Porous carbon body with increased wettability by water
US6258476A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Solid polymer membrane fuel cell water which collects on the oxidant side of the membrane is removed from the active area of the cells in a fuel cell power plant by being absorbed into porous carbon bodies, one of which contacts the membrane. Some of the treated carbon bodies can also be used to supply water to the anode side of the membrane in order to minimize anode side membrane drying. The pores in the carbon body are partially filled, or coated, with precursors of metal oxyhydroxide compounds, which, when converted, will impart increased wettability and water absorption capacity to the carbon body. Hydroxides of the filler compounds are applied to the carbon body and are heated to convert them into oxyhydroxides. As used in this document, the term "oxyhydroxide" includes oxyhydroxides, oxyhydroxide hydrates, and oxide hydrates. Processing temperatures are low enough so as to not subject the bodies being impregnated to destabilization.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.