Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC

Kwang S Kim

Anthony B LaConti

Larry L Swette

William A Titterington

Ricardo Leon

Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A plurality of the cells may be arranged in series in a bipolar configuration without requiring a separate compression pad between cells (for gas pressure differentials up to about 400 psi or greater). The invention is also directed to a fuel cell wherein the pad replaces the carbon fiber paper or carbon fiber cloth in contact with the cathode or anode.

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell having an integral electrically-conductive, resiliently compressible, porous pad

Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A plurality of the cells may be arranged in series in a bipolar configuration without requiring a separate compression pad between cells (for gas pressure differentials up to about 400 psi or greater). The invention is also directed to a fuel cell wherein the pad replaces the carbon fiber paper or carbon fiber cloth in contact with the cathode or anode.

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell having an integral, electrically-conductive, resiliently compressible, porous pad

Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2&#x2013;1.5 g/cm. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A plurality of the cells may be arranged in series in a bipolar configuration without requiring a separate compression pad between cells (for gas pressure differentials up to about 400 psi or greater). The invention is also directed to a fuel cell wherein the pad replaces the carbon fiber paper or carbon fiber cloth in contact with the cathode or anode.

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Andover, MA, United States of America

Kwang S Kim