Direct alcohol fuel cell pile with a carbon dioxide separator

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent relates to a direct alcohol fuel cell system that includes a novel carbon dioxide (CO2) separator. The system uses a porous section within the anode manifold made of a hydrophobic material like PTFE. This porous part allows CO2 gas, produced during cell operation, to escape from the fuel circuit while retaining liquid fuel, enabling efficient and location-independent removal of CO2.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Portable power supplies using direct alcohol fuel cells, such as for consumer electronics or backup systems
• Fuel cell systems in transportation applications (e.g., vehicles, trains) that require efficient gas management
• Stationary fuel cell installations for distributed or remote power generation
• Renewable energy storage systems incorporating alcohol-based fuel cells
• Laboratory or research setups that need efficient separation of CO2 in fuel cell stacks

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Simplifies the CO2 removal process from the fuel cell system, reducing complexity and cost
• Allows for efficient and reliable operation regardless of fuel cell orientation or installation position
• Improves fuel cell stack performance by preventing gas buildup that could impede operation
• Utilizes robust, hydrophobic materials like PTFE that are durable and compatible with alcohol fuels
• Potential for compact and modular integration into existing or new fuel cell designs

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Anode manifold lines (1-4) forming part of a circuit (2, 3, 5), supply and return operating fluid to and from individual fuel cells. Part of this circuit is porous. A chamber (10) surrounding the porous region (6), includes a gas outlet line (7) which collects carbon dioxide and leads it away. The porous material, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is not wetted by alcohol. It has an air-permeability value of up to 1 1/(s.cm2>.bar) with water pressure compatibilty up to 0.4 bar. The mean pore size in the porous zone is 1-200 mu m. An independent claim is included for the corresponding method of operation.