Method for detecting compressor surge in a fuel cell system using a mass flow meter
A method for detecting compressor surge in a fuel cell system. The system includes a turbomachine compressor that delivers charge air to the cathode side of a fuel cell module. A bi-directional mass flow meter measures the airflow through the compressor, and provides an indication of a reverse airflow through the compressor for surge protection. A controller receives a signal from the mass flow meter indicative of the reverse flow. The controller controls a motor driving the compressor and a back pressure valve at the cathode exhaust of the fuel cell module to control the pressure in the fuel cell module to remove the surge condition.
1. A method for detecting and eliminating a surge condition of a compressor in a fuel cell module, said method comprising:
detecting a reverse airflow through the compressor using a bi-directional mass flow meter; and
preventing compressor surge in response to the detected reverse airflow.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein preventing compressor surge includes increasing the speed of the compressor in response to the detected reverse airflow.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein preventing compressor surge includes opening a back pressure valve in a cathode exhaust line of the fuel cell module in response to the detected reverse airflow.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein preventing compressor surge includes opening a by-pass valve in a cathode exhaust line of the fuel cell module in response to the detected reverse airflow.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the bi-directional mass flow meter detects the flow of air in both a forward and a reverse direction.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mass flow meter is positioned upstream of the compressor and receives the airflow below the compressor.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compressor is a turbomachine compressor.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compressor is selected from the consisting of centrifugal, radial, axial and mixed flow compressors.
9. A method for detecting and eliminating a surge condition of a compressor in a fuel cell system, said method comprising:
providing an airflow from the compressor to a cathode input of the fuel cell system;
measuring the airflow sent to the compressor using a bi-directional mass flow meter in both a forward direction and a reverse direction; and
preventing compressor surge in response to an airflow in the reverse direction through the compressor from the cathode input.
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein preventing compressor surge includes increasing the speed of the compressor in response to the detected reverse airflow.
11. The method according to claim 9 wherein preventing compressor surge includes opening a back pressure valve in a cathode exhaust line of the fuel cell module in response to the detected reverse airflow.
12. The method according to claim 9 wherein preventing compressor surge includes opening a by-pass valve in a cathode exhaust line of the fuel cell module in response to the detected reverse airflow.
13. The method according to claim 9 wherein the mass flow meter is positioned upstream of the compressor and receives the airflow below the compressor.
14. The method according to claim 9 wherein the compressor is a turbomachine compressor.
15. The method according to claim 9 wherein the compressor is selected from the consisting of centrifugal, radial, axial and mixed flow compressors.