Fuel cell system with interruption control
AssigneeBloom Energy Corporation
InventorsMatthias Gottmann, Arne Ballantine, James F. McElroy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for operating a fuel cell system during an interruption includes identifying a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system. At least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system is operated in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption. Power is provided to the first fuel cell column in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system. The second fuel cell column is operating in a normal power generation operating mode.
Claims24
A method for operating a fuel cell system during an interruption, comprising:
- identifying a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from at least a first fuel cell column and at least a second fuel cell column of the operating fuel cell system, wherein the first fuel cell column and the second fuel cell column are operating in a normal power generation operating mode providing power to the external load prior to the identified load interruption;
- operating the first fuel cell column of the operating fuel cell system in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the identified load interruption;
- and
- providing power to the first fuel cell column operating in the electrolysis mode from the second fuel cell column of the operating fuel cell system during the identified load interruption, wherein the second fuel cell column continues operating in the normal power generation operating mode during the identified load interruption.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, upon execution, cause a power control system of an operating fuel cell system to:
- identify a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from at least a first fuel cell column and at least a second fuel cell column of the operating fuel cell system, wherein the first fuel cell column and the second fuel cell column are operating in a normal power generation operating mode providing power to the external load prior to the identified load interruption;
- operate the first fuel cell column of the operating fuel cell system in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the identified load interruption;
- and
- provide power to the first fuel cell column operating in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the operating fuel cell system during the identified load interruption, wherein the second fuel cell column continues operating in the normal power generation operating mode during the identified load interruption.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.