Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell having an integral electrically-conductive, resiliently compressible, porous pad
US7704627B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A plurality of the cells may be arranged in series in a bipolar configuration without requiring a separate compression pad between cells (for gas pressure differentials up to about 400 psi or greater). The invention is also directed to a fuel cell wherein the pad replaces the carbon fiber paper or carbon fiber cloth in contact with the cathode or anode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.