US20080003467A1 - Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown - Google Patents
Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080003467A1 US20080003467A1 US11/900,194 US90019407A US2008003467A1 US 20080003467 A1 US20080003467 A1 US 20080003467A1 US 90019407 A US90019407 A US 90019407A US 2008003467 A1 US2008003467 A1 US 2008003467A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- coolant
- flow fields
- fuel cell
- pump
- fuel cells
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 44
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 22
- 239000000376 reactant Substances 0.000 title claims description 9
- 238000010926 purge Methods 0.000 title description 8
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 54
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000135 prohibitive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005518 polymer electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
- H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
- H01M8/04179—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal by purging or increasing flow or pressure of reactants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0267—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
- H01M8/04029—Heat exchange using liquids
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04228—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during shut-down
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04253—Means for solving freezing problems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/043—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods
- H01M8/04303—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods applied during shut-down
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M2008/1095—Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
- H01M2250/20—Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
- H01M8/04067—Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins
- H01M8/04074—Heat exchange unit structures specially adapted for fuel cell
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
Definitions
- This invention relates to using the reactant air pump of a fuel cell power plant to force water out of coolant fields, coolant passageways and coolant equipment, as part of a shutdown procedure, utilizing power generated by the fuel cell power plant while it is still operational, just prior to shutdown.
- Damage can occur to fuel cell power plant components as a result of water freezing, whenever a fuel cell power plant is to be non-operational in an ambient environment in subfreezing temperatures. It is known to have an accumulator placed at the lowest point in the coolant system so that freezable coolant that actually flows through the fuel cell stack can drain toward the accumulator. It is also known to use external pumps to blow air or inert gas through various parts of the system in order to purge water therefrom.
- auxiliary power source such as batteries or supercapacitors
- auxiliary power sources must be utilized in order to power the purging pump equipment. This either reduces auxiliary power available for various functions, such as melting of ice or warming of the fuel cell stack, or else requires larger, heavier and more expensive auxiliary power sources, which also may be prohibitive in electric vehicles.
- Objects of the invention include: purging water from coolant channels, passages and equipment without the use of either an auxiliary purge pump or auxiliary power; purging coolant water from a fuel cell power plant without requiring additional expense, weight or space for auxiliary pumping equipment or auxiliary power; and improved purging of water from a fuel cell power plant in anticipation of subfreezing temperatures.
- the reactant air pump of a fuel cell power plant is utilized to purge water from water coolant flow fields, coolant passages and coolant equipment, utilizing fuel cell power plant power while the fuel cell power plant is still operational, during shutdown of the fuel cell power plant in anticipation of being non-operational at subfreezing temperatures.
- coolant water is blown out of the coolant flow fields, coolant pump, and a coolant heat exchanger by the air pump using power generated by the fuel cell power plant.
- the invention is disclosed in a simple embodiment but is equally applicable to coolant systems operating with different pump arrangements, including arrangements having a primary pump and a secondary pump utilized to educt froth from an air separator.
- FIGURE is a simplified, schematized, block diagram of a fuel cell power plant employing the invention.
- a fuel cell power plant 9 employing the invention includes a fuel cell stack 10 which may be a conventional polymer electrolyte proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack, including conventional anode flow fields 11 , the configuration and nature of which are not peculiar to the present invention and need not be described further.
- a fuel cell stack 10 which may be a conventional polymer electrolyte proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack, including conventional anode flow fields 11 , the configuration and nature of which are not peculiar to the present invention and need not be described further.
- PEM polymer electrolyte proton exchange membrane
- the stack 10 includes cathode flow fields 13 which provide oxidant gas to the cathode catalyst.
- the cathode flow fields are provided air at an inlet 16 through a conduit 17 from an air pump 18 , receiving air through a conduit 19 from ambient.
- the exit 20 of the cathode flow fields is exhausted through a conduit 21 and a valve 22 to ambient 23 .
- the stack 10 has coolant flow fields 27 , the exit 28 of which is connected through a valve 29 and conduits 30 , 31 to the inlet 32 of a conventional accumulator 33 .
- coolant flows through a conduit 34 , a coolant pump 35 , over a conduit 38 and through the primary flow passage 39 of a heat exchanger 40 , and thence through a conduit 41 into the inlet 42 of the coolant flow fields 27 .
- the heat exchanger 40 is conventional, the details of it are not important to the invention and it is not described further.
- the accumulator may have an outlet 43 through a valve 44 .
