Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells positioned between opposing end plates, an anode manifold configured to direct anode gas into or out of the fuel cell stack, a cathode manifold configured to direct cathode gas into or out of the fuel cell stack, and at least one truss attached to an external surface of at least one of the cathode manifold or the anode manifold. The at least one truss is configured to reinforce the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks; a manifold configured to provide process gases to and receive process gases from the plurality of fuel cell stacks; and a module housing enclosing the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the manifold. Each of the plurality of fuel cell stacks is individually installable onto the manifold by lowering the fuel cell stack onto the manifold, and is individually removable from the manifold by raising the fuel cell stack from the manifold.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one modular enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls that connect the top wall and the bottom wall and close off the modular enclosure on all sides; at least one fuel cell stack disposed within the at least one modular enclosure; at least one piping manifold configured to supply at least one process gas to the at least one fuel cell stack and to receive at least one exhaust process gas from the at least one fuel cell stack; and at least one process gas seal configured to seal the at least one piping manifold. The at least one process gas seal is effected via a static force from a weight of the at least one fuel cell stack or a weight of the at least one piping manifold.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks; a manifold configured to provide process gases to and receive process gases from the plurality of fuel cell stacks; and a module housing enclosing the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the manifold. Each of the plurality of fuel cell stacks is individually installable onto the manifold by lowering the fuel cell stack onto the manifold, and is individually removable from the manifold by raising the fuel cell stack from the manifold.

Abstract: A duct for a fuel cell module includes an upper duct hood having an inlet configured to receive reactant gas from a supply duct, the upper duct hood defining a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion. The duct further includes a lower duct hood fluidly coupled to the upper duct hood, the lower duct hood defining at least one outlet. In a side view, the second tapered portion is tapered inwardly in a downstream direction. In a top view, the first tapered portion is tapered inwardly in a downstream direction, and the second tapered portion is tapered outwardly moving downstream.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks; a manifold configured to provide process gases to and receive process gases from the plurality of fuel cell stacks; and a module housing enclosing the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the manifold. Each of the plurality of fuel cell stacks is individually installable onto the manifold by lowering the fuel cell stack onto the manifold, and is individually removable from the manifold by raising the fuel cell stack from the manifold.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module having an enclosure configured to house a fuel cell stack that comprises a plurality of fuel cells; and a mixer-eductor-oxidizer that is at least partially external to the enclosure of the fuel cell module, the mixer-eductor-oxidizer being configured to process oxidant supply gas and deliver oxidant gas to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one modular enclosure having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls that connect the top wall and the bottom wall and close off the modular enclosure on all sides; at least one fuel cell stack disposed within the at least one modular enclosure; at least one piping manifold configured to supply at least one process gas to the at least one fuel cell stack and to receive at least one exhaust process gas from the at least one fuel cell stack; and at least one process gas seal configured to seal the at least one piping manifold. The at least one process gas seal is effected via a static force from a weight of the at least one fuel cell stack or a weight of the at least one piping manifold.

Abstract: A duct for a fuel cell module includes an upper duct hood having an inlet configured to receive reactant gas from a supply duct, the upper duct hood defining a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion. The duct further includes a lower duct hood fluidly coupled to the upper duct hood, the lower duct hood defining at least one outlet. In a side view, the second tapered portion is tapered inwardly in a downstream direction. In a top view, the first tapered portion is tapered inwardly in a downstream direction, and the second tapered portion is tapered outwardly moving downstream.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks; a manifold configured to provide process gases to and receive process gases from the plurality of fuel cell stacks; and a module housing enclosing the plurality of fuel cell stacks and the manifold. Each of the plurality of fuel cell stacks is individually installable onto the manifold by lowering the fuel cell stack onto the manifold, and is individually removable from the manifold by raising the fuel cell stack from the manifold.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells positioned between opposing end plates, an anode manifold configured to direct anode gas into or out of the fuel cell stack, a cathode manifold configured to direct cathode gas into or out of the fuel cell stack, and at least one truss attached to an external surface of at least one of the cathode manifold or the anode manifold. The at least one truss is configured to reinforce the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A high efficiency fuel cell system comprising a topping fuel cell assembly comprising a topping cathode portion and a topping anode portion; and a bottoming fuel cell assembly comprising a bottoming cathode portion and a bottoming anode portion, wherein the bottoming anode portion receives anode exhaust output from the topping anode portion and the topping cathode portion receives cathode exhaust from the bottoming cathode portion, and wherein the topping fuel cell assembly has a greater number of fuel cells than the bottoming fuel cell assembly so that the topping fuel cell assembly utilizes more fuel than the bottoming fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A high efficiency fuel cell system comprising a topping fuel cell assembly comprising a topping cathode portion and a topping anode portion; and a bottoming fuel cell assembly comprising a bottoming cathode portion and a bottoming anode portion, wherein the bottoming anode portion receives anode exhaust output from the topping anode portion and the topping cathode portion receives cathode exhaust from the bottoming cathode portion, and wherein the topping fuel cell assembly has a greater number of fuel cells than the bottoming fuel cell assembly so that the topping fuel cell assembly utilizes more fuel than the bottoming fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A mixer/eductor assembly for use with a fuel cell stack, the mixer/eductor assembly mixing and at least partially combusting anode exhaust gas output from an anode-side of the stack and an oxidant supply gas, the mixer/eductor assembly comprising: a first area mixing a first portion of the anode exhaust gas and a first portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a first mixture, the first area being configured to initiate a combustion reaction in the first mixture, a second area coupled with the first area for mixing a second portion of the anode exhaust gas and a second portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a second mixture, wherein the first mixture has a first oxidant to fuel ratio smaller than a second oxidant to fuel ratio of the second mixture, and the first area provides an ignition source to promote continuous combustion of the second mixture.