Preventing CO poisoning in fuel cells

Patent · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:867310

Gottesfeld, Shimshon ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance with CO contamination of the H.sub.2 fuel stream 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.degree. 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.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4910099
• OSTI ID: 867310
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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100
ahead
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current
degree
electrode
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exchange
exchange membrane
formed
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found
fuel
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fuel stream
generate
improved
injecting
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membrane
methanol
occurs
operating
operating temperature
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pem
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poisoning
preventing
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producing
proton
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rate current
reaction
reaction occur
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reforming
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source
stream
substantially
substantially improve
substantially improved
suitable
surface
surface reaction
temperatures
temperatures below