GB2368967A - System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells - Google Patents

System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2368967A
GB2368967A GB0027728A GB0027728A GB2368967A GB 2368967 A GB2368967 A GB 2368967A GB 0027728 A GB0027728 A GB 0027728A GB 0027728 A GB0027728 A GB 0027728A GB 2368967 A GB2368967 A GB 2368967A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
layer
polymer electrolyte
electrolyte membrane
membrane fuel
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0027728A
Other versions
GB0027728D0 (en
Inventor
Kevin John Green
Michael John Freeman
William Ranulf Slee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Qinetiq Ltd
UK Secretary of State for Defence
Original Assignee
Qinetiq Ltd
UK Secretary of State for Defence
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Qinetiq Ltd, UK Secretary of State for Defence filed Critical Qinetiq Ltd
Priority to GB0027728A priority Critical patent/GB2368967A/en
Publication of GB0027728D0 publication Critical patent/GB0027728D0/en
Priority to US10/416,449 priority patent/US6808835B2/en
Priority to GB0309973A priority patent/GB2384616B/en
Priority to EP01980655A priority patent/EP1338054A2/en
Priority to PCT/GB2001/004804 priority patent/WO2002041431A2/en
Priority to AU2002212448A priority patent/AU2002212448A1/en
Priority to CA002428657A priority patent/CA2428657C/en
Priority to JP2002543730A priority patent/JP2004520684A/en
Publication of GB2368967A publication Critical patent/GB2368967A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04291Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1007Fuel cells with solid electrolytes with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2300/00Electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0017Non-aqueous electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0065Solid electrolytes
    • H01M2300/0082Organic polymers
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50Fuel cells

Abstract

A system for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, the system comprising a first layer and a second layer; wherein the first layer comprises a porous material (2) substantially coincident with a first surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (1); wherein the second layer comprises a non-absorbent material (3) substantially coincident with the first layer; and wherein perforations (4) in the second layer allow air to flow through the first and second layers to a cathode of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

