公开(公告)号：US06916571B2

公开(公告)日：2005-07-12

申请号：US10465006

申请日：2003-06-19

申请人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Glenn W. Scheffler ,  Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Brian F. Dufner ,  Richard D. Breault

发明人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Glenn W. Scheffler ,  Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Brian F. Dufner ,  Richard D. Breault

IPC分类号： H01M20060101 ,  H01M2/00 ,  H01M2/02 ,  H01M2/08 ,  H01M2/12 ,  H01M2/14 ,  H01M2/36 ,  H01M8/00 ,  H01M8/02 ,  H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/10

CPC分类号： H01M8/04074 ,  H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04134 ,  H01M8/04253 ,  H01M8/241 ,  H01M8/2457 ,  H01M8/2483

摘要： Water flow field inlet manifolds (33, 37) are disposed at the fuel cell stack (11) base. Water flow field outlet manifolds (34, 38) are located at the fuel cell stack top. Outlet and inlet manifolds are interconnected (41-43, 47, 49, 50) so gas bubbles leaking through the porous water transport plate cause flow by natural convection, with no mechanical water pump. Variation in water level within a standpipe (58) controls (56, 60, 62, 63) the temperature or flow of coolant. In another embodiment, the water is not circulated, but gas and excess water are vented from the water outlet manifolds. Water channels (70) may be vertical. A hydrophobic region (80) provides gas leakage to ensure bubble pumping of water. An external heat exchanger (77) maximizes water density differential for convective flow.

摘要翻译： 水流场入口歧管（33,37）设置在燃料电池堆（11）的基部。 水流场出口歧管（34,38）位于燃料电池堆顶部。 出口和入口歧管相互连接（41-43,47,49,50），因此通过多孔水输送板泄漏的气泡通过自然对流而流动，没有机械水泵。 立管（58）内的水位变化控制（56,60,62,63）冷却液的温度或流量。 在另一个实施方案中，水不循环，但是从出水歧管排出气体和多余的水。 水通道（70）可以是垂直的。 疏水区域（80）提供气体泄漏以确保泡沫泵送水。 外部热交换器（77）使对流流量的水密度差最大化。

公开(公告)号：US06986959B2

公开(公告)日：2006-01-17

申请号：US10624190

申请日：2003-07-22

申请人： Thomas M. Clark ,  Paul R. Margiott ,  Albert P. Grasso ,  Richard D. Breault ,  Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Margaret M. Steinbugler ,  Edward J. Bludnicki

发明人： Thomas M. Clark ,  Paul R. Margiott ,  Albert P. Grasso ,  Richard D. Breault ,  Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Margaret M. Steinbugler ,  Edward J. Bludnicki

IPC分类号： H01M8/04 ,  H01M8/00

CPC分类号： H01M8/04225 ,  H01M8/04014 ,  H01M8/04022 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04037 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04141 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04302 ,  H01M8/0606 ,  H01M2250/20 ,  Y02T90/32

摘要： A fuel cell power plant system includes the ability to operate an enthalpy recovery device even under cold conditions. A bypass arrangement allows for selectively bypassing one or more portions of the enthalpy recovery device under selected conditions. In one example, the enthalpy recovery device is completely bypassed under selected temperature conditions to allow the device to freeze and then later to be used under more favorable temperature conditions. In another example, the enthalpy recovery device is selectively bypassed during a system startup operation. One example includes a heater associated with the enthalpy recovery device. Another example includes preheating oxidant supplied to one portion of the enthalpy recovery device.

