摘要:
A method for shutting down a fuel cell system including operating a fuel cell stack. the method includes providing an increased cathode air flow so as to dry fuel cell membranes in the stack until a first desired level of high frequency resistance is achieved, rehydrating the cell membranes of the stack until a second desired level of high frequency resistance is achieved, and operating the stack with a decreased cathode input relative humidity until a third desired level of high frequency resistance is achieved.
摘要:
A primary reactor for a fuel processor system that employs steam and air to convert a liquid hydrocarbon fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas stream. The liquid fuel and an air-steam mixture are mixed in a mixing region within the reactor. The fuel mixture is then directed through an electrically heated catalyst region that heats the mixture to the operation temperature of a light-off catalyst at system start-up. The heated fuel mixture is then directed through a light-off catalyst monolith where the hydrocarbon fuel is dissociated. Once the fuel mixture is heated to the operating temperature of the light-off catalyst, the electrically heated catalyst region is turned off because the exothermic reaction in the light-off catalyst monolith generates the heat necessary to sustain the catalytic reaction.
摘要:
A system and method for quickly heating a fuel cell stack at fuel cell system start-up. The fuel cell system includes a three-way valve positioned in the anode exhaust that selectively directs the anode exhaust gases to the cathode input of the fuel cell stack so that hydrogen in the anode exhaust gas can be used to heat the fuel cell stack. During normal operation when the fuel cell stack is at the desired temperature, the three-way valve in the anode exhaust can be used to bleed nitrogen to the cathode exhaust.
摘要:
A set of fuel cell system heat exchangers that have been modified to incorporate thermal-to-electric devices is disclosed. These devices convert a portion of the thermal energy flowing through each heat exchanger to electric energy. Methods for operating the fuel cell system are also disclosed.
摘要:
A fuel processor for rapid start and operational control. The fuel processor includes a reformer, a shift reactor, and a preferential oxidation reactor for deriving hydrogen for use in creating electricity in a plurality of H2—O2 fuel cells. A heating and cooling mechanism is coupled to at least the shift reactor for controlling the critical temperature operation of the shift reactor without the need for a separate cooling loop. This heating and cooling mechanism produces or removes thermal energy as a product of the temperature of the combustion of air and fuel. Anode effluent and cathode effluent or air are used to control the temperature output of the heating mechanism. A vaporizer is provided that heats the PrOx reactor to operating temperature.
摘要:
A thermally-activated exhaust treatment device, such as a catalytic converter (20) adapted to control exhaust emissions in a vehicle, includes a core having an inner housing (21) and a catalytic material (27) chosen to reduce undesirable emissions from the exhaust of a combustion engine. A jacket includes an outer housing (22) enclosing the inner housing (21) but characteristically not contacting the inner housing (21). The inner and outer housings (21, 22) include walls (30, 31) forming a vacuum-drawn sealed insulation cavity (26) around the inner housing (21). A chamber (60) positioned adjacent the inner housing (21) includes low melting point metal phase change material (61). A thermal management system is operably connected to the insulation cavity (26) that is constructed to control heat flow from the inner housing (21) to maximize the time the catalytic material (27) is within a predetermined optimum temperature operating range or limit catalyst maximum temperature.
摘要:
A control system controls steam in a fuel cell system including a fuel processor. A fuel cell has run, standby and shutdown operating modes. A fuel processor provides reformate to the fuel cell. A pressure sensor generates a pressure signal based on a pressure of steam supplied to the fuel processor. A valve directs steam to or vents steam away from the fuel processor. A controller communicates with the pressure sensor, the fuel cell and the valve and controls the valve based on the operating mode of the fuel cell and the pressure signal. The controller opens the valve during the shutdown mode. The controller closes the valve during the run operating mode. The controller initially closes the valve during the standby mode. The controller opens the valve if the pressure signal exceeds a first predetermined pressure value and closes the valve when the pressure falls.
摘要:
A flow translocator disposed within a conduit for transferring and separating laminar fluid flow during translocation of the fluid core to the outer perimeter of the conduit and the outer perimeter flow to the center of the conduit. The flow translocator includes a disk disposed transverse the length of a conduit and having an outer profile conforming to the inner profile of a conduit to form a sealed fit. Arrays of slots extend about the disk for simultaneously directing the fluid core to the inner profile of a conduit and the outer perimeter flow toward the fluid core. The slots are staggered to maintain separation of the fluid core and the outer perimeter fluid during translocation.
摘要:
A method for starting a cold or frozen fuel cell stack as efficiently and quickly as possible in a vehicle application is based upon a state of charge of a first power source such as a high voltage battery. Power flow between the first power source and fuel cell system is coordinated in conjunction with a specific load schedule and parallel control algorithms to minimize the start time required and optimize system warm-up.
摘要:
A fuel cell system includes a water vapor transfer unit and a fluid flow distribution feature, the water vapor transfer unit including a first plate having a plurality of first flow channels for receiving a flow of a first fluid therein, and a second plate having a plurality of second flow channels for receiving a flow of a second fluid therein. The fluid flow distribution feature is configured to control at least one of a volume of flow of the first fluid through the first flow channels and a volume of flow of the second fluid through the second flow channels, wherein at least one of a flow distribution of the first fluid across the first plate and a flow distribution of the second fluid across the second plate is varied.