Method and apparatus for controlling a combined heat and power fuel cell system
First Claim
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1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
- a fuel cell, a fuel supply, an oxidant supply, a power demand sensor, a heat demand sensor, and a controller;
wherein the fuel cell is adapted to receive a fuel flow from the fuel supply, and an oxidant flow from the oxidant supply;
wherein the controller is connected to each of the fuel supply, oxidant supply, power demand sensor, and heat demand sensor, and wherein the controller is further adapted to receive a power demand signal from the power demand sensor and a heat demand signal from the heat demand sensor;
wherein the controller is adapted to reduce at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no heat demand signal and no power demand signal;
wherein the controller is adapted to increase at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no heat demand signal and there is a power demand signal;
wherein the controller is adapted to increase at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no power demand signal and there is a heat demand signal; and
wherein the controller is adapted to increase at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is a power demand and a heat demand signal.
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Abstract
A cogeneration fuel cell system and associated methods of operation are provided that accommodate a demand for heat as well as a demand for electric power. The system is operated among various modes to balance heat and power demand signals. In general, a fuel cell system is coupled to a power sink and a heat sink, and a controller is adapted to respond to data signals from the power sink and the heat sink. As examples, such data signals from the heat sink may include a temperature indication or a heat demand signal (such as from a thermostat), and such data signals from the power sink may include a voltage or current measurement, an electrical power demand signal, or an electrical load.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
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a fuel cell, a fuel supply, an oxidant supply, a power demand sensor, a heat demand sensor, and a controller;
wherein the fuel cell is adapted to receive a fuel flow from the fuel supply, and an oxidant flow from the oxidant supply;
wherein the controller is connected to each of the fuel supply, oxidant supply, power demand sensor, and heat demand sensor, and wherein the controller is further adapted to receive a power demand signal from the power demand sensor and a heat demand signal from the heat demand sensor;
wherein the controller is adapted to reduce at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no heat demand signal and no power demand signal;
wherein the controller is adapted to increase at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no heat demand signal and there is a power demand signal;
wherein the controller is adapted to increase at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no power demand signal and there is a heat demand signal; and
wherein the controller is adapted to increase at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is a power demand and a heat demand signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of operating a fuel cell system, comprising:
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providing a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to a fuel cell to produce electricity;
providing the electricity to an electrical load;
transferring heat from the fuel cell to a heat sink by circulating a first coolant through a first coolant circuit, wherein the first coolant circuit is adapted to remove heat from the fuel cell and is further adapted to transfer heat to the heat sink;
measuring a thermal parameter of the heat sink;
measuring an electrical parameter of the electrical load;
measuring a performance parameter of the fuel cell;
generating a power demand signal when a power output of the fuel cell indicated by the performance parameter is less than a power requirement of the electrical load indicated by the electrical parameter;
generating a heat demand signal when the thermal parameter of the heat sink is below a predetermined level;
reducing at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no heat demand signal and no power demand signal;
increasing at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no heat demand signal and there is a power demand signal;
increasing at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no power demand signal and there is a heat demand signal; and
increasing at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is a power demand and a heat demand signal. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A fuel cell system, comprising:
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a fuel cell, a fuel processor, an oxidant supply, a power demand sensor, a heat demand sensor, a controller, and an electrochemical hydrogen separator;
wherein the fuel cell is adapted to receive a fuel flow from the fuel processor, and an oxidant flow from the oxidant supply;
wherein the controller is connected to each of the fuel supply, oxidant supply, power demand sensor, and heat demand sensor, and wherein the controller is further adapted to receive a power demand signal from the power demand sensor and a heat demand signal from the heat demand sensor;
wherein the hydrogen separator is adapted to receive the fuel flow from the fuel processor and separate hydrogen from the fuel flow into a reservoir when the hydrogen separator is activated;
wherein the controller is adapted to reduce at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no heat demand signal and no power demand signal;
wherein the controller is adapted to increase at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is no heat demand signal and there is a power demand signal;
wherein the controller is adapted to activate the hydrogen separator when there is no power demand signal and there is a heat demand signal; and
wherein the controller is adapted to increase at least one of the fuel flow and oxidant flow when there is a power demand and a heat demand signal. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification