Patent ID: 8148022
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: B01D,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell system, comprising: a fuel cell main body configured for receiving a hydrogen-containing fuel, and configured for receiving an oxidizing gas containing oxygen, and configured for generating electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and the oxygen; a first gas/liquid separation unit installed on a first recycling line extending from an anode outlet of the fuel cell main body, wherein the first gas/liquid separation unit is configured to separate a gas byproduct from unreacted fuel discharged through the anode outlet; a second gas/liquid separation unit installed on a second recycling line extending from a cathode outlet of the fuel cell main body, wherein the first gas/liquid separation unit is configured to separate a liquid byproduct from unreacted oxidizing gas discharged through the cathode outlet; a buffer line comprising a serpentine portion in fluid communication with the first and second recycling lines, wherein the buffer line is compactly disposed in a predetermined space, wherein the buffer line is configured to receive and mix unreacted fuel and liquid byproduct from the first and second recycling lines; a plurality of hydrophobic membranes disposed on the buffer line at predetermined intervals configured to separate gas byproduct or oxidizing gas from a mixture of unreacted fuel and liquid byproduct; and a third recycling line in fluid communication with the buffer line, wherein the third recycling line is in fluid communication with an anode inlet of the fuel cell main body, and wherein the third recycling line is configured to direct the unreacted fuel and the liquid byproduct from the buffer line into the fuel cell main body into the anode inlet.