IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,482,076
Granted Patent B2
US 7,482,076 · App. 11/149,688 · Granted Jan 27, 2009

Fuel cell stack humidification method incorporating an accumulation device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,482,076
App. No.
11/149,688
Granted
Jan 27, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of fuel cell stack humidification is provided incorporating the use of an accumulation device. The method provides for feeding back humid anode exhaust gas of the fuel cell stack to the fuel cell inlet and switching the anode inlet and outlet of the fuel cell stack for achieving better homogeneity of humidity along the fuel cell channels.

Claims (13)

1. A method for operating a fuel cell having at least two openings for fuel gas inlet and outlet, comprising:

supplying fuel gas to one of said at least two openings;

storing exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least two openings in an expansion reservoir;

switching the supply of fuel gas to said other of said at least two openings; and

introducing the stored exiting fuel gas to the supply of fuel gas going to said other of said at least two openings.

2. A method for orerating a fuel cell having at least two openings for fuel gas inlet and outlet, comprising:

supplying fuel gas to one of said at least two openings;

recycling exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least two openings to said one of said at least two openings, said recycling occurring simultaneously with said supplying of fuel gas to said one of said at least two openings; and

switching the supply of fuel gas to said other of said at least two openings, wherein said recycling includes drawing the exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least openings to a venturi tube in said one of said at least two openings.

3. A method for operating a fuel cell having at least two openings for fuel gas inlet and outlet, comprising:

supplying fuel gas to one of said at least two openings;

recycling exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least two openings to said one of said at least two openings; and

switching the surpply of fuel gas to said other of said at least two openings, said switching occurring after said recycling, wherein said recycling includes drawing the exiting fuel gas from the other of said at least two openings to a venturi tube in said one of said at least two openings.