GLYCOL AIR FUEL-CELLS

The development of glycol/air fuel cells is presented, and the key technical problems solved are described. The electrode catalyst, which was composed of Pt:Pd:Bi equals 3:2:1 with active carbon as the carrier, has been shown to be very effective for the electrochemical oxidation of glycol in KOH solution at room temperature. The amount of Pt and Pd used can be greatly reduced (the loading of Pt-Pd in the electrodes can be as low as 1 mg cm** minus **2). A study of how the fuel-electrolyte solution in a cell behaves has been made. The optimum composition of the fuel-electrolyte solution has been determined. A 2 W battery consisting of 10 cells with a capacity of 1000 Ah has been made.