Fuel cartridge for fuel cells
View Patent ↗A method for controlling the pressure inside a fuel cartridge with a deformable inner fuel container connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed.
1. A method for minimizing an internal pressure inside a fuel cell fuel supply comprising the steps of:
i. filling an inner liner with a fuel cell fuel and sealing the fuel cell fuel within the inner liner, wherein the inner liner is flexible and deformable, such that a volume inside the inner liner decreases when the fuel cell fuel is transported out of the inner liner;
ii. sealing said inner liner inside an outer casing;
iii. heating the fuel supply to a temperature below the boiling point of the fuel;
iv. holding the fuel supply at said temperature for a predetermined amount of time;
v. cooling the fuel supply to room temperature; and
vi minimizing an internal pressure inside a fuel cell fuel supply.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step iv includes holding the fuel supply at said temperature for at least 48 hours.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein step iv includes holding the fuel supply at said temperature for at least 72 hours.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein step iv includes holding the fuel supply at said temperature for at least 96 hours.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein step iii includes heating the fuel to a temperature from about above room temperature and less than about 10° C. below the boiling point of the fuel.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein step iii includes heating the fuel to a temperature from about above room temperature and less than about 1° C. below the boiling point of the fuel.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein step v includes holding the fuel supply for at least 2 hours.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein step v includes holding the fuel supply for at least 4 hours.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein step v includes holding the fuel supply for at least 6 hours.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein step v includes holding the fuel supply for at least 8 hours.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of making the outer casing from metal.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of coating the outer casing with a permeation-resistant material.
13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of making the inner liner from polyethylene.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell fuel comprises methanol.
15. A method for minimizing an internal pressure inside a fuel cell fuel supply comprising the steps of:
i. filling an inner liner with a fuel cell fuel and sealing the fuel cell fuel within the inner liner, wherein the inner liner is flexible and deformable, such that a volume inside the inner liner decreases when the fuel cell fuel is transported out of the inner liner;
ii. heating the fuel supply to a temperature below the boiling point of the fuel;
iii. holding the fuel supply at said temperature for a predetermined amount of time;
iv. cooling the fuel supply to room temperature; and
v. minimizing an internal pressure inside a fuel cell fuel supply.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein step iii includes holding the fuel supply at said temperature for at least 48 hours.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein step iii includes holding the fuel supply at said temperature for at least 72 hours.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein step iii includes holding the fuel supply at said temperature for at least 96 hours.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein step ii includes heating the fuel to a temperature from about above room temperature and less than about 10° C. below the boiling point of the fuel.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein step ii includes heating the fuel to a temperature from about above room temperature and less than about 1° C. below the boiling point of the fuel.