Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel supply system including a fuel tank, a start-up subsystem, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The reforming subsystem is to receive fuel and to reform fuel to generate a hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a water supply system that provides water for the steam generator. The water supply system includes a water condenser directly downstream from the reforming subsystem that is in fluid communication with the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture to condense the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture into water and hydrogen enriched gases. The depressurization system is to reduce a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack downstream from the depressurization system and having an anode inlet in fluid communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases.

Abstract: A method of fuel desulfurization comprises receiving fuel from a source of fuel in a gaseous phase and condensing the fuel in the gaseous phase in a fuel condenser to convert at least a portion of the fuel into a liquid phase. The method further comprises delivering the fuel in the liquid phase directly to a reformer and returning the uncondensed portion of the fuel in the gaseous phase to the source of fuel to inert the source of fuel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a fuel cell including a fuel desulfurization system. The method includes receiving fuel from a fuel source in a first phase and depressurizing the fuel in the first phase in a vacuum system to convert at least a portion of the fuel into a second phase. The method further includes reforming the portion of the fuel in the second phase to create a hydrogen enriched fuel in the second phase, and delivering the hydrogen enriched fuel in the second phase to a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A cooling system uses refrigerants for two-phase cooling and thermal energy storage for a transient heat source. The cooling system includes a flash tank downstream of a heat load to be cooled. A subcooler/super-heater is downstream of the flash tank. A compressor is downstream of the subcooler/super-heater. A condenser is downstream of the compressor and upstream of the flash tank.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel supply system including a fuel tank, a start-up subsystem, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The reforming subsystem is to receive fuel and to reform fuel to generate a hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a water supply system that provides water for the steam generator. The water supply system includes a water condenser directly downstream from the reforming subsystem that is in fluid communication with the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture to condense the hydrogen enriched gases and steam mixture into water and hydrogen enriched gases. The depressurization system is to reduce a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack downstream from the depressurization system and having an anode inlet in fluid communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for a hybrid fuel cell system. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel supply system. The fuel supply system includes a fuel source, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The fuel source is in fluid communication with the reforming subsystem. The reforming subsystem reforms the fuel from the fuel source to generate hydrogen enriched gases, and the reforming subsystem is in fluid communication with the depressurization system. The depressurization system reduces a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack in communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases at the reduced pressure.

Abstract: A cooling system uses refrigerants for two-phase cooling and thermal energy storage for a transient heat source. The cooling system includes a flash tank downstream of a heat load to be cooled. A subcooler/super-heater is downstream of the flash tank. A compressor is downstream of the subcooler/super-heater. A condenser is downstream of the compressor and upstream of the flash tank.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell system includes a source of fuel, and a fuel desulfurization system fluidly coupled to the source of fuel to receive the fuel in a gaseous phase. The fuel desulfurization system includes a fuel condenser that condenses at least a portion of the fuel from the gaseous phase to a liquid phase. The fuel cell system includes a reformer fluidly coupled to the fuel desulfurization system that receives the fuel from the fuel desulfurization system in the liquid phase to generate hydrogen enriched fuel and a fuel cell stack fluidly coupled to the reformer to receive the hydrogen enriched fuel.

Abstract: A method of fuel desulfurization comprises receiving fuel from a source of fuel in a gaseous phase and condensing the fuel in the gaseous phase in a fuel condenser to convert at least a portion of the fuel into a liquid phase. The method further comprises delivering the fuel in the liquid phase directly to a reformer and returning the uncondensed portion of the fuel in the gaseous phase to the source of fuel to inert the source of fuel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a fuel cell including a fuel desulfurization system. The method includes receiving fuel from a fuel source in a first phase and depressurizing the fuel in the first phase in a vacuum system to convert at least a portion of the fuel into a second phase. The method further includes reforming the portion of the fuel in the second phase to create a hydrogen enriched fuel in the second phase, and delivering the hydrogen enriched fuel in the second phase to a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a fuel cell including a fuel desulfurization system. The fuel cell system includes a source of fuel and a fuel desulfurization system fluidly coupled to the source of fuel to receive the fuel in a liquid phase. The fuel desulfurization system includes a vacuum system that depressurizes the fuel to convert at least a portion of the fuel from the liquid phase to a gaseous phase. The fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack fluidly coupled to the fuel desulfurization system to receive fuel from the fuel desulfurization system in the gaseous phase.

Abstract: A system is provided for inerting a fuel tank of an aircraft. The system includes a first compressor fluidly coupled to the fuel tank for removing an air and fuel vapor mixture from an ullage of the fuel tank. The system further includes a fuel processor fluidly coupled to the first compressor and configured to receive the air and fuel vapor mixture and to generate hydrogen from the air and fuel vapor mixture. The system further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the fuel processor and configured to receive the hydrogen as anode fuel to produce electricity. The system further includes a combustor fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and configured to combust the exhaust product to produce combustion gas, and a first heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the combustor and configured to cool the combustion gas into inerting gas for the fuel tank.

