WATER RETENTION AND GAS INGESTION CONTROL FOR A FUEL CELL

摘要

A fuel cell includes a water transport plate providing a water flow field. The water flow field includes water having gas. A vent is in fluid communication with the water flow field. The vent includes a membrane that obstructs flow of water past the membrane while permitting the flow of gas past the membrane. The membrane can include a pore size between approximately 0.1 µ to 10.0 µ, which enables gases to pass through the pores while blocking water. The membrane can be hydrophobic, for example, Teflon, to prevent the passage of water through the membrane. A hydrophobic fluid can also be arranged on the membrane to act as a check valve.