H2-Cl2 PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS, FUEL CELL ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING THE SAME AND SYSTEMS FOR COGENERATION OF ELECTRICITY AND HCL

摘要

Fuel cells and, more particularly, the H2—Cl2 proton exchange membrane fuels cells are described. In some embodiments the fuel cells include a flow through electrolyte assembly that is configured to allow the introduction of a first (relatively dilute) electrolyte into the cell, and the remove of a second (relatively concentrated) electrolyte from the cell. Fuel cell stacks and systems for cogenerating electricity and hydrochloric acid using such fuel cells are also described.

主权项

1. A H2—Cl2 fuel cell, comprising:
an anode assembly comprising a catalyst to catalytically oxidize H2 to H+ a cathode assembly comprising a catalyst to catalytically reduce Cl2 to Cl−; a proton exchange membrane between the anode assembly and the cathode assembly; and a flow through electrolyte assembly between the proton exchange membrane and the cathode assembly, the flow through electrolyte assembly comprising a frame and a porous flow through field; and wherein:
the frame comprises an inlet for receiving an incoming electrolyte and providing said incoming electrolyte to said flow through field; andthe frame comprises an outlet for receiving an outgoing electrolyte from said flow through field and transporting said outgoing electrolyte out of said flow through electrolyte assembly.