US20100068568A1 - Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell - Google Patents

Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20100068568A1
US20100068568A1 US12/517,404 US51740409A US2010068568A1 US 20100068568 A1 US20100068568 A1 US 20100068568A1 US 51740409 A US51740409 A US 51740409A US 2010068568 A1 US2010068568 A1 US 2010068568A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
coolant
water
vent
gas
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
Application number
US12/517,404
Inventor
Robert M. Darling
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Audi AG
Original Assignee
UTC Power Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by UTC Power Corp filed Critical UTC Power Corp
Assigned to UTC POWER CORPORATION reassignment UTC POWER CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DARLING, ROBERT M.
Publication of US20100068568A1 publication Critical patent/US20100068568A1/en
Assigned to UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION reassignment UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: UTC POWER CORPORATION
Assigned to BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC. reassignment BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Assigned to AUDI AG reassignment AUDI AG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.
Priority to US14/823,819 priority Critical patent/US10096852B2/en
Assigned to AUDI AG reassignment AUDI AG CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT ASSIGNEE ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 035716, FRAME 0253. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Assignors: BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04313Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
    • H01M8/0438Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
    • H01M8/04417Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow of the coolant
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02Details
    • H01M8/0202Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02Details
    • H01M8/0202Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0267Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04126Humidifying
    • H01M8/04134Humidifying by coolants
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156Arrangements 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
    • H01M8/04164Arrangements 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 condensers, gas-liquid separators or filters
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04291Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04746Pressure; Flow
    • H01M8/04761Pressure; Flow of fuel cell exhausts
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50Fuel cells

