System and method for purging condensate from an electrochemical cell stack prior to operation
US8153319B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and technique for purging condensate from an electrochemical cell stack prior to operating the stack in one of a power producing mode of operation and an electrochemical pumping mode of operation is provided. The system and technique include storing hydrogen in the anode and cathode chambers of the stack to place the stack in a shutdown state, purging the anode and cathode chambers of condensate prior to starting operation of the stack, and preventing a fuel starvation condition in the stack while purging by sequencing communication of a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to the anode chamber with an oxidant flow to the cathode chamber while purging the condensate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.