Fuel cell control system and method responsive to low purity hydrogen fuel conditioning operations

Abstract

Fuel cell control systems and methods responsive to low purity hydrogen fuel conditioning operations are provided. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack including an anode electrode, a first gas diffusion layer disposed adjacent the anode electrode and defining an anode volume, a cathode electrode, a second gas diffusion layer disposed adjacent the cathode electrode, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. One or more hydrogen injectors are configured to inject hydrogen fuel into the first gas diffusion layer. A bleed valve is in fluid communication with the anode volume of the first gas diffusion layer. A controller is configured to receive a hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and, in response to a change in the hydrogen purity, to at least one of selectively reduce a maximum output power of the fuel cell stack and increase a flow through the bleed valve.

Description

[0001] introduction

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of presenting the general context of this disclosure. The work of the inventors currently named herein, to the extent it is described in this section, and aspects of this description that may otherwise not qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor implicitly acknowledged as prior art to this disclosure. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to fuel cells, and more particularly to a fuel cell controller responsive to hydrogen fuel purity adjustment operations. Background Technology

[0004] Fuel cells can be used to power loads. Loads can include the battery systems of electric vehicles and / or other types of loads for mobile or stationary applications. A fuel cell typically includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a proton exchange membrane (also known as a polymer electrolyte membrane) (PEM). The PEM is arranged between the cathode and anode electrodes.

[0005] Hydrogen molecules (H2) are supplied to the anode electrode, and air (containing oxygen molecules (O2)) is supplied to the cathode electrode. Hydrogen ions (H+) from the hydrogen molecules... + ) passes through the PEM, and electrons (e - The oxygen flows through the load connected between the anode and cathode electrodes. Hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen recombine at the cathode electrode to form water. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack comprising an anode electrode, a first gas diffusion layer arranged adjacent to the anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a second gas diffusion layer arranged adjacent to the cathode electrode, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. One or more hydrogen injectors are configured to inject hydrogen fuel into the first gas diffusion layer. A controller is configured to receive the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and selectively adjust the operation of the fuel cell system in response.

[0007] Among other features, a hydrogen purity sensor is configured to measure the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and output the hydrogen purity to a controller. The controller receives the hydrogen purity from an external source. The controller includes a maximum current density calculation module configured to calculate the maximum current density. The controller also includes a maximum impurity calculation module configured to calculate the maximum impurities in the hydrogen fuel.

[0008] Among other features, the controller includes a maximum power regulation module configured to regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity level in the hydrogen fuel. A vent valve is in fluid communication with the anode volume. The controller includes a vent valve regulation module configured to regulate the flow rate through the vent valve in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity level in the hydrogen fuel.

[0009] Among other features, the controller includes: a maximum power regulation module configured to selectively regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity level in the hydrogen fuel; and a vent valve regulation module configured to selectively regulate the flow rate through a vent valve in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity level in the hydrogen fuel. A vehicle includes a fuel cell system.

[0010] A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack comprising an anode electrode, a first gas diffusion layer arranged adjacent to the anode electrode and defining an anode volume, a cathode electrode, a second gas diffusion layer arranged adjacent to the cathode electrode, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. One or more hydrogen injectors are configured to inject hydrogen fuel into the first gas diffusion layer. A vent valve is in fluid communication with the anode volume of the first gas diffusion layer. A controller is configured to: receive the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel, and in response to a change in hydrogen purity, selectively reduce at least one of the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack and increase the flow rate through the vent valve.

[0011] Among other features, a hydrogen purity sensor is configured to measure the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and output the hydrogen purity to a controller. The controller receives the hydrogen purity from an external source. The controller includes a maximum current density calculation module configured to calculate a maximum current density. The controller includes a maximum impurity calculation module configured to calculate the maximum impurities in the hydrogen fuel. The controller includes a maximum power regulation module configured to regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of the maximum current density and the maximum impurities in the hydrogen fuel.

[0012] Among other features, the controller includes a vent valve regulating module configured to regulate the flow rate through the vent valve in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity level in the hydrogen fuel. The controller also includes a maximum power regulating module configured to selectively regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity level in the hydrogen fuel. A vehicle includes a fuel cell system.

