초록 ▼

A system and apparatus for supplying and circulating fresh electrolyte to and through the anode and ion exchange sections of a plurality of related air/metal fuel cells; preventing the flow of shunt currents through the electrolyte between the fuel cell sections; removing heat produced by fuel cell

A system and apparatus for supplying and circulating fresh electrolyte to and through the anode and ion exchange sections of a plurality of related air/metal fuel cells; preventing the flow of shunt currents through the electrolyte between the fuel cell sections; removing heat produced by fuel cell reaction from the electrolyte; removing solid byproducts of fuel cell reaction from the electrolyte; and reconstituting spent electrolyte. The system and apparatus commingles electrolyte with a hydrophobic liquid dielectric which has a specific gravity which is less than the specific gravity of the electrolyte and conducting the commingled liquids through small diameter conductors of dielectric material to the fuel cell sections. The liquid dielectric in the electrolytes and conductors maintain a current path in the electrolyte open and prevent the flow of shunt currents. The system and apparatus operate to separate commingled liquid dielectric and electrolyte flowing from the fuel cell sections; removes heat carried from the cell sections by the liquid dielectric; recommingles the liquid dielectric and electrolyte and reintroduces into the cell sections. The system and apparatus operate to intermittently transfer portions of partially spent byproduct ladened electrolyte circulated through the anode sections of the cells to a separator in which the byproduct is removed from the spent electrolyte.

대표청구항 ▼

A fuel cell electrolyte control system and apparatus for a plurality of related fuel cells, each having an anode section filled with an aqueous anolyte solution and in which an anode electrode is immersed, an anolyte tank holding a supply of anolyte for the plurality of cells and a supply of hydroph

A fuel cell electrolyte control system and apparatus for a plurality of related fuel cells, each having an anode section filled with an aqueous anolyte solution and in which an anode electrode is immersed, an anolyte tank holding a supply of anolyte for the plurality of cells and a supply of hydrophobic liquid dielectric having a specific gravity which is less than the specific gravity of the anolyte, a liquid mixing supply manifold of dielectric material with anolyte and liquid dielectric inlets and an outlet for each cell, liquid delivery means moving anolyte and liquid dielectric from the anolyte tank to the anolyte and liquid dielectric inlets of said manifold, elongate tubular conductors of dielectric material connecting each outlet with a related cell and conducting commingled anolyte and liquid dielectric from the manifold to the cells; and liquid return means of dielectric material connected between and conducting the anolyte and liquid dielectric from the cells to the anolyte tank.