SYSTEM FOR SUPPLYING ELECTROLYTE TO FUEL CELLS

摘要

An electrolyte distribution and supply system (52) for use with a fuel cell (50) having means for drawing electrolyte therein is formed by a set of containers (92) of electrolyte joined to respective fuel cells in a stack of such cells. The electrolyte is separately stored so as to provide for electrical isolation between electrolytes of the individual cells of the stack. Individual storage compartments are coupled by capillary tubes (16) to the respective fuel cells. Hydrostatic pressure is maintained individually for each of the fuel cells by separately elevating each compartment of the storing means to a specific height above the corresponding fuel cell which is to be fed from that compartment of the storing means. The individual compartments are filled with electrolyte by allowing the compartments to overflow thereby maintaining the requisite depth of electrolyte in each of the storage compartments. Individual storage compartments are coupled by tubes (16) containing wicking fibers (78), the ends of the respective tubes terminating on the means for drawing electrolyte in each of the respective fuel cells. Each tube (76) is heat shrunk to tightly bind the fibers therein. The individual compartments are filled with electrolyte by allowing the compartments to overflow such as in a cascading fashion thereby maintaining the requisite depht of electrolyte in each of the storage compartments. The individual compartments can also contain packed carbon fibers (96) to provide a three stage electrolyte distribution system.