Abstract: An electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell outlet, an electrolysis module comprising an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with a water storage device and a hydrogen gas outlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen storage device, and a drainage system disposed downstream of the fuel cell hydrogen outlet and upstream of the water storage device and configured to remove water from the electrochemical cell system upon water within the water storage device attaining a selected level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power system is disclosed. A plurality of sensor signals each representative of an operating characteristic of a power system module are received at a common data bus. The sensor signals are received and analyzed at a controller for the presence of an abnormal operating condition, and in response thereto it is determined whether an operational adjustment of the power system module is desirable. In response to the existence of a desirable adjustment condition, the operation of the power system module is automatically adjusted. A sensor of the plurality of sensors is arranged for providing an operating characteristic that is derivable from one or more of the other sensors, which include a different type of sensor, thereby providing redundant system information for determining whether an operational adjustment of the power system module is desirable.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell stack comprising a fuel cell having a fuel cell hydrogen inlet and a fuel cell hydrogen outlet, and a first electrochemical hydrogen compressor in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen outlet, wherein the first electrochemical hydrogen compressor comprises electrodes in electrical communication with an electricity source, and a compressed hydrogen outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen inlet. In one embodiment, the method of operating the electrochemical cell system comprises: introducing hydrogen feed to a fuel cell at a feed rate of greater than stoichiometry, directing excess hydrogen from the fuel cell to a first electrochemical hydrogen compressor, electrochemically compressing the excess hydrogen to compressed hydrogen, and recirculating the compressed hydrogen gas to the fuel cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is disclosed having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a first cell separator plate, a second cell separator plate, and a carbon layer with integrated flowchannels. The MEA includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane disposed between and in fluid communication with the first and second electrodes. The first cell separator plate is disposed on the first electrode side of the MEA and defines a first flow field therebetween, the first flow field being proximate a first frame member. The second cell separator plate is disposed on the second electrode side of the MEA and defines a second flow field therebetween, the second flow field being proximate a second frame member. The carbon layer with integrated flowchannels is disposed at the first flow field, the flowchannels having a flow width that is equal to or less than the width of the webbing between adjacent flowchannels.

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 compatible with the cell environment and is configured to support the electrodes and the membrane. The pressure pad includes an electrically conductive member and a compression member disposed 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: An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating electricity for use with liquid hydrogen storage facility. The system includes a liquid hydrogen storage tank with a pressure relief. An energy conversion device is connected to the pressure relief valve an converts the hydrogen into rotational energy to operate an electrical generator. Electricity created by the generator can be fed back to operate ancillary loads in the facility, or sold for use in a main electrical grid.

Abstract: A power system comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a bridging power source, wherein the bridging power source is in electrical communication with a bus; a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus, wherein the secondary power source comprises an electrochemical system including a fuel cell. The system further includes: a controller electrically disposed between and in operable communication with the bus and the bridging power source, and electrically disposed between and in communication with the bus and the secondary power source. The controller monitors the primary power source, initiates powering by the bridge power source when the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, initiates the secondary power source when the bridging power source is depleted exceeding a first selected threshold, and initiates interruption of powering by the secondary power source.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the regenerative electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication a water storage device, and a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication with both an oxygen source and with a gaseous portion of an water phase separation device; an electrolysis module comprising an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with the water storage device via a fuel cell oxygen outlet, and an electrolysis water outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the electrochemical cell comprises: a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane disposed between and in ionic communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. A first flow field is in fluid communication with the first electrode and disposed opposite the membrane, with a second flow field in fluid communication with second electrode and disposed opposite the membrane, and an electrically conductive pressure pad adjacent the first flow field and the first electrode. The pressure pad comprises a mixture of at least one substoichiometric oxide of titanium and an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a venturi device coupled with an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine. The venturi device creates a gas flow through a condenser to generate reactant water. After the reactant water is polished to remove contaminants, hydrogen and oxygen are disassociated using a PEM based electrolyzer. The hydrogen gas is used by the internal combustion engine to assist in the combustion process and reduce pollutant emissions.

Abstract: A compression member for an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The compression member includes a first surface including a plurality of raised portions, a second surface including a substantially flat surface, and an edge defined by the first surface and the second surface. The plurality of raised portions is aligned to define a plurality of receiving areas. The plurality of raised portions and the plurality of receiving areas are configured such application of an axial compressive force spreads the plurality of raised portions into the plurality of receiving areas. The edge includes a portion configured to receive an electrochemical cell terminal therethrough. The compression member is formed of electrically non-conductive materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for an electrochemical cell system. The electrochemical cell system includes: an electrochemical cell; an energy source configured for providing a quantity of energy to the electrochemical cell; a sensing apparatus in operable communication with a gas output from the electrochemical cell, the sensing apparatus provides an output signal indicating a parameter of the gas output; and a computer in operable communication with the sensing apparatus. The computer includes a memory device configured to store a first operational parameter, and a processor configured to receive a digital representation of the output signal and the first operational parameter. The processor compares the digital representation of the output signal to the first operational parameter for regulating the quantity of energy provided to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An electrode composition comprises a support material that is non-oxidizable at anodic potentials less than about 4 volts, and a catalyst material comprising active electrocatalytic sites. In another embodiment, the electrode can further comprise a proton conductive material disposed on the support and catalyst materials.

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 system pressure and 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.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell in which the cell frame is integrated with the flow field support member defining a contiguous surface includes an electrode, a proton exchange membrane and a flow field support member disposed at the electrode, a cell frame disposed at the flow field support member, and a membrane support element disposed intermediate the flow field support member and the frame. A resilient seal may be disposed at the cell frame. A method of integrating the frame with the flow field support member includes disposing the membrane support element in a gap between the frame and the flow field support member and melting the membrane support element into the frame and the flow field support member to form a contiguous surface. A method of sealing a flow field of the cell includes disposing a resilient seal at the cell frame.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system includes a hydrogen electrode; an oxygen electrode; a membrane disposed between the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode; and a compartmentalized storage tank. The compartmentalized storage tank has a first fluid storage section and a second fluid storage section separated by a movable divider. The compartmentalized storage tank is in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell. Further, an electrochemical cell includes a hydrogen electrode; an oxygen electrode; an electrolyte membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the hydrogen electrode and said oxygen electrode; an oxygen flow field disposed adjacent to and in intimate contact with the oxygen electrode; a hydrogen flow field disposed adjacent to and in intimate contact with the hydrogen electrode; a water flow field disposed in fluid communication with the oxygen flow field; and a media divider disposed between the oxygen flow field and the water flow field.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for configuring power electronics in an electrochemical cell system. Exemplary embodiments include power electronics having a power converter for an electrochemical cell system. The power converter includes a plurality of interchangeable power converter modules and a motherboard configured to receive the plurality of interchangeable power converter modules. A power rating of the power converter is capable of being changed by adjusting a number of the interchangeable power converter modules attached to the mother-board.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes. The proton exchange membrane is configured to be integral with a frame structure and includes a substrate disposed in contiguous contact with the frame structure and a proton exchange material disposed at the substrate.