초록 ▼

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance with CO contamination of the H2 fuel stream is substantially improved by injecting O2 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 remo

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance with CO contamination of the H2 fuel stream is substantially improved by injecting O2 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 H2 reaction to generate current. Using an O2 injection, a suitable fuel stream for a PEM fuel cell can be formed from a methanol source using conventional reforming processes for producing H2.

대표청구항 ▼

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 H2 fuel stream containing a concentration of CO upstream of said fuel cell an amount of O2 for oxidatively reacting with said CO adjacent said electrod

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 H2 fuel stream containing a concentration of CO upstream of said fuel cell an amount of O2 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 O2 is functionally determined to substantially improve said fuel cell performance toward pure H2 performance levels.