초록 ▼

An interdigitated enthalpy exchange device is disclosed for a fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell and a direct mass and heat transfer device secured in fluid communication with both an oxidant stream entering the fuel cell and an exhaust stream leaving the fuel cell. The direc

An interdigitated enthalpy exchange device is disclosed for a fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell and a direct mass and heat transfer device secured in fluid communication with both an oxidant stream entering the fuel cell and an exhaust stream leaving the fuel cell. The direct mass and heat transfer device secures the interdigitated enthalpy exchange device in mass transfer relationship between the oxidant and exhaust streams. The device includes discontinuous oxidant entry and oxidant exit channels and discontinuous exhaust entry and exhaust exit channels, thereby providing for direct transfer of mass and heat from the exhaust stream to the oxidant stream while also restricting loss of liquid from the plant in the exhaust stream, filtering of dust entering the plant in the oxidant stream, and dampening of noise of the plant.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fuel cell power plant that generates electrical energy from process oxidant and reducing fluid reactant streams, the plant comprising:a. at least one fuel cell means for producing the electrical energy from the process oxidant stream and reducing fluid stream; and, b. a direct mass and heat tra

1. A fuel cell power plant that generates electrical energy from process oxidant and reducing fluid reactant streams, the plant comprising:a. at least one fuel cell means for producing the electrical energy from the process oxidant stream and reducing fluid stream; and, b. a direct mass and heat transfer device secured in fluid communication with both an oxidant inlet line that directs the process oxidant stream into the fuel cell means and also with a plant exhaust passage that directs a plant exhaust stream out of the fuel cell means, the device including a housing that secures an interdigitated enthalpy exchange device means for transferring mass and heat between the plant exhaust stream passing adjacent an exhaust surface of the device means and the process oxidant stream passing adjacent an opposed process oxidant surface of the device means, wherein the housing secures the device means between the oxidant and exhaust streams to prevent bulk mixing of the streams within the device.