Fuel cell system with interruption control
AssigneeBloom Energy Corporation
InventorsMatthias Gottmann, Arne Ballantine, James F. McElroy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for operating a fuel cell system during an interruption includes identifying a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system. At least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system is operated in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption. Power is provided to the first fuel cell column in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system. The second fuel cell column is operating in a normal power generation operating mode.
Claims29
A method for operating a fuel cell system during an interruption, comprising:
- identifying a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system;
- operating at least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption;
- and
- providing power to the first fuel cell column operating in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system, wherein the second fuel cell column is operating in a normal power generation operating mode.
A fuel cell system comprising:
- a plurality of fuel cell columns;
- and
- a power control system in communication with the plurality of fuel cell columns, wherein the power control system is configured to:
- identify a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system;
- operate at least a first fuel cell column of the plurality of fuel cell columns of the fuel cell system in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption;
- and
- provide power to the first fuel cell column operating in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the plurality of fuel cell columns of the fuel cell system, wherein the second fuel cell column operates in a normal power generation operating mode.
A tangible computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, upon execution, cause a power control system of a fuel cell system to:
- identify a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system;
- operate at least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption;
- and
- provide power to the first fuel cell column operating in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system, wherein the second fuel cell column operates in a normal power generation operating mode.
A method for operating a fuel cell system during a fuel supply interruption, comprising:
- identifying a fuel interruption in which an external fuel source is partially or fully unable to provide external fuel to the fuel cell system;
- providing stored fuel to at least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system such that the first fuel cell column operates in a normal power generation operating mode;
- operating at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system in an electrolysis mode such that the second fuel cell column generates fuel during the fuel interruption;
- and
- providing power to the second fuel cell column operating in the electrolysis mode from at least the first fuel cell column operating in the normal power generation operating mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.