Fuel cell regeneration
AssigneeCummins Inc.
InventorsRichard ANCIMER, Ashok KUMAR
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Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for fuel cell regeneration after degradation.
Claims20
A method of regenerating degradation of a fuel cell or fuel cell stack, comprising:
- monitoring time spent operating the fuel cell or fuel cell stack above a threshold voltage,
- determining a need for regenerating the degradation of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack,
- regenerating the degradation of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack, and
- ending regeneration of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack.
A fuel cell or fuel cell stack that operates at an operating current density, an operating voltage, and with an excess air ratio, comprising:
- a fuel that flows through an anode inlet of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack at a first flow rate,
- an oxidant that flows through a cathode inlet of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack at a second flow rate,
- wherein an operating time of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack is monitored if the operating voltage is higher than a threshold voltage, and
- wherein the fuel cell or fuel cell stack undergoes regeneration when required.
The fuel cell or fuel cell stack of claim 17, wherein the regeneration of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack comprises changing the operating current density of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack, changing the operating voltage, decreasing the first flow rate or decreasing the second flow rate.
The fuel cell or fuel cell stack of claim 17, wherein the regeneration of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack comprises regenerating reversible degradation of the fuel cell or fuel cell stack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.