Abstract: An energy storage system includes a DC bus; a plurality of battery strings, each battery string comprising batteries coupled electrically together; a plurality of DC/DC converters electrically coupling respective battery strings to the DC bus; an enclosure housing the battery strings and the DC/DC converters; and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes at least one heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and a controller.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein generally relates to a sensor and method for monitoring gas quality of a fuel reformer in a fuel cell system or a power generation system.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a plurality of battery strings, each battery string including a plurality of batteries coupled electrically together; a plurality of temperature sensors; an enclosure housing the plurality of battery strings and the temperature sensors; a plurality of fans positioned in different locations within the enclosure; and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) components, and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute the method that includes determining fan speed operating commands based at least in part on sensed temperatures at the different locations, and operating the fan speed in response to the operating commands provided to the respective fans.

Abstract: An electric power generation system includes a fuel cell module. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell and a compression plate. The compression plate includes a surface contacting the fuel cell. A support plate is opposite the compression plate. The compression plate is movable in relation to the support plate. A pressurized fluid container is disposed between the compression plate and the support plate. The pressurized fluid container includes a casing defining an internal space configured to contain pressurized fluid. The electric power generation system further includes a pressurized fluid source and a fluid line coupled to the pressurized fluid source and the pressurized fluid container.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a DC bus; a plurality of battery strings, each battery string comprising batteries coupled electrically together; a plurality of DC/DC converters electrically coupling respective battery strings to the DC bus; an enclosure housing the battery strings and the DC/DC converters; and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes at least one heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and a controller.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a plurality of battery strings, each battery string including a plurality of batteries coupled electrically together; a plurality of temperature sensors; an enclosure housing the plurality of battery strings and the temperature sensors; a plurality of fans positioned in different locations within the enclosure; and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) components, and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute the method that includes determining fan speed operating commands based at least in part on sensed temperatures at the different locations, and operating the fan speed in response to the operating commands provided to the respective fans.

Abstract: An energy storage module includes a module housing, a positive polarity module terminal and a negative polarity module terminal accessible via an external surface of the housing, and a plurality of battery cells contained within the housing and coupled in series between the positive polarity terminal and a negative polarity terminal to form a battery cell string. A removable manual service disconnect (MSD) unit is physically coupled to the external surface of the housing and electrically coupled between at least one battery cell in the battery cell string and one of the module terminals. The MSD unit has at least a first MSD operating state to allow current conduction between the positive polarity module terminal and the negative polarity module terminal, and a second MSD operating state to prevent current conduction between the positive polarity module terminal and the negative polarity module terminal.

Abstract: A system includes a first plurality of fuel cell stacks configured to generate a first portion of an electric potential and a second plurality of fuel cell stacks configured to generate a second portion of the electric potential. The system includes a positive electrical bus bar conductively coupled with the first plurality of fuel cell stacks and configured to power an electrical load using the generated electric potential. The system includes a negative electrical bus bar conductively coupled with the second plurality of fuel cell stacks and configured to electrical load using the generated electric potential. The positive electrical bus bar is elongated and extends between the first plurality of fuel cell stacks and the negative electrical bus bar is elongated and extends between the second plurality of fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: An internally-manifolded solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack is described, including an anode interconnect structure integrated with a cathode interconnect structure. The anode interconnect structure includes a fuel flow field; and the cathode interconnect structure includes an air flow field. The two structures are configured to allow for parallel flow of air and fuel across a plane of the interconnect, while the manifold openings for the fuel are arranged in a cross-flow orientation across a plane of the interconnect structure. Related processes are also described, along with a power generation system that includes an SOFC incorporating this type of interconnect, attached directly or indirectly to at least one power block, such as a combustion engine.

Abstract: A flange assembly for use with a SOFC system includes a first flange, a second flange, and a dielectric element coupled between the first flange and the second flange. The dielectric element includes an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface. The inner cylindrical surface defines a cylindrical region having a circumference. The inner cylindrical surface also defines a channel that extends radially about the circumference of the cylindrical region.

Abstract: An energy storage module includes a module housing, a positive polarity module terminal and a negative polarity module terminal accessible via an external surface of the housing, and a plurality of battery cells contained within the housing and coupled in series between the positive polarity terminal and a negative polarity terminal to form a battery cell string. A removable manual service disconnect (MSD) unit is physically coupled to the external surface of the housing and electrically coupled between at least one battery cell in the battery cell string and one of the module terminals. The MSD unit has at least a first MSD operating state to allow current conduction between the positive polarity module terminal and the negative polarity module terminal, and a second MSD operating state to prevent current conduction between the positive polarity module terminal and the negative polarity module terminal.

Abstract: A system includes one or more positive fuel cell stacks configured to generate a positive portion of an electric potential and one or more negative fuel cell stacks configured to generate a negative portion of the electric potential. The system includes a positive electrical bus bar conductively coupled with the positive fuel cell stacks and configured to conduct the positive portion of the electric potential from the positive fuel cell stacks to one or more loads. The system includes a negative electrical bus bar conductively coupled with the negative fuel cell stacks and configured to conduct the negative portion of the electric potential from the negative fuel cell stacks to the one or more loads. The positive electrical bus bar is elongated and extends between the positive fuel cell stacks and the negative electrical bus bar is elongated and extends between the negative fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: A flange assembly for use with a SOFC system includes a first flange, a second flange, and a dielectric element coupled between the first flange and the second flange. The dielectric element includes an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface. The inner cylindrical surface defines a cylindrical region having a circumference. The inner cylindrical surface also defines a channel that extends radially about the circumference of the cylindrical region.

Abstract: An internally-manifolded solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack is described, including an anode interconnect structure integrated with a cathode interconnect structure. The anode interconnect structure includes a fuel flow field; and the cathode interconnect structure includes an air flow field. The two structures are configured to allow for parallel flow of air and fuel across a plane of the interconnect, while the manifold openings for the fuel are arranged in a cross-flow orientation across a plane of the interconnect structure. Related processes are also described, along with a power generation system that includes an SOFC incorporating this type of interconnect, attached directly or indirectly to at least one power block, such as a combustion engine.

Abstract: A fuel cell block for use in a fuel cell module includes a fuel cell. A heat exchanger coupled to the fuel cell includes a first heat exchange component, a second heat exchange component, and a casing defining an interior space. An air inlet pipe, a fuel inlet pipe, an air outlet pipe, and a fuel outlet pipe each channel fluid and at least partially extend through the interior space. A manifold includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A plurality of openings is defined in the first surface and the second surface. The manifold is coupled to the fuel cell and the heat exchanger such that the first surface contacts the fuel cell and the second surface contacts the heat exchanger. The manifold is coupled to the air inlet pipe, the fuel inlet pipe, the air outlet pipe, and the fuel outlet pipe.

Abstract: An electric power generation system includes a fuel cell module. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell and a compression plate. The compression plate includes a surface contacting the fuel cell. A support plate is opposite the compression plate. The compression plate is movable in relation to the support plate. A pressurized fluid container is disposed between the compression plate and the support plate. The pressurized fluid container includes a casing defining an internal space configured to contain pressurized fluid. The electric power generation system further includes a pressurized fluid source and a fluid line coupled to the pressurized fluid source and the pressurized fluid container.