducing the amount of gases supplied to the fuel cell, thus reducing the size of the internal gas passages and consequently, the overall size of the fuel cell while maintaining a high power output.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.