WO2005043662A1 - Procede de degazage d'un centre d'essais de pile a combustible - Google Patents

Procede de degazage d'un centre d'essais de pile a combustible Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005043662A1
WO2005043662A1 PCT/CA2004/001909 CA2004001909W WO2005043662A1 WO 2005043662 A1 WO2005043662 A1 WO 2005043662A1 CA 2004001909 W CA2004001909 W CA 2004001909W WO 2005043662 A1 WO2005043662 A1 WO 2005043662A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
gas
pressure
power
purging
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2004/001909
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paul Kenneth Adam
Original Assignee
Hydrogenics Corporation
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 Hydrogenics Corporation filed Critical Hydrogenics Corporation
Publication of WO2005043662A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005043662A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
    • H01M8/04231—Purging of the reactants
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/36—Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
    • G01R31/385—Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables
    • Y—GENERAL 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
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a fuel cell test station and, in particular to a gas-purge system and method included therein.
  • Fuel cells convert chemical energy of fuels into electrical energy.
  • a fuel cell test station is typically capable of simulating a range of operating conditions for a fuel cell under test and in turn monitoring various parameters indicative of the performance of the fuel cell.
  • Such fuel cell test stations are commercially available from Hydrogenics Corporation in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and Greenlight Power Technologies in Bumaby, B.C., Canada.
  • the test station may be suddenly and unexpectedly shutdown for a number of reasons.
  • power supplied to the test station is cut-off to prevent potential accidents that may damage equipment and/or harm operators/technicians nearby.
  • an abrupt loss of operating power does not typically allow the test station to shutdown in a controlled manner, which in turn leaves fuel and oxidant lines leading to and from a fuel cell module under test full of fuel and oxidant, and this may itself be potentially hazardous.
  • a purging gas such as nitrogen
  • a gas-purge system suited for use in combination with a fuel cell power module including: a process reactant delivery control means for permitting a flow of a process reactant to a fuel cell module when power is supplied to the process reactant delivery control means and stopping the flow of the process reactant when power is cut-off; and, a purging gas delivery control means for delivering a predetermined volume of a purging gas to a fuel cell module in response to the power being cut-off.
  • the process reactant delivery control means includes a normally closed valve connectable between the fuel cell module under test and a process reactant supply.
  • the purging gas delivery means has: a first pressure-controlled gate, having a control point, that is operable to open when a suitable pressure is applied to the control point and otherwise to close, and the first pressure-controlled gate is connectable between a purging-gas supply and the fuel cell module under test; a pressure relay connectable between the purging-gas supply and the control point of the first pressure-controlled gate, operable to transfer gas pressure from the purging gas supply to the control point when power is supplied, and subsequently, cutoff the purging gas supply from the control point when the power is cut-off and permit a controlled release of pressure from the control point thereby gradually closing the first pressure-controlled gate after the power is cut-off; and, a normally open valve connectable between the first pressure-controlled gate and the fuel cell module under test.
  • the first pressure-controlled gate is a dome loaded pressure valve having a diaphragm serving as the control point.
  • the pressure relay includes a 3/2-way solenoid valve, having a venting port, which is operable to open a flow path between the purging gas supply and the control point of the first pressure-controlled gate when power is supplied and cut-off the purging gas supply from the control point when the power is cut-off.
  • a gas-purge system for controllably delivering a purging gas to a fuel cell module and flushing supply and exhaust lines with the purging gas after power to the gas-system has been cut-off
  • the gas-purge system having: a normally closed valve connectable between at least one process reactant supply and the fuel cell module; a normally open valves connected between at least one purging-gas supply and the fuel cell module; a first pressure-controlled gate, having a control point, that is operable to open when a suitable pressure is applied to the control point and otherwise to close, and the first pressure-controlled gate is connectable between the at least one purging-gas supply and the fuel cell module; and, a pressure relay connectable between the at least one purging-gas supply and the control point of the first pressure-controlled gate, operable to transfer gas pressure from the purging gas supply to the control point when power is supplied, and subsequently, cut-off the purging gas supply from the control point when the power is cut-off and permit
  • a gas-purge system suited for use in combination with a fuel cell power module including: a process reactant delivery control means for permitting a flow of a process reactant to a fuel cell module when power is supplied to the process reactant delivery control means and stopping the flow of the process reactant when power is cut-off; and, a purging gas delivery control means for delivering a purging gas, over a predetermined duration, to a fuel cell module in response to the power being cut-off.
