| 摘要 |
1,159,150. Fuel cell combined with electrolytic fuel reformer. UNITED AIRCRAFT CORP. 17 June, 1966 [7 July, 1965], No. 27090/66. Heading H1B. [Also in Division C7] An electrochemical converter for production of hydrogen for use in a fuel cell from a gaseous mixture including a hydrogen-containing feedstock comprises an anode containing a hydro - genation catalyst and spaced apart from the anode a cathode formed of a metal selectively permeable to hydrogen ions, the space therebetween being filled by electrolyte, and the anode and cathode being connected to a power source such that hydrogen ions formed at the anode pass to the cathode and accept electrons to form gaseous hydrogen and diffuse therethrough. The electrolyte may be contained in a porous matrix member separating the anode and cathode. In the form shown in Fig. 3, the converter comprises a porous matrix member 40, e.g. of inorganic fibres such as quartz or glass which separates an anode 42 formed by a conductive wire screen pasted with a dehydrogenation catalyst, and a cathode membrane 44 of a palladium silver alloy which is permeable to hydrogen. Anode and cathode are maintained in close contact with the matrix member by synthetic resin pressure plates 46, 48 having longitudinal grooves 50 formed therein which permit a fuel gas, e.g. a mixture of hydrocarbon and steam, to be passed over the surface of the anode and the resultant carbon dioxide to be vented therefrom, and permit the hydrogen formed at the cathode to be vented therefrom. The converter may form a single construction with a fuel cell. As shown in Fig. 4 the converter comprises an anode 106 and cathode 120 immersed in electrolyte bath 138 in container 100. The gaseous hydrogencontaining feedstock and steam is fed to the side of the anode distant from the electrolyte via inlet tube 110, waste gases are vented via outlet tube 112 and hydrogen ions pass to the cathode 120, and therethrough. The converter cathode 120 also forms the anode member of a fuel cell having cathode member 124, the electrolyte in which said cathode member is immersed being contained within electrode holder 118. Oxygen containing gas is supplied to the fuel cell cathode unit 124 via inlet 126 and waste gases leave the unit via outlet 128 fitted with a valve 130 to control the pressure within the cathode unit. Power is taken off from the cell between the anode of the converter and cathode of the fuel cell by means of current leads 116 and 132. External current is supplied to the cell between the converter cathode, via current lead 122, and the anode 106. Gaseous fuels which may be supplied to the converter for production of hydrogen include saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, oxygenated organic materials such as alcohols and ammonia. |
