US20070181572A1

US20070181572A1 - Fuel container for fuel cells

Info

Publication number: US20070181572A1
Application number: US11/346,349
Authority: US
Inventors: Charn-Ying Chen; Peng Yang; Chun Chang; Ying-Sheng Lee
Original assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
Current assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
Priority date: 2006-02-03
Filing date: 2006-02-03
Publication date: 2007-08-09

Abstract

A fuel container is disclosed, which is used for supplying fuel to a fuel cell. The fuel container, adapted for supplying fuel to a fuel cell, is composed of a tank and a cover covering the tank, in that the tank is further comprised of: a first reservoir for accommodating a methanol solution; and a second reservoir for accommodating the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell and the water to be replenished therein. The fuel container of the invention not only is capable of storing and supplying fuel to a fuel cell, but also is capable of recycling the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell to be used as replenishing water. Moreover, the replacing of water and methanol can be accomplished at the same time as the fuel container is replaced, so that the space utilization of fuel cell can be rationalized and optimized for enhancing the usability and convenience of the fuel cell.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fuel container, and more particularly, to a fuel container used for supply fuel to a fuel cell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device, similar to a battery in that it provides continuous DC power, which converts the chemical energy from a fuel directly into electricity and heat. When operated directly on hydrogen, the fuel cell produces this energy with clean water as the only by-product. Unlike a battery, which is limited to the stored energy within, a fuel cell is capable of generating power as long as fuel is supplied from an external fuel container. Although hydrogen is the primary fuel source for fuel cells, the process of fuel reforming allows for the extraction of hydrogen from more widely available fuels such as natural gas and propane or any other hydrogen containing fuel. For a growing number of power generators and users, fuel cells are the key to the future since it is an environment-friendly energy source with high energy conversion efficiency. It is therefore a need to design a fuel container especially to be used by fuel cells for enhancing the usage and economic efficiency of the fuel cells
A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), like an ordinary battery, provides dc electricity from two electrochemical reactions. These reactions occur at electrodes to which reactants are continuously fed. The anode electrode, (also called the “fuel electrode”), is be maintained by supplying a fuel such as methanol, whereas the cathode electrode, (also called the “air electrode”), is maintained by the supply of oxygen or air. Operationally, methanol is electrochemically oxidized at the anode electrode to produce electrons which travel through the external circuit to the cathode electrode where they are consumed together with oxygen in a reduction reaction and thus produce water to be drawn back to the anode electrode by an external pump. Conventionally, the DMFC use a replaceable fuel container for storing methanol and another water tank for storing replenishing water and water generated during the operating of the fuel cell. It is noted that not only the configuration of the aforesaid DMFC is not space-saving, but also the replenish of methanol and the storing of water will be performed separately. Therefore, it is troublesome and time-consuming for a user to replace water and fuel for the fuel cell, and also the structure of the DMFC is complicated. It is in great need to have a means capable of rapidly replacing the methanol and water of a fuel cell at once and thus simplifying the structure of the fuel cell.
From the above description, the present invention provides a fuel container for overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages, which has two independent accommodating spaces enclosed therein, respectively for storing methanol and water. The fuel container of the invention not only is capable of storing and supplying fuel to a fuel cell, but also is capable of recycling the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell to be used as replenishing water. Moreover, the replacing of water and methanol can be accomplished at the same time as the fuel container is replaced, so that the -structure of the fuel cell can be simplified and the space utilization of fuel cell can be rationalized and optimized for enhancing the usability and convenience of the fuel cell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a fuel container having two independent accommodating spaces enclosed therein, respectively for storing methanol solution and water, by which a user is able to supply a fuel cell rapidly and conveniently by replacing the fuel container without having to replenish methanol solution and water separately.
It is another object of the invention to provide a fuel container, which adapted to be used by a specific fuel cell designed corresponding thereto for enabling the same to recycle the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a fuel container, adapted to be used by a specific fuel cell designed corresponding thereto, which has space of thermal insulation ability formed therein for preventing the heat of the water recycled form the fuel cell form being transmitted to the methanol solution used as fuel of the fuel cell and thus preventing the evaporation of the methanol solution.
To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a fuel container adapted for supplying fuel to a fuel cell, which is composed of a tank and a cover covering the tank, in that the tank is further comprised of: a first reservoir for accommodating a methanol solution; and a second reservoir for accommodating the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell and the water to be replenished therein.
Preferably, a space of thermal insulation ability is formed between the first reservoir and the second reservoir.
Preferably, the space of thermal insulation ability is channeled to an air inlet for enabling air to flow therein.
Preferably, the space of thermal insulation ability is filled with a thermal insulation material.
Preferably, the tank is integrally formed.
Preferably, the first reservoir is a hollow jar-like structure.
Preferably, the second reservoir is a hollow ring-like structure.
Preferably, the first reservoir is surrounded by the second reservoir.
Preferably, the cover further comprises a first outlet for enabling the methanol solution stored in the first reservoir to flow out therefrom.
The Preferably, the cover further comprises an aperture, for balancing the pressure difference between the air enclosed in the first reservoir and the ambient atmosphere.
Preferably, the cover further comprises an inlet, for enabling the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell to flow in to the second reservoir therefrom.
Preferably, the cover further comprises a second outlet, for enabling the water stored in the second reservoir to flow out therefrom.
Preferably, a third outlet is arranged at a side of the tank, which is used for enabling air entrapped in the second reservoir to flow out therefrom.
Preferably, the methanol solution is a mixture of water and methanol of any ratio.
