Air distribution method and controller for a fuel cell system
An airflow control system and method for a fuel cell includes a compressor that supplies air to a storage chamber for storing the air. Fuel cell subsystems are connected to the air storage chamber. Each of the fuel cell subsystems includes a flow controller and flow sensor. A sensor measures air pressure in the storage chamber. A controller polls the flow controllers of the fuel cell subsystems for a minimum required air pressure for the fuel cell subsystems. The controller selects a highest minimum required air pressure. The controller controls the compressor to provide the highest minimum required pressure in the air storage chamber. The air storage chamber includes tubing, a manifold or both.
1. A method for controlling airflow to fuel cell subsystems in a fuel cell, comprising the steps of:
supplying air to an air storage chamber;
connecting a plurality of fuel cell subsystems to said air storage chamber;
sensing air pressure in said air storage chamber; and
polling each of said fuel cell subsystems for a minimum required air pressure.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
selecting a highest minimum required air pressure based on said minimum required air pressure for each of said fuel cell subsystems; and
maintaining said highest minimum required air pressure in said air storage chamber.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said air is provided by a compressor.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said air storage chamber includes tubing providing fluid coupling between an air source and each of said plurality of fuel cell subsystems.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said air storage chamber includes a manifold interposed between an air source and each of said plurality of fuel cell subsystem.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said air storage chamber includes a manifold in fluid communication with an air source and tubing providing fluid coupling between said manifold and each of said plurality of fuel cell systems.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of periodically polling said plurality of fuel cell subsystems for said minimum required air pressure.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of fuel cell subsystems includes a flow controller and a flow sensor.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said flow controller includes an electronic throttle valve and said flow sensor includes a hot wire anemometer.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fuel cell subsystems include a component that is selected from the group consisting of combustors, partial oxidation reformer, preferential oxidation reactor, fuel cell stacks, a cathode inlet of a fuel cell stack, and an anode inlet of a fuel cell stack.