Process and apparatus for two-stage supercharging of process air for a fuel cell
AssigneeBallard Power Systems Inc.
InventorsFalko Berg, Robert Geiser, Michael Kising, Viktor Pfeffeer, Goetz Von Esebeck, Friedrich Wirbeleit
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Abstract
In a process and apparatus for two-stage supercharging of process air for a fuel cell, in one of the two charging stages, supercharging taking place by means of a displacement machine. In the other charging stage, supercharging is performed by means of a combined expansion and compression machine. Energy is recovered from the exhaust gas of a fuel cell by means of the combined expansion and compression machine.
Claims15
A two stage process for charging process air for a fuel cell, comprising:
- supercharging said process air by means of a displacement machine in one charging stage;
- supercharging said process air by means of a combined expansion and compression machine in another charging stage;
- and
- introducing said process air into the fuel cell;
- wherein energy is recovered from exhaust gas of the fuel cell in one of said charging stages.
A method for operating a fuel cell, comprising:
- passing process air through a first supercharging stage and a second supercharging stage;
- and
- supplying said process air as an input to said fuel cell;
- wherein
- one of said first and second supercharging stages comprises a displacement machine, and the other comprises a combined expansion and compression machine;
- and
- energy is recovered from exhaust gas of the fuel cell, in one of said supercharging stages.
A fuel cell system, comprising:
- a fuel cell unit;
- a supercharging apparatus for supplying compressed air to said fuel cell unit;
- wherein,
- said supercharging apparatus includes a first supercharging stage and a second supercharging stage;
- one of said first and second supercharging stages comprises a displacement machine, and the other comprises a combined expansion and compression machine;
- and
- energy is recovered from exhaust gas of the fuel cell, in one of said first and second stages.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.