Method and apparatus for operating a fuel cell in combination with an electrochemical cell to produce a chemical product

摘要

A method and apparatus is disclosed for operating a fuel cell 14 which produces electrical energy in combination with an electrochemical cell 12 which uses electrical energy to produce a chemical product. The electrolysis cell produces an oxidant for use in the fuel cell and is linked with the fuel cell by a direct current converter which allows the fuel cell to operate between an upper voltage limit and a lower voltage limit and the electrochemical cell to operate at a voltage which is independent of the fuel cell voltage. In one embodiment, the electrochemical cell produces a fuel and an oxidant for the fuel cell as well as a saleable chemical product such as sodium hydroxide.