[0013] This application also includes the following technical solutions:

[0014] Option 1. A fuel cell system, comprising:

[0015] Fuel cell stacks, which include:

[0016] Anode electrode;

[0017] A first gas diffusion layer is arranged adjacent to the anode electrode;

[0018] Cathode electrode;

[0019] A second gas diffusion layer is arranged adjacent to the cathode electrode; and

[0020] A proton exchange membrane (PEM) is arranged between the anode and cathode electrodes;

[0021] One or more hydrogen injectors configured to inject hydrogen fuel into a first gas diffusion layer; and

[0022] A controller is configured to receive the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and, in response, selectively adjust the operation of the fuel cell system.

[0023] Option 2. The fuel cell system according to Option 1 further includes a hydrogen purity sensor, which is configured to measure the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and output the hydrogen purity to the controller.

[0024] Option 3. The fuel cell system according to Option 1, wherein the controller receives hydrogen purity from an external source.

[0025] Option 4. The fuel cell system according to Option 1, wherein the controller includes a maximum current density calculation module configured to calculate the maximum current density.

[0026] Option 5. The fuel cell system according to Option 4, wherein the controller includes a maximum impurity calculation module configured to calculate the maximum impurity of the hydrogen fuel.

[0027] Option 6. The fuel cell system according to Option 5, wherein the controller includes a maximum power regulation module configured to regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of the maximum current density and the maximum impurities in the hydrogen fuel.

[0028] Option 7. The fuel cell system according to Option 5 further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the anode volume.

[0029] Option 8. The fuel cell system according to Option 7, wherein the controller includes a vent valve regulating module configured to regulate the flow rate through the vent valve in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity in the hydrogen fuel.

[0030] Option 9. The fuel cell system according to Option 7, wherein the controller includes:

[0031] A maximum power regulation module, configured to selectively regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of the maximum current density and the maximum impurities in the hydrogen fuel; and

[0032] A vent valve regulating module is configured to selectively regulate the flow rate through the vent valve in response to at least one of the maximum current density and the maximum impurities in the hydrogen fuel.

[0033] Option 10. A vehicle including the fuel cell system according to Option 1.

[0034] Option 11. A fuel cell system, comprising:

[0035] Fuel cell stacks, which include:

[0036] Anode electrode;

[0037] A first gas diffusion layer is arranged adjacent to the anode electrode and defines the anode volume;

[0038] Cathode electrode;

[0039] A second gas diffusion layer is arranged adjacent to the cathode electrode; and

[0040] A proton exchange membrane (PEM) is arranged between the anode and cathode electrodes;

[0041] One or more hydrogen injectors configured to inject hydrogen fuel into a first gas diffusion layer;

[0042] A vent valve in fluid communication with the anode volume of the first gas diffusion layer; and

[0043] The controller is configured to receive the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and, in response to changes in hydrogen purity, selectively reduce the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack and increase the flow rate through the vent valve at least once.

[0044] Option 12. The fuel cell system according to Option 11 further includes a hydrogen purity sensor configured to measure the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and output the hydrogen purity to the controller.

[0045] Option 13. The fuel cell system according to Option 11, wherein the controller receives hydrogen purity from an external source.

[0046] Option 14. The fuel cell system according to Option 11, wherein the controller includes a maximum current density calculation module configured to calculate the maximum current density.

[0047] Option 15. The fuel cell system according to Option 14, wherein the controller includes a maximum impurity calculation module configured to calculate the maximum impurity of the hydrogen fuel.

[0048] Option 16. The fuel cell system according to Option 15, wherein the controller includes a maximum power regulation module configured to regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity in the hydrogen fuel.

[0049] Option 17. The fuel cell system according to Option 15, wherein the controller includes a vent valve regulating module configured to regulate the flow rate through the vent valve in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity in the hydrogen fuel.

[0050] Option 18. The fuel cell system according to Option 15, wherein the controller includes a maximum power regulation module configured to selectively regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of the maximum current density and the maximum impurities in the hydrogen fuel.

[0051] Option 19. The fuel cell system according to Option 15, wherein the controller includes a vent valve regulating module configured to selectively regulate the flow rate through the vent valve in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity in the hydrogen fuel.

[0052] Option 20. A vehicle including the fuel cell system according to Option 11.