  • a gas-purge system suited for use in combination with a fuel cell power module including: a process reactant delivery control means for permitting a flow of a process reactant to a fuel cell module when power is supplied to the process reactant delivery control means and stopping the flow of the process reactant when power is cut-off; and, a purging gas delivery control means for delivering a predetermined volume of a purging gas, over a predetermined duration , to a fuel cell module after the power is cut-off.
  • a method of delivering a purging gas to a fuel cell module under test after power has been cut-off including: stopping process reactant flows to the fuel cell module under test; temporarily opening a purging gas flow to the fuel cell module under test for a predetermined duration; and, stopping the purging gas flow after the predetermined duration.
  • a method of operating a fuel cell test station after power has been cut-off comprising: closing fuel and oxidant supply lines thereby ceasing the delivery of fuel and oxidant to a fuel cell module under test; temporarily opening a purging gas flow thereby delivering a predetermined amount of the purging gas to the fuel cell module under test; and, closing the purging gas flow after a predetermined duration.
  • Figure 1 is a simplified schematic drawing of a fuel cell test station in combination with a fuel cell module
  • Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a gas-purge system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a flow chart of a gas-purge method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • a fuel cell testing trial may either be a fuel cell test condition that is allowed to run in steady state or an automated test sequence that puts the fuel cell through a programmed set of operating conditions. Abruptly cutting off the power to a fuel cell test station during a trial may, in some instances, be necessary to prevent accidents that may damage equipment and/or harm nearby operators/technicians. Yet, abruptly shutting down a trial may leave the fuel cell test station and fuel cell module under test in a potentially hazardous condition as residual amounts of reactive fuel and oxidant may remain in various parts of the system, since they may not have been completely consumed and/or expelled when the power was cut off.
  • a purging gas such as nitrogen
  • delivering the purging gas in a reliable way so as to prevent undesired side effects, such as the drying out of the membranes included in some fuel cells, has not previously been achieved.
  • a gas-purge system and method which can be advantageously employed immediately after a loss of power occurs, that controllably delivers a purging gas, such as nitrogen, to a fuel cell test station and fuel cell module under test.
  • Fuel cells are commonly connected in series to form a fuel cell stack, although in some instances a fuel cell stack may simply include a single fuel cell.
  • the fuel cell stack provides a larger electric potential than a single fuel cell; and, since the fuel cell stack effectively operates as one unit, a co- operative design for supporting systems and instrumentation required by the constituent fuel cells is possible.
  • a fuel cell stack is typically enclosed in a single housing that is designed to include connections for piping, sensors, regulators, and other instrumentation used to support the operation of the fuel cell stack.
  • the fuel cell stack, housing, and associated combination of hardware, software and firmware make up a fuel cell module. Accordingly, it may be desirable to test individual fuel cell stacks or complete fuel cell power modules.
  • PEM Proton Exchange Membrane
  • a number of process and operating parameters (such as temperature, internal pressures, electrical outputs, etc.) of a fuel cell module are closely monitored and regulated by a fuel cell test station.
  • Operating parameters of particular interest include a voltage across each fuel cell in a fuel cell stack, commonly referred to as cell voltage, and an internal resistance of each fuel cell.
  • the process gases are typically delivered to a fuel cell module at respective flow rates and each also have a corresponding temperature, pressure and relative humidity.
  • the reaction products and un-reacted process reactants are circulated away from the fuel cell module.
  • fuel cells can also be operated in a dead-end mode in which process reactants are supplied to a fuel cell but neither un- reacted process reactants nor reaction products are circulated away from the fuel cell.
  • a coolant supplied to the fuel cell stack and it may be desirable to monitor related parameters such as the inlet and outlet temperatures of the coolant and the coolant flow rate. Monitoring and regulating all of these parameters ensures preferable performance of the fuel cell module for a given output demand required by a particular load.
