Electrochemical hydrogen pump and uses thereof for heat exchange applications
AssigneeBorst, Inc.
InventorBoris Tsenter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrochemical heat exchanger which includes a housing, hydrogen producing/consuming portions separated by a proton exchange membrane and a gas space designed to contact an object in need of cooling. The gas space includes either hydrogen or a liquid gas which is placed in thermal contact with an item to be cooled. The hydrogen gas or liquid coolant exchanges heat with the element to be cooled and is constantly replenished by hydrogen or liquid coolant forced through the heat exchanger by a pressure differential created between the respective hydrogen electrodes.
Claims15
An electrochemical heat exchanger comprised of:
- a first hydrogen electrode having a first gas space;
- a second hydrogen electrode having a second gas space;
- and
- a solid electrolyte electrically connecting said first and second hydrogen electrode, said first and second gas spaces being in communication with a heat exchange member.
A hydrogen pump comprising
- a hydrogen producing electrode;
- a hydrogen consuming electrode;
- a proton exchange member electrically connecting said hydrogen producing electrode to said hydrogen consuming electrode;
- and
- a gas space interposed between said hydrogen producing electrode and said consuming electrode.
A method of cooling an object comprised of
- producing hydrogen gas in a cathodic space;
- consuming hydrogen gas in an anodic space;
- and
- contacting a cooling medium with said object said cooling medium absorbing heat from said object and transporting said heat away from said object, said step of transporting being accomplished by said step of producing and consuming respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.