Description

SYSTEM FOR THE HUMIDIFICATION OF POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS This invention relates to a system for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC).
A PEMFC has an air or oxygen facing surface and a fuel facing surface. The electrolyte used comprises a thin (20-200um) proton conducting polymer membrane, often based on perfluorocarbonsulphonic acid. A catalyst layer is applied to either side of the membrane, followed on the air or oxygen facing side by a cathode and on the fuel facing side by an anode. In use, a fuel, most commonly hydrogen gas, is supplied to the anode and oxygen, either pure or more usually from the surrounding
air, is supplied to the cathode. The cell reaction can be represented as follows :
at the anode : H2, 2H'+ 2e-, at the cathode : Oz + 2H+ + 2e----* H2O.
The by-product of the cell reaction is water. The efficiency of a PEMFC is strongly dependent on the conductivity of the polymer membrane which is in turn dependent on the amount of water retained within the membrane.
Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have a polarisation curve which gives rise to maximum power at approximately 0.5V per cell. It is advantageous to run a fuel cell system at maximum power, however resistive losses cause the temperature of the fuel cell to increase. This increase in temperature drives water from the polymer electrolyte membrane causing it to dry out. As the membrane dries out its resistance increases. This leads to a further increase in temperature which in turn drives more water from the membrane. Efficient water management is therefore essential to enable a fuel cell to be operated continuously at maximum power.
The problem of dehydration of polymer electrolyte membranes has been addressed in several ways. EP 0980106 describes a system whereby water is supplied as a liquid to the cathode and thence to the electrolyte membrane. This provides the necessary humidification, but requires a separate water supply and pumping system. This adds complexity, weight and bulk to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power plant.
An alternative method is to pass the fuel gas, usually hydrogen, through water before supplying it to the fuel cell. Again, this requires external equipment and a supply of water.
A still further method is described in US 5, 503, 944. This uses a closed water circulation loop which provides the necessary water to the electrolyte and additionally functions as a cooling system. This also requires additional equipment and, in common with the other approaches described above, circumvents the problem of dehydration of the electrolyte membrane by providing an additional water supply.
In accordance with the present invention, a system for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells comprises a first layer and a second layer ; wherein the first layer comprises a porous material substantially coincident with a first surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell ; wherein the second layer comprises a non-absorbent material substantially coincident with the first layer ; and wherein perforations in the second layer allow air to flow through the first and second layers to a cathode of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
The present invention retains water near to the first surface of the PEMFC and therefore the membrane of the PEMFC, whilst still allowing sufficient air to reach the cathode. This maintains the humidity of the membrane, and hence its conductivity. Maximum power can thus be drawn from the fuel cell for extended periods. Unlike the prior art approaches described above, the present invention addresses the problem of dehydration of the polymer electrolyte membrane by efficiently managing the water produced during operation of the fuel cell, not by providing an additional water supply. Water storage and associated pumping and supply means are therefore not required, leading to savings in size and weight and improved robustness.
Preferably, the first surface of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises an air or oxygen facing surface. This may be a cathode or a cathode current collector.
It may be that the cathode or cathode current collector is provided with a protective surface layer or coating. This may be for example, a layer of plastic which is used to prevent damage to the cathode. Clearly, in this case the first layer is substantially co-incident with this protective coating.
The perforations in the second layer are most conveniently circular as this shape is simple to produce, for example by drilling. Clearly, any other shaped perforations, such as slots or squares may equally be used. Furthermore, the perforations in any individual second layer need not all be of a similar size.
The preferred size and number of perforations in the second layer is such that a balance is reached between an adequate supply of air (oxygen) to the cathode and efficient retention of water in the vicinity of the polymer electrolyte membrane.
Preferably, the non-absorbent material comprises a rigid material.
Preferably, the non-absorbent material comprises stainless steel, nickel, titanium or other metal.
Alternatively, the non-absorbent material may comprise a non-metallic material such as PTFE or related polymer, a plastic material, or a composite material such as KevlarTM.
Preferably, the non-absorbent material comprises a sheet with a surface having raised features. These features may comprise corrugations or constitute a series of peaks and troughs such as those found on an'egg box'. This creates voids between the first and second layer.
Preferably, the perforations in the second layer are not in direct contact with the first layer.
Preferably, the porous material is a cloth, with cotton, other natural fibres or absorbent synthetic fibres being particularly suitable.
