Patent ID: 7569293
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: H01M,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of operating an integrated power system comprising a fuel cell and a fuel processor at a required power output, comprising: determining a plurality of operating points for the fuel cell for providing the required power output, each operating point comprising operational values for fuel cell voltage, fuel cell current, input hydrogen, and bypass hydrogen; determining a plurality of operating points for the fuel processor for providing the input hydrogen to the fuel cell at the required power output, each operating point for the fuel processor corresponding to an operating point for the fuel cell and comprising operational values for the fuel input, hydrogen output, and input of bypass hydrogen from the fuel cell; calculating the total system efficiency for each operating point for the fuel cell and corresponding operating point for the fuel processor, wherein total system efficiency is calculated as power level divided by the fuel input; based upon the total system efficiency calculation, selecting an operating point for operation of the integrated power system; and operating the integrated system at the selected fuel cell operating point and fuel processor operating point.