The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 04, 1999
Klaus Eberle, Biberach, DE;
Bernd Rohland, Ulm, DE;
Joachim Scholta, Ulm, DE;
Raimund Stroebel, Ulm, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for combined purification and compression of hydrogen containing CO. Said device comprises a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) cell with a proton-conducting polymer membrane ( ), an anode on one side of the membrane and a cathode ( ) on the other side thereof. Said anode is in the form of a two-layer anode ( ) which comprises a CO-oxidation-selective catalytic layer ( ) on the side facing away from the membrane and an electrochemically active layer ( ) for oxidation of the hydrogen to form protons on the side facing the membrane. The PEM cell also has a flat, porous gas distribution layer provided on the anode side and attached to a current collector. Consequently, the PEM cell resists differential pressures of at least approximately 10 bar. The invention also relates to a process for combined purification and compression of hydrogen containing CO using said device. The CO in the hydrogen containing CO is oxidized selectively to form CO in the PEM cell, and the hydrogen subsequently extensively free of CO is compressed by the PEM cell by electrochemical means at differential pressures of at least approximately 10 bar. The resultant hydrogen is suitable as fuel in PEM fuel cells for vehicles.