Fuel Cell Purge Line System

Abstract

A combined water and anode knock-out purge line for a fuel cell including an inlet portion having an inlet portion lower surface, an outlet portion having an outlet portion lower surface, a middle portion having a lower surface and extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. Each lower surface of the inlet portion and outlet portion is raised relative to the lower surface of the middle portion in a generally longitudinal direction.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A combined water and anode knock-out purge line for a fuel cell comprising:
 an inlet portion having a lower surface;   an outlet portion having a lower surface;   a middle portion having a lower surface and extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion; and   each lower surface of the inlet portion and outlet portion being raised relative to the lower surface of the middle portion in a generally longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         2 . The purge line of  claim 1 , wherein the middle portion includes a reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The purge line of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet portion lower surface has an inlet portion inclination defined by a latitudinal cross-section of the lower surface, an outlet portion lower surface inclination defined by a latitudinal cross-section of its lower surface, and the lower surface level defined by a latitudinal cross-section of its middle portion lower surface. 
     
     
         4 . The purge line of  claim 3 , wherein the inlet portion has an inlet inclination angle formed by the inlet portion inclination and the middle portion lower surface level. 
     
     
         5 . The purge line of  claim 3 , wherein the outlet portion has an outlet inclination angle formed by the outlet portion inclination and the middle portion level. 
     
     
         6 . The purge line of  claim 3 , wherein the inlet portion and outlet portion each have an inlet and outlet inclination angle respectively formed by the inlet and outlet portion inclination, and the middle portion level. 
     
     
         7 . The purge line of  claim 4 , wherein an inlet inclination angle is greater than about 90 degrees and less than about 155.5 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The purge line of  claim 5 , wherein an outlet inclination angle is greater than about 90 degrees and less than about 155.5 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The purge line of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet portion is generally cylindrical, the outlet portion is generally cylindrical, and the middle portion is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         10 . A fuel cell system comprising:
 a fuel cell stack;   a separator downstream of and in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack; and   a scavenging reservoir downstream of and in fluid communication with the separator,   and including an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a middle portion positioned between the inlet and outlet portions, the inlet portion angled upward at an inlet angle relative to the middle portion, and the outlet portion angled upward at an outlet angle relative to the middle portion.   
     
     
         11 . The fuel cell system of  claim 10 , wherein the outlet angle is greater than about 90 degrees and smaller than about 155.5 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The fuel cell system of  claim 10 , wherein the scavenging reservoir is in fluid communication with an anode of the fuel cell stack. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel cell system of  claim 10 , wherein the scavenging reservoir is in fluid communication with a cathode of the fuel cell stack. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel cell system of  claim 10 , wherein the inlet angle is greater than about 90 degrees and smaller than about 155.5 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel cell system of  claim 10 , further comprising a valve downstream of the outlet portion. 
     
     
         16 . The fuel cell system of  claim 15 , wherein the valve is positioned above the middle portion of the scavenging reservoir against the direction of gravity. 
     
     
         17 . A fuel cell system of  claim 10 , further comprising a supplemental purge passageway including a first end and a second end, the first end connected to an upper surface of the separator and the second end connected to the outlet portion of the scavenging reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . A fuel cell system comprising:
 an anode;   a primary purge line extending away from the anode;   a secondary purge line extending away from the anode; and   the primary and secondary purge lines converging into a single outlet line.   
     
     
         19 . The fuel cell system of  claim 18 , wherein the secondary purge line includes a secondary purge line inlet and a secondary purge line outlet, and the anode includes a primary inlet position, wherein the secondary purge line inlet position is above the primary inlet position. 
     
     
         20 . The fuel cell system of  claim 18 , wherein the secondary purge line has an orifice at the inlet. 
     
     
         21 . The fuel cell system of  claim 18 , further comprising a valve positioned downstream of the primary and secondary purge lines converge into a single outlet line. 
     
     
         22 . The fuel cell system of  claim 18 , further comprising a reservoir within the primary purge line.