Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generation and delivery system that lends itself to small scale applications and requires very low maintenance. The system preferably includes an anode reservoir and a cathode phase separator each having a hydrophobic membrane to allow phase separation of produced gases from water. The hydrogen gas, ozone gas and water containing ozone may be delivered under pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides for reducing the number of parts and the number of interfaces found in certain types of chemical reactors, particularly in electrochemical reactors, and especially in the type or reactor known as a fuel cell or fuel cell stack This reduction comes from the use of a unified structure that combines the functions normally carried out by several components in the unit, particularly by combining the functions of the gas distribution structure and the gas diffusion structure, the gas distribution structure and the gas barrier structure, or all three structures into a single, unitary, metallic part. This offers the advantages of simplified design, better performance, and lighter weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-replenishing liquid water source onboard an automobile for supplying liquid water to an electrolyzer, such as an on-board hydrogen generator useful for the suppression of unwanted emissions. While automobiles typically have water reservoirs resupplied by a person, the invention provides a passive means of water collection for reliable replenishment due to operations of the automobile itself. The invention provides condensate from the engine exhaust gas by cooling a region of the exhaust system using cooling fluid from the engine coolant system. The cooling fluid is circulated during a period following the engine cold start event when the heat load on the engine coolant system is low.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the electrochemical generation of ozone for use in “point-of-use” applications. The electrochemical ozone generators or systems of the present invention may be used to provide disinfected water, ozone-containing water, and/or ozone gas. Disinfected water may be produced by introducing ozone gas into a potable or purified water source for the purpose of disinfecting or controlling the microorganisms in the water source. Ozonated water or ozone gas may be produced and provided for various anti-microbial and cleansing applications of the consumer, such as washing food, clothing, dishes, countertops, toys, sinks, bathroom surfaces, and the like. Furthermore, the ozone generator may be used to deliver a stream of ozone-containing water for the purpose of commercial or residential point-of-use washing, disinfecting, and sterilizing medical instruments and medical equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generation and delivery system that lends itself to small scale applications and requires very low maintenance. The system includes an anode reservoir and a cathode phase separator each having a hydrophobic membrane to allow phase separation of produced gases from water. The system may be configured to operate passively with no moving parts or in a self-pressurizing manner with the inclusion of a pressure controlling device or valve in the gas outlet of the anode reservoir. The hydrogen gas, ozone gas and water containing ozone may be delivered under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generation and delivery system that lends itself to small scale applications and requires very low maintenance. The system includes an anode reservoir and a cathode phase separator each having a hydrophobic membrane to allow phase separation of produced gases from water. The system may be configured to operate passively with no moving parts or in a self-pressurizing manner with the inclusion of a pressure controlling device or valve in the gas outlet of the anode reservoir. The hydrogen gas, ozone gas and water containing ozone may be delivered under pressure.

Abstract: Methods of using ozone have been developed which sterilize instruments and medical wastes, oxidize organics found in wastewater, clean laundry, break down contaminants in soil into a form more readily digested by microbes, kill microorganisms present in food products, and destroy toxins present in food products. The preferred methods for killing microorganisms and destroying toxins use pressurized, humidified, and concentrated ozone produced by an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An ozone generator which operates at constant pressures to produce a continuous flow of ozone in an oxygen stream having from 10% to 18% by weight of ozone. The ozone generator includes one or more electrolytic cells comprising an anode/anode flowfield, a cathode/cathode flowfield, and a proton exchange medium for maintaining the separation of ozone and oxygen from hydrogen. The ozone generator also has an anode reservoir which vents oxygen and ozone and a cathode reservoir which vents hydrogen. The anode reservoir can be filled from the cathode reservoir while continuing to produce ozone. The ozone generator is readily configured for self-control using a system controller programmed to operate the anode reservoir at a constant pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing subassemblies for an electrochemical cell or a stack of electrochemical cells, particularly a stack of fuel cells for the direct generation of electricity. The method includes bonding together two or more electrochemical cell components, such as plates, frames, flow fields, shims, gaskets, membranes and the like, to form subassemblies used to make an electrochemical cell stack. The bonding can be accomplished using either polymeric bonds (i.e., adhesives) where polymer and/or metal components are involved or metallurgical bonds (i.e., solder) where metal components are involved. The bonding provides tightly sealed cells and lower electronic contact resistances between components.

Abstract: This invention is an improved fuel cell design for use at low pressure. The invention has a reduced number of component parts to reduce fabrication costs, as well as a simpler design that permits the size of the system to be reduced at the same time as performance is being improved.