摘要翻译： 燃料电池发电厂系统包括即使在寒冷条件下操作焓恢复装置的能力。 旁路装置允许在选定的条件下选择性地旁路焓回收装置的一个或多个部分。 在一个实例中，焓回收装置在选定的温度条件下完全旁路，以使装置冷冻，然后稍后在更有利的温度条件下使用。 在另一示例中，在系统启动操作期间有选择地绕过焓恢复装置。 一个示例包括与焓恢复装置相关联的加热器。 另一个实例包括将提供给焓回收装置的一部分的氧化剂预热。

公开(公告)号：US06428916B1

公开(公告)日：2002-08-06

申请号：US09468027

申请日：1999-12-20

申请人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Richard D. Breault ,  Leslie L. Van Dine

发明人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Richard D. Breault ,  Leslie L. Van Dine

IPC分类号： H01M804

CPC分类号： H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04029

摘要： A coolant treatment system for a direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell power plant including a degassifier for providing interaction between an oxidant and an antifreeze solution which has circulated throughout the fuel cell power plant so that dissolved gases within the antifreeze solution are removed. The fuel cell power plant is configured to allow the antifreeze solution to be in direct fluid communication with the fuel cell assemblies comprising the fuel cell power plant.

摘要翻译： 一种用于直接防冻冷却的燃料电池发电厂的冷却剂处理系统，其包括用于提供氧化剂和防冻液之间的相互作用的脱气装置，其循环在整个燃料电池发电厂中，从而除去防冻溶液中的溶解气体。 燃料电池发电厂被配置为允许防冻溶液与包括燃料电池发电厂的燃料电池组件直接流体连通。

公开(公告)号：US06514635B2

公开(公告)日：2003-02-04

申请号：US09770042

申请日：2001-01-25

申请人： Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Margaret M. Steinbugler ,  Carl A. Reiser ,  Glenn W. Scheffler

发明人： Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Margaret M. Steinbugler ,  Carl A. Reiser ,  Glenn W. Scheffler

IPC分类号： H01M800

CPC分类号： H01M8/04447 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/04097 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04303 ,  H01M8/04455 ,  H01M8/04753 ,  H01M8/04798 ,  H01M8/0662 ,  H01M8/241 ,  H01M8/2457

摘要： A procedure for shutting down an operating fuel cell system that recirculates a portion of the anode exhaust in a recycle loop, includes disconnecting the primary load from the external circuit, stopping the flow of air to the cathode, and applying an auxiliary resistive load across the cells to reduce and/or limit cell voltage and reduce the cathode potential while fuel is still flowing to the anode and the anode exhaust is recirculating. The fuel flow is then stopped, but the anode exhaust continues to be circulated in the recycle loop to bring the hydrogen therein into contact with a catalyst in the presence of oxygen to convert the hydrogen to water, such as in a catalytic burner. The recirculating is continued until substantially all the hydrogen is removed. The cell may then be completely shut down. No inert gas purge is required as part of the shut-down process.

公开(公告)号：US06242118B1

公开(公告)日：2001-06-05

申请号：US09417816

申请日：1999-10-14

申请人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Leslie L. Van Dine

发明人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Leslie L. Van Dine

IPC分类号： H01M800

CPC分类号： H01M8/04029

摘要： A method and apparatus for removing contaminants from the coolant supply of a fuel cell power plant, wherein coolant which has been exhausted from the fuel cell power plant is fed to an oxidant manifold. The exhausted coolant interacts with the oxidant flowing through the oxidant manifold, thereby effectuating removal of contaminants from the exhausted coolant.

摘要翻译： 一种用于从燃料电池发电厂的冷却剂供应中去除污染物的方法和装置，其中已经从燃料电池发电厂排出的冷却剂被供给到氧化剂歧管。 排出的冷却剂与流过氧化剂歧管的氧化剂相互作用，从而实现从排出的冷却剂中除去污染物。

公开(公告)号：US06331366B1

公开(公告)日：2001-12-18

申请号：US09338608

申请日：1999-06-23

申请人： Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Albert P. Grasso

发明人： Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Albert P. Grasso

IPC分类号： H01M806

CPC分类号： H01M8/0612 ,  C01B3/382 ,  C01B3/48 ,  C01B2203/0244 ,  C01B2203/0283 ,  C01B2203/044 ,  C01B2203/047 ,  C01B2203/066 ,  C01B2203/0844 ,  C01B2203/142 ,  C01B2203/148 ,  C01B2203/82 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04156 ,  H01M2300/0082

