Patent

A process control system includes a storage chamber, a fuel cell in fluid communication with the storage chamber via a feed line, a suction dampening drum in fluid communication with the fuel cell via a product line, a compressor in fluid communication with the suction dampening drum and the storage chamber, a recycle line disposed between the feed line and the product line, and a pressure controller disposed in the recycle line. When the fuel cell is in an electrolysis mode, the pressure controller may be operated to maintain a minimum pressure level inside the drum.

An air feed device (1) for a fuel cell, having a shaft (2); a compressor wheel (4) fastened to one of the ends (5, 20) of the shaft (2), a bearing arrangement (6, 7, 8) arranged in a bearing housing (9) for mounting the shaft (2), and an electric motor (10) for driving the shaft (2), which electric motor is arranged in the bearing housing (9). The shaft (2) has two shaft bearing portions (11, 12) and a magnet portion (13) arranged between the shaft bearing portions (11, 12), forming the rotor of the electric motor (10). The shaft bearing portions (11, 12) and the magnet portion (13) are centered relative to one another by means of a centering arrangement (12A, 13F) which engages on an outer edge (A), the shaft bearing portions (11, 12) and the magnet portion (13) bearing in each case axially against one another.

In a fuel cell, an electrolyte electrode assembly is sandwiched by a pair of separators, which include a sandwiching section having a fuel gas channel for supplying a fuel gas to an anode and a fuel gas inlet for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas channel, a bridge having a fuel gas supply channel for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas channel, and a fuel gas supply section having a fuel gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply channel. During operation of the fuel cell, a pressure loss P1 by the fuel gas in the fuel gas inlet, a pressure loss P2 by the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply channel, and a pressure loss P3 by the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply passage have the relationships of P1>P2 and P1>P3.

In a fuel cell, an electrolyte electrode assembly is sandwiched by a pair of separators, which include a sandwiching section having a fuel gas channel for supplying a fuel gas to an anode and a fuel gas inlet for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas channel, a bridge having a fuel gas supply channel for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas channel, and a fuel gas supply section having a fuel gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply channel. During operation of the fuel cell, a pressure loss P1 by the fuel gas in the fuel gas inlet, a pressure loss P2 by the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply channel, and a pressure loss P3 by the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply passage have the relationships of P1>P2 and P1>P3.

A de-mineralizer for a fuel cell includes a cartridge assembly including an external outer cartridge and an internal inner cartridge installed inside a housing filled with ion resin, wherein at least one of the inner cartridge and the outer cartridge includes an etching network formed with a plurality of fine holes, in which at least one of a size and distribution of the fine holes are formed differently depending on the respective positions based on a vertical flow direction of the cooling water, and a frame formed on an outer circumferential surface of the etching network to support the etching network.

Systems and methods provide for the thermal management of a high temperature fuel cell. According to embodiments described herein, a non-reactant coolant is routed into a fuel cell from a compressor or a ram air source. The non-reactant coolant absorbs waste heat from the electrochemical reaction within the fuel cell. The heated coolant is discharged from the fuel cell and is vented to the surrounding environment or directed through a turbine. The energy recouped from the heated coolant by the turbine may be used to drive the compressor or a generator to create additional electricity and increase the efficiency of the fuel cell system. A portion of the heated coolant may be recycled into the non-reactant coolant entering the fuel cell to prevent thermal shock of the fuel cell.

An assembly includes (a) an anode-side sub-assembly including: a plate member having first and second opposing surfaces compatible with fuel and oxidant gases, respectively, the plate member having first and second opposing end segments, and third and fourth opposing end segments; an anode current collector abutting the first surface of the plate member; and first and second anode wet seal members releasably secured to the plate member so as to form first and second pockets on the first surface of the plate member and (b) a cathode-side subassembly comprising: first and second cathode wet seal members configured to form third and fourth pockets on the second surface of the plate member and to be releasably positioned adjacent said third and fourth opposing end segments; and a cathode current collector cooperating with the first and second cathode wet seal members.

Use of a selectively conducting anode component in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can reduce the degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown, but can also adversely affect a cell’s tolerance to voltage reversal along with its performance. It was shown that these adverse affects can be mitigated against in certain ways. However, improved results can be obtained by employing a selectively conducting component which comprises a mixed layer of a selectively conducting material and carbon. The mixed layer contacts the side of the anode opposite the solid polymer electrolyte.

The present invention suppresses degradation of an electrolyte film caused by elution of a non-platinum transition metal etc. which forms a core part of a core shell particle contained in a catalyst layer. A membrane electrode assembly comprises an electrolyte film and a pair of electrodes that sandwich the electrolyte film, the pair of electrodes each comprising a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer which is disposed on the side of the catalyst layer that is opposite the electrolyte film. At least one of the catalyst layers of the pair of electrodes includes a first catalyst particle and a second catalyst particle. The first catalyst particle is at least one of a platinum particle and a platinum alloy particle. The second catalyst particle is a core shell particle comprising: a core part formed by at least one type of metal selected from a group consisting of non-platinum transition metals; and a shell part covering the core part and formed of at least one of platinum and a platinum alloy. In the catalyst layer of at least one electrode, the proportion of the second catalyst particle is lower on the electrolyte film side than the gas diffusion layer side.

The objective of the invention is to increase gas diffusibility while increasing proton transportability, in a catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly. This membrane electrode assembly contains an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrode layers disposed so as to sandwich the electrolyte membrane, the pair of electrode layers comprising a pair of catalyst layers disposed so as to sandwich the electrolyte membrane, and a pair of gas diffusion layers disposed respectively on the sides of the pair of catalyst layers opposite the electrolyte membrane. Among the pair of catalyst layers, at least one catalyst layer comprises a fiber-shaped electric conductor, a catalyst particle, a particle-shaped electric conductor, and a proton conducting resin. In addition, at least one of the catalyst layers comprises a first region whereof the distance from the fiber-shaped electric conductor is 200 nm or shorter, and a second region other than the first region. Holes are present in the first region and the second region, the hole diameter mode M1 in the first region and the hole diameter mode M2 in the second region fulfilling M1 < M2.