Utc Fuel Cells, LLC

Utc Power Corporation

Harold T Couch

Gennady Resnick

Carl Anthony Reiser

David A Condit

Deliang Yang

Matthew P Wilson

Frederick Sribnik

Emily A Dykeman

A cell stack assembly () coolant system comprises a coolant exhaust conduit () in fluid communication with a coolant exhaust manifold () and a coolant pump (). A coolant inlet conduit () enables transportation of the coolant to the coolant inlet manifold. The coolant system further includes a bypass conduit () in fluid communication with the coolant exhaust manifold and the coolant inlet manifold, while a bleed valve () is in fluid communication with the coolant exhaust conduit and a source of gas. Operation of the bleed valve enables venting of the coolant from the coolant channels, and through a shut down conduit (). An increased pressure differential between the coolant and reactant gases forces water out of the pores in the electrode substrates (). An ejector () prevents air form inhibiting the pump. Pulsed air is blown () through the coolant channels to remove more water.

Method and apparatus for the operation of a cell stack assembly during subfreezing temperatures

The air blower () of a fuel cell power plant () is used to force water out of the coolant flow fields () of a fuel cell stack (), a coolant pump () and a heat exchanger () through a valve () which is closed during normal operation. The water removal occurs as part of a shutdown procedure in which the fuel cell stack continues to operate so that it provides the power for the air pump and to assist in water removal (such as retaining low vapor pressure). The water flow to an accumulator () is blocked by a valve () during the shutdown procedure.

Purging water with reactant air pump powered by operational fuel cell system during shutdown

A start system for enabling rapid fuel cell power from sub-freezing initial conditions in a fuel cell power plant which comprises heating an antifreeze coolant source and melting ice in the sump of a cell stack assembly with the heated antifreeze to effect start up.

Configuration enabling rapid fuel cell power from sub-freezing initial condition

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Simsbury, CT, United States of America

Harold T Couch