Direct methanol oxidation polymer electrolyte membrane power system
US5573866A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes an anode chamber and a cathode chamber which are separated by the electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell directly oxidizes a liquid methanol fuel which is fed into the anode chamber from a liquid methanol storage container. The liquid methanol is mixed with water in the anode chamber, and the mixture passes into and through the electrolyte membrane. Some of the methanol and water pass through the membrane into the cathode chamber and into a process air stream which moves through the cathode chamber. The methanol and water are removed from the cathode chamber by evaporation into the process air stream, which then is directed into a condenser/radiator. The methanol and water vapors are condensed in the condenser/radiator, from whence the condensed water and methanol are returned to the anode chamber of the cell. The evaporating cathode process air stream provides oxygen for the fuel cell reaction, and also cools the cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.