Method and apparatus for distributing water to an ion-exchange m

Details Method and apparatus for distributing water to an ion-exchange m Method and apparatus for distributing water to an ion-exchange m

1997-12-01

1999-08-10

Bell, Bruce F.

Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and

Having magnetic field feature

429 22, 429 32, 429 14, 429 17, H01M 800

Patent

active

059357266

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus are provided for distributing water produced by the electrochemical reaction to an ion-exchange membrane in a electrochemical fuel cell. Water distribution within a fuel cell is improved to reduce membrane dryness near the oxidant stream inlet and to also reduce saturation of the oxidant stream near the oxidant stream outlet, thereby reducing electrode flooding. The method comprises periodically reversing the flow direction of an oxidant stream through a fuel cell flow field. The apparatus comprises an oxidant stream flow switching device for periodically switching the flow direction of an oxidant stream through a fuel cell flow field. In one embodiment the apparatus further comprises a water recycler for capturing water from the oxidant exhaust stream and returning the captured water to the oxidant supply stream when the flow direction is reversed.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3553023 (1971-01-01), Doyle
patent: 4476197 (1984-10-01), Herceg
patent: 4582765 (1986-04-01), Kothmann
patent: 5518705 (1996-05-01), Buswell et al.
patent: 5543238 (1996-08-01), Strasser
patent: 5601936 (1997-02-01), Dudfield et al.
patent: 5677073 (1997-10-01), Kawatsu

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