Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including directly depositing a liquid suspension containing a platinum precursor onto an ionically conductive membrane (e.g., proton-exchange membrane) that, when the platinum precursor deposit layer is reduced, provides a layer that will scavenge hydrogen that has diffused back through the membrane due to cell stack pressure differential.

Abstract: A separator plate and a frame member for an electrochemical cell are provided. The separator plate includes a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom to define a flow field. A pair of end features arranged along opposite sides of the flow field, each end feature extending substantially the length of the flow field. A periphery portion is provided having a first set of openings and a second set of openings. Wherein the plurality of protrusions and pair of end features extend from a plane defined by the periphery portion. The frame member includes features for facilitating assembly and reducing the risk of an over constrained condition. The frame member further having ports divided by a bridge member to support the frame member under operating pressures.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell power system has a plurality of fuel cell power modules, a plurality of electrolysis modules, a water management system and a master controller. The master controller manages the temperature within the electrolysis system to prevent freezing through circulation of water from the water management system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator where the system monitors the health of the electrical generating system by calculating the time remaining until preventative maintenance is required based on hydrogen usage. The system also monitors the health of the system by detecting the occurrence of major leaks within the electrical power generator and adapting the operation of the system to maintain a desired operating environment.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack and method are provided with use the generated hydrogen gas to pressurize a chamber. The electrochemical cell stack includes a plurality of cells mounted between a first static endplate and a dynamic endplate. A pressure chamber is formed between a second static endplate and the dynamic endplate. The chamber acts upon a dynamic endplate to increase the loading on a plurality of cells as the generated gas pressure increases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.

Abstract: A compartmentalized storage tank is disclosed. The compartmentalized storage tank includes a housing, a first fluid storage section disposed within the housing, a second fluid storage section disposed within the housing, the first and second fluid storage sections being separated by a movable divider, and a constant force spring. The constant force spring is disposed between the housing and the movable divider to exert a constant force on the movable divider to cause a pressure P1 in the first fluid storage section to be greater than a pressure P2 in the second fluid storage section, thereby defining a pressure differential.

Abstract: A system for providing hydrogen gas is provided. The system includes a hydrogen generator that produces gas from water. One or more heat generation devices are arranged to provide heating of the enclosure during different modes of operation to prevent freezing of components. A plurality of temperature sensors are arranged and coupled to a controller to selectively activate a heat source if the temperature of the component is less than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell apparatus is disclosed. The electrochemical cell apparatus includes a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) having a membrane with a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first electrode in contact with the first side, and a second electrode in contact with the second side. The apparatus further includes a flow field member and a protector member having a boundary partially defined by a first surface facing toward a center of the MEA. The second electrode has a boundary partially defined by a second surface facing away from the center of the MEA. A first distance from the center of the MEA to the first surface is greater than a correspondingly oriented second distance from the center of the MEA to the second surface, thereby defining a gap between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A system to vent a moist gas stream is disclosed. The system includes an enclosure and an electrochemical cell disposed within the enclosure, the electrochemical cell productive of the moist gas stream. A first vent is in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell for venting the moist gas stream to an exterior of the enclosure, and a second vent is in fluid communication with an interior of the enclosure and in thermal communication with the first vent for discharging heated air to the exterior of the enclosure. At least a portion of the discharging heated air is for preventing freezing of the moist gas stream within the first vent.

Abstract: A system for providing field deployable electrical power distribution is provided. The system includes a plurality of power sources providing electrical power to meet the electrical needs of a field operations camp. The power sources include at least one regenerative fuel cell that is arranged to provide a electrical power when renewable energy sources are unavailable. Also provided is at least one generator and one regenerative fuel cell electrically connected to the plurality of loads. Also provided is a plurality of power converters, each of the plurality of power converters being electrically connected between the at least one generator and regenerative fuel cell and one of the plurality of loads. An arrangement is also included for providing a high availability battery charging station.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for monitoring and reporting the controlled and uncontrolled emissions of hydrogen gas from an end use application such as a hydrogen cooled electrical generator. The system first determines a quantity hydrogen produced by a hydrogen conversion device from a first operating parameter. The quantity of hydrogen released in a controlled manner is determined from a second operating parameter. The amount of uncontrolled hydrogen emissions may then be calculated from the produced hydrogen and controlled release values. A report detailing the type and amounts of hydrogen emissions may then be created.

Abstract: A system to detect a presence of a specific gas in a mixture of gaseous byproducts comprising moisture vapor is disclosed. The system includes an electrochemical cell, a transport to deliver the mixture of gaseous byproducts from the electrochemical cell, a gas sensor in fluid communication with the transport, the sensor responsive to a presence of the specific gas to generate a signal corresponding to a concentration of the specific gas, and a membrane to prevent transmission of liquid moisture, the membrane disposed between the transport and the gas sensor.

Abstract: A gas recovery system is disclosed. The gas recovery system includes a gas source productive of a gaseous stream comprising moisture, a gas dryer in fluid communication with and downstream of the gas source, and an electrochemical compressor in fluid communication with and downstream of the gas dryer. The gas dryer is disposed to receive the gaseous stream and produce a delivery stream absent moisture and a slipstream comprising moisture. The electrochemical compressor is disposed to receive the slipstream at a first pressure and produce a compressed stream at a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: A gas recovery system is disclosed. The gas recovery system includes a gas source productive of a gaseous stream comprising moisture, a gas dryer in fluid communication with and downstream of the gas source, and an electrochemical compressor in fluid communication with and downstream of the gas dryer. The gas dryer is disposed to receive the gaseous stream and produce a delivery stream absent moisture and a slipstream comprising moisture. The electrochemical compressor is disposed to receive the slipstream at a first pressure and produce a compressed stream at a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The bipolar plate includes a unitary plate having first and second inlet ports, first and second outlet ports. The bipolar plate further includes a plurality of protrusions on each surface that forms a first plurality of flow channels, and second plurality flow channels. A first frame inlet header channel at one end of the first flow channels is in fluid communication with the first inlet port, and a first outlet header channel at the other end of the first flow channels is in fluid communication with the first outlet port. A second frame inlet header channel at one end of the second flow channels is in fluid communication with the second inlet port, and an outlet header channel at the other end of the second flow channels is in fluid communication with the second outlet port. Each of the header channels provides a fluid flow channel from one end of the respective header channel to the other end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator where the system monitors the health of the electrical generating system by calculating the time remaining until preventative maintenance is required based on hydrogen usage. The system also monitors the health of the system by detecting the occurrence of major leaks within the electrical power generator and adapting the operation of the system to maintain a desired operating environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for an a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.