Patent ID: 8951684
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A detection method for enabling gas composition observation during fuel cell system start-up comprising: initiating a flow of hydrogen to the anode to pressurize the anode and create a pressurized gas comprising hydrogen and other gases present in the anode at fuel cell system start-up; monitoring an anode pressure; opening an anode flow valve to release the pressurized gas in the anode in a fast flush; determining if the anode pressure exceeded an anode pressure threshold; enabling anode flow set point detection after a first predetermined time if the anode pressure exceeded the anode pressure threshold; monitoring an anode flow set point using the anode flow set point detection; determining if the anode flow set point exceeds an anode flow set point threshold; and closing the anode flow valve after a second predetermined time if the anode flow set point exceeds the anode flow set point threshold.