Preventing CO poisoning in fuel cells

Patent · Tue Mar 20 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6670685

Gottesfeld, S

This patent describes proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance with CO contamination of the H{sub 2} fuel stream which is substantially improved by injecting O{sub 2} into the fuel stream ahead of the fuel cell. It is found that a surface reaction occurs even at PEM operating temperatures below about 100{degrees} C. to oxidatively remove the CO and restore electrode surface area for the H{sub 2} reaction to generate current. Using an O{sub 2} injection, a suitable fuel stream for a PEM fuel cell can be formed from a methanol source using conventional reforming processes for producing H{sub 2}.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (USA)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 4910099
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-279694A
• OSTI ID: 6670685
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
080102 -- Hydrogen-- Production-- Thermochemical Processes
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300503* -- Fuel Cells-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
ALCOHOLS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INHIBITION
METHANOL
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PURIFICATION
REFORMER PROCESSES