Abstract: An ECU (114) determines a connection state between a vehicle (200) and an external power supply (300) based on a resistance detected by a resistance detector (106). When the vehicle (200) and the external power supply (300) are connected, power supply from an FC (102) to a drive motor (204) is interrupted by turning off a switch (116) to prevent wiring (105) from having breakage etc. by movement of the vehicle (200), thus inhibiting movement of the vehicle (200).

Abstract: A fuel cell manifold holding pressurized cooling fluid is attached to a plurality of cells. A swirl chamber communicating cooling fluid from the manifold to the cells slows the speed of the cooling fluid and lowers its pressure as it enters a fuel cell cooling path.

Abstract: A thermoelectric augmented fuel cell system is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack for generating electrical power and a thermoelectric unit provided in thermal contact with the fuel cell stack for receiving thermal energy from the fuel cell stack and generating additional electrical power.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell is described. The method includes controlling the temperature of the anode plate and the temperature of the cathode plate to obtain a temperature difference of at least about 2° C. between the anode plate and the cathode plate. A fuel cell is also described.

Abstract: A post-control electric power amount curve generating portion generates plural pieces of running control information indicating a changeable running method for each device and plural post-control electric power amount curves indicating an amount of main electric power. A post-control hot water storage amount curve generating portion generates post-control hot water storage amount curves each indicating an accumulated amount of hot water generated in a case where the fuel cell generates electric power based on the plural post-control electric power amount curves. A hot water storage completion determining portion determines whether the accumulated amounts exceed a specific heat capacity. A reduction amount calculating portion calculates plural energy cost reduction amounts produced before and after the change using the post-control hot water storage amount curves determined as not exceeding the specific heat capacity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for determining the operating parameters of individual cells or short stacks of fuel cells, preferably of medium-temperature or high-temperature fuel cells.

Abstract: An internal coolant circulation system and method of homogenizing waste heat in a fuel cell stack using homogenous thermal coolant cycling is disclosed. The method includes operating a fuel cell stack, distributing a coolant through the fuel cell stack, terminating operation of the fuel cell stack, retaining the coolant in the fuel cell stack and circulating the coolant throughout the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having conductive coolant flowing there through and a high voltage direct current (HVDC) bus interconnected with the fuel cell. An active isolation circuit includes coolant fault current sensors that detect a fault current (also called residual current) in the coolant and generates a fault signal when the fault current is detected. A switching circuit compensates and redirects the fault current based on the fault signal, providing active fault current limitation thereby.

Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes: a fuel cell stack for generating electric power by receiving supply of a reaction gas; a humidifying device for delivering an oxidizing off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack and an oxidizing gas with a water vapor permeable membrane interposed therebetween, and thereby carrying out a moisture exchange between the oxidizing off-gas and the oxidizing gas; and a discharge flow passage for discharging the oxidizing off-gas discharged from the humidifying device to an outside of the vehicle. An oxidizing off-gas outlet that opens toward a front side of the vehicle is formed in the humidifying device. The discharge flow passage is connected to the oxidizing off-gas outlet and is bent in an approximate U shape from a front side of the vehicle to a back side of the vehicle.

Abstract: Fuel cells having an efficient means of thermal insulation such that all of the components requiring high temperature operation are contained within a single housing and whereby such thermal insulation is disposed exterior to such housing.

Abstract: This fuel cell system is equipped with a fuel cell having a reaction gas flow passage, generating power by the reaction gas being supplied to the reaction gas flow passage, having a refrigerant flow passage, and cooled by the refrigerant being supplied to the refrigerant flow passage; a reaction gas supply device for supplying the reaction gas to the reaction gas flow passage; a refrigerant supply device for supplying the refrigerant to the refrigerant flow passage; a refrigerant supply restriction device for restricting a refrigerant supply amount to the refrigerant flow passage; and a controller for controlling the refrigerant supply restriction device, wherein the reaction gas refrigerant supply devices have a drive device in common and are integrally driven, and wherein when warming up the fuel cell, the controller controls the refrigerant supply restriction device and reduces the refrigerant supply amount to the refrigerant flow passage.

