CA2165742A1 - Fuel cell system - Google Patents
Fuel cell systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2165742A1 CA2165742A1 CA002165742A CA2165742A CA2165742A1 CA 2165742 A1 CA2165742 A1 CA 2165742A1 CA 002165742 A CA002165742 A CA 002165742A CA 2165742 A CA2165742 A CA 2165742A CA 2165742 A1 CA2165742 A1 CA 2165742A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fuel cell
- electrolyzer
- hydrogen
- cell system
- oxygen
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 120
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000005518 polymer electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims description 65
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 65
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 61
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 47
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 47
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 47
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 33
- 229910052987 metal hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- 150000004681 metal hydrides Chemical group 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 150000002431 hydrogen Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 13
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000306 component Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003915 cell function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001311 chemical methods and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001385 heavy metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011244 liquid electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002894 organic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000007784 solid electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/18—Regenerative fuel cells, e.g. redox flow batteries or secondary fuel cells
- H01M8/184—Regeneration by electrochemical means
- H01M8/186—Regeneration by electrochemical means by electrolytic decomposition of the electrolytic solution or the formed water product
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
- H01M8/0606—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/0656—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants by electrochemical means
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
- H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
- H01M2300/0065—Solid electrolytes
- H01M2300/0082—Organic polymers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/04104—Regulation of differential pressures
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell being a low-tempera-ture polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and an electrolyzer being an inversely operated low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell having a hydrogen-yielding side being connected to the fuel cell.
Description
FUEL CELL SYSTEM
Backqround of the Invention:
Field of the Invention:
The invention relates to a fuel cell system having an electrolyzer with a hydrogen-yielding side being connected to a fuel cell.
Such a system is known from German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE 38 40 517 Al. In that system, oxygen lo and hydrogen are generated from water, using a conventional electrolysis cell. The energy required therefor is furnished by a power plant. The oxygen and the hydrogen are stored in collecting devices and can be supplied as needed to a fuel cell that furnishes electrical energy. The fuel cell can be operated only at a temperature that is markedly higher than 100C. It is accordingly quite clear that its thermal energy must be supplied both from a unit-type power station and from a hydrogen burner.
The commercially available electrolysis cell being used contains a liquid electrolyte. As a result, it can be operated only in a particular position in three-dimensional terms.
Backqround of the Invention:
Field of the Invention:
The invention relates to a fuel cell system having an electrolyzer with a hydrogen-yielding side being connected to a fuel cell.
Such a system is known from German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE 38 40 517 Al. In that system, oxygen lo and hydrogen are generated from water, using a conventional electrolysis cell. The energy required therefor is furnished by a power plant. The oxygen and the hydrogen are stored in collecting devices and can be supplied as needed to a fuel cell that furnishes electrical energy. The fuel cell can be operated only at a temperature that is markedly higher than 100C. It is accordingly quite clear that its thermal energy must be supplied both from a unit-type power station and from a hydrogen burner.
The commercially available electrolysis cell being used contains a liquid electrolyte. As a result, it can be operated only in a particular position in three-dimensional terms.
The reservoirs for oxygen and hydrogen disposed between the electrolysis cell and the fuel cell store the gases at a high pressure, which by way of example is a multiple of the ambient atmospheric pressure. Such reservoirs are expensive because they have to withstand the high pressure. They are always very heavy in weight and must meet special safety regulations.
Summary of the Invention:
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a fuel cell system, which overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and which can be operated at relatively low temperature, that by way of example is markedly lower than 100C. More-over, the fuel cell should be supplied continuously with oxygen and hydrogen, without having to hold gases at high pressure, which would require expensive and heavy gas reser-voirs. In particular, a replenishable source for electrical energy is to be furnished, which only occupies little space and can be used instead of a battery for grid-independent supply to a consumer.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provid-ed, in accordance with the invention, a fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell being a low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell; and an electrolyzer being an inversely operated low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell having a hydrogen-yielding side being connected to the fuel cell.
This has the advantage that the fuel cell requires no supply lines for thermal energy. Moreover, the fuel cell can be supplied continuously with oxygen and hydrogen without gases having to be held at high pressure. By way of example, the ambient pressure need not be exceeded. Finally, the electrolyzer, as well as the fuel cell, are distinguished in that they contain solid electrolytes, which assure operation in a way that is largely independent of position.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the operating temperature of the PEM is lower than 100C. The fuel cell system can accordingly be used in a simple way. At an operating temperature that is in the vicinity of the ambient temperature, the system requires no insulators and can nevertheless be transported at any time without danger.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, water and/or water vapor (moisture in air) is present or stored in the electrolyzer. No permanent water supply line is then necessary. The stored water supply is adequate for furnish-ing hydrogen and oxygen, which are then available to the fuel cell, for a first operating phase. Subsequently, the water supply can be supplemented with water that is formed in the fuel cell.