Definitions

  • This application generally relates to fuel cells, and more particularly, the application relates to managing gases within a fuel cell.
  • a fuel cell uses a cathode and anode that receive oxidant, such as air, and fuel, such as hydrogen, respectively, to generate an electrochemical reaction that produces electricity, as is well known.
  • the cathode and anode are separated by a solid separator plate which prevents commingling of reactant gases but provides for electrical conductivity.
  • the fuel cell typically includes numerous cells that form a stack.
  • the cells may include water transport plates, which are porous separator plates through which water passes, but not appreciable quantities of gas. The water transport plate is hydrated by a water flow field on one side, the water flowing through the plate to humidify the reactant stream (fuel or oxidant) on the other side.
  • the humidified reactant stream permits membrane hydration, which is important to successful operation of the fuel cell.
  • the water transport plate also enables removal of product water which is generated on the cathode by the electrochemical reaction.
  • the circulated water acts as a coolant.
  • the volume of water within the stack must be managed to maintain a desired amount of water, for example, for membrane hydration, cell cooling, and minimizing the effects of sub-freezing environments.
  • water is evaporated into a cathode reactant flow field and then condensed in an external device to return liquid water to the fuel cell's water flow field.
  • Systems employing evaporatively cooled fuel cells have far less water than similar fuel cells using other types of cooling strategies.
  • gases may become entrained in the coolant passages due to leakage from ambient surroundings, or reactant crossover through the seals or the pores of the water transport plates, on the order of one cubic centimeter per minute per cell in the stack in one example. Entrained gases inhibit the replenishment of liquid water to the water flow field, which can cause operational problems with the fuel cell. The gases must be expelled from the fuel cell to maintain desired operation of the fuel cell.
  • a fuel cell includes a separator plate providing a coolant flow field.
  • the coolant flow field receives condensed water from the cathode exhaust.
  • the coolant channels which may be dead-ended, permit water to pass through the anode water transport plate whereupon it humidifies the membrane and is subsequently evaporated into the cathode reactant stream to control the temperature of the fuel cell.
  • the coolant flow field has undesired entrained gas.
  • a vent is in fluid communication with the coolant flow field. The gas is released from the fuel cell by opening the vent. The vent is opened in response to conditions indicative of an undesired amount of gas.
  • a valve that is normally closed is actuated to open in response to a signal from a coolant level sensor.
  • the vent is opened based upon a schedule.
  • gases can be released from the fuel cell to avoid gas build up.
  • FIG. 1 is schematic view of a fuel cell arrangement including an evaporative cooling loop.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a coolant flow field with a vent.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the vent shown in FIG. 2 with a control valve arranged in the vent and actuated in response to a level sensor to release gas and retain coolant.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the vent shown in FIG. 2 with the control valve arranged in the vent and actuated in response to a controller to release gas and retain coolant.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a fuel cell 10 that includes an anode 12 and a cathode 14 .
  • the anode 12 receives fuel, such as hydrogen, from a fuel source 18 .
  • the cathode 14 receives an oxidant, such as air, from a source such as a blower 22 .
  • the oxidant chemically reacts with the fuel in an electrode assembly 16 that is arranged between the cathode and anode 14 , 12 .
  • the anode, cathode and electrode assembly 12 , 14 , 16 provide a cell 11 .
  • Multiple cells 11 are arranged to provide a stack. Electrically conductive separator plates 44 are used to separate individual cells.
  • a separator plate 44 configured as a water transport plate comprises a water flow field 24 ( FIG. 2 ) in fluid communication with the anode and cathode 12 , 14 of each cell.
  • a portion of the water transport plate 44 for at least one of the cathode 14 or anode 12 is porous.
  • the water flow fields 24 are fluidly connected to one another by a coolant manifold 20 (shown schematically in FIGS. 3 and 4 ).
  • the water flow fields may be dead-ended such that no liquid water is circulated through the system, and the only movement of water is to replenish that which has evaporated.
  • Water 50 within the water flow field 24 hydrates the water transport plates 44 .
  • An accumulator 26 is also filled with water to ensure that the fuel cell 10 has a desired volume of water for desired operation of the fuel cell 10 .
  • the water flow field is replaced by a coolant flow field 24 wherein the coolant contains a percentage of water in a low vapor pressure carrier, and the percentage of water is sufficient to evaporatively cool the cell.
  • one of the separator plates is solid.
  • One side of the solid separator plate has reactant flow fields; the other side has a coolant flow field allowing water to humidify the adjacent reactant flow field through the adjacent porous plate.
  • Oxidant pumped through the reactant flow field increases in temperature and becomes saturated as it receives the evaporated water vapor.
  • a cathode exhaust loop 28 receives cathode exhaust (substantially depleted of oxygen) with water vapor, and The water vapor is condensed with a condenser 30 and fan 32 , or a similar arrangement.
  • Liquid water 36 is collected in a separator 34 and some of the gases are vented through an exit 40 in the separator 34 .
  • a return line 38 supplies the liquid water 36 back to the water flow field 24 of the fuel cell 10 .
  • an example water transport plate 44 is shown having channels 46 that direct water through the coolant flow field 24 .
  • Gas bubbles migrate to a vent 42 in the coolant exit of manifold 20 ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), which may have transparent portions for viewing the water level.
  • the coolant manifold 20 communicates with the water transport plates 44 associated with each cell in the fuel cell 10 .
  • the gases accumulate during operation of the fuel cell 10 and must be frequently released to the atmosphere.
  • a valve 54 is actuated to release the gases 52 to atmosphere in response to a signal from a level sensor 58 .
  • the valve 54 normally blocks a passage 53 in communication with the coolant manifold 20 .
  • the closed position is shown in solid lines in FIGS. 3 and 4 , and the open position is shown in dashed lines.
  • the level sensor 58 sends a signal to an actuator 56 to briefly open the valve 54 , which releases the gases that have collected in the coolant manifold 20 . In this manner, undesired gas build up is avoided.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement in which the valve 54 is periodically opened based upon a schedule.
  • a controller 60 contains information based upon one or more characteristics that are indicative of gas build up in the fuel cell 10 .
  • a schedule can be determined from these characteristics and used to open the valve 54 using the actuator 56 .
  • fuel cell operating time is used to actuate the valve 54 .
  • the valve 54 is opened at preset intervals.

Abstract

A fuel cell includes a water transport plate providing a water flow field. The water flow field permits a flow of water having an entrained gas. A vent is in fluid communication with the water flow field. At least some of the gas is released from fuel cell by opening a vent. In a disclosed example, a valve is opened in response to conditions indicative of an undesired amount of gas. For example, the valve is actuated in response to a signal from a water level sensor. In another example, the valve is opened based upon a schedule.

