ELECTRONIC BY-PASS OF FUEL CELL CATHODE GAS TO COMBUSTOR

摘要

A gas flow control system (50) for a fuel cell includes a gas supply (60) and a humidifier (54). A fuel cell stack includes a cathode flow line (26) with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the cathode flow line (26) is connected to the outlet of the humidifier (54). A combustor (58) includes an inlet that receives gas from the outlet of the cathode flow line (26). A valve and a bypass line bypass gas around the humidifier (54) and the fuel cell stack to the combustor (58). The valve is preferably one of a gas restriction valve, a throttle valve, and a directional valve. A gas flow sensor generates a gas flow signal based on gas flowing trough at least one of the humidifiers (54), the cathode flow line (26) of the fuel cell stack, and the bypass line. A flow controller that is connected to the gas flow sensor and the valve controls the valve based on the gas flow signal.