Fuel cell based power generator with pressure controlled anode loop
A controller for a fuel cell based power generator includes a memory and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive a pressure in an anode loop of the fuel cell based power generator, wherein the anode loop includes a hydrogen generator and an anode loop blower, and control the anode loop blower such that the hydrogen generator provides hydrogen to an anode of a fuel cell via the blower and the anode loop at a controlled pressure. In further embodiments, the temperatures of the fuel cell and hydrogen generator are independently controlled.
1. A method of operating a fuel cell based power generator, comprising:
providing, by a hydrogen generator, hydrogen to an anode of a fuel cell via an anode loop connected to provide hydrogen from the hydrogen generator to the anode of the fuel cell, the anode loop including a water exchanger coupled between the anode and hydrogen generator to provide water to hydrogen in the anode loop, and the hydrogen generator such that hydrogen is recirculated from the anode to the hydrogen generator, and an anode loop blower coupled between the hydrogen generator and the anode such that the fuel cell generates an amount of electricity;
receiving a pressure value in the anode loop; and
controlling the anode loop blower such that the hydrogen generator provides hydrogen to the anode of a fuel cell via the anode loop blower and the anode loop at a controlled pressure.
2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:
determining whether the pressure value in the anode loop exceeds an upper threshold pressure value or a lower threshold pressure value;
modifying, by the controller, a speed of the anode blower by:
increasing the speed of an anode loop blower in response to the pressure value in the anode loop exceeding the lower threshold pressure value; and
decreasing the speed of the anode loop blower in response to the pressure value in the anode loop exceeding the upper threshold pressure value; and
providing, by the fuel cell, the amount of electricity to a charge storage device coupled to the fuel cell.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further includes replacing a fuel cartridge of the hydrogen generator by removing a fuel cartridge of the hydrogen generator, wherein removing the fuel cartridge mechanically closes an inlet valve and an outlet valve of the hydrogen generator.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein replacing the fuel cartridge of the hydrogen generator further includes installing a new fuel cartridge in the hydrogen generator, wherein installing the new fuel cartridge mechanically opens the inlet valve and the outlet valve of the hydrogen generator.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further includes pre-heating the fuel cell based power generator during startup of the fuel cell based power generator by:
heating the fuel cell via heater tape such that the fuel cell is heated to its operating temperature; or
turning on, by the controller, the anode loop blower and a cathode loop blower to provide hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell such that a fuel reaction process begins in the fuel cell that generates heat to heat the fuel cell to its operating temperature.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further includes:
filling the anode loop with hydrogen gas via an external hydrogen tank connected to the anode loop during startup of the fuel cell based power generator; and
purging, via a purge valve located on the anode loop and a purge valve located on the anode loop, inert gas from the anode loop while the hydrogen gas from the external hydrogen tank fills the anode loop during the startup as the fuel cell begins to generate the amount of electricity.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the water exchanger is coupled to transfer water from a cathode of the fuel cell to hydrogen in the anode loop.
8. A method of operating a fuel cell based power generator, comprising:
providing, by a hydrogen generator, hydrogen to an anode of a fuel cell via an anode loop that includes a hydrogen generator to provide hydrogen in the anode loop in response to water, an anode loop blower, the anode, and a humidifier to recirculate wet hydrogen back to the hydrogen generator such that the fuel cell generates an amount of electricity;
receiving a pressure value in the anode loop; and
controlling the anode loop blower such that the hydrogen generator provides hydrogen to the anode of a fuel cell via the anode loop blower and the anode loop at a controlled pressure by:
determining whether the pressure value in the anode loop exceeds an upper threshold pressure value or a lower threshold pressure value;
modifying, by the controller, a speed of the anode blower by:
increasing the speed of an anode loop blower in response to the pressure value in the anode loop exceeding the lower threshold pressure value; and
decreasing the speed of the anode loop blower in response to the pressure value in the anode loop exceeding the upper threshold pressure value.
9. The method of claim 8 and further comprising providing, by the fuel cell, the amount of electricity to a charge storage device coupled to the fuel cell.