GB2405744A - Portable Fuel Cell System - Google Patents
Portable Fuel Cell System Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2405744A GB2405744A GB0419929A GB0419929A GB2405744A GB 2405744 A GB2405744 A GB 2405744A GB 0419929 A GB0419929 A GB 0419929A GB 0419929 A GB0419929 A GB 0419929A GB 2405744 A GB2405744 A GB 2405744A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- fuel
- fuel cell
- hydrogen
- cell
- source
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 135
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 229910001868 water Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000001273 butane Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-butane Chemical compound CCCC IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 11
- OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-pentane Natural products CCCCC OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 11
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims description 8
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052987 metal hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 150000004681 metal hydrides Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000006479 redox reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002737 fuel gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000002431 hydrogen Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- -1 hydrogen ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 230000037427 ion transport Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-O oxonium Chemical compound [OH3+] XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 2
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dioxygen Chemical compound O=O MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005219 brazing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001143 conditioned effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000033116 oxidation-reduction process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000004430 oxygen atom Chemical group O* 0.000 description 1
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000000376 reactant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000036647 reaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006722 reduction reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011973 solid acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002459 sustained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000026676 system process Effects 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
- H01M8/002—Shape, form of a fuel cell
- H01M8/004—Cylindrical, tubular or wound
-
- 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
-
- 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
- H01M8/0612—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
- H01M2250/30—Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
-
- 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
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02B90/10—Applications of fuel cells in buildings
-
- 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 portable fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell (20) that is operable to generate an electrical current on conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water, control means (23) for controlling the operation of the system, and means (22) for processing fuel from a fuel source (19) to provide a supply of hydrogen for the fuel cell, the fuel being chosen from one of a range of fuel sources that do not directly provide a supply of hydrogen.
Description
PORTABLE FUEL CELL SYSTEM
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to portable fuel cell systems.
Fuel cell systems are generally defined as being devices where reactants are fed into one or more fuel cells to produce electrical energy, and certain aspects of the present invention are particularly - but not exclusively applicable to a particular type of fuel cell system, namely one that employs a so called proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell.
The term "fuel cell" is commonly used to refer to an individual cell, as well as to all of the constituent components providing a system that generates electricity using one or more individual fuel cells. Hereafter the term "fuel cell" will be used to refer to an individual fuel cell, and the term "fuel cell system" will be used to refer to the system as a whole.
Background to the Invention
In an individual PEM fuel cell, two half-cell reactions take place simultaneously. These reactions comprise an oxidation reaction which occurs at the anode, and a reduction reaction that occurs at the cathode. Together the reactions constitute the total redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction of the fuel cell, namely the formation of water from hydrogen and oxygen.
The anode and cathode of the PEM fuel cell are separated by an electrolyte (typically a solid acid supported within a membrane), and the electrolyte is coated on either side with a suitable catalyst, such as platinum.
Typically the anode and cathode will be formed with channels that allow the hydrogen to disperse over the surface of the catalyst. The electrolyte will typically be saturated with an ion transport fluid, such as water, so that hydrogen ions can traverse from the anode through the PEM to the cathode.
At the anode, hydrogen molecules (from a hydrogen fuel source) come into contact with the catalyst, where they break apart and release electrons in the oxidation part of the aforementioned redox reaction. The released electrons travel around an external electrical circuit to the cathode, and this flow of electrons provides a current for driving a load coupled to the circuit.
The remaining hydrogen ions at the anode each bond with a water molecule (or equivalent ion transport molecule) to form a hydronium ion (H3O+) which then travels through the PEM to the cathode side of the cell.
At the cathode, oxygen molecules break apart (on contact with the catalyst) and each oxygen atom combines with two electrons (that have travelled through the external circuit from the anode), and two protons (that have travelled through the PEM) to form one molecule of water. Typically, air is used as the fuel rather than pure oxygen.
The redox reaction is exothermic, and as such it is not unusual for the cell to reach temperatures approaching 100 C.
Depending on the materials used, a single fuel cell is typically capable of generating a voltage of something in the order of one volt. As a result, it is commonplace for single fuel cells to be operated in series with a number of like fuel cells (a so-called "stack") so that the resultant voltages can be summed.
