GB1279903A - Processes for recovering leaked electrolyte in a fuel cell and apparatus for performing such processes - Google Patents

Abstract

1279903 Fuel cells INSTITUT FRANCAIS DU PETROLE DES CARBURANTS ET LUBRIFIANTS 12 Oct 1970 [17 Oct 1969] 48348/70 Heading H1B A fuel cell 1 having separate compartments to which air and hydrogen are respectively fed through ducts 2, 4 and being supplied with potassium hydroxide electrolyte through a duct 11, is provided with means for recovering any electrolyte which has leaked into the air and hydrogen compartments. The leaked electrolyte flows by gravity from the bottom of the cell compartments into a tank 10 whence it is recirculated through the cell by a pump P. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, leaked electrolyte from the hydrogen compartment flows through a pipe 5 into a chamber 13 having an outlet normally closed by a float-valve 21. Similarly, leaked electrolyte from the air compartment flows through a container 14 and pipe 16 to a chamber 17 having an outlet 20 normally closed by a float-valve 22. The electrolyte causes the valves 21, 22 to rise to permit it to flow into the tank 10 through pipe 23. The valves 21, 22 prevent any admixture of the gases contained in chambers 13, 17 and the hydrogen is withdrawn from the chamber 13 and recirculated through the cell. Similarly, the air may be recirculated. The bulk of the electrolyte circulates to the tank 10 through a pipe 8 including a cooling unit 9. In another embodiment, Fig. 2, the chambers 13, 17 are replaced by a tank 24 having compartments 27, 28, 29 formed by partitions 25, 26, the leaked electrolyte entering the tank 10 through a pipe 33 having an inlet orifice 32. The hydrogen in compartment 27 is returned to the cell through duct 4 and cannot mix with the air in compartment 28.