Claims
- 1. A liquid fuel cell, comprising
an anode supplied with an aqueous liquid fuel which is oxidized at said anode; a cathode supplied with a gaseous oxidant; a solid polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between said anode and cathode; a liquid fuel flow path which delivers the liquid fuel to the anode; a water flow path which delivers water to the liquid fuel flow path; a concentrated liquid fuel line which delivers concentrated liquid fuel to the liquid fuel flow path to mix with water therein to form the aqueous liquid fuel; a cathode capillarity structure incorporated in the cathode or in liquid communication therewith, wherein the cathode capillarity structure comprises a cathode capillarity material into which water can wick by capillary action and from which the water can be released, said cathode capillarity material having a cathode capillarity material longest dimension and a free rise wick height greater than one half of the cathode capillarity material longest dimension; and a water drawing means for drawing water from the cathode capillarity structure to the water flow path.
- 2. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the water drawing means is a pump or a wick having higher capillarity than the cathode capillarity structure.
- 3. The liquid fuel cell of claim 2, wherein the water drawing means is the pump.
- 4. The liquid fuel cell of claim 2, wherein the water drawing means is the wick.
- 5. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein said cathode capillarity material has a free rise wick height greater than the cathode capillarity material longest dimension.
- 6. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 7. The liquid fuel cell of claim 6, wherein the cathode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 8. The liquid fuel cell of claim 7, wherein the cathode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 9. The liquid fuel cell of claim 8, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 10. The liquid fuel cell of claim 7, wherein the cathode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 11. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines at least one hole through said thickness having a size such as to deliver an effective amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction thereon.
- 12. The liquid fuel cell of claim 11, wherein the cathode capillarity structure has a plurality of holes through said thickness, and wherein the number and size of the holes deliver therethrough an effective amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction thereon.
- 13. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein
the cathode capillarity structure is incorporated in the cathode; the cathode further comprises a first cathode surface, second cathode surface and catalyst on the second cathode surface, said second cathode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first cathode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the cathode capillarity structure is planar and has first and second cathode capillarity structure surfaces, said second cathode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the catalyst, the first cathode capillarity structure surface forming the first cathode surface, and said first cathode capillarity structure surface having at least one groove thereon with a size such as to deliver an amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction thereon.
- 14. The liquid fuel cell of claim 13, wherein said first cathode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves thereon, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to deliver an effective amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction thereon.
- 15. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein
the cathode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the cathode; the cathode further comprises a first cathode surface and second cathode surface, said second cathode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first cathode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the cathode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second cathode capillarity structure surfaces, said second cathode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the first cathode surface and said first cathode capillarity structure surface facing away from the cathode, and said second cathode capillarity structure surface having at least one groove thereon with a size such as to deliver an amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction thereon.
- 16. The liquid fuel cell of claim 15, wherein said second cathode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves thereon, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to deliver an effective amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction thereon.
- 17. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the cathode capillarity structure.
- 18. The liquid fuel cell of claim 17, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the cathode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 19. The liquid fuel cell of claim 11, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the cathode capillarity structure.
- 20. The liquid fuel cell of claim 19, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the cathode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 21. The liquid fuel cell of claim 13, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the cathode capillarity structure.
- 22. The liquid fuel cell of claim 21, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the cathode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 23. The liquid fuel cell of claim 15, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the cathode capillarity structure.
- 24. The liquid fuel cell of claim 23, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the cathode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 25. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the cathode capillarity structure has a capillarity gradient that pulls water away from the cathode.
- 26. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, further comprising an anode capillarity structure incorporated in the anode or in liquid communication therewith, wherein the anode capillarity structure comprises an anode capillarity material into which the liquid fuel can wick by capillary action and from which the liquid fuel can be released, said anode capillarity material having an anode capillarity material longest dimension and a free rise wick height greater than one half of the anode capillarity material longest dimension, and said anode capillarity structure being in liquid communication with the liquid fuel flow path.
- 27. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein said anode capillarity material has a free rise wick height greater than the anode capillarity material longest dimension.
