Fuel cell membrane humidification
A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell assembly has an anode side and a cathode side separated by the membrane and generating electrical current by electrochemical reactions between a fuel gas and an oxidant. The anode side comprises a hydrophobic gas diffusion backing contacting one side of the membrane and having hydrophilic areas therein for providing liquid water directly to the one side of the membrane through the hydrophilic areas of the gas diffusion backing. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophilic areas of the gas diffusion backing are formed by sewing a hydrophilic thread through the backing. Liquid water is distributed over the gas diffusion backing in distribution channels that are separate from the fuel distribution channels.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Assignee:
- LANL; EDB-00:006363
- Application Number:
- Int. Cl. H01M 2/00; US 5,952,119/A/; 8-810,119; TRN: IM200011%%267
- OSTI ID:
- 20013962
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 14 Sep 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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