.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, a water-storing medium is disposed in the electrolyzer. Thus a particular advantage is attained which is that the entire fuel cell system can be operated regardless of position, without water being able to run out of the electrolyzer.
This kind of water-storing medium may be a sponge or a sponge-like body.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the water-storing medium for introducing the water into the electrolyzer has wicks of absorbent material. These wicks can absorb water that is given off by the fuel cell and carry it into the electrolyzer regardless of the position of the fuel cell system. The outflow of the oxygen generated in the electrolyzer is not hindered thereby, because the wicks and the outlets for gases in the electrolyzer are located at different positions.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the electrolyzer is connected to a solar cell array, so as to be supplied with electrical energy. For generating hydrogen and oxygen, this has the advantage of permitting recourse to photovoltaically generated electrical energy, so that the system can then be used as a voltage source during periods of darkness, for example.
~ 2 1 65742 GR 95 P 3655 However, the electrolyzer can also be connected to the public power-supply grid (grid adaptor).
In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the hydrogen-yielding side of the electrolyzer borders the side of the fuel cell that receives hydrogen. As a result, the hydrogen generated in the electrolyzer can reach the hydrogen-consuming fuel cell directly. The transport of oxygen from the electrolyzer to the fuel cell must then be carried out through a line. In particular, the fuel cell is disposed above the electrolyzer.
In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the hydrogen-yielding side of the electrolyzer is connected to the fuel cell through a hydrogen reservoir that serves to store hydrogen temporarily. In the hydrogen reservoir, the hydrogen generated in the electrolyzer can be stored tempo-rarily until it is needed in the fuel cell. It is also possible, however, for the hydrogen-yielding side of the electrolyzer to communicate directly through a line with the fuel cell. In the event that a line, which may contain a hydrogen reservoir, is available for the transport of hydro-gen from the electrolyzer to the fuel cell, the electrolyzer in the fuel cell can be disposed in such a way that the oxygen-yielding or donor side of the electrolyzer borders the oxygen-receiving or receptor side of the fuel cell. As a result, oxygen is advantageously supplied directly to the fuel cell.
In accordance with yet an additional feature of the inven-tion, the hydrogen reservoir which may possibly be present a metal hydride reservoir. This kind of hydrogen reservoir is distinguished by the fact that depending on the alloy being used, which can be chosen suitably, it can be charged with hydrogen even in the vicinity of the ambient pressure. The stored quantity of gas can be so great that under normal conditions it would occupy a volume that can be considerably larger than the inherent volume of the reservoir, for in-stance 400 to 500 times the inherent volume. This would be equivalent to a pressure reservoir of an identical volume, but with an internal pressure of up to 4 x 107 to 5 x 10 Pa (400 to 500 bar). Depending on the alloy used for the metal hydride reservoir, the reservoir can operate at largely constant pressure within wide pressure ranges (both negative and overpressure). Due to the large holding capacity at a small volume, a fuel cell system equipped with a metal hydride reservoir can be accommodated in a small housing.
Moreover, the system is very light in weight. As a result, for the first time it is advantageously possible to use the fuel cell system as a substitute for conventional accumula-tors and batteries, such as in small electrical appliances and equipment, among other uses.
In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the metal hydride reservoir is connected to a cooling device or a heating device. It can be connected to a water supply which, for instance, is disposed in a water bath, for cooling or for heating. Cooling increases the storage capacity of the hydrogen reservoir.
In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, a dryer is disposed upstream of the hydrogen reservoir. This has the advantage of ensuring that only dry hydrogen reaches the reservoir, and can be stored in the reservoir in greater quantity within the same reservoir volume in the form of wet hydrogen.
In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, a moistener is disposed downstream of the hydrogen reservoir.
This improves the operation of the fuel cell downstream of it, since this cell functions better with wet hydrogen.
In accordance with again an additional feature of the inven-tion, the dryer is combined with the moistener. Thus advan-tageously the water given off by the dryer can be utilized to operate the moistener. However, the water given off by the dryer may also be drained off or fed to the electrolyzer.
The dryer and the moistener can also be combined into a unit.
In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the oxygen-yielding side of the electrolyzer can be connected to the fuel cell through an oxygen reservoir, which serves to store oxygen temporarily. This assures that as a result of the temporary storage of oxygen, adequate oxygen is always available to the fuel cell.
In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, in the event that a hydrogen reservoir and an oxygen reser-voir are present, they are constructed, for example, in such a way that the hydrogen reservoir can hold approximately twice as large a volume as the oxygen reservoir. To that end, the hydrogen reservoir can be twice as large as the oxygen reservoir. This assures that adequate hydrogen and oxygen will always be available in the fuel cell, since twice as much hydrogen as oxygen is needed.
