Diagnosis and remediation of low anode hydrogen partial pressure in a PEM fuel cell system
US8673515B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 27, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for preventing anode reactant starvation. The system includes a hydrogen source, an anode bleed valve, and a cell voltage monitor. The system also includes an anode sub-system pressure sensor and a controller configured to control the anode sub-system. The controller determines the average cell voltage and estimates the hydrogen molar fraction and/or nitrogen molar fraction in the anode sub-system. The controller also receives measurement data from the cell voltage monitor and the pressure sensor, and determines whether there is a decrease in the minimum cell voltage in response to changes in the anode pressure. If the controller detects a decrease in the minimum cell voltage in response to changes in the anode pressure, the controller corrects for the decrease by increasing anode pressure and/or by decreasing the molar fraction of nitrogen in the anode sub-system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.