Fuel cell membrane humidification

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872515

Wilson, Mahlon S ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell assembly has an anode side and a cathode side separated by the membrane and generating electrical current by electrochemical reactions between a fuel gas and an oxidant. The anode side comprises a hydrophobic gas diffusion backing contacting one side of the membrane and having hydrophilic areas therein for providing liquid water directly to the one side of the membrane through the hydrophilic areas of the gas diffusion backing. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophilic areas of the gas diffusion backing are formed by sewing a hydrophilic thread through the backing. Liquid water is distributed over the gas diffusion backing in distribution channels that are separate from the fuel distribution channels.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 5952119
• OSTI ID: 872515
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

fuel
cell
membrane
humidification
polymer
electrolyte
assembly
anode
cathode
separated
generating
electrical
current
electrochemical
reactions
gas
oxidant
comprises
hydrophobic
diffusion
contacting
hydrophilic
therein
providing
liquid
water
directly
preferred
embodiment
formed
sewing
thread
distributed
distribution
channels
separate
generating electric
fuel cell
liquid water
fuel distribution
gas diffusion
electrolyte membrane
fuel gas
preferred embodiment
chemical reaction
polymer electrolyte
electrical current
cell assembly
chemical reactions
electrochemical reaction
water directly
membrane fuel
electrochemical reactions
generating electrical
cell membrane
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