Regenerative dryer device and method for water recovery, primarily in the cathode side, of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell
US6916567B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86533
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Moisture recovery and humidification in a fuel cell system involving (i) intermittently switching each dryer in a plurality of dryers into and out of one of a first mode of operation for recovering moisture from an outgoing oxidant stream and a second mode of operation for humidifying an incoming oxidant stream such that during use at least one dryer is in the first mode of operation and at least one dryer is in the second mode of operation; (ii) directing the outgoing oxidant stream from the cathode through at least one dryer in the first mode of operation to recover moisture from the outgoing oxidant stream; and (iii) directing the incoming oxidant stream through at least one dryer in the second mode of operation to humidify the incoming oxidant stream with moisture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.