Method and apparatus for eliminating waste heat and reaction water together from fuel cells

Claim 2

Method according to claim 1 wherein the return of condensation to the electrolyte for maintaining predetermined electrolytic concentration therein is effected through the pressure lock.

Claim 3

Method according to claim 1 which includes adjusting the valve in accordance with the volume level of the electrolyte.

Claim 4

Method according to claim 1 which includes adjusting the valve in accordance with the concentration of the electrolyte.

Claim 5

Method according to claim 4 which includes regulating the coolant flow so as to vary the cooling action thereof on the condensation surface in accordance with the volume level of the electrolyte.

Claim 6

Method according to claim 5 which includes regulating the coolant flow so as to vary the cooling action thereof on the condensation surface in accordance with the concentration of the electrolyte.

Claim 7

Apparatus for eliminating together, from a fuel cell or battery, waste heat and reaction water produced by reaction of gases in the fuel cell, comprising a heat exchanger including a chamber connected in an electrolyte circulatory loop traversed by electrolyte from the fuel cell, a porous diaphragm permeable to water vapor and impermeable to water defining said chamber on at least one side thereof, A gas chamber communicating with said electrolyte chamber through the pores of said diaphragm, a condensation surface located in said gas chamber opposite and closely adjacent said diaphragm for condensing water vapor bearing waste heat produced by the reaction and diffusing from the electrolyte, through the diaphragm and into the gas chamber and inlets and outlets to said electrolyte chamber and said gas chamber, coolant means for cooling the condensation surface to a temperature at which all of the waste heat is removed by the water vapor diffusing through the diaphragm and condensing on the condensation surface and thereby adjusting the temperature of said condensation surface, temperature sensing means located in said electrolyte circulatory loop and connected with said coolant means for regulating the cooling action thereof on said condensation surface, pressure lock means connected to said chamber for removing condensation water therefrom, said pressure lock means being connected to said gas chamber through said outlet thereof and being located outside said heat exchanger, a controllable valve located in said gas chamber outlet between said gas chamber and said pressure lock means, and means for regulating said controllable valve in accordance with a measured value of electrolyte in said electrolyte chamber.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the condensation surface is located on a nonporous material.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the condensation surface is located on a porous material.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said regulating means comprises an electrolyte level indicator located in said electrolyte chamber and connected to said valve for regulating said valve to adjust the discharge of condensation water therethrough in accordance with the level of the electrolyte.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said regulating means comprises an electrolyte concentration measuring device located in said electrolyte chamber and connected to said valve for regulating said valve to adjust the discharge of condensation water therethrough in accordance with the concentration of the electrolyte.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said electrolyte chamber is connected in an electrolyte circulatory loop passing through the fuel cell, and including temperature sensing means located in said electrolyte circulatory loop within the fuel cell and connected with said coolant means for regulating the cooling action thereof on said condensation surface.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 8 including an electrolyte level indicator located in said electrolyte chamber and connected to said coolant means for adjusting the cooling action of said coolant means on said condensation surface in accordance with the level of electrolyte in said electrolyte chamber.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 8 including an electrolyte concentration measuring device located in said electrolyte chamber and connected to said coolant means for adjusting the cooling action of said coolant means on said condensation surface in accordance with the concentration of electrolyte in said electrolyte chamber.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 8 including means for subjecting said gas chamber to gas pressure with a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, oxygen and air.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 8 including a coolant chamber adjacent said condensation surface for cooling the same, said electrolyte chamber, gas chamber and coolant chamber having the outer appearance of the fuel cell and being connected to the fuel cell at the end of a combined battery of fuel cells.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 8 including a coolant chamber adjacent said condensation surface for cooling the same, said electrolyte chamber, gas chamber and coolant chamber having the outer appearance of the fuel cell and being located intermediate fuel cells combined into a battery.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said electrolyte chamber, said porOus diaphragm, said gas chamber, said condensation surface, and inlets and outlets to said electrolyte chamber and said gas chamber constitute a heat exchanger, a plurality of said heat exchangers being connected into one system with the electrolyte chambers thereof being enclosed on both sides by a gas chamber and a coolant chamber.