Patent ID: 7670702
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant assembly comprising: a) a PEM fuel cell stack which stack includes a plurality of adjacent PEM fuel cell components, each of said components including an anode side, a cathode side and a PEM electrolyte member interposed between said anode and cathode sides, said fuel cell stack also including fuel cell component operating temperature-controlling cooling units interposed between adjacent fuel cell components in the stack; b) first means for introducing a gaseous fuel into said anode sides; c) second means for introducing oxygen into said cathode sides; d) third means for introducing a liquid coolant into said cooling units; e) fourth means for removing a gaseous-liquid coolant mixture from said cooling units; f) a gas-liquid separator station connected to said fourth means, said separator station being operative to separate the liquid coolant from gaseous components in the mixture, said separator station including an axially elongated housing which is mounted on a manifold base, said fourth means opening into said manifold base in a manner which creates an upwardly swirling stream of the gaseous-liquid coolant mixture in the manifold base; g) a tubular member mounted in said housing, said tubular member opening into said manifold base so as to receive the upwardly swirling stream of the gaseous-liquid coolant mixture from the manifold base; h) an annular space interposed between said tubular member and an inner wall of said housing, said annular space being operative to receive a separated liquid coolant from said tubular member and being operative to duct said separated liquid coolant downwardly therethrough by means of gravity; i) a vent in said housing, said vent being operative to remove gas from the housing, which gas has been separated from the coolant mixture in the housing; and j) said separator station being provided with radial fins which null swirling flow patterns in the liquid coolant as the latter descends through said annular space.