The chemical reactions at each of the anode and cathode can be written thus: At the anode: HUH+ + 2e At the cathode: /:O2 + 2e - H2O The overall reaction being: H2 + '/:O2 H20 It is apparent, therefore, that fuel cell systems powered by a source of hydrogen and oxygen provide a truly "green" or "renewable" form of electricity generation in that the sole product of the reaction is water. As such a fuel cell system is not a producer of pollutants such as those generated by conventional forms of electricity generation.
A number of portable fuel cell systems have previously been proposed. For example, Voller Energy Limited currently offer two portable fuel cell systems under the product names PortaPack VElOO and PortaPack VE1000. Both of these systems use metal hydride canisters as a supply of hydrogen, and can provide (respectively) up to l DO and 1000 Watts of power.
These systems, whilst being portable (in the sense that they can readily be moved from one location to another), are simply too large to be carried by a user for use as a replacement for rechargeable batteries of the type commonly supplied with mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, cordless power tools and the like. It is conceivable that the VE100 and VElOOO systems could be scaled down, but the fact that they are based on a metal hydride fuel source means that they will always have to be relatively bulky and heavy in order to accommodate the metal hydride canister.
Another portable fuel cell system is disclosed in US 6268 077 (Motorola Inc). This patent discloses a portable fuel cell device for a mobile telephone and as such can readily be carried by a user as a replacement for a conventional rechargeable battery. The fuel cell system comprises a pressurised store for hydrogen fuel, a fuel cell coupled to the fuel store and a regulator for ensuring a sufficient supply of hydrogen from the store to the fuel cell proper. Whilst this previously proposed system is small enough to be carried by a user, it suffers from the disadvantage that it requires a source of hydrogen for operation.
It is possible to provide an appropriate supply of hydrogen so that a user can refill the fuel store of the system. However, a significant problem exists in that the infrastructure required to provide readily available access to hydrogen is not currently in place. It is not possible, for example, for users to recharge their fuel stores with hydrogen at a local shop, and as such the Motorola system - whilst being theoretically possible - does not provide a practical day to day solution for the population at large.
Another significant problem hampering the development of a hydrogen infrastructure required to enable the population at large to switch to such a fuel source, is that there is an understandable reluctance to provide for free access to such a volatile fuel. Additionally, users may be reluctant to carry around a fuel cell system which comprises a pressurised supply of hydrogen; as such a cell is potentially highly explosive.
Yet another form of portable battery pack is disclosed in patent applications filed by Electric Fuel Cell Limited, of which WO 00/36692 is one example. These applications relate to a metal-air battery pack which is readily available to users for purchase, and which is sold under the trademark "Instant Power". The Instant Power_ range of battery packs employ electrochemical cells that use ambient oxygen as one of the electrodes.
The Instant Power_ range of battery packs provide users with the illusion of a "green" or "renewable" energy resource, being based as they are on the use of ambient air for electricity generation. However, a significant detractor to their status as a green energy source is the fact that the battery packs are non-renewable (i.e. they cannot be recharged), and must be discarded once spent.
The Applicant believes it is desirable to be able to provide a fuel cell system that is truly renewable (unlike the aforementioned Instant Power_ range of battery packs), which is not reliant on an as-yet non-existent hydrogen supply infrastructure (as is the aforementioned Motorola system), and which is small enough to be carried around by a user (unlike the Applicant's PortaPack VE100 and PortaPack VE1000 fuel cell systems).
Summary of the of Invention
The invention provides a portable fuel cell system comprising a reformer that is operable to process a hydrocarbon to provide a stream of hydrogen for a fuel cell, the cell being operable to generate of electrical energy on conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water. The hydrocarbon may be butane.
The invention includes a portable fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that is operable to generate an electrical voltage on conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water, control means for controlling the operation of the system, and means for processing fuel from a fuel source to provide a supply of hydrogen for the fuel cell, the fuel source being one that does not directly provide a supply of hydrogen.
These fuel cell systems are advantageous in that there is no need to store or carry hydrogen gas, and as such there is less of an explosive risk.
Furthermore, as the system processes fuel to provide hydrogen for the cell, the size and weight of the fuel source can be reduced as compared with sources which directly provide hydrogen - such as a metal hydride or a pressurized hydrogen source. It is also possible to provide such fuel cell systems in a form that is light enough and small enough to be carried around by a user.
Preferably the fuel processor comprises a reformer, preferably a microscale reformer. One example of a suitable microscale reformer is produced and sold by KAT Chem GmbH, Mary Astell STR. 10 D-28359 Bremen, Germany.