  • a number of the aforementioned process and operating parameters are varied and outputs are in turn monitored to evaluate the performance of the fuel cell module under different conditions so that the preferable settings for the process and operating parameters can be ascertained for different loading conditions.
  • FIG. 1 shown is a simplified schematic drawing of a fuel cell test station 200 in combination with a fuel cell module 100 that is described herein to illustrate some general considerations relating to the testing of fuel cell modules. It is to be understood that the present invention is applicable to the testing of various configurations of fuel cell modules that would each include a suitable combination of supporting systems, instrumentation, hardware, software, firmware and structural elements.
  • the fuel cell module 100 has an anode 21 and a cathode 41.
  • the anode 21 has a gas input port 22 and a gas output port 24.
  • the cathode 41 has a gas input port 42 and a gas output port 44.
  • the fuel cell module 100 also includes a water Input/Output (I/O) port 31 through which water can be supplied to and/or removed from the fuel cell module 100.
  • the fuel cell module 100 also includes a first catalyst 23 in close proximity to the anode 21 , a second catalyst 43, in close proximity to the cathode 41 , and an electrolyte 30 between the anode 21 and the cathode 41.
  • a loadbox 215 belonging to the fuel cell test station 200, coupled between the anode 21 and the cathode 41.
  • hydrogen is introduced into the anode 21 via the gas input port 22 under some predetermined conditions.
  • the predetermined conditions may include factors such as flow rate, temperature, pressure, relative humidity and a mixture of the hydrogen with other gases.
  • the hydrogen reacts electrochemically according to equation (1) (given below) in the presence of the electrolyte 30 and the first catalyst 23.
  • the products of equation (1) are hydrogen ions and electrons.
  • the hydrogen ions pass through the electrolyte 30 to the cathode 41 while the electrons are drawn through the loadbox 215. Un-reacted hydrogen and other gases are drawn out through gas output port 24.
  • an oxidant such as air
  • the cathode 41 Simultaneously (to the reactions in the anode 21 described above) an oxidant, such as air, is introduced into the cathode 41 via the gas input port 42 under some predetermined conditions.
  • the predetermined conditions may again include factors such as flow rate, temperature, pressure, relative humidity and a mixture of the oxidant with other gases.
  • the oxidant reacts electrochemically according to equation (2) (given below) in the presence of the electrolyte 30 and the second catalyst 43. (2) 1/2O 2 + 2H + + 2e - ⁇ H 2 O
  • the test station 200 includes some basic features found in a practical fuel cell test station. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a practical test station includes a suitable combination of sensors, regulators, control lines, supporting apparatus/instrumentation and structural elements in addition to a suitable combination of hardware, software and firmware. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the description provided herein, relating to the simplified test station 200, is by no means meant to restrict the scope of the claims following this section.
  • the test station 200 includes a test controller 300 that is used to manage fuel cell testing by a skilled operator.
  • the test controller 300 is made up of a single server or computer having at least one microcomputer; and, in other embodiments the test controller 300 is made up of a combination of microcomputers appropriately configured to divide the tasks associated with fuel cell testing amongst the combination of microcomputers.
  • the test controller 300 is made up of a computer usable medium having a computer program readable code means, having instructions for a safety system 370 and at least one application program 380.
  • the test controller 300 includes a memory device (not shown) storing a computer program readable code means having instructions for the safety system 370 and the at least one application program 380.
  • the at least one application program 380 contains user designed test vectors for varying the process and operating parameters of a fuel cell module under test.
  • application programs are made up of computer program readable code means having data and instructions for executing a sequence of test vectors defining a specific testing scenario.
  • the test station 200 also includes a number of physical connections to ports of the fuel cell module 100 that are used to supply process gases and vent exhaust and un-used process gases from the fuel cell module 100.
  • the physical connections include gas supply ports 222 and 242, gas exhaust ports 224 and 244 and a water supply exchange port 231.
  • the gas supply ports 222 and 242 are coupled to the gas input ports 22 and 42 of the fuel cell module 100, respectively.
  • the gas exhaust ports 224 and 244 are coupled to the gas output ports 24 and 44 of the fuel cell module 100, respectively.
