Methods and Apparatuses for Managing Effluent Products in a Fuel Cell System

Abstract

A water management system for a fuel cell having an anode chamber including a fuel, a cathode chamber in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent, and a proton conducting membrane electrolyte separating the chambers. The system includes a gas plenum, a first valve for controlling a first flow of a gas from the anode chamber into the gas plenum, and a second valve for controlling a second flow of the gas collected by the gas plenum into the cathode chamber. The first valve is opened allowing the first flow while the second valve is closed between the gas plenum and the cathode chamber so that effluent gas is collected in the gas plenum. When the amount of the effluent gas in the gas plenum reaches a predetermined value, the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened to allow the second flow.

1 - 55 . (canceled)  
   
   
       56 . A direct oxidation fuel cell system, comprising: 
 a catalyzed membrane electrolyte separating an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, wherein the anode chamber has no liquid exit port;    a fuel source for providing fuel to the anode chamber, wherein the fuel comprises essentially methanol; and    a load coupled across the fuel cell, providing a path for electrons produced in electricity-generated reactions of the fuel cell.    
   
   
       57 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the essentially methanol comprises greater then 90% methanol by volume.  
   
   
       58 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the essentially methanol comprises greater then 95% methanol by volume.  
   
   
       59 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the essentially methanol comprises greater then 98% methanol by volume.  
   
   
       60 . The system of claim  1 , wherein the essentially methanol comprises approximately 99% methanol by volume.  
   
   
       61 . The system of claim  1 , wherein at least a portion of one wall of the anode aspect is gas permeable and liquid impermeable  
   
   
       62 . A method of delivering fuel to a direct oxidation fuel cell, comprising: 
 providing a direct oxidation fuel cell including a catalyzed membrane electrolyte, having an anode aspect and a cathode aspect;    providing a fuel to the anode aspect of the catalyzed membrane electrolyte, the fuel comprising methanol to about 99% by volume; and    collecting an effluent gas produced in an anode chamber of the fuel cell and exhausting the collected gas through a cathode chamber to an ambient environment.    
   
   
       63 . A method of delivering fuel to a direct oxidation fuel cell, comprising: 
 providing a direct oxidation fuel cell including a valve for controlling a flow of a gas from an anode chamber to a cathode chamber and a catalyzed membrane electrolyte, having an anode aspect and a cathode aspect; and    providing a fuel to the anode aspect of the catalyzed membrane electrolyte, the fuel comprising methanol to about 99% by volume.    
   
   
       64 . A method for delivering fuel to a direct oxidation fuel cell system, comprising: 
 providing a catalyzed membrane electrolyte separating an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, wherein the anode chamber has no liquid exit port;    providing a fuel source for providing fuel to the anode chamber, wherein the fuel comprises essentially methanol; and    providing a load coupled across the fuel cell, providing a path for electrons produced in electricity-generated reactions of the fuel cell.    
   
   
       65 . The method of claim  9 , further comprising: 
 delivering fuel by a direct fuel feed into the anode chamber without anode recirculation.    
   
   
       66 . The method of claim  9 , further comprising: 
 providing at least a portion of one wall of the anode chamber is gas permeable and liquid impermeable.    
   
   
       67 . The method of claim  9 , wherein the essentially methanol comprises greater then 90% methanol by volume.  
   
   
       68 . The method of claim  9 , wherein the essentially methanol comprises greater then 95% methanol by volume.  
   
   
       69 . The method of claim  9 , wherein the essentially methanol comprises greater then 98% methanol by volume.  
   
   
       70 . The method of claim  11 , wherein the essentially methanol comprises approximately 99% methanol by volume.  
   
   
       71 . A method of delivering fuel to a direct oxidation fuel cell, comprising: 
 providing a direct oxidation fuel cell including a valve for controlling a flow of a gas from an anode chamber to a cathode chamber and a catalyzed membrane electrolyte, having an anode aspect and a cathode aspect; and    providing a fuel to the anode aspect of the catalyzed membrane electrolyte, the fuel comprising methanol to greater then 95% by volume.