Methods and systems for elevating a temperature within a fuel cell
View Patent ↗A method for elevating a temperature within a fuel cell having a cathode, an electrolyte and an anode, includes, prior to the electrolyte reaching a minimum temperature at which oxygen ions cross the electrolyte, conducting an exothermic reaction at the cathode or the anode to elevate the temperature within the fuel cell.
1. A method of elevating a temperature within a fuel cell, said method comprising;
providing catalytic material at an anode side of said fuel cell;
inputting a fuel to said anode side; and
inputting an oxidant to said anode side, wherein an exothermic reaction occurs at said anode side of said fuel cell;
providing a catalytic material at a cathode side of said fuel cell;
inputting an oxidant to said cathode side; and
inputting a starter fuel to said cathode side, wherein an additional exothermic reaction occurs at said cathode side of said fuel cell.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising inserting a starter fuel to said anode side.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said fuel comprises a hydrogen-based fuel used for normal operation of said fuel cell.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the temperature within said fuel cell to determine when to input said oxidant to said anode side.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said oxidant is input whenever said temperature is below a minimum operating temperature.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing catalytic material at an anode side of said fuel cell comprises depositing said catalytic material on the anode.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing catalytic material at an anode side of said fuel cell comprises depositing said catalytic material throughout the anode.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing catalytic material at an anode side of said fuel cell comprises depositing said catalytic material at an anode/electrolyte interface.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said catalytic material comprises Platinum.