Long duration fuel cell system
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsWenlin Zhang, Joe Walter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A subsea fuel cell and system adapted for long duration use. The subsea fuel cell comprises a fuel cell stack and a water discharge system. In alternate embodiments, the subsea fuel cell can further comprise an impurity discharge system.
Claims45
A subsea power system, comprising:
- one or more fuel cells having water discharge systems positioned proximal a sea floor;
- and
- the one or more fuel cells communicating with subsea devices.
A subsea field, comprising:
- a subsea processing facility;
- one or more production manifolds;
- a wireless communication system;
- and
- a subsea power supply comprising one or more subsea fuel cells having water discharge systems adapted to provide power to the subsea processing facility, the one or more production manifolds, and the wireless communication system.
A method of removal of water generated by a subsea fuel cell, the subsea fuel cell comprising at least one reservoir, the method comprising:
- providing drain holes in the subsea fuel cell, the drain holes in communication with the at least one reservoir and adapted for receiving the generated water and depositing the water in the at least one reservoir;
- and
- providing a water discharge pump that discharges the water from the at least one reservoir to the surrounding seawater.
The method of claim 38, further comprising providing radial channels in the fuel cell stack adapted for carrying the generated water to the drain holes.
A method of removing impurities introduced into a fuel cell stack, comprising:
- periodically flushing impurities from the fuel and oxidizer sides of the fuel cell stack to holding chambers, and activating discharge pumps to discharge the impurities from the holding chambers into the surrounding seawater.
A long duration subsea fuel cell, comprising:
- a fuel cell stack having a water discharge pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.