Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic synthesis – Involving measuring – analyzing – or testing during synthesis
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-25
2003-02-25
Nguyen, Nam (Department: 1741)
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic synthesis
Involving measuring, analyzing, or testing during synthesis
C204S228100, C204S228300, C204S228500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06524464
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Electrochemical cells are energy conversion devices that are usually classified as either electrolysis cells or fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane electrolysis cells function as hydrogen generators by electrolytically decomposing water to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. The hydrogen gas is then removed and used as a fuel. Referring to
FIG. 1
, a section of an anode feed electrolysis cell of the related art is shown generally at
10
and is hereinafter referred to as “cell
10
.” Reactant water
12
is fed into cell
10
at an oxygen electrode (anode)
14
to form oxygen gas
16
, electrons, and hydrogen ions (protons). The chemical reaction is facilitated by the positive terminal of a power source
18
connected to anode
14
and a negative terminal of power source
18
connected to a hydrogen electrode (cathode)
20
. Oxygen gas
16
and a first portion
22
of the water are discharged from cell
10
, while the protons and a second portion
24
of the water migrate across a proton exchange membrane
26
to cathode
20
. At cathode
20
, hydrogen gas
28
is formed and is removed for use as a fuel. Second portion
24
of water, which is entrained with hydrogen gas, is also removed from cathode
20
. The removal of hydrogen is generally effectuated through a gas delivery line.
Cell
10
includes a number of individual cells (not shown) arranged in a stack with reactant water
12
being directed through the cells via input and output conduits formed within the stack structure. The cells within the stack are sequentially arranged, and each one includes a membrane electrode assembly defined by a proton exchange membrane disposed between a cathode portion and an anode portion. The cathode portion, anode portion, or both may be gas diffusion electrodes that facilitate gas diffusion to the proton exchange membrane. Each membrane electrode assembly is supported on both sides by screen packs within flow fields. The screen packs facilitate fluid movement and membrane hydration and provide mechanical support for the membrane electrode assembly.
Power to the electrolysis cell is interrupted when, after sensing a condition such as a pressure variation in the gas delivery line, a control unit signals an electrical source that drives a reference voltage applied across a potentiometer to an extreme value. In such a system, the control unit is directly dependent upon the detection of a mass leak from the gas delivery line. Depending upon the preselected conditions of the system, when the power interruption capability is dependent upon the detection of a mass leak, a delay between the time that the leak occurs and the time at which the system is shut down may be experienced. Such systems do not provide early detection of potential problems but instead simply react to signals indicative of problems currently existing in the operation of the cell.
SUMMARY
A fan flow sensor for a hydrogen generating proton exchange member electrolysis cell is disclosed herein. The fan flow sensor includes a switching device and a sail slideably disposed on the switching device. The sail is configured to actuate the switching device in response to an airflow from a fan.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4788389 (1988-11-01), Okazaki
patent: 5736016 (1998-04-01), Allen
patent: 5783060 (1998-07-01), La Riviere et al.
patent: 5980726 (1999-11-01), Moulthrop, Jr. et al.
patent: 6022459 (2000-02-01), Briggs
patent: 6033549 (2000-03-01), Peinecke et al.
Cantor & Colburn LLP
Nguyen Nam
Nicolas Wesley A.
Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
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