US 2010/0167152 A1 · Fuel Cell System

Abstract

Disclosed is a fuel cell system (100) comprising a solid polymer fuel cell, wherein a cathode off-gas containing moisture which is discharged from a cathode of a fuel cell stack (10) is circulated and supplied back to the cathode. In addition, when flooding occurs in this fuel cell stack (10), an air pump (42), a circulation throttle (44), a supply throttle (46) and a back pressure control valve (38) are controlled for increasing the circulation amount of the cathode off-gas, thereby discharging the excess moisture. Consequently, flooding problems can be resolved in this fuel cell system while surely keeping the electrolyte membrane wet.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A fuel cell system comprising:

a fuel cell employing a solid polymer electrolyte as the electrolyte membrane;
a supply line for supplying oxidant gas to the cathode of the fuel cell;
a circulation line for circulating to the supply line cathode off-gases that were expelled from the cathode;
a circulating gas flow regulator for regulating the flow of the cathode off-gases circulating through the circulation line;
a flooding detector for detecting that flooding occurs in the fuel cell;
and
a controller for controlling the circulating gas flow regulator;
wherein when flooding is detected by the flooding detector, the controller controls the circulating gas flow regulator such that the flow of the cathode off-gases circulating through the circulation line is greater than when flooding does not occur.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fuel Cell System

Life of this patent

Fuel Cell System

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9