公开(公告)号：US20080003474A1

公开(公告)日：2008-01-03

申请号：US11770009

申请日：2007-06-28

申请人： Jean St-Pierre ,  Stephen Campbell ,  Mark Watson ,  Michael Sexsmith

发明人： Jean St-Pierre ,  Stephen Campbell ,  Mark Watson ,  Michael Sexsmith

IPC分类号： H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/10

CPC分类号： H01M8/04044 ,  B60L58/30 ,  B60L58/33 ,  B60L58/34 ,  F01P11/06 ,  F01P2011/066 ,  F01P2025/80 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M2008/1095 ,  H01M2300/0082 ,  Y02T90/34

摘要： Liquid cooled systems having coolant circulation loops must often operate in below freezing conditions. For instance, in various applications certain fuel cell systems must be able to tolerate repeated shutdown and storage in below freezing conditions. Conventional glycol-based coolants typically used for internal combustion engines are generally unsuitable for use in the associated fuel cell cooling subsystems due to the presence of additives and/or inhibitors which are normally included to deal with problems relating to decomposition of the glycol. With additives or inhibitors present, the coolant conductivity can be sufficiently high as to result in electrical shorting or corrosion problems. However, provided the purity of the coolant is maintained, a pure glycol and water coolant mixture may be used as a fuel cell system coolant to obtain suitable antifreeze protection. Adequate purity can be maintained by including an ion exchange resin unit in the cooling subsystem.

摘要翻译： 具有冷却剂循环回路的液体冷却系统必须经常在低于冰点条件下运行。 例如，在各种应用中，某些燃料电池系统必须能够在低于冰点条件下耐受重复停机和储存。 通常用于内燃机的常规的基于二醇的冷却剂通常不适合用于相关联的燃料电池冷却子系统中，这是由于通常包括用于处理与二醇分解有关的问题的添加剂和/或抑制剂的存在。 存在的添加剂或抑制剂时，冷却剂导电性可以足够高以致导致电短路或腐蚀问题。 然而，只要保持冷却剂的纯度，可以使用纯二醇和水冷却剂混合物作为燃料电池系统冷却剂以获得合适的防冻保护。 通过在冷却子系统中包括离子交换树脂单元可以保持足够的纯度。

公开(公告)号：US07303831B2

公开(公告)日：2007-12-04

申请号：US10865630

申请日：2004-06-10

申请人： Jean St-Pierre ,  Stephen A Campbell ,  Mark K Watson ,  Michael P Sexsmith

发明人： Jean St-Pierre ,  Stephen A Campbell ,  Mark K Watson ,  Michael P Sexsmith

IPC分类号： H01M8/04

CPC分类号： B60L11/1892 ,  B60L11/1881 ,  B60L11/1894 ,  F01P11/06 ,  F01P2011/066 ,  F01P2025/80 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04044 ,  H01M2008/1095 ,  H01M2300/0082 ,  Y02T90/34

摘要： Liquid cooled systems having coolant circulation loops must often operate in below freezing conditions. For instance, in various applications certain fuel cell systems must be able to tolerate repeated shutdown and storage in below freezing conditions. Conventional glycol-based coolants typically used for internal combustion engines are generally unsuitable for use in the associated fuel cell cooling subsystems due to the presence of additives and/or inhibitors which are normally included to deal with problems relating to decomposition of the glycol. With additives or inhibitors present, the coolant conductivity can be sufficiently high as to result in electrical shorting or corrosion problems. However, provided the purity of the coolant is maintained, a pure glycol and water coolant mixture may be used as a fuel cell system coolant to obtain suitable antifreeze protection. Adequate purity can be maintained by including an ion exchange resin unit in the cooling subsystem.

摘要翻译： 具有冷却剂循环回路的液体冷却系统必须经常在低于冰点条件下运行。 例如，在各种应用中，某些燃料电池系统必须能够在低于冰点条件下耐受重复停机和储存。 通常用于内燃机的常规的基于二醇的冷却剂通常不适合用于相关联的燃料电池冷却子系统中，这是由于通常包括用于处理与二醇分解有关的问题的添加剂和/或抑制剂的存在。 存在的添加剂或抑制剂时，冷却剂导电性可以足够高以致导致电短路或腐蚀问题。 然而，只要保持冷却剂的纯度，可以使用纯二醇和水冷却剂混合物作为燃料电池系统冷却剂以获得合适的防冻保护。 通过在冷却子系统中包括离子交换树脂单元可以保持足够的纯度。

公开(公告)号：US07132179B2

公开(公告)日：2006-11-07

申请号：US10109982

申请日：2002-03-28

申请人： Jean St-Pierre ,  NengYou Jia ,  Marian Van Der Geest ,  Abderrahmane Atbi ,  Herwig R. Haas