[0053] Further areas of applicability of this disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0054] This disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0055] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of an example fuel cell according to the present disclosure;

[0056] Figure 2 Examples of gases and fluids flowing into and out of the anode electrode according to this disclosure are illustrated;

[0057] Figures 3A to 3E This is a functional block diagram of an example controller according to the present disclosure, which is configured to control a fuel cell system in response to sensing and / or receiving hydrogen fuel purity;

[0058] Figure 4 This is a graph illustrating an example of the maximum percentage of supported impurities as a function of current density;

[0059] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for disabling the filling of an H2 storage tank in response to H2 purity, according to this disclosure;

[0060] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for adjusting the maximum output power of a fuel cell in response to H2 purity according to this disclosure;

[0061] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for adjusting the maximum output power of a fuel cell in response to measured H2 purity, according to this disclosure; and

[0062] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for adjusting the position of a relief valve in response to a measured H2 purity, according to this disclosure.

[0063] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals may be used repeatedly to identify similar and / or identical elements. Detailed Implementation

[0064] Although the controller for a fuel cell system according to this disclosure is described in the context of a fuel cell system for a vehicle, the fuel cell system can be used to generate electricity in other types of mobile or stationary applications.

[0065] Fuel cell systems, including proton exchange membranes (or polymer electrolyte membranes) (PEMs), require high-purity hydrogen (H2) fuel for optimal performance and durability. When the purity of the H2 fuel is lower than desired, irreversible damage to the fuel cell stack can occur, and the stack's lifespan may be shortened. Fuel cell systems typically include controllers that rely on models assuming high H2 purity. As a result, fuel cell stacks are susceptible to the effects of low-impurity H2 fuel.

[0066] In some examples, the fuel cell system according to this disclosure includes an H2 purity sensor configured to measure the H2 purity of the H2 fuel. An example of an H2 purity sensor is shown and described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 19 / 014,059, filed January 8, 2025, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In some examples, the H2 purity sensor is located on a vehicle including the fuel cell, or on a fuel cell assembly in other applications. In other examples, the H2 purity sensor is located separately from the vehicle including the fuel cell or the fuel cell assembly.

[0067] In some examples, when the H2 purity of the H2 fuel is lower than desired, the fuel cell controller adjusts (e.g., reduces) the fuel cell's power output level, maintains the fuel cell's power output level, and compensates by increasing purging through an anode vent valve, and / or a combination thereof. In some examples, the controller estimates the minimum acceptable H2 purity and / or estimates the maximum supportable output power based on the H2 purity. Allowing the fuel cell to operate with H2 fuel of lower purity provides additional flexibility during the operation of the fuel cell system.

[0068] For reference Figure 1 The fuel cell stack 10 includes an anode electrode 20, a membrane 28, and a cathode electrode 36. Gas diffusion layers 40 and 44 are arranged adjacent to the anode electrode 20 and the cathode electrode 36, respectively. Hydrogen molecules (H2) are supplied to the gas diffusion layer 40 of the anode electrode 20. Oxygen molecules (O2) are supplied to the gas diffusion layer 44 of the cathode electrode 36. The membrane 28 converts hydrogen ions (H2O) into hydrogen molecules (O2O) into hydrogen molecules (O2O) and oxygen ... + Electrons (e) are transferred to the cathode electrode 36. - The oxygen molecules (O2) and hydrogen ions (H2) pass through an external circuit 46, such as a load or battery, to the cathode electrode. + Water (H2O) is generated and output by the gas diffusion layer 44.

[0069] For reference Figure 2H2 fuel and an inert gas (such as nitrogen molecules N2) are introduced into the anode volume of anode 76. N2 permeation occurs from the cathode volume of cathode 78 (due to the use of air as the source of molecular O2). H2 permeation may occur from anode 76. A vent valve 80 can be used to vent the gas stream from anode 20. The size of vent valve 80 determines the flow rate of the vented gas, which, when vent valve 80 is fully open, can be removed from anode 76 to compensate for lower purity H2 fuel. The vented gas stream includes H2, N2, and / or water (H2O) vapor.

[0070] The anode mass balance equation and the anode N2 balance equation are as follows:

[0071]

[0072] Replace equation (2) with equation (1).

[0073]

[0074] in This corresponds to the molar flow rate passing through the relief valve. It is the molar flow rate from the H2 ejector. It is the molar flow rate consumed by power generation. It is the molar flow rate of N2 permeating from the cathode to the anode. This corresponds to the molar flow rate of H2 permeation from the anode and leakage losses, and Pct. N2_An It represents the percentage of N2 that permeates from the cathode.

