Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to heating a high temperature fuel cell system with an electrical heater powered by a fuel cell.

IPC Classes  ?

• 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
• H01M 8/0267 - CollectorsSeparators, e.g. bipolar separatorsInterconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
• H01M 8/04225 - 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 during start-up
• H01M 8/04701 - Temperature

Abstract

A fuel cell power system and method for identifying and compensating for variations identified in a fuel composition of a fuel cell power system, comprising the fuel cell system components selected from the group consisting of a catalytic oxidizer, a reformer, an exhaust, a fuel cell stack or system, or a combination thereof; and a control device configured to control the fuel cell system components, wherein the control device comprises a computer algorithm to indirectly correlate measurements of the fuel cell system components to a difference in the fuel composition.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01M 8/00 - Fuel cellsManufacture thereof
• H01M 8/24 - Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
• H01M 8/04537 - Electric variables
• 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 8/2475 - Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks

Abstract

The subject matter described herein generally relates to a sensor and method for monitoring gas quality of a fuel reformer in a fuel cell system or a power generation system.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01M 8/0444 - ConcentrationDensity

Abstract

The subject matter described herein generally relates to a fuel cell power module and air handling system and methods of operating such a system to enable robust exhaust energy extraction for high altitude.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01M 8/04 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids

Abstract

An intermediate solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stage and methods for inspecting an assembled portion of an SOFC are presented. One method for inspecting an assembled portion of an SOFC includes applying a pneumatic constraint to a fluid, where the fluid is in communication with the assembled portion of the SOFC, determining a quality control parameter of the assembled portion of the SOFC in response to the pneumatic constraint, and ascertaining health of the assembled portion of the SOFC based on the quality control parameter. The assembled portion of the SOFC includes a metallic interconnect, where the metallic interconnect includes a flow field.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01M 3/04 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
• H01M 8/12 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
• H01M 8/10 - Fuel cells with solid electrolytes

Abstract

A fuel cell power generation plant is disclosed. The plant includes fuel cell systems, each of which includes a fuel cell stack, sensors, actuators, a DC-DC converter and a microcontroller. The stack is coupled to a DC bus via the converter. The microcontroller communicates with the sensors, the actuators and the converter, and is configured to acquire sensor data from the sensors and obtain control signals for the actuators and the converter. The plant further includes an inverter coupled with the converter of each system via the DC bus and coupled to a power load, a first power line communication (PLC) modem coupled with the microcontroller of each system, a second PLC modem coupled with the first PLC modem via the DC bus; and a plant controller coupled with the second PLC modem and communicating with the inverter. A method of communication for use in a fuel cell power generation plant is also disclosed.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60L 58/30 - Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack having an anode and a cathode, an anode recirculation loop including the anode, a fuel supply device for providing a fuel gas via a fuel feed path, an air-supply device for providing air to the cathode, an anode blower for driving circulation through the loop. The loop has a first path and a second path, and the anode is arranged in the second path. The fuel feed path and the first path are combined to form the second path, and the second path is split into the first path and a fuel exhaust path. A switching element is located in at least one of the first path and the combining point and is configured to force the fuel gas to flow through the second path to the fuel exhaust path in the event of failure of the anode blower.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01M 8/04 - Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
• H01M 8/04228 - 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 during shut-down
• H01M 8/04303 - Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems applied during specific periods applied during shut-down
• H01M 8/04313 - Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variablesProcesses for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
• H01M 8/04664 - Failure or abnormal function