Fuel cells and methods of operating them. [system for control of volatile liquid electrolytes for operation at high temperature]
A fuel cell wherein the electrolyte comprises a volatilizable solvent and a solute whose solubility in the solvent varies with electrolyte temperature can be operated by increasing or decreasing the amount of solvent relative to the amount of solute as the solubility of the latter in the solvent respectively decreases or increases due to variations in the temperatures of the electrolyte in the cell or cell system. A suitable fuel cell has an anode compartment supplied by a fuel and uses an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of at least one salt and has a cathode compartment supplied with a gas containing molecular oxygen, wherein the electrolyte is conveyed from a first container and returned to the latter after passing through said anode compartment and comprises a condenser suitable for condensing a predetermined quantity of the water vapor present in the gases emerging from the cathode compartment and a second container receiving condensed water from said condenser, this latter container communicating with said first container by means of an overflow and a valve. 9 claims, 1 drawing.
- Assignee:
- Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4040435
- OSTI ID:
- 5097263
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
300501* -- Fuel Cells-- Design & Development
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYTES
EQUIPMENT
EVAPORATION
FLOW REGULATORS
FUEL CELLS
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
MIXTURES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POTASSIUM CARBONATES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
SOLUTIONS
SOLVENTS
START-UP
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
VALVES