Abstract: A multi-unit fuel cell system that includes a common-use reforming unit configured to supply hydrogen to multiple fuel cell units that are installed in multiple units, such as apartments within an apartment building. In one example embodiment, a fuel cell system including a common-use reforming unit and multiple fuel cell units is disclosed. The common-use reforming unit is configured to supply hydrogen to the plurality of fuel cell units. Each fuel cell unit includes a stack unit, an air supplying unit, an integral heat exchange unit, a hot-water supplying unit, an auxiliary heat supplying unit, and an electric output unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and its control method capable of removing condensed water only from a place where flooding is generated, without deteriorating an electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane (10) which is a solid high-molecular membrane is sandwiched by an anode (12) and a cathode (14) and these are sandwiched by collectors (16). Furthermore, these are sandwiched by separators (18), thereby constituting a fuel cell (30). Heating means is arranged on the separator (18) and its switch (20) is turned ON when the moisture for hydration of the electrolyte membrane (10) is condensed, so that current is supplied to the heating means from a power source (22) so as to evaporate the condensed water. This rapidly eliminates flooding.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell stack having a stacked body formed by stacking fuel cell units together and a pair of end plates sandwiching the stacked body therebetween; electrical heaters disposed near the ends of the stacked body or the end plates, respectively; a water purging device for purging water which is generated during a power generation operation in the fuel cell stack, and which is held in the fuel cell units; and a control unit which controls the power generation operation in the fuel cell stack, and which is operatively connected to the electrical heaters and the water purging device. The control unit is adapted to operate the electrical heaters and the water purging device when the power generation operation is stopped.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack that includes at least one electricity generator generating electric energy through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen and a cooling system are provided. The electricity generator includes a membrane-electrode assembly, separators on both sides of the membrane-electrode assembly, and cooling channels placed approximately parallel to a first direction of the membrane-electrode assembly, where a coolant flows through the cooling channels, and where the cooling channels have different distribution densities in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell system which includes: a fuel cell fed with a reaction gas for generating power; an output detection unit which detects output current and voltage of the fuel cell; a storage unit which stores a standard current-voltage characteristic of the fuel cell, from which a standard voltage of the fuel cell at an output current thereof is obtainable; and a gas feed mismatch detection unit which detects a gas feed mismatch of the reaction gas, based on a comparison between the detected output voltage of the fuel cell and the standard voltage at the detected output current, obtained from the standard current-voltage characteristic stored.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell assembly and a fuel cell system use a simple construction to restrain deterioration of power generating performance of a fuel cell assembly at a startup in a subfreezing environment. If an ignition switch is turned off is STEP 1, a control unit determines in STEP 3 whether the temperature of a fuel cell assembly (the internal temperature of the fuel cell assembly) is lower than a predetermined temperature, which is higher than the temperature at which the water produced during power generation freezes. If the internal temperature of the fuel cell assembly is the predetermined temperature or higher, then the processing proceeds to STEP 4 wherein a power generating condition is adjusted to cause the internal temperature of the fuel cell assembly to rise. In STEP 5, an alarm device is actuated.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a diagnostic apparatus which diagnoses a state of the fuel cell includes an operation device which is used for operating the fuel cell; an operational state detecting portion which detects a change in an operational state of the fuel cell; a device control portion which controls the operation device such that the fuel cell is operated according to at least one predetermined operation pattern; and a diagnostic portion which diagnoses the state of the fuel cell based on the change in the operational state of the fuel cell that is detected by the change in the operational state detecting portion when the fuel cell is operated by the device control portion according to the at least one predetermined operation pattern, and the at least one predetermined operation pattern.

Abstract: A system includes a fuel cell stack, a power communication path, a first controller and a second controller. The fuel cell stack generates electrical power, and the power communication path is coupled between the fuel cell stack and a load of the system to communicate the electrical power to the load. The power communication path includes a switch, which is operable to selectively couple the fuel cell stack to the load and isolate the fuel cell stack from the load. The first controller has a first response time to control the fuel cell stack and control the power communication path. The second controller has a second response time, which is significantly less than the first response time to monitor the power communication path for a fault condition and take corrective action in response to detecting the fault condition.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a fuel cell stack is overheating. The system measures the temperature of end cells in the stack using end cell temperature sensors, and calculates an average end cell temperature based on the end cell temperature measurements. The system also measures the temperature of a cooling fluid being output from the fuel cell stack. The system determines if any of the measured end cell temperatures are outlying by comparing each end cell temperature measurement to the average. The system determines that the cooling fluid outlet temperature sensor has possibly failed if the cooling fluid outlet temperature is greater than the average end cell temperature and the cooling fluid outlet temperature minus the average end cell temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature value.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating an electrochemical conversion cell is provided wherein the method comprises the steps of (i) initiating a membrane dehydration sequence when the membrane is characterized by an initial membrane hydration ?WET and (ii) maintaining the membrane dehydration sequence until the membrane is characterized by a target membrane hydration ?DRY. According to the method, the membrane dehydration sequence is characterized by a drying rate that varies in a manner that substantially corresponds to a fatigue life contour map of the membrane. Additional methods and corresponding systems are contemplated.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy generating apparatus with which the crossover of a fuel can be suppressed and a method of driving the apparatus are disclosed. The electrochemical energy generating apparatus (e.g., a fuel cell system) includes an electrochemical device (fuel cell) which has an electrolyte membrane 6 clamped between opposed electrodes and which generates electrochemical energy by a reaction of an alcohol with water at one (fuel electrode) of the electrodes and a fuel evaporating section by which a fuel including said alcohol and substantially not containing water is supplied in a gaseous state to the side of the one of the electrodes of the electrochemical device. The method of driving the electrochemical energy generating apparatus 1 includes supplying the fuel in the gaseous state to the one of the electrodes by the fuel evaporating section.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) is provided and includes a fuel cell stack (3) and a heat transfer device (5) adapted to transfer heat from a cathode exhaust stream of the fuel cell stack (3) to water to be provided to a fuel inlet stream.

