Licentia Patent-verwaltungs Gmbh

Jochen Heffler

Harald Bohm

Robert Fleischmann

A fuel cell is provided which comprises a matrix layer of an electrolyte in a material which chemically and physically absorbs the electrolyte, such as a polyester fiber bonded with phenol formaldehyde resin. A porous anode electrode and a porous cathode electrode are arranged at respective sides of the matrix layer. The electrolyte comprises polyphosphoric acid. At least one of the electrodes comprises an additional electrolyte carrier, for example, a tungsten carbide electrode having pores which contain a polyphosphoric acid. A method is also disclosed for forming the cell from a matrix of a plurality of fiber materials and using a polymeric binder for the materials. The marix is dipped in a polyphosphoric acid so that a reaction takes place between the acid and the polymer fiber. The cathode and the anode are arranged on respective sides of the matrix and stacking together. An anode of tungsten carbide material is used, having a portion which also carries the electrolyte in the pores thereof. The method includes treating the tungsten cabide electrode with a polyphosphoric acid to permit it to penetrate into the pores of the tungsten carbide electrode.

Fuel cell construction and method of manufacturing a fuel cell

A process for the production of a tungsten carbide catalyst by carburization of tungsten oxides, comprises, directing a mixture of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide over tungsten oxide while heating it in a heated reactor at a heating rate and gas flow rate such that the reduction of the tungsten oxide occurs more slowly than the diffusion of the carbon into the tungsten and into tungsten carbide which is formed during the reaction with the diffusion being faster than the separation of carbon from the gaseous phase according to the rate of adjustment of the Boudouard equilibrium. The carbon monoxide is charged at a rate of 560 1tr/h and the carbon dioxide is charged at a rate of 40 1tr/h and, after a reactor containing the sample of tungstic acid is positioned in a closed reactor, the reactor is flushed with the gases for around ten minutes and then placed into a muffle furnace. The reactor is heated to a temperature of 670.degree. C. in the furnace and the temperature is then reduced to a reaction temperature of 620.degree. C. First, all of the water is eliminated, and then there is a reduction of the tungsten oxides and a diffusion of the carbon into tungsten or into tungsten carbide which is formed. The reduction of the tungsten oxides occurs more slowly than the diffusion of the carbon, but faster than the deposition of the carbon from the gaseous phase.

Process for the production of a tungsten carbide catalyst by

A gas diffusion electrode for electrochemical cells with acid electrolytes, comprises a hydrophobic layer of gas permeable electrically conductive material having up to 0.2 mm of thickness and having pores with a most frequent pore diameter of about 1.8 microns and a hydrophilic layer containing a catalyst which is closely bonded to the hydrophobic layer. The hydrophilic layer has pores with a most frequent pore diameter of 0.09 microns.

Method of making gas diffusion electrodes for electrochemical cells with

A gas diffusion electrode for electrochemical cells with acid electrolytes, comprises a hydrophobic layer of gas permeable electrically conductive material having up to 0.2 mm of thickness and having pores with a most frequent pore diameter of about 1.8 microns, and a hydrophilic layer containing a catalyst which is closely bonded to the hydrophobic layer. The hydrophilic layer has pores with a most frequent pore diameter of 0.08 microns.

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Grossauheim, Germany

Jochen Heffler