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US 2003/0143439 A1Published application
Configuration enabling rapid fuel cell power from sub-freezing initial condition
AssigneeUTC Fuel Cells, LLC
InventorsHarold T. Couch, Frederick Sribnik
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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.
Claims22
A quick start system for enabling rapid fuel cell power from sub-freezing initial conditions comprising:
- a cell stack assembly having a sump containing water;
- a heat exchanger;
- first feed means for feeding a heat source to the heat exchanger;
- a source of antifreeze coolant;
- and
- second feed means for feeding antifreeze coolant to the heat exchanger for heating same and passing the heated antifreeze coolant to the sump for heating the water in the sump.
3 more elements
A method for providing a quick start for a fuel cell from sub-freezing initial conditions, comprising the steps of:
- providing a cell stack assembly having a sump containing ice;
- providing a heat exchanger;
- feeding a source of heat to the heat exchanger;
- feeding a source of antifreeze coolant to the heat exchanger for heating same;
- feeding the heated antifreeze coolant to the sump for melting a portion of the ice to water;
- and
- passing the water from the sump to a flash vaporizer where it is mixed with a fuel and a combustion product from a catalytic combustor and vaporized to provide a hot air and steam feed for the cell stack assembly start up.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.