Patent · US Expired

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system and process of operating same

US6190791A · kind A · utility

42Cited by
7References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1998
Grant dateFeb 20, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2018

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 system includes a proton exchange membrane fuel cell; a first compressor for compressing the process air supplied to the fuel cell; a first expander coupled with compressor for driving the first compressor; and a catalytic burner as the heat source. The cathode offgas from the fuel cell is fed to the catalytic burner as an air supply and the expander is operated by the exhaust air from the catalytic burner. A portion of the gas from the burner is expanded in a second expander, which is coupled to a second compressor which further compresses the air from the first compressor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.