Patent ID: 6117577
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
An ambient pressure fuel cell system comprising:a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells having membrane/electrode assemblies, MEAs, that are hydrated with liquid water and bipolar plates with anode and cathode sides for respectively distributing hydrogen fuel gas and liquid water to a first side of each one of said MEAs and ambient air with reactant oxygen gas to a second side of each one of said MEAs, where said fuel gas and liquid water are provided separately to channels to said anode side of each said MEA;a liquid water supply to said fuel cells for hydrating said MEAs;a hydrogen fuel gas supply; anda near-ambient pressure blower for blowing air in excess of reaction stoichiometric amounts through said fuel cell stack to provide oxygen for electrochemical reaction at said cathode side and evaporative cooling at said cathode side of each fuel cell.