Method for operating fuel cell power module, comprises use recuperator to extract water from the fuel cell output and use of fuel cell pressure to supply the water to the air compressor

摘要

A fuel cell (1) is supplied with hydrogen through a pipe (2) and oxygen through a pipe (3) which carries compressed air. The material output from the fuel cell passes through a pipe (6) to a recuperator (7) which using fuel cell pressure passes water along a pipe (9) to the air compressor (4) where it is injected by axial or radial jets. The humidified compressed air prevents the fuel cell membrane becoming dry and losing effectiveness. An Independent claim is also included for : A method of operation which uses the pressure difference between the fuel cell output and the compressor entry to drive recovered water from the recuperator to the compressor