Evaporative edge cooling of a fuel cell
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsJoerg Zimmerman, Olen R. Vanderleeden, Leslie Bartha
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for cooling an electrochemical fuel cell which comprises coolant channels extending along the edge of the fuel cell, adjacent to the active area whereby the fuel cell is cooled by evaporating a liquid coolant in the coolant channels. The coolant may then be condensed and recirculated through the coolant channels. Efficient cooling of the fuel cell may be enhanced by reducing the boiling point of the coolant by reducing the pressure across the coolant channels.
Claims13
A method for cooling a fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising a coolant channel situated along an edge of an electrode of the fuel cell, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) determining an operating temperature for the fuel cell;
- (b) selecting a liquid coolant for use with the coolant channel wherein the liquid coolant has a boiling point below the operating temperature of the fuel cell;
- (c) operating the fuel cell;
- (d) directing the liquid coolant into the coolant channel such that the coolant evaporates from the heat generated by the fuel cell;
- (e) feeding the evaporated coolant through a coolant condenser;
- and
- (f) recirculating the condensed coolant back into the coolant channel.
A fuel cell having an operating temperature comprising:
- (a) a pair of electrodes comprising an electrochemically active area;
- (b) a coolant channel situated along an edge of at least one of the electrodes;
- and
- (c) a liquid coolant situated within the coolant channel having a boiling point below the operating temperature of the fuel cell.
An electrochemical fuel cell system comprising:
- (a) a fuel stack comprising at least one fuel cell having an operating temperature, the fuel cell comprising:
- (1) a pair of electrodes comprising an electrochemically active area;
- (2) a coolant channel situated along an edge of at least one of the electrodes;
- and
- (3) a liquid coolant situated within the coolant channel having a boiling point below the operating temperature of the fuel cell;
- the fuel cell stack further comprising a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port both fluidly connected to the coolant channel;
- (b) a coolant condenser fluidly connected to the coolant outlet port;
- and
- (c) a pump fluidly connected to both the coolant condenser and the coolant inlet port for recirculating the coolant through the coolant channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.