Abstract: When a conventional fuel cell module is shutdown the conditions within the fuel cell stack change. The conditions change because elements that support and regulate the operation of the fuel cell stack switch to their respective shutdown states. For example, the input and output valves are closed, which cuts off the supply inflows and exhaust outflows. Moreover, when an element such as a flow control device switches to a shutdown state internal conditions, such as for example, the pressure within the anode electrodes change. When the internal conditions of the fuel cell stack change the reactants (e.g. hydrogen and oxygen) remaining in the fuel cell stack and the feed lines (between the fuel cell stack and the closed valves) are substantially consumed in combustion reactions as opposed to being consumed in electrochemical reactions yielding a useful form of energy.

Abstract: A sealing technique is provided for forming complex and multiple seal configurations for fuel cells and other electrochemical cells. To provide a seal, for sealing chambers for oxidant, fuel and/or coolant, a groove network is provided extending through the various elements of the fuel cell assembly. A source of seal material is then connected to an external filling port and injected into the groove network, and the seal material is then cured to form the seal. There is thus formed a “seal in place”, that is robust and can accommodate variations in tolerances and dimensions, and that can be bonded, where possible, to individual elements of the fuel cell assembly. This avoids the difficulty, labor intensive cost and complexity of manually assembling many individual gaskets into complex groove shapes and the like. The seal material can be selected to be comparable with a wide variety of gases, liquid coolants and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring cell voltages for a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series forming a cell stack. The method includes dividing the cells into at least two cell groups, measuring the voltage across each cell group and estimating the minimum cell voltage for each group based on the average cell stack voltage and an estimated number of deficient cells in each group. The lowest minimum cell voltage for the entire cell stack is then determined.

Abstract: A system and method in a data processor for controlling a controllable condition of a fuel cell via a control device is provided. The system and method involve (a) providing a script language comprising a control command type having an operating level field for receiving a selected operating level of the control device; (b) deriving a control command from the control command type by inserting the selected operating level of the control device into the operating level field of the control command; (c) writing a test script using the script language such that the test script includes the control command; (d) compiling the test script to provide a test program; and, (e) controlling the control device according to the test program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a network communication system and method to enable the real time buying and selling of electricity generated by fuel cell powered vehicles between a fuel cell powered vehicle and a consumer. The method comprises: providing connections to the vehicle for the supply of a fuel and for transfer of electricity; determining the current cost of fuel and price paid for generating electricity; based at least on the cost of fuel and price paid for generating electricity, determining whether to make the fuel cell powered vehicle available for generation of electricity; when fuel is consumed by the vehicle and electricity generated by the vehicle, collecting data on the quantity of fuel consumed and amount of electricity generated, calculating the cost of the fuel and the value of the electricity generated, providing a debit charge for the cost of fuel consumed and a credit charge for the value of electricity generated.

Abstract: A sealing technique is provided for forming complex and multiple seal configurations for fuel cells and other electrochemical cells. To provide a seal, for sealing chambers for oxidant, fuel and/or coolant, a groove network is provided extending through the various elements of the fuel cell assembly. A source of seal material is then connected to an external filling port and injected into the groove network, and the seal material is then cured to form the seal. There is thus formed a “seal in place”, that is robust and can accommodate variations in tolerances and dimensions, and that can be bonded, where possible, to individual elements of the fuel cell assembly. This avoids the difficulty, labor intensive cost and complexity of manually assembling many individual gaskets into complex groove shapes and the like. The seal material can be selected to be comparable with a wide variety of gases, liquid coolants and the like.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method suited for controlling the operation of an electrolyzer cell module. Specifically, some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method that incorporates a call to an alarm recovery sequence into a safety system suited for use with an electrolyzer cell module, which is able to suspend the normal operations and initiate an alarm recovery sequence upon detecting that a corresponding alarm threshold has been violated. The safety system and method is then able to restart the normal operations if it is determined that the alarm recovery sequence was successful, meaning that the process and operating parameters that violated the particular alarm threshold have been brought back to within a safe operating range.

Abstract: An end assembly for an electrochemical cell stack is described. The end assembly includes an end plate having an outer face facing away from the cell stack and an inner face opposite the outer face. Passageways in the end plate that terminate at openings on the inner face allow process fluids to pass through the end plate. Overmolding on a portion of the passageways act as a protective barrier.

Abstract: A current collector plate for an electrochemical cell stack is described. The plate includes a corrosion resistant substrate having a recess in a central region of the inner face. Passageways in the substrate terminate at openings on the inner face to allow process fluids to pass through the plate. An electrically conductive coating is disposed in the recess for collecting current.

Abstract: A system for collecting current in an electrochemical cell stack is described. The system includes an end plate having an outer face facing away from the cell stack and an inner face opposite the outer face. The system also includes a plurality of connection ports on the end plate for the transmission of process fluids. A plurality of passageways in the end plate connect the connection ports to openings on the inner face, and allow the process fluids to pass through the end plate. The system also includes a flow field plate in electrical communication with the end plate to allow current to flow therebetween.

Abstract: A regenerative energy and/or mass exchange assembly has: an exchange media; a first flow path to pass a fluid stream through the exchange media; at least a second flow path to pass a further fluid stream through the exchange media; and at least one fluid stream diverter to divert the different flow paths to pass the respective fluid streams through different regions of the exchange media. A method for operating the regenerative assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell humidification system comprising features of a cathode humidification system, an anode humidity retention system and a countercurrent flow arrangement of the fuel and air streams in the fuel cell, which performs efficiently and is configured particularly for small fuel cells. The present invention further provides a simple method for controlling both cathode and anode humidification using the fuel cell humidification system of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream comprising the steps of super-saturating and heating the process gas stream with steam until it reaches a first pre-set temperature; cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature; removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream; and heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature. An apparatus for implementing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream; has a first humidification unit for super-saturating and heating the process gas stream at a first pre-set temperature; and a first heat exchanger for cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature, and for removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream. The apparatus can include a heater for heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature.

Abstract: A chemical hydride hydrogen generation system and an energy system incorporating the same are provided. The hydrogen generation system has: a storage means for storing a chemical hydride solution; a reactor containing a catalyst; and a pump for supplying the chemical hydride solution from the storage means to the reactor so that the chemical hydride solution reacts to generate hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst. The hydrogen is supplied to a fuel cell stack. Additionally, a heat transfer circuit is provided including a heat transfer fluid that is circulated through the cooling channels of the fuel cell stack to effect heating thereof on startup, and cooling once the operating temperature is reached.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell assembly is provided with a modified catalyst layout. The modified catalyst layout improves reactant fluid flow along the membrane electrode assembly, reduces wear on the membrane electrode assembly and improves electrochemical cell efficiency during operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has: a fuel cell having a first reactant inlet, a first reactant outlet, a second reactant inlet, a second reactant outlet, and optionally a coolant inlet and coolant outlet. A first reactant supply subsystem supplies a first reactant incoming stream to the first reactant inlet of the fuel cell. A second reactant supply subsystem supplies a second reactant incoming stream to the second reactant inlet of the fuel cell. A first reactant recirculation subsystem recirculates at least a portion of the first reactant exhaust stream from the first reactant outlet to an enthalpy shifting subsystem in which one portion of the heat and moisture in first reactant exhaust stream is transferred to one of the first reactant incoming stream in the first reactant supply subsystem and the second reactant incoming stream in the second reactant supply subsystem. Another portion of the heat and moisture is transferred to the other stream.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly with structural improvements for improving cell operation. The electrochemical cell assembly may include at least one of an extended MEA and chamfered edges on the flow field plates for preventing the shorting of the anode and cathode flow field plates. Further, the flow field plates may include a pocket for providing an appropriate space to accommodate a gas diffusion media and applying an appropriate amount of compression to the gas diffusion media.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method that incorporates a call to an alarm recovery sequence into a safety system for use within a fuel cell testing system. In other embodiments of the present invention there is provided a safety system and method, for use within a fuel cell testing system, which is able to suspend a fuel cell testing trail and initiate an alarm recovery sequence upon detecting that a corresponding alarm threshold has been violated. The safety system and method is then able to restart the trail if it is determined that the alarm recovery sequence was successful, in that the process and operating parameters that violated the particular alarm threshold have been brought back to within a safe operating range.

Abstract: A chemical hydride hydrogen generation system and an energy system incorporating the same are provided. The hydrogen generation system comprises: a storage tank for storing a chemical hydride solution; a reactor containing a catalyst; a pump for supplying the chemical hydride solution from the said storage means to the reactor so that the chemical hydride solution reacts to generate hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst; and a second supply line for continuously supplying the solvent of the solution to the chemical hydride solution during the reaction. The energy system comprises the hydrogen generation system, a fuel cell for generating electricity and water from hydrogen and an oxidant, and a separator for recovering the water generated in the fuel cell and supplying the water to the chemical hydride solution during the reaction.