Shut-down procedure for fuel cell fuel processing system
AssigneeUTC Fuel Cells, LLC
InventorsPaul R. Margiott, Christopher W. Callahan, Michael L. Perry, Glenn W. Scheffler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel cell system that includes fuel processing components, such as a reformer and shift converter, for converting an organic fuel to hydrogen, is shut-down by disconnecting the fuel cell from its load and purging the fuel processing components of residual hydrogen with a flow of air. The purge air may be forced through the components in series or in parallel, using a blower; or, the purge air may be allowed to enter the components through a low inlet, whereupon the air rises through the components by natural circulation and exits through a high outlet, along with the residual hydrogen.
Claims17
In the operation of a fuel cell system comprising (A) a fuel cell and (B) a source of organic fuel, (C) a source of air, and (D) a fuel processing system for converting an organic fuel into hydrogen, the fuel processing system comprising multiple catalytic fuel processing components, including a fuel reformer in series flow relationship with a catalytic shift converter, wherein, during fuel cell operation, a load is connected across the cell and organic fuel from the source is directed, in series, through the catalyst bed of the fuel reformer, the catalyst bed of the shift converter, and fuel cell anode flow field, a procedure for shutting down the fuel cell and fuel processing system comprising the steps of:
- a. disconnecting the load from the cell and halting the flow of organic fuel from the source to the fuel processing system;
- and, then
- b. purging the reformer of residual hydrogen by flowing air through the reformer catalyst bed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.