Solid polymer fuel cell systems incorporating water removal at the anode
US5366818A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A solid polymer fuel cell electric power generation system removes a substantial portion of water accumulated at the cathode in the outlet fuel stream of the anode. The system permits the operation of a hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell in a dead-ended mode where substantially pure oxygen is employed as the oxidant supply or using low oxygen stoichiometry where a dilute oxidant source, such as oxygen-containing air, is employed as the oxidant supply. The system thereby eliminates the need for an oxygen recirculation pump in systems operating on substantially pure oxygen, and substantially reduces the parasitic load to pressurize the oxidant stream in systems operating on dilute oxidant streams.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.