[0075] Maximum supported current density j max yes:

[0076]

[0077] Where N cell It is the number of fuel cells, A actv Let F be the effective area of ​​the fuel cell, and F be the Faraday constant. Using the maximum current density j known from equation (5)... max The maximum impurity (Pct) of H2 fuel from the injector Impurity_N2 The calculation is as follows:

[0078]

[0079] For reference Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe fuel cell control system includes a controller 120 configured to control an H2 injector 122 to supply H2 fuel from an H2 storage tank 124 to the anode 20 of the fuel cell stack 10. The controller 120 is configured to selectively open and close (and / or change and open) a vent valve 80 to regulate the vent flow rate. The gas flow is supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell stack 10.

[0080] The controller 120 uses H2 purity to regulate the operation of the fuel cell stack 10. Figure 3A In this system, controller 120 receives H2 purity from an external source. Examples of external sources of hydrogen purity include an operator inputting hydrogen purity using the vehicle's interface 134. In some examples, interface 134 is part of the infotainment system 130.

[0081] In other examples, the infotainment system 130 includes an application or app 132 that uses a telematics system 136 to retrieve the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen filling station. The telematics system 136 communicates wirelessly with the server 140 and the application or app 142 via a distributed communication system 144 (such as a wired or wireless LAN, the Internet, etc.). In some examples, the server 140 is remote, and the connection is wireless. In other examples, the server 140 is located locally deployed and is wirelessly or directly connected to the vehicle data bus during refilling.

[0082] In some examples, the H2 purity and amount of the added H2 fuel, along with the H2 purity of the H2 fuel and the amount already present in the H2 tank, are used to calculate the new H2 purity of the H2 fuel in the H2 tank after filling.

[0083] exist Figure 3B In this embodiment, hydrogen purity sensor 210 is used to measure H2 purity. In some examples, hydrogen purity sensor 210 is arranged in H2 storage tank 124 and configured to measure the purity of the H2 fuel obtained in H2 storage tank 124.

[0084] exist Figure 3C In the controller 120-1, there are components configured to calculate the maximum current density j. max Maximum current density calculation module 220. Controller 120 includes modules configured to calculate maximum impurity Pct. Impurity_N2 Maximum impurity calculator 224. Controller 120-1 includes a maximum output power regulation module 228 that reduces the output of the fuel cell (e.g., reduces the load on the fuel cell) until higher purity H2 fuel is available.

[0085] exist Figure 3D In the controller 120-2, there are components configured to calculate the maximum current density j. maxMaximum current density calculation module 220. Controller 120 includes modules configured to calculate maximum impurity Pct. Impurity_N2 Maximum impurity calculator 224. Controller 120-2 includes a vent valve regulating module 232 that increases the flow through the vent valve until higher purity H2 fuel is available.

[0086] exist Figure 3E In the controller 120-3, there are components configured to calculate the maximum current density j. max The controller 120 also includes a maximum current density calculation module 220. The controller 120 further includes a module configured to calculate the maximum impurity Pct. Impurity_N2 Maximum impurity calculator 224. Controller 120-3 includes a maximum output power regulation module 228 and a vent valve regulation module 232 to allow additional degrees of control freedom when regulating operation to accommodate lower purity H2 fuel.

[0087] Now for reference Figure 4 Based on a set of assumptions using Equation (8), the maximum supported impurity percentage is expressed as (in amperes / cm). 2 The maximum supported impurity percentage decreases as the current density increases (in units). In some examples, controller 120 reduces the maximum current load output by the fuel cell based on or in response to a decrease in the H2 purity of the H2 fuel. In some examples, controller 120 increases the maximum current load output by the fuel cell based on or in response to an increase in the H2 purity of the H2 fuel. In some examples, controller 120 increases the opening of the vent valve to compensate for the decrease in the H2 purity of the H2 fuel.

[0088] For reference Figures 5 to 8 This illustrates an operational example of a fuel cell stack responding to a measured or received H2 purity reading. As can be understood, in Figure 5 Some or all aspects of the method shown in Figure 9 can be compared with those in... Figure 5 Combine some or all aspects of the other parts of the method shown in Figure 9.

