Water recovery in the anode side of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell
US6541141B1 · kind B1 · utility
19Cited by
5References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell has a proton exchange membrane. In known manner, the fuel cell includes inlets and outlets for flow of an oxidant and for flow of a fuel gas, commonly hydrogen. To deal with the issue of humidification, the invention provides a recirculation conduit including a pump connected between the anode inlet and the anode outlet. A water separator is provided in the recirculation conduit, for separating water from fuel gas exiting the anode. A main fuel inlet is connected to the recirculation conduit, for supply of fuel. A branch conduit can be provided, to enable purge cycles and other options to be provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.