Fuel cell shutdown with steam purging
AssigneeVersa Power Systems, Ltd.
InventorsMichael Pastula, James Smith, Quincy Chiang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for steam purging a solid oxide fuel cell stack. Purging the SOFC stack with steam has a physical flushing effect, removing carbon monoxide containing reformate and free oxygen gas from the anode area thereby reducing the potential for nickel oxide or nickel carbonyl formation.
Claims10
A method of shutting down a solid oxide fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery subsystem and an air delivery subsystem, said method comprising the step of purging the fuel delivery subsystem with steam.
A solid oxide fuel cell stack including a fuel delivery subsystem comprising a reformer, an air delivery subsystem, and a steam purge subsystem comprising:
- (a) a water chamber or source connected to the fuel delivery subsystem upstream from the reformer;
- (b) valve means for controlling flow of water from the water chamber or source into the fuel delivery subsystem;
- and
- (c) control means for actuating the valve means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.