- 28. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 29. The liquid fuel cell of claim 28, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 30. The liquid fuel cell of claim 29, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 31. The liquid fuel cell of claim 30, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 32. The liquid fuel cell of claim 30, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 33. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein the anode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines at least one hole through said thickness having an opening area sized to permit the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 34. The liquid fuel cell of claim 33, wherein the anode capillarity structure has a plurality of holes through said thickness having a total opening area sized to permit the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 35. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is incorporated in the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface, a second anode surface and catalyst on the second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the catalyst, said first anode capillarity structure surface forming the first anode surface and having at least one groove thereon with a size such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 36. The liquid fuel cell of claim 35, wherein said first anode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves thereon, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 37. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface and a second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the first anode surface and having at least one groove thereon with a size such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode, and said first anode capillarity structure surface facing away from the anode.
- 38. The liquid fuel cell of claim 37, wherein said second anode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves thereon, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 39. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 40. The liquid fuel cell of claim 39, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 41. The liquid fuel cell of claim 33, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 42. The liquid fuel cell of claim 41, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 43. The liquid fuel cell of claim 35, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 44. The liquid fuel cell of claim 43, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 45. The liquid fuel cell of claim 37, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 46. The liquid fuel cell of claim 45, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 47. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein the anode capillarity structure has a capillarity gradient that drives the liquid fuel from the liquid fuel flow path to the anode.
- 48. The liquid fuel cell of claim 12, further comprising an anode capillarity structure incorporated in the anode or in liquid communication therewith, wherein the anode capillarity structure comprises an anode capillarity material into which the liquid fuel can wick by capillary action and from which the liquid fuel can be released, said anode capillarity material having an anode capillarity material longest dimension and a free rise wick height greater than one half of the anode capillarity material longest dimension, and said anode capillarity structure being in liquid communication with the liquid fuel flow path.
- 49. The liquid fuel cell of claim 48, wherein said anode capillarity material has a free rise wick height greater than the anode capillarity material longest dimension.
- 50. The liquid fuel cell of claim 48, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines at least one hole through said thickness having an opening area sized to permit the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 51. The liquid fuel cell of claim 50, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a plurality of holes through said thickness having a total opening area sized to permit the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 52. The liquid fuel cell of claim 48, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 53. The liquid fuel cell of claim 52, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 54. The liquid fuel cell of claim 53, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 55. The liquid fuel cell of claim 54, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 56. The liquid fuel cell of claim 53, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 57. The liquid fuel cell of claim 48, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is incorporated in the cathode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface, second anode surface and catalyst on the second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the catalyst, the first anode capillarity structure surface forming the first anode surface, and said first anode capillarity structure surface having at least one groove with a size such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 58. The liquid fuel cell of claim 57, wherein said first anode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 59. The liquid fuel cell of claim 58, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 60. The liquid fuel cell of claim 59, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 61. The liquid fuel cell of claim 60, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 62. The liquid fuel cell of claim 61, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 63. The liquid fuel cell of claim 61, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 64. The liquid fuel cell of claim 48, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the cathode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface and second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the first anode surface and said first anode capillarity structure surface facing away from the anode, and said second anode capillarity structure surface having at least one groove with a size such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 65. The liquid fuel cell of claim 64, wherein said second anode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 66. The liquid fuel cell of claim 65, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 67. The liquid fuel cell of claim 66, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 68. The liquid fuel cell of claim 67, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 69. The liquid fuel cell of claim 68, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 70. The liquid fuel cell of claim 68, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 71. The liquid fuel cell of claim 14, further comprising an anode capillarity structure incorporated in the anode or in liquid communication therewith, wherein the anode capillarity structure comprises an anode capillarity material into which the liquid fuel can wick by capillary action and from which the liquid fuel can be released, said anode capillarity material having an anode capillarity material longest dimension and a free rise wick height greater than one half of the anode capillarity material longest dimension, and said anode capillarity structure being in liquid communication with the liquid fuel flow path.
- 72. The liquid fuel cell of claim 71, wherein said anode capillarity material having a free rise wick height greater than the anode capillarity material longest dimension.
