Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs a purge valve, an accumulator and a bleed valve for selectively purging and bleeding anode exhaust gas. When the purge valve is opened, the anode exhaust gas purges to the accumulator where it is collected. The bleed valve provides a controlled release of the anode exhaust gas from the accumulator that allows the concentration of hydrogen bled from the accumulator to remain below its combustible limit. In one embodiment, the purged anode exhaust gas is combined with the cathode exhaust gas and released to atmosphere. In another embodiment, the purged anode exhaust gas is combined with a cathode input gas. In another embodiment, the purged anode exhaust gas is combined with an anode input gas.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a dry compressor for pressurizing air supplied to the cathode side of the fuel cell. An injector sprays a controlled amount of water on to the compressor's rotor(s) to improve the energy efficiency of the compressor. The amount of water sprayed out the rotor(s) is controlled relative to the mass flow rate of air inputted to the compressor.

Abstract: An electrochemical propulsion system in a vehicle comprises a hydrogen generator for converting fuel into hydrogen-containing gas and a fuel cell stack using the hydrogen-containing gas to produce electricity to power a drive motor for the vehicle. The fuel cell stack is oriented parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction. The hydrogen generator is arranged longitudinally forward of the fuel cell stack and to the lateral side of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack and the hydrogen generator are located within a front vehicle compartment of the vehicle in a closely adjacent manner. The hydrogen generator comprises a combustor for producing heat, a reformer closely adjacent to the combustor for converting fuel into hydrogen-containing gas using heat from the combustor, and a reactor to reduce carbon monoxide content from the hydrogen-containing gas wherein the reactor is adjacent to and downstream of the reformer. The drive motor is operatively connected to a wheel axle for driving vehicle wheels.