Mti Microfuel Cells Inc.

William W Dailey

William P Acker

Gerhard B Beckmann

Shimshon Gottesfeld

Paul F Mutolo

George C McNamee

Apparatus and methods for the generation of water in a direct oxidation fuel cell. Water, in addition to carbon dioxide and heat, is produced when carbonaceous fuel or fuel solution is oxidized in the presence of air and a suitable catalyst. This oxidation reaction is performed on a surface that allows for the introduction of oxygen in the presence of a catalyst. Water produced can then be directly added to the fuel solution thereby diluting the fuel solution to a desired concentration, or may be separately and then later added to fuel solution for the normal fuel cell operations depending on the permeability of the membrane to water.

Apparatus and methods for generating water in a fuel cell system

A fuel cell which provides improved performance during a cold start. Several embodiments are provided to enable the controlled introduction of fuel into the cathode of the fuel cell such that oxidation occurs, heat is released and the temperature of the fuel cell is raised. Such fuel may be introduced into the cathode directly or may be introduced into the anode and allowed to crossover an electrolytic membrane. Alternatively, the fuel may be directed through a special conduit which allows oxidation of some of the fuel as it flows through.

Cold start and temperature control method and apparatus for fuel cell system

A direct oxidation fuel cell which rapidly increases output power in response to demand. A conduit and valve arrangement allows neat or concentrated fuel to be introduced directly into anode flow field plate effectively bypassing the normal, time-consuming fuel flow path and eliminating the accompanying delay. A controller senses the demand for power and opens or closes the valves as appropriate. In alternative embodiments, neat or concentrated fuel is supplied directly to the anode diffusion layer or a protonically conductive membrane.

Apparatus and method for rapidly increasing power output from a direct oxidation fuel cell

A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system in which, in response to changes in the output power level of the cell, the concentration of methanol supplied to the anode is actively regulated. As a result, cross-over of methanol through the cell's membrane electrolyte is minimized, and operating efficiency is maintained over a wide dynamic range of output power levels.

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Loudonville, NY, United States of America

William W Dailey