Sept. 29, 2025
Applications:
- Fuel cell-powered vehicles and mobile platforms
- Stationary and distributed power generation
- Portable power systems
Advantages/Benefits:
- Enhanced power output
- Improved water management
- Increased operational efficiency
- Extended membrane longevity
- Reduced auxiliary power consumption
Background:
Fuel cells necessitate precise humidification of reactant gases to maintain optimal proton conductivity within the electrolyte membrane. A significant challenge with existing approaches lies in effectively managing the relative humidity (RH) throughout the cell, particularly at the cathode outlet. Conventional methods often focus primarily on controlling inlet humidity, which can inadvertently lead to both the anode inlet and cathode outlet gases reaching 100% RH. This over-humidification negatively impacts fuel cell power output by hindering gas transport and potentially causing flooding within the cell.
Technology Overview:
Scientists at Berkeley Lab, Toyota Motor Corporation, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology have jointly developed a fuel cell system comprised of a fuel cell, a fuel gas supplier for the anode, an oxidant gas supplier for the cathode, and a humidity adjuster that regulates the relative humidity of both the fuel and oxidant gases.
A controller detects the relative humidity of the fuel gas at the anode inlet and the relative humidity of the oxidant gas at the cathode outlet. Based on these detection results, the controller commands the humidity adjuster to ensure that the relative humidity of the fuel gas at the anode inlet is maintained at a higher level than the relative humidity of the oxidant gas at the cathode outlet, which enhances the fuel cell’s power output.
Status:
Patented in US and Japan
US: US11881604B2
Japan: JP7374061B2
