NITRIC ACID REGENERATION FUEL CELL SYSTEMS

摘要

Methods and systems for regenerating a fuel cell are disclosed, comprising sparging a catholyte liquid with a gaseous oxygen-containing flow stream. In addition, the gaseous byproducts in the catholyte can be collected and then converted to liquid forms for easy disposal. In some embodiments, the regeneration process comprises intermittently regenerating an oxidant flow stream, for example, based on detected conditions. In some embodiments, the regeneration process comprises switching between different modes of oxidant regeneration, for example, based on detected conditions.

主权项

1. A nitric acid regeneration fuel cell system, comprising:
an anode; anode conduits fluidly connected to the anode,
wherein the anode conduits comprises an inlet anode conduit for providing an anolyte flow stream to the anode,wherein the anode conduits comprises an outlet anode conduit for delivering an anolyte effluent flow stream from the anode,wherein the anolyte flow stream comprises a fuel for reacting at the anode; a cathode; cathode conduits fluidly connected to the cathode,
wherein the cathode conduits comprises an inlet cathode conduit for providing a catholyte flow stream to the cathode,wherein the cathode conduits comprises an outlet cathode conduit for delivering a catholyte effluent flow stream from the cathode,wherein the catholyte flow stream comprises nitric acid for reacting at the cathode,wherein the catholyte flow stream reacts at the cathode to yield gaseous nitrogen oxide in the catholyte effluent flow stream; a regeneration conduit fluidly connected to the catholyte effluent flow stream,
wherein the regeneration conduit is configured to deliver an oxygen-containing flow stream for bubbling through the catholyte effluent flow stream.