Preferably the fuel cell is configured as a cylindrical cell having a central bore which is sized to accept the fuel source. This arrangement is particularly advantageous as it helps to ensure that the system is relatively small, or at least significantly smaller than it would otherwise be were the cell and source to be placed side by side. A particularly preferred proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is manufactured by QinetiQ Limited, London, United Kingdom and is described in detail in EP 1 078 409.
Preferably the fuel source comprises a liquid hydrocarbon fuel source, such as methanol, butane, jet fuel or diesel. Methanol or butane is particularly preferred for use with the aforementioned KAT Chem reformer.
Advantageously, butane canisters are readily available as a fuel source for appliances such as cordless hair styling tongs, such as the Brainy Independent Cordless Styler. These fuel canisters are generally known as "energy cells", and one particularly suitable example is the Braun CT2 Energy Cell.
A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable fuel cell system comprising, in combination, a cylindrical fuel cell as disclosed in EP 1 078 409 that is operable to generate an electrical current on conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water, control means for controlling the operation of the system, and a KAT Chem reformer for processing butane from an energy cell, such as the BrauntE) CT2 Energy Cell, to provide a supply of hydrogen for the fuel cell. The system preferably comprises an energy cell, such as the aforementioned Braun CT2 Energy Cell inserted axially within the aforementioned cylindrical fuel cell.
In a highly preferred arrangement, the control means is operable, inter alla, to condition the electrical voltage generated by the stack and to control operation of the fuel processing means. The control means may be substantially as disclosed in Voller Energy Ltd's United Kingdom Patent Application No 04 14693 2, although it will be appreciated that the controller need not be as complicated owing to the fact that the system does not include components such as pumps.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a fuel cell preferred for use in a fuel cell system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of part of the fuel cell depicted in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the components of a fuel system according to the invention; and Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an advantageous arrangement of the components of the fuel cell system.
Detailed Description of the Embodiment
Figure l illustrates a cylindrical fuel cell 1. The fuel cell 1 is a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell as described in EP 1 078 409 (the content of which is incorporated herein by reference). Reference should be made to this document for a full description of the fuel cell 1, its manufacture and operation.
The fuel cell 1 comprises a former 2 made up of interconnecting modules of stainless steel tube with perforations (not shown). The cell is cylindrical and as such includes a central axial bore 3. Discrete fuel cell elements 4 are mounted on the former in register. In this example, the former 2 also acts as an anode current collector.
As an alternative, the former 2 may be made of Tufnol TM. In that case, a first electrically conductive layer (the anode current collector) is provided on the former, preferably in the form of a metal foil which may be mounted on a flexible layer 5 provided with channels 6 to receive and direct fuel gas as shown in detail in Figure 2. The flexible layer may be made of a plastic material or graphite, in particular an exfoliated graphite sheet, positioned intermediate the former and the anode current collector. Under compression within the assembled fuel cell element, the layer moulds itself into any flaws in the former assembly, and so prevents any potential gas leaks.
This layer may be perforated in the same way as the former and the anode current collector so as to allow fuel gas to pass through. However, the provision of channels 6 for the gas is preferred. The channels 6 are arranged to receive gas exiting from the perforations in the former and to distribute it across the membrane electrode assembly. The channels may have any suitable shape; a simple repeating "S" shape is a particular example. The even distribution of fuel in this way further improves cell performance.
A particularly suitable material for the flexible layer is an exfoliated graphite sheet such as that obtainable from James Walker Ltd. United Kingdom. This material is soft enough so that it moulds itself as a gasket, sealing potential leaks, but has a thickness sufficient to allow tracks or channels to be sustained in it.
The cell 1 is manufactured from planar sections that are bent to form a cylinder and interconnected to provide the cylindrical cell depicted. The cell can be manufactured with any preferred diameter and any number of sections can be interconnected. In the embodiment, the cell diameter is sufficiently large to permit a fuel store, such as a Brazing CT2 Energy Cell to be housed therein.
Referring to Figure 3, the fuel cell system 7 comprises a rigid casing 8 in which the various components of the device are located. The casing is designed to be sufficiently robust to cope with being dropped or otherwise abused by a user. An access port 9 is provided to permit a fuel store 10, such as the CT2 Energy Cell, to be inserted into the casing.
The fuel store mates, or is otherwise connected, with an appropriate valve assembly (not shown) and supplies a stream of (in this particular example) butane to a reformer 11 which is coupled to the valve assembly.
