A system for electrolysis power conversion includes electrolyser cells arranged as controllable series connected cell groups, a unit for electrolysis operation at a first voltage in the range of 1.0-2.5V per cell and a unit for at least intermittently drawing current from the cell groups at a second voltage at 0.4-1.0V per cell. The system includes at least one capacitor bank maintained at the first voltage and a capacitor bank maintained at the second voltage, the capacitor banks and cell groups having one pole in common and a bidirectional non-isolating DC/DC converter for connecting the first and second voltage capacitor banks. The system further includes a controller for the first and second voltages levels and a half-bridge switch pair for each controllable cell group for individually alternating between the first and second voltage levels being applied to the cell groups to prevent escalating unbalances and cell degradation.
H02M 1/44 - Circuits or arrangements for compensating for electromagnetic interference in converters or inverters
H02M 3/158 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode using devices of a triode or transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load
2.
RECIRCULATED SOLID OXIDE ELECTROLYZER CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD
An object of the invention is a recirculated solid oxide electrolyzer cell system, a cell comprising a fuel side (100), an oxygen rich side (102), and an electrolyte element (104) between the fuel side and the oxygen rich side. The system comprises at least one supersonic ejector (120) configured for recirculating (109) a fraction of gas exhausted from the fuel side (100) of each cell and for providing a desired recirculation flow rate of recirculated flow, the ejector having at least one nozzle (122); means (124) for providing at least one primary feedstock fuel fluid to said nozzle of the ejector (120), which nozzle has a convergent-divergent flow channel through which the fluid will expand from an initial higher pressure to a lower pressure; wherein the ejector (120) and possible sources of leakage are contained within structures (144) conveying non-explosive reactant to form leakage and explosive safe structure, and the system comprises a nested arrangement for at least one feed-in route (124) and an exhaust route, the arrangement being nested within the structure (144) conveying non-explosive reactant, and a trim heater (148) arranged within the structures (144) to provide heat to both fuel side (100) and oxygen rich side (102) flows.
An object of the invention is a system for electrolysis power conversion, the system comprising electrolyser cells arranged as controllable series connected cell groups (103), means (142) for electrolysis operation at a first voltage in the range of 1.0- 2.5V per cell and means (144) for at least intermittently drawing current from the cell groups at a second voltage in the range of 0.4-1.0V per cell. The system comprises at least one capacitor bank (146) maintained at the first voltage and at least one capacitor bank (148) maintained at the second voltage, the capacitor banks (146, 148) and cell groups (103) having one pole in common and at least one bidirectional non-isolating DC/DC converter (150) for connecting the first and second voltage capacitor banks. The system further comprises means (152) for controlling the first and second voltages levels and at least one half-bridge switch pair (154) for each controllable cell group (103) for individually alternating between the first and second voltage levels being applied to the cell groups (103) to prevent escalating unbalances and cell degradation.
An object of the invention is a recirculated solid oxide electrolyzer cell system, a cell comprising a fuel side (100), an oxygen rich side (102), and an electrolyte element (104) between the fuel side and the oxygen rich side. The system comprises at least one supersonic ejector (120) configured for recirculating (109) a fraction of gas exhausted from the fuel side (100) of each cell and for providing a desired recirculation flow rate of recirculated flow, the ejector having at least one nozzle (122); means (124) for providing at least one primary feedstock fuel fluid to said nozzle of the ejector (120), which nozzle has a convergent-divergent flow channel through which the fluid will expand from an initial higher pressure to a lower pressure; wherein the ejector (120) and possible sources of leakage are contained within structures (144) conveying non-explosive reactant to form leakage and explosive safe structure, and the system comprises a nested arrangement for at least one feed-in route (124) and an exhaust route, the arrangement being nested within the structure (144) conveying non-explosive reactant, and a trim heater (148) arranged within the structures (144) to provide heat to both fuel side (100) and oxygen rich side (102) flows.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Engines and motors except for land vehicles, generator equipment and energy production units integrating fuel cells for electricity and/or heat generation, namely, fuel cell power generation device for distributed power generation applications fuelled by natural gas, LNG, hydrogen or biogas; propulsion equipment, namely, fuel cell power generation device to generate electricity in marine application to power for propulsion, machines, namely, fuel cell based power generation device, engines and motors, and mechanisms, namely, fuel cell based power generation device, all in particular for watercraft, such as ships and off-shore installations; and the parts of these goods not included in other classes Apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity, namely, distribution boxes for electrical power, electrical power distribution units, electrical power distribution blocks; computer-based control systems for power plants, engines and motors, machinery and propulsion equipment for power generation; navigation systems, apparatus and equipment in the nature of computer hardware and recorded software for calculating and displaying routes; fuel cells; fuel cell installations for creating electricity and/or heat, namely, computer controlled fuel cell based power generation device to power fuel cells Power plants for the production of combined heat and electricity for heating; installations for lighting, heating, steam generation, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes integrating fuel cells, namely, heat recovery ventilators comprising heat exchangers, cooling water and air control valves, grid interface and parts thereof Installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment Organisation of training and courses in the installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment and parts thereof Engineering services and engineering consultation services for the design, operation and maintenance of power plants, propulsion equipment, navigation systems and energy production units comprising fuel cells; design of ships
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Engines and motors except for land vehicles, generator equipment and energy production units integrating fuel cells for electricity and/or heat generation, namely, fuel cell power generation device for distributed power generation applications fuelled by natural gas, LNG, hydrogen or biogas; propulsion equipment, namely, fuel cell power generation device to generate electricity in marine application to power for propulsion, machines, namely, fuel cell based power generation device, engines and motors, and mechanisms, namely, fuel cell based power generation device, all in particular for watercraft, such as ships and off-shore installations; and the parts of these goods not included in other classes Apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity, namely, distribution boxes for electrical power, electrical power distribution units, electrical power distribution blocks; computer-based control systems for power plants, engines and motors, machinery and propulsion equipment for power generation; navigation systems, apparatus and equipment in the nature of computer hardware and recorded software for calculating and displaying routes; fuel cells; fuel cell installations for creating electricity and/or heat, namely, computer controlled fuel cell based power generation device to power fuel cells Power plants for the production of combined heat and electricity for heating; installations for lighting, heating, steam generation, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes integrating fuel cells, namely, heat recovery ventilators comprising heat exchangers, cooling water and air control valves, grid interface and parts thereof Installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment Organisation of training and courses in the installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment and parts thereof Engineering services and engineering consultation services for the design, operation and maintenance of power plants, propulsion equipment, navigation systems and energy production units comprising fuel cells; design of ships
7.
