Method and apparatus for cold temperature operation of fuel cells utilizing hydrides having different heat capacities

摘要

An apparatus and method for temperature regulation of a fuel cell using differential heat capacity of the fuel storage media is disclosed. The method of regulating the temperature involves measuring the temperature of one or more fuel cells, comparing the temperature against target values, selecting a control method from a set of available control methods based on the result of comparison and using that control method to initiate and control a regulation cycle, and actuating a flow control means using the selected control method to alter the flow of fuel between one or more fuel storage containers, each containing fuel storage media which exhibit different enthalpies of formation and dissociation. The regulation process starts with measuring temperature (110) of a fuel cell system (100). The measured temperature is then compared (120) to a predetermined set of ideal target values designed to provide peak fuel cell performance. Following the comparison step, a control method (130) is selected from a list of available control methods. The control method has the necessary parameters and logic to define an fuel flow initiation process (140) which in turn actuates a flow control means (150). Actuation of the flow control means changes the temperature of the one or more fuel cells and alters its operating parameters (160).