Compact multi-functional modules for a direct methanol fuel cell system

• Main Author: MALHOTRA SANJIV
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.01.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRICITY; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY; REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGYGENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINSTCLIMATE CHANGE

A compact direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system based on modules is provided. The system addresses issues related to the critical functions of water recovery from the cathode exhaust, carbon dioxide separation from the anode output stream, dilution of incoming concentrated methanol and thermal management in a DMFC system. The system is based on a more natural solution and avoids bulky and power-consuming devices; hence increasing DMFC system's efficiency by at least 25%, reducing DMFC system's cost and increasing DMFC system's reliability compared to traditional condensor-based DMFC systems. In addition, the system is relatively small in size compared to these condensor-based DMFC systems mainly due to the use of modules based on plates that are nicely integrated as a DMFC system. The individual size of the system is typically reduced by about 35% or more compared to traditional condensor-based DMFC systems.