Fuel cell system for promptly increasing temperature of fuel cell stack during start up operation of the fuel cell system and method of managing the fuel cell system
US8512904B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2031 |
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 a includes a cooling water temperature raising unit that raises the temperature of a fuel cell stack by passing discharge gas of a process burner or hydrogen gas of a fuel processing unit and cooling water that is heated by the discharge gas of the process burner through flow paths formed on opposing surfaces of cooling separators formed of a metal and installed between a plurality of cells in the stack. Thus in the fuel cell system, when the temperature of the stack needs to be rapidly raised, for example, during a start up operation of the fuel cell system, the temperature of the stack can be rapidly raised using discharge gas at a high temperature or combustion heat of hydrogen gas, and heated cooling water, and thereby, significantly reducing the time required for the fuel cell system to be in regular operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.