Saturated vapor block for frozen fuel cell power plant
US8835067B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly having an anode and a cathode. A component is arranged in fluid connection with at least one of the anode and cathode. The component has a first shut-down cooling rate. A heat exchanger is arranged in fluid communication with and between the component and one of the anode and cathode. The heat exchanger has a second shut-down cooling rate greater than the first shut-down cooling rate. Water vapor within the fuel cell power plant outside of the cell stack assembly will condense and freeze in the heat exchanger rather than the component, avoiding malfunction of the component upon start-up in below freezing environments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.