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Method and apparatus for operating a fuel cell

A fuel cell, operating temperature technology, applied in the field of advanced equipment, can solve the problem of short battery life

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-05-09
GORE ENTERPRISE HLDG INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the short lifetime of batteries operating at these high temperatures is unacceptable given current materials and operating conditions
[0008] Although many improvements have been made to fuel cells in an effort to improve fuel cell life, most work has focused on using improved materials

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus for operating a fuel cell
  • Method and apparatus for operating a fuel cell

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment

[0033] Description of Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)

[0034] Three types of MEAs labeled Type A, Type B and Type C were used in the tests. The Type A MEA was a PRIMEA(R) series 5510 membrane electrode assembly loaded with 0.4 mg / cm2 of Pt on both the anode and cathode sides, commercially available from W. L. Gore & Associates. These MEAs contain a composite diaphragm of GORE-SELECT's ePTFE-reinforced perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer. The Type B MEA is basically the same as the Type A MEA, except that the diaphragm of the Type B MEA is additionally treated before being assembled into the MEA, and the diaphragm is doped with about 550 ppm of Fe. Iron was chosen as a representative of a catalyst capable of enhancing the formation of free radicals from hydrogen peroxide that would accelerate membrane degradation. Specifically, iron was added to the diaphragm used in the preparation of Type A MEA by preparing a 5 PPM iron solution prepared by dissolving 0.034 grams of ferrous s...

Embodiment 1-10

[0088]Assemble the cells and test with the conditions shown in Table 1, the average outlet relative humidity is not fully saturated. The temperature was varied between 80°C and 130°C as indicated in the table, the relative humidity at the anode and cathode inlets was varied and the pressure varied to ensure that the outlet conditions were not fully saturated. In some cases, the stoichiometry of the anode gas hydrogen was adjusted as shown in Table 1 to maintain stable cell performance. As shown in Table 1, tests were performed using three different types of MEAs and either bolt-loaded or spring-loaded batteries. The results of these tests are shown in Table 2. At a given temperature, compared with the comparative examples (Table 2, Examples 2-5 compared with C1-C2), the lifetime is longer, the average decay rate at two different currents is lower, and the fluoride release under the conditions of the present invention The rate is lower. Extended lifetime, low decay rate and ...

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PUM

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Abstract

A method of operating a fuel cell at an operating temperature below about 150 DEG C, wherein the fuel cell has an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte interposed therebetween, the cathode having at least one surface in contact with a cathode chamber having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and the anode in contact with an anode chamber having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and the electrolyte containing less than about 500 ppm of a catalyst capable of enhancing the formation of radicals from hydrogen peroxide. The method includes the steps of applying a fuel to the anode chamber; applying an oxidant to the cathode chamber; and controlling the amount of water supplied to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber such that water vapor pressure is sub-saturated at the operating temperature at the gas outlet of the cathode chamber. Also disclosed is an apparatus comprising sensors to measure outlet relative humidity of the gas outlets of a fuel cell and a means to control the relative humidity on the gas inlets of a fuel cell, such that the apparatus can control the relative humidity of the gas inlets to maintain an average relative humidity in the fuel cell of less than 100%.

Description

field of invention [0001] The present invention relates to methods of operating fuel cells or batteries to increase their durability and lifetime, and to devices for this purpose. Background of the invention [0002] A fuel cell is a device that converts a liquid stream containing a fuel such as hydrogen and an oxidizing species such as oxygen or air into electricity, heat and reaction products. Such devices include an anode, to which fuel is supplied; a cathode, to which oxidizing species is supplied; and an electrolyte separating the anode and cathode. Fuels and / or oxidizers are typically liquid or gaseous materials. The electrolyte is the electronic insulator that separates the fuel and oxidant. The electrolyte provides an ion channel for ions to move between the anode, where the ions are produced by fuel reactions, and the cathode, where the ions are used to form products. Electrons generated during the formation of ions are used in an external...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): H01M8/00H01M8/04H01M8/10
CPCH01M8/04119Y02E60/521H01M2300/0088H01M2300/0082H01M8/1039H01M8/1023H01M8/106H01M8/1025Y02E60/50H01M8/04
Inventor W·K·刘S·J·克莱格霍恩W·B·约翰逊
Owner GORE ENTERPRISE HLDG INC
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