Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The invention is a direct antifreeze solution concentration control system for a fuel cell power plant that controls a concentration of a direct antifreeze within a direct antifreeze solution cooling fluid within the plant. The concentration control system includes at least one fuel cell; a thermal management system that controls a temperature within the fuel cell including a porous water transport plate secured in direct fluid communication with a cathode catalyst of the fuel cell, wherein the direct antifreeze solution passes through the water transport plate; a water recovery device in fluid communication with a process exhaust stream exiting the fuel cell for recovering water from the process exhaust stream; and, a process exhaust by-pass line in fluid communication between the fuel cell and a plant exhaust vent that selectively directs some or all of the process exhaust stream to by-pass the water recovery device and to pass out of the plant through the plant exhaust vent. Whenever water recovery by the water recovery device exceeds a specified maximum rate, the process exhaust by-pass line directs the process exhaust to by-pass the water recovery device and thereby restrict dilution of the direct antifreeze solution. The concentration control system may also include a boiler in fluid communication with the thermal management system that boils the direct antifreeze solution to produce steam for selectively directing steam out of the power plant through a steam exhaust vent.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim