Proton electrolyte membrane fuel cell with anti-freeze coolant and humidifiers

Abstract

The invention is an improved proton electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell system suited for application in a vehicle operating in temperatures below the freezing point of water. The invention eliminates the need for pure water channels within a fuel cell humidifier. Specifically, the present invention uses a closed coolant path within the fuel cell; a humidifier comprising a humidification fluid flow path and a fuel and air gas supply passage continuous in, through and out of the humidifier; the humidification fluid flow path and the fuel and air gas supply passage separated by a water permeable membrane that is impervious to organic materials allowing water from the humidification fluid flow path to enter the fuel and air gas supply passage; and the humidifier connected to the fuel cell by a humidified air and fuel passageway. The water permeable membrane can be a keggin ions pillared α-ZrP composite material. In one embodiment, the coolant path can be configured to include a coolant pump and a heat exchanger. The coolant can be a water and organic material mixture (using, for example glycol) thus allowing coolant flow in temperatures below the freezing point.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.