Redox fuel cell

摘要

This invention provides a redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode; a non-volatile catholyte solution flowing fluid communication with the cathode, the catholyte solution comprising a polyoxometallate redox couple being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially re-generated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode, the catholyte solution comprising at least one counterion for the polyoxometallate redox couple wherein the at least one counterion comprises one or more divalent ions.

主权项

1. A redox fuel cell comprising:
an anode region comprising an anode and a cathode region comprising a cathode, said regions being separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; a fuel passage through which fuel is supplied to the anode region of the cell; an oxidant inlet that supplies an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode; and a non-volatile catholyte solution flowing fluid communication with the cathode, the catholyte solution comprising a polyoxometallate being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially re-generated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode, the catholyte solution further comprising at least one counterion for the polyoxometallate, wherein the at least one counterion comprises one or more divalent ions and the polyoxometallate of the catholyte solution is not present in the fuel.