Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: As an electrochemical cell stack gets older the internal resistances within the stack rise overtime as the materials that the stack is made of degrade. Consequently, an old and “worn” electrochemical cell stack draws less current at the same stack voltage and operating temperature as a new stack. When the current draw falls the electrochemical reaction rates also fall, as less energy is available to drive the electrochemical reactions. However, if the operating temperature of an older stack is controllable raised the current draw by an electrolyzer cell stack also rises, which in turn causes the reaction rates to rise again. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system is operable to regulate the current draw of an electrolyzer cell stack by first manipulating the operating temperature of the same electrolyzer cell stack.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method suited for controlling the operation of an electrolyzer cell module. Specifically, some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method that incorporates a call to an alarm recovery sequence into a safety system suited for use with an electrolyzer cell module, which is able to suspend the normal operations and initiate an alarm recovery sequence upon detecting that a corresponding alarm threshold has been violated. The safety system and method is then able to restart the normal operations if it is determined that the alarm recovery sequence was successful, meaning that the process and operating parameters that violated the particular alarm threshold have been brought back to within a safe operating range.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method suited for controlling the operation of an electrolyzer cell module. Specifically, some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method that incorporates a call to an alarm recovery sequence into a safety system suited for use with an electrolyzer cell module, which is able to suspend the normal operations and initiate an alarm recovery sequence upon detecting that a corresponding alarm threshold has been violated. The safety system and method is then able to restart the normal operations if it is determined that the alarm recovery sequence was successful, meaning that the process and operating parameters that violated the particular alarm threshold have been brought back to within a safe operating range.

Abstract: A chemical hydride hydrogen generation system and an energy system incorporating the same are provided. The hydrogen generation system comprises: a storage tank for storing a chemical hydride solution; a reactor containing a catalyst; a pump for supplying the chemical hydride solution from the said storage means to the reactor so that the chemical hydride solution reacts to generate hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst; and a second supply line for continuously supplying the solvent of the solution to the chemical hydride solution during the reaction. The energy system comprises the hydrogen generation system, a fuel cell for generating electricity and water from hydrogen and an oxidant, and a separator for recovering the water generated in the fuel cell and supplying the water to the chemical hydride solution during the reaction.

Abstract: A liquid separator includes a housing, a separation chamber disposed within the housing and having a substantially cylindrical inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the separation chamber is aligned about a substantially vertical chamber axis, an inlet channel configured to communicate the fluid stream from a first inlet end to a second inlet end disposed within the housing and proximate an upper region of the separation chamber, and an outlet channel configured to communicate the fluid stream from a first outlet end positioned proximate the upper region of the separation chamber, to a second outlet end remote from the separation chamber. Proximate the second inlet end the inlet channel is aligned about an inlet axis. A deflector vane may also be provided which is substantially aligned about the chamber axis and intersecting the inlet axis. The inlet axis is preferably proximate to and substantially parallel with a tangent to the inner surface of the separation chamber.

Abstract: As an electrochemical cell stack gets older the internal resistances within the stack rise overtime as the materials that the stack is made of degrade. Consequently, an old and “worn” electrochemical cell stack draws less current at the same stack voltage and operating temperature as a new stack. When the current draw falls the electrochemical reaction rates also fall, as less energy is available to drive the electrochemical reactions. However, if the operating temperature of an older stack is controllably raised the current draw by an electrolyzer cell stack also rises, which in turn causes the reaction rates to rise again. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system is operable to regulate the current draw of an electrolyzer cell stack by first manipulating the operating temperature of the same electrolyzer cell stack.

