Patent ID: 6013385
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A system for controlling the reactant and coolant streams to and from a fuel cell, the fuel cell of the variety having a first reactant inlet, a first reactant outlet, a second reactant inlet, a second reactant outlet, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet, said system comprising:(a) a first reactant humidification subsystem for supplying a first reactant inlet stream to the first reactant inlet of the fuel cell and receiving a first reactant exhaust stream from the first reactant outlet of the fuel cell, said first reactant humidification subsystem comprising an enthalpy wheel for collecting moisture from the first reactant exhaust stream and transferring a portion of the collected moisture to the first reactant inlet stream;(b) a second reactant humidity retention subsystem comprising a recirculation loop for collecting excess second reactant from the second reactant outlet of the fuel cell, a source of second reactant, mixing means for mixing second reactant from said source with second reactant collected from the second reactant outlet of the fuel cell, and motive means for circulating second reactant in said recirculation loop and for introducing second reactant into the second reactant inlet of the fuel cell; and(c) a coolant subsystem comprising a first coolant loop communicating with said coolant inlet and said coolant outlet, a second coolant loop, and a heat exchanger for transferring heat between said first and second coolant loops, said first coolant loop being segregated from said second coolant loop.