RECIRCULATION ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR A HIGH TEMPERATURE CELL SYSTEM
Recirculation arrangements and methods are disclosed for high temperature fuel cell systems or electrolysis cell systems. Exemplary embodiments recirculate gas exhausted from at least one of an anode side and a cathode side. A desired recirculated flow rate is provided by an ejector supplied with at least one primary feedstock fluid and a supplementary fluid to a nozzle with a convergent-divergent flow channel. A respective ratio of the primary and supplementary fluids of the ejector maintains a desired motive flow and pressure at the nozzle to accomplish desired recirculated flow rate. The supplementary fluid is cutoff when a level of system loading is such that the primary feedstock fluid alone maintains the desired motive flow and pressure at an ejector inlet.
An object of the invention is a stack arrangement of high temperature fuel cell system or electrolysis cell system, each cell in the cell system comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, the cell system comprising the cells in cell stacks (103). The arrangement comprises the stacks (103) arranged in row arrangement, wherein the stacks are arranged side by side at least in two rows, and the arrangement comprises air feed-in ducting (120) for feeding air to the stacks (103), the ducting having air inlet ends (130), which are conveyed to a sealed air feed space (132), which is formed between the stack (103) rows having at least two sides of the air feed space enclosed by the stacks themselves. The arrangement comprises a fuel feed-in common rail (133), a fuel feed-in ducting (122) and individual feed-in channeling (131) for feeding fuel to the stacks (103), and at least one radiative heat transfer compensation element (134) along at least one of the fuel feed-in common rail (133), the fuel feed-in ducting (122), the individual feed-in channeling (131) and the air feed-in ducting (120), means (135) for performing flow and temperature balanced air feed-in flows for the stacks (103), and means (137) for performing flow balanced fuel flows in the cell system.
H01M 8/249 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies
C25B 1/10 - Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals of hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water in diaphragm cells
C25B 9/20 - Assemblies comprising a plurality of cells of the filter-press type
H01M 8/124 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte characterised by the process of manufacturing or by the material of the electrolyte
9.
Transition arrangement and process of a fuel cell system operation state
A start-up transition process is disclosed for a fuel cell system operation state, which includes utilization of predefined first and second temperature limits for the fuel cells, specifying a low temperature operating state of cells below the first limit, at which presence of carbonaceous species at the cells is precluded, a transition temperature range of cells above the first and below the second limit at which fuel flow supply is initiated to the fuel system in a mixture with air, combined with anode tail gas recirculated at a recirculation rate over 70, and an intermediate temperature operating state of the cells above the second temperature limit, at which free oxygen at the anodes.
H01M 8/04302 - Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods applied during start-up
H01M 8/04303 - Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods applied during shut-down
H01M 8/2432 - Grouping of unit cells of planar configuration
H01M 8/243 - Grouping of unit cells of tubular or cylindrical configuration
H01M 8/0612 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
H01M 8/04089 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
H01M 8/04223 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-downDepolarisation or activation, e.g. purgingMeans for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
H01M 8/124 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte characterised by the process of manufacturing or by the material of the electrolyte
10.
Control arrangement and method in fuel cell system
A control arrangement in a fuel cell system for producing electricity with fuel cells, the fuel cell system including means for recirculating fuel through the anode sides of the fuel cells, and at least one system controller in a control processor for controlling the operation of the fuel cell system. The control arrangement includes means for performing a substantially asynchronous chemical reaction rates calculation process of at least one of fuel composition and fuel flow rate to accomplish information in a substantially iterative process on at least recirculation ratio of the fuel recirculation through anodes and means for generating, in a substantially synchronous process with the system controller process, fuel utilization (FU) information and Carbon formation information by utilizing the latest available recirculation ratio information provided by said asynchronous process.
H01M 8/04992 - Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the implementation of mathematical or computational algorithms, e.g. feedback control loops, fuzzy logic, neural networks or artificial intelligence
H01M 8/0612 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
H01M 8/124 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte characterised by the process of manufacturing or by the material of the electrolyte
11.
Recirculation arrangement and method for a high temperature cell system
A method and system for high temperature fuel cell system or electrolysis cell are disclosed which include recirculating a fraction of gas exhausted from at least one of sides an anode side and a cathode side; accomplishing a desired flow rate of the recirculated flow by using an ejector via at least one primary feedstock fluid to a nozzle of the ejector, which nozzle has a convergent-divergent flow channel through which fluid is expanded from an initial higher pressure to lower pressure; providing supplementary fluid to the nozzle of the ejector; regulating respective ratio of the fluids of the ejector to maintain a desired motive flow and pressure at the nozzle of the ejector in order to accomplish desired recirculated flow rate; and cutting off the supplementary fluid when a level of system loading is the primary feedstock fluid alone maintains desired flow and pressure at ejector inlet.
