Abstract: A volume of natural gas including a volume of methane and a volume of other alkanes may be cleaned of the other alkanes using a steam reformer system to create synthesis gas.

Abstract: A volume of natural gas including a volume of methane and a volume of other alkanes may be cleaned of the other alkanes using a steam reformer system to create synthesis gas.

Abstract: A volume of natural gas including a volume of methane and a volume of other alkanes may be cleaned of the other alkanes using a steam reformer system to create synthesis gas.

Abstract: A volume of natural gas including a volume of methane and a volume of other alkanes may be cleaned of the other alkanes using a steam reformer system to create synthesis gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vision system which may include a plurality of lenses coupled to an image sensor by a plurality of optical fiber bundles. Each of the plurality of lenses is configured to capture at least a portion of the scene. The image sensor may be located a distance from the plurality of lenses. The optical fiber bundles are configured to transmit optical image data from each lens to the image sensor. The image sensor is configured to convert the optical image data from each lens into corresponding electrical image data (“electrical image data”) for each lens.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vision system which may include a plurality of lenses coupled to an image sensor by a plurality of optical fiber bundles. Each of the plurality of lenses is configured to capture at least a portion of the scene. The image sensor may be located a distance from the plurality of lenses. The optical fiber bundles are configured to transmit optical image data from each lens to the image sensor. The image sensor is configured to convert the optical image data from each lens into corresponding electrical image data (“electrical image data”) for each lens.

Abstract: A simplified direct oxidation fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell is constructed in such a manner that fuel is added to the cell anode as it is consumed and water is evaporated off at cell cathode so that there is no need for recirculation of unreacted fuel at the cell anode or water at the cell cathode. In addition, carbon dioxide generated from the anodic reaction is passively vented out of the system by using a CO2 gas permeable membrane material integrated as part of the anode chamber construction. It is thus possible that, the CO2 separation from the anode fluid occurs without the recirculation of the anode fluid outside the anode chamber. The passive system in which fuel is added as it is consumed and CO2 separated, both without pumping, ultimately will increase net power provided to the load due to low parasitic losses.

Abstract: A simplified direct oxidation fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell is constructed in such a manner that fuel is added to the cell anode as it is consumed and water is evaporated off at cell cathode so that there is no need for recirculation of unreacted fuel at the cell anode or water at the cell cathode. In addition, carbon dioxide generated from the anodic reaction is passively vented out of the system by using a CO2 gas permeable membrane material integrated as part of the anode chamber construction. Other embodiments of the invention include a fuel container and delivery assembly.

Abstract: A flow through gas separation apparatus for a direct oxidation fuel cell system that incorporates a porous hydrophobic conduit having and inlet end through which anodic effluent flows is provided. Backpressure created at an outlet end of the conduit allows the carbon dioxide gas of the effluent to be driven through the porous openings of the conduit while un-reacted fuel and water mixture ultimately exits the flow through gas separation apparatus for re-circulation. The gas separation apparatus operates at ambient pressure and independent of orientation of the device with which it is used.

Abstract: A simplified direct oxidation fuel cell system is disclosed. The fuel cell is constructed in such a manner that fuel is added to the cell anode as it is consumed and water is evaporated off at cell cathode so that there is no need for recirculation of unreacted fuel at the cell anode or water at the cell cathode. In addition, carbon dioxide generated from the anodic reaction is passively vented out of the system by using a CO2 gas permeable membrane material integrated as part of the anode chamber construction. It is thus possible that, the CO2 separation from the anode fluid occurs without the recirculation of the anode fluid outside the anode chamber. In one embodiment, the simplified direct oxidation fuel cell includes a gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane placed in close proximity to the anode to perform the carbon dioxide separation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for water management in a direct oxidation fuel cell system includes a direct oxidation fuel cell, including: a housing surrounding an anode, a cathode, a protonically conductive electronically non-conductive membrane electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode, a current collector, and a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane disposed on a side of the cathode opposite the electrolyte. Excess water accumulation is removed from an area between the membrane electrolyte and the gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane by a pressure differential generated, preferably, by a pump. The pressure differential draws air to the surface of, into, or through the cathode diffusion layer. The pump can be driven by the electricity generated by the fuel cell.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system, sufficient water to supply the consumption needs of the system, particularly by the system humidifiers and fuel processor, can be obtained from the exhaust of the fuel cell stack without the use of a condenser, by controlling the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack. The operating temperature can be controlled, for example, using a controller that monitors water level in the process water reservoir and increases or decreases the operating temperature through control of the fuel cell cooling system to maintain the water level within a predetermined range representative of neutral water balance in the system.

Abstract: A simplified direct oxidation fuel cell system is disclosed. The fuel cell is constructed in such a manner that fuel is added to the cell anode as it is consumed and water is evaporated off at cell cathode so that there is no need for recirculation of unreacted fuel at the cell anode or water at the cell cathode. In addition, carbon dioxide generated from the anodic reaction is passively vented out of the system by using a CO2 gas permeable membrane material integrated as part of the anode chamber construction. It is thus possible that, the CO2 separation from the anode fluid occurs without the recirculation of the anode fluid outside the anode chamber. In one embodiment, the simplified direct oxidation fuel cell includes a gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane placed in close proximity to the anode to perform the carbon dioxide separation.

Abstract: A fuel cell collector plate can be provided with one or more various channel constructions for the transport of reactants to the gas diffusion layer and the removal of water therefrom. The outlet channel can be arranged to have a reduced volume compared to the inlet channel, in both interdigitated and discontinuous spiral applications. The land width between an inlet channel and outlet channel can be reduced to improved mass flow rate in regions of deleted reactant concentrations. Additionally or alternatively, the depth of the inlet channel can be reduced in the direction of flow to reduce the diffusion path as the concentration of reactant is reduced.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system, sufficient water to supply the consumption needs of the system, particularly by the system humidifiers and fuel processor, can be obtained from the exhaust of the fuel cell stack without the use of a condenser, by controlling the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack. The operating temperature can be controlled, for example, using a controller that monitors water level in the process water reservoir and increases or decreases the operating temperature through control of the fuel cell cooling system to maintain the water level within a predetermined range representative of neutral water balance in the system.

Abstract: A fuel cell device and method of forming the fuel cell device including a base portion, formed of a singular body, and having a major surface. At least one fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is formed on the major surface of the base portion. A fluid supply channel including a mixing chamber is defined in the base portion and communicating with the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly for supplying a fuel-bearing fluid to the membrane electrode assembly. An exhaust channel is defined in the base portion and communicating with the membrane electrode. A multi-dimensional fuel flow field is defined in the multi-layer base portion and in communication with the fluid supply channel, the membrane electrode assembly and the exhaust channel.

Abstract: A flow through gas separation apparatus for a direct oxidation fuel cell system that incorporates a porous hydrophobic conduit having and inlet end through which anodic effluent flows is provided. Backpressure created at an outlet end of the conduit allows the carbon dioxide gas of the effluent to be driven through the porous openings of the conduit while un-reacted fuel and water mixture ultimately exits the flow through gas separation apparatus for re-circulation. The gas separation apparatus operates at ambient pressure and independent of orientation of the device with which it is used.

Abstract: A fuel cell device and method of forming the fuel cell device including a base portion, formed of a singular body, and having a major surface. At least one fuel cell membrane electrode assembly formed on the major surface of the base portion. A fluid supply channel including a mixing chamber is defined in the base portion and communicating with the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly for supplying a fuel-bearing fluid to the membrane electrode assembly. An exhaust channel is defined in the base portion and communicating with the membrane electrode. A multi-dimensional fuel flow field is defined in the multi-layer base portion and in communication with the fluid supply channel, the membrane electrode assembly and the exhaust channel. The membrane electrode assembly and the cooperating fluid supply channel, multi-dimensional fuel flow field, and cooperating exhaust channel forming a single fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: An improved molding process provides highly conductive polymer composite parts have bulk conductivity over 10 S/cm. This conductivity is particularly useful in collector plate for use in fuel cells. The process can include compounding of a mixture of conductive filler with a polymer binder, extruding the mixture after the binder is plasticized to make pellets. The pellets can then be introduced to a dual temperature feed container of an injection molding machine and injected under high pressure and velocity into the mold cavity. The resulting parts, and particularly collector plates can be made economically and provide a high conductivity while maintaining strength and chemical resistance properties.

Abstract: An improved molding composition is provided for compression molding or injection molding a current collector plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. The molding composition is comprised of a polymer resin combined with a low surface area, highly-conductive carbon and/or graphite powder filler. The low viscosity of the thermoplastic resin combined with the reduced filler particle surface area provide a moldable composition which can be fabricated into a current collector plate having improved current collecting capacity vis-a-vis comparable fluoropolymer molding compositions.