Patent ID: 6416895
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A solid polymer fuel cell system including a solid polymer fuel cell and apparatus for heating and humidifying a reactant gas supply stream, the fuel cell having an inlet port and a reactant gas exhaust port, wherein the apparatus for heating and humidifying the reactant gas supply stream is a combined heat and humidity exchanger consisting essentially of:a) a supply stream chamber having an inlet and outlet wherein a reactant gas supply is fluidly connected to the supply stream chamber inlet, and the supply stream chamber outlet is fluidly connected to the reactant gas inlet port of the fuel cell; b) an exhaust stream chamber having an inlet and outlet wherein the reactant gas exhaust port of the fuel cell is fluidly connected to the exhaust stream chamber inlet; and c) a water permeable membrane separating the supply stream chamber and the exhaust stream chamber whereby water and heat can be transferred from a reactant gas exhaust stream to the reactant gas supply stream across the water permeable membrane.