Method for replacing lost electrolyte in fuel cells

Patent · Tue Jun 24 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5536830

Katz, M; Kunz, H R

A method is described for operating a fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell having a porous cathode electrode, a porous anode electrode, an electrolyte retaining matrix sandwiched between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, wherein electrolyte is lost from the cell during operation, the steps of: delivering reactant gas into the cell; electrochemically reacting the gas within the cell to produce electric current; exhausting the spent reactant gas from the cell; and replacing the electrolyte lost from the cell including the steps of providing a supply of replacement electrolyte and delivering electrolyte from the supply into the reactant gas being delivered into the cell and dispersing the electrolyte in the gas, the step of dispersing including vaporizing or atomizing the electrolyte such that it enters the cell entrained within the reactant gas being delivered into the cell.

• Assignee: United Technologies Corp., Hartford, CT
• Patent Number(s): US 4596748
• OSTI ID: 5536830
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300503* -- Fuel Cells-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
ANODES
ATOMIZATION
CATHODES
CHEMISTRY
CURRENTS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
EVAPORATION
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
FUEL CELLS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POROSITY
WASTES