Abstract: A system is provided for inerting a fuel tank of an aircraft. The system includes a first compressor fluidly coupled to the fuel tank for removing an air and fuel vapor mixture from an ullage of the fuel tank. The system further includes a fuel processor fluidly coupled to the first compressor and configured to receive the air and fuel vapor mixture and to generate hydrogen from the air and fuel vapor mixture. The system further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the fuel processor and configured to receive the hydrogen as anode fuel to produce electricity. The system further includes a combustor fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and configured to combust the exhaust product to produce combustion gas, and a first heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the combustor and configured to cool the combustion gas into inerting gas for the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell system includes a source of fuel, and a fuel desulfurization system fluidly coupled to the source of fuel to receive the fuel in a gaseous phase. The fuel desulfurization system includes a fuel condenser that condenses at least a portion of the fuel from the gaseous phase to a liquid phase. The fuel cell system includes a reformer fluidly coupled to the fuel desulfurization system that receives the fuel from the fuel desulfurization system in the liquid phase to generate hydrogen enriched fuel and a fuel cell stack fluidly coupled to the reformer to receive the hydrogen enriched fuel.

Abstract: A system is provided for inerting a fuel tank of an aircraft. The system includes a first compressor fluidly coupled to the fuel tank for removing an air and fuel vapor mixture from an ullage of the fuel tank. The system further includes a fuel processor fluidly coupled to the first compressor and configured to receive the air and fuel vapor mixture and to generate hydrogen from the air and fuel vapor mixture. The system further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the fuel processor and configured to receive the hydrogen as anode fuel to produce electricity. The system further includes a combustor fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and configured to combust the exhaust product to produce combustion gas, and a first heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the combustor and configured to cool the combustion gas into inerting gas for the fuel tank.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for a hybrid fuel cell system. The hybrid fuel cell system includes a fuel supply system. The fuel supply system includes a fuel source, a reforming subsystem and a depressurization system. The fuel source is in fluid communication with the reforming subsystem. The reforming subsystem reforms the fuel from the fuel source to generate hydrogen enriched gases, and the reforming subsystem is in fluid communication with the depressurization system. The depressurization system reduces a pressure of the hydrogen enriched gases. The hybrid fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack in communication with the depressurization system to receive the hydrogen enriched gases at the reduced pressure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a fuel cell including a fuel desulfurization system. The fuel cell system includes a source of fuel and a fuel desulfurization system fluidly coupled to the source of fuel to receive the fuel in a liquid phase. The fuel desulfurization system includes a vacuum system that depressurizes the fuel to convert at least a portion of the fuel from the liquid phase to a gaseous phase. The fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack fluidly coupled to the fuel desulfurization system to receive fuel from the fuel desulfurization system in the gaseous phase.

Abstract: A system is provided for inerting a fuel tank of an aircraft. The system includes a first compressor fluidly coupled to the fuel tank for removing an air and fuel vapor mixture from an ullage of the fuel tank. The system further includes a fuel processor fluidly coupled to the first compressor and configured to receive the air and fuel vapor mixture and to generate hydrogen from the air and fuel vapor mixture. The system further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the fuel processor and configured to receive the hydrogen as anode fuel to produce electricity. The system further includes a combustor fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and configured to combust the exhaust product to produce combustion gas, and a first heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the combustor and configured to cool the combustion gas into inerting gas for the fuel tank.

Abstract: A self-regulating system for reducing concentration of hydrocarbon vapor in a container may be performed by introducing air into the container and extracting a mixture of air and vapor from the container. The extracted mixture may be compressed with a compressor to produce a flow of compressed mixture of air and vapor. The compressed mixture may be passed through an oxidation reactor that may be either catalytic or thermal to produce a flow air and CO2. A turbine may be driven with the flow of air and CO2. The compressor may be driven with the turbine. Extraction from the container may continue until vapor concentration is low enough so that flow of CO2 and air from the reactor is insufficient to drive the turbine.

Abstract: A self-regulating system for reducing concentration of hydrocarbon vapor in a container may be performed by introducing air into the container and extracting a mixture of air and vapor from the container. The extracted mixture may be compressed with a compressor to produce a flow of compressed mixture of air and vapor. The compressed mixture may be passed through an oxidation reactor that may be either catalytic or thermal to produce a flow air and CO2. A turbine may be driven with the flow of air and CO2. The compressor may be driven with the turbine. Extraction from the container may continue until vapor concentration is low enough so that flow of CO2 and air from the reactor is insufficient to drive the turbine.