Description

    BACKGROUND
  • This application generally relates to fuel cells, and more particularly, the application relates to managing gases within a fuel cell.
  • A fuel cell uses a cathode and anode that receive oxidant, such as air, and fuel, such as hydrogen, respectively, to generate an electrochemical reaction that produces electricity, as is well known. Typically, the cathode and anode are separated by a solid separator plate which prevents commingling of reactant gases but provides for electrical conductivity. The fuel cell typically includes numerous cells that form a stack. The cells may include water transport plates, which are porous separator plates through which water passes, but not appreciable quantities of gas. The water transport plate is hydrated by a water flow field on one side, the water flowing through the plate to humidify the reactant stream (fuel or oxidant) on the other side. The humidified reactant stream permits membrane hydration, which is important to successful operation of the fuel cell. The water transport plate also enables removal of product water which is generated on the cathode by the electrochemical reaction. In some example fuel cells, the circulated water acts as a coolant.
  • The volume of water within the stack must be managed to maintain a desired amount of water, for example, for membrane hydration, cell cooling, and minimizing the effects of sub-freezing environments. In one type of cooling system, water is evaporated into a cathode reactant flow field and then condensed in an external device to return liquid water to the fuel cell's water flow field. Systems employing evaporatively cooled fuel cells have far less water than similar fuel cells using other types of cooling strategies. However, gases may become entrained in the coolant passages due to leakage from ambient surroundings, or reactant crossover through the seals or the pores of the water transport plates, on the order of one cubic centimeter per minute per cell in the stack in one example. Entrained gases inhibit the replenishment of liquid water to the water flow field, which can cause operational problems with the fuel cell. The gases must be expelled from the fuel cell to maintain desired operation of the fuel cell.
  • What is needed is a method and apparatus of releasing gases from the coolant passages of the fuel cell.
  • SUMMARY
  • A fuel cell includes a separator plate providing a coolant flow field. The coolant flow field receives condensed water from the cathode exhaust. The coolant channels, which may be dead-ended, permit water to pass through the anode water transport plate whereupon it humidifies the membrane and is subsequently evaporated into the cathode reactant stream to control the temperature of the fuel cell. The coolant flow field has undesired entrained gas. A vent is in fluid communication with the coolant flow field. The gas is released from the fuel cell by opening the vent. The vent is opened in response to conditions indicative of an undesired amount of gas. In one example, a valve that is normally closed is actuated to open in response to a signal from a coolant level sensor. In another example, the vent is opened based upon a schedule.
  • Accordingly, gases can be released from the fuel cell to avoid gas build up.
  • These and other features can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is schematic view of a fuel cell arrangement including an evaporative cooling loop.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a coolant flow field with a vent.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the vent shown in FIG. 2 with a control valve arranged in the vent and actuated in response to a level sensor to release gas and retain coolant.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the vent shown in FIG. 2 with the control valve arranged in the vent and actuated in response to a controller to release gas and retain coolant.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a fuel cell 10 that includes an anode 12 and a cathode 14. The anode 12 receives fuel, such as hydrogen, from a fuel source 18. The cathode 14 receives an oxidant, such as air, from a source such as a blower 22. The oxidant chemically reacts with the fuel in an electrode assembly 16 that is arranged between the cathode and anode 14, 12. The anode, cathode and electrode assembly 12, 14, 16 provide a cell 11. Multiple cells 11 (only two shown) are arranged to provide a stack. Electrically conductive separator plates 44 are used to separate individual cells.
  • A separator plate 44 configured as a water transport plate comprises a water flow field 24 (FIG. 2) in fluid communication with the anode and cathode 12, 14 of each cell. In this example, at least a portion of the water transport plate 44 for at least one of the cathode 14 or anode 12 is porous. The water flow fields 24 are fluidly connected to one another by a coolant manifold 20 (shown schematically in FIGS. 3 and 4). The water flow fields may be dead-ended such that no liquid water is circulated through the system, and the only movement of water is to replenish that which has evaporated. Water 50 within the water flow field 24 hydrates the water transport plates 44. An accumulator 26 is also filled with water to ensure that the fuel cell 10 has a desired volume of water for desired operation of the fuel cell 10.
  • In another example, the water flow field is replaced by a coolant flow field 24 wherein the coolant contains a percentage of water in a low vapor pressure carrier, and the percentage of water is sufficient to evaporatively cool the cell.
  • In yet another example, one of the separator plates is solid. One side of the solid separator plate has reactant flow fields; the other side has a coolant flow field allowing water to humidify the adjacent reactant flow field through the adjacent porous plate.
  • Water passes through the water transport plate 44, humidifies the reactant stream, and hydrates the membrane in the electrode assembly 16. Water formed by the electrochemical reaction on the cathode side of the electrode assembly 16, as well as water passing through the membrane by osmotic drag, is evaporated into the cathode reactant stream of the cathode 14 on the opposite side of the water flow field 24. Oxidant pumped through the reactant flow field increases in temperature and becomes saturated as it receives the evaporated water vapor. A cathode exhaust loop 28 receives cathode exhaust (substantially depleted of oxygen) with water vapor, and The water vapor is condensed with a condenser 30 and fan 32, or a similar arrangement. Liquid water 36 is collected in a separator 34 and some of the gases are vented through an exit 40 in the separator 34. A return line 38 supplies the liquid water 36 back to the water flow field 24 of the fuel cell 10.
  • Referring to FIG. 2, an example water transport plate 44 is shown having channels 46 that direct water through the coolant flow field 24. Gas bubbles migrate to a vent 42 in the coolant exit of manifold 20 (FIGS. 3 and 4), which may have transparent portions for viewing the water level. The coolant manifold 20 communicates with the water transport plates 44 associated with each cell in the fuel cell 10. The gases accumulate during operation of the fuel cell 10 and must be frequently released to the atmosphere.
  • Referring to FIG. 3, an example is shown in which a valve 54 is actuated to release the gases 52 to atmosphere in response to a signal from a level sensor 58. The valve 54 normally blocks a passage 53 in communication with the coolant manifold 20. The closed position is shown in solid lines in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the open position is shown in dashed lines. As the coolant level rises to a predetermined level, the level sensor 58 sends a signal to an actuator 56 to briefly open the valve 54, which releases the gases that have collected in the coolant manifold 20. In this manner, undesired gas build up is avoided.
  • Another example embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement in which the valve 54 is periodically opened based upon a schedule. A controller 60 contains information based upon one or more characteristics that are indicative of gas build up in the fuel cell 10. A schedule can be determined from these characteristics and used to open the valve 54 using the actuator 56. In one example, fuel cell operating time is used to actuate the valve 54. In another example, the valve 54 is opened at preset intervals.
  • Although several example embodiments have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of the claims. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims (17)

