Fuel cell operational methods for hydrogen addition after shutdown

US8232014B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• David A. Arthur · Honeoye Falls, US
• Dieter Kaimann · Mainz, DE
• Thomas W. Tighe · Pulaski, US
• Steven G. Goebel · Victor, US
• John P. Salvador · Penfield, US
• Gary M. Robb · Honeoye Falls, US
• Daniel I. Harris · Honeoye Falls, US
• Joseph Nicholas Lovria · Davisburg, US
• Balasubramanian Lakshmanan · Rochester Hills, US
• Daniel T. Folmsbee · Victor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 2009
• Grant date: Jul 31, 2012
• Expiry date: Nov 24, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E60/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method for reducing the probability of an air/hydrogen front in a fuel cell stack is disclosed that includes closing anode valves for an anode side of the fuel cell stack to permit a desired quantity of hydrogen to be left in the anode side upon shutdown and determining a schedule to inject hydrogen during the time the fuel cell stack is shutdown. The pressure on an anode input line is determined and a discrete amount of hydrogen is injected into the anode side of the stack according to the determined schedule by opening anode input line valves based on the determined pressure along the anode input line so as to inject the hydrogen into the anode side of the stack.