Fuel cell system fluid recovery
AssigneePlug Power Inc.
InventorMichael M. Walsh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for fluid collection within a fuel cell system. The fluid collection device includes a fluid collection container which has a gas inlet, a gas outlet, at least one fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The at least one fluid inlet allows condensate to enter the fluid collection container. A fluid is contained within the fluid collection container. The gas inlet allows a purge gas to enter the fluid collection container to substantially purge the atmosphere of the fluid collection container through the gas outlet.
Claims29
A method of operating a fuel cell system comprising:
- separating water from a reactant stream;
- collecting the water in an accumulation chamber;
- purging an atmosphere of the accumulation chamber with a purge gas;
- and
- heating the water to generate steam.
A method of purging undesirable gas from a fluid container operating with a fuel cell system, said fluid container having an inlet and an outlet, said method comprising:
- providing a purge gas to said inlet, wherein said purge gas flows through said fluid container and exits through said outlet.
A method for recovering fluid from a fuel cell system, said method comprising:
- providing said fuel cell system with a fluid collection container, said fluid collection container having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;
- collecting condensate from said fuel cell system;
- transporting said condensate to said fluid collection container;
- providing a purge gas to said gas inlet, wherein said purge gas flows through said fluid collection container and exits through said gas outlet.
A fluid collection device for a fuel cell system, said fluid collection device comprising:
- a fluid collection container having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, at least one fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet, said at least one fluid inlet allowing condensate to enter said fluid collection container;
- a fluid contained within said fluid collection container;
- and
- an undesirable gas contained within said fluid collection container, wherein said gas inlet allows a purge gas to enter said fluid collection container to substantially purge said undesirable gas out of said fluid collection container through said gas outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.