Method and apparatus for operating an electrochemical fuel cell with periodic reactant starvation
US6472090B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrochemical fuel cell is operated with periodic reactant starvation at either or both electrodes. Periodic reactant starvation conditions cause a change in the potential of the starved electrode and may result in the removal of electrocatalyst poisons and in improved fuel cell performance. This technique may have other beneficial effects at the electrodes, including performance improvements due to water management effects or localized heating effects at the starved electrode. In a preferred method, while successive localized portions of a fuel cell electrode are periodically reactant starved, the remainder of the fuel cell electrode remains electrochemically active and saturated with reactant such that the fuel cell is able to continue to generate power.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.