Apparatus for demonstrating and studying the operation of a fuel cell

Abstract

The apparatus comprises five main components: two catalysed electrodes (1 and 2), and three plastics parts, a top tube (3), a spacer (4) and a bottom tube (5). The apparatus may be partially immersed in a liquid mixture (11) of fuel and electrolyte, e.g. methanol and potassium hydroxide, so that the liquid mixture (11) is able to freely circulate in contact with the underside of the upper electrode (1) and both sides of the lower electrode (2) while the top side of the upper electrode (1) is exposed to the air. The apparatus thus operates as a fuel cell in which the methanol is oxidized by oxygen from the air to produce carbon dioxide, water and electrical energy. The apparatus can be used in the teaching of a wide range of scientific principles. It can also form the basis of a small commercial fuel cell capable of powering a light, radio, television etc.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.