초록 ▼

The invention is a water retention system for a fuel cell power plant having at least one fuel cell and a coolant loop with a coolant reservoir and coolant passages for directing a coolant fluid through the fuel cell. An air conditioning unit is provided for directing a refrigerant to a first heat e

The invention is a water retention system for a fuel cell power plant having at least one fuel cell and a coolant loop with a coolant reservoir and coolant passages for directing a coolant fluid through the fuel cell. An air conditioning unit is provided for directing a refrigerant to a first heat exchanger that cools secondary process air and for directing water condensed from the secondary process air to the coolant reservoir. The air conditioning unit also directs the refrigerant to a second heat exchanger that cools the coolant fluid within the coolant loop, and to a third heat exchanger that cools a plant exhaust stream exiting the plant. Water condensed from the plant exhaust is also directed from the third heat exchanger into the coolant reservoir.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [11.]11. A method of operating a water retention system for a fuel cell power plant having at least one fuel cell for producing an electric current from a reducing fluid and an oxidant stream, and having a coolant loop that directs a coolant fluid from a coolant reservoir to t

[ What is claimed is:] [11.]11. A method of operating a water retention system for a fuel cell power plant having at least one fuel cell for producing an electric current from a reducing fluid and an oxidant stream, and having a coolant loop that directs a coolant fluid from a coolant reservoir to the fuel cell and back to the coolant reservoir, the method of operating comprising the steps of:a. activating an air conditioning unit;b. passing refrigerant of the activated air conditioning unit through a secondary process air heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a secondary process air to cool the secondary process air;c. directing flow of water condensed from the secondary process air from the secondary process air heat exchanger to the coolant reservoir;d. passing refrigerant of the activated air conditioning unit through a coolant heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the coolant fluid in the coolant loop to cool the coolant fluid; and,e. passing refrigerant of the activated air conditioning unit through a plant exhaust stream heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with a plant exhaust stream exiting the fuel cell and directing flow of water condensed from the plant exhaust stream from the plant exhaust stream heat exchanger to the coolant reservoir.