Abstract: A combination fuel cell and hydrogen or oxygen pump includes an electrochemical cell comprising an anode inlet for receiving fuel, an anode outlet for exhausting fuel, a cathode inlet for receiving oxidant, a cathode outlet for exhausting oxidant, and first and second electrical connectors. A controller is operable for applying an electrical load to the electrochemical cell for generating electricity, and for applying an electrical potential to the electrochemical cell for purifying hydrogen or purifying oxygen. Methods and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen supply method using an inexpensive and compact hydrogen supply means to reduce a pressure of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen supply means and to supply efficiently hydrogen to a high pressure hydrogen storage means. Hydrogen is supplied under high pressure from first hydrogen supply means and from second hydrogen supply means containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy to a hydrogen storage means for storing hydrogen under high pressure. Hydrogen is supplied from the first hydrogen supply means to the hydrogen storage means until the pressure in the hydrogen storage means reaches a predetermined pressure. Thereafter, hydrogen is supplied from the second hydrogen supply means to the hydrogen storage means until the pressure in the hydrogen storage means reaches a maximum filling pressure. A plurality of the first hydrogen supply means or a plurality of the second hydrogen supply means may be used.

Abstract: A combination fuel cell and hydrogen or oxygen pump includes an electrochemical cell comprising an anode inlet for receiving fuel, an anode outlet for exhausting fuel, a cathode inlet for receiving oxidant, a cathode outlet for exhausting oxidant, and first and second electrical connectors. A controller is operable for applying an electrical load to the electrochemical cell for generating electricity, and for applying an electrical potential to the electrochemical cell for purifying hydrogen or purifying oxygen. Methods and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination fuel cell and hydrogen or oxygen pump includes an electrochemical cell comprising an anode inlet for receiving fuel, an anode outlet for exhausting fuel, a cathode inlet for receiving oxidant, a cathode outlet for exhausting oxidant, and first and second electrical connectors. A controller is operable for applying an electrical load to the electrochemical cell for generating electricity, and for applying an electrical potential to the electrochemical cell for purifying hydrogen or purifying oxygen. Methods and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination fuel cell and hydrogen or oxygen pump includes an electrochemical cell comprising an anode inlet for receiving fuel, an anode outlet for exhausting fuel, a cathode inlet for receiving oxidant, a cathode outlet for exhausting oxidant, and first and second electrical connectors. A controller is operable for applying an electrical load to the electrochemical cell for generating electricity, and for applying an electrical potential to the electrochemical cell for purifying hydrogen or purifying oxygen. Methods and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen supply unit is provided that can efficiently supply hydrogen gas both to a fuel cell used as a stationary electric power supply and to a fuel cell used as a mobile electric power supply. The hydrogen supply unit includes a reformer 5 that reforms a source gas to generate hydrogen gas, a first storage device 7 that stores hydrogen gas and supplies the hydrogen gas to a first fuel cell 2, and a second storage device 8 that stores hydrogen gas and supplies the hydrogen gas to a second fuel cell 3. For the storage device 8, there is arranged a compressor 13 that pressurizes hydrogen gas. For both storage devices 7 and 8, there is arranged a purifier 6 between the reformer 5 and both storage devices so that both storage devices store purified hydrogen gas. The storage device 7 utilizes a hydrogen absorbing alloy, and releases hydrogen gas by taking advantage of the waste heat of the reformer 5 or the waste heat of the fuel cell 2.

Abstract: A hydrogen supply method is provided which, by use of an inexpensive and compact hydrogen supply means, can reduce the pressure of the hydrogen stored in said hydrogen supply means, and moreover can efficiently supply hydrogen to a high pressure hydrogen storage means. Hydrogen is supplied from first hydrogen supply means 1, 2, 3 for supplying hydrogen stored under high pressure and second hydrogen supply means 4, 5, 6 for supplying hydrogen stored in a hydrogen absorbing alloy to a hydrogen storage means 9 for storing hydrogen under high pressure. Hydrogen is supplied from the first hydrogen supply means 1, 2, 3 to the hydrogen storage means 9 until the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen storage means 9 reaches a predetermined pressure. After this step, hydrogen is supplied from the second hydrogen supply means 4, 5, 6 to the hydrogen storage means 9 until the hydrogen pressure in the hydrogen storage means 9 reaches a maximum filling pressure.

Abstract: In filling hydrogen into a hydrogen storage tank provided in an automobile from a hydrogen station provided with a hydrogen supply tank having a metal hydride with hydrogen absorbed therein, the quantity of heat generated by the metal hydride in the hydrogen storage tank is utilized effectively for the heating of metal hydride in the supply tank, which is required for releasing of the hydrogen in the hydrogen station. Pure water which is a heat transfer medium, is circulated between the hydrogen supply tank and the hydrogen storage tank through water conduits. In the hydrogen storage tank, a metal hydride heated by absorption of hydrogen, is cooled by the pure water, and the pure water raised in temperature by such cooling and is discharged toward the hydrogen supply tank. In the hydrogen supply tank, a metal hydride is heated by the pure water to release hydrogen, and the pure water is lowered in temperature by such heating and is discharged toward the hydrogen storage tank.