- 73. The liquid fuel cell of claim 71, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines at least one hole through said thickness with a size such as to permit the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 74. The liquid fuel cell of claim 73, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a plurality of holes through said thickness having a total opening area sized to permit the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 75. The liquid fuel cell of claim 74, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 76. The liquid fuel cell of claim 75, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 77. The liquid fuel cell of claim 75, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 78. The liquid fuel cell of claim 77, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 79. The liquid fuel cell of claim 77, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 80. The liquid fuel cell of claim 71, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is incorporated in the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface, second anode surface and catalyst on the second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the catalyst, the first anode capillarity structure surface forming the first anode surface, and said first anode capillarity structure surface having at least one groove with a size such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 81. The liquid fuel cell of claim 80, wherein said first anode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 82. The liquid fuel cell of claim 81, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 83. The liquid fuel cell of claim 82, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 84. The liquid fuel cell of claim 83, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 85. The liquid fuel cell of claim 84, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 86. The liquid fuel cell of claim 84, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 87. The liquid fuel cell of claim 71, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface and second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the first anode surface and said first anode capillarity structure surface facing away from the anode, and said second anode capillarity structure surface having at least one groove with a size such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 88. The liquid fuel cell of claim 87, wherein said second anode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 89. The liquid fuel cell of claim 88, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 90. The liquid fuel cell of claim 89, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 91. The liquid fuel cell of claim 90, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 92. The liquid fuel cell of claim 91, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 93. The liquid fuel cell of claim 90, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 94. The liquid fuel cell of claim 16, further comprising an anode capillarity structure incorporated in the anode or in liquid communication therewith, wherein the anode capillarity structure comprises an anode capillarity material into which the liquid fuel can wick by capillary action and from which the liquid fuel can be released, said anode capillarity material having an anode capillarity material longest dimension and a free rise wick height greater than one half of the anode capillarity material longest dimension, and said anode capillarity structure being in liquid communication with the liquid fuel flow path.
- 95. The liquid fuel cell of claim 94, wherein said anode capillarity material having a free rise wick height greater than the anode capillarity material longest dimension.
- 96. The liquid fuel cell of claim 94, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines at least one hole through said thickness with a size such as to permit the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 97. The liquid fuel cell of claim 96, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a plurality of holes through said thickness having a total opening area sized to permit the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 98. The liquid fuel cell of claim 97, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 99. The liquid fuel cell of claim 98, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 100. The liquid fuel cell of claim 98, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 101. The liquid fuel cell of claim 100, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 102. The liquid fuel cell of claim 100, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 103. The liquid fuel cell of claim 94, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is incorporated in the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface, second anode surface and catalyst on the second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the catalyst, the first anode capillarity structure surface forming the first anode surface, and said first anode capillarity structure surface having at least one groove with a size such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 104. The liquid fuel cell of claim 103, wherein said first anode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 105. The liquid fuel cell of claim 104, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 106. The liquid fuel cell of claim 104, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 107. The liquid fuel cell of claim 106, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 108. The liquid fuel cell of claim 107, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 109. The liquid fuel cell of claim 107, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 110. The liquid fuel cell of claim 94, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface and second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the first anode surface and said first anode capillarity structure surface facing away from the anode, and said second anode capillarity structure surface having at least one groove with a size such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 111. The liquid fuel cell of claim 110, wherein said second anode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves, and wherein the number and size of the grooves are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 112. The liquid fuel cell of claim 111, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers, nonwoven fibers and inorganic porous materials.
- 113. The liquid fuel cell of claim 112, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of foams, bundled fibers, matted fibers, woven fibers and nonwoven fibers.
- 114. The liquid fuel cell of claim 113, wherein the anode capillarity material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cellulose foam, nonwoven felts of polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof, bundled, matted or woven fibers of cellulose, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylonitrile, or mixtures thereof.
- 115. The liquid fuel cell of claim 114, wherein the polyurethane foam is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam, the polyamide is nylon and the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate.
- 116. The liquid fuel cell of claim 114, wherein the anode capillarity material is a felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam or felted reticulated polyurethane foam.
- 117. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein
the cathode capillarity structure is incorporated in the cathode; the cathode further comprises a first cathode surface, second cathode surface and catalyst on the second cathode surface, said second cathode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first cathode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the cathode capillarity structure is planar and has first and second cathode capillarity structure surfaces, said second cathode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the catalyst, the first cathode capillarity structure surface forming the first cathode surface.
- 118. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein
the cathode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the cathode; the cathode further comprises a first cathode surface and second cathode surface, said second cathode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first cathode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the cathode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second cathode capillarity structure surfaces, said second cathode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the first cathode surface and said first cathode capillarity structure surface facing away from the cathode.
- 119. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is incorporated in the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface, a second anode surface and catalyst on the second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the catalyst, said first anode capillarity structure surface forming the first anode surface.
- 120. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface and a second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface being adjacent to the first anode surface, and said first anode capillarity structure surface facing away from the anode.
