Fuel cell system and method for operating the fuel cell system
View Patent ↗A fuel cell system having a fuel cell unit and a means for detecting hydrogen leaks in the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system comprises components which operate at an elevated temperature and are accommodated in a gas generation system box. The gas generation system box is connected to a suction line of a pump, which has a gas sensor arranged therein.
1. A fuel cell system having a fuel cell unit, an apparatus for detecting hydrogen leaks, and components for generating gaseous fuel for the fuel cell unit, said fuel cell system comprising:
a gas generation system box, in which the components for generating gaseous fuel that operate at an elevated temperature are accommodated; and
a suction line connected to the gas generation system box.
2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 , wherein the suction line is connected to a pump.
3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 , wherein the pump is a passive vacuum pump in the form of a water jet pump.
4. The fuel cell system according to claim 2 , wherein the pump is arranged in a high-pressure line.
5. The fuel cell system according to claim 4 , wherein at least one of a needle valve and a particle filter is arranged in the high-pressure line.
6. The fuel cell system according to claim 4 , wherein a nonreturn valve is arranged in the high-pressure line.
7. The fuel cell system according to claim 4 , wherein a particle filter, a nonreturn valve and a needle valve are arranged sequentially in the high-pressure line, upstream of the pump relative to a direction of flow of a high-pressure medium.
8. The fuel cell system according to claim 4 , wherein the high-pressure line is connected to one of a high-pressure side of a compressor which supplies air to the fuel cell unit, and a fuel cell exhaust-gas line.
9. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 , further comprising a hydrogen sensor arranged in the suction line.
10. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 , wherein the suction line projects into the gas generation system box by means of a suction mock-up.
11. The fuel cell system according to claim 10 , wherein the suction mock-up comprises a pipe with holes therein.
12. A fuel cell system, comprising:
a fuel cell unit;
a gas generator connected to supply fuel gas to said fuel cell unit;
an enclosure surrounding components of said gas generator; and
a suction line connected in fluid flow communication with an interior of said enclosure.
13. The fuel cell system according to claim 12 , further comprising a gas sensor disposed in said suction line, for detecting gas leaks in said components within the enclosure.
14. An apparatus for detecting gas leaks in a fuel cell system having a gas generator for supplying fuel gas to a fuel cell unit, said apparatus comprising:
an enclosure which houses components of said gas generator;
a suction line coupled to evacuate an interior of said enclosure; and
a gas sensor disposed in said suction line.
15. A method for detecting gas leaks in a fuel cell system that includes a gas generator coupled to supply fuel gas to a fuel unit, said method comprising:
providing a housing which encloses components of said gas generator;
evacuating an atmosphere within an interior of said housing via a suction line; and
detecting gas contained in a gas flow in said suction line.