In accordance with still an added feature of the invention, the electrolyzer and the fuel cell are surrounded by a gas-tight housing that serves as the oxygen reservoir. The oxygen generated by the electrolyzer then accumulates in the housing and is received as needed by the fuel cell. Besides the oxygen generated in the electrolyzer, the oxygen compo-nent of the air present in the housing is also located in the housing.
In the event that the oxygen can accumulate inside the housing, a separate hydrogen reservoir is always necessary, which communicates with the hydrogen-yielding or donor side of the electrolyzer and the hydrogen-receiving or receptor side of the fuel cell. The hydrogen reservoir is necessary so that no mixture of hydrogen and oxygen can form in the housing.
In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, the electrolyzer and the fuel cell are surrounded by a housing provided with an air inlet. The air inlet can be realized by providing the housing with openings. If the housing is to store water, these openings must not be dis-posed in the lower region of the housing, because otherwise the water would drain out. The oxygen required in the fuel cell can then be drawn through the openings from the ambient air.
In accordance with still an added feature of the invention, the fuel cell and the electrolyzer can be air-breathing low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMs).
These fuel cells are distinguished in that, not only can they draw the required oxygen from the air when operated in their inherent function, but when operated as electrolyzers they can moreover extract the required water solely from the moisture in air.
_g _ The advantage attained with the use of such fuel cells is that no water supply is necessary for operating the electrolyzer. There is then no liquid in the fuel cell system aside from the moisture from air, and thus it becomes possible to operate the system in any position three-dimen-sionally. Such a system can be used even in small portable devices, such as flashlights.
In accordance with still an additional feature of the inven-tion, a differential pressure regulator, which regulates lo pressure differences through valves, is disposed at the electrolyzer and/or the fuel cell between a hydrogen-yielding or hydrogen-receiving side on one hand, and an oxygen-yield-ing or oxygen-receiving side on the other hand. With this regulator, a pressure difference between the hydrogen and the air/oxygen side can be avoided through the valves.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the hydrogen reservoir, the electrolyzer and/or the fuel cell can be operated in the negative-pressure range and/or in the overpressure range. These components can also be operated in the negative pressure range and the overpressure range in alternation. If a metal hydride reservoir is to be operated in the negative pressure range, it must be equipped with a suitable alloy.
-In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the electrolyzer and the fuel cell can form a unit, which is to be operated in alternation as an electrolyzer or as a fuel cell. In that case, control of the supply of electric current is important. That is, a voltage can be allowed to be applied to the unit only when the unit is intended to operate as an electrolyzer. Moreover, when used as an electrolyzer, the unit must not contain too much water, so that when used as a fuel cell, it is not blocked by the water for oxygen and hydrogen. In the case of this embodiment, a device in which the required water is extracted from the moisture in the air is especially suitable.
Instead of the electrolyzer, a chemically operated hydrogen generator can also be used, in which by way of example organic compounds are decomposed (cracked) in such a way that hydrogen is produced. The required hydrogen can also be generated in any other conventional way. The requisite oxygen can then be obtained from the ambient air, for in-stance, or can also derive from a chemical process.
In particular, the fuel cell system of the invention attains the advantage of being lightweight and only occupying little space. It can be operated at low pressure near the ambient pressure.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a fuel cell system, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following descrip-tion of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.
Brief Description of the Drawinq:
The figure of the drawing is an embodiment of a fuel cell system according to the invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments:
Referring now in detail to the single figure of the drawing, there is seen a diagrammatic illustration of a housing 1, in which an electrolyzer 2 that is an inversely operated fuel cell, is disposed. This electrolyzer 2 is connected to an electrical voltage source 3 and gives up oxygen through openings 4 and hydrogen through a line 5. Water 6 which is -located in the electrolyzer 2 was originally fed-in a single time, and is subsequently reproduced during operation in a fuel cell 8 to be described below.
The line 5 for the hydrogen communicates with the fuel cell 8 through a hydrogen reservoir 7, which is a metal hydride reservoir. Hydrogen which has been generated in the electrolyzer 2 is stored in the hydrogen reservoir 7 until needed in the fuel cell 8. Since on one hand dry hydrogen is to be supplied to the hydrogen reservoir 7, and on the other hand the fuel cell 8 functions better when the hydrogen supplied to it is wet than when it is not wet, the line 5 includes a dryer 16 upstream of the hydrogen reservoir 7 and a moistener 17 downstream of the hydrogen reservoir 7. In order to ensure that the water recovered in the dryer 16 can be used in the moistener 17, the dryer 16 communicates with the moistener 17 through a connecting line 18.
The fuel cell 8 draws the required oxygen from the housing 1 which serves as an oxygen reservoir. The oxygen can also be temporarily stored in a non-illustrated reservoir.
The direct voltage generated by the fuel cell 8 can, if necessary, be supplied at a tap 9, for instance through a DC/AC converter 10, to a consumer 11.
