Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a reactant temperature conditioner. The conditioner includes a fuel inlet for receiving fuel from a fuel source and an oxidant inlet for receiving oxidant from an oxidant source. The conditioner is configured to transfer heat energy from the oxidant to the fuel to arrive at a conditioned oxidant and a conditioned fuel. The conditioner has a fuel outlet coupled to the fuel cell stack to allow flow of the conditioned fuel to the fuel cell stack and an oxidant outlet to allow flow of the conditioned oxidant to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system includes electrically coupling a fuel cell stack to an energy storage device and an electrical demand by a load device. A controller is coupled to the fuel cell stack, the energy storage device, and the load device via a communications connection. The controller obtains information relative to an operation of at least one of the fuel cell stack and the energy storage device and the controller controls an operation of the load device based on the information.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system includes electrically coupling the fuel cell stack to an energy storage device and an electrical demand by a load device at a substantially constant voltage. A controller controls an amount of an oxidant supply to the fuel cell stack based on the demand by the load device.

Abstract: A technique includes lowering a temperature of a cathode exhaust flow from an electrochemical cell to produce a second flow and routing the second flow to a contaminant trap.

Abstract: A control algorithm for operating an integrated fuel cell system includes the following steps: determining whether a power output of a fuel cell is within a first predetermined range of an electrical load coupled to the fuel cell; lowering a reactant flow to the fuel cell when the power output is within the first predetermined range; detecting an increase of the electrical load; determining whether the increase exceeds a second predetermined range; and increasing a reactant flow to the fuel cell when the increase exceeds the second predetermined range.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, energy storage and a control subsystem. The energy storage supplements a power that is provided by the fuel cell stack. The energy storage is coupled to the fuel cell stack and has a voltage. The control system regulates a peak of the voltage based on a temperature of the energy storage.

Abstract: A fuel cell-based system includes an electromechanical pressure relief system to prevent an overpressure condition from damaging the anode circuit of a fuel cell stack or creating a hazardous environment. Upon detection of a fuel flow pressure in a fuel path between a fuel source and the fuel cell stack, the pressure relief system isolates the anode circuit from the fuel path, vents the fuel flow, and shuts down the fuel cell system.

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 technique that is usable with a fuel cell includes generating a humidified reactant flow. The technique includes measuring a rate of condensate production from the reactant flow and controlling the generation of the humidified reactant flow in response to the measured rate of condensate production.

Abstract: A combination fuel cell and hydrogen or oxygen pump includes an electrochemical cell comprising an anode inlet for receiving fuel, an anode outlet for exhausting fuel, a cathode inlet for receiving oxidant, a cathode outlet for exhausting oxidant, and first and second electrical connectors. A controller is operable for applying an electrical load to the electrochemical cell for generating electricity, and for applying an electrical potential to the electrochemical cell for purifying hydrogen or purifying oxygen. Methods and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a fuel cell stack includes routing an anode exhaust of the fuel cell stack to an anode exhaust line. Based on a mode operation of the fuel cell stack, communication is selectively established between a cathode chamber of the fuel cell stack and the anode exhaust line.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for fluid collection within a fuel cell system. The fluid collection device includes a fluid collection container which has a gas inlet, a gas outlet, at least one fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The at least one fluid inlet allows condensate to enter the fluid collection container. A fluid is contained within the fluid collection container. The gas inlet allows a purge gas to enter the fluid collection container to substantially purge the atmosphere of the fluid collection container through the gas outlet.

Abstract: A technique includes providing fuel and oxidant flows to a fuel cell. The technique includes humidifying the anode of the fuel cell, including saturating the oxidant flow and maintaining a temperature of the oxidant flow above a temperature of the fuel cell such that excess water propagates from a cathode of the fuel cell to the anode.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a fuel processor design and a method for manufacture. In one aspect of the invention, a fuel processor assembly has a first plate and a second plate that are mated to form a plurality of reactor housings and channels to direct the reactants. At least one of the first and second plates has an inlet orifice feature adapted to receive a hydrocarbon stream, and at least one of the first and second plates has an outlet orifice feature adapted to exhaust a reformate stream. In some embodiments, a third plate and a fourth plate can be mated to enclose the first and second plates so that a coolant can be circulated between an external surface of the first and second plates and an internal surface of the third and fourth plates.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a thermostat. The thermostat is mounted to the fuel cell stack to regulate a flow of coolant.

Abstract: An oxidizer that is usable with a fuel cell includes a catalyst, an inlet to communicate an oxidant flow, an injection tube to communicate an anode exhaust flow, a mixing tube and a divergent nozzle. The injection tube communicates the anode exhaust flow from the fuel cell into the oxidizer to produce a combined flow in which the anode exhaust flow is oriented in substantially the same direction as the oxidant flow and surrounded by the oxidant flow. The mixing tube is connected to the inlet to receive the combined flow and mix the oxidant flow and the anode exhaust flow mix together to produce a mixed flow. A cross-sectional flow area of the mixing tube is sized to prevent flashback. The divergent nozzle communicates the mixed flow to the catalyst.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation are provided whereby application of a fuel cell is coordinated with a fuel processor and a hydrogen separator.

Abstract: A composition is provided that can be used, for example, in a fuel processor for a fuel cell system. The composition includes a first material such as a catalyst, and a second material such as a desiccant. The second material is capable of sorbing and desorbing a heat transfer material such as water, and is present in an amount sufficient to sorb an amount of the heat transfer material sufficient to remove a portion of the heat generated when the first material undergoes an exothermic reaction.

Abstract: Fuel cell catalyst layers, and related systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A cogeneration fuel cell system and associated methods of operation are provided that accommodate a demand for heat as well as a demand for electric power. The system is operated among various modes to balance heat and power demand signals. In general, a fuel cell system is coupled to a power sink and a heat sink, and a controller is adapted to respond to data signals from the power sink and the heat sink. As examples, such data signals from the heat sink may include a temperature indication or a heat demand signal (such as from a thermostat), and such data signals from the power sink may include a voltage or current measurement, an electrical power demand signal, or an electrical load.