The porosity of the porous material affects the performance of the fuel cell. A highly porous material helps air to permeate to the cathode of the fuel cell, but also increases the rate of dehumidification. Conversely, a low porosity material is advantageous with respect to preventing the membrane from drying out, but has a tendency to starve the cathode of air (oxygen).
Advantageously, the porous material is treated so that it is water repellent.
This assists in retaining water in the vicinity of the polymer membrane. Several methods can be used to make the porous material water repellent, such as plasma coating or spraying with a perfluorinated polymer, which may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), other polyfluoroalkyls or polyfluorosilanes, or other polymers such as polyvinyidenefluoride (PVDF), halo amino and other substituted triazine polymers. Particularly suitable are the superhydrophobic fluoroethane coatings manufactured by the Cytonix Corporation, Fluorothane and FluoroSy) , also Tulianox manufactured by Tulco Inc, and plasma coatings ParaLast and Parylene TM.
Preferably, the system further comprises a porous material substantially coincident with a second surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.
Preferably, the second surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprises a fuel facing surface. This may be a fuel flow plate, a former, an anode or an anode current collector. Moisture which is retained in the porous material is carried back to the fuel cell in the fuel stream. This provides additional humidification to the membrane of the fuel cell, further improving performance.
The invention will now be particularly described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a planar fuel cell fitted with a humidification system according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a further exploded view of a planar fuel cell fitted with an alternative humidification system according to the present invention; Figure 3 plots current at maximum voltage for the fuel cells of Figs. 1 and 2, with and without a humidification system according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a cross section of a further example of a system for the humidification of a tubular polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell according to the present invention; Figure 5 shows an example of a perforated and corrugated stainless steel sheet suitable for use as a second layer of a humidification system for a tubular fuel cell according to the present invention; Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a fuel cell humidification system incorporating the sheet of Fig. 5 in place around a tubular fuel cell system; Figure 7 shows a humidification system incorporating a perforated layer which extends over three fuel cell elements ; Figure 8 shows exploded view of a humidification system with overlapping first and second layers ; Figure 9 plots current at maximum voltage against time for the fuel cell system of Fig. 6 with and without a fuel cell humidification system according to the present invention; Figure 10 shows an example of an alternative perforated layer having raised features suitable for use in the present invention; Figure 11 shows an exploded view of an alternative humidification system for a planar fuel cell ; Figures 12 and 13 show examples of the tubular fuel cell of Fig. 4 incorporating a second porous layer coincident with the fuel facing surface of the fuel cell ; and, Figure 14 plots current at maximum voltage against time for the fuel cell system of Fig 12.
An air facing surface of a planar fuel cell 1 is covered by a porous cloth 2, the material from which it is made having been sprayed with PTFE in order to make the material water repellent. This cloth is then covered by a flat, perforated stainless steel sheet 3 as shown in Fig. 1, or by a corrugated, perforated sheet 5, as shown in Fig. 2.
In this example, the sheets 3, 5 have a thickness of 0. 12 mm and there are three rows of perforations 4. The arrangement of the perforations into rows as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is merely illustrative. Many alternative arrangements can be devised.
For the corrugated sheet 5, the perforations are sited on the ridges of the corrugations so that they are as far as possible from the cloth layer. In this example, the diameter and density of the perforations are such that ca. 1.5% of the surface of the second layer is perforated. The degree of perforation is dependent on the type of fuel cell and the application, however typically, between 1 and 10% of the surface of the second layer is perforated, although a higher or lower degree of perforation may be used.
The results of extended tests are shown in Fig. 3. Curves 6,7, 8, and 9 show, respectively the current at a voltage of 0.5V for an uncovered planar cell 1, a planar cell covered only with a cloth 2, a covered planar cell as shown in Fig. 1 (cloth and flat plate) and a covered planar cell as shown in Fig. 2 (cloth and corrugated plate).
The uncovered cell produced an average current of around 0.8A, this can be compared to an average of 1.25A for a cell fitted with the humidification system as shown in Fig. 2 and a current of more than 2.5 A for the system shown in Fig. 1. The improvements in performance are clear and, in the case of the system of Fig. 1, represents a three-fold increase in power compared to an uncovered cell.
An example of a humidification system for a tubular fuel cell is shown in Figs.
