Fuel-cell reactant delivery and circulation device
AssigneeIRD Fuel Cells A/S
InventorsJorgen Schjerning Lundsgaard, John Kaas, Madeleine Odgaard, David M. Thomas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fuel cells equipped with a self-contained gas- or air-lift which circulates fuel through the channels of the separator plate of the fuel cell via gaseous carbon dioxide produced by the reaction of the membrane electrode assembly and the fuel are provided. Also provided are exemplary self-contained gas-or air-lifts useful for production of these fuel cells.
Claims3
A fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly, a porous conductive layer adjacent to and in contact with the membrane-electrode assembly, a separator plate adjacent to the porous conductive layer, said separator plate containing channels in which fuel flows and diffuses to the membrane-electrode assembly via the conductive porous layer and a self contained gas- or air-lift which circulates fuel through the channels of the separator plate via gaseous carbon dioxide produced by the reaction of the membrane electrode assembly and the fuel by passive means without moving devices with pumps and valves thereby decreasing any drain on power output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.