摘要:
A gas diffusion media and method of making are provided including the formation of a carbon fiber paper which is heated to a carbonization temperature without exceeding a graphitization temperature. The discovery that a final high temperature heat treatment step in the graphitization temperature zone is not necessary to make effective gas diffusion media for PEM fuel cells greatly reduces the cost associated with the high temperature final heat treatment and also allows for the processing of the diffusion media in a roll.
摘要:
Gas diffusion media for use in fuel cells are provided that contain a pattern of deposited hydrophobic polymer such that less than 100% of the surface of the diffusion media is covered with hydrophobic polymer. The media are made by first wetting a sheet of carbon fiber paper in an aqueous emulsion of the hydrophobic polymer. The wetted sheet is contacted with a pattern member containing one or more openings oriented to correspond to a predetermined or desired pattern of hydrophobic polymer deposition. While still in contact with the pattern member, the sheet is heated or otherwise treated to cause evaporation of the water from the sheet. Evaporation while in contact with the pattern member takes place in such a way that hydrophobic polymer is concentrated in the sheet at the openings of the pattern member by the process of evaporation.
摘要:
Diffusion media for fuel cell is made by preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising a powder resin, a binder material, and a fiber material comprising carbon fibers, of these; forming a layer of the dispersion on a support; removing water from the layer to form a fiber layer; molding the fiber layer; and carbonizing or graphitizing the molded layer.
摘要:
A gas diffusion media for a fuel cell, such as a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, is provided. The gas diffusion media includes carbonizable acrylic pulp fibers instead of conventional phenolic resin as a binder material. The acrylic fibers are mixed with the carbon fiber dispersion during the papermaking step, thus eliminating the phenolic resin impregnation step typically associated with conventional gas diffusion media manufacturing processes. The mat is then cured and carbonized to produce gas diffusion media.
摘要:
A gas diffusion layer for use in fuel cells comprises a fiber and non-fiber material in a ratio such that the water vapor diffusion transport resistance is greater than 0.8 s/cm measured at 80 C and 150 kPa absolute gas pressure when the gas diffusion layer has a thickness less than or equal to 300 microns. Another gas diffusion layer comprises a fiber and non-fiber material in a ratio such that the water vapor diffusion transport resistance is lower than 0.4 s/cm measured at 80 C and 150 kPa absolute gas pressure when the gas diffusion layer has a thickness greater than or equal to 100 microns. Fuel cells incorporating the gas diffusion layers are also provided.
摘要翻译:用于燃料电池的气体扩散层包括纤维和非纤维材料,其比例使得当气体扩散层在80℃和150kPa绝对气压下测得的水蒸气扩散传输阻力大于0.8s / cm 具有小于或等于300微米的厚度。 另一个气体扩散层包括纤维和非纤维材料,其比例使得当气体扩散层的厚度大于80℃时,在80℃和150kPa绝对气压下测得的水蒸汽扩散传输阻抗低于0.4s / cm 或等于100微米。 还提供了并入气体扩散层的燃料电池。
摘要:
A fuel cell system that employs a diode electrically coupled between bipolar plates in a fuel cell of a fuel cell stack for preventing the fuel cell between the plates from reversing its polarity. The diode is a thin-sheet p-n diode including doped semiconductor layers and has a thickness relative to the thickness of the MEA in the fuel cell so that the overall stack thickness does not increase. When the fuel cell is operating properly the diode does not conduct and all of the current through the fuel cell goes through the MEA. If the electric load on the stack increases to a level beyond the capability of the fuel cell, where the potential across the fuel cell goes significantly below zero, the diode will begin to conduct so that any current that cannot travel through the MEA with the cell voltage less than one negative forward diode voltage drop is able to go around the MEA through the diode.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to an electroconductive element within an electrochemical cell that improves water management. The electroconductive element comprises an impermeable electrically conductive element and a porous liquid distribution media disposed along a major surface of the conductive element. Preferably, the liquid distribution media is in direct contact and fluid communication with a fluid distribution layer disposed between the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and the liquid distribution media, so that liquids are drawn from the MEA through the fluid distribution layer to and through the liquid distribution media. The liquid distribution media transports liquids away from the MEA in the fuel cell. Methods of fabricating and operating fuel cells and electroconductive elements according to the present invention are also contemplated.
摘要:
A multi-layer diffusion medium substrate having improved mechanical properties is disclosed. The diffusion medium substrate includes at least one stiff layer and at least one compressible layer. The at least one stiff layer has a greater stiffness in the x-y direction as compared to the at least one compressible layer. The at least one compressible layer has a greater compressibility in the z direction. A method of fabricating a multi-layer diffusion medium substrate is also disclosed.
摘要:
This invention provides a method of transmitting and receiving packets containing data and positional information for a plurality of devices in a radio frequency network in combination with a global positioning system. The periodic position coordinates of each said device are determined using the global positioning system. The position coordinates are transmitted from each device at staggered points in time that are randomized, and the randomizing operation is performed in discrete steps, wherein the time period of each discrete step is of adequate duration for one device to transmit a positional update. A positional update table and proximity table is created and maintained for each device, and these tables are transmitted to every other device in the network at periodic intervals.
摘要:
A fuel cell stack that includes an actuating device or devices for selectively providing interdigitated reactant gas flow and straight reactant gas flow through reactant gas flow channels to reduce water accumulation in the diffusing media layers of the stack. In one embodiment, the fuel cell stack employs internal actuators that selectively close the inlet end of every other flow channel and the outlet end of every other opposite flow channel to provide the interdigitated flow. In another embodiment, the interdigitated flow is provided by external actuation where two inlet manifolds and two outlet manifolds are provided. One input manifold is closed to close the input ends of every other flow channel and one outlet manifold is closed to close the output ends of every other opposite flow channel.