Abstract: A system and method are provided for fluid collection within a fuel cell system. The fluid collection device includes a fluid collection container which has a gas inlet, a gas outlet, at least one fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The at least one fluid inlet allows condensate to enter the fluid collection container. A fluid is contained within the fluid collection container. The gas inlet allows a purge gas to enter the fluid collection container to substantially purge the atmosphere of the fluid collection container through the gas outlet.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for collecting condensate from combustible gas process streams in an integrated fuel cell system. In one aspect, a water management subsystem for a fuel cell system has a first conduit containing a first gas at a first pressure. A first water trap is provided that is configured to receive condensate from the first conduit. A second conduit is provided that contains a second gas at a second pressure. A second water trap is provided that is configured to receive condensate from the second conduit and the first water trap.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and associated methods of manufacture for fuel cell systems designed for modular application. In one embodiment, a fuel cell system is provided that has a base module assembly. The base module assembly includes a first frame member and a fuel cell stack assembly coupled to the first frame member. A first subsystem module assembly is provided that includes a second frame member and a first subsystem coupled to the second frame member. A second subsystem module assembly is provided that includes a third frame member and a second subsystem coupled to the third frame member. The first frame member is coupled to each of the second and third frame members, and the second frame member is coupled to the third frame member.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to controlling the temperature and relative humidity of an incoming fuel cell reactant stream. In one aspect, a fuel cell system is provided that includes a fuel cell having an anode inlet adapted to receive a flow of anode gas from an anode inlet conduit, and a cathode inlet adapted to receive a flow of cathode gas from a cathode inlet conduit. A first heat exchange surface is adapted to contact the flow of anode gas within the anode inlet conduit, and a second heat exchange surface adapted to contact the flow of cathode gas within the cathode inlet conduit. A coolant system is adapted to circulate a coolant through a coolant conduit. The coolant system is adapted to transfer heat from each of the first and second heat exchange surfaces to the coolant.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an enclosure housing the fuel cell stack and a blower. The blower is located inside the enclosure and is adapted to draw air from inside the enclosure to produce an air flow through the fuel cell stack and establish a negative pressure inside the enclosure with respect to a region outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for collecting condensate from process streams in an integrated fuel cell system. In one aspect, the invention provides a water management subsystem for a fuel cell system. A gas conduit contains a gas at a first pressure. A water tank in the system contains water at a certain level. The water tank has an inlet orifice below the water level. A drain conduit has a first end and a second end. The drain conduit is connected at the first end to the gas conduit, and the drain conduit is connected at the second end to the inlet orifice of the water tank. The water level and the inlet orifice have a vertical height of water between them corresponding to a head pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and associated methods of manufacture for fuel cell systems designed for modular application. In one embodiment, a fuel cell system is provided that has a base module assembly. The base module assembly includes a first frame member and a fuel cell stack assembly coupled to the first frame member. A first subsystem module assembly is provided that includes a second frame member and a first subsystem coupled to the second frame member. A second subsystem module assembly is provided that includes a third frame member and a second subsystem coupled to the third frame member. The first frame member is coupled to each of the second and third frame members, and the second frame member is coupled to the third frame member.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for fluid collection within a fuel cell system. The fluid collection device includes a fluid collection container which has a gas inlet, a gas outlet, at least one fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The at least one fluid inlet allows condensate to enter the fluid collection container. A fluid is contained within the fluid collection container. The gas inlet allows a purge gas to enter the fluid collection container to substantially purge the atmosphere of the fluid collection container through the gas outlet.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an enclosure housing the fuel cell stack and a blower. The blower is located inside the enclosure and is adapted to draw air from inside the enclosure to produce an air flow through the fuel cell stack and establish a negative pressure inside the enclosure with respect to a region outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an enclosure housing the fuel cell stack and a blower. The blower is located inside the enclosure and is adapted to draw air from inside the enclosure to produce an air flow through the fuel cell stack and establish a negative pressure inside the enclosure with respect to a region outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for collecting condensate from process streams in an integrated fuel cell system. In one aspect, the invention provides a water management subsystem for a fuel cell system. A gas conduit contains a gas at a first pressure. A water tank in the system contains water at a certain level. The water tank has an inlet orifice below the water level. A drain conduit has a first end and a second end. The drain conduit is connected at the first end to the gas conduit, and the drain conduit is connected at the second end to the inlet orifice of the water tank. The water level and the inlet orifice have a vertical height of water between them corresponding to a head pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems and their methods of operation are disclosed. The fuel cell systems include a water transfer device that can be used to transfer water from one or more exhaust gas streams to an inlet gas stream.

