System for generating hydrogen and method thereof

Abstract

An electrochemical system having a plurality of discrete electrochemical cell stacks is described. The system includes a water-oxygen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and a hydrogen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cells. A means for ventilating the system and a control system for monitoring and operating said electrochemical system, said control system including a means for detecting abnormal operating conditions and a means for degrading the performance of said electrochemical system in response to said abnormal condition.

1 . A system for controlling the output pressure of an electrochemical system, said system comprising:
 at least one electrochemical cell;   a pressure regulator having a set point, said pressure regulator being fluidly coupled to said electrochemical cell;   a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to said pressure regulator between said pressure regulator and said electrochemical cell; and,   a means for controlling output of a electrochemical cell response to said pressure sensor wherein the pressure at said pressure sensor is maintained at a predetermined pressure above said pressure regulator set point.   
   
   
       2 . The system for controlling the output pressure of an electrochemical system of  claim 1  wherein said means for controlling output includes a control panel monitoring said pressure sensor. 
   
   
       3 . A method for controlling an electrochemical cell system comprising:
 operating a plurality of electrochemical cell stacks;   supplying electrical power from a plurality of power supplies electrically connected to said plurality of electrochemical cell stacks;   monitoring the operation of said plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and said plurality of power supplies with a control system;   detecting an error state; and,   adjusting operation of said control system to accommodate said detected error state.   
   
   
       4 . The method of controlling an electrochemical cell system of  claim 3  wherein said error state is a failed power supply and said adjusting operation includes reducing the output of one of said plurality of electrochemical cell stacks. 
   
   
       5 . The method of controlling an electrochemical cell system of  claim 3  wherein said error state is a high LFL measurement of combustible gas; and
 wherein said adjusting operation includes the step of determining which of said electrochemical cell stacks is generating said high LFL levels of combustible gas.   
   
   
       6 . The method of controlling an electrochemical cell system of  claim 5  wherein said method of determining which electrochemical cell stack is generating said high LFL level of combustible gas includes the step of providing electrical power to a single electrochemical cell stack of one of said plurality of electrochemical cell stacks. 
   
   
       7 . The method of controlling an electrochemical cell system of  claim 6  further comprising the step of measuring the LFL level of combustible gas produced by said single electrochemical cell stack. 
   
   
       8 . The method of controlling an electrochemical cell system of  claim 3  wherein said error state is an excessive water temperature and said adjusting operation includes reducing the output of said plurality of power supplies. 
   
   
       9 . The method of controlling an electrochemical cell system of  claim 3  wherein said error state is a failure in one of said plurality of power supplies and said adjusting operation includes determining which single power supply is failed and disabling said power supply.