Umicore Ag & Co Kg

Matthias Binder

Ralf Zuber

Marco Lopez

Markus Vogt

Joachim Koehler

Volker Baenisch

Gerhard Heinz

The invention relates to a process for recycling fuel cell components containing fluorine-containing and precious metal-containing constituents: in this process, the fluorine-containing constituents are separated off from the precious metal-containing constituents by treatment with a medium present in the supercritical state. Preference is given to using water as supercritical medium. After the fluorine-containing constituents have been separated off, the precious metal-containing residues can be recovered in a recycling process without harmful fluorine or hydrogen fluoride emissions. The fluorine-containing constituents can likewise be recovered. The process is used in the recovery of precious metals and/or fluorine-containing constituents from membrane fuel cells, electrolysis cells, batteries, sensors and other electrochemical devices.

Process for recycling fuel cell components containing precious metals

A membrane electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells consisting of a polymer electrolyte membrane, both faces of which are in contact with porous reaction layers and gas distributor layers. The reaction layers contain noble metal catalysts supported on carbon and a proton-conducting polymer, a so-called ionomer. At least one of the two reaction layers also contains a noble metal black.

Membrane electrode unit for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and a process for the production thereof

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Freigericht, Germany

Matthias Binder