Abstract: A fuel cell includes an ion conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. Characteristically, the ion conducting membrane has a sufficient amount of a stabilization agent and platinum to inhibit the loss of fluoride from the ion conducting membrane when compared to an ion conducting membrane having the same construction except for the presence of cerium ions.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an ion conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. Characteristically, the ion conducting membrane has a sufficient amount of a stabilization agent and platinum to inhibit the loss of fluoride from the ion conducting membrane when compared to an ion conducting membrane having the same construction except for the presence of cerium ions.

Abstract: A WVT unit for a fuel cell system that employs a spiral-wound design to reduce its size and increase its performance. The WVT unit includes a center tube having a plurality of openings through which the cathode exhaust gas flows. The WVT unit also includes a cylindrical portion wound around the center tube that includes a plurality of enclosures and a plurality of dry spacer layers separating the enclosures. Each enclosure includes a pair of membranes separated by a wet spacer layer. The dry cathode inlet air flows down the dry spacer layers between the enclosures and the cathode exhaust gas flows into the plurality of enclosures through the openings in the center tube along the wet spacer layers to allow the membranes to absorb humidification that is transferred to the cathode inlet air.

Abstract: A WVT unit for a fuel cell system that employs a spiral-wound design to reduce its size and increase its performance. The WVT unit includes a center tube having a plurality of openings through which the cathode exhaust gas flows. The WVT unit also includes a cylindrical portion wound around the center tube that includes a plurality of enclosures and a plurality of dry spacer layers separating the enclosures. Each enclosure includes a pair of membranes separated by a wet spacer layer. The dry cathode inlet air flows down the dry spacer layers between the enclosures and the cathode exhaust gas flows into the plurality of enclosures through the openings in the center tube along the wet spacer layers to allow the membranes to absorb humidification that is transferred to the cathode inlet air.

Abstract: A fuel processor system contains an autothermal reactor (ATR) that produces a hydrogen-rich first gas stream containing carbon monoxide. Downstream of the ATR, a pressure swing adsorber produces a second hydrogen-rich gas stream containing 5 ppm carbon monoxide or more. Downstream of the PSA, there is a methanation reactor sized to reduce the CO level of the second stream below 5 ppm. A method of operating of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack involves cooling the methanator output and feeding it into the stack as an anode fuel.