- air from the conduit 17 is applied, during shutdown, through a conduit 45 , a valve 46 and a conduit 47 to the coolant flow field exit 28 .
- the valve 46 is closed, the valve 29 is open, and the pump 35 is operational.
- the fuel cell power plant operation may be regulated during shutdown, such as by means of a controller and an auxiliary load.
- Maintaining the operation of the fuel cell power plant 9 without coolant flow may cause the temperature of the stack 10 to increase above the normal operating temperature, to about 65° C.-80° C., for instance.
- the temperature rise results in an increase in vapor pressure of the water remaining in the coolant flow channels as the air passes through the coolant flow fields, thereby assisting in dryout of the coolant flow fields.
- This shutdown process may last for between a fraction of a minute and several minutes, depending on the system configuration and size of the conduits and channels.
- the primary flow of air is over the conduit 45 through the now-open valve 46 , over the conduit 47 and backwardly through the exit 28 of the coolant flow fields 27 .
- water which is blown ahead of the air, and moisture which is picked up by the air will flow over the conduit 41 , through the heat exchanger 40 , and over the conduit 38 , backwardly through the coolant pump 35 and over the conduit 34 into the accumulator 33 .
- the air pump 18 may be a positive displacement pump, or any other suitable pump which can provide sufficient pressure and flow volume to clear water from the coolant flow fields 27 , the heat exchanger 40 , and the coolant pump 35 , while at the same time providing sufficient process air to the cathode flow fields for generating the required pump power.
- the invention may be used to clear water from less than all of the water passages in a fuel cell power plant, if desired.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
The air blower (18) of a fuel cell power plant (9) is used to force water out of the coolant flow fields (27) of a fuel cell stack (10), a coolant pump (35) and a heat exchanger (40) through a valve (46) which is closed during normal operation. The water removal occurs as part of a shutdown procedure in which the fuel cell stack continues to operate so that it provides the power for the air pump and to assist in water removal (such as retaining low vapor pressure). The water flow to an accumulator (33) is blocked by a valve (29) during the shutdown procedure.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/996,512 filed Nov. 24, 2004.
- This invention relates to using the reactant air pump of a fuel cell power plant to force water out of coolant fields, coolant passageways and coolant equipment, as part of a shutdown procedure, utilizing power generated by the fuel cell power plant while it is still operational, just prior to shutdown.
- Damage can occur to fuel cell power plant components as a result of water freezing, whenever a fuel cell power plant is to be non-operational in an ambient environment in subfreezing temperatures. It is known to have an accumulator placed at the lowest point in the coolant system so that freezable coolant that actually flows through the fuel cell stack can drain toward the accumulator. It is also known to use external pumps to blow air or inert gas through various parts of the system in order to purge water therefrom.
- However, use of an external pump increases the cost, size, weight and complexity of a fuel cell power plant and may be prohibitive in fuel cell power plants used to power electric vehicles. In addition, when the fuel cell power plant is shut down, an auxiliary power source, such as batteries or supercapacitors, must be utilized in order to power the purging pump equipment. This either reduces auxiliary power available for various functions, such as melting of ice or warming of the fuel cell stack, or else requires larger, heavier and more expensive auxiliary power sources, which also may be prohibitive in electric vehicles.
- Objects of the invention include: purging water from coolant channels, passages and equipment without the use of either an auxiliary purge pump or auxiliary power; purging coolant water from a fuel cell power plant without requiring additional expense, weight or space for auxiliary pumping equipment or auxiliary power; and improved purging of water from a fuel cell power plant in anticipation of subfreezing temperatures.
- According to the present invention, the reactant air pump of a fuel cell power plant is utilized to purge water from water coolant flow fields, coolant passages and coolant equipment, utilizing fuel cell power plant power while the fuel cell power plant is still operational, during shutdown of the fuel cell power plant in anticipation of being non-operational at subfreezing temperatures.
- In accordance with the invention, coolant water is blown out of the coolant flow fields, coolant pump, and a coolant heat exchanger by the air pump using power generated by the fuel cell power plant.
- The invention is disclosed in a simple embodiment but is equally applicable to coolant systems operating with different pump arrangements, including arrangements having a primary pump and a secondary pump utilized to educt froth from an air separator.
- Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the light of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
- The sole FIGURE is a simplified, schematized, block diagram of a fuel cell power plant employing the invention.
