Method and apparatus for humidification of the membrane of a fuel cell

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

This invention relates to a fuel cell system designed to maintain optimal humidity in the membrane of the fuel cell. It achieves this by using a special humidity exchange area that extracts moisture from the humid exhaust gas leaving the cathode and transfers it to the incoming, drier oxygen-containing gas. This is done through a membrane that is permeable to water vapor but impermeable to gas. The system keeps the membrane from drying out or becoming too wet, thus ensuring better performance and longer life for the fuel cell.

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

• Automotive fuel cells for electric vehicles, where size, weight, and efficiency are critical
• Stationary fuel cell power systems, such as backup power supplies for buildings, telecom, or data centers
• Portable fuel cell devices used in remote or off-grid applications
• Direct methanol fuel cells in consumer electronics and small-scale applications
• Hydrogen refueling stations that require fuel cells for on-site energy
• Aerospace and marine fuel cell applications where reliable humidity management is needed

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improves efficiency and power output of fuel cells by maintaining optimal membrane hydration
• Prevents drying out or over-wetting of the membrane, which can otherwise degrade performance and lifespan
• Eliminates the need for external humidification systems, simplifying design and reducing space/weight
• Enables more compact and modular fuel cell stacks, supporting automotive and portable applications
• Ensures uniform performance across all cells in a stack by managing local humidity for each cell
• Reduces maintenance requirements and increases operational reliability

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Patent Abstract

A fuel cell has an electrochemical process area having a cathode area, an anode area and an ion-exchanging membrane that separates these areas. The cathode area has a gas passage way having a gas inlet, a gas channel and a gas outlet, wherein the gas passage way is for an oxygen-containing gas to flow from the gas inlet through the gas channel to the gas outlet. The fuel cell includes further a humidity transfer area having a dehumidifying zone, a humidifying zone and a humidity transfer membrane that separates these zones. An exhaust channel connects the gas outlet to the dehumidifying zone, and an inlet channel connects the gas inlet to the humidifying zone. Humidity is extracted from the oxygen-containing gas in the dehumidifying zone, and added to the oxygen-containing gas in the humidifying zone via the humidity transfer membrane.