Ion exchange membrane fuel cell power plant with water management pressure differentials
US5700595A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A proton exchange membrane fuel cell device with an internal water management and transfer system includes a plurality of adjacently arranged proton exchange membrane assemblies including a proton exchange membrane component; a pair of porous anode and cathode catalyst layers situated on either side of the proton exchange membrane; and porous plate assemblies interposed between and in contact with each of the adjacent proton exchange membrane assemblies. Oxidant gas is supplied to oxidant gas supply channels, and fuel gas to fuel gas supply channels formed in the porous plate assemblies for distribution to the cathode and anode catalyst layers, respectively. A water coolant circulating system is formed in each of the porous plate assemblies and causes each of the porous plate assemblies to become saturated with coolant water. The reactant flow fields are pressurized to a pressure which exceeds the coolant water circulating pressure by a selected .DELTA.P so as to ensure that product water formed on the cathode side of each membrane assembly will be pumped through the porous plates into the coolant water flow field and become entrained in the circulating coolant water stream.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.