Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – With pressure equalizing means for liquid immersion operation
Patent
1987-02-02
1988-08-23
Hearn, Brian E.
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
With pressure equalizing means for liquid immersion operation
429 38, 429 34, H01M 214
Patent
active
047660430
ABSTRACT:
In a fuel cell according to the present invention, a plurality of unit cells each includes an anode and a cathode, each formed of a porous substrate, and an electrolyte matrix layer interposed between the anode and the cathode. A fuel gas channel is formed on one surface of the anode that is located on the side opposite to the electrolyte matrix layer, and an electrolyte-solution permeable portion is formed on the same surface of the anode. The unit cells are stacked in layers, and a plurality of separator elements are interposed between the adjacent unit cells to form a stacked structure. Each of the separator elements has a recess formed on its surface that is located on the side facing the anode. The recess serves to store an electrolyte solution and contain the electrolyte-solution permeable portion. Thus, if an electrolyte solution, with which the electrolyte matrix layer is impregnated, is reduced, the solution stored in the recess permeates the matrix layer, flowing through the permeable portion. As a result, the voltage of the fuel cell is prevented from dropping, thus permitting a prolonged continuous operation of the fuel cell.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3994748 (1976-11-01), Kunz et al.
patent: 4366211 (1982-12-01), Pollack
patent: 4383008 (1983-05-01), Chi
patent: 4383009 (1983-05-01), Kothmann
patent: 4461813 (1984-07-01), Shirogami et al.
patent: 4515871 (1985-05-01), Shirogami et al.
AD-A070 881 "Improvement of Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell Stacks" p. 27.
EPRI EM-1134 "Integral Cell Scale-Up and Performance Verification" pp. S-1 to S-2.
Shirogami Tamotsu
Ueno Mitsushi
Hearn Brian E.
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Kalafut Stephen J.
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