Surge avoidance and control of a centrifugal compressor in a fuel cell system
First Claim
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1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
- a fuel cell stack including an anode flow passage and a cathode flow passage;
a fuel source connected to said anode flow passage; and
an oxidant source connected to said cathode flow passage, said oxidant source including a passage including a compressor disposed therein and a recirculation passage connecting an outlet of said compressor with an inlet of said compressor, said recirculation passage including a control valve for opening and closing said recirculation passage.
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Abstract
A fuel cell system is provided with an oxidant supply that utilizes a centrifugal compressor that has a surge control system. The surge control system provides a recirculation port from the outlet compressor back to the compressor inlet. A valve is provided in the recirculation passage that allows the system to maintain its requested pressure and flow by selective reintroduction of compressed air to the inlet of the compressor. The recirculation subjects the compressor to a higher mass flow rate where it can make more pressure without surging, and thereby returns the compressor to an “on map” situation.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A fuel cell system, comprising:
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a fuel cell stack including an anode flow passage and a cathode flow passage;
a fuel source connected to said anode flow passage; and
an oxidant source connected to said cathode flow passage, said oxidant source including a passage including a compressor disposed therein and a recirculation passage connecting an outlet of said compressor with an inlet of said compressor, said recirculation passage including a control valve for opening and closing said recirculation passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of avoiding surge in a centrifugal compressor of a fuel cell system including a cathode passage connected to a fuel cell stack with the centrifugal compressor being disposed in the cathode passage, comprising:
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detecting a pressure in a down stream outlet passage of said compressor; and
recirculating compressed gases from said outlet passage of said compressor to an inlet passage of said compressor in response to a detected incipient surge condition.
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5. A method of avoiding surge in a centrifugal compressor of a fuel cell system including a cathode passage connected to a fuel cell stack with the centrifugal compressor being disposed in cathode passage, comprising:
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detecting air flow through the cathode passage; and
recirculating compressed gasses from said outlet passage of said compressor to an inlet passage of said compressor in response to a detected incipient surge condition.
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Specification