  • the water supply exchange port 231 is coupled to the water I/O port 31 of the fuel ceil module 100.
  • the testing system 200 includes sensors 311 , 313, 315, 317 and 319 that are connected to the ports 222, 224, 231, 244 and 242, respectively.
  • the sensors 311 , 313, 315, 317 and 319 may be used, for example, to monitor one or more of the temperature, pressure, composition and relative humidity of input and output gases or fluid flows through any of the ports 222, 224, 231 , 244 and 242.
  • the test controller 300 is also electrically connected to the regulators 310, 312, 314, 316 and 318 that are used to regulate process and operating parameters associated with the ports 222, 224, 231 , 244 and 242, respectively.
  • the test station 200 includes the loadbox 215 that is connectable to the anode 21 and cathode 41 electrodes of the fuel cell module 100.
  • the voltage across and the current drawn by the loadbox 215 is controllable so that different loading conditions can be imposed upon the fuel cell module 100 during testing.
  • the test controller 300 executes test vectors provided in the at least one application program 380. This is done by extracting the test vectors from the at least one application program 380 and, in turn, varying the loading conditions provided by the loadbox 215 and/or other process and operating parameters in accordance with the test vectors provided. The latter is accomplished by having the test controller 300 transmit control signals to the regulators 310, 312, 314, 316 and 318. The test controller 300 then receives measurements related to the reaction products, electrical outputs and/or other process and operating parameters from the sensors 311 , 313, 315, 317 and 319. The measurements can be recorded and evaluated.
  • FIG. 2 illustrated is a schematic drawing of a gas-purge system 40 according to an embodiment of the invention that may be provided in combination with and/or within a fuel cell test station. Only those features necessary to describe aspects of the gas-purge system 40 as they relate to an embodiment of the invention have been illustrated. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a fuel cell test station will include a suitable combination of sensors, regulators, control lines, supporting apparatus/instrumentation, structural elements and a suitable sub- combination of hardware, software and firmware in addition to the features illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the gas-purge system 40 is arranged to provide a predetermined amount of a purging gas, such as nitrogen, over a known and fixed duration, to a fuel cell module 100 under test with a fuel cell test station when the power supplied to the fuel cell test station is abruptly cut-off. That is, when the power is cut-off, fuel and oxidant lines 12 and 14 are flushed with the purging gas, as is the fuel cell module 100.
  • the gas-purge system 40 includes a combination of valves arranged between a nitrogen supply 45 (i.e. the purging gas source) and the fuel cell 100, as illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the fuel cell module 100 in Figure 2 is provided with gas input ports 22 and 42 that are in fluid connection with the anode and the cathode side of the fuel cell module 100, respectively.
  • the gas input ports 22 and 42 are connectable to fuel and oxidant supply lines 12 and 14, respectively.
  • the fuel and oxidant supply lines 12 and 14 are respectively connected to corresponding fuel and oxidant supplies (not shown) through at least one shut-off valve.
  • the fuel supply line 12 is connected to the fuel supply through at least one fuel shutoff valve 47 that is preferably a normally closed valve.
  • the oxidant supply line 14 is connected to the oxidant supply through at least one oxidant shutoff valve 44 that is also preferably a normally closed valve.
  • the fuel and oxidant supply lines 12 and 14 are also both connected to the nitrogen supply 45 through a combination of valves and metering devices that are placed in parallel to the fuel and oxidant shutoff valves 47 and 44.
  • the fuel supply line 12 is also coupled to a first rotameter 56a that is connected in series to a first nitrogen shutoff valve 46a that leads to the nitrogen supply 45.
  • the oxidant supply line 14 is also coupled to a second rotameter 56b that is connected in series to a second nitrogen shutoff valve 46b that leads to the nitrogen supply 45.
  • both the nitrogen shutoff valves 46a, 46b are normally open valves.
  • a normally closed valve is opened, thus permitting a free flow of gases (or liquids), only when a control signal (or some electromotive force) is continuously supplied to the valve. That is, when power is not supplied to a normally closed valve, the valve remains closed, thus preventing the free flow of gases (or liquids) through the valve.
