System for generating hydrogen and method thereof
An electrochemical system having a plurality of discrete electrochemical cell stacks is described. The system includes a water-oxygen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and a hydrogen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cells. A means for ventilating the system and a control system for monitoring and operating said electrochemical system, said control system including a means for detecting abnormal operating conditions and a means for degrading the performance of said electrochemical system in response to said abnormal condition.
1 . A method of generating hydrogen gas comprising the steps of:
disassociating hydrogen from a reactant;
forming hydrogen gas;
monitoring a pressure of said hydrogen gas;
comparing said pressure of said hydrogen gas to a threshold parameter; and,
generating a signal in response to said pressure being less than said threshold parameter.
2 . The method of generating hydrogen gas of claim 1 , further comprising the step of monitoring the amount of time said pressure is below said threshold parameter.
3 . The method of generating hydrogen gas of claim 2 further comprising the step of stopping the generation of said hydrogen in response to said signal.
4 . The method of generating hydrogen gas of claim 3 wherein said signal is generated if said pressure is below said threshold parameter for a predetermined amount of time.
5 . The method of generating hydrogen gas of claim 4 wherein said threshold parameter is at least 10% below the desired operating pressure.
6 . The method of generating hydrogen gas of claim 5 wherein said threshold parameter is 180 psi.
7 . The method of generating hydrogen gas of claim 6 wherein said predetermined amount of time is 200 seconds.
8 . A method of generating hydrogen gas comprising the steps of:
electrochemically separating hydrogen from water;
forming hydrogen gas;
monitoring a pressure of said gas;
comparing said pressure to a minimum threshold parameter;
measuring the length of time said pressure is less than said minimum threshold parameter; and,
generating a signal if said length of time exceeds a second parameter.
9 . The method of generating hydrogen gas of claim 8 further comprising the step of stopping said disassociation of said hydrogen from said water in response to said signal.
10 . The method of generating hydrogen gas of claim 9 wherein said minimum threshold parameter is 10% less than a desired operating pressure.
11 . The method of generating hydrogen gas of claim 10 wherein said minimum threshold parameter is 180 psi.
12 . A system for generating hydrogen gas comprising:
at least one electrochemical cell;
a hydrogen management system coupled fluidly coupled to said at least one electrochemical cell;
a pressure sensor coupled to said hydrogen management system; and,
a control panel electrically coupled to said pressure sensor.
13 . The system for generating hydrogen gas of claim 12 wherein said pressure sensor includes a means for generating a signal indicative of an actual pressure.
14 . The system for generating hydrogen gas of claim 13 wherein said control panel includes means comparing said actual pressure signal to a threshold parameter.
15 . The system for generating hydrogen gas of claim 14 wherein said control panel is electrically connected to said at least one electrochemical cell.
16 . The system for generating hydrogen gas of claim 15 wherein said control panel further includes means for stopping the operation of said at least one electrochemical cell.
17 . The system for generating hydrogen gas of claim 16 wherein said threshold parameter is 10% less than a desired operating pressure.
18 . The system for generating hydrogen gas of claim 17 wherein said threshold parameter is 180 psi.
19 . The system for generating hydrogen gas of claim 18 wherein said control panel further includes a timer means for monitoring the length of time said actual pressure is less than said threshold parameter.
20 . The system for generating hydrogen gas of claim 19 wherein said control panel timer means further includes a means for generating a signal when said length of time exceeds a predetermined time parameter.