Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-18
2003-06-10
Valentine, Donald R. (Department: 1741)
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
C204S275100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06576097
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to electrochemical cells, and in particular to the reactant source for electrolysis or regenerative fuel cell systems.
Electrochemical cells are energy conversion devices, usually classified as either electrolysis cells or fuel cells. Proton exchange membrane electrolysis cells can function as hydrogen generators by electrolytically decomposing water to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. Referring to
FIG. 1
, a section of an anode feed electrolysis cell of the prior 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)
15
. The chemical reaction is facilitated by the positive terminal of a power source
18
connected to anode
14
and the 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 protons
15
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 removed, generally through a gas delivery line. The removed hydrogen gas
28
is usable in a myriad of different applications. Second portion
24
of water is also removed from cathode
20
.
Electrochemical cell systems typically include a number of individual cells arranged in a stack, with the working fluids (e.g., reactant water
12
) directed through the cells via input and output conduits formed within the stack structure. The cells within the stack are sequentially arranged, each including a cathode, a proton exchange membrane, and an anode (hereinafter “membrane electrode assembly”, or “MEA”). Each cell typically further comprises a first flow field in fluid communication with the cathode and a second flow field in fluid communication with the anode. The MEA may be supported on either or both sides by screen packs or bipolar plates disposed within the flow fields, and which may be configured to facilitate membrane hydration and/or fluid movement to and from the MEA.
The reactant water used as the fuel in the cell is deionized, distilled water, which is stored in a reservoir that is in fluid communication with the cell stack. The fill port of the vessel is a hole through which the water is poured. Problems associated with such a design include the inadvertent pouring of water onto other components of the cell as the water reservoir is being filled. The water reservoir also includes a screw cap or pull-off cap covering the fill port. Problems associated with such a design include the contamination of the water with dust or particulate matter introduced during the removal of the screw cap. Furthermore, vessels of the prior art tend not to have any protective member between the opening and the water level in the vessel. In the absence of such a protective member, dust or particulate matter can be easily introduced into the vessel by water splashing off the sides of the fill port and top of the cell, thereby contaminating the water and adversely affecting the performance of the cell.
SUMMARY
A reactant source for an electrolysis cell is disclosed. The water source includes a vessel portion configured to contain water, a funnel disposed in integrated communication with the vessel portion, and a door disposed over the funnel. The door is configured to prevent the introduction of an object into the funnel. A deionizer container may be present in the water source.
In another embodiment, a gas generating system comprises an electrolysis cell; an electrical source disposed in communication with said electrolysis cell; and a reactant source disposed in communication with said electrolysis cell, wherein the reactant source comprises a vessel, a funnel disposed in integrated communication with the vessel configured to channel a flow of reactant into the vessel; an optional screen positioned transverse to the flow of reactant through the funnel; optionally, a deionizer material positioned at the screen, or in a perforated container, wherein the container is at least partially disposed in the reactant; and an optional door pivotally or slidably mounted over the reactant source.
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patent: 4724059 (1988-02-01), Collier
patent: 5053114 (1991-10-01), Maddock
patent: 5643425 (1997-07-01), Amano et al.
patent: 5989407 (1999-11-01), Andrews et al.
patent: 6083392 (2000-07-01), Rigney
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International Search Report, International Application No. PCT/US 01/22497, International Filing Date Jul. 18, 2001, Date of Mailing Jun. 18, 2002, 9 pages.
Byron, Jr. Robert H.
McManus Audrey A.
Scott Ricky S.
Cantor & Colburn LLP
Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
Valentine Donald R.
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