Flow facilitator for improving operation of a fuel cell
    1.
    发明授权
    Flow facilitator for improving operation of a fuel cell 失效
    用于改善燃料电池运行的流动促进器

    公开(公告)号:US5935725A

    公开(公告)日:1999-08-10

    申请号:US896816

    申请日:1997-07-18

    IPC分类号: H01M8/02 H01M8/04 H01M8/24

    摘要: A fuel cell including an electrode assembly, a cell assembly mounted to the electrode assembly forming an anode and at least one cathode channel, and a flow facilitator located within each cathode channel. The flow facilitator functions as a wick during the operation of the fuel cell to drain fluid from the cathode channels. It also provides resistance to water vapor flow within the cathode channels, thereby increasing humidification of the fuel cell. Moreover, the flow facilitator increases residence time of oxidant within the cathode channels. The flow facilitator is preferably a thread made of any one or any combination of cotton, silk, fiberglass, nylon or polyester, and may be coated with polytetraflouroethylene. The flow facilitator may be a single element that is weaved in specific patterns through the cathode channels or it can include a plurality of elements, one element for each of the cathode channels. A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell formed by a bipolar plate, an electrode assembly with an electrolyte, and an anode channel. Each bipolar plate includes at least one cathode channel. The flow facilitator is weaved between and into a subset of the plurality of cathode channels.

    摘要翻译: 一种燃料电池,包括电极组件,安装到形成阳极的电极组件的电池组件和至少一个阴极通道,以及位于每个阴极通道内的流动促进器。 在燃料电池操作期间,流动促进器用作芯,以从阴极通道排出流体。 它还提供对阴极通道内的水蒸气流的阻力,从而增加燃料电池的加湿。 此外,流动促进剂增加氧化剂在阴极通道内的停留时间。 流动促进器优选是由棉,丝,玻璃纤维,尼龙或聚酯的任何一种或任何组合制成的螺纹,并且可以涂覆聚四氟乙烯。 流动促进器可以是通过阴极通道以特定图案编织的单个元件,或者可以包括多个元件,每个阴极通道的一个元件。 燃料电池堆包括多个燃料电池,由双极板形成的每个燃料电池,具有电解质的电极组件和阳极通道。 每个双极板包括至少一个阴极通道。 流动促进器在多个阴极通道的子集之间编织并进入其中。

    Cathodic electrochemical process for preventing or retarding microbial
and calcareous fouling
    2.
    发明授权
    Cathodic electrochemical process for preventing or retarding microbial and calcareous fouling 失效
    用于预防或延缓微生物和钙质结垢的阴极电化学过程

    公开(公告)号:US4440611A

    公开(公告)日:1984-04-03

    申请号:US328853

    申请日:1981-12-09

    IPC分类号: B08B17/02 C23F15/00 C23F13/00

    摘要: This invention relates to a method for preventing or retarding microbial or calcareous fouling of a conducting or semi-conducting surface in an aqueous environment. This method produces an effective concentration of hydrogen peroxide at or near the surface to be protected by applying a sufficient cathodic voltage and a sufficient cathodic current to electrochemically generate an effective concentration of hydrogen peroxide. This effective concentration is preferably produced at very low current densities, i.e., at densities of less than about 100 microamperes per square centimeter. This effective concentration is further preferably produced at cathodic voltages less than that required to generate hydrogen gas at the cathode.

    摘要翻译: 本发明涉及在含水环境中预防或延缓导电或半导体表面微生物或钙质结垢的方法。 该方法通过施加足够的阴极电压和足够的阴极电流来产生有效浓度的过氧化氢,从而在要保护的表面处或附近产生有效浓度的过氧化氢。 该有效浓度优选以非常低的电流密度产生,即密度小于约100微安/平方厘米。 该有效浓度进一步优选地在比阴极产生氢气所需的阴极电压低的情况下产生。

    Method for catalyzing a gas diffusion electrode
    3.
    发明授权
    Method for catalyzing a gas diffusion electrode 失效
    催化气体扩散电极的方法

    公开(公告)号:US5521020A

    公开(公告)日:1996-05-28

    申请号:US324177

    申请日:1994-10-14

    申请人: Hari P. Dhar

    发明人: Hari P. Dhar

    摘要: A method for catalyzing a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) with a catalytic material mixed with a solubilized electrolyte, where the electrolyte preferably comprises a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid copolymer. The catalytic material and solubilized electrolyte are mixed to form a paste or the slurry, which is then applied layer by layer onto the catalyzable side of the GDE while the electrode is kept on a hot plate at a temperature of approximately 80.degree.-100.degree. C. The electrode and the catalyst layers are then dried in an oven at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. for about 10 minutes. The catalytic material preferably comprises a metal, such as platinum, and is further mixed with a supporting material comprising a high surface area carbon, resulting in a platinum-on-carbon mixture. A method according to the present invention avoids exposure of the high surface area catalytic material to the high temperatures of the conventional method, thereby keeping the maximum surface area of the catalyst available for the electrochemical reaction. Such gas diffusion electrodes are preferably used in operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells without external humidification.