4 to 6. An air facing surface of a tubular fuel cell 10 is wrapped by a cloth 11 the material of which has been sprayed with polyvinyldenefluorinde (PVDF) to make the material water repellent. This cloth 11 is then wrapped and held in place by a perforated and corrugated stainless steel sheet 12. The sheet 12 which, in this example has a thickness of 0.12 mm, is shown in more detail in Fig. 5. There are forty-eight, 0.75 mm 2 perforations 4, evenly spaced and sited on the peaks of sixteen corrugations 13. This means that, in this example, the perforations comprise ca. 4.5% of the surface area of the second layer. As described above, with reference to the planar fuel cell, the degree of perforation of the surface of the second layer is dependent on the type of fuel cell and the application, and it may be higher or lower than this value as required. As shown in Fig. 4 this arrangement creates channels 14 between the first and second layers which allow air to flow. In this example, the perforations are substantially evenly spaced over the surface of the corrugated layer, however it will be clear that this is merely one of many arrangements which can be envisaged and is shown only to illustrate the present invention.
A three cell, tubular fuel cell system 15 is shown in Fig. 6. Each cell 10 is constructed around a perforated former 16 and incorporates an anode and a catalyst coated polymer electrolyte membrane (neither shown) as well as a perforated cathode current collector 17. The details of this tubular fuel cell system are the subject of the present applicant's co-pending patent application WO 99/60642. The absorbent cloth 11 is wrapped around the cathode current collector 17 followed by the perforated and corrugated sheet 12. In figure 6, each corrugated sheet 12 is shown sized to fit around the cathode current collector 17. This makes efficient use of materials by making sure that only the working parts of the fuel cell are covered, however it may be simpler, as shown in Fig. 7, to provide a single corrugated sheet which extends to cover all three of the cells in the system 15. Similarly, a single absorbent cloth 11 covering all of the cells in the system may be used. Furthermore, there may be some overlap whereby one layer is larger or smaller than another. This is shown in Fig. 8 where the perforated sheet 12 is larger than the absorbent cloth 11, which itself is larger than the cathode current collector 17.
In use, there is a temperature difference between the inner surface of the cloth adjacent to the cathode 17 and the outer surface of the cloth 11 adjacent to the corrugated, stainless steel sheet 12. This allows water to condense on the inner surface of the stainless steel sheet and be retained within the cloth. Air passing through the perforations 4 in the steel sheet and the cloth to the cathode is humidified by this retained water. The retained water can also pass through the perforations in the cathode current collector 17 to maintain the humidity of the polymer electrolyte membrane.
Figure 9 shows the results of a long duration test for the fuel cell of Fig. 6. The average current output at maximum voltage (0. 5V) was ca. 3.5A using the humidification system (curve 18 in Fig. 9) but only ca. 2.5A without (curve 19 in Fig.
9). This represents an improvement in power of some 40%.
An alternative perforated sheet is shown in Fig. 10. This sheet 20 has raised features 21 which form an'egg box'type surface. Perforations 4 are sited on the raised features such that they are as far from the cloth layer 2 as possible. This creates voids 22 through which air can circulate. This and the corrugated sheet described above are merely two examples of suitable surfaces and it will be readily apparent that many others may be conceived of without departing form the scope of the present invention.
Additional performance improvements can be gained by providing a porous layer coincident with a fuel facing surface of the fuel cell. An example suitable for a
planar fuel cell is shown in Fig. 11. A hydrogen flow plate 23 is used to direct fuel to the anode of a fuel cell (not shown). A porous layer 24 is arranged to be substantially coincident with the flow plate 23. In order to prevent leakage of hydrogen, the porous layer is contained within a holder 25 and backed with a backing plate 26. In this example the porous layer 24 is shown as'H'shaped, but this has no special significance. Water which is expelled from the fuel cell during use is retained on the porous layer and re-introduced to the fuel cell in the hydrogen fuel stream.
A similar arrangement can be used for a tubular fuel cell, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The fuel cell 10 is formed around a perforated former 16 which directs hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell in much the same fashion as the hydrogen flow plate shown in Fig. 11. A porous layer 27, which is substantially coincident with the former is used to retain the moisture which is expelled from the fuel cell during use.
As before, this moisture is reintroduced to the fuel cell in the hydrogen gas stream, which in the case of a tubular fuel cell is provided via the central void of the fuel cell.
The porous layer may be relatively thin as shown in Fig. 12, or it may fill the central void, as shown in Fig. 13, or it may be of any intermediate thickness.
The improvement in performance is shown in Fig. 14. Curve 28 represents a fuel cell with a humidification system coincident with the air facing surface as shown in Fig. 4. Curve 29 represents one as shown in Fig. 12, with an additional porous layer coincident with the fuel facing surface of the fuel cell. The improvement is not as marked as that seen between a bare fuel cell and one covered with a porous layer and a corrugated layer i. e. that which is shown for the fuel cells represented by curves 19 and 18 of Fig. 9, nonetheless it is a significant (ca. 4%) additional improvement.
Although described with reference to planar and tubular fuel cells, it will be clear that the concept of the present invention can be applied other differently shaped fuel cell systems.
Furthermore, although the foregoing description and examples are concerned with the application of a humidification system to fuel cells which use hydrogen as a fuel, this is not intended to be limiting. The system of the present invention may also find application for other types of fuel cells, for example those which use methanol or other hydrocarbons as a fuel.

