WO2006097815A2 - Integrated humidified fuel cell assembly - Google Patents

Integrated humidified fuel cell assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006097815A2
WO2006097815A2 PCT/IB2006/000553 IB2006000553W WO2006097815A2 WO 2006097815 A2 WO2006097815 A2 WO 2006097815A2 IB 2006000553 W IB2006000553 W IB 2006000553W WO 2006097815 A2 WO2006097815 A2 WO 2006097815A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
fuel
cell stack
air
membrane
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2006/000553
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2006097815A3 (en
Inventor
Jorgen Schjerning Lundsgaard
Henning Frederiksen
Madeleine Odgaard
John Kaas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IRD Fuel Cells AS
Original Assignee
IRD Fuel Cells AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by IRD Fuel Cells AS filed Critical IRD Fuel Cells AS
Priority to US11/908,308 priority Critical patent/US20080187808A1/en
Priority to EP06727312A priority patent/EP1864349A2/en
Priority to CA002601428A priority patent/CA2601428A1/en
Publication of WO2006097815A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006097815A2/en
Publication of WO2006097815A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006097815A3/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • H01M8/04179—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal by purging or increasing flow or pressure of reactants
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04126—Humidifying
    • H01M8/04141—Humidifying by water containing exhaust gases
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04126—Humidifying
    • H01M8/04149—Humidifying by diffusion, e.g. making use of membranes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04291—Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1009—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged
    • H01M8/1011—Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to modified fuel cells which use aqueous solutions of alcohol such as methanol and which provide improved distribution of temperature and humidity. Important savings in excess air supply rate, operation stability, environmental sensitivity, and heat control are obtained using this integrated humidified fuel cell assembly.
  • Fuel cells are electrochemical energy conversion devices considered as a possible alternative to internal combustion engines. Fuel cells convert a hydrogen containing fuel such as methanol or hydrogen to electrical energy by an oxidation reaction. A by-product of this reaction is water. Adequate output voltage entails the assembly of multiple fuel cells, connected in series, into fuel cell stacks. Various proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have been described.
  • PEM proton exchange membrane
  • SPE solid polymer electrolyte
  • Nafion a sulfonated fluorinated polymer membrane material known as Nafion
  • Various configurations of SPE fuel cells as well as methods for their preparation have been described. See e.g. U.S. Patent 4,469,579; U.S. Patent 4,826,554; U.S. Patent 5,211,984; U.S. Patent 5,272,017; U.S. Patent 5,316,871; U.S. Patent 5,399,184; U.S. Patent 5,472,799; U.S. Patent 5,474,857; and U.S. Patent 5,702,755.
  • SPE solid polymer electrolyte
  • DFMC Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
  • the air supply in present fuel cell system serves to lead excess heat produced in the electrochemical oxidation away from the cell. At the same time air passing through the cell becomes humidified by the water and takes up the carbon dioxide produced so that spent air removes reactants from the reaction.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram of a fuel cell assembly of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows the general principles of construction of the fuel cell assembly of the present invention.
  • a membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 is used as the constructional base for mounting of the cell stack 2.
  • the fuel cell stack in the present embodiment is built up using dual function bipolar separator plates according to
  • Clean air is pumped in through the inlet port 5 and circulated in the membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 and supplied to the cell stack 2 as oxidant using the primary air pump and the air distributor 3.
  • the membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 is a conventional device widely used in providing a supply of humidified air to fuel cells. Clean air is pumped into the assembly via the inlet port 5 to the membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 where it contacts a semi-porous membrane separating the circulating fluid fuel such as 1 molar methanol from the air phase.
  • the semi-porous membrane allows the diffusion of water to and from the contacting phases. This ensures that the air leaving the membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 is fully humidified and heated by the hot and denuded liquid fuel, which exits the fuel cell stack 2 via the sealed outlet. Air is then returned to the air pump 3 and supplemented by new air through the inlet port 5 before being recycled. Water which may have condensed in the cool, re-circulating air is purged via a water vent 4.
  • Fuel from the fuel cell stack 2 is also circulated through the membrane-type humidifying exchange 1 and returned to the fuel cell stack 2 via a sealed outlet .
  • the fuel circulation and the fuel concentration are maintained by using a fuel circulation device 7, preferably a gas driven fuel circulation device such as described in PCT/EP2004/013397, filed November 18, 2004, teachings of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety) attached to fuel inlet and outlet pipes 6.
  • a fuel circulation device 7 preferably a gas driven fuel circulation device such as described in PCT/EP2004/013397, filed November 18, 2004, teachings of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety
  • alternative fuel circulation devices can be used.
  • the molar air to fuel ratio ( ⁇ ) required for normal stable operation of previously used configurations is from a ⁇ factor of 2.5 to 3.5.
  • Cell operation with the configuration of the present invention requires a considerably lower ⁇ value of 2.0.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

