Patent ID: 8304123
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, each fuel cell having an anode side, a cathode side having an inlet and an outlet, a membrane disposed between the anode and cathode side, and a cathode gas diffusion barrier spaced apart from the membrane and having a lower water vapor permeability than a region adjacent to the membrane, which cathode gas diffusion barrier inhibits the diffusion away from the membrane of water generated in the cathode side as a result of fuel oxidation; a fuel system for supplying a fuel to the anode side of the fuel cells of the stack; a humidification device having a dry side having an inlet and an outlet and a wet side having an inlet and an outlet, an air supply channel including a channel for supplying an air stream to the humidification device dry side inlet and a channel with a blower for supplying air at near ambient pressure from the humidification device dry side outlet to the inlets of the cathode sides of the fuel cells of the stack, a cathode exhaust conduit connecting the PEM cathode side outlet with the humidification device wet side inlet for transferring water vapor from the cathode exhaust stream in the wet side of the humidification device to the air stream in the dry side of the humidification device; and a coolant loop for circulating a liquid coolant through the stack.