Fuel cell system

Abstract

A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell unit and facility for humidifying process gases to provide a fuel for the fuel cell unit, wherein water-carrying media conduits of the fuel cell unit are provided at least in part as heatable media conduits.

1. A fuel cell system comprising:
 a fuel cell unit;    a humidifier unit for humidifying process gases to be fed to the fuel cell unit; and    water-carrying media conduits which provide water to said humidifier unit;    wherein said water carrying media conduits include a heating component arranged to heat at least a portion thereof.    
     
     
       2. The fuel cell system according to claim  1    12 , further comprising a unit for extracting water from process gases of said fuel cell unit and providing it to said media carrying conduits  at least one media conduit. 
     
     
       3. The fuel cell system according to claim  1    12 , wherein said heating component is electrically powered and comprises at least a portion of said at least one media conduits  conduit. 
     
     
       4. The fuel cell system according to claim  1    12 , wherein the at least one media conduits  conduit including said heating component are  is provided downstream of the fuel cell unit. 
     
     
       5. The fuel cell system according to claim  1    12 , wherein said at least one media conduits  conduit including said heating component are  is disposed between a water separator for separating water from cathode off-gas of said fuel cell and a metering point for feeding media into a cathode air input. 
     
     
       6. The fuel cell system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a drain line for discharging water from the fuel cell unit, said drain line including a further heating component. 
     
     
       7. A fuel cell system comprising:
 a fuel cell unit;  
 a first conduit for providing process air to a cathode side input of said fuel cell unit;  
 a humidifier unit disposed in said first conduit for adding moisture to said process air;  
 a second conduit for providing water to said humidifier unit;  
 wherein said second conduit comprises a conduit section having a heating component for warming said water;  
   the fuel cell system further comprises at least one temperature sensor;    
   the heating component is activated to heat said second conduit in dependence on a temperature monitored by said temperature sensor; and    
   the temperature sensor monitors ambient temperature.    
 
     
     
       8. The fuel cell system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a unit for extracting water from process gases of said fuel cell unit and providing it to said second conduit. 
     
     
       9. The fuel cell system according to claim  1    12 , wherein said heating component comprises a heating sleeve surrounding at least a portion of said media conduits. 
     
     
       10. The fuel cell system according to claim  1    12 , wherein said heating component comprises a heating element inside said media conduits. 
     
     
       11. The fuel cell system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor, wherein said heating component is activated to heat said at least a portion of said media conduits in dependence on a temperature monitored by said sensor. 
     
     
       12. The  A fuel cell system according to  claim 11 , wherein  comprising:
   a fuel cell unit;    
   a humidifier unit for humidifying process gases to be fed to the fuel cell unit; and    
   at least one water - carrying media conduit which provides water to said humidifier unit; wherein,    
   said at least one water carrying media conduit includes a heating component arranged to heat at least a portion thereof;    
   the fuel cell system further comprises at least one temperature sensor;    
   the heating component is activated to heat said at least a portion of said at least one media conduit in dependence on a temperature monitored by said sensor; and    
 saidthe temperature sensor monitors ambient temperature.  
 
     
     
       13. The fuel cell system according to  claim 11 , wherein said temperature sensor monitors temperature of a region of said fuel cell system. 
     
     
       14. The fuel cell system according to  claim 13 , wherein said temperature sensor monitors temperature in proximity to said water carrying media conduits. 
     
     
       15. Temperature regulation apparatus for a fuel cell system having at least one fuel cell unit, said apparatus comprising:
   a humidifier unit for humidifying process gases;        heating means for heating water fed to said humidifier, for humidifying said process gases; and        means for supplying heated humidified process gases from said humidifier to said fuel cell unit;        wherein, said heating means heats said water as a function of ambient temperature for said fuel cell system, as determined by a temperature sensor.     
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising a unit for extracting water from exhaust gases from said fuel cell unit and providing it to said media conduit. 
     
     
       17. A method of operating a fuel cell system including at least one fuel cell, said method comprising:
   providing a water supply;        humidifying a process gas stream by introducing water from said water supply into said gas stream;        feeding humidified process gas from said gas stream to said fuel cell; and        heating said water from said water supply prior to introduction of said water into said gas stream;        wherein heating of said water in said heating step is performed as a function of ambient temperature for said fuel cell system, as determined by a temperature sensor.     
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said water supply is provided by a water recovery unit which extracts water from exhaust gases from said fuel cell unit. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said heating step comprises heating at least a portion of a conduit which supplies water from said water supply to said humidifier.