Hydrogen diffusion fuel cell

Patent · Tue Aug 04 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6399214

Struthers, R C

This patent describes a fuel cell comprising; an elongate case; a thin, flat separator part of non-porous, di-electric, hydrogen-permeable material between the ends of and extending transverse the case and defining anode and cathode chambers; a thin, flat anode part of non-porous, electric conductive, hydrogen-permeable metallic material in the anode chamber in flat contacting engagement with and co-extensive with the separator part; a flat, porous, catalytic cathode part in the cathode chamber in contacting engagement with the separator part; hydrogen supply means supplying hydrogen to the anode part within the anode chamber; oxidant gas supply means supplying oxidant gas to the cathode part within the cathode chamber; and, an external electric circuit connected with and between the anode and cathode parts. The anode part absorbs and is permeated by hydrogen supplied to it and diffuses the hydrogen to hydrogen ions and free electrons; the free electrons in the anode part are conducted from the anode part into the electric circuit to perform useful work. The hydrogen ions in the anode part move from the anode part through the separator part and into the cathode part. Free electrons are conducted by the electric circuit into the cathode part. The hydrogen ions, oxidant gas and free electrons in the cathode part react and generate waste, heat and water.

• Assignee: NOV; NOV-87-074158; EDB-87-156109
• Patent Number(s): US 4684581
• OSTI ID: 6399214
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300503* -- Fuel Cells-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
ABSORPTION
ANODES
BATTERY SEPARATORS
CATHODES
DIFFUSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
FERMIONS
FLUID FLOW
FUEL CELLS
GAS FLOW
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
LEPTONS
MATERIALS
NONMETALS
OXIDIZERS
PERMEABILITY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POROUS MATERIALS