[0089] exist Figure 5 In this method, at point 310, it determines whether the H2 tank is being filled. At point 314, the method receives the H2 purity of the H2 fuel from a remote device, a purity sensor, and / or an operator. If the H2 fuel purity is greater than a first purity threshold TH1 at point 318, the controller enables the filling of the H2 fuel tank at point 322. In some examples, the method opens a valve and / or sends an enable message to the H2 filling station. In some examples, the method requests the amount of H2 fuel to be added and calculates the final H2 purity of the H2 fuel in the H2 tank. If the H2 fuel purity is not greater than the first purity threshold TH1, the method disables the filling of the H2 fuel tank at point 326.

[0090] Now for reference Figure 6 The method determines at 360 whether the H2 tank is being filled. At 364, the method receives the H2 purity of the H2 fuel from a remote device, purity sensor, and / or operator. In some examples, the method requests the amount of H2 fuel to be added at 368 and calculates the final H2 purity of the H2 fuel in the H2 tank. If the H2 fuel purity is less than a second purity threshold TH2, the method adjusts the maximum output power at 376 in response to the H2 fuel purity. If the H2 fuel purity is greater than the second purity threshold TH2, the method does not adjust the maximum output power at 378.

[0091] Now for reference Figure 7 At 410, the H2 purity of the H2 fuel in the H2 storage tank is measured using a hydrogen purity sensor. At 414, the method determines whether the H2 purity is greater than a third threshold TH3. If 414 is true, the method operates the fuel cell stack at maximum power at 418. If 414 is false, the method determines whether the H2 purity is greater than a fourth threshold TH4 at 424. If 424 is true, the method adjusts the maximum power output at 428 in response to the measured H2 purity. If 424 is false, the method stops operating at 432.

[0092] Now for reference Figure 8 At 460, a sensor measures the H2 purity of the H2 fuel in the H2 storage tank. At 464, the method determines whether the H2 purity is greater than a third threshold TH3. If 464 is true, the method operates the fuel cell stack at maximum power at 468. If 464 is false, the method determines whether the H2 purity is greater than a fourth threshold TH4 at 472. If 474 is true, the method adjusts the position of the vent valve or the vent valve's operating duty cycle at 478 in response to the measured H2 purity. If 474 is false, the method does not adjust the position of the vent valve at 482.

[0093] This disclosure provides enhanced control of the H2 concentration at the anode in response to H2 fuel purity as input. The controller avoids insufficient H2 in the fuel cell stack and the corresponding reduction in fuel cell stack durability due to low-purity H2 fuel. The control system prevents fuel cell power generation failure / interruption due to low-purity H2 fuel. The control system can be used to estimate the maximum supportable fuel cell system power based on H2 fuel purity.

[0094] In some examples, the fuel cell system selectively accepts or rejects H2 fuel from the H2 filling station based on the purity of the H2 fuel at the time the fuel filling station system is started.

[0095] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is by no means intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or its use. The broad teachings of this disclosure can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes specific examples, its true scope should not be so limited, as other modifications will become apparent upon study of the drawings, specification, and the following claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within the method may be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without altering the principles of this disclosure. Furthermore, although each embodiment is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of this disclosure may be implemented in any other embodiment and / or combined with features of any other embodiment, even if such combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the arrangement of one or more embodiments with each other remains within the scope of this disclosure.

[0096] Spatial and functional relationships between components (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms including “connection,” “joint,” “coupled,” “proximity,” “closest,” “above,” “under,” and “set.” Unless explicitly described as “direct,” when describing the relationship between the first and second components in the above disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which no other intermediary element exists between the first and second components, or an indirect relationship in which one or more intermediary elements (either spatially or functionally) exist between the first and second components. As used herein, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” should be interpreted as meaning the logic of using a non-exclusive “OR” (A or B or C) and should not be interpreted as meaning “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”

[0097] In the diagrams, the direction of the arrows—as indicated by the arrowhead—generally indicates the flow of information (such as data or instructions) of interest to that diagram. For example, when components A and B exchange various types of information, but the information transmitted from component A to component B is relevant to the diagram, the arrow may point from component A to component B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no other information is transmitted from component B to component A. Furthermore, for information sent from component A to component B, component B may send a request for or confirmation of receipt of that information to component A.

