How to Prepare a Fuel Cell for Faster, Cheaper Startup

This patent describes a method for 'pre-activating' a fuel cell stack by injecting humidified hydrogen, sealing it, and storing it, which helps reduce the time and hydrogen needed for its first full operation.

What it covers

This patent outlines a method to prepare a fuel cell stack before its first full use. It involves injecting humidified hydrogen into an inlet manifold of an assembled fuel cell stack (Claim 1). This humidified hydrogen can go into either the cathode or anode inlet manifold (Claim 2). After injection, the fuel cell stack is sealed and then stored for a period of time, such as a day (Claim 3), often at room temperature (Claim 4). This storage step 'pre-activates' the fuel cell, meaning it gets it ready for a quicker and more efficient full activation later (Claim 5). For example, a manufacturer could inject humidified hydrogen into a newly built fuel cell stack, seal it, and let it sit for a day before shipping, making it easier for the end-user to start up.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover activating a fuel cell stack without an initial sealing and storage period after humidified hydrogen injection.
• —Does not cover pre-activation methods that do not involve injecting humidified hydrogen into an inlet manifold.
• —Does not cover pre-activation methods that do not include a sealing step for the fuel cell stack.
• —Does not cover fuel cell activation processes that achieve 100% activation without a prior pre-activation step.
• —Does not cover methods where the fuel cell stack is stored at temperatures significantly different from room temperature.

The clever bit

The clever part is realizing that a simple, passive step of sealing and storing a fuel cell with humidified hydrogen can significantly reduce the resources needed for its later, more intensive full activation. This 'pre-activation' allows the internal components to condition themselves over time, rather than requiring immediate, active processing.

Why it matters

Fuel cells need to be 'activated' before they can work efficiently, which often uses a lot of hydrogen and takes time. This method aims to make that initial activation process much faster and use less hydrogen. By pre-activating the fuel cell during manufacturing or assembly, it can save resources and streamline the production process. This could lead to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly fuel cell systems.

Real-world examples

• 1.Manufacturing processes for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
• 2.Assembly lines for stationary fuel cell power generators
• 3.Quality control steps for new fuel cell stacks
• 4.Preparation of fuel cells for long-term storage or shipping