-The water formed in the fuel cell 8 flows into the water supply of the electrolyzer 2. The water in the electrolyzer can be stored there in some water-storing medium 12, such as a sponge. In order to provide better feeding of water into this medium 12, wicks 15 of absorbent material, which extend in the direction of the water-yielding fuel cell 8, can be formed onto this medium.
The voltage source 3 for the electrolyzer 2 can be connected permanently or temporarily to a power supply grid 13 or also to a solar cell array 14. Moreover, if the consumer 11 requires less electrical energy than is generated in the fuel cell 8, the excess can be carried to the electrolyzer 2 through a non-illustrated electrical line.
A differential pressure regulator 19 is disposed at the fuel cell 8, between the hydrogen side and the oxygen side/air side. The differential pressure regulator 19 regulates pressure differences through valves 20 and 21. These valves 20 and 21 are disposed in outgoing lines, which respectively originate at the hydrogen side and the oxygen/air side or in the interior of the air-containing housing 1, and terminate outside the housing 1.
The fuel cell system accommodated in the housing 1 is very light in weight and can be used instead of accumulators and batteries. The advantage which is attained in particular is that an environmentally friendly electrical energy source is furnished. In contrast to conventional batteries and accumu-lators, no heavy metals to be disposed of are involved.
Moreover, the energy source according to the invention is operationally ready over a markedly longer time than known accumulators.
Furthermore, the fuel cell system can be operated with a closed process or, with respect to the oxygen, with a half-open process. In addition, it can be operated in the vicini-ty of the ambient pressure.
The electrolyzer 2 can also obtain the required water solely from the moisture in air. In this case and also whenever the water is stored in a water-storing medium 12, the fuel cell system can be operated in any three-dimensional position.
This makes it especially suitable for small equipment.
Summary of the Invention:
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a fuel cell system, which overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and which can be operated at relatively low temperature, that by way of example is markedly lower than 100C. More-over, the fuel cell should be supplied continuously with oxygen and hydrogen, without having to hold gases at high pressure, which would require expensive and heavy gas reser-voirs. In particular, a replenishable source for electrical energy is to be furnished, which only occupies little space and can be used instead of a battery for grid-independent supply to a consumer.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provid-ed, in accordance with the invention, a fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell being a low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell; and an electrolyzer being an inversely operated low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell having a hydrogen-yielding side being connected to the fuel cell.
This has the advantage that the fuel cell requires no supply lines for thermal energy. Moreover, the fuel cell can be supplied continuously with oxygen and hydrogen without gases having to be held at high pressure. By way of example, the ambient pressure need not be exceeded. Finally, the electrolyzer, as well as the fuel cell, are distinguished in that they contain solid electrolytes, which assure operation in a way that is largely independent of position.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the operating temperature of the PEM is lower than 100C. The fuel cell system can accordingly be used in a simple way. At an operating temperature that is in the vicinity of the ambient temperature, the system requires no insulators and can nevertheless be transported at any time without danger.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, water and/or water vapor (moisture in air) is present or stored in the electrolyzer. No permanent water supply line is then necessary. The stored water supply is adequate for furnish-ing hydrogen and oxygen, which are then available to the fuel cell, for a first operating phase. Subsequently, the water supply can be supplemented with water that is formed in the fuel cell.
.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, a water-storing medium is disposed in the electrolyzer. Thus a particular advantage is attained which is that the entire fuel cell system can be operated regardless of position, without water being able to run out of the electrolyzer.
This kind of water-storing medium may be a sponge or a sponge-like body.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the water-storing medium for introducing the water into the electrolyzer has wicks of absorbent material. These wicks can absorb water that is given off by the fuel cell and carry it into the electrolyzer regardless of the position of the fuel cell system. The outflow of the oxygen generated in the electrolyzer is not hindered thereby, because the wicks and the outlets for gases in the electrolyzer are located at different positions.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the electrolyzer is connected to a solar cell array, so as to be supplied with electrical energy. For generating hydrogen and oxygen, this has the advantage of permitting recourse to photovoltaically generated electrical energy, so that the system can then be used as a voltage source during periods of darkness, for example.
~ 2 1 65742 GR 95 P 3655 However, the electrolyzer can also be connected to the public power-supply grid (grid adaptor).
In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the hydrogen-yielding side of the electrolyzer borders the side of the fuel cell that receives hydrogen. As a result, the hydrogen generated in the electrolyzer can reach the hydrogen-consuming fuel cell directly. The transport of oxygen from the electrolyzer to the fuel cell must then be carried out through a line. In particular, the fuel cell is disposed above the electrolyzer.