H01M 8/04089 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
C25B 15/08 - Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytesRegeneration of electrolytes
F04F 5/00 - Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which fluid flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
H01M 8/0612 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
H01M 8/04082 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
H01M 8/124 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte characterised by the process of manufacturing or by the material of the electrolyte
12.
Method and arrangement for utilizing recirculation for high temperature fuel cell system
An arrangement utilizing recirculation for high temperature fuel cell system, each fuel cell including an anode side, a cathode side, and an electrolyte between the anode side and the cathode side, wherein the fuel cell system can perform anode side recirculation flow of reactants. The arrangement can accomplish a recycle ratio of 70% or more for the recirculation flow, feed to the recirculation a feed-in flow, which can include substantially high oxygen content, the feed-in flow being 30% or less of entire flow, perform heat exchanging to provide substantially reduced low temperature conditions in the recirculation flow, perform catalytic partial oxidation in the recirculation flow to produce a substantially high amount of hydrogen for the recirculation flow in fuel cell system start-up or shutdown situations, and exhaust 30% or less of the entire flow from the anode side recirculation.
H01M 8/04089 - Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
H01M 8/0612 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
H01M 8/0662 - Treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues, e.g. cleaning
The focus of the invention is a layered structure of high temperature fuel cell system, each fuel cell in the fuel cell system comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, the fuel cell system comprising the cells in cell stacks (103), air feed-in ducting (120) for feeding air to the cell stacks (103), fuel feed-in ducting (122) for feeding fuel to the cell stacks (103), an afterburner (123) for performing burning of residual gas from the anode side (100), and the fuel cell system comprising potential sources (131) of leakage of explosive gas. The layered fuel cell system structure comprises at least channeling (200) of an exhaust gas containing oxygen, and an ejector structure (127) as nested layers, the ejector structure (127) being innermost, and said ejector structure comprises motive flow nozzle ( 117), suction channeling (150), discharge channeling (151) and a mixing portion (153), said ejector suction channeling being in restricted fluid communication with said channeling (200) of exhaust gas containing oxygen, and the layered fuel cell system structure comprises reactant channeling (105) from anode side (100) outlet to the ejector suction channeling (150) being contained within structures conveying cathode gas.
The object of the invention is a start-up transition process of a fuel cell system operation state, in which process is performed utilization of predefined first and second temperature limit for the fuel cells (103), specifying a low temperature operating state of cells below the first limit, at which presence of carbonaceous species at the cells is precluded, a transition temperature range of cells above the first and below the second limit, at which is initiated fuel flow supply to the fuel system in a mixture with air, combined with anode tail gas recirculated at a recirculation rate over 70, and an intermediate temperature operating state of the cells above the second temperature limit, at which free oxygen at the anodes is precluded, bringing temperature of the cells in the system to transition temperature range to facilitate transitions between low and intermediate temperature operating states through the transition temperature range, facilitating and safeguarding reaction between fuel and free oxygen supplied at the catalytic element whenever fuel is supplied, and control of oxygen to carbon ratio of fluid at the anode sides of cells based on predefined temperature dependent boundary values by adjustment of air to fuel ratio λ of feed stocks above 0.55 λ at transition temperature range and controlling the λ of the feed stocks based on temperature information in the intermediate temperature range and further reducing λ of the feed stocks when loading (131) is applied to the fuel cells (103) to compensate for oxygen influx through the cells to the anode sides of the cells and to control fuel utilization.
The object of the invention is a recirculation arrangement for a high temperature fuel cell system or electrolysis cell system, each cell in the system comprising an anode (100), a cathode (102), and an electrolyte (104) between the anode and the cathode. The recirculation arrangement comprises at least one ejector (110) for recirculating a fraction of gas exhausted from the anode (100) side. The recirculation arrangement comprises the ejector (110) for accomplishing desired flow rate of the recirculated flow, the ejector (110) comprising at least one nozzle (114), and the recirculation arrangement comprises means (116) for providing at least one primary feedstock fluid to said nozzle (114) of the ejector (110), and means (118) for providing at least one supplementary fluid to said nozzle (114) of the ejector (110). The recirculation arrangement comprises means (120) for regulating respective ratio of at least part of the fluids of the ejector (110) to maintain required motive flow and pressure at the nozzle (114) of said ejector in order to accomplish said desired recirculated flow rate.
The focus of the invention is an assembly method for a high temperature fuel cell or electrolysis cell system, wherein cells are arranged into cell stacks (103), and at least one cell stack (103) is arranged in every cell stack group (120). In the method spacer elements (122) are arranged adjacent to each cell stack group (120), first air conveying elements (127) are arranged adjacent to each cell stack group (120), and surrounding space (124), which surrounds the stack groups (120) and the first air conveying elements (127), and is enclosed by a gas-tight cover (126). In the method is fed anode reactant to the stack groups, is exhausted anode reactant from the stack groups, is connected air from the first air conveying element (127) to a first air conveying structure (128), is arranged an essentially gas tight connection from the first air conveying elements to the adjacent stack groups (120), and the surrounding space (124) and the spacer elements (122) are arranged to operate as second air conveying structure by being in fluid connection in the spacer elements (122).
An offset control arrangement is disclosed for controlling voltage values in a fuel cell system including an anode side, a cathode side and an electrolyte between the anode side and the cathode side. The fuel cell system can include at least one fuel cell array of at least two fuel cells, and at least one load for performing load function. The offset control arrangement can include voltage monitoring for monitoring an input voltage of the load, a control processor for processing the monitoring information, and at least one offsetting source in serial connection to the at least one fuel cell array, with a power level of the offsetting source being substantially low compared to the power level of the fuel cell array, and the offsetting source being arranged to perform at least unidirectional shifting of fuel cell array output voltage.