发明人： Jean St-Pierre ,  NengYou Jia ,  Marian Van Der Geest ,  Abderrahmane Atbi ,  Herwig R. Haas

IPC分类号： H01M8/04

CPC分类号： H01M8/04156 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/0271 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04303 ,  H01M8/04328 ,  H01M8/04335 ,  H01M8/04343 ,  H01M8/0435 ,  H01M8/04358 ,  H01M8/04388 ,  H01M8/04395 ,  H01M8/04507 ,  H01M8/04514 ,  H01M8/04559 ,  H01M8/04649 ,  H01M8/04828 ,  H01M8/04955 ,  H01M8/04992 ,  H01M8/1007 ,  H01M8/241 ,  H01M8/2465

摘要： Apparatus and methods of ceasing operation of an electric power generating system improve the cold starting capability of the system. The system comprises a fuel cell stack connectable to an external circuit for supplying power to the external circuit. The stack comprises at least one solid polymer fuel cell, and the system further comprises a fuel passage for directing a fuel stream through the stack and an oxidant passage for directing an oxidant stream through the stack, a sensor assembly connected to the stack for monitoring a parameter indicative of stack performance, a controller for controlling at least one stack operating parameter, and a control system communicative with the sensor assembly and stack operating parameter controller. The method comprises adjusting at least one stack operating parameter to cause the stack to operate under a drying condition that causes a net outflux of water from the stack, operating the stack under the drying condition until the water content in the stack has been reduced, and interrupting supply of power from the stack to the external circuit.

公开(公告)号：US6096448A

公开(公告)日：2000-08-01

申请号：US998133

申请日：1997-12-23

申请人： David P. Wilkinson ,  Clarence Y. F. Chow ,  Derek E. Allan, deceased ,  by Patricia Joanne Allan, administrator ,  Erik P. Johannes ,  Joy A. Roberts ,  Jean St-Pierre ,  Cindy J. Longley ,  John K. K. Chan

发明人： David P. Wilkinson ,  Clarence Y. F. Chow ,  Derek E. Allan, deceased ,  by Patricia Joanne Allan, administrator ,  Erik P. Johannes ,  Joy A. Roberts ,  Jean St-Pierre ,  Cindy J. Longley ,  John K. K. Chan

IPC分类号： H01M8/10 ,  H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/06

CPC分类号： H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  H01M2300/0082

摘要： A method and apparatus is provided for operating an electrochemical fuel cell with periodic momentary fuel starvation at the anode. It is believed that such momentary periodic fuel starvation conditions cause the anode potential to increase, resulting in the oxidation and removal of electrocatalyst poisons from the anode electrocatalyst and improved fuel cell performance. In a preferred method, while successive localized portions of the fuel cell anode are momentarily periodically fuel starved, the remainder of the fuel cell anode remains electrochemically active and saturated with fuel such that the fuel cell is continually available to generate power.

摘要翻译： 提供一种用于操作在阳极周期性瞬时燃料不足的电化学燃料电池的方法和装置。 据信这种瞬时的周期性燃料不足情况导致阳极电位增加，导致电极催化剂氧化和除去阳极电催化剂并改善燃料电池性能。 在优选的方法中，虽然燃料电池阳极的连续局部部分暂时地周期性地燃料不足，但燃料电池阳极的其余部分保持电化学活性并被燃料饱和，使得燃料电池连续地可用于发电。

公开(公告)号：US20050271908A1

公开(公告)日：2005-12-08

申请号：US10860554

申请日：2004-06-02

申请人： Bruce Lin ,  Amy Nelson ,  Alvin Lee ,  Jean St-Pierre

发明人： Bruce Lin ,  Amy Nelson ,  Alvin Lee ,  Jean St-Pierre

IPC分类号： H01M8/00 ,  H01M8/04

CPC分类号： H01M8/04302 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04225 ,  H01M2300/0082

摘要： A method for operating a cooling subsystem of an electrochemical fuel cell system during startup is disclosed. The method comprises directing a startup coolant through an electrochemical fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system, and directing a standard coolant through the fuel cell stack when the temperature of either the fuel cell stack or the startup coolant reaches a first predetermined temperature, wherein the heat capacity of the startup coolant is different from than the heat capacity of the standard coolant. Cooling subsystems are also disclosed.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种在启动期间操作电化学燃料电池系统的冷却子系统的方法。 该方法包括：当燃料电池堆或启动冷却剂的温度达到第一预定温度时，引导启动冷却剂通过燃料电池系统的电化学燃料电池堆，以及引导标准冷却剂通过燃料电池堆，其中 起动冷却液的热容量与标准冷却液的热容量不同。 还公开了冷却子系统。

