Title of Invention

A METHOD OF AND AN APPARATUS FOR CONTINOUS HUMIDIFICATION OF HYDROGEN DELIVERED TO FUEL CELLS

Abstract A method of continuous humidifwation of hydrogen gas delivered to ; a fuel cell comprising the steps of bubbling hydrogen through water in a humidifier bottle; conveying the hydrogen, exiting the said bottle, to the fuel cell stack, heating the hydrogen to a predetermined relative humidity at fuel cell stack temperature, as it is being conveyed to the fuel cell stack, by hot water discharged from the fuel cell stack, the said hot water, after heating the hydrogen, being let into the humidifier bottle; draining excess water from the humidifier bottle into a reservoir, wherefrom water is fed into the fuel cell for cooling.
Full Text This invention relates to a method of, and an apparatus for, continuous humidification of hydrogen gas delivered to a fuel cell
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device which converts chemical energy into electrical energy as long as fuel and oxidants are supplied. Water and heat are the by products. It contains mainly three layers called the anode, cathode and membrane. Hydrogen (fuel) is fed into the anode side where it reacts in the presence of electro-catalyst to give protons and electrons
The performance of the fuel cell is heavily dependent on the conductivity $of protons through the membrane, which is facilitated by water molecules. In order to keep the membrane hydrated one of the popular methods is to feed water in gaseous form at the anode side. This is achieved by humidifying the reactant gases (hydrogen and oxygen) to sufficient levels. The net power of fuel cells is high when hydrogen alone is humidified. Accordingly this invention is confined to anode side humidification.
The salient features of this invention are
*Its ability to humidify Hydrogen on a continuous basis
*The coolant water used for the cell is recirculated for humidification
(although external water circulation can also be done)
*Determination of the required water levels in the humidifier to
achieve desired humidity
^Control of relative humidity of the Hydrogen gas.

The method of continuous huniidification of hydrogen gas delivered to a fuel cell, according to this invention, comprises the steps of bubbling hydrogen through water in a humidifier bottle; conveying the hydrogen, exiting the^ said bottle, to the fuel cell stack, heating the hydrogen, as it is being conveyed to the fuel cell stack, by hot water discharged from the fuel cell stack, the said hot water, after heating the hydrogen, being let into the humidifier bottle; draining excess water from the humidifier bottle into a reservoir, wherefrom water is fed into the fuel cell for cooling.
The apparatus for the continuous humidification of hydrogen gas delivered to a fuel cell, according to this invention, comprises a humidifier bottle containing water; a gas distributor for distributing hydrogen from a source and bubbling the same through water contained in the humidifier bottle; a pipe line for conveying the hydrogen, exiting the said bottle, to the fuel cell stack; a jacket surrounding the said pipe line, said jacket receiving hot water discharged from the fiiel cell and conveying the same into the humidifier bottle, thereby heating the hydrogen passing through the said pipe line; an overflow container communicating with the said humidifier bottle, said container being provided with an overflow outlet valve for draining excess water therein into a reservoir, wherefrom water is recirculated for cooling the fuel cell; an inlet for air and outlets for air and hydrogen being provided for the said fuel cell.
This invention will now be described with reference to the single Figure in the accompanying drawings which illustrates, by way of

example, and not by way of limitation, one of possible embodiments of the method and apparatus proposed herein.
A humidifier bottle H contains water W . A gas distributor D (for distributing Hydrogen in the bottle H) receives Hydrogen from a source, such as, the Hydrogen tank T (in which the gas is under pressure) for bubbling the gas through the water contained in the said bottle.
A pipe line P conveys the hydrogen, exiting the said bottle, to the fuel cell stack S. A jacket J surrounds the said pipe line, said jacket receiving hot water Y discharged from the fuel cell and thereafter passing on into the humidifier bottle. The hydrogen passing through the said pipe line P is thus heated continuously.
An overflow container C communicates with the said humidifier bottle, said container being provided with an overflow outlet ball valve V for draining excess water therein (of level higher than a predetermined value) into a reservoir R, wherefrom water is fed into the fuel cell by a pump Z for cooling . The fuel cell has an inlet I for air and outlets Ol 02 for spent air and spent hydrogen. The spent Hydrogen passes out through a control valve Q.
If necessary, instead of the introducing the hot water discharged from the fuel cell into the jacket J, the water from the reservoir will be introduced into the jacket directly. After passing through the jacket, the water passes on into the humidifier bottle as already stated.