An arrangement for improved operability of a high temperature fuel cell device at higher fuel cell voltage values than nominal voltage values, each fuel cell in the fuel cell device including an anode side, a cathode side, and an electrolyte between the anode side and the cathode side, and the arrangement includes means for determining temperature information of the fuel cells and main power converter for loading fuels cells at least up to their rated power level. The arrangement includes a non-isolating pre-regulator for reducing the fuel cell voltage to a voltage level useable for the main power converter at least at substantially low power levels in start-up and low current load situations when the fuel cell voltage is significantly higher than in nominal operation conditions, the pre-regulator being located between the fuel cells and the main power converter, and the arrangement includes bypass means for bypassing the pre-regulator at substantially high current loads when the fuel cell voltage has decreased to the voltage level suitable for an input voltage of the main power converter.
H01M 8/04 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
H02M 3/335 - Conversion of DC power input into DC power output with intermediate conversion into AC by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate AC using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
H01M 8/18 - Regenerative fuel cells, e.g. redox flow batteries or secondary fuel cells
H01M 8/12 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Engines and motors (except for land vehicles), generator
equipment and energy production units integrating fuel cells
for electricity and/or heat generation; propulsion
equipment, machines, engines and motors, and mechanisms, in
particular for watercraft, such as ships and off-shore
installations; and the parts of these goods not included in
other classes. Apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching,
transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling
electricity; computer-based control systems for power
plants, engines and motors, machinery and propulsion
equipment; navigation systems, apparatus and equipment; fuel
cells; fuel cell installations for creating electricity
and/or heat. Power plants for the production of heating (terms considered
too vague by the International Bureau - rule 13.2.b) of the
Common Regulations); installations integrating fuel cells
for lighting, heating, steam generation, cooking,
refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and
sanitary purposes and parts thereof. Installation, maintenance and repair of power plants,
engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment,
propellers and fuel cell equipment. Organisation of training and courses in the installation,
maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors,
machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell
equipment and parts thereof. Engineering services and related consultation services for
the design, operation and maintenance of power plants,
propulsion equipment, navigation systems and energy
production units comprising fuel cells; design of ships.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Engines and motors (except for land vehicles), generator
equipment and energy production units integrating fuel cells
for electricity and/or heat generation; propulsion
equipment, machines, engines and motors, and mechanisms, in
particular for watercraft, such as ships and off-shore
installations; and the parts of these goods not included in
other classes. Apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching,
transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling
electricity; computer-based control systems for power
plants, engines and motors, machinery and propulsion
equipment; navigation systems, apparatus and equipment; fuel
cells; fuel cell installations for creating electricity
and/or heat. Power plants for the production of heating (terms considered
too vague by the International Bureau - rule 13.2.b) of the
Common Regulations); installations integrating fuel cells
for lighting, heating, steam generation, cooking,
refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and
sanitary purposes and parts thereof. Installation, maintenance and repair of power plants,
engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment,
propellers and fuel cell equipment. Organisation of training and courses in the installation,
maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors,
machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell
equipment and parts thereof. Engineering services and related consultation services for
the design, operation and maintenance of power plants,
propulsion equipment, navigation systems and energy
production units comprising fuel cells; design of ships.
21.
METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR DETERMINING ENTHALPY BALANCE OF A FUEL CELL SYSTEM
The object of the invention is an arrangement comprising means (120) for providing enthalpy balance information of the fuel cell system on the basis of information of enthalpy flows accomplished by utilizing enthalpy feed in flow information provided by one or more of following means: means (122) for performing air feed in measurements to form air feed in information, means (124) for performing water flow in measurements to form water flow in information, means (126) for providing exhaust feed out information, means (128) for measuring to form electrical power production information, means (130) for measuring to form heating information of the fuel cell system, and means (134) for determining heat loss information of the fuel cell system. The arrangement comprises said means (120) for determining enthalpy balance of the fuel cell system by detecting that sum of summed information of enthalpy flows is zero or essentially near to zero, and means (136) for determining methane content information of the fuel feed on the basis of said provided enthalpy balance information.
An object of the invention is an arrangement, which comprises means (125) for measuring temperature in the afterburner (123) or substantially near the afterburner (123) to form afterburner temperature change information, means (127) for determining information on consumed fuel amount in the fuel cells (103) on the basis of the current information, means for determining information on air amount in the afterburner (123), means (133) for determining residual enthalpy change information on the basis of said afterburner temperature change information, said information on air amount in the afterburner, and on the basis of said information on consumed fuel amount in the fuel cells. The means (120) for obtaining at least one of fuel input enthalpy information and fuel input concentration information on the basis of the determined residual enthalpy change information, said means (120) being configured to determine methane content information of the fuel feed (117) by utilizing said obtained at least one of fuel input enthalpy information and fuel input concentration information.
An object of the invention is a control arrangement, which comprises means (120) as a first control mechanism for determining assumed inlet fuel composition information, means (122) for determining predicted cell voltage information, and means (124) for determining a correction term to the assumed inlet fuel composition information based on the difference between said measured cell voltage information and said predicted cell voltage information. The control arrangement comprises at least one superposed control mechanism (126, 128) to the first control mechanism for performing at least mainly tuning type control operations, which have a distinct time constant between control operations compared to the control operations of the first control mechanism, said tuning type control operations being performed for matching the assumed inlet fuel composition information to the real fuel composition during start-up or operation of the fuel cell system.
