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Title: Device for equalizing molten electrolyte content in a fuel cell stack

Abstract

A device for equalizing the molten electrolyte content throughout the height of a fuel cell stack is disclosed. The device includes a passageway for electrolyte return with electrolyte wettable wicking material in the opposite end portions of the passageway. One end portion is disposed near the upper, negative end of the stack where electrolyte flooding occurs. The second end portion is placed near the lower, positive end of the stack where electrolyte is depleted. Heating means are provided at the upper portion of the passageway to increase electrolyte vapor pressure in the upper wicking material. The vapor is condensed in the lower passageway portion and conducted as molten electrolyte in the lower wick to the positive end face of the stack. An inlet is provided to inject a modifying gas into the passageway and thereby control the rate of electrolyte return.

Inventors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
6738356
Application Number:
ON: DE87007286
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
DOE Contract Number:  
W-31-109-ENG-38
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELLS; ELECTROLYTES; LEVELS; MASS TRANSFER; MOLTEN SALTS; POROUS MATERIALS; VAPOR PRESSURE; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS; ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS; FUEL CELLS; HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS; MATERIALS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; SALTS; THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES; 300503* - Fuel Cells- Materials, Components, & Auxiliaries

Citation Formats

Smith, J L. Device for equalizing molten electrolyte content in a fuel cell stack. United States: N. p., 1985. Web.
Smith, J L. Device for equalizing molten electrolyte content in a fuel cell stack. United States.
Smith, J L. 1985. "Device for equalizing molten electrolyte content in a fuel cell stack". United States.
@article{osti_6738356,
title = {Device for equalizing molten electrolyte content in a fuel cell stack},
author = {Smith, J L},
abstractNote = {A device for equalizing the molten electrolyte content throughout the height of a fuel cell stack is disclosed. The device includes a passageway for electrolyte return with electrolyte wettable wicking material in the opposite end portions of the passageway. One end portion is disposed near the upper, negative end of the stack where electrolyte flooding occurs. The second end portion is placed near the lower, positive end of the stack where electrolyte is depleted. Heating means are provided at the upper portion of the passageway to increase electrolyte vapor pressure in the upper wicking material. The vapor is condensed in the lower passageway portion and conducted as molten electrolyte in the lower wick to the positive end face of the stack. An inlet is provided to inject a modifying gas into the passageway and thereby control the rate of electrolyte return.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6738356}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Dec 23 00:00:00 EST 1985},
month = {Mon Dec 23 00:00:00 EST 1985}
}