Fuel cell system with degradation protected anode
US7226679B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of operating a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, a first passage, and a second passage, wherein the anode is disposed in the first passage and the cathode in the second passage including producing a non-explosive gaseous feed consisting of (i) at least one oxidizable component having a greater tendency to undergo oxidation relative to the anode, and (ii) a remainder which is the predominant component in the gaseous feed consisting essentially of water vapor; and introducing the non-explosive gaseous feed to the first passage to form a first gaseous feed stream flowing through the first passage when the anode realizes a temperature effective to facilitate deteriorative oxidation of the anode in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The non-explosive gaseous feed is provided to mitigate or prevent anode oxidation and the formation of potentially explosive gaseous mixtures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.