In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the hydrogen-yielding side of the electrolyzer is connected to the fuel cell through a hydrogen reservoir that serves to store hydrogen temporarily. In the hydrogen reservoir, the hydrogen generated in the electrolyzer can be stored tempo-rarily until it is needed in the fuel cell. It is also possible, however, for the hydrogen-yielding side of the electrolyzer to communicate directly through a line with the fuel cell. In the event that a line, which may contain a hydrogen reservoir, is available for the transport of hydro-gen from the electrolyzer to the fuel cell, the electrolyzer in the fuel cell can be disposed in such a way that the oxygen-yielding or donor side of the electrolyzer borders the oxygen-receiving or receptor side of the fuel cell. As a result, oxygen is advantageously supplied directly to the fuel cell.
In accordance with yet an additional feature of the inven-tion, the hydrogen reservoir which may possibly be present a metal hydride reservoir. This kind of hydrogen reservoir is distinguished by the fact that depending on the alloy being used, which can be chosen suitably, it can be charged with hydrogen even in the vicinity of the ambient pressure. The stored quantity of gas can be so great that under normal conditions it would occupy a volume that can be considerably larger than the inherent volume of the reservoir, for in-stance 400 to 500 times the inherent volume. This would be equivalent to a pressure reservoir of an identical volume, but with an internal pressure of up to 4 x 107 to 5 x 10 Pa (400 to 500 bar). Depending on the alloy used for the metal hydride reservoir, the reservoir can operate at largely constant pressure within wide pressure ranges (both negative and overpressure). Due to the large holding capacity at a small volume, a fuel cell system equipped with a metal hydride reservoir can be accommodated in a small housing.
Moreover, the system is very light in weight. As a result, for the first time it is advantageously possible to use the fuel cell system as a substitute for conventional accumula-tors and batteries, such as in small electrical appliances and equipment, among other uses.
In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the metal hydride reservoir is connected to a cooling device or a heating device. It can be connected to a water supply which, for instance, is disposed in a water bath, for cooling or for heating. Cooling increases the storage capacity of the hydrogen reservoir.
In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, a dryer is disposed upstream of the hydrogen reservoir. This has the advantage of ensuring that only dry hydrogen reaches the reservoir, and can be stored in the reservoir in greater quantity within the same reservoir volume in the form of wet hydrogen.
In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, a moistener is disposed downstream of the hydrogen reservoir.
This improves the operation of the fuel cell downstream of it, since this cell functions better with wet hydrogen.
In accordance with again an additional feature of the inven-tion, the dryer is combined with the moistener. Thus advan-tageously the water given off by the dryer can be utilized to operate the moistener. However, the water given off by the dryer may also be drained off or fed to the electrolyzer.
The dryer and the moistener can also be combined into a unit.
In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the oxygen-yielding side of the electrolyzer can be connected to the fuel cell through an oxygen reservoir, which serves to store oxygen temporarily. This assures that as a result of the temporary storage of oxygen, adequate oxygen is always available to the fuel cell.
In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, in the event that a hydrogen reservoir and an oxygen reser-voir are present, they are constructed, for example, in such a way that the hydrogen reservoir can hold approximately twice as large a volume as the oxygen reservoir. To that end, the hydrogen reservoir can be twice as large as the oxygen reservoir. This assures that adequate hydrogen and oxygen will always be available in the fuel cell, since twice as much hydrogen as oxygen is needed.
In accordance with still an added feature of the invention, the electrolyzer and the fuel cell are surrounded by a gas-tight housing that serves as the oxygen reservoir. The oxygen generated by the electrolyzer then accumulates in the housing and is received as needed by the fuel cell. Besides the oxygen generated in the electrolyzer, the oxygen compo-nent of the air present in the housing is also located in the housing.
In the event that the oxygen can accumulate inside the housing, a separate hydrogen reservoir is always necessary, which communicates with the hydrogen-yielding or donor side of the electrolyzer and the hydrogen-receiving or receptor side of the fuel cell. The hydrogen reservoir is necessary so that no mixture of hydrogen and oxygen can form in the housing.
In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, the electrolyzer and the fuel cell are surrounded by a housing provided with an air inlet. The air inlet can be realized by providing the housing with openings. If the housing is to store water, these openings must not be dis-posed in the lower region of the housing, because otherwise the water would drain out. The oxygen required in the fuel cell can then be drawn through the openings from the ambient air.
In accordance with still an added feature of the invention, the fuel cell and the electrolyzer can be air-breathing low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMs).
These fuel cells are distinguished in that, not only can they draw the required oxygen from the air when operated in their inherent function, but when operated as electrolyzers they can moreover extract the required water solely from the moisture in air.
_g _ The advantage attained with the use of such fuel cells is that no water supply is necessary for operating the electrolyzer. There is then no liquid in the fuel cell system aside from the moisture from air, and thus it becomes possible to operate the system in any position three-dimen-sionally. Such a system can be used even in small portable devices, such as flashlights.