- Referring to the FIGURE, a fuel
cell power plant 9 employing the invention includes afuel cell stack 10 which may be a conventional polymer electrolyte proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack, including conventionalanode flow fields 11, the configuration and nature of which are not peculiar to the present invention and need not be described further. - The
stack 10 includescathode flow fields 13 which provide oxidant gas to the cathode catalyst. The cathode flow fields are provided air at aninlet 16 through aconduit 17 from anair pump 18, receiving air through aconduit 19 from ambient. Theexit 20 of the cathode flow fields is exhausted through aconduit 21 and avalve 22 to ambient 23. - The
stack 10 hascoolant flow fields 27, theexit 28 of which is connected through avalve 29 andconduits inlet 32 of aconventional accumulator 33. From the accumulator, coolant flows through aconduit 34, acoolant pump 35, over aconduit 38 and through theprimary flow passage 39 of aheat exchanger 40, and thence through aconduit 41 into theinlet 42 of thecoolant flow fields 27. Theheat exchanger 40 is conventional, the details of it are not important to the invention and it is not described further. The accumulator may have anoutlet 43 through avalve 44. - In accordance with the invention, air from the
conduit 17 is applied, during shutdown, through aconduit 45, avalve 46 and aconduit 47 to the coolantflow field exit 28. During normal operation, thevalve 46 is closed, thevalve 29 is open, and thepump 35 is operational. - During shutdown, the
pump 35 is off, thevalve 29 is closed and thevalve 46 is open. However, the fuelcell power plant 9 is still producing electricity, at least of sufficient magnitude so as to provide full power to theair pump 18. This is a first aspect of the present invention. The fuel cell power plant operation may be regulated during shutdown, such as by means of a controller and an auxiliary load. - Maintaining the operation of the fuel
cell power plant 9 without coolant flow may cause the temperature of thestack 10 to increase above the normal operating temperature, to about 65° C.-80° C., for instance. The temperature rise results in an increase in vapor pressure of the water remaining in the coolant flow channels as the air passes through the coolant flow fields, thereby assisting in dryout of the coolant flow fields. This shutdown process may last for between a fraction of a minute and several minutes, depending on the system configuration and size of the conduits and channels. - During shutdown, the primary flow of air is over the
conduit 45 through the now-open valve 46, over theconduit 47 and backwardly through theexit 28 of thecoolant flow fields 27. From theinlet 42 of the coolant flow fields, water which is blown ahead of the air, and moisture which is picked up by the air, will flow over theconduit 41, through theheat exchanger 40, and over theconduit 38, backwardly through thecoolant pump 35 and over theconduit 34 into theaccumulator 33. - The
air pump 18 may be a positive displacement pump, or any other suitable pump which can provide sufficient pressure and flow volume to clear water from thecoolant flow fields 27, theheat exchanger 40, and thecoolant pump 35, while at the same time providing sufficient process air to the cathode flow fields for generating the required pump power. - The invention may be used to clear water from less than all of the water passages in a fuel cell power plant, if desired.
- Thus, although the invention has been shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (3)
1. A fuel cell power plant comprising:
a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack including coolant flow fields, said fuel cells including oxidant reactant gas flow fields;
an air pump that provides, during normal operation, air to said oxidant reactant gas flow fields; and
means operable as part of a procedure of shutting down the operation of said stack of fuel cells, while said stack of fuel cells is still producing electrical power, for connecting said air pump to water passages comprising at least one of (a) the coolant flow fields in said fuel cell stack, (b) a coolant pump that during normal operation causes coolant to flow through said coolant flow fields, and (c) the primary flow passage of a coolant heat exchanger interconnected with said coolant flow fields, said air pump utilizing at least a portion of said electrical power to operate during said shutdown procedure.
2. A fuel cell power plant comprising:
a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack including coolant flow fields, said fuel cells including oxidant reactant gas flow fields;
an air pump that provides, during normal operation, oxidant reactant gas to said oxidant reactant gas flow fields, and, as part of a procedure of shutting down the operation of said stack of fuel cells, while said stack of fuel cells is still producing electrical power, is powered by at least a portion of said electrical power;
a coolant pump that during normal operation causes coolant to flow through said coolant flow fields;
a heat exchanger having a primary flow passage interconnected with said coolant pump and said coolant flow fields; and
means operable during said procedure for connecting said air pump to water passages comprising at least one of (a) said coolant flow fields, (b) said coolant pump, and (c) said heat exchanger.
