Shut-down procedure for fuel cell fuel processing system
US6828048B2 · kind B2 · utility
19Cited by
10References
17Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.