  • a normally open valve is closed, thus stopping the free flow of gases (or liquids), only when a control signal (or some electromotive force) is continuously supplied to the valve. That is, when power is not supplied to a normally open valve, the valve remains open, thus allowing the free flow of gases (or liquids) through the valve.
  • Both the first and second nitrogen shutoff valves 46a and 46b are connected to the nitrogen supply 45 through a dome loaded pressure valve 48 that is arranged between the nitrogen supply 45 and the first and second nitrogen shutoff valves 46a and 46b.
  • the dome loaded pressure valve 48 includes an internal diaphragm that has to be sufficiently loaded to permit the flow of nitrogen through the valve 48.
  • a 3/2-way solenoid valve 52 is connected upstream of the dome loaded pressure valve 48 and to the diaphragm of the dome loaded pressure valve 48.
  • the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52 is employed as a pressure relay and permits the diaphragm to be loaded with nitrogen pressure (Pu) from immediately upstream of the dome loaded pressure valve 48. That is, the pressure Pu of the nitrogen immediately upstream of the dome loaded pressure valve 48 (e.g. the pressure of the nitrogen exiting the nitrogen supply 45) is translated to the diaphragm of the dome loaded pressure valve 48 through the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52, during powered operation, which is described in further detail below.
  • the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52 also has a vent port to which an adjustable needle valve 54 is coupled.
  • a solenoid valve is typically an active device requiring power to remain open, whereas a needle valve is typically a passive device that does not require power for its operation.
  • the gas-purge system 40 is in one of two states. In a first state, power is supplied to various constituent systems of the fuel cell test station, including the gas-purge system 40. In a second state, the power supplied to the fuel cell test station has been cut-off, which means that the power supplied to the various constituent systems, including the gas-purge system 40, has been cut-off.
  • the active devices which include the normally closed fuel and oxidant shutoff valves 47 and 44, respectively, the normally open nitrogen shutoff valves 46a, 46b and the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52. Since the nitrogen shutoff valves 46a, 46b are normally open valves the power supplied to them closes them. The result is that the nitrogen supply 45 is cut-off from the fuel and oxidant supply lines 12 and 14. The opposite occurs in the normally closed fuel and oxidant shutoff valves 47 and 44, which are open in the first state, connecting the fuel and oxidant supplies (not shown) to the fuel and oxidant supply lines 12 and 14, respectively.
  • the gas-purge system 40 permits the free flow of fuel and oxidant into the fuel and oxidant supply lines 12 and 14, respectively, leading to the fuel cell module 100, and simultaneously stops the flow of nitrogen into the fuel and oxidant supply lines 12 and 14.
  • the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52 is also supplied with power in the first state.
  • the power supplied opens the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52 permitting nitrogen to flow through it causing the pressure applied (PA) to the diaphragm of the dome loaded pressure valve 48 to be the same as the pressure Pu immediately upstream of the dome loaded pressure valve 48, thus opening the dome loaded pressure valve 48 during normal operation.
  • PA pressure applied
  • the second state power supplied to the gas-purge system 40 is abruptly cut-off, as it is to the rest of the fuel cell test station.
  • the normally closed fuel and oxidant shutoff valves 47 and 44 close; and, the normally open nitrogen shutoff valves 46a, 46b open. That is, the fuel and oxidant flows to the fuel cell 100 are stopped and the nitrogen flow path is temporarily opened.
  • the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52 also closes, cutting off the flow path from the nitrogen supply 45 to the diaphragm of the dome loaded pressure valve 48, and trapping some nitrogen between the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52 and the diaphragm of the dome loaded pressure valve 48.
  • the nitrogen trapped between the now closed 3/2-way solenoid valve 52 and the diaphragm of the dome loaded pressure valve 48 is able to slowly bleed out through the needle valve 54 connected to the venting port of the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52.
  • the applied pressure P A on the diaphragm slowly decays, which, in turn, slowly closes the dome loaded pressure valve 48, again cutting off the nitrogen supply 45 from the fuel and oxidant supply lines 12 and 14.
  • the dome loaded pressure valve 48 remains open, in turn permitting nitrogen flow to the fuel cell stack 100.
  • the pressure on the diaphragm decays, slowly closing the dome loaded pressure valve 48 until it is substantially completely closed.
