Patent ID: 6833207
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y10S

Abstract:
A regenerative fuel cell apparatus comprising an electrolyzer portion and a fuel cell portion;wherein the electrolyzer portion has a cathode including a first electrolyzer cathode port and a second electrolyzer cathode port, and an anode including a first electrolyzer anode port and a second electrolyzer anode port; wherein the fuel cell portion comprises a fuel cell anode including a first fuel cell anode port and a second fuel cell anode port, a fuel cell cathode including a first fuel cell cathode port and a second fuel cell cathode port, and at least one coolant channel including a first coolant port and a second coolant port; and wherein the regenerative fuel cell system includes at least one of: (a) a connection between the second electrolyzer cathode port and the second fuel cell anode port, thereby to provide a continuous passage between the first electrolyzer cathode port and the first fuel cell anode port for hydrogen, through the electrolyzer cathode and the fuel cell anode, (b) a connection between the second electrolyzer anode port and the second coolant port, thereby to provide a continuous passage between the first electrolyzer anode port and the first coolant port through the electrolyzer anode and said at least one coolant channel; and (c) within the electrolyzer portion a gas bypass conduit including a first gas bypass port and a second gas bypass port, a connection between the second gas bypass port and the second fuel cell cathode port, thereby to provide a continuous passage between the first gas bypass port and the first fuel cell cathode port through bypass port conduit and the fuel cell cathode.