[0098] In this application, including the following definitions, the term "module" or "controller" may be replaced by the term "circuit". The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or include the following: application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); digital, analog, or mixed-signal analog / digital discrete circuit; digital, analog, or mixed-signal analog / digital integrated circuit; combinational logic circuit; field-programmable gate array (FPGA); processor circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that executes code; memory circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that stores code executed by the processor circuitry; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or some or all of the foregoing, such as in a system-on-a-chip.

[0099] A module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces that connect to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a combination thereof. The functionality of any given module of this disclosure may be distributed among multiple modules connected via the interface circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow for load balancing. In another example, a server (also referred to as a remote or cloud) module may perform some functionality on behalf of a client module.

[0100] The term "code," as used above, can include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and can refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and / or objects. The term "shared processor circuitry" covers a single processor circuitry that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group processor circuitry" covers a processor circuitry that executes some or all of the code from one or more modules in conjunction with additional processor circuitry. References to multiple processor circuitry cover multiple processor circuitry on a discrete die, multiple processor circuitry on a single die, multiple cores of a single processor circuitry, multiple threads of a single processor circuitry, or a combination of the foregoing. The term "shared memory circuitry" covers a single memory circuitry that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group memory circuitry" covers a memory circuitry that stores some or all of the code from one or more modules in conjunction with additional memory.

[0101] The term "memory circuit" is a subset of the term "computer-readable medium." As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" does not cover transient electrical or electromagnetic signals propagated through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); therefore, the term "computer-readable medium" can be considered tangible and non-transient. Non-limiting examples of non-transient tangible computer-readable media are non-volatile memory circuits (such as flash memory circuits, erasable programmable read-only memory circuits, or mask read-only memory circuits), volatile memory circuits (such as static random access memory circuits or dynamic random access memory circuits), magnetic storage media (such as analog or digital magnetic tape or hard disk drives), and optical storage media (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs).

[0102] The apparatus and methods described in this application can be implemented, in part or in whole, by a special-purpose computer created by configuring a general-purpose computer to perform one or more specific functions embodied in a computer program. The function blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications that can be translated into computer programs through the routine work of skilled technicians or programmers.

[0103] A computer program includes processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. A computer program may also include or depend on stored data. A computer program may encompass a basic input / output system (BIOS) that interacts with the hardware of a special-purpose computer, device drivers that interact with specific devices of the special-purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc.

[0104] Computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), XML (Extensible Markup Language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation); (ii) assembly code; (iii) object code generated by a compiler from source code; (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter; and (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time (JIT) compiler, etc. As an example only, source code may be written using syntax from languages ​​including: C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, etc. Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Visual Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK and

Claims

1. A fuel cell system, comprising: Fuel cell stacks, which include: Anode electrode; A first gas diffusion layer is arranged adjacent to the anode electrode; Cathode electrode; A second gas diffusion layer is arranged adjacent to the cathode electrode; and A proton exchange membrane (PEM) is arranged between the anode and cathode electrodes; One or more hydrogen injectors configured to inject hydrogen fuel into a first gas diffusion layer; and A controller is configured to receive the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and, in response, selectively adjust the operation of the fuel cell system.

2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1 further includes a hydrogen purity sensor, the hydrogen purity sensor being configured to measure the hydrogen purity of the hydrogen fuel and output the hydrogen purity to the controller.

3. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the controller receives hydrogen purity from an external source.

4. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a maximum current density calculation module configured to calculate the maximum current density.

5. The fuel cell system of claim 4, wherein the controller includes a maximum impurity calculation module configured to calculate the maximum impurity of the hydrogen fuel.

6. The fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein the controller includes a maximum power regulation module configured to regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity in the hydrogen fuel.

7. The fuel cell system according to claim 5 further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the anode volume.

8. The fuel cell system of claim 7, wherein the controller includes a vent valve regulating module configured to regulate the flow rate through the vent valve in response to at least one of a maximum current density and a maximum impurity in the hydrogen fuel.

9. The fuel cell system according to claim 7, wherein the controller comprises: A maximum power regulation module is configured to selectively regulate the maximum output power of the fuel cell stack in response to at least one of the maximum current density and the maximum impurities in the hydrogen fuel. and A vent valve regulating module is configured to selectively regulate the flow rate through the vent valve in response to at least one of the maximum current density and the maximum impurities in the hydrogen fuel.

10. A vehicle comprising a fuel cell system according to claim 1.

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