Method and apparatus for increasing fuel cell efficiency, power output, or reduced-temperature operation
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a method of increasing fuel cell efficiency, power output, or reduced-temperature operation by directing an external magnetic field to a fuel cell cathode.
1. A fuel cell apparatus comprising:
an anode;
a cathode;
an electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode;
a magnetic field generator in proximity to said cathode for creating a magnetic field; and
a physical thermal barrier made of a thermally insulating material disposed between said magnetic field generator and said cathode.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an air source for supplying air to said cathode.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said magnetic field is directed to said air to increase oxygen concentration at a surface of said cathode.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic field generator is a permanent magnet.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said magnet is a high temperature magnet.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said high temperature magnet comprises Sm 2 Co 17 .
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said magnet is an electromagnet.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic shield housing said fuel cell apparatus.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said thermal barrier comprises an aerogel, ceramic, or polymer.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said electrolyte comprises a solid oxide membrane.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said magnet is arranged adjacent to said cathode.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said magnet is arranged about said anode and said cathode.
13. A fuel cell apparatus comprising:
an anode;
a cathode;
an electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode;
a single pole magnet in proximity to said cathode,
wherein said cathode comprises magnetic materials so as to form a second magnetic pole and generate a magnetic field with said single pole magnet.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said magnetic materials comprise doped cobaltites, manganites, or ferrites.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a magnetic shield disposed around said anode, cathode, electrolyte and magnet.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said magnet comprises a Sm 2 Co 17 magnet.
17. A fuel cell apparatus comprising:
an anode;
a cathode;
an electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode;
and a coil wrapped around said cathode for creating a magnetic field.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein said fuel cell apparatus is a tubular type fuel cell.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein said coil carries an electric current to create said a magnetic field.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising a cathode air supply, wherein said magnetic field is directed to air at said cathode to increase the concentration of oxygen at a surface of said cathode.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said coil carries a controlled alternating current to induce an alternating magnetic field directed to a surface of said cathode for enhancing catalytic activity at said cathode surface.
22. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said cathode is a magnetic cathode.
23. A fuel cell, said fuel cell comprising:
an anode;
a cathode;
an electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode;
and a magnetic field generator in proximity to said cathode for creating a magnetic field;
wherein said magnetic field generator comprises first and second magnetic field generators disposed on opposite sides of said cathode and a third magnetic field generator disposed at an end of said cathode.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein said magnetic field generator comprises a Sm 2 Co 17 magnet.
25. The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising a magnetic shield disposed around said anode, cathode, electrolyte and magnetic field generator.
26. The apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising a thermal barrier disposed between said cathode and at least one of said magnetic field generators.