Abstract: A reformer fuel cell system having a plurality of components, that are a plurality of partial reformer systems forming a reformer for the generation of a hydrogen-rich gas and a fuel cell for the generation of electric current with use being made of the hydrogen-rich gas. A burner device is arranged outside of the reformer and the fuel cell is provided for the generation of a hot exhaust gas. An exhaust gas supply assembly supplies the exhaust gas to at least two of the components wherein the exhaust gas supply assembly defines the flow path of the exhaust gas such that the exhaust gas flows to and/or through the components according to the level of their particular operating temperature in descending temperature order. In this manner, it is easily possible to directly heat up the individual components to the level of their particular operating temperature in a selective manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology related to a fuel cell system capable of adjusting a discharge amount of an odorant discharged to an outside of a moving body according to a state of the moving body. The fuel cell system mounted to a moving body includes: a fuel cell which generates electric power by electrochemically reacting a hydrogen gas with an oxidation gas; and a adjusting portion which adjusts an amount of an odorant to be discharged to an outside of the moving body according to a state of the moving body, the odorant being included in an anode off-gas discharged from an anode side of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion apparatus has an evaporator for heating a working medium in liquid-phase to evaporate the working medium, an electric generator for forming a concentration cell for electric power generation when it is supplied with a reactive gas and the working medium evaporated by the evaporator, and a gas-liquid separator for being supplied with a mixed gas of the working medium and a cathode off-gas discharged from the electric generator and separating the mixed gas into the working medium and the reactive gas. The thermoelectric conversion apparatus also has an anode supply passage for supplying the reactive gas separated by the gas-liquid separator to the electric generator, and a cathode supply passage for supplying the working medium separated by the gas-liquid separator through the evaporator to the electric generator.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that provides a flow of anode exhaust gas into the cathode side of the fuel cells without allowing the anode exhaust gas flow and the cathode input flow to mix in a large volume. In one embodiment, strategically positioned perforations in the MEAs allow the anode exhaust gas to cross over to the cathode channels near the cathode input. These perforations could be provided as an array of small holes in an MEA sub-gasket or an MEA carrier frame. In an alternate embodiment, openings are provided through the bipolar plates that allow the anode exhaust to flow into the cathode channels. This configuration would require a special anode half-plate at one end of the stack to provide the opening.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system comprising: a reformer for generating a hydrogen gas stream from fuel through a catalytic chemical reaction using thermal energy; and a stack for generating electric energy through a reaction between the hydrogen gas stream and oxygen. The reformer includes: a first reaction section for generating thermal energy through an oxidation reaction of fuel during start-up of the fuel cell system; a second reaction section which communicates with the first reaction section and which generates the hydrogen gas stream from the fuel through a reforming reaction using the thermal energy; and a third reaction section which communicates with the first and second reaction sections, and which generates thermal energy through an oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas stream, thereby reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide in the hydrogen gas stream.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes thermal control of an electrical energy storage device or electrochemical energy generation device includes providing a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes providing at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical power in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. Further, the method includes forming a plurality of thermal control structures of a high thermal conductivity material coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components. The high thermal conductivity material having a high k-value, the high k-value being greater than approximately 400 W/(m*K). Further still, the method includes flowing a fluid adjacent the high thermal conductivity material to transfer heat to or from the high thermal conductivity material.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes altering temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device, includes providing at least one thermal control structure formed of a high thermal conductive material, the high thermal conductive material having a high k-value. The high k-value is greater than approximately 410 W/(m*K). The thermal control structures are disposed adjacent at least a portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device. The thermal control structures are configured to provide heat transfer away from the portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical electrochemical energy generation device.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes placing an electrical load to draw current from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes generating electricity by at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. Further, the method includes thermal control of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device by transferring heat to a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes configuring a controller with a control algorithm to control the actions of a controllable fluid flow device as a function of states of a mobile device using the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device is configured to provide electrical current. The method also includes providing a microchannel thermal control system for the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The microchannel thermal control system is configured to alter the temperature at least portions of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes altering the temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes configuring a controller with a control algorithm to control the actions of a fluid control system as a function of current draw from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device, the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device configured to provide electrical current. The method also includes providing A microchannel thermal control system for the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The microchannel thermal control system is configured to cool at least portions of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes altering the temperature of an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device, includes placing an electrical load to draw current from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes generating electricity by at least one component within the housing. At least one component being configured to generate electrical power in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical electrochemical energy generation device or an electrochemical energy generation device. The method includes providing a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes coupling at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. The method includes forming a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or the at least one internal components. At least one microchannel is at least partially formed of a high thermal conductivity material. The high thermal conductivity material has a high k-value, the high k-value is greater than approximately 410 W/(m*K). The method further includes providing a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes placing an electrical load to draw current from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes generating electricity by at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. Further, the method includes thermal control the electrical energy storage device by transferring heat to a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or at least one components.

