Abstract: The invention is a freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell; a coolant loop having a coolant circulating device that directs a water coolant through a water transport plate within the fuel cell; and a water displacement system having a freeze tolerant accumulator that contains a water immiscible fluid and water coolant. The water displacement system also includes a water immiscible fluid pump, heater and displacement valves for directing the water immiscible fluid to flow from the accumulator into the coolant loop; for directing the water coolant in the coolant loop to flow into the accumulator; and, for directing heated water immiscible fluid to flow from the accumulator into the coolant loop and back into the accumulator.

Abstract: The invention is a freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell and a water transport plate secured within the fuel cell having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet that direct a water coolant through the plate. A suction water displacement system includes a freeze tolerant accumulator secured to the coolant inlet and a vacuum separator secured to the coolant outlet having a suction generating eductor secured to the separator. Control valves and a coolant pump selectively direct either the water coolant, heated, or un-heated water immiscible fluid to cycle from the accumulator, through the coolant inlet, water transport plate, coolant outlet, vacuum separator and back to the accumulator in order to permit operation and storage of the plant in sub-freezing ambient temperatures.

Abstract: The invention is a freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell; a coolant loop having a coolant circulating device that directs a water coolant through a water transport plate within the fuel cell; and a water displacement system having a freeze tolerant accumulator that contains a water immiscible fluid and water coolant. The water displacement system also includes a water immiscible fluid pump, heater and displacement valves for directing the water immiscible fluid to flow from the accumulator into the coolant loop; for directing the water coolant in the coolant loop to flow into the accumulator; and, for directing heated water immiscible fluid to flow from the accumulator into the coolant loop and back into the accumulator.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is shut down by disconnecting the primary load, shutting off the air flow, and controlling the fuel flow into the system (including shutting off the fuel flow) and the gas flow out of the system in a manner that results in the fuel cell gases coming to equilibrium across the cells at a gas composition of at least 0.0001% hydrogen (by volume), and preferably between 1.0% and less than 4.0% hydrogen, by volume, with a balance of nitrogen and possibly other gases inert and harmless to the fuel cell, all the oxygen having been consumed by reacting with the hydrogen within the cell. That gas composition is maintained within the cells throughout shut-down, such as by adding hydrogen to replace any that is consumed by reaction with air leaking into the cells during the period of shut-down. This shut-down procedure causes virtually no cell performance losses.

Abstract: A coolant system is proposed for addressing temperature concerns during start-up and shut-down of a cell stack assembly. The coolant system comprises a coolant exhaust conduit in fluid communication with a coolant exhaust manifold and a coolant pump, the coolant exhaust conduit enabling transportation of exhausted coolant away from a coolant exhaust manifold. A coolant return conduit is provided to be in fluid communication with a coolant inlet manifold and a coolant pump, the coolant return conduit enabling transportation of the coolant to the coolant inlet manifold. The coolant system further includes a bypass conduit in fluid communication with the coolant exhaust conduit and the coolant return conduit, while a bleed valve is in fluid communication with the coolant exhaust conduit and a gaseous stream. Operation of the bleed valve enables venting of the coolant from the coolant channels, and through said bypass conduit.

Abstract: A fuel cell with a direct antifreeze impermeable cooler plate is disclosed for producing electrical energy from reducing fluid and process oxidant reactant streams. The fuel cell includes an electrolyte secured between an anode catalyst and a cathode catalyst; an anode flow field secured adjacent the anode catalyst for directing the reducing fluid to pass adjacent the anode catalyst; a cathode flow field secured adjacent the cathode catalyst for directing the process oxidant stream to pass adjacent the cathode catalyst; a direct antifreeze impermeable cooler plate secured in heat exchange relationship with the cathode flow field; and a direct antifreeze solution passing through the cooler plate for controlling temperature within the fuel cell. The direct antifreeze solution is an organic antifreeze solution that is not volatile at cell operating temperatures.

Abstract: A direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell power plant is disclosed. The plant includes at least one fuel cell a thermal management system that directs flow of a cooling fluid for controlling heat within the plant, including a direct antifreeze solution passing through the water transport plate. The plant also integrates the direct antifreeze solution with a direct mass and heat transfer device, a water treatment system, and a steam injection system so that the direct antifreeze solution minimizes problems related to operation of the plant in sub-freezing conditions. A preferred antifreeze solution is an alkanetriol selected from the group consisting of glycerol, butanetriol, and pentanetriol. The direct antifreeze solutions minimize movement of the antifreeze as a vapor out of a water transport plate into contact with cathode or anode catalysts, and also minimize direct antifreeze solution loss from other power plant systems.

Abstract: A direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell is disclosed for producing electrical energy from reducing and process oxidant fluid streams that includes an electrolyte secured between an anode catalyst and a cathode catalyst; a porous anode substrate secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the anode catalyst; a porous wetproofed cathode substrate secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the cathode catalyst; a porous water transport plate secured in direct fluid communication with the porous cathode substrate; and, a direct antifreeze solution passing through the porous water transport plate.

Abstract: An operating system for a direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell power plant is disclosed for producing electrical energy from reducing and process oxidant fluid reactant streams. The system includes at least one fuel cell for producing electrical energy from the reducing and oxidant fluid streams; fuel processing components for processing a hydrocarbon fuel into the reducing fluid; a thermal management system that directs flow of a cooling fluid for controlling heat within the plant including a porous water transport plate adjacent and in fluid communication with a cathode catalyst of the fuel cell; a direct antifreeze solution passing through the water transport plate; and, a split oxidant passage that directs the process oxidant stream into and through the fuel cell.

