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The sign accompanying the fuel cell. It reads


Apollo Oxygen Tank and Fuel Cell

Each cell consisted of a hydrogen and an oxygen electrode, a hydrogen and an oxygen gas compartment, and the electrolyte. Each gas reacted independently to produce a flow of electrons. They were normally operated at 400 degrees F and water-glycol was used for temperature control. These fuel cells used hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen under regulated pressure to produce power and, as a by-product, water.

Each cell individually coupled to a heat rejection (radiator) system, the hydrogen and oxygen cryogenic storage systems, a water storage system, and a power distribution system. A byproduct of this chemical reaction was water, which was fed to a drinkable water storage tank in the Command Module (CM) where it was used for astronaut consumption and for cooling purposes in the environmental control subsystem.

This tank [referring to the liquid oxygen tank also on display] was part of the Apollo/Skylab electrical power system and was used as a "ready for flight" spare tank during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. The fuel cell is on loan from the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.


 
Sign accompanying the Apollo Fuel Cell at Stafford Air & Space Museum
Time picture taken Thu Jul 31 10:56:22 2008
Location picture taken Apollo Gallery
Stafford Air & Space Museum
Weatherford, Oklahoma
Picture also in Apollo Service Module Cryogenic Oxygen Tank
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