Abstract:
A thermal management system for high-temperature fuel cell mainly comprises a first mixer to introduce external fuel to a reformer, a reformer to adjust the gaseous fuel to a proper composition ratio and output the fuel to the anode input of the fuel cell, a second mixer to introduce external ambient air to the cathode input of the fuel cell, a cathode thermal cycle pipeline to deliver the high-temperature air from the cathode output of the fuel cell to pass through the second mixer and the reformer and also heat the second mixer and the reformer to recover the heat, an anode thermal cycle pipeline to introduce the water steam from the anode output of fuel cell, remaining fuel and thermal energy to the first mixer to mix with incoming fuel, and provide sufficient water-to-carbon ratio and the inlet temperature required for the reformer.
Abstract:
In a fuel cell stack, fuel, such as often hydrogen, electrochemically reacts with an oxidant, such as ambient air, and electric energy is generated from chemical energy. During the reaction, a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separates the fuel from the oxidant during the electrochemical process. A supply system for the fuel cell stack comprises an adjustable humidifying device for humidifying a supply gas which is supplied to the fuel cell stack, as a function of a control signal; and a dehumidifying device, which is configured to dehumidify an exhaust gas that is formed from the supply gas conducted through the fuel cell stack, and to discharge the same as a dehumidified exhaust gas. A controller, which generates the control signal, is configured from a programming and/or switching point of view to generate the control signal based on the gas temperature of the dehumidified exhaust gas.
Abstract:
The home appliance system includes a high temperature fuel cell system in which fuel is reacted with oxygen to generate electricity and super heated steam, a steam path through which the super heated steam is transferred, and a home appliance connected to the steam path to use the super heated steam.
Abstract:
Described herein are fuel cell systems and methods of using fuel cell systems. The systems include a fuel cell that generates electrical energy using hydrogen and a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel source. The fuel processor includes a reformer and a burner that heats the reformer.
Abstract:
A technique for determining the relative humidity of the cathode input airflow to a fuel cell stack that eliminates the need for a dew-point sensor. The cathode input airflow is humidified by a water vapor transfer unit that uses water in the cathode exhaust gas. The technique employs an algorithm that determines the flow of water into the cathode inlet of the stack. In one embodiment, the algorithm determines the volume flow of water through the water vapor transfer unit using the Arrhenius equation, and then converts the water volume flow to a water mole flow. The algorithm then uses the water mole flow through the water vapor transfer unit and the water mole flow of ambient air to determine the water mole flow into the cathode inlet. The algorithm then uses the water mole flow into the cathode inlet to determine the relative humidity of the cathode airflow.
Abstract:
When it is detected that the ignition switch is turned off a short period of time after the ignition switch turned on at the temperature below the freezing point, the charge threshold of a capacitor is changed to a larger charge threshold C for increasing the amount of electrical energy charged in the capacitor based on the charge threshold C. The capacitor is used for performing a scavenging process for a sufficient period of time. At the time of starting operation of the fuel cell system at the temperature below the freezing point the next time, using the electrical energy of the capacitor, a fuel cell is warmed rapidly by a heater or the like to start operation of the fuel cell system.
Abstract:
A fuel cell system installed in a fuel-cell movable body. The system includes a fuel cell for generating electric power using reaction gases; a plurality of sensors for measuring states of the fuel cell; an abnormal state detecting device for detecting an abnormal state of at least one of said plurality of sensors; a substitution possibility determining device for determining whether there are one or more substitution sensors from among said plurality of sensors, each substitution sensor outputting a signal value used for setting a substitutional value for a signal value output from the sensor whose abnormal state has been detected; and a predetermined operation control device for operating the fuel cell in a predetermined operation state when the abnormal state of the sensor is detected by the abnormal state detecting device and it is determined by the substitution possibility determining device that there is no substitution sensor.
Abstract:
A system and method in a data processor for controlling a controllable condition of a fuel cell via a control device is provided. The system and method involve (a) providing a script language comprising a control command type having an operating level field for receiving a selected operating level of the control device; (b) deriving a control command from the control command type by inserting the selected operating level of the control device into the operating level field of the control command; (c) writing a test script using the script language such that the test script includes the control command; (d) compiling the test script to provide a test program; and, (e) controlling the control device according to the test program.
Abstract:
A fuel cell system that employs an oxygen sensor for measuring the oxygen concentration in the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack. A controller provides a signal that drives a compressor providing air to a cathode input of the stack so that the compressor provides the desired oxygen to achieve the desired cathode lambda. In one embodiment, the fuel cell system also employs an airflow meter that measures the amount of air being applied to the compressor. The controller compares the oxygen input applied to the stack to the oxygen output from the stack for diagnostic purposes, such as determining the presence of leaks. A temperature sensor can be employed to measure the temperature of the cathode exhaust and a pressure sensor can be employed to measure the pressure of the cathode exhaust to compensate for water vapor in the cathode exhaust.
Abstract:
During testing, a controllable condition of the fuel cell is controlled based on a control value, and a measurable condition of the fuel cell is measured to provide a data value. A data processor receives a user-readable input value and provides a user-readable output value. The user-readable input value is converted to the control value and the data value is converted to the user readable output value. A mapped file is generated by and is accessible by the data processor. The mapped file includes a plurality of tag records including a control tag record for storing the control value and a data tag record for storing the data value.