Claims (14)

1. A system for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, the system comprising a first layer and a second layer ; wherein the first layer comprises a porous material substantially coincident with a first surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell ; wherein the second layer comprises a non-absorbent material substantially coincident with the first layer ; and wherein perforations in the second layer allow air to flow through the first and second layers to a cathode of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprises an air or oxygen facing surface.
3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprises a cathode or a cathode current collector.
4. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the non-absorbent material comprises a rigid material.
5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the non-absorbent material comprises a sheet of stainless steel, nickel, titanium or other metal.
6. A system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-absorbent material comprises a non-metallic material such as PTFE or related polymer, a plastic material, or a composite material such as Kevlar.
7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the non-absorbent material comprises a sheet with a surface having raised features.
8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the perforations in the second layer are not in direct contact with the first layer.
9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the porous material comprises a cloth material such as cotton, other natural fibre or an absorbent synthetic fibre.
10. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the porous material is treated so that it is water repellent.
11. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a porous material substantially coincident with a second surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.
12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the second surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprises a fuel facing surface.
13. A system according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the second surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprises a fuel flow plate, a former, an anode or an anode current collector.
14. A system for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0027728A 2000-11-14 2000-11-14 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells Withdrawn GB2368967A (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0027728A GB2368967A (en) 2000-11-14 2000-11-14 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
US10/416,449 US6808835B2 (en) 2000-11-14 2001-10-30 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
GB0309973A GB2384616B (en) 2000-11-14 2001-10-30 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
EP01980655A EP1338054A2 (en) 2000-11-14 2001-10-30 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
PCT/GB2001/004804 WO2002041431A2 (en) 2000-11-14 2001-10-30 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
AU2002212448A AU2002212448A1 (en) 2000-11-14 2001-10-30 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
CA002428657A CA2428657C (en) 2000-11-14 2001-10-30 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
JP2002543730A JP2004520684A (en) 2000-11-14 2001-10-30 Device for humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0027728A GB2368967A (en) 2000-11-14 2000-11-14 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0027728D0 GB0027728D0 (en) 2000-12-27
GB2368967A true GB2368967A (en) 2002-05-15

Family

ID=9903113

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0027728A Withdrawn GB2368967A (en) 2000-11-14 2000-11-14 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
GB0309973A Expired - Fee Related GB2384616B (en) 2000-11-14 2001-10-30 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0309973A Expired - Fee Related GB2384616B (en) 2000-11-14 2001-10-30 System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6808835B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1338054A2 (en)
JP (1) JP2004520684A (en)
AU (1) AU2002212448A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2428657C (en)
GB (2) GB2368967A (en)
WO (1) WO2002041431A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20020042697A (en) * 2000-07-31 2002-06-05 이데이 노부유끼 Electric energy generating element
GB0206930D0 (en) 2002-03-23 2002-05-08 Univ Durham Method and apparatus for the formation of hydrophobic surfaces
US20050142404A1 (en) * 2003-12-05 2005-06-30 Boucher Craig J. Gas generation arrangement and method for generating gas and a power source utilizing generated gas
JP4945887B2 (en) 2004-06-11 2012-06-06 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Cell module and solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell
JP4503394B2 (en) * 2004-08-13 2010-07-14 富士通株式会社 FUEL CELL SYSTEM, ELECTRIC DEVICE, AND METHOD OF RECOVERING GENERATED WATER IN FUEL CELL SYSTEM
JP4982951B2 (en) * 2005-02-04 2012-07-25 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Fuel cell
US20060199061A1 (en) * 2005-03-02 2006-09-07 Fiebig Bradley N Water management in bipolar electrochemical cell stacks
US20080035252A1 (en) * 2006-02-27 2008-02-14 Mallery Carl F Solid hydrogen fuel elements and methods of making the same
US8003265B2 (en) * 2006-05-11 2011-08-23 Ford Motor Company Gas conditioning device and method
TWM317080U (en) * 2007-01-16 2007-08-11 Celxpert Energy Corp Improved fuel cell structure
US8286561B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2012-10-16 Ssw Holding Company, Inc. Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
US11786036B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2023-10-17 Ssw Advanced Technologies, Llc Spill containing refrigerator shelf assembly
ES2654377T3 (en) 2008-10-07 2018-02-13 Ross Technology Corporation Spill resistant surfaces with hydrophobic and oleophobic boundaries
ES2607121T3 (en) * 2009-02-16 2017-03-29 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fuel cell arrangement and procedure for operating a fuel cell arrangement
US9074778B2 (en) 2009-11-04 2015-07-07 Ssw Holding Company, Inc. Cooking appliance surfaces having spill containment pattern
WO2011116005A1 (en) 2010-03-15 2011-09-22 Ross Technology Corporation Plunger and methods of producing hydrophobic surfaces
PE20140834A1 (en) 2011-02-21 2014-07-10 Ross Technology Corp SUPERHYDROPHIC AND OLEOPHOBIC COATING WITH BINDERS SYSTEM WITH LOW VOC CONTENT
DE102011085428A1 (en) 2011-10-28 2013-05-02 Schott Ag shelf
EP2791255B1 (en) 2011-12-15 2017-11-01 Ross Technology Corporation Composition and coating for superhydrophobic performance
AU2013281220B2 (en) 2012-06-25 2017-03-16 Ross Technology Corporation Elastomeric coatings having hydrophobic and/or oleophobic properties