The object of the invention is a method to accomplish information of enthalpy flows on the basis of formed enthalpy feed in flow information to provide enthalpy balance information of the fuel cell system by summing information of enthalpy flows, and by detecting that sum of summed information of enthalpy flows is zero or essentially near to zero. In the method first methane content information of the fuel feed (117) is being determined on the basis of obtained at least one of fuel input enthalpy information and fuel input concentration information, and second methane content information of the fuel feed being determined on the basis of the provided enthalpy balance information. In the method is determined leakage level information of the fuel cell system on the basis of differences between the first and second methane content information, and is performed more accurate control of the fuel cell system on the basis of said determined leakage level information.
The focus of the invention is an arrangement utilizing recirculation for high temperature fuel cell system, each fuel cell in the fuel cell system comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, and the fuel cell system comprises means (109) for performing anode (100) side recirculation flow of reactants. The arrangement comprises means (120) for accomplishing recycle ratio 70 % or more for the recirculation flow, means (122) for feeding to the recirculation a feed-in flow, which comprises substantially high oxygen content, the feed-in flow being 30 % or less of entire flow, means (105) for performing heat exchanging to provide substantially low temperature conditions in the recirculation flow, means (107) for performing catalytic partial oxidation in the recirculation flow to produce a substantially high amount of hydrogen for the recirculation flow in fuel cell system start-up or shutdown situations, and means (114) for exhausting 30 % or less of the entire flow from the anode side recirculation the means (105) and (120) being arranged to provide inlet temperature of 350 °C - 500 °C to the means (107) while outlet temperature of said means (107) not exceeding 800 °C.
An exemplary arrangement and method for controlling operating conditions of a fuel cell device are disclosed. The fuel cell device having plural fuel cells, each including an anode side, a cathode side, an electrolyte between the anode side and the cathode side, and being arranted in a stack. The control arrangement includes at least one controllable electrical heater configured to produce controllable heat quantities, at least two controllers that control fuel cell quantities including at least a portion of air flowing to the fuel cells and heat applied to the stack environment. The controllable heat quantities and controllable fuel cell quantities are controlled to meet a target value. The fuel cell device includes a low level high speed controller configured to control at least one controllable electrical heater to operate the heater as a buffer for excess energy of the fuel cell device.
The object of the invention is a condensing arrangement for controlling water content of solid oxide cell anode gas in a solid oxide cell system, each cell in the cell system comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102) and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, and the cell system comprises means (108) for feeding gas used as fuel to the anode sides (100), where at least water content of said gas becomes superheated steam gas. The condensing arrangement comprises a condenser (120) comprising means (121) for receiving the superheated anode exhaust gas flow and means (122) for diffusing water to water droplets to increase surface area of the water in order to absorb heat energy from the anode exhaust gas flow by heating the water droplets and by evaporating the water droplets. The condensing arrangement also comprises a cooling element structure (124) for receiving heat energy from the anode exhaust gas flow, and means (126) for feeding water to the means (122) for diffusing water.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Engines and motors (except for land vehicles), namely, diesel engines, electric engines and motors, power tool motors or engines and motors for watercraft, ships and electric machines, generator equipment and energy production units comprising fuel cells for energy production; fuel cells as part of propulsion equipment, engines and motors for immovable installations creating energy and heat, engines and motors used in watercraft and off-shore installations for power generation on ships and boats and parts thereof; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity, namely, DC/AC inverters, DC/DC converters, circuit breakers, main switches, display panels, and control boards; computer-based control systems for power plants, engines and motors, machinery and propulsion equipment for power generation; navigation systems, apparatus and equipment for power generation; fuel cells; fuel cell installations for creating electricity and heat; power plants for the production of electricity and heat; fuel cell installations for lighting, heating, steam generation, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes; and parts thereof. (1) IInstallation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment; organization of training and courses in the installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment and parts thereof; technical services and technical consultation in the design, operation and maintenance of power plants, propulsion equipment, navigations systems and energy production units comprising fuel cells; design of ships.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Engines and motors (except for land vehicles), namely, diesel engines, electric engines and motors, power tool motors or engines and motors for watercraft, ships and electric machines, generator equipment and energy production units comprising fuel cells for energy production; fuel cells as part of propulsion equipment, engines and motors for immovable installations creating energy and heat, engines and motors used in watercraft and off-shore installations for power generation on ships and boats and parts thereof; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity, namely, DC/AC inverters, DC/DC converters, circuit breakers, main switches, display panels, and control boards; computer-based control systems for power plants, engines and motors, machinery and propulsion equipment for power generation; navigation systems, apparatus and equipment for power generation; fuel cells; fuel cell installations for creating electricity and heat; power plants for the production of electricity and heat; fuel cell installations for lighting, heating, steam generation, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes; and parts thereof; (1) Installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment; organization of training and courses in the installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment and parts thereof; technical services and technical consultation in the design, operation and maintenance of power plants, propulsion equipment, navigations systems and energy production units comprising fuel cells; design of ships.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Machinery and engines and motors (except for land vehicles), generator equipment and energy production units comprising fuel cells for energy production; Propulsion equipment, machines, engines and motors, and mechanisms, in particular for watercraft, such as ships and off-shore installations; And the parts of these goods not included in other classes. Apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; Computer-based management systems for power plants, engines and motors, machinery and propulsion equipment; Navigation systems, apparatus and equipment; Fuel cell; Fuel cell apparatus for generating electricity and/or heat. Power plants for the production of electricity and/or heat; Fuel cell installations for lighting, heating, steam generation, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes; And parts thereof. Installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment. Organisation of training and courses in the installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment and parts thereof. Civil engineering services and technical consultation in the design, use and maintenance of power plants, propulsion equipment, navigations systems and energy production units comprising fuel cells; Design of ships.