公开(公告)号：US06764780B2

公开(公告)日：2004-07-20

申请号：US09822693

申请日：2001-03-30

申请人： Joy Roberts ,  Marian van der Geest ,  Jean St-Pierre ,  David P. Wilkinson ,  Alvin Lee ,  Stephanie Moroz

发明人： Joy Roberts ,  Marian van der Geest ,  Jean St-Pierre ,  David P. Wilkinson ,  Alvin Lee ,  Stephanie Moroz

IPC分类号： H01M804

CPC分类号： H01M8/04302 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04253 ,  H01M8/04268 ,  H01M8/04298 ,  H01M8/04365 ,  H01M8/04552 ,  H01M8/04559 ,  H01M8/04589 ,  H01M8/04701 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M8/0488 ,  H01M8/0491 ,  H01M8/04925 ,  H01M8/0494 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  H01M8/1007 ,  H01M8/241 ,  H01M8/2457 ,  H01M8/2483 ,  H01M2300/0082

摘要： A method and apparatus increase the temperature of a fuel cell via reactant starvation at one or both electrodes. Reactant starvation at an electrode results in increased internal heat generation under load. Starvation conditions can be prolonged or intermittent and can be obtained, for example, by suitably reducing the supply rate of a reactant or by operating the fuel cell at sufficiently high current density so as to consume reactant faster than it is supplied. The method can allow for some generation of useful power by the fuel cell during start-up. The method is particularly suitable for starting up a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell from temperatures below 0° C.

摘要翻译： 一种方法和装置通过一个或两个电极处的反应物饥饿来增加燃料电池的温度。 电极上的反应物饥饿导致负载下内部发热增加。 饥饿条件可以延长或间歇，并且可以通过例如通过适当地降低反应物的供应速率或通过以足够高的电流密度操作燃料电池来获得，以便比所提供的反应物更快地消耗反应物。 该方法可以允许燃料电池在启动期间产生有用的功率。 该方法特别适用于从低于0℃的温度启动固体聚合物电解质燃料电池。

公开(公告)号：US06306536B1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-23

申请号：US09280147

申请日：1999-03-26

申请人： David P. Wilkinson ,  Jean St.-Pierre ,  Joy A. Roberts ,  Stephen A. Campbell

发明人： David P. Wilkinson ,  Jean St.-Pierre ,  Joy A. Roberts ,  Stephen A. Campbell

IPC分类号： H01M810

CPC分类号： H01M4/8892 ,  H01M4/8605 ,  H01M4/8807 ,  H01M4/9083 ,  H01M8/04253

摘要： An improved method reduces fuel cell performance degradation of an electrode comprising porous components. Electrochemical solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells typically have present therein a liquid which expands upon freezing, such as, for example water. The presence of such a liquid within the pores of the electrode components may cause performance degradation of the liquid freezes. The present method comprises employing an impregnant within at least some of the pores of the electrode components. The impregnant inhibits the deterioration of porous fuel cell components caused by expansion of the liquid within the pores when the fuel cell components are subjected to a temperature below the freezing temperature of the liquid. Preferably the impregnant does not expand when changing phases from a liquid to a solid. The impregnant may comprise an organic fluid, an organic acid, an inorganic acid, a polymer or dispersion.

摘要翻译： 改进的方法降低了包含多孔组分的电极的燃料电池性能降低。 电化学固体聚合物电解质燃料电池通常在其中存在冷冻时膨胀的液体，例如水。 这种液体在电极组件的孔内的存在可能导致液体的性能降低。 本方法包括在电极组分的至少一些孔内使用浸渍剂。 当燃料电池组件经受低于液体冷冻温度的温度时，浸渍剂抑制由孔内的液体膨胀引起的多孔燃料电池组分的劣化。 优选地，当将液相变成固体时，浸渍剂不膨胀。 浸渍剂可以包含有机流体，有机酸，无机酸，聚合物或分散体。

公开(公告)号：US07482085B2

公开(公告)日：2009-01-27

申请号：US10833228

申请日：2004-04-26

申请人： Joy A Roberts ,  Jean St-Pierre ,  Marian E van der Geest ,  Abderrahmane Atbi ,  Nicholas J Fletcher

发明人： Joy A Roberts ,  Jean St-Pierre ,  Marian E van der Geest ,  Abderrahmane Atbi ,  Nicholas J Fletcher

IPC分类号： H01M8/04

CPC分类号： H01M8/04225 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04156 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/241 ,  H01M8/2457 ,  H01M2300/0082

摘要： An electric power generation system has elements that improve the cold start capability and freeze tolerance of a constituent fuel cell stack cooperate to reduce the amount of water remaining within the passages of the stack. The system includes a purge system that is connectable to the oxidant supply, fuel supply and/or coolant passages upstream of the stack. When the stack is shut down, the stack is disconnected from an external circuit, and purge fluid is transmitted by the purge system through the stack before the stack falls below the freezing point of water. In systems where fuel and/or oxidant streams are humidified prior to entry into the stack, a humidifier bypass system may be provided in place of the purge system. The humidifier bypass system transmits reactant fluid to the stack in fluid isolation from the humidifier, so that the inlet reactant streams are unhumidified.

