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US 6,638,650 B1Granted
Method and apparatus for detecting transfer leaks in fuel cells and fuel cell stacks
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsRoss W. J. Bailey, David P. Wilkinson, Stephen A. Campbell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of detecting transfer leaks within a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell assemblies includes supplying reactants and inert gas to the fuel, oxidant and/or coolant manifolds of the stack, as appropriate, and measuring the voltage across at least one of the fuel cell assemblies. An apparatus for detecting transfer leaks within solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks comprises a device for measuring the voltage across at least one of the fuel cell assemblies. Transfer leaks across the polymer electrolyte membrane, and across reactant-coolant bipolar plates, may be detected according to the present method and apparatus.
Claims35
A method of detecting transfer leaks within a fuel cell stack, said stack comprising:
- a plurality of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one fuel manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies, and
- at least one oxidant manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- the method consisting essentially of:
- (a) supplying fuel to said at least one fuel manifold at a first pressure;
- (b) supplying an inert gas to said at least one oxidant manifold at a second pressure lower than said first pressure;
- and
- (c) measuring the voltage across at least one of said plurality of fuel cell assemblies.
5 more elements
A method of detecting transfer leaks within a fuel cell stack, said stack comprising
- a plurality of fuel cell assemblies each comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed therebetween,
- coolant stream passages in thermal communication with at least a portion of said fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one fuel manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one oxidant manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies, and
- at least one coolant manifold fluidly connected to said coolant stream passages, the method comprising:
- (a) supplying fuel to said at least one fuel manifold at a first pressure;
- (b) supplying oxidant to said at least one oxidant manifold at a second pressure;
- (c) supplying a gas to said at least one coolant manifold at a third pressure;
- and
- (d) measuring the voltage across at least one of said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- wherein said gas supplied to said at least one coolant manifold is selected from the group consisting of oxidant and an inert gas, and wherein said third pressure is greater than at least one of said first and second pressures.
8 more elements
A method of detecting transfer leaks within a fuel cell stack, said stack comprising
- a plurality of fuel cell assemblies each comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed therebetween,
- coolant stream passages in thermal communication with at least a portion of said fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one fuel manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one oxidant manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies, and
- at least one coolant manifold fluidly connected to said coolant stream passages,
- the method comprising:
- (a) supplying oxidant to said at least one oxidant manifold at a first pressure;
- (b) supplying a gas to said at least one fuel manifold at a second pressure;
- (c) supplying fuel to said at least one coolant manifold at a third pressure;
- and
- (d) measuring the voltage across at least one of said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- wherein said gas supplied to said at least one fuel manifold is selected from the group consisting of fuel, oxidant and an inert gas, and wherein said third pressure is greater than at least one of said first and second pressures.
9 more elements
A method of detecting transfer leaks within a fuel cell stack, said stack comprising
- a plurality of fuel cell assemblies each comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed therebetween,
- coolant stream passages in thermal communication with at least a portion of said fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one fuel manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one oxidant manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies, and
- at least one coolant manifold fluidly connected to said coolant stream passages, the method comprising:
- (a) supplying a first gas to said at least one oxidant manifold at a first pressure;
- (b) supplying a second gas to said at least one fuel manifold at a second pressure;
- (c) supplying fuel to said at least one coolant manifold at a third pressure;
- and
- (d) measuring the voltage across at least one of said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- wherein said first gas is an inert gas and said second gas is selected from the group consisting of a fuel and an inert gas, and wherein said third pressure is greater than at least one of said first and second pressures.
8 more elements
A method of detecting transfer leaks within a fuel cell stack, said stack comprising
- a plurality of fuel cell assemblies each comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed therebetween,
- coolant stream passages in thermal communication with at least a portion of said fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one fuel manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one oxidant manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies, and
- at least one coolant manifold fluidly connected to said coolant stream passages, the method comprising:
- (a) supplying an inert gas to said at least one oxidant manifold at a first pressure;
- (b) supplying fuel to said at least one fuel manifold at a second pressure;
- (c) supplying oxidant to said at least one coolant manifold at a third pressure;
- and
- (d) measuring the voltage across at least one of said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- wherein said third pressure is greater than at least one of said first and second pressures.
8 more elements
A method of detecting transfer leaks within a fuel cell stack, said stack comprising
- a plurality of fuel cell assemblies each comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed therebetween,
- coolant stream passages in thermal communication with at least a portion of said fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one fuel manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one oxidant manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies, and
- at least one coolant manifold fluidly connected to said coolant stream passages, the method comprising:
- (a) supplying fuel to said at least one coolant manifold at a first pressure;
- (b) supplying a gas to said at least one oxidant manifold at a second pressure;
- and
- (c) measuring the voltage across at least one of said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- wherein said gas supplied to said at least one oxidant manifold is selected from the group consisting of oxidant and an inert gas.
7 more elements
A method of detecting transfer leaks within a fuel cell stack, said stack comprising
- a plurality of fuel cell assemblies each comprising a membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane interposed therebetween,
- coolant stream passages in thermal communication with at least a portion of said fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one fuel manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies,
- at least one oxidant manifold fluidly connected to said plurality of fuel cell assemblies, and
- at least one coolant manifold fluidly connected to said coolant stream passages,
- the method comprising:
- (a) supplying oxidant to said at least one coolant manifold at a first pressure;
- (b) supplying fuel to said at least one fuel manifold at a second pressure;
- and
- (c) measuring the voltage across at least one of said plurality of fuel cell assemblies.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.