Patent ID: 6106964
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for heating and humidifying a reactant gas supply stream for a solid polymer fuel cell, the reactant gas supply stream being directed to a reactant gas inlet port of the fuel cell, and the fuel cell having a reactant gas exhaust stream directed from a reactant gas exhaust port of the fuel cell, the method consisting essentially of:a) providing a combined heat and humidity exchanger comprising a supply stream chamber, an exhaust stream chamber, and a water permeable membrane separating the two chambers;b) directing the reactant gas supply stream through the supply stream chamber upstream of the fuel cell reactant gas inlet port; andc) directing the reactant gas exhaust stream from the reactant gas exhaust port through the exhaust stream chamber;whereby water and heat are transferred from the reactant gas exhaust stream to the reactant gas supply stream across the water permeable membrane.