METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PURIFYING AIR FOR FUEL CELLS

The invention relates to auxiliary systems ensuring functioning of alkaline fuel cell (AFC), in particular to a method and device for sorptive purification of air used in an AFC of carbon dioxide. In accordance with the invention, in the method for purifying air for a fuel cell, the starting air is passed through an adsorber with an adsorbent of carbon dioxide, then the adsorbent is regenerated. After utilization the adsorbent comprising hydrated oxides of transition metals is regenerated at a temperature of 60 - 120oC by the air spent in the fuel cell. The air fed for regeneration is heated until a relative humidity of from 15 to 85% is achieved. A device for purifying air for fuel cells comprises an air flow blower connected by means of pipelines and a stop valves to adsorbers provided with an adsorbent of carbon dioxide and connected to an air inlet of a fuel cell, wherein the stop valve is made in the form of switches that provide for the sequential connection of the inlet and outlet of one of the adsorbers to the air flow blower and to the air inlet of the fuel cell respectively, and the outlet of the other adsorber through a heater to the air outlet of the fuel cell. A device for purifying air for fuel cells, comprising an air flow blower, connected by means of pipelines to adsorbers provided with an adsorbent of carbon dioxide and connected to an air inlet of a fuel cell may be made so that the adsorbers, separated one from another by partitions, are positioned in one housing with the possibility of rotating about a longitudinal axis and sequentially connecting at an inlet to the air flow blower and at an outlet through a heater to an air outlet of the fuel cell. The adsorbers may be provided with an adsorbent comprising hydrated zirconium oxide. Thermal insulation may be arranged inside the adsorbers and heaters. L'invention concerne des systèmes auxiliaires assurant le fonctionnement d'une pile à combustible alcaline (AFC), en particulier un procédé et un dispositif de purification d'air par sorbant s'utilisant dans une AFC faite de dioxyde de carbone. Selon l'invention, un procédé de purification d'air de la pile à combustible comporte les étapes consistant à : faire passer l'air de départ à travers un adsorbeur contenant un adsorbant fait de dioxyde de carbone, et à régénérer ensuite l'adsorbant ; régénérer, après utilisation, l'adsorbant comprenant des oxydes hydratés de métaux de transition, à une température comprise entre 60 et 120 DEG C, pa