Abstract: This invention is an improved fuel cell design for use at low pressure. The invention has a reduced number of component parts to reduce fabrication costs, as well as a simpler design that permits the size of the system to be reduced at the same time as performance is being improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for chemically heating one or more components of, or intake air flowing to, an internal combustion engine by feeding hydrogen to a catalyst. In accordance with the invention, condensation of fuels on cold engine cylinder walls during and after cold start-ups is prevented, thereby reducing wear on the engine. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for reducing pollutants commonly occurring during cold start-up of combustion engines by heating components of, or intake air flowing to, a combustion engine, in order to quickly warm the engine and its catalytic converter to operating temperatures. Preferably, the hydrogen is supplied from an electrolyzer or other on-board source of hydrogen and the hydrogen and a source of oxygen are provided to the catalyst resulting in exothermic oxidation of hydrogen to heat the air intake or other components of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-replenishing liquid water source onboard an automobile for supplying liquid water to an electrolyzer, such as an on-board hydrogen generator useful for the suppression of unwanted emissions. While automobiles typically have water reservoirs resupplied by a person, the invention provides a passive means of water collection for reliable replenishment due to operations of the automobile itself. The invention provides condensate from the engine exhaust gas by cooling a region of the exhaust system using cooling fluid from the engine coolant system. The cooling fluid is circulated during a period following the engine cold start event when the heat load on the engine coolant system is low.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generation and delivery system that lends itself to small scale applications and requires very low maintenance. The system preferably includes an anode reservoir and a cathode phase separator each having a hydrophobic membrane to allow phase separation of produced gases from water. The hydrogen gas, ozone gas and water containing ozone may be delivered under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the electrochemical generation of ozone for use in “point-of-use” applications. The electrochemical ozone generators or systems of the present invention may be used to provide disinfected water, ozone-containing water, and/or ozone gas. Disinfected water may be produced by introducing ozone gas into a potable or purified water source for the purpose of disinfecting or controlling the microorganisms in the water source. Ozonated water or ozone gas may be produced and provided for various anti-microbial and cleansing applications of the consumer, such as washing food, clothing, dishes, countertops, toys, sinks, bathroom surfaces, and the like. Furthermore, the ozone generator may be used to deliver a stream of ozone-containing water for the purpose of commercial or residential point-of-use washing, disinfecting, and sterilizing medical instruments and medical equipment.

Abstract: Electrochemical apparatus and methods that support periodic, non-steady state, or discontinuous operation without suffering degradation of materials or loss of efficiency. The invention provides a means for positioning one or more electrodes into contact with electrolyte and means for retracting the one or more electrodes out of contact with the electrolyte. The means for positioning and means for retracting may be the same device or different devices. The means for positioning and means for retracting may be designed to provide automatic, passive, or fail-safe retraction of the electrode upon a given shutdown condition, such as a voltage of less than one Volt being applied between the first and second electrodes, expiration of a time period, an ozone concentration greater than a setpoint ozone concentration, contact pressure of less than 5 psig, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generating system that combines single-use elements or segments with an extended use fixture that is used to activate the single-use elements. One embodiment of the invention consists of a strip of proton exchange membrane (PEM) having the ozone producing catalyst applied directly onto one side of membrane. Optionally, the application of this catalyst may be divided into segments or patches, wherein each segment represents the limited-use portion of the ozone generator. Each segment may be advanced into a fixture that provides the balance of the electrochemical system required for operation of the ozone generator. This balance of system may include additional subsystems, with a power supply, water source, electrical contacts, electronic controllers, sensors and feedback components, being typical examples.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for chemically heating one or more components of, or intake air flowing to, an internal combustion engine by feeding hydrogen to a catalyst. In accordance with the invention, condensation of fuels on cold engine cylinder walls during and after cold start-ups is prevented, thereby reducing wear on the engine. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for reducing pollutants commonly occurring during cold start-up of combustion engines by heating components of, or intake air flowing to, a combustion engine, in order to quickly warm the engine and its catalytic converter to operating temperatures.

Abstract: Thin, light weight bipolar plates for use in electrochemical cells are rapidly, and inexpensively manufactured in mass production by die casting, stamping or other well known methods for fabricating magnesium or aluminum parts. The use of a light metal, such as magnesium or aluminum minimizes weight and simultaneously improves both electrical and thermal conductivity compared to conventional carbon parts. For service in electrochemical cells these components must be protected from corrosion. This is accomplished by plating the surface of the light weight metal parts with a layer of denser, but more noble metal. The protective metal layer is deposited in one of several ways. One of these is deposition from an aqueous solution by either electroless means, electrolytic means, or a combination of the two. Another is deposition by electrolytic means from a non-aqueous solution, such as a molten salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generation and delivery system that lends itself to small scale applications and requires very low maintenance. The system includes an anode reservoir and a cathode phase separator each having a hydrophobic membrane to allow phase separation of produced gases from water. The system may be configured to operate passively with no moving parts or in a self-pressurizing manner with the inclusion of a pressure controlling device or valve in the gas outlet of the anode reservoir. The hydrogen gas, ozone gas and water containing ozone may be delivered under pressure.