The reformer 11 is operable, under the control of a controller 12, to process input butane to provide a stream of hydrogen gas for consumption in a fuel cell 13 of the type depicted in Figures 1 and 2.
The fuel cell 13 is operable to draw oxygen from the surrounding environment (possibly through vents in the casing 8), and to consume that oxygen and the hydrogen input from the reformer 11 in a redox reaction (as described above) that produces an electric voltage at positive and negative terminals 14.
The controller may be substantially as described in United Kingdom Patent Application No 0414693.2 (the content of which is incorporated herein by reference). It will be appreciated that the controller need not be quite as complicated as that described in the United Kingdom Patent Application, as the fuel cell system 7 includes fewer components than the fuel cell system(s) described in that United Kingdom Patent Application.
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the components of the components of the fuel cell system 7 arranged in a particularly space-efficient manner.
The fuel cell system shown in Figure 4 comprises a casing 15 which includes an interface 16 that is configured to be appropriate for connection to an item to be powered by the system. That item might, for example, be a mobile telephone, a portable entertainment device (such as a compact disc or MP3 player), a laptop computer, a power drill or other cordless power tool.
The interface 16 is the male part of a male-female interface - the female part of which is mounted in the casing of the item to be powered. The system, therefore, is capable of being plugged directly into the item.
However, any alternative kind of interface may be provided as required for connection to the particular item of equipment the system is to be used with. For example, the interface could simply comprise a lead (i.e. a wire) with a plug on the end that is suitable for location in a socket on the item to be powered. Such a configuration would allow the system to be worn by a user, for example on a belt.
The casing 15 includes an access port 17 that is normally closed by a door 18, and through which a fuel store 19 may be inserted into the casing.
The system includes a fuel cell 20 of the type depicted in Figures 1 and 2. The fuel cell 20 is sized to permit the fuel store 19 to be housed in the central bore thereof.
The fuel store 19 mates with a valve assembly 21, and the valve assembly is coupled to a reformer 22. The reformer 22, under control of a control apparatus 23, is operable to process butane output from the fuel store via the valve to provide a stream of hydrogen for use by the fuel cell 20.
The fuel cell 20 consumes the hydrogen fed to it by the reformer 22, draws oxygen from the surrounding ambient atmosphere, possibly by means of vents in the casing 15, and generates an electric potential at terminals 24.
The generated electric potential is (optionally) conditioned by the control apparatus 23 and fed to the interface 16 to power an item coupled thereto.
It will be appreciated that the location of the fuel store 19 within the fuel cell 20 allows the fuel cell system to be made compact.
In the embodiment, the fuel store comprises an energy cell. However, it will be appreciated that alternative cells or indeed fuel sources other than butane may be employed instead. Illustrative alternative fuels are methanol, jet fuel, diesel or any of a number of other suitable hydrocarbons.
Similarly, whilst the fuel cell disclosed in EP l 078 409 is particularly preferred, alternative cylindrical fuel cells may be employed. It is not even essential for the cell to be cylindrical, as the fuel store could be located alongside the cell (as depicted in Figure 3) rather then within it.
The reformer used in the fuel cell system need not be a KAT Chem reformer. Any type of reformer which is capable of processing a hydrocarbon fuel to provide a stream of hydrogen of use in a fuel cell may be used.
Claims (11)
1. A portable fuel cell system comprising a reformer that is operable to process a hydrocarbon fuel to provide a stream of hydrogen for a fuel cell, the cell being operable to generate electrical energy on conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water.
2. A portable fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell that is operable to generate an electrical potential on conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water, control means for controlling the operation of the system, and means for processing fuel from a fuel source to provide a supply of hydrogen for the fuel cell, the fuel source being one that does not directly provide a supply of hydrogen.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the processing means comprises a reformer.
4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the reformer is a microscale reformer.
5. A system according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the fuel cell is configured as a cylindrical cell having a central bore.
6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of said central bore is sized to accommodate a cylindrical fuel source.
7. A system according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the Mel source comprises a hydrocarbon fuel source.
8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is methanol, butane, jet fuel, diesel.
9. A system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the fuel source is a disposable butane canister.
10. A system according to claim 7, 8 or 9, comprising fuel inlet means comprising a female portion for mating with a male outlet portion of the fuel 1 5 source.
