A method of operating a fuel cell system includes purging heavier and lighter than air gases from a system cabinet containing at least one fuel cell stack during a single purge step, and starting-up the fuel cell system after the purging step. The system includes an air blower, a purge manifold, and a purge damper.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1-3 are schematics of fuel cell systems according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 4A-4D are three dimensional views of purge dampers according to embodiments of the invention.
Claims
1. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:
purging heavier and lighter than air gases from a system cabinet containing at least one fuel cell stack during a single purge step; andstarting-up the fuel cell system after the purging step.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein an air blower, a purge manifold, and a purge damper are located in the system cabinet.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of purging comprises:
positioning the purge damper to open a first inlet of the purge damper connected to the purge manifold and to close a second outside air inlet of the purge damper; andoperating the air blower such that purge air is drawn through the purge manifold from upper, lower and middle zones of the system cabinet.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the purge manifold comprises a first inlet located in a lower zone of the system cabinet, a second inlet located in a middle zone of the system cabinet and a third inlet located in an upper zone of the system cabinet.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising adjusting at least one of the manifold or at least one manifold inlet to adjust an amount or ratio of air being drawn into one manifold inlet compared to at least one other manifold inlet based on a type of fuel that is used in the system.
6. The method of claim 3, further comprising repositioning the purge damper to close the first inlet of the purge damper and to open the second inlet of the purge damper to a position where suction air comes from outside of the system cabinet after the purging step is completed and prior to the starting-up step.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of starting-up comprises starting up the at least one fuel cell stack to generate electricity by providing fuel to the fuel cell stack and providing air to the fuel cell stack through the second inlet of the purge damper while the first inlet of the purge damper remains closed.
8. The method of claim 3, wherein the first inlet of the purge damper is automatically opened and the second inlet of the purge damper is automatically closed in case of a power outage.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the purge damper to open a first inlet of the purge damper connected to the purge manifold and to open a second outside air inlet of the purge damper at a same time.
10. A fuel cell system, comprising:
at least one fuel cell stack;an air blower;a purge manifold; anda purge damper.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one fuel cell stack, the air blower, the purge manifold, and the purge damper are located in a system cabinet.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the air blower, the purge manifold and the purge damper are adapted in operation to purge heavier and lighter than air gases from the system cabinet during a single purge step prior to starting-up the system.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein:
the purge damper comprises a first inlet connected to the purge manifold and a second inlet connected to an outside air intake; andwhen the first inlet is open and the second inlet is closed, purge air is drawn through the purge manifold from upper, lower and middle zones of the system cabinet by the air blower.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the purge manifold comprises a first inlet located in a lower zone of the system cabinet, a second inlet located in a middle zone of the system cabinet and a third inlet located in an upper zone of the system cabinet.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein when the first inlet of the purge damper is closed and the second inlet of the purge damper is opened, the blower provides outside air from outside of the system cabinet to the at least one fuel cell stack.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the first inlet of the purge damper is automatically opened and the second inlet of the purge damper is automatically closed when no power is supplied to the purge damper.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the second inlet of the purge damper is automatically closed by at least one of a weight of a shutter located in the purge damper or by pressure from a spring acting on the shutter.
18. A fuel cell system, comprising:
a system cabinet;at least one fuel cell stack;an air blower; anda first means for purging heavier and lighter than air gases from the system cabinet containing the at least one fuel cell stack and the air blower during a single purge step.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein:
the first means comprises a purge manifold connected to a purge damper;the purge damper comprises a first inlet connected to the purge manifold and a second inlet connected to an outside air intake;the purge manifold comprises a first inlet located in a lower zone of the system cabinet, a second inlet located in a middle zone of the system cabinet and a third inlet located in an upper zone of the system cabinet;when the first inlet is open and the second inlet is closed, purge air is drawn through the purge manifold from upper, lower and middle zones of the system cabinet by the air blower; andwhen the first inlet of the purge damper is closed and the second inlet of the purge damper is opened, the blower provides outside air from outside of the system cabinet to the at least one fuel cell stack.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first inlet of the purge damper is automatically opened and the second inlet of the purge damper is automatically closed when no power is supplied to the purge damper.
Patent Application
20070231628
