Patent ID: 6274259
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: B01D,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A fuel cell power plant that generates electrical energy from a process oxidant stream and a reducing fluid stream, the plant comprising:a. at least one fuel cell means for producing the electrical energy from the oxidant stream and reducing fluid stream; and,b. a direct mass and heat transfer device secured in fluid communication with both a primary oxidant inlet line that directs the process oxidant stream into the fuel cell means and also with a plant exhaust passage that directs a plant exhaust stream out of the fuel cell means, the device including a structure that secures a fine pore enthalpy exchange barrier in mass transfer relationship between the oxidant and exhaust streams passing through the device so that the process oxidant stream passes adjacent an inlet surface of the barrier, and the plant exhaust stream passes adjacent an opposed exhaust surface of the barrier and the structure secures the barrier between the oxidant and exhaust streams to prevent bulk mixing of the streams within the device, wherein the barrier includes a support matrix means for defining hydrophilic pores having a pore-size range of between about 0.1 to about 100 microns and for being chemically stable in the presence of a liquid transfer medium so that whenever the liquid transfer medium fills the pores the barrier has a bubble pressure greater than 0.2 pounds per square inch.