System and method for operating a high temperature fuel cell as a back-up power supply with reduced performance decay
US8119294B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method is provided for reducing degradation in a fuel cell assembly, including at least one fuel cell with a PBI membrane, during standby, operation. The method may include electrochemically consuming an oxidant from a cathode coupled to the PBI membrane in response to a disconnection of an external load and supplying fuel to remove or electrochemically consume any back-diffused oxidant to the associated fuel cell sufficient to replace or consume the back-diffused oxidant while the external load is removed, and/or also may include controlling a standby temperature of the fuel cell. In this way, it may be possible to avoid increased cell voltage decay associated with degradation of the PBI in a simple and cost effective system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.