Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the thermal management of a high temperature fuel cell. According to embodiments described herein, a non-reactant coolant is routed into a fuel cell from a compressor or a ram air source. The non-reactant coolant absorbs waste heat from the electrochemical reaction within the fuel cell. The heated coolant is discharged from the fuel cell and is vented to the surrounding environment or directed through a turbine. The energy recouped from the heated coolant by the turbine may be used to drive the compressor or a generator to create additional electricity and increase the efficiency of the fuel cell system. A portion of the heated coolant may be recycled into the non-reactant coolant entering the fuel cell to prevent thermal shock of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the thermal management of a high temperature fuel cell. According to embodiments described herein, a non-reactant coolant is routed into a fuel cell from a compressor or a ram air source. The non-reactant coolant absorbs waste heat from the electrochemical reaction within the fuel cell. The heated coolant is discharged from the fuel cell and is vented to the surrounding environment or directed through a turbine. The energy recouped from the heated coolant by the turbine may be used to drive the compressor or a generator to create additional electricity and increase the efficiency of the fuel cell system. A portion of the heated coolant may be recycled into the non-reactant coolant entering the fuel cell to prevent thermal shock of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the thermal management of a high temperature fuel cell. According to embodiments described herein, a non-reactant coolant is routed into a fuel cell from a compressor or a ram air source. The non-reactant coolant absorbs waste heat from the electrochemical reaction within the fuel cell. The heated coolant is discharged from the fuel cell and is vented to the surrounding environment or directed through a turbine. The energy recouped from the heated coolant by the turbine may be used to drive the compressor or a generator to create additional electricity and increase the efficiency of the fuel cell system. A portion of the heated coolant may be recycled into the non-reactant coolant entering the fuel cell to prevent thermal shock of the fuel cell.

Abstract: An aerospace platform includes a structure having a cavity and a light-transmissive portion that exposes the cavity to sunlight. The aerospace platform further includes a fluid heating system. The fluid heating system includes a fluid-carrying, thermally absorptive structure within the cavity, and a solar collector for collecting light transmitted through the light-transmissive portion and focusing the collected light onto the absorptive structure. The thermally absorptive structure has a high surface absorptivity that retains thermal energy when exposed to solar irradiance and heats fluid contained therein.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide for the creation of power, water, and heat utilizing a fuel cell. According to embodiments described herein, fuel is provided to a fuel cell for the creation of power and a fuel byproduct. The fuel byproduct is routed to a byproduct separation phase of a power and water generation system, where water is separated from the fuel byproduct. The remaining mixture is reacted in a burner phase of the system to create additional heat that may be converted to mechanical energy and/or utilized with other processes within the system or outside of the system. According to other aspects, the separated water may be utilized within a biofuel production subsystem for the creation of biofuel to be used by the fuel cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for the thermal management of a high temperature fuel cell. According to embodiments described herein, a non-reactant coolant is routed into a fuel cell from a compressor or a ram air source. The non-reactant coolant absorbs waste heat from the electrochemical reaction within the fuel cell. The heated coolant is discharged from the fuel cell and is vented to the surrounding environment or directed through a turbine. The energy recouped from the heated coolant by the turbine may be used to drive the compressor or a generator to create additional electricity and increase the efficiency of the fuel cell system. A portion of the heated coolant may be recycled into the non-reactant coolant entering the fuel cell to prevent thermal shock of the fuel cell.

Abstract: An aerospace platform includes a structure having a cavity and a light-transmissive portion that exposes the cavity to sunlight. The aerospace platform further includes a fluid heating system. The fluid heating system includes a fluid-carrying, thermally absorptive structure within the cavity, and a solar collector for collecting light transmitted through the light-transmissive portion and focusing the collected light onto the absorptive structure. The thermally absorptive structure has a high surface absorptivity that retains thermal energy when exposed to solar irradiance and heats fluid contained therein.