Fuel cell system suitable for complex fuels and a method of operation of the same

Abstract

A fuel cell system including an electrode-electrolyte assembly having a first catalytic electrode coupled to one side of the electrode-electrolyte assembly, and a second catalytic electrode coupled to a generally opposite side of the electrode-electrolyte assembly. The fuel cell system includes a first conduit in fluid communication with the first catalytic electrode for delivering fuel to the first catalytic electrode at ambient temperature and a second conduit in fluid communication with the second catalytic electrode for delivering oxidant thereto. The fuel cell system also includes means for providing an electrical potential across the first catalytic electrode, the electrode-electrolyte assembly and the second catalytic electrode and the fuel cell system further includes an electrical load circuit for using an energy output generated across the first catalytic electrode, the electrode-electrolyte assembly and the second catalytic electrode.

1 . A fuel cell system comprising:
 an electrode-electrolyte assembly having a first catalytic electrode coupled to one side of said electrode-electrolyte assembly, and a second catalytic electrode coupled to a generally opposite side of said electrode-electrolyte assembly;   a first conduit in fluid communication with said first catalytic electrode for delivering fuel to said first catalytic electrode at ambient temperature;   a second conduit in fluid communication with said second catalytic electrode for delivering oxidant thereto;   means for providing an electrical potential across said first catalytic electrode, said electrode-electrolyte assembly and said second catalytic electrode; and   an electrical load circuit for using an energy output generated across said first catalytic electrode, said electrode-electrolyte assembly and said second catalytic electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel cell system of  claim 1  wherein:
 said means for providing the electrical potential has a positive terminal in electrically conductive communication with said first catalytic electrode and a negative terminal in electrically conductive communication with said second catalytic electrode for providing process energy for a hydrogen formation reaction and removing poisons from said first catalytic electrode. 
 
     
     
         3 . The fuel cell system of  claim 1  further including:
 a first electrical circuit comprising said means for providing the electrical potential; 
 said first electrical circuit and said electrical load circuit being interlocked such that during operation said first electrical circuit is closed when said electrical load circuit is open and said electrical load circuit is closed when said first electrical circuit is open; and 
 wherein during operation said first electrical circuit and said electrical load circuit are opened and closed for predetermined periods of time. 
 
     
     
         4 . The fuel cell system of  claim 1  wherein said means for providing the electrical potential comprises at least one of an electrical energy storage device, a battery and a capacitor. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel cell system of  claim 2  wherein the process energy is less than the energy output and during operation of said fuel cell, a portion of the energy output replenishes said means for providing the electrical potential. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel cell system of  claim 3  wherein said first electrical circuit is maintained closed for a shorter period of time than said second electrical circuit is maintained closed. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel cell system of  claim 2  wherein said first conduit is configured to deliver an aqueous solution of the fuel. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel cell system of  claim 7  wherein the fuel comprises a complex organic structure. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel cell system of  claim 1  further including:
 a plurality of said fuel cell systems each having one of said first conduit, said electrode-electrolyte assembly, and said second fluid conduit sequentially disposed one upon another; 
 a bipolar separator disposed between adjacent cells and a dielectric separator disposed on terminal ends of said plurality of said fuel cell systems; 
 means for providing an electrical potential across said plurality of said fuel cell systems; 
 an electrical load circuit electrically connected across said plurality of said fuel cell systems for using an energy output generated therefrom; and 
 wherein said plurality of said fuel cell systems are in electrically conductive communication with one another.