LIQUID FEED SOLID POLYMER FUEL CELL SYSTEM

摘要

A liquid feed solid polymer fuel cell system employs a fuel circulating subsystem to direct unreacted fuel from the anode outlet to the anode inlet. The subsystem comprises a pump (34) for circulating the fuel, a gas separator (52) for separating out reaction product gases, a cooler (46) for cooling the circulating fuel, and a cooler bypass line (5) such that circulating fuel can bypass the cooler in accordance with the temperature of the circulating fuel, for example during start-up. The subsystem may also comprise an ion exchanger (74) to purify the circulating fuel stream.