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5432023A (en) * 1992-04-01 1995-07-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Fuel cell
EP0872907A1 (en) * 1997-04-11 1998-10-21 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Fuel cell
WO1999060642A1 (en) * 1998-05-16 1999-11-25 The Secretary Of State For Defence Multi-element fuel cell system

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4826741A (en) * 1987-06-02 1989-05-02 Ergenics Power Systems, Inc. Ion exchange fuel cell assembly with improved water and thermal management
JPH05283094A (en) * 1992-03-31 1993-10-29 Toshiba Corp Fuel cell
US5272017A (en) * 1992-04-03 1993-12-21 General Motors Corporation Membrane-electrode assemblies for electrochemical cells
US5972530A (en) 1998-01-13 1999-10-26 Electrochem, Inc. Air-cooled, hydrogen-air fuel cell

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5432023A (en) * 1992-04-01 1995-07-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Fuel cell
EP0872907A1 (en) * 1997-04-11 1998-10-21 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Fuel cell
WO1999060642A1 (en) * 1998-05-16 1999-11-25 The Secretary Of State For Defence Multi-element fuel cell system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002041431A3 (en) 2002-08-22
GB2384616A (en) 2003-07-30
GB0027728D0 (en) 2000-12-27
WO2002041431A2 (en) 2002-05-23
JP2004520684A (en) 2004-07-08
CA2428657A1 (en) 2002-05-23
US20040028974A1 (en) 2004-02-12
US6808835B2 (en) 2004-10-26
EP1338054A2 (en) 2003-08-27
AU2002212448A1 (en) 2002-05-27
CA2428657C (en) 2009-08-11
GB2384616B (en) 2004-02-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2368967A (en) System for the humidification of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells
US6492052B2 (en) Air breathing direct methanol fuel cell
US5952119A (en) Fuel cell membrane humidification
US6458479B1 (en) Air breathing direct methanol fuel cell
CA2480342C (en) Electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly, fuel cell using the same and production method thereof
US20030215686A1 (en) Method and apparatus for water management of a fuel cell system
KR20090128005A (en) Humidification system for fuel cell and fuel cell system using the same
KR20100108092A (en) Humidifier for fuel cell
JPH04259759A (en) Diaphragm humidifying structure for solid high polymer electrolytic fuel cell and electrolytic cell
JP6324506B2 (en) Gas diffusion electrode, electrochemical device, and fuel cell
KR20190055635A (en) Fuel cell membrane humidifier
US20040234833A1 (en) Humidification cell
US11469428B2 (en) Fuel cell membrane humidifier capable of controlling flow direction of fluid
KR101724454B1 (en) Fuel cell system and humidification device of the same
WO2002041433A1 (en) Air breathing direct methanol fuel cell
KR20190055602A (en) Fuel cell membrane humidifier
KR20190085716A (en) Hollow fiber cartridge capable of controlling flow direction of fluid and fuel cell membrane humidifier comprising it
WO2001045189A1 (en) Passive air breathing direct methanol fuel cell
KR101258325B1 (en) Separator plate configuration for a fuel cell
KR20190035002A (en) Hollow fiber membrane module with hollow fiber membrane of different material and fuel cell membrane humidifier comprising thereof
JP2009076404A (en) Fuel battery cell and fuel battery stack
JP2007257891A (en) Steam exchange film, humidifier, and fuel cell system
WO2000025377A1 (en) Fuel cell membrane humidification
KR20210086529A (en) Membrane-Electrode Assembly Capable of Increasing Water Content of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane and Fuel Cell Comprising The Same
Wilson et al. Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Membrane Hydration by Direct Liquid Water Contact

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
COOA Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)