Patent ID: 6627338
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: B01D,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method of enriching a reactant stream for a fuel cell system, said reactant stream comprising a reactant and a non-reactant, said fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell, a reactant stream line comprising first and second valves at each end and providing a fluid connection through the reactant stream passages of said fuel cell, a pressurized reactant stream supply, and two adsorbent portions for said non-reactant accessible by said reactant stream in said reactant stream line, said method comprising:alternately directing said reactant stream from said reactant stream supply through said first and second valves; directing said reactant stream through said first adsorbent portion when said reactant stream is directed through said first valve, thereby depleting said reactant stream of said non-reactant and enriching said reactant stream in said reactant; desorbing said non-reactant from said second adsorbent portion when said reactant stream is directed through said first valve; directing said reactant stream through said second adsorbent portion when said reactant stream is directed through said second valve, thereby depleting said reactant stream of said non-reactant and enriching said reactant stream in said reactant; and desorbing said non-reactant from said first adsorbent portion when said reactant stream is directed through said second valve.