摘要： The invention is an operating system for a fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell for producing electrical energy from a reducing and oxidant fluid and fuel processing components including a reformer and a burner for processing a hydrocarbon fuel into the reducing fluid, and a direct mass and heat transfer device secured in fluid communication with both a process oxidant stream and a plant exhaust passage, so that the device directly transfers mass such as water exiting the plant in a plant exhaust stream back into the plant within the process oxidant stream. The invention also includes a split oxidant passage that directs the process oxidant stream through the fuel cell and a reformer feed portion of the process oxidant stream into fluid communication with the fuel processing components. The system may also include an anode exhaust passage that directs an anode exhaust from the fuel cell into the burner, then directs the oxidized anode exhaust stream from the burner in heat exchange relationship with the reformer feed portion.

摘要翻译： 本发明是一种用于燃料电池发电厂的操作系统，其包括用于从还原和氧化剂流体产生电能的至少一个燃料电池和包括用于将烃燃料加工成还原流体的重整器和燃烧器的燃料处理部件，以及 固定与过程氧化剂流和工厂排气通道流体连通的直接质量和传热装置，使得该装置直接将诸如离开设备的水的工厂废气流中的质量返回到工艺氧化剂流内的工厂 。 本发明还包括分开的氧化剂通道，其将过程氧化剂流引导通过燃料电池和过程氧化剂流的重整器进料部分与燃料处理组件流体连通。 该系统还可以包括阳极排气通道，其将来自燃料电池的阳极排气引导到燃烧器中，然后引导来自燃烧器的氧化的阳极废气流与重整器进料部分处于热交换关系。

公开(公告)号：US06207308B1

公开(公告)日：2001-03-27

申请号：US09295732

申请日：1999-04-20

申请人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Leslie L. Van Dine

发明人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Leslie L. Van Dine

IPC分类号： H01M804

CPC分类号： H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/0258 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M2300/0082

摘要： A water treatment system for a fuel cell stack, wherein a degassifier provides for interaction between an oxidant and a coolant which has circulated throughout the fuel cell stack so that dissolved gases within the circulated coolant are removed.

摘要翻译： 一种用于燃料电池堆的水处理系统，其中脱气器提供氧化剂和已经循环通过燃料电池堆的冷却剂之间的相互作用，从而去除循环冷却剂内的溶解气体。

公开(公告)号：US06451466B1

公开(公告)日：2002-09-17

申请号：US09544103

申请日：2000-04-06

申请人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Leslie L. Van Dine ,  George Vartanian

发明人： Albert P. Grasso ,  Leslie L. Van Dine ,  George Vartanian

IPC分类号： H01M806

CPC分类号： H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04007 ,  H01M8/04022 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04074 ,  H01M8/0612 ,  H01M2250/20 ,  Y02T90/32

摘要： A fuel cell power plant having a plurality of functionally integrated components including a fuel cell assembly provided with a fuel stream, an oxidant stream and a coolant stream. The fuel cell power plant functionally integrates a mass and heat recovery device for promoting a transfer of thermal energy and moisture between a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream, and a burner for processing the fuel exhausted from the fuel cell assembly during operation thereof. A housing chamber is utilized which accepts the oxidant stream exhausted from the fuel cell assembly after the exhausted oxidant stream has merged with a burner gaseous stream exhausted from the burner. The resultant merged airflow is subsequently directed to the housing chamber and to the mass and heat recovery device as the first gaseous stream.

摘要翻译： 一种具有多个功能集成部件的燃料电池发电设备，包括设有燃料流的燃料电池组件，氧化剂流和冷却剂流。 燃料电池发电厂在功能上集成了质量和热回收装置，用于促进第一气流和第二气流之间的热能和湿气的转移，以及用于在其操作期间处理从燃料电池组件排出的燃料的燃烧器。 使用容纳室，其在经过排出的氧化剂流与从燃烧器排出的燃烧器气流合并之后接受从燃料电池组件排出的氧化剂流。 所产生的合并气流随后被引导至容纳腔室和作为第一气流的质量和热回收装置。

公开(公告)号：US06699612B2

公开(公告)日：2004-03-02

申请号：US10034739

申请日：2001-12-26

申请人： Richard D. Breault ,  Leslie L. Van Dine

发明人： Richard D. Breault ,  Leslie L. Van Dine

IPC分类号： H01M0804

CPC分类号： H01M8/04225 ,  H01M8/0267 ,  H01M8/04022 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04156 ,  H01M8/04223 ,  H01M8/04302 ,  H01M8/0662

摘要： The invention reduces free water volume in a fuel cell power plant so support systems of the plant are freeze tolerant. The fuel cell power plant includes a coolant system having a sealed cooler plate that circulates an antifreeze coolant in heat exchange with a fuel cell and that collects fuel cell water; a water vapor removal system that removes water vapor from the antifreeze coolant to regulate the antifreeze concentration; and a start-up system having a start-up heat exchanger and a start-up valve that selectively direct heated antifreeze coolant into the cooler plate for a start-up procedure. The plant may also include a fuel processing system that utilizes the removed water vapor, and that is in heat exchange with the start-up heat exchanger. The antifreeze coolant is a low vapor pressure solution, such as an alkanetriol or polyethylene glycol.

摘要翻译： 本发明减少燃料电池发电厂中的自由水体积，因此该设备的支撑系统是耐冻的。 燃料电池发电厂包括冷却剂系统，该冷却剂系统具有密封的冷却器板，其与防燃剂冷却剂循环，与燃料电池进行热交换并且收集燃料电池水; 水蒸气去除系统，其从防冻剂冷却剂中去除水蒸气以调节防冻液浓度; 以及具有启动热交换器和启动阀的启动系统，其将加热的防冻冷却剂选择性地引导到用于启动程序的冷却器板中。 该设备还可以包括利用去除的水蒸气并与起动热交换器进行热交换的燃料处理系统。 防冻剂冷却剂是低蒸气压溶液，例如烷三醇或聚乙二醇。

公开(公告)号：US06432566B1

公开(公告)日：2002-08-13

申请号：US09426357

申请日：1999-10-25

申请人： David A. Condit ,  Richard D. Breault ,  Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Margaret M. Steinbugler

发明人： David A. Condit ,  Richard D. Breault ,  Leslie L. Van Dine ,  Margaret M. Steinbugler

IPC分类号： H01M804

CPC分类号： H01M8/04253 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04044 ,  H01M8/04059 ,  H01M8/04097 ,  H01M8/04119 ,  H01M8/04134

摘要： A direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell power plant is disclosed. The plant includes at least one fuel cell a thermal management system that directs flow of a cooling fluid for controlling heat within the plant, including a direct antifreeze solution passing through the water transport plate. The plant also integrates the direct antifreeze solution with a direct mass and heat transfer device, a water treatment system, and a steam injection system so that the direct antifreeze solution minimizes problems related to operation of the plant in sub-freezing conditions. A preferred antifreeze solution is an alkanetriol selected from the group consisting of glycerol, butanetriol, and pentanetriol. The direct antifreeze solutions minimize movement of the antifreeze as a vapor out of a water transport plate into contact with cathode or anode catalysts, and also minimize direct antifreeze solution loss from other power plant systems.

摘要翻译： 公开了直接防冻冷却的燃料电池发电厂。 该设备包括至少一个燃料电池，该热管理系统引导用于控制设备内的热量的冷却流体的流动，包括通过水输送板的直接防冻溶液。 该工厂还将直接防冻溶液与直接质量传热装置，水处理系统和蒸汽注入系统相结合，使得直接防冻溶液最大限度地减少了在低温条件下工厂运行的问题。 优选的防冻溶液是选自甘油，丁三醇和戊三醇的烷三醇。 直接防冻溶液使防冻剂的运动最小化为从水输送板中蒸出的与阴极或阳极催化剂接触的蒸气，并且还使来自其它发电厂系统的直接防冻溶液损失最小化。