  • the duration of time Ti it takes to close the dome loaded pressure valve 48 is adjustable by adjustment to the needle valve 54. Adjustments to the needle valve 54 change the rate at which the trapped purging-gas (e.g. nitrogen) leaves the space between the 3/2-way solenoid valve 52 and the diaphragm of the dome loaded pressure valve 48, which in turn changes the amount of time Ti it takes to close the dome loaded pressure valve 48. Without the timed operation provided by the needle valve 54 the purging gas would be supplied until the purging gas supply (e.g. the nitrogen supply 45) is empty, which could dry out the membranes of a fuel cell module, and could exhaust the supply of the purging gas, each time a fuel station is abruptly stopped.
  • the purging gas supply e.g. the nitrogen supply 45
  • the flow rate of nitrogen to the stack may not be steady during the entire purge time (e.g. T-i) due to the decaying pressure, but rotameters 56a, 56b may be provided to meter the nitrogen flow rate independently of the duration of the purge.
  • step 3-1 a fuel cell test station is operating normally. That is, the fuel cell test station is drawing power to function.
  • step 3-2 of the gas-purge method it is determined whether or not the power to the fuel cell test station has been cut-off. If the power has not been cut-off (no path, step 3-2) the method loops back to step 3-1. On the other hand if the power has been cut-off (yes path, step 3-2) the gas-purge method proceeds to step 3-3 in which the fuel and oxidant lines leading to a fuel cell are immediately closed.
  • a purging-gas line is temporally opened at step 3- 4. Opening the purging-gas line flushes gas lines of the fuel cell test station and the fuel cell module under test with a purging-gas, such as nitrogen. Subsequently, at step 3-5, after a predetermined duration of T-i, the purging- gas line is closed. Closing the purging-gas lines after this set duration Ti reduces the possibility that too much of the purging-gas is delivered. Accordingly, the possibility of membranes, included in some fuel cells under test, drying out is also reduced as a result of this controlled delivery of the purging gas.
  • a gas-purge system and method provides a means for controlling the shutdown operation of a fuel cell test station even after power is lost, such as in an emergency stop situation.
  • Such a gas-purge system and method substantially flushes all hydrogen and oxidant out of the gas supply and exhaust lines, vessels and the fuel cell module under test.

Abstract

L'interruption brusque de l'électricité alimentant un centre d'essais de pile à combustible pendant un essai peut, dans certains cas, s'avérer nécessaire pour éviter des accidents qui pourraient endommager l'équipement et/ou les techniciens et opérateurs se trouvant à proximité. L'interruption brusque d'un essai peut, toutefois, entraîner une situation éventuellement dangereuse dans le centre d'essais de pile à combustible et dans le module de pile à combustible soumis à un test étant donné que des quantités résiduelles de combustible réactif et d'oxydant peuvent rester dans différentes parties du système. Il est, par conséquent, souhaitable de rincer les systèmes au gaz afin de réduire la possibilité d'endommagement causé par les quantités résiduelles de combustible et d'oxydant se trouvant dans le système. Cependant, étant donné que l'alimentation en électricité est arrêtée dans de telles circonstances, il n'y a pas eu, pour l'heure, d'apport de gaz de manière fiable afin d'éviter des effets secondaires indésirables, tels que le séchage des membranes se trouvant dans certaines piles à combustible. Dans certains modes de réalisation, on prévoit un système de dégazage ainsi qu'un procédé connexe, que l'on peut utiliser de manière avantageuse immédiatement après l'interruption d'électricité dont le but est d'acheminer de manière contrôlable un gaz vers un centre d'essais de pile à combustible et un module de pile à combustible soumis à un test.
