Downhole fuel cell with steam adsorption and pressure compensation and methods of using same
A fuel cell for use in downhole applications stores steam created by the chemical reaction in a desiccant like Zeolite. The fuel cell also uses ambient hydrostatic pressure to increase cell voltage and power-density.
1. An apparatus for use in a wellbore having a wellbore fluid at a hydrostatic pressure, comprising:
a downhole tool configured to be conveyed into the wellbore with a conveyance device;
a fuel cell associated with the downhole tool, the fuel cell receiving a flow of an oxidant and a flow of hydrogen; and
a pressure applicator applying at least a portion of the hydrostatic pressure of the wellbore fluid to the fuel cell to increase a pressure applied to the fuel cell.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pressure applicator communicates at least a portion of the hydrostatic pressure to the fuel cell via a passage in communication with the wellbore fluid surrounding the downhole tool.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hydrostatic pressure is applied to at least one fluid fed to the fuel cell.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , the at least one fluid is one of: (i) hydrogen, and (ii) oxygen.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pressure applicator is configured to increase the hydrostatic pressure to a predetermined maximum pressure.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pressure applicator is configured to apply at least a portion of the hydrostatic pressure to an interior of the fuel cell.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pressure applicator is configured to apply at least a portion of the hydrostatic pressure to at least one electrode disposed in an interior of the fuel cell.
8. A method for use in a wellbore having a wellbore fluid at a hydrostatic pressure, comprising:
conveying a downhole tool into the wellbore with a conveyance device, the downhole tool having an associated fuel cell, the fuel cell receiving a flow of an oxidant and a flow of hydrogen; and
applying at least a portion of the hydrostatic pressure of the wellbore fluid to the fuel cell to increase pressure applied to the fuel cell using a pressure applicator.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the pressure applicator communicates at least a portion of the hydrostatic pressure to the fuel cell via a passage in communication with the wellbore fluid surrounding the downhole tool.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the hydrostatic pressure is applied to at least one fluid fed to the fuel cell.
11. The method of claim 10 , the at least one fluid is one of: (i) hydrogen, and (ii) oxygen.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the pressure applicator is configured to increase the hydrostatic pressure to a predetermined maximum pressure.