1. A fuel cell comprising:
a plate providing a dead-ended coolant flow field for permitting a flow of coolant having an entrained gas; and
a vent in fluid communication with the coolant flow field, the vent providing a passage selectively opened and closed in response to a signal for releasing at least some of the gas.
2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the plate is a water transport plate.
3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the plate is a solid separator plate.
4. The fuel cell according to claim 1, comprising a cathode exhaust loop in fluid communication with the coolant flow field that receives water vapor, the cathode exhaust loop including a condenser for condensing the water vapor to liquid water, a separator for separating the water vapor and liquid water from gases, and a return line for supplying the liquid water to the coolant flow field.
5. The fuel cell according to claim 1, comprising a level sensor for detecting a coolant level, the level sensor providing the signal.
6. The fuel cell according to claim 1, comprising a controller providing the signal according to a schedule.
7. The fuel cell according to claim 6, wherein the schedule is a time interval.
8. The fuel cell according to claim 1, comprising a valve arranged in the vent to control when the vent is opened to release at least some of the gas.
9. The fuel cell according to claim 8, wherein one side of the valve is exposed to atmosphere.
10. A method of venting gas entrained within fuel cell coolant comprising the steps of:
blocking a passage having coolant that includes a gas; and
selectively unblocking the passage in response to a signal to release at least some of the gas.
11. The method according to claim 10, comprising the step of evaporating water in the coolant to cool the fuel cell, and condensing water vapor in the cathode exhaust to liquid water to return the liquid water to the fuel cell.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the selectively unblocking step includes moving a valve from a closed position to an open position.
13. The method according to claim 10, comprising the step of determining at least one characteristic of the fuel cell indicative of a need to open the vent to produce the signal.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the characteristic includes coolant level.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the characteristic includes a schedule.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the schedule is based upon fuel cell operation.
17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the schedule is based upon a time interval between opening the vent.
US12/517,404 2006-12-29 2006-12-29 Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell Abandoned US20100068568A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/823,819 US10096852B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2015-08-11 Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/049636 WO2008085154A1 (en) 2006-12-29 2006-12-29 Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2006/049636 A-371-Of-International WO2008085154A1 (en) 2006-12-29 2006-12-29 Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/823,819 Continuation US10096852B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2015-08-11 Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100068568A1 true US20100068568A1 (en) 2010-03-18

Family

ID=39608916

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/517,404 Abandoned US20100068568A1 (en) 2006-12-29 2006-12-29 Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell
US14/823,819 Active 2027-11-08 US10096852B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2015-08-11 Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/823,819 Active 2027-11-08 US10096852B2 (en) 2006-12-29 2015-08-11 Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (2) US20100068568A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008085154A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013022450A1 (en) * 2011-08-11 2013-02-14 Utc Power Corporation Control system for a sealed coolant flow field fuel cell power plant having a water reservoir
US20150325866A1 (en) * 2014-05-06 2015-11-12 Goodrich Corporation Gas separation from fuel cell cooling water

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6015634A (en) * 1998-05-19 2000-01-18 International Fuel Cells System and method of water management in the operation of a fuel cell
US20060141331A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2006-06-29 Reiser Carl A Fuel cells evaporative reactant gas cooling and operational freeze prevention

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6159629A (en) * 1998-12-17 2000-12-12 Ballard Power Systems Inc. Volume effecient layered manifold assembly for electrochemical fuel cell stacks
JP4147924B2 (en) * 2002-12-03 2008-09-10 日産自動車株式会社 Fuel cell system

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6015634A (en) * 1998-05-19 2000-01-18 International Fuel Cells System and method of water management in the operation of a fuel cell
US20060141331A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2006-06-29 Reiser Carl A Fuel cells evaporative reactant gas cooling and operational freeze prevention

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013022450A1 (en) * 2011-08-11 2013-02-14 Utc Power Corporation Control system for a sealed coolant flow field fuel cell power plant having a water reservoir
US9147898B2 (en) 2011-08-11 2015-09-29 Audi Ag Control system for a sealed coolant flow field fuel cell power plant having a water reservoir
US20150325866A1 (en) * 2014-05-06 2015-11-12 Goodrich Corporation Gas separation from fuel cell cooling water

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US10096852B2 (en) 2018-10-09
WO2008085154A1 (en) 2008-07-17
US20150349363A1 (en) 2015-12-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1551073B1 (en) Fuel battery
US6365291B1 (en) Direct antifreeze solution concentration control system for a fuel cell power plant
US7638235B2 (en) Internal proton exchange membrane humidification and cooling with automotive coolant
US20080199743A1 (en) Ambient Pressure Fuel Cell System Employing Partial Air Humidification
US8431282B2 (en) Closed coolant loop with expansion device for a fuel cell system
US20080038610A1 (en) Fuel cells evaporative reactant gas cooling and operational freeze prevention
JP2000090954A (en) Fuel cell stack
WO2000054350A1 (en) Water management system for fuel cell
US6368737B1 (en) Subambient pressure coolant loop for a fuel cell power plant
JP4917005B2 (en) Improved voltage degradation due to water removal, freezing durability, purge energy efficiency and stop / start cycles
US10985388B2 (en) Method and apparatus for estimating hydrogen crossover loss of fuel cell system
US10096852B2 (en) Gas purge control for coolant in a fuel cell
US7638217B2 (en) Non-circulating coolant PEM fuel cell power plant assembly with low thermal mass
JP5468540B2 (en) Sealed separator unit incorporated in gas supply means of fuel cell system
JP2007242328A (en) Fuel cell system
US20100086817A1 (en) Water retention and gas ingestion control for a fuel cell
JP2005166404A (en) Fuel cell system
KR102558346B1 (en) A method for humidifying a reactant and a fuel cell system for practicing the method
US20240113312A1 (en) Fuel cell system and method for draining condensate water thereof
JP2006310110A (en) On-vehicle fuel cell system
JP2004047154A (en) Reactive gas supplying method for fuel cell
US7691517B2 (en) Fuel cell system with a water holding member
JP2005158543A (en) Fuel cell system
KR20220140299A (en) Fuel cell system and control method for the same
JP2009158269A (en) Fuel cell system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: UTC POWER CORPORATION,CONNECTICUT

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DARLING, ROBERT M.;REEL/FRAME:022772/0109

Effective date: 20070102

AS Assignment

Owner name: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UTC POWER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:031033/0325

Effective date: 20130626

AS Assignment

Owner name: BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC., CANADA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:033070/0235

Effective date: 20140424

AS Assignment

Owner name: AUDI AG, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.;REEL/FRAME:035716/0253

Effective date: 20150506

AS Assignment

Owner name: AUDI AG, GERMANY

Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT ASSIGNEE ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 035716, FRAME 0253. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:BALLARD POWER SYSTEMS INC.;REEL/FRAME:036448/0093

Effective date: 20150506

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION