Method for controlling nitrogen fraction
OwnerSebastian Lienkampinventor
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Abstract
The present invention utilizes a correlation between a variance in a voltage output of fuel cell(s) of a fuel cell stack and a level of nitrogen in the anode side of the fuel cell stack. The correlation provides an indirect indication of the nitrogen level in the anode side. Based on this correlation, the variance in voltage output can be used to determine an anode effluent venting requirement to avoid nitrogen fouling of the fuel cell stack.
Claims22
A method of operating a fuel cell system having at least one fuel cell stack with an anode flow path having a bleed device downstream of an active area of the fuel cell stack, the method comprising:
- (a) operating the fuel cell stack to produce a voltage output;
- (b) determining a variance in a voltage output of at least one fuel cell of the fuel cell stack;
- and
- (c) venting anode effluent from the anode flow path based upon a correlation between said variance and nitrogen fouling of said at least one fuel cell of the fuel cell stack.
A method of operating a fuel cell stack to avoid nitrogen fouling, the method comprising:
- (a) operating the fuel cell stack to produce a voltage output;
- (b) determining a variance in a voltage output of a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell stack during-operation of the fuel cell stack;
- (c) determining a venting requirement for the fuel cell stack to avoid nitrogen fouling of the fuel cell stack based upon a correlation between said variance and nitrogen fouling of the fuel cell stack;
- and
- (d) selectively venting anode effluent from the fuel cell stack to meet said determined venting requirement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.