摘要:
The oxidant inlets of the reactant gas flow field grooves (41) of a fuel cell (11) which suffers a crossover between the fuel and oxidant flow fields, due to a leak in the seals, the maxtrix or the membrane of the fuel cell, are blocked with a liquid (50) which cures in place, hot glue, two-part epoxy, or fluoroelastomers. This prevents heating as a result of combusting fuel with oxygen near the site, which avoids excessive heating and damaging of successive fuel cells. As a result, a fuel cell power plant (8) can continue to operate with only a minor loss of voltage and power, thereby avoiding the need to tear down the stack by loosening the tie-bolts. Voltage and hydrogen levels may be used to detect the crossover. The particular cell (11) with the leak can be determined by voltage or hydrogen monitoring, or by immersing the stack in a liquid while applying gas to the fuel inlet of the stack.
摘要:
The oxidant inlets of the reactant gas flow field grooves (41) of a fuel cell (11) which suffers a crossover between the fuel and oxidant flow fields, due to a leak in the seals, the maxtrix or the membrane of the fuel cell, are blocked with a liquid (50) which cures in place, hot glue, two-part epoxy, or fluoroelastomers. This prevents heating as a result of combusting fuel with oxygen near the site, which avoids excessive heating and damaging of successive fuel cells. As a result, a fuel cell power plant (8) can continue to operate with only a minor loss of voltage and power, thereby avoiding the need to tear down the stack by loosening the tie-bolts. Voltage and hydrogen levels may be used to detect the crossover. The particular cell (11) with the leak can be determined by voltage or hydrogen monitoring, or by immersing the stack in a liquid while applying gas to the fuel inlet of the stack.
摘要:
An exemplary method includes of operating a fuel cell at a first power output level that includes a plurality of operation parameters. Each operation parameter has a value to satisfy a first power demand. A change between the first power demand and a second power demand is determined. At least a first one of the operation parameters is maintained at a value corresponding to the first power output level or at an intermediate value while at least a second one of the operation parameters is changed to a value corresponding to a second power output level to satisfy the second power demand. The first operation parameter is delayed from changing to a value corresponding to the second power output level until a predetermined criterion is met.
摘要:
A membrane electrode assembly is provided which includes an anode; a cathode; a membrane between the anode and the cathode; and a protective layer between the membrane and at least one electrode of the anode and the cathode, the protective layer having a layer of ionomer material containing a catalyst, the layer having a porosity of between 0 and 10%, an ionomer content of between 50 and 80% vol., a catalyst content of between 10 and 50% vol., and an electrical connectivity between catalyst particles of between 35 and 75%. A configuration using a precipitation layer to prevent migration of catalyst ions is also provided.
摘要:
The invention is a start up system and method for a fuel cell power plant (10) using a purging of the cathode flow field (38) with a hydrogen rich reducing fluid fuel to minimize corrosion of the cathode electrode (16). The method for starting up the shut down fuel cell power plant (10) includes the steps of: a. purging the cathode flow field (38) with the reducing fluid fuel; b. then, directing the reducing fluid fuel to flow through an anode flow field (28); c. next, terminating flow of the fuel through the cathode flow field (38) and directing an oxygen containing oxidant to flow through the cathode flow field (38); and, d. finally, connecting a primary load (70) to the fuel cell (12) so that electrical current flows from the fuel cell (12) to the primary load (70).
摘要:
An example fuel cell assembly includes a plate having channels configured to facilitate movement of a fuel cell fluid near an area of active flow of fuel cell. The channels include portions having a varying depth that extend laterally outside of the area of active flow.
摘要:
An exemplary fuel cell component includes a generally planar body having a total area defined by a length and width of the body. A first portion of the total area is occupied by a first fuel cell features that renders the first portion unusable for at least one fuel cell function. A second portion of the total area is occupied by a second fuel cell feature that renders the second portion unusable for the fuel cell function. A third portion of the total area is considered an active area of the component that is useful for the fuel cell function. An aspect ratio of the length to the width of the generally planar body is dependent on a dimension of the first portion and a dimension of the second portion.
摘要:
A membrane electrode assembly is provided which includes an anode; a cathode; a membrane between the anode and the cathode; and a protective layer between the membrane and at least one electrode of the anode and the cathode, the protective layer having a layer of ionomer material containing a catalyst, the layer having a porosity of between 0 and 10%, an ionomer content of between 50 and 80% vol., a catalyst content of between 10 and 50% vol., and an electrical connectivity between catalyst particles of between 35 and 75%. A configuration using a precipitation layer to prevent migration of catalyst ions is also provided.
摘要:
An example seal assembly includes a first seal that is configured to be placed between a fuel cell manifold and a fuel cell stack. The first seal establishes a recessed area within a side of the first seal that faces the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell seal assembly further includes a second seal that is configured to be placed between the first seal and the fuel cell stack within the recessed area. An example method of sealing a fuel cell interface includes holding a first seal within a groove established within a manifold and holding a second seal within a recessed area established within the second seal. The method limits flow of a fuel cell fluid using a first seal and the second seal.
摘要:
A method for making a membrane electrode assembly includes the steps of providing a membrane electrode assembly including an anode including a hydrogen oxidation catalyst; a cathode; a membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode; and depositing a peroxide decomposition catalyst in at least one position selected from the group consisting of the anode, the cathode, a layer between the anode and the membrane and a layer between the cathode and the membrane wherein the peroxide decomposition catalyst has selectivity when exposed to hydrogen peroxide toward reactions which form benign products from the hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide decomposition catalyst can also be positioned within the membrane. Also disclosed is a power-generating fuel cell system including such a membrane electrode assembly, and a process for operating such a fuel cell system.