Abstract: A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes providing at least one thermal control structure formed of a high thermal conductive material. The high thermal conductive material having a high k-value, the high k-value being greater than approximately 410 W/(m*K). The thermal control structures are disposed adjacent at least a portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The thermal control structures are configured to provide heat transfer away from the portion of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The method also includes configuring a controller with a control algorithm to control the actions of a controllable fluid flow device as a function of a mobile device states. The mobile device using electricity from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling a fuel cell stack. The cooling system uses vaporization cooling of the fuel stack and supersonic vapor compression of the vaporized coolant to significantly increase the temperature and pressure of the liquid coolant flowing through a heat exchanger. By increasing the heat rejection temperature of the coolant delivered to the heat exchanger, the heat transfer area of the heat exchanger can be reduced and the mass flow rate of coolant can also be reduced. The increased fluid pressure is used to circulate the coolant through the cooling system, thereby eliminating the circulation pump associated with conventional systems.

Abstract: A fuel cell system capable of proper driving even at times of low temperature, below freezing or the like. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, piping, a pressure regulator, and a control unit. The piping discharges hydrogen or air that is used in electricity generation from the fuel cell stack. The pressure regulator regulates pressure of gases which are supplied and discharged to and from the fuel cell stack in accordance with the size of a load. The control unit judges whether or not there is a likelihood of the pressure regulator freezing, and when it is judged that there is a likelihood of freezing, prohibits a degree of openness of the pressure regulator from going below a predetermined degree of openness.

Abstract: A reformer that directly receives heat and performs an ATR catalyst reaction and an SR catalyst reaction. The reformer includes: a reforming reactor to reform hydrogen containing fuel into reformed gas having abundant hydrogen by performing an ATR catalyst reaction and an SR catalyst reaction; a heat source contacting one side of the reforming reactor and providing the reforming reactor with heat; and an air feeder to feed the reforming reactor with air by an air flow control unit. Thus, the ATR catalyst reaction featuring a relatively short preheating time is performed while the reformer is initially operated, so that hydrogen can be produced when the reformer is initially operated, thereby efficiently operating a fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a fuel cell diffusion media having a spatially varying mass transport resistance is provided. The method includes at least two passes where a first-pass D/Deff profile for the fuel cell diffusion media is provided and applied to a computational model of the fuel cell having a baseline variable profile. At least one first-pass variable profile resulting from the application of the first-pass D/Deff profile to the computational mode is calculated and compared to a desired variable range. The first-pass D/Deff profile is refined, if necessary, to provide a second-pass D/Deff profile. A relative performance of the fuel cell with a second-pass variable profile resulting from an application of the second-pass D/Deff profile is determined. The second-pass D/Deff profile is refined, if necessary, until the second-pass variable profile has a desirable performance. An effective D/Deff profile is thereby provided.

Abstract: A condenser condenses an unused exhaust gas exhausted from a fuel cell and recovers water, condensation-capacity detection means always monitors the condensation capacity of the condenser, control means controls an output of heat-transport-medium circulation means, stores the exhaust heat of the fuel cell in heat-using means when a sufficient condensation capacity is left, and stops the heat-transport-medium circulation means to complete exhaust-heat recovery when the condensation capacity lowers. Moreover, a fuel cell, a cooling pipe through which a first heating medium of carrying the heat of the fuel cell circulates, a cooling-water pump of circulating the first heating medium, and a fuel-cell-temperature detector of detecting the temperature of the fuel cell are used to operate a cooling-water pump until the temperature detected by the fuel-cell-temperature detector becomes a predetermine threshold value or less even after supply of a fuel and an oxidant to the fuel cell is stopped.