A fuel cell stack constructed and assembled so that a membrane -type humidifying exchanger enables diffusional contact of a re-circulating aqueous liquid fuel supply and the oxidant air stream supplied to the fuel cell stack is provided. The assembly is configured so that the fuel cell stack is mounted together with other ancillaries on a base provided by the membrane -type humidifying exchanger.

Description

Integrated humidified fuel cell assembly
This patent application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/662,294, filed March 16, 2005, teachings of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to modified fuel cells which use aqueous solutions of alcohol such as methanol and which provide improved distribution of temperature and humidity. Important savings in excess air supply rate, operation stability, environmental sensitivity, and heat control are obtained using this integrated humidified fuel cell assembly.
Background of the Invention
Fuel cells are electrochemical energy conversion devices considered as a possible alternative to internal combustion engines. Fuel cells convert a hydrogen containing fuel such as methanol or hydrogen to electrical energy by an oxidation reaction. A by-product of this reaction is water. Adequate output voltage entails the assembly of multiple fuel cells, connected in series, into fuel cell stacks. Various proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have been described.
One type of PEM fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membrane, such as a sulfonated fluorinated polymer membrane material known as Nafion, which provides ion exchange between cathode and anode electrodes . Various configurations of SPE fuel cells as well as methods for their preparation have been described. See e.g. U.S. Patent 4,469,579; U.S. Patent 4,826,554; U.S. Patent 5,211,984; U.S. Patent 5,272,017; U.S. Patent 5,316,871; U.S. Patent 5,399,184; U.S. Patent 5,472,799; U.S. Patent 5,474,857; and U.S. Patent 5,702,755.
In Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DFMC) the electrochemical oxidation with oxygen from the air supplied.
The air supply in present fuel cell system serves to lead excess heat produced in the electrochemical oxidation away from the cell. At the same time air passing through the cell becomes humidified by the water and takes up the carbon dioxide produced so that spent air removes reactants from the reaction.
It is an important function of this integrated assembly that the use of excess air to remove reactants and cool the cell stack is considerably reduced. The integrated assembly also makes the use of connections and tubes joining the separate functional units unnecessary. A further advantage is friction losses that constrictions of fluid flow in tubes and fittings are reduced.
Brief Description of the Figures
Figure 1 is a diagram of a fuel cell assembly of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows the general principles of construction of the fuel cell assembly of the present invention. A membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 is used as the constructional base for mounting of the cell stack 2. The fuel cell stack in the present embodiment is built up using dual function bipolar separator plates according to
PCT/EP2005/002243 filed February 15, 2005, teachings of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. However, other fuel cell designs may also be used in the present invention.
Clean air is pumped in through the inlet port 5 and circulated in the membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 and supplied to the cell stack 2 as oxidant using the primary air pump and the air distributor 3.
The membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 is a conventional device widely used in providing a supply of humidified air to fuel cells. Clean air is pumped into the assembly via the inlet port 5 to the membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 where it contacts a semi-porous membrane separating the circulating fluid fuel such as 1 molar methanol from the air phase. The semi-porous membrane allows the diffusion of water to and from the contacting phases. This ensures that the air leaving the membrane-type humidifying exchanger 1 is fully humidified and heated by the hot and denuded liquid fuel, which exits the fuel cell stack 2 via the sealed outlet. Air is then returned to the air pump 3 and supplemented by new air through the inlet port 5 before being recycled. Water which may have condensed in the cool, re-circulating air is purged via a water vent 4.
Fuel from the fuel cell stack 2 is also circulated through the membrane-type humidifying exchange 1 and returned to the fuel cell stack 2 via a sealed outlet . The fuel circulation and the fuel concentration are maintained by using a fuel circulation device 7, preferably a gas driven fuel circulation device such as described in PCT/EP2004/013397, filed November 18, 2004, teachings of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety) attached to fuel inlet and outlet pipes 6. As will be understood by the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure, however, alternative fuel circulation devices can be used.
In conventional non-integrated systems it is necessary to maintain a high level of excess air supply in order for excessive condensation of water in the spent air stream to be avoided. Further, frequent purging with high air flow is necessary at intervals affected by the humidity and temperature of the oxidizing air supply.
The molar air to fuel ratio (λ) required for normal stable operation of previously used configurations is from a λ factor of 2.5 to 3.5. Cell operation with the configuration of the present invention requires a considerably lower λ value of 2.0.
Further, purging is only necessary as a part of normal startup procedure. This enables a reduction in the energy drain for operating ancillary equipment such as the air pump, thus providing for improved overall efficiency. Further advantages result from the optimal humidification of air supplied to the cell so that variations in ambient air temperature and humidity do not affect the operation of the cell and condensation is better controlled so that vapor- locks and water blockages are avoided. Further advantages are that evaporation losses from the re-circulating fuel are reduced so that topping up of the fluid level becomes less frequent. The integrated system thus provides significantly improved stability of operation especially where fuel cells of the DMFC type are used in stand alone or in remote applications .

Claims

What is Claimed is:
1. An integrated humidified fuel cell assembly- comprising:
(a) a fuel cell stack; (b) a membrane-type humidifying exchanger upon which the fuel cell stack is mounted which supplies oxidant to the fuel cell stack;
(c) a primary air pump and air distributor which pumps and circulates clean air from a clean air inlet port to the membrane-type humidifying exchanger;
(d) a clean air inlet port with provides clean air to the primary air pump and air distributor;
(e) a fuel circulation device;
(f) a fuel inlet pipe and a fuel outlet pipe which connect the fuel circulation device to the fuel cell stack; and
(g) a water vent for purging of any water which condenses in cool, re-circulated air in the membrane-type humidifying exchanger.
2. The integrated humidified fuel cell assembly of claim 1 wherein the fuel cell stack comprises dual function bipolar separator plates .
3. The integrated humidified fuel cell assembly of claim 1 wherein the fuel circulation device is a gas driven fuel circulation device.
PCT/IB2006/000553 2005-03-16 2006-03-14 Integrated humidified fuel cell assembly Ceased WO2006097815A2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/908,308 US20080187808A1 (en) 2005-03-16 2006-03-14 Integrated Humidified Fuel Cell Assembly
EP06727312A EP1864349A2 (en) 2005-03-16 2006-03-14 Integrated humidified fuel cell assembly
CA002601428A CA2601428A1 (en) 2005-03-16 2006-03-14 Integrated humidified fuel cell assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US66229405P 2005-03-16 2005-03-16
US60/662,294 2005-03-16

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006097815A2 true WO2006097815A2 (en) 2006-09-21
WO2006097815A3 WO2006097815A3 (en) 2007-01-18

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2006/000553 Ceased WO2006097815A2 (en) 2005-03-16 2006-03-14 Integrated humidified fuel cell assembly

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20080187808A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1864349A2 (en)
CA (1) CA2601428A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2006097815A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6247040B2 (en) * 2013-07-30 2017-12-13 ダイハツ工業株式会社 Fuel cell system
CN112072141A (en) * 2020-09-12 2020-12-11 山东魔方新能源科技有限公司 Fuel cell and humidifier integrated system

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2006097815A3 (en) 2007-01-18
EP1864349A2 (en) 2007-12-12
US20080187808A1 (en) 2008-08-07
CA2601428A1 (en) 2006-09-21

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