    摘要翻译: 一种用溶解电解质混合的催化材料催化气体扩散电极(GDE)的方法,其中电解质优选包含全氟碳磺酸共聚物。 将催化材料和溶解的电解质混合以形成浆料或浆料,然后将其逐层施加到GDE的可催化侧上,同时将电极在约80℃-100℃的温度下保持在热板上 然后将电极和催化剂层在烘箱中在约100℃的温度下干燥约10分钟。 催化材料优选包括金属,例如铂,并进一步与包含高表面积碳的支撑材料混合,得到铂 - 碳混合物。 根据本发明的方法避免了高表面积催化材料暴露于常规方法的高温,从而保持催化剂的最大表面积可用于电化学反应。 这种气体扩散电极优选用于没有外部加湿的质子交换膜燃料电池的操作。

    Near ambient, unhumidified solid polymer fuel cell
    4.
    发明授权
    Near ambient, unhumidified solid polymer fuel cell 失效
    近环境中,不加湿的固体聚合物燃料电池

    公开(公告)号:US5242764A

    公开(公告)日:1993-09-07

    申请号:US809581

    申请日:1991-12-17

    申请人: Hari P. Dhar

    发明人: Hari P. Dhar

    IPC分类号: H01M8/04 H01M8/10

    摘要: The solid polymer fuel cell (SPFC), also known as the solid polymer electrolyte (SPE.RTM.) fuel cell, sold by Hamilton Standard, a Division of United Technologies Corporation, of Hartford, Conn., needs simplification for the fuel to become commercially viable. A simplified design is thus sought that would avoid prior humidification of reactants and the membrane, i.e., the electrolyte. A proton conducting material, such as perfluorocarbon copolymer, is deposited as the electrolyte on top of the catalytic side of the porous gas diffusion electrodes acting as anode and cathode. With sufficient deposits on both electrodes, it is then possible to avoid the use of electrolyte membrane which is used in the state-of-the-art solid polymer fuel cell design. The system operates at near ambient temperatures, pressures and at near stoichiometric reactant flows without requiring extra humidification of the reactant gases and the electrolyte.

    摘要翻译: 固体聚合物燃料电池(SPFC)也称为固体聚合物电解质(SPE TM)燃料电池,Hamilton标准公司(位于康涅狄格州哈特福德的联合技术公司)销售,需要简化燃料以变得商业上可行 。 因此寻求一种简化的设计,避免反应物和膜,即电解质的先前加湿。 诸如全氟碳共聚物之类的质子传导材料作为电解质沉积在用作阳极和阴极的多孔气体扩散电极的催化侧上。 在两个电极上具有足够的沉积物的情况下,可以避免使用在最先进的固体聚合物燃料电池设计中使用的电解质膜。 该系统在接近环境温度,压力和近化学计量的反应物流动下操作,而不需要额外加湿反应物气体和电解质。

    Near ambient, unhumidified solid polymer fuel cell
    5.
    发明授权
    Near ambient, unhumidified solid polymer fuel cell 失效
    近环境中,不加湿的固体聚合物燃料电池

    公开(公告)号:US5318863A

    公开(公告)日:1994-06-07

    申请号:US023589

    申请日:1993-02-26

    申请人: Hari P. Dhar

    发明人: Hari P. Dhar

    IPC分类号: H01M8/04 H01M8/10

    摘要: Simplified and improved solid polymer fuel cells for operation at near ambient conditions of temperature and pressure and without humidification are disclosed. In a first embodiment, a fuel cell is disclosed having two electrodes with opposing surfaces and an electrolyte comprising a solution of a proton conducting material deposited at the central portion of the surface of each electrode leaving the outer periphery of each electrode surface exposed. A slightly oversized non-conducting plastic type film having a central hole is located between and in contact with the electrodes, where its central hole surrounds and contacts the electrolyte deposits. The film is bonded with the electrodes and acts as a barrier for reactant cross-overs. In a second embodiment, the electrolyte deposit is thinner and located along the entire surface of the electrodes. A slightly oversized solid polymer electrolyte membrane is located between and is in contact with the electrolyte deposits. The membrane has a low gram equivalent weight, or is thinner but has a higher gram equivalent weight. Thus, the membrane easily transfers protons at a reduced internal electrolyte resistance, making operations possible at mild conditions without humidification.

    摘要翻译: 公开了在温度和压力的近环境条件下并且不加湿的操作的简化和改进的固体聚合物燃料电池。 在第一实施例中,公开了一种燃料电池,其具有两个具有相对表面的电极和电解质,该电解质包括沉积在每个电极的表面的中心部分处留下每个电极表面外周的质子传导材料的溶液。 具有中心孔的稍大尺寸的非导电塑料型膜位于电极之间并与电极接触,其中心孔围绕并接触电解质沉积物。 该膜与电极结合并用作反应物交叉的屏障。 在第二实施例中,电解质沉积物更薄并且沿着电极的整个表面定位。 稍大的固体聚合物电解质膜位于电解质沉积物之间并与之接触。 该膜具有较低的克当量重量,或较薄,但克氏当量较高。 因此,膜可以以降低的内部电解质电阻容易地转移质子,使得操作在温和条​​件下不加湿。