Fuel container for fuel cells

• US 20070181572A1
• Filed: 02/03/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Institute Of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council Executive Yuan
• Original Assignee: Institute Of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council Executive Yuan
• Inventors: Chang, Chun, Yang, Peng, Chen, Charn-Ying, Lee, Ying-Sheng
• Application Number:
  US11/346,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20070181572A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/4.120
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/0486 the inner container being coaxially disposed within the outer container B65D81/3876 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0763 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04291 Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems H01M8/04119 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1011 Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel container is disclosed, which is used for supplying fuel to a fuel cell. The fuel container, adapted for supplying fuel to a fuel cell, is composed of a tank and a cover covering the tank, in that the tank is further comprised of: a first reservoir for accommodating a methanol solution; and a second reservoir for accommodating the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell and the water to be replenished therein. The fuel container of the invention not only is capable of storing and supplying fuel to a fuel cell, but also is capable of recycling the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell to be used as replenishing water. Moreover, the replacing of water and methanol can be accomplished at the same time as the fuel container is replaced, so that the space utilization of fuel cell can be rationalized and optimized for enhancing the usability and convenience of the fuel cell.

Claims

1. A fuel container, adapted for supplying fuel to a fuel cell, comprising:

a tank, further comprising;

a first reservoir for accommodating a methanol solution; and

a second reservoir for accommodating the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell;

and

a cover, covering the tank.

2. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein a space of thermal insulation ability is formed between the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

3. The fuel container of claim 2, wherein the space of thermal insulation ability is channeled to an air inlet for enabling air to flow therein.

4. The fuel container of claim 2, wherein the space of thermal insulation ability is filled with a thermal insulation material.

5. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the tank is integrally formed.

6. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir is a hollow jar-like structure.

7. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the second reservoir is a hollow ring-like structure.

8. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir is surrounded by the second reservoir.

9. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a first outlet for enabling the methanol solution stored in the first reservoir to flow out therefrom.

10. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises an aperture, for balancing the pressure difference between the air enclosed in the first reservoir and the ambient atmosphere.

11. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises an inlet, for enabling the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell to flow in to the second reservoir therefrom.

12. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a second outlet, for enabling the water stored in the second reservoir to flow out therefrom.

13. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein a third outlet is arranged at a side of the tank, which is used for enabling air stored in the second reservoir to flow out therefrom.

14. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the methanol solution is a mixture of water and methanol.

15. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir can be used to store an alcohol solution.

16. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir can be used to store aqueous hydrogen containing fuels.