A fuel cell system wherein, at the time of activating the fuel cell system, the controller determines whether or not the temperature of the fuel cell detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or less than a temperature corresponding to activation at sub-zero temperatures, and wherein, when the controller determines that the temperature of the fuel cell detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or less than the temperature corresponding to the activation at sub-zero temperatures, the controller sends a command to the fuel gas supplier to supply the fuel gas to the fuel cell, and the controller controls rotation of the circulation pump to stop a flow of the fuel off-gas in the circulation flow path.

A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area around the second area where a reformer is provided, an annular fourth area around the third area where an evaporator is provided. The heat exchanger includes heat exchange pipes connected to an oxygen-containing gas supply chamber and an oxygen-containing gas discharge chamber. A first circumscribed non-uniform flow suppression plate is provided along a minimum circumscribed circle which contacts outer surfaces of the heat exchange pipes.

A fuel-cell stack system includes a stack of electrochemical cells, a fuel gas supply circuit and an oxidant gas supply circuit, a cooling circuit, a micropump, a temperature measurement device, and a controller. The cells are separated by bipolar plates, with each bipolar plate including an anode, a cathode, and an ion-exchange membrane. The cooling circuit, which is structured to enable a coolant fluid to circulate therein, includes a secondary circuit and a primary circuit that is smaller in size than the secondary circuit, with the primary and secondary circuits being isolated from each other by a thermostatic valve. The micropump is installed at an outlet of the stack and enables a volume of water inside the stack to be mixed. The temperature measurement device determines an internal temperature of a core of the stack. The primary circuit is activated when the internal temperature rises above a predetermined threshold.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a structure for improving performance of a fuel cell thermal management system. The structure for improving performance of a fuel cell thermal management system may comprise a radiator configured to exchange heat with a coolant discharged from a fuel cell stack, a coolant supply pump configured to supply the coolant to the fuel cell stack, a cathode oxygen depletion (COD) heater disposed in parallel with the radiator, a heater core disposed in series with the COD heater and configured to heat an interior of a vehicle, a temperature adjustment valve coupled to the radiator, the coolant supply pump, and the heater core and configured to control a flow of the coolant, and a reservoir disposed between a downstream side of the fuel cell stack and a front end of the coolant supply pump and configured to adjust a pressure of the coolant.

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for controlling a thermal management system of a fuel cell powertrain system.

A method for transitioning between fuel cell and electrolysis modes in a Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) system includes measuring and recording sensor data indicating a status of components associated with an RSOFC system coupled to an electrical power grid, the system comprising an RSOFC unit, a hydrogen compression system, a hydrogen storage system, and a water supply, determining a state of the RSOFC system based on the sensor data through a conditional logic algorithm, and transitioning the RSOFC system between the fuel cell mode and the electrolysis mode based upon the sensor data and the system state.

A cooling system for a fuel cell of a fuel cell system includes a cooling circuit that includes at least one heat exchanger and the fuel cell. The cooling system also includes at least two pumping devices, arranged in the cooling circuit, whereby the at least two pumping devices at least sometimes jointly deliver coolant into the cooling circuit.

A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area and where a reformer and an evaporator are provided, an annular third area around the second area and where a heat exchanger is provided, and an annular heat recovery area around the third area as a passage of oxygen-containing gas for recovery of heat radiated from the third area toward the outer circumference.

A fuel cell apparatus may include a stack, a reformer configured to generate reformed gas, a burner, a water supply tank configured to store cooling water, a burner air blower configured to draw in external air and then to blow the air, a vertex tube configured to convert the air into heated air and cooled air, a three-way valve configured to supply the air from the burner air blower selectively to the vertex tube or the burner, a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the air discharged from the vertex tube and the cooling water, a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the air discharged from the vertex tube and the reformed gas, and a four-way valve configured to supply the heated air and the cooled air to the first and second heat exchangers.

An airflow control method of an air control system for a fuel cell stack (FCS) includes opening a recirculation valve by a controller to recirculate air through a compressor to increase a temperature of the air prior to entering the FCS to offset a FCS temperature below a predetermined threshold in response to identification to a cold-start event. The recirculation valve may be arranged with the compressor to recirculate air therethrough. The FCS may be arranged with the compressor and recirculation valve to selectively receive air therefrom. A sensor may measure thermal conditions of the FCS. The controller may be programmed to receive signals from the sensor indicating thermal conditions of the FCS, and to operate the recirculation valve based on the signals to recirculate air through the compressor to increase a temperature of the air prior to entering the FCS.