Preventing CO poisoning in fuel cells

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 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 (United States)
• 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

Related Subjects

preventing
poisoning
fuel
cells
proton
exchange
membrane
pem
cell
performance
contamination
stream
substantially
improved
injecting
ahead
found
surface
reaction
occurs
operating
temperatures
below
100
degree
oxidatively
remove
restore
electrode
generate
current
injection
suitable
formed
methanol
source
conventional
reforming
processes
producing
proton exchange
cell performance
fuel cell
substantially improved
temperatures below
fuel stream
fuel cells
operating temperature
operating temperatures
electrode surface
pem fuel
reaction occurs
exchange membrane
substantially improve
surface reaction
forming process
rate current
reaction occur
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