11. A portable fuel cell system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0320977.2A GB0320977D0 (en) | 2003-09-08 | 2003-09-08 | Portable fuel cell system |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0419929D0 GB0419929D0 (en) | 2004-10-13 |
| GB2405744A true GB2405744A (en) | 2005-03-09 |
| GB2405744B GB2405744B (en) | 2007-06-13 |
Family
ID=29226679
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0320977.2A Ceased GB0320977D0 (en) | 2003-09-08 | 2003-09-08 | Portable fuel cell system |
| GB0419929A Expired - Fee Related GB2405744B (en) | 2003-09-08 | 2004-09-08 | Portable fuel cell system |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0320977.2A Ceased GB0320977D0 (en) | 2003-09-08 | 2003-09-08 | Portable fuel cell system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB0320977D0 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7585581B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2009-09-08 | Ultracell Corporation | Micro fuel cell architecture |
| US7666539B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2010-02-23 | Ultracell Corporation | Heat efficient portable fuel cell systems |
| US7763368B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2010-07-27 | Ultracell Corporation | Efficient micro fuel cell systems and methods |
| US7807313B2 (en) | 2004-12-21 | 2010-10-05 | Ultracell Corporation | Compact fuel cell package |
| WO2019071237A1 (en) * | 2017-10-06 | 2019-04-11 | Black & Decker Inc. | Hydrogen fuel canister |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH06310166A (en) * | 1993-04-28 | 1994-11-04 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Portable fuel cell type power supply |
| WO1996029751A1 (en) * | 1995-03-21 | 1996-09-26 | Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company | Miniature ceramic fuel cell |
| EP0959512A1 (en) * | 1996-07-02 | 1999-11-24 | Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. | Fuel-cell power generating system |
| US20010009732A1 (en) * | 2000-01-25 | 2001-07-26 | Sulzer Hexis Ag | Fuel cell battery for liquid fuels |
| WO2002059993A2 (en) * | 2001-01-24 | 2002-08-01 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Integrated fuel pack, reformer and gas purification device for fuel cell power generation system____________ |
| WO2004004052A2 (en) * | 2002-07-01 | 2004-01-08 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Mems-based fuel cells with integrated catalytic fuel processor and method thereof |
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2003
- 2003-09-08 GB GBGB0320977.2A patent/GB0320977D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2004
- 2004-09-08 GB GB0419929A patent/GB2405744B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH06310166A (en) * | 1993-04-28 | 1994-11-04 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Portable fuel cell type power supply |
| WO1996029751A1 (en) * | 1995-03-21 | 1996-09-26 | Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company | Miniature ceramic fuel cell |
| EP0959512A1 (en) * | 1996-07-02 | 1999-11-24 | Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. | Fuel-cell power generating system |
| US20010009732A1 (en) * | 2000-01-25 | 2001-07-26 | Sulzer Hexis Ag | Fuel cell battery for liquid fuels |
| WO2002059993A2 (en) * | 2001-01-24 | 2002-08-01 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Integrated fuel pack, reformer and gas purification device for fuel cell power generation system____________ |
| WO2004004052A2 (en) * | 2002-07-01 | 2004-01-08 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Mems-based fuel cells with integrated catalytic fuel processor and method thereof |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7585581B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2009-09-08 | Ultracell Corporation | Micro fuel cell architecture |
| US7655337B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2010-02-02 | Ultracell Corporation | Micro fuel cell thermal management |
| US7666539B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2010-02-23 | Ultracell Corporation | Heat efficient portable fuel cell systems |
| US7763368B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2010-07-27 | Ultracell Corporation | Efficient micro fuel cell systems and methods |
| US7935452B2 (en) * | 2003-06-27 | 2011-05-03 | Ultracell Corporation | Micro fuel cell architecture |
| US7943263B2 (en) | 2003-06-27 | 2011-05-17 | Ultracell Corporation | Heat efficient portable fuel cell systems |
| US7807313B2 (en) | 2004-12-21 | 2010-10-05 | Ultracell Corporation | Compact fuel cell package |
| WO2019071237A1 (en) * | 2017-10-06 | 2019-04-11 | Black & Decker Inc. | Hydrogen fuel canister |
| US11466815B2 (en) | 2017-10-06 | 2022-10-11 | Black & Decker Inc. | Hydrogen fuel canister |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0419929D0 (en) | 2004-10-13 |
| GB0320977D0 (en) | 2003-10-08 |
| GB2405744B (en) | 2007-06-13 |
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