IP Library Patent Application 12529965
Patent Application
App. No. 12/529,965

FUEL CELL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/529,965
Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel cell power generation system that includes: a fuel cell including a first membrane electrode assembly including a positive electrode for reducing oxygen, a negative electrode for oxidizing hydrogen, and a solid electrolyte membrane disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a fuel channel for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a plurality of the first membrane electrode assemblies, and a hydrogen eliminating apparatus capable of eliminating at least part of the hydrogen that is present in the system is connected to the fuel channel.

Claims (23)

1 . A fuel cell power generation system comprising:

a fuel cell including a first membrane electrode assembly including a positive electrode for reducing oxygen, a negative electrode for oxidizing hydrogen, and a solid electrolyte membrane disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and

a fuel channel for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell,

wherein the fuel cell includes a plurality of the first membrane electrode assemblies, and

a hydrogen eliminating apparatus capable of eliminating at least part of the hydrogen that is present in the system is connected to the fuel channel.

2 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen eliminating apparatus includes a second membrane electrode assembly including a positive electrode for reducing oxygen, a negative electrode for oxidizing hydrogen, and a solid electrolyte membrane disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

3 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein a flow of hydrogen that is supplied to the fuel cell can be adjusted with the hydrogen eliminating apparatus when the fuel cell is in operation.

4 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode of each of the first membrane electrode assemblies can be brought into electric conduction.

5 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the second membrane electrode assembly can be brought into electric conduction.

6 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a channel switching portion capable of switching between inflow of hydrogen to the fuel cell and intake of outside air to the fuel cell,

wherein the channel switching portion is disposed in the fuel channel between the fuel cell and the hydrogen eliminating apparatus.

7 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a channel switching portion capable of switching between inflow of hydrogen to the fuel cell and intake of outside air to the fuel cell,

wherein the channel switching portion is disposed in the fuel channel between the fuel cell and the hydrogen eliminating portion, and

outside air is taken into the system by operating the channel switching portion after a voltage of at least one of the first membrane electrode assemblies drops to 1 V or less.

8 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a channel switching portion capable of switching between inflow of hydrogen to the fuel cell and intake of outside air to the fuel cell,

wherein the channel switching portion is disposed in the fuel channel between the fuel cell and the hydrogen eliminating portion, and

outside air is taken into the system by operating the channel switching portion when a voltage of all of the first membrane electrode assemblies is 0.2 V or more.

9 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a backflow prevention portion,

wherein the backflow prevention portion can let out surplus hydrogen in the fuel cell.

10 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a backflow prevention portion,

wherein the backflow prevention portion can take outside air into the fuel cell.

11 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 1 , further comprising a hydrogen source.

12 . The fuel cell power generation system according to claim 11 , wherein the hydrogen source is a hydrogen generating material that generates hydrogen by reacting with water.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2011
From: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
To: HITACHI MAXELL ENERGY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 026564/0930 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2009
From: KASHINO, HIROSHI; YOSHIMOTO, NORIHISA; UGAWA, KOHEI; SAIBARA, SHOJI
To: HITACHI MAXELL, LTD.
Reel/Frame 023217/0905 →