摘要翻译： 发电系统具有提高组分燃料电池堆的冷启动能力和冷冻公差的元件，其协作以减少堆叠通道内剩余的水量。 该系统包括可连接到堆叠上游的氧化剂供应源，燃料供应源和/或冷却剂通道的净化系统。 当堆叠关闭时，堆叠与外部电路断开连接，并且在堆叠降低到水的冰点之前，净化系统通过堆叠传输净化流体。 在燃料和/或氧化剂流在进入堆叠之前被加湿的系统中，可以提供加湿器旁路系统来代替净化系统。 加湿器旁路系统将反应物流体与加湿器以流体隔离的方式将反应物流体传送到堆叠中，使得入口反应物流不加湿。

公开(公告)号：US20060280993A1

公开(公告)日：2006-12-14

申请号：US11506562

申请日：2006-08-17

申请人： Bowie Keefer ,  Surajit Roy ,  Jean St.-Pierre ,  Amy Nelson ,  Shanna Knights

发明人： Bowie Keefer ,  Surajit Roy ,  Jean St.-Pierre ,  Amy Nelson ,  Shanna Knights

IPC分类号： H01M8/04 ,  F02G3/00

CPC分类号： F02B43/10 ,  F02G1/043 ,  F17C11/005 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  Y02T10/16 ,  Y02T10/166 ,  Y02T10/32

摘要： Power plant systems and processes are described that enable recovery of at least a portion of the fuel storage energy associated with a storage system for supplying fuel to the power plant systems. A first embodiment of an energy-recovery power plant system includes at least one fuel storage container and at least one expander that can receive fuel from the fuel storage container at a first pressure and provide the fuel to the power plant at a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure. A second embodiment of an energy-recovery power plant system includes a first conduit fluidly coupling the fuel storage container and the power plant for delivering fuel from the fuel storage container to the power plant and at least one regenerative thermodynamic cycle engine thermally coupled to the first conduit such that heat may be exchanged between the fuel and a working fluid for the regenerative thermodynamic cycle engine.

公开(公告)号：US20050112418A1

公开(公告)日：2005-05-26

申请号：US10833228

申请日：2004-04-26

申请人： Joy Roberts ,  Jean St-Pierre ,  Marian van der Geest ,  Abderrahmane Atbi ,  Nicholas Fletcher

发明人： Joy Roberts ,  Jean St-Pierre ,  Marian van der Geest ,  Abderrahmane Atbi ,  Nicholas Fletcher

IPC分类号： H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/00

CPC分类号： H01M8/04225 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04156 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/241 ,  H01M8/2457 ,  H01M2300/0082

摘要： An electric power generation system has elements that improve the cold start capability and freeze tolerance of a constituent fuel cell stack cooperate to reduce the amount of water remaining within the passages of the stack. The system includes a purge system that is connectable to the oxidant supply, fuel supply and/or coolant passages upstream of the stack. When the stack is shut down, the stack is disconnected from an external circuit, and purge fluid is transmitted by the purge system through the stack before the stack falls below the freezing point of water. In systems where fuel and/or oxidant streams are humidified prior to entry into the stack, a humidifier bypass system may be provided in place of the purge system. The humidifier bypass system transmits reactant fluid to the stack in fluid isolation from the humidifier, so that the inlet reactant streams are unhumidified.

摘要翻译： 发电系统具有提高组分燃料电池堆的冷启动能力和冷冻公差的元件，其协作以减少堆叠通道内剩余的水量。 该系统包括可连接到堆叠上游的氧化剂供应源，燃料供应源和/或冷却剂通道的净化系统。 当堆叠关闭时，堆叠与外部电路断开连接，并且在堆叠降低到水的冰点之前，净化系统通过堆叠传输净化流体。 在燃料和/或氧化剂流在进入堆叠之前被加湿的系统中，可以提供加湿器旁路系统来代替净化系统。 加湿器旁路系统将反应物流体与加湿器以流体隔离的方式将反应物流体传送到堆叠中，使得入口反应物流不加湿。