Fuel cells

• Main Author: ROBERT J LONGMAN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 14.01.2015
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRICITY; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Apparatus 200 for distributing a liquid in a fuel cell or a redox battery comprises a plate including at least one distribution channel 222, 224, 226, 228 comprising one or more apertures 232, 234, 236, 238 in a wall of the channel for providing liquid communication in a direction transverse to a liquid flow direction defined by the channel. A porous element, preferably comprising an electrode and more preferably comprising a cathode 218, may be disposed against a side of the plate comprising the one or more apertures. The apparatus may comprise separate liquid input (12, figure 7) and output (18) channels that are interdigitated with respect to each other. A method of manufacturing the apparatus of the invention comprises forming a channel plate 214 including at least one liquid distribution trench, forming a top plate 216 including one or more apertures having a width less than the width of the at least one trench and disposing the top plate over the channel plate. A fuel cell or redox battery comprising the apparatus may be used in electronic or automotive equipment or for generating combined heat and power. Also disclosed is a method of distributing a liquid in a fuel cell.