It is noted that the first reservoir is able to store other aqueous fuels, which is not limited by the methanol solution. Preferably, the first reservoir can be used to store fuels, such as alcohol solution and other aqueous hydrogen containing fuels.
To sum up, the fuel container of the invention, adapted to be used by a specific fuel cell designed corresponding thereto, not only is capable of storing and supplying fuel to the fuel cell, but also is capable of recycling the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell to be used as replenishing water. Moreover, the replacing of water and methanol can be accomplished at the same time as the fuel container is replaced, so that the space utilization of fuel cell can be rationalized and optimized for enhancing the usability and convenience of the fuel cell. Moreover, the fuel container of the invention has space of thermal insulation ability formed therein for preventing the heat of the water recycled form the fuel cell form being transmitted to the methanol solution used as fuel of the fuel cell and thus preventing the evaporation of the methanol solution.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fuel container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view of a fuel container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is an A-A sectional view of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting the operation of a fuel container according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a fuel container according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a B-B sectional view of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For your esteemed members of reviewing committee to further understand and recognize the fulfilled functions and structural characteristics of the invention, several preferable embodiments cooperating with detailed description are presented as the follows.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which is an exploded view of a fuel container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The fuel container of FIG. 1 is composed of a tank 10 and a cover, in that the tank 10 is a cylinder having a first reservoir 12 and a second reservoir 14 formed therein. The first reservoir 12 is a hollow jar-like structure with a column-like space 125 formed therein for accommodating a methanol solution used as fuel of the fuel cell. The second reservoir, being a hollow ring-like structure having a circle-like space 145 formed therein, is surrounding the first reservoir 12 and used for accommodating the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell. Moreover, a third outlet 15 is arranged at a side of the tank 10, which is used for enabling air stored in the second reservoir 14 to flow out therefrom; and the tank 10 can be integrally formed.
In FIG. 1, the cover 20 has a first outlet 22, an aperture 24, an inlet 26 and a second outlet 28, whereas the first outlet 22 is used for enabling the methanol solution stored in the first reservoir 12 to flow out therefrom so as to be used as fuel of the fuel cell; and the aperture 24 is used for balancing the pressure difference between the air enclosed in the first reservoir and the ambient atmosphere so as to smooth the flow of the methanol solution while it is being drawn out of the first reservoir 12; and the inlet 26 is used for enabling ihe water generated during the operating of the fuel cell to flow in to the second reservoirl4 therefrom for recycling; and the second outlet 28 is used for or enabling the recycled water stored in the second reservoir 14 to flow out therefrom.
Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a three dimensional view of a fuel container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. As seen in FIG. 2, the cover 20 is used to tightly seal the tank 10, that it would take a great effort to detach the cover 20 from the tank 10.
Please refer to FIG. 3, which is an A-A sectional view of FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 3, the cover 20 utilizes a fringe thereof 292 to fix itself on the tank 10 while enabling the ring-like protrusion 294 formed on the cover 20 to inset to the fixing trench 26 of the tank, such that the cover 20 is tightly attached to the tank 10. Moreover, a space of thermal insulation ability 18 is formed between the first reservoir 12 and the second reservoir 14, which is used for preventing the heat of the water recycled form the fuel cell form being transmitted to the methanol solution used as fuel of the fuel cell. The space of thermal insulation ability 18 is channeled to an air inlet 185 for enabling air to flow therein and circulate. In a preferred embodiment, the space of thermal insulation ability 18 is filled with a thermal insulation material, which is an alternative to an air insulation manner.
Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram depicting the operation of a fuel container according to the present invention. As a fuel container is adapted to supply fuel to a fuel cell while the first reservoir 12 of a fuel container is storing a methanol solution 42, being a mixture of water and methanol of any ratio, to be used as fuel of the fuel cell and the second reservoir 14 is storing certain amount of water 48, the methanol solution 42 is fed to the operating fuel cell by a tube 425 and the water 48 is fed to the operating fuel cell by another tube 485 while the water 46 generated during the operating of the fuel cell is recycled by a tube 465 back to the second reservoir 14 and the air 44 entrapped in the second reservoir 14 is enabled to circulate in and out the fuel container by way of the third outlet 15. It is noted that the recycled water 46 can be put to use by the fuel cell since it can be fed to the fuel cell through the tube 485. Moreover, if the methanol solution 42 stored in the fuel container is running out, a new fuel container containing full methanol solution can replace the dry-up fuel container for supplying fuel to the fuel cell while enable the same to function continuously.
Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, which are respectively an exploded view of a fuel container and the B-B sectional view of the fuel container. As seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, similarly, the cover 50 also has a first outlet 52, an aperture 54, an inlet 56 and a second outlet 58 arranged thereon, however, the positioning of the first outlet 52, the aperture 54, the inlet 56 and the second outlet 58 are not specified only if the first outlet 52 and the aperture 54 is channeled to the conducted with the column-like space 15 and the inlet 56, the second outlet 58, and the third outlet arranged on the tank 10 are channeled and conducted with the circle-like space 145.
The tank, cover, reservoirs embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respect as illustrative and not restrictive. For instance, the fuel container can be a cubic structure, and the first reservoir can be used to store water instead of methanol solution while the second reservoir is used to store methanol solution, moreover, the fuel stored in the reservoir of the fuel container is not limited by the methanol solution, it can be a alcohol solution or other aqueous hydrogen containing fuels.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiment of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A fuel container, adapted for supplying fuel to a fuel cell, comprising:

a tank, further comprising:

a first reservoir for accommodating a methanol solution; and

a second reservoir for accommodating the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell;

and

a cover, covering the tank.

2. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein a space of thermal insulation ability is formed between the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

3. The fuel container of claim 2, wherein the space of thermal insulation ability is channeled to an air inlet for enabling air to flow therein.

4. The fuel container of claim 2, wherein the space of thermal insulation ability is filled with a thermal insulation material.

5. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the tank is integrally formed.

6. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir is a hollow jar-like structure.

7. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the second reservoir is a hollow ring-like structure.

8. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir is surrounded by the second reservoir.

9. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a first outlet for enabling the methanol solution stored in the first reservoir to flow out therefrom.

10. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises an aperture, for balancing the pressure difference between the air enclosed in the first reservoir and the ambient atmosphere.

11. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises an inlet, for enabling the water generated during the operating of the fuel cell to flow in to the second reservoir therefrom.

12. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a second outlet, for enabling the water stored in the second reservoir to flow out therefrom.

13. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein a third outlet is arranged at a side of the tank, which is used for enabling air stored in the second reservoir to flow out therefrom.

14. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the methanol solution is a mixture of water and methanol.

15. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir can be used to store an alcohol solution.

16. The fuel container of claim 1, wherein the first reservoir can be used to store aqueous hydrogen containing fuels.