Abstract: In a fuel-cell system, the task of replacing a fuel-cell stack mounted on a base is made easier by a hinge coupling the fuel-cell stack and the base. The hinge enables the stack to be pivoted onto the base so that an aperture on the stack aligns with a corresponding aperture on the base.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for fluid collection within a fuel cell system. The fluid collection device includes a fluid collection container which has a gas inlet, a gas outlet, at least one fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet. The at least one fluid inlet allows condensate to enter the fluid collection container. A fluid is contained within the fluid collection container. The gas inlet allows a purge gas to enter the fluid collection container to substantially purge the atmosphere of the fluid collection container through the gas outlet.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a manifold and a hinge. The manifold forms a sealed interface to communicate reactants with the stack, and the hinge forms a pivotable connection between the stack and the manifold. The fuel cell system also includes at least one gas/water separator that is disposed in the manifold to collect water from one of the flows.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for collecting condensate from combustible gas process streams in an integrated fuel cell system. In one aspect, a water management subsystem for a fuel cell system has a first conduit containing a first gas at a first pressure. A first water trap is provided that is configured to receive condensate from the first conduit. A second conduit is provided that contains a second gas at a second pressure. A second water trap is provided that is configured to receive condensate from the second conduit and the first water trap.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for thermal management in a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack, and a coolant loop to remove heat from the stack. The coolant loop includes a radiator to remove heat from the coolant loop. The coolant loop also includes a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger that can be used to remove heat form the coolant loop. The coolant from the coolant loop flows through a first side of the heat exchanger. The second side of the heat exchanger is not used by the fuel cell system, but rather is made available to systems outside the fuel cell system, which can circulate a fluid through the heat exchanger to heat the fluid.

Abstract: A hydration system includes fuel cell fluid flow plate(s) and injection port(s). Each plate has flow channel(s) with respective inlet(s) for receiving respective portion(s) of a given stream of reactant fluid for a fuel cell. Each injection port injects a portion of liquid water directly into its respective flow channel. This serves to hydrate at least corresponding part(s) of a given membrane of the corresponding fuel cell(s). The hydration system may be augmented by a metering system including flow regulator(s). Each flow regulator meters an injecting at inlet(s) of each plate of respective portions of liquid into respective portion(s) of a given stream of fluid by corresponding injection port(s).

Abstract: A fuel cell system having one or more desiccants is disclosed. The desiccant is capable of sorbing water vapor present in the fuel cell system to reduce the amount of water that sorbs to a liquid water-sensitive electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to controlling the temperature and relative humidity of an incoming fuel cell reactant stream. In one aspect, a fuel cell system is provided that includes a fuel cell having an anode inlet adapted to receive a flow of anode gas from an anode inlet conduit, and a cathode inlet adapted to receive a flow of cathode gas from a cathode inlet conduit. A first heat exchange surface is adapted to contact the flow of anode gas within the anode inlet conduit, and a second heat exchange surface adapted to contact the flow of cathode gas within the cathode inlet conduit. A coolant system is adapted to circulate a coolant through a coolant conduit. The coolant system is adapted to transfer heat from each of the first and second heat exchange surfaces to the coolant.