Fuel cell system and method of discharging a reaction gas from the fuel cell system
US7846596B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2029 |
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 enables time required for purging to be reduced without a major increase in discharge gas concentration at a time of purging. It comprises a fuel cell; a fuel gas supply path for supplying the fuel gas to an anode; an oxidizing gas supply path for supplying an oxidizing gas to a cathode; a fuel gas circulating path for returning an unreacted fuel gas to an anode inlet side; a dilution box for diluting the fuel gas by the oxidizing gas and for discharging it to outside; and a fuel gas discharge path connecting the fuel gas circulating path and a dilution box discharge gas inlet. A drain valve, a purge valve and an air discharge valve are provided, opening areas of which are different from one another. The drain valve with a smallest opening area is initially opened.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.