System und Verfahren zur Steuerung der Stapeltemperatur

摘要

A system for modulating a temperature of one or more fuel cells in a fuel cell stack includes a catalytic combustor in heat exchange relationship with the fuel cell stack. The catalytic combustor promotes an exothermic reaction. A hydrogen source selectively supplies hydrogen (H₂) to the catalytic combustor. The H₂ reacts with oxygen (O₂) in the exothermic reaction. In one feature, the catalytic combustor lies adjacent to the fuel cell stack and includes a series of catalyst coated flow channels. In another feature, the catalytic combustor includes a plate having a catalyst layer and that is offset from the fuel cell stack. Heat to radiates from the catalytic combustor to the fuel cell stack. In still another feature, a jacket encloses the fuel cell stack to form a gap between the jacket and the fuel cell stack through which hot exhaust from the catalytic combustor circulates.