METHOD OF PLACING AND HOLDING A FUEL-CELL BATTERY IN INACTIVE MAINTENANCE-FREE READY CONDITION

摘要

1,235,248. Fuel cell operation. SIEMENS A.G. 28 Aug., 1969 [28 Aug., 1968], No. 42970/69. Heading H1B. A fuel cell battery is prevented from deteriorating whilst out of use by cutting off the supply of one of the reactants, at the beginning of the inoperative period so that it is expelled from the cell whilst the other reactant and the electrolyte remain during the inoperative period. The reactant may be expelled by flushing with inert gas or by flooding the cell with electrolyte. Current may be withdrawn whilst the reactant is being expelled. In a particular embodiment a fuel battery comprises Raney silver cathodes 11 and Raney nickel anodes 12. During normal operation electrolyte, hydrogen and oxygen enter through ducts 7, 13 and 15 respectively and leave through ducts 10, 14 and 16 respectively. At the end of the operative period valve 18 is closed and electrolyte passes through electrodes 8, flooding chambers 11. When flooding is complete valves 17, 19, 20, 21 and 22 are also closed.