Abstract: An air pressure in fuel cells of an electric power generation system comprising a fuel cell stack (PCS) is raised with a pressurized air cooling system with recirculation to values at least two times greater than typical values for an PCS with air cooling. The FCS is either placed in a high-pressure chamber to which air is injected, or air outgoing from the FCS is redirected via a duct back to the FCS inlet and a portion of pressurized fresh air is added thereto. The chamber or the duct is provided with a radiator by means of which circulating air heat is transferred into the external environment. Air recirculation in the chamber or the duct is effected by means of fans for cooling fuel cells. Useful capacity of electric power generation systems based on fuel cells is raised significantly, the necessity of using a humidifier is excluded, and the temperature range of fuel cell operation is expanded.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly is provided for mitigating the detrimental effect of water or steam on HTPEM membranes. The membrane electrode assembly includes an ion conductive electrolyte membrane, an ion conductive interface layer, a cathode electrode and an anode electrode. The electrolyte membrane is laminated with the ion conductive interface layer on both the cathode side and the anode side or on only one side. The ion conductive interface layer includes a material having sufficiently high ion conductivity and a chemically stable structure to withstand the effect of the elevated temperatures and water. These ion conductive interface layers act as an effective barrier to electrolyte on the membrane side and to the water on the electrode side, while only marginally effecting the overall ion of the electrode conductivity because of the thinness of the layer.

Abstract: A reversible high temperature proton exchange membrane (HTPEM) fuel cell energy production and storage system includes an electrolysis mode and a fuel cell mode. The system operates at elevated temperatures (e.g., 130° C. to 270° C.) and, in an electrolysis mode, converts water vapor to hydrogen. The electrolysis occurs more energy efficiently at higher temperatures as reaction potentials decline and ionic conductivity increases. In addition, when water is in a gaseous state, oxygen removal from the anode is facilitated which improves the reaction kinetics. Coolant is circulated between the stack and a heat exchanger to use excess heat from the stack generated in electrolysis mode to heat water for further electrolysis. Components and subsystems may be powered by electricity generated during fuel cell mode. A series of heat exchangers, pumps, storage tanks, and compressors allow the system to capture efficiencies in both modes of operation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to bipolar plates used in fuel cells and to methods for forming bipolar plates. A bipolar plate of a fuel cell with a composite corrosion-resistant, gastight, conductive coating comprises a core of a required shape, a first layer having high contact conductivity on the core, and a second layer having corrosion resistance, high gas-tightness, electric conductivity on the first layer and in pores of the first layer, the second layer covering at least the pores in the first layer. The first layer is preferably formed by a magnetron sputtering method, and the second layer is preferably formed by a method of thermolysis of a metalorganic compound. This ensures high gas-tightness and elasticity of a bipolar plate without compromising its corrosion resistance and contact conductivity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fuel cells, in particular to high-temperature air-cooled fuel cells. A fuel cell 1 comprises a bipolar plate 2 and a membrane-electrode assembly 3. The bipolar plate 2 comprises an anode plate 5, a cathode plate 6 and a layer 7 of air cooling channels between the anode plate 5 and the cathode plate 6. Channels for an oxygen-containing gas are made in the cathode plate 6. Channels 10 for hydrogen are made in the anode plate 5, which are covered by the membrane-electrode assembly 3 contacting the anode plate 5. A fuel cell stack comprises at least two fuel cells, wherein the membrane-electrode assembly of one fuel cell contacts the anode plate of said one fuel cell, thus covering the channels for hydrogen, and contacts the cathode plate of said another fuel cell, which adjoins said one fuel cell, thus covering the channels for an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: An air pressure in fuel cells of an electric power generation system comprising a fuel cell stack (PCS) is raised with a pressurized air cooling system with recirculation to values at least two times greater than typical values for an PCS with air cooling. The FCS is either placed in a high-pressure chamber to which air is injected, or air outgoing from the FCS is redirected via a duct back to the FCS inlet and a portion of pressurized fresh air is added thereto. The chamber or the duct is provided with a radiator by means of which circulating air heat is transferred into the external environment. Air recirculation in the chamber or the duct is effected by means of fans for cooling fuel cells. Useful capacity of electric power generation systems based on fuel cells is raised significantly, the necessity of using a humidifier is excluded, and the temperature range of fuel cell operation is expanded.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to bipolar plates used in fuel cells and to methods for forming bipolar plates. A bipolar plate of a fuel cell with a composite corrosion-resistant, gastight, conductive coating comprises a core of a required shape, a first layer having high contact conductivity on the core, and a second layer having corrosion resistance, high gas-tightness, electric conductivity on the first layer and in pores of the first layer, the second layer covering at least the pores in the first layer. The first layer is preferably formed by a magnetron sputtering method, and the second layer is preferably formed by a method of thermolysis of a metalorganic compound. This ensures high gas-tightness and elasticity of a bipolar plate without compromising its corrosion resistance and contact conductivity.