31.
METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR INDICATING SOLID OXIDE CELL OPERATING CONDITIONS
The focus of the invention is a method for indicating solid oxide cell operating conditions in a solid oxide cell system, wherein cells being formatted in cell stacks (103), air being fed into the cell stacks (103) and fuel being fed to the cell stacks (103). In the method is performed neural network stack modelling of the solid oxide cell system stacks (103) by providing one or more of the following input parameters to the neural network individual stack current value, air utilization rate, air flow rate, air inlet temperature value, fuel utilization rate, fuel flow rate, fuel composition information, cell system surroundings temperature value and heat flux to surroundings to define at least one of stack voltage value, air output temperature value, internal temperature value of stack, fuel output temperature value and leakage rate as a simulation value. The neural network stacks are modelled essentially simultaneously during operation of the solid oxide cell system, is measured at least one of stack voltage value and air output temperature value as a measurement value and is compared the simulation value and the measurement value to form a difference value, and is further compared, if the difference value is outside at least one of pre- determined stack specific operating tolerance and group of stacks specific operating tolerance.
H01M 8/04 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
G01R 31/36 - Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
H01M 8/06 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
H01M 8/12 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
H01M 8/24 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
32.
METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR DIAGNOSIS OF SOLID OXIDE CELLS OPERATING CONDITIONS
The focus of the invention is a method for diagnosis of solid oxide cells operating conditions in a solid oxide cell system, wherein cells being formed in cell stacks (103), air being fed into the cell stacks (103) and fuel being fed to the cell stacks (103). In the method is determined at least one of stack specific and group of stacks specific operation window of the solid oxide cell system stacks (103) on the basis of stack information or group of stacks information comparisons and is performed real time stack modelling of the solid oxide cell system individual stacks (103) or groups of stacks (103) essentially simultaneously during operation of the solid oxide cell system to define as monitored parameters at least one of stack voltage value, air output temperature value, internal temperature value of stack, fuel temperature value and leakage rate on the basis of input parameters of the solid oxide cell system operation provided to the stack modelling, and in the method is monitored if at least one deviation of said monitored parameters exceeds the determined operation window, and is performed fault diagnostics, when the operation window has been monitored to be exceeded.
H01M 8/04 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
G01R 31/36 - Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
H01M 8/06 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
H01M 8/12 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
H01M 8/24 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Machinery and engines and motors (except for land vehicles), generator equipment and energy production units comprising fuel cells for energy production; Propulsion equipment, machines, engines and motors, and mechanisms, in particular for watercraft, such as ships and off-shore installations; And the parts of these goods not included in other classes. Apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; Computer-based management systems for power plants, engines and motors, machinery and propulsion equipment; Navigation systems, apparatus and equipment; Fuel cell; Fuel cell apparatus for generating electricity and/or heat. Power plants for the production of electricity and/or heat; Fuel cell installations for lighting, heating, steam generation, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes; And parts thereof. Installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment. Organisation of training and courses in the installation, maintenance and repair of power plants, engines and motors, machinery, propulsion equipment, propellers and fuel cell equipment and parts thereof. Civil engineering services and technical consultation in the design, use and maintenance of power plants, propulsion equipment, navigations systems and energy production units comprising fuel cells; Design of ships.
34.
A VENTILATION ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL SYSTEM
The focus of the invention is a ventilation arrangement for high temperature fuel cell system, each fuel cell in the fuel cell system comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, the fuel cell system comprising the fuel cells in fuel cell stacks (103), air feed-in piping (130) for feeding air to the fuel cell stacks (103), fuel feed piping (132) for feeding fuel to the fuel cell stacks (103) and the fuel cell system comprising potential sources (131) of leakage of explosive gas. The ventilation arrangement comprises means (138) for arranging an insulation space (136) containing the fuel cell stacks (103) and at least part of the fuel feed piping (132), means (146) for arranging at least outward ventilation flow of the insulation space (136), means (152) for generating a negative pressure with respect to the pressure inside the insulation space to facilitate a forced ventilation flow, piping arrangement (133) for providing a defined flow route for at least the outward portion of said ventilation flow and the ventilation arrangement comprises flow monitoring means (140) for monitoring ventilation flow and gas composition to form essential leakage information and means (146, 133) to alter said defined flow route to significantly increase the amount of heat removal from the insulation space caused by said ventilation flow.
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a fuel cell system that is fed fuel and provided information on the fed fuel. The system generates information about fuel utilization in the fuel cells and oxygen to carbon ratio (O/C ratio) in the fuel cell system process and includes features for controlling a loading of the fuel cells. The fuel cell system also includes a first closed loop controller for controlling the feeding of fuel by taking into account the fuel utilization information as process feedback information, and by implementing a constraint function taking control of O/C ratio by restricting output of the first controller when said O/C ratio deviates from an allowed range, and a second controller for controlling active fuel cell loading by implementing a constraint function taking control of fuel utilization restricting output of the second controller when said fuel utilization deviates from an allowed range.
The focus of the invention is an arrangement for minimizing need for safety gases in high temperature fuel cell system, each fuel cell in the fuel cell system comprises an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, the fuel cells being arranged in fuel cell stacks (103), and the fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell system piping for reactants, and means (108) for feeding fuel to the anode sides (100) of the fuel cells. The arrangement comprises means (122) for electrical anode protection supplying a predefined voltage separately to at least two fuel cell stacks (103) or groups of fuel cell stacks (103) to prohibit oxidation of anodes (100), a source (120) of energy sufficient for providing electrical energy for at least a predetermined minimum time for said means (122) for electrical anode protection, means (124) to reduce said predefined voltage to limit anode protection current to a predefined maximum current value separately for at least two stacks (103) or groups of stacks (103), and means (126) to reliably trigger said means (122) for electrical anode protection in a situation where anode oxidation cannot be prohibited by the means (108) for feeding fuel to the anode sides (100) of the fuel cells.
