Abstract: A fuel cell interconnect includes a first side containing a first plurality of channels and a second side containing a second plurality of channels. The first and second sides are disposed on opposite sides of the interconnect. The first plurality of channels are configured to provide a serpentine fuel flow field while the second plurality of channels are configured to provide an approximately straight air flow field.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes introducing a fuel mixture comprising hydrogen, fuel, and steam at a fuel inlet of the fuel cell system, and operating the fuel cell system to generate electricity. A ratio of hydrogen to carbon from fuel (H2:Cfuel) in the fuel mixture is within a range of 0.25:1 to 3:1, inclusive; and a ratio of steam to carbon (S:C) in the fuel mixture is less than 2:1.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a water/gas porous separator prepared from a polymeric material and one or more conductive cell components that pass through, or are located in close proximity to, the water/gas porous separator, is provided. The inventive cell provides a high level of in-cell electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A fuel cell interconnect includes a first side containing a first plurality of channels and a second side containing a second plurality of channels. The first and second sides are disposed on opposite sides of the interconnect. The first plurality of channels are configured to provide a serpentine fuel flow field while the second plurality of channels are configured to provide an approximately straight air flow field.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system during an interruption includes identifying a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system. At least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system is operated in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption. Power is provided to the first fuel cell column in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system. The second fuel cell column is operating in a normal power generation operating mode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having two or more diffusion bonded layers, which demonstrates a high degree of ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and attitude insensitiveness, is provided. The novel cell structure simplifies construction and operation of these cells. Also provided is a method for passive water removal from these cells. The inventive cell, as well as stacks made using these cells, is suitable for use in applications such as commercial space power systems, long endurance aircraft, undersea power systems, remote backup power systems, and regenerative fuel cells.

Abstract: Anode and cathode separator plates are suitable for use in ion pumps for converting an input stream such as reformate into a pressurized and purified hydrogen-rich gas stream. The plates may include a single cathode outlet opening forming a portion of cathode output gas manifold, an anode inlet opening forming a portion of an inlet gas stream manifold and being sized larger than inlet cathode outlet opening, the distance of the anode inlet opening to an edge of the plate being less than the distance of the cathode outlet opening from an edge of the plate, and the size of the fluid flow channel of the anode separator plate being smaller than the size of the fluid flow channel of the cathode separator plate. Methods for forming the plates and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having two or more diffusion bonded layers, which demonstrates a high degree of ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and attitude insensitiveness, is provided. The novel cell structure simplifies construction and operation of these cells. Also provided is a method for passive water removal from these cells. The inventive cell, as well as stacks made using these cells, is suitable for use in applications such as commercial space power systems, long endurance aircraft, undersea power systems, remote backup power systems, and regenerative fuel cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having two or more diffusion bonded layers, which demonstrates a high degree of ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and attitude insensitiveness, is provided. The novel cell structure simplifies construction and operation of these cells. Also provided is a method for passive water removal from these cells. The inventive cell, as well as stacks made using these cells, is suitable for use in applications such as commercial space power systems, long endurance aircraft, undersea power systems, remote backup power systems, and regenerative fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a solid oxide reversible fuel cell (SORFC) stack that is adapted to generate an exhaust stream containing hydrogen and water vapor from an outlet of the SORFC stack when the SORFC stack is operated in an electrolysis mode, a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) hydrogen pump that is adapted to separate at least a portion of the hydrogen contained in the exhaust stream, a first conduit that is adapted to provide the exhaust stream from the outlet of the SORFC stack into an inlet of the PEM hydrogen pump, and a second conduit that is adapted to provide at least a portion of remaining exhaust stream from an outlet of the PEM hydrogen pump into an inlet of the SORFC stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells. The fuel cell stack includes a middle portion of fuel cells and at least one end portion of fuel cells. The fuel cells of the end portion is arranged in a cascade configuration with the fuel cells of the middle portion. The system is configured such that in operation, at least partial reformation of hydrocarbon fuel occurs internally within the fuel cells of the middle portion and the fuel cells of the end portion are configured to use fuel exhaust from the middle portion as fuel.

Abstract: A technique includes operating a fuel cell, which produces an effluent flow. The technique includes routing the effluent flow through an electrochemical pump to extract fuel from the effluent flow and providing the extracted fuel to the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method in which a high temperature electrochemical system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, generates hydrogen and optionally electricity in a fuel cell mode. At least a part of the generated hydrogen is separated and stored or provided to a hydrogen using device. A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system stores carbon dioxide in a fuel cell mode. The system generates a methane fuel in an electrolysis mode from the stored carbon dioxide and water by using a Sabatier subsystem. Alternatively, the system generates a hydrogen fuel in an electrolysis mode from water alone.

Abstract: A technique includes operating a fuel cell, which produces an effluent flow. The technique includes routing the effluent flow through an electrochemical pump to extract fuel from the effluent flow to produce a first feedback flow. The technique includes using the effluent flow to produce a second feedback flow separate from the first feedback flow and routing the second feedback flow through a venturi to the fuel cell.

Abstract: Hydrogen pumps include a proton conducting medium, and a nonporous hydrogen permeable anode electrode and/or nonporous hydrogen permeable cathode electrode. For example, the electrodes may be a solid thin metallic film such as palladium or a palladium alloy such as a palladium-copper alloy that allow for hydrogen permeation but not impurities, and thus, purifying a supply containing hydrogen. The proton conducting medium may be a solid anhydrous proton conducting medium disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode and the cathode electrode may be directly sealed to at least one of the proton conducting medium, a first member for distributing the supply containing hydrogen to the anode electrode, a second member for collecting a supply of purified hydrogen, and a gasket disposed around the proton conducting medium.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell power generation system's entire output is made up of three streams: water, sequestered carbon dioxide provided into a storage tank, and carbon dioxide depleted air. Thus, the system generates electricity from a hydrocarbon fuel, while outputting substantially no pollutants into the atmosphere and cleaning the air by removing carbon dioxide from the air exhaust stream. Thus, the system outputs cleaner air than it takes in without releasing pollutants into the atmosphere, while generating electricity from a readily available hydrocarbon fuel, such as natural gas.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having two or more diffusion bonded layers, which demonstrates a high degree of ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and attitude insensitiveness, is provided. The novel cell structure simplifies construction and operation of these cells. Also provided is a method for passive water removal from these cells. The inventive cell, as well as stacks made using these cells, is suitable for use in applications such as commercial space power systems, long endurance aircraft, undersea power systems, remote backup power systems, and regenerative fuel cells.

Abstract: A hydrogen fueled vehicle includes a vehicle body, a hydrocarbon fuel tank, and a low pressure hydrogen gas storage vessel.

Abstract: A hydrogen fueled vehicle includes a vehicle body, a hydrocarbon fuel tank, and a low pressure hydrogen gas storage vessel.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing a fuel inlet stream into a fuel cell stack, operating the fuel cell stack to generate electricity and a hydrogen containing fuel exhaust stream, separating at least a portion of hydrogen contained in the fuel exhaust stream using a cascaded electrochemical hydrogen pump, such as a high temperature, low hydration ion exchange membrane cell stack having at least two membrane cells arranged in process fluid flow series, and providing the hydrogen separated from the fuel exhaust stream into the fuel inlet stream.