FUEL CELL USING DEUTERIUM
Disclosed are fuel cells and methods of using fuel cells involving the use of an anode input gas comprising deuterium.
1 . A method of using a fuel cell, comprising:
charging the fuel cell with an anode input gas comprising deuterium and a cathode input gas comprising oxygen.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anode input gas comprises at least about 10% by volume deuterium.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anode input gas comprises about 90% by volume or less hydrogen.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anode input gas comprises at least about 50% by volume deuterium.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the anode input gas comprises about 50% by volume or less hydrogen.
6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising collecting heavy water generated by the fuel cell.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anode input gas is charged to the fuel cell under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.
8 . A method of improving the voltage output of a hydrogen fuel cell, comprising:
replacing at least a portion of hydrogen in an anode input gas stream with deuterium.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the anode input gas stream comprises at least about 25% by volume deuterium.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the anode input gas stream comprises about 75% by volume or less hydrogen.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the anode input gas stream comprises at least about 90% by volume deuterium.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the anode input gas stream comprises about 10% by volume or less hydrogen.
13 . A fuel cell, comprising:
an anode;
a cathode;
an electrolye positioned between the anode and the cathode;
a source of deuterium coupled to the anode; and
a source of oxygen coupled to the cathode.
14 . The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein the anode and cathode each comprise a catalyst.
15 . The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein the source of deuterium comprises substantially pure deuterium.
16 . The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein the source of deuterium comprises deuterium and hydrogen.
17 . The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein the fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.
18 . The fuel cell of claim 13 further comprising a component to capture heavy water produced by the fuel cell.
19 . The fuel cell of claim 13 , wherein the fuel cell is selected from the group consisting of an alkaline fuel cell, a phosphoric acid fuel cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell, or a solid oxide fuel cell.
20 . The fuel cell of claim 13 further comprising a recycling component for recharging unused deuterium into the fuel cell.