Method for improving the cold starting capability of an electrochemical fuel cell
US6479177B1 · kind B1 · utility
47Cited by
8References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of ceasing operation of an electric power generation system improves the cold start capability and freeze tolerance of a fuel cell stack by reducing the amount of water remaining within the passages of the stack. The method involves purging one or more of the fuel cell stack oxidant and fuel passages at shutdown prior to allowing the fuel cell stack to drop to temperatures below the freezing point of water. Preferably purging at shutdown is conducted at a temperature below the stack operating temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.