CATHODE FLOW CONTROL FOR FUEL CELL POWER PLANT

A system and method for regulating the total oxygen content entering the cathode side (6) of a fuel cell stack (2) at less than full power depends on measurement of: oxygen partial pressure in the cathode exhaust stream; total oxygen entering the cathode; and current produced by the stack (2). Durin...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser:	VARTANIAN, GEORGE, SCHEFFLER, GLENN W
Format:	Patent
Sprache:	eng
Schlagworte:	BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS ELECTRICITY PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Online-Zugang:	Volltext bestellen
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:	A system and method for regulating the total oxygen content entering the cathode side (6) of a fuel cell stack (2) at less than full power depends on measurement of: oxygen partial pressure in the cathode exhaust stream; total oxygen entering the cathode; and current produced by the stack (2). During partial power operation of the stack, it is desirable to limit the cathode potential, or voltage, by recycling cathode exhaust and mixing it with incoming fresh air fed into the cathodes (6). This system ensures that the total oxygen flow to the cathodes (6) remains constant at any given current by reducing the amount of fresh air flowing to the cathodes (6) as the recycled cathode exhaust flow is increased.