Patent ID: 6444337
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of generating electricity from a fuel cell comprising the steps of:(a) providing a fuel cell having the following elements: (i) an anode; (ii) a cathode; (iii) an anode electrocatalyst disposed in electrical contact with the anode, the electrocatalyst being capable of catalyzing hydrogen molecules to hydrogen ions; (iv) a cathode electrocatalyst disposed in electrical contact with the cathode, the cathode electrocatalyst being capable of catalyzing oxygen contained in an oxygen containing liquid to oxygen ions or hydroxyl ions; (v) a fuel inlet port for introducing hydrogen to the hydrogen anode; and (vi) an electrolyte electronically separating the anode from the cathode; (b) providing a fuel to the anode electrocatalyst via the fuel inlet port; (c) providing an oxygen containing liquid to the cathode electrocatalyst, the oxygen containing liquid being an aqueous solution containing an inorganic salt; (d) converting the fuel to positive ions via the anode electrocatalyst and the anode, while simultaneously converting the oxygen containing liquid to yield hydroxyl or oxygen ions via the cathode electrocatalyst and the cathode, whereby an electrical potential is created between the anode and the cathode; and (e) reoxygenating the oxygen containing liquid by contacting the oxygen containing liquid with molecular oxygen; wherein, at least about 90% of the oxygen provided to the cathode is provided by the oxygen containing liquid.