Patent ID: 9147899
Filing Date: 2015-09-29
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode; a fuel source providing a fuel flow; a fuel flow rate sensor configured to measure the fuel flow rate and having a fuel flow rate sensor output; a fuel flow control device configured to modulate the fuel flow rate; a fuel oxidizer flow conduit configured to supply a fuel oxidizer flow; a first mixing region, coupled to the fuel source and the fuel oxidizer flow conduit, configured to mix the fuel flow and the fuel oxidizer flow so as to form an anode inlet flow; an anode chamber coupled to the anode of the fuel cell and configured to receive the anode inlet flow and supply an anode exhaust flow; a combustion oxidizer flow conduit configured to supply a combustion oxidizer flow comprising ambient air; a second mixing region, coupled to the combustion oxidizer flow conduit, configured to receive the anode exhaust flow and to mix the combustion oxidizer flow and the anode exhaust flow so as to form a combustor exhaust flow; at least one oxidizer flow rate sensor configured to measure the flow rate of one member selected from the group consisting of the fuel oxidizer flow, the combustion oxidizer flow, the anode exhaust flow and the combustor exhaust flow, and having an oxidizer flow rate sensor output; at least one oxidizer pump configured to pump one member selected from the group consisting of the fuel oxidizer flow, the combustion oxidizer flow, the anode exhaust flow and the combustor exhaust flow; an air quality sensor configured to respond to a chemical composition of the ambient air and having an air quality sensor output; and a control system coupled to the fuel flow rate sensor output, the oxidizer flow rate sensor output, and the air quality sensor output, and configured to respond to the air quality sensor output by modulating at least one member selected from the group consisting of the fuel flow control device and the oxidizer pump, so as to set a first ratio of the measured oxidizer flow rate to the measured fuel flow rate.