Patent · US Active

Method of removing residual oxygen in fuel cell by electrochemical purging

US8372552B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
1References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 20, 2009
Grant dateFeb 12, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 12, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of removing residual oxygen in a residential high temperature non-humidification fuel cell stack including at least one cathode. The method includes making the pressure in the cathode higher than that outside of the cathode and maintaining airtight sealing of the cathode of the fuel cell stack, removing the residual oxygen in the fuel cell stack, and stopping supplying of fuel to the fuel cell stack. The setting of the pressure includes blocking air flow out of the cathode, comparing the pressure in the cathode with a set pressure higher than the pressure outside the cathode, and supplying air to the cathode until the pressure in the cathode is the same as or is higher than the set pressure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.