The object of the invention is an offset control arrangement for controlling voltage values in a fuel cell system for producing electricity with fuel cells, each fuel cell in the fuel cell system comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102) and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, the fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell array (103) of at least two fuel cells, and at least one load (146) for performing load function. The offset control arrangement comprises voltage monitoring means (142) for monitoring input voltage of the load (146) to obtain monitoring information, a control processor (120) for processing said monitoring information, at least one offsetting source (140) in serial connection to the at least one fuel cell array (103), power level of the offsetting source (140) being substantially low compared to the power level of the fuel cell array (103), and the offsetting source (140) is being arranged to perform at least unidirectional shifting of fuel cell array output voltage to reduce voltage window apparent to the load (146) on the basis of at least one of the monitoring information and the processed monitoring information, and the offset control arrangement further comprises means (144) for disconnecting the at least one fuel cell array (103) from the load (146), when a reason for the disconnection is detected in the fuel cell system.
The focus of the invention is a heating arrangement for enhanced heating of a high temperature fuel cell device, each fuel cell in the fuel cell device comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, the fuel cell device comprising the fuel cells in a structure of fuel cell stacks (103) and means (132) for determining essential temperature information of the fuel cells. The heating arrangement comprises first and second heating means (120, 122) arranged to perform combined radiative and convective heating of the fuel cell stacks (103) by comprising the first heating means (120) for performing radiative heating of the fuel cell stacks (103) from outside the structure of the fuel cell stacks (103) and second heating means (122) for performing convective heating of the fuel cell stacks (103) from inside the structure of the fuel cell stacks (103) to arrange essentially homogenous heating of the stacks (103).
The object of the invention is an arrangement for improved operability of a high temperature fuel cell device at higher fuel cell voltage values than nominal voltage values, each fuel cell (103) in the fuel cell device comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, and the arrangement comprises means (132) for determining essential temperature information of the fuel cells (103) and main power converter (123) for loading fuels cells at least up to their rated power level. The arrangement comprises a non-isolating preregulator (122) for reducing the fuel cell voltage to a voltage level useable for the main power converter (123) at least at substantially low power levels in start-up and low current load situations when the fuel cell voltage is significantly higher than in nominal operation conditions, said pre-regulator (122) being located between the fuel cells (103) and the main power converter (123), and the arrangement comprises bypass means (408) for by- passing the pre-regulator (122) at substantially high current loads when the fuel cell voltage has decreased to the voltage level suitable for an input voltage of the main power converter.
The object of the invention is an arrangement for enhancing heating properties of a high temperature fuel cell device, each fuel cell (103) in the fuel cell device comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, and the arrangement comprises at least one heating source for heating the fuel cells (103) and means for determining essential temperature information of the fuel cells (103). The arrangement comprises means (122) to provide a part of the fuel cells (103) with voltage and current to facilitate an electrolysis mode of operation producing hydrogen, means (123) to simultaneously load another part of the fuel cells and means (109) for circulating fuel through the anode sides (100) of the fuel cells (103) to supply at least part of the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis to the fuel cells (103) being loaded.
A fuel cell system arrangement is disclosed for controlling an Oxygen-to-Carbon (O/C) relationship by providing water to an anode side fuel recirculation, pumping the provided water to facilitate a water flow, and evaporating water from the facilitated water flow for generating pressurized steam having at least the motive pressure for a steam jet-ejector. The at least one steam jet-ejector can inject at least part of the steam to the fuel cell system, and entrain part of an essentially low pressure anode exhaust gas stream in the anode side gas recirculation and compress the gas mixture to an intermediate pressure of the fuel feed-in stream for controlling the Oxygen-to-Carbon (O/C) relationship in the fuel side of the fuel cell system.
Exemplary systems and methods for adjusting current values in a fuel cell system for producing electricity with fuel cells, include drawing major part of the current from at least one serial connection. An adjusting circuit adjusts current values by drawing or supplying current of at least one stack of individual fuel cell stacks or current of at least one group of the groups of stacks within the serial connection. The adjusting circuit is integrated with the at least one stack of individual fuel cell stacks or with the at least one group of the groups of stacks. Compensation current of the at least one stack or group is a small percentage of a major part of the current in the serial connection of stacks.
The focus of the invention is a control arrangement for controlling oxidation of a reformer (107) in a fuel cell system, each fuel cell in the fuel cell system comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), and an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, and the fuel cell system comprising a main pipe line (122) for flowing fuel in the fuel cell system and the reformer (107) for converting the fuel to a composition suitable for the fuel cells. The control arrangement (128) comprises an oxygen source (123) for providing oxygen in the control arrangement (128), a diluting gas source (124) for providing diluting gas in the control arrangement (128), means (132) connected to both the oxygen source (123) and to the diluting gas source (124) for mixing oxygen from the oxygen source (123) and gas being circulated back from the reformer (107) in the control arrangement (128) into diluting gas from the diluting gas source (124) to provide feeding of oxidation gas to the reformer (107), means for forming oxygen content information from the gas circulation of the control arrangement (128), and control means (138) for controlling oxygen content of the gas circulation by controlling at least the amount of provided oxygen into the feeding of oxidation gas to the reformer (107) on the basis of the oxygen content information.
