摘要:
The invention relates to a methanol-to-hydrogen cracking reactor for use with a fuel cell vehicular power plant. The system is particularly designed for rapid start-up of the catalytic methanol cracking reactor after an extended shut-down period, i.e., after the vehicular fuel cell power plant has been inoperative overnight. Rapid system start-up is accomplished by a combination of direct and indirect heating of the cracking catalyst. Initially, liquid methanol is burned with a stoichiometric or slightly lean air mixture in the combustion chamber of the reactor assembly. The hot combustion gas travels down a flue gas chamber in heat exchange relationship with the catalytic cracking chamber transferring heat across the catalyst chamber wall to heat the catalyst indirectly. The combustion gas is then diverted back through the catalyst bed to heat the catalyst pellets directly. When the cracking reactor temperature reaches operating temperature, methanol combustion is stopped and a hot gas valve is switched to route the flue gas overboard, with methanol being fed directly to the catalytic cracking reactor. Thereafter, the burner operates on excess hydrogen from the fuel cells.
摘要:
This invention relates to a fuel cell vehicular power plant. Fuel for the fuel stack is supplied by a hydrocarbon (methanol) catalytic cracking reactor and CO shift reactor. A water electrolysis subsystem is associated with the stack. During low power operation part of the fuel cell power is used to electrolyze water with hydrogen and oxygen electrolysis products being stored in pressure vessels. During peak power intervals, viz, during acceleration or start-up, pure oxygen and pure hydrogen from the pressure vessel are supplied as the reaction gases to the cathodes and anodes in place of air and methanol reformate. This allows the fuel cell stack to be sized for normal low power/air operation but with a peak power capacity several times greater than that for normal operation.
摘要:
A water/gas separator for individual cells of an H.sub.2 /O.sub.2 fuel cell battery includes porous hydrophilic discs which transport water but block passage of the oxidant gas.
摘要翻译:用于H 2 / O 2燃料电池单电池的水/气分离器包括输送水而阻止氧化剂气体通过的多孔亲水盘。
摘要:
An electrochemical cell having two or more diffusion bonded layers, which demonstrates a high degree of ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and attitude insensitiveness, is provided. The novel cell structure simplifies construction and operation of these cells. Also provided is a method for passive water removal from these cells. The inventive cell, as well as stacks made using these cells, is suitable for use in applications such as commercial space power systems, long endurance aircraft, undersea power systems, remote backup power systems, and regenerative fuel cells.
摘要:
A technique includes removing nitrogen from an air stream to produce an enriched oxygen stream and communicating the enriched oxygen stream to a cathode chamber of a fuel cell. The technique includes transferring the nitrogen that is removed from the air stream to a reactant stream of the fuel cell system.
摘要:
A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing a fuel inlet stream into a fuel cell stack, operating the fuel cell stack to generate electricity and a hydrogen containing fuel exhaust stream, separating at least a portion of hydrogen contained in the fuel exhaust stream using partial pressure swing adsorption, and providing the hydrogen separated from the fuel exhaust stream into the fuel inlet stream.
摘要:
A high temperature electrochemical system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, generates hydrogen and optionally electricity in a fuel cell mode. At least a part of the generated hydrogen is separated and stored or provided to a hydrogen using device. A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system stores carbon dioxide in a fuel cell mode. The system generates a methane fuel in an electrolysis mode from the stored carbon dioxide and water by using a Sabatier subsystem. Alternatively, the system generates a hydrogen fuel in an electrolysis mode from water alone.
摘要:
Fuel cell systems and methods having relatively long use lifetimes are disclosed. The systems and methods can provide relatively long lifetimes when one or more reactant gas streams is unsaturated with water. The systems and methods can use proton exchange membranes having relatively long use lifetimes.
摘要:
The production of high pressure oxygen comprises the use of an electrolysis cell having an anode, a cathode, an ion exchange membrane disposed therebetween, an anode chamber, a cathode chamber and a means for regulating pressure. The cathode chamber has a porous sheet which contacts the cathode and imparts structural integrity to the ion exchange membrane. Low or ambient pressure water enters the cathode chamber, wicks through the porous sheet, contacts the cathode, and osmotically transports across the ion exchange membrane from the cathode to the anode. At the anode, water electrolysis produces hydrogen ions and oxygen. The means for regulating pressure retains the oxygen within the anode chamber until the oxygen has attained the desire high pressure. Upon attaining the desired high pressure, the oxygen is removed from the anode chamber at a rate commensurate with the production of additional oxygen. As the oxygen pressure increases within the anode chamber and as the oxygen is removed from the anode chamber, the water continues to osmotically transport across the ion exchange membrane against the pressure gradient formed by the increasing oxygen pressure.
摘要:
A membrane humidifying device is disclosed that can operate with normal potable quality water without a demineralizer and which prevents the transport of microbes, particulates, dissolved salts and liquid water to the airstream. It is positioned in the flow path of air to be humidified and comprises at least one membrane cell and a means for introducing water into each cell. The membrane cell is comprised of at least one sheet of a hydrophilic membrane and at least one screen. Ambient or low pressure water is introduced into the membrane cell(s); at least a portion of which contacts or passes through the screen(s); contacts the hydrophilic membrane(s); and is osmotically transported across the membrane(s) where it evaporates into the airstream.