In accordance with still an additional feature of the inven-tion, a differential pressure regulator, which regulates lo pressure differences through valves, is disposed at the electrolyzer and/or the fuel cell between a hydrogen-yielding or hydrogen-receiving side on one hand, and an oxygen-yield-ing or oxygen-receiving side on the other hand. With this regulator, a pressure difference between the hydrogen and the air/oxygen side can be avoided through the valves.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the hydrogen reservoir, the electrolyzer and/or the fuel cell can be operated in the negative-pressure range and/or in the overpressure range. These components can also be operated in the negative pressure range and the overpressure range in alternation. If a metal hydride reservoir is to be operated in the negative pressure range, it must be equipped with a suitable alloy.
-In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the electrolyzer and the fuel cell can form a unit, which is to be operated in alternation as an electrolyzer or as a fuel cell. In that case, control of the supply of electric current is important. That is, a voltage can be allowed to be applied to the unit only when the unit is intended to operate as an electrolyzer. Moreover, when used as an electrolyzer, the unit must not contain too much water, so that when used as a fuel cell, it is not blocked by the water for oxygen and hydrogen. In the case of this embodiment, a device in which the required water is extracted from the moisture in the air is especially suitable.
Instead of the electrolyzer, a chemically operated hydrogen generator can also be used, in which by way of example organic compounds are decomposed (cracked) in such a way that hydrogen is produced. The required hydrogen can also be generated in any other conventional way. The requisite oxygen can then be obtained from the ambient air, for in-stance, or can also derive from a chemical process.
In particular, the fuel cell system of the invention attains the advantage of being lightweight and only occupying little space. It can be operated at low pressure near the ambient pressure.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a fuel cell system, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following descrip-tion of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.
Brief Description of the Drawinq:
The figure of the drawing is an embodiment of a fuel cell system according to the invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments:
Referring now in detail to the single figure of the drawing, there is seen a diagrammatic illustration of a housing 1, in which an electrolyzer 2 that is an inversely operated fuel cell, is disposed. This electrolyzer 2 is connected to an electrical voltage source 3 and gives up oxygen through openings 4 and hydrogen through a line 5. Water 6 which is -located in the electrolyzer 2 was originally fed-in a single time, and is subsequently reproduced during operation in a fuel cell 8 to be described below.
The line 5 for the hydrogen communicates with the fuel cell 8 through a hydrogen reservoir 7, which is a metal hydride reservoir. Hydrogen which has been generated in the electrolyzer 2 is stored in the hydrogen reservoir 7 until needed in the fuel cell 8. Since on one hand dry hydrogen is to be supplied to the hydrogen reservoir 7, and on the other hand the fuel cell 8 functions better when the hydrogen supplied to it is wet than when it is not wet, the line 5 includes a dryer 16 upstream of the hydrogen reservoir 7 and a moistener 17 downstream of the hydrogen reservoir 7. In order to ensure that the water recovered in the dryer 16 can be used in the moistener 17, the dryer 16 communicates with the moistener 17 through a connecting line 18.
The fuel cell 8 draws the required oxygen from the housing 1 which serves as an oxygen reservoir. The oxygen can also be temporarily stored in a non-illustrated reservoir.
The direct voltage generated by the fuel cell 8 can, if necessary, be supplied at a tap 9, for instance through a DC/AC converter 10, to a consumer 11.
-The water formed in the fuel cell 8 flows into the water supply of the electrolyzer 2. The water in the electrolyzer can be stored there in some water-storing medium 12, such as a sponge. In order to provide better feeding of water into this medium 12, wicks 15 of absorbent material, which extend in the direction of the water-yielding fuel cell 8, can be formed onto this medium.
The voltage source 3 for the electrolyzer 2 can be connected permanently or temporarily to a power supply grid 13 or also to a solar cell array 14. Moreover, if the consumer 11 requires less electrical energy than is generated in the fuel cell 8, the excess can be carried to the electrolyzer 2 through a non-illustrated electrical line.
A differential pressure regulator 19 is disposed at the fuel cell 8, between the hydrogen side and the oxygen side/air side. The differential pressure regulator 19 regulates pressure differences through valves 20 and 21. These valves 20 and 21 are disposed in outgoing lines, which respectively originate at the hydrogen side and the oxygen/air side or in the interior of the air-containing housing 1, and terminate outside the housing 1.
The fuel cell system accommodated in the housing 1 is very light in weight and can be used instead of accumulators and batteries. The advantage which is attained in particular is that an environmentally friendly electrical energy source is furnished. In contrast to conventional batteries and accumu-lators, no heavy metals to be disposed of are involved.
Moreover, the energy source according to the invention is operationally ready over a markedly longer time than known accumulators.
Furthermore, the fuel cell system can be operated with a closed process or, with respect to the oxygen, with a half-open process. In addition, it can be operated in the vicini-ty of the ambient pressure.