Abstract: A system and reactor stack for generating hydrogen from a hydride solution in presence of a catalyst. The reactor stack includes a number of reactor plates and separator plates alternate with one another, to define reaction chambers alternating with coolant chambers. Each reactor plate has a first face defining a solution flow field and an opposing second face defining a coolant flow field. Each solution flow field comprises a common reaction chamber and a plurality of channels opening into the common reaction chamber. The catalyst is provided in the common reaction chamber. Each reaction chamber is configured to receive the hydride solution and to bring at least a portion of the hydride solution in contact with the catalyst. Each reaction chamber is in fluid communication with an adjacent reaction chamber and each coolant chamber is in fluid communication with an adjacent coolant chamber.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Abruptly shutting down an electrolyzer cell module during normal operation may, in some instances, be necessary when one or more process and operating parameters uncontrollably deviate into an unsafe range. However, abruptly shutting down an electrolyzer cell module may have residual effects that make it difficult to restart the electrolyzer cell module. In particular, in some instances a circulation pump is de-primed by the accumulation of gas bubbles within the circulation pump, which normally do not exist during normal operation since a fluid containing dissolved gas molecules is pressurized to ensure that the gas remains dissolved. In some embodiments of the invention there is provided a modified safety system that can controllably shutdown an electrolyzer cell module in an emergency situation so as to prevent instances of pump de-priming.

Abstract: A hydrogen production and water recovery system for a fuel cell utilizes hydrogen storage in a metal hydride or the like. An exhaust stream from the fuel cell is passed through the storage media, simultaneously to cool the exhaust stream to promote condensation of water vapor and to heat the media to promote generation of hydrogen. The recovered water can be stored, returned to a coolant loop, and at a later time electrolyzed to generate hydrogen.

Abstract: A mobile power supply system for use in vehicles, and components of the mobile power supply system. The power supply system is a regenerative fuel cell system. The system combines a fuel cell unit, an electrolyzer unit, and a hydrogen storage unit. Design improvements over known regenerative fuel cell systems are incorporated into the system of the present invention.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a by-product from a chemical hydride solution is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) withdrawing the chemical hydride solution at a first temperature from the reactor; (b) cooling the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature, wherein a precipitate is formed from a portion of the by-product; (c) removing the precipitate from the chemical hydride solution; (d) heating the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature above the second temperature, to dissolve the remaining precipitate; and (e) delivering the chemical hydride solution back to the reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating hydrogen inside of a fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell comprises an anode having at least one inlet and optionally one outlet and, a cathode having at least one inlet and optionally one outlet. An electrolyte is disposed between the anode and the cathode, and a catalyst is provided in a chamber for catalyzing a reaction of a solution comprising a solvent and an at least one chemical hydride dissolved therein to generate hydrogen inside of the fuel cell. A method for generating hydrogen inside of a fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen production and water recovery system for a fuel cell utilizes hydrogen storage in a metal hydride or the like. An exhaust stream from the fuel cell is passed through the storage media, simultaneously to cool the exhaust stream to promote condensation of water vapor and to heat the media to promote generation of hydrogen. The recovered water can be stored, returned to a coolant loop, and at a later time electrolyzed to generate hydrogen.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a by-product from a chemical hydride solution is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) withdrawing the chemical hydride solution at a first temperature from the reactor; (b) cooling the chemical hydride solution to a second temperature below the first temperature, wherein a precipitate is formed from a portion of the by-product; (c) removing the precipitate from the chemical hydride solution; (d) heating the chemical hydride solution to a third temperature above the second temperature, to dissolve the remaining precipitate; and (e) delivering the chemical hydride solution back to the reactor.

Abstract: A system and reactor stack for generating hydrogen from a hydride solution in presence of a catalyst is disclosed. The reactor stack includes a number of reaction chambers, coolant chambers, and reactor plates. Each reaction chamber is configured to receive the hydride solution and to bring at least a portion of the hydride solution in contact with the catalyst. Each coolant chamber is configured to receive a coolant flow. The reactor plate has a first face and an opposing second face, where the first face defines a portion of each reaction chamber and the second face defines a portion of each coolant chamber. A number of reactor plates and separator plates alternate with one another, to define reaction chambers alternating with coolant chambers. Each reaction chamber is in fluid communication with an adjacent reaction chamber and each coolant chamber is in fluid communication with an adjacent coolant chamber.