Utc Fuel Cells, LLC

Benoit Charles Olsommer

Albert P Grasso

Leonard A Bach

William T Unkert

Richard J Assarabowski

A keep warm system for a fuel cell, power plant ( ), typically of the PEM type, prevents freeze-sensitive portions of the power plant, such as the cell stack assembly (CSA) ( ) and the water management system ( ), from freezing under extreme cold external temperatures, during extended storage (CSA shut-down) periods. Pre-stored and pressurized fuel, typically hydrogen ( ), normally used to fuel the anode ( ) of the CSA, is used as fuel for a catalytic oxidation reaction at a catalytic burner ( ) to produce heated gas that convectively passes in heat exchange relation with the freeze sensitive portions ( ) of the power plant ( ). The convective flow of the heated gases induces the air flow to the burner ( ), obviating the need for parasitic electrical loads. Thermal insulating means ( ) substantially enclose the freeze-sensitive CSA ( ) and/or the water management system ( ), and the convective flow of the heated gas from the catalytic burner ( ), to improve system thermal efficiency.

Growing community of inventors

Glastonbury, CT, United States of America

Benoit Charles Olsommer