The electrolyzer 2 can also obtain the required water solely from the moisture in air. In this case and also whenever the water is stored in a water-storing medium 12, the fuel cell system can be operated in any three-dimensional position.
This makes it especially suitable for small equipment.
Claims (22)
1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
a fuel cell being a low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell; and an electrolyzer being an inversely operated low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell having a hydrogen-yielding side being connected to said fuel cell.
a fuel cell being a low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell; and an electrolyzer being an inversely operated low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell having a hydrogen-yielding side being connected to said fuel cell.
2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell of said fuel cell has an operating temperature lower than 100°C.
3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said electrolyzer contains at least one of water and water vapor.
4. The fuel cell system according to claim 3, including a water-storing medium disposed in said electrolyzer.
5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4, wherein said water-storing medium has wicks of absorbent material for introducing water into said electrolyzer.
6. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, including a solar cell array connected to said electrolyzer for supplying electrical energy.
7. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said fuel cell has a side for receiving hydrogen, and said hydro-gen-yielding side of said electrolyzer borders said side of said fuel cell receiving hydrogen.
8. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, including a hydrogen reservoir for temporarily storing hydrogen, said hydrogen reservoir connecting said hydrogen-yielding side of said electrolyzer to said fuel cell.
9. The fuel cell system according to claim 8, wherein said hydrogen reservoir is a metal hydride reservoir.
10. The fuel cell system according to claim 9, wherein said metal hydride reservoir communicates with a water supply for cooling and for heating.
11. The fuel cell system according to claim 8, including a dryer disposed upstream of said hydrogen reservoir.
12. The fuel cell system according to claim 8, including a moistener disposed downstream of said hydrogen reservoir.
13. The fuel cell system according to claim 12, including a dryer being disposed upstream of said hydrogen reservoir and being combined with said moistener.
14. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said electrolyzer has an oxygen-yielding side, and including an oxygen reservoir for temporarily storing oxygen, said oxygen reservoir connecting said oxygen-yielding side of said electrolyzer to said fuel cell.
15. The fuel cell system according to claim 8, wherein said electrolyzer has an oxygen-yielding side, and including an oxygen reservoir for temporarily storing oxygen, said oxygen reservoir connecting said oxygen-yielding side of said electrolyzer to said fuel cell, and said hydrogen reservoir having a capacity for holding approximately twice as large a volume as said oxygen reservoir.
16. The fuel cell system according to claim 14, including a gas-tight housing surrounding said electrolyzer and said fuel cell and serving as said oxygen reservoir.
17. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, including a housing surrounding said electrolyzer and said fuel cell and having an air inlet.
18. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said fuel cell and said electrolyzer is an air-breathing low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.
19. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said electrolyzer and said fuel cell have a hydrogen side and an air/oxygen side, and including valves and a differential pressure regulator disposed between said hydrogen side and said air/oxygen side of at least one of said electrolyzer and said fuel cell for acting upon said valves to regulate pressure differences.
20. The fuel cell system according to claim 8, wherein at least one of said hydrogen reservoir, said electrolyzer and said fuel cell are operable in at least one of a negative-pressure range and an overpressure range.
21. The fuel cell system according to claim 8, wherein at least one of said hydrogen reservoir, said electrolyzer and said fuel cell are operable in alternation in a negative-pressure range and an overpressure range.
22. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein said electrolyzer and said fuel cell form a unit to be operated in alternation as an electrolyzer and as a fuel cell.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP4446044.9 | 1994-12-22 | ||
| DE4446044A DE4446044A1 (en) | 1994-12-22 | 1994-12-22 | Fuel cell system for autonomous energy source |
| DE19533097A DE19533097A1 (en) | 1995-09-07 | 1995-09-07 | Fuel cell system for autonomous energy source |
| DE19533097.8 | 1995-09-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2165742A1 true CA2165742A1 (en) | 1996-06-23 |
Family
ID=25943188
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002165742A Abandoned CA2165742A1 (en) | 1994-12-22 | 1995-12-20 | Fuel cell system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0718904A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2165742A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103814475A (en) * | 2011-08-23 | 2014-05-21 | 海德鲁基尼斯技术有限公司 | Arrangement and method for supplying energy to buildings |
| CN108028404A (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2018-05-11 | 罗伯特·博世有限公司 | Source of electrical energy |
