Fuel cells

摘要

A redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between respective anodes and cathodes of the cell; a catholyte solution comprising at least one catholyte component, the catholyte solution comprising a redox mediator couple; and a regeneration zone comprising a catholyte channel and a porous member having an active surface, the catholyte channel being arranged to direct a flow of catholyte adjacent to or towards the active surface, the means for supplying an oxidant to the cell being adapted to supply the oxidant to the porous member.

主权项

1. A radar fuel cell comprising:
an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; a fuel supply in communication with the anode region of the cell; an oxidant supply in communication with the cathode region of the cell; an electrical circuit between respective anodes and cathodes of the cell; a catholyte solution comprising at least one catholyte component, the catholyte solution comprising a redox mediator couple; and a regeneration zone comprising a catholyte channel and a porous member, the porous member having an oxidant receiving portion and a catholyte contact surface arranged to contact the catholyte solution; the oxidant supply being adapted to supply the oxidant as a gas to the oxidant receiving portion of the porous member; the porous member being configured to permit a flow of oxidant gas through the porous member from the oxidant receiving portion to the catholyte contact surface such that bubbles of oxidant gas can be generated in the catholyte solution at the catholyte contact surface: wherein at least a portion of the catholyte contact surface is hydrophilic: and wherein further the catholyte channel is arranged to direct a flow of catholyte solution past at least a portion of the catholyte contact surface.