The object of the invention is an arrangement for avoiding earth fault currents in electrically heated fuel cell systems, each fuel cell in the fuel cell device comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, the fuel cells being arranged in a form of fuel cell stacks (103), and the arrangement comprises means (132) for determining essential temperature information of the fuel cells. The arrangement comprises at least one isolating DC-DC (Direct Current-Direct Current) converter (130) for loading of the stacks (103), said converter comprising a galvanic isolation stage (135) and power electronic switching means (137) for performing bi-directional power flow (144) through the galvanic isolation stage (135), at least one heating resistor (138) connected to the fuel cell stack (103) side of the galvanic isolation stage (135), and active control means (136) for performing modulation controlling of the at least one heating resistor (138). The arrangement also comprises said active control means (136) for utilizing the means (137) for performing bi-directional power flow (144) through the galvanic isolation stage (135) to supply power to the at least one heating resistor (138) by exceeding at least occasionally the power output level of the fuel cell stacks (103).
The invention relates to a method to guide gas streams in a fuel cell system (1), said fuel cell system (1) including at least one fuel cell unit (5) comprising fuel cell stacks (6), where fuel cells include an anode side and a cathode side, a recuperator unit (29) for preheating a supply flow (14) of the cathode side, and a central duct (20) housing at least the supply and exhaust line (10, 11) of the anode side of the fuel cells. According to the invention, inside the central duct (20) the said supply and exhaust line (10, 11) of the anode side are arranged to locate inside an exhaust line (15) of the cathode side before said recuperator unit (29). The invention also relates to an arrangement implementing the method.
The focus of the invention is a control method for a fuel cell device utilizing fuel, which comprises essentially varying species content values, in which method fuel cells of the fuel cell device are arranged to fuel cell stacks (103), and the fuel is flown through the anode sides (100) of the fuel cells in said stacks. In the control method acoustic signals are transmitted into the fuel flow by transmitters (124, 125), and the transmitted acoustic signals are received from the fuel flow by receivers (126, 127) to form measurement information, which is processed at least on the basis of time differences of the received acoustic signals to determine fuel flow velocity and average acoustic speed information of the fuel. In a separate fuel analysis process is formed content information of at least one species in the fuel, which content information is utilized together with said average acoustic speed information for determination of contents of last two species in fuel composition to determine the fuel composition for controlling at least fuel utilization rate and O/C ratio of the fuel cell device on the basis of the determined fuel composition and the determined fuel flow velocity.
Disclosed is a cooling arrangement for a high temperature fuel cell system for reducing the amount of purge gas in a system shutdown situation. The cooling arrangement comprises: a coolant source (120) capable of providing coolant to be used in a cooling process of the high temperature fuel cell system during the system shutdown situation, a cooling structure (122) in connection to the coolant source (120) and arranged in a thermal effect area of the fuel cell stacks (103) for receiving heat from the fuel cell stacks and transferring received heat to the coolant, means (124) for feeding said coolant into the cooling structure (122) from the coolant source (120), means (126) for exhausting used coolant from the cooling structure, and means (136) for utilizing a triggering force to trigger a coolant flow in the cooling structure, when the system shutdown situation has started.
The focus of the invention is a control arrangement for controlling operating conditions of a fuel cell device, which produces electricity with fuel cells (103), each fuel cell in the fuel cell device comprising an anode side (100), a cathode side (102), an electrolyte (104) between the anode side and the cathode side, and the fuel cells are arranged to be in stack formation, the fuel cell device comprising load (126) for fuel cells, a controller (130) for said load for fuel cells, means (132) for determining essential temperature information of the fuel cells, and the fuel cell device has been arranged to be parallel connected to electrical network (125) for producing electrical current to electrical network. The control arrangement comprises: at least one controllable electrical heater (134a, 134b) for operating as a device producing heat quantities as controllable heat quantities both in normal operation conditions and in power imbalance situations, and at least two controllers (134, 135, 136, 137, 138) for controlling as controllable fuel cell quantities at least amount of air flow to the fuel cells (103) and heat applied to the stack environment for controlling at least one of the controllable heat quantities and controllable fuel cell quantities essentially to a target value, and a low level high speed controller (134a) for controlling in power imbalance situation said at least one controllable electrical heater (134b) to operate said heater as a buffer for excess energy of the fuel cell device.
A method is disclosed for monitoring galvanic isolation of a fuel cell device. At least one stack of fuel cells and at least one load circuit for fuel cells are arranged to an electrically freely floating configuration towards at least one structure near fuel cells. A controlled switching is performed via at least two switching points to at least one measurement element having known impedance in connection to the at least one structure. Measurements are performed from the measurement element to form voltage information. The voltage information and at least voltage information between switching points are processed to check floatages of fuel cells in relation to said at least one structure.
A method is disclosed for producing electrical current by a fuel cell device, which inputs electrical current to an electrical network. A fuel cell device can be arranged to be parallel connected to the electrical network. A phase reference signal can be utilized in the inputting of the electrical current, and electrical current inputted to electrical network can be current controlled by a power transformer having a power stage. The fuel cell device can be switched off from the electrical network when a malfunction occurs in the electrical network. The fuel cell device can be changed, using the phase reference signal, to the switched off operation mode for performing voltage controlled operation of the power transformer. A controllable load can be used for maintaining a power stability between the voltage controlled power transformer and other parts of the fuel cell device. When the malfunction has vanished, the fuel cell device can be changed, using the phase reference signal, to a switched on operation mode for performing current controlled operation of the power transformer.
H02J 3/38 - Arrangements for parallelly feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
H01M 8/04 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
H02M 7/48 - Conversion of DC power input into AC power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
