Fuel cell system with improved reaction gas utilization
OwnerRolf Bruck, Joachim Grosse +2inventors
InventorsRolf Bruck, Joachim Grosse, Jorg-Roman Konieczny, Meike Reizig
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Abstract
A fuel cell unit with a fuel cell stack exhibits improved reaction gas utilization by defining variable mass transfer coefficients within the stack. The reaction gas utilization is optimized by matching and shaping the process gas stream distribution channels, such that the laminar flow in the smooth channels is turned into a turbulent flow and thus an increase in the mass transfer coefficient β in the back end of the stack occurs. According to a preferred embodiment, pole plates, tripping edges and deflectors are provided in the distribution channels. These measures allow the main direction of flow may be diverted to the active cell surfaces.
Claims10
A fuel cell system with improved utilization of reaction gas in a process gas, comprising:
- a fuel cell stack having at least one fuel cell with an active surface and conducting the process gas along a direction of flow, wherein a transfer stream acting on said active surface of said fuel cell is determined by a mass transfer coefficient;
- said mass transfer coefficient in the transfer stream perpendicular to the direction of flow of the process gas being variable, and the transfer stream increasing in the direction of flow of the process gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.