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| DE19646354C1 (en) * | 1996-11-09 | 1998-06-18 | Forschungszentrum Juelich Gmbh | Fuel cell with oxygen supply in the fuel |
| DE19652341C2 (en) * | 1996-12-17 | 2000-01-20 | Forschungszentrum Juelich Gmbh | Process for the preparation of fuel for fuel cells and suitable fuel cell for carrying out the process |
| DE19731096C1 (en) * | 1997-07-19 | 1998-09-03 | Dresden Ev Inst Festkoerper | Regenerative electrochemical fuel cell |
| FR2791659B1 (en) * | 1999-04-02 | 2002-06-07 | Air Liquide | PROCESS AND PLANT FOR GENERATING HIGH PURITY OXYGEN |
| AU1819901A (en) * | 1999-10-12 | 2001-04-23 | General Hydrogen Corporation | Hydrogen/electric energy distribution system |
| US7602073B2 (en) | 2002-11-15 | 2009-10-13 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Power system with fuel cell and localized air-conditioning for computing equipment |
| US6960838B2 (en) | 2002-11-15 | 2005-11-01 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Power system for a telecommunication facility |
| US6930402B1 (en) * | 2003-05-15 | 2005-08-16 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Power system for a telecommunication facility |
| US7240492B2 (en) | 2004-07-22 | 2007-07-10 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Fuel system used for cooling purposes |
| US7081687B2 (en) | 2004-07-22 | 2006-07-25 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Power system for a telecommunications facility |
| DE102006002470A1 (en) * | 2005-09-08 | 2007-03-15 | Airbus Deutschland Gmbh | Fuel cell system for supplying drinking water and oxygen has fuel cell and electrolysis cell configured so that power demand of electrolysis cell is covered by power output of fuel cell |
| US7370666B2 (en) | 2005-09-14 | 2008-05-13 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Power system with computer-controlled fuel system |
| US20070116996A1 (en) * | 2005-11-22 | 2007-05-24 | Teledyne Technologies Incorporated | Regenerative fuel cell/electrolyzer stack |
| US7557531B2 (en) | 2005-12-19 | 2009-07-07 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Power system utilizing flow batteries |
| US7728458B2 (en) | 2006-01-05 | 2010-06-01 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Telecommunications megasite with backup power system |
| DE102007027005B4 (en) * | 2007-06-06 | 2011-07-28 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V., 51147 | Electrochemical device and method for operating an electrochemical device |
| DE102007052148A1 (en) | 2007-10-31 | 2009-05-07 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method for avoiding gaseous impurity inclusions in at least one gas space of a fuel cell during a standstill time and fuel cell with means for carrying out the method |
| JP2011153037A (en) * | 2010-01-26 | 2011-08-11 | Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd | Water treatment apparatus |
| DE102011121704A1 (en) | 2011-12-10 | 2013-06-13 | Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg | Arrangement and method for energy storage in buildings |
| DE102011111565A1 (en) | 2011-08-23 | 2013-02-28 | Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg | Arrangement, useful for supplying energy to buildings such as solitary buildings, comprises an energy-generating installation e.g. photovoltaic installation, electrolyzer, first chemical reactor for hydrating substrate, and storage tank |
| DE102012005023A1 (en) | 2012-03-11 | 2013-09-12 | Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg | System for autonomous provision of electricity over hydrogen during disaster, transfers hydrogen from second chemical reactor to plant or machine for conversion of hydrogen into electrical energy that is delivered to point of use |
| DE102014200385A1 (en) * | 2014-01-13 | 2015-07-16 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method for buffering electrical energy of a power supply system and regenerative energy storage device |
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| US3503151A (en) * | 1965-11-26 | 1970-03-31 | Gen Electric | Sealed fuel cell power pack in combination with a toy vehicle |
| US3981745A (en) * | 1974-09-11 | 1976-09-21 | United Technologies Corporation | Regenerative fuel cell |
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| DE3840517A1 (en) | 1988-12-01 | 1990-06-07 | Hoefer Erika | Process and apparatus for the production of energy from biomass |
| IT1230984B (en) * | 1989-07-05 | 1991-11-08 | Giuseppe Bianchi | HIGH DENSITY ELECTRIC ACCUMULATOR FOR POINT LOADS. |
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| DE4027655C1 (en) * | 1990-08-31 | 1991-10-31 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V., 8000 Muenchen, De | |
| US5156927A (en) * | 1990-11-29 | 1992-10-20 | Yoshiro Nakamats | Film electric generation system |
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- 1995-12-11 EP EP95119516A patent/EP0718904A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-12-20 CA CA002165742A patent/CA2165742A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103814475A (en) * | 2011-08-23 | 2014-05-21 | 海德鲁基尼斯技术有限公司 | Arrangement and method for supplying energy to buildings |
| US20140302412A1 (en) * | 2011-08-23 | 2014-10-09 | Hydrogenious Technologies Gmbh | Arrangement and Method for Supplying Energy to Buildings |
| CN103814475B (en) * | 2011-08-23 | 2016-11-02 | 海德鲁基尼斯技术有限公司 | For the apparatus and method for building supply energy |
| US9685671B2 (en) * | 2011-08-23 | 2017-06-20 | Hydrogenious Technologies Gmbh | Arrangement and method for supplying energy to buildings |
| CN108028404A (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2018-05-11 | 罗伯特·博世有限公司 | Source of electrical energy |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0718904A1 (en) | 1996-06-26 |
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