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US 6,686,078 B1Granted
Method of reformer operation to prevent fuel cell flooding
AssigneePlug Power Inc.
InventorDaniel O. Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for regulating a supply of reformate to a fuel cell in which the method includes receiving exhaust oxidant from the fuel cell, combining the exhaust oxidant and fuel to form reformate, and providing the reformate to the fuel cell.
Claims26
A method for supplying reformate to a fuel cell, the method comprising:
- receiving fuel at a reformer at a fuel flow rate;
- receiving a first oxidant flow at the reformer at a first oxidant flow rate;
- combining the fuel and the first oxidant flow to form a first reformate flow;
- providing the first reformate flow to the fuel cell;
- substituting a second oxidant flow for the first oxidant flow at the reformer at a second oxidant flow rate wherein the second oxidant flow comprises exhaust oxidant from the fuel cell, and the second oxidant flow rate differs from the first oxidant flow rate;
- combining the second oxidant flow and the fuel to form a second flow of reformate which substitutes for the first reformate flow;
- and
- controlling an accumulation of water in the fuel cell by providing the second flow of reformate to the fuel cell.
5 more elements
A fuel cell system comprising:
- a fuel cell;
- a reformer for forming reformate for use in the fuel cell;
- means for providing a first flow of oxidant to said reformer at a first flow rate;
- and
- means for inhibiting water accumulation in said fuel cell by substituting a second flow of oxidant to said reformer for the first oxidant flow, wherein the second flow has a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate and comprises exhaust oxidant from said fuel cell.
2 more elements
A method for controlling fuel cell flooding, the method comprising:
- receiving fuel at a reformer at a fuel flow rate;
- receiving a first oxidant flow at the reformer at a first flow rate, the first oxidant flow comprising a first percentage of oxygen;
- combining the fuel and the first oxidant flow to form a first reformate flow;
- providing the first reformate to the fuel cell to produce electricity at a first production rate;
- receiving a second oxidant flow at the reformer at a second flow greater than the first flow rate, the second oxidant flow substituting for the first oxidant flow and comprising a second percentage of oxygen less than the first percentage of oxygen per unit time;
- combining the fuel and the second oxidant flow to form a second flow of reformate;
- controlling an accumulation of water in the fuel cell by providing the second flow of reformate to the fuel cell.
4 more elements
A method for supplying reformate to a fuel cell, the method comprising:
- receiving fuel at a reformer at a fuel flow rate;
- receiving a first oxidant flow at the reformer at a first oxidant flow rate;
- combining the fuel and the first oxidant flow to form a first reformate flow;
- providing the first reformate flow to the fuel cell;
- substituting a second oxidant flow for the first oxidant flow wherein the second oxidant flow comprises exhaust oxidant from the fuel cell;
- combining the second oxidant flow and the fuel to form a second flow of reformate which substitutes for the first reformate flow;
- and
- controlling an accumulation of water in the fuel cell by providing the second flow of reformate to the fuel cell;
- wherein the providing the first reformate to the fuel cell produces electricity at a first production rate and wherein the providing the second reformate flow produces electricity at substantially the first production rate.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.