Abstract: A method of operating an atmospheric-pressure solid oxide fuel cell generator (6) in combination with a gas turbine comprising a compressor (1) and expander (2) where an inlet oxidant (20) is passed through the compressor (1) and exits as a first stream (60) and a second stream (62) the first stream passing through a flow control valve (56) to control flow and then through a heat exchanger (54) followed by mixing with the second stream (62) where the mixed streams are passed through a combustor (8) and expander (2) and the first heat exchanger for temperature control before entry into the solid oxide fuel cell generator (6), which generator (6) is also supplied with fuel (40).

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell and a controller that controls a hydrocarbon fuel supply to an anode side and a cathode side of the fuel cell. The controller controls an oxidant supply to the anode and cathode sides to exothermically react with the hydrocarbon fuel when a temperature of the fuel cell is below a threshold temperature. When the temperature is greater than the threshold temperature, the controller terminates supply of the hydrocarbon fuel and the oxidant to the anode side. The controller terminates supply of the hydrocarbon fuel to the cathode side, and supplies a hydrogen-containing feed to the anode side.

Abstract: An apparatus having a first substrate having (1) a cavity, (2) one or more resistive heaters, and (3) one or more coatings forming a diffusion barrier to hydrogen; a second substrate having (1) an outlet valve comprising a pressure relief structure and (2) one or more coatings forming a diffusion barrier to hydrogen, wherein said second substrate is coupled to said first substrate forming a sealed volume in said cavity; a metal hydride material contained within said cavity; and a gas distribution system formed by coupling a microfluidic interconnect to said pressure relief structure. Additional apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes an electricity generator for generating electric energy through a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, a reformer for generating a reforming gas containing the hydrogen from a fuel through a catalytic reaction using thermal energy and for supplying the reforming gas to the electricity generator, a burner for generating the thermal energy and for supplying the thermal energy to the reformer, a fuel supply unit for supplying the fuel to the reformer, and an air supply unit for supplying air to the electricity generator. The fuel supply unit includes a main fuel tank for storing the fuel, at least one auxiliary fuel tank connected with the main fuel tank and the reformer, and a heating unit disposed in connection with the auxiliary fuel tank to heat the fuel stored in the auxiliary fuel tank.

Abstract: In an ECU, a coolant fan performs cooling operation such that a control DUTY value is limited by a control DUTY value according to tolerable noise level of the cooling fan based on a vehicle speed in a case in which the temperature in the high-voltage battery is lower than a predetermined limitation for highest temperature. In a case in which the temperature in the high-voltage battery is higher than the predetermined limitation for highest temperature, the cooling fan performs the cooling operation by using an energy storage device cooling operation requirement value and an IPU cooling operation requirement value such that performance in the high-voltage battery is not affected. By doing this, a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries in which it is possible to cool the battery and solve temperature difference among a plurality of batteries can be provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell stack including an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold, a first valve in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold, wherein the first valve includes an inlet for receiving a fluid flow and an outlet for exhausting a fluid, a sensor for measuring at least a fluid pressure at the inlet and the outlet of the first valve, wherein the sensor generates a sensor signal representing the pressure measurement, and a processor for receiving the sensor signal, analyzing the sensor signal, and determining a composition of a fluid in the fuel cell system based upon the analysis of the sensor signal.

Abstract: There are disclosed a fuel cell manufacturing device in which a time of an assembling operation of a fuel cell can be reduced, and the fuel cell. A fuel cell manufacturing device is for use in manufacturing a fuel cell having a cell component including a plurality of stacked cells, and a pressurizing component which pressurizes the cell component in a stacking direction, and the device includes a first displacement measurement section which measures a displacement in a case where a defined load is applied to the cell component, and a second displacement measurement section which measures a displacement in a case where a defined load is applied to the pressurizing component. During the assembling operation, a shim for length adjustment having a thickness corresponding to the displacements is selected, and this shim is arranged between the cell component and the pressurizing component.

Abstract: A nitrogen concentration of fuel gas is estimated, and an amount of discharged fuel off-gas that is discharged from a fuel off-gas passage to outside by a discharging mechanism is controlled depending on the estimated nitrogen concentration. The nitrogen concentration, for example, can be estimated from a rate of pressure drop in the fuel off-gas passage during the discharge of fuel off-gas.