3. A method of operating a fuel cell power plant having a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack including coolant flow fields, said fuel cells including oxidant reactant gas flow fields which are provided air by an air pump during normal operation, a coolant pump that during normal operation causes coolant to flow through said coolant flow fields, and a heat exchanger having a primary flow passage interconnected with said coolant pump and said coolant flow fields,
said method comprising:
as part of a procedure of shutting down the operation of said stack of fuel cells, while said stack of fuel cells is still producing electrical power, connecting said air pump to water passages comprising at least one of (a) said coolant flow fields, (b) said coolant pump, and (c) said heat exchanger, and using at least a portion of said electrical power to operate said air pump.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/900,194 US20080003467A1 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2007-09-10 | Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/996,512 US7282287B2 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2004-11-24 | Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown |
US11/900,194 US20080003467A1 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2007-09-10 | Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/996,512 Continuation US7282287B2 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2004-11-24 | Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20080003467A1 true US20080003467A1 (en) | 2008-01-03 |
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ID=36461288
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/996,512 Expired - Lifetime US7282287B2 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2004-11-24 | Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown |
US11/900,194 Abandoned US20080003467A1 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2007-09-10 | Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/996,512 Expired - Lifetime US7282287B2 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2004-11-24 | Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown |
Country Status (6)
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US (2) | US7282287B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1815551A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2008522367A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20070085877A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100502121C (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006083345A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8470480B2 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2013-06-25 | Michael L. Perry | Circulation of gas-entrained fuel cell coolant |
US8034500B2 (en) * | 2007-05-30 | 2011-10-11 | Idatech, Llc | Systems and methods for starting and operating fuel cell systems in subfreezing temperatures |
GB2453126B (en) * | 2007-09-26 | 2013-02-06 | Intelligent Energy Ltd | Fuel cell system |
ITTO20091026A1 (en) * | 2009-12-22 | 2011-06-23 | Electro Power Systems Spa | MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNCTIONING OF A PEM STACKED CELL BACK-UP ELECTRIC GENERATOR |
US20140193734A1 (en) * | 2013-01-04 | 2014-07-10 | Lilliputian Systems, Inc. | Fuel Cell System Having a Pump and Related Method |
CN111129646B (en) * | 2018-11-01 | 2024-04-12 | 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 | Cooling system |
Citations (3)
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US6479177B1 (en) * | 1996-06-07 | 2002-11-12 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method for improving the cold starting capability of an electrochemical fuel cell |
US6534210B2 (en) * | 2001-01-16 | 2003-03-18 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Auxiliary convective fuel cell stacks for fuel cell power generation systems |
US20050186454A1 (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2005-08-25 | Clingerman Bruce J. | Starting a fuel cell system using ambient air and a low voltage blower |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP3407914B2 (en) * | 1993-01-28 | 2003-05-19 | マツダ株式会社 | Fuel cell vehicle |
US6479117B1 (en) * | 1998-07-16 | 2002-11-12 | Aaron R. Phillips | Combined waterproofing sheet and protection course membrane |
US7282285B2 (en) * | 2002-04-05 | 2007-10-16 | Utc Fuel Cells, Llc | Method and apparatus for the operation of a cell stack assembly during subfreezing temperatures |
JP3835362B2 (en) * | 2002-07-05 | 2006-10-18 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Fuel cell system |
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2004
- 2004-11-24 US US10/996,512 patent/US7282287B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2005
- 2005-11-14 EP EP05856951A patent/EP1815551A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-11-14 WO PCT/US2005/041208 patent/WO2006083345A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-11-14 CN CNB2005800401472A patent/CN100502121C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-11-14 JP JP2007543160A patent/JP2008522367A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-11-14 KR KR1020077012868A patent/KR20070085877A/en not_active Ceased
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2007
- 2007-09-10 US US11/900,194 patent/US20080003467A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6479177B1 (en) * | 1996-06-07 | 2002-11-12 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Method for improving the cold starting capability of an electrochemical fuel cell |
US6534210B2 (en) * | 2001-01-16 | 2003-03-18 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Auxiliary convective fuel cell stacks for fuel cell power generation systems |
US20050186454A1 (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2005-08-25 | Clingerman Bruce J. | Starting a fuel cell system using ambient air and a low voltage blower |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7282287B2 (en) | 2007-10-16 |
US20060110641A1 (en) | 2006-05-25 |
CN101065873A (en) | 2007-10-31 |
EP1815551A4 (en) | 2010-05-19 |
KR20070085877A (en) | 2007-08-27 |
JP2008522367A (en) | 2008-06-26 |
WO2006083345A1 (en) | 2006-08-10 |
CN100502121C (en) | 2009-06-17 |
EP1815551A1 (en) | 2007-08-08 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: EXPRESSLY ABANDONED -- DURING EXAMINATION |