SOLID POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH POROUS PLATE EVAPORATIVE COOLING

摘要

A fuel cell or fuel cell stack of the type utilizing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane [2] is cooled by evaporation of water in the hydrogen reactant chamber of the cells. A porous graphite plate or water permeated membrane [8] is disposed in the hydrogen reactant chamber adjacent to the electrolyte membrane. If a graphite plate is used, it is preferably grooved [10] on the surface facing the electrolyte. The resultant lands [12] preferably contact the supported catalyst layer [6] on the membrane to cool the latter. Water is forced into the pores of the plate or membrane from the edge thereof, and the water vapor is carried out of the cells in the hydrogen reactant exhaust stream. A separate cooling system is thus avoided.