US4910099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preventing CO poisoning in fuel cells
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1988-12-05
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Granted: 1990-03-20
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Expires: 2008-12-05
Abstract
Abstract Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance with CO contamination of the H 2 fuel stream is substantially improved by injecting O 2 into the fuel stream ahead of the fuel cell. It is found that a surface reaction occurs even at PEM operating temperatures below about 100° C. to oxidatively remove the CO and restore electrode surface area for the H 2 reaction to generate current. Using an O 2 injection, a suitable fuel stream for a PEM fuel cell can be formed from a methanol source using conventional reforming processes for producing H 2 .
Inventors
- 👤 Shimshon Gottesfeld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/04; H01M8/04082; H01M8/04089; H01M2300/00; H01M2300/0017; H01M2300/0065; H01M2300/0082; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for minimizing the effects of CO poisoning in a fuel cell having a catalytic electrode structure, comprising the step of: injecting into an H 2 fuel stream containing a concentration of CO upstream of said fuel cell an amount of O 2 for oxidatively reacting with said CO adjacent said electrode structure of said fuel cell at temperatures less than about 160° C., wherein said amount of O 2 is functionally determined to substantially improve said fuel cell performance toward pure H 2 performance levels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for minimizing the effects of CO poisoning in a fuel cell having a catalytic electrode structure, comprising the step of: injecting into an H 2 fuel stream containing a concentration of CO upstream of said fuel cell an amount of O 2 for oxidatively reacting with said CO adjacent said electrode structure of said fuel cell at temperatures less than about 160° C., wherein said amount of O 2 is functionally determined to substantially improve said fuel cell performance toward pure H 2 performance levels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, including the step of generating said fuel stream from methanol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according o claim 1, wherein said concentration of CO is 100-500 ppm and said volume percent of injected O 2 is about 2-6%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said concentration of CO is 100-500 ppm and said volume percent of injected O 2 is about 2-6%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fuel cell is a PEM fuel cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 5, including the step of generating said fuel stream from methanol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said concentration of CO is 100-500 ppm and said volume percent of injected O 2 is about 2-6%.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said concentration of CO is 100-500 ppm and said volume percent of injected O 2 is about 2-6%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said O 2 is injected upstream of a humidifier for said fuel stream.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said temperature does not exceed about 100° C.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for minimizing the effects of CO poisoning in a fuel cell having a catalytic electrode structure, comprising the step of injecting O 2 upstream of said fuel cell in an amount effective to restore the performance of said fuel cell to a selected level relative to the performance of said cell with pure H 2 .
Claim 13
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for minimizing the effects of CO poisoning in a fuel cell having a catalytic electrode structure, comprising the step of injecting O 2 upstream of said fuel cell in an amount effective to restore the performance of said fuel cell to a selected level relative to the performance of said cell with pure H 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 11, further including the step of generating a fuel stream from methanol comprising H 2 with CO contamination.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein said fuel cell is a PEM fuel cell.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein the operating temperature of said fuel cell is less than 100° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4309359A
Cited
US4650727A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-19 | 1993-09-18 | 1994-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-19 | 1997-09-18 | 1998-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-19 | 2001-09-18 | 2002-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |