Closed loop reactant/product management system for electrochemical galvanic energy device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention, generally, and the systems shown in the figures of the drawings herewith, are intended to provide a reliable and efficient air-independent power system for such enclosed uses as submersible vehicles, submerged underwater installations, or space vehicles, using hydrogen and oxygen as the fuel and oxidant for a fuel cell power source.
Most preferably, the present closed loop management system is most effectively used within an enclosed package requiring only hydrogen and oxygen makeup gas input, external indirect heat exchange, electric power output, and electronic inputs and outputs.
Referring to the system design shown schematically in FIG.
1, a fluid and pressure-tight chamber, the walls of which are indicated by the numeral 10, contains a fuel cell power source, generally indicated by the numeral 12, of a relatively low operating temperature type.
Most preferably the proton exchange membrane type fuel cell is utilized, which operates below the boiling point of water, generally not above 70.
degree.
to 75.
degree.
C.
There is no requirement to maintain a liquid electrolyte between the anode and cathode of each cell.
As most generally now configured, the fuel cell power sources are provided in the form of stacks of fuel cells, literally stacked one next to the other and having anodes and cathodes arranged in electrical series.
The flow of reactants, i.
e.
, hydrogen and oxygen, to the individual fuel cells is generally arranged in parallel.
As will be discussed below, it is most effective to utilize a plurality of separate stacks which can continue to operate jointly, albeit at a lower power level, even if a cell in one or more of the individual stacks is incapacitated.
By virtue of the configuration of the stacks, the obstruction or inactivity of any individual cell will inactivate the entire stack within which such cell is located.
The power source container 10 is a compact modular assembly which can be inserted, as a unit, into a system requiring a power source, either as the primary source or as a back-up source of power