Utc Fuel Cells, LLC

International Fuel Cells, LLC

Utc Power Corporation

Zakiul Kabir

Paul R Margiott

Vincent M Callaghan

Kazuo Saito

Joshua D Isom

Michael L Perry

Albert P Grasso

Glenn W Scheffler

Jung S Yi

George Vartanian

Joshua M Cunningham

Ha-Anh H Pho

A fuel cell power plant () includes a stack () of fuel cells, each including anodes (), cathodes (), coolant channels () and either (a) a coolant accumulator () and a pump () or (b) a condenser and cooler fan. During shutdown, electricity generated in the fuel cell in response to boil-off hydrogen gas () powers a controller (), an air pump (), which may increase air utilization to prevent cell voltages over 0.85 during shutdown, and either (a) the coolant pump or (b) the cooler fan. Operation of the fuel cell keeps it warm; circulating the warm coolant prevents freezing of the coolant and plumbing. The effluent of the cathodes and/or anodes is provided to a catalytic burner () to consume all hydrogen before exhaust to ambient. An HVAC in a compartment of a vehicle may operate using electricity from the fuel cell during boil-off.

Operating fuel cell during down time on cryogenic hydrogen boil-off

Method and apparatus for changing the state of operation of a fuel cell, such as starting the fuel cell up or shutting the fuel cell down, are disclosed. An idle load is applied to the fuel cell when the cell temperature is between about normal operating temperature and a transition temperature, and fuel and oxidizer are supplied to the fuel cell commensurate with the power delivered to the idle load. Below the transition temperature, purging/passivation procedures known in the art can be followed, and an open or dummy load applied to the fuel cell. At normal operating temperature or above a service load is applied to the fuel cell.

Method and apparatus for operating a fuel cell system

A control method and arrangement ( , I, T, P, FFL) are provided in a fuel cell power plant ( ) for regulating ( , FC) fuel flow to a steam-based fuel processing system (FPS) ( ) associated with a low-temperature fuel cell stack assembly ( ). A portion of the fuel provided by the FPS ( ) is used to provide steam for the FPS. The fuel flow to the FPS is regulated as a function of the power demand (I) on the fuel cell ( ) and at least the enthalpy of the steam (P, T), such that the steam enthalpy is regulated to meet increases and decreases in power demand without exceeding steam pressure limits. In addition to reliance on-steam pressure (P) as a fundamental measure of steam enthalpy, the control may additionally use reaction temperature (T) at, or in, a reformer, such as a catalytic steam reformer ( ), to regulate fuel flow and thus, steam enthalpy.

Fuel control for fuel-processor steam generation in low temperature fuel cell power plant

A fuel cell power plant having a plurality of functionally integrated components including a fuel cell assembly provided with a fuel stream, an oxidant stream and a coolant stream. The fuel cell power plant functionally integrates a mass and heat recovery device for promoting a transfer of thermal energy and moisture between a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream, and a burner for processing the fuel exhausted from the fuel cell assembly during operation thereof. A housing chamber is utilized in which the oxidant stream exhausted from the fuel cell assembly merges with a burner gaseous stream exhausted from the burner. The resultant airflow from the common chamber is directed back to the mass and heat recovery device as the first gaseous stream.

Functional integration of multiple components for a fuel cell power plant

A method and system are provided for controlling a fuel cell power plant ( ). A demand signal (M ) representing the anticipated current/power required by the electrical load(s) is provided. A current signal (I ) representative of the actual current drawn by the load(s) ( ) is provided. The greater of the demand signal (M ) and the current signal (I ) is selected ( ) and utilized to provide a control signal (Mx, Mx&prime;, Mx&Prime;) for regulating one or more of the reactants and coolant ( ). One or more status signals (Xp, Xp&prime;, Xp&Prime;, Vap) indicative of the status of a regulated one of more of the reactant/coolant and/or a respective operating process effected, is provided. Each status signal is transformed to a respective load capability signal ( ). The lesser of the demand signal (M ) and each of the load capability signals ( ) is selected ( ) to provide an output signal (M ) for commensurately controlling a system load ( ).

Predictive control arrangement for load-following fuel cell-powered applications

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Glastonbury, CT, United States of America

Zakiul Kabir