Utc Fuel Cells, LLC

United Technologies Corporation

Utc Power Corporation

Bhimashankar V Nitta

Robert R Fredley

Benoit Olsommer

Robert J Braun

Brian Chakulski

A standard phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant has its heat exchanger removed such that a higher temperature coolant flow can be directed from the system to the generator of an absorption chiller to obtain improved efficiency in the chiller. In one embodiment, the higher temperature coolant may flow directly from the fuel cell stack to the generator and then back to the high temperature coolant loop. Either a double effect absorption chiller or a single effect absorption chiller may be used.

Fuel cell system that provides high grade heat to an absorption chiller

A fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack () employing a phosphoric acid or other electrolyte, includes a non-reactive zone () in each of a group of fuel cells between corresponding coolant plates (), the coolant entering the coolant plates in an area adjacent to the non-reactive zones (). Each fuel cell has three-pass fuel flow fields, the first pass substantially adjacent to a third zone (), remote from the first zone, the second pass substantially adjacent to a second zone contiguous with the first zone, the coolant flowing () from a coolant inlet () through the first zone, to the far side of the second zone, and () from the near side of the second zone to the third zone and thence () to a coolant exit manifold (), which assures temperatures above 150&#xb0; C. (300&#xb0; F.), to mitigate CO poisoning of the anode within the reactive zones, and assuring temperatures below 140&#xb0; C. (280&#xb0; F.) to promote sufficient condensation of evaporated electrolyte in the non-reactive zones, so as to provide a long system life.

Fuel cell coolers with inverse flow and condensation zone

A fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack () employs a group of fuel cells between corresponding cooler plates (). The system utilizes single phase coolant, the outflow of the coolant plates () being divided into a flow () just sufficient to provide adequate steam () to a fuel reformer (), the remainder of the coolant outlet flowing () directly to heat recovery and utilization apparatus (), which may include fuel cell power plant accessories (), such as chillers or boilers.

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Ellington, CT, United States of America

Bhimashankar V Nitta