PCT/CA2004/001909 2003-11-03 2004-11-02 Procede de degazage d'un centre d'essais de pile a combustible WO2005043662A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US51627903P 2003-11-03 2003-11-03
US60/516,279 2003-11-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005043662A1 true WO2005043662A1 (fr) 2005-05-12

Family

ID=34549516

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2004/001909 WO2005043662A1 (fr) 2003-11-03 2004-11-02 Procede de degazage d'un centre d'essais de pile a combustible

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2005043662A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007021871A2 (fr) * 2005-08-11 2007-02-22 Fuelcell Energy, Inc. Ensemble de controle servant a controler un systeme de pile a combustible pendant l'arret et le redemarrage

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6395414B1 (en) * 2000-02-11 2002-05-28 General Motors Corporation Staged venting of fuel cell system during rapid shutdown
US20030087138A1 (en) * 2001-11-06 2003-05-08 Margiott Paul R. Shut-down procedure for fuel cell fuel processing system
CA2450848A1 (fr) * 2002-12-04 2004-06-04 Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd. Appareil d'essai de fonctionnement et de demonstration d'un systeme de pile a combustible
WO2004092756A1 (fr) * 2003-04-17 2004-10-28 Hydrogenics Corporation Systeme et procede de restauration apres alarme pour systemes d'essai de piles a combustible

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6395414B1 (en) * 2000-02-11 2002-05-28 General Motors Corporation Staged venting of fuel cell system during rapid shutdown
US20030087138A1 (en) * 2001-11-06 2003-05-08 Margiott Paul R. Shut-down procedure for fuel cell fuel processing system
CA2450848A1 (fr) * 2002-12-04 2004-06-04 Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd. Appareil d'essai de fonctionnement et de demonstration d'un systeme de pile a combustible
WO2004092756A1 (fr) * 2003-04-17 2004-10-28 Hydrogenics Corporation Systeme et procede de restauration apres alarme pour systemes d'essai de piles a combustible

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007021871A2 (fr) * 2005-08-11 2007-02-22 Fuelcell Energy, Inc. Ensemble de controle servant a controler un systeme de pile a combustible pendant l'arret et le redemarrage
WO2007021871A3 (fr) * 2005-08-11 2008-08-14 Fuelcell Energy Inc Ensemble de controle servant a controler un systeme de pile a combustible pendant l'arret et le redemarrage
US7736777B2 (en) * 2005-08-11 2010-06-15 Fuelcell Energy, Inc. Control assembly for controlling a fuel cell system during shutdown and restart

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8057943B2 (en) Fuel cell running system, and valve-freeze preventing method in the fuel cell running system
US6960401B2 (en) Fuel cell purging method and apparatus
US20030022036A1 (en) Fuel cell controller self inspection
US8247121B2 (en) Fuel cell system with purging and method of operating the same
CN101222061B (zh) 对流转换式燃料电池系统中的氮分数的控制
US9279542B2 (en) Compressed hydrogen fueling control valve
CN108963301B (zh) 用于冷启动质子交换膜燃料电池的方法和燃料电池发电系统
JP6853913B2 (ja) 外部の試験ガス供給部への接続用の組み込まれたガス接続部を有した燃料電池システム
JP2004536436A (ja) 燃料電池蘇生方法および装置
WO2005028715A1 (fr) Systeme et procede de recuperation d'alarme pour un module a cellule d'electrolyse
CN107004876B (zh) 用于断开燃料电池堆叠的方法以及燃料电池系统
CN110010928B (zh) 一种燃料电池阳极压力保护装置及其控制方法
US8603686B2 (en) Method for remedial action in the event of the failure of the compressor bypass valve in a fuel cell system
JP2017010927A (ja) 燃料電池スタックのシャットダウン方法及びそのための燃料電池システム
CN112201812B (zh) 燃料电池系统及其气体供给方法和气体供给装置
US20060093878A1 (en) Fuel cell test station gas-purge system and method
US7491455B2 (en) Method to startup a fuel cell stack without battery derived compressor power
WO2005043662A1 (fr) Procede de degazage d'un centre d'essais de pile a combustible
CN101809794A (zh) 燃料电池系统
JP5082790B2 (ja) 燃料電池システム
CN114530615B (zh) 一种防氢空压差过大的燃料电池发动机及其控制方法
US20050277010A1 (en) Controlled process gas pressure decay at shut-down
WO2009065520A1 (fr) Procédé de détection d'une fuite dans un système à pile à combustible
JP2012209154A (ja) 燃料電池システムを制御する制御装置
CN114902459A (zh) 用于运行燃料电池系统的方法以及用于该方法的控制器

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase