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Method for early detection of membrane failures of fuel cell stacks and fuel cell system component defects

A fuel cell stack, fuel cell technology, applied in fuel cells, fuel cell additives, electrical components, etc., can solve the problems of average cell voltage reduction, undetectable, etc.

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-01-02
GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Because a large portion of the membrane does thin, the average cell voltage decreases, and the relative difference between the average and minimum cell voltages may not be indicative of a membrane thinning and spanning problem
Furthermore, it has been shown that at high stack current densities (where the anode and cathode flow rates are high), anodic and cathodic stoichiometry generally overcomes the problem of crossover, where this problem may not be detectable

Method used

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  • Method for early detection of membrane failures of fuel cell stacks and fuel cell system component defects
  • Method for early detection of membrane failures of fuel cell stacks and fuel cell system component defects
  • Method for early detection of membrane failures of fuel cell stacks and fuel cell system component defects

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Embodiment Construction

[0060] The following discussion of embodiments of the present invention relating to systems and methods for detecting possible membrane failure in fuel cells of a fuel cell stack based on a multiplicative factor between minimum cell voltage and stack current density is merely exemplary in nature, And in no way is it intended to limit the invention or its application or uses.

[0061] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a fuel cell system 10 including a fuel cell stack 12 . A compressor 16 provides air flow to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack 12 on cathode input line 14 through a water vapor transfer (WVT) unit 18 which humidifies the cathode input air. Cathode exhaust is output from the stack 12 on a cathode exhaust line 20 . A cathode exhaust line 20 directs the cathode exhaust to the WVT unit 18 to provide water vapor for humidifying the cathode input air. A bypass line 28 is disposed around the WVT unit 18, and a bypass valve 24 is disposed in the bypass line 28...

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Abstract

The invention relates to a method for early detection of membrane failures of fuel cell stacks and fuel cell system component defects. Specifically, the invention provides a system and a method for determining a possible failure of membranes in the fuel cells for a fuel cell stack. The method includes monitoring the stack current density and the minimum cell voltage of the fuel cells in the stack. If both the minimum cell voltage and the stack current density are below predetermined values, then the method multiplies scaling factors of the minimum cell voltage and the stack current density to provide a membrane failure factor. If the membrane failure factor is greater than a threshold, then an indication is given of a possible membrane failure.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for detecting possible membrane failure of a fuel cell in a fuel cell stack, and more particularly to a system and method for detecting possible membrane failure of a fuel cell in a fuel cell stack comprising the following aspects and Method: Determine if the multiplication factor determined from the minimum cell voltage and the stack current density is greater than a predetermined multiplication factor indicative of possible failure. Background technique [0002] Hydrogen is a very attractive fuel because it is clean and can be used to generate electricity efficiently in fuel cells. A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical device comprising an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte in between. The anode receives hydrogen and the cathode receives oxygen or air. Hydrogen is dissociated at the anode to generate free protons and electrons. Protons pass through the electrolyte to the cath...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): H01M8/04
CPCH01M2008/1095H01M8/04664G01R31/00H01M8/04Y02E60/50H01M8/04589H01M8/04992H01M8/04552
Inventor B.麦默拉夫B.克劳泽
Owner GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC