Patent ID: 6562503
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: F28C,F28D,F28F,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant for producing electrical current from reducing fluid and process oxidant reactant streams, the power plant comprising:a. at least one fuel cell; b. a water transport plate secured within the fuel cell that directs a water coolant through the fuel cell, a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet in fluid communication with the plate that direct the water coolant into and out of the water transport plate; and, c. a suction water displacement system including; i. a freeze tolerant accumulator means secured in fluid communication with the coolant inlet for storing the water coolant and a water immiscible fluid; ii. a vacuum separator secured in fluid communication with the coolant outlet; iii. a suction generating eductor means secured to the vacuum separator for generating a partial vacuum within the separator, coolant outlet, water transport plate, and coolant inlet, and secured in fluid communication with an inlet of the accumulator; iv. a coolant circulating means secured in fluid communication between a separator discharge, a water immiscible fluid discharge of the accumulator, and the eductor for pumping the water coolant or water immiscible fluid to the eductor; v. a pump control valve secured in fluid communication between the separator discharge, water immiscible fluid discharge of the accumulator and the coolant circulating means for selectively directing fluid from either the separator or accumulator to flow into the coolant circulating means; and, vi. a coolant inlet control valve secured in fluid communication between the water immiscible fluid discharge of the accumulator, a coolant water discharge of the accumulator and the coolant inlet for selectively directing either the water immiscible fluid or the coolant water to flow from the accumulator into the coolant inlet.