Abstract: An internally cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell device includes a fuel cell including a pair of substantially coextensive electrode components each of which includes a porous central region and a fluid-impermeable peripheral region circumferentially completely surrounding the central region, and a proton exchange membrane component interposed between at least the central regions of the electrode components. The fuel cell device further includes an arrangement for cooling the fuel cell, including at least one enclosed cooling channel situated at the peripheral region of one of the electrode components and supplied with fresh cooling medium, with the spent cooling medium being discharged from the cooling channel. There is further provided a heat transfer device that is operative to transfer heat from the central region to the peripheral region of the one electrode component.

Abstract: The performance of fuel cell power plants using air as the oxygen source is reduced during periods of load increase because the response of the fuel cells to the load change is relatively instantaneous. While cell response is instantaneous, changes in air supply are not. In order to temporarily increase the air supply to the cells during such a load change, auxiliary solenoid operated valves having high response characteristics are opened to allow greater air flow to the cells. When the oxygen flow rate is determined to be sufficient for the measured load, the auxiliary valves are closed.