| 摘要 |
A PEM-type fuel cell is formed from two transversely arrayed layers (112, 11 4) of parallel circular cylindrical tubes (78) of equal diameter, between which layers is a layer of membrane material (116). The portions (82) of the tubes that are not to be in electrochemical contact with the membrane are reactant gas-impermeable, and the portions of the tubes that are to be in contact wit h the membrane are electro-catalyzed. Preferably, the layers of tubes are transversely offset from one other by half the diameter of a tube so as to minimize the thickness of the combined fuel cell in the stack dimension. Adjacent sequential fuel cells in a stack are also preferably transversely offset from each other so as to minimize the total combined thickness of the fuel cells in the stack dimension. Cooling may be provided by conduits runni ng between adjacent tubes in the flow dimension in otherwise unused spaces between the reactant gas-impermeable portions of the tubes of adjacent fuel cells. Porous humidification conduits may also be conveniently provided in similar unused spaces between the tubes. |
