Direct Oxidation of Hydrocarbons with a Bipolar Metal Hydride Fuel Cell

提出了一种在燃料电池中直接氧化碳氢化合物燃料以产生电能的新方法。该方法在双极金属氢化物扩散电极（MHDE）上解离和脱氢碳氢燃料，如甲醇和甲酸。扩散通过MHDE的纯氢原子在碱性或酸性燃料电池中被氧化。MHDE的一侧与烃类液体接触。另一侧形成碱性或酸性燃料电池的阳极。该系统利用脱氢侧的静电场来控制碳氢化合物的吸附以及甲醇或甲酸对氢原子和二氧化碳的化学脱氢速率。这种碳氢化合物直接氧化的方法具有非常简单的优点，因为不需要目前间接碳氢化合物氧化燃料电池所需的高温催化重整器和重整器气体净化设备。此外，该系统仅通过金属氢化物电极传输原子氢，因此碳氧化物或其他杂质不可能在燃料电池侧电解质中积聚或沉淀。如果这种方法成功，它将对燃料电池驱动的汽车和其他便携式电源应用产生重大影响。

A novel method for the direct oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels for the production of electrical power in a fuel cell is planned. The method dissociates and dehydrogenate hydrocarbon fuels, such as methanol and formic acid, at a bipolar metal hydride diffusion electrode (MHDE). The pure atomic hydrogen that diffuses through the MHDE is oxidized in either an alkaline or acid fuel cells. One side of the MHDE is in contact with the hydrocarbon liquid. The other side forms the anode of an alkaline or acid fuel cell. The system uses an electrostatic field on the dehydrogenation side to control hydrocarbon adsorption and the chemical dehydrogenation rate of methanol or formic acid to atomic hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This approach to direct hydrocarbon oxidation has the advantage of great simplicity since there is no need for a high temperature catalytic reformer and reformer gas purification equipment presently required for indirect dydrocarbon oxidation fuel cells. Furthermore, the system only transports atomic hydrogen through the metal hydride electrode Hence it is not possible for carbon oxides or other impurities to build-up or precipitate in the fuel cell side electrolyte. If this appoach is successful, it could have a substantial impact on fuel cell powered automobiles and other portable power applications.