Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell power system has a plurality of fuel cell power modules, a plurality of electrolysis modules, a water management system and a master controller. The master controller manages the temperature within the electrolysis system to prevent freezing through circulation of water from the water management system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack and method are provided with use the generated hydrogen gas to pressurize a chamber. The electrochemical cell stack includes a plurality of cells mounted between a first static endplate and a dynamic endplate. A pressure chamber is formed between a second static endplate and the dynamic endplate. The chamber acts upon a dynamic endplate to increase the loading on a plurality of cells as the generated gas pressure increases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.

Abstract: A compartmentalized storage tank is disclosed. The compartmentalized storage tank includes a housing, a first fluid storage section disposed within the housing, a second fluid storage section disposed within the housing, the first and second fluid storage sections being separated by a movable divider, and a constant force spring. The constant force spring is disposed between the housing and the movable divider to exert a constant force on the movable divider to cause a pressure P1 in the first fluid storage section to be greater than a pressure P2 in the second fluid storage section, thereby defining a pressure differential.

Abstract: A system for providing hydrogen gas is provided. The system includes a hydrogen generator that produces gas from water. One or more heat generation devices are arranged to provide heating of the enclosure during different modes of operation to prevent freezing of components. A plurality of temperature sensors are arranged and coupled to a controller to selectively activate a heat source if the temperature of the component is less than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell apparatus is disclosed. The electrochemical cell apparatus includes a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) having a membrane with a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first electrode in contact with the first side, and a second electrode in contact with the second side. The apparatus further includes a flow field member and a protector member having a boundary partially defined by a first surface facing toward a center of the MEA. The second electrode has a boundary partially defined by a second surface facing away from the center of the MEA. A first distance from the center of the MEA to the first surface is greater than a correspondingly oriented second distance from the center of the MEA to the second surface, thereby defining a gap between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A system to vent a moist gas stream is disclosed. The system includes an enclosure and an electrochemical cell disposed within the enclosure, the electrochemical cell productive of the moist gas stream. A first vent is in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell for venting the moist gas stream to an exterior of the enclosure, and a second vent is in fluid communication with an interior of the enclosure and in thermal communication with the first vent for discharging heated air to the exterior of the enclosure. At least a portion of the discharging heated air is for preventing freezing of the moist gas stream within the first vent.

Abstract: A system for providing field deployable electrical power distribution is provided. The system includes a plurality of power sources providing electrical power to meet the electrical needs of a field operations camp. The power sources include at least one regenerative fuel cell that is arranged to provide a electrical power when renewable energy sources are unavailable. Also provided is at least one generator and one regenerative fuel cell electrically connected to the plurality of loads. Also provided is a plurality of power converters, each of the plurality of power converters being electrically connected between the at least one generator and regenerative fuel cell and one of the plurality of loads. An arrangement is also included for providing a high availability battery charging station.

Abstract: A system to detect a presence of a specific gas in a mixture of gaseous byproducts comprising moisture vapor is disclosed. The system includes an electrochemical cell, a transport to deliver the mixture of gaseous byproducts from the electrochemical cell, a gas sensor in fluid communication with the transport, the sensor responsive to a presence of the specific gas to generate a signal corresponding to a concentration of the specific gas, and a membrane to prevent transmission of liquid moisture, the membrane disposed between the transport and the gas sensor.

Abstract: A gas recovery system is disclosed. The gas recovery system includes a gas source productive of a gaseous stream comprising moisture, a gas dryer in fluid communication with and downstream of the gas source, and an electrochemical compressor in fluid communication with and downstream of the gas dryer. The gas dryer is disposed to receive the gaseous stream and produce a delivery stream absent moisture and a slipstream comprising moisture. The electrochemical compressor is disposed to receive the slipstream at a first pressure and produce a compressed stream at a second pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for an a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell having a first side with a first fluid flow region bordered by a first sealing region, and a second side with a second fluid flow region bordered by a second sealing region is disclosed. The first and second sealing regions each include a plurality of non-continuous sealing features having overlapping ends that extend around the perimeter of the respective fluid flow region.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell having a first side, a second side, and a sealing region is disclosed. The first side has a first fluid flow region bordered by a first sealing region, and the second side has a second fluid flow region bordered by a second sealing region. The first sealing region is composed of a mesh bonded to the first side.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell is disclosed. The bipolar plate includes a unitary plate having first and second inlet ports, first and second outlet ports, first flow channels, and second flow channels. A first inlet header channel at one end of the first flow channels is in fluid communication with the first inlet port, and a first outlet header channel at the other end of the first flow channels is in fluid communication with the first outlet port. A second inlet header channel at one end of the second flow channels is in fluid communication with the second inlet port, and a second outlet header channel at the other end of the second flow channels is in fluid communication with the second outlet port. Each of the header channels includes a support surface sufficient to support a membrane-electrode-assembly while providing a fluid flow channel from one end of the respective header channel to the other end.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell having a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer is disclosed. The first layer has a first plurality of through channels oriented in a first direction. The second layer has a second plurality of through channels oriented in a second different direction. The third layer is disposed between and bonded to the first and second layers. The third layer has a first set of header channels in fluid communication with the first plurality of channels, and a second set of header channels in fluid communication with the second plurality of channels. A first inlet port and a first outlet port are in fluid communication with the first set of header channels, and a second inlet port and a second outlet port are in fluid communication with the second set of header channels. The bonded third layer prevents fluid communication between the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels.

Abstract: Electrochemical systems and methods of operating the systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for operating an electrochemical system, comprises: forming hydrogen gas in an electrolysis cell, maintaining the hydrogen gas at a temperature sufficient to enable the filling of a hydrogen gas vessel at a rate that would fill a 5 kg vessel with the hydrogen gas in a period of time of less than or equal to about 10 minutes, and introducing the hydrogen gas to the hydrogen gas vessel.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes, and a pressure pad disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode. The pressure pad is an electrically conductive sheet and is of a structure that is conformable to pressure variations within the cell. Methods of forming the pressure pad include disposing dimples or corrugations at the electrically conductive member. A method of maintaining compression within the cell includes disposing the electrically conductive member and the compression member at the first electrode, applying a load at the cell to compress the cell components, and maintaining electrical communication through the electrically conductive member.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to at least one hydrogen generator and at least one power generator. Each power generator further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the hydrogen storage container, an electric energy storage device, and an unregulated dc bus electrically connected to said fuel cell and said electric storage device. The system further provides for a health monitoring system for determining the occurrence of critical events which may necessitate the disabling of the system.

Abstract: A gas/liquid phase separator includes a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and first and second valves disposed in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. Both valves are controllable in response to a fluid level in the gas/liquid phase separator. Both valves are further disposed in parallel fluid communication with each other. A method of controlling a liquid level in the phase separator includes sensing an amount of liquid in the phase separator, sensing a system pressure, and selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with the phase separator to drain the liquid.