INTERNAL HUMIDIFICATION IN LOW TEMPERATURE PEM FUEL CELL BY MEANS OF A WICK

摘要

The present invention relates to a wick based technique for internal humidification in a low temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (LT-PEMFC) which comprises electrically conducting and hydrophilic wicking material (20) such as carbon cloth or metal foam placed over the entire active area of either one or both of the anode and cathode with the bottom portion of the wick (20) dipped in a trough (14) in order to facilitate capillary action for internal humidification, a trough (14) for water transport up the wicking material (20), dry feed and ambient (28-30° C.) temperature gas supply to either anode or cathode or both electrodes, counter and co-flow operation.