US 12,476,264 B2
System for rebalancing a pressure differential in a fuel cell using gas injection
Robert S. Fournier, West Hartford, CT (US); Thomas J. Voytek, Newtown, CT (US); and Joseph M. Daly, Bethel, CT (US)
Assigned to FuelCell Energy, Inc., Danbury, CT (US)
Filed by FuelCell Energy, Inc., Danbury, CT (US)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/352,621.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/042,355, filed on Jun. 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0399318 A1, Dec. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. H01M 8/04089 (2016.01); H01M 8/0438 (2016.01); H01M 8/04746 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/04104 (2013.01) [H01M 8/04432 (2013.01); H01M 8/04761 (2013.01); H01M 8/04783 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell module comprising:
an anode having an anode inlet configured to receive anode feed gas and an anode outlet configured to output anode exhaust into an anode exhaust conduit; and
a cathode having a cathode inlet configured to receive cathode feed gas and a cathode outlet;
an anode exhaust processing system fluidly coupled to the anode exhaust conduit;
a gas injection system disposed downstream of the anode outlet and upstream of the anode exhaust processing system, the gas injection system comprising at least one tank in fluid communication with a gas supply, the at least one tank configured to contain gas received from the gas supply, wherein the at least one tank is structured to provide a flow of gas into the anode exhaust conduit; and
an anode exhaust recirculation system fluidly coupled downstream of the anode exhaust processing system, the anode exhaust recirculation system configured to recirculate anode exhaust from the anode exhaust processing system to the anode exhaust conduit;
wherein the at least one tank is fluidly coupled to at least one controlling valve, the at least one controlling valve configured to maintain a pressure within the at least one tank at a predetermined set point;
wherein the gas injection system is configured to inject a gas within the anode exhaust conduit upon detection of an under-pressurization condition of the anode; and
wherein the anode exhaust recirculation system is configured to recirculate anode exhaust from the anode exhaust processing system to the anode exhaust conduit responsive to a determination that the pressure within the at least one tank is below the predetermined set point.