- 121. A liquid fuel cell, comprising
an anode supplied with a liquid fuel which is oxidized at said anode; a cathode supplied with a gaseous oxidant; a solid polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between said anode and cathode; a cathode capillarity structure incorporated in the cathode or in liquid communication therewith, wherein the cathode capillarity structure comprises a cathode capillarity material into which water can wick by capillary action and from which the water can be released, said cathode capillarity material having a cathode capillarity material longest dimension and a free rise wick height greater than one half of the cathode capillarity material longest dimension, wherein said cathode capillarity material has a thickness and defines a plurality of holes through said thickness, said holes having substantially no capillarity; and wherein the number and size of the holes are such as to deliver therethrough an effective amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction thereon.
- 122. The liquid fuel cell of claim 121, wherein the free rise wick height is greater than the cathode capillarity material longest dimension.
- 123. The liquid fuel cell of claim 121, further comprising an anode capillarity structure incorporated in the anode or in liquid communication therewith, wherein the anode capillarity structure comprises an anode capillarity material into which the liquid fuel can wick by capillary action and from which the liquid fuel can be released, said anode capillarity material having an anode capillarity material longest dimension and a free rise wick height greater than one half of the anode capillarity material longest dimension,
wherein said anode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines a plurality of holes through said thickness, said holes having substantially no capillarity, and wherein the size and number of said holes are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 124. A liquid fuel cell, comprising
an anode supplied with a liquid fuel which is oxidized at said anode; a cathode supplied with a gaseous oxidant; a solid polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between said anode and cathode; an anode capillarity structure incorporated in the anode or in liquid communication therewith, wherein the anode capillarity structure comprises an anode capillarity material into which the aqueous liquid fuel can wick by capillary action and from which the aqueous liquid fuel can be released, said anode capillarity material having an anode capillarity material longest dimension and a free rise wick height greater than one half of the anode capillarity material longest dimension, wherein said anode capillarity material has a thickness and defines a plurality of holes through said thickness, said holes having substantially no capillarity; and wherein the number and size of the holes are such as to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the anode.
- 125. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein there is no external water added to the liquid fuel cell.
- 126. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the water drawn from the cathode capillarity structure is substantially the only water supplied to the anode in the aqueous liquid fuel.
- 127. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein the water drawn from the cathode capillarity structure and any water present in the concentrated liquid fuel is the only water supplied to the anode.
- 128. The liquid fuel cell of claim 13, wherein there is no external water added to the liquid fuel cell.
- 129. The liquid fuel cell of claim 15, wherein there is no external water added to the liquid fuel cell.
- 130. A method for liquid management in a liquid fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) wicking water from the cathode by capillary action into a cathode capillarity structure in liquid communication with the cathode, wherein the cathode capillarity structure comprises a cathode capillarity material into which water can wick by capillary action and from which water can be released, said cathode capillarity material having a cathode capillarity material longest dimension and a first free rise wick height greater than one half of the cathode capillarity material longest dimension; (b) releasing water from the cathode capillarity structure; (c) providing a source of a concentrated liquid fuel; (d) mixing water released from the cathode capillarity structure in step (b) with the concentrated liquid fuel from the source to form an aqueous liquid fuel; and thereafter (e) supplying the aqueous liquid fuel to the anode by delivering the aqueous liquid fuel mixture to the anode.
- 131. The method of claim 130, wherein step (b) is conducted by drawing water from the cathode capillarity structure using a water drawing means into a water flow path.
- 132. The method of claim 131, wherein step (b) is conducted by drawing water from the cathode capillarity structure using a pump into a water flow path.
- 133. The method of claim 131, wherein step (b) is conducted by drawing water from the cathode capillarity structure using a wick into a water flow path.
- 134. The method of claim 130, wherein step (e) is conducted by delivering the aqueous liquid fuel to an anode capillarity structure incorporated in the anode or in liquid communication with the anode, wherein the anode capillarity structure comprises an anode capillarity material into which the aqueous liquid fuel can wick by capillary action and from which the aqueous liquid fuel can be released, said anode capillarity material having an anode capillarity material longest dimension and a free rise wick height greater than one half of the anode capillarity material longest dimension.
- 135. The liquid fuel cell of claim 1, wherein
the cathode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the cathode; the cathode further comprises a first cathode surface and second cathode surface, said second cathode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first cathode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the cathode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second cathode capillarity structure surfaces, said second cathode capillarity structure surface facing toward the cathode and said first cathode capillarity structure surface facing away from the cathode.
- 136. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein
the cathode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the cathode; the cathode further comprises a first cathode surface and second cathode surface, said second cathode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first cathode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the cathode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second cathode capillarity structure surfaces, said second cathode capillarity structure surface facing toward the cathode and said first cathode capillarity structure surface facing away from the cathode.