Meters for measuring temperature K, relative humidity L, pressure M and fluid flow regulation F (rotameters) are provided for control and observation of such parameters.
The terms and expressions herein are of description and not of limitation having regard to the scope and ambit of this invention.


We Claim: r
1 .A method of continuous humidifwation of hydrogen gas delivered to ; a fuel cell comprising the steps of bubbling hydrogen through water in a humidifier bottle; conveying the hydrogen, exiting the said bottle, to the fuel cell stack, heating the hydrogen to a predetermined relative humidity at fuel cell stack temperature, as it is being conveyed to the fuel cell stack, by hot water discharged from the fuel cell stack, the said hot water, after heating the hydrogen, being let into the humidifier bottle; draining excess water from the humidifier bottle into a reservoir, wherefrom water is fed into the fuel cell for cooling.
2. A method of continuous humidification of hydrogen gas delivered to a fuel cell substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.
3.An apparatus for the continuous humidification of hydrogen gas delivered to a fuel cell comprising a humidifier bottle containing water; a gas distributor for distributing hydrogen from a source and bubbling the same through water contained in the humidifier bottle; a pipe line for conveying the hydrogen, exiting the said bottle, to the fuel cell stack; a jacket surrounding the said pipe line, said jacket receiving hot water discharged from the fuel cell and conveying the same into the humidifier bottle, thereby heating the hydrogen passing , through the said pipe line; an overflow container communicating with the said humidifier bottle, said container being provided with an overflow outlet valve for draining excess water therein into a reservoir, wherefrom water is recirculated for cooling the fuel sell; an
!»: ': ■ >',.

, inlet for air and outlets for air and hydrogen being provided for the said fuel cell.
4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein meters for recording and control of temperature, relative humidity, pressure and fluid flow are provided.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the overflow' outlet valve is a ball float valve provided with a stopper.
6.An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the source of hydrogen is a hydrogen tank.
7. An apparatus for the continuous humidification of hydrogen gas delivered to a fuel cell substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.


Documents:

0670-che-2007-claims.pdf

0670-che-2007-correspondnece-others.pdf

0670-che-2007-description(complete).pdf

0670-che-2007-drawings.pdf

0670-che-2007-form 1.pdf

0670-che-2007-form 26.pdf

0670-che-2007-form18.pdf

670-che-2007 amended claims 04-01-2011.pdf

670-che-2007 amended pages of specification 04-01-2011.pdf

670-CHE-2007 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 08-03-2011.pdf

670-CHE-2007 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED 04-01-2011.pdf

670-CHE-2007 AMANDED CLAIMS 22-03-2010.pdf

670-CHE-2007 AMANDED PAGE OF SPECIFICATION 22-03-2010.pdf

670-CHE-2007 CORRESPONDENCE-OTHERS 22-03-2010.pdf


Patent Number 247547
Indian Patent Application Number 670/CHE/2007
PG Journal Number 16/2011
Publication Date 22-Apr-2011
Grant Date 19-Apr-2011
Date of Filing 30-Mar-2007
Name of Patentee INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Applicant Address IIT P.O CHENNAI 600036
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 DR. ARUN TANGIRALA ASSISTANT PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING IIT, CHENNAI
2 VASU GOLLANGI RESEARCH SCHOLAR DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING IIT, CHENNAI
3 DR. BALASUBRAMANIAN VISWANTHAN PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, IIT, CHENNAI
4 DR. KAVERIPATNAM SAMBAN DHATHATHREYAN CENTRE FOR FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY, INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED RESEARCH CENTRE FOR POWDER METALLURGY (ARCI), 120 MAMBAKKAM MAIN ROAD, MEDAVAKKAM, CHENNAI 601302
PCT International Classification Number H01M8/02
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA