Abstract: A thermal management system of an electrochemical engine comprises a radiator provided with a wicking mechanism, a coolant pump fluidly connected to the radiator, a water tank, and a water pump. The water tank is located in the void spaces around fuel storage tanks, and may be filled directly or with reclaimed water from a vapor by-product of the electrochemical engine. The water pump is operable to supply water from the water tank to the wicking mechanism during peak power and/or hot day conditions. Moisture in the vapor by-product may be condensed with the excess cooling capacity of the radiator under less severe cooling conditions. Under freezing conditions, exhaust or coolant from the electrochemical engine may be used to unfreeze water in the tank and wicking mechanism supply lines.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an electrochemical engine in a vehicle comprises a coolant pump and a radiator. The radiator is oriented substantially parallel to a plane defined by longitudinal and lateral vehicle axes and defined by an inlet face as the upper surface and an outlet face as the lower surface. The radiator is packaged in a rear underbody compartment of the vehicle to allow a large cooling surface area. An air duct delivers air from outside the vehicle to the inlet face of the radiator. A fan forces air from the air duct through the radiator. A coolant circuit extends between a fuel cell stack of the electrochemical engine, the coolant pump, and the radiator.

Abstract: An electrochemical engine for a vehicle comprises a storage tank containing hydrogen-retention material which reversibly takes-up and stores hydrogen at a hydrogen-storage temperature and releases it upon heating to a release temperature. A fuel cell stack using the released hydrogen produces electricity and heat by-product. A primary coolant flow circuit extends from a radiator, through the fuel cell stack and the storage tank, and back to the radiator, and has a coolant-distribution valve intermediate the fuel cell stack and the storage tank. A bypass coolant flow line extends from the coolant-distribution valve to the radiator. During operation, the heat by-product of the fuel cell stack is transferred via the primary coolant flow circuit to the storage tank for heating the hydrogen-retention material to release hydrogen for fueling the fuel cell stack.