Patent ID: 6309521
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: C01B,C02F,C25B

Abstract:
An electrolyzer comprising:(a) one or more electrolytic cells, each electrolytic cell comprising an anode catalyst, a cathode catalyst, an ion exchange membrane in intimate contact between the anode catalyst and the cathode catalyst, an anode flow field, and a cathode flowfield;(b) wherein the anode flow field comprises:(1) a rolled, expanded metal sheet having a first side in contact with a first metal sheet bipolar plate or an anode current collector; and(2) a porous metal substrate having a first side in contact with a second side of the rolled, expanded metal sheet and a second side having the anode catalyst deposited thereon; and(c) wherein the cathode flow field comprises:(1) a rolled, expanded metal sheet having a first side in contact with a second metal sheet bipolar plate or a cathode current collector;(2) a rigid, perforated stainless steel sheet, wherein a first side of the sheet is in contact with a second side of the rolled, expanded metal sheet; and(3) a sheet of compressible stainless steel felt or wool having a first side in contact with a second side of the rigid, perforated stainless steel sheet and a second side in face-to-face contact with the cathode catalyst.