WO2023138855A1 - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Fuel cell system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023138855A1
WO2023138855A1 PCT/EP2022/086546 EP2022086546W WO2023138855A1 WO 2023138855 A1 WO2023138855 A1 WO 2023138855A1 EP 2022086546 W EP2022086546 W EP 2022086546W WO 2023138855 A1 WO2023138855 A1 WO 2023138855A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
cell system
expansion valve
cell stack
cathode
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/086546
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Chloe J Palmer
Jacopo TACCONI
Original Assignee
Rolls-Royce Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rolls-Royce Plc filed Critical Rolls-Royce Plc
Publication of WO2023138855A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023138855A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04126—Humidifying
    • H01M8/04141—Humidifying by water containing exhaust gases
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M2008/1095—Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
    • H01M2250/20—Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • H01M8/04029—Heat exchange using liquids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • H01M8/04059—Evaporative processes for the cooling of a fuel cell
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04111—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants using a compressor turbine assembly
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04828—Humidity; Water content
    • H01M8/04835—Humidity; Water content of fuel cell reactants
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04828—Humidity; Water content
    • H01M8/04843—Humidity; Water content of fuel cell exhausts
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a polymer electrolyte (proton exchange) membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack.
  • PEM polymer electrolyte
  • a PEM fuel cell stack generally requires humidification of its polymer electrolyte membranes during operation.
  • water may be recovered from the cathode exhaust of the stack and used to humidify air and hydrogen fuel input to the cathode and anode sides of the stack respectively.
  • the humidification system of such a fuel cell system accounts for roughly 20% to 25% of total air and fuel system weight and therefore has a substantial adverse impact on the performance of such fuel cell systems in mobile applications, especially aerospace applications.
  • conventional water separators used to recover water from the cathode exhaust can be unreliable, having complex designs with moving parts, and remove water with substantially less than 100% efficiency. Increasing the efficiency with which water is recovered from the cathode exhaust of a fuel cell system would offer opportunities for reducing liquid cooling requirements of a PEM fuel cell stack.
  • a fuel cell system comprises a PEM fuel cell stack and an expansion valve, the cathode output of the PEM fuel cell stack being coupled to the expansion valve such that in operation of the fuel cell system gaseous output from the cathode side of the PEM fuel cell stack is provided to the expansion valve, the expansion valve being arranged to expand the gaseous output to condense water vapour within the gaseous output.
  • an expansion valve is less complex, lighter and more efficient in terms of the fraction of water recovered from the cathode exhaust.
  • the expansion valve is arranged to expand the cathode exhaust adiabatically or substantially adiabatically.
  • the expansion valve may be a Joule-Thomson valve.
  • the fuel cell system may be arranged such that in operation thereof at least a portion of condensed water produced by the expansion valve is provided to air input to the cathode side of the PEM fuel cell stack at the cathode input thereof to humidify the air.
  • at least a portion of condensed water produced by the expansion valve may be injected directly into the PEM fuel cell stack to provide evaporative cooling and humidification thereof.
  • the fuel cell system may further comprise a turbocharger, the turbocharger charger comprising first and second compressors, a turbine and an electric motor, the first and second compressors being arranged to be driven by at least one of the turbine and the electric motor and wherein the fuel cell system is arranged such that in operation thereof air input to fuel cell system is provided to the cathode input of the PEM fuel cell stack via the first compressor and air output from the expansion valve is provided to the turbine via the second compressor.
  • a turbocharger the turbocharger charger comprising first and second compressors, a turbine and an electric motor, the first and second compressors being arranged to be driven by at least one of the turbine and the electric motor and wherein the fuel cell system is arranged such that in operation thereof air input to fuel cell system is provided to the cathode input of the PEM fuel cell stack via the first compressor and air output from the expansion valve is provided to the turbine via the second compressor.
  • a second aspect of the invention provides a propulsion system comprising a fuel cell system according to the first aspect of the invention and an electric propulsor, the electric propulsor being arranged to receive electrical power from the fuel cell system and to provide propulsive thrust using the electrical power.
  • a third aspect of the invention provides an aircraft comprising a propulsion system according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • a fourth aspect the of the invention provides a method of extracting water from the cathode exhaust of a PEM fuel cell or PEM fuel cell stack, the method comprising the step of expanding the cathode exhaust through an expansion valve to condense water vapour within the cathode exhaust.
  • the step of expanding the cathode exhaust may be carried out adiabatically or substantially adiabatically.
  • the expansion valve may be a Joule-Thomson valve.
  • Figure 1 shows a fuel cell system of the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a propulsion system comprising the fuel cell system of
  • a PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane or proton exchange membrane) fuel cell system 100 of the invention comprises a PEM fuel cell stack 120 having cathode and anode sides 122, 126.
  • the cathode side 122 has a cathode input 121 and a cathode output 123.
  • the anode side 126 has an anode input 125 and an anode output 127.
  • the fuel cell system 100 further comprises a turbocharger 105 which comprises first and second compressors 108, 109 arranged to be driven by a turbine 106 and/or an electric motor 110.
  • the PEM fuel cell system 100 further comprises an ejector 130, a water trap 132, an air filter 104 and a humidifier 112.
  • the humidifier 112 comprises an expansion valve 111 (for example a Joule-Thomson valve).
  • the PEM fuel system 100 has air and fuel (gaseous hydrogen) inputs 102, 134, a fuel purge output 136 and a cathode exhaust output 114.
  • the PEM fuel cell stack 120 comprises a cooling circuit 140 in around which coolant fluid (in this case liquid water) is driven by a pump 146.
  • the cooling circuit 140 further includes a splitter 142, a coolant fluid/air heat exchanger 144, a de-ioniser 148 and gas/coolant fluid heat exchangers 141, 143.
  • the PEM fuel cell stack 120 has a coolant fluid input 128 and a coolant fluid output 129.
  • air is drawn into the air input 102 and passes via the first compressor 108 of the turbocharger 105, the heat exchanger 141 and the humidifier 112 to the cathode input 121 of the PEM fuel cell stack 120.
  • Gaseous hydrogen fuel enters the fuel input 134 and passes via the heat exchanger 143 and the ejector 130 to the anode input 125 of the PEM fuel cell stack 120.
  • Unused gaseous hydrogen fuel exits the anode side 126 and is re-circulated to the anode input 125 via the water trap 132 and the ejector 130.
  • the anode side 126 may be intermittently purged by means of the fuel purge output 136. Heat resulting from compression of air at the first compressor 108 is transferred to hydrogen fuel input at the fuel input by operation of the heat exchangers 141 , 143 and the cooling circuit 140.
  • Heat generated by the PEM fuel cell stack 120 is lost to ambient air by the heat exchanger 144.
  • Cathode exhaust comprising air and water vapour exits the cathode side 122 of the PEM fuel cell stack 120 at the cathode output 123 and passes to the expansion valve 111 of the humidifier 112. Expansion of the cathode exhaust condenses water vapour within the cathode exhaust; the resulting liquid water is provided to compressed air exiting the heat exchanger 141 in order to humidify it prior to input to the cathode input 121. The remaining cathode exhaust passes to the turbine 106 of the turbocharger 105 via the second compressor 109.
  • the expansion valve 111 may be a Joule- Thomson valve, the cathode exhaust being expanded adiabatically or substantially adiabatically.
  • liquid water produced by the expansion valve 111 is injected directly into the PEM fuel cell stack to achieve evaporative cooling and humidification of the PEM fuel cell stack.
  • the requirement for liquid cooling of the PEM fuel cell stack may thereby be reduced or eliminated, for example the size and mass of the coolant fluid/air heat-exchanger may be reduced.
  • the PEM fuel cell system 100 has an electrical output 124.
  • electrical power is provided to the electric motor 110 of the turbocharger 105 via an inverter 156.
  • High voltage output is provided at a high-voltage output 158 via a high-voltage bus 154.