Abstract: A direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell power plant system is disclosed for producing electrical energy from reducing and process oxidant fluid reactant streams. The system includes at least one fuel cell for producing electrical energy from the reducing and oxidant fluid streams; a thermal management system that directs flow of a cooling fluid for controlling temperature within the plant including a porous water transport plate adjacent and in direct fluid communication with a cathode catalyst of the fuel cell; a direct antifreeze solution passing through the water transport plate; and, fuel processing components secured in fluid communication with the thermal management system for processing a hydrocarbon fuel into the reducing fluid and for controlling a concentration of a direct antifreeze in the direct antifreeze solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for quantifying molybdate corrosion inhibitor concentrations in lithium halide brines of absorption refrigeration systems. This permits monitoring and control of the inhibitor level. A reagent is chosen for reacting with the molybdate in the brine to provide a readily identifiable characteristic color, the intensity of which is a function and measure of the molybdate concentration. The reagent is an acidified reducing agent which reacts to provide a significant characteristic color capable of optical detection without interference. In a lithium bromide brine, the molybdate concentration is conveniently identified by reaction with stannous chloride SnCl in hydrochloric acid Hcl (). The resulting color corresponds to a wavelength of about 550-560 nm (pink), and the intensity is a function of molybdate concentration. Portable measuring equipment, such as a hand held spectrophotometer, or colorimeter, provide a convenient means for making on-site measurements.

Abstract: A direct antifreeze cooled fuel cell is disclosed for producing electrical energy from reducing and process oxidant fluid streams that includes an electrolyte secured between an anode catalyst and a cathode catalyst; a porous anode substrate secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the anode catalyst; a porous wet proofed cathode substrate secured in direct fluid communication with and supporting the cathode catalyst; a porous water transport plate secured in direct fluid communication with the porous cathode substrate; and, a direct antifreeze solution passing through the porous water transport plate. In operation of the fuel cell, because product water generated electrochemically at the cathode catalyst flows away from the cathode catalyst into the cathode substrate and into the water transport plate and because the cathode substrate is wetproofed, the antifreeze solution passing through the water transport plate remains essentially within this plate.

Abstract: Air cleansing apparatus includes an electrostatic precipitator in which the collector plates are made of, for instance, reticulated chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide, or reticulated silicon carbide ceramic coated with titanium nitride, zirconium diboride, or chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide. Microorganisms entrained on the collector plates are thermally degraded or vaporized by microwave radiation directed against the plates during a sterilization period which follows a collection period.

Abstract: A method of imprinting a workpiece includes lasing the workpiece to create a depression or other opening, depositing a laser-fusible polymer material into the depression, and then lasing the material so as to fuse the material into the depression. Preferably, the laser-fusible polymer material is fusible in the near infrared spectrum. An alternate method for imprinting using colored powder paints includes an additional step of heating the workpiece to ensure thermosetting of the colored powder paint. Laser fusible materials having particular physical characteristics and compositions may be used to facilitate the process.

Abstract: A method of imprinting a workpiece includes lasing the workpiece to create a depression or other opening, depositing a laser-fusible polymer material into the depression, and then lasing the material so as to fuse the material into the depression. Preferably, the laser-fusible polymer material is fusible in the near infrared spectrum. An alternate method for imprinting using colored powder paints includes an additional step of heating the workpiece to ensure thermosetting of the colored powder paint. Laser fusible materials having particular physical characteristics and compositions may be used to facilitate the process.

Abstract: A method for testing a non-hydrocarbon refrigerant, such as CFC-12 or HFC-134a, in a closed system for hydrocarbons, HCFC-22 refrigerant and ammonia is provided wherein a sample of the non-hydrocarbon refrigerant is withdrawn from the closed system, the pressure of the sample is measured and a metered portion of the sample is passed through a test apparatus (20) including a testing tube (30), a testing tube holder (40) for supporting the testing tube (30) and outfitted with a vent (48) to the atmosphere, and a pressure gauge (70) for indicating the pressure of the sample withdrawn. A medium (38) for indicating the presence of hydrocarbons in the sample flow passing through the testing tube is deposited on a surface disposed in the testing tube. The presence of undesired HCFC-22 refrigerant in the CFC-12 or HFC-134a is indicated by a higher pressure reading on the pressure gauge (70).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing refrigerant of one type for contamination by refrigerant of another type as would be the case if an air conditioning or refrigeration system charged with a non-chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant received a replenishment charge of a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant. A sample of the suspected refrigerant mix is exposed to a reagent that will decompose the contaminant refrigerant but not the refrigerant that is proper for the system. The sample is then tested for a product of the decomposition. If the product is present, then one can conclude that the contaminant refrigerant is present.

Abstract: A method for making a high critical current density Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8 superconductor includes mixing suitable solid state reactants in amounts sufficient to create a reactant mixture having a ratio of approximately 4 Bi atoms:3 Ca atoms:3 Sr atoms:4 Cu atoms and oxygen. The reactant mixture is heated to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to sinter the reactant mixture and form a Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8 superconductor.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques for forming tough silicon carbide (SiC) matrix composites. The introduction of methyldichlorosilane (MDS) to a reactor containing a fiber preform which been flushed with a noble gas, causes the formation of a carbon layer around the fibers. The carbon interlayer improves the fracture toughness of the composite.

Abstract: Ceramic particles useful as abrasives in a metal matrix layer are described. The particles are coated with an oxide monolayer and a metal duplex layer. Preferably, the particles are silicon carbide; the oxide monolayer is aluminum oxide, and the metal duplex layer is a nickel-boron alloy over pure nickel.