INVESTIGATIVE STUDY RELATING TO FUEL CELLS
Abstract
Studies of hydrocarbon oxidations at fuel cell anodes were extended. Erratic behavior resulted from poisoning by air and materials leached slowly from ion exchange membrane separators. The ratio of reactivities of H and hydrocarbons differed wit different electrodes. CyclohexaneAND N-HEXANE GAVE LOW ORDERS OF REACTIVITY ON PLATINIZED POROUS CARBON ANODES IN 5N H2SO4 at 88 C. Gaseous hydrocarbons were more reactive, with C2H6, C3H8, C4H10, and 1-butene showing similar reactivities. When current is kept below a certain threshold value, prolonged operation is possible with very gradual polarization; when this threshold is exceeded, a rapid loss of activity occurs. Present temperature-effect data indicate some fuel cell activity with C3H8 at 30 to 40 C, increasing as the temperature is increased to 80 to 90 C. Calculations indicate the rates of diffusion of CO2 from, and hydrocarbon to, the reaction zone in porous electrodes are rapid enough to support practical current densities. On replacing silica by graphite as the support, the available Ni surface was found to be markedly lower. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 27, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0267073