GB1133795A - Method and apparatus for controlling operations of fuel cells - Google Patents

Abstract

1,133,795. Fuel cells. ESSO RESEARCH & ENGINEERING CO. 19 Sept., 1966, No. 41752/66. Heading H1B. In a fuel cell which utilizes an aqueous electrolyte and consumes hydrogen containing fuel and so produces water, the cell is operated at an elevated temperature so that water is removed as vapour directly from the electrolyte faster than it is produced therein, the water vapour being condensed and returned to the electrolyte at a controlled rate so that the water content of the electrolyte remains constant. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 water vapour produced in a fuel cell 11 having aqueous electrolyte 17 passes through conduits 41 and 35 to a heat exchanger 37. Condensed water passes through a line 51 to a reservoir 53 having an overflow spout 55 and connected by a pipe 57 to the cell, so that the level of the electrolyte 17 in the cell (and hence its water content) is maintained constant. In another embodiment a liquid level controller 81 (see Fig. 2) in communication with electrolyte in a fuel cell 61, opens and closes a valve 79 in a line 77 connecting cell 61 to a reservoir 73 in which is collected water condensed by a heat exchanger 71, so that the water content in the cell is maintained constant.