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Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for removing CO gas from gas streams or static air. One application of interest in removing CO from air to provide clean air to breathe or other application such as CO monitoring instruments for calibration, to the air side of the fuel cell and to the reformate stream that is employed for a PEM fuel cell. This invention protects the fuel cell catalyst by a means to controlling CO in the reformate stream. The control system is designed to minimize the CO concentration using the novel CO oxidation catalysts described above. One preferred embodiment catalyzes and monitors the CO to indicate the effectiveness; and further comprising two alternate chambers containing catalyst, which is made of high surface area substrate with supramolecular chemistry coated onto that substrate. These supramolecular catalyst converts CO gas to CO2 and at least one CO sensor monitors each catalyst chamber and control the process to maximize the fuel cell efficiency or to trigger a signal for service. Many other applications to reduce CO in static air as well as in gas stream are feasible including ultra zero air for CO measuring instruments, diving air, ultra-high purity laboratory air and air cleaners and air purifiers designed to reduce health impact to people in homes, hotels, health facilities, transportation systems, workplaces and in other enclosed structures.

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First Claim