Patent ID: 7169491
Filing Date: 2007-01-30
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a fuel cell system having a plurality of fuel cell stacks each operable to convert a hydrogen-containing anode reactant on an anode side of the fuel cell stack and an oxidant-containing cathode reactant on a cathode side of the fuel cell stack into electricity, a hydrogen-containing anode effluent on the anode side and an oxidant-containing cathode effluent on the cathode side, wherein the anode side of each fuel cell stack is connected to the anode side of a different one of the fuel cell stacks with individual discrete flow paths, the method comprising: (a) supplying a hydrogen-containing anode reactant stream to an anode side of at least one fuel cell stack of the plurality of fuel cell stacks for reaction therein and production of a first anode effluent stream; (b) supplying said first anode effluent stream to the anode side of at least one of the other fuel cell stacks of the plurality of fuel cell stacks via at least one of the individual discrete flow paths for reaction therein and production of a second anode effluent stream; (c) switching which fuel cell stack(s) receives said anode reactant stream; and (d) selectively venting a portion of anode effluent from the fuel cell system, said vented portion including nitrogen.