- 137. The liquid fuel cell of claim 26, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface and a second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface facing toward the anode, and said first anode capillarity structure surface facing away from the anode.
- 138. The liquid fuel cell of claim 136, wherein
the anode capillarity structure is external to but in liquid communication with the anode; the anode further comprises a first anode surface and a second anode surface, said second anode surface being adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and said first anode surface facing away from the solid polymer electrolyte membrane; and the anode capillarity structure is planar and has a first and second anode capillarity structure surfaces, said second anode capillarity structure surface facing toward the anode, and said first anode capillarity structure surface facing away from the anode.
- 139. The liquid fuel cell of claim 135, wherein said second cathode capillarity structure surface has at least one groove thereon with a size such as to deliver an amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction at the cathode.
- 140. The liquid fuel cell of claim 139, wherein said second cathode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves thereon and wherein the size and number of the grooves are such as to deliver an effective amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction at the cathode.
- 141. The liquid fuel cell of claim 135, wherein said cathode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines at least one hole through the thickness with a size such as to deliver an amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction at the cathode.
- 142. The liquid fuel cell of claim 141, wherein said cathode capillarity structure has a plurality of holes through the thickness and wherein the size and number of the holes are such as to deliver an effective amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction at the cathode.
- 143. The liquid fuel cell of claim 136, wherein said second cathode capillarity structure surface has at least one groove thereon with a size such as to deliver an amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction at the cathode.
- 144. The liquid fuel cell of claim 143, wherein said second cathode capillarity structure surface has a plurality of grooves thereon and wherein the size and number of the grooves are such as to deliver an effective amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction at the cathode.
- 145. The liquid fuel cell of claim 136, wherein said cathode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines at least one hole through the thickness with a size such as to deliver an amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction at the cathode.
- 146. The liquid fuel cell of claim 145, wherein said cathode capillarity structure has a plurality of holes through the thickness and wherein the size and number of the holes are such as to deliver an effective amount of the gaseous oxidant to the cathode to conduct an oxidizing reaction at the cathode.
- 147. The liquid fuel cell of claim 137, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines at least one hole through the thickness with a size such as to allow the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 148. The liquid fuel cell of claim 147, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a plurality of holes through the thickness and wherein the size and number of the holes are such as to allow the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 149. The liquid fuel cell of claim 138, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a thickness and defines at least one hole through the thickness with a size such as to allow the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 150. The liquid fuel cell of claim 149, wherein said anode capillarity structure has a plurality of holes through the thickness and wherein the size and number of the holes are such as to allow the removal of carbon dioxide from the anode.
- 151. The liquid fuel cell of claim 48, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 152. The liquid fuel cell of claim 151, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 153. The liquid fuel cell of claim 50, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 154. The liquid fuel cell of claim 153, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 155. The liquid fuel cell of claim 57, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 156. The liquid fuel cell of claim 155, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 157. The liquid fuel cell of claim 64, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 158. The liquid fuel cell of claim 157, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 159. The liquid fuel cell of claim 71, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 160. The liquid fuel cell of claim 159, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 161. The liquid fuel cell of claim 73, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 162. The liquid fuel cell of claim 161, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 163. The liquid fuel cell of claim 80, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 164. The liquid fuel cell of claim 163, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 165. The liquid fuel cell of claim 87, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 166. The liquid fuel cell of claim 165, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 167. The liquid fuel cell of claim 94, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 168. The liquid fuel cell of claim 167, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 169. The liquid fuel cell of claim 96, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 170. The liquid fuel cell of claim 169, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 171. The liquid fuel cell of claim 103, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 172. The liquid fuel cell of claim 171, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 173. The liquid fuel cell of claim 110, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 174. The liquid fuel cell of claim 173, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 175. The liquid fuel cell of claim 121, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the cathode capillarity structure.
- 176. The liquid fuel cell of claim 175, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the cathode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
- 177. The liquid fuel cell of claim 124, further comprising an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the anode capillarity structure.
- 178. The liquid fuel cell of claim 177, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a metal screen, metal wool, expanded metal foil, or an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the anode capillarity structure, said conductive coating comprising a metal, carbon, a carbon-containing material, or mixtures thereof.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. ______, entitled “Liquid Fuel Cell Reservoir for Water and/or Fuel Management” filed on Jun. 29, 2001 by the instant inventors, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.