Fuel cell system with coolant flow reversal

• US 4,582,765 A
• Filed: 08/25/1981
• Issued: 04/15/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Department Of Health And Human Services
• Original Assignee: United States Department of Energy
• Inventors: Kothmann, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hearn, Brian F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kalafut, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US06/295,976
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 429/13, 429/14, 429/17, 429/26, 429/34, 429/24, 429/120, 165/97
• US Class Current: 429/436
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/06 by affecting the pattern of flow of the heat-exchange media F28F13/003 takes precedence; static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2250/102 with change of flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0258 characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0267 having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04014 Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04029 Heat exchange using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04097 with recycling of the reactants H01M8/04119, H01M8/04104 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04768 of the coolant
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

Method and apparatus for cooling electrochemical fuel cell system components. Periodic reversal of the direction of flow of cooling fluid through a fuel cell stack provides greater uniformity and cell operational temperatures. Flow direction through a recirculating coolant fluid circuit is reversed through a two position valve, without requiring modulation of the pumping component.

Claims

1. An electrochemical generation system comprising a stack of a plurality of fuel cells;

a cooling module;

means for selectively periodically reversing the direction of flow of a coolant fluid through said cooling module;

process channels within said stack for flow therethrough of an oxidant and a fuel, and coolant channels within said cooling module segregated from said process channels, for flow of said coolant therethrough; and

wherein the surface area of said coolant channels varies through said cooling module from a large value at the center of said cooling module to a smaller value towards the edges of said cooling module.