  • Electrical power is provided to the pump 146 via a low-voltage bus 152 which has a low-voltage output 151.
  • FIG 2 shows a propulsion system 200 of the invention comprising the PEM fuel cell system 100 of Figure 1 and an electric propulsor 210.
  • the electric propulsor comprises an inverter 212 and an electric motor 214.
  • the electric motor 214 is arranged to drive a propeller or fan 216.
  • electrical power output from the high-voltage output 158 of the PEM fuel cell system 100 is provided to the electric propulsor 210 which uses the electrical power to generate propulsive thrust.
  • the propulsion system 200 may be comprised in an aircraft.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

A fuel cell system (100) comprises a PEM fuel cell stack (120) and an expansion valve (111). The cathode output (123) of the PEM fuel cell stack is coupled to the expansion valve such that gaseous output from the cathode side of the PEM fuel cell stack is expanded to condense water vapour therein. The expansion valve is lighter, more reliable and more efficient than conventional arrangements for condensing water vapour in the cathode exhaust of a PEM fuel cell stack. The greater efficiency of water recovery from the cathode exhaust affords the possibility of reducing the liquid cooling capacity of the fuel cell system by injection of recovered water directly into the PEM fuel cell stack to achieve both evaporative cooling and membrane humidification, thus providing a further weight reduction compared to systems of the prior art. The fuel cell system is particularly suitable for mobile and transport applications, especially aerospace applications.

Description

FUEL CELL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a polymer electrolyte (proton exchange) membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack.
BACKGROUND
A PEM fuel cell stack generally requires humidification of its polymer electrolyte membranes during operation. In a fuel cell system comprising such a stack, water may be recovered from the cathode exhaust of the stack and used to humidify air and hydrogen fuel input to the cathode and anode sides of the stack respectively. The humidification system of such a fuel cell system accounts for roughly 20% to 25% of total air and fuel system weight and therefore has a substantial adverse impact on the performance of such fuel cell systems in mobile applications, especially aerospace applications. In addition, conventional water separators used to recover water from the cathode exhaust can be unreliable, having complex designs with moving parts, and remove water with substantially less than 100% efficiency. Increasing the efficiency with which water is recovered from the cathode exhaust of a fuel cell system would offer opportunities for reducing liquid cooling requirements of a PEM fuel cell stack.
BRIEF SUMMARY
According to a first aspect of the invention, a fuel cell system comprises a PEM fuel cell stack and an expansion valve, the cathode output of the PEM fuel cell stack being coupled to the expansion valve such that in operation of the fuel cell system gaseous output from the cathode side of the PEM fuel cell stack is provided to the expansion valve, the expansion valve being arranged to expand the gaseous output to condense water vapour within the gaseous output. Compared to conventional apparatus for recovering water from the cathode exhaust of a PEM fuel cell stack, an expansion valve is less complex, lighter and more efficient in terms of the fraction of water recovered from the cathode exhaust. Preferably the expansion valve is arranged to expand the cathode exhaust adiabatically or substantially adiabatically. The expansion valve may be a Joule-Thomson valve. The fuel cell system may be arranged such that in operation thereof at least a portion of condensed water produced by the expansion valve is provided to air input to the cathode side of the PEM fuel cell stack at the cathode input thereof to humidify the air. Alternatively, at least a portion of condensed water produced by the expansion valve may be injected directly into the PEM fuel cell stack to provide evaporative cooling and humidification thereof.
The fuel cell system may further comprise a turbocharger, the turbocharger charger comprising first and second compressors, a turbine and an electric motor, the first and second compressors being arranged to be driven by at least one of the turbine and the electric motor and wherein the fuel cell system is arranged such that in operation thereof air input to fuel cell system is provided to the cathode input of the PEM fuel cell stack via the first compressor and air output from the expansion valve is provided to the turbine via the second compressor.
A second aspect of the invention provides a propulsion system comprising a fuel cell system according to the first aspect of the invention and an electric propulsor, the electric propulsor being arranged to receive electrical power from the fuel cell system and to provide propulsive thrust using the electrical power.
A third aspect of the invention provides an aircraft comprising a propulsion system according to the second aspect of the invention.
A fourth aspect the of the invention provides a method of extracting water from the cathode exhaust of a PEM fuel cell or PEM fuel cell stack, the method comprising the step of expanding the cathode exhaust through an expansion valve to condense water vapour within the cathode exhaust. The step of expanding the cathode exhaust may be carried out adiabatically or substantially adiabatically. The expansion valve may be a Joule-Thomson valve.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland Patent Application No. GB 2200622.5, filed on 19th January 2021, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a fuel cell system of the invention; and
Figure 2 shows a propulsion system comprising the fuel cell system of
Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, a PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane or proton exchange membrane) fuel cell system 100 of the invention comprises a PEM fuel cell stack 120 having cathode and anode sides 122, 126. The cathode side 122 has a cathode input 121 and a cathode output 123. The anode side 126 has an anode input 125 and an anode output 127. The fuel cell system 100 further comprises a turbocharger 105 which comprises first and second compressors 108, 109 arranged to be driven by a turbine 106 and/or an electric motor 110. The PEM fuel cell system 100 further comprises an ejector 130, a water trap 132, an air filter 104 and a humidifier 112. The humidifier 112 comprises an expansion valve 111 (for example a Joule-Thomson valve). The PEM fuel system 100 has air and fuel (gaseous hydrogen) inputs 102, 134, a fuel purge output 136 and a cathode exhaust output 114.
The PEM fuel cell stack 120 comprises a cooling circuit 140 in around which coolant fluid (in this case liquid water) is driven by a pump 146. The cooling circuit 140 further includes a splitter 142, a coolant fluid/air heat exchanger 144, a de-ioniser 148 and gas/coolant fluid heat exchangers 141, 143. The PEM fuel cell stack 120 has a coolant fluid input 128 and a coolant fluid output 129.
In operation of the PEM fuel cell system 100, air is drawn into the air input 102 and passes via the first compressor 108 of the turbocharger 105, the heat exchanger 141 and the humidifier 112 to the cathode input 121 of the PEM fuel cell stack 120. Gaseous hydrogen fuel enters the fuel input 134 and passes via the heat exchanger 143 and the ejector 130 to the anode input 125 of the PEM fuel cell stack 120.
Unused gaseous hydrogen fuel exits the anode side 126 and is re-circulated to the anode input 125 via the water trap 132 and the ejector 130. The anode side 126 may be intermittently purged by means of the fuel purge output 136. Heat resulting from compression of air at the first compressor 108 is transferred to hydrogen fuel input at the fuel input by operation of the heat exchangers 141 , 143 and the cooling circuit 140.
Heat generated by the PEM fuel cell stack 120 is lost to ambient air by the heat exchanger 144.
Cathode exhaust comprising air and water vapour exits the cathode side 122 of the PEM fuel cell stack 120 at the cathode output 123 and passes to the expansion valve 111 of the humidifier 112. Expansion of the cathode exhaust condenses water vapour within the cathode exhaust; the resulting liquid water is provided to compressed air exiting the heat exchanger 141 in order to humidify it prior to input to the cathode input 121. The remaining cathode exhaust passes to the turbine 106 of the turbocharger 105 via the second compressor 109. The expansion valve 111 may be a Joule- Thomson valve, the cathode exhaust being expanded adiabatically or substantially adiabatically.
In a variant of the PEM fuel cell system 100, liquid water produced by the expansion valve 111 is injected directly into the PEM fuel cell stack to achieve evaporative cooling and humidification of the PEM fuel cell stack. The requirement for liquid cooling of the PEM fuel cell stack may thereby be reduced or eliminated, for example the size and mass of the coolant fluid/air heat-exchanger may be reduced.
The PEM fuel cell system 100 has an electrical output 124. In operation of the PEM fuel cell system 100, electrical power is provided to the electric motor 110 of the turbocharger 105 via an inverter 156. High voltage output is provided at a high-voltage output 158 via a high-voltage bus 154. Electrical power is provided to the pump 146 via a low-voltage bus 152 which has a low-voltage output 151.
Figure 2 shows a propulsion system 200 of the invention comprising the PEM fuel cell system 100 of Figure 1 and an electric propulsor 210. The electric propulsor comprises an inverter 212 and an electric motor 214. The electric motor 214 is arranged to drive a propeller or fan 216. In operation of the propulsion system 200, electrical power output from the high-voltage output 158 of the PEM fuel cell system 100 is provided to the electric propulsor 210 which uses the electrical power to generate propulsive thrust. The propulsion system 200 may be comprised in an aircraft.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system comprising a PEM fuel cell stack and an expansion valve, wherein the cathode output of the PEM fuel cell stack is coupled to the expansion valve such that in operation of the fuel cell system gaseous output from the cathode side of the PEM fuel cell stack is provided to the expansion valve, the expansion valve being arranged to expand the gaseous output to condense water vapour within the gaseous output.
2. A fuel cell system according to claim 1 wherein the expansion valve is arranged to expand the gaseous output adiabatically or substantially adiabatically.
3. A fuel cell system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the expansion valve is a Joule-Thomson valve.
4. A fuel cell system according to any preceding claim wherein the fuel cell system is arranged such that in operation thereof at least a portion of condensed water produced by the expansion valve is provided to air input to the cathode side of the PEM fuel cell stack at the cathode input thereof to humidify the air.
5. A fuel cell system according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the fuel cell system is arranged such that in operation thereof at least a portion of condensed water produced by the expansion valve is injected directly into the PEM fuel cell stack to provide evaporative cooling and humidification thereof.
6. A fuel cell system according to any preceding claim further comprising a turbocharger, the turbocharger comprising first and second compressors, a turbine and an electric motor, the first and second compressors being arranged to be driven by at least one of the turbine and the electric motor and wherein the fuel cell system is arranged such that in operation thereof air input to the fuel cell system is provided to the cathode input of the PEM fuel cell stack via the first compressor and air output from the expansion valve is provided to the turbine via the second compressor. A propulsion system comprising a fuel cell system according to any preceding claim and an electric propulsor, wherein the electric propulsor is arranged to receive electrical power from the fuel cell system and to provide propulsive thrust using the electrical power. An aircraft comprising a propulsion system according to claim 7. A method of extracting water from the cathode exhaust of a PEM fuel cell or PEM fuel cell stack, the method comprising the step of expanding the cathode exhaust through an expansion valve to condense water vapour within the cathode exhaust. A method according to claim 9 wherein the cathode exhaust is expanded adiabatically or substantially adiabatically. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the expansion valve is a Joule-Thomson valve.
PCT/EP2022/086546 2022-01-19 2022-12-19 Fuel cell system WO2023138855A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB202200622 2022-01-19
GB2200622.5 2022-01-19

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WO2023138855A1 true WO2023138855A1 (en) 2023-07-27

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6406810B1 (en) * 1999-03-12 2002-06-18 Daimlerchrysler Ag Fuel cell system with cathode-side water separating devices
US20070218330A1 (en) * 2004-04-23 2007-09-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel Cell System
US20120328968A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell system
CN110165249A (en) * 2019-06-18 2019-08-23 势加透博（北京）科技有限公司 A kind of hydrogen fuel cell air inlet humidifying device

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6406810B1 (en) * 1999-03-12 2002-06-18 Daimlerchrysler Ag Fuel cell system with cathode-side water separating devices
US20070218330A1 (en) * 2004-04-23 2007-09-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel Cell System
US20120328968A1 (en) * 2011-06-22 2012-12-27 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell system
CN110165249A (en) * 2019-06-18 2019-08-23 势加透博（北京）科技有限公司 A kind of hydrogen fuel cell air inlet humidifying device

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