Catalytic humidifier and heater, primarily for humidification of the oxidant stream for a fuel cell
US6706429B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying oxidant supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The oxidant is supplied in excess of the fuel to the reactor, so as to generate a stream of oxidant which is both heated and humidified. For an air breathing stack, this heated oxidant can simply be mixed with air flowing through the fuel cell stack. For a closed system, a heated and humidified oxidant flow, and optionally a fuel flow are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.