FUEL CELL SYSTEM

• US 20100196798A1
• Filed: 05/26/2008
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Fukuda, Shinsuke, Kozu, Katsumi
• Application Number:
  US12/664,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20100196798A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/514
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 19/0042 modifying the liquid flow B01D19/0021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04164 by condensers, gas-liquid separators or filters
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04171 using adsorbents, wicks or hydrophilic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04186 of liquid-charged or electrolyte-charged reactants
• 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 cell system includes a power-generating stack; a fuel feeder for supplying fuel to an anode of the power-generating stack; an air feeder for supplying air to a cathode of the power-generating stack; and an gas-liquid separator for separating water from a gas-liquid mixture. The gas-liquid mixture includes water and water vapor produced at the cathode and gas passing through the cathode. The gas-liquid separator includes a water retainer. This water retainer holds water and water vapor, which is produced at the cathode, in the gas-liquid mixture.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system comprising:

a power-generating stack;

a fuel feeder for supplying fuel to an anode of the power-generating stack;

an air feeder for supplying air to a cathode of the power-generating stack; and

a gas-liquid separator for separating water from a gas-liquid mixture, the gas-liquid mixture including water and water vapor produced at the cathode and gas passing through the cathode;

wherein

the gas-liquid separator includes a water retainer for holding water and water vapor in the gas-liquid mixture, the water and the water vapor being produced at the cathode.

2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the gas-liquid separator further includes a gas-liquid separation membrane for separating the water and the water vapor from the gas, and emitting the gas.

3. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein a collector is provided at an outlet side of the anode of the power-generating stack, the collector collecting a gas-liquid mixture produced at the anode of the power-generating stack, the collector including a gas-liquid separation membrane for separating gas and liquid from the gas-liquid mixture;

the liquid being supplied to the fuel feeder.

4. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the gas-liquid separator is connected to the fuel feeder so as to supply the water and the water vapor held by the water retainer to the fuel feeder.

5. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein a discharge pump is provided in the gas-liquid separator, the discharge pump discharging the water and the water vapor held by the water retainer.

6. The fuel cell system of claim 3, wherein the discharge pump is provided in the gas-liquid separator, and the discharge pump is connected to the collector so as to supply the water and the water vapor held by the water retainer.

7. The fuel cell system of claim 3, wherein the gas-liquid separation membrane of the gas-liquid separator is a first gas-liquid separation membrane, and the gas-liquid separation membrane of the collector is a second gas-liquid separation membrane, the gas-liquid separator and the collector being connected via the second gas-liquid separation membrane, gas generated in the collector and gas generated in the gas-liquid separator being emitted via the first gas-liquid separation membrane.

8. The fuel cell system of claim 7, wherein an area of the first gas-liquid separation membrane is larger than an area of the second gas-liquid separation membrane.

9. The fuel cell system of claim 7, wherein permeability of the first gas-liquid separation membrane is higher than permeability of the second gas-liquid separation membrane.