Patent · US Expired

Regenerative electrochemical cell system and method for use thereof

US6887601B2 · kind B2 · utility

51Cited by
22References
67Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 28, 2001
Grant dateMay 3, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 4, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P20/133
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the regenerative electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication a water storage device, and a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication with both an oxygen source and with a gaseous portion of an water phase separation device; an electrolysis module comprising an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with the water storage device via a fuel cell oxygen outlet, and an electrolysis water outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen.One of the embodiments for operating a regenerative electrochemical cell system disclosed herein, comprises: introducing feed hydrogen from a hydrogen storage system to a fuel cell hydrogen electrode and introducing feed oxygen from an oxygen/water phase separation device to a fuel cell oxygen electrode; reacting hydrogen ions with the oxygen to generate electricity and water; once the fuel cell has attained operating conditions, ceasing the feed oxygen from the oxygen/water phase separation device, and introducing second oxygen from a surrounding atmosphere module to the fuel cell oxygen electrode; directing the water to a water st…

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