Methods and apparatuses for managing effluent products in a fuel cell system
First Claim
1. A fuel cell system comprising:
- an anode chamber having a fuel;
a cathode chamber in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent;
a proton conducting membrane electrolyte separating said chambers; and
a first valve for controlling a first flow of a gas from said anode chamber into said cathode chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water management system for a fuel cell having an anode chamber including a fuel, a cathode chamber in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent, and a proton conducting membrane electrolyte separating the chambers. The system includes a gas plenum, a first valve for controlling a first flow of a gas from the anode chamber into the gas plenum, and a second valve for controlling a second flow of the gas collected by the gas plenum into the cathode chamber. The first valve is opened allowing the first flow while the second valve is closed between the gas plenum and the cathode chamber so that effluent gas is collected in the gas plenum. When the amount of the effluent gas in the gas plenum reaches a predetermined value, the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened to allow the second flow.
97 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A fuel cell system comprising:
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an anode chamber having a fuel;
a cathode chamber in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent;
a proton conducting membrane electrolyte separating said chambers; and
a first valve for controlling a first flow of a gas from said anode chamber into said cathode chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39)
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25. A method of reducing the amount of water in a cathode chamber of a fuel cell system comprising:
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collecting an effluent gas produced by an anode chamber of said fuel cell; and
exhausting said collected gas through said cathode chamber when an amount of said effluent gas produced reaches a predetermined value.
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26. In a fuel cell system comprising:
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an anode chamber having a fuel, a cathode chamber in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent, a proton conducting membrane electrolyte separating said chambers, a valve for controlling a flow of a gas from said anode chamber into said cathode chamber, and a method for reducing the amount of water in said cathode chamber comprising;
closing said valve;
collecting an effluent gas produced by fuel oxidation in said anode chamber;
opening said valve when an amount of said effluent gas reaches a predetermined value.
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27. In a fuel cell system comprising:
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an anode chamber having a fuel, a cathode chamber in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent, a proton conducting membrane electrolyte separating said chambers, a gas plenum, a first valve for controlling a first flow of a gas from said anode chamber into said gas plenum, and a second valve for controlling a second flow of said gas collected by said gas plenum into said cathode chamber, a method for reducing the amount of water in said cathode chamber comprising;
opening said first valve allowing said first flow while said second valve is closed between said gas plenum and said cathode chamber;
collecting an effluent gas produced by fuel oxidation in said gas plenum via said first flow;
closing said first valve when an amount of said effluent gas reaches a predetermined value; and
opening said second valve allowing said second flow.
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36. A direct methanol fuel cell system comprising:
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an anode chamber having a fuel mixture comprising methanol and water, and a diffusion layer;
a fuel supply cartridge in fluid communication with said anode chamber;
a cathode chamber having a cathode and a diffusion layer, wherein said diffusion layer is in fluid communication with an oxidizer;
a proton conducting, electrical non-conducting membrane electrolyte separating said chambers and positioned substantially adjacent to said diffusion layers, said membrane including a catalyst exposed to each said chamber;
a gas plenum;
a first valve for controlling a first flow of carbon dioxide gas from said anode chamber into said gas plenum;
a second valve for controlling a second flow of carbon dioxide from said gas plenum into said cathode chamber, and for controlling a third flow of said oxidizer into said cathode chamber;
a sensor for detecting an amount of carbon dioxide gas; and
a controller for actuating said first valve and said second valve when said amount of carbon dioxide gas reaches a predetermined value.
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37. A water management system for a fuel cell system, said fuel cell system comprising:
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an anode chamber having a fuel, a cathode chamber in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent, a proton conducting membrane electrolyte separating said chambers, said water management system comprising a first valve for controlling a first flow of a gas from said anode chamber into said cathode chamber.
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40. In a water management system for a fuel cell system, said fuel cell system including:
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an anode chamber including a fuel, a cathode chamber in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent and a proton conducting membrane electrolyte separating said chambers, said water management system comprising a gas plenum, a first valve for controlling a first flow of a gas from said anode chamber into said gas plenum, and a second valve for controlling a second flow of said gas collected by said gas plenum into said cathode chamber, a method for reducing the amount of water in said cathode chamber comprising;
opening said first valve allowing said first flow while said second valve is closed between said gas plenum and said cathode chamber;
collecting an effluent gas produced by fuel oxidation in said gas plenum via said first flow;
closing said first valve when an amount of said effluent gas reaches a predetermined value; and
opening said second valve allowing said second flow.
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41. A fuel cell system comprising:
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an anode chamber having a fuel;
a cathode chamber in fluid communication with an oxidizer, said cathode chamber having an inlet positioned a first end of said cathode chamber and an outlet positioned adjacent a second end of said cathode chamber;
a proton conducting membrane electrolyte separating said chambers and having an effluent gas-permeable portion allowing effluent gas produced in said anode chamber to flow into said cathode chamber; and
a nozzle having an inlet positioned adjacent said gas-permeable portion in said cathode chamber and an outlet positioned adjacent said outlet of said cathode chamber. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 46)
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45. A method for removing water in a cathode chamber of a fuel cell system, said fuel cell system comprising an anode, a cathode having an inlet and an outlet, and a membrane electrolyte having a gas-permeable portion, said method comprising:
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directing an effluent gas produced in said anode chamber from said gas-permeable portion into said outlet at a pressure;
establishing a low pressure region adjacent said outlet;
inducing a flow from said inlet through said chamber and exiting said outlet.
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Specification