Patent ID: 7901817
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of generating electricity from an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell comprising: an anode; a cathode, comprising a gas diffusion electrode and comprising first and second surfaces; an inlet for gaseous oxidant, in contact with the first surface of the cathode; a channel that is contiguous with the anode and with the second surface of the cathode; and a liquid electrolyte in the channel; wherein water generated at the cathode is transported by osmosis into the liquid electrolyte; the method comprising: flowing a gaseous oxidant through the inlet in contact with the first surface of the cathode; flowing the liquid electrolyte through the channel; and contacting the anode with a fuel; wherein complementary half